By A Correspondent- A massive corruption scandal has erupted at the Zanu-PF national headquarters in Harare after it emerged that senior executives smuggled a private an inept company through the back door to land a lucrative contract for the printing of ballot papers used in the recently held provincial elections at the expense of a party owned company.
The ruling party has since launched an internal investigation to establish circumstances under which a company known as VGP Technologies ended up snapping the money-spinning company at the expense of Jongwe Printers which has always been used to do such tasks.
Jongwe Printers is wholly owned by Zanu-PF while some party officials are believed to have interests in VGP Technologies.
Sources said the issue has since resulted in Zanu-PF secretary for security Lovemore Matuke requesting State Security minister Owen Ncube to deploy Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives to carry out investigations into the scandal, in which executives are suspected to have pocketed huge sums of money in kickbacks.
The CIO investigation, sources said, recommended further probes on Zanu-PF director of administration Dickson Dzora, whose head is now on the chopping block.
In fact, the sources said, the CIOs found out that Jongwe Printers had the contract taken away from them well after it had completed printing press the ballot papers and all necessary materials.
Ironically, there were reports of shortages of ballot papers in some areas.
A CIO report submitted to Matuke at the end of the investigation, sources further said, revealed that VGP Technologies, based at Engineering House in Harare’s CBD, did not even have the capacity to print the materials and had to sub-contract another company which NewZimbabwe.com was yet to know by the time of publication as it was not named in the report.
Interestingly, upon being questioned, Dzora reportedly said Jongwe Printers had the contract taken away from them on account of “unsustainably high costs”.
However, our investigation established that there were official negotiations over the prices which resulted in Jongwe Printers offering to reduced the cost to the same level as VGP Technologies, yet still the latter got the deal.
A source at the party headquarters confirmed the investigation and gave details on how the decision to revoke Jongwe Printers’ contract was explained.
“Jongwe Printers had initially, as per tradition, been granted the contract but it was surreptitiously taken away from them on the pretext that it was overpriced,” a highly placed Zanu-PF source said.
“Jongwe then offered lower prices to match that which was being offered by the other company but was still denied. Matuke then requested for a CIO investigation into the matter and that is when it was discovered that VGP Technologies did not have the capacity to do the job and had clandestinely subcontracted another company to do the job.
Another source said: “There is obviously a lot of deceit in this deal. Why did they do that to Jongwe Printers. Dzora and his colleagues have to be thoroughly investigated in this issue.”
Dzora declined to comment on the issue saying NewZimbabwe.com had no business in what happens at the Zanu-PF headquarters.
“What has that got to do with you, why would you want to know that? It is not newsworthy at all,” Dzora said.
“The people who are complaining about the matter have no right to be poking their noses into business contracts. It is a business issue, and it is entirely up to us,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from Matuke were fruitless as calls on his mobile number went unanswered.
By A Correspondent- Some schools in Bulawayo have been demanding fees for candidates that are writing Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations, a practice that has been condemned by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
Normally, pupils finish writing public examinations by mid-December, but last year’s exam timetable spilled over into this year due to learning disruptions caused by Covid-19.
O and A Level exams took a two-week break on December 17 and resumed on January 3.
The exams are expected to end on January 31.
In light of this, some schools have written to parents demanding 33 percent of full-term fees so that they conduct examinations for the papers that spilled into year.
“You are expected to pay before or on the third of January 2022, being 33% of the fees of a normal 60-day term.
Please, pay timeously so that the examinations are run smoothly and efficiently,” read one message from Gifford High School.
At Milton High School the situation is the same as parents say they were told to pay $2 000. It is a different case at Eveline High School as pupils were supposed to pay $6 000 for the third term and because of the extension by 20 days of the term, they are now paying an extra $2 100.
According to the schools, this money covers utility bills, fuel- exams collected and delivered daily, purchase of sanitisers and disinfectants, cleaning materials and salaries of grounds staff.
Some schools are threatening to withhold results should parents not pay.
One parent said:
“We are hard pressed for money and I thought my child would finish their exams this month as normal. I paid examination fees but I was surprised as were other parents that we had to pay over $2 000 for the consumables. It’s impossible for me to do that because I have already paid rent and other things,” said the parent.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson Mr Taungana Ndoro said parents with day scholars are not expected to pay.
“As for day scholars they have a contract with Zimsec. They are just going to the centre; they write their exam and they’re dismissed. There’s no need for money for this and that, they just write and they are dismissed,” said Mr Ndoro.
“This is why they pay examination fees, which are supposed to cover all that and if they have any issues, it’ll be prudent to refer them (schools) to Zimsec.”
Mr Ndoro said it was understandable that parents with children writing at boarding schools pay for their children’s upkeep.
“The boarders pay for their upkeep because the school can’t keep them there without getting them something to eat.
They will probably use electricity in the evening to study. They’re certain schools that pro rata these fees on a daily basis, while others on a weekly basis,” he said.
“Other parents will say, look, my child is going to write only two papers so I will take my child to write the exam.
Then take them back home and then return them for the other exam. Which is actually cheaper (than the pupil staying in boarding).”
Mr Ndoro said if schools and parents agree on a fee, the figure should be nominal.
“If there’s a day school that’s actually charging, any utilities I can use are just a token, perhaps for cleaning the toilets, it’ll be very nominal. It’ll be a figure that you will also want to pay if you use a public toilet. Because you are at the school and you want to use the toilet and who is going to clean it,” said Mr Ndoro.
“The figure is very nominal, but this is where the problem is, what do they want the $2 500 for? Perhaps one learner is in in upper six and is writing one exam and you want them to pay $2 500.”
Mr Ndoro said schools should sympathise with parents who are already struggling.
“We don’t want our institutions to look like corrupt institutions. Because this starts to raise red flags and we should have discipline in terms of how these levies are to be collected. These learners already paid their examination fees which will cater for the overheads. Obviously, there is a conciliatory tone that we can have and say if you are waiting, pay at least $100 per day for the school to be able to clean the ablution facilities,” said Mr Ndoro.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- The First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa has extended her philanthropic work and empowerment initiatives to sex workers in Gweru where she donated farming inputs so that they could embark on farming projects.
Amai Mnangagwa donated the agricultural inputs through the Gweru Women’s Aids Prevention Association (GWAPA), an organisation that works with commercial sex workers in the city.
GWAPA has over two hectares of land to be used for farming activities to benefit its primary target; commercial sex workers.
Midlands Province has over 7 000 registered sex workers who are getting assistance from Government departments and other development partners like the Centre for Sexual Health HIV and Aids Research Zimbabwe.
The First Lady, who was represented by Midlands Provincial and Devolution Minister Larry Mavima, on Wednesday donated maize seed and fertiliser for this agricultural season.
The piece of land was provided to GWAPA by Gweru City Council, while Government will complement the efforts through provision of a tractor for tillage purposes through the District Development Fund (DDF).
The group expressed gratitude for the empowerment initiatives being facilitated by the First Lady in the face of adversities they face in their day to day lives.
Ms Miriam Nyathi who has been in the business for close to a decade commended the First Lady for the donation, which she said will uplift them.
“Most people fail to understand that for us to end up on the streets, it is not by choice. Circumstances differ. Some of us had children when we were still young. We need to feed these children. It’s not easy to come out in front of people and declare my profession as being a prostitute. I want to thank Amai Mnangagwa for this great initiative. We need more self-help projects,” she said.
Another sex worker, Ms Rita Mausengwe, said she was highly honoured to have Amai Mnangagwa taking time to think about their needs and sending her representatives with donations.
“This is a day to remember and hopefully we will have good rains so that we have a good yield. It’s not every day that we are remembered by powerful offices like this one of the First Lady. We want to thank you Amai and may you continue to assist us. We also want to take this opportunity to express our harassment at the hands of law enforcement agents. We are pleading with you to allow us space and arrest us if we violate the lockdown rules.
“We also face problems when we want to report our clients over abuse. The clients might be having money and end up walking scot free. We hope such challenges will be addressed,” she said.
Representing Amai Mnangagwa, Minister Mavima said Government has promised to empower sex workers through various initiatives such as the availing of farming inputs and a tractor by the First Lady to GWAPA.
“The First Lady said you also need to be empowered despite your profession. These things are coming from the President and presented to the First Lady to give to you. We want accountability in the distribution of these inputs and we want them to be properly utilised for farming not for you to resell. Show us somewhere where you are going to plant and we will give you the inputs,” he said.
Minister Mavima said they are going to provide land to GWAPA for them to embark on farming.
“It might be five to 10 hectares but if it’s worked on properly, you will harvest something that will uplift you. If you might come in groups, we will identify more land for you. I have heard your plight at the hands of the law enforcement agents. Prostitution is not a one-man band. It’s a two-way thing. The offence is not one sided. Why is it troubling only one part? Take them all. That way we get equality,” he said.
Midlands provincial chairperson for Young Women for Empowerment Development Mrs Farai Sipani said it was high time that young women came together and worked as a unit.
She said united, young women will develop in business and general livelihood.
“We are saying women, come let’s work together. Women don’t stay behind. The First Lady has passion for us. Let’s work and prove it’s worth it. All your concerns can be addressed through a collaboration with you to uplift your lives so you realise your dreams. We can provide training on various projects you might want to embark on. We can also collaborate and come up with good partnerships,” said Mrs Sipani.-statemedia
High Court Judge Justice Joseph Mafusire on Thursday 6 January 2022 dismissed an application filed by some Chilonga villagers challenging some provisions of Sections 4 and Section 6(1)(b) of the Communal Land Act, which vests rural land in the President and seeking to stop government’s plans to evict them so as to set an agricultural venture on 12 940 hectares.
In their application which was filed in March 2021, the Chilonga villagers, who were represented by Tendai Biti of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, asked the High Court to set aside provisions of Sections 4 and Section 6(1)(b) of the Communal Land Act, which vests rural land in the President arguing that they are unconstitutional and offend some provisions of the Constitution.
The Chilonga villagers, who are farmers who grow sorghum, maize and millet while some of them are contract farmers for a local beverages manufacturer for the production of sorghum, were aggrieved after government sought to evict them to pave way for a commercial irrigation venture with media reports stating that they were being moved to pave way for a lucerne production project by a dairy processing company.
They argued that the Communal Land Act denies them the right to self-determination of Africans in Zimbabwe and has no room in post-independent Zimbabwe.
The villagers contended that the Communal Land Act is a racist and a colonial creature which regards Africans as too uncivilised as to own land and queried how an African can own a house in Harare’s plush suburb of Borrowdale but he cannot own his ancestral home in areas such as Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Dotito, Chendambuya, Nkayi or Tsholotsho.
The villagers also argued that the intended eviction is an unlawful deprivation of their to property as enshrined in Section 71 and Section 72 of the Constitution arguing that no person may be compulsorily deprived of their property.
In response to the application, government argued that Section 4 and Section 6(1)(b) of the Communal Land Act are not in breach of the Constitution and that there is nothing wrong in vesting communal land in the State President and this is done to ensure orderly development.
The agricultural venture, government argued would generate foreign currency, rural development, provision of basic amenities like clinics, schools and better housing and the establishment of an economic hub in Chilonga.
But in a judgment handed down on Thursday 6 January 2022, Justice Mafusire dismissed the application after ruling that the impugned sections in the Communal Land Act do not violate the Constitution.
While acknowledging that the Communal Land Act may have an obnoxious and racist parentage, Justice Mafusire said government in its “infinite wisdom” decided to make a political decision by leaving the concept of vesting communal lands in the State President intact.
Justice Mafusire proposed that without some sort of Commission of Enquiry on Zimbabwe’s whole agrarian reform especially as it applies to communal lands, the courts may not be sufficiently qualified to provide a wholesome solution to the question of private ownership of communal lands.
The Judge ruled that it is not an undesirable fear that the granting of title carte blanche to users and occupiers of communal lands may result in undesirable consequences and warned that foreign land barons may end up owning vast tracts of communal land and this may disrupt the orderly customary way of life in those territories.
Justice Mafusire said the Executive and the Legislature are better placed than the courts to consider, on the basis of the material, information, the expertise, the resources, and so on, available to them whether, in spite of the regrettable origins of the Communal Land Act, it is time that private ownership of communal territories is recognised so that individual title deeds can now be granted to the occupiers of such territories.
By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC-T leadership, Douglas Mwonzora Thursday, had a closed-door meeting with President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House.
In the meeting, Mwonzora pushed for a national dialogue.
MDC-T spokesperson Witness Dube said this in a statement:
Pursuant to our call for genuine, inclusive and unconditional dialogue as a solution to solving Zimbabwe’s myriad of challenges, our President Douglas Mwonzora met State President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House today. He was accompanied by Secretary-General Paurina Mpariwa and Treasurer General Dr Tapiwa Mashakada.
On the 11th of June last year the initial meeting took place at State House whereat our President presented concrete proposals for national dialogue to President Mnangagwa. On the 161h of September 2021, President Mnangagwa formally responded to the MDCT proposals. Some of the issues raised in President Mnangagwa’s letter led to our party embarking on a nationwide dialogue consultative program during which party structures were briefed on same. They were afforded an opportunity to make representations on how they wanted the dialogue process to take place and the timelines involved. They also contributed on the substantive issues to be covered by the dialogue.
Following these consultations, the National Council of the Party met on the 26th of November, 2021 and adopted a final position on dialogue. The meeting then mandated President Mwonzora and the Party leadership to go and formally present the party’s response to President Mnangagwa at State House.
President Mnangagwa, who was accompanied by ZANU PF Secretary for Finance, Mr. Patrick Chinamasa and Acting Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Mr. George Charamba, promised to respond to the MDCT’s final position as soon as possible after their own internal consultations within the government and their party. The meeting was a huge success and our leaders expressed that the dialogue that Zimbabweans have long waited for is slowly becoming a reality.
Witness Dube Secretary for Information and Publicity
By- A senior Zanu PF official in Harare province is threatening to evict vendors from vending stalls he used to lure votes from vendors.
The same official allegedly paid voters US$3 to vote for him in the chaotic party provincial elections held last week, which he lost.
Emmanuel Mahachi contested for the Harare provincial youth league chairperson post and reportedly paid US$3 to some party supporters to vote for him, and also threatened to take over vending stalls in the event that vendors refrained from voting for him.
Mahachi controls several stalls in Harare, mainly in the populous Mbare suburb. One of the party supporters told NewsDay:
We voted for the candidate who gave us money. Mahachi gave me US$3 and other people who promised to vote for him. The amount may seem little but it’s worthwhile considering that most youths are unemployed like me.
Apart from the money, I was also pushed to vote for Mahachi through fear to lose my vending stalls. We were warned prior to the elections that if we don’t go out to vote, we were going to lose the stalls. Thus, I participated in the elections to protect my vending area.
Mahachi however refuted the allegations professing ignorance about the reports. He added:
I don’t know anything about that. Such bad news is coming from my opponents who I defeated during elections. They are finding ways to tarnish me. I just asked people to vote for me and in return, I just promised to do some projects with youths in the province. As of now, no one has been officially endorsed as the winner.
ZANU PF held its provincial elections last week as the restructuring process continues.
While the party argues that the outcome of the polls signifies that internal democracy was enhanced, some cite chaotic scenes and reports of rigging to brush off the party’s claims.
In his New Year message to the people, the people’s President, Adv @nelsonchamisa has called for CITIZENS’ ACTION FOR CHANGE.
All citizens must register to vote & focus on community organizing so that we get 6 million votes in 2023 & win Zimbabwe
?In his New Year message to the people, the people’s President, Adv @nelsonchamisa has called for CITIZENS’ ACTION FOR CHANGE.
All citizens must register to vote & focus on community organizing so that we get 6 million votes in 2023 & win Zimbabwe for change! #NHMpic.twitter.com/OavBqBPPxh
— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) January 5, 2022
Tinashe Sambiri|Zimbabwe Electoral Commission( ZEC) credibility is under scrutiny after the release of false information about the voter registration exercise across the country.
In a statement, Team Pachedu accused ZEC deliberately misleading the nation in a bid to create voter apathy.
In the same statement, Team Pachedu called for the immediate resignation of ZEC Commissioner Joyce Kazembe, turning 72 this year.
Below is Team Pachedu’s presentation:
ZEC Commissioner, Joyce Kazembe, turns 72 years old this year, being born on 31 May 1949.
Gogo, it’s time for you to enjoy your pension!
She has been with ZEC from as far back as 1999 and oversaw all the chaotic, shambolic and disputed elections in 2000, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2013 & 2018.
She is not fit for purpose and must resign!
ZEC lied that only 117 women from Manicaland Province registered to vote in 2021.
… samples of just 125 women; 113 of which were from Mutasa District ALONE and ONLY registered to vote between September and December. Any comment?
Tinashe Sambiri|Zimbabwe Electoral Commission( ZEC) credibility is under scrutiny after the release of false information about the voter registration exercise across the country.
In a statement, Team Pachedu accused ZEC deliberately misleading the nation in a bid to create voter apathy.
In the same statement, Team Pachedu called for the immediate resignation of ZEC Commissioner Joyce Kazembe, turning 72 this year.
Below is Team Pachedu’s presentation:
ZEC Commissioner, Joyce Kazembe, turns 72 years old this year, being born on 31 May 1949.
Gogo, it’s time for you to enjoy your pension!
She has been with ZEC from as far back as 1999 and oversaw all the chaotic, shambolic and disputed elections in 2000, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2013 & 2018.
She is not fit for purpose and must resign!
ZEC lied that only 117 women from Manicaland Province registered to vote in 2021.
… samples of just 125 women; 113 of which were from Mutasa District ALONE and ONLY registered to vote between September and December. Any comment?
reparations that go over USD120bln because SA is illustrating a lack of reciprocity…Now when S'Chitando brings ideas like these to the table, you hear people like @ClaysonMonyela a spokesperson for DIRCO, a govt dept that's supposed to look out for Intl Relations-@matinyarare
Malaria vaccine a beacon of hope in the fight against a range of infectious diseases
Just as health workers have been guiding lights in these difficult times, so has the transformative potential of science.
WHO’s recommendation of the widespread use of a malaria vaccine for children at risk, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, marked a milestone moment for child health and malaria control.
The recommendation was based on results from an ongoing pilot programme of the RTS,S vaccine in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi that has reached more than 800 000 children since 2019.
The vaccine has reinvigorated the fight against malaria, which claimed the lives of over 600 000 people in Africa in 2020. Children under the age of 5 represented 80% of these deaths.
Even before the pandemic struck, there were signs that after years of phenomenal gains, progress was stalling.
Other major achievements relating to immunization include the introduction of a licensed Ebola vaccine and launch of a landmark new global plan to tackle meningitis.
Meanwhile, we released new evidence that more countries are following WHO’s advice on the steps to take when HIV drug resistance reaches critical thresholds. This is an important step forward in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance, about which WHO continues to raise the alarm, calling for action on innovation and within the food system.
Dementia
WHO signals alarm about dementia challenge Individuals can do a lot themselves to stay healthy but they can’t do it all on their own.
WHO released its first report on the global status of the public health response to dementia, showing that only a quarter of countries worldwide have a national policy, strategy or plan for supporting people with dementia and their families.
These gaps are increasingly concerning, as the number of people living with dementia is growing.
WHO estimates that more than 55 million people (8.1% of women and 5.4% of men over 65 years) are living with dementia.
As life expectancy increases worldwide, this number is estimated to rise to 78 million by 2030 and to 139 million by 2050.
To drive change, the report highlights the urgent need to strengthen support at national level, for both people with dementia and those who care for them. Many countries lack earmarked funding in national health budgets, leaving significant gaps in treatment and care, and do not comprehensively involve people with dementia and their carers and families in developing policies. These are among the areas for change.
WHO is also developing a Dementia Research Blueprint, to structure research efforts and stimulate new initiatives, helping to overcome challenges related to past unsuccessful clinical trials for treatments and the high costs of research and development.
Youths from Masvingo rural communities have embarked on a campaign against all forms of violence through various sporting activities.
The sporting activities which are organized by Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD) Peace Clubs for Masvingo District bring youths from ward 16, 17, 18 and 34 and other surrounding wards of Masvingo Central Constituency together to play for peace.
The sporting activities, mainly soccer and netball, are played under COTRAD’s 2021 peace building theme – “Peaceful and Active Youth in Development”.
The peace campaign aims to fight against political and domestic violence through raising people’s awareness about constitutional rights, forms of violence, ABCs of arrest, human rights violations and social service delivery concerns reporting processes and procedures.
In commemoration of the sixteen days of activism against gender based violence from November 16, 2021 to December 11, 2021, COTRAD peace clubs organized the Masvingo District COTRAD 2021 Peace Tournament at Shonganiso grounds in ward 16.
The tournament saw four teams in netball and four teams in soccer from various wards battling it out in a peace award-winning tournament.
Speaking during the tournament at Shonganiso grounds, Ward 16 councilor Mr. Dhemba who is also COTRAD peace committee member for Masvingo District expressed the importance of peace-building activities. “The sports for peace programs provide opportunities for young people to actively participate in social activities, interact with peers in a supervised setting, and form good relationships with public officials and elderly people in their communities. These inclusive community sport networks are an important source of social networking, helping to combat exclusion and fostering the community’s capacity to work collectively to realize opportunities and address challenges”, said Dhemba.
The sports for peace activities mainstream voter education, whereby the peace club members mobilize young people and women to go and register to vote in preparation for the forthcoming 2023 elections.
“COTRAD will continue to promote youth participation in peace building and community development processes through facilitating peace building activities, youth leadership training and providing engagement platforms where youths discuss their concerns and priorities with public officials”, said Kupfuwa Ishmael COTRAD official.
By A Correspondent-Norton MP Temba Mliswa (Independent) has accused Zanu PF bigwigs, including the party’s spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa of plotting against President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
In several leaked audio clips where the former Zanu Pf chairman for Mashonaland West was claiming to be closer to Mnangagwa he attacked CIO minister Owen Ncube , Mutsvangwa and Muchechetere for faking their support for Mnangagwa.
He accused Mutsvangwa of decampaigning Mnangagwa in Norton during the 2018 harmonised elections. Mliswa claimed that he was responsible for mobilising voters for Mnangagwa in Norton. He also accused Ncube of raising frivolous charges against him to settle personal scores over Susan Mutami, a woman who allegedly has links to both of them. “I was arrested on baseless COVID-19 charges which were brought up by Mudha (Ncube), who said nothing at the helm of ED’s victimisation during the previous regime. What did they say in the Midlands province in defence of Ngwena (Mnangagwa) during his ? He used State apparatus to arrest me over the issue of Susan (Mutami) because he knows her. Nobody should interfere between me and the President. I supplied confidential information to the President during the coup. You do not know what he did for me and what I did for him. If you don’t see me with the President it does not mean we are not in good books,” Mliswa said, claiming that in Parliament he defended Mnangagwa, including advocating for the removal of the late former President Robert Mugabe in 2017. Mliswa also claimed that he had written to Mnangagwa informing him that the war veterans in Mashonaland West province were divisive. Ncube refused to comment on the issue. Muchechetere said: “I saw the messages from Temba attacking me, but I responded telling him I wondered why he was bothered when his sister had won in the polls.” Said Mutsvangwa: “I don’t have time for fools. I have weighter responsibilities in the revolutionary party and have no time for vanity and self seekers. I will not build a personality by sparing with Mliswa. The President belongs to Zanu PF amd not to the independent. As far as I am concerned, Mliswa doesn’t politically exist. If he can’t find a leader of his independent political party, he can’t appropriate my President. “Someone for the past two decades has earned his daily keep by trolling Mutsvangwa, even all the way to Beijing during my ambassadorial posting. He strives to be my political alter ego with a ”
By- Zanu PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa Wednesday endorsed and authenticated endorsed the results of his party’s chaotic and rigged provincial elections.
Mnangagwa also forced those complaining against the election outcome to support those they accused of rigging the polls.
He said everyone should forget about the rigged election and to work together for the “good” of the party.
“As we deliberate on the report of the elections, I urge all members of the party to be mindful of the fact that in our party there are no winners and losers. It is the people and ultimately the party that wins.
“Party cadres, who did not make it in the recent elections, must avail themselves, their experiences, skills and competencies to build and grow our mass party. Just as iron sharpens iron, the spirit of camaraderie and collegiality must be harnessed as we all serve this great party, Zanu PF and the nation as a whole. An election lost must never dampens the revolutionary spirit of any cadre, but inspires them to learn, develop and mature in their political career,” he told his party’s politburo.
The Zanu PF elections were reportedly marred by violence and vote rigging, with several losing candidates petitioning party commissar Michael Bimha demanding a rerun. After the politburo meeting, Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa said the party had resolved to endorse the results despite the rigging claims and investigate the allegations later. Zanu PF spokesperson, Chris Mutsvangwa He, however, said the outcome of the investigations would not alter the outcome of the polls. Mutsvangwa said the party would suspend members who instigated violence during the party’s internal polls. Zanu PF spokesperson, Chris Mutsvangwa “The President chastised those who did not want to participate in the elections in a fair, transparent and accountable manner. Those who are prone to try to short-change the system and, or other indiscipline will be suspended if the evidence is brought before the disciplinary committee,” Mutsvangwa said. “Those who lost — the party is big, it has the wings of the chicken — all the chicks will be able to be accommodated somehow. But the principle that it is an election and not an appointment is fundamental. Those who lost must accept defeat.”
By- Goodness and Mercy Ministries church leader Tapiwa Freddy has denied raping and physically abusing his ex-girlfriend Rutendo Makuti.
Rutendo Makuti is employed by ZBC as a radio DJ.
T Freddy denied the rape charges when his trial opened at Harare Magistrates Court, Thursday.
Tapiwa Freddy, popularly known as Prophet T Freddy, is charged with two counts of rape and physical abuse.
He told the court that he had consensual sexual intercourse with the the ZBC DJ and the accusations arose only after he wanted to terminate their love relationship.
Freddy told the court that the rape allegations were concocted to tarnish his good name and embarrass him in society.
He also denied assaulting her at Moja Shopping Centre saying they never visited the place during the time they were in a relationship. Regional magistrate Mrs Gloria Takundwa is presiding.
By- Villagers from Chilonga Communal lands, Chiredzi, Masvingo, are facing fresh evictions after the High Court has dismissed their appeal against the formed displacement.
The villagers were challenging some sections of the Communal Lands Act, which vests rural land in the President. They argued it was a colonial relic premised on a racist concept that an African could not own land.
The villagers also argued that the Communal Lands Act is a racist and colonial creature that regards Africans as too uncivilised to own land.
The villagers queried how an African can own a house in Harare’s plush suburb of Borrowdale but cannot own his ancestral home in areas such as Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Dotito, Chendambuya, Nkayi or Tsholotsho. About 12 000 villagers face displacement.
The evictions are meant to pave the way for a commercial irrigation venture. Chilonga villagers were being represented by MDC Alliance Vice President, Tendai Biti who is a Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights member.
BREAKING NEWS- HUGE BOMB EXPLOSION: Just Days after Convicted-Train-Bomber Mnangagwa Threatened To Detonate Cecil John Rhodes' Grave, Gukurahundi Memorial Plaques Nearby Have Been Bombed Suddenly | WHO DO YOU THINK DID THIS STUPID THING?
Since 2018, Zimbabwean volunteers have made 5 attempts to build a memorial for the hundreds of people killed at Bhalagwe detention camp during Gukurahundi massacres in 1980s. Each attempt blocked by police or plaques stolen. This week: latest plaque was destroyed in an explosion. https://t.co/BxNXT5EPfl
By- A man who is said to be a ‘pastor’ from the viral video where he was seen bathing female ‘congregants’ has said the video was an acting scene, not a real service.
The man named Aniefiok Udoabasi posted on Facebook saying he is actually an actor.
Nobelie.com reports that Udoabasi’s stage name is pastor Blinks and he usually makes skits and short films about churches and other things that generate clicks. In the video which had taken over the internet, some young ladies can be seen taking turns to get bathed by the pastor in the full view of everyone.
The video and pictures left many baffled. Commenting on the video some social media users bemoaned some women’s desperation. Some observers, however, came to the pastor’s defence arguing that the pastor did not force anyone as such the women in the video did so willingly.
The internet is awash with videos of clergymen doing all sorts of things on congregants in the name of casting bad luck or cleansing them. Some congregants were fed with grass, while some preachers would stand or sit on congregants.
By- After defeating her three rivals in the party provincial chairmanship race, Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs minister Mary Mliswa-Chikoka became the first woman to lead a province in Zanu PF’s history.
She defeated, former ZBC boss, Happison Muchechetere and Kindness Paradza the deputy Information Minister.
She joins other candidates, who won the chairmanship, include Robison Mavenyengwa (Masvingo), Kazembe Kazembe (Mashonaland Central), Jabulani Sibanda (Bulawayo), Mike Madiro (Manicaland), Daniel Garwe (Mashonaland East), Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu (Matabeleland South), Godwills Masimirembwa (Harare), Albert Nyakuedzwa (Manicaland), Richard Moyo (Matabeleland North), and Larry Mavhima who was elected unopposed in the Midlands province.
Zanu PF’s Politburo Wednesday endorsed the results of the party’s provincial elections held recently across the country.
Some of the contestants had complained about violence and rigging and were hoping that Politburo, the highest decision-making organ in the party, would nullify the election outcome.
Addressing a Zanu PF politburo session at the party headquarters in Harare yesterday following the contentious provincial elections held last week, President Emmerson Mnangagwa urged members to accept the outcome and work together for the “good” of the party.
After the politburo meeting, Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa said the party had resolved to endorse the results despite the rigging claims adding that the outcome of the investigations was insignificant to alter the outcome of the polls. Mutsvangwa said:
Those who lost — the party is big, it has the wings of the chicken — all the chicks will be able to be accommodated somehow. But the principle that it is an election and not an appointment is fundamental. Those who lost must accept defeat.
Party commissar Bimha also confirmed that the politburo had endorsed the results, adding that the outcome of the proposed investigations would guide the party’s future elections.
Zanu PF will, however, organise provincial elections for the Matabeleland North provincial youth wing after all the candidates were disqualified because they were over 35 years.
Some party officials told NewsDay that unconfirmed results indicated that a faction linked to Mnangagwa was sharing control of the 10 provinces with one aligned to Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, some of whose candidates were controversially disqualified from the race.
By Showbiz Reporter | A report going rounds in ZANU PF circles says the socialite, Pokello Nare has been married off to one of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s sons.
The report says Nare was paid off lobola 4 months ago, without stating which of Mnangagwa’s sons took the spiritual step.
Pokello Nare
Contacted by ZimEye on Thursday afternoon, Pokello laughed off the idea of a wedding having happened, albeit without necessarily denying that she got married off.
“What wedding are you talking about, what wedding are you talking about?” she said posing a question as she laughed it away, before putting the phone down.
Nare is a classy socialite popular for showing off cars and expensive outfits and is also a former Big Brother Africa actor. She is also the daughter of former Local govt Minister Ignatius Chombo’s girlfriend.
Gabon players have reportedly refused to travel to Cameroon for the Afcon 2021 in protest over unpaid bonuses.
The Panthers were scheduled to fly out from Dubai, where they have been camped, on Wednesday but missed their flight.
According to Gabon All Sport, as cited by Goal.com, the players gave Gabon’s Ministry of Sports a three-day ultimatum which expired after their last friendly match against Mauritania which ended in a 1-1 draw on Tuesday.
“The players were categorical. They do not fly if the premium payment situation is not resolved,” a source told the Gabonese publication.
“They also deplore the fact that one of the officials has indicated that they will take local players for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations if they do not embark.
“This is the status quo. Everyone has been in the lobby of the players’ hotel for almost 3 hours, but they are in their rooms. And suddenly, we also go back to our rooms.”
The Gabonese Football Federation (Fegafoot) is now said to have threatened to take home-based players to Cameroon.
The Panthers are scheduled to begin their Afcon campaign with a game against Comoros on January 10. They will also face Morocco and Ghana in Group C- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
By Showbiz Reporter | A report going rounds in ZANU PF circles says the socialite, Pokello Nare has been married off to one of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s sons.
The report says Nare was paid off lobola 4 months ago, without stating which of Mnangagwa’s sons took the spiritual step.
Pokello Nare
Contacted by ZimEye on Thursday afternoon, Pokello laughed off the idea of a wedding having happened, albeit without necessarily denying that she got married off.
“What wedding are you talking about, what wedding are you talking about?” she said posing a question as she laughed it away, before putting the phone down.
Nare is a classy socialite popular for showing off cars and expensive outfits and is also a former Big Brother Africa actor. She is also the daughter of former Local govt Minister Ignatius Chombo’s girlfriend.
Nine players and staff in the Senegal squad for the Afcon 2021 have tested positive for COVID-19.
The affected members include six in coach Aliou Cisse’s staff and three players – Leicester midfielder Nampalys Mendy, Metz’s Tottenham loanee Pape Matar Sarr and Kayserispor forward Mame Thiam.
The outbreak has forced the Teranga Lions, who have been home-based for their pre-tournament training, to delay their flight from Dakar to Cameroon. The team was scheduled to depart on Wednesday.
Senegal will face the Warriors of Zimbabwe in their opening match of Group B on Monday.
The match will be played at Kouekong Stadium in Bafoussam.
Malawi, who are also in Group B, have also been affected by COVID-19.
The Flames left three players behind in isolation when the squad departed for Cameroon on Wednesday. Defender Mark Fodya, midfielder Charles Petro and striker Richard Mbulu remained in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, where the team held its pre-tournament camp and will be re-tested on Thursday.
If they test negative, they are scheduled to travel on Friday, a football association statement said.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Malaria vaccine a beacon of hope in the fight against a range of infectious diseases
Just as health workers have been guiding lights in these difficult times, so has the transformative potential of science.
WHO’s recommendation of the widespread use of a malaria vaccine for children at risk, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, marked a milestone moment for child health and malaria control.
The recommendation was based on results from an ongoing pilot programme of the RTS,S vaccine in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi that has reached more than 800 000 children since 2019.
The vaccine has reinvigorated the fight against malaria, which claimed the lives of over 600 000 people in Africa in 2020. Children under the age of 5 represented 80% of these deaths.
Even before the pandemic struck, there were signs that after years of phenomenal gains, progress was stalling.
Other major achievements relating to immunization include the introduction of a licensed Ebola vaccine and launch of a landmark new global plan to tackle meningitis.
Meanwhile, we released new evidence that more countries are following WHO’s advice on the steps to take when HIV drug resistance reaches critical thresholds. This is an important step forward in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance, about which WHO continues to raise the alarm, calling for action on innovation and within the food system.
Dementia
WHO signals alarm about dementia challenge Individuals can do a lot themselves to stay healthy but they can’t do it all on their own.
WHO released its first report on the global status of the public health response to dementia, showing that only a quarter of countries worldwide have a national policy, strategy or plan for supporting people with dementia and their families.
These gaps are increasingly concerning, as the number of people living with dementia is growing.
WHO estimates that more than 55 million people (8.1% of women and 5.4% of men over 65 years) are living with dementia.
As life expectancy increases worldwide, this number is estimated to rise to 78 million by 2030 and to 139 million by 2050.
To drive change, the report highlights the urgent need to strengthen support at national level, for both people with dementia and those who care for them. Many countries lack earmarked funding in national health budgets, leaving significant gaps in treatment and care, and do not comprehensively involve people with dementia and their carers and families in developing policies. These are among the areas for change.
WHO is also developing a Dementia Research Blueprint, to structure research efforts and stimulate new initiatives, helping to overcome challenges related to past unsuccessful clinical trials for treatments and the high costs of research and development.
MASVINGO – The Minister of State for Masvingo, Ezra Chadzamira is allegedly obstructing the course of justice by barring Police from arresting his young brother Dennis who is accused of severely assaulting and injuring a political opponent. Reports indicate that the complainant, Amos Kanjere can hardly walk and may suffer permanent hearing impairment.
Dennis Chadzamira and several unidentified Zanu PF activists are accused of assaulting Kanjere at King Mine Hall in Mashava during the Zanu PF provincial elections last Tuesday.
A medical affidavit signed by Dr Raymond Muzvidziwa confirms Kanjere’s injuries but allays any fears of danger to life. The other accused is Trust Muganji.
Kanjere was assaulted for allegedly supporting Robson Mavhenyengwa who contested and eventually won the Zanu PF provincial chairman’s post against Chadzamira.
However, Kanjere told The Mirror in an interview that Dennis and his accomplices have not been arrested by the Police because Chadzamira intervened and stopped investigations.
Chadzamira has been accused of political violence after he allegedly hired thugs recently to attack MDC supporters during Nelson Chamisa’s visit to Masvingo Province.
Nyasha Zhambe an MDC supporter from Chief Mawere’s area in Gutu was killed during that visit in October after thugs attacked him near Mpandawana.
Kunjere filed an assault report at Masvingo Central on Wednesday last week under case number CR 98/12/21. Masvingo Police spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said he was going to look for the case when contacted for a comment.
Efforts to get a comment from Chadzamira were futile as his mobile phone went unanswered. The Mirror could also not get a comment from Dennis.
Sources said Chadzamira told Police that there is no Zanu PF member who can be arrested for a crime committed while conducting party business.
The case is being handled by Masvingo CID Law and Order. Kanjere had to take the case to Masvingo after Mashava Police refused to attend to it.
“I was assaulted by several men who disembarked from one Manyame’s truck and a combi; I was able to identify Dennis and Muganji. They assaulted and chased away Mavhenyengwa’s supporters from polling stations.
“I cannot properly walk and my hearing has been impaired. I am worried that my case is going to be swept under the carpet because of Chadzamira’s orders,” said Kanjere.
“Police was supposed to arrest Dennis on Wednesday last week when the assault case was filed against him. “Chadzamira akati ma comrade haasungwi kana vari pamusangano (he said no Zanu PF member will be arrested when doing party work) Police is afraid of defying the minister,” said the source.
“Kanjere suffered bruises on the right side of the face and swelling at the left occiput and left cheek and blocked hearing,” reads the doctor’s affidavit.- Masvingo Mirror
Tinashe Sambiri|Zimbabwe Electoral Commission( ZEC) credibility is under scrutiny after the release of false information about the voter registration exercise across the country.
In a statement, Team Pachedu accused ZEC deliberately misleading the nation in a bid to create voter apathy.
In the same statement, Team Pachedu called for the immediate resignation of ZEC Commissioner Joyce Kazembe, turning 72 this year.
Below is Team Pachedu’s presentation:
ZEC Commissioner, Joyce Kazembe, turns 72 years old this year, being born on 31 May 1949.
Gogo, it’s time for you to enjoy your pension!
She has been with ZEC from as far back as 1999 and oversaw all the chaotic, shambolic and disputed elections in 2000, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2013 & 2018.
She is not fit for purpose and must resign!
ZEC lied that only 117 women from Manicaland Province registered to vote in 2021.
… samples of just 125 women; 113 of which were from Mutasa District ALONE and ONLY registered to vote between September and December. Any comment?
Tinashe Sambiri|Zimbabwe Electoral Commission( ZEC) credibility is under scrutiny after the release of false information about the voter registration exercise across the country.
In a statement, Team Pachedu accused ZEC deliberately misleading the nation in a bid to create voter apathy.
In the same statement, Team Pachedu called for the immediate resignation of ZEC Commissioner Joyce Kazembe, turning 72 this year.
Below is Team Pachedu’s presentation:
ZEC Commissioner, Joyce Kazembe, turns 72 years old this year, being born on 31 May 1949.
Gogo, it’s time for you to enjoy your pension!
She has been with ZEC from as far back as 1999 and oversaw all the chaotic, shambolic and disputed elections in 2000, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2013 & 2018.
She is not fit for purpose and must resign!
ZEC lied that only 117 women from Manicaland Province registered to vote in 2021.
… samples of just 125 women; 113 of which were from Mutasa District ALONE and ONLY registered to vote between September and December. Any comment?
In his New Year message to the people, the people’s President, Adv @nelsonchamisa has called for CITIZENS’ ACTION FOR CHANGE.
All citizens must register to vote & focus on community organizing so that we get 6 million votes in 2023 & win Zimbabwe
?In his New Year message to the people, the people’s President, Adv @nelsonchamisa has called for CITIZENS’ ACTION FOR CHANGE.
All citizens must register to vote & focus on community organizing so that we get 6 million votes in 2023 & win Zimbabwe for change! #NHMpic.twitter.com/OavBqBPPxh
— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) January 5, 2022
By A Correspondent- A police officer has been arrested accused of raping his 16-year-old biological daughter at a police station.
Police are investigating the New Year’s Day incident at Senga police camp in Gweru after the teenager claimed she had been raped inside a car whilst drunk.
Police say she previously reported being raped by two other relatives, including her stepfather who is based in South Africa.
The 37-year-old police constable, who cannot be named to protect the alleged victim’s identity, appeared before a Gweru magistrate and was held without bail.
Police said the alleged victim, her stepmother and stepfather were drinking whisky on New Year’s Eve waiting to celebrate the New Year.
The complainant, her stepmother and her siblings went outside just after midnight to celebrate the New Year but were allegedly ordered back into the house by the father.
“The complainant then went outside the house at around 1AM and entered into the accused person’s Toyota Porte vehicle which was parked outside the house. The complainant started vomiting and the accused person came and told her to stay inside the car until he comes back,” an internal police memo of the incident said.
“After about 10 minutes, the accused person entered into the vehicle, tried to communicate with the complainant but she could not respond since she was continuously vomiting.”
Police said the police officer then raped his daughter once without using protection.
Whilst inside the vehicle, the accused person removed complainant’s clothes, opened his trousers button, pulled the trousers down and lifted the complainant and made her sit on his erect penis.
The officer reportedly gave his daughter a cloth to cover her body and ordered her to go inside the house where she quickly fell asleep.
The victim allegedly woke up with a throbbing headache and was given painkillers by her father.
At around 8PM, police said she called her stepfather in South Africa and informed her that she had been raped by her father. Ironically, the ZRP has sought Interpol’s help in arresting the stepfather for allegedly raping his stepdaughter in March 2018.
On the morning of January 2, police said the teen’s mother sent her brother to assist her in filing a police report leading to her father’s arrest.
The teenager has another rape complaint filed with St Mary’s police in Chitungwiza.
Senga police said the complainant was “apparently prone to rape cases by close male relatives hence there is need for her to be placed in an environment where she is not taken advantage off” while committing to “thorough investigations to ensure that no miscarriage of justice occurs.”
Local civil society organisations have piled pressure on the @ZECZimbabwe to clear the air on the ongoing voter registration programme after it recently issued two different figures for first-time registrants captured on its database. Do you think #ZEC will listen & comply?
By A Correspondent- Local civil society organisations (CSOs) have piled pressure on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to clear the air on the ongoing voter registration programme after it recently issued two different figures for first-time registrants captured on its database.
One of the CSOs, Project Vote 263, on Tuesday petitioned Zec demanding access to the consolidated national voters’ roll to enhance monitoring of the voter registration process ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections.
Zec last week disclosed that it only registered 2 000 first-time voters last year, but later revised the figure to 2 971 new voters, with civic groups claiming that the numbers were understated.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) on Tuesday wrote to Zec on behalf of Project Vote 263, demanding copies of the consolidated national voters’ roll.
In the letter dated January 4, 2022 ZLHR lawyer Godfrey Mupanga said Project Vote 263 wanted both the electronic and print copies of the voters’ roll.
He stated that in line with section 20(4)(a) and (c) of the Electoral Act, Zec was obliged to keep at least one copy of every voters’ roll at its head office in both print and electronic formats.
“It is only for the sake of convenience that I point to you the provisions of the Electoral Act under which my client wishes to exercise their right to be furnished with copies of the voters’ roll,” Mupanga wrote.
“As you may be aware, my client is a civic organisation that is currently involved in mobilisation of qualified Zimbabwean citizens and residents to register as voters. Therefore, in terms of section 21(7)(iii), my client wishes to use the voters’ roll for purposes associated with the Electoral Act and not for commercial or other purposes.”
Opposition Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume said he had also approached Zec officials, demanding justification for its disclosure that it had only registered less than 3 000 new voters despite several campaigns conducted by CSOs to encourage citizens to register.
“I went to the Zec offices yesterday (Tuesday) and I wanted to meet the chief elections officer (Utoile Silaigwana), but I failed,” Ngarivhume said.
“I met the public relations director Chinyuke. I quizzed Zec over why it had only registered 2 971 new voters when it had been allocated $11,6 billion from the national budget to run elections. If there are no electoral reforms, which include transparency, surely there is no need to go for the 2023 elections.”
In a statement on Tuesday, Zec commissioner Joyce Kazembe said by the end of November 2021, the electoral body had recorded 5 647 000 registered voters for the 2023 elections which consists of new and old registrants.
She said only successfully vetted new registrants were placed on the voters’ roll.
Meanwhile, pressure is also mounting for Zec to revamp its secretariat over inconsistencies in the voters’ roll and its failure to make it readily accessible.
Political analyst Kudakwashe Munemo said: “Zec is one of the independent commissions supporting democracy established in terms of Chapter 12 of the country’s Constitution and charged with the mandate to manage the country’s electoral processes. It would be difficult to disband it.
“If Zec has staff who are employees of the military or other intelligence operatives, which are government-controlled entities, these must be discharged from their duties and it is the role of the commissioners to do so.”
Election Resource Centre director Barbra Nyangairi said: “Zec, which is composed of appointed members, has various functions which include voter registration and ensuring transparency in the commissions’ conduct. The principles that bind the commission and its members must be adhered to at all times.”-Newsday
The High Court in Harare has dismissed an application filed by villagers from Chilonga communal lands who were challenging government plans to evict them from their ancestral lands. Up to 12,000 villagers face displacement.
Kwena if this is a celebration ? for you this make me wonder what type of a person you are I have seen you being a good activist and I think you must fight for equality for all Africans not just South Africans.Uncover all corrupt activities that affects Africa as a whole.
NORTON legislator Temba Mliswa (Independent) has mocked former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation chief executive Happison Muchechetere, who lost the Mashonaland West ZANU PF provincial chairmanship elections recently.
He also took a dig at other Zanu PF bigwigs and President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s perceived right hand men State Security minister Owen “Mudha” Ncube and party spokesman Christopher Mutsvangwa.
Mliswa chastised Muchechetere and one Zunzanyika for claiming the independent MP was plotting to form an opposition party, with his sister, Mashonaland West Provincial minister, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka. Mliswa-Chikoka won the Zanu PF provincial elections which were endorsed yesterday.
In several leaked audio clips, Mliswa explained his deep-rooted links to Zanu PF and aligned himself with a faction of disgruntled war veterans within the ruling party, exposing his links to the ruling party.
Party insiders have described Mliswa’s attacks as a ploy to worm his way back into the ruling party ahead of the 2023 elections.
Mliswa, a former Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial chairman, was expelled from Zanu PF in 2015 allegedly for undermining the party. Then he was also the ruling party’s Hurungwe West legislator. In the audio clips, he attacked Ncube , Mutsvangwa and Muchechetere for faking their support for Mnangagwa, before claiming that he was the President’s relative and close ally.
He accused Mutsvangwa of decampaigning Mnangagwa in Norton during the 2018 harmonised elections. Mliswa claimed that he was responsible for mobilising voters for Mnangagwa in Norton.
He also accused Ncube of raising frivolous charges against him to settle personal scores over Susan Mutami, a woman who allegedly has links to both of them.
“I was arrested on baseless COVID-19 charges which were brought up by Mudha (Ncube), who said nothing at the helm of ED’s victimisation during the previous regime. What did they say in the Midlands province in defence of Ngwena (Mnangagwa) during his ? He used State apparatus to arrest me over the issue of Susan (Mutami) because he knows her.
Nobody should interfere between me and the President. I supplied confidential information to the President during the coup. You do not know what he did for me and what I did for him. If you don’t see me with the President it does not mean we are not in good books,” Mliswa said, claiming that in Parliament he defended Mnangagwa, including advocating for the removal of the late former President Robert Mugabe in 2017.
Mliswa also claimed that he had written to Mnangagwa informing him that the war veterans in Mashonaland West province were divisive.
Ncube refused to comment on the issue.
Muchechetere said: “I saw the messages from Temba attacking me, but I responded telling him I wondered why he was bothered when his sister had won in the polls.”
Said Mutsvangwa: “I don’t have time for fools. I have weighter responsibilities in the revolutionary party and have no time for vanity and self seekers. I will not build a personality by sparing with Mliswa. The President belongs to Zanu PF amd not to the independent.
As far as I am concerned, Mliswa doesn’t politically exist. If he can’t find a leader of his independent political party, he can’t appropriate my President,” said Mutsvangwa.
By Farai D Hove | Zimbabwe’s National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday said the ZRP has arrested over 89,000 border jumpers.
Zimbabwe’s prison capacity is 21,000.
Paul Nyathi
Ass Comm Nyathi said the force would continue making patrols and arresting anyone found on the wrong side of the law during this period where smuggling and border jumping cases are rife. “The ZRP reports that on January 2, 2022, 781 people were arrested on operation ‘No to Cross Border Crimes/ Fhasi Ngamilandu Yamukanoni Yamashango/Vhosva Pamiganhu Ngadzipere/ Amacala Kawaphele Emingceleni Yelizwe’.
“The cumulative number of arrest on the operation now stands at 89 277, since the inception of operation,” he said.
The development comes as footage emerged of thousands of citizens into neighbouring South Africa.
By Jane Mlambo| The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) commissioners are set to fly to the resport town of Victoria Falls splashing thousands of dollars for a retreat at a time President Emmerson Mnangagwa has proclaimed date for the impending by-elections.
The retreat will be held at Elephant hills hotel from 9 to 15 January.
The retreat comes at a time the national voters roll is in shambles with by-elections to fill 18 seats left vacant following the death or recall of legislators by both Zanu PF and the opposition MDC.
According to a memo leaked to ZimEye, ZEC secretariat will travel by road to Victoria Falls stopping over in Bulawayo in what has been described as a waste of state resources that could have gone towards mobilizing citizens to register to vote as per the mandate of the commission.
“ZEC will be conducting a workshop on the preparedness for the by-elections, voter registration and delimitation programmes. The workshop will be held in Victoria Falls at Elephant Hills hotel,” reads the memo.
“Chairperson, Commissioners, CEO, DCEO KMC/ Director ICT and secretary to the Commission will travel by air on 9 January 2022 and return on 16 January 2022,” reads the memo.
“Mt Darwin, Muzarabani, Guruve, Mbire, UMP, Mudzi, Mutoko will travel on the 8th of January 2022 from their stations to Harare and put up there. PEO Manicaland, Mashonaland West, Bulawayo, DEO Chitungwiza, Hwange, Matobo, Bindura,Kwekwe,Hurungwe , UMP, Bulawayo kindly make sure that you travel with the junior national workers committee representative in your respective provinces and districts.
“Manicaland Province to travel to Bulawayo on 8 January 2022 and put up in Bulawayo. Masvingo, Manicaland South and Matabeleland North will travel 9 January 2022 in the morning to Bulawayo.”
By A Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has set the date for the much awaited by-elections to fill vacant seats left by legislators and councillors who were either recalled by the ruling party of opposition MDC-T among other reasons.
The by-elections will serve as a test ground for both the ruling party and MDC Alliance ahead of what could be a watershed contest between the two protagonists in 2023.
Mnangagwa made the proclamation through Statutory Instrument 2 of 2022.
Many have claimed that the impending by-elections will be a reminder to MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora that his project which came as a result of a Supreme Court ruling that nullified power changes in the MDC following Tsvangirai’s death, has no chance against Nelson Chamisa.
Mwonzora has vowed that he is ready to cause a major upset in the elections.
He said he is ready to battle it out against Chamisa and Mnangagwa with or without reforms.
By Patrick Guramatunhu- Zanu PF is blatantly rigging the 2023 elections!
“Zanu PF bigwigs, Chief Serima and members of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organization have instructed the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to transfer a Gutu teacher for allegedly denouncing Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa,” reported Zimeye.
“Zanu PF MP for Gutu West Constituency, John Paradza also claims the teacher, Batsiranai Ngugama of Serima High School, is mobilizing the local community to vote against him.”
This is not only common occurrence, but worse things have happened to those considered a threat to Zanu PF’s strangle hold on power. Many opponents of the regime have been beaten, raped, had property destroyed and some have been murdered in cold blood.
In November last year, Nyasha Zhambe, a MDC activist was murdered by Zanu PF operatives for attending an MDC rally at Mupandawan Growth Point, less than 30 km from Serima High School. Nyasha named his assailants and yet to date no one has been arrested.
Rural areas are Zanu PF strongholds for no other reason than that the party has total control over the people’s lives, they are nothing short of medieval serfs beholden to the overbearing Zanu PF lords. The rural voters constitute 50% plus of the electorate.
How can the elections be free, fair and credible when 50% plus of the electorate are frog marched to vote one way?
The Police and CIO should not be turning a blind eye to Zanu PF thuggery much less be actively involved in the lawlessness. Zimbabwe’s elections should not be taking place without first implementing the democratic reforms to ensure the Police, CIO, etc. are free to carry out their duties of maintaining law and order and guarantee free and fair elections.
Zimbabwe had the golden opportunity to implement the democratic reforms during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. Sadly, Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends who were tasked to implement the reforms turned out to be breathtakingly corrupt and incompetent. They failed to implement even one reform in five years. Not even one reform!
Worse still, MDC leaders are the ones who have insisted in participating in these flawed and illegal elections in which rural voters are frog marched to vote for Zanu PF, with no verified voters’ roll, when 3 million (in 2023) Zimbabweans in the diaspora are denied the vote, etc.
By participating in these flawed elections, MDC has given Zanu PF legitimacy.
What has made this situation totally intolerable is that MDC leaders have known all along the futility of participating in flawed elections and readily admitted it.
“The worst aspect for me about the failure to agree a coalition was that both MDCs couldn’t now do the obvious – withdraw from the (2013) elections,” admitted David Coltart in his book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe. Coltart was a MDC-N minister in the GNU.
“The electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility.”
Four of the main MDC factions plus three other opposition parties did form a coalition, the MDC Alliance, and still participated in the 2018 elections. Proof it was greed not the failure to form a coalition that was forcing the MDC leaders participate in flawed elections.
Indeed, it was greed that had stopped the MDC leaders implementing even one reform during the GNU.
“Mazivanhu eMDC adzidza kudya anyerere!” (MDC leaders have learned to enjoy the spoils of power and not rock the boat!) boasted Zanu PF cronies during the GNU when asked why MDC leaders were not implementing the reforms.
MDC leaders have repeatedly claimed that they have “winning in rigged elections strategies”; all hot air, of course. They said it to justify why they have been participating in the flawed and illegal elections and cover the real reason – greed.
With not even one token reform implemented since the 2018 elections; of course, Zanu PF is blatantly rigging the 2023 elections just readily as the party rigged the 2018 elections! The elections should be declared null and void and Zanu PF denied legitimacy.
However, there are some Zimbabweans who are hell bent on participating in these flawed elections; hell bent on giving Zanu PF legitimacy. Still, come the morning after the 2023 elections, no Zimbabwean with half a brain should ever be in any doubt about the following three things:
That Zanu PF blatantly rigged the 2023 elections, the whole election process was not free, fair and credible.
That MDC leaders insisted in participating in these flawed elections out of greed; they knew their “winning in rigged elections strategies” were all hot air.
That by participating in the flawed elections Zimbabweans gave vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy and thus extended the Zanu PF dictatorship’s rule – pretty dumb thing to do in this day and age, especially after four decades of rigged elections.
By Showbiz Reporter | Pastor Admire Kasi’s wife who daily harasses women over so called “kugeza-bathing,” was given a public bathing herself by the Artistic Director Mr Wechijandukwa on social media. The man expertly and in one picture manifested Ivy Kombo’s obsession with nudity and superfluity.
After finishing the sports, the man then titled Ivy, “VaGezi 15?????”
By A Correspondent- Police in Mashonaland Central are hunting for a Concession man Imigrame Malaki (40) who allegedly struck and killed his neighbour with a log during an unknown dispute.
Police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed the case.
“We are looking for a murder suspect Malaki of Mashazhike compound, Concession who allegedly murdered his neighbour Jaison Dambakurimwa (38) in a misunderstanding,” Mundembe said.
According to police the suspect went to the now deceased house on Christmas day armed with a catapult and upon his arrival he met Dambakurimwa in his yard and started assaulting him without saying anything.
As the fight intensified Malaki pulled a wooden log and started assaulting Dambakurimwa on the head.
Dambakurimwa’s wife Helen Chundu fled to the nearby houses to seek for backup and when she came back with other villagers Malaki had already escaped.
The matter was reported at Concession police station and Dambakurimwa was sent to hospital where he succumbed to the injuries two days after his admission.
Police is appealing for information which can lead to the arrest of Malaki.
By A Correspondent- Three border jumpers believed to be Zimbabwean recently drowned in Limpopo River while attempting to cross into South Africa.
Zimbabwe and South African police have so far retrieved the body of a man believed to have drowned while illegally crossing into the neighbouring country through a crossing point near Maroy Farm some 40km west of Beitbridge town.
Efforts are underway to retrieve two more bodies that have been spotted on the South African side of the Limpopo River. It is reported that divers from the two countries failed to retrieve the two bodies on Tuesday due to the turbulent river current.
The police officer commanding Beitbridge district Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo said they were continuing with the efforts to retrieve the bodies today.
He said the search was initiated on Monday after two women reported that their husbands had drowned near a crossing point close to Nottingham Estate on Sunday.
“The divers came across the three bodies while searching for two men who were reported to have drowned on Sunday,” said Chief Supt Nyongo.
“However, the bodies we have spotted so far are not of those two men. As police, we are still treating them as missing persons.
“Searches are still on and during such searches and efforts are being made to retrieve two more bodies that were sighted at the same point at a deeper end”.
He said the police were suspecting there could be more cases of drowning along the Limpopo River, where the level of water has relatively risen.
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) is inviting applications from suitably qualified persons to fill the following posts that have arisen within the Authority.
To provide leadership and policy guidance in the collection of revenue, advising government on fiscal and economic matters and to promote and enforce compliance with tax laws.
Responsibilities:
Overall administration of Income Taxes, VAT, PAYE, Capital Gains Tax and other ancillary Tax Legislation. Negotiate international tax treaties. Give expert advice to Commissioner General on tax legislation, policy and administration. Give advice and guidance on research and development of all tax legislation. Determination of objections and dealing with appeals on tax matters. Responsible for the overall management and giving strategic direction to the Tax Division. Participate in policy formulation and implementation for the Authority. Any other duties as may be assigned and directed from time to time.
Qualifications and Experience:
A degree in Accountancy, Business Administration, Economics or an equivalent accounting qualification. A relevant Master’s degree would be an added advantage. At least ten (10) years practical experience, five (5) of which were at senior management level. Strong leadership qualities and analytical skills required. Should have strong people management skills. Exposure on taxation of international businesses. Strong practical experience in working with revenue administration systems. Experience in a computerised environment is necessary. Clean Class 4 driver’s licence is a prerequisite.
Other Attributes:
Drive for results. Ability to work under pressure. Ability to communicate at all levels. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Unquestionable integrity.
Interested candidates should submit applications, accompanied by a detailed Curriculum Vitae and certified copies of academic and professional qualifications, by not later than 27 January 2022, in envelopes clearly indicating the position being applied for.
All applications should be emailed to [email protected] clearly indicating the position you are applying for as your E-mail Subject Reference and addressed to:
The Commissioner-General Zimbabwe Revenue Authority 6th Floor ZB Centre Corner First Street / Kwame Nkrumah Avenue P. O. Box 4360 HARARE Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be responded to.
(2.) COMMISSIONER GENERAL
The ZIMRA Board invites qualified and experienced Zimbabwean citizens to fill the position of Commissioner General.
Reporting Structure
The position reports to the ZIMRA Board of Directors.
Key Responsibilities
The Commissioner General shall be responsible for the following;
Provide strategic, proactive and effective leadership for the authority’s operations. Supervising and managing the Authority’s staff, activities, funds and property. Advising the Government of Zimbabwe on fiscal policy matters, laws and regulations including amendments. Overseeing the interpretation and implementation of Zimbabwe’s policies relating to taxation and customs duties. Building and leading a modern and efficient revenue administration that ensures all taxes and duties due to the Government of Zimbabwe are collected. Broadening the revenue base and automation of ZIMRA business processes. Put mechanisms in place to reduce revenue leakages. Analyzing performance trends, setting operational targets and reviewing revenue collection strategies. Preparing strategic and development plans for the Authority.
Providing policy analysis and advice in revenue collection and trade facilitation. Establishing, developing and maintaining strategic relationships, knowledge sharing, partnerships and collaboration between ZIMRA and multi-lateral organizations such as AfDB, ATAF, IMF, WCO, World Bank and WTO, and with regional organizations such as SADC, COMESA, ESAMI and bi-lateral relations with major trading partners. Performing such other functions as may be assigned by the Board.
Job Specifications
Applicant must have demonstrable leadership capabilities to lead a large, complex diversified institution. The applicant is required to have a comprehensive knowledge of Zimbabwe’s tax and customs systems and familiarity with the revenue laws, regulations, treaties and protocols administered by the Authority. Excellent planning and organizing skills required in managing assigned projects to accomplish work objectives in compliance with procedural, administrative and technical requirements prescribed by the various laws and regulations administered by ZIMRA. Provides the Authority with effective leadership anchored on high ethical standards. Good interpersonal skills. Good communication and engagement skills. Excellent stakeholder engagement and management skills. Ability to lead large scale change management projects.
Qualifications:
Degree in Economics, Accounts, Business Studies, Fiscal Studies, Banking, Finance, Auditing or equivalent. A Masters’ degree or equivalent postgraduate commercial qualification in areas such as Taxation, Business Administration, Economics, Information Technology, Accounting, Fiscal Studies or Law.
Related Experience:
A minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in Tax and/or Customs. At least 5 years’ experience at the executive management level. Experience in organizational management or other aspects of public administration would be an added advantage. Regional or international exposure will be an added advantage. Interested candidates should submit applications, accompanied by a detailed Curriculum Vitae and certified copies of academic and professional qualifications, by 27 January 2022. All applications should be emailed to [email protected] indicating your E-mail Subject Reference as Commissioner General Position and addressed to:
The Board Chairperson Zimbabwe Revenue Authority 6th Floor ZB Centre Corner First Street / Kwame Nkrumah Avenue P. O. Box 4360 HARARE
By A Correspondent- Norton legislator Temba Mliswa (Independent) has mocked former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation chief executive Happison Muchechetere, who lost the Mashonaland West ZANU PF provincial chairmanship elections recently.
He also took a dig at other Zanu PF bigwigs and President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s perceived right hand men State Security minister Owen “Mudha” Ncube and party spokesman Christopher Mutsvangwa.
Mliswa chastised Muchechetere and one Zunzanyika for claiming the independent MP was plotting to form an opposition party, with his sister, Mashonaland West Provincial minister, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka. Mliswa-Chikoka won the Zanu PF provincial elections which were endorsed yesterday.
In several leaked audio clips, Mliswa explained his deep-rooted links to Zanu PF and aligned himself with a faction of disgruntled war veterans within the ruling party, exposing his links to the ruling party.
Party insiders have described Mliswa’s attacks as a ploy to worm his way back into the ruling party ahead of the 2023 elections.
Mliswa, a former Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial chairman, was expelled from Zanu PF in 2015 allegedly for undermining the party. Then he was also the ruling party’s Hurungwe West legislator. In the audio clips, he attacked Ncube , Mutsvangwa and Muchechetere for faking their support for Mnangagwa, before claiming that he was the President’s relative and close ally.
He accused Mutsvangwa of decampaigning Mnangagwa in Norton during the 2018 harmonised elections. Mliswa claimed that he was responsible for mobilising voters for Mnangagwa in Norton.
He also accused Ncube of raising frivolous charges against him to settle personal scores over Susan Mutami, a woman who allegedly has links to both of them.
“I was arrested on baseless COVID-19 charges which were brought up by Mudha (Ncube), who said nothing at the helm of ED’s victimisation during the previous regime. What did they say in the Midlands province in defence of Ngwena (Mnangagwa) during his ? He used State apparatus to arrest me over the issue of Susan (Mutami) because he knows her.
Nobody should interfere between me and the President. I supplied confidential information to the President during the coup. You do not know what he did for me and what I did for him. If you don’t see me with the President it does not mean we are not in good books,” Mliswa said, claiming that in Parliament he defended Mnangagwa, including advocating for the removal of the late former President Robert Mugabe in 2017.
Mliswa also claimed that he had written to Mnangagwa informing him that the war veterans in Mashonaland West province were divisive.
Ncube refused to comment on the issue.
Muchechetere said: “I saw the messages from Temba attacking me, but I responded telling him I wondered why he was bothered when his sister had won in the polls.”
Said Mutsvangwa: “I don’t have time for fools. I have weighter responsibilities in the revolutionary party and have no time for vanity and self seekers. I will not build a personality by sparing with Mliswa. The President belongs to Zanu PF amd not to the independent.
As far as I am concerned, Mliswa doesn’t politically exist. If he can’t find a leader of his independent political party, he can’t appropriate my President.
“Someone for the past two decades has earned his daily keep by trolling Mutsvangwa, even all the way to Beijing during my ambassadorial posting. He strives to be my political alter ego with a “
By-The Zimbabwe Republic Police has announced that only three bodies have been so far recovered from the 11 people who drowned while crossing the Limpopo River on Sunday.
The police said one of the bodies was retrieved at a crossing point near Maroy Farm some 40km west of Beitbridge town.
Efforts were by end of the day yesterday underway to retrieve two more bodies spotted on the deeper end of the South African side of the Limpopo River. It is reported that divers from the two countries failed to retrieve the two bodies on Tuesday due to the high-water current in the river.
The police officer commanding Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo said they were continuing with the efforts to retrieve the bodies. He said the search was initiated on Monday after two women reported that their husbands had drowned near a crossing point closer to Nottingham Estate on Sunday. “The divers came across the three bodies on Tuesday while searching for two men who were reported to have drowned on Sunday,” said Chief Supt Nyongo. “However, the bodies we have spotted so far are not of those two men. As police, we are still treating them as missing persons. Searches are still on and efforts are being made to retrieve two more bodies that were seen at the same point at a deeper end”.
He said police suspect there could be more cases of drowning along the Limpopo River, where the level of water has relatively risen. Police warned people against using illegal crossing points as they risk prosecution or drowning in the Limpopo River. The latest drowning incidents come a few days after Zimbabwean security rescued six people who got stranded at a crossing point near Dulivhadzimu Gorge, after a wooden makeshift boat they were using capsized.
The group was part of 15 people who were dumped in the middle of the river by some criminals who were assisting them to cross. The men ran away upon spotting some security officials who were patrolling near the crossing point.
By -Zanu PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa Wednesday endorsed the party’s chaotic Provincial elections and ignored rigging claims by several officials who partook in the party’s internal polls.
A handful of Zanu members who contested in the 28 December Zanu PF provincial elections complained that the elections were rigged and demanded a re-run.
But Mnangagwa on Wednesday said everyone should accept the disputed outcome and work together for the good of the party.
Mnangagwa made the remarks while addressing a Zanu PF politburo session at the party headquarters in Harare on Wednesday. He said: As we deliberate on the report of the elections, I urge all members of the Party to be mindful of the fact that, in our Party, there are no winners and losers. It is the people and ultimately the Party that wins. Party cadres who did not make it in the recent elections must avail themselves, their experiences, skills and competencies to build and grow our mass Party. Just as iron sharpens iron, the spirit of camaraderie and collegiality must be harnessed as we all serve this great Party, Zanu PF and the nation as a whole. An election lost must never dampen the revolutionary spirit of any cadre, but inspire them to learn, develop and mature in their political career. The Zanu PF elections were reportedly marred by violence and vote-rigging and the party is yet to announce the final results of the polls, more than a week after the votes were cast. Said Mnangagwa:
Irregularities and political chicanery across Party structures must be decisively dealt with and expunged from the Party. I urge the Party leadership to always listen to the aspirations of the people at every level.
Mnangagwa urged party members to work towards securing “a resounding victory” in the 2023 general elections.
By-Zimbabwe and South Africa police are collaborating to search for people who are reported to have drowned while crossing the Limpopo River on Sunday. So far one body has been retrieved at a crossing point near Maroy Farm some 40km west of Beitbridge town. Efforts were by end of the day yesterday underway to retrieve two more bodies spotted on the deeper end of the South African side of the Limpopo River. It is reported that divers from the two countries failed to retrieve the two bodies on Tuesday due to the high-water current in the river.
The police officer commanding Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo said they were continuing with the efforts to retrieve the bodies. He said the search was initiated on Monday after two women reported that their husbands had drowned near a crossing point closer to Nottingham Estate on Sunday. “The divers came across the three bodies on Tuesday while searching for two men who were reported to have drowned on Sunday,” said Chief Supt Nyongo. “However, the bodies we have spotted so far are not of those two men. As police, we are still treating them as missing persons. Searches are still on and efforts are being made to retrieve two more bodies that were seen at the same point at a deeper end”.
He said police suspect there could be more cases of drowning along the Limpopo River, where the level of water has relatively risen. Police warned people against using illegal crossing points as they risk prosecution or drowning in the Limpopo River. The latest drowning incidents come a few days after Zimbabwean security rescued six people who got stranded at a crossing point near Dulivhadzimu Gorge, after a wooden makeshift boat they were using capsized.
The group was part of 15 people who were dumped in the middle of the river by some criminals who were assisting them to cross. The men ran away upon spotting some security officials who were patrolling near the crossing point.
By- Zanu PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa Wednesday rubbished an appeal by war veterans from Mashonaland Central Province who approached the party complaining about Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe’s re-election as the party’s provincial chairperson.
The war veterans and several senior party officials said Kazembe rigged the elections and vowed not to recognise him.
Kazembe defeated businessman Tafadzwa Musarara amid reports of violence and massive rigging.
Some party officials described the election as a sham after widespread reports of poll anomalies were noted in Mbire and Muzarabani, two of the constituencies that gave Kazembe victory.
Mnangagwa addressed his party’s politburo meeting Wednesday and said that everyone must accept the outcome of the December 28 provincial elections.
By- Zanu PF Politburo Wednesday posthumously declared the late former High Court Judge Advocate Siwanda Kennedy Mbuso Sibanda a national hero.
Adv Sibanda, a legal icon of the liberation struggle, died on December 22 at Morningside MediClinic in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the age of 89. He was one of the few lawyers that dedicated their lives to defending political prisoners during the days of the liberation war.
Adv Sibanda participated in the formation of a special committee for the defence of political prisoners in Zimbabwe and in apartheid South Africa. During that time, he was instrumental in tracing and finding arrested political “offenders” and guerrillas and providing them with legal services. His hero status was announced yesterday by Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa after a Politburo meeting. “We have a new national hero, Advocate Sibanda. He died in South where his family is based. He was a nationalist. He was part of the Lancaster House Agreement in United Kingdom in 1979,” said Ambassador Mutsvangwa.
The national hero, Ambassador Mutsvangwa said, was a legal advisor to the ZAPU delegation and was involved in nationalist politics with the late National Hero Cde Edson Sithole. “His pedigree is sterling and the President knew him because he was part of the legal advisors of the Patriotic Front,” said Ambassador Mutsvangwa. He was unanimously declared a national hero at the request of Bulawayo province. At a time when the white minority regime was using the law as a tool to oppress African people, Adv Sibanda was instrumental in helping the people to access and relate to the prescripts of the law and at the same time translated the grievances of the people into the law, thus, using the law as a tool and a weapon against injustice and oppression. He was instrumental in changing the post-independence legal landscape continuing to grow his legal practice while opening doors for many other lawyers who would go on to establish their own careers and firms Adv Sibanda’s practice survives him and continues to be the mainstay of Bulawayo’s legal fraternity. He was one of the first black advocates of the High Court of Rhodesia in the early 1970s and went on to set up his own legal practice in Bulawayo.
Adv SKM Sibanda as he was affectionately known was a highly skilled legal practitioner with vast experience in the practice of law, having completed his studies at the University of Natal in the 1960s. Widely regarded as an outstanding defence counsel, Adv Sibanda used his legal skills and acumen to actively contribute to the liberation of Zimbabwe, defending freedom fighters captured by the regime, saving many from the gallows. Further, his commitment to liberation and specialised knowledge in constitutional law saw him contributing to the nation’s liberation as one of the drafters of the Lancaster House Constitution in 1979, paving the way to the country’s independence from white minority rule in 1980. Post-independence, Adv Sibanda continued to build his legal practice, while continuing to dedicate his life and energy to the development of the country. He did this through his involvement in politics, business, sport and various Government commissions. In 1997, Adv Sibanda was called to the bench, serving as a judge of the High Court in Bulawayo where he significantly contributed to the shaping of the country’s laws. Upon retirement in 2002, he returned to private practice where he continued to mentor young lawyers in his firm. Born on 19 April 1932, he grew up in Somnene, Bulilima District in Matabeleland South. Adv Sibanda was the son of successful farmers, Jack Mbuso Sibanda and Volo Sibanda (nee Gumbo)
As the eldest of six children, he was raised to be responsible not just for himself but for his siblings as well. Adv Sibanda attended Tshabanda School in the then Nata Territorial Tribal Lands, now Bulilima, in 1945. In 1948 he went to study at Solusi Mission where he completed his Junior Certificate in 1955 and the following year, he went to South Africa intending to sit his Matric at Adam’s College. In 1957 he entered Kilnerton Institute in Pretoria and matriculated in 1958 and that same year, he met friends that made him aim higher than Matric. He enrolled for a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Natal in 1958 but lost the whole year due to illness and was enrolled again in 1960 and finished his studies in 1962 after which he enrolled for a law degree. His law studies were interrupted by a series of illnesses in 1963, 66 and 68.
Against the advice of his doctor, Adv Sibanda finished his studies. His determination paid off and when his health improved, he transferred his registration to Maritzburg where he finished his law studies in 1970. In order to raise his university fees, he had to study during the day and work at night. After finishing his law degree in South Africa, he worked with a firm of attorneys to complete his articles. He returned to then Rhodesia in March 1971 and was successful in Rhodesian examinations to be an advocate. Adv Sibanda abhorred injustice and inequality. He joined the Pan African Congress of Azania and worked alongside Steve Biko and Griffiths Mxenge in the student movement that would resist the racist policies of the South African government. His political involvement continued after his return home, fighting against the Rhodesian white minority government. Adv Sibanda joined Zapu and rose to the position of being one of the legal advisers of the party. It was in this capacity that he served as one of the drafters of the Lancaster House Constitution, which paved the way to Zimbabwe’s independence from white minority rule in 1980.
By A Correspondent-The Zimbabwe Republic Police has announced that they had arrested over 89 000 people for committing a cross-border related crime.
The police said the arrests were made under the operation Code-named “No to Cross Border Crimes/Fhasi Ngamilandu Yamukanoni/Mhosva Pamiganhu Ngadzipere/Amacala Kawaphele Emingceleni Yelizwe”.
They said some of the suspects were fined while others are expected to appear in court after being vetted.
“The ZRP reports that on January 2, 2022, 781 people were arrested on operation ‘No to Cross Border Crimes/ Fhasi Ngamilandu Yamukanoni Yamashango/Mhosva Pamiganhu Ngadzipere/ Amacala Kawaphele Emingceleni Yelizwe’. “The cumulative number of arrests on the operation now stands at 89 277, since the inception of operation,” National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told the state media Wednesday.
ZANU PF’s arrogance when dealing with an African National Congress (ANC) special envoy delegation led by Ace Magashule to Harare in September 2020 reportedly hardened South Africa’s stance towards Zimbabwe asylum seeks who benefited from the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) programme in the neighbouring country.
In November 2021, the South African Government announced its decision to discontinue the special permits granted to about 200 000 Zimbabweans who were living and working in South Africa for many years.
On New Year’s eve, South Africa effectively ended a decade-long moratorium that allowed the Zimbabwean economic refugees to live and work in the neighbouring country through issuing the special permit (ZEP) that was renewable every four years.
News24 reported South African diplomatic sources as saying South Africa’s hard-line stance was inevitable after ZANU PF told Magashule to stop meddling in Zimbabwean affairs.
Soon after the ANC delegation’s visit to Harare, ZANU PF Director for Information and Publicity, Tafadzwa Mugwadi said South Africa’ ruling party should concentrate on fixing issues bedevilling their country. Mugwadi said at the time:
It is unfortunate, but we find it imperative to inform our sister revolutionary party, the ANC to focus their attention on matters affecting South Africans rather than attempt to experiment with attention-seeking gimmicks in the name of our stable nation and our peaceful people.
For the record, there was no deliberation nor agreement on them coming back to meet anyone over the issues we discussed.
It is unprecedented in the history of our fraternal relations as revolutionary parties for the ANC to seek to verify our submissions through puppet movements.
Just imagine a ZANU PF delegation forcing itself to engage renegade movements like DA, EFF or Afrikaner organisations to verify and ascertain whether the ANC is correct or not.
Mugwadi was partly responding to reports claiming that Magashule and his delegation was expected to return to Harare to engage with opposition political parties in a bid to bring Zimbabwe’s political actors to the dialogue table.
ZANU PF Secretary for Administration Obert Mpofu also warned the ANC against poking “its nose in the [Zimbabwe’s] internal affairs but should focus on multiple problems affecting that country such as factionalism and inequalities” according to a report.
ZANU PF’s arrogance when dealing with an African National Congress (ANC) special envoy delegation led by Ace Magashule to Harare in September 2020 reportedly hardened South Africa’s stance towards Zimbabwe asylum seeks who benefited from the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) programme in the neighbouring country.
In November 2021, the South African Government announced its decision to discontinue the special permits granted to about 200 000 Zimbabweans who were living and working in South Africa for many years.
On New Year’s eve, South Africa effectively ended a decade-long moratorium that allowed the Zimbabwean economic refugees to live and work in the neighbouring country through issuing the special permit (ZEP) that was renewable every four years.
News24 reported South African diplomatic sources as saying South Africa’s hard-line stance was inevitable after ZANU PF told Magashule to stop meddling in Zimbabwean affairs.
Soon after the ANC delegation’s visit to Harare, ZANU PF Director for Information and Publicity, Tafadzwa Mugwadi said South Africa’ ruling party should concentrate on fixing issues bedevilling their country. Mugwadi said at the time:
It is unfortunate, but we find it imperative to inform our sister revolutionary party, the ANC to focus their attention on matters affecting South Africans rather than attempt to experiment with attention-seeking gimmicks in the name of our stable nation and our peaceful people.
For the record, there was no deliberation nor agreement on them coming back to meet anyone over the issues we discussed.
It is unprecedented in the history of our fraternal relations as revolutionary parties for the ANC to seek to verify our submissions through puppet movements.
Just imagine a ZANU PF delegation forcing itself to engage renegade movements like DA, EFF or Afrikaner organisations to verify and ascertain whether the ANC is correct or not.
Mugwadi was partly responding to reports claiming that Magashule and his delegation was expected to return to Harare to engage with opposition political parties in a bid to bring Zimbabwe’s political actors to the dialogue table.
ZANU PF Secretary for Administration Obert Mpofu also warned the ANC against poking “its nose in the [Zimbabwe’s] internal affairs but should focus on multiple problems affecting that country such as factionalism and inequalities” according to a report.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance department of elections ( Youth Assembly) has released a detailed document pointing out how Zanu PF rigs elections.
According to the document compiled by MDC Alliance Masvingo Province Youth Assembly director of elections, Struggle Desire Nyahunda, the Zanu PF internal elections were fraught with irregularities and massive rigging.
The voters roll was shambolic and fake ballot papers were used in the process.
In some places voters were intimidated while impersonation was used to rig the polls.
Below is Nyahunda’s detailed report on Zanu PF chaotic polls…
MASVINGO YOUTH ASSEMBLY STATEMENT ON THE RECENT ZANU PF PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS IN Masvingo PROVINCE
Provincial Elections Department
04-01-2022
It is with great interest that the Assembly Of the Youth in Masvingo Province hereby issues this statement in the wake of the recently held Zanu PF Provincial elections which was held on the 28th of December 2022 accross all the districts.
As a Democratic alternative in the country, every activity that happens across is of greater importance especially to the Elections department where our eyes were monitoring the system that was used and all events prior, during and on the aftermath.
We have noted several irregularities across the districts with reports obtained from our replicate offices and portifolios to come up with a comprehensive position on the STATE OF ELECTIONS in this country ahead of 2023 Plebiscite. The following issues were noted and we shall set the record straight :
Zanu PF used state security apparatus which includes various security departments in the country to convene its internal elections. The abuse of the Zimbabwe Republic Police in the internal processes of a political party is not only a cause of concern but a grave conflation of the Partisan politics and security departments of the country. The same police is expected to preside over cases of violence and a raft of anomalies that happens during National Elections. They will be manning polling stations as Security department and their credibility will be doubted.
Government vehicles were used to conduct party business which is a sorry situation especially considering that our country is reeling in financial doldrums and constraints. The same government is failing to pay descent salaries to civil servants and service delivery is not a concern to them but Internal elections matters most to them.
The election was a microcosm of macrocosm, it was a replica of well perfected rigging machinery of what is to come. The wanton electoral malpractices observed in the run up to the elections must worry the opposition political parties and the region at large. The common malpractices shall be discussed to validate the claim herein:
(a). DEPLOYMENT OF POLLING OFFICERS
There was a delay in the deployment of polling officials in areas which were a threat to those who were the favorites of Provincial Commissioners Monica Mutsvangwa. This is a common practice in the general elections where we witness voting which is allowed to proceed in the dead of the night due to dubious claims. This must be watched very closely
(b). COUNTERFEIT BALLOT PAPERS
The favorites to win the elections had counterfeit ballot papers to make sure they tamper around with the outcome of the polls especially in districts where results had to be counted at command centres against counting of votes at the polling stations. During the process of traveling, the ballot boxes are exchanged and its a common practice in the conduction of Zimbabwe elections.
(c). SHAMBOLIC VOTERS ROLL
As the party we have been demanding the release of voters roll in every election but ZEC gives its own excuses. This may result in voters failing to access their names on the polling day because voters roll is released on the day of the election. What happened in Gutu was a perfection of a system that is to come in 2022. There was a polling station which had only 2 verified voters and the voters roll was empty but it was shocking to see 120 people voting at such a polling station. This is because of compromised polling officials as is the case with ZEC.
(d). SWAPPING OF VOTERS ROLL
On the polling day, the voters rolls are swapped and many voters may fail to access their names because of a deliberate ploy by the regime. This happened in several wards where a voters roll of one ward had to be swapped with the voters roll of another ward. The polling officers definitely would go back with the voters roll and the ward would fail to vote. This happened and is the case in Zimbabwe where voters would know that their name is appearing in another ward resulting in the impatient voters to go back home. The party must be very worried about this issue.
(e). GHOST POLLING STATIONS
ZANU PF thrives on creation of ghost polling stations to make sure they cover the gap that they would want to win with the elections. This is usually done in their strongholds where they are not monitored closely or where the Agents of opposition are harassed. The Agents of the losing faction were barred from polling stations especially Gutu West and Gutu Central. This is the reason why there are complaints of the way voting was done where polling officials had to make sure that there was 100% turn up of the voters at every polling station. The verification being done is revealing that no voting was done but polling officials just wrote the results and went back to command Centre because there were no agents. The creation of Ward A and B was an attempt to increase electoral college in strongholds to tilt results to those favored by those in charge of elections. This is synonymous with Zimbabwe voting patterns where ghost polling stations are created in Chiredzi North and Masvingo North as well as barracks to make sure the gap created in these areas would assure them of an outright win
(f). VOTE BUYING
Voters are manipulated and ruling party always make sure that they buy loyalty of voters by giving them handouts, inputs, food humpers and other goodies. All factions in Masvingo were doing this and some were doing this on the polling day with some wards recieving ecocash transfers to vote in a preferred pattern. In Bikita South, Mutodi Energy was giving out dinner plates, money, and also promising 500usd to each ward which would manage to give him 70 votes and above out of 120 votes. His contenter Hon Jk Sithole was giving out 10kgs of mealie meal with South African logo which was donated and was destined to Cyclone Idai victims. Truly, this has been the pattern since 2000 and still remains.
(g). VOTER INTIMIDATION AND VIOLENCE
There were cases of voter intimidation by both factions in their strongholds. Some known supporters of the other faction in some strongholds were harrased or chased away to make sure they do not vote or witness the voting. This was rampant in Gutu and some parts of Mwenezi as well as Chiredzi. This is a lesson that Zanu PF hasn’t changed and was perfecting their rigging machinery against each other in the internal polls.
(h). SYSTEMATIC DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF VOTERS
Across the wards in Masvingo Province, the voters rolls were tampered with and those who supported rival factions failed to access their names. This was seen in some wards in Bikita and revelations revealed that wards like 4 and 6 in Bikita South were some of the victims. This is a common practice in opposition strongholds. Our elections department is closely monitoring this issue.
(I). VOTER IMPERSONATION
In cases where there some dead people or absentees, the leaders made sure that some people were called to stand in for those who were not available. It is an electoral malpractice for anyone to vote on someone’s behalf when he or she is not a registered voter. It was reported that this was the trend in Gutu and Masvingo District. This therefore calls for vigilant agents who knows people in various polling stations to curb this malpractice. This happened in the 2016 By elections in Bikita West st Marozva polling station in ward 32 where all Embassies had to rush there to witness the case that had happened where people who were not registered were voting using other people’s IDs who were not present.
(j). ASSISTED VOTERS
One wonders why someone who can’t read or write will be doing in leadership structures. Some District Chairpersons instructed all those they suspected to be assisted to vote if they wanted to remain in the party. This saw several people being assisted to vote in an internal elections. In our PRICE DOCUMENT, we are demanding that only old aged people, disabled or blind can be assisted to vote not this nonsense of Headmaters or civil servants who ask grade 7 dropouts to assist them to vote. This must end and this can only be curbed by deploying well equipped and vigilant agents at critical polling stations.
(k). IDENTICAL RESULTS FROM DIFFERENT POLLING STATIONS
The voting trend was surprising as several wards had similar results with identical results. This has been the trend in 2018 in the so called Zanu PF strongholds and this is done to manipulate the outcome of the election. All said, such machiavellianism is cause of concern to the right minded Zimbabweans.
All these and other observations shall be shared in our PRESS STATEMENT which shall be done ahead of the Voter blitz. As the Democratic Alternative, we shall be upto the task until the People’s victory is claimed.
Compiled By:
Nyahunda Struggle Desire Director Of Elections Masvingo Yth Assembly 0738173303 /0715742966 @NyahundaD Nyahundasd01@gmail [email protected]
The Zimbabwe national team will leave Yaounde today to set up base in the city of Bafoussam ahead of the Afcon 2021.
The Warriors have been in the Cameroonian capital since 29 December and played a friendly match against Sudan last Sunday.
They will use Kouekong Stadium for their first two games before travelling back to Yaounde for the final group match.
Norman Mapeza’s charges will face Senegal in their first match at the tournament on 10 January. Their next game is against fellow COSAFA team Malawi four days later before rounding the first round versus Guinea on the 18th of the month.
This will be Zimbabwe’s fifth appearance at the tournament after featuring in 2004, 2006, 2017 and 2019 editions.
Warriors fixture schedule:
Matchday 1 – Group B Senegal vs Zimbabwe (3 pm at Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam)
Matchday 2 – Group B Malawi vs Zimbabwe (6 pm at Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam)
Matchday 3 – Group B Zimbabwe vs Guinea (6 pm at Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaounde)
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa yesterday extended her philanthropic works and empowerment initiatives to commercial sex workers in Gweru where she donated inputs so they can embark on income generating farming projects.
Auxilliah Mnangagwa
She donated the agricultural inputs through the Gweru Women’s Aids Prevention Association (GWAPA), an organisation which deals with commercial sex workers in the Midlands capital. GWAPA has a two-hectare piece of land which can be tilled to benefit its primary target, the commercial sex workers.
“Most people do not understand that for us to end up on the streets is not by choice. Circumstances differ. Some of us were impregnated and dumped while we were still young. “We need to feed these children. It’s not easy to come out in front of people and declare your profession as being a prostitute. ” I want to thank Amai for this great initiative. We need more self-help projects like these and hopefully, we will retire from the profession,” she said. Another commercial sex worker, Ms Rita Mausengwe said they were grateful that the First Lady had decided to empower them through her esteemed office. “We are rarely recognised and are regarded as outcasts but we are very thankful for the gesture by our First Lady. It is not every day that we are remembered by such a very high office. We want to thank you Amai and may you continue to assist us.” The sex workers said they were constantly getting harassed on the streets by police and appealed to Government to intervene.
“We also want to take this opportunity to reveal our harassment at the hands of law enforcement agents. We are pleading with you to help us in this regard. We also face some problems when we want to report our clients for abuse,” she said. Minister Mavima also commended the initiative by the First Lady adding that Government would continue to empower sex workers through self help projects “The First lady says you also need to be empowered despite your profession. We however, demand accountability in the distribution of these inputs and we want them to be properly utilised for farming not for you to resell. “Those who are serious can come to our offices individually and show us where they want to plant and we will help with the inputs. You can also organise yourselves into groups and we will find small pieces of land where you can cultivate,” he said. The Young Women for Empowerment Development (YWED) weighed-in by pledging to partner the sex workers through various initiatives. YWED Midlands provincial chairperson, Mrs Farai Sipani also commended the First Lady’s gesture saying her organisation would also chip in with some self help projects for prostitutes. “We are saying women, come let’s work together. As women we must not continue to be objects and staying behind. The First Lady has passion for us.
“Let’s take advantage of the warm heart and this desire by our First Lady to see every woman being empowered,” she said. Midlands Province has over 7 000 registered sex workers who are getting assistance from Government departments and other development partners like the Centre for Sexual Health HIV and Aids Research Zimbabwe. – state media
Eleven (11) Zimbabwean border jumpers are feared to have drowned in separate incidents attempting to cross the Limpopo River into South Africa.
A boat carrying eight (8) Zimbabweans who were attempting to cross the crocodile-infested Limpopo River into South Africa reportedly capsized near Gate 7 east of the border post on Sunday.
The other three were reportedly swept away in different incidents also on Sunday.
Beitbridge Police District Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo confirmed to News24 that only one body had been recovered so far. Said Nyongo:
So far a body has been recovered, but has yet to be identified. Two more bodies are in the river, but on the SA side and to retrieve them, there’s [the] need [for the] services of a helicopter because the water current is strong.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)’s Aub-Aqua Unit had been trying to get the bodies since Sunday when they were reported to authorities, without success.
Superintendent Nyongo said they had informed the South African Police Services (SAPS) who were expected to dispatch a helicopter to the area.
News24 reported sources in Beitbridge as saying that the eight believed to have drowned were seen in an inflated boat near Dite Village, 40 kilometres east and downstream from the bridge.
However, Superintendent Nyongo said ZRP had not received the report about the boat.
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has said the late Movement for Democratic Change founding father, Gibson Sibanda was a dedicated trade unionist and national leader.
Sibanda was the first MDC vice president at its inception in 1999.
Sibanda and the late MDC president Morgan Richard Tsvangirai led a formidable force that challenged Zanu PF hegemony.
President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:
THE PEOPLE’S STRUGGLE…
This week, in memory, we honour the founding leader of the People’s Movement, the late veteran trade unionist, Gibson Sibanda.
Was born on the 1st of January 1944.
This week he would have turned 78 yrs old. Rest in peace Qhawe, Lala ngokuthula Qhawe.
By A Correspondent | A War veteran commander, Dzingai Nevhunjere, who troubled commercial farmers in Mazowe district during the late President Robert Mugabe’s commandeered 2002 land reform program, has been slapped with a six-year jail term for stealing a herd of cattle.
Nevhunjere, 64, was caged after a full trial by Harare magistrate Victoria Mashamba.
He escaped the nine year mandatory sentence for stock theft after the magistrate considered that when be committed the offence, common law was still in place.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe delivers his speech during a live broadcast at State House in Harare, Sunday, Nov, 19, 2017. Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has baffled the country by ending his address on national television without announcing his resignation. (AP Photo)
The war veteran will also serve five years effective after one year of his sentence was set aside on conditions of good behavior.
Nevhunjere was found guilty of stealing a herd of 16 cattle from farmer Thomas Charles Bayley back in 2002.
Bayley was the owner of Danburry Park Farm in Marlborough, Harare.
The National Prosecuting Authority proved that Nevhunjere and some youths invaded the farm on April 13, 2002 and prevented Bayley from entering it.
They barricaded the entrance using poles and drums, and then forced Baylely’s family out of the farm, which had 977 cattle and 210 calves. Nevhunjere took custody of all the cattle.
On April 5 and 7, 2002, Nevhunjere then drove 20 cattle to his Omeath Farm in Mvurwi.
Sixteen beasts were recovered from him on November 13, 2003 after the complainant identified them.
The court also heard that on several occasions, the war veteran would order his youths to slaughter cows for meat.
When Bayley was finally allowed to enter his farm on July 13, 2002, he collected 1 042 cattle, and discovered that 145 beasts were missing.
On February 5, 2005 police recovered six beasts from Nevhunjere.
In passing sentence the magistrate said she will also consider that Nevhunjere is now an old family man.
She also considered the circumstances circumstances around the commission of the offence.
She said the Nevhunjere was a first offender as such deserved liniency.
“When the accused committed the offence, it was because he wanted to implement what he fought for (as a war veteran). But this did not go well because you end up taking someone’s cattle, ” said the magistrate.
She added, Moral blameworthiness is high because he was a commander and took advantage of your authority by stealing and distorting the agrarian reform.”
“You planned to steal because you sent the cattle to your farm in Mvurwi. You did not assist in recovery of the cattle. You tried to fight against the offence. You are luck that at the time it was not 9 years mandatory as this time. The court shall not impose that 9 years mandatory but will use the common law,” Mashamba ruled.
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has said the late Movement for Democratic Change founding father, Gibson Sibanda was a dedicated trade unionist and national leader.
Sibanda was the first MDC vice president at its inception in 1999.
Sibanda and the late MDC president Morgan Richard Tsvangirai led a formidable force that challenged Zanu PF hegemony.
President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:
THE PEOPLE’S STRUGGLE…
This week, in memory, we honour the founding leader of the People’s Movement, the late veteran trade unionist, Gibson Sibanda.
Was born on the 1st of January 1944.
This week he would have turned 78 yrs old. Rest in peace Qhawe, Lala ngokuthula Qhawe.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance department of elections ( Youth Assembly) has released a detailed document pointing out how Zanu PF rigs elections.
According to the document compiled by MDC Alliance Masvingo Province Youth Assembly director of elections, Struggle Desire Nyahunda, the Zanu PF internal elections were fraught with irregularities and massive rigging.
The voters roll was shambolic and fake ballot papers were used in the process.
In some places voters were intimidated while impersonation was used to rig the polls.
Below is Nyahunda’s detailed report on Zanu PF chaotic polls…
MASVINGO YOUTH ASSEMBLY STATEMENT ON THE RECENT ZANU PF PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS IN Masvingo PROVINCE
Provincial Elections Department
04-01-2022
It is with great interest that the Assembly Of the Youth in Masvingo Province hereby issues this statement in the wake of the recently held Zanu PF Provincial elections which was held on the 28th of December 2022 accross all the districts.
As a Democratic alternative in the country, every activity that happens across is of greater importance especially to the Elections department where our eyes were monitoring the system that was used and all events prior, during and on the aftermath.
We have noted several irregularities across the districts with reports obtained from our replicate offices and portifolios to come up with a comprehensive position on the STATE OF ELECTIONS in this country ahead of 2023 Plebiscite. The following issues were noted and we shall set the record straight :
Zanu PF used state security apparatus which includes various security departments in the country to convene its internal elections. The abuse of the Zimbabwe Republic Police in the internal processes of a political party is not only a cause of concern but a grave conflation of the Partisan politics and security departments of the country. The same police is expected to preside over cases of violence and a raft of anomalies that happens during National Elections. They will be manning polling stations as Security department and their credibility will be doubted.
Government vehicles were used to conduct party business which is a sorry situation especially considering that our country is reeling in financial doldrums and constraints. The same government is failing to pay descent salaries to civil servants and service delivery is not a concern to them but Internal elections matters most to them.
The election was a microcosm of macrocosm, it was a replica of well perfected rigging machinery of what is to come. The wanton electoral malpractices observed in the run up to the elections must worry the opposition political parties and the region at large. The common malpractices shall be discussed to validate the claim herein:
(a). DEPLOYMENT OF POLLING OFFICERS
There was a delay in the deployment of polling officials in areas which were a threat to those who were the favorites of Provincial Commissioners Monica Mutsvangwa. This is a common practice in the general elections where we witness voting which is allowed to proceed in the dead of the night due to dubious claims. This must be watched very closely
(b). COUNTERFEIT BALLOT PAPERS
The favorites to win the elections had counterfeit ballot papers to make sure they tamper around with the outcome of the polls especially in districts where results had to be counted at command centres against counting of votes at the polling stations. During the process of traveling, the ballot boxes are exchanged and its a common practice in the conduction of Zimbabwe elections.
(c). SHAMBOLIC VOTERS ROLL
As the party we have been demanding the release of voters roll in every election but ZEC gives its own excuses. This may result in voters failing to access their names on the polling day because voters roll is released on the day of the election. What happened in Gutu was a perfection of a system that is to come in 2022. There was a polling station which had only 2 verified voters and the voters roll was empty but it was shocking to see 120 people voting at such a polling station. This is because of compromised polling officials as is the case with ZEC.
(d). SWAPPING OF VOTERS ROLL
On the polling day, the voters rolls are swapped and many voters may fail to access their names because of a deliberate ploy by the regime. This happened in several wards where a voters roll of one ward had to be swapped with the voters roll of another ward. The polling officers definitely would go back with the voters roll and the ward would fail to vote. This happened and is the case in Zimbabwe where voters would know that their name is appearing in another ward resulting in the impatient voters to go back home. The party must be very worried about this issue.
(e). GHOST POLLING STATIONS
ZANU PF thrives on creation of ghost polling stations to make sure they cover the gap that they would want to win with the elections. This is usually done in their strongholds where they are not monitored closely or where the Agents of opposition are harassed. The Agents of the losing faction were barred from polling stations especially Gutu West and Gutu Central. This is the reason why there are complaints of the way voting was done where polling officials had to make sure that there was 100% turn up of the voters at every polling station. The verification being done is revealing that no voting was done but polling officials just wrote the results and went back to command Centre because there were no agents. The creation of Ward A and B was an attempt to increase electoral college in strongholds to tilt results to those favored by those in charge of elections. This is synonymous with Zimbabwe voting patterns where ghost polling stations are created in Chiredzi North and Masvingo North as well as barracks to make sure the gap created in these areas would assure them of an outright win
(f). VOTE BUYING
Voters are manipulated and ruling party always make sure that they buy loyalty of voters by giving them handouts, inputs, food humpers and other goodies. All factions in Masvingo were doing this and some were doing this on the polling day with some wards recieving ecocash transfers to vote in a preferred pattern. In Bikita South, Mutodi Energy was giving out dinner plates, money, and also promising 500usd to each ward which would manage to give him 70 votes and above out of 120 votes. His contenter Hon Jk Sithole was giving out 10kgs of mealie meal with South African logo which was donated and was destined to Cyclone Idai victims. Truly, this has been the pattern since 2000 and still remains.
(g). VOTER INTIMIDATION AND VIOLENCE
There were cases of voter intimidation by both factions in their strongholds. Some known supporters of the other faction in some strongholds were harrased or chased away to make sure they do not vote or witness the voting. This was rampant in Gutu and some parts of Mwenezi as well as Chiredzi. This is a lesson that Zanu PF hasn’t changed and was perfecting their rigging machinery against each other in the internal polls.
(h). SYSTEMATIC DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF VOTERS
Across the wards in Masvingo Province, the voters rolls were tampered with and those who supported rival factions failed to access their names. This was seen in some wards in Bikita and revelations revealed that wards like 4 and 6 in Bikita South were some of the victims. This is a common practice in opposition strongholds. Our elections department is closely monitoring this issue.
(I). VOTER IMPERSONATION
In cases where there some dead people or absentees, the leaders made sure that some people were called to stand in for those who were not available. It is an electoral malpractice for anyone to vote on someone’s behalf when he or she is not a registered voter. It was reported that this was the trend in Gutu and Masvingo District. This therefore calls for vigilant agents who knows people in various polling stations to curb this malpractice. This happened in the 2016 By elections in Bikita West st Marozva polling station in ward 32 where all Embassies had to rush there to witness the case that had happened where people who were not registered were voting using other people’s IDs who were not present.
(j). ASSISTED VOTERS
One wonders why someone who can’t read or write will be doing in leadership structures. Some District Chairpersons instructed all those they suspected to be assisted to vote if they wanted to remain in the party. This saw several people being assisted to vote in an internal elections. In our PRICE DOCUMENT, we are demanding that only old aged people, disabled or blind can be assisted to vote not this nonsense of Headmaters or civil servants who ask grade 7 dropouts to assist them to vote. This must end and this can only be curbed by deploying well equipped and vigilant agents at critical polling stations.
(k). IDENTICAL RESULTS FROM DIFFERENT POLLING STATIONS
The voting trend was surprising as several wards had similar results with identical results. This has been the trend in 2018 in the so called Zanu PF strongholds and this is done to manipulate the outcome of the election. All said, such machiavellianism is cause of concern to the right minded Zimbabweans.
All these and other observations shall be shared in our PRESS STATEMENT which shall be done ahead of the Voter blitz. As the Democratic Alternative, we shall be upto the task until the People’s victory is claimed.
Compiled By:
Nyahunda Struggle Desire Director Of Elections Masvingo Yth Assembly 0738173303 /0715742966 @NyahundaD Nyahundasd01@gmail [email protected]
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has strongly condemned the persecution of Serima High School teacher Batsiranai Ngugama by Central Intelligence bosses in Gutu.
Senior intelligence officers, Zanu PF MP John Paradza, Chief Serima and one Chivhande instructed the Education Ministry to transfer Ngugama with immediate effect.
Ngungama was also labelled a security threat by the Central Intelligence Organization.
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma described the harassment of Ngugama as barbaric.
” How can you claim a high school teacher is a security threat? The regime is running scared.
The regime should concentrate on improving the welfare of teachers. Bully- boy tactics will only worsen the deepening social unrest.
Mr Mnangagwa’s administration has dismally failed to transform the economy,” said Chuma.
MDC Alliance Masvingo Province Youth Assembly spokesperson Timoth Muswere also denounced the persecution of Ngugama by the Zanu PF regime.
Tinashe Sambiri|Zanu PF bigwigs, Chief Serima and members of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organization have instructed the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to transfer a Gutu teacher for allegedly denouncing Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Zanu PF MP for Gutu West Constituency, John Paradza also claims the teacher, Batsiranai Ngugama of Serima High School, is mobilizing the local community to vote against him.
On December 30, CIO operatives drove to Ngungama’s house and spent five minutes on a surveillance mission.
Speaking to ZimEye.com on Tuesday Ngugama said:
“MP Paradza, Chief Serima, police and OPC have instructed the DSI to transfer me immediately.
I have been instructed to vacate Gutu West by chief Serima, MP Paradza, OPC and CIO.
MP John Paradza says if he loses the 2023 polls it will because of me.They ( Zanu PF and CIO agents) also wanted to invade my house,” said Ngugama.
By- Police officers yesterday intercepted 400 by 100mls bottles of BronCleer cough syrup with an estimated street value of ZAR40 000. The contraband was being transported in a Honda Fit vehicle along the Limpopo River.
One person, Custom Savanhu (40) has since been arrested for unlawful possession of prohibited, controlled and restricted medicines.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed.
“On January 4, 2022 a team of police officers who were on patrol, along the Limpopo River enforcing operation ‘No to cross border crimes’, arrested Custom Savanhu aged 40 for unlawful possession of prohibited, controlled and restricted medicines. “Police recovered 400 x 100ml of Broncleer cough syrup with a street value of ZAR 40 000 which was in a Honda Fit vehicle,” he said. The arrest comes after three women were intercepted in Harare and Mutare in separate incidents after they were found in possession of 281kg of mbanje and 50 bottles of BronCleer cough syrup.
Another 75 people have been arrested countrywide for dealing in crystal methamphetamine drugs, commonly known as “Mutoriro.” The three women are Patricia Munyengeri (38), Jennifer Mahachi (28) who were both arrested in the capital while Chenal Mukungatu (34) was arrested in Mutare. Munyengeri was arrested in Epworth and found with 20kg x 13 bags mbanje weighing 260kg while Mahachi was found in possession of 50 x 100mls of BronCleer cough syrup. In Mutare, Mukungatu was intercepted with 21kg mbanje along the Mutare–Chimanimani Road. From December 27, 2021, to January 2, 2022, 75 people were arrested countrywide for dealing in crystal methamphetamine drug under the ongoing operation ‘No to Crystal Meth.’ Most of the suspects are still assisting police with investigations and will appear in court soon.
The arrests came reports that abuse of the dangerous drug called crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “mutoriro”, “dombo” or “guka”, by youths has reached alarming levels with at least 100 young men and women appearing at the Harare Magistrates Court. The rise in cases where people are dealing in dangerous drugs is blamed for the surge in cases of drug-induced mental illnesses.
A stray elephant has killed a mother and her six-month-old baby in Kushinga B village under Chief Musikavanhu, Chipinge.
The sad incident happened on New Year’s Day.
Shylet Muyambo (22) died on the spot with her female infant baby when a jumbo trampled them to death close to her matrimonial home.
Police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident on 1 January.
Circumstances indicate Muyambo was coming from her sister’s Charity Muyambo (25) homestead in the same village, at around 1800hrs when the elephant charged towards them.
Chinyoka said the deceased’s relatives were alerted by loud cries for help that a stray elephant was on the loose attacking the duo.
“Charity and her husband Simbarashe Kumbula heard Shylet’s cries for help, but only found her and the child lying lifeless on the ground when they approached the scene. After the matter was reported to Chisumbanje Police Station the two bodies were taken to St Peter’s Hospital where they were pronounced dead,” Chinyoka said.
Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo also confirmed the fateful incident.
He said the victims had travelled to a neighbouring community visiting relatives when they met a herd of elephants.
“It is unfortunate that a Chipinge woman and her three months old child were trampled to death by an elephant on New Year,” Farawo said.
“The woman had visited her relatives in the neighbouring community and she was on her way back when she met the herd of elephants and was attacked by one, which killed her on the spot together with her baby.”
Farawo said the marauding elephant had since been killed.
BY- Eleven (11) Zimbabwean border jumpers are feared to have drowned in separate incidents attempting to cross the Limpopo River into South Africa.
A boat carrying eight (8) Zimbabweans who were attempting to cross the crocodile-infested Limpopo River into South Africa reportedly capsized near Gate 7 east of the border post on Sunday.
The other three were reportedly swept away in different incidents also on Sunday.
Beitbridge Police District Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo confirmed to News24 that only one body had been recovered so far. Said Nyongo:
So far a body has been recovered, but has yet to be identified. Two more bodies are in the river, but on the SA side and to retrieve them, there’s [the] need [for the] services of a helicopter because the water current is strong.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)’s Aub-Aqua Unit had been trying to get the bodies since Sunday when they were reported to authorities, without success.
Superintendent Nyongo said they had informed the South African Police Services (SAPS) who were expected to dispatch a helicopter to the area.
News24 reported sources in Beitbridge as saying that the eight believed to have drowned were seen in an inflated boat near Dite Village, 40 kilometres east and downstream from the bridge.
However, Superintendent Nyongo said ZRP had not received the report about the boat.
By- The fight between the MDC-T President Douglas Mwonzora and Gweru mayor Josiah Makombe (MDC Alliance) has turned nasty, with the former refusing to had recalled the latter.
Mwonzora and his party’s secretary-general Paurina Mpariwa, according to the Gweru Mayor lied to the police that they did not recall him from representing MDC in the local authority.
Through his lawyer Nqobani Sithole, Makombe alleged Mwonzora and Mpariwa jointly lied under oath in a case before the Bulawayo High Court where the two leaders claimed they had not recalled him from office. Makombe, MDC-T vice-president Thokozani Khupe and Chitungwiza mayor Lovemore Maikorecently filed a joint urgent application at the Bulawayo High Court seeking an interdict to stop their impending recalls from Parliament and council by the MDC-T.
Responding to the report, MDC-T spokesperson Witness Dube insisted that the party’s leaders did not discuss the issue of recalling members during a meeting held on 26 November 2021. Wrote Dube: We learnt with utter dismay from social media and some newspaper articles that President Douglas Mwonzora and some of our leaders committed perjury in case number CR27/01/22 with the police in Bulawayo. We also have noted that perennial haters led by Professor Jonathan Moyo have been inciting the arrest of our leaders using social media posts that are devoid of truth. We maintain that there is absolutely no perjury and our leaders never lied under oath. Our President Douglas Mwonzora, Chairman Morgen Komichi and Secretary-General Paurina Mpariwa were called upon to answer specific accusations. It was accused that they presided over a National Council meeting on 26 November 2021 in Harare and the meeting resolved to expel the applicants from the party. It can be clearly seen that the allegations were specific to the date, venue and forum of the alleged violations. Our leaders’ response was therefore that there was no resolution to recall any of the applicants, our leaders attached video evidence as well as official resolutions of the meeting in question. We, therefore, maintain that what they said in their response was the absolute truth. Our leaders were never asked whether or not there had been recall discussions BEFORE the meeting and therefore didn’t answer that question. Our leaders never made an undertaking that there will be no recalls in the future. It is the applicants themselves, and the sheer incompetence of whoever drafted their papers, that tied them to a specific date. Our records show the decision to recall mayors was made in mid-2020 when Dr Thokozani Khupe was acting President. Furthermore, our records show that the decision to proceed with recalls was made by relevant party organs. The official recall letter was then written and signed on the 5th of November 2021 weeks before the National Council Meeting of 26 November 2021. The decision to press criminal charges is despicable and malicious. We maintain the truth of what our leaders stated in court papers that there was no discussion to recall the applicants on 26 November 2021. We, therefore, challenge people like Prof Moyo and others to openly share the letter of recall with the date clearly showing. We insist that they deliberately withheld publishing the letter because it would disapprove of the perjury allegations.
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF President Mnangagwa has read a riot act to his senior party members during a crunch politburo held this morning.
The riot act comes after his party chaotic provincial elections last week.
Mnangagwa was reading the riot act ahead of discussing the disputed outcome of the chaotic PCC elections.
Mnangagwa said the party would not hesitate to ‘expunge’ errant members.
“Let me further hasten to say that constitutionalism, unity, peace, harmony and development remain our absolute compass, now and going into the future. “Irregularities and political chicanery across party structures must be decisively dealt with and expunged from the party.
I urge the party leadership to always listen to the aspirations of the people at every level. It is equally important that the party leadership and membership in general work concretely to achieve a better quality of life for our people. It is after all the people who have entrusted us with the mandate to govern over our great country,” he said.
The Zimbabwe national team will leave Yaounde today to set up base in the city of Bafoussam ahead of the Afcon 2021.
The Warriors have been in the Cameroonian capital since 29 December and played a friendly match against Sudan last Sunday.
They will use Kouekong Stadium for their first two games before travelling back to Yaounde for the final group match.
Norman Mapeza’s charges will face Senegal in their first match at the tournament on 10 January. Their next game is against fellow COSAFA team Malawi four days later before rounding the first round versus Guinea on the 18th of the month.
This will be Zimbabwe’s fifth appearance at the tournament after featuring in 2004, 2006, 2017 and 2019 editions.
Warriors fixture schedule:
Matchday 1 – Group B Senegal vs Zimbabwe (3 pm at Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam)
Matchday 2 – Group B Malawi vs Zimbabwe (6 pm at Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam)
Matchday 3 – Group B Zimbabwe vs Guinea (6 pm at Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaounde)
Tinashe Sambiri|Zanu PF bigwigs, Chief Serima and members of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organization have instructed the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to transfer a Gutu teacher for allegedly denouncing Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Zanu PF MP for Gutu West Constituency, John Paradza also claims the teacher, Batsiranai Ngugama of Serima High School, is mobilizing the local community to vote against him.
On December 30, CIO operatives drove to Ngungama’s house and spent five minutes on a surveillance mission.
Speaking to ZimEye.com on Tuesday Ngugama said:
“MP Paradza, Chief Serima, police and OPC have instructed the DSI to transfer me immediately.
I have been instructed to vacate Gutu West by chief Serima, MP Paradza, OPC and CIO.
MP John Paradza says if he loses the 2023 polls it will because of me.They ( Zanu PF and CIO agents) also wanted to invade my house,” said Ngugama.
One Harrison Manda is directing the operations.
Ngungama’s lawyer, Advocate Martin Mureri is working on the matter.
Tinashe Sambiri| The Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is panicking over the party’s election results as his frontrunners were heavily defeated in the disputed polls.
Intelligence sources have pointed out that Mr Mnangagwa himself has blocked the announcement of results.
In Masvingo, Mr Mnangagwa’s trusted man, Ezra Chadzamira was trounced by Robson Mavhenyengwa.
” Number One ( Mnangagwa) has said the results should not be announced because of irregularities cited.
The Number One will look into the issue,” said an intelligence source.
Warriors captain Knowledge Musona arrived in Cameroon last night, for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations finals.
The 31-year will lead Zimbabwe at the continental spectacle again, having done so in the 2019 edition in Cairo.
Musona is one of the experienced players in the depleted Warriors and his arrival in Cameroon on the back of scoring three goals in two matches, will be music to the ears of coach Norman Mapeza.
The Warriors conducted their last training session in Yaounde and they head out to the city of Baffousam today, where they will face Senegal in their opening match on January 10.
Tino Kadewere and David Moyo trained with the team for the first time yesterday while Kuda Mahachi resumed light training after picking up a knock in the friendly match against Sudan.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwe national team will leave Yaounde today to set up base in the city of Bafoussam ahead of the Afcon 2021.
The Warriors have been in the Cameroonian capital since 29 December and played a friendly match against Sudan last Sunday.
They will use Kouekong Stadium for their first two games before travelling back to Yaounde for the final group match.
Norman Mapeza’s charges will face Senegal in their first match at the tournament on 10 January. Their next game is against fellow COSAFA team Malawi four days later before rounding the first round versus Guinea on the 18th of the month.
This will be Zimbabwe’s fifth appearance at the tournament after featuring in 2004, 2006, 2017 and 2019 editions.
Warriors fixture schedule:
Matchday 1 – Group B Senegal vs Zimbabwe (3 pm at Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam)
Matchday 2 – Group B Malawi vs Zimbabwe (6 pm at Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam)
Matchday 3 – Group B Zimbabwe vs Guinea (6 pm at Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaounde)
Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Romelu Lukaku has apologised and will return to the Chelsea squad for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Tottenham.
Lukaku was omitted from the matchday squad for Sunday’s EPL draw with Liverpool after the striker openly criticised Tuchel and claimed that he was unhappy with his role at Stamford Bridge and would like to return to Inter Milan soon.
Lukaku joined the Blues in a club-record £97.5million transfer less than five months ago.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has strongly condemned the persecution of Serima High School teacher Batsiranai Ngugama by Central Intelligence bosses in Gutu.
Senior intelligence officers, Zanu PF MP John Paradza, Chief Serima and one Chivhande instructed the Education Ministry to transfer Ngugama with immediate effect.
Ngungama was also labelled a security threat by the Central Intelligence Organization.
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma described the harassment of Ngugama as barbaric.
” How can you claim a high school teacher is a security threat? The regime is running scared.
The regime should concentrate on improving the welfare of teachers. Bully- boy tactics will only worsen the deepening social unrest.
Mr Mnangagwa’s administration has dismally failed to transform the economy,” said Chuma.
MDC Alliance Masvingo Province Youth Assembly spokesperson Timoth Muswere also denounced the persecution of Ngugama by the Zanu PF regime.
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has said the late Movement for Democratic Change founding father, Gibson Sibanda was a dedicated trade unionist and national leader.
Sibanda was the first MDC vice president at its inception in 1999.
Sibanda and the late MDC president Morgan Richard Tsvangirai led a formidable force that challenged Zanu PF hegemony.
President Chamisa wrote on Twitter:
THE PEOPLE’S STRUGGLE…
This week, in memory, we honour the founding leader of the People’s Movement, the late veteran trade unionist, Gibson Sibanda.
Was born on the 1st of January 1944.
This week he would have turned 78 yrs old. Rest in peace Qhawe, Lala ngokuthula Qhawe.
Malaria vaccine a beacon of hope in the fight against a range of infectious diseases
Just as health workers have been guiding lights in these difficult times, so has the transformative potential of science.
WHO’s recommendation of the widespread use of a malaria vaccine for children at risk, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, marked a milestone moment for child health and malaria control.
The recommendation was based on results from an ongoing pilot programme of the RTS,S vaccine in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi that has reached more than 800 000 children since 2019.
The vaccine has reinvigorated the fight against malaria, which claimed the lives of over 600 000 people in Africa in 2020. Children under the age of 5 represented 80% of these deaths.
Even before the pandemic struck, there were signs that after years of phenomenal gains, progress was stalling.
Other major achievements relating to immunization include the introduction of a licensed Ebola vaccine and launch of a landmark new global plan to tackle meningitis.
Meanwhile, we released new evidence that more countries are following WHO’s advice on the steps to take when HIV drug resistance reaches critical thresholds. This is an important step forward in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance, about which WHO continues to raise the alarm, calling for action on innovation and within the food system.
Dementia
WHO signals alarm about dementia challenge Individuals can do a lot themselves to stay healthy but they can’t do it all on their own.
WHO released its first report on the global status of the public health response to dementia, showing that only a quarter of countries worldwide have a national policy, strategy or plan for supporting people with dementia and their families.
These gaps are increasingly concerning, as the number of people living with dementia is growing.
WHO estimates that more than 55 million people (8.1% of women and 5.4% of men over 65 years) are living with dementia.
As life expectancy increases worldwide, this number is estimated to rise to 78 million by 2030 and to 139 million by 2050.
To drive change, the report highlights the urgent need to strengthen support at national level, for both people with dementia and those who care for them. Many countries lack earmarked funding in national health budgets, leaving significant gaps in treatment and care, and do not comprehensively involve people with dementia and their carers and families in developing policies. These are among the areas for change.
WHO is also developing a Dementia Research Blueprint, to structure research efforts and stimulate new initiatives, helping to overcome challenges related to past unsuccessful clinical trials for treatments and the high costs of research and development.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance department of elections ( Youth Assembly) has released a detailed document pointing out how Zanu PF rigs elections.
According to the document compiled by MDC Alliance Masvingo Province Youth Assembly director of elections, Struggle Desire Nyahunda, the Zanu PF internal elections were fraught with irregularities and massive rigging.
The voters roll was shambolic and fake ballot papers were used in the process.
In some places voters were intimidated while impersonation was used to rig the polls.
Below is Nyahunda’s detailed report on Zanu PF chaotic polls…
MASVINGO YOUTH ASSEMBLY STATEMENT ON THE RECENT ZANU PF PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS IN Masvingo PROVINCE
Provincial Elections Department
04-01-2022
It is with great interest that the Assembly Of the Youth in Masvingo Province hereby issues this statement in the wake of the recently held Zanu PF Provincial elections which was held on the 28th of December 2022 across all the districts.
As a Democratic alternative in the country, every activity that happens across is of greater importance especially to the Elections department where our eyes were monitoring the system that was used and all events prior, during and on the aftermath.
We have noted several irregularities across the districts with reports obtained from our replicate offices and portifolios to come up with a comprehensive position on the STATE OF ELECTIONS in this country ahead of 2023 Plebiscite. The following issues were noted and we shall set the record straight :
Zanu PF used state security apparatus which includes various security departments in the country to convene its internal elections. The abuse of the Zimbabwe Republic Police in the internal processes of a political party is not only a cause of concern but a grave conflation of the Partisan politics and security departments of the country. The same police is expected to preside over cases of violence and a raft of anomalies that happens during National Elections. They will be manning polling stations as Security department and their credibility will be doubted.
Government vehicles were used to conduct party business which is a sorry situation especially considering that our country is reeling in financial doldrums and constraints. The same government is failing to pay descent salaries to civil servants and service delivery is not a concern to them but Internal elections matters most to them.
The election was a microcosm of macrocosm, it was a replica of well perfected rigging machinery of what is to come. The wanton electoral malpractices observed in the run up to the elections must worry the opposition political parties and the region at large. The common malpractices shall be discussed to validate the claim herein:
(a). DEPLOYMENT OF POLLING OFFICERS
There was a delay in the deployment of polling officials in areas which were a threat to those who were the favorites of Provincial Commissioners Monica Mutsvangwa. This is a common practice in the general elections where we witness voting which is allowed to proceed in the dead of the night due to dubious claims. This must be watched very closely
(b). COUNTERFEIT BALLOT PAPERS
The favorites to win the elections had counterfeit ballot papers to make sure they tamper around with the outcome of the polls especially in districts where results had to be counted at command centres against counting of votes at the polling stations. During the process of traveling, the ballot boxes are exchanged and its a common practice in the conduction of Zimbabwe elections.
(c). SHAMBOLIC VOTERS ROLL
As the party we have been demanding the release of voters roll in every election but ZEC gives its own excuses. This may result in voters failing to access their names on the polling day because voters roll is released on the day of the election. What happened in Gutu was a perfection of a system that is to come in 2022. There was a polling station which had only 2 verified voters and the voters roll was empty but it was shocking to see 120 people voting at such a polling station. This is because of compromised polling officials as is the case with ZEC.
(d). SWAPPING OF VOTERS ROLL
On the polling day, the voters rolls are swapped and many voters may fail to access their names because of a deliberate ploy by the regime. This happened in several wards where a voters roll of one ward had to be swapped with the voters roll of another ward. The polling officers definitely would go back with the voters roll and the ward would fail to vote. This happened and is the case in Zimbabwe where voters would know that their name is appearing in another ward resulting in the impatient voters to go back home. The party must be very worried about this issue.
(e). GHOST POLLING STATIONS
ZANU PF thrives on creation of ghost polling stations to make sure they cover the gap that they would want to win with the elections. This is usually done in their strongholds where they are not monitored closely or where the Agents of opposition are harassed. The Agents of the losing faction were barred from polling stations especially Gutu West and Gutu Central. This is the reason why there are complaints of the way voting was done where polling officials had to make sure that there was 100% turn up of the voters at every polling station. The verification being done is revealing that no voting was done but polling officials just wrote the results and went back to command Centre because there were no agents. The creation of Ward A and B was an attempt to increase electoral college in strongholds to tilt results to those favored by those in charge of elections. This is synonymous with Zimbabwe voting patterns where ghost polling stations are created in Chiredzi North and Masvingo North as well as barracks to make sure the gap created in these areas would assure them of an outright win
(f). VOTE BUYING
Voters are manipulated and ruling party always make sure that they buy loyalty of voters by giving them handouts, inputs, food humpers and other goodies. All factions in Masvingo were doing this and some were doing this on the polling day with some wards recieving ecocash transfers to vote in a preferred pattern. In Bikita South, Mutodi Energy was giving out dinner plates, money, and also promising 500usd to each ward which would manage to give him 70 votes and above out of 120 votes. His contenter Hon Jk Sithole was giving out 10kgs of mealie meal with South African logo which was donated and was destined to Cyclone Idai victims. Truly, this has been the pattern since 2000 and still remains.
(g). VOTER INTIMIDATION AND VIOLENCE
There were cases of voter intimidation by both factions in their strongholds. Some known supporters of the other faction in some strongholds were harrased or chased away to make sure they do not vote or witness the voting. This was rampant in Gutu and some parts of Mwenezi as well as Chiredzi. This is a lesson that Zanu PF hasn’t changed and was perfecting their rigging machinery against each other in the internal polls.
(h). SYSTEMATIC DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF VOTERS
Across the wards in Masvingo Province, the voters rolls were tampered with and those who supported rival factions failed to access their names. This was seen in some wards in Bikita and revelations revealed that wards like 4 and 6 in Bikita South were some of the victims. This is a common practice in opposition strongholds. Our elections department is closely monitoring this issue.
(I). VOTER IMPERSONATION
In cases where there some dead people or absentees, the leaders made sure that some people were called to stand in for those who were not available. It is an electoral malpractice for anyone to vote on someone’s behalf when he or she is not a registered voter. It was reported that this was the trend in Gutu and Masvingo District. This therefore calls for vigilant agents who knows people in various polling stations to curb this malpractice. This happened in the 2016 By elections in Bikita West st Marozva polling station in ward 32 where all Embassies had to rush there to witness the case that had happened where people who were not registered were voting using other people’s IDs who were not present.
(j). ASSISTED VOTERS
One wonders why someone who can’t read or write will be doing in leadership structures. Some District Chairpersons instructed all those they suspected to be assisted to vote if they wanted to remain in the party. This saw several people being assisted to vote in an internal elections. In our PRICE DOCUMENT, we are demanding that only old aged people, disabled or blind can be assisted to vote not this nonsense of Headmaters or civil servants who ask grade 7 dropouts to assist them to vote. This must end and this can only be curbed by deploying well equipped and vigilant agents at critical polling stations.
(k). IDENTICAL RESULTS FROM DIFFERENT POLLING STATIONS
The voting trend was surprising as several wards had similar results with identical results. This has been the trend in 2018 in the so called Zanu PF strongholds and this is done to manipulate the outcome of the election. All said, such machiavellianism is cause of concern to the right minded Zimbabweans.
All these and other observations shall be shared in our PRESS STATEMENT which shall be done ahead of the Voter blitz. As the Democratic Alternative, we shall be upto the task until the People’s victory is claimed.
Compiled By:
Nyahunda Struggle Desire Director Of Elections Masvingo Yth Assembly 0738173303 /0715742966 @NyahundaD Nyahundasd01@gmail [email protected]
Tinashe Sambiri| The Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is panicking over the party’s election results as his frontrunners were heavily defeated in the disputed polls.
Intelligence sources have pointed out that Mr Mnangagwa himself has blocked the announcement of results.
In Masvingo, Mr Mnangagwa’s trusted man, Ezra Chadzamira was trounced by Robson Mavhenyengwa.
” Number One ( Mnangagwa) has said the results should not be announced because of irregularities cited.
The Number One will look into the issue,” said an intelligence source.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has strongly condemned the persecution of Serima High School teacher Batsiranai Ngugama by Central Intelligence bosses in Gutu.
Senior intelligence officers, Zanu PF MP John Paradza, Chief Serima and one Chivhande instructed the Education Ministry to transfer Ngugama with immediate effect.
Ngungama was also labelled a security threat by the Central Intelligence Organization.
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma described the harassment of Ngugama as barbaric.
” How can you claim a high school teacher is a security threat? The regime is running scared.
The regime should concentrate on improving the welfare of teachers. Bully- boy tactics will only worsen the deepening social unrest.
Mr Mnangagwa’s administration has dismally failed to transform the economy,” said Chuma.
MDC Alliance Masvingo Province Youth Assembly spokesperson Timoth Muswere also denounced the persecution of Ngugama by the Zanu PF regime.
The Matabeleland Elders Forum (MEF) in conjunction with Real Politics (RP), a social media group that is comprised of leaders from different persuasions in life has compiled a list of 100 people from Matabeleland who excelled in different fields in the year 2021.
We acknowledge that the list might not be exhaustive and could have omitted some notable achievers. We attribute this to a lack of information, and promise to consult wider in 2022.
The exercise is not intended to cause any malice or damage to anyone but to encourage excellence. The numbering does not denote ranking in achievement, but is a tool to create order
TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS
His Royal Highness, King Bulelani Lobengula Khumalo. POLITICS
2 Mqondisi Moyo , the erstwhile MRP President and his party remained vigilant in leading the fight against the marginalisation of Matabeleland.
Ngqabutho Nicholas Mabhena , is the General Secretary of the ever-growing Zimbabwe Communist Party (ZCP) and also leads the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa. He continues to lead engagements with the Government of South Africa and traditional leaders on issues of formalising migrants stay in the country.
Professor Welshman Ncube, despite being Deputy President of MDC Alliance, he has continued to offer his legal services to victims of the oppressive state. He led the team which got Chief Ndiweni out of incarceration.
Decent Collins Bhajila, a member of the MDC Alliance National Executive, continues to lead the initiative to assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to access opportunities to train as nurses. He has to date assisted close to two hundred sons and daughters of Matabeleland.
Dr Thokozani Khuphe, the current deputy president of the MDC-T, is a gender activist and human rights activists has often found herself in harm’s way due to her unwavering belief in constitutionalism.
Sibangilizwe Nkomo , like a phoenix, he rose to lead ZAPU and we hope he will revive the party to greatness
Lovemore Moyo , the former freedom fighter and opposition politician. He has continued to speak and highlights issues that affect Matabeleland. RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP CATEGORY
Apostle Dr Ian Ndlovu, a Lecturer at The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and a Church Leader continues on his evangelical calling through growing the church’s following.
Prophet Dr Blessing Samuel Chiza , is the founder and leader of Eagle Life Assembles Ministries which, up to date has a membership of over ten thousand people. Currently, he is building a multi-million-dollar auditorium in Bulawayo.
Apostle Nyathi, Founded Harvest House International Church which now boasts of a huge following. They are also building a multi-million-dollar auditorium in Bulawayo which is set to boost the local economy as it attracts people from across the country and beyond.
Pastor Ndiweni , leader of the Brethren in Christ Church (BICC) in Hillbrow, South African continues with his pastoral work, inspiring, shaping and moulding the lives of people. BUSINESS LEADERSHIP CATEGORY
Sithule Nicole Tshuma, a visionary and principled leader, she is the leader of Qoki ZiNdlovukazi, the pride of Matabeleland. A grouping of over 2000 women entrepreneurs and philanthropists who have played a huge social role in the lives of people in Matabeleland.
Nodumo Nyathi is an entrepreneur and a social activist based in South Africa and has led the Highlanders Football club supporters’ chapter in South Africa. He has initiated several fundraising schemes for the football club and economic development projects for the region.
Fryser Gupta Mpofu, is a businessman, Influencer and philanthropist.
Busani Malinga , is the current President of Farm Life Zimbabwe Trust. He doubles as the CEO of the Joshua Malinga Foundation. He has introduced innovative and modern methods to farming.
Ndumiso Sibanda , is the founder of a flourishing juice-making firm located in Cape Town, South Africa. He hails from Tsholotsho.
Khumbulani Malinga is a young businessman, who founded a recording studio in Johannesburg and has assisted lots of artists in Zimbabwe.
Mlamuli Mhlaba Nkomo , is the founder and director of Mhlaba Global and doing well in his business in South Africa.
Raj Modi, is a respected Bulawayo businessman who provides employment to hundreds of residents.
Edwin Ndlovu, owner of the Bulawayo-based Gracious Driving School, which just won an award for the best driving school for the year 2021 in the country. He is also a politician, civic leader and peace proponent and has just completed his Master’s Degree in Peace Leadership and Conflict Resolution with a Local University.
Lethukuthula Tshabangu, Owner of Ukhamba Beer Works, a brewery based in South Africa.
Praise Moyo , Ntex Food Manager and the Hwange Agricultural Show chairperson.
Oscar and Zenzile Ndebele , the couple provides farming assistance to the community, donate food to schools and the less privileged. They provide employment to residents of their community and mobilize funds for organizations that support the community.
Collet Ndlovu , an esteemed economist, worked for South Africa’s Central Bank for 18 years. He has authored several economics books and articles. He established a book publishing firm and is also cellular network provider, Ndlovu network, which works in several countries with minimal charges.
Precious Sibalo , the 35-year-old pilot hails from Plumtree and is an inspiration to her community.
Butholezwe Nyathi is involved in creative works, he is an entrepreneur, community cultural-heritage preservation and promotion, and social-movement activist.
Brilliant Ncube is the founder of Kingdom Blue Funeral Services He has successfully improved the business and has become a reliable service provider for people of Matabeleland.
Jervani Ncube , the owner of Tashas Group of Supermarkets continues to successfully steer the business in a competitive environment.
Bulisani Tshuma , the founder and owner of Member Foods, a company with interests in the retail, milling and transport business sectors.
Princess Noma Siziba is the founder of Indalo Skincare, the country’s first 100% vegan and organic skincare products. She is also an author.
Cosmas Focus Mhlanga, from humble beginnings, rose to establish a transport business empire operating across Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Khalani Ndlovu , the business magnate has interests in farming, mining, property and security.
Erasmus and Sheron Marema , the directors of Toppick Investments, are into farming, hospitality, mining and own a funeral services company.
Roy Mohadi , the Beitbridge based business mogul is into farming, mining, and transport services.
Charles Nganga Moyo, the Plumtree based businessman who is into hospitality and is a music promoter.
Tshepang Nare , founded and runs Indiana investments. MEDICAL FRATERNITY
Dr Sikhululekile Moyo is a medical doctor and researcher based in Botswana. The Cyrene Boys high school luminary rose to prominence after sequencing the Omicron variant of the Covid virus.
Dr Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis , (MD, MPH), landed the post of Director of Health for the City of St Louis, United States of America. She received her medical degree from Cleveland Clinic Learner College of Medicine and a Master’s in Public health degree from the Case Western Reserve University. SPORTS CATEGORY
Marvellous Nakamba , from humble beginnings, plays for Aston Villa in the English Premier League which is considered the most competitive league in the world. He has notched several man-of-the-match awards.
Mpumelelo Prince Dube , a notable goal scorer plays for Anzam FC in Tanzania where injury denied him the top goal scorer award in the last game of the season. He founded and bankrolls a social team in eMganwini, Bulawayo.
Peter Ndlovu , at 17 years old in 1991, became the first African football player to make it into the highly acclaimed English Premier League, the first to move directly from an African team to that league and the longest serving African player in African football. He continues to give back to the game as he is currently the player welfare manager of Africa’s second biggest club, Mammelodi Sundowns of South Africa.
Teenage Lingani Hadebe, the 26-year-old defender currently plays for MLS Club Houston Dynamo. Previously, he turned out for Bantu Rovers, Highlanders FC, Chicken Inn, Kaizer Chiefs and Yeni Malatyaspor in Turkey. After only 17 appearances at Houston Dynamo, he bagged two accolades from the club’s end of year awards.
Mmeli Ndlovu became only the second man and first black man to cycle from Johannesburg, South Africa to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe in 24 hours. Teaches youngsters to be competitive cyclists in Tembisa, Johannesburg. Many are looking forward to seeing him in next year’s Tour De France cycling competition. MEDIA SECTOR
Zenzele Ndebele , Entrepreneur and founder of CITE, has become the country’s credible and reliable source of information. He has released several documentaries on the Gukurahundi genocide and has continued chronicling it with the hope that the victims will finally find justice and the perpetrators will finally be apprehended. He is a fearless voice of the downtrodden.
Lenin Ndebele , recently appointed editor of the African desk by the acclaimed international media company, News24, he continues to break new barriers.
Nkosikhona Dibiti, founded and runs a media organisation, which covers Matabeleland extensively.
Divine Dube , is a journalist and an entrepreneur running an online news platform.
Omphile Marupi , radio personality and is engaged in educating the youths in his province.
Brighton Ncube , is a young Journalist and an Influencer, in 2021 he moved to the USA.
Ezra Tshisa Sibanda, the former Radio 2 Disc Jockey and football commentator. Distinguished himself by seeking justice for the downtrodden. He became the modern-day Sherlock Holmes by solving cases that even eluded the police. He rescued numerous people who found themselves stranded in hostile foreign lands and helped resolve family disputes.
Malume Thamu , is the founder of Asakhane Live which brings together all people from Matabeleland on Facebook. He has led numerous initiatives to help those in distress. HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES
Siphosami Malunga , director of OSISA and a vocal human rights advocate of note. He is also a farmer and is doing well in farming too.
Dumisani Dube , lawyer and human rights defender. He has defended many political activists who have found themselves victims of a repressive regime.
Nqobani Sithole , lawyer and human rights defender. Has represented pro bono scores of people who have found themselves on the leeward side of the country’s draconian laws.
Maqhawe Mpofu , the University of Witwatersrand Constitutional and sports law expert continues to scale new heights.
Kholwani Ngwenya is a legal practitioner and continues serving the community as a Human Rights lawyer. CIVIC SOCIETY
Samu Khumalo , has been a relentless advocate of gender equality, and continues to strengthen the civil society space in Matabeleland.
Dumisani Nkomo, is the CEO of Habakkuk Trust. The trust focuses on teaching, informing and empowering rural people about their rights.
Soneni Gwizi, is a Zimbabwean born disabled woman who has overcome many barriers and insensitive policies.. She is a radio and talk show host, Disability Media facilitator, brand ambassador, poet, multiple media award winner and game changer.
Magugu Khumalo , qualified as a nurse 21 years ago and has been working as one. Still finds time to run the organisation Gukurahundi Genocide Survivors 4 Justice (GS$J), a women led organisation whose prime objective is to attain global awareness of the gukurahundi genocide and the subsequent judiciary processes thereof.
Mamphugi Waha – Tshitaudze, is a cultural activist and a social media influencer.
Bongani Mkhwananzi , Zimbabwe Community in South Africa Spokesperson, Cultural Ambassador, Author and Human Rights Defender.
Mbuso Fuzwayo, leader of Ibhetshu Lika Zulu popularly known for defending Matabeleland people and demanding Justice for Gukurahundi victims.
Nobuhle Virgie , Founder of the Nobuhle Virgie Foundation, a none profit organisation which focuses on assisting the underprivileged.
Effie Ncube , a prominent civic society leader and human rights defender.
Chief Khayisa Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni, disposed of his Chieftainship because of his resolute stand on human rights and defending cultural issues. Hounded and incarcerated by the state, he is currently agitating for the right of Zimbabweans living in foreign lands to vote.
Chief Mathema , one of the few chiefs working fearlessly to get justice for gukurahundi victims and a fierce human rights defender.
Dr Alice Ncube , is a statistician based at the University of North West in South Africa. She founded an NGO called Africa Advance Network and Development soon after lockdown. Her NGO focuses mainly on poverty alleviation.
Dr Tawana Khupe, the Michigan State University educated academic serves as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Pretoria. He has lectured at UZ, Rhodes and Witwatersrand universities previously. He continues the challenge of transforming the university space ARTS, POETRY AND MUSIC
Mzo 7, the Fatima High School educated musician continues to shine, winning several awards along the way.
Handy Sibanda , the music promotor continues to keep the entertainment sector alive by hosting shows and bringing in demand artists to perform in the region.
Bekezela Dube , the owner of a casting agency in Johannesburg, continues to bring artists and actors into prominence by discovering them and giving them space to shine.
Getmore Sithole , has appeared in several international productions including on the prestigious Netflix.
Noma Nkwali , the celebrated songstress remains committed to churning hit after hit.
Bruce Ncube , Arts ambassador, Influencer and financier of the Annual Africa Day music festival in the suburb of eNjube, Bulawayo.
Obert Dube , award winning poet who has earned international recognition for his exceptional work.
Owen Maseko , is a visual and installation artist. In March 2010, he was arrested less than 24 hours after his new exhibition opened at the National Gallery in Bulawayo. His work is continuing to be recognised internationally.
Berita Khumalo , is a Bulawayo born singer, songwriter and producer. Her music is a combination of soul music containing elements of Afro jazz, contemporary pop influence as well as South African dance music.
Madlela Skhobokhobo , is an artist, comedian and actor with over 100k followers on social media.
Chrispen Nyathi , at 27, he is an actor who is popularly known for playing Charleston on Mzansi Magic Drama, Diep City.
Sandra Ndebele , is an award-winning musician, dancer and actress.
Martin Sibanda , known as the boss, is a musician and businessman based in Johannesburg South Africa. He is the Ndolwane Super Sounds frontman.
D.T. BiO Mudimba is an award winning musician with his Kujata Jata song trending.
Jeys Marabini , the versatile musician and producer helps young and upcoming musicians with instruments and use of his studio and is very vocal in defending interests of Matabeleland
Zandile Mazithulela , popularly known as DJ Zandimaz. She is based in South Africa. Multi-talented house DJ and Producer and she holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from University of South Africa.
Sikhosana Buhlungu, he is an artist from Nkayi. No one in his village ever thought he could make it in life through music. In 2021, he featured in a sold-out show in South Africa.
Ernest Ndlovu , a versatile actor and producer who has appeared on almost every soap opera in South Africa. He continues to shine in our television screens. STAND-UP COMEDY
Nceku , continues to grow in stature and now has a huge following.
Sibanda Mdawini the Landlord, the dreadlocked entertainer continues to leave people in stitches with his hilarious comedy.
DJ Maprezza is a comedian whose comedy not only entertains, but is also a social commentary on topical issues.
Babongile Sikhonjwa , the funny man of Bulawayo. His work remains unprecedented. Pioneered animated videos in the country. ACADEMIA AND RESEARCH
Professor Patrick Ngulube , Professor in the College of Graduate Studies at UNISA. He is published extensively with one of his latest articles on Education, creation of knowledge and knowledge sharing.
Professor Pilate Moyo , Head: Department of Civil Engineering and also Director: Concrete Materials and Structural Integrity Research Unit at the University of Cape Town.
Yvonne Maphosa , author, women’s rights activist and philanthropist. She distributes sanitary pads to the needy rural girls in Bulilimamangwe.
Dr Zenzo Moyo , Political Scientist and development consultant. He is also a country expert for the Varieties of Democracy Institute, which is based at Gothenburg University in Sweden. He has authored several publications on development democracy and politics.
Professor Sabelo. J. Gatsheni-Ndlovu, is a Professor and Chair of Epistemologies of the Global South at the University of Bayreuth, Germany. He has authored several publications and is an authority on the theory of decoloniality.
Dr William Jethro Mpofu is a critical studies scholar at the University of the Witwatersrand, and a public intellectual.
Makhosi Mahlangu Godonga , is an award-winning author and researcher on traditional foods.
Professor Jonathan N. Moyo is a world recognised political scientist. He has held several portfolios as a government minister in Zimbabwe. In 2021, he released his highly anticipated book, Excelgate which explains ZANU PF’s election rigging mechanism. He currently lives in exile.
MEP and RP recognize the following prominent individuals who passed on in 2021, having served the people of Matabeleland with distinction during their lifetime:
Ernest Maphepha Sibanda, former Highlanders chairman and businessman.
Beauty Mpofu, founder of Sis Bee’s Kitchen, the popular Restaurant in the City of Kings.
Engineer Simela Dube, Director of Engineering at Bulawayo City Council.
Ndumiso Gumede, Football administrator and actor.
May their souls rest in peace as we continue to reflect on the impact they made for Matabeleland.
The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition is deeply worried by the continued deterioration of citizen and business security in the country due to an increase in cases of armed robberies, some of which have resulted in loss of lives.
What is most worrying is the fact that most of these robberies have been committed by members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) who are supposed to protect the territorial integrity of the country. As if that is not enough, the speed and frequency of successful prosecution of such cases has been low.
The second half of 2021 was highlighted by numerous reports of armed robberies which have been perpetrated by identified serving members of the ZDF.
Businesses like fuel service stations, cash-in-transit vehicles and farms have been attacked and funds looted.
We applaud the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) which has so far managed to apprehend some of the criminals who have been involved in these cases.
However, we question the frequency and consistency of serving officers to attack businesses and civilians.
Would it be plausible to hypothesize that the involvement of members of the ZDF in armed robberies is a reflection of the poor state of affairs in the barracks, indicative of the government’s continued neglect of our defense forces?
Whilst crime of any nature cannot be condoned, there is a growing sentiment that the increase in cases of violent crime, including by members of the ZDF, is an indication of rising poverty and government’s failure to honor the social contract- factors that are pushing citizens towards crime as a last resort to attaining livelihoods.
While the government has been in overdrive to proclaim the economic gains of the “New Dispensation”, the reality on the ground is that the majority of citizens have been relegated into abject poverty due to the continued economic downturn in Zimbabwe.
The current trajectory of the “New Dispensation”, anchored on the ‘Open for Business’ mantra is clearly leaving out the majority of citizens in pursuit of profits for a few favored businesses closely related to the ZANU PF elites.
In view of the forgoing, we kindly declare that,
Chapter 11 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe is very clear on Security Services. Businesses, individuals, farmers including opposition political parties must enjoy equal security from the national security institutions.
The President of Zimbabwe, who chairs the National Security Council as per Section 209 of the Constitution, must ensure that security forces are well remunerated and hold their offices in straight jackets.
The justice system must act swiftly and meticulously to prosecute all robbery cases and secure the lives of ordinary citizens.
By A Correspondent- A Nust final year student committed suicide in his rural home of Masvingo, the university’s Students Representative Committee (SRC) has said.
It is still unclear what caused Tanaka Muzondo to kill himself.
“It is with a heavy heart that we notify you of the passing on of one of our own, a fellow NUST student, Tanaka Muzondo, a final year student (Part 4) from the Banking and Investment Management class. We have been informed that he committed suicide at his rural village in Masvingo. May we pray for the Muzondo family, that they may find solace during this time,” said the Nust SRC in a statement on Twitter.
On December 29, 2021, Muzondo posted a poem Because I could not stop for death, written by Emily Dickson, on his Facebook account.
SRC president Tapfuma Muganiwa said the Nust community had been plunged into mourning.
“Our year has commenced on a rather sad note. I am informed of the passing of our fellow student Mr Tanaka Muzondo. He is said to have committed suicide. Tanaka was studying Banking and Investment Management in his fourth and final year. We used to play social soccer matches from part two through to part four with him. We have been left with too many questions.
“May the dear Lord comfort the bereaved families. The loss of our brother in this manner has cut a deep wound to the NUST Community. We are left with much work to do. Go well, Tanaka. I have so many questions,” said Muganiwa.
Last year a Nust final year student reportedly committed suicide by throwing himself into a dam in Mvurwi.
In 2018 a second-year Finance student at the same university was found hanging in his hostel in a suspected case of suicide.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- A traditional healer, supposedly aged 106, on Monday, appeared in court for extortion involving a late businesswoman he allegedly helped to amass wealth.
The traditional healer, Elias Godknows Zinyemba, appeared before Harare magistrate Shane Kubonera charged with extortion.
He had allegedly threatened the family of the late businesswoman, Precious Nyakujara, with death if they did not return the goblins he claimed to have given the now deceased.
Precious, who was well-known in Harare as a foreign currency dealer, died in August 2021.
Zinyemba appeared in court together with his daughter Pamela Zinyemba and his nephew Newlife Magona.
State prosecutor Marian Furidze told the court that in November last year, the trio, with Artwell Magona and Elton Dickson connived and wrote a letter which they addressed to the late businesswoman.
The letter was delivered to the late Nyakujara’s residence in Glen Lorne by Magona and was received by her husband John Mukorera.
Mukorera reportedly advised his mother-in-law Josephine Edith Nyakujara of the contents of the letter which purported to invite his late wife to Zinyemba’s shrine.
On 24 November last year, Mukorera and his mother-in-law and his cousin Brian Goto went to Zinyemba’s shrine in Musekiwa village in Bindura escorted by Magona.
Zinyemba allegedly informed them that he had given the late Precious some goblins, which had helped her succeed in her business.
He further told them that since Precious had died and no one was there to take care of the goblins, it was safe that he repossessed them because they wanted blood.
Zinyemba reportedly claimed that he had an agreement with Precious that whenever the goblins were to be returned, they were to be accompanied by a payment of 40 cattle, a house in Harare and a car.
After Josephine allegedly begged for leniency, Zinyemba reviewed the payment downwards to US$5 000 and a motor vehicle.
Zinyemba reportedly sent two representatives with Josephine to Precious’ house and performed some rituals to remove the goblins.
After the rituals were done, Josephine allegedly paid them US$7 000 in the presence of her son-in-law Mukorera and Goto.
Meanwhile, Josephine later informed her uncle Douglas Chiendambuya what had transpired and they agreed to meet at a local hotel.
At that meeting, Chiendambuya was accompanied by Justice Muzungu who revealed that he had been treated in the same way by Zinyemba after his father died but had refused to make the payment after noting “inconsistencies”.
Josephine then decided to make a police report for extortion, resulting in the arrest of Zinyemba and his alleged accomplices. They were remanded to 20 January.-BMetro
By A Correspondent- Gweru mayor Josiah Makombe (MDC-T) yesterday reported his party leader Douglas Mwonzora and secretary-general Paurina Mpariwa to the police for lying under oath.
Makombe, through his lawyer Nqobani Sithole, said Mwonzora and Mpariwa jointly lied under oath in a case before the Bulawayo High Court where the MDC-T leaders claimed they had not recalled him from office.
He alleged that Local Government minister July Moyo was in possession of a letter from the duo recalling him.
The matter was recorded at Bulawayo Central Police Station under case CR 27 /01/22.
“I can confirm that we filed a police report against Mwonzora and Mpariwa. Police said they are investigating the matter,” Sithole said.
Mwonzora’s spokesperson Lloyd Damba said: “The matter is still at the courts whose judgment we are still waiting for. Those who reported did so within their rights but how can they claim that they lied when the minister did not act on the alleged letter which he possesses?”
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube referred questions to national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who was not picking up calls yesterday.
The report comes after Makombe filed a joint urgent application at the Bulawayo High Court with party vice-president Thokozani Khupe and Chitungwiza mayor Lovemore Maiko seeking an interdict to stop their impending recalls from the opposition party.
The trio claimed it was being targeted for allegedly sympathising with MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa.-newsday
