Tinashe Sambiri|
President Nelson Chamisa’s documentary was launched last night in New York at the film forum.

Scores of Zimbabweans in America attended the historic launch.

Tawanda Dzvokora the MDC A chairperson for North America Province was among the guests alongside MDC A provincial and Branch leaders.

Dzvokora said: “We spoke to those who watched the documentary and they could not hold back their tears.

The film is a true reflection of what happened on August 1 2018. Innocent citizens were shot dead by the military acting on Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s directive.

August 1 is a black day for the nation.”

Mr Gwekwerere the district Chairperson under which NY falls flew from Florida to attend the event.

The film is emotive and most of the people who watched it cried- especially Zimbabweans who had to relive the August 1 2018 painful events.

One of the journalists who covered the August 1 killings, Obey Manaiti was at the film launch. He described the documentary as a true record of what happened.

Another MDC A official present at the event said: “The documentary is a must watch for every Zimbabwean.”

https://fb.watch/9_nyJcWygq/

Tinashe Sambiri|The Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa wants Cecil John Rhodes’ remains to be exhumed and returned to the UK.

Addressing traditional leaders in Harare on Friday, Mr Mnangagwa said Rhodes’ remains can be removed from Matopos and taken to the United Kingdom.

According to Mr Mnangagwa, Rhodes’remains are not needed in the country.

He also claimed that Rhodes’ spirit was disrupting communication with ancestors.

“We have Rhodes’ remains in Matobo.

“What do you think about it? If you go to the shrine, you don’t know whether you are talking to Rhodes or our ancestors.

His remains must be returned to where he hailed from and we can also have our ancestral remains which are being kept in Europe,” charged Mr Mnangagwa.

Political observers say Mr Mnangagwa’s political grandstanding will not resolve the deepening political crisis in the country.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwean government has – under unclear circumstances – frozen a multi-million diamond deal involving a London-listed British company, Vast Resources Plc, as the post-coup administration increasingly prefers non-western investments.

While the current administration headed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa looked eager to re-engage the United Kingdom and other western nations immediately after the 2017 military-assisted takeover from the late Robert Mugabe, relations soured after the general elections in late July 2018.

The UK had warmed up to the change of power from Mugabe, a long-time foe, and even expressed eagerness to have Zimbabwe readmitted into the Commonwealth, a club of mostly former British colonies.

But protests that took place on August 1, 2018 as election results were being announced and the army killed numerous citizens while clamping down on suspected anti-government activists disrupted Harare’s plans for international re-engagement as the administration was accused of gross human rights abuses.

Because of the resurgence in isolation by European governments and the United States, Harare is increasingly preferring investors from China, Russia, Belarus and a several fringe nations that the Mnangagwa government is more comfortable with.

Elbowed out

Investigations carried out  in collaboration with Information for Development Trust-a non-profit outfit supporting the media to probe bad governance-show that the Zimbabwean government has shelved a joint venture agreement between Vast Resources and the state-owned Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) after frustrating the London-listed entity for nearly three years.

It has been established that the joint venture (JV) was supposed to have been set up through Katanga Mining Pvt Ltd, a partnership between Vast Resources and Chiadzwa Community Company (CCC) that was previously named Chiadzwa Mineral Resources (CMR) and represents the Marange local community in the vast diamond fields in Manicaland province.

Government was being represented by the Mines and Finance ministries, investigations revealed, while Vast Resources was fronted by its chief executive officer, Andrew Prelea, and the Marange community, by Chief Godfrey Marange as well as Chief Solomon Marange.

The traditional leaders were the face of CCC, which is the special purpose vehicle for Royal Chiadzwa Trust.

In its 2021 first quarter report, Vast Resources described the ZCDC partnership as a key development that would enable Katanga Mining to procure a special grant for the exploration and mining of diamonds in Marange, and it remained confident that a deal would be hammered out in due course.

The Zimbabwean government claimed that the deal between Katanga and ZCDC was  sealed as far back as late 2019.

On October 13 2019, Winston Chitando, the Mines minister, said at a media briefing: “There will be an agreement, which will be signed towards the end of next week between Katanga and ZCDC.

“As government, we are obviously pleased.”

Katanga was formed on October 11 2019.

While no progress was registered towards the finalisation of the deal, investigations established, Vast Resources still went ahead and moblised financial resources to kick-start the project.

The company’s annual report for 2020 shows that it drew down its first US$7 million tranche from the Atlas Capital Markets facility on January 31 last year, as it anticipated the deal to sail through.

The real value of the planned investment could not be immediately confirmed.

But our follow-up on this matter established that, instead of the deal being finalised, the government froze the partnership between Katanga and ZCDC in 2020 but no communication was made to the concerned parties.

“We were advised by ZCDC that Katanga partnership is currently shelved,” said CMR chairperson, Newman Chiadzwa, whose community-run company, Royal Chiadzwa Trust, has a 20% stake in ZCDC through a community share ownership arrangement.

“We (Chiadzwa community) are shareholders in ZCDC but we don’t really know what is happening.

“I understand that the instructions (to shelve the deal) came from the ministry.

“That’s where most of the decisions are made,” he said.

Promises and lies

So far, the ministry of Mines has not offered a public explanation on why it made a U-turn on Vast, nor do the concerned suitors who this publication talked to know.

Vast’s Prelea, in a 2019 broadcast interview, indicated that government offered them a diamond concessions different from the one they had agreed.

But, according to him, Vast Resources agree to the unilateral changes as it was still keen on the diamond investment, a hope that it holds up to now, as shown in its first quarter report for 2021.

The sidelining of Vast Resources comes as the government is showing a soft spot for Russian and Chinese investors in the expansive diamonds fields.

In December 2018, through a video posted on the Information ministry Twitter handle, Chitando announced that Cabinet had adopted a new diamond policy that would see two private companies being allowed to explore and mine diamonds in Manicaland.

A month later, government revealed Anjin – a JV between the Zimbabwean army and Chinese company, Anhui – and Alrosa from Russia were those two private companies.

Five months down the line, Chitando announced during a radio interview that government had approved Russia’s Alrosa to partner ZCDC while Anjin had been allowed back into Marange.

It had been evicted by the late Mugabe for allegedly siphoning millions from Chiadzwa and its return, according to Polite Kambamura – who is Chitando’s deputy –  was done to salvage Chinese interests in Zimbabwe.

Anjin went on to grab the most lucrative mining portal from ZCDC, forcing it to the brink of collapse.

Local media reports have already suggested that that Alrosa has since been awarded 40 diamond concessions under unclear circumstances but investigations show that the company has not made any meaningful production to date.

The responsible authorities were not forthcoming with information regarding the Katanga deal.

Chitando did not respond to questions despite acknowledgement of receipt, while Kambamura said “kindly refer to ZCDC for finer details.”

The ZCDC chief executive officer, Mark Mabhudhu, referred enquiries back to the parent ministry.

“As you may know quite well, this issue falls under the purview of our shareholder who is the ministry of Mines and Mining Development.

“You may direct questions to them for credible answers,” said Mabhudhu.

The Office of the President and Cabinet played an active role in a restricted bid for a US$5 million job to fix Zimbabwe’s troubled aviation air communication systems.

The bid was limited to Russian and Chinese suitors, and the China Harbour Engineering Company, landed the contract in May this year even though it is still to commence work, seven months after.

The World Bank blacklisted CHEC at one time over unprofessional conduct and the Chinese multi-national has a history of non-delivery in Africa, the Caribbean and other parts of the world.

A Spanish company, Indira Systems, won the bid for the job in 2017, but like Vast Resources, was mysteriously stopped and the bid subsequently restricted to Russia and China.

Centre for Research and Development executive director, James Mupfumi was concerned that the “decision of who should mine in Marange is based on the whims of the executive and not on issues of transparency and accountability in the mining sector.”

Advocacy groups like CRD have been pushing for the publication of the diamond policy that the government claims to have crafted, but remains a top secret.

“When they got into power they opted for the diamond policy document,” Mupfumi said.

“That policy document is not even a public document.

“If you phone the ministry of mines today, you won’t get that document.

“You are told it’s a paper that guides the minister but we don’t have it.

“So now we have a situation whereby the issue of who comes in to mine is decided on the whims of those in the executive.”

Parties involved in the Katanga/ZCDC partnership questioned why Russia’s Alrosa joint venture and Anjin’s re-admission did not take time to approve while the Katanga partnership involving British investors was put on hold.

Bitter-sweet past

Vast Resources has a bitter-sweet past with the Zimbabwean government.

It changed its name in 2014 from African Consolidated Resources (ACR), according to its 2015 annual report.

The UK based miner took control of a diamond licence in Marange in February 2006 but was kicked out eight months later after the executive drew up a shortlist of other foreign investors of choice.

Still known as ACR, Vast Resources dragged the government to the High Court in 2009 under case No. HC 1390/07 in a bid to regain control of its concession.

The High Court ruled in 2010 that there were irregularities in the acquisition and registration of the claims that ACR obtained.

The company was further dragged before the High Court for alleged fraud and unlawful acquisition of diamond claims.

Court records indicate that in 2018, Vast had to withdraw a pending court case against government, supposedly with the hope of being readmitted back to the Marange fields through a partnership with ZCDC.

Newman Chiadzwa has also had a sour relationship with the government.

In 2010, he was sentenced to five years in jail and fined US$132 764 for illegally possessing 43, 028 carats of diamonds after a long legal battle with the state, according to court records. He was released after serving 16 months.

The following year, though, Newman successfully sued the government to recover diamonds worth US$300 million that the state had forfeited during his arrest.

    *This investigative story was produced with support from the US Public Diplomacy Section in Harare.-standard

By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo magistrate said landlords should stop the arbitrary eviction of their tenants as this violates the country’s laws.

Bulawayo Western Commonage resident magistrate Shepard Munjanja said this before granting a tenant protection order against his landlord last week.

The applicant, Eloff Ncube and the accused, Mduduzi Moyo of 8824 Pumula East appeared before magistrate Munjanja last week.

Ncube told the court that he was being harassed by his landlord into leaving his lodgings before the expiry of the three months’ notice that he had been verbally given. He said:

My landlord asked me to leave his house and we verbally agreed on three months’ notice which was effective from 15 October to 15 January next year.

But my landlord has now been harassing me to move before that date and even hired bouncers to force me to leave which is why I have come before the courts for reprieve.

Opposing Ncube’s application for a protection order against him, Moyo said his tenant was lying about his notice period. He said:

Ncube came to me desperate for accommodation telling me that his belongings were no longer safe and he needed a place to stay.

I gave him a place to stay and when I decided that it was time for him to leave, I gave him three months’ notice.

We had a verbal agreement on 29 August this year that he would be out by 29 November but he came to me and said he was having logistical difficulties and asked for a little more time which I granted him.

But now he is still there and is saying we agreed that he should move out by 15 January which is not true.

Munjanja however granted the protection order against Moyo and ordered him to allow his tenant to rundown his three-month notice while granting the latter a protection order against harassment.

He also advised Moyo to seek a court order before evicting his tenant ahead of the given three months notice. Said Munjanja:

I grant the order in favour of the applicant and advise you to seek a court order should he fail to leave by January 15.

Only through the courts can a tenant be evicted and I urge you and other landlords to bear this in mind.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Chief Murinye from Masvingo will face disciplinary action for his utterances last weekend attacking President Mnangagwa and hinting at an imaginary possible coup.

Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga did not take kindly to the chief’s utterances and yesterday told the annual Chiefs’ Conference that such statements can only be said by a “drunk”.

“What we have seen in the past few days is never done,” he said. “Zvekuti munhu anosimuka otaura zvaanoda kuna paramount chief is never done. Zvinoitwa nemunhu anwa mutoriro. In this country it’s never done.

“We have one Munhumutapa (President Mnangagwa), we have one leader and it is that leader we give respect. It is that leader we show the entire nation what respect is all about.

So, what has been done by Chief Murinye is going to be investigated by the Minister of Local Government and the chiefs’ council and if found guilty, disciplinary action would be taken.

This is Zimbabwe. I thought I should say this, I respect Munhumutapa (President Mnangagwa) and no one touches him as long as I live.”

Zimbabwe Chiefs’ Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira distanced the traditional leaders from Chief Murinye’s utterances, saying they did not reflect their thinking.

“I want to tell the President that we are with you as an institution, what was said is an individual’s views and does not reflect the views of the institution, in fact, it’s the direct opposite of our views,” he said.

Earlier, Chief Charumbira had thanked the President for giving them audience to discuss issues affecting the country.

He said President Mnangagwa had restored the dignity of the institution of traditional leaders that was undermined by the colonial regime.

Chief Charumbira thanked the President for agreeing that chiefs change their official attire from the red robes and hat introduced by the colonial regime to new ones reflective of local customs and traditions

By A Correspondent- An unlicensed truck driver who allegedly ran over a seven-year-old girl in 2002 has been arrested, 19 years later.

Elton Chinomwaza (44), of Ruwa, committed the crime in 2002 and his case was not finalised before he left for Botswana.

Chinomwaza returned to Zimbabwe in 2016 and was arrested on Tuesday last week for negligent driving.

He hit Chipo Zhento now 26, who was in Grade Three resulting in her leg being amputated.

The case was reported under CR 23/2002 and the then investigating officer died in 2013 while the case was still pending.

Chinomwaza was expected to appear in court on Thursday for trial at Mbare Magistrates’ Court.

Speaking to H-Metro, Chipo said she was hit by the car along First Street Road in Kuwadzana and her leg was cut off on the spot. She said:

The accident occurred in 2002, whilst I was on my way from school with my colleagues and my right leg was cut off at the spot.

The accused person did not even show remorse by helping me since the day in question.

… I am the one who phoned him this month, informing him that I am Chipo the one he hit in 2002, but suddenly he blocked my cellphone number.

H-Metro reported a source as saying Chipo approached Southerton Police seeking advice over her case. Said the source:

There, the police ‘resurrected’ the matter after Chipo pursued it.

No one knew that justice would be served one day because this matter was swept under the carpet.

Chipo has been making some follow-ups on the matter since 2019. She made several follow-ups until she was assisted.

The case was set to be phased out in 2022 according to the law following 20 years without locating the accused person.

Another source narrated how a police officer located the accused using information from the Registrar General’s office and with help of Econet. Said the source:

A police officer located him through Registrar General’s information and also with the help of Econet.

During the time of the offence, he supplied his uncle’s cell number which then was used to trace him.

Through the efforts, he was apprehended whilst at his new house, in Ruwa.

Also speaking to H-Metro, Chinomwaza said when the accident happened in 2002, he had not yet acquired a driver’s licence. He said:

I recall this case it happened in 2002 when I was driving a UD Nissan truck along First Street in Kuwadzana.

It is so painful to meet the girl that I hit at the age of three, surely by now without the grace of God, she would have died on the spot since the situation was bad.

I was not licensed by that time until I acquired a license in 2017.

Chinomwaza revealed that he thought the case was over and did not think police officers were still looking for him. He said:

I did not expect to see police officers at my doorsteps, as I thought maybe the case is over because it has been 20 years since this happened.

The police officer who was investigating my case just told me to go back home and promised to call me for further developments but from there I was not called.

Chinomwaza said he suffered a mild stroke in 2018 and has not yet fully recovered.

He said he has hit hard times and is not in a position to render any form of assistance to his victim. He added:

… I will just wait for the court’s decision.

HMetro

General #Chiwenga is the worst thing that has happened to #Zimbabwe in the last 20 yrs. He is an unrepentant, uneducated, incorrigible dictator. No wonder he attempted suicide after failing an army exam.@NewsDayZimbabwe @zimlive @mhofela_mhofu @zanupf_patriots @mdczimbabwe

— Tendai Moyo ?? (@sda144) December 19, 2021

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa  has suggested that the remains of British imperialist Cecil John Rhodes can be removed from the Matopos National Park in Matabeleland South and returned to the United Kingdom.

Mnangagwa told traditional leaders on Friday in the capital that the remains of the founder of the former British colony, Rhodesia, were of no importance to the country.

Rhodes, who was born in 1853 and died in 1902 was an imperialist, businessman and politician who played a dominant role in southern Africa in the late 19th Century, driving the annexation of vast swathes of land.

He founded the De Beers diamond firm which until recently controlled global trade.

Rhodes dreamt of an uninterrupted railway link stretching from Cape Town to Cairo, Egypt – the entire north to south controlled at the time by the British Empire.

Rhodes’ remains lie atop a granite hill in Matopos.

“We still have Rhodes’ remains in Matobo.

“What do you think about it? If you go to the shrine, you don’t know whether you are talking to Rhodes or our ancestors,” Mnangagwa said.

“His remains must be returned to where he hailed from and we can also have our ancestral remains which are being kept in Europe.”

In 2012, the late former president Robert Mugabe blocked ex-combatants and members of his ruling Zanu-PF party from exhuming his remains, saying his legacy was part of the country’s history.

In May 2020, the Rhodes Stable located at the Matopos National Park was burnt down by unknown people.

The stables, built in 1897, are one of the oldest buildings in the country where Rhodes used to shelter his horses.

In South Africa, statues and monuments of colonial-era leaders were once targets of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests.

In 2015, South Africa’s University of Cape Town removed the statue of the British colonialist and 19th Century figure, unveiled in 1934.-standard

By A Correspondent- A court in Bulawayo has issued a warrant for the arrest of former Ntabazinduna chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni, just days after he stood outside 10 Downing Street in London to petition the British government to press President Emmerson Mnangagwa over extending voting rights to Zimbabweans in the diaspora.

Bulawayo magistrate Maxwell Ncube signed the arrest warrant on Thursday at the request of Canisious Chesango, the officer in charge of Mbembesi Police Station who accused the 58-year-old of breaching his bail conditions.

The warrant empowers police to “immediately upon sight thereof apprehend and bring the said accused person… before the magistrate.”

Chesango said Chief Ndiweni, 58, was released on bail by the High Court in August pending appeal against a two-year prison sentence for malicious damage to property. As part of the bail conditions, Ndiweni was required to report once every week at Ntabazinduna Police Station and also to reside at his Ntabazinduna home.

“The accused defaulted,” Chesango said in his application for the warrant.

Ndiweni was jailed for allegedly destroying property worth US$30 when he led 23 villagers to destroy a kraal and hedge of a family banished by the chief from his area. His lawyer Professor Welshman Ncube secured his release on bail pending appeal against the sentence, which Justice Thompson Mabhikwa said had prospects of success.

Chief Ndiweni led a protest outside the British parliament in October, urging the government to rescind an invitation to President Mnangagwa to attend the Cop26 climate change conference held in Scotland.

Then, on December 5 this month, Ndiweni – son of the late Chief Khayisa Ndiweni – handed a petition at the office of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, urging the UK government to remain engaged with Zimbabweans’ quest for democratic governance. In particular, the traditional leader called on the UK to support calls for Zimbabweans based outside the country to be allowed to vote in 2023.

“We want the five million Zimbabwean diasporans scattered around the four winds of the earth to be able to vote,” Ndiweni told reporters outside 10 Downing Street.

President Mnangagwa, swept into power through a military coup in 2017, initially promised Zimbabweans living outside the country a vote, but later went back on his promise.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- There is confusion at the Registrar General’s (RGs) office following the launch of e-passports as the government department is still issuing old passports, with its workers in the dark about the new development.

The e-passport which will contain key features such as an electronic chip was launched last week by President Emmerson Mnangagwa amid a global supply crunch of the chips.

The chip holds the same information that is printed on the passport’s data page.

There has been a shortage of the chips, also known as semiconductors, since 2020.

International chip companies and experts on national and international chip identity systems warn that the global shortage of microchips threatens the ability of governments and companies to issue biometric digital ID documents such as passports and national identity cards.

The Security Identity Alliance (SIA), a grouping of large scale European identity system providers, last month urged governments to take on responsibility as the chip shortage has spread to other areas of manufacturing covering all manner of consumer goods including washing machines, smartphones and others.

“Authorities in charge of issuing ID documents should estimate their needs in terms of document deliveries for the next few years and engage with their industry partners.

“The current situation calls for the optimisation of inventory management and accurate forecasting,” the SIA said in a statement last month.

Experts predict that the chip shortage will persist beyond 2023.

The Home Affairs ministry gazetted Statutory Instrument (SI) 273 of 2021 introducing the e-passport and announced that old passports would cease to be a legal travel document after December 31, 2023.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) last week challenged the SI arguing that the responsible minister did not have constitutional powers to ban old passports.

Investigations conducted by The Standard showed that the RGs office was issuing out old passports to citizens, who applied for the traveling documents before the introduction of the e-passports and even those that were submitting applications now.

The new ordinary e-passport costs US$100, with an extra passport application fee of US$20 that will be processed at CBZ Bank.

An ordinary passport was pegged at US$60 prior to the introduction of the e-passport.

Officials at the RG’s offices were in the dark when interviewed by this publication as members of the public raised alarm over the introduction of the e-passport, which was marred with policy inconsistencies.

Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe and his deputy Ruth Maboyi could not provide clarification on when the government would start issuing the e-passports.

Kazembe requested questions in writing, but later said he was busy.

“I am still busy at the moment. I will respond to your question later,” he said.

Maboyi said: “I cannot comment on that. The minister knows better how to respond.”

Several attempts by The Standard to get a comment from the acting registrar-general Henry Machiri were in vain as he was not picking his phone.

SI 273 of 2021 states that the passports in use will be unacceptable by December31, 2023, but  the Home Affairs ministry  had  issued a statement earlier saying that the old passports would be valid until they expired, which could be before or after December 31, 2023.

The country faces a shortage of passports and identity card document consumables, and has a huge backlog of more than 400 000 passports dating as far back as 2018 due to shortages of foreign currency to import the required consumables.

While launching the e-passport, Mnangagwa said the new system would enable production of 30 000 passports per day, starting next year to clear the backlog.

In 2016, the late former resident Robert Mugabe also launched the same e-passport.

When The Standard team visited the RG’s offices, there long queues of people seeking travel the documents.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Chief Murinye from Masvingo will face disciplinary action for his utterances last weekend attacking President Mnangagwa and hinting at an imaginary possible coup.

Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga did not take kindly to the chief’s utterances and yesterday told the annual Chiefs’ Conference that such statements can only be said by a “drunk”.

“What we have seen in the past few days is never done,” he said. “Zvekuti munhu anosimuka otaura zvaanoda kuna paramount chief is never done. Zvinoitwa nemunhu anwa mutoriro. In this country it’s never done.

“We have one Munhumutapa (President Mnangagwa), we have one leader and it is that leader we give respect. It is that leader we show the entire nation what respect is all about.

So, what has been done by Chief Murinye is going to be investigated by the Minister of Local Government and the chiefs’ council and if found guilty, disciplinary action would be taken.

“This is Zimbabwe. I thought I should say this, I respect Munhumutapa (President Mnangagwa) and no one touches him as long as I live.”

Zimbabwe Chiefs’ Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira distanced the traditional leaders from Chief Murinye’s utterances, saying they did not reflect their thinking.

“I want to tell the President that we are with you as an institution, what was said is an individual’s views and does not reflect the views of the institution, in fact, it’s the direct opposite of our views,” he said.

Earlier, Chief Charumbira had thanked the President for giving them audience to discuss issues affecting the country.

He said President Mnangagwa had restored the dignity of the institution of traditional leaders that was undermined by the colonial regime.

Chief Charumbira thanked the President for agreeing that chiefs change their official attire from the red robes and hat introduced by the colonial regime to new ones reflective of local customs and traditions.-online

By A Correspondent- The MDC Alliance says it will not take a festive break from its rural mobilisation drive, but will instead ramp up the campaigns during that period to target gatherings in the countryside where people are merry-making.

MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has been on a whirlwind tour in rural areas to drum up support for the opposition party ahead of the upcoming 2023 elections.

Chamisa’s entourage and his supporters have been attacked on several occasions during the rural campaigns by suspected Zanu-PF supporters.

The violence claimed the life of MDC Alliance activist Nyasha Zhambe of Gutu, Masvingo.

Zanu-PF recently admitted that Chamisa’s inroads into rural areas were a cause for concern for the party, which often boasts majority support in the countryside.

MDC Alliance secretary for rural mobilisation and strategy Happymore Chidziva told The Standard that they would capitalise on festive gatherings in the rural areas including encouraging new voters to register to vote in the upcoming elections.

“There is no festive season for us this time,” Chidziva said.

“We are not going to take a break; we are going on with our rural mobilisation exercise. We don’t break because those are the communities we live in, so we will keep on mobilising.”

The opposition party is targeting six million voters in its voter mobilisation campaign plan.

Zanu-PF party wants to increase the number of its registered voters to  five million and to ensure a 65% election victory.

Recently, Zanu-PF political commissar Mike Bimha told journalists that the ruling party had so far reached four million people following the restructuring exercise.

Chidziva said: “We are getting there. We have won the hearts of many people in the rural communities and that is why we are not breaking the mobilisation exercise.

“Voter registration is a key part of our electoral campaign and we target seven  million votes for change.”

The opposition party narrowly lost to Zanu-PF in the 2018 elections with Chamisa getting more than two million votes.

Zanu-PF has said it will use the March by-elections to gauge its popularity after conducting a restructuring exercise.-standard

By A Correspondent- The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has opened the Electronic Ministry Application Platform (EMAP), Form One e-enrolment process for 2022 Form One boarding schools.

A circular sent to provincial education directors and school heads by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs Tumisang Thabela, reads that the online application which begun last Monday will run up to 31 January next year.

Mrs Thabela said learners would be allowed a maximum of five applications at any given time.

“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will be running an electronic platform for enrolment platform for enrolling Form One boarding places for 2022. Parents and guardians who wish to send their children to boarding schools are advised to start applying through the platform (www.emap.co.zw <http://www.emap.co.zw>) with effect from 13 December 2021 to 31 January 2022.

“All applicants will be allowed to make a maximum of five active applications at any given time. An applicant who has been offered a place at one school will not be eligible to apply or be considered for a place at any other schools unless the offer is declined. Successful applicants will be notified through short message service (SMS) by the respective schools heads. Parents and guardians are, however, advised that there is limited boarding places,” said Mrs Thabela.

She said upon applying to a school, an applicant will receive a response which will indicate that the application is either pending, accepted, processed or rejected.

Mrs Thabela, however, noted that there were limited places, hence only candidates who were rejected would  be allowed to apply to other schools.

“Once you decline an offer there is no guarantee that you will get the same offer back. The offering of a place is done randomly from your shortlisted schools. Parents and guardians are advised to apply early because there are limited places for boarding places and only students who were rejected will be allowed to apply to other schools,” she said.

The e-enrolment process was introduced in 2016 in a bid to curb corruption that was associated with enrolment of learners at boarding schools.

At the start of the e-enrolment system there were 24 000 boarding places countrywide.

The e-enrolment has in the past been marred with confusion as some applicants claimed that the website was always down.

Parents and guardians have also said the new system was inconvenient as it gives them little time to prepare for the opening of the schools.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s angry threats against a chief from Masvingo, who warned that President Emmerson Mnangagwa risked losing the 2023 elections, has drawn further ire from the traditional leader.

Chief Murinye angered the authorities when he accused Mnangagwa and his top executive of entertaining corruption.

The chief was addressing mourners at the funeral of Public Service Commission official Elson Gonye.

Mnangagwa summoned chiefs to the capital in Harare on Friday where his deputy Constantino Chiwenga read the riot act and warned that criticising the President in public was unacceptable and would not be tolerated.

He said Murinye, born Ephias Munodawafa, would be investigated.

But Murinye in an interview with The Standard yesterday stood his ground and  human rights’ lawyers accused the presidency of violating the constitution by threatening traditional leaders.

“I am a chief in accordance with the tradition and my clan,” Murinye said.

“I am satisfied that what I said was not out of malice. It was because of my love for my party (Zanu-PF) and my president.

“I don’t have questionable allegiance.

“The problem is in every system when you step on other people’s toes – who think you are disrupting their bread and butter means, they make that noise.

“I am not afraid of being investigated.

“I don’t have a problem with that. At the moment, that is what I will say.”

Last night the chief confirmed it was him speaking in an audio recording where he says he dares the politicians to kill him for saying out his mind. He accuses government officials of seeking to kill him for lashing out at Mnangagwa.

Before Chiwenga’s threats, Murinye  had told The Standard that he was receiving threatening messages and calls from anonymous people, a known tactic used against government critics.

“I have plans to engage Mnangagwa on the issue I raised recently,” he said.

“The issues of corruption have to be addressed.

“Mnangagwa has the chance to remove the criminals surrounding him by reshuffling the Cabinet.

“The people whom he is sending on the ground are the ones, who are misleading him.

“We love our president and he is doing wonders, but the problem is the criminals around him.”

In audio clips that have gone viral on social media, Murinye threatens to expose corrupt Zanu-PF members to  Mnangagwa.

“If the president asks me about it, I will expose you,” he said.

“In South Africa they go nine kilometres underground looking for diamonds, but here in Zimbabwe we literally pick our diamonds from the surface.

“What are we doing with the proceeds of the diamonds?

“If I inquire then you call me an MDC member. Kill me if you want, I don’t care.

“Even if I am dethroned, I will stand for justice.”

Rights lawyer Alec Muchadehama said Chiwenga had no constitutional rights to preside over chiefs.

“Zanu-PF has over a very long time used traditional leaders to advance their interests, so if they (chiefs) then speak against the ruling party the leaders are riled,” Muchadehama said.

“Chiefs are prohibited by the constitution to support political parties.

“Government should not forget that just like any other citizens, chiefs are entitled to enjoy rights that are enshrined in the constitution.

“Government could have made use of the chiefs’ council or the chiefs’ ethics and integrity committee to take action against the chief.”

Political analyst Fidelis Duri said Chiwenga’s utterances showed that the ruling party wanted to control chiefs in violation of the constitution.

“Traditional leaders have always been the number one enemy to the ruling party since independence, but the leaders have pampered them with material things to buy their allegiance,” Duri said.

Chapter 15.2 of the constitution states that “traditional leaders must not be members of any political party or in any way participate in partisan politics, act in a partisan manner, further the interests of any political party or cause or violate the fundamental rights and freedoms of any person”.

Duri added: “That is why if the leaders act contrary to the expectations, the government goes after them.

“It is not new. We have seen Chief Ndiweni who was deposed after criticising the president.”

In December 2019, government dethroned outspoken Chief Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna in Matabeleland North.

The Ndiweni clan protested his removal saying the government was interfering in the running of their chieftainship.

Chapter 283 of the constitution of Zimbabwe stipulates that the appointment, removal and suspension of chiefs must be done by the president on the recommendation of the provincial assembly of chiefs through the National Council of Chiefs and the minister responsible for traditional leaders and in accordance with the traditional practices and traditions of the communities concerned.-standard

By A Correspondent- Trevor Ncube, a member of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Presidential Advisory Council (PAC), has criticised Vice President Constantino Chiwenga for threatening a traditional leader, Chief Murinye, born Ephias Munodawafa.

Chief Murinye, who is reportedly related to Mnangagwa, last week publicly warned the President he would lose the 2023 presidential election or be overthrown in a military coup if he fails to deal with corrupt officials around him.

On Friday Chiwenga warned hundreds of chiefs gathered in Harare for a meeting with Mnangagwa against ignoring protocol when raising their concerns with the Government.

Chiwenga also said Chief Murinye would be investigated by the Local Government Minister July Moyo and president of the Chiefs Council Fortune Charumbira over his remarks.

Meanwhile, Ncube, who is also chairman of Alpha Media Holdings, a media house, said Chiwenga’s threats were shocking and chilling. He said:

This is shocking, chilling, and totally unacceptable in a democracy. Chiwenga spoke like a coup leader and not Vice President of a democratic Zimbabwe.

Political analyst Pride Mkono said Chiwenga’s reaction to Chief Murinye’s comments was an embarrassment. Said Mukono:

Threats on Chief Murinye are humiliating, especially coming from a Vice President who knows people have the right and freedom to say as they please.

This is not Mnangagwa’s country, it belongs to everyone. No one should be threatened after speaking of corruption as it is clear as daylight, Zimbabwe is troubled by graft.

Addressing chiefs in Harare on Friday at the annual Chiefs’ Conference, Chiwenga said Chief Murinye had acted like a person high on “Mutoriro”, an illicit drug. Said Chiwenga:

That is only done by those who drink Mutoriro, in this country, it is never done. We have one Munhumutapa (Mnangagwa).

We have one leader and it is that leader we give our respect to, it is that leader we show the entire nation what respect is all about.

What has been done by Chief Murinye is going to be investigated by the Minister of Local Government (July Moyo), the President of the Chiefs Council (Fortune Charumbira), his deputy, and his committee and found guilty then appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

Such foolishness is not done, I hope you understand me. Chiefs are appointed and they are removed too.

I further thank my great Munhumutapa, and no one touches him as long as I live.

By A Correspondent | Vice President Constantino Chiwenga faces arrest over his utterances threatening King Munhumutama descendant and chief Murinye.
Chiwenga on Friday said Murinye must be punished over his criticism of corruption in government during the burial of a villager from his area.

Legal experts told ZimEye the constitution is clear on the offence allegedly committed by VP Chiwenga.
The prolific Chief Felix Ndiweni told ZimEye,
“I am calling for Lawyers in Zimbabwe if they can to report this matter of threats to the Chief for prosecution under the Traditional Leaders Act Section 48 containing the enclosed responsibilities ” Of Hindering a Traditional Leader in the course of their Work.”
“This is a Criminal Offence, level 5 fine and or imprisonment. It is very straightforward that that offence has been committed here against the Chief in question.
“He was doing his responsibilities as a chief. At funerals ALL Chief speak at the end of such occasions and MUST. bring in current local issues.”
Legal expert and ZANU PF aligned analyst, Dr Masimba Mavaza said there is nothing wrong the Chief did when he criticised corruption at the funeral of an MDC Alliance member.
Said Mavaza: ” People who are condemning Chief Murinye are tarnishing the name of our country Zimbabwe and the name of our good president. By believing that Murinye was asking for a coup when he asked if people want Valerio Sibanda is to be requested to come and arrest those criminals surrounding the president, means that he was asking for a coup is mischievous.
“This thinking will be suggesting that there was a coup in Zimbabwe in 2017; There was never a coup in Zimbabwe.”
It could not be established at the time of writing if the police are going to follow the constitution and perform an arrest of Chiwenga and contacted for a comment the vice-presidents phone was switched off for the good part of the day on Saturday. – ZimEye

By- President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the remains of British imperialist Cecil John Rhodes should be removed Matopos National Park in Matabeleland and returned to the United Kingdom.

Mnangagwa told traditional leaders Friday in Harare that the remains of the founder of the former British colony, Rhodesia, were of no importance to the country.

Rhodes, who was born in 1853 and died in 1902 was an imperialist, businessman and politician who played a dominant role in southern Africa in the late 19th Century, driving the annexation of vast swathes of land.
He founded the De Beers diamond firm which until recently controlled global trade.
Rhodes dreamt of an uninterrupted railway link stretching from Cape Town to Cairo, Egypt — the entire north to south controlled at the time by the British Empire.
Rhodes’ remains lie atop a granite hill in Matopos.
“We still have Rhodes’ remains in Matobo.
“What do you think about it? If you go to the shrine, you don’t know whether you are talking to Rhodes or our ancestors,” Mnangagwa said.
“His remains must be returned to where he hailed from and we can also have our ancestral remains which are being kept in Europe.”
In 2012, the late former president Robert Mugabe blocked ex-combatants and members of his ruling Zanu PF party from exhuming his remains, saying his legacy was part of the country’s history.
In May 2020, the Rhodes Stable located at the Matopos National Park was burnt down by unknown people.
The stables, built in 1897, are one of the oldest buildings in the country where Rhodes used to shelter his horses.
In South Africa, statues and monuments of colonial-era leaders were once targets of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests.
In 2015, South Africa’s University of Cape Town removed the statue of the British colonialist and 19th Century figure, unveiled in 1934.

• Standard

By-Douglas Mwonzora’s MDC-T said it was not planning to recall Gweru City Mayor Josiah Makombe.

Mwonzora has recalled all elected party representatives, who are alleged to be aligned to the MDC Alliance and its leader Nelson Chamisa, to fix them.

MDC-T secretary for Information and Publicity Witness Dube told TellZim that they will only confirm recalls after they have been officially done. He said:

We can only talk about recalls that have been effected. What I can tell you is that the party assists its public representatives in fulfilling their mandate to the best of their ability.

Dube added that the party had a duty to recall errant members and when such a development is done, the party will publish the names in a statement. Said, Dube:

Where the party has to discipline its representatives to keep them in line it does so.

However, some public representatives so deviate to an extent that recalling them becomes the only option available for the party.

Tsvangirai once recalled an entire council of Chitungwiza because of corruption and this has always been the number one reason why our party would consider recalling any councillor.

Should our party be left with recalling as the only corrective measure on any councillor, such councillors will be communicated to and their names published in a party statement.

The MDC-T has recalled scores of MDC Alliance MPs and councillors and replaced some of the legislators with people rejected by the electorate in 2018.

By-elections are likely to be conducted during the first quarter of 2022 for constituencies left vacant by the recalls.

More: TellZim

By-A Masvingo traditional leader, Chief Murinye, said he was ready for the investigations that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said would soon be lodged against him.

Born Ephias Munodawafa, Chief Murinye said he is not afraid of being investigated after his rant against corruption in high offices.

Chief Murinye set the cat among the pigeons when he accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his top lieutenants of entertaining corruption.

The traditional leader was addressing mourners at the funeral of Public Service Commission official Elson Gonye last weekend.

During the annual Chiefs’ Conference held in Harare on Friday, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga warned the traditional leaders to desist from criticising the President in public saying this was unacceptable and would not be tolerated.

Chiwenga also said Chief Murinye will be investigated for his utterances and disciplinary action will be taken against him.

But speaking during an interview with The Standard on Saturday, Murinye said his remarks were not out of malice but for the love of ZANU PF. He said:

I am a chief in accordance with the tradition and my clan. I am satisfied that what I said was not out of malice.

It was because of my love for my party (ZANU PF) and my president. I don’t have questionable allegiance.

The problem is in every system when you step on other people’s toes — who think you are disrupting their bread and butter means, they make that noise.

I am not afraid of being investigated. I don’t have a problem with that. At the moment, that is what I will say.

Last night Chief Murinye confirmed it was him speaking in an audio recording where he dared politicians to kill him for speaking out his mind.

Before Chiwenga issued the threats on Friday, Murinye had told The Standardthat he was receiving threatening messages and calls from anonymous people.

More: The Standard

By- Opposition MDC-Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa will spend this festive season in the rural areas targeting gatherings in the countryside where people are merry-making.

MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has been on a whirlwind tour in rural areas to drum up support for the opposition party ahead of the upcoming 2023 elections.
Chamisa’s entourage and his supporters have been attacked on several occasions during the rural campaigns by suspected Zanu PF supporters.
The violence claimed the life of MDC Alliance activist Nyasha Zhambe of Gutu, Masvingo.
Zanu PF recently admitted that Chamisa’s inroads into rural areas were a cause for concern for the party, which often boasts majority support in the countryside.
MDC Alliance secretary for rural mobilisation and strategy Happymore Chidziva told The Standard that they would capitalise on festive gatherings in the rural areas including encouraging new voters to register to vote in the upcoming elections.
“There is no festive season for us this time,” Chidziva said.
“We are not going to take a break; we are going on with our rural mobilisation exercise. We don’t break because those are the communities we live in, so we will keep on mobilising.”
The opposition party is targeting six million voters in its voter mobilisation campaign plan.
Zanu PF party wants to increase the number of its registered voters to five million and to ensure a 65% election victory.
Recently, Zanu PF political commissar Mike Bimha told journalists that the ruling party had so far reached four million people following the restructuring exercise.
Chidziva said: “We are getting there. We have won the hearts of many people in the rural communities and that is why we are not breaking the mobilisation exercise.
“Voter registration is a key part of our electoral campaign and we target seven million votes for change.”
The opposition party narrowly lost to Zanu PF in the 2018 elections with Chamisa getting more than two million votes.
Zanu Pf has said it will use the March by-elections to gauge its popularity after conducting a restructuring exercise.

-Standard

By- President Emmerson Mnangagwa reverses the late President Robert Mugabe’s directive to respect the remains of British imperialist Cecil John Rhodes in Matopos National Park in Matabeleland.

Mnangagwa, told Chiefs that Rhodes’s remains should be returned to the United Kingdom.

Mnangagwa said the remains of the founder of the former British colony, Rhodesia, were of no importance to the country.

Rhodes, who was born in 1853 and died in 1902 was an imperialist, businessman and politician who played a dominant role in southern Africa in the late 19th Century, driving the annexation of vast swathes of land.
He founded the De Beers diamond firm which until recently controlled global trade.
Rhodes dreamt of an uninterrupted railway link stretching from Cape Town to Cairo, Egypt — the entire north to south controlled at the time by the British Empire.
Rhodes’ remains lie atop a granite hill in Matopos.
“We still have Rhodes’ remains in Matobo.
“What do you think about it? If you go to the shrine, you don’t know whether you are talking to Rhodes or our ancestors,” Mnangagwa said.
“His remains must be returned to where he hailed from and we can also have our ancestral remains which are being kept in Europe.”
In 2012, the late former president Robert Mugabe blocked ex-combatants and members of his ruling Zanu PF party from exhuming his remains, saying his legacy was part of the country’s history.
In May 2020, the Rhodes Stable located at the Matopos National Park was burnt down by unknown people.
The stables, built in 1897, are one of the oldest buildings in the country where Rhodes used to shelter his horses.
In South Africa, statues and monuments of colonial-era leaders were once targets of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests.
In 2015, South Africa’s University of Cape Town removed the statue of the British colonialist and 19th Century figure, unveiled in 1934.

• Standard

By- Opposition MDC-Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa will spend this festive season in the rural areas targeting gatherings in the countryside where people are merry-making.

MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has been on a whirlwind tour in rural areas to drum up support for the opposition party ahead of the upcoming 2023 elections.
Chamisa’s entourage and his supporters have been attacked on several occasions during the rural campaigns by suspected Zanu PF supporters.
The violence claimed the life of MDC Alliance activist Nyasha Zhambe of Gutu, Masvingo.
Zanu PF recently admitted that Chamisa’s inroads into rural areas were a cause for concern for the party, which often boasts majority support in the countryside.
MDC Alliance secretary for rural mobilisation and strategy Happymore Chidziva told The Standard that they would capitalise on festive gatherings in the rural areas including encouraging new voters to register to vote in the upcoming elections.
“There is no festive season for us this time,” Chidziva said.
“We are not going to take a break; we are going on with our rural mobilisation exercise. We don’t break because those are the communities we live in, so we will keep on mobilising.”
The opposition party is targeting six million voters in its voter mobilisation campaign plan.
Zanu PF party wants to increase the number of its registered voters to five million and to ensure a 65% election victory.
Recently, Zanu PF political commissar Mike Bimha told journalists that the ruling party had so far reached four million people following the restructuring exercise.
Chidziva said: “We are getting there. We have won the hearts of many people in the rural communities and that is why we are not breaking the mobilisation exercise.
“Voter registration is a key part of our electoral campaign and we target seven million votes for change.”
The opposition party narrowly lost to Zanu PF in the 2018 elections with Chamisa getting more than two million votes.
Zanu Pf has said it will use the March by-elections to gauge its popularity after conducting a restructuring exercise.

-Standard

By – Norton member of parliament, Temba Mliswa has challenged Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to respect divergent views and stop intimidating citizens who would have expressed themselves.

In a Twitter thread, Mliswa said the “New Dispensation” is operating just as the late former president Robert Mugabe did, that is, threatening people who held divergent views.

The outspoken former ZANU PF Mashonaland West provincial chairman was responding to Chiwenga’s threats to discipline a traditional leader for speaking his mind.

Chief Murinye of Masvingo ruffled Chiwenga’s feathers he warned President Emmerson Mnangagwa of a possible coup if he failed to deal with worsening corruption.

Commenting on Chiwenga’s chilling warning to Chief Murinye, Mliswa reminded the ruling elite that they do not own Zimbabwe. Below is Mliswa’s full Twitter thread:

News that VP Chiwenga threatened Chief Murinye is wrong & disturbing on every level. This is exactly how Mugabe operated, threatening all those who had divergent views. Leadership should listen to people & not threaten them. We are all under Chiefs. Politicians sandivo vene venyika.

There is freedom of expression which the Chiefs can also exercise and they speak on behalf of the people. They can’t be threatened over that. Chiefs were independent and apolitical but ZANU PF got them involved in politics yet when they press a divergent button you attack them.

You dragged them into politics so accept all versions of that involvement. We can’t be a country where people are afraid of expressing their views. Hatingarambe tichichikidzira vanhu. We can’t be a country known for abusing its people.

Some of us joined and pushed for the new dispensation because we felt that we would have a new narrative and a different governance system. You came up with the mantra the voice of the people is the voice of God. What has happened to that?

Chief Murinye should not retract what he said because it’s the truth. Let’s be tolerant of the truth. Mwari ndiye muridzi wenyika ino kwete imi. You cannot threaten us all for saying what is true. Hamusimi varidzi venyika.

If I had known that this is what the removal of Mugabe means then I would not have allowed myself to suffer imprisonment; go to foreign Gvts to lobby against their military intervention, stop SADC from sending troops etc. Let’s not forget who played which role.

When you are in power be humble, have equanimity, be magnanimous. Don’t abuse your power and bully those under you. Listen to the concerns of all, women, youths, war veterans, Chiefs, masvikiro, church leaders, etc then we know it’s the Zimbabwe that we want.

We have no desire to lead but simply need the leaders present to do things in the proper way. Leaders who push for our desires. I’m disappointed with all this. You, Hon VP, sacrificed for a better Zimbabwe but this is not the way to go about it.

You can’t be using that position to intimidate people. People should be free to greet you and laugh with you in the street not to fear you. Ushe madzoroand what goes around comes around.

By Farai D Hove | I stopped listening to Winky D when I found him performing with MDC Alliance regalia, says Zanu PF’s Shumba Nyamuziwa.

Writing on Saturday afternoon, Nyamuziwa responded to a complaint by a female lawyer by saying:

“Winky D has been MDC ever since that time he released the Jecha song and performing wearing the MDC regalias.

“I used to like him but ipapo zvakabva zvapera- on that day my love for him quickly ended.”

Nyamiziwa stressed saying the problem with the singer is that he performs while wearing MDC Allianc regalia.

The only regalia Winky D has performed wearing is prison garb.

“This prison garb is what you call MDC regalia? Winky D does not wear party regalia, ” said one BaOranji.

Meanwhile, the learned lawyer had earlier on passed her complaint saying she won’t listen to Winky “I love Winky D but because his music has been politicized and aligned, I won’t listen to it,” she said.

Tinashe Sambiri|Tough-talking MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma has described POLAD as a composition of Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s lapdogs.

POLAD is trying to hoodwink the nation by presenting a piecemeal of reforms on the political table, according to Chuma.

The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson also took a swipe at POLAD actors for squandering taxpayers’ contributions.

Below is Chuma’s full statement:

POLAD Reforms Proposal: No Honey From A Swarm Of Flies

18-12-2021

POLAD, a grouping of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s political lapdogs have this week shocked all and sundry by laying out some funny electoral reforms proposals.

Surprisingly among their facade list of reforms, the gang is silent about abuse of tax payers money by elections rejects.

POLAD members have criminally benefited from tax payers money yet they do not possess any ounce of a social contract with the masses.

Rejects and losers must never determine the course and direction our country must take. They lack moral probity and public endorsement hence they should not force their rotten political ideas to the very people who rejected the same ideas on ballot.

By embracing Emmerson Mnangagwa, POLAD members have embraced criminality, human butchery, corruption, human rights abuses and all the ills of the so-called Second Recond Republic. It’s folly to accept a witch and condemn witchcraft.

If POLAD members are genuine about reforms, then their first port of call must be to genuinely call for release of all political prisoners like Makomborero Haruzivishe.

If POLAD members are sincere on reforms then they must return Mnangagwa’s vehicles which they were corruptly awarded.

POLAD members are accomplices to this unjust system that has left our people economically, socially and politically disenfranchised. We can not allow accomplices of thievery and corruption to suggest what’s good for our society for they religiously serve interests of their masters.

If POLAD members are sincere about reforms then their first port of call must be to call for the resignation of chief electoral thief, Emmerson Mnangagwa who ordered the butchering of unarmed and defenseless civilians by the military on 01 August 2018.

No honey from flies!

FreeMako

DefyOrDie

RegisterToVoteZw

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance says it will compensate pensioners who lost their benefits due to hyperinflation triggered by Zanu PF looting and corruption.

Pensioners are currently getting paltry monthly benefits as the regime is grappling with rising inflation.

The so called new dispensation has dismally failed to revive the comatose economy.

“The MDC Alliance Government will ensure that there is full and adequate payment of
compensation to all those that lost their pensions during ZANU’s hyperinflationary
scourge,” MDC Alliance said in a statement.

On escalating political violence the MDC Alliance said:

“The MDC Alliance condemns the continued unlawful conduct by Zanu PF which has escalated its violent campaign against citizens. NGOs should be protected by the law from criminal elements bent on crippling democracy.”

By -Zanu PF national political commissar Mike Bimha has announced rules for holding the party’s chaotic Provincial Coordinating Committee elections.

He said anyone over the age of 35 was not allowed to contest in the youth league.

“As we are preparing to hold the provincial elections in due course, all provinces are advised to stick and adhere to the following guidelines and parameters; that all aspiring youth candidates must be 35 years or below,” the circular read.

Two Zanu PF provincial youth leaders, Kelvin Mutsvairo and Vengai Musengi from Mashonaland East and West will contest for the provincial chairmanship posts.

The provincial chairperson’s post has no age limit.
Mutsvairo will contest against businessman Ozias Bvute, Herbert Shumbamhini and Michael Madanha for the Mashonaland East provincial chairperson’s post, while Musengi is likely to battle it out against Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, who is Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs minister.
The provincial leadership is expected to mobilise support for the party, with its target being five million more votes for the 2023 elections.
Bimha said all provinces should conclude the district executive verification processes this weekend. The looming provincial elections have left Zanu PF divided as factionalism has torn the party apart as prospective candidates jostle for control of the party provincial structures.

-Newsday

By-A TOP army General one Colonel Gwanzura has evicted Karoi commercial farmer Garry Hobbs.

The evicted farmer had close links with the late former President Robert Mugabe.

Hobbs previously offered to downsize his Chisuwa Farm, also known as John Impi, situated about 30 kilometres north of Karoi town in Hurungwe North constituency.

He was one of the few white farmers who supported the ruling party.

“He enjoyed immunity from the chaotic land reform as he was close to Mugabe as he was looking after his (Mugabe’s) in-laws that he supported with all farming expertise,’’ said a senior Zanu PF source speaking on condition that he is not named.

Hobbs and his family, despite having an offer letter, woke up on Thursday to a team from the Sheriff’s Office accompanied by armed police officers to enforce the eviction order.

A removal truck was ready to ferry the farmer’s household furniture, while tractors and other farm implements were removed from the premises.

It is believed that Hobbs was served an eviction order in November last year and an eviction notice came in March 2021.

Both Gwanzura and Hobbs could not be reached for comment.

But Information permanent secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana said Hobbs would remain on the farm despite the eviction order.

“Mr Hobbs remains at his farm. He has not been evicted.

The Second Republic stands for sanity on all farms and its policy is that all agricultural land should be used productively by beneficiaries. The boundary confusion is being resolved by relevant authorities,” Mangwana tweeted.

By-South African Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi blamed officials from his office for the confusion that engulfed the withdrawal of a directive that could have seen special permit holders from Zimbabwe lose their jobs, bank accounts and other services by December 31.
He told the media in South Africa on Tuesday that no rescission was made on the recent cabinet decision which resolved that they would not be renewed when they expire on December 31.
According to sources in Pretoria, Home Affairs Directive No. 10 of 2021 would have seen ZEP holders who failed to apply for the visas face the closure of their bank accounts, termination of employment, loss of places at academic institutions and other essential services.
Financial institutions in South Africa including banks had already advised ZEP holders to produce new permits or visa application receipt for accounts to remain active. Lawyers representing the ZEP holders successfully filed an urgent court application on December 7 against the directive issued on November 29 following the cabinet decision.
A group of Civil Society Organisations have also petitioned Motsoaledi arguing that the cabinet decision had thrown into disarray the ZEP holders’ lives appealing for the withdrawal of the resolution on humanitarian grounds.
However, Zimbabwean Ambassador to South Africa David Hamadziripi advised the ZEP holders to comply with the South African cabinet decision.
Motsoaledi said his department takes the blame for the confusion.
“It is true, the confusion erupted from the department, from officials in the department. They issued a circular purporting to clarify a Cabinet decision. The Cabinet decision is very clear: it does not need any circular to clarify it.
“What has been withdrawn, and I think that caused the confusion now, yesterday (Monday), I instructed that the circular be withdrawn – because I don’t see any purpose it is serving,” he said.

The minister said the circular was not even supposed to be issued.
“It was serving no purpose but just causing confusion. The Cabinet decision was clear. It was outlined by the Minister in the Presidency (Mondli) Gungubele on what the decision was about. Matters should have rested there, and they indeed must rest there,” he said.

Hamadziripi said: “The only advice I have for ZEP holders is that they should comply with the decision of the government of South Africa concerning the regularisation of their stay in the country following the non-extension of the special permits.”
The lawyer representing the ZEP holders, Advocate Simba Chitando, also took time to clarify the situation saying the victory was on the withdrawal of Directive 10 of 2021, which he described as oppressive.
He said on October 12 this year, the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Holders and African Amity filed an application before the Pretoria High Court to assert their rights.

Motsoaledi filed a notice to oppose the application but did not file an opposing affidavit in the matter. He said the cabinet resolution on November 24 was made before Motsoaledi had filed his opposing papers to the earlier application.
Home Affairs director general Livhuwani Tommy Makhode issued Directive No.10 of 2021 requiring all ZEP holders to apply for mainstream visas by the end of this month.
“On December 7, 2021, my clients filed an urgent application, to be heard on December 14, 2021, to set aside the draconian November 29 Directive 10 of 2021 issued by the Director of Home Affairs,” Chitando said.
The home affairs department withdrew the Directive No. 10 on December 13 and Chitando withdrew the application challenging the directive because it had been withdrawn a day before. He also reiterated that the November 24 directive remains.
“We are still challenging that decision and seeking permanent residency for ZEP holders. We celebrated the withdrawal of the oppressive November 29, 2021 directive,” he said.
Meanwhile, the coalition of CSOs said Zimbabwe remained a country in turmoil which continues to experience serious economic and political challenges and violence.
“Further, given that this special dispensation covers a timespan of over a decade, many Zimbabweans have built their families, lives and homes in South Africa.
“Estimates indicate that up to half a million children will be affected by this decision resulting in severe trauma through uprooting their lives in South Africa and exposing them to trauma and suffering in Zimbabwe, undermining the best interests of the child principle enshrined in South Africa’s constitution,” the CSOs argued.
They also argued that ZEP holders had contributed to the South African economy, communities and society with the decision affecting the whole country.
The CSOs also demanded a written response by no later than close of business today (December 17, 2021).

-Independent

By -Zanu PF has barred anyone over 35 years from contesting in elections for the youth league.

In the past, the party had many people, including the late Absolom Sikhosana and Pupurai Togarepi, who were over 35 years old but held positions in the youth league.

Zanu PF is expected to conduct provincial elections as the party embarks on a massive restructuring exercise ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections.
In a circular dated December 15 and addressed to all provincial chairpersons, national political commissar Mike Bimha ordered provinces to adhere to the youth league age limit of 35 years and below.

“As we are preparing to hold the provincial elections in due course, all provinces are advised to stick and adhere to the following guidelines and parameters; that all aspiring youth candidates must be 35 years or below,” the circular read.
Two Zanu PF provincial youth leaders, Kelvin Mutsvairo and Vengai Musengi from Mashonaland East and West will contest for the provincial chairmanship posts.
The provincial chairperson’s post has no age limit.
Mutsvairo will contest against businessman Ozias Bvute, Herbert Shumbamhini and Michael Madanha for the Mashonaland East provincial chairperson’s post, while Musengi is likely to battle it out against Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, who is Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs minister.
The provincial leadership is expected to mobilise support for the party, with its target being five million more votes for the 2023 elections.
Bimha said all provinces should conclude the district executive verification processes this weekend. The looming provincial elections have left Zanu PF divided as factionalism has torn the party apart as prospective candidates jostle for control of the party provincial structures.

By-The National Security Task Force has recovered a pistol and an assortment of tools that can be used to commit crime from two men, believed to be armed robbers, it intercepted along the Limpopo River.
Terrence Tiyengani (23) and Narvick Mhowa (26) were arrested on Thursday evening near the Pountain Base, 60km east of Beitbridge Border Post.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the pair was intercepted by an alert security team after crossing illegally from South Africa.

“They were initially arrested for illegal migration and a search of their belongings was conducted, leading to the discovery of one Star Pistol/CZ9MM Parabellam, a magazine with one round, one pepper spray, one black pouch, two pairs of black industrial gloves and one black wool ninja mask,” he said.
“We suspect they could be part or some armed robbers who are conducting crimes between Zimbabwe and South Africa’s border.
“However, the matter is still under investigations and so far, they are being charged for illegal migration and unlawful possession of a firearm.”
Asst Comm Nyathi said security forces will not relent in their quest to bring sanity along the country’s borders.

He said the police will not take kindly to those people smuggling goods, skipping the border and taking the Covid-19 virus across borders.
Asst Comm Nyathi said deployments had been adequately made to deal with crime along the border and all crime hotspots.
“Let those who are in the habit of smuggling firearms and ammunition through the borders be warned,” he said. “Their days are numbered. We are very concerned with a wave of armed robberies and hence we won’t relent.”
Asst Comm Nyathi said it was critical for people to use the legal channels to travel and import or export goods.
In January this year, the Government deployed the NTF to deal with intrusive leakages along the border with South Africa under operation “No to Cross-border Crimes-Fhasi Ngamilandu Yamukanuni Yamashango—Mhosva Pamiganhu Ngadzipere-Amacala Kawaphele Emingceleni Yelizwe”.
Over 70 000 people have been arrested for various offences between January and November this year under the same operation.

-State media

By-A reckless driver recently ran over a Marimba family at their prayer meeting.

The incident occurred along High Glen Road on Saturday night. The incident occurred along High Glen Road on Saturday night.
Molver Chigwada, 47, his wife Loveness Chigwada, 42, and son Ben Chigwada, five, were all hit by a car registration (ABV 5164) during a prayer meeting.
Family spokesperson Walter Tinashe Chigwada told H-Metro that Molver was admitted in the intensive care unit while Loveness and Ben were treated and discharged.
“The mishap happened when the three were among worshippers at a church along High Glen Road.
“It is disturbing to learn that our relatives were the only ones hit and the driver was reported to have been drunk,” said Chigwada.
Harare Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the report saying investigations have since begun.
“Police are investigating a road traffic accident which took place in Marimba where three people got injured,” said Insp Mwanza. H Metro

By Correspondent
The Vice President Constantine Chiwenga has issued a chilling threat to Chief Murinye born Ephius Munodawafa for asking President Emmerson MNANGAGWA to reign in corrupt people surrounding him.

Chiwenga took time out of his prepared speech to lambast Chief Murinye for calling for corrupt senior government officials to be arrested.

Chief Murinye bravely warned the President that if he does not reign in the corrupt bad apples in the government, he will not make it in 2023.

Irked by this call, Chiwenga called upon the minister of local government, July Moyo, to institute investigations against the outspoken Chief.

In a more shocking deliberate breach of the rule of Law, Chiwenga ordered the disciplinary committee to find Murinye guilty before he was even tried. Such attitude from Chiwenga is the one giving the nation a bad name.
Commenting on Chiwenga’s outburst MR John Taderera a Constitutional Lawyer said “ Chiwenga has lost the plot. If he urges a committee that has not been set to find Chief Murinye guilty who hasn’t been tried, then things fall apart. Is this the New dispensation at work! It’s a shame.”

Margaret NCUBE of the Woman’s action said “ The way Chiwenga bullies institutions of justice shows that Marry Chiwenga has no chance in Zimbabwean courts. We have been saying the courts are compromised. What can you say now? Chiwenga orders Murinye to be convicted before the trial begins.”

Chief Murinye was recorded during the funeral of MR Gonye who was in charge of the Pension Fund.
In his graveyard speech, Chief Murinye said Gonye was in charge of billions of dollars, yet he had a very modest house.

He went on to say there are some people around the President who are corrupt. The President must reign them in. If he does not do that now, 2023 will be hard to win Murinye paused a question. A rhetoric question. “ shall we ask Valerio Sibanda to come and arrest the thieves surrounding the president”. These are the words Murinye is being tormented for.
Ironically the man who led a move against thieves surrounding the President in 2017 is the one now freaking out when a suggestion of the same is raised.
“The thieves surrounding the president are deliberately taking the words of Chief Murinye out of contest.” Said Paradzai Chimonyo an ex-soldier now in the UK.

Chief Murinye has since apologised for the misunderstanding, but he reiterated that the thieves around his uncle the President must be reigned in.
The presidential spokesman Mr George Charamba could not be reached on his phone. Commenting on the speech of chief Murinye Naison Mapani a lawyer in London said there is no crime in the statement of Chief Murinye.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity one Chief said “ What Murinye said is not the problem. The problem is Chief Charumbira has fed Chiwenga with falsehoods. In the briefing before Chiwenga addressed the Chiefs Conference Charumbira told Chiwenga that Murinye has been boasting that he is the descendant of Monomotapa and thus untouchable. Armed with this gossip Chiwenga dug into Murinye.
President MNANGAGWA has declared war against Corruption and he should be happy with the whistleblowing by Murinye.
The threats by Chiwenga is a blow to the fight against Corruption.
This strikes very cold chills down the spines of Zimbabweans as it reminds people about Mugabe era where any whistle blower was labelled a traitor or MDC. Grace became infamous when she tormented ED for calling for the arrest of Jonathan Moyo for Fraud and Corruption.
Chief Murinye could not be contacted for comment.

By-President Mnangagwa today met traditional leaders from all over the country for the Annual Chiefs Conference.
The conference discussed various developmental and social issues affecting communities.
In his remarks, President Mnangagwa outlined Government programmes meant to uplift rural economies.

He also implored the traditional leaders to continue safeguarding the country’s culture, values and norms.

-State media

By A Correspondent | INVESTIGATIVE |Controversial Australian-based socialite Susan Mutami has been exposed for lying that she had twins with Norton Law-maker Temba Mliswa.

 Mutami made headlines claiming that she was having torrid times with the Mliswa twins. 

Highly placed sources who are close associates of Mutami told ZimEye.com that the socialite does not have twins. 

“We are always together here, and she does not have twins. She said we should not tell anyone about this,” said the sources. 

ZimEye.com also exposed Mutami’s several scandals, which included the government minister. 

The below is a trail of event twists that involved high profile ministers caught between two scandals, one on the sale of stands and one of trappings using a self-proclaimed anti-terrorism expert, Susan Mutami.

 It was all triggered when earlier in the year, the Special Anti Corruption Unit head, Thabani Mpofu was close to arresting Local Govt Minister, July Moyo over the alleged sale of stands in Harare, Kwekwe and Gweru for his own benefit. There were several beneficiaries listed on this reported scandal who are in the ministry of Justice; so to hide this, a quick plan was hatched to get Mpofu fired.

Mpofu, who leads the controversial taskforce, was swiftly accused of authoring letters for MDC Alliance Vice President Tendai Biti advising the opposition icon on ways if navigating through the justice system. Close sources allege that, when this was about to happen, the Norton MP Temba Mliswa went over to president, Emmerson Mnangagwa to advise him to ignore the calls to fire Mpofu, doing this in order to settle scores with the enemy of an enemy (Mliswa had heard that Thabani Mpofu had been set up by July Moyo, Owen Ncube, and Virginia Mabhiza). Mliswa has had several bones to chew with Thabani Mpofu. Mliswa reasoned with Mnangagwa saying: how could Thabani Mpofu author letters for MDC Deputy President Tendai Biti in this age and time when he could simply pick a phone call. Parallel to all this, Temba Mliswa was the subject of an ongoing probe in which he was entangled with an ex girlfriend Susan Mutami. Facts became clear mid February that, Susan Mutami, the centre of the axis, was used to incriminate Mliswa. Mutami is an enigma. She claims she bedded the late SB Moyo, Killer Zivhu, Temba Mliswa. She is even openly announces saying she has bedded the President Emmerson Mnangagwa. She says she has Mliswa’s twins, while at the same time naming her son after his arch enemy, Owen Ncube.

 5 LOVERS, 2 PREGNANCIES TO 2 DIFFERENT MEN, ALL IN ONE YEAR             – Last year alone she dated at least four different men who include the Foreign Affairs Minister SB Moyo, one after the other:Susan Mutami’s latest profile picture – source: Susan Mutami, Twitter.com

Polite Kambamura, the Mining Deputy Minister (they were engaged). Walter Chikwana, Secretary for the Judicial Commission (they had a civil partnership in 2020), and ZANU PF MP, Hon Kenneth Musanhi 

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday gagged traditional leaders from criticising him in public, a development seen as part of the Zanu PF regime’s strategy to further shrink the country’s democratic space.

Mnangagwa held an emergency meeting with traditional leaders from across the country in the capital yesterday, three days after Chief Murinye of Masvingo publicly castigated him for failing to rein in “rogue” associates “surrounding him”

Murinye warned that Mnangagwa risked losing the 2023 presidential elections, or being toppled via a coup. He was speaking at the burial of top civil servant Elson Gonye, the head of Pay and Benefits Development and Management Agency in Masvingo province

The burial was attended by senior government officials.

Mnangagwa’s deputy Constantino Chiwenga and Chiefs Council president Fortune Charumbira said Murinye’s comments were unacceptable, would not be tolerated and would be investigated.

“Chiefs have been guided accordingly,” a visibly angry Chiwenga said.

“Chiefs should know channels to raise issues. Chief Murinye’s conduct is not tolerated and thus will be investigated. The President should be respected by all and sundry. The President has my total support.

Charumbira chipped in: “My great Monomotapa (in reference to Mnangagwa) cannot be touched as long as I am alive. What we have seen recently should never be repeated. Zvinoitwa nevakanwa mutoriro zviya (Murinye’s conduct is only attributable to those who abuse crystal meth),” he said.

“Chieftainship is given by the paramount chief and if you are stubborn, the paramount chief has the powers to withdraw you from the chiefdom.”

Charumbira added: “We are with you as the National Council of Chiefs. Chief Murinye’s utterances should be regarded as his individual view and not that of the national council of chiefs.”- NewsDay

By A Correspondent- Former Shabani Mine and Orlando Pirates defender Zvenyika Makonese has been fined R3 000 for stealing a police officer’s G-tel A718 cellphone valued at US$468.

Makonese, a former Warriors defender, is now employed as an assistant bus conductor by K&M buses.

He pleaded not guilty to a charge of theft when he appeared before resident magistrate Gloria Takundwa but was on Thursday convicted on the strength of overwhelming evidence.

The magistrate slapped Makonese with one-month imprisonment with an option of a fine.

The complainant in the case, Melody Masiya, had asked one of the bus crews at the Beitbridge border post to recharge her phone using the bus phone charger.

Prosecutor, Jabulani Mberesi alleged that on an unknown date but in August this year, the police officer, who was at Beitbridge Border Post, asked Farai Chinyani, a driver at Ngonweni bus services, to recharge her phone using the bus phone charger.

Mberesi further told the court that Makonese entered the bus while the driver was fast asleep and stole the complainant’s phone.

He allegedly gave the cellphone to one Calisto Tobaiwa in Zvishavane who sold it on his behalf.

When the police officer went to the bus driver intending to collect her phone, the phone was nowhere to be found prompting her to report the case to the police.

Makonese was arrested following thorough investigations that linked him to the missing cellphone.

The G-tel A718 phone was never recovered.-statemedia

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has challenged Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa to stop punishing citizens by implementing shoddy policies that have dire implications.

The Zanu PF regime has dismally failed to transform the country’s economy, according to President Chamisa.

See statement below:

THE MOST EXPENSIVE FUEL.

THE MOST EXPENSIVE PASSPORT.

THE MOST EXPENSIVE LEADERSHIP.

THE MOST EXPENSIVE POLITICS.

THE MOST EXPENSIVE FOOD PRICES.

It was number plates,now it is passports. A deal awarded without going to tender? Just imagine US$120 for a passport yet in Namibia it is US$12.

This is the expense of bad leadership. Zimbabwe needs NEW leaders! And we are the new leaders. Ready to lead!

By Correspondent
The Vice President Constantine Chiwenga has issued a chilling threat to Chief Murinye born Ephius Munodawafa for asking President Emmerson MNANGAGWA to reign in corrupt people surrounding him.

Chiwenga took time out of his prepared speech to lambast Chief Murinye for calling for corrupt senior government officials to be arrested.

Chief Murinye bravely warned the President that if he does not reign in the corrupt bad apples in the government, he will not make it in 2023.

Irked by this call, Chiwenga called upon the minister of local government, July Moyo, to institute investigations against the outspoken Chief.

In a more shocking deliberate breach of the rule of Law, Chiwenga ordered the disciplinary committee to find Murinye guilty before he was even tried. Such attitude from Chiwenga is the one giving the nation a bad name.
Commenting on Chiwenga’s outburst MR John Taderera a Constitutional Lawyer said “ Chiwenga has lost the plot. If he urges a committee that has not been set to find Chief Murinye guilty who hasn’t been tried, then things fall apart. Is this the New dispensation at work! It’s a shame.”

Margaret NCUBE of the Woman’s action said “ The way Chiwenga bullies institutions of justice shows that Marry Chiwenga has no chance in Zimbabwean courts. We have been saying the courts are compromised. What can you say now? Chiwenga orders Murinye to be convicted before the trial begins.”

Chief Murinye was recorded during the funeral of MR Gonye who was in charge of the Pension Fund.
In his graveyard speech, Chief Murinye said Gonye was in charge of billions of dollars, yet he had a very modest house.

He went on to say there are some people around the President who are corrupt. The President must reign them in. If he does not do that now, 2023 will be hard to win Murinye paused a question. A rhetoric question. “ shall we ask Valerio Sibanda to come and arrest the thieves surrounding the president”. These are the words Murinye is being tormented for.
Ironically the man who led a move against thieves surrounding the President in 2017 is the one now freaking out when a suggestion of the same is raised.
“The thieves surrounding the president are deliberately taking the words of Chief Murinye out of contest.” Said Paradzai Chimonyo an ex-soldier now in the UK.

Chief Murinye has since apologised for the misunderstanding, but he reiterated that the thieves around his uncle the President must be reigned in.
The presidential spokesman Mr George Charamba could not be reached on his phone. Commenting on the speech of chief Murinye Naison Mapani a lawyer in London said there is no crime in the statement of Chief Murinye.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity one Chief said “ What Murinye said is not the problem. The problem is Chief Charumbira has fed Chiwenga with falsehoods. In the briefing before Chiwenga addressed the Chiefs Conference Charumbira told Chiwenga that Murinye has been boasting that he is the descendant of Monomotapa and thus untouchable. Armed with this gossip Chiwenga dug into Murinye.
President MNANGAGWA has declared war against Corruption and he should be happy with the whistleblowing by Murinye.
The threats by Chiwenga is a blow to the fight against Corruption.
This strikes very cold chills down the spines of Zimbabweans as it reminds people about Mugabe era where any whistle blower was labelled a traitor or MDC. Grace became infamous when she tormented ED for calling for the arrest of Jonathan Moyo for Fraud and Corruption.
Chief Murinye could not be contacted for comment.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW..

Vice President Chiwenga Threatens Chief Murinye.

By Correspondent
The Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has issued a chilling threat to Chief Murinye born Ephius Munodawafa for asking President Emmerson Mnangagwa to reign in corrupt people surrounding him. 

 

https://youtu.be/S089mU5vTFI

 

Chiwenga took time out of his prepared speech to lambast Chief Murinye for calling for corrupt senior government officials to be arrested.

 

Murinye is president Mnangagwa’s uncle.

Chief Murinye bravely warned the President that if he does not reign in the corrupt bad apples in the government He will not make it in 2023. Apparently irked by this call Chiwenga called upon minister of local government to institute investigations against Chief Murinye.

In a more shocking deliberate breach of the rule of Law Chiwenga ordered the disciplinary committee to find Murinye guilty before he was even tried. Such attitude from Chiwenga is the one giving the nation a bad name.
Commenting on Chiwenga’s outburst MR John Taderera a Constitutional Lawyer said “ Chiwenga has lost the plot. If he is urging a committee which has not been set to find Chief Murinye guilty who hasn’t been tried. Then things fall apart. Is this the New dispensation at work. It’s a shame”
Margaret NCUBE of the Woman’s action said “ The way Chiwenga bullies institutions of justice shows that Marry Chiwenga has no chance in Zimbabwean courts. We have been saying the courts are compromised. What can you say now. Chiwenga orders Murinye to be convicted before trial begins.”

 

 

Chief Murinye was recorded during the funeral of MR Gonye who was in charge of Pension Fund. In a graveside speech Murinye said Gonye was in charge of billions of dollars yet he had a very modesty house. He went on to say there are some people around the president who are corrupt. The president must reign them in. If he does not do that now 2023 will be hard to win Murinye paused a question. A rhetoric question. “ shall we ask Valerio Sibanda to come and arrest the thieves surrounding the president”. These are the words Murinye is being tormented for.

 

 

Ironically the man who led a move against thieves surrounding the president in 2017 is the one now freaking out when a suggestion of the same is raised.
“The thieves surrounding the president are deliberately taking the words of Chief Murinye out of contest, ” daid Paradzai Chimonyo an ex soldier now in the UK.

 

 

Chief Murinye has since apologised for the misunderstanding but he reiterated that the thieves around his uncle the president must be reigned in.

 

The presidential spokesman MR George Charamba could not be reached on his phone.

 

Commenting on the speech of chief Murinye Naison Mapani a lawyer in London said there is no crime in the statement of Chief Murinye.

 

Speaking on the condition of anonymity one Chief said “ What Murinye said is not the problem. The problem is Chief Charumbira has fed Chiwenga with falsehoods. In the briefing before Chiwenga addressed the Chiefs Conference Charumbira told Chiwenga that Murinye has been boasting that he is the descendant of Monomotapa and thus untouchable. Armed with this gossip Chiwenga dug into Murinye. 

 

President MNANGAGWA has declared war against Corruption and he should be happy with the whistle blowing by Murinye.
The threats by Chiwenga is a blow to the fight against corruption. 

 

This strikes very cold chills down the spines of Zimbabweans as it reminds people about Mugabe era where any whistle blower was labelled a traitor or MDC. Grace became infamous when she tormented ED for calling for the arrest of Jonathan Moyo for Fraud and corruption.

Chief Murinye could not be contacted for comment.

By – Political Actors Dialogue (POALD), has presented a long list of electoral reform recommendations, which it said must be implemented before the country holds a national election in 2023.

POLAD principals met in Harare this Friday and finalised a draft document on proposed electoral reforms compiled by their Governance and Legislative Agenda Thematic Committee. It proposed the following:

1. Zimbabwe must move to the proportional representation electoral system
2. All election-related laws to be in the Electoral Act.
3. State funding of political parties must be widened to promote a multi-party democracy
4. Regulation of political campaign meetings must be kept to a bare minimum during the period from the proclamation of elections up to polling day.
5. The Electoral Act must have a specific provision giving each political party fielding candidates in an election a free statutory 2 hour period on each public media platform to propagate its campaign message and a minimum of 5 articles.
6. The formula for a 30% female quota in local authorities recently introduced by the constitution must be provided for in the Electoral Act in time for 2023.
7. ZEC regulations must be promulgated at least 6 months before the elections.
8. Proclamation of Election date must be at least 90 days before polling day.
9. Voters roll to be closed 14 days after the date of proclamation.
10. The voters’ roll must be published and made available at least 7 days before the nomination court.
11. Nomination of candidates must take place over a period of 5 days with the nomination court only sitting on the 5th day to announce the final list of successful candidates.
12. The number of nominators for Presidential candidates be increased from 100 to 200 with the nominators.
13. ZEC must be obliged by a specific provision of the Electoral Act to inform voters via both print and electronic public media of the names of candidates.
14. Ballot papers must have a single vertical column of names of candidates in alphabetic order of surnames, whatever the length.
15. There must be braille voting for blind voters.
16. Assisted voting on account of illiteracy to be restricted to voters above 70 years.
17. Election results must be announced with a maximum period of 72 hours.
18. Media is permitted to publish any election result already posted outside a polling station or ward centre or constituency centre.

By A Correspondent | INVESTIGATIVE | Controversial Australian-based socialite Susan Mutami has confessed that she only has one child with Norton Law-maker Temba Mliswa.

 Mutami made headlines claiming that she was having torrid times with the Mliswa twins. 

Highly placed sources who are close associates of Mutami told ZimEye.com that the socialite does not have twins. 

“We are always together here, and she does not have twins. She said we should not tell anyone about this,” said the sources. 

Contacted for a comment, Miss Mutami avoided answering.

ZimEye.com also exposed Mutami’s several scandals, which included the government minister. 

The below is a trail of event twists that involved high profile ministers caught between two scandals, one on the sale of stands and one of trappings using a self-proclaimed anti-terrorism expert, Susan Mutami.

 It was all triggered when earlier in the year, the Special Anti Corruption Unit head, Thabani Mpofu was close to arresting Local Govt Minister, July Moyo over the alleged sale of stands in Harare, Kwekwe and Gweru for his own benefit. There were several beneficiaries listed on this reported scandal who are in the ministry of Justice; so to hide this, a quick plan was hatched to get Mpofu fired.

Mpofu, who leads the controversial taskforce, was swiftly accused of authoring letters for MDC Alliance Vice President Tendai Biti advising the opposition icon on ways if navigating through the justice system. Close sources allege that, when this was about to happen, the Norton MP Temba Mliswa went over to president, Emmerson Mnangagwa to advise him to ignore the calls to fire Mpofu, doing this in order to settle scores with the enemy of an enemy (Mliswa had heard that Thabani Mpofu had been set up by July Moyo, Owen Ncube, and Virginia Mabhiza). Mliswa has had several bones to chew with Thabani Mpofu. Mliswa reasoned with Mnangagwa saying: how could Thabani Mpofu author letters for MDC Deputy President Tendai Biti in this age and time when he could simply pick a phone call. Parallel to all this, Temba Mliswa was the subject of an ongoing probe in which he was entangled with an ex girlfriend Susan Mutami. Facts became clear mid February that, Susan Mutami, the centre of the axis, was used to incriminate Mliswa. Mutami is an enigma. She claims she bedded the late SB Moyo, Killer Zivhu, Temba Mliswa. She is even openly announces saying she has bedded the President Emmerson Mnangagwa. She says she has Mliswa’s twins, while at the same time naming her son after his arch enemy, Owen Ncube.

 5 LOVERS, 2 PREGNANCIES TO 2 DIFFERENT MEN, ALL IN ONE YEAR      

       – Last year alone she dated at least four different men who include the Foreign Affairs Minister SB Moyo, one after the other:Susan Mutami’s latest profile picture – source: Susan Mutami, Twitter.com

Polite Kambamura, the Mining Deputy Minister (they were engaged). Walter Chikwana, Secretary for the Judicial Commission (they had a civil partnership in 2020), and ZANU PF MP, Hon Kenneth Musanhi.

By-Over 2 200 nurses and doctors have left Zimbabwe for greener pastures in 2021 alone.

The US, UK, Australia, and neighbouring states absorbed these health professionals.

According to the government’s Health Service Board (HSB), the figures are more than double the number of doctors, nurses and pharmacists who left last year, and three times the number that left in 2019.

In 2019 – a total of 767 health professionals left the country while the figure was 756 in 2018.

HSB executive chairperson Paulinus Sikosana said the health sector remains dynamic and needs tailor-made solutions to counter the impact of such challenges.

“Unlike the preceding years, 2021 was a year that the board did not experience any collective job actions and was therefore able to focus on strengthening the quality service delivery,” he said.

“By June 2021, the health Service had lost more than twice the number of nurses that left the service in the whole of 2020.”

Health officials say the exodus has affected an already fragile health system, which suffers from a lack of medical equipment and medicines.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a minimum of 23 doctors per 10,000 people, which Zimbabwe is far from meeting. When the last survey was done in 2015, there was an average of just 1.6 doctors per 10,000 people.

Despite repeated government promises to improve wages they remain low.

An average worker in the public sector takes homes less than $200 a month, while in the UK – which relaxed visa restrictions for health workers in 2020 – they can earn 10 times as much.
-NewZimbabwe

By-A South Africa-bound bus Thursday dumped a sick Bulawayo woman on the road.

Sithabile Maseko (49) was left battling for life in the street next to Regional Coaches bus rank around 4 PM just before the bus left for South Africa.

Two men agreed with the bus driver to drag Maseko out of the bus after she asked to get some fresh air as she wasn’t feeling well.

It is alleged that other passengers asked the woman what her problem was and she said she had a kidney ailment and was going to South Africa for treatment.

On realising that she had difficulties in breathing, the bus driver ordered two men to remove her from the bus.

They reportedly dropped her handbag and a plastic bag with her national ID, bus ticket and medical record but left with her suitcase in the boot of the bus.

Irate witnesses informed the bus company supervisors about the incident but were snubbed.

A Good Samaritan called an ambulance which came and took the woman to the United Bulawayo Hospitals.

The Good Samaritan, who now had the woman’s daughter’s contact numbers in South Africa, called her and informed her about her mother’s luggage that was in the bus travelling to South Africa.

More: B-Metro

By-Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Thursday for the first time after a long time meeting face to face with his wife, Marry, at the Harare Magistrates Court.

 It was the first meeting for the couple in a long time after a dramatic fallout.

Chiwenga took the witness stand in-camera before Harare magistrate Lazini Ncube, who ruled that the State vice president must be protected because of his high office.

Marry’s lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa on Wednesday argued that Chiwenga must not get special treatment and the matter must be heard in a public court.

However, Ncube ruled that the State had made it clear that it is the office of the complainant that needs to be protected. Said Ncube:

The defence has a duty to put questions to the complainant, which was still going to happen if it was in an open court.

It is my view that nothing has been put in place to show the prejudice the complainant would suffer if the case is heard in camera.

The State has made it clear that it is the office of the complainant that needs to be protected.

Speaking to journalists after court, Mtetwa said Chiwenga did not say anything warranting camera proceedings.

Chiwenga arrived at the Magistrates Court around 10 AM escorted by three top-of-the-range vehicles and five security aides.

He entered the courts’ building using an entrance reserved for magistrates, avoiding reporters who had gathered.

Chiwenga accuses Marry of trying to fraudulently acquire a marriage certificate without his knowledge in 2019, allegations that she has consistently denied.

The matter was postponed to 17 January for the continuation of the trial.

More: NewsDay

By-Scandal ridden Doves Holdings has donated a bus to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ED-UNZA (University of Zambia) Scholarship Trust.

Doves which has been making headlines for burying an empty coffin in Nyanga, donated a 40-seater bus with funeral cover for all the beneficiaries.

Faramatsi Motors and Instant Tar Zimbabwe also donated.

The President received the donation at State House this morning, where he expressed gratitude to the three firms.

Doves Holdings, Faramatsi Motors and Instant Tar Zimbabwe group public relations manager Mr Innocent Tshuma said the donation was in fulfilment of a pledge made during the ED-UNZA (University of Zambia) inaugural fundraising dinner recently.
“If you look at the 15 students who are covered by the President’s initiative, they come from very humble backgrounds,” he said.
“As a cooperation – Doves Holdings, Faramatsi Motors and Instant Tar Zimbabwe – we saw it fit to come and pledge funeral cover in the unlikely and unfortunate event something befalls of these students.
“We will cover them wherever they are, whether in Zambia, in Zimbabwe or vice versa. Over and above that, we then decided the Trust needs a form of transport. We then donated a 40-seater bus for the Trust to use in providing for its needs.”

-Herald