By A Correspondent| Controversial Masvingo teacher David Masomere popularly known as DJ Masomere is in trouble over his bossing of Zanu PF leaders and supporters at the just ended party conference.

According to sources who attended a Zanu PF Harare provincial meeting, there were concerns that DJ Masomere was overstepping his bounds and ursurping the authority of the National Commissar.

“Concerns were raised about a young DJ overstepping his bounds and usurping the National Political Commissar’s authority. It was said even at the Bulawayo conference he was there saying ” Midlands muriko here uko,itai Slogan. It was asked what position he holds, where he comes from and what mandate or clause from the Constitution allows him to be doing what he does at every party occasion,” reads part of the key points circulated after the meeting.

Masomere who is a teacher at Ndarama High School in Masvingo made waves in the run-up to the 2023 general elections as a Master of Ceremony at Zanu PF functions.

He has a history of using too much authority at Zanu PF functions. He previously harassed musician Jah Prayzah.

“Jah Prayzah chirega, Hello, let’s stop, Jah Prayzah chimira Jah Prayzah, Chimira, Chimira Tazvinzwa, thank you Jah Prayzah,” shouted Masomere.

By A Correspondent | ZimEye | The country’s biggest Tshabangu (defector), the former CCC Senator Lilian Timveous has died, ZimEye can reveal.

The notorious party she joined, ZANU announced her death early Monday morning.

Circumstances surrounding her death were not clear at the time of writing.

Timveous was the first and most prominent defector who singularly fulfilled ZANU PF Presidential spokesman George Charamba’s plan to make CCC President Nelson Chamisa ‘bleed from within and from without’ so that the country’s most popular project is sabotaged.

Soon after defecting, she had launched a massive recruitment campaign for ZANU PF. – ZimEye

Harare, Zimbabwe – In a historic milestone for Zimbabwe’s education system, the 2024 Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) Grade 7, Ordinary, and Advanced Level examinations have been conducted without any incidents of paper leakages, marking a stark contrast to the recurring scandals of previous years.

Education stakeholders, including Zimsec, the National Association of Primary School Heads (Naph), and the National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash), have hailed the development as a testament to enhanced governance, improved security, and collaborative efforts among schools and examination authorities.

A Dark History of Examination Scandals

Over the years, Zimbabwe’s examination system has been riddled with controversies that undermined its credibility. Below is a timeline of notable past incidents that highlight the magnitude of this achievement:

1. 2017: Massive O-Level Paper Leak

In one of the largest scandals, Ordinary Level Mathematics and English examination papers were leaked and widely circulated on social media. The scandal implicated school officials and invigilators, forcing Zimsec to reschedule examinations for thousands of candidates.

2. 2019: Arrests Over Advanced Level Cheating

In 2019, several individuals, including teachers and students, were arrested for leaking Advanced Level Biology and Chemistry papers. The incident led to public outcry over Zimsec’s failure to secure examination materials.

3. 2020: Pandemic-Year Paper Fraud

The disruption caused by COVID-19 saw an increase in reported examination irregularities. Teachers and administrators at multiple schools were caught selling examination papers to desperate students and parents.

4. 2021: Invigilators Implicated

Grade 7 Mathematics and English papers were leaked in 2021, resulting in the arrest of invigilators and headmasters. The scandal raised questions about internal security measures at examination centers.

5. 2022: Advanced Level Exam Rewrite

After several Advanced Level exam papers were leaked, Zimsec was forced to order a rewrite for thousands of candidates, sparking protests and logistical chaos. The credibility of Zimbabwe’s examination system was heavily criticized both domestically and internationally.

A New Era of Integrity

The absence of leaks in 2024 represents a watershed moment for Zimsec and the broader education sector. Critical subjects, including Mathematics and English, which were often targeted in past scandals, have been written without incident.

Nash president Arthur Maphosa commended the measures taken, stating, “This success restores confidence in the integrity of our examinations. We are particularly encouraged by the collaboration between Zimsec, schools, and other stakeholders to prevent leaks.”

Zimsec public relations manager, Ms. Nicolette Moyo, emphasized the impact of improved security protocols and awareness campaigns. “We introduced tighter controls over the distribution and handling of examination papers. This collaboration has strengthened our ability to protect the credibility of our examinations,” she said.

Lessons from the Past

Education experts have attributed the success to Zimsec’s adoption of lessons learned from prior failures:

• Enhanced Security: Zimsec has implemented tamper-proof packaging, real-time tracking, and secure storage protocols for examination papers.

• Accountability: Investigations and swift prosecutions of past offenders have acted as a deterrent.

• Awareness: Public campaigns have highlighted the consequences of exam malpractice, encouraging ethical behavior among stakeholders.

Moving Forward

The 2024 leakage-free examinations mark a turning point for Zimbabwe’s education system. The success signals the potential for sustainable integrity if stakeholders maintain vigilance and collaboration.

For now, Zimsec has achieved what many thought impossible: a clean slate in one of the most critical examination periods in Zimbabwe’s history. The focus now shifts to maintaining these standards in future examination cycles.

Artisanal Miner Magama Musoni Shot Dead in Alleged Police Confrontation

Shurugwi, Zimbabwe – A well-known artisanal miner from Shurugwi, Magama Musoni, was shot and killed by police at a mine in Mvuma on Saturday afternoon, sparking renewed debate over the controversial activities of the group colloquially known as “maShurugwi.”

Musoni reportedly died on the spot after being shot in the chest while allegedly attempting to free a colleague who had been arrested during a mining operation. Eyewitnesses claim Musoni wrestled with police officers in an attempt to rescue his fellow miner, leading to the fatal incident.

Midweek Watch reports that mourners are gathered at Musoni’s family home in Makusha suburb, Shurugwi town, awaiting the outcome of a postmortem before burial arrangements proceed. However, local police have yet to officially confirm the details of the incident. When contacted for comment, Midlands Province police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, stated he was unable to confirm or deny the shooting as he was in a meeting. Further details are expected later.

Historical and Legal Context of maShurugwi

The incident sheds light on the ongoing controversies surrounding maShurugwi, a term used to describe artisanal miners in Zimbabwe, particularly those from Shurugwi, a gold-rich region. While their activities contribute significantly to the informal economy and rural livelihoods, they have also been mired in violence, lawlessness, and clashes with authorities.

The maShurugwi miners have gained infamy for their use of machetes and other weapons, with some accused of attacking law enforcement officers, rival miners, and local residents. In recent years, the Zimbabwean government has increased efforts to formalize small-scale mining to curb such lawlessness, but the sector remains difficult to regulate due to high unemployment rates and lack of alternative livelihoods.

Zimbabwean law allows artisanal mining under specific licenses, but many operate illegally due to the complexities and costs associated with obtaining permits. This creates a volatile environment where miners and police frequently clash. Saturday’s incident marks the latest in a series of confrontations that underscore the challenges of balancing economic activity with law enforcement and public safety.

Reactions and Questions Raised

The shooting has sparked mixed reactions. Some mourners at Musoni’s wake expressed anger at the use of lethal force by police, arguing that non-lethal methods could have been employed. Others highlighted the broader issue of escalating violence in artisanal mining communities.

“We need to address the root cause of these clashes, which is poverty and lack of opportunities,” said a local activist who declined to be named. “The maShurugwi are a symptom of a broken system, not the cause of it.”

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum has previously criticized the use of excessive force in policing artisanal miners, urging authorities to adopt community engagement and conflict resolution strategies.

As the community mourns Magama Musoni, the incident is likely to reignite debates over the future of artisanal mining in Zimbabwe and the measures needed to address its associated challenges.

By A Correspondent

Blessing Geza, a war veteran and member of the ZANU PF Central Committee, has strongly condemned party members calling for an extension of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s presidency beyond the constitutionally mandated two terms, labeling their actions as treasonous.

In an exclusive interview with HStv, an online television and radio platform operated by Alpha Media Holdings, Geza expressed his disapproval of a recent ZANU PF resolution passed during the party’s 21st National People’s Conference in Bulawayo. The resolution proposed extending Mnangagwa’s presidency until 2030, a move Geza believes undermines Zimbabwe’s Constitution.

Geza stated:
“I was at the conference and I was saddened. First and foremost, we have a Constitution which must be respected by everybody. The President himself took an oath of office to respect the Constitution of Zimbabwe. They took the oath of office so they could protect and defend the Constitution of Zimbabwe, but they are not doing that.”

He went on to accuse those advocating for the extension of committing treason, saying:
“They are committing treason. Those people must be arrested and those people must be fired from ZANU PF. We want to see those people charged.”

Geza’s remarks highlight his firm belief that adherence to the Constitution is non-negotiable, and that any efforts to bypass it should be met with serious consequences.

By A Correspondent

A farm security guard has been ordered to complete unpaid community service after his dog attacked a 10-year-old boy, causing serious injuries, according to a report from The Standard.

The incident occurred on October 12, when the victim and his friends trespassed onto Luipaardsvlei farm in Mukono village, Chipinge, intending to steal macadamia nuts. The boys accessed the farm by cutting through the fence.

Security guard Daniel Simango, 44, confronted the children and released his dog on them. The dog viciously attacked the 10-year-old, leaving severe wounds on his left thigh and private parts.

Simango was sentenced to 14 months in prison, with seven months suspended for five years, provided he maintains good behaviour. The remaining sentence was suspended on the condition that Simango completes 245 hours of community service.

By A Correspondent

Talent Priveledge Sibanda, a 27-year-old woman from Madhuve Village in Mberengwa, has been sentenced to 26 months in prison for killing her newborn baby.

Sibanda, who had previously separated from her husband in June 2023 and reunited in February 2024 while pregnant with another man’s child, gave birth to a baby girl on October 27, 2024, at around 7 PM while alone.

Tragically, she strangled the infant and buried the body in a nearby field, just meters from her home.

The heinous crime was uncovered when Sibanda’s niece noticed that she was no longer pregnant and reported the incident to the police, leading to Sibanda’s arrest and subsequent arraignment before the Zvishavane Magistrates’ Court on infanticide charges, as prosecuted by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

By A Correspondent

Tatenda Mavetera, Zimbabwe’s Minister of ICT, has reversed her earlier threat to prosecute WhatsApp administrators who do not obtain a $2500 license.

The Minister deleted her previous announcement and issued a public retraction following widespread criticism. The policy was first exposed by ZimEye news network two days ago. When asked why it took four days to address the issue, Mavetera responded on X, explaining that she had been traveling non-stop for 12,145 km. She also issued a public apology to the people of Zimbabwe for the confusion.

ZimEye, which has been holding the government to account for over 16 years, has conducted numerous investigations, including the in-depth “Gold Mafia” series in partnership with Al Jazeera. Their ongoing commitment is to thoroughly investigate stories of significance to the African public.

Minister Mavetera’s Statement:

In her statement on Saturday, Mavetera sought to distance herself from the false claim that the government intended to impose a $2500 license or penalties on WhatsApp group administrators. She clarified:

“I would like to refute the malicious false claims that the government intends to license or penalize WhatsApp groups or administrators. This claim is not applicable to platforms that do not collect or process Personally Identifiable Information (PII) for commercial or business purposes.”

PII includes data like names, addresses, phone numbers, passport information, and ID numbers that can be used to identify individuals.

Mavetera further urged the public to disregard the misleading announcement, calling it inconsistent with existing legal provisions under Statutory Instrument (SI) 155 of the 2024 Cyber and Data Protection Regulations. She emphasized that in her LinkedIn post, she never indicated any intention to regulate or penalize WhatsApp groups that do not process PII for business purposes.

The Minister reassured the public that the government, through the Ministry of ICT, remains committed to advancing cyber and data security, ensuring that no one is left offline.

This aligns with the constitutional mandate to promote universal access to information in a safe and secure environment.

By A Correspondent

Talent Priveledge Sibanda, a 27-year-old woman from Madhuve Village in Mberengwa, has been sentenced to 26 months in prison for killing her newborn baby.

Sibanda, who had previously separated from her husband in June 2023 and reunited in February 2024 while pregnant with another man’s child, gave birth to a baby girl on October 27, 2024, at around 7 PM while alone.

Tragically, she strangled the infant and buried the body in a nearby field, just meters from her home.

The heinous crime was uncovered when Sibanda’s niece noticed that she was no longer pregnant and reported the incident to the police, leading to Sibanda’s arrest and subsequent arraignment before the Zvishavane Magistrates’ Court on infanticide charges, as prosecuted by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

By A Correspondent

Blessing Geza, a war veteran and member of the ZANU PF Central Committee, has strongly condemned party members calling for an extension of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s presidency beyond the constitutionally mandated two terms, labeling their actions as treasonous.

In an exclusive interview with HStv, an online television and radio platform operated by Alpha Media Holdings, Geza expressed his disapproval of a recent ZANU PF resolution passed during the party’s 21st National People’s Conference in Bulawayo. The resolution proposed extending Mnangagwa’s presidency until 2030, a move Geza believes undermines Zimbabwe’s Constitution.

Geza stated:
“I was at the conference and I was saddened. First and foremost, we have a Constitution which must be respected by everybody. The President himself took an oath of office to respect the Constitution of Zimbabwe. They took the oath of office so they could protect and defend the Constitution of Zimbabwe, but they are not doing that.”

He went on to accuse those advocating for the extension of committing treason, saying:
“They are committing treason. Those people must be arrested and those people must be fired from ZANU PF. We want to see those people charged.”

Geza’s remarks highlight his firm belief that adherence to the Constitution is non-negotiable, and that any efforts to bypass it should be met with serious consequences.

By A Correspondent

Supporters of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Zanu PF party are attempting to paint a rosy picture of the embattled Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency, claiming it is making gains against the US dollar despite ongoing challenges.

A Zanu PF official confidently stated, “MONETARY policy measures to contain the exchange rate are paying off as the local currency, the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), has recorded an over 10 percent gain to the United States Dollar (USD) since the beginning of November.”

According to data from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s Interbank foreign exchange market, the ZiG currency has strengthened from Z$28.6829 per USD on November 1 to Z$25.5893 per dollar by the close of business on Friday, reflecting an 11 percent gain.

“This trend is the result of interventions by monetary authorities, who have injected hard currency into the market to support import requirements for industry and commerce,” a government source revealed. The source added that these interventions were coupled with a hike in the bank rate, aimed at stabilizing the exchange rate.

By A Correspondent

Former Zanu PF heavyweight Saviour Tyson Kasukuwere has weighed in on the recent booing of President Emmerson Mnangagwa during his visit to Botswana, suggesting that the incident is a clear sign of his declining popularity.

Speaking out after the embarrassing episode, Kasukuwere, who was disqualified from the 2023 Presidential race and served as Zanu PF’s national political commissar, argued that moments like these should prompt self-reflection.

“Certain events, behaviours, and reactions you get require a moment of deep reflection,” he stated.

Kasukuwere continued, emphasizing the importance of introspection, particularly when foreigners begin to show disrespect:

“We are all not perfect, but, once people—including foreigners—start disrespecting you, introspection becomes necessary.”

The incident took place when Mnangagwa attended the inauguration of Duma Boko as the new President of Botswana.

As Mnangagwa arrived, he was met with boos from some sections of the crowd, highlighting the growing dissatisfaction with his leadership both at home and abroad.

Kasukuwere, who has had a tumultuous relationship with Mnangagwa and Zanu PF, also noted that wisdom and age should ideally go hand in hand.

His remarks seem to suggest that leaders should be self-aware, particularly when their actions and public reception begin to indicate a shift in public sentiment.

Kasukuwere’s comments reflect a broader critique of Mnangagwa’s leadership, urging both the President and his supporters to consider the consequences of a growing disconnect between the government and the people.

By A Correspondent

Supporters of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Zanu PF party are attempting to paint a rosy picture of the embattled Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency, claiming it is making gains against the US dollar despite ongoing challenges.

A Zanu PF official confidently stated, “MONETARY policy measures to contain the exchange rate are paying off as the local currency, the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), has recorded an over 10 percent gain to the United States Dollar (USD) since the beginning of November.”

According to data from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s Interbank foreign exchange market, the ZiG currency has strengthened from Z$28.6829 per USD on November 1 to Z$25.5893 per dollar by the close of business on Friday, reflecting an 11 percent gain.

“This trend is the result of interventions by monetary authorities, who have injected hard currency into the market to support import requirements for industry and commerce,” a government source revealed. The source added that these interventions were coupled with a hike in the bank rate, aimed at stabilizing the exchange rate.

Minister Tatenda Mavetera Withdraws Controversial WhatsApp Group Administrator Penalties Directive

By A Correspondent | ZimEye | Zimbabwe’s ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera has distanced herself from the controversial directive that proposed licensing and penalties for WhatsApp group administrators. The directive, which suggested penalties ranging between USD 50 to USD 2500 for group administrators failing to comply with data protection regulations, sparked widespread public outrage and was heavily criticized for infringing on free expression and privacy rights.

The backlash intensified following public criticism and an exposé by ZimEye, which highlighted inconsistencies in the directive and questioned its enforceability. In her revised statement, Minister Mavetera claimed the initial directive was a “misunderstanding” and sought to clarify the government’s position.

Minister Mavetera’s Statement

“False claim of USD 2500 penalties for WhatsApp Group Administrators.

I would like [to] distance myself from the malicious fake news of intentions by [the] government to licence or penalise WhatsApp Groups or Administrators of any social media platform/s [with] USD 2500.

This claim is not applicable especially to players who do not collect and process Personally Identifiable Information (PII) for commercial or business use.

Personally identifiable information (PII) is any type of data that can be used to identify someone, from their name, address to their phone number, passport information, and ID number.

The public is encouraged to disregard this notice with the utmost discontent it deserves as it is inconsistent with our legal provisions as espoused.”

Public Reaction and Criticism

Despite the retraction, critics continue to question the minister’s actions, with some accusing her of backtracking under pressure. The initial announcement led to a flurry of questions, including:

1. Responsibility During the Crisis:

“As a cabinet minister, how many km did you move non-stop for several days, and were you the one driving the car/boat that you couldn’t use your cellphone as the country went on fire under your own threat to criminalize WhatsApp Group Admins without a USD50–USD2500 license?”

2. Accountability for the Announcement:

“Have you now deleted your announcement?”

“Have you notified the police and POTRAZ to delete your announcement?”

3. Clarity for the Public:

“Have you notified the public to disregard your USD50–USD2500 announcement?”

“Have you asked your secretary to edit the obscured English in this your Saturday new announcement so that the country can understand?”

Implications of the Directive

The proposed penalties, as initially presented, raised concerns about:

• Free Speech: Critics argued that holding group administrators accountable for the actions of their members could stifle open communication and discourage the use of social platforms.

• Impractical Enforcement: Questions were raised about how authorities would monitor and enforce such penalties without violating privacy rights.

• Targeting Ordinary Citizens: Many felt the directive unfairly singled out ordinary users, many of whom rely on WhatsApp groups for business, social, and community activities.

Moving Forward

The Ministry of ICT has yet to outline a clear path for addressing data protection concerns in a way that respects citizens’ rights to privacy and free expression. Meanwhile, activists and civil society groups are urging the government to engage in consultations before implementing any regulations affecting digital platforms.

This episode highlights the growing tension between governments seeking to regulate digital spaces and the public’s demand for privacy and freedom of expression. Whether this will serve as a lesson for more inclusive policymaking remains to be seen.

SABC VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Emmerson Mnangagwa Booed During Stadium Inauguration Ceremony for President Gideon Boko

By A Correspondent | ZimEye | Gaborone, Botswana – Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa faced a humiliating moment yesterday during the inauguration ceremony of Botswana’s newly elected President Gideon Boko. As Mnangagwa’s name was announced to the crowd at the newly built national stadium, attendees erupted in boos, expressing public disapproval in an unexpected display of discontent.

The incident unfolded before a large audience comprising dignitaries, regional leaders, and thousands of Batswana citizens celebrating the historic swearing-in of Boko, who ended the long-standing rule of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). The crowd’s reaction seemed to underscore growing regional frustrations with Mnangagwa’s leadership and his administration’s policies.

The boos come amid escalating controversy surrounding allegations by Botswana’s former president Ian Khama, who recently claimed that Mnangagwa attempted to interfere in Botswana’s just-ended elections.

According to Khama, Mnangagwa allegedly sought to influence the outcome by deploying “fake voters” from Zimbabwe to bolster support for the incumbent BDP. Mnangagwa’s party, ZANU-PF, has vehemently denied these allegations, dismissing them as baseless and inflammatory.

ZANU-PF issued a statement earlier this week accusing Khama of peddling falsehoods and attempting to tarnish Mnangagwa’s image. “These claims are not only false but also malicious. Zimbabwe respects the sovereignty of Botswana and did not interfere in any way,” the statement read. However, the denial appears to have done little to ease tensions in the region.

Today’s public outcry against Mnangagwa highlights growing regional dissatisfaction with his administration, particularly as Zimbabwe faces ongoing economic and political challenges. For many in the crowd, the inauguration of Gideon Boko represented a symbolic moment of hope and change, while Mnangagwa’s presence evoked memories of contested elections and accusations of authoritarianism in Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, the following were excerpts from Zimbabwe’s most popular national leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa’s Interview with BTV:

Qn: How important was it for you to be invited here to the event, Mr. Chamisa?

@nelsonchamisa:
“I’m so excited to be here. I’m representing the people of Zimbabwe, their aspirations, their hopes for democracy, and their hopes for freedom. Botswana has done something significant for the continent, for a new Africa, and for the region. This event marks an era of transformation, of effective transitions. Botswana has been under the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) for almost 58 years, yet they’ve shown a peaceful transition from one political party to another. It’s a crucial lesson. In Zimbabwe, we’ve defeated ZANU-PF in elections twice, but they’ve refused to accept the outcome. So, I hope that Mr. Mnangagwa, who is sitting just two rows away from me, will learn a thing or two about life after politics, about transitioning from public office. That’s why this event is so important. God has blessed Africa, and God has blessed Botswana. We are here to celebrate that.”

Qn: Let’s talk about democracy, especially in Africa. How important is it that Botswana has been able to have such a peaceful transition from one party to another?

Qn: What lessons can Africa and the region learn from this?

@nelsonchamisa:
“We are one people, one nation, one family. Democracy is about taking turns—your turn today, someone else’s turn tomorrow. We must not be vindictive or seek revenge. Former presidents must be honored and respected, not pursued in a cat-and-mouse game. Even if they made mistakes, there should still be honor. This is what holds us together as a family. We are one village, and President Boko emphasized this point—hands wash each other. We are one people.”

Qn: Lastly, Mr. Chamisa, what message did you take from President Boko’s speech? Although it was short, it was very precise. What lessons did you learn from it?

@nelsonchamisa:
“Love is everywhere, and we must embrace it. Botswana has shown love, and President Boko spoke about building bridges. He called for embracing the past, acknowledging it, but moving forward to correct it. That’s a critical message, a statesman’s message. President Boko is a leader of a new Africa, a new SADC, and signals a new order. We are proud of him.”

Qn: Have you met President Boko before?

@nelsonchamisa:
“We’ve met several times, in both setbacks and victories. We believe that Africa needs new leadership with a fresh mindset. We must build our continent and make Africa one of the best in the world. We can do this, and it’s something we must start now.”

Qn: Thank you, Mr. Chamisa. It was a pleasure talking to you.

@nelsonchamisa:
“Thank you so much.”

Qn: We wish you all the best in your endeavors in Zimbabwe.

@nelsonchamisa:
“Thank you. All the best to Botswana. God bless Botswana, and may peace and prosperity prevail here.” – ZimEye

By A Correspondent

Richard Tsvangirai, the Norton Member of Parliament and son of the late MDC founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai, has criticized the Zimbabwean government’s recent proposal to tax WhatsApp group administrators.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in partnership with the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), has drawn widespread condemnation, with Tsvangirai labeling it as “deeply misguided.”

In a statement made on Friday, Tsvangirai voiced his concerns about the tax, emphasizing the negative impact it would have on ordinary citizens who are already struggling under the weight of economic hardship.

“The recent move by the Ministry of ICT, in collaboration with POTRAZ, to impose a tax on WhatsApp groups is both highly concerning and deeply misguided,” Tsvangirai said.

WhatsApp, he pointed out, has become an essential tool for many Zimbabweans, particularly those in lower-income groups, students, and small businesses.

“WhatsApp serves as an essential communication tool, particularly for lower-income groups, students, and small businesses, allowing them to connect, share information, and conduct transactions affordably,” Tsvangirai added.

The tax, he argued, would have far-reaching consequences, particularly for the most vulnerable. “Taxing such groups risks making this critical platform inaccessible, effectively widening the digital divide and marginalizing even more people,” Tsvangirai explained.

He warned that the policy could further exacerbate the economic divide in the country, depriving disadvantaged citizens of a vital means of communication and commerce.

Beyond the financial burden, Tsvangirai raised concerns about the broader implications for digital freedoms. The proposal, he argued, sets a dangerous precedent for government control over digital spaces.

“This policy blatantly disregards the financial constraints of ordinary citizens… it raises alarming questions about digital freedom and the right to free communication,” he stated.

Tsvangirai warned that such policies could ultimately lead to stifled communication and greater government interference in the digital realm.

“Instead of empowering citizens with affordable digital access, this policy instead prioritizes government control over open communication,” he said.

In conclusion, Tsvangirai called on the government to seek alternative methods of raising revenue that would not disproportionately harm vulnerable citizens or disrupt essential communication platforms.

“If the aim is to improve national revenue, the government should seek alternative measures that do not disproportionately harm the most vulnerable and disrupt vital channels for free communication,” he urged.

The debate over the WhatsApp tax has sparked widespread backlash across the country, with many questioning the government’s commitment to supporting affordable digital access and safeguarding the freedoms of its citizens.

By A Correspondent

Former Zanu PF heavyweight Saviour Tyson Kasukuwere has weighed in on the recent booing of President Emmerson Mnangagwa during his visit to Botswana, suggesting that the incident is a clear sign of his declining popularity.

Speaking out after the embarrassing episode, Kasukuwere, who was disqualified from the 2023 Presidential race and served as Zanu PF’s national political commissar, argued that moments like these should prompt self-reflection.

“Certain events, behaviours, and reactions you get require a moment of deep reflection,” he stated.

Kasukuwere continued, emphasizing the importance of introspection, particularly when foreigners begin to show disrespect:

“We are all not perfect, but, once people—including foreigners—start disrespecting you, introspection becomes necessary.”

The incident took place when Mnangagwa attended the inauguration of Duma Boko as the new President of Botswana.

As Mnangagwa arrived, he was met with boos from some sections of the crowd, highlighting the growing dissatisfaction with his leadership both at home and abroad.

Kasukuwere, who has had a tumultuous relationship with Mnangagwa and Zanu PF, also noted that wisdom and age should ideally go hand in hand.

His remarks seem to suggest that leaders should be self-aware, particularly when their actions and public reception begin to indicate a shift in public sentiment.

Kasukuwere’s comments reflect a broader critique of Mnangagwa’s leadership, urging both the President and his supporters to consider the consequences of a growing disconnect between the government and the people.

Security Guard’s Generosity Backfires as Villager Arrested Over $20,000 Theft

Masvingo, Zimbabwe — A cash-in-transit operation turned into a costly misstep after a security guard’s ill-advised decision to offer a ride led to the theft of US$20,000. The suspect, 24-year-old Kelvin Chisandako, has been arrested after splashing cash in a rural village.

The incident occurred on October 16 when a Safeguard Security Company vehicle transporting money from Beitbridge to Mutare made an unauthorized stop at Lutumba Business Centre. The guards picked up two passengers, including Chisandako, who later allegedly made off with the cash.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) revealed that Chisandako’s arrest in Mangwawo Village, Mwenezi, came after a tip-off from community members who noticed his sudden wealth. Upon his apprehension, police recovered US$600, R2,320 in cash, an empty cash box, and a Toyota Aqua vehicle purchased for US$9,800. Further investigations uncovered evidence of extravagant spending on construction materials, clothing, and personal items.

Among the items purchased with the stolen funds were 30 roofing sheets, 35 bags of cement, seven window frames, two French doors, 15,000 bricks, a cellphone, and three men’s suits.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi praised the public for their vigilance, saying, “The Zimbabwe Republic Police applauds the public for forwarding positive information which led to the arrest of the suspect. The public is urged to continue providing information on criminal activities.”

Comm Nyathi emphasized the ZRP’s commitment to justice, adding that all criminals will face the law “without fear or favor.”

The arrest underscores the importance of adhering to strict protocols in cash-in-transit operations. The decision to offer a ride to unauthorized passengers not only breached company policies but also compromised the safety of a significant amount of money.

Police investigations are ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with additional information to contact the National Complaints Desk or their nearest police station.

By A Correspondent

In a groundbreaking move, Botswana’s newly elected President Duma Gideon Boko has pledged to grant temporary work and residence permits to undocumented Zimbabweans living in the country. This bold initiative aims to address the long-standing issue of irregular migration and provide a lifeline to thousands of Zimbabweans fleeing economic hardship and political instability.

According to President Boko, Zimbabweans fill crucial labor gaps in Botswana’s economy, performing jobs that would otherwise remain undone. However, their undocumented status often leads to resentment, limited access to basic amenities, and increased vulnerability to crime ¹. By formalizing their presence, Boko hopes to reduce tensions and create a more inclusive society.

Botswana is home to the world’s second-largest population of Zimbabweans, with thousands crossing the border regularly since Zimbabwe’s economy collapsed two decades ago ¹. Many have sought political asylum, while others have been deported due to their irregular status.

Key Statistics:

• 98% of irregular migrants in Botswana are Zimbabweans ¹
• Thousands of Zimbabweans cross the border regularly ¹
• Botswana’s economy benefits from Zimbabwean labor ¹

President Boko’s proposal is part of his broader efforts to revive Botswana’s economy and promote social cohesion. As the country’s sixth president, Boko has already made history by ousting the ruling party that had held power for 58 years ². His progressive stance on migration and economic development is expected to shape the country’s future and improve relations with neighboring Zimbabwe.

Mnangagwa Extends Commission’s Tenure as Harare City Council Faces Uncertain Future

By A Correspondent | Harare, Zimbabwe – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has extended the tenure of the Commission of Inquiry into the governance of the Harare City Council (HCC) for an additional three months, a move widely seen as a calculated effort to dismantle opposition-led councils. This extension fuels suspicions of a broader agenda to erode opposition influence in urban centers, with Harare as the latest battleground.

The commission, chaired by retired High Court Judge Justice Maphios Cheda, was established on May 10, 2024, to investigate governance issues within the council dating back to 2017. Initially mandated for six months, the commission’s investigations now extend to early February 2025, with a report due to President Mnangagwa by May.

The investigation focuses on alleged financial mismanagement and governance failures, with particular scrutiny on the council’s opaque handling of revenue from entities such as Rufaro Marketing and City Parking. However, critics argue that the commission’s mandate serves as a convenient tool for undermining opposition-led councils rather than addressing service delivery challenges.

Mnangagwa’s Video Sparks Outrage

In a widely circulated video, President Mnangagwa is heard saying, “All service delivery issues needing attention of the MDC, it doesn’t matter which MDC, must be stopped and they must crash at Harvest House building.” This statement has intensified concerns that the commission is part of a broader political strategy to cripple opposition-run councils, regardless of their performance or public mandate.

The Harare City Council, like many urban councils across Zimbabwe, is led by the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), a rebranded successor to the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). These councils have long been targets of government interference, with accusations that Mnangagwa’s administration seeks to centralize control and undermine opposition strongholds.

Commission as a De Facto Replacement

The extension of the commission’s tenure raises questions about its true purpose. Observers point out that the commission is effectively sidelining the elected council, which has faced allegations of corruption and inefficiency. While the commission investigates financial mismanagement, it also assumes a quasi-administrative role, further reducing the council’s authority.

The commission includes governance and legal experts Steven Chakaipa, Lucia Gladys Matibenga, Khonzani Ncube, and Tafadzwa Charles Hungwe. With the Permanent Secretary for Local Government and Public Works acting as its secretary, the commission has direct access to state resources, reinforcing its position as a powerful alternative to the city council.

Broader Implications for Opposition-Led Councils

This latest development is part of a larger trend where opposition-led councils face disproportionate scrutiny and interventions from the central government. Analysts argue that Mnangagwa’s approach is less about addressing service delivery and more about asserting political dominance over urban centers traditionally controlled by the opposition.

The Harare City Council has been criticized for failing to implement a modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and for lacking transparency in its financial dealings. However, opposition leaders contend that these challenges are compounded by deliberate sabotage and lack of support from central government ministries.

Future of Harare’s Governance

As the commission’s investigations continue, the fate of Harare’s governance hangs in the balance. Residents are left questioning whether the commission’s findings will result in genuine reforms or simply serve as a pretext for dismantling opposition control. The President’s explicit rhetoric against the MDC—and by extension, its successor CCC—underscores the politically charged nature of the inquiry.

While the commission’s final report is months away, the extension signals that the battle over Harare’s governance is far from over. For the city’s residents, the stakes remain high as service delivery and accountability are increasingly overshadowed by political agendas.

By A Correspondent

Elson Manzini from Sihlengeni, Bulawayo, has taken a bold step to protect himself from his estranged wife, Thembelihle Moyo, who threatened to kill him by setting their bedroom hut ablaze. Manzini fled their home in fear and sought a court protection order, citing threats to his life and physical abuse.

Moyo’s abuse wasn’t limited to threats; she also verbally and physically assaulted Manzini at his workplace, accusing him of neglecting their children. Manzini recounted how Moyo would humiliate him in front of others, causing scenes and threatening his life. The final straw came when Manzini discovered Moyo in bed with another man at her family home.

In court, Moyo admitted to issuing death threats, blaming her anger on Manzini’s alleged failure to provide financial support for their children. However, Manzini expressed concerns for his safety, stating, “I want to engage my in-laws first before she comes. And I’m afraid she would kill me.”

Presiding magistrate Challenge Mahembe granted Manzini a 5-year protection order, prohibiting Moyo from:

• Physical and Verbal Abuse: No physical harm or verbal threats against Manzini.
• Death Threats: No issuing of death threats or attempts to intimidate Manzini.
• Returning Home: Moyo cannot return to their matrimonial home without permission.

Manzini’s courage highlights the often-overlooked issue of male victims of domestic abuse and the importance of seeking help. According to experts, recognizing signs of an abusive partner, such as controlling behavior, verbal abuse, and extreme jealousy, is crucial in escaping toxic relationships ¹. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, seeking support and protection is essential.

By A Correspondent

A kombi driver, Tinashe Madzima (31), and his conductor, Ishmael Gonyora, were arrested on Wednesday at George Shopping Centre in Ruwa on bribery charges. Their detention follows a recent crackdown by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), which came after two police officers—Sergeant James Chifamba and Constable Trymore Mukunza—were arrested. The officers had been caught in a viral video accepting bribes from pirate kombis, taxis, and licensed public service vehicles along the Harare-Mutare Road, near the Mabvuku turn-off.

By A Correspondent

Zimbabweans have strongly criticized the Mnangagwa administration’s proposed WhatsApp license fees, calling the move absurd and an overreach into personal communication.

The announcement, made by Zimbabwe’s Minister of ICT, Postal, and Courier Services, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera on Thursday, stated that all WhatsApp group administrators will soon be required to register and obtain a license from the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) to operate their groups.

The new licensing requirements, revealed during a recent POTRAZ breakfast meeting, set the minimum cost for a license at $50, with the fees varying depending on the nature of the group.

In addition to paying for the license, WhatsApp group admins will be required to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO), who must be trained and certified by POTRAZ. This new requirement is part of an effort to enforce compliance with Zimbabwe’s Data Protection Act, which governs the handling of personal data.

The law defines personal data as any information that can be used to directly or indirectly identify a person, and since WhatsApp group admins have access to members’ phone numbers, the government argues that these groups are subject to data protection regulations.

Minister Mavetera emphasized that the requirement would apply not only to business groups but also to community organizations, churches, and any other groups that collect personal data.

“Even churches who collect personal data ought to have such a license and appoint a DPO,” she stated, highlighting the government’s desire to tighten data security and privacy for all citizens.

However, the announcement has sparked a firestorm of criticism. Many Zimbabweans have questioned the implications of the new regulations on free communication and privacy in digital spaces. Critics argue that such licensing requirements could create an undue burden on informal group administrators, particularly for community-based groups and small businesses.

Others have expressed concern that this move could further restrict free expression online.

One critic, Taurai Cheteni, expressed frustration with the move on social media, writing: “Good evening Minister. Is it not makakandwa ku deep end? Madii kukumbira kuchinjwa ministry. I think you can be very useful somewhere else, ICT is not everyone, you included. Can you not kindly ask HE to assign you somewhere because ha, you have been misfiring from day one. I personally feel sorry for you but be honest with your boss and admit that you can’t cope.”

Another commenter, Evy Chats, echoed dissatisfaction, recalling a conversation about the proposed licenses: “I was talking to my guy about the introduction of licenses for WhatsApp admins, and he said hamuna kudzidza (you didn’t study). I defended you, saying you have masters in marketing, but he said that was a lie—you paid for it. Now I’m left embarrassed. Please, come and back me up, Hon.”

Albert Nyamayaro raised another point, arguing that the government’s plans were unfair, saying: “You can’t make money from other people’s platforms. WhatsApp is someone’s intellectual property (IP), and the government through POTRAZ cannot make money from it. It does not make sense at all.”

While the government argues that the new regulations are necessary to protect personal data and ensure privacy, many Zimbabweans feel that the move is an unnecessary encroachment on their digital freedoms. POTRAZ has encouraged group admins with concerns to reach out for guidance on how to comply with the new requirements.

By A Correspondent

Zimbabweans are up in arms over a controversial proposal by the Mnangagwa administration that could heavily restrict freedom of worship and private communication.

The move, which mandates that all WhatsApp group administrators obtain licenses to operate their groups, has been widely criticized as an overreach into personal digital spaces, including religious communities.

On Thursday, Zimbabwe’s Minister of ICT, Postal, and Courier Services, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera, announced that all WhatsApp group admins will soon be required to register and obtain a license from the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ).

The minimum cost for a license is set at $50, though the fees will vary depending on the nature of the group.

Under the new regulations, group administrators will also be required to appoint a certified Data Protection Officer (DPO) to ensure compliance with Zimbabwe’s Data Protection Act.

The law defines personal data as any information that can identify an individual, including phone numbers, which are accessible to WhatsApp group admins.

In her statement, Minister Mavetera emphasized that this licensing requirement would apply not only to businesses but also to community organizations, churches, and any group that collects personal data.

“Even churches who collect personal data ought to have such a license and appoint a DPO,” Mavetera said, underscoring the government’s push to tighten data security and privacy.

However, the proposal has drawn intense backlash, particularly from religious groups and citizens concerned about their freedom to communicate and organize. Critics argue that the new regulations are a direct attack on free speech, religious freedom, and privacy.

One vocal critic, Taurai Cheteni, expressed his frustration on social media, writing: “Good evening Minister. Is it not makakandwa ku deep end? Madii kukumbira kuchinjwa ministry. ICT is not for everyone, including you. Please ask the President to assign you elsewhere because you’ve been misfiring from day one. I personally feel sorry for you but be honest with your boss and admit that you can’t cope.”

Another commenter, Evy Chats, also voiced their concerns, recalling a conversation about the proposed licenses: “I was talking to my guy about the introduction of licenses for WhatsApp admins, and he said hamuna kudzidza (you didn’t study). I defended you, saying you have a master’s in marketing, but he said that was a lie—you paid for it. Now I’m left embarrassed. Please, come and back me up, Hon.”

Albert Nyamayaro weighed in, arguing that the government’s plans are unfair: “You can’t make money from other people’s platforms. WhatsApp is someone’s intellectual property (IP), and the government through POTRAZ cannot make money from it. It does not make sense at all.”

Religious leaders, in particular, have expressed concern that the licensing requirements could stifle their ability to freely communicate and share religious messages with congregations. With churches and community groups often relying on WhatsApp to stay connected with members, the new rules would impose unnecessary costs and administrative burdens.

While the government has defended the new regulations as necessary for data protection and privacy, many Zimbabweans see them as an infringement on their digital freedoms and an attempt to control online spaces, including religious communities.

POTRAZ has encouraged WhatsApp group admins with concerns to reach out for further guidance on how to comply with the new requirements, but many remain unconvinced that the proposed licensing system is in the best interest of Zimbabweans.

As the public outcry grows, many are questioning whether this move will lead to even more restrictions on online expression and religious freedom in the country.

By A Correspondent

In a groundbreaking move, Botswana’s newly elected President Duma Gideon Boko has pledged to grant temporary work and residence permits to undocumented Zimbabweans living in the country. This bold initiative aims to address the long-standing issue of irregular migration and provide a lifeline to thousands of Zimbabweans fleeing economic hardship and political instability ¹.

According to President Boko, Zimbabweans fill crucial labor gaps in Botswana’s economy, performing jobs that would otherwise remain undone. However, their undocumented status often leads to resentment, limited access to basic amenities, and increased vulnerability to crime ¹. By formalizing their presence, Boko hopes to reduce tensions and create a more inclusive society.

Botswana is home to the world’s second-largest population of Zimbabweans, with thousands crossing the border regularly since Zimbabwe’s economy collapsed two decades ago ¹. Many have sought political asylum, while others have been deported due to their irregular status.

Key Statistics:

• 98% of irregular migrants in Botswana are Zimbabweans ¹
• Thousands of Zimbabweans cross the border regularly ¹
• Botswana’s economy benefits from Zimbabwean labor ¹

President Boko’s proposal is part of his broader efforts to revive Botswana’s economy and promote social cohesion. As the country’s sixth president, Boko has already made history by ousting the ruling party that had held power for 58 years ². His progressive stance on migration and economic development is expected to shape the country’s future and improve relations with neighboring Zimbabwe.

By A Correspondent | ZimEye | The popular journalist Hopewell Chin’ono alleges saying Nelson Chamisa was going to destroy the country if he had been inaugurated.

Hopewell Chin’ono (HC) who later in the year launched his political outfit called Govt In Exile he says is more popular than Chamisa and Mnangagwa, holds these views since his announcements back in Feb.

He first announced them back on Sunday the 25th of February 2024, in a nation address that was hosted by a colleague of his based in the United Kingdom better known as Uncle Ged(GB), and who runs by the name Gerald Belts. The session lasted over six hours as Chinono announced some very strong and sometimes totally contradictory statements while saying among other things that:

1. Zim politicians, Nelson Chamisa, Robert Mugabe, Emmerson Mnangagwa do not want to be accountable. Regarding his own issues, he said people shouldn’t ask him (Chinono) to account for the GBP50,000 loan he got from a UK dealership in 1996 to buy his first home. He said it is nonsensical for people to expect him to name the dealership he alleges made him property rich.

2. He said Nelson Chamisa is a product of the military who advised Tsvangirai to appoint him in Thokozani Khupe’s stead… Evidence of him (Chin’ono) advising the military minister VP Chiwenga to descend on Chamisa/Civil Society since 2019 comprises fake audios.

3. He said Nelson Chamisa would have destroyed the country if he’d won 2023 elections… He denied advising the Ministry Of Defence to destroy Nelson Chamisa’s party, saying he did not advise the military minister/head VP Chiwenga to ‘destroy the civil society’ – that is, to descend on Chamisa/Civil Society since 2019.

The following was his full talk:

HC: Thank you very much, uncle Ged and thank you very much to everyone who is on this space , those that are here anonymously I welcome you too. I think it is important for me to start by saying that this conversation that I am having with you today is a National conversation I want to talk about the state of our national politics. It’s not an opportunity for me as a journalist to attack anyone, it is not an opportunity for me as a journalist to bash anyone, but the work of a Journalist is to reflect on what is happening in your country and some of the reflections you might not like them, but that is the nature of our work as (a Journalist), and that is the nature of human beings as well that we don’t have to agree on everything, but we don’t have to be disagreeable by this by being disagreeable. I mean that we don’t have to descend into calling each other names, insults and so forth. So what I’m going to be saying is based on how I see things. I would like to start by saying that where we are today was formed by history, so we cannot avoid the history the political history of our country because it is what has given birth to what where we are today.

We are a country in dire straits. We are a country that is broken both from the citizen side and also the state’s side; some might say I won’t be pushing it to say we are a failed state because we can’t provide healthcare for our citizens. We can’t provide good schools for our citizens we can’t provide decent roads for our citizens we can’t provide clean drinking water for our citizens. We can’t provide decent roads for our citizens even the pensioners are not getting paid.

Whatever they’re getting is very minimal and if you look at how they have worked so hard for the past 40 years. I’ve got a very good friend of mine who died Tuesday. Years ago, Professor Kahari we owe him all his money, was wiped out by Old Mutual. The country is not working at all. And otherwise, but our crisis in Zimbabwe manifests itself through economics.

The politics is bad but it manifests itself through economics and what I have always said is that the crisis in Zimbabwe can be based or best described as the crisis of corrupt government because all our problems they find route in state corruption, whether it is hospitals if it is council, whether it is roads, whether it’s basic things like water it’s all finds its roots in corruption so we have a corruption problem in Zimbabwe which is sponsored by politics and it manifests itself through economics which is why we have the highest inflation rate in the world, which is why our local currency lost 95% of its strength in the past 12 months and it affects ordinary people in the streets, and it is these ordinary people in the streets that are more concerned than the political elite or the business elite, so when I speak in my every day runs or whether it is tweet or Facebook or Instagram my heart is with the poor people that goes other people I care about, and those are the people that are bearing the brunt of the political crisis in Zimbabwe all these other people, including the political, elite and so forth do not suffer.

The indignity that our people are suffering so when we defend politicians whether it is Zanu PF or opposition politicians, we must remind we must be reminded that the people that we should be actually be caring about the poor people and not spending our time boot licking, political elites.

So I want to start from the late 90s or mid 90s I want to use myself as an example of the people that were around me that saw that things were not going to work. One of my relatives was very higher up in Govt in the 90s, when I finished, journalism school, said to me, you get out of the country that was in 1994 and I said why? Because at that time I was making money and I thought things were hunky dory, but errm, she had the foresight that I did have as a young man. I was 21 years old when I left Zimbabwe for Britain in 1994, and I understood what he meant when I got to Britain because the opportunities that were available for me and many others that were in Britain and I have seen some couple of guys that were me in Britain with me in the 1990s they can allude to the fact that you could just walk in the bank into a bank and apply for loan.

A lot of Zimbabweans went into truck business; a lot of Zimbabwe that were in England went into trucks borrowing money. I remember going to Coventry Peter Ndlovu was popular that time. Because I think there was a trucking company that he had good relations with; and a lot of people would say, oh, I’m going to see Peter I want to buy trucks and some people became millionaires through that; opportunities which were not necessarily available to people that were back home.

We saw our moment at different times. I saw it in 1994, some saw it in 2000, some 2008 and so forth. So in 1997, the currency collapsed; in 1998, In 1999, we went into the DRC and we were spending over $1 million a day fighting the DRC war. The spoils of that war were supposed to come to the Zimbabwean people, the gold, the diamonds, but they were pocketed into private pockets of Zanu PF elites and military elites, so the war became purposeless to the ordinary citizens because state machinery was used and state funds were used, but the returns from that war went into private pockets, and that is when the World Bank and the IMF disengaged from Zimbabwe dealing with Zimbabwe, because the Robert Gabriel Mugabe government did not want to release the figures that reflected what it was spending in the Congo and contrary to what some people say, sanctions were not imposed in relation to the World Bank and IMF in 2001, they were a, Zimbabwe pulled out, Mugabe pulled out because he did not want to be accountable, a trait that we see in our politics and a trait that needs to end if we are going to get somewhere.

So the opposition is formed in 1999, I remember the NCA which gave birth to the MDC: Brian Kagoro contested against Morgan Tsvangirai, Morgan Tsvangirai won, and then he became president of MDC and errrm, in 2002, when they realised that the MDC was a potent force after it managed to mobilise against the constitutional Reform Process document in 2000, the military became involved in a blatant way. In the past it was involved from the back, but it was now at the front when general Zvinavashe announced that they would not salute anybody who did not take part in the liberation struggle.

I must say that, although they were saying that Morgan Tsvangirai, who was in Zanu PF, was a ZANU PF cadre before all this. In fact, he worked hand in glove with Albert Mugabe, who was a Trade Unionist and Mugabe’s half brother, and so most of this elderly generation, older generation, their roots were in Zanu PF, but they were dissatisfied with the rule of Zanu PF, and most of them became the opposition that gave birth to everything that we got to know about in the past 24 years . Errr in 2005, it’s an important milestone, or rather not milestone, but it’s an important point an aberration for the opposition because that is when the first split of the opposition happened and this split it’s about Professor Welshman Ncube who was secretary general; vice president Sibanda and involved, David Coltart, Trudy Stevenson and many others; aaah, they left because the constitution of the opposition had been violated; the president of the opposition, Morgan Tsvangirai had refused to adhere to the vote results of the national executive council.

They were voting whether they should participate in the senatorial elections: the other side said yes, the other side said no. The no side was represented by Morgan Tsvangirai. The yes side is the one that eventually left with Professor Welshman Ncube and others; the constitution had been violated; at this point, we then realised that Zimbabweans are not actually different. They are the same when the constitution is violated. They don’t care as long as it is their favourite who has violated the constitution when the constitution is violated by someone they don’t like they bring a constitutional issue when the constitution is violated by someone they like they say no it’s okay we can move on we can it doesn’t matter up to that day for many of you who were young at that time you see arguments advanced, but you still supporting the Morgan Tsvangirai’s failure to adhere to the constitution, but to some of us, we said, but if you are constitutionalists, if you say you are fighting to change the constitution of Zimbabwe because you’re fighting because to make sure that Govt to the question if you can violate your constitution when you’re opposing what can stop you from violating your own constitution like the way Zanu PF is doing, but anyway, needless to say they moved on the other one became MDC the other one MDC Morgan Chirara they became political parties with sentence and then we moved to 2007 in March, Morgan Tsvangirai was beaten badly, and this gave life to the opposition, because at this point in time, the opposition was now being perceived, as weak, they were being perceived to be out of touch and regional leaders were not taking them seriously until Zanu PF does what he does best to create an own goal.

They beat up Morgan Tsvangirai badly; it was splashed around the world and it changed the dynamics of politics. We were now heading into the 2008 elections which took place in March 2008 button in Zanu PF. There were also problems -they were fighting each other. There was general Mujuru, who was fighting pushing for Robert Mugabe’s retirement, and Robert Mugabe was pushing back, Mugabe won that battle against General Mujuru at the Goromonzi , Conference or Congress I can’t remember, but anyway he won that battle and they went into an election.

And of course we know that Mavambo was formed by General Mujuru, who was the backer of Mavambo. Robert Mugabe lost the election as we came to know later, when he had a Freudian slip, he exposed himself, and it is on tape then in 2008, something happened, which I’ve never seen it happened, reported and I want to say Zanu PF has always been adapt at using counter intelligence using people so what they do when they used counterintelligence they will go to an opposition, political leader and and they will give information to somebody this person will then give you nine stories about what’s happening and these nine stories will be correct, but they will be of no relevance at all so you may just be told that old man someone is going to be fired. I just decided to tell you so Morgan Tsvangirai; I became attached to these people because he thought that they are my young man, and one of them was Wicknell Chivayo with Chivayo was the one who went to Tsvangirai and said, old man, he was to be killed, take this money and run away, but what had happened is that the state Zanu PF machinery was afraid that if Morgan Tsvangirai had stayed in the country, people would’ve mobilised around him, rejected what ZEC was trying to do with the results and and go to the streets and just make the country ungovernable because, for the first time, Robert Mugabe had lost, and he had accepted that he had lost, but he had played around with the numbers to say that I’ve not lost enough, for me to become president, so Morgan Tsvangirai, against the advice of so many people people like Ibbo Mandaza were saying that you can’t go, but he was now saying I’ve got my young man who told me that they want to kill me and he went against the advice.

When Morgan Tsvangirai came back, we got an exclusive at that time, I was an journalist with ITV news covering Zimbabwe and other countries, and I got an exclusive to fly with Morgan Tsvangirai back for the first time, coming back to form a Govt, but to finish off the talks and to formalise them under president Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, and so I flew to South Africa at the instance of, at the instigation of my boss Tim Singleton who is now the head of news at Sky News.

And I got to South Africa and Morgan Tsvangirai at that time was very good friends, and being assisted by Strive Masiyiwa, who at the time owned the daily news, and of course, owned Econet as well, and I remember when we were flying out with Jameson Timba flew into OR Tambo, and we met him in the diplomatic lounge, and he said old man they want to kill me. At least he is alive to confirm this story, and I was amazed
Because I could see that counterintelligence had been used they had been infiltrated, and they were given information such that the main pillars around Morgan Tsvangirai, Jameson Timba and….(sic) at that time are afraid and they are put on the run so that the system can do what it wants to do and anyway we had a GNU. The basis of this GNU was to make sure that there is reforms; reforms that had created the crisis that we had, but unfortunately our colleagues in the opposition went into government and they did not focus on the main or rather core business of the GNU which was reforms.

They became obsessed with power. I remember when it was in 2012, I flew into Barcelona to interview Cherie Blair, Tony Blair’s wife for the film that I was making with an American Director and I did not realise that Morgan Tsvangirai was going to be at the same event as a key note speaker with Cherie Blair, and he saw me in the hotel in the hotel lobby and said young man, what are you doing here? Come here; and he instructed Jameson Timba, who was minister in his office to say he must come to my dinner, and I went to the dinner, and we had a discussion, a private discussion.

It was private because it was in confidence, but what I observed was that they had been sucked into the false belief that they were now in charge that they now had power, state power, but I believe that Robert Mugabe did this deliberately to give them a false sense of hope that things were going to be changed while and ZANU went to the underground and start planning. And this is what Zanu PF actually did. It ran a parallel Govt where it was getting money from Chiadzwa, the 15 thousand that Bob talked about, and Biti was being deprived, although he managed to steer the ship away from the rot, but the econom didn’t grow; the economy was stabilised; they were able to start. I remember that time I was able to take money out of my new Barclays Bank ATM and life became fairly stable, not too great for the ordinary people, but it became relatively stable but anyway we were headed into the 2013 elections.

The reforms that were the only specific reforms that it taken at that time was the constitution which was passed in 2013 February, but the rest had not been done and the region was worried about it and specifically President Jacob Nzuma, who has been and was the only president in the region who has been such a close friend of ZIMBABWE, including assisting them they were too. it was him, and there was PRESIDENT, of Bwanya, who couldn’t do much material, but under President Zuma and President Zuma Zimbabweans got the permits, but with the president, he said we are doing this to give you papers, and the Maputo Summit that took place was the last summit before the election, and President Zuma mentioned that without reforms you are done, don’t take part in elections without reforms and Prime Minister Tsvangirai didn’t listen to this advice and I remember Mrs Zulu who was a government minister in the South African government was so insisting that there must be a boycott if there are no reforms, and she really supported Zimbabwe to appoint that Robert Mugabe called her as Street Woman, a prostitute. I think some of you remember that that is how much the Jacob Zuma government tried to help us, but we couldn’t help ourselves, and in that year 2013, Prime Minister Tsvangirai said no, one of my lieutenants Nelson Chamisa told me that there’s a prophecy that I’m going to win this election, I’ve received a crown into State House; I should go into the elections, we will win them regardless of whether they are reforms, but as we all know the opposition lost but up to now they don’t know how 2013 was right then the next stage was what was then called renewal senior members in the MDC like to die like Elton Mangoma, they came up and said no, you have let us into an election which we were not supposed to go into.

We have lost; you should now give us a timetable of, and of course MorganTsvangirai didn’t take that lightly and you know they had to leave. Tendai, and Elton was beaten badly and blood and they left; that was the second split, but the split was not as significant as the first one, because the first one, the other guys came from, most of them came from Matebeleand, so there was an ethnic aspect, to it, so it was actually damaging to the opposition. Much less the Tendai Biti one it was not based on ethnicity. It was based on values people saying we need to do this and that there was no ethnic component. Whereas the 2005 was so difficult because there was an ethnic component to it, if these guys had come together in 2008 reconciled as they wanted to, things would’ve been much tougher for the Zanu PF government. You see, rigging is very easy when it involves a political party
without a lot of people who are heavyweights it is very easy as I shall explain later; so fast forward we go to 2014 when the MDC had its constitution; popular Nelson Chamisa was running for Sec General. He was rigged by Morgan Tsvangirai,

Morgan Tsvangirai pushed for Mwonzora. For the secretary General, I think Nelson Chamisa had 9 provinces out of 10 but he was worried to get out of it and Morgan Tsvangirai did accept privately to a lot of people that he did it. The issue was that there are people around me who were saying that this young man has become power hungry; that’s why we had to take that action, but I have mentioned that action because that is when the seed of Mwonzora was planted. The Secretary General could have been Nelson Chamisa. We don’t have the benefit of knowing what could have happened and then in 20 I think it was 2015 if not 2016 MorganTsvangirai was approached by elements of the military, it’s important to mention that the opposition were always had elements of the military, which it talks to, and I’ve always argued to them that these people are managing you as opposed to helping you, but anyway, the opposition was approached. Morgan Tsvangirai was approached – one of the people that he spoke to is still alive, General Rugeje.

They were advised that well, we are not saying that you are going to die, but your political party is a very important institution in Zimbabwe. Although we are on the other side; but we care about what happens to your party if you die; it means that this Ndebele woman is going to take over. We cannot have a situation where this woman takes over, so you need to take care of your stuff. So the advice was given; some of the things are going to be for books but advice was given and he appointed Nelson Chamisa he appointed Mudzuri and there were factions.

And some of the factions said that the way you are now running the party you are now doing it among yourselves, as the Karangas. You yourself are a Karanga, and he said no, that is not it. We are trying to manage there is a situation that I need to manage and anyway Morgan
Tsvangirai became very ill as we all know he died in 2018, February 14; there was confusion because the constitution said that Thokozani Khupe Is the one who is supposed to take over because she was elected at Congress the other two were illegally appointed, and Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri. So, when Nelson Chamisa took over because he was the popular figure in the party and some of us at the time; I remember having a conversation with Nelson Chamisa. This one is not confidential. I remember saying to him does not happen for people to take overpower after six months. In my view. If I were you, I would actually let Thokozani Khupe go to the polls, and she will lose, because these men are not going to give up power after six months. Nelson understood this because Nelson had been the conduit between the Zanu PF side, and the Morgan side, leading up to the coup. The MDC was involved in the coup. They failed to agree on how they were going to share the spoils. And that is how they ended up, not being included, but they were part of the coup starting from 2015, to 2016, they were there when these discussions were taking place. They were part of it, and this is one of the things that infuriate me because we are meant to believe that we are the coup stars, we celebrated the coup, and yet the opposition political movement was part of the coup before we even knew about the coup ourselves, they were part of it. But there is so much deceit in Zimbabwean politics, that people want to pretend. In fact, the lawyer who got the coup to be declared legal was Thabani Mpofu in court. But all these things are sort of pushed aside, because they they are inconvenient truths, but that’s the truth. If we are going to have a nation that can build itself on the basis of the truth, we need to tell the truth for what it was regardless of how unpalatable that truth my be.

I regret myself, and I apologised at the time For supporting the coup because I thought that that there was going to be a break, and in fact, thousands of people went into the streets, not because of the coup as such but because they were so fed up of Mugabe and they thought that anything that can bring relief to Zimbabwe should be welcome; the coup for it to be successful the opposition had to take part. In fact the motion for the impeachment, the impeachment to remove Mugabe was moved by the opposition, so I think it is disingenuous for the opposition or opposition supporters to pretend as if this did not happen; but these are the facts and this is what happened. But anyway, the election happened, we know what happened, we know that our compatriots were killed, we realised that no, this is not a new dispensation. This is the same old dispensation what has changed is the driver the truck remains the same the system remains the same and for me as a journalist I have learnt that contrary to my previous perception before the coup that even if Mnangagwa is removed, the system is what needs to be removed, not just an individual.

But anyway, Mwonzora and Madam Khupe did what they did and the party headquarters of the opposition was taken and all that stuff.

Now fast forward to 2021, December we were having conversations a lot of my conversations are in confidence, so I can’t share them but the ones that I can share that have been made public by the other people that were in these conversations are the ones that I’m going to share so one of these conversations that was made public was made by Nelson himself is the fact that people like myself and Dr, Alex Magaisa are the ones that pushed him to say you need to form a new political party. Nelson did not want to form a new political party. He wanted people to run as independent or to go in as MDC and we said you can’t, because the court has made a ruling and they will just take these things away from you, and he confirmed these things at Dr Alex Magaisa‘s funeral or rather memorial, so the party is formed.

All this stuff is happening. It starts off as a party where everyone was the way they were in the previous party. People are being called vice president people are being called secretary general then somewhere along the line things changed and the thing that changed was changed without consultation to others. They were just told that this is what it is so this and some of us knew ahead of time because we had been briefed as J
journalists because we were told that this is the situation because you were tweet (sic) a lot of journalists encountered this. They would write an article and then they would get a phone call to say you can’t you can’t refer to so so as vice president, our party does not have a VP. We only have a president.

So that was the undoing in my view, and I am happy to be pushed back on this one by others who have better ideas, but that was the undoing of the opposition as it headed towards 2023 because you now had a very strong opposition, but which was now being undone by all these internal fights. You are no longer the secretary General. I remember someone was told on Twitter that our party does not have a secretary general; We don’t have this so it became a party that is about one person and one thing I can say publicly is I remember I did speak to Nelson Chamisa and I said, no my friend you know you need to work with everyone else, I can’t share what he told me because it was in confidence, but I want to put it on record that I told him that you can’t do what you’re doing it is damaging to the party. And I sold this, I will give a few examples when The gentleman who was killed in, I think his surname was Ncube. He was killed in Kwekwe. I fundraised the money, the money that was used to bury the gentleman, but through that fundraising I then realised that not having the leadership structures that we needed it. It was each time that I assisted the opposition. I did it publicly, and I declared that I am doing this because I am fighting corrupt.

I am not doing this because I’m a member of the opposition but I’m doing this as a Zimbabwean citizen and each time we fund raised money there was a fight because there was no structured leadership. In fact, some of the money would disappear, and then I would then call Nelson Chamisa to say Mr President, this is what has happened, can you fix this thing; and then I reminded I think it was around 2022, around August September I reminded him that the problem we are facing now is that we have to keep coming to you for everything, errrm, I should be going to David Coltart, I was meeting a lot of Zimbabweans in London; in America, who were saying to me Mkoma Hope, we want to donate; how do we donate and I said I can’t take your money and I remember going on Twitter saying that I’m in America. Many people were offering me money. Please don’t offer me money I will not take any money, your money needs to go to the party that you want to support, and this again I realised that the failure to have structures because Coltart was no longer the Treasurer General, there was no treasurer, so if you had to deal with anything and anyone you had to go to the President and I think it was unhealthy. It was an unhealthy situation and I think it contributed to whatever made the opposition fail to be successful. I am one person who likes not to focus much on what Zanu PF does on the opposition, because Zanu PF does what is expected of it to do. I don’t care what Zanu PF does because I know that Zanu PF is going to rig elections.

Any sensible person knows that ZANU PF is going to rig elections.

So if you expect Zanu PF to do otherwise then you become the problem; what we need to do is to focus on what to do to stop Zanu PF from rigging elections, and at that time I felt the machinery that was round Nelson Chamisa was not sufficiently equipped to push back ZANU PF from what it was doing. At the forefront, where people like Ostallos, people like Chibaya and others, but up to now, I still think that they are not sufficiently equipped, even if they form another new party and they remain the way they were CCC. The new party will remain the same. The new party will be rigged in 2028 and people like myself will not even participate because as I had predicted in 2023, and got insults and all sorts of stuff as I had predicted everything that I predicted to the teeth, but people do not want to be honest and say I think we were wrong here, I think we could have done things differently here. I think the biggest problem that we face is failure to accept the truth to say this is the problem that we are facing. How do we deal with it and we move forward we insult each other. We call each other names. They are people that are on Twitter to insult people day in day out, and I don’t think it is healthy because you end up building a very strong group of people supporting something but not sufficient enough to make that something win anything in an electoral contest and when we push people away other people away, we push people of talent away. There are a lot of Zimbabweans who have got a lot of talent in the diaspora that I speak to that; Speak to …as Zimbabweans and they tell me that Dude I want nothing to do with this. I can’t be dealing with people that insult others who call others, names and all that, but that’s what we are and I think that we need to fix it at times. I’ve been guilty of that so I know exactly what I’m talking about so there was no leadership structure. There was no collective decision-making. there was no constitution and if you wanted or today if you wanted to donate money to triple C, or to Nelson Chamisa‘s new outfit Who do you give that money to nobody knows I’ve got a lot of business people who are coming to me I had to phone Nelson Chamisa he knows it I’m not lying I can refer to things that I can share. I had to phone him and say I’ve got so and so who want to give such and such amount of money who do I give the money to somebody is sending money and you saw you guys before the elections all the money I would tweet about it because I wanted accountability but on the other side when you give money you don’t know what happens and then you hear people complaining and those are some of the issues that we couldn’t say at the time because we didn’t want to say things that would we can the opposition. We were saying things that we thought would strengthen the opposition And so some of the examples that I want to give that I could see were caused by failure to have structured leadership is that I got 10 ambulances and 10 fire engines in the United Kingdom I called Nelson Chamisa when I was with the mayor of that city we discussed the things there was no structured leadership to push that thing through and those fire engines never came through. They were given for free I got a radiotherapy machine to treat cancer in California. I then approached President Nelson Chamisa as he was called then I gave him a paper on it. I wrote a paper for him and say this is how you can do it. Nothing came out of it I got dialysis machines 40 from a Zimbabwean, who is based in Birmingham in the UK in the NHS, but nothing came out of it And I said to him you need to have somebody who specialises in health issues and I even spoke to skilled labourer about it, and I said this is the problem that we face every time I spoke to skilled labourer the company in California said we don’t want to speak to politicians. We want to speak to Nelson Chamisa’s advisory Council so that we can see how these things go to Zimbabwe, and there was no advisory council and it was embarrassing for me because it was something we had been talking about even with Dr Alex Magaisa, saying that this is what we need an advisor council around the President so that they can do with expert related issues which cannot be dealt with by the present of a party. I think for now I have said enough, but I want to end this part by saying for Nelson Chamisa; He remains the most popular politician in the country and a lot of his supporters always come to insult me why do you always talk about Nelson Chamisa- because he is the main opposition leader we cannot avoid talking about Chamisa or Mnangagwa. We talk about Mnangagwa every day because he is the main ingredient in Govt. We talk about Chamisa every day because he is the main ingredient in the opposition. You will have to be foolish to ask someone why they keep talking about the main ingredient in something so we talk about him in everything every day because he is the ingredient and so for Nelson Chamisa to remain relevant, he must accept and address the weaknesses and I am glad that some of the weaknesses have been mentioned by people around him that but need to be addressed if he wants to remain relevant to win an election. y
You can be relevant but not win an election; And it adds no value, because the idea of running an election is to win it, not just to have big numbers of people following you or having big rallies. They don’t mean anything if they are not transformed into taking State power, and going to state House because that is what we were fighting for, and I’m sure that is what we have been fighting for because we want our lives as Zimbabweans to be transformed; so if he doesn’t transform himself; if he doesn’t change; if he doesn’t accept his weaknesses, he will never defeat Zanu PF because that is how it is. We might try to sugarcoat things but he will never defeat Zanu PF as one man in his party and some friends he will never defeated, as CCC was constructed; you could tell, and some of us were saying it but of course we were insulted, but I hope with the benefit of 2023 hindsight now understand because it is very easy to rig against a one-man party. You just need to target that one man and everything falls apart; but if you have a lot of heavyweights around you even if some are bought you can’t buy everyone, but in a one-man party, you can just buy that one man and then that is the end of that show and the whole country will be behind that one man, but if you have a party with 20 strong people at the leadership, you can’t buy 20 people and take advantage of their greediness and I think I’ve got two more points that I want to add then I can just pass onto to you.

Chamisa would have destroyed the country if he had won 2023- Chinono.

The third aspect, which I will call third, and half is that in the unlikely event that Nelson had won unlikely I’m going to explain because it was going to be impossible to win the election. The way it was structured the way that was FAZ. We cannot deny the fact that the election was stolen. Nelson can win any election any day, but he needs to have an infrastructure that can protect the vote and make sure he goes to State house if someone wins an election as a one-man if Nelson Chamisa had won and been inaugurated the possibility of destroying the country was there because if you can’t respect your constitution or if you don’t believe in one because you say infiltration and then you run away from your party because of infiltration it just shows how some of these things as citizens we need to reflect in our homes and say what actually happened; so if a man wins an election on his own, without the pillars of leadership around him, that person has the potential of destroying the country as well, because he will go as he ruled his opposition party, that’s how he will govern. People don’t just change because they are now in power so it is important for us and if he doesn’t change, it’s up to us as Zimbabweans to say to ourselves whether they want to continue with the election charade from 2000 to 2002 to 2005 to 2008 to 2013, to 2018, to 2023 and now to 2028, aaah, as things are at the moment, I don’t have any hope as things are at the moment, unless something dramatic happens and people come together and say you know what let’s do. What is good for our country let’s not be part and let’s fix things so thank you very much, Uncle Ged.

…………..

At the forefront, we have people like host (sic) people like to buy and others, but up to now I don’t think they are sufficiently equipped even if they form another party and remain the way they were the new PARTY will face the same problems. The new party will be rigged in 2028. It will just be a waste of time and people like myself will not even participate because as I’ve predicted in 2023, got in South and all sorts of stuff as I have done everything that I’ve predicted to the teeth happened, but people because Zimbabweans we are not honest we don’t want to accept that we were wrong here we could’ve done things differently here. I think the biggest problem that we face is the failure to accept the truth. In fact, this is the problem that we face how do we deal with this and we move forward we insult each other. We call each other names.

There are people that are on Twitter just to insult people day in day out and I don’t think it is healthy because you end up building a very strong group of people supporting something but not sufficient enough to make that something win anything in an electro contest and when push other people other way away you push a lot of talent away, there are a lot of people who have different talents across the diaspora that I speak to across Zimbabweans and they tell me that all you know Mate, I don’t want to have anything to do with this. I can’t be dealing with people that insult people call each other names, and things like that that is who we are we need to accept and I think the most important thing is to say let’s fix it at times. I’ve been guilty of that as well so I am not exception. I am no exception to that, so there was no leadership structure. There was no collective decision making there were no institutional processes, and if you Wanted TODAY to donate money to triple C, or to Nelson Chamisa, you wouldn’t know who to give that money to nobody knows, I have got a lot of people a lot of business people who want to give money and I had to phone Nelson Chamisa and tell him I’ve got so and so they have given me X amount of money who do I give that money to somebody sending money?

And we saw you guys before the elections all the money I had to tweet about it because I wanted accountability but on the other side when you give the money you don’t know what happens to the money and then you hear people complaining and those are some of the issues that we couldn’t say at the time, because we didn’t want to say things that we can make the opposition.

We were saying things that we can strengthen the opposition and so some of the examples that I want to believe that I could see were caused by failure to have structured leadership is that I got 10 ambulances and 10 fire engines in the UK. I called Nelson Chamisa when I was there and the mayor of the city. There was no structure to push those things that were given for free, I got a radiotherapy machine to treat cancer in California. I then approached President Nelson Chamisa as he was called then I gave him a paper on it. I wrote a paper on him and say this is how you can do it. Nothing came out of it. I got dialysis machines 14 from a ZIMBABWEAN in Birmingham who is in the NHS, nothing came out of it because there was no structured leadership and I said to him my brother we need to have somebody Who specialises in held issues and I even talk verbally about it to say that this is the problem that we face at the time that I talked to skilled labourer, I said we don’t want to speak to politician.

We want to speak to Nelson Chamisa’s advisory council, and there was no one there to handle that; it was embarrassing for me because it was something that we were talking about with Doctor, Alex Magaisa that we need these sort of advisory people around the President so that they can deal with these expert related issues which cannot be dealt with by the president of the political party and even now I have said enough, but I want to add this part to say that you know for Nelson Chamisa in the most popular politician in the country and a lot of his supporters all of the country always insult me.

Why do you talk about Nelson Chamisa it is because he is the main opposition. We cannot avoid talking about Nelson Chamisa or Emmerson Mnangagwa we talk about Nelson Chamisa every day because he is the main opposition leader in the country. We talk about Nelson Chamisa because he is the main greet in the opposition you will have to ask somebody to find out why they keep talking about the main ingredient in the country. So for Nelson Chamisa to remain relevant, he must accept and addressed the crisis and I am glad that some of the issues have been mentioned by people around him, but they need to be addressed. If he wants to remain relevant to win an election. You can be relevant but not win an election and it adds no value because the idea of running in election is to ruin it, not just to have big numbers of people Following you at big rallies, they don’t do anything if they do not transform into you taking stake, power interstate because that is what we are fighting for and I’m sure that that is what we remain fighting for because we want our lives as Zimbabweans to to be transformed, so if he doesn’t transform himself, if he doesn’t change, if he doesn’t accept his weaknesses, he will never defeat Zanu PF, because that is how it is. We might try to sugarcoat things, but he will never defeat Zanu PF because as a one man PARTY, he will never defeat Zanu PF as CCC was constructed you could tell and some of us were saying, and of course we were insulted at the time, and I hope at the 2023 hindsight people can understand because it is very easy to rig against a one-man party.

You just need to target that one-man party that one man and everything follows apart but if you have got a lot of heavyweight around you even if some are bought, you can’t bring that down if you decide to be bought as one person that will be the end of the party of 12 people 20 people at the top of the leadership you can’t buy 20 people and take advantage of their greediness and I think I have got two more points that I want to add Uncle Ged, the tent aspect, which I will call third, and a half is that in the unlikely event that Nelson had won I call it, unlikely because it was going to be possible to win that election because of the way it was structured FAZ.

But he needs to have an infrastructure that can protect the vote and win the way to state House if Nelson Chamisa had one and he had been inaugurated the possibility of destroying the country was there as well, because if you can’t respect the constitution as I have always said if you don’t believe in one, because you say infiltration and then you end up running from the party because of infiltration, it just shows how some of these things as citizens we need to reflect on them in our homes and say what actually happened so if a man wins an election without the pillars of leadership around him, that President has potential of destroying the country as well, because he will govern as he wrote his opposition party … so if he doesn’t change, it’s up to Zimbabweans to make up for themselves if they want to have a leadership from 2008, 2005 to 2018 to 2023 and now to 2028 as things are at the moment, I don’t have any hope as things are at the moment, unless something magically happens all people come together and say let’s do something that is good for our country; so thank you very much uncle Ged.

………………………..……………

-Hopewell Chin’ono refusal to be accountable

Hopewell Chin’ono refuses to account over the name of the company that he says gave him a £50,000 sportscar loan in 1996 which he says made him rich enabling him to purchase his first ever immovable property.

HC: Politics has been so toxic. It has been so toxic that brothers and sisters hate each other and yet they are fighting the same animal. You know, eeeh. And and and, I have shared my frustration with my relationship with Professor Brilliant with Zhangazha. I have said to Zhangazha, you know, Brilliant is errm, we belong to the same Institute, eeeh, Tutu fellowship, Africa leadership institute. We went to Oxford together at different times.

We need to relate. We are Zimbabweans we might differ on certain things you know, we should never, we should never fight each other to the point where we belittle each other where we insult each other we are brothers at the end of the day you know, it is just like back home in the rural areas we can, we can sit on the fire and disagree, to support different parties. But, we shouldn’t get to a point where we can’t engage with each other.

GB: Right. And also, I have received so many questions I am not realising now I have received so many questions.

HC: No, no, please please, these questions, I’m ready to answer them. We don’t do this every day.

GB: Let me, I want to acknowledge the people that I have added, I will come to you Gari. There’s a question here that says ask when he last spoke with Chamisa was it way before the leaked audios that is one question and then another one is saying.

Hopewell Chinono(HC): I want to address the issue of the audio, which Simba-Chikanza of ZimEye keeps bringing out. That is, that that.

GB: On top of that is there is the question of the safe houses as well, reported that you reported to Chiwenga, you know, if you can put that together.

Hopewell Chin’ono (HC) Yes, yes yes, that question that’s a ghost account of Simba-Chikanza asking you and I am happy to answer, it let me answer it. Aah, the first question is that Simba knows very well that those audios were doctored. Ah. They don’t represent a conversation that happened; but the most important thing is that I think I hope I will be able to look for it, but anyway, what Simba keeps posting that I exposed people it’s a lie. The what happened was that I was taken to have a conversation in 2018 which I publicly talked about. In that conversation there was the British ambassador, the EUAmbassador, a Congolese businessman called Kala Mpinga, vice president Chiwenga, and then we were taken to the president of the country, Emmerson Mnangagwa. It had nothing with all this bullshit that Simba posts about. Simba has gone to a point of asking me to account for a car that I drove 30 years ago, LAUGH LAUGH LAUGH, I assume that people have common sense you know. Eeh. And and and, and, so, in that regard I was never going to answer all this nonsense uncle Ged, but, you know if you ask me to account, eeh for a car that I pot, bought 30 years ago because you hate me so much, you don’t like me you know, you hate me so much. Eeh I have more money in my current account than all those figures that he talks about and that money I can account for it, so I think it’s very petty as Zimbabweans to really, you know, imagine if I get into an argument with Kuda Musasiwa over something else, and then I start asking him to account for a car that he bought 30 years ago.

I start asking him to account for a house. You know I’ve been asked to account for my house more than 1000 times ago, more than a thousand times I mean, not ago, eeh, the British embassy has had to issue a public statement that I am not a fugitive from justice but that is how petty Zimbabweans are. Erin, I will post it right away.

Just use freedom of information to get the information you need, we all know Hopewell lived in Slough and was involved in credit card fraud, he can only fool those who are gullible isu zvigogodera haana nyaya, he isn't what he says he is, put @ITV to the task

— Flight Lieutenant Tashinga Pswarayi MP (@TashingaPswara1) February 28, 2024

The British embassy has had to issue a statement to say “Hopewell Chinono is not a fugitive from justice in Britain,” but in a country that has no single working radiotherapy machine that has no clean drinking water that has no decent roads, that has no pensions for its pensioners, every day Simba-Chikanza tweets about the sports car that I drove and he lies about how I am a fugitive from justice and all that it’s a shame; it’s a shame because it shows the rest of the world; I want to tell you Uncle Ged, I want to tell you about how this is so shameful. I was invited for coffee, aah in PARKTOWN NORTH in Johannesburg by Geoff, who is the correspondent of the Canadian Globe, aaah in Johannesburg and he said to me, you know, aah, let’s have drinks, aah, Jeff York and he said to me this guy drink keeps writing about you. What’s going on? Is everything okay but this is how the rest of the world sees us, as a people. You know, you are chasing after a 52 year old guy and you asking him to account for how he bought a house for 60,000 in Chisipite. You’re chasing after a 52 year old guy and you’re asking him to account how he bought a Toyota Supra in 1996 and today is 2024. I have never worked for Govt. I don’t earn public funds. I have never stolen anything from the state but a whole supposedly website spends two years chasing after a guy asking him; what if I tell you that I have £3 million in my account today, that I have worked for that I can account for that has been paid into that account by British institutions like ITV news that I have worked for and you’re asking me about £50,000 when I have £3 million in my account; when I live in a 4 million eh, eh Rand house in Johannesburg; when I live in a US$600,000 house in Harare and the whole struggle is reduced to talking about how a man bought a car worth US$50,000 or pounds 30 years ago ; It just shows how petty we are. It shows how.

GB: But, eh, why don’t you engage him in that aspect in a conversation?

HC: no no no no I’m never going to do that uncle Ged.

GB: because we are now being caught in a crossfire no no I think what we need to do. I think

GB: what we need to do so we host both of you?

HC: no no no no I think what we need to do a sensible people is to focus on sensitive sensible issues. If we start degenerating into, into these stupid things, then there is no reason why foreigners have to respect us because if we can’t respect ourselves, why do we expect strangers to respect us?

GB: right, so on that issue your clarification when it comes to those issues that he has raised…?

HC: No there is no clarification. I just said, I just said things in passing. I don’t owe that guy anything, as I said to you, I am not a public figure. I have more money than he talks about. I have no obligation to tell anyone how I have earned that money I have never worked for Govt. I’ve worked my whole life for private media. You know who I have worked for. If you think that what I have I didn’t earn it to go to ITV news. Those are my employers. Those are the people that were paying me money if you think that I did not earn what I have got like I live in a nice house and I don’t deserve it go to ITV news. Those are my employers, they say it publicly that they employed me. Why should, I mean, your grandmother stays in the rural areas and she doesn’t even have a pension, she doesn’t even have medication, and you want to know how I bought a car 30 years ago, come here on Uncle GED, let’s move on.

GB: LAUGH LAUGH LAUGH. Others will be saying isn’t it that a crime does not expire, Apologies, but it is hard; but anyway there is also a question here

HC:I think there’s a guy called Tino. The Village Boy I had blocked him. I have unblocked him.

GB: I think he wanted to ask something no no no he was here. He has actually asked a question, so in the spirit of unblocking people which is quite good. Okay there is there is a question here it is being said it is being asked. Are you going to apologise to Nelson Chamisa privately or publicly and move onto build a greater Zimbabwe?

HC: I have no reason to apologise to my brother Nelson because everything I said was based on facts, and eeeh, what that person needs to do is to come and say to me what you said about Nelson or about CCC on this particular instance is wrong and here are the facts.

I have no reason to apologise to politicians. I never apologise to politicians. Nelson Chamisa and all the other politicians and I talk to all of them. Today today today, eeh, eeh, I went to have my haircut and and the person who told me where I could get my hair cut was Saviour Kasukuwere I am in Johannesburg at the moment. And, and and I talk to all of them and I don’t hide that.

I talk to Saviour Kasukuwere, I talk to Welshman , I talk to Nelson Chamisa, I talk to Nkosana Moyo. Nkosana Moyo has been to my home in Zimbabwe , has been to my home in Johannesburg. These are my brothers these are my sisters.

I was speaking to Tadini’s president, Valerio, she sent a message to say I owe her a response. I speak to everyone these are Zimbabweans. You know we should not intimidate each other by saying, don’t talk to so and so, don’t talk to so-and-so because our resolutions only come from all of us to put together. This idea, politicians lie to you.

They say don’t talk to someone so but they talk to so, so I know it so President Nelson Chamisa will never say to me. Don’t talk to so and so but because he is the guy who told me to talk to everybody. So why shouldn’t I talk to? If you come to South Africa you see President Raposa talking to Julius Malema you will see him talking to Hellen Ziller. You will see him talk to Steenhuisen. Why shouldn’t I not to talk to my brothers and sisters? I will talk to Tadini. I will talk to Makomborero. I will talk to Nelson. I will talk to even to ED. I will talk to him, I have no problem. You see, our lack. I think we need to introduce politics as a subject at high school, so that people understand what it involves. If you go to ENGLAND today, this animosity does not exist. Yeah you know and Zanu PF has allowed people to hate each other and do things but what you don’t know is that these people at night they do things together….

Emmerson Mnangagwa Booed During Stadium Inauguration Ceremony for President Gideon Boko

By A Correspondent | ZimEye | Gaborone, Botswana – Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa faced a humiliating moment today during the inauguration ceremony of Botswana’s newly elected President Gideon Boko. As Mnangagwa’s name was announced to the crowd at the newly built national stadium, attendees erupted in boos, expressing public disapproval in an unexpected display of discontent.

The incident unfolded before a large audience comprising dignitaries, regional leaders, and thousands of Batswana citizens celebrating the historic swearing-in of Boko, who ended the long-standing rule of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). The crowd’s reaction seemed to underscore growing regional frustrations with Mnangagwa’s leadership and his administration’s policies.

The boos come amid escalating controversy surrounding allegations by Botswana’s former president Ian Khama, who recently claimed that Mnangagwa attempted to interfere in Botswana’s just-ended elections.

According to Khama, Mnangagwa allegedly sought to influence the outcome by deploying “fake voters” from Zimbabwe to bolster support for the incumbent BDP. Mnangagwa’s party, ZANU-PF, has vehemently denied these allegations, dismissing them as baseless and inflammatory.

ZANU-PF issued a statement earlier this week accusing Khama of peddling falsehoods and attempting to tarnish Mnangagwa’s image. “These claims are not only false but also malicious. Zimbabwe respects the sovereignty of Botswana and did not interfere in any way,” the statement read. However, the denial appears to have done little to ease tensions in the region.

Today’s public outcry against Mnangagwa highlights growing regional dissatisfaction with his administration, particularly as Zimbabwe faces ongoing economic and political challenges. For many in the crowd, the inauguration of Gideon Boko represented a symbolic moment of hope and change, while Mnangagwa’s presence evoked memories of contested elections and accusations of authoritarianism in Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, the following were excerpts from Zimbabwe’s most popular national leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa’s Interview with BTV:

Qn: How important was it for you to be invited here to the event, Mr. Chamisa?

@nelsonchamisa:
“I’m so excited to be here. I’m representing the people of Zimbabwe, their aspirations, their hopes for democracy, and their hopes for freedom. Botswana has done something significant for the continent, for a new Africa, and for the region. This event marks an era of transformation, of effective transitions. Botswana has been under the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) for almost 58 years, yet they’ve shown a peaceful transition from one political party to another. It’s a crucial lesson. In Zimbabwe, we’ve defeated ZANU-PF in elections twice, but they’ve refused to accept the outcome. So, I hope that Mr. Mnangagwa, who is sitting just two rows away from me, will learn a thing or two about life after politics, about transitioning from public office. That’s why this event is so important. God has blessed Africa, and God has blessed Botswana. We are here to celebrate that.”

Qn: Let’s talk about democracy, especially in Africa. How important is it that Botswana has been able to have such a peaceful transition from one party to another?

Qn: What lessons can Africa and the region learn from this?

@nelsonchamisa:
“We are one people, one nation, one family. Democracy is about taking turns—your turn today, someone else’s turn tomorrow. We must not be vindictive or seek revenge. Former presidents must be honored and respected, not pursued in a cat-and-mouse game. Even if they made mistakes, there should still be honor. This is what holds us together as a family. We are one village, and President Boko emphasized this point—hands wash each other. We are one people.”

Qn: Lastly, Mr. Chamisa, what message did you take from President Boko’s speech? Although it was short, it was very precise. What lessons did you learn from it?

@nelsonchamisa:
“Love is everywhere, and we must embrace it. Botswana has shown love, and President Boko spoke about building bridges. He called for embracing the past, acknowledging it, but moving forward to correct it. That’s a critical message, a statesman’s message. President Boko is a leader of a new Africa, a new SADC, and signals a new order. We are proud of him.”

Qn: Have you met President Boko before?

@nelsonchamisa:
“We’ve met several times, in both setbacks and victories. We believe that Africa needs new leadership with a fresh mindset. We must build our continent and make Africa one of the best in the world. We can do this, and it’s something we must start now.”

Qn: Thank you, Mr. Chamisa. It was a pleasure talking to you.

@nelsonchamisa:
“Thank you so much.”

Qn: We wish you all the best in your endeavors in Zimbabwe.

@nelsonchamisa:
“Thank you. All the best to Botswana. God bless Botswana, and may peace and prosperity prevail here.” – ZimEye

By A Correspondent

A disagreement over a mbanje (marijuana) twist has led to the tragic death of a man from Luveve suburb in Bulawayo.

Takunda Mandizwidza, 24, was recently found guilty of culpable homicide after an argument with his friend escalated into violence.

Mandizwidza was sentenced by Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Naison Chivayo, who considered that the accused was a first-time offender.

The court took into account that Mandizwidza had pleaded guilty and that his family had paid compensation in the form of five beasts to the victim’s family.

In his ruling, Justice Chivayo said, “The accused is a first offender who pleaded guilty to the charge of culpable homicide and his family paid five beasts to compensate the bereaved family. However, it is important to note that no amount can compensate for the loss of life.”

The judge also made it clear that the court wanted to send a strong message regarding drug abuse.

“A number of campaigns have been made to end drug abuse, but it seems that a few individuals take heed of such warnings. We are left with no choice but to remove you from the community for a lengthy period,” he said.

Mandizwidza was sentenced to five years in prison, with two years suspended for good behavior, meaning he will serve an effective three years in jail. The judge also imposed a suspended sentence, which Mandizwidza must be mindful of as a reminder of the seriousness of his actions. “The court will also give you a suspended sentence which will hover around your head to remind you that you are an offender.

This will be a way to send a message to your friends so that they desist from such behaviour,” Justice Chivayo added.

The incident occurred on November 21, 2023, at around 8 pm, when the victim arrived at Dellen Mugayi’s home in Luveve, where Mandizwidza was with a group of friends smoking mbanje.

The victim joined the group and asked Mandizwidza for a smoke, but Mandizwidza declined, explaining that the victim had initially refused to join them.

This led to a confrontation, with the victim becoming angry and starting a fight with Mandizwidza. During the altercation, the victim picked up an object and stabbed Mandizwidza in the chest.

In retaliation, Mandizwidza grabbed a brick and struck the victim once on the left side of his forehead. The victim collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, but he tragically died the next day from his head injuries.

Mandizwidza was arrested, and the matter was reported to the police. This case highlights the dangerous consequences of disputes fueled by drug use and violence.

By A Correspondent

Zimbabweans have strongly criticized the Mnangagwa administration’s proposed WhatsApp license fees, calling the move absurd and an overreach into personal communication.

The announcement, made by Zimbabwe’s Minister of ICT, Postal, and Courier Services, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera on Thursday, stated that all WhatsApp group administrators will soon be required to register and obtain a license from the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) to operate their groups.

The new licensing requirements, revealed during a recent POTRAZ breakfast meeting, set the minimum cost for a license at $50, with the fees varying depending on the nature of the group.

In addition to paying for the license, WhatsApp group admins will be required to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO), who must be trained and certified by POTRAZ. This new requirement is part of an effort to enforce compliance with Zimbabwe’s Data Protection Act, which governs the handling of personal data.

The law defines personal data as any information that can be used to directly or indirectly identify a person, and since WhatsApp group admins have access to members’ phone numbers, the government argues that these groups are subject to data protection regulations.

Minister Mavetera emphasized that the requirement would apply not only to business groups but also to community organizations, churches, and any other groups that collect personal data.

“Even churches who collect personal data ought to have such a license and appoint a DPO,” she stated, highlighting the government’s desire to tighten data security and privacy for all citizens.

However, the announcement has sparked a firestorm of criticism. Many Zimbabweans have questioned the implications of the new regulations on free communication and privacy in digital spaces. Critics argue that such licensing requirements could create an undue burden on informal group administrators, particularly for community-based groups and small businesses.

Others have expressed concern that this move could further restrict free expression online.

One critic, Taurai Cheteni, expressed frustration with the move on social media, writing: “Good evening Minister. Is it not makakandwa ku deep end? Madii kukumbira kuchinjwa ministry. I think you can be very useful somewhere else, ICT is not everyone, you included. Can you not kindly ask HE to assign you somewhere because ha, you have been misfiring from day one. I personally feel sorry for you but be honest with your boss and admit that you can’t cope.”

Another commenter, Evy Chats, echoed dissatisfaction, recalling a conversation about the proposed licenses: “I was talking to my guy about the introduction of licenses for WhatsApp admins, and he said hamuna kudzidza (you didn’t study). I defended you, saying you have masters in marketing, but he said that was a lie—you paid for it. Now I’m left embarrassed. Please, come and back me up, Hon.”

Albert Nyamayaro raised another point, arguing that the government’s plans were unfair, saying: “You can’t make money from other people’s platforms. WhatsApp is someone’s intellectual property (IP), and the government through POTRAZ cannot make money from it. It does not make sense at all.”

While the government argues that the new regulations are necessary to protect personal data and ensure privacy, many Zimbabweans feel that the move is an unnecessary encroachment on their digital freedoms. POTRAZ has encouraged group admins with concerns to reach out for guidance on how to comply with the new requirements.

Excerpts from Zimbabwe’s most popular national leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa’s Interview with BTV on Friday at the Inauguration of New Botswana President Duma Boko

Qn: How important was it for you to be invited here to the event, Mr. Chamisa?

@nelsonchamisa:
“I’m so excited to be here. I’m representing the people of Zimbabwe, their aspirations, their hopes for democracy, and their hopes for freedom. Botswana has done something significant for the continent, for a new Africa, and for the region. This event marks an era of transformation, of effective transitions. Botswana has been under the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) for almost 58 years, yet they’ve shown a peaceful transition from one political party to another. It’s a crucial lesson. In Zimbabwe, we’ve defeated ZANU-PF in elections twice, but they’ve refused to accept the outcome. So, I hope that Mr. Mnangagwa, who is sitting just two rows away from me, will learn a thing or two about life after politics, about transitioning from public office. That’s why this event is so important. God has blessed Africa, and God has blessed Botswana. We are here to celebrate that.”

Qn: Let’s talk about democracy, especially in Africa. How important is it that Botswana has been able to have such a peaceful transition from one party to another?

Qn: What lessons can Africa and the region learn from this?

@nelsonchamisa:
“We are one people, one nation, one family. Democracy is about taking turns—your turn today, someone else’s turn tomorrow. We must not be vindictive or seek revenge. Former presidents must be honored and respected, not pursued in a cat-and-mouse game. Even if they made mistakes, there should still be honor. This is what holds us together as a family. We are one village, and President Boko emphasized this point—hands wash each other. We are one people.”

Qn: Lastly, Mr. Chamisa, what message did you take from President Boko’s speech? Although it was short, it was very precise. What lessons did you learn from it?

@nelsonchamisa:
“Love is everywhere, and we must embrace it. Botswana has shown love, and President Boko spoke about building bridges. He called for embracing the past, acknowledging it, but moving forward to correct it. That’s a critical message, a statesman’s message. President Boko is a leader of a new Africa, a new SADC, and signals a new order. We are proud of him.”

Qn: Have you met President Boko before?

@nelsonchamisa:
“We’ve met several times, in both setbacks and victories. We believe that Africa needs new leadership with a fresh mindset. We must build our continent and make Africa one of the best in the world. We can do this, and it’s something we must start now.”

Qn: Thank you, Mr. Chamisa. It was a pleasure talking to you.

@nelsonchamisa:
“Thank you so much.”

Qn: We wish you all the best in your endeavors in Zimbabwe.

@nelsonchamisa:
“Thank you. All the best to Botswana. God bless Botswana, and may peace and prosperity prevail here.” – ZimEye

Excerpts from Popular Zimbabwean opposition leader Advocate Nelson Chamisa’s interview with BTV on Friday at the inauguration of new Botswana President Duma Boko.

Qn: How important was it for you to be invited here to the event, Mr. Chamisa?

@nelsonchamisa:
“I’m so excited to be here. I’m here representing the people of Zimbabwe, their aspirations, their hopes for democracy, their hopes for freedom. But what you have to realize is that Botswana is a signal. Botswana has done a significant thing for the continent, for a new Africa, but also for the region in terms of heralding an era of newness, an era of transformation, an era of effective transition. You look at it. The BDP has been in power for almost fifty-eight years. This is a smooth transition from one political party to another. It’s a critical thing. We have seen ZANU-PF in Zimbabwe. We have defeated them in elections twice, but they’ve refused to go. So we hope that Mr. Mnangagwa, who is here and is just two rows away from me, will learn one or two lessons about life after politics, life after leadership, life after public office. So that’s why it is so critical and significant. And God has blessed Africa, and God has blessed Botswana, and we are happy we are here to celebrate.

Qn: Yeah. Let’s speak about democracy, especially in Africa. I wanted to ask you to zoom into the issue of democracy. How important is it that for a country such as Botswana has been able to have a peaceful transition from one party to another?

Qn: What lessons are we learning for Africa and for the whole region?

@nelsonchamisa: We are one people. We are one nation. We are one family. And democracy is about taking turns. It’s your turn today, it’s another’s turn tomorrow. We must not be vindictive. We must not be pursuing each other. Even former presidents must be honored and respected. We don’t want a situation whereby former presidents are pursued in a cat and mouse relationship. Let’s give them honor, respect. Of course, they made mistakes, omissions and commissions, but let there be honor because that’s what keeps us as a family. We are one village and President Boko emphasized that point, that we must remain understanding that, you know, hands wash each other. We are one people.

Qn: Lastly, Mr. Chamisa, the message from President Boko, what did you pick from his speech as he delivered his speech? I know it was not a very long speech, but a very short and precise one. What lessons have you picked from his speeches?

@nelsonchamisa: Love is everywhere in the world, and we must embrace it. Love is in the air in Botswana, and the Botswana people have shown their love. And he has said there must be building of bridges. He has reached out to say, let’s embrace President Massisi, let’s embrace the past. acknowledge it, but move on to correct it. And I think that’s a critical message. It’s a statesman’s message. President Boko is a leader par excellence. A statesman is a leader of a new Africa, of a new SADC, and he signals a new order. And we are proud of him.

Qn: Have you met before with President Boko?

@nelsonchamisa: We have met several times. I mean, you know that we have been with President Boko in setbacks, in victory. And the reason is that we believe that Africa needs a new leadership, a new heartset in leadership. We must reach out to build our continent and to make continent of Africa one of the best in the world. And we can do it. And we must start now.

Qn: Thank you, Mr. Chamisa. It was a pleasure to talk to you, Mr. Chamisa.

@nelsonchamisa: Thank you so much.

Qn: And all your best in your endeavour also in Zimbabwe.
@nelsonchamisa: Thank you so much. All the best for Botswana. God bless Botswana. And may there be peace and prosperity in Botswana.

By A Correspondent | ZimEye | Prominent Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono who was the favourite legal-opinion-driver of the British solicitor to a blood cousin of former MP Job Sikhala, William Chinyanga’s prosecution case, is under fire.

Chin’ono, who has failed to produce the evidence of financial abuse he accuses opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa of, is facing criticism for misleading public opinion by prematurely labeling Hon. Sikhala’s cousin as guilty of terrorism following funeral poetry uttered during mourning for Nelson Chamisa’s party members in 2019.

This was a year before any trial had been conducted.

Chin’ono’s public comments, which cast Chinyanga’s funeral poetry as criminal, have sparked concern about the influence of media figures on judicial proceedings, especially given recent revelations from Chinyanga’s legal team.

Scores of Zimbabweans are in support of Chinyanga, who later got convicted for incitement as a result, as they maintain that his words are common hyperbolic funeral poetry rather than actual threats of terrorism. However, Chin’ono publicly characterized Chinyanga’s statements as a “crime of terrorism,” claiming that he advocated for the burning of fuel stations—a claim that Chinyanga’s supporters argue is both misleading and exaggerated.

https://twitter.com/zimeye/status/1854800630365209050?s=46

As a result of Chin’ono’s opinion which is favoured by the British solicitor Madeleine Corr, Justice Dove who conducted the trial, announced saying Chinyanga is guilty because he has no one to his side, even though millions of Zimbabweans were present at the court premises, represented by the publisher of both the language Chinyanga was prosecuted over, and the very news articles the jury was subjected to peruse without context meanings.

In a post on social media, Chin’ono stated that he is a better activist than Chinyanga, “Some folks in the Varakashi camp are making embarrassing FALSE equivalence to this article! This man was charged in Britain because advocating for burning of fuel stations is a crime of terrorism. It is different from Jacob Ngarivhume calling for Peaceful Anti-Looting Protests protected by our constitution.” This declaration has led to accusations that Chin’ono acted irresponsibly, using his platform to condemn Chinyanga without a final court ruling.

In a later development, Chinyanga’s solicitor, Madeleine Corr revealed to Chinyanga that she intended to rely on Chin’ono’s opinion in building his defense strategy. She said “can we get Hopewell Chin’ono to testify in your case as he is a high profile person highly respected?… I refused because Chin’ono is compromised,” Chinyanga reveals.

Chinyanga however firmly rejected this approach. “I blatantly refuse to incorporate Chin’ono on my case because I know he is compromised.” Chinyanga’s refusal underscores his mistrust of Chin’ono, whom he believes to be compromised in his objectivity, particularly given Chin’ono’s public assertions of guilt.

This incident is not the only one there are several others where the Journalist has been caught on camera misleading the Sikhala family, and at one time he deceived Sikhala’s brother and the former MP’s best friend Tafadzwa Musekiwa saying Nelson Chamisa has abandoned him to rot in jail.

This case has sparked intense debate on social media and among legal experts, with some accusing Chin’ono of hypocrisy. While he has previously advocated for constitutional rights and due process in Zimbabwe, critics argue that he has now prematurely labeled a fellow Zimbabwean as guilty of terrorism under a foreign jurisdiction. In another controversial statement, Chin’ono defended his stance, stating, “Western embassies condemn arbitrary arrests and malicious prosecutions in Zimbabwe because the victims would not have committed a crime according to our law, the constitution! I was arrested and accused of tweeting something I never tweeted, and charged under a law that doesn’t exist…”

Chinyanga is now fighting for his appeal and against deportation of which he has opened a GofundMe campaign:

Meanwhile, Chin’ono’s many misleading statements have opened new discussions over who he is and what he is trying to achieve on top of his government in exile project, and Chinyanga responds as follows, video:

By A Correspondent

A tragic accident occurred on November 7, 2024, when a school kombi carrying students from Nyangani High School veered off the road along the Mutare-Juliasdale Road, resulting in one fatality and 19 injured.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed that the incident took place at the 62-kilometre peg, where the Toyota Hiace kombi, which was transporting 19 passengers, lost control and overturned, landing on its side. The crash left one student dead and 15 others injured.

The body of the deceased has been transferred to Bonda Mission Hospital for post-mortem examination. Meanwhile, the injured students are receiving medical treatment at both Bonda Mission Hospital and Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the accident, while the community, particularly at Nyangani High School, grapples with the heartbreaking loss and supports those affected by the tragedy.

This incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced on the roads, particularly when transporting students, and underscores the importance of road safety measures for all school transportation.

By A Correspondent

DJ Ribhe, a prominent music producer and promoter from CHILLSPOT Records, has found himself in serious trouble after being accused of raping a 14-year-old girl. The 32-year-old DJ was recently remanded in custody pending trial, with a routine remand scheduled for November 14.

According to reports, DJ Ribhe and the minor live in the same neighborhood in Harare’s Glen Norah suburb.

The alleged incident occurred on October 16, 2024, when the complainant failed to return home from school. Investigations revealed that the minor went to DJ Ribhe’s residence with others and were taken to Mashwede Village, where she was manipulated into consuming an unknown substance and smoking shisha.

The court heard that when the complainant regained consciousness at DJ Ribhe’s place, she realized he had sexual intercourse with her without her consent.

The matter was reported to the police after the complainant was spotted in Highfields on October 20 and disclosed the incident to her father.

DJ Ribhe’s arrest has sent shockwaves through the music industry, and his fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the trial. Being remanded in custody means DJ Ribhe will remain in detention until his trial, unless he is granted bail by the High Court.

In cases like these, the decision to remand someone in custody is based on various factors, including the seriousness of the offense, the individual’s criminal record, and the likelihood of flight.

The consequences of remand in custody can be severe, affecting not only the accused but also their loved ones. It’s essential to recognize the importance of upholding justice while protecting individual rights.

As the trial unfolds, the music community and beyond will be watching closely.

Businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, who sought bail under changed circumstances in a high-profile fraud case, have been denied bail once again. The two are accused of using false documents to secure a lucrative US$9.2 million tender for street lights in Harare.

Presiding magistrate Mrs. Marehwanazvo Gofa ruled that there were no new circumstances that would justify granting bail to the accused. She emphasized that the conditions of the case had not changed since their initial application, and thus bail was not warranted at this stage.

Chimombe and Mpofu are accused of manipulating documentation to win the multimillion-dollar tender, a case that has drawn significant public attention. The court has remanded the two in custody until November 28, pending the completion of ongoing investigations.

As investigations continue, the case remains under close scrutiny, with the public and officials closely monitoring any developments in one of Harare’s most notable recent fraud allegations.

By A Correspondent | In a dramatic case with unsettling echoes of “Bulawayo’s Beltazar,” a social media character notorious for alleged affairs with married women, a man from Mangwe, Zimbabwe, has faced court after his friend died from severe injuries following a confrontation over an extramarital affair.

Thompson Tshuma appeared before Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Ngoni Nduna, charged with murder after allegedly catching his friend in bed with his wife. However, Tshuma was convicted of culpable homicide and sentenced to three years in prison, which was fully suspended for five years on the condition of good behavior, meaning he will avoid jail time if he stays out of legal trouble.

Tshuma expressed remorse for his actions, telling the court, “I am remorseful for my actions which were a result of the spur of the moment. I was angry when I caught my friend sleeping with my wife, and what worsened the whole incident is that my friend was well aware of his HIV status.” He claimed he did not intend to kill his friend, a sentiment that Judge Nduna appeared to consider when delivering the verdict.

According to testimony provided during the trial, Tshuma’s wife admitted to having an affair with the deceased. She recounted the events leading up to the confrontation, stating, “On the day in question at around 6 am, my husband left home saying that he was going to Matopo and would not return on the same day. At around 12 pm, I got a call from the deceased. We had a chat and he requested to come for a sleepover since my husband was away. I agreed.”

She continued, “The deceased arrived at my house at around 9 pm and we retired to bed. At around 10 pm, my husband returned home and knocked on the door. He entered the house and found his friend standing behind the door wearing boxers. The deceased was carrying a knobkerrie, and my husband locked the door and put the keys in his pocket.”

In her testimony, she described the ensuing confrontation. Tshuma questioned his friend about his presence in their bedroom, but the deceased allegedly failed to justify his actions, leading to an altercation. “The deceased lifted his knobkerrie to attack Tshuma, but he managed to hold it, and they wrestled,” she said, detailing the physical struggle between the two men.

After overpowering his friend, Tshuma reportedly retrieved a dehorning iron from a corner of the bedroom. He went outside, locked the door, and heated the iron on an outdoor fire before returning to the room. He then used the heated iron to burn his friend multiple times, inflicting injuries to the leg, thigh, humerus, sternum, left arm, and back.

Following the assault, Tshuma unlocked the door, allowing his friend to leave. The injured man drove to his home in Plumtree, where his condition deteriorated. After being hospitalized at Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo from July 11 to September 13, he was discharged but remained bedridden. On October 12, his condition worsened, and he was taken to Plumtree District Hospital, where he died before receiving medical attention.

The case has stirred public interest, with social media users likening the story to that of “Bulawayo’s Beltazar,” a rumored character associated with extramarital affairs involving married women. Tshuma’s suspended sentence has sparked debates about justice and whether the punishment serves as an adequate deterrent for similar crimes committed in moments of rage and betrayal.

By Dorrothy Moyo | ZimEye | A 30-year-old man from Mbembesi, Zimbabwe, Gracious Lamula, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison, with three years suspended, for raping a commercial sex worker. Bulawayo regional magistrate Dambudzo Malunga found that the aggravating factors in the case outweighed any mitigating circumstances.

Lamula and the victim had met earlier at a bar, and while he claimed the sexual encounter was consensual, the victim testified otherwise.

The court emphasized its duty to protect vulnerable members of society, with Magistrate Malunga highlighting that severe sentences are necessary to deter such crimes. Lamula will serve an effective 15 years in prison without the option of a fine.

Legal Analysis: Sentencing in Cases of Sexual Assault Against Vulnerable Individuals

The conviction provides an important case study in the sentencing and judicial approach toward crimes of sexual violence. In this article, we will examine the sentencing rationale, the importance of protecting vulnerable members of society, and reference relevant case law to understand how courts navigate such cases.

Background of the Case

Lamula was sentenced to 18 years in prison by the Bulawayo regional magistrate, Mrs. Dambudzo Malunga, who suspended three years of the sentence for five years on the condition that Lamula does not commit a similar offense within that period. Lamula argued that the sexual encounter was consensual, while the victim testified that she did not consent. In passing the sentence, the magistrate emphasized the need for severe sentencing to protect vulnerable members of society and deter potential offenders.

Legal Principles in Sentencing for Rape

In rape cases, particularly those involving vulnerable victims, courts aim to balance deterrence, retribution, and rehabilitation while underscoring the societal duty to protect the vulnerable. This duty is often more pronounced when the victim belongs to a marginalized group, such as commercial sex workers, who may face increased societal stigma and victim-blaming.

1.  Protection of Vulnerable Victims: Courts acknowledge that commercial sex workers, though involved in transactional sex, retain the right to consent and protection under the law. The notion that such individuals are inherently consenting or cannot be raped is legally erroneous and socially harmful. Courts recognize that all individuals, regardless of their profession, have an equal right to personal autonomy and protection from sexual violence.
2.  Aggravating Factors in Sentencing: In this case, Magistrate Malunga emphasized aggravating factors, such as the lack of consent, the trust and familiarity between the offender and the victim, and the physical violence involved. Such factors often weigh heavily in sentencing decisions, as courts consider both the severity of the offense and the broader social implications.

Case Law on Rape and Vulnerable Victims

Several cases from various jurisdictions illustrate the legal approach to similar cases, emphasizing the protection of victims and the severe sentencing of offenders. Below are relevant cases that shed light on judicial attitudes towards sexual violence against vulnerable individuals.

1. S v. Chapman (1997) (South Africa)

In the case of S v. Chapman, the South African Supreme Court of Appeal addressed the notion of rape as a “humiliation and degradation of the victim.” The court held that rape is not just a crime against an individual but an offense that impacts society as a whole. The case emphasized that severe penalties are essential to reflect the seriousness of the crime, deter potential offenders, and reinforce societal condemnation of such acts.

In sentencing Lamula, the Bulawayo magistrate echoed similar sentiments, underscoring the broader duty to protect society by imposing a strict sentence on sexual predators. The court’s approach reflects an understanding that severe penalties in cases of rape serve not only to punish the offender but also to send a strong societal message that sexual violence will not be tolerated.

2. R v. DPP ex parte Kebilene (2000) (UK)

In R v. DPP ex parte Kebilene, the UK House of Lords recognized the heightened duty of courts and prosecutors to protect vulnerable members of society. While the case focused on human rights considerations within the criminal justice process, the underlying principle is applicable here: courts have a particular duty to shield individuals who are at greater risk of exploitation or violence.

The Bulawayo magistrate’s emphasis on the vulnerability of the complainant, a commercial sex worker, aligns with this duty to protect. By highlighting the victim’s vulnerability, the court acknowledged the increased societal responsibility to ensure that individuals in marginalized professions are afforded the same legal protections and rights as others.

3. State v. Sibanda (Zimbabwe)

In the Zimbabwean case of State v. Sibanda, the court emphasized that even in cases where there may be an acquaintance or prior relationship between the offender and the victim, lack of consent remains a crucial factor in determining the offense. The case affirmed that prior familiarity does not imply consent, and courts must ensure that justice is served irrespective of any pre-existing relationship.

Similarly, in Lamula’s case, the defense’s claim that he and the complainant had been drinking together was irrelevant in light of the victim’s clear testimony of non-consent. This aligns with State v. Sibanda, reinforcing that prior interaction does not mitigate the severity of rape nor absolve the offender of responsibility.

The Role of Consent and Misconceptions Around Commercial Sex Work

One of the common misconceptions in cases involving commercial sex workers is the assumption that such individuals are always consenting or are somehow “less” affected by sexual violence. However, as legal precedents in Zimbabwe and beyond make clear, all individuals have an absolute right to control over their bodies. Consent must be explicitly given and can be withdrawn at any point. The magistrate in Lamula’s case explicitly addressed this by focusing on the victim’s non-consent and highlighting that her occupation did not diminish her rights.

Judicial Sentencing and Deterrence

The severity of Lamula’s sentence reflects the court’s commitment to deterrence in cases of sexual violence. Courts are increasingly aware of their role in shaping societal perceptions and norms around sexual violence, especially against marginalized groups. Sentences such as this one serve not only as a punishment but as a warning to others who may consider exploiting vulnerable individuals.

In cases of rape, particularly against vulnerable victims, courts in Zimbabwe and other jurisdictions have underscored the importance of deterrent sentencing. The goal is to dissuade similar conduct in society by establishing clear consequences for such offenses. Lamula’s sentence, therefore, can be seen as part of a broader legal framework aimed at discouraging predatory behavior, regardless of the victim’s social or economic status.

Conclusion

The case of Gracious Lamula highlights critical legal principles in the adjudication of rape cases involving vulnerable individuals. Through severe sentencing and the emphasis on aggravating factors, courts reiterate the importance of protecting all members of society from sexual violence. Case law from Zimbabwe and other jurisdictions supports the view that the judicial system has a duty to uphold the rights and dignity of every individual, regardless of their profession or social standing.

This approach not only provides justice for victims but also sends a strong message against the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. As society grapples with changing attitudes toward marginalized groups, it is imperative that the legal system remains a steadfast protector of their rights, ensuring that crimes such as rape are met with appropriate, deterrent penalties.- ZimEye

By A Correspondent

In a bold move, Elson Manzini from Sihlengeni, Bulawayo, has sought and obtained a court protection order against his estranged wife, Thembelihle Moyo, citing threats to his life and physical abuse.

Manzini alleged that Moyo threatened to kill him by setting their bedroom hut ablaze while he slept, prompting him to flee their home in fear. He also recounted numerous incidents of verbal and physical abuse, including confrontations at his workplace, where Moyo would accuse him of neglecting their children, assault him, and hurl insults.

“Your worship, I have suffered enough at the hands of this woman,” Manzini told the court. “As a taxi driver, she comes to my workplace, causing scenes and threatening my life in front of others.”

Manzini further revealed that Moyo had taken all their property and emptied their home. He also discovered her in bed with another man at her family home, which heightened his concerns for his safety.

Moyo admitted to issuing death threats, citing anger over Manzini’s alleged failure to provide financial support for their children. She also expressed her desire to return to their matrimonial home, which she claimed was built by her.

However, Manzini expressed reservations, stating, “I want to engage my in-laws first before she comes. And I’m afraid she would kill me.”

Presiding magistrate Challenge Mahembe granted Manzini the protection order, prohibiting Moyo from:

1. Physically and verbally abusing Manzini
2. Issuing death threats
3. Returning to their matrimonial home without permission

The order is valid for five years.

Manzini’s courage in seeking protection highlights the often-overlooked issue of male victims of domestic abuse and the importance of seeking help.

By A Correspondent

DJ Ribhe, a prominent music producer and promoter from CHILLSPOT Records, has found himself in serious trouble after being accused of raping a 14-year-old girl.

The 32-year-old DJ was recently remanded in custody pending trial, with a routine remand scheduled for November 14 .

According to reports, DJ Ribhe and the minor live in the same neighborhood in Harare’s Glen Norah suburb. The alleged incident occurred on October 16, 2024, when the complainant failed to return home from school. Investigations revealed that the minor went to DJ Ribhe’s residence with others and were taken to Mashwede Village, where she was manipulated into consuming an unknown substance and smoking shisha .

The court heard that when the complainant regained consciousness at DJ Ribhe’s place, she realized he had sexual intercourse with her without her consent. The matter was reported to the police after the complainant was spotted in Highfields on October 20 and disclosed the incident to her father.

DJ Ribhe’s arrest has sent shockwaves through the music industry, and his fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the trial. Being remanded in custody means DJ Ribhe will remain in detention until his trial, unless he is granted bail by the High Court .

In cases like these, the decision to remand someone in custody is based on various factors, including the seriousness of the offense, the individual’s criminal record, and the likelihood of flight . The court must carefully balance public safety with the individual’s rights, ensuring that the decision is fair and proportionate.

The consequences of remand in custody can be severe, affecting not only the accused but also their loved ones. It’s essential to recognize the importance of upholding justice while protecting individual rights .

By Business Reporter | Zimbabwe’s Minister of ICT, Postal, and Courier Services, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera, has announced that all WhatsApp group administrators will soon be required to register and obtain a license from the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) to operate their groups. The new licensing requirements, outlined at a recent POTRAZ breakfast meeting, set the minimum cost for a license at $50, with fees varying depending on the nature of the group.

In addition to obtaining a license, WhatsApp group admins will be required to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) trained and certified by POTRAZ. This move is intended to ensure compliance with Zimbabwe’s Data Protection Act, which governs the handling of personal information. Under the Act, personal data is defined as any information that can be used to directly or indirectly identify a person. Since WhatsApp group admins have access to members’ phone numbers, the government argues that these groups fall under data protection regulations.

Minister Mavetera emphasized that this requirement would apply not only to businesses but also to community organizations, churches, and any other groups that collect personal data. “Even churches who collect personal data ought to have such a license and appoint a DPO,” she stated, noting that the government aims to tighten data security and privacy for all citizens.

The announcement has sparked widespread debate, with many questioning the impact of these new regulations on free communication and privacy in online spaces. Critics argue that such licensing requirements could place an undue burden on informal group admins, while supporters claim it is a necessary step to protect personal information in the digital age.

Failure to comply with these regulations, including both licensing and data protection measures, may attract penalties, according to Minister Mavetera. POTRAZ encourages any groups with questions or concerns to reach out to them directly for further guidance on compliance.

This new policy places Zimbabwe among a growing number of countries aiming to regulate digital spaces and data privacy, though the specific focus on social media group admins remains unique. As the rollout of these requirements continues, many will be watching closely to see how they impact digital communication and data protection practices in Zimbabwe.