41st INDEPENDENCE DAY SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE, CDE. E. D. MNANGAGWA 18th APRIL, 2021 1
The First Lady, Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa; Honourable Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Gen. (Rtd) Dr C.G.D.N. Chiwenga;

Chairman of the Ruling Party ZANU PF and Minister of Defence and War Veterans’ Affairs, Cde OC.Z. Muchiguri- Kashiri

Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Advocate J.F. Mudenda;
President of the Senate, Hon. Amai M.M. Chinomona;
Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province, Hon. Oliver Chidawu;
The Chief Justice, Honourable Luke Malaba; Honourable Ministers; Members of Parliament;
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. D. Mwonzora; Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps; Service Chiefs; Veterans of the Liberation Struggle;
Families of the Heroes of our Liberation Struggle; Traditional Leaders; Ladies and Gentlemen.
Fellow Zimbabweans, It is my singular honour and privilege to address all Zimbabweans at home and abroad on this virtual platform, as our nation celebrates the forty-first anniversary of our Independence.
This year’s celebrations are being held under the theme: “Zimbabwe at 41: Together, Growing our Economy for a Prosperous, Resilient and Inclusive Society”.
As a sovereign nation and people, the occasion of our Independence Day is a constant reminder of the need to preserve, safeguard and protect our liberation war heritage and the rich history of our country. This is the foundation and hallmark of our nation, today and forever.
I say Makorokoto! Amhlophe! Congratulations Zimbabwe! God Bless Zimbabwe. Fellow Zimbabweans, We are holding this year’s celebrations with jubilation as our nation continues to register successes on many fronts.
In line with the spirit of devolution, you will recall that we hoped to celebrate this year’s event in Bulawayo, the City of Kings, following the postponement of public celebrations last year. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 public health requirements entail that we enjoy this very important national event, yet again, from our homes.
When it comes to human life, we take no risks. The time shall come for us to physically gather and celebrate together in Bulawayo Province, once the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us. The pandemic has sadly seen our nation lose many of our beloved citizens, including decorated heroes and heroines of the liberation struggle.
Lessons continue to be learnt from this global health emergency and our country is emerging stronger in the fight against the pandemic. Zimbabwe is grateful for the financial and material support and solidarity from friendly nations and development partners in our efforts to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.
I also commend the local private sector, individuals, and institutions of higher learning, churches and other stakeholders for their support.
The dedication and sacrifice of frontline workers and security services is equally applauded. I congratulate you, our citizens for abiding by the National Lockdown regulations and measures. The accomplishments we have made to date are due to the unity of purpose and spirit of oneness we have all shown.
On 18 February 2021, Government launched the National Vaccination Programme to contain the spread of the deadly virus and ensure herd immunity.
Allow me to take this opportunity to thank various partners and friends of Zimbabwe including the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation and the Republic of India, for their support to our vaccination programme.
Citizens are assured that the efficacy of the vaccines we have rolled out has been duly considered and approved by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe. I, therefore call upon the people of our great nation to go out in their numbers and get vaccinated.
No one is safe until everyone is safe. Fellow Zimbabweans, As the Second Republic, we will never betray that which made the many sons and daughters of our motherland wage the protracted liberation struggle, paying the supreme sacrifice.
We will always protect the significance and sacred spirituality of our land. Therefore, the signing of the Global Compensation Agreement on 29 July 2020 is a re-affirmation of the irreversibility of land as well as a symbol of our commitment to constitutionalism, the respect of the rule of law and property rights.
As Zimbabweans, we must now all work together for increased production, productivity and profitability of the agriculture sector. Following successive seasons of drought, it is encouraging that the 2020/2021 summer cropping season was characterised by normal to above normal rainfall.
The swift implementation of the Presidential Climate Proofed Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme, Presidential Input Support Scheme, Command Agriculture, Presidential Horticulture Programme and respective initiatives by farmers have yielded commendable results.
These interventions, coupled with timely provision of extension services, will see the country attain a bumper harvest this season.
Treasury has set aside ZW$60 billion for the timely payment of farmers by the Grain Marketing Board.
The usual grain collection depots will be complemented by mobile and fixed collection points throughout the country. Pertaining to livestock, the Presidential Climate Proofed Livestock Scheme will see the increase of the national herd through an intensified artificial insemination programme, distribution of tick grease and the widespread renovation of dip tanks across the country.
The government continues to facilitate agricultural mechanisation for our farmers at affordable cost, towards the success of our agriculture revolution, improving production, productivity and profitability.
As a result of the good rains, there has been a significant improvement in water levels in dams across the country. This gives impetus for the implementation of the National Accelerated Irrigation Rehabilitation and Development Programme as well as the Smallholder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme.
To this end, we are speeding up the rate of completion of dams, with Marovanyati and Causeway dams having so far been completed.
GwayiShangani Dam will be completed by year-end. Fellow Zimbabweans, Despite altered economic growth projections due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the reform agenda under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme realised indisputable successes.
The successor programme, the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1), is now underway. The translation of NDS1 into 16 languages will enhance national vision sharing and robust implementation of the NDS 1 strategy.
My Government continues to realise budget surpluses. Inflation, which had become a major source of macroeconomic instability, is being contained. The foreign currency auction system has also enhanced transparency and accountability in the distribution and use of foreign currency.
I call upon Zimbabweans to exercise prudence and discipline towards the attainment of broader financial and economic stability in our country.
The manufacturing sector has remained resilient to the pertinent shocks presented by the imposition of illegal sanctions, natural disasters and now the COVID-19 pandemic.
Locally produced goods and commodities now constitute a larger share of our country’s market shelves. In line with Government’s private sector-led development we applaud the Industry for its positive response to the Local Content Strategy.
This is reflective of the positive national sentiments on our economic growth potential, anchored on the Second Republic’s consistent and predictable policy environment.
The resuscitation of strategic industries such as fertilizer, iron and steel, pharmaceuticals, textiles and clothing, leather manufacturing, as well as food and beverages is being accelerated. In order for Zimbabwe to penetrate global value chains, efforts are underway to structurally transform the economy from an exporter of predominantly primary products to higher nodes of industrial development.
These positive developments come at a time when the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) has come into effect. It offers vast opportunities for the country to intensify its trade and exports drive.
The introduction of the Border Efficiency Management System will see reduced congestion and enhanced efficiencies at our ports of entry. In addition to the above, my Government will continue to facilitate market access across all sectors as well as increased participation in our economy, by the Zimbabwean Diaspora.
The mining industry is projected to rebound by 11% this year. Guided by the Strategy to achieve a US$12 billion mining industry by 2023, programmes that include increased exploration, expansion of existing mining projects, resuscitation of closed mines, the opening of new mines, mineral beneficiation and value addition are being prioritised.
Provinces and communities are urged to maintain a keen interest in these mining development projects to prop up Provincial GDPs, create employment and improve the quality of life of our people.
Fellow Zimbabweans; Since 2020, the Energy and Power Sector has witnessed relative stability in the supply of electricity and liquid petroleum products. Our quest to realise energy sufficiency is, therefore on course.
At the Hwange Power Station, the expansion project of Unit 7 and Unit 8, which is set to add 600 MW to the national grid, is now at 61% of completion. Meanwhile, a 280 MW capacity will be restored into the national grid when the overhaul of Unit 3 and refurbishment of Unit 6 is completed.
Following the approval of a US$310 million Facility from India Exim Bank, work to extend the lifespan of the Power Station is expected to commence in earnest. With regards to hydro power generation, the significant water inflows into Lake Kariba are set to guarantee adequate power availability from the Kariba Power Station. Informed by the Renewable Energy Policy and Bio-Fuels Policy, my Government is promoting private sector investments in the sector.
To this end, an Independent Power Producer, Zimbabwe Zhongxin Electrical Energy is working on a 50 MW thermal power plant in Hwange, which is now 97% complete. In addition, eleven renewable energy projects have been commissioned and are feeding power into the national grid, with eight others generating power for own consumption.
The construction of a 6 million litre Ethanol Storage Facility and a 500 metric tonne LPG Depot in Mabvuku are underway. Our country is encouraged and optimistic about the immense possibilities as a result of oil and gas exploration in Muzarabani.
This project will broaden the country’s energy matrix and have far reaching benefits to the economy as a whole. Fellow Citizens; The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dire effect on the country’s tourism sector.
However, the ongoing National Vaccination Programme offers hope for revival. Incentives are being offered to increase domestic tourism under the Tourism ZimBhoo Campaign, including the provision of a Government Guarantee to improve access to finance, for further development of the sector.
New tourism resorts and a wider array of tourism products are being rolled out in line with provincial comparative advantages and endowments.
The protection of the environment remains a key policy thrust of the 2nd Republic. The preservation of wetlands, Zero Tolerance to Litter, curtailment of pollution, and sound legislation to stop the decimation of forests, remain critical.
Zimbabwe has managed to grow its wildlife population. However, Government is concerned about the increasing number of cases of human wildlife conflict. Consultations are underway with the view of developing a comprehensive policy on this matter.
The quest by our country to trade wildlife resources for the benefit of communities is ongoing. Sound national infrastructures are essential building blocks for sustainable economic development and growth.
With bolts and bars, brick upon brick and stone upon stone, we are rebuilding our great country. We are harnessing and effectively deploying our local resources and human capital to upgrade and modernise the country’s infrastructure.
The heavy rains received across the country have taken their toll on our roads, bridges and other infrastructure. In response, Government has launched Phase 2 of the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme for the urgent rehabilitation of roads throughout all provinces.
The upgrading and expansion of the Harare-Beitbridge highway as well as rehabilitation, improvement and widening of sections of the Chirundu highway are progressing well.
Government is continually replenishing the ZUPCO fleet towards the resuscitation of the public transport sector. As we move towards Vision 2030, air connectivity is equally important.
Hence, the rehabilitation, refurbishment and expansion of airstrips such as Binga in Matabeleland North and Chapoto in Mashonaland Central provinces, among others, are ongoing. Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) are an integral part in our country’s drive to become a knowledgebased economy and indeed in the fourth industrial revolution. The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated the need for our country to urgently enhance its competences and capabilities in this sector.
All sectors are therefore urged to leverage on the recently launched National Data Centre to further spur innovations that increase operational efficiencies and improve service delivery.
Fellow Zimbabweans, The provision of health, water and sanitation, education and public transport, among others, remain at the core of our country’s social development policies. Accordingly, my Government’s health sector reforms have resulted in improved regulation, accountability, transparency and work ethic within the sector.
Devolution funds have enabled the construction of suitable Primary and Secondary Health Care and education facilities throughout the country.
Work is underway towards the establishment of specialist medical facilities, including in prime tourist resorts.
Under the Second Republic, a relevant education system remains key to sustainable socio-economic development and the achievement of Vision 2030. Informed by our heritage-based philosophy, unique country needs and realities as well as the broader global perspectives, the study of science-related fields is being encouraged.
To date, Innovation Hubs and Industrial Parks within our tertiary institutions are producing goods and services with far-reaching national and economic implications.
Programmes to cushion vulnerable members of society, certain sectors of the economy and food-insecure households in both rural and urban areas continue to be availed.
Furthermore, disability mainstreaming must be pursued across all sectors as informed by the National Disability Policy. This includes seeking greater inclusion and empowerment of persons living with disabilities and the realisation of their improved quality of life.
The licensing of six privately-owned television stations and six language-based community radio stations is a demonstration of my Government’s commitment to upholding the constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of expression and freedom of the media.
It is my expectation that these new players will project the much-needed diversity and plurality in the broadcasting sector. I further urge the new entrants to always advance national identity, patriotism, peace, unity, production and productivity towards the prosperity of our great country.
Our devolution and decentralisation agenda is gaining traction and changing the landscape of many districts. It is pleasing to note that devolution funds in excess of ZW$1 billion have been disbursed to Local Authorities for various community projects which cascade down to the Ward level.
Women, youth and SMEs have a pivotal role in society and are emerging as important players in sectors such as agriculture and mining. Their empowerment and financial inclusion remain a priority.
However, Government notes with concern the spike in gender-based violence, child abuse and other heinous social crimes. Perpetrators have no place in our society and must be duly and timely punished by our justice system.
Citizens across Provinces and Districts are urged to take advantage of the decentralised Court system to access justice delivery within their communities.
Regarding youth development and empowerment, Government successfully reviewed the National Youth Policy and has reintroduced the National Youth Training Programme.
These provide a broad framework for the empowerment of youth in a comprehensive, coordinated and multi-sectoral manner. The new focus will see the nurturing of young people who are technically skilled and knowledgeable, patriotic, honest and hard-working.
It is envisaged that the refocused programme will inculcate a sense of national identity and the spirit of volunteerism among the youth, for the good of the country.
I would like to commend the First Lady, Amai A. Mnangagwa and the Angel of Hope Foundation for implementing various humanitarian programmes and projects across the country, towards nurturing respect, discipline and a greater appreciation of our culture and heritage, among the youth.
Her work with regards to tourism and health advocacy is equally appreciated. Sports, arts, culture and other recreational activities contribute towards improved livelihoods, well-being, health, education, inclusion, peace and national cohesion.
The country celebrates the notable milestones registered in the sporting fraternity, including repairs to the National Sports, Barbourfields and Sakubva Stadia; qualification by the National Soccer Team the Warriors to the 2022 African Cup of Nations, and the winning of the African Boxing Union title, among others.
Stakeholders in the sporting sector are challenged to pursue innovative and robust methods of financing and development of the various sporting disciplines. Fellow Zimbabweans, Commemoration of our National Independence Day is in essence a celebration of the victory attained in the liberation struggle fought by our gallant sons and daughters of the soil.
The importance of protecting the gains of this hard-won Independence can, therefore, not be over-emphasised. It, therefore, comes as a befitting honour to construct the iconic statue of Mbuya Nehanda in Harare.
The monument will be a permanent reminder and towering statement of motivation for future generations on the importance of serving the country wholeheartedly and defending it with unflinching patriotism and loyalty.
In the same tone, the Liberation War Museum will be constructed. On the Arts and Recreation front, the Government is implementing the Cultural and Creative Industries Strategy in partnership with various stakeholders.
At the Continental level, Zimbabwe takes pride in having launched the Africa Fact Book, in September 2020, which is the first-ever publication that tells the African story from an African perspective.
The country is also honoured to be the home of the Museum of African Liberation. Fellow Zimbabweans, Government has introduced Performance Contracts for Heads of Ministries to ensure accountability, transparency and the speedy attainment of targets set in the NDS1.
Performance Contracts will also be rolled out to State Enterprises, Parastatals and Local Authorities. Meanwhile, Government remains committed to improving the working conditions of its valued workers in the public sector.
In line with section 212 of the Constitution, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, together with other members of the security sector, is commended for their vigilance and unwavering commitment to the protection of our national sovereignty, security, interests and territorial integrity. Under the National Development Strategy 1, our foreign policy remains deeply rooted and informed by our national interests and the Engagement and re-engagement as well as the Pan-African ethos.
My Government is pursuing economic diplomacy for the advancement and economic prosperity of our country.
Our arms remain outstretched to be a friend to all and an enemy of none, as we strive towards the realisation of a more peaceful, united and prosperous world.
Fellow Citizens, As we commemorate this year’s 41st Independence Celebrations, let us look back at the previous years with great pride and joy. More importantly, however, let us look forward to the years ahead with a bright flame of hope for the next generation.
We have begun this new decade of our Independence with greater determination, resolve and confidence to achieve the Vision we set out for ourselves.
A Vision of an empowered people with a higher standard of living. A Vision of a thriving and prosperous economy, which plays its part within the comity of nations. Together, let us unite in our purpose, collate our potential and walk together hand-in-hand towards our common destiny.
Through hard honest work and our trust in God Almighty, there is no limit to what our country can achieve, as we build the Zimbabwe we all want.
I once again congratulate all Zimbabweans at home and abroad, on the occasion of this, our country’s forty-first Independence Day. Congratulations, Makorokoto, Amhlophe. Long Live Our Independence!
Long Live Our Unity, Peace and Freedom! Long Live Zimbabwe! God bless you all. God bless Zimbabwe. I thank you

Press Statement

By A Correspondent- At least 212 children have tested positive to Covid-19 at two boarding schools in Zimbabwe since Friday as the government appealed for help to combat the disease.

Information secretary Nick Mangwana yesterday said 120 learners at St David’s Bonda High School in Manicaland had tested positive to Covid-19, leading to the postponement of the children’s party to celebrate Independence Day.

Health ministry officials in the province were not available to give more details about the outbreak.

At Embakwe High School in Matabeleland South, 91 people, including students and teachers, tested positive following mass testing on Friday.

The outbreak at Embakwe in Plumtree followed the detection of Covid-19 cases at Sacred Heart Girls High School and Mzingwane High School in Umzingwane late last month.

Matabeleland South provincial medical director Rudo Chikodzere said the Embakwe cases were detected after a pupil visited a clinic exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms.

“It is a boarding school; the testing came after a pupil fell sick and was taken to the clinic,” Chikodzere told The Standard yesterday.

“The pupil, who is a day scholar, tested positive to the virus.

“The whole class, who formed the pupil’s immediate contacts, were tested and then the whole school.

“This is where 91 cases were confirmed out of about 500 pupils.”

Primary and Secondary Education minister Cain Mathema appealed to parents and guardians to inform school heads of any developments or signs that a child is not well.

“The ministry is also appealing and urging parents to report to the school heads of any relatives showing signs of Covid-19,” Mathema said in a statement.

“The fight against Covid-19 in schools, whether boarding or day, requires full participation of parents and all families.

“It is not a crime that we report signs of Covid-19. It is the duty of every family to work with school heads and the health officials.”

He added: “No school alone can fight Covid-19. Please let us all join hands in the fight against Covid-19 in schools.

“No family should spread Covid-19 because of fear of reporting signs among family members and in reporting you are protecting your child, your family, your neighbours and the whole country.”

Schools reopened last month after they were closed for over two months following the outbreak of a deadly Covid-19 second wave in January.

The government was accused of failing to prepare schools adequately for reopening with most institutions struggling to enforce World Health Organisation regulations to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Last week the government said boarders would not be allowed to go home for the long weekend as part of efforts to minimise the spread of the virus.

Zimbabwe first recorded Covid-19 cases in March last year and as of Friday the country has recorded 37 534 cases with 34 981 recoveries and 1 551 deaths.-statemedia

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the gruesome murder of two grade-1 pupils in Nyanga District about five days ago.

The two suspects, Solomon Munyama (48) and Passmore Kumbirai Sambaza (age not given) are accused of having murdered Dilan and Melissa Benza of Sambaza Village, in Nyanga on Tuesday last week.

The two grade one pupils were allegedly killed in cold blood on their way home from Mbaza Primary School and their bodies were found the following day dumped in a disused toilet at an abandoned homestead after searchers followed a trail of blood.

Melissa and Daniel Benza, both aged seven from Sambaza Village in Nyanga, were killed on a 4km walk from their school.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the arrested suspects are now assisting with investigations.

He said:

The suspects are now assisting police with investigations._

The editor of The Sunday Mail, a state-run paper, Victoria Ruzvidzo, has come under fire for calling Nelson Chamisa who leads opposition MDC Alliance a little errant child.

Ruzvidzo made the remarks while interviewing President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently. She said:

An errant child would get a bit of a sjambok to whip them into line, either physically or through other measures, maybe counselling. What are we doing with this child of ours, Nelson Chamisa?

Commenting on Ruzvidzo’s remarks, award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker, Hopewell Chin’ono said her speech was devoid of journalism ethics.

Chin’ono said:

It is shocking and professionally unacceptable that the editor of the @SundayMailZim, Victoria Ruzvidzo, would equate @nelsonchamisa to a little kid that needs a sjambok! It just shows how deplorable this regime and its surrogates have descended from the gutter into the sewer!

UK-based law lecturer, Alex Magaisa said the remarks reminds of the colonial era when African males, no matter their age, were called boys by Europeans.

He said:

“An errant child would get a bit of a sjambok to whip them into line, either physically or through other measures, maybe counselling. What are we doing with this child of ours, Nelson Chamisa?” says the editor of state paper @SundayMailZim Victoria RuzvidzoThere’s so much that’s wrong with this. For a start, the irony is that the Black man was regarded as a “boy” during colonial times & in an interview to commemorate independence the editor of a state paper describes the opposition leader as a “child”, literally a boy!Mnangagwa instinctively raises his head and looks up, and probably grins underneath that mask but he realises the gaffe & by referring to “Mr Chamisa”, he tries to distance himself from the derogatory image. But he missed an opportunity to show leadership.A leader would have been more forthright in bringing the interviewer to order; to tell her it’s inappropriate to call his political opponent supported by millions a “child”. Victoria probably thinks she did a fine job. And we haven’t even talked about the violence!I don’t know what the “biblical code” or is it “cord” that Mnangagwa was on about! He probably meant “umbilical cord”, but as this was a pre-recorded interview, one wonders whether someone was out to embarrass the man. Mugabe had some rambling interviews but this? Disaster!

By A Correspondent- A one year old girl allegedly fell in a 30 metre deep well and drowned while following her father at Charles claim mine, Bindura on Wednesday.

Acting Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Naison Dhliwayo confirmed the sudden death of Winet Denis.

“I can confirm a sudden death by drowning of a one year old girl who fell into a deep well in a bid to follow her father who had left her in the custody of her 15 year old brother,” Dhliwayo said.

It is further alleged that the brother discovered the deceased’s lifeless body in the well and retrieved it.

When the father came he saw the corpse and filed a police report.

Police warned people to protect their wells and to keep an eye on minors to avoid unnecessary loss of life.

Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has pointed out that the clueless Zanu PF regime is unwilling to implement key national reforms.

President Chamisa also took a swipe at the cornered regime for using draconian laws to thwart democratic processes in the country.

According to President Chamisa, Mr Mnangagwa’s administration is trampling on the fundamental values of the liberation struggle.

The MDC Alliance leader also implored youths in the country to remain optimistic about freedom from Zanu PF oppression.

Watch video below:

Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has pointed out that the clueless Zanu PF regime is unwilling to implement key national reforms.

President Chamisa also took a swipe at the cornered regime for using draconian laws to thwart democratic processes in the country.

According to President Chamisa, Mr Mnangagwa’s administration is trampling on the fundamental values of the liberation struggle.

The MDC Alliance leader also implored youths in the country to remain optimistic about freedom from Zanu PF oppression.

Watch video below:

Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has pointed out that the clueless Zanu PF regime is unwilling to implement key national reforms.

President Chamisa also took a swipe at the cornered regime for using draconian laws to thwart democratic processes in the country.

According to President Chamisa, Mr Mnangagwa’s administration is trampling on the fundamental values of the liberation struggle.

The MDC Alliance leader also implored youths in the country to remain optimistic about freedom from Zanu PF oppression.

Watch video below:

Emmerson Mnangagwa must be reminded that he is not the rightful character to call for any dialogue meaningful dialogue.

His brandishing of our leadership as unpatriotic and Western porns is a tired lie monotonously used since the inception of MDC as an alternative to disruptive politics of ZANU PF.

Cowardly rants by Mr Mnangagwa in his Independence Day message only helps to expose him as an irresponsible character who runs away from responsibilities- a bad father who blames next door neighbors for his own shortcomings!

Mnangagwa must be reminded that his blame shifting politics is not a solution to the rot eating away our livelihoods.

It is Mr Mnangagwa’s government that invited sanctions for themselves by sending the military in broad daylight to butcher innocent civilians on 01 August 2021.

Who in his right senses from the family of progressive nations would want to engage a barbaric regime that abducts, torture and sexually abuse women as was the case with Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.

In his little imaginary world, Mnangagwa thinks democracy is all about President Nelson Chamisa joining his useless poisoned chalice, POLAD.

Mnangagwa can not school us about democracy when the likes of Makomborero Haruzivishe, Ngonidzashe Mupfumba, Vongai Tome and others are languishing in prisons for speaking truth to power.

Mnangagwa’s regime has exhibited terrorist tendencies towards its own people.

No sane individuals dialogue with terrorists and the MDC Alliance leadership has done well by not joining Mnangagwa’s nod-heading platform.

As we mourn the death of our freedoms 41 years after independence, Mnangagwa must be warned that he must reform or face the same fate as that of other oppressive regimes of past like Ian Smith’s regime.

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has pointed out that the clueless Zanu PF regime is unwilling to implement key national reforms.

President Chamisa also took a swipe at the cornered regime for using draconian laws to thwart democratic processes in the country.

According to President Chamisa, Mr Mnangagwa’s administration is trampling on the fundamental values of the liberation struggle.

The MDC Alliance leader also implored youths in the country to remain optimistic about freedom from Zanu PF oppression.

Watch video below:

By A Correspondent-Six-year-old Buhera twins, Takudzwa and Tanyaradzwa Machaka were last Monday burnt to death in a house in which they were sleeping.

The Machaka Village of chief Nerutanga’s area in Buhera twin were sleeping with their mother when the house caught fire.

The family lost all its clothes, blankets and harvested crop in the fire.

Manicaland Police Spokesperson Inspector Luxson Chananda could not be reached for comment.

Sources said that the hut which served as both the kitchen and bedroom caught fire at around 930pm when Melody Zimbondi (31) was sleeping with her four children Rumbidzai Chikomo (13), Takudzwa (6), Tanyaradzwa (6) and Tinotenda Machaka (3).

Zimbondi woke up to choking smoke and realized that the hut was on fire. She called out neighbours who managed to rescue Rumbidzai and Tinotenda who were, however, seriously burnt and are in critical condition.
The twins could not be retrieved from the hut as the fire intensified and they were burnt beyond recognition.

Zimbondi sustained some burns and Rumbidzai and Tinotenda were rushed to Murambinda Hospital.

By A Correspondent -The MDC renegade, Douglas Mwonzora has commented following serious allegations by a presidential bodyguard, who says he insulted his deputy Thokozani Khupe stating that she is Emmerson Mnangagwa’s “hure”- prostitute.

Mr Kudzanai Mashumba blew up in anger on Saturday over outstanding salaries. The latter said he has not been paid since the beginning of last year. 

Speaking to ZimEye on Sunday morning, Sen Douglas Mwonzora said: “I have no knowledge of the allegations. I have never spoken about what Mashumba is saying. I don’t know anything about Khupe’s sexual relationship with anyone. ” What I noticed however was that Mr Mashumba was very drunk.

Efforts to get a comment from Mr Mnangagwa over the matter were fruitless.

By Simba Chikanza | A bank Chief Executive Officer’s wife who was assaulted by the husband in front of her daughter, and then went missing, has resurfaced 6 weeks after being abducted at her home following the publishing of a ZimEye story that shows how she was floored by Mr Ronald Mutandagayi, the ZB bank boss, their daughter watching the violence. After this ordeal became public, she was accused by some family members including a few colleagues of being a drug addict, which allegation both the accused and his backers used to explain the circumstances surrounding violent attack. (The commentators who claimed eye witness accounts, alleged that Ronald Mutandagayi is a reasonable man who was only pushed to the edge.)

Loveness Mutandagayi speaks to ZimEye at midnight, Saturday… VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

By A Correspondent- Doctors have sucessifully removed a two-centimetre needle that broke inside Holton Mpala’s palm, a Form Four pupil at Ndlovu Secondary School outside Victoria Falls.

The needle had been in the boy’s palm for over five months.

Holton is an orphan who stays with his paternal grandparents in Ndlovu Village under Chief Mvuthu and has not been going to school because of the pain which had rendered his left hand almost “useless”. He initially spent over three months being attended to at Mpilo Central Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals but doctors had failed to remove the needle after two operations.

His grandmother Ms Senzeni Nyathi last month took him back home as the family appealed for help to take him to Livingstone, Zambia where they had been assured that he could be operated on and the needle removed. Mpilo Central Hospital acting chief executive Professor Solwayo Ngwenya, however, said there was no need for the boy to go to Zambia. Holton then returned to Mpilo where a successful operation was done on Friday.

Ms Nyathi confirmed that her grandson successfully had the needle removed and was waiting for review on Wednesday when he would be cleared to return to school

“We are so happy and thankful to God. They finally managed to see the needle and remove it. They gave us the needle and it is big. He has not been doing any work at all because the pain was unbearable. We want to thank God and everyone who has been helping with money, ideas and other resources especially our local councillor, Givemeagain Moyo who has been running around,” said an excited Ms Nyathi.

In Zambia they would have paid about US$430 for X-ray, surgical operation, medication, transport and accommodation.

“I have been with them and we travelled together to Bulawayo and while it was tough, we are happy that finally it has been removed and he is recovering at home,” said Clr Moyo.

Holton was injured on 22 November last year while washing his school uniform. The needle was on the shirt and he accidentally got pricked and it broke inside his left palm. His younger brother had used a needle and left it on the shirt.

-Sunday News

By James Gwati- The panicking Emmerson Mnangagwa regime has deployed armed police details in the Central Business District and high-density suburbs in fear of a possible mass protest by the opposition MDC-Alliance.

The decision by Mnangagwa to deploy armed police followed Friday’s statement by his Home Affairs Minister, Kazembe Kazembe, that the Nelson Chamisa led MDC-Alliance could today stage a mass protest in the capital.

“My ministry has directed the Commissioner-General of Police (Godwin Matanga) to take action on some political activists, individuals and civic organisations being fronted by the MDC Alliance and have openly threatened to engage in a series of illegal demonstrations dubbed ‘The Winter Jest’,” Kazembe told journalists on Friday.

“The police and other security services will be on high alert and ready to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. May I warn those who are planning and coordinating these illegal demonstrations that the law will take its course.

“Any errant child would get a bit of sjambok to whip them into line either physically or through other measures maybe counselling, what are WE doing with this child Nelson”

By James Gwati-Japan has secured President Emmerson Mnangagwa who is failing to provide food and social services to the 16 million people and extended US$ 1.25 million towards feeding the food insecure country.

The Japanese government did channel the much-needed assistance last week through the World Food Program.

In a joint statement with WFP, the Japanese ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Satoshi Tanaka, said the support from Japan will assist 11,080 people in building community and household assets in the districts of Mount Darwin and Matobo.

He said part of the money will be used to construct small dams, fish ponds, dip tanks, and irrigated vegetable gardens and orchards, assets include improved fields through water conservation activities, such as by filling gullies, making terraces or soil bunds, and planting trees.

Young musician Herman Makombe has received an educational scholarship from President Emmerson Mnangagwa that will take him through to University level.

Herman performed at the Children’s Independence Party.

By A Correspondent| Roland Russell Stephens, the medical missionary who worked hard to bring Karanda Mission hospital to where it is today has died at the age of 91.

Dr Stephens died on the 14th of April at home in Springfield, Ohio.

He had recently moved to Ohio to be near his grandchildren, having lived for most of his working life in Berrien Springs and at Karanda Mission Hospital in Zimbabwe.

Roland was born Jan. 24, 1930, in Elmhurst, Ill. to Mary G. (Thompson) and Russell William Stephens. At the age of 4 he moved to a farm near Lakeview, Mich., where he graduated from Lakeview High School in 1947.

He graduated from Bob Jones University in 1951, from the University of Illinois with a master’s degree 1952, and from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1956. Following an internship in Lansing, Mich., Roland entered a surgical residency at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, Tenn. After finishing his residency he joined a medical group at Berrien General Hospital, a group that was soon to become the Southwestern Medical Clinic. He went on to become a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. During his career he was honored for his medical and missionary work by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare/Zimbabwean Government in 2013, by the Medical and Dental Society in 2014, receiving the David Stewart Memorial Reward for missionary service, and by the American College of Surgeons in 2018, receiving the Surgical Humanitarian of the Year reward.

On June 8, 1951, Roland married Kathleen Harriet Hoff and their family was blessed with four sons: Mark, Daniel, Brian and Joel. In 1962, the Stephens family left for Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe, Africa) where Roland was a medical missionary at the Gunderson-Horness Mission Hospital (now Karanda Mission Hospital) until 1978.

Roland’s family returned to the USA and Roland continued to work with the Southwestern Medical Clinic while the liberation struggle continued on in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. When he retired from SWMC in 1995 he returned to Karanda Mission Hospital, joining his son Daniel, who was now a general surgeon and medical director of Karanda. During the interval between 1978-1995 he worked one year at Tenwek Hospital in Kenya and did other short term trips, including trips to Rwanda and Bangladesh. Roland and Kathy worked at Karanda Mission Hospital until 2013 when he entered final retirement at the age of 83.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Kathy; and son, Joel.

Surviving are sons: Mark (Shirley, Stephen, Karen), Daniel (Julie, William, Wesley, Jason, David) and Brian (Susan, Amanda, Anna, Luke, Abigail, Allie); grandchildren’s spouses and 13 great-grandchildren. His siblings: Loraleen Peg (Peggy) Stevens, Gertrude (Trudy) Kim and Herbert Stephens and their spouses also survive.

Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, April 21, with funeral services at 11 a.m. at Berrien Center Bible Church in Berrien Center, followed by a graveside service at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in Niles.

Two lawyer groupings are preparing to challenge the passing of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 1) Bill in parliament last Tuesday, a move which potentially derails Chief Justice Luke Malaba’s controversial plan to extend his tenure.

The extension plan is linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 2023 re-election bid.

Malaba seemed on course for a politically and constitutionally problematic extension of his tenure after high-level official interventions and the passing of the Bill, which is now awaiting Mnangagwa’s assent.

Constitutional Amendment (No.1) Bill, among other things, seeks to allow the President to appoint the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and Judge President without subjecting them to the open selection process and public interviews.

This will allow Mnangagwa to retain Malaba at the helm of the judiciary after the approval of Constitutional Amendment (No.2) Bill, which is set to be railroaded through parliament, to enable Malaba to serve when he is over 70.

The NewsHawks is however reliably informed that lawyers linked to Veritas in Harare and Abameli in Bulawayo  will challenge the passing of the Bill on a number of fronts, including the supremacy of the constitution as enshrined in section 2. They will also argue that sections 147 and 328 of the constitution were violated in passing the Bill.

Malaba, by operation of law, ceases to be chief justice at midnight on 15 May when he turns 70.
The Bill was initially passed in August 2017 and published as law on 7 September 2017.

However, legislators Jessie Majome, who is now a Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission commissioner, and Innocent Gonese challenged the process in the Constitutional Court, arguing the Bill should have been passed after two-thirds affirmative votes by membership of each house, in line with section 328 (5) of the constitution.

However, at its last reading in the Senate on 1 August 2017, it received 53 affirmative votes whereas the full membership of the Senate is 80. A two-thirds majority meant that at least 54 senators should have voted for the Bill.

The Constitutional Court sat on 31 January 2018 to hear the case, only to pass judgement 31 March 2020.

In a judgement written by Malaba, the court concurred that a two-thirds majority was not met in the Senate.

The Chief Justice and his colleagues, however, did not just make a simple declaration that the Bill had not been validly passed by Parliament – which would have meant that the resulting Act and anything done under it were also invalid.

Instead, it saw fit to suspend its declaration of invalidity for 180 days to allow the Senate to conduct another Third Reading which, again, is set to be challenged by lawyers.

The lawyers will argue that the Bill should have been declared null and void after failing to meet requirements of section 328 (5) of the constitution which requires a two-thirds majority for it to pass.

“They will also argue that section 147 of the constitution was violated when the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.1) Bill was passed because it straddled two different lives of parliament, which is unconstitutional,” a lawyer said.

The Bill straddled the eighth parliament which ran from 2013 to midnight on Sunday 29 July 2018, and the currently running ninth parliament, whose tenure ends in 2023.

Section 147 of the constitution reads:
“On the dissolution of parliament, all proceedings pending at the time are terminated, and every Bill, motion, petition and other business lapses.”

When parliament, is dissolved all unconcluded bills are liquidated. If the executive wants to push through a Bill, it has to be first reintroduced in the new parliament.

However, with Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 1) Bill, the executive picked up from where it had left in the life of the eighth parliament.

-Newshawks

Tinashe Sambiri|Zimbabwe is in the hands of cruel people, MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

President Chamisa was commenting on the arrest, torture and persecution of young Harare political activist, Lengwani Mavhunga.

Mavhunga was tortured and burnt by government agents on Thursday after being arrested for attending MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala’s court session.

” Our country is in the hands of the cruel. This must end! Together we must fix our broken politics,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

Prominent human rights lawyer Doug Coltart also condemned the persecution of Mavhunga:

“Please spare a thought and a prayer this evening for Legwani Mavhunga who was tortured while in police custody, arrested for showing solidarity at court for @JobSikhala1. He is now being admitted to hospital. This is not the Zimbabwe we want.”

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

For the economy to succeed, you don’t need the political government to be correct, you need everybody to share contribute and become the stakeholders of the vision

Tinashe Sambiri|Zimbabwe is in the hands of cruel people, MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

President Chamisa was commenting on the arrest, torture and persecution of young Harare political activist, Lengwani Mavhunga.

Mavhunga was tortured and burnt by government agents on Thursday after being arrested for attending MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala’s court session.

” Our country is in the hands of the cruel. This must end! Together we must fix our broken politics,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

Prominent human rights lawyer Doug Coltart also condemned the persecution of Mavhunga:

“Please spare a thought and a prayer this evening for Legwani Mavhunga who was tortured while in police custody, arrested for showing solidarity at court for @JobSikhala1. He is now being admitted to hospital. This is not the Zimbabwe we want.”

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Tinashe Sambiri|Zimbabwe is in the hands of cruel people, MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

President Chamisa was commenting on the arrest, torture and persecution of young Harare political activist, Lengwani Mavhunga.

Mavhunga was tortured and burnt by government agents on Thursday after being arrested for attending MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala’s court session.

” Our country is in the hands of the cruel. This must end! Together we must fix our broken politics,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

Prominent human rights lawyer Doug Coltart also condemned the persecution of Mavhunga:

“Please spare a thought and a prayer this evening for Legwani Mavhunga who was tortured while in police custody, arrested for showing solidarity at court for @JobSikhala1. He is now being admitted to hospital. This is not the Zimbabwe we want.”

By A Correspondent| City of Harare has lost over 200 hectares of prime land after being hoodwinked into a joint venture agreement with an Estonian registered company owned by controversial land developer and businessman Kenneth Raydon Sharpe for the construction of houses, a hotel and truck in among other planned projects.

The agreement which was signed in 2007 has not materialized to this day as the Sharpe’s company Augur Investments OU has not honoured its pledge to contribute between US$20 and US$30 Million into the deal.

This is contained in a High Court challenge filed by an organisation called Homeless People Federation together with former City of Harare Councilor Warship Dumba and Knowledge Tinashe Kwambana, a Harare resident.

The litigants want the Memorandum of Understanding and the Shareholder Agreement between Sharpe and Harare that culminated in the formation of Sunshine Development Private limited to be declared null and void.

In their High Court challenge, the litigants said the joint venture agreement was just a corrupt vehicle to extract land from the City of Harare by Sharpe.

According to the court challenge seen by ZimEye, the joint venture resulted in a 70-30 share agreement between Augur Investments and City of Harare with the former getting the lion’s share.

As part of the joint venture agreement, City of Harare was expected to contribute land amounting to 99,4197 hectares.

But the litigants felt the agreement prejudiced City of Harare since the value of land it contributed was over US$45 Million as per an independent valuation done by Mike Juru of Intergrated Properties Private Limited.

With indications that Harare ended up transferring 239,3823 hectares, the litigants questioned the logic of City of Harare continuing with an agreement which was tilted in favour of Sharpe.

Dumba wants to know how the 70-30 shareholding agreement was arrived at as it is not explained in the Memorandum of Agreement.

“Besides the above obvious corruption, there is no explanation in the Memorandum of Agreement or in the Shareholder’s Agreement why the shareholding structure is 70 to 30 in favour of Augur Investments OU,” said Dumba.

Dumba also questioned the criterion used to select Augur Investments to be development parter of the City of Harare.

“There was no defined criterion as to why Augur Investments OU was selected to be the development partner of the City of Harare,” reads Dumba’s High Court challenge.

Dumba and his co-litigants also poked holes in the registration and existence of Augur Investments which is registered in Estonia as opposed to Ukraine as indicated in the Memorandum of Understanding signed with City of Harare.

“The Augur Investments itself is a fraud. The Memorandum of Understanding signed on the 22nd of June 2007 with the City of Harare refers to Augur Ltd a company registered in Ukraine,

“On the contrary the Shareholders Agreement refers to Augur Investments Pty Ltd as a company registered in Estonia,” further reads Dumba’s Court challenge.

A Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) investigation also showed that Augur Investments was not Ukrainian but Estonian and its address was questionable as it showed a flat in an industrial area.

“Although it claims to be a Ukrainian company, investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-corruption Commission show that in fact it was registered in Estonia as an Estonian company. And according to papers filed in the Estonian Registry, Augur Investments OU lists Ranakupst 12 Tallin 10917 Estonia as its physical address. However this address is more flat in an industrial area in Tallin the capital city of Estonia,” said Dumba.

More worrying to Dumba and his co-litigants was the fact that City of Harare negotiated and agreed to a deal with a non-existent company which according to the Commercial Registrar of Estonia was registered on 7 September 2007 which was a day before the Memorandum of Understanding was signed.

“The shareholders Agreement between Augur Investments and the City of Harare which created the Joint Venture Sunshine Development Pvt Ltd was signed on the 4th of September 2007 as pointed out above. Only a day after the official registration of Augur Investments OU in the commercial Registrar of Estonia.

“This in fact means that the negotiations pertaining to the Shareholders Agreement were commenced and concluded before Augur Investments was officially registered in Estonia,” added Dumba.

He further told the court that while City of Harare did put land upfront, Sharpe’s Augur Investments did not put anything and to this day havent done so raising suspicions of Sunshine Development being created as a fraudulent vehicle of extracting land from the municipality.

The Joint venture agreement was expected to result in the construction of a hotel, truck inn and shopping centre among other developments.

BancABC has announced a system maintenance process that will affect all the bank’s system channels’ availability. We present the bank’s statement below.

SYSTEM MAINTENANCE NOTICE

Please be advised that we will be carrying out a scheduled system maintenance on Sunday, 18 April 2021 into Monday, 19 April 2021. All our system channels will be unavailable from 0000 hours to 0500 hours. Any inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted.

 By A Correspondent- A Zimbabwean man has appeared in a South African court to answer allegations of killing his three-year-old son following a domestic dispute.

Dzingirai Tapera (27) of Zaka, who is a migrant worker at Buiver Lodge Farm, allegedly used a pair of scissors to stab the toddler on the neck.

He appeared at the Tzaneen Magistrates Court on April 13 2021 facing a murder charge.

It is understood that Tapera had a misunderstanding with his wife who then threatened that she was leaving him and return to Zimbabwe.

He left his workplace and went home where he allegedly committed the brutal murder.

His wife, Rejoice Dzingirai reported the matter to the police, leading to his arrest.

The now-deceased was found with stab wounds on his throat, according to information supplied by Limpopo province police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF is no longer practising “old politics” and is pushing committedly for unity and tolerance among all Zimbabweans, party spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo has said.

Speaking to the Daily News yesterday, he also assured jittery opposition leaders and their supporters that the return of the national youth service training programme would not lead to violence in the run-up to the 2023 elections.

This comes as the re-introduction of the programme has spooked many Zimbabweans who have bad memories of its recruits – who were derisively referred to as “Green Bombers” during their reign of terror between 2001 and 2009, as then president Robert Mugabe battled to retain his increasingly tenuous hold on power.

Khaya Moyo was also emphatic yesterday that President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF were practising a new kind of politics that was “very different from the past”.

“Nobody should be scared of the revival of this project. Why should people be scared of this good programme?

“This is a new dispensation. We are not living in the past and we cannot continue to live in the past.

“We need our youths to benefit from all types of training in terms of various skills. This will help them in future. They can be employers of tomorrow,” Khaya Moyo told the Daily News.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa

“Our youths must have something to do and they can’t sit at home doing nothing. The youth service programme will give them skills to do a lot of things, which will help them in future,” he added.

This comes after Cabinet announced earlier this week the re-introduction of the national youth service, much to the chagrin of opposition and pro-democracy groups.

Formed at the turn of the millennium, the previous youth training programme was the brainchild of the late Border Gezi, who was then Zanu-PF national political commissar and also Youth minister.

During that time, the youths earned notoriety for both violence and the looting of shops under the guise of enforcing the government’s price controls – while imposing unofficial curfews in areas perceived to be opposition strongholds.

Besides being accused of working with the police, army and the secret service to perpetrate human rights abuses in the country, the Green Bombers were also accused of being the vehicle which some bigwigs used to place tens of thousands of ghost workers on the government’s wage bill.

Speaking during Tuesday’s post-Cabinet press briefing, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the re-introduction of the programme had come after wide consultations.

“The proposal came as a result of consultations between the ministries of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, and Defence and War Veterans Affairs.

“Cabinet noted that national youth service is an important youth development programme which is crucial in nurturing young people into becoming responsible and resilient citizens with a clear sense of national identity and respect for national values.

“The programme is a key strategy for youth empowerment in national, regional, continental and international development guiding frameworks to which Zimbabwe is a member.

The frameworks include the Sadc Revised Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan, the African Youth Charter of 2006, the World Programme of Action on Youth, and the United Nations Youth Strategy 2030,” Mutsvangwa said.

She also said that during their training, the youths would be encouraged to participate in development projects and disaster response activities, thereby assisting in enhancing national capacity to manage disasters.

“Cabinet further agreed that under the revamped programme, vocational training centres across all provinces will focus on entrepreneurship and livelihood skills training.

“This will encompass enterprise awareness, opportunity identification, project financing, and basic farming. The Civil Protection Unit will place emphasis on disaster mitigation and management skills.

“The roll-out of the national youth service programme will involve community attachment of youths for work experience and service to various government departments and local authorities.

“The programme will also take on board the disabled, and maintain gender balance and fair regional representation, with recruitment taking place through district offices,” Mutsvangwa also said.

Meanwhile, opposition and pro-democracy groups have said that the imminent return of the Green Bombers was a bad idea as tension was rising again in the country.

MDC spokesperson Witness Dube – whose party’s supporters were terrorised by the recruits who had been converted into Mugabe and Zanu-PF’s storm troopers before the controversial project was abandoned – was among the people who told the Daily News this week that they had misgivings about the return of the training scheme.

“The return of the national youth service is a cause for consternation to our party and supporters given that it has been previously abused to further partisan interests.

“We urge the government to halt this initiative and take time to further consult with the masses if at all there is any place for it in our national youth development agenda,” he said.

MDC Alliance deputy youth assembly spokesperson, Womberai Nhende, was equally apprehensive about the return of the Green Bombers – who got their derisive name on account of their trademark army-like uniform and violent disposition.

“The mere announcement of the re-introduction of this programme sent shivers down the spines of citizens because of yester-year’s horrors when the military-trained brigade meted out terror to citizens.

“They were a brain-washed lot who were specifically used against political enemies, and in this case it’s meant to counter the MDC Alliance’s citizens’ convergence for change.

“These militiamen and women from the Border Gezi camps only serve at the mercy of their master who will be Zanu-PF, and it’s a well-calculated ploy to have institutionalised political violence come the 2023 elections,” Nhende told the Daily News.

He also bemoaned the fact that the programme, which provided militia training to about 80 000 youths at more than 150 camps throughout the country between 2001 and 2009, was being re-introduced at a time there was again high unemployment in the country.

“We don’t recommend its return because we know the modus operandi of the brigade, which will be made up of youths who will spearhead Zanu-PF’s programmes – as evidenced by the Border Gezi youths being marshals at the party’s functions in their previous operations.

“If this programme continues, we must all be prepared to endure long nights of State-sponsored terrorism by criminals who lack ideological grounding, but are indoctrinated to protect political elites in a partisan enclave,” Nhende said further.-dailynews

By A Correspondent- MDC officials have blasted Mazowe North legislator Campion Mugweni for allegedly hijacking the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO)  bus that was allocated to Mvurwi, for his publicity-seeking stunts.

The bus was allocated by the parastatal yesterday to ply Mvurwi-Harare route as police wage a war against unregistered taxis (mushika-shika)

Mugweni took the opportunity to board the bus and told residents that he had brought the bus to save them from transport problems.

MDC’s Tonderai Samhu blasted Mugweni for his actions in a residents WhatsApp group saying,” For the record Zupco bus raunzwa kuzoshandira kuMvurwi is not from Zanu-PF, neither was it brought here by Campion Mugweni the missing MP, Zupco is a state parasatal or company ikutotsvagao Mari and it identified Mvurwi Harare route as a possible money making route and for one individual or vote searching political party to move around Mvurwi town saying takuunzirai bhazi is just poor and very cheap politiking,

As mvurwi residents we appreciate the effort made by our Zupco company to assist us with transport to and from Harare

Ndazonzwa mumwe mudhara aakunyepera vanhu pamsika kuti bhazi redu rauya kuchatakurwa nekungoburitsa card remsangano,hee raunzwa na mp,iro bhazi nderedu vafambi ,we shall benefit from it and let it be known kuti harisi remahara,we will pay transport costs

Thank u zupco for finally bringing one bus after all long,thank u local media for the effort you made in advising zupco for business opportunity

Tosangana kumbare taakukwira bhazi???????,” reads Samhu’s message.

Another MDC official Evans Mangisa said Mugweni should desist from politicizing everything.

“This ZANU PF MP should desist from politicizing everything last time it was auction floors today it’s ZUPCO he ought to respect people and leave this habit and bring meaningful development.” Mangisa said.

Meanwhile, Mugweni is slowly losing popularity and is trying to hijack any opportunity that comes in his constituency.

By A Correspondent- Three Victoria Falls men have been arrested after they severely assaulted their neighbour until he lost consciousness before dumping his body in a nearby drain filled with sewage.

Mr Khaliphani Ngulube of 4873 in Chinotimba narrated to police how he was later rescued by an unidentified passerby who pulled him out of the flowing sewage and carried him home.

Mr Ngulube had approached Sibangiswani Nkomo (32), Cosmas Mulima (30) and Qondisani Ndlovu (27) at Nkomo’s house in Chinotimba where the trio was, inquiring about the whereabouts of a friend identified as Mr Brighton Singonge.

Instead Nkomo, Mulima and Ndlovu became hostile towards Mr Ngulube, upon which their colleague Mr Victor Chingenga, who was with them, suddenly pounced on the complainant and slapped him three times.

Mr Ngulube tried to escape but Mr Chingenga pursued him and the two engaged in a fight. Mr Ngulube then picked up a stone and hit Mr Chingenga once on the head and he collapsed.

Nkomo, Mulisa and Ndlovu joined in the fight and started assaulting Mr Ngulube with sticks while also punching and slapping him repeatedly until he fell unconscious. The trio carried Mr Ngulube and dumped him inside a pool of sewage flowing from a burst pipe.

Mr Chingenga was not arrested in relation to the incident. Nkomo, Mulima and Ndlovu pleaded guilty to a charge of assault each when they appeared before Victoria Falls magistrate Ms Linda Dzvene. Each was sentenced to eight months in prison of which two months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

The other six months were suspended on condition that each of them completes 210 hours of community service.

Nkomo will do the unpaid work at Chidobe Primary School while Mulima and Ndlovu will do theirs at the Victoria Falls Registrar General Office and Chinotimba Clinic respectively. Prosecuting Miss Audrey Mukanganya said the incident occurred in October last year.

“On the 31st day of October 2020 at 8PM the complainant proceeded to house number 1180 Chinotimba looking for his friend Brighton Singonge and found the three accused and Victor Chingenga seated outside. The complainant asked about his friend and was told that he was not around. A misunderstanding ensued over an undisclosed issue leading to the fight,” said Miss Mukanganya.

She said the three started assaulting Mr Ngulube. Mr Ngulube was treated and discharged at Victoria Falls Hospital while Mr Chingenga did not seek medical treatment.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent Police in victoria Falls have arrested three-man for severely assaulting their neighbour until he lost consciousness before dumping his body in a nearby drain filled with sewage.

Mr Khaliphani Ngulube of 4873 in Chinotimba narrated to police how he was later rescued by an unidentified passerby who pulled him out of the flowing sewage and carried him home.

Mr Ngulube had approached Sibangiswani Nkomo (32), Cosmas Mulima (30) and Qondisani Ndlovu (27) at Nkomo’s house in Chinotimba where the trio was, inquiring about the whereabouts of a friend identified as Mr Brighton Singonge.

Instead, Nkomo, Mulima and Ndlovu became hostile towards Mr Ngulube, upon which their colleague Mr Victor Chingenga, who was with them, suddenly pounced on the complainant and slapped him three times.

By James Gwati- Police were on Friday over-powered by the mourning warring rival factions of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM), who were fighting at the funeral of the late Missiondom Sengwayo, the youngest son of the late founder of the church, Reverend Morgan Sengwayo.

Missiondom died on Sunday at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) due to injuries sustained following a brutal attack by thugs at the church house in Pelandaba suburb.

He had been on life support for a week following the attack, which left both the family and the local community with more questions than answers.

The gate was locked and mourners, some from as far as South Africa and UK, failed to access the church premises resulting in chaotic scenes with some angry people trying to destroy the locked gate. Police watched helplessly as the drama unfolded.

There was a heavy police presence during the funeral, which was preceded by a short service at Missiondom’s place of residence.

Residents and church members thronged the church house to pay their last respects.

The situation degenerated into chaos after church members aligned to Missiondom’s camp started chasing away members of the Gumbo faction who were subsequently forced to lock themselves inside their houses.

“These people are the ones who killed our brother and they must account for their evil deeds. We don’t want to see them. They must not come here to shed crocodile tears,” one mourner was overheard shouting.

-Chronicle

By James Gwati-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is denying thousands of Gukurahundi victims access to death certificates of their murdered relatives, a report by a respected International Human rights lobby grouping has revealed.

According to a just-published report by Amnesty International another publication called, We are like “stray animals”, they cited details how Zimbabwe’s discriminatory and arbitrary nationality laws have left generations of migrant workers and their families marginalized in the only country they have ever called home. Meanwhile, thousands of survivors of the horrific Gukurahundi massacres, one of the bloodiest episodes of Robert Mugabe’s rule, are denied citizenship because they cannot provide the death certificates of relatives, which are required to prove Zimbabwean nationality.

-Amnesty International

By A correspondent- Violence on Friday rocked the funeral proceedings of the late Missiondom Sengwayo, the youngest son of the late founder of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) of Portland Oregon, Reverend Morgan Sengwayo, as infighting within the beleaguered church continues to rear its ugly head.

The funeral proceedings were marred by chaotic scenes after a rival faction aligned to the church’s regional superintendent Rev Oniyas Gumbo, blocked the hearse carrying Missiondom’s body from accessing the church building in Pelandaba.

Missiondom was buried yesterday next to his parents at Green Gables farm near Khami Ruins on the outskirts of Bulawayo.

He was the only surviving son of the late Rev Sengwayo who died in March 1982.

Missiondom’s father was instrumental in the establishment of the church in the Sadc region.
-Chronicle

By A Correspondent -Hundreds of thousands of people trapped in the misery of statelessness in Zimbabwe have been forced to the margins of society, and struggle to access education, healthcare and housing, Amnesty International said today in a new report. The organization interviewed descendants of migrant workers who settled in Zimbabwe pre-independence, as well as survivors of the Gukurahundi massacres of the 1980s; two groups locked out of citizenship by a cruel combination of discrimination and bureaucracy.

The report, We are like “stray animals”, details how Zimbabwe’s discriminatory and arbitrary nationality laws have left generations of migrant workers and their families marginalized in the only country they have ever called home. Meanwhile, thousands of survivors of the horrific Gukurahundi massacres, one of the bloodiest episodes of Robert Mugabe’s rule, are denied citizenship because they cannot provide the death certificates of relatives, which are required to prove Zimbabwean nationality.

“For Zimbabwe’s stateless, everyday life is filled with obstacles. Accessing education, healthcare and employment can be a nightmare, and the sense of exclusion and rejection is soul destroying,” said Muleya Mwananyanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Southern Africa.

“The Zimbabwean authorities must take concrete action to address this crisis, including mapping and registering all stateless people. Authorities must ensure laws are in line with Zimbabwe’s own Constitution, as well as international human rights law.”

In Zimbabwe, approximately 300,000 people are currently at risk of statelessness, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Lack of official data means that the exact number is unknown.

Migration and statelessness

Amnesty International research lays bare the devastating consequences of statelessness on the eve of 41 years of independence where many  hoped to live in a country where they are treated equally, regardless of their political affiliation or ethnicity. The current statelessness crisis in Zimbabwe has its roots in colonial history. The British colonial government largely depended on cheap migrant labour from Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia to grow its industries.

After independence in 1980, Zimbabwean authorities passed a series of discriminatory laws which have, over the years, effectively excluded, marginalized and disenfranchised the descendants of these workers. 

For example, the 1984 Citizenship of Zimbabwe Act 23 was used to arbitrarily deprive persons of “foreign origin” of their right to a Zimbabwean nationality, even though most were entitled to citizenship under the Constitution. Section 43 of Zimbabwe’s Constitution states that any resident who was born in Zimbabwe to parents with a claim to citizenship of any SADC state – including Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and South Africa – is a Zimbabwean citizen by birth. 

The Citizenship Act is not yet aligned to the Constitution and continues to be used by the Ministry of Home Affairs to deny citizenship arbitrarily and unfairly to descendants of migrant workers. In so doing the Citizenship Act gives almost unfettered discretion and arbitrary powers to both executive and junior officials to deny people their constitutional rights.

In 2001, a new law required descendants of migrant workers to renounce their ancestral nationality within six months, in order to be granted Zimbabwean citizenship. Many people were unable to do so because they did not hold the requisite identity documents. To be granted Zimbabwean citizenship, they first needed to prove that their parents had been nationals of other countries.

One man, Alex, whose father was Zambian, said: “I have no idea how I can locate my parents’ relatives as I have never been to Zambia.” 

Alex does not have death certificates for either his father or his Zimbabwean mother. As a result, he has been denied citizenship, which prevented him from going beyond Grade 7 at school and means neither of his children have birth certificates. 

Precarious futures

In this way, the legal limbo of statelessness is perpetuated across generations. Parents are denied birth certificates for their children if they cannot present their own, leaving their children facing precarious futures. 

Without the necessary identity documents, many stateless children are unable to access education. Those who do attend school are often forced to drop out, or prevented from sitting their final exams.

Lulumani, a 23-year-old woman, said:

“Life has been difficult and painful. I was brilliant at school, but I did not sit my final exams. Now I can’t get a decent job.” 

One man Amnesty Interviewed, Petros, said:

“My eldest child in primary school cannot play soccer for the school like other children because he does not have a birth certificate.” 

Stateless people in Zimbabwe also face barriers to accessing health care. Pregnant women are excluded from critical life-saving services such as antenatal care and assistance during labour. 

Botshiwe Dube, from Tsholotsho, told Amnesty International how she went to a health centre when she went into labour, but when she could not provide ID she was sent home to deliver her children. 

All of Botshiwe’s children were born at home; she told Amnesty International that she feels they are treated like “stray animals because they are undocumented.”

Those without identity documents are also excluded from participating in political activities and from running their own businesses.

The Gukurahundi massacres and statelessness

When Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980 it was a deeply divided country. Tensions between the Robert Mugabe-led ZANU-PF and the Joshua Nkomo-led ZAPU led to an eruption of violence between the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) and the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA), the respective military wings of ZANU-PF and ZAPU. 

By early 1982, authorities were violently cracking down on ZIPRA forces in Matabeleland, the homeland of the Ndebele people. Special forces of the Zimbabwe National Army Fifth Brigade were deployed, who carried out atrocious attacks against not only militants but also ZAPU officials and other people. The political tensions spilled into mass atrocities against the Ndebele people, and an estimated 20,000 people were killed between 1983 and 1987. Thousands were tortured and abducted, women were raped, and homes destroyed. 

When the crackdown, known as operation Gukurahundi, was over, traumatized survivors had to grapple with the challenges of statelessness as they were required to produce death certificates as proof of their parents to apply for Zimbabwean nationality. However, death certificates for people killed in the Gukurahundi operation were not issued, meaning that those who were orphaned as a result of the violence had no way of proving their parents’ nationality. 

Vaina Ndlovu, 68, lives in Tsholotsho in Matebeland North. Vaina’s father was abducted by Fifth Brigade forces and never heard from again following his abduction.  When Vaina tried to obtain a death certificate for her father, registry office officials told her they needed witnesses to confirm that her father was abducted during Gukurahundi, which Vaina’s family could not provide. 

Statelessness resulting in violations of economic, social and cultural rights

Stateless people in Zimbabwe struggle to access housing, healthcare and education, violating their rights under the Constitution, as well as international and regional human rights treaties including the UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to which Zimbabwe is a State Party. 

While states have a right to determine their citizenship laws, these laws must be in conformity with international human rights law. As such, domestic law and practices must not be discriminatory and must conform to international legal obligations to not render anyone stateless.

“Zimbabwe must make concrete and urgent changes to the law to bring the Citizenship Act in line with the Constitution. The authorities must take the necessary steps to ensure no further generations are condemned to the margins of society,” said Muleya Mwananyanda. 

“The Zimbabwean authorities must publicly commit to creating an equal and inclusive society that accords citizenship to any person born on Zimbabwean soil, without discrimination based on national or ethnic origin.”

Amnesty International is calling on the Zimbabwean government to urgently take adequate measures to ensure the registration and restoration of Zimbabwean nationality to all those entitled to it, as provided for under the Constitution, including all those born and raised in Zimbabwe to foreign parents.

-Amnesty International

By James Gwati- The government through the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has suspended prison visits by relatives of jailed inmates.

This was announced by the ZPCS Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu in Beitbridge through an interview he had with the state media recently.

Chihobvu said they had suspended all visits as a way of controlling the spread of the pandemic in correctional facilities.

The MDC renegade, Douglas Mwonzora labelled Thokozani Khupe “hure raMnangagwa,” a top MDC T presidential-bodyguard this morning alleges in leaked audios.

Efforts to get a comment from Senator Mwonzora were fruitless at the time of writing.

ZimEye also reached out to the ZANU PF leader Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa of whom a comment could not obtained at the time of going to press.

The audios are re streamed below (refresh to listen).

Kudzanai Mashumba says: