By James Gwati-Authorities at Harare Polytechnic college have suspended a female student for hugging her male counterpart.
Yolanda Musithu was recently barred from entering the college premises for allegedly hugging a male colleague at the college premises in what the authorities claimed was a contravention of WHO and the college’s COVID19 protocols.
She was only rescued by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights who assigned an attorney, Dr Godfrey Mupanga who filed an urgent application at High Court seeking an order to compel Harare Polytechnic to allow Musithu access to the college.
By A Correspondent- The United Nations has renewed its efforts to convince President Emmerson Mnangagwa to allow the 60-year-old fugitive to face trial. Protais Mpiranya, the former commander of the presidential guard of the Rwandan army, has been on the run for 27 years charged with war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.
The ex-soldier is on top of a list of remaining fugitives indicted by an international tribunal into the 1994 killings, which left 800,000 people dead in Rwanda, mostly from the Tutsi ethnic minority but also some Hutus. Mpiranya had been second on the wanted list before the arrest of Felicien Kabuga, a former businessman alleged to have helped finance the genocide, on the outskirts of Paris in May. The US war crimes reward programme has offered a $5m reward for information leading to Mpiranya’s arrest.
Serge Brammertz, the prosecutor of the body charged with tracking down the fugitive alleged criminals, which is known as the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), said he was hoping to capitalise on the detention of Kabuga to corner Mpiranya. Kabuga now faces charges of playing a key role in the genocide, and if convicted he is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison.
“We hope that the arrest of Kabuga would generate momentum and we are hoping to use this to get Mpiranya,” Brammertz said. Investigators have long suspected Mpiranya of hiding in Zimbabwe and have made repeated attempts to convince local authorities to hand over the suspect. Officials from the IRMCT travelled to Zimbabwe months after President Robert Mugabe was forced from power in November 2017 in the hope that the new government would prove more helpful than the former regime. There has been no progress, however, and a new request for assistance is to be made this month. Brammertz said hopes had been boosted by an agreement on legal cooperation on criminal matters signed last month by Zimbabwe and Rwanda. “Because of his military background it is very possible that [Mpiranya] still enjoys protection from senior military officers,” Brammertz told the Guardian. “We think he … is still quite active, still doing business and until recently has been moving around in east and central Africa, possibly between Zimbabwe, the DRC and South Africa.” -The Guadian
1997 – War veterans hold a series of protests against President Robert Mugabe, pressing for gratuities and pensions. The protests include a march on State House and heckling Mugabe during his Heroes Day speech in August. Mugabe buckles, and orders Finance Minister Herbert Murerwa to dole out ZW$50,000 each to over 50,000 war veterans. The total bill would be ZW$4.2 billion, or over US$300 million. It is 3 percent of GDP then. None of it is in the budget. Mugabe dismisses concerns, including from Murerwa, that the spending will bankrupt the economy. He declares: “Who ever heard of a country going bankrupt?” Separately, the Government has announced its intention to list more than 1,400 farms, many of them productive, for redistribution to landless blacks. It is reported that the IMF and other donors have threatened to pull out. Rumours spread that foreign reserves are down to just a month’s worth of imports. Speculators, panicked by the flurry of bad news, start stocking up on US dollars. Desperate, the Government injects US$15 million to try and prop up the Zimdollar. But the pressure is unrelenting. Late on Friday, November 14, the Zimbabwe dollar plunges 72 percent. The stock market crashes 46 percent. That same day, by coincidence, there is a national blackout. The day comes to be known as “Black Friday”. In the aftermath, Government orders companies to shut down their foreign currency accounts, hoping the flow of US dollars onto the market will put brakes on the Zimdollar’s slide. But it has the opposite effect; confidence collapses even further, as does the stock market and the Zimdollar itself. Investors head for the exits. McDonalds, the US fast food giant, abandons plans to open its first outlet in Zimbabwe. That December, a proposal to raise a new tax to fund the pay outs is withdrawn after labour unions hold street protests. 1998 – Riots hit the country in January after the price of basic goods rises by up to 50 percent, blamed on the collapse of the Zimdollar. Maize meal prices rise by 45 percent within a week. Army is deployed for the first time in years to quell the riots. “They will not hesitate to shoot,” Home Affairs Minister Dumiso Dabengwa warns. Government introduces price controls and a range of tariffs on imports. In August, Zimbabwe enters the DRC war. Some estimates say the country is spending US$1m a day to fund the war, further weakening the local currency. 1999 – Running out of forex, Zimbabwe has defaulted on most of its foreign debt by mid-year. The IMF finally confirms its intention to withdraw funding. This leads to further exchange controls. The Government fixes the Zimdollar rate at $38 to USD in 1999, way above its true value. 2000 – Murerwa is reshuffled out. On August 1, new finance minister, Simba Makoni, bows to market pressure and devalues the Zimdollar to $55 to the US dollar, still lower than the parallel market rate of $60 for a US dollar. In the same week, unions, businesses and activists stage a nationwide stay away to protest the economic crisis. 2001 — A $500 note is issued, and is followed by another different $500 note within weeks. A $5 coin is also introduced. Image 2002 – Mugabe rejects Makoni’s pleas for further devaluation. “Devaluation is sinister and can only be advocated for by our saboteurs and enemies of this government,” Mugabe tells him. Makoni is soon fired, and Murerwa is reappointed. Government shuts down all bureaux de change, accusing them of being “conduits” of illegal forex trade. In June, the IMF suspends technical assistance because of arrears amounting to US$132 million. 2003 – The RBZ introduces what it calls traveller’s cheques, in denominations of $1,000, $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000 to $100,000. They are hugely unpopular and are soon quietly phased out. Zimbabwe is now producing less than half its 1996 exports. Pressure is building. That September, RBZ introduces bearer cheques in denominations of $5,000, $10,000 and $20,000. Initially, the bearer cheques are only valid up to January 31, 2004. Zimbabwe’s reserves are down to under US$20 million, about 3 days’ worth of imports cover then. In November, the IMF begins compulsory withdrawal procedures for Zimbabwe; IMF-speak of kicking Zimbabwe out. In December 2003, Gideon Gono is appointed governor. It is a decision that is to have a major impact on the future of the currency. Later, a leaked US embassy cable was to quote IMF mission chief Sharmini Coorey describing Gono as “the world’s worst central banker by far.” One of Gono’s first decisions is to tighten control of central bank’s accommodation of banks. This leaves many banks in crisis. 2004 – Still unwilling to float the currency, the Government comes up with a Managed Foreign Exchange Auction System that January. Exporters sell a quarter of their forex at a fixed rate of Z$824 and another 25 percent at an auction rate. Exporters keep the other half in their foreign currency accounts for up to 21 days, after which they must offload the remainder at the auction rate. The system is initially welcomed by exporters, but they soon reject it as it becomes clear that RBZ is keen to control the rates, resulting in losses for exporters. Gono’s financial sector measures start taking their toll on banks. On January 3, Century Discount House shuts down. That January, eight other banks are kicked out of the clearing system for failure to fund their RTGS positions. So begins the weakening of confidence in banks. More bearer cheques arrive in January, with a June expiry date. That same June, another batch comes, this time with a December 31 expiry date. However, even those cheques with a June expiry date remain legal tender. The cheques are mocked by the public. At the launch of Barbican Bank, Murerwa jokes: “I know you are all concerned about the current cash crisis. I am too. I am however more concerned because I am now being called Mr Burial Cheques.” 2005 – The forex auction system isn’t working. So, on October 21, Government replaces it with the Tradable Foreign Currency Balances System (TFCBS). Under this system, there is a dual exchange rate system; market transactions are done at an interbank rate, while Government transactions are done at the fixed official rate. It obviously doesn’t work. 2006 – The dual exchange rate system is replaced in April, and all transactions are now at the interbank rate. The rate collapses. The Zimdollar is devalued again in July to $250. New bearer cheques arrive, in a series of 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 50 cents, $1, $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, $1,000, $10,000 and $100,000. Then, on August 1, the madness begins. Desperate, RBZ lops off three zeros from the currency. Gono launches a massive marketing campaign, dubbed “Operation Sunrise”, hoping to package this as a good thing. “Say no to zero and hello to hero,” Gono says. 2007 – On the 7th of September, the Zimdollar is devalued again to $30,000. Still, the Government is playing catch-up; on the black market, the Zimdollar is ten times weaker at $300,000 per US dollar on the parallel market. Desperate, the Government tries to ban inflation; retailers are ordered to cut prices by half. It does nothing to stop inflation and shop shelves go empty. The Government stops publishing inflation stats regularly. On July 1, a $500,000 note is introduced, but it is valued at just US$12 even at the official exchange rate. On New Year’s Eve, RBZ launches a $750,000 note. 2008 – This is the year Zimbabweans wish they could forget. Gono’s money printing presses are running overtime, so much that the RBZ runs out of ink and paper. Inflation is at its peak, which the World Bank put at 500 billion percent. The Zimdollar is now worthless, with an egg costing $50 billion. On January 1, the $1 million, $5 million and $10 million denominations make their debut. A few months later, in April, new $25 million and $50 million bills are printed. On May 2, the $100 million, $250 million and $500 million notes are released. Just two weeks later, on May 15, new notes in denominations of $5 billion, $25 billion and $50 billion notes debut. The RBZ’s printing press, at this time, is failing to keep up. Ten zeroes are removed from the currency, and the $10,000 and $20,000 notes are released in September. Weeks later, on October 13, a new $50,000 bill is on the market. Before long, on November 5, new $100,000 and $500,000 bills appear. Then, on December 4, Zimbabwe gets even more notes; $1 million, $10 million, $50 million and $100 million. Within two weeks, the $200 million and $500 million notes are released. These are soon followed by the $1 billion, $5 billion and $10 billion notes, just a week before Christmas. Gono even puts old worthless coins, last used six years earlier, back into circulation. This sends many burrowing into wardrobes and in the back of sofas for old coins. “Go back and look for those coins because we never demonetized them in the first place,” Gono says. Suddenly, an old one dollar coin is now worth 10 billion of the new dollars. Already, retailers have been quoting in foreign currency, although the word “points” is used to denote one US dollar. Clearly, something has to give. Grudgingly, that April, RBZ finally begin to let go, forced by the market. On September 13, Gono introduces the Foreign Exchange Licensed Warehouses and Retail Shops (Foliwars), Foreign Exchange Licence Oil Companies (Felocs) and Foreign Exchange Licensed Outlets for Petrol and Diesel (Felopads). The grandiose abbreviations, typical of the Gono era, are just big words announcing the legalisation of the widespread use of forex. Some 1,000 retailers and 250 wholesalers are now allowed to freely trade in forex. Still, Gono insists that this was not dollarisation. “It is imperative to note that the current measures are neither a condonation nor a direct introduction of the dollarisation of the economy,” Gono says. He admits, though, that the change is a “pragmatic response to the realities obtaining in the economy.” At the time, as was to happen almost a decade later, there are three prices for goods and services; cheque, RTGS and cash. A catalogue from that era shows a 6-pack carton of Mazoe trading at $15,000 for cash, $175,000 by RTGS and $30,000 via cheque. On the last day of that year, one US dollar was trading at $4 million on the official market. In reality, the rate was far higher. An RBZ statement reports that bank computer systems are now “failing to cope with the number of digits arising from large transaction values”. Gono tells a meeting that the RBZ will now buy forex at the UN rate, really an informal rate used by NGOs. 2009 – On January 16, Zimbabwe makes history; it releases a $100 trillion note, the largest denomination ever seen in the world. It is later to become a collectible, and a symbol of failed economic management. Zimbabwe effectively dollarises on January 29, when, for the first time ever, a budget is presented in both US dollars and Zimdollars. Acting Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa reels off the dizzy numbers, including $175 quadrillion for grain imports. His budget speech is accompanied by howls of laughter and derision from MPs. The move to USD overnight eradicates hyperinflation, but the economy soon swaps hyperinflation for deflation. The Zimdollar remains in circulation, although nobody is using it. On 2 February, the RBZ removes a further 12 zeros off the currency. In total, 25 zeroes were removed from the Zimdollar. This was the beginning of the end of a currency that at Independence in 1980, was stronger than the US dollar, trading at 1ZWD: US$1.54. In August, Gono proposes return of Zimdollar. He is criticised sharply, even by The Herald, which calls him out of touch and unable to “read the national mood”. In his mid-year budget, Finance Minister Tendai Biti, appointed in February as part of the unity government, announces the local currency will be demonetaised, saying he is “putting a tombstone on the grave of the Zimbabwe dollar”. 2013 – In March 2013, concern grows as Zimbabwe slips into deflation. 2014 – RBZ authorises use of a dozen currencies to trade alongside the dominant US dollar. The currencies include the Indian rupee, the Japanese yen and the Chinese yuan. The bond coin is introduced, as a means of ending the shortage of small change. 2015 – The Zimdollar is finally demonetised, with depositors getting US$5 for every 175,000,000,000,000,000 (that’s 175 quadrillion) Zimbabwe dollars held. Each 250 trillion Zimdollars gets $1. 2016 – The RBZ announces it will launch a bond note, which would be at par with the US dollar. The bank calls it an export incentive, a deliberate twist of PR meant to ease fears in an economy still traumatised by memories of 2008. It is months before the first notes appear. 2017 – Bond notes and US dollars start disappearing from the market. Government spending is rising, fuelling inflation. In September, consumers go panic buying after rumours of shortages. Prices rise foreign currency shortages deepen. Inflation, once again, is back on the march.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is under pressure from the United Nations investigators tracking one of the most notorious killers in the Rwandan genocide believed to be hiding in Zimbabwe
Protais Mpiranya, the former commander of the presidential guard of the Rwandan army, has been on the run for 27 years charged with war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.
The ex-soldier is top of a list of remaining fugitives indicted by an international tribunal into the 1994 killings, which left 800,000 people dead in Rwanda, mostly from the Tutsi ethnic minority but also some Hutus. Mpiranya had been second on the wanted list before the arrest of Felicien Kabuga, a former businessman alleged to have helped finance the genocide, on the outskirts of Paris in May. The US war crimes reward programme has offered a $5m reward for information leading to Mpiranya’s arrest.
Serge Brammertz, the prosecutor of the body charged with tracking down the fugitive alleged criminals, which is known as the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), said he was hoping to capitalise on the detention of Kabuga to corner Mpiranya. Kabuga now faces charges of playing a key role in the genocide, and if convicted he is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison.
“We hope that the arrest of Kabuga would generate momentum and we are hoping to use this to get Mpiranya,” Brammertz said. Investigators have long suspected Mpiranya of hiding in Zimbabwe and have made repeated attempts to convince local authorities to hand over the suspect. Officials from the IRMCT travelled to Zimbabwe months after President Robert Mugabe was forced from power in November 2017 in the hope that the new government would prove more helpful than the former regime. There has been no progress, however, and a new request for assistance is to be made this month. Brammertz said hopes had been boosted by an agreement on legal cooperation on criminal matters signed last month by Zimbabwe and Rwanda. “Because of his military background it is very possible that [Mpiranya] still enjoys protection from senior military officers,” Brammertz told the Guardian. “We think he … is still quite active, still doing business and until recently has been moving around in east and central Africa, possibly between Zimbabwe, the DRC and South Africa.”
By James Gwati-SADC has directed “an immediate technical deployment” to Mozambique as it seeks a “proportionate regional response” to insurgent attacks in northern Mozambique.
This means Zimbabwe as part of the regional bloc will also be sending its troops to assist neighbouring Mozambique.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday attended an SADC Extraordinary Double Troika Summit on the security situation in northern Mozambique. The meeting was held in Maputo
There have been heightened concerns over growing terrorist activities in Mozambique especially after the insurgent attacks on Palma – a coastal town in Cabo Delgado Province – on March 24.
The Double Troika is made up of Mozambique, the current SADC chair; Malawi (incoming chair) and the United Republic of Tanzania (immediate previous chair).
Other members include countries that constitute the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation – Botswana (current chair), South Africa (incoming) and Zimbabwe (outgoing).
The Summit is the highest policy-making body of the 16-member bloc, and will communicate resolutions that would have been made at the meeting today. -Herald
By Chipiso Sihle| Most schools in Chipinge district have witnessed a drop in the number of girls who returned to classes when schools opened a few weeks ago due to early marriages
The lockdown period which started in March 2020 has seen many young girls especially school going age dropping out of school.
One of the most affected areas is Shekwa Ward 17 in Chipinge.
Most of the girls got pregnant during the lockdown period whilst others just entered into marriages willingly without being pregnant.
Speaking to the of Shekwa Secondary School Development Committee (SDC) Chairperson, Mr Trust Gezi said when schools opened, the enrolment of girls dropped drastically due to early marriages.
“An observation I noted is that most girls in Shekwa have already dropped out of school because of early marriage, pregnancy and some went to towns to work as maids. COVID 19 has made everything stagnant leading to children misbehaving which has led to some getting pregnant thus leading them into early marriages,” said Gezi.
In another interview with Shekwa Village Health Worker and Sister to Sister club mentor, Mrs Magaa , she concurred with Mr Gezi, revealing that said most of the girls who were in her club got married during the lockdown.
“Tinorwadziwa vana vadoko vari kuroorana veisiya chikora, Corona iyi yakatishaishira vana atichavakoni Its sad that young girls are dropping out of school due to marriage, COVID-19 has not been good to our community,” lamented Mrs Magaa.
One of the Psycho-Social Support teachers at Watershed Secondary school, Mrs Mapako urged communities to join hands with the Child Protection Committee to make up a follow-up on such issues of early marriages so that they come back to school.
By A Correspondent| Non-Governmental Organisations operating in Chipinge district are playing a pivotal role in sustaining people’s livelihoods and promoting the adherence to Covid 19 regulations, a snap survey conducted by Platform Youth and Community Development (PYCD) has revealed.
PYCD observed that organisations like Family Aids Caring Trust, Red Cross, Goal Zimbabwe, OXFAM and International Rescue Committee are donating food hampers to communities for them to cope with the lockdown period.
Chipo Simango, a Goal Zimbabwe beneficiary COVID-19 and subsequent lockdowns introduced by the government to curb the spread of the deadly disease had made it difficult for her to fend for her family of six.
” I am mother of six, an informal trader who relies on buying and selling. The coming of Covid-19 negatively affected me as I was no-longer able to travel and order my wares. My family was now starving as they were relying on the little I get from selling. Thanks to Goal Zimbabwe which is providing us with maize, sorghum, peas, beans and cooking oil, to feed our families,”said Simango.
She went on to say these organisations has helped a lot in also sharing COVID 19 related information.
” Information dissemination in rural areas is poor and has a lot of gaps, these organisations have proved to be the most reliable sources of information for us because through their work we were able to understand ways of keeping ourselves and our families safe from the pandemic,” she added.
Simeon Muyambo from Mahachi village acknowledged the help he was getting from Red Cross Zimbabwe.
” Covid-19 hit us without warning and this made us more vulnerable as we didn’t have surplus food to sustain us during the lockdown period. I am a beneficiary of Red Cross. I appreciate the support they are giving us. If it wasn’t for the donors most people would be starving and malnutrition would have hit several families.
Most organisations in the district are focusing on donating food hampers to the people while others are providing schools with materials to reduce the spread of COVID 19.
OXFAM has donated buckets to schools for children to wash their hands before being sanitized. Chitepo primary in Chipinge South constituency is one of the beneficiaries of the OXFAM initiative.
Platform for Youth and Community Development Assistant Gender Advocacy and Wellness Officer, Allan Murozvi commended the role of NGOs in alleviating hunger in Chipinge district saying their food hampers also helped reduce domestic violence in communities.
” Hunger is one of the causes of domestic violence in many households, donations of food hampers by NGOs has helped a lot in reducing incidences of domestic violence and as an organisation we are grateful for that,” said Murozvi.
Tinashe Sambiri| The MDC Alliance has vowed to exert pressure on the Zanu PF regime to prosecute the ZRP cop who sexually assaulted Vongai Tome.
Tome is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.She was sexually assaulted by an overzealous cop in central Harare on Tuesday.Tome is also a member of the MDC Alliance Alliance Assembly Of Women national executive committee.
The MDC Alliance Assembly Of Women has called for the prosecution of the rogue cop.
Read statement below:
MDC ALLIANCE ASSEMBLY OF WOMEN STATEMENT ON THE ABUSE AND ARREST OF VONGAI TOME AND OTHER LEADERS
We are deeply concerned and disappointed at the same time about the arbitrary arrest of our National Executive member Vongai Tome and Ngoni Mupfuma, a Youth Assembly Executive member on Tuesday when they had gone to court in solidarity with Makomborero Haruzivishe who was sentenced to 14 months for exercising his rights.
What baffles us is that Tome is actually a victim of sexual abuse by one of the police officers who indicently assaulted her.
Nothing was done to this police office dispite the fact that there is evidence in form of videos. We are living in a state that does not care about its citizens and this is so scary especially for us women.
Who is going to protect us? Who is going to listen to our cries? The leadership crisis is deeper than we think as the government is clueless about reviving the economy, thus, they turn to violation of human rights as a way of scaring and silencing us.
We are not going to keep quiet. We demand the release of Vongai Tome and other political leaders as they are not criminals.
Surely Citizens must Converge for Change and end this suffering.
MDC ALLIANCE ASSEMBLY OF WOMEN STATEMENT ON THE ABUSE AND ARREST OF VONGAI TOME AND OTHER LEADERS
We are deeply concerned and disappointed at the same time about the arbitrary arrest of our National Executive member Vongai Tome and Ngoni Mupfuma, a Youth Assembly Executive member on Tuesday when they had gone to court in solidarity with Makomborero Haruzivishe who was sentenced to 14 months for exercising his rights.
What baffles us is that Tome is actually a victim of sexual abuse by one of the police officers who indicently assaulted her.
Nothing was done to this police office dispite the fact that there is evidence in form of videos. We are living in a state that does not care about its citizens and this is so scary especially for us women.
Who is going to protect us? Who is going to listen to our cries? The leadership crisis is deeper than we think as the government is clueless about reviving the economy, thus, they turn to violation of human rights as a way of scaring and silencing us.
We are not going to keep quiet. We demand the release of Vongai Tome and other political leaders as they are not criminals.
Surely Citizens must Converge for Change and end this suffering.
National Sports Stadium in Harare will host this year’s Independence Cup final between Highlanders and Dynamos.
The match, which will mark the return of domestic football in the country after the coronavirus pandemic, is part of the events to celebrate Zimbabwe’s 41st Independence Day on 18 April.
The game will be played under strict Covid-19 protocol.
The last meeting between the two sides in the tournament came 2019 with Highlanders winning the final 2-0.
Meanwhile, the 2021 league season will commence in the coming weeks with May 16 provisionally set as the start of the campaign.
The last game featuring two local clubs playing against each was a violence-marred Castle Challenge Cup between Bosso and FC Platinum in 2019 which Kugona Kunenge Kudada won, thanks to a Silas Songani brace.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
The Warriors have made a considerable recovery on the latest FIFA Rankings released on Wednesday, but remained outside the top 100.
The national team dropped four places at the start of the 2021 international football season to number 112, but have moved five spots up to number 107 in the world.
Coach Zdravko Logarusic’s charges were in action during the March international break when they sealed a qualification to the Afcon 2021. They beat Botswana who are ranked number 150 before losing at home to Zambia to finish as runners-up in Group H, behind Algeria.
Despite dropping 0.5 points on the latest rankings, Zimbabwe still managed to climb up as teams like Azerbaijan, Faroe Islands and Mozambique lost a significant chunk of spoils.
In Africa, the Warriors moved two places up to number 24.
Senegal still remains the highest ranked team on the continent while Belgium retained the top spot in the world.
The next rankings will be published on 27 May 2021.
World Top 10: 1. Belgium, 2. France, 3. Brazil, 4. England, 5. Portugal, 6. Spain, 7. Italy, 8. Argentina, 9. Uruguay, 10. Denmark.
After a somewhat slow start to the New Year largely due to the restrictive nature of the COVID-19 related national lockdown; the office Of the MP for Whange Central constituency has slowly started to scale up its public programmes and meetings. As a result, the month of March was a more active one in terms of public programmes and meetings, when compared to both the month of January and February. It is thus hoped that the lockdown restrictions will continue to be reduced during the month of April so as to enable the Office of the MP to scale up on its public programmes and meetings. The following is a summary report for the month of March 2021.
The report starts by sharing an update on various issues related to Parliamentary business. It then features some updates related to the Office of the MP’s partnerships with various civil society organisations. Thereafter the report focuses on some updates related to various local community initiatives. Last but not least, it concludes by featuring an update related to the administrative issues of the Office of the MP.
PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS
The Hon. MP Daniel Molokele, participated in various meetings at the Portfolio Committee level. He serves in three separate Committees. (Health and Childcare, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation and Science and Technology Development and Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises
PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE FOR HEALTH AND CHILDCARE
The Hon. MP actively participated in most of the Committee’s meetings across the month. In particular, he was privileged to be the Master of Ceremonies during the launch event of the Parliament of Zimbabwe Pharmaceuticals Caucus on 18th March 2021. The launch event was attended by various representatives and stakeholders from the pharmaceutical sector of Zimbabwe.
Most members of the Portfolio Committee for Health and Childcare also attended the event. The guest of honour was the Speaker of Parliament, Honourable Jacob Mudenda. He will also serve as the Patron of the new parliamentary caucus The Hon. MP was also humbled to chair a special meeting on Tuesday 30th March 2021. The meeting was called to hear a petition from the Retail Pharmacists Association.
The petitioners are seeking for amendments to the Public Health Act. In particular, they are seeking for amendments to the sections of the Act that seem to give exclusive access to influential job posts to the medical doctors. They would like such job opportunities to be opened up to other professions in the health sector including nurses, pharmacists, among others. The Committee will have deliberations on the petition on Tuesday 13th April 2021.
HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION AND SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
The Hon. MP actively participated in most of the Committee’s meetings across the month. In particular, the Hon. MP was one of the members of the Committee that participated in all the five public hearings that were related to the Centre for Education, Innovation, Research and Development Bill. In this regard, the Hon. MP was privileged to chair the public hearing that was held at the Bulawayo Rainbow hotel on Monday 12th March 2021.
WOMEN AFFAIRS, COMMUNITY, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT
The Hon. MP actively participated in most of the Committee’s meetings across the month. In particular, he was humbled to chair the special Committee meeting that hosted a delegation from the Ministry as led by its Permanent Secretary John Sibanda. The meeting was held on Thursday 4th March 2021. The main purpose of the meeting was to receive evidence from the Ministry. In particular, a presentation was made to the Committee by the Permanent Secretary Melusi Matshiya, that focused on the impact of COVID-19 on the SMEs sector from March 2020 till to date.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SESSIONS
The Hon. MP managed to attend most of the National Assembly plenary sessions across the month mostly via the Zoom virtual platform.
DEBATE ON THE MOTION ON THE PATRIOTISM BILL
On Tuesday 2nd March 2021, the Hon. MP actively debated in the motion on the proposed Patriotism Bill. The motion was introduced by the late Hon. Alum Mpofu, who was seconded by Hon. Togarepi Pupurai. The motion sought to support the proposed legislation of the Patriotism Bill that will mainly seek to criminalise any Zimbabwean whose behaviour and conduct, especially at an international level; is deemed to be unpatriotic in nature. In this regard, the Hon. MP was very clear in his stance on the motion. The Hon. MP strongly opposed both the motion and proposal to introduce the Patriotism Bill. His well-articulated debate on the motion ended up going viral and became his most well-known speech since he was admitted into the Parliament of Zimbabwe in August 2018.
DEATH OF HON. ALUM MPOFU
The Parliament of Zimbabwe was plunged into mourning once again, after the loss of one of its National Assembly members. Hon. Alum Mpofu, who was the MP for Mberengwa South, passed away on Sunday 28th March 2021 after a long illness. The Hon. MP would like to express his most sincere condolences to both the Mpofu family and residents of the Mberengwa South constituency.
RECALL OF MORE MDC ALLIANCE MPs
The Hon. Speaker of Parliament announced a new round of recalls on Wednesday 17th March 2021. The affected legislators were from the MDC Alliance but originally seconded by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The Hon. MP was very saddened and disappointed by the recalls, and expressed his full solidarity with all the affected legislators. It remains the Hon. MPs strong and unequivocally stance against these recalls; that he views as a deliberate affront to the democratic wishes of the Zimbabwean electorate as expressed in the July 2018 elections. On this sombre occasion, the Hon. MP takes this opportunity to re-affirm his clear stance in terms of public loyalty to the MDC Alliance as led by President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND
During the first week of March, the Office of the MP rolled out a consultation process for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for 2021. In particular, this process was facilitated by the local CDF Committee as set up in terms of the relevant Parliamentary regulations and guidelines.
The consultation process went very well. On Tuesday 30th March, the CDF Committee held a meeting to deliberate and agree on at least three shortlisted proposals. This process will culminate in subsequent submission of the proposal to the relevant office at the Parliament of Zimbabwe during April 2021.
The CDF Committee is currently finalising its detailed report that covers the disbursement process for 2020. The funds for the 2020 allocation were used to refurbish a selected nine primary schools and one secondary school in the urban part of the constituency. The 2021 allocation will conversely focus on the rural part of the constituency. This is in line with the resolution of a major public consultation meeting that was held in 2018 that resolved that the CDF funds should be disbursed alternately between the rural and urban wards till 2023.
VARIOUS INITIATIVES WITH CIVIL SOCIETY PARTNERS
WHANGE WIDOWS NETWORK COORDINATORS WORKSHOP
The Office of the MP, in partnership with a Chitungwiza-based NGO, the Widows Fountain of Life (WFoL); recently hosted a successful Ward-level Coordinators training workshop. The workshop was held on Saturday 27th March 2021. The WFoL Executive Director, Angeline Chiwetani, travelled all the way from Chitungwiza to Whange to help co-host the training workshop. Almost 40 participants attended the workshop. Participation at the workshop was at voluntary level. Each of the 17 wards under the local constituency was represented by at least two representatives who were successfully trained as Coordinators.
This is all in line with the on-going efforts by the office of the MP to actively support all widows who are based at the constituency. A follow-up training workshop will also be held towards the end of June 2021. The Office of the MP, in partnership with WFoL, also plans to host a special public event to commemorate the International Widows Day on Wednesday 23rd June 2021. The day was launched by the United Nations organisation (UN) in 2010 to raise awareness of the violation of human rights that widows suffer in many countries following the death of their spouses.
ACTIVE SUPPORT TO THE DINDE COMMUNITY
The Office of the MP has been consistently engaging with the Dinde community especially on the recent mining activities and possible evictions. On Saturday 13th March 2021, the Office of the MP took time to visit rural Ward 13 in Dinde on a consultative mission. In this regard, the Office of the MP managed to conduct a successful consultation meeting with the local Councillor Morris Sibanda, the local village heads, community leaders and the representatives of the local Dinde Residents Association.
The consultation meeting discussed at length the topical issue of the proposed mining exploration by an investment company from China. The Office of the MP appreciated and supported the stance by the local community representatives who are demanding that no exploration process should start until a more comprehensive local consultation process is fully conducted.
As a result of its consultative field visit to Dinde, the Office of the MP identified a training gap and hosted a workshop focusing on advocacy. The workshop was held on Saturday 27th March 2021. It was successfully hosted in partnership with a local community organisation known as the Vostile Creatives Trust represented by Marlven Vosta Daka and Advocates4Earth; an organisation that focuses on environmental issues, which was represented by Tinashe Lenin Chisaira. The training workshop participants were drawn from representatives for various local Dinde community stakeholders.
The participants included the local Dinde village heads, traditional leaders, the resident Councillor, the local Dinde residents’ association leadership and the other community focal persons. The training workshop focused on such aspects as Campaign, Advocacy, Lobbying and environmental laws.
WHANGE THOUGHT LEADERS FORUM
The prospective partners to the proposed Whange Thoughts Leaders Forum met on Friday 26th February afternoon to deliberate and adopt the MoU for the modus operandi of the proposed forum. The forum seeks to promote a culture of local ideas and solutions in order to promote the development agenda for the constituency.
The said partners, namely Greater Whange Residents Trust, Hwange Radio FM, El Dorado Rock Park and Office of the MP ended up successfully adopting the MoU. Consequently, the new forum has now formally commenced as from 1st of March 2021. A planning meeting is set to be conducted during the third weekend of April. Added to that, the Forum is set to host its first braai-side meeting during the last weekend of April 2021.
WOMEN OF INFLUENCE CONFERENCE
The plans by the Office of the MP to host its inaugural Women of Influence Workshop, gathered some good momentum during the month of March. The conference will be held in partnership with a number of civil society leaders and organisations. Participants for the conference will be drawn exclusively from women who are based at the local constituency. The event is most likely to be held at the end of May 2021.
MEN OF INFLUENCE CONFERENCE
The Office of the MP has started the process of organising the inaugural annual Men of Influence Conference. It is proposed that this special conference focusing exclusively on men based at the local constituency will be held in partnership with various civil society leaders and organisations such as the Padare/Enkundleni/Men’s Forum on Gender, among others. The conference is most likely to be held during July 2021.
CITIZEN JOURNALISM TRAINING WORKSHOP
The Office of the MP, in partnership with the Media Centre plans to host a basic training workshop focusing on the art of Citizen Journalism. The workshop facilitators will include renowned media expert Ernest Mudzengi and the award-winning journalist Luke Tamborinyoka, who will both travel all the way from Harare to Whange to facilitate the workshop. A public call for applications to participate at the workshop was issued by the Office of the MP during the first half of March 2021. There has been an overwhelming response to the call for participants. As such, it is planned that the workshop will be held during the mid-part of May 2021.
WOMEN CITIZEN JOURNALISM TRAINING WORKSHOP
The Office of the MP has started engaging with the Women’s Political Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE) to host another workshop focusing on citizen journalism exclusively for women based at our local constituency. If all goes well, the workshop will be held sometime during June 2021. More details about the proposed workshop will be shared in the next few weeks.
GOSPEL MUSIC ASSOCIATION ELECTS INTERIM COMMITTEE
The Hon. MP has now successfully completed his role as the national Convenor for the Gospel Music Association of Zimbabwe (GMA). He has been the inspirational force behind the revival efforts of the GMA for the past three years. The Hon. MP formally handed over the leadership role of the GMA to an Interim Committee that was elected at the GMA’s long awaited national leadership meeting that was held at Harare on Saturday 20th March 2021. It is now envisaged that the Hon. MP will now take a backstage role and continue to serve the GMA as an advisor to its interim Committee. The interim Committee will be led by Stanley Chivere who was elected as its Chairperson. The meeting further resolved that the term of the interim Committee will be based on the GMA Constitution. This means that the interim Committee will play its role until the next elective AGM that is due to be held in June 2023.
VARIOUS LOCAL COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
WARD LEVEL VISITS
The Office of the MP recently initiated a robust programme of engaging the local communities at ward level so as to help assess the effects of COVID-19, especially on the livelihoods of people in the Constituency. However, due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, the Office of the MP is only engaging the ward Councillors for feedback purposes and a few ward community leaders.
It is in that particular context that the Office of the MP on Sunday 28th March, held an engagement meeting and local field tour with the Councillor for Ward 5, Tendai Sibanda. The field tour particularly focused on a local income generation project that is being run by some local women.
The initiative is known as Sizimisele and currently operates mostly by running a highly-productive nutrition garden in the neighbourhood. After the field tour, the Hon. MP had a very intensive strategy meeting with the leadership of the Sizimisele initiative that could help the project to continue to grow and develop in a viable and sustainable manner. The Office of the MP, together with the Ward 5 Councillor, Tendai Sibanda; also held a meeting with a delegation from a local soccer team.
The local team constitutes mostly of primary and secondary school students. At the end of the meeting, the Hon. MP pledged his full support to the local soccer team. He also agreed to help the team secure the necessary equipment such as soccer balls and also sponsorship for a proposed challenge match between Ward 5 and Ward 6 soccer and netball teams. The tournament is likely to be held before the end of May 2021.
ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WARD 20 COUNCILLOR
The Office of the MP recently had an engagement meeting with the Councillor for rural Ward 20, Bakani Kwidini. The meeting was held on Saturday 13th March 2021 at the Lukosi business centre. The meeting discussed the current status of the local community, challenges and possible solutions. The issues discussed also included the adverse effects of COVID-19 and the lockdown restrictions on the ward’s largely rural population.
RURAL WARDS BOREHOLES REPAIRS
In line with one of the major electoral commitments by the Hon. MP; since 2018, the Office of the MP has been paying for all boreholes repairs across all the three rural wards under the constituency. It is envisaged that this initiative will continue to run up to the end of the term of office in 2023. So far, the Office of the MP has fully paid for the repair services of over 30 boreholes.
ACTIVE SUPPORT FOR THE GIRL-CHILD AT SCHOOLS
The schools recently re-opened after a lengthy break that was forced by a necessary response to curb the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, Hon. MP has adopted several female learners at various schools across the constituency. These include Amanda Ndlovu who adopted by the MP at the end of her primary school years at Nekabandama under rural ward 12. For more than three years, the Hon. MP has been paying her tuition fees and others school related expenses while she is doing her studies at Gebhuza secondary school. The MP has also adopted Cheryl Sibanda who is a learner at the St Marys Primary school at the rural Ward 20. Last but not least, the Hon. MP recently adopted Lecylin Mbiza who is a multi-talented learner. He will be paying for both her tuition fees and other school related expenses at the Whange Government high school.
SOCIAL WELFARE SUPPORT FOR BIG CHARLIE
Since 2018, the Office of the MP has been actively supporting the legendary and iconic Big Charlie in terms of his social welfare needs. The process has largely been encapsulated by regular monthly visits by the staff of the Office of the MP. The staff always hand over groceries to Big Charlie during each of the monthly visits. The month of March was no exception as the Office of the MP, represented by the Administrator Fatuma Mohammad, managed once again to hand over some groceries to Big Charlie at his home.
ENGAGEMENT WITH THE LOCAL ALBINO COMMUNITY
The Office of the MP recently met with the representatives of the Whange Albinos Association to discuss various ways of collaboration. A volunteer Committee has now been set up to help advise the Office of the MP to effectively address all issues related to Albinism in the constituency. Further, the Office of the MP recently successfully coordinated a special week on Albinism in order to promote awareness of issues related to Albinism with the greater public under the constituency. The week covered the period from Sunday 28th February till Saturday 6th March 2021.
SUPPORT FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
The Hon. MP is a strong believer in entrepreneurship especially from a young people’s perspective. In this regard, the Office of the MP held a meeting on Sunday 28th March 2021 with a delegation from one of the local start-up companies known as the New Addition Enterprises. The new company was recently set up by a consortium of youthful local entrepreneurs.
WHANGE LAW CHAMBERS
In line with his electoral campaign promise, the Hon. MP has resumed the process of setting up a permanent legal practice at Whange. The process was delayed last year in order to fulfil some requirements set by the Law Society of Zimbabwe. If all, goes well, the legal practice will be set up later this year.
OFFICE OF THE MP CONSOLES BESNART DUBE’S FAMILY
The local Whange community was recently plunged into deep mourning after the loss of Besnart Dube who passed away in mid-February 2021. The late Dube was a revered long-standing local community leader who had over the years been involved in various initiatives. In particular, she was well known as a civil and human rights advocate and had also championed the rights of the local informal sector. On Saturday 13th March 2021, the Hon. MP led a delegation from the Office of the MP to the home of the late Dube, where he took some time to express his heartfelt condolences to her husband, children and grandchildren.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS OFFICE OF THE MP PHYSICAL ADDRESS
The Office of the MP would like to confirm that the Hwange Colliery Company has formally withdrawn the original offer for office space at the old Maurice Kantor shop that is located at the No.2 Colliery. After some serious consultations with some various local community stakeholders, the Office of the MP has resolved not to pursue the matter further. Instead, it has now been resolved that the physical offices will be located at Empumalanga township. In this regard, there are some advanced negotiations to sign a lease agreement for an office space located under Ward 4 at Empumalanga township.
OFFICE OF THE MP CONTACT DETAILS
The Office of the MP remains available to serve all local constituency residents at all times, regardless of their social status or political affiliation. Please do all feel free to contact the Office of the MP, especially during business hours. Also, do kindly take note of the contact details for all our team members:
• Daniel Molokele – Hon. Member of Parliament (071 372 6552)
• Thulani Moyo – Personal Assistant and Spokesperson (077 648 3659)
• Fatuma Mohammad – Office Administrator (077 105 1782)
The month of March saw a marked increase in the number of public programmes and meetings facilitated by the Office of the MP. It is hoped that this progressive trend will continue during the month of April 2021. Be that as it may, it is evident that COVID-19 is set to remain as the most crucial factor during the first half of 2021. Just like last year, it has forced the Office of the MP to have a slow start to the year. However, unlike last year, the Office of the MP is already seeking ways to mitigate the adverse effects of the COVID-19 related lockdown restrictions on its local constituency plans and programmes. It is evident that the epidemic is here to stay and as such there is an urgent need to start adapting around it. As part of the way forward, the Office of the MP is in the process of consulting various local stakeholders in order to come up with a 2021 priorities strategy plan. The plan will help the Office of the MP to be more focused and results oriented in its approach to local community development during the year.
Thank you
May God bless you all
Thulani Moyo PA and Spokesperson to the Office of the MP Whange Central Constituency
MDC ALLIANCE ASSEMBLY OF WOMEN STATEMENT ON THE ABUSE AND ARREST OF VONGAI TOME AND OTHER LEADERS
We are deeply concerned and disappointed at the same time about the arbitrary arrest of our National Executive member Vongai Tome and Ngoni Mupfuma, a Youth Assembly Executive member on Tuesday when they had gone to court in solidarity with Makomborero Haruzivishe who was sentenced to 14 months for exercising his rights.
What baffles us is that Tome is actually a victim of sexual abuse by one of the police officers who indicently assaulted her.
Nothing was done to this police office dispite the fact that there is evidence in form of videos. We are living in a state that does not care about its citizens and this is so scary especially for us women.
Who is going to protect us? Who is going to listen to our cries? The leadership crisis is deeper than we think as the government is clueless about reviving the economy, thus, they turn to violation of human rights as a way of scaring and silencing us.
We are not going to keep quiet. We demand the release of Vongai Tome and other political leaders as they are not criminals.
Surely Citizens must Converge for Change and end this suffering.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance national spokesperson, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere has described Mr George Charamba’s remarks about the conviction and sentencing of Makomborero Haruvizishe as a typical reflection of the callousness of the regime he represents.
Mr Charamba, who calls himself Jamanda on Twitter, gloated over the conviction and sentencing of Makomborero Haruvizishe on Tuesday.
Mr Charamba stunned all and sundry when he castigated Makomborero Haruvizishe and the MDC Alliance, accusing the latter of sponsoring acts of violence.
According to Advocate Mahere, a return to legitimacy is the only solution to the country’s economic quagmire.
Advocate Mahere argued:
“Mr Charamba clearly lacks the courage to associate his true identity with the abhorrent content of his tweets.
How can he then be expected to understand or respect the type of courage it takes to fight brutal regimes such as the one he represents?”
“We urgently need a return to a people’s government,” added Advocate Mahere.
By Honest Makanyire| Child Registry has launched a lucrative scheme for professionals in various sectors.
Child Registry Ltd is a UK and US- registered organization with subsidiaries in various countries in Africa.
The organization offers services that contribute towards community development.
According to Child Registry, the programme seeks to empower employees in African countries with lifetime benefits.
“So, what is US$ based Retirement? How does Child Registry Ltd contribute to this plan?
As a Premium Member, you are eligible to get US$5 contribution every month when you contribute equal amount, that is US$5 through Child Registry Ltd. The Funds are held by a third party, UK Registered & Regulated Trustee Company (Company Number: 13112504) UBX Employees Pension Trustee Ltd.
Funds are matched by Child Registry & Invested by EGX Securities Ltd (UK) (Company Number: 09909569) which has an Investment Portfolio of US$750 Million of its own Capital.
Upon Maturity which is as early as you reaching 55, you have an option to pull out your funds in US$. Most African countries’ currency tends to devalue at a higher pace relative to western countries,” said Child Registry in a statement.
Investments made in United States dollars are safe, according to Child Registry.
“A dollar goes further compared to local currency.
So, how much money will I have at retirement?
Lets say you Contribute US$5 every month for 10 years (Child Registry will match additional US$5): You would have US$2,324.86 (Your Contribution: $600, Child Registry Contribution: $600, Interest on Investment: $1,119.86).
Lets say you Contribute US$5 every month for 20 years (Child Registry will match additional US$5): You would have US$10,025.56 (Your Contribution: $1,200, Child Registry Contribution: $1,200, Interest on Investment: $7,620.56).
Signup now. Its Free Money when you Contribute!
**Note: Return on Investment is 12%. Also, funds are matched on a first come first serve basis since we have limited Contribution Limits.
You will get a Quarterly Statement on your Contributions. Also, funds can be remitted to local or international bank…”
By A Correspondent- There was chaos at Waterfalls Primary School in Harare last week when over 40 pupils were turned away after it emerged that their names were not on the school register after having been smuggled into class by a teacher allegedly working in cahoots with a driver.
This was discovered by the new deputy head after some teachers complained that they had about 60 pupils in one class.
An investigation by the school later revealed that a number of pupils were not registered with the school, but had been attending classes since last year.
According to an official at the school who requested anonymity, a normal class at the school ranges from 40 to 45 students depending on the size of the classroom.
Parents who spoke to NewsDay alleged that a teacher, Samuel Chitambara (27) and Fanuel Mutopo (driver), as facilitators between parents and administration, collected money ranging between US$50 and US$100 as enrolment fees, but they converted the money to their own use.
“We paid money in United States dollars and were given school bank details to pay fees. We bought uniforms and paid fees at the bank and our children went to school just for a week before they were turned away. This has been happening for the past few years, but the new staff in the admin exposed everything, we were duped,” one of the parents said.
Contacted for comment, an official at the Primary and Secondary Education ministry’s Highfield and Glen Norah district offices admitted on condition of anonymity that there were over 40 unregistered children coming in complete school uniform at the school since the opening of schools after the COVID-19 lock- down.
“It is true that parents were deceived by Chitamba and Mutopo and were duped to pay money ranging between US$50 and US$100 per child, but we have advised all parents who are victims to report the issue to the nearest police station so that we can work together to investigate this issue,” the official said.
“The school is not in a position to refund money which was handed direct to the duo in US dollars, but those who had deposited fees in our bank accounts will be refunded.
“Some of the duped parents are police officers.”
The source added that the district set up a taskforce that was still investigating the matter and was given up to April 15 to give feedback to the Education ministry.
“A few parents are willing to cooperate, others are using emotions. I was even booed by the parents when I arrived at the school last week, which becomes difficult to investigate since parents are bitter as they demand a guarantee that their children be enrolled at the same school despite that the school has no capacity to recruit more students beyond what is required by the ministry,” one of the investigators said.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- Wife to the late evangelist Reverend Chiweshe, Mbuya Chwieshe has died.
Mbuya Chiweshe died this morning in Concession, Mazowe.
The development was revealed by AFM in Zimbabwe Media which said:
“It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the passing of Mbuya Chiweshe the wife to the late Rev Chiweshe this morning in Concession, Mazowe District.
The late Evangelist Mbuya Chiweshe was pastoring at Mt Carmel Assembly, Chitungwiza East Province.
Her rich history in AFM is unquestionable and indeed AFM in Zimbabwe has lost a mighty woman of God.
Funeral updates will follow as we receive more information
I note with sadness the death of a mighty woman of God, Amai T Chiweshe who passed on this morning. Amai Chiweshe was pastoring in Chitungwiza.She was wife to the powerful late Evangelist PD Chiweshe.May we all be consoled in Lord during this sad moment.Rev 14:13 RIP Mupositori! pic.twitter.com/KvpEAzJfC6
By A Correspondent- Chiefs Council president Fortune Charumbira has hailed the MDC-T party led by Douglas Mwonzora for working together with the ruling Zanu PF party in the Senate.
Debating in Senate on Tuesday ahead of voting on the proposed constitutional amendments, which were overwhelmingly supported by the MDC-T, Charumbira praised the opposition party for bringing in a “new political atmosphere”.
He said:
As traditional leaders, we are a full complement, but the two political parties, from what I know and also heard in the corridors this afternoon, even if Zanu PF senators were short, the number was going to be fine because we are going to vote united, which is good for us as Zimbabweans.
It is not about how many are from Zanu PF, the chiefs council or the MDC, we will go beyond 54. That is the spirit we need,” he said.
My second point is, in the past three weeks, surely in the Senate during debates Madam President, we have a totally new political atmosphere.
It does not matter whether it is Zanu PF or MDC-T debating, there is convergence.
During the Tuesday vote, 70 senators voted for the passage of the Bill that seeks to mutilate the 2013 national constitution.
The amendment gives the President the power to appoint the chief justice, the deputy chief justice and the judge president without interviews.
Senators from both Zanu PF and MDC-T (Mwonzora, Elias Mudzuri and Khupe) and traditional leaders voted in support of the Bill.
WATCH- @DMwonzora speaks on Constitutional ammendments. "Zanu Pf was not voted by the majority of the people….the majority didnt vote for Zanu Pf. Zanu Pf represents 2 million out of 11 million peopl. No to #Constitutional changes. If it ain't broken, dont fix it" pic.twitter.com/Hgy5NUHmw6
Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu 6 April 1979: "Tell my people that I love them and that they must continue the fight, my blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom, Aluta continua."#PeoplePower
— Makomborero Haruzivishe (@MakomboreroH) April 8, 2021
By A Correspondent| Bulawayo lawyer Josephat Tshuma has on behalf of the family of the late Paul Munakopa sued Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe, Police boss Godwin Matanga and two police officers for causing the death of the Bulawayo resident.
Munakopa was shot several times on 23 May 2020 in Bulawayo by police officers who were travelling in an unmarked vehicle and later died as a result of injuries he sustained.
In the summons filed recently at Bulawayo High Court, Tshuma representing the Munakopa family, said police officers acted negligently and caused the death of Munakopa by discharging firearms without due care and attention.
Tshuma said police officers are liable for their conduct.
Tshuma wants Kazembe, Matanga and the cops namely Digson Nyoni Langton Makonye and two individuals Ross Johnson and Kyle Bennet to pay damages amounting to US$436 000 for loss of support to the Munakopa family including his minor children, emotional shock and trauma caused by witnessing his death.
By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF bigwigs in Masvingo, who were aligned to the embattled former war veterans’ leader Victor Matemadanda before his sacking as the party’s political commissar, are now in a state of uncertainty.
Sources close to the matter revealed that many had positioned themselves for the 2023 harmonised elections with the blessing of the former Defence and War Veterans Welfare deputy minister after they allegedly bribed their way for consideration as parliamentary candidates.
According to sources, Zanu-PF Chiredzi district chairperson Siyaki Munhungehama was promised Chiredzi north, provincial commissar Jevas Masosota had chosen Chiredzi East, provincial secretary for finance Farai Musikavanhu wanted to retain his Chiredzi West constituency.
Masvingo Provincial affairs minister Ezra Chadzamira was allegedly promised that despite allegations of corruption levelled against him, his position was guaranteed, come 2023.
Munhungehama, however, denied the allegations.
“When we met with Matemadanda, we never discussed such issues. I personally never gave him anything. Those allegations are unfounded and malicious. I don’t know where all that is coming from. It remains a mystery to me,” he said.
Zanu-PF national spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo referred all questions to Matemadanda.
“Why don’t you talk to Matemadanda? I think he is in a better position to tell what really happened. I cannot comment on that,” he said.
Matemadanda was livid when reached for comment, saying if anyone felt he committed a crime, they should report him to the police.
“Why do you call if you have heard that I was given a cow or a bull? Go and report me to the police,” Matemadanda said curtly before dropping the call.
Chadzamira, Musikavanhu and Masosota could not be reached for comment on their mobile phones.
Zanu-PF recently relieved Matemadanda of his commissariat duties over allegations of incompetence and unwittingly disclosing Zanu-PF’s involvement in the decimation of the opposition MDC Alliance.
By Florence Muzekenyi- This is a cry for help, attention, assistance on behalf of the Glenview residents, Glenview 3 First Drive, in particular.
We are in living in deplorable standards due to overflowing raw sewer that has become a sight in almost the whole of First Drive.
From 18th March 2021, I have personally tried to engage the local municipality of Glenview through the foreman Mr Rwakatiwana to lodge our complaint of overflowing sewer but to no avail. The endless promises that they will come to fix the problem have remained that, promises and nothing else.
Since 18th March 2021, we have not been able to use our outside toilet or sink due to the sewer that is gushing out from both the toilet pan and the sink drain. We had been using the inside toilet until yesterday when it also filled up and burst in our absence only to find the toilet, passage, and an adjacent bedroom filled with flowing sewer.
This recent outcome has rendered my family ‘toiletless’. My situation is just a glimpse of what other families in my community are going through, failing to access toilets. I dread to think what means other families who have no alternative toilets have been resorting to all this while.
The situation in Glenview is a ticking time bomb, another cholera and/ or typhoid outbreak is certainly looming.
If there is anyone out there who can help our situation, may you please contact us or just visit Glenview especially the road that faces the 2 High schools.
The State is opposing bail in the case of Vimbai Time who was indecently assaulted by a police officer who touched her breasts at the Magistrates Court on 6 March.
Vongai Tome who was indecently assaulted by a police officer at the Magistrates Court on 6 March is appearing in court this afternoon for initial remand and bail hearing. She is charged with disorderly conduct. Vongai is represented by lawyer Nyasha Machirori from the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum.
By A Correspondent- Government has removed Value Added Tax (VAT) payable on selected goods and services in the tourism sector in an effort to promote domestic tourism and catapult the industry back to its hey days.
The reprieve will be in place for the next 12 months and is expected to assist the sector to recover from the adverse effects of Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Various stakeholders in the tourism industry have been calling for a discount or zero rating on VAT to be able to operate arguing that the domestic market was different from the traditional international market. Hoteliers and other tourism service providers were forced to close, leaving thousands of workers jobless.
The VAT reprieve is contained in the Statutory Instrument 87 of 2021 gazetted by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube as part of measures to facilitate vibrant domestic tourism.
“It is hereby notified that the Minister of Finance and Economic Development has in terms of Section 78 of the Value Added Tax Act made the following regulations, which may be cited as Value Added Tax (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (No. 56), that, supply of the following services to domestic tourists for a period of twelve months from date of publication,” read part of the new S.I.
The selected goods and services include food and beverages served at place of accommodation, shuttle services, car rental services, marine and ferry services, sport fishing, safari operations, tourism and exploring national museums and monuments, recreational activities provided by companies registered with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
The SI defines a domestic tourist as a person who visits but does not sleep at the place or in the area visited. In January last year, the Treasury also suspended Customs and Excise duty payable on specified motor vehicles imported by safari operators for a period of 24 months to December 2021 through SI 276 of 2019.
This also included suspension of duty on selected powdered milk and specified alcoholic beverages also imported by the tourism sector. Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe (TBCZ) chief executive, Mr Paul Matamisa, welcomed the development saying it will result in reduced costs for domestic tourists, which could boost volumes.
The Government prioritises the recovery of the tourism sector hence the $500 million Tourism Support Fund introduced by the Treasury last year to guarantee tourism players’ access to loans from banks. This was part of an $18 billion Economic Recovery and Stimulus Package availed by Government.
Of this package, a total of $20 million was meant to provide seed capital to kick-start a Tourism Revolving Fund while Value Added Tax (VAT) payable by tourists for accommodation and visitor services at 14,5 percent, was waived.
Players in the tourism industry had appealed to the Government for a 50 percent slash of permits and licence fees so as to capacitate the industry to revive operations. They cited VAT as one of the contentious issues as they felt the tax was too high and made Zimbabwe as a destination expensive.
The just ended Easter holiday saw the industry recording about 20 percent bookings especially on the accommodation side.-statemedia
A 45-year-old Epworth man who had gone for an Easter holiday in Mazowe allegedly drowned at Doxford dam after taking a bath in Mazowe on Sunday.
Charles Rupanga of house number 3116 Overspill Epworth went to the dam to bath and began to swim after taking a bath.
He swam and went to climb a tree which was on the middle of the dam before trying to swim back to the other side of the dam where his friend Godfrey Mharadzi (38) was standing and watching him swim.
Acting Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Naison Dhliwayo confirmed the case.
The body was subsquently retrieved by police subaqua.
Police warned people to desist from playing from water bodies in case they get attacked by dangerous reptiles.
“People should desist from playing in water bodies least they get attacked by dangerous reptiles or drown as in this case,” Dhliwayo said.
AT least 10 people were allegedly killed by State security agents last year as President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government restricted freedoms of expression under the guise of enforcing COVID-19 regulations, Amnesty International (AI) has said in its latest report.
In the report on its assessment on the state of human rights in Zimbabwe, the human rights watchdog noted that most of the victims were killed with impunity for violating COVID-19 regulations, while several other people, including women, were subjected to torture and harassment during the pandemic.
“Security forces frequently used excessive force to prevent or crackdown on peaceful protests and to impose lockdown restrictions, killing at least 10 people,” the human rights watchdog stated said.
“The authorities used COVID-19 regulations to justify severe restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. They deployed security forces to abduct, assault, and torture perceived critics, and opposition members and leaders.”
The AI noted that most of the State-sponsored brutalities were recorded in the Matabeleland region.
The late MDC Alliance councillor for Ward 4 in Karoi, Lavender Chiwaya, was named as one of the victims of the killings.
Amnesty International also accused Mnangagwa’s government of harassing trade unionists and violating freedoms of expressions as enshrined in the Constitution through arrests, detention and torture of journalists.
“Many were subjected to violence, including a significant number of women. Two sisters, Nokuthula and Ntombizodwa Mpofu, were severely beaten by police on April 16, 2020, in Bulawayo when they went out during curfew to buy food for their children,” the report read.
“There are significant human rights issues, including unlawful or arbitrary killings of civilians by security forces, torture and arbitrary detention by security forces, cases of cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions, political prisoners or detainees and arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy,” the report further read.
Human rights defenders have expressed concern over continued human rights abuses under Mnangagwa’s rule, which was common during the late former president Robert Mugabe’s governance.
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba has dismissed claims that the imprisonment of MDC Alliance executive member Makomborero Haruziviishe was political persecution and lauded the courts for discouraging “hooliganism” and public disorder in the country.
Haruziviishe (29), an MDC Alliance executive member, was on Tuesday jailed for 14 months for inciting public violence, a sentence which is being challenged by civil society groups and human rights lawyers.
In a series of tweets on his @Jamwanda2Twitter handle yesterday, Charamba mocked MDC- Alliance for failing to save the activist from being sent to jail.
He later told NewsDay that he was using the social media platform to “influence moral behaviour”.
“I am not mocking anyone. I am mocking hooliganism which is taking the human form of Makomborero Haruziviishe,” Charamba said.
“You don’t expect us to shower confetti on lawlessness. Haruziviishe is a young college dropout who confuses politics with violence. By imprisoning him, we try to use him as an example to discourage such behaviour. What I am doing in my tweets is moral sanctioning. There are certain behaviours which cannot just be condoned in society.”
He said Haruziviishe’s conviction had nothing to do with politics because he was tried and convicted in a court of law “independent” from political parties’ interference.
“Was he tried at the Zanu PF headquarters or MDC party offices that it can be referred to as a political matter?” Charamba asked rhetorically.
But MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said by imprisoning and arresting human rights activists, government was demonstrating beyond doubt there was no new dispensation to speak of.
“It is clear that politicians are abusing the courts and weaponising the law to silence dissent and punish members of the opposition. This is the latest symptom of the ever-growing bad governance crisis this nation faces. This is not about Mako, buy what he represents, the quest by the people for freedom from tyrannical rule.”
She added: “It’s a huge matter of regret that civil servants such as Charamba are mocking human rights defenders.
“He clearly lacks the courage to associate his true identity with the abhorrent content of his tweets. How can he then be expected to understand or respect the type of courage it takes to fight brutal regimes such as the one he represents?”
High Court judge Justice Philda Muzofa has thrown out an application by the MDC Alliance which sought to bar the government from disbursing funds to the main MDC led by Douglas Mwonzora under the Political Parties Finance Act.
The MDC Alliance had approached the court arguing that Mwonzora had no right to the political funds under the Act as his formation had not participated in the 2018 harmonised elections.
In its application, the MDC Alliance had cited Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube and the Mwonzora group as respondents.
The party had also claimed that they had filed the lawsuit out of fear that the Treasury would disburse $30 million to Mwonzora and his formation under the Act as they had previously done last year.
The MDC, through their lawyer Lovemore Madhuku, had challenged the application, arguing that the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance had no right to the political funds as the party that had participated in the elections and the current one were different.
“It was further submitted that in its affidavit, the applicant described itself as a legal persona with the capacity to sue and be sued. A constitution was attached to confirm the position stated in the founding affidavit. The constitution is undated.
“The party that contested in the 2018 elections had no constitution and it is the party that appeared before the court in MDC Alliance and two others versus Douglas Mwonzora and five others.
“No constitution was produced before the court. If this applicant has a constitution, then it is not the party that contested in the 2018 harmonised elections and is out of court,” Madhuku had averred.
In delivering her judgment, Justice Muzofa noted that the party was bound by the decision previously made by Justice Tawanda Chitapi in May last year and, therefore, lacked the legal capacity to appear before the court.
By A Correspondent- A bribe-taking Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer Sergeant Seventeen Patrol (34) based at ZRP Nyamapanda station has been arrested for abuse of office charges after he allegedly demanded US$300 from a Covid-19 violator.
According to the charge sheet seen by Bulawayo24.com, on the 25th day of December last year, at around 2200 hours, the Complainant was operating his business violating Covid 19 Regulations. On that same night, Sergeant Personal led a team of Police members from Kotwa post that were on patrol at Nyamureka Business Centre.
The Police patrol team then arrived at the complainant’s premises and dispersed all patrons who were drinking beer and he was made to close the bar.
“The next day Sergeant Seventeen and his patrol team reported at the complainant’s premises in order to arrest him for the above-mentioned offence.
The police patrol team took all the liquor from the bar and was conveyed to Kotwa Post and the complainant was made to pay ZW$500.00 fine.”
“On the 31st day of December 2020, for the second time Complainant violated Covid 19 regulations by operating his bar.
On the 3rd day of April 2021, the accused person invited the Complainant at Kotwa Post to answer allegations of violating Covid 19 regulations.
The accused person then recorded a Warned and Cautioned Statement from complainant and later on accused informed complainant that If he wished for the case to be swept down the carpet he must bring US$300-00 as bribe money.”
“On the 4th day of April 2021, the accused received US$20-00 from the Complainant as bribe but the accused kept on insisting that Complainant must pay US$300-00 as bribe money. On the 6th day of April 2021, Complainant proceeded to Police General Headquarters, Harare Internal Investigations and lodged his complaint.”
“On the 7th day of April 2021, Police General Headquarters initiated a trap to that effect. A team of five investigators led by Chief Inspector William Zogwa and in the company of the Complainant went at Kotwa Business Centre, Mudzi where the accused received US$300-00 trap money from the complainant.
Upon receiving trap money from the Complainant, the accused was subsequently arrested by internal investigations team. The accused was then taken to ZRP Nyamapanda where he was handed over to CID Nyamapanda for further management.”
The accused is being charged for Contravening Section 174 of Criminal law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23 “Criminal Abuse of Office”. ZRP Nyamapanda C.R. 18/04/21 refers.
The accused is currently detained at ZRP Nyamapanda pending further investigations. He is expected to appear at court on today 08 April, 2021.-Byo24
By A Correspondent| Sources from the Chikurubi cells where Tafadzwa Shamba, the self confessed murderer of the 7 year old, Tapiwa Makore, is, have leaked information that he has been poisoned in prison and is currently seriously ill.
‘The inmate is being denied hospital treatment with the aim to let him die for the murder case to lose weight,’ a Makore family source told ZimEye.
The development comes as the 7 year old’s remains were buried without the skull, following a series of open-blunders by both the police and prosecutors.
Tapiwa was found murdered and his body dismembered on the 17th September last year, and Shamba is the one who has provided the clearest evidence of how the killing was done, and yet prosecutors suddenly conceded to claims that his witness statement is not credible due to alleged mental illness.
Poisoned…the murder accused, Mr. Tafadzwa Shamba on the day he was narrating how he killed the seven-year-old lad.
More problems emerge from some family members, including the family spokesperson Beaulah Musupiye who ignored video and audio evidence supplied by ZimEye of police officers receiving bribes in at the house of another suspect, Thanks Makore in Damafalls, Harare.
ZimEye was at the time of writing engaging prison bosses over the poisoning case.
A 42-year-old man from Brunapeg in Mangwe district, Matabeleland South province has been arrested after he killed his brother for trying to restrain him from assaulting their mother.
Thabani Moyo of Fanyana Moyo’s homestead New Line 1 in Brunapeg, killed his younger brother Jonathan Moyo (40) on Wednesday last week.
Matabeleland South police provincial spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident that has left villagers shell shocked.
“I can confirm that we have arrested one Thabani Moyo in connection with a murder case where he is reported to have killed his younger brother.
“The circumstances are that on March 31 at around 8pm, Jonathan Moyo was asleep when the accused came from Brunapeg Business Centre where he was drinking. Upon arrival, the accused found his mother in the kitchen and threatened to kill her over an undisclosed issue,” said Insp Mangena.
Sensing danger, the mother fled to a nearby bush and Jonathan who was asleep was woken up by the noise.
According to witnesses, Jonathan tried to restrain Thabani who then stabbed him on the neck and back and he died on the spot.
ZimEye will be livestreaming a presser by the Accountability lab set to be held at the Media Centre in Harare.
Below is the presser announcement by the organisation:
Accountability Lab Zimbabwe will be hosting a press conference to launch the Integrity Icon Zimbabwe, a global campaign to find, celebrate and connect honest public servants.
The campaign aims to celebrate individuals who go beyond the call of duty, build support for their efforts to realise a collective societal shift towards ethical conduct and greater accountability.
Integrity Icon Zimbabwe is an initiative of Accountability Lab Zimbabwe, a network lab established in 2020.
By A Correspondent- A 45 year old Epworth man who had gone for an Easter holiday in Mazowe allegedly drowned at Doxford dam after taking a bath in Mazowe on Sunday.
Charles Rupanga of house number 3116 Overspill Epworth went to the dam to bath and began to swim after taking a bath.
He swam and went to climb a tree which was on the middle of the dam before trying to swim back to the other side of the dam where his friend Godfrey Mharadzi (38) was standing and watching him swim.
Acting Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Naison Dhliwayo confirmed the case.
The body was subsquently retrieved by police subaqua.
Police warned people to desist from playing from water bodies in case they get attacked by dangerous reptiles.
“People should desist from playing in water bodies least they get attacked by dangerous reptiles or drown as in this case,” Dhliwayo said.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition is concerned by the wanton disregard of the people’s will by the ruling party, Zanu PF which has embarked on a campaign to amend the constitution, adopted in 2013, before its full implementation.
On April 6, 2021, the Constitutional Amendment Bill (Number 1) passed through the Senate after it was submitted for the second time.
The Bill, through amendments to Section 180 of the constitution, gives the President powers to appoint the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and the Judge President in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission.
In essence, the Bill erodes the previous constitutional provision to subject the process of appointments of the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and the Judge President to public scrutiny and interviews.
The Bill essentially gives the President the discretion to choose his preferred candidates for appointment.
This works against judicial independence and goes against the principles of rule of law, separation of powers and transparency in government processes.
The Bill is thus an attempt to consolidate authoritarian rule through judicial capture and therefore merely seeks to serve the interests of ruling party politicians at the expense of the will of the majority who voted for the constitution in 2013.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition stands firmly against constitutional amendments before full implementation of the constitution adopted in 2013. Amending the constitution before implementation amounts to amputation.
The constitutional amendments are a real threat to civic and political rights and are part of machinations by the ruling party, Zanu PF to create a one party state in which they have sole authority to determine the governance of the country.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition is disturbed by the fact that through constitutional amendments, ruling party officials have exhibited a tendency to retain political power at the expense of the will of the people.
We implore the government to abide by the tenets of constitutional democracy and uphold the will of the people. Respect for the constitution is a fundamental pillar of a democratic society.
We further implore the ruling party, Zanu PF to desist from abusing its parliamentary majority to amend the constitution against the will of the people who voted overwhelmingly for the adoption of the constitution in 2013.
By A Correspondent- The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has warned employees representatives of the milling industry that their threats to embark on a nationwide strike is illegal and will cripple the industry which is already reeling under the devastating impact of Covid 19.
This comes after representatives of the milling industry threatened to down tools tomorrow citing poor remuneration after negotiations for a salary adjustment stalled.
In a statement dated April 6,the representatives said:
“We further put you as employers and principals of the Industry on notice that if the impasse is not resolved on or before Tomorrow we are left with no option but to mobilize for massive demonstration at your plants both in Harare and Bulawayo. “These demonstrations will start at National Foods and proceed to Blue Ribbons Foods, Agri Foods,” part of the statement reads.
The cited companies where the demonstrations are set to take place are some of the country’s largest grain milling firms.
But GMAZ, through its Chaiperson Tafadzwa Musasara cautioned that all negotiation channels had not yet been exhausted and embarking on a nation wide strike would bleed the sector,which is batttling to stay afloat in the midst of a devastating Covid 19 pandemic that has rattled the global economy.
“The principal is confused as to the intention of your letter, and will be happy to get clarity on the same if you so desire,” GMAZ response dated April 6 reads.
“The confusion arises from the fact that on one hand, you claim to engage the principal for a progressive discussion and deliberation of the matter yet on the other hand you threaten a demonstration in violation of the labour Act which compels you to provide a 14 day notice coupled with sufficient cause for your need to take up the collective job action.”
GMAZ has over the decades ensured that Zimbabwe’s grain requirements are sustained through periodic grain imports.Since government declared a national lockdown due to the novel Corona virus,the milling Industry has been designated essential service provider.
By A Correspondent- Wife to the late evangelist Reverend Chiweshe, Mbuya Chwieshe has died.
Mbuya Chiweshe died this morning in Concession, Mazowe.
The development was revealed by AFM in Zimbabwe Media which said:
“It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the passing of Mbuya Chiweshe the wife to the late Rev Chiweshe this morning in Concession, Mazowe District.
The late Evangelist Mbuya Chiweshe was pastoring at Mt Carmel Assembly, Chitungwiza East Province.
Her rich history in AFM is unquestionable and indeed AFM in Zimbabwe has lost a mighty woman of God.
Funeral updates will follow as we receive more information
Government has suspended the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council June examinations for 2021 while Treasury is set to release US$4,5 million to the Registrar General’s Office towards the clearing of a 256 000 passport backlog.
Cabinet adopted new passport fees which will result in an ordinary passport going out for US$60, a three-day passport costing US$200 and a 24-hour emergency passport being obtained for US$318.
An ordinary passport was being obtained for $600 which is equivalent to US$7 using the auction rate.
The new measures were adopted during the 9th 2021 Cabinet meeting held yesterday.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa briefing the Press after the Cabinet meeting, said Covid-19 has disrupted the education sector forcing the call-off of June public examinations.
“Cabinet considered and approved a request for the suspension of the Zimsec June 2021 Ordinary and Advanced Level Examination Session, which was presented by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Cain Mathema). Cabinet was advised that the Covid-19 pandemic that broke out in 2020 had negatively impacted the timing and cycle of public examinations, with the 2020 Grade 7, O-level and A-level examinations having commenced in early December 2020 and ended in early February 2021, instead of the usual period stretching from October to November of each year,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“The delay in writing and the marking of the previous examinations has affected the preparation and the setting of the next examination hence the decision to temporarily suspend the June 2021 examinations. This suspension of the June 2021 examination session will allow for timely focus on the November examination preparations and aid an effective focus of resources.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said Government will make arrangements to ensure that candidates who wanted to write in June are accommodated in November.
By A Correspondent- Police had to be called in to disperse agitated MDC Alliance supporters in Harare yesterday, after political activist Makomborero Haruzivishe was sentenced to an effective 14 months in prison for inciting public violence.
This comes as political tension is rising again in the country, amid fresh fears of violence as a reeling MDC Alliance feels the pressure on new fronts, including the threat of the coalition losing its name.
The sentencing of Haruzivishe witnessed rowdy scenes involving MDC Alliance supporters who had thronged Harare Magistrates’ Court in solidarity with the youthful activist — leading to clashes that left one freelance photojournalist, Sam Takawira, injured after he was caught up in the melee as he was filming proceedings.
Five activists, including Vongai Tome and Ngoni Dzapfumba, were subsequently arrested.
Elsewhere in Harare’s Central Business District, police maintained a strong presence, including mounting roadblocks which were jointly manned by other security agents.
National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi told the Daily News that law enforcement agents were on high alert and on the lookout for trouble makers bent on causing chaos.
“We call upon citizens to respect the country’s Covid-19 regulations. It is disheartening to note that people are taking Covid-19 for granted despite the evidence we have that it is real.
“We have arrested five political activists who violated Covid-19 regulations and they are currently in police custody at Harare Central Police Station.
“Anyone who is wont to cause chaos and mayhem will be dealt with severely in terms of the country’s laws,” Nyathi said.
Earlier, magistrate Judith Taruvinga had sentenced Haruzivishe — a former student leader who was answering to allegations of inciting public violence and resisting arrest — amid the tense atmosphere.
Haruzivishe was slapped with a 24-month prison term on the public violence incitement charge, but the court suspended 10 months on condition of good behaviour.
He was also slapped with 12 months imprisonment for resisting arrest, of which six months were set aside. However, Taruvinga said both sentences would run concurrently.
The court said although Haruzivishe was a first offender, his actions had resulted in turmoil in the capital.
The State, arguing in aggravation, said public violence leads to destruction of property, injury and death of people — and thus needed to be condemned.
Haruzivishe’s lawyer had called for a non-custodial sentence, saying the degree of violence from his alleged actions had not been ascertained.
The court heard that on February 5 last year, police were on a blitz against vendors in Harare when Haruzvishe started mobilising the public — trying to make them revolt against law enforcement agents.
He is said to have started throwing stones at the police and their vehicle. One of the cops tried to arrest him, but he resisted — only being overpowered later when other officers joined in.
Haruzivishe has been in custody after his bail was revoked, after the court ruled that he had willfully defaulted attending court.
The activist has also been in custody on kidnapping allegations — after he was accused of conniving with others in locking in employees of Impala car rental company in the Harare city centre while protesting the arrest of colleague Takudzwa Ngadziore.
Addressing the media outside the court soon after Haruzivishe had been sentenced, MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere described the judgement as unconstitutional and an abuse of the rule of law.
However, she was not able to finish her address as police arrived to disperse the gathering, saying people were violating Covid-19 regulations.
The under pressure MDC Alliance has been accusing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government of clamping down on dissenting voices in the country on trumped up charges.
In a statement ahead of Haruzivishe’s sentencing, the coalition’s welfare secretary, Maureen Kademaunga, said Haruzivishe and other activists were being targeted because of their political beliefs.
“We make an urgent call for international human rights organisations to recognise the status of political prisoners for Haruzivishe, (Cecelia) Chimbiri, (Joanna) Mamombe, Tinashe Bwanaisa, Rakeshi Marufu, Collin Paison, Tafara Mafunde, Farai Chidziva and Trust Nyamado.
“We call on the government for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience and the nullification of their charges which are clearly punitive measures against the peaceful exercise of their rights.
“We call upon the United Nations to launch an urgent, thorough, impartial and effective investigation into the abduction and torture of Cecelia Chimbiri, Joanna Mamombe and Netsai Marova.
“This is an outstanding criminal act of injustice which has also become the repeated arbitrary imprisonment of the three,” Kademaunga said.
By A Correspondent| A Mutare Magistrate on Tuesday 6 April 2021 acquitted two Mutare residents Precious and Priviledge Gwatidzo, who are twin sisters, after they stood trial on charges of unnecessary movement during the national lockdown period imposed by government in 2020 in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Precious and Priviledge aged 30 years, had been on trial since 7 December 2020 before Mutare Magistrate Audrey Muzhingi after they were arrested by some Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on 12 April 2020 in Mutare’s Dangamvura high-density suburb and accused of violating some national lockdown regulations when they were found outside their home instead of confining themselves to their residences.
While detained by ZRP officers, Precious and Priviledge were harassed and denied access to sanitary wear.
During trial, prosecutor Chris Munyuki told Magistrate Muzhingi that ZRP officers who were on patrol enforcing the national lockdown regulations which restricted unnecessary movement of people except those exempted, intercepted the twin sisters who reportedly failed to produce some exemption letters authorising them to be in Dangamvura suburb.
Munyuki claimed that Precious and Priviledge had acted unlawfully by failing to produce exemption letters to ZRP officers.
But in their defence, Precious and Priviledge, who were represented by Moses Chikomo of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), argued that it was essential for them to move around sourcing for some prescribed medication at a pharmacy for their grandmother, who was chronically ill, hence they were exempted from confining themselves at their residence.
The twin sisters also argued that when they were arrested by ZRP officers they had in their possession a supporting letter from their local Councillor confirming that they had an ailing member of the family who needed urgent medication.
On Tuesday 6 April 2021, Magistrate Muzhingi found Precious and Priviledge not guilty and acquitted them.
Earlier on in July 2020, Mutare Magistrate Sheila Nazombe overturned the conviction of Precious and Priviledge after Chikomo successfully challenged the decision by some ZRP members who ordered them to pay RTGS$500 each as fine for unnecessary movement during the national lockdown period.
In her ruling, Magistrate Nazombe stated that she was satisfied that the plea of guilty entered by Precious and Priviledge when they were arrested in April 2020 was equivocal.
Magistrate Nazombe then ordered ZRP officers to refund the total fine amounting to RTGS$1 000 paid by Precious and Priviledge and directed the law enforcement agents to compile a docket and bring the twin sisters to appear in court for a proper hearing and determination of their matter of which they were acquitted by Magistrate Muzhingi on Tuesday 6 April 2021.
By A Correspondent- Three machete wielding robbers allegedly pounced on a Mt Darwin man on Sunday and robbed him of his US$900.
Paul Gata (40) was assaulted with machetes all over the body by the unknown suspects when he was at the fireplace around 1am on the fateful day
Acting Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Naison Dhliwayo confirmed the case saying robbery cases are spiraling in the province.
“Cases of robbery are mushrooming in the province as such we are hunting for three machete wielding robbers who pounced on Gata and robbed him of his wallet,” Dhliwayo said.
Last week a female artisanal miner in Shamva was also robbed of her US$3500 at her house by three armed robbers who are still at large.
Police warned people to tighten their security in their homes to avoid robbers from breaking in.
By A Correspondent- High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi has released on bail a suspected armed robber, Brian Mubaiwa, accused of robbing a Chinese national of gold worth US$50 000.
Justice Chitapi granted Mubaiwa $10 000 bail after noting that the State did not have a strong case against the 47-year-old.
Mubaiwa, together with his co-accused Gift Moffat, had been remanded in custody by the Harare Magistrates’ Courts on February 8.
This was after they were arrested for allegedly storming Zhang Guanghui’s home on February 2.
The duo, who were part of a five-member gang that was allegedly armed with two pistons and a pair of catapults, jumped over the precast wall surrounding the house and manhandled Zhang and five other occupants.
The gang reportedly tied Zhang up with cables and assaulted him before escaping with 600 grammes of gold as well as valuables worth US$50 000.
In delivering his judgment, Justice Chitapi said the prosecution had failed to present an open and shut case to convince him to deny Mubaiwa bail.
“In weighing the interest of justice against the right of the applicant to his personal freedom, I am inclined in favour of granting bail.
“I do appreciate that the offence is serious. However, the circumstances of each case will determine how the seriousness of the offence is likely to impact on the risk of the applicant absconding.
“The State case is not open and shut, if one considers the allegations made and the evidence said to be available, a conviction is not given.
“The interest of justice will be served if bail is granted and the ensuing order is made. The applicant is granted bail. He shall deposit $10 000 with the Clerk of Court at the Harare, Magistrates’ Courts,” Justice Chitapi ruled.
He also noted that the fear expressed by the prosecution that Mubaiwa would flee from justice was unnecessary as he had proven to be of fixed abode.
“The applicant does not possess any travelling documents. He is just a peasant farmer with no assets which can sustain him were he to be minded to flee the jurisdiction of the court.
“He offered to report at Guruve Police Station as a check mechanism to ensure his continued availability,” Justice Chitapi added.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has left the country for Maputo, Mozambique to attend the SADC Organ for Politics, Defence and Security meeting.
The meeting is expected to address the insurgency in Cabo Delgrado province where religious extremists are attacking civilians resulting in over 670 000 people fleeing the area.
VIEW PICTURES OF MNANGAGWA BOARDING AN AIR ZIMBABWE FLIGHT
By A Correspondent- Former Health Minister David Parirenyatwa, facing charges of criminal abuse of office, yesterday lost his bid to be removed from remand after the court dismissed his application, saying no one was to blame for the delay in continuation of his trial.
Parirenyatwa, through his lawyer Mr Innocent Chingarande, had argued that he had come to court 10 times without being tried and that these delays in trial were violating his right to a fair trial within a reasonable period.
“He is a respectable member of the society who can be summoned back to court at any time,” argued the lawyer. The circumstances of this matter are that he be tried within reasonable period. He cannot be punished to come to court and only be remanded,” he said.
The State led by Mr Brian Vito told the court that the prosecution was ready for the trial, but magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo, was preparing to travel to South Africa to seek medical attention.
Indications were that Mr Makomo will be back at work sometime mid next month.
“Even if the trial magistrate was here, the defence was not ready for trial as the accused person’s lawyer of choice is not available.
In his ruling, magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje, said it was difficult for Parirenyatwa to place blame on one part as there were a number of factors that contributed, including the national Covid-19 lockdown.
Mr Mambanje said summoning Parirenyatwa to court at will, rather than setting the dates for his return to court under the remand process, would result in a cumbersome process that can be avoided by remanding the matter to the date when Mr Makomo is expected to be back at work.
“Even if the trial magistrate was here, it was not going to continue because of absence of accused person’s legal practitioner of choice.
“The State confirmed that the magistrate will be available and the sick leave is not indefinite. Summons will result in a cumbersome process that will result in the prejudice in the administration of justice,” he said.
Mr Mambanje remanded Parirenyatwa to May 14 when Mr Makomo is expected to be back at work.
Parirenyatwa allegedly ordered NatPharm board chairman George Washaya to terminate Flora Nancy Sifeku’s contract as managing director, saying he required her services at the ministry’s headquarters in Harare.
He is also alleged to have directed Washaya to appoint Newman Madzikwa as acting NatPharm MD with effect from June 1, 2018. It is alleged Parirenyatwa showed favour to Mr Newman Madzikwa, who had once been sacked from the company for selling donated drugs.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- Vice president Dr Costantino Chiwenga is expected to commission a mobile network booster in Binga on Saturday, a development that is expected to open up the district to investment.
There is limited access to many services in Binga while mobile and road network is a challenge.
The district relies on radio from neighbouring Zambia thereby exposing the community to anti-government propaganda.
Since independence Government has been working on improving citizens’ access to services hence people in many areas are now accessing Government services online.
A broadcasting transmitter is being constructed near Manjolo Business Centre to increase the district’s access to radio and tv while the roll-out of mobile phone base stations will also improve the communities’ access to information.
On Saturday VP Chiwenga will commission a booster constructed by NetOne in Sianzyundu area.
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo said the whole province is poised for greater heights with various development projects being undertaken by the Second Republic and its development partners.
“The VP will commission a NetOne booster on Saturday and we are excited as a province because this puts us on the radar. This will go a long way in enhancing development in our province as all programmes will now be easy to manage even without driving to the site as we can link up with officers on the ground,” said Minister Moyo.
He said improving mobile network connectivity will enhance e-learning and research as well as expose local youths to job opportunities.
“Children will now be able to research and access quality education because of availability of mobile and internet services since learning is now done online. Those seeking jobs can also take advantage of the services since job opportunities are also posted there.
“We have been making noise about this since the coming in of the New Dispensation. The community has been exposed to radio from Zambia while most places have no network. We are therefore elated as a province that the New Dispensation has heard our concerns,” said Minister Moyo.
He said his office had engaged mobile phone operators to improve network coverage across the province especially in Binga, Hwange, Nkayi, Bubi and Tsholotsho where most communities have no network.
The minister said he is waiting to be given a list of similar projects where network base stations are being built across the province.
The Second Republic has been commissioning community information centres countrywide to enhance network coverage which is key to development.
By James Gwati-Mutare twin sisters who have been acquitted on charges of contravening lockdown regulations Precious and Priviledge Gwatidzo, said they were denied access to sanitary wear by the police when they were arrested.
Precious and Priviledge aged 30 years, had been on trial since 7 December 2020 before Magistrate Audrey Muzhingi after they were arrested by some Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on 12 April 2020 in Mutare’s Dangamvura high-density suburb and accused of violating some national lockdown regulations when they were found outside their home instead of confining themselves to their residences.
While detained by ZRP officers, Precious and Priviledge were harassed and denied access to sanitary wear.
During trial, prosecutor Chris Munyuki told Magistrate Muzhingi that ZRP officers who were on patrol enforcing the national lockdown regulations which restricted unnecessary movement of people except those exempted, intercepted the twin sisters who reportedly failed to produce some exemption letters authorising them to be in Dangamvura suburb.
Munyuki claimed that Precious and Priviledge had acted unlawfully by failing to produce exemption letters to ZRP officers.
But in their defence, Precious and Priviledge, who were represented by Moses Chikomo of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), argued that it was essential for them to move around sourcing for some prescribed medication at a pharmacy for their grandmother, who was chronically ill, hence they were exempted from confining themselves at their residence.
The twin sisters also argued that when they were arrested by ZRP officers they had in their possession a supporting letter from their local Councillor confirming that they had an ailing member of the family who needed urgent medication.
On Tuesday, Magistrate Muzhingi found Precious and Priviledge not guilty and acquitted them.
Earlier on in July 2020, Mutare Magistrate Sheila Nazombe overturned the conviction of Precious and Priviledge after Chikomo successfully challenged the decision by some ZRP members who ordered them to pay RTGS$500 each as fine for unnecessary movement during the national lockdown period.
In her ruling, Magistrate Nazombe stated that she was satisfied that the plea of guilty entered by Precious and Priviledge when they were arrested in April 2020 was equivocal.
Magistrate Nazombe then ordered ZRP officers to refund the total fine amounting to RTGS$1 000 paid by Precious and Priviledge and directed the law enforcement agents to compile a docket and bring the twin sisters to appear in court for a proper hearing and determination of their matter of which they were acquitted by Magistrate Muzhingi on Tuesday.
By A Correspondent- A 64-year-old man from Silungidzi village in Matopo district who was knocked down by Zimbabwe’s Chief Justice Luke Malaba’s driver while cycling in 2018 is pleading with the top judge to compensate him for his damaged bicycle and medical expenses he incurred.
Herosi Moyo was cycling from a shopping centre in Tshapo village and was about to reach his homestead, when he was hit by the speeding car in December 2018.
Moyo’s mangled bicycle was taken by the chief justice’s driver for repairs.
But almost three years later, Moyo has not received compensation for his damaged bicycle.
In an interview with CITE at his homestead on Tuesday, Moyo pleaded with Chief Justice Malaba to return his bicycle as he had bought it using his pension funds.
By A Correspondent-Chief Justice Luke Malaba is said to have run over a cyclist and was never arraigned before the courts of law.
This was revealed by former Higher Education Minister Johnathan Moyo on one of his favourite social media platforms, Tweeter on Wednesday.
“ In Dec 2018 Chief Justice Malaba’s car, with him & his wife in it, ran over & critically injured Herosi Moyo who was cycling close to his home in Matopo & Malaba swept the as yet unresolved case under the carpet, until it was uncovered by
In Dec 2018 Chief Justice Malaba's car, with him & his wife in it, ran over & critically injured Herosi Moyo who was cycling close to his home in Matopo & Malaba swept the as yet unresolved case under the carpet, until it was uncovered by @zenzele today!https://t.co/aKAsLBVYD3pic.twitter.com/kB4UmWFLFe
RE: POLICE INABILITY TO ACT ON MDC-T THEFT AND MONEY LAUNDERING CASE My Letter to Assistant Commissioner Nyathi of February 3, 2021 attached below is a summary of the Case of Theft and laundering of the Movement for Democratic Change-T (MDC-T) Funds by Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora and Other Members of the Party Standing Committee. In Summary:
The case was reported on December 26, 2020, CASE- RB# 2236/12/2020
Several members of the MDC-T Standing Committee have deposed affidavits with ZRP attesting to the theft and laundering of funds
The ZRP has conducted its own investigations and evidence exists in support of both theft and illegal exchange of foreign currency on the black market.
The persons who participated in the illegal exchange of foreign currency are known to the Police
There are recorded statements from some members of the MDC-T Standing Committee attesting to the theft and money laundering
That the laundering was in total contravention of the country Foreign Exchange Act and the prevailing official exchange rate which was US$1:83RTGS as established by the Auction Market
That the MDC-T Standing Committee violated the Government policy of RTGS as legal tender for all domestic transactions
That no attempt was made to acquire the “needed” foreign currency from the official Banks at the prevailing exchange rate as required by the law
That the Funds from The Political Parties Finance Act are public funds that should not and cannot be laundered on the black market in total contravention of the country monetary and fiscal policies. Therefore, pray that:
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) investigates why the Police have not arrested Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora for the theft of funds despite overwhelming evidence
ZACC investigates the turning of Harvest House into a den of illegal foreign currency dealing and money laundering
Arrest and depose all MDC T Standing Committee members for their complicity in money laundering stemming from inability to report the theft and laundering of party funds
Take up the issue as a matter of urgency in light of Police inaction and the soon to be disbursed $29 million dollars as Gazetted by the government. Sincerely, Patson Murimoga MDC-T Member
Attachment 3rd February, 2021
Complainant: Patson Murimoga 4406 Manyame Park Chitungwiza Telephone Number: 0772780298/0772155555 Zimbabwe Republic Police Att: Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi RE: FOLLOW UP ON DOUGLAS TOGARASEI MWONZORA THEFT CASE- RB# 2236/12/2020 I am writing to follow up on my report of December 26, 2020 alleging theft of Movement for Democratic T party funds by Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora and others. The case was reported on RB#2236/12/2020. On Monday February 1st, 2020 there was a published Report by Fungai Mugari, Copy Attached detailing the alleged theft of party funds by Mwonzora and others. I am not the only person wondering why, in the face of such overwhelming evidence Mwonzora has not been arrested for this theft. The Investigating Officers have so far done a sterling job identifying the various accounts used, accomplices within the MDC T and the illegal foreign currency dealers they engaged. It appears to me that there is enough evidence of misappropriation. The MDCT Finance Director, Toddy Mapingire facilitated the withdrawal, delivery and collection of the illegally obtained foreign currency. He is the keeper of the paper trail. With the publication of this story I fear they may temper with evidence and witnesses. I strongly believe it is in the best interest of justice that Douglas Mwonzora, Todd Mapingire and others be arrested just like any other citizens would if they are accused of a similar crime. Justice is blind and should be dispensed without fear or favor. Yours Sincerely, Patson Murimoga ID # 04-101832 04 Cc. Officer in Charge CID Attachment: How Mwonzora Looted MDC-T Coffers Fungai Mugari Harare – Zimbabwean authorities are investigating the MDC-T for money laundering, fraud and violating exchange control regulations after millions of dollars were siphoned from the party’s account to illegal money changers. According to a memorandum prepared by the police’s commercial crimes unit, Douglas Mwonzora with the aid of one Toddy Mapingire, reportedly transferred a total of ZWL$6,355 000 to various accounts linked to illegal money changers. The police’s commercial crimes unit has since enlisted the services of RBZ’s Financial Intelligence Unit to investigate the matter further. In a memorandum to the Financial Intelligence Unit, police claim that there is reasonable suspicion that Mwonzora and Mapingire contravened section 5(1)(a) of the Exchange Control Act and section 8(1) of the Money-Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act, after they used the MDC-T BancABC account number 50863225502015 Heritage Branch to buy foreign currency equivalent to ZWL$6,355 000. “Some time in December 2020, MDC-T party was granted $14 million by the Government of Zimbabwe through the Political Parties Finance Act. The funds were deposited in MDC-T BancABC account number 50863225502015 Heritage Branch. “On 18 December 2020, the accused persons (Mr. Mwonzora and Mr. Mapingire) transferred funds from the MDC-T party said bank account into Bell Petroleum BancABC account number 15104045502014 a sum of ZWL$2,800 000. On the same date, ZWL$1,755 000 was transferred into Madzara Trust CABS account number 1129721914. In another batch ZWL$1,800 000 was transferred to a well-known illegal money changer Martha Munandi account number 260126563. The funds were transferred in the following batches ZWL$2 800 000, ZWL$1 755 000, ZWL$1 800 000 making a total of ZWL$6,355 000. “The MDC-T party had no relationship or any contract with the said company, trust and individual respectively; and as such there is reasonable suspicion that the accused persons were buying foreign currency from the parallel market and used the accounts to facilitate their illicit activities. We have since recorded a warned and cautioned statement from one of the accomplices who received commission from one of the entities for performing the transactions,” read the police memorandum. Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that a police report had been made against Mr. Mwonzora with the police commercial crimes unit seized with the matter. Efforts to get a comment from Mwonzora were fruitless. Breakdown of Douglas Mwonzora stolen funds from MDC-T Gvt Grant RTGs 1755000 transferred to cabs account number 1129721914, Madzara Trust (Dougie friend) RTGs 1800000 transferred to account number 260126563, Martha Munandi Trust she is related to the late Cephas Makuyana. 2,8million transferred to Bel Petroleum company which Tapiwa Mashakada is a Director (2.5Million was withdrawn and given to Douglas Mwonzora) END
Clarification on Further Suspension of By-Elections
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) would like to state that it is guided by the country’s legal framework in fulfilling its statutory obligations. The legal framework governing the conduct of elections in Zimbabwe comprises the Constitution, the Electoral Act, the Referendums Act and all subsidiary legislation with a bearing on elections issued by authorities that be. It is also pertinent to note that while the Constitution enshrines the fundamental rights and freedoms for citizens which include the right to elect leaders of their own choice, there are also limits imposed to such rights. Section 86 of the Constitution limits freedoms in the interest of public safety, public health and the general interest of the public. Where such rights are limited through a statutory instrument and which instrument has not been set aside by a court of law, the Commission has no right to disregard lawful obligations.
ZEC suspended all electoral activities during the greater part of last year and at the beginning of this year in compliance with lockdown measures promulgated by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in Statutory Instruments in an effort to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. On 01 March 2021, the Ministry of Health and Child Care relaxed these measures and subsequently, the Commission also announced the resumption of some electoral activities such as voter registration and transfers while by-elections remain suspended since some lockdown measures of Statutory Instrument 10 of 2021 are still in force.
The Commission stands guided by the Ministry of Health and Child Care which has the expertise in the control of the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the execution of its mandate, the Commission issues out press statements to notify its activities to stakeholders but not as a clandestine means of operating outside the legal framework. Any insinuation to the latter is tantamount to misleading the public on the purpose of these press statements and the integrity of the Commission.
Two Zimbabweans are reportedly missing in Mozambique’s troubled Cabo Delgado region where Islamic State linked insurgents recently ran amok in the town of Palma leaving dozens dead and many more maimed.
According to the United Nations, over 10 000 people fled the coastal town of Palma when the insurgents invaded last month in one of the deadliest attacks by the terrorists since 2017.
The killing of civilians has received global condemnation with President Mnangagwa today expected to join five other regional leaders in a double Troika meant to tackle the crisis in the Mozambique capital Maputo.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade said it is yet to establish whether any Zimbabwean is missing in the town.
But according to Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi normalcy is slowly returning after the terrorists were chased away by the military from the town.
“Our government has already expressed its needs to the international community to deal with terrorism. This international support . . . is being evaluated,” he said, in an address to mark Mozambique’s national women’s day.
“Those who come from outside will not come to replace us. They will come to support us. It is not about empty pride. It is about a sense of sovereignty.”
Insurgents seized Palma, a coastal town close to a multi-billion-dollar liquid natural gas (LNG) project, after a coordinated attack launched on March 24. -Herald
A 42-YEAR-OLD man from Brunapeg in Mangwe district, Matabeleland South province has been arrested after he killed his brother for trying to restrain him from assaulting their mother.
Thabani Moyo of Fanyana Moyo’s homestead New Line 1 in Brunapeg, killed his younger brother Jonathan Moyo (40) on Wednesday last week.
Matabeleland South police provincial spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident that has left villagers shell shocked.
“I can confirm that we have arrested one Thabani Moyo in connection with a murder case where he is reported to have killed his younger brother.
“The circumstances are that on March 31 at around 8pm, Jonathan Moyo was asleep when the accused came from Brunapeg Business Centre where he was drinking. Upon arrival, the accused found his mother in the kitchen and threatened to kill her over an undisclosed issue,” said Insp Mangena.
Sensing danger, the mother fled to a nearby bush and Jonathan who was asleep was woken up by the noise.
According to witnesses, Jonathan tried to restrain Thabani who then stabbed him on the neck and back and he died on the spot.- Chronicle
The June 2021 Zimsec public examinations for both O and A-Levels have been cancelled following disruptions caused by Covid-19 and the resulting lockdown with those who had wanted to sit in June now joining the large majority who are being prepared to sit in November.
Other Covid-19 related measures announced yesterday include new higher-security vaccination certificates to prevent forgeries and permission for casinos to reopen under strict rules.
The decision to suspend the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council June examinations arose from the delays in sitting the public examinations at the end of last year and the alterations of the standard calendar for education this year caused by schools having to be closed for the first two and half months of this year to combat the second wave of infection.
Logistics will be put in place to ensure candidates who wanted to sit their examinations in June will do so together with other students in November, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.
“Cabinet considered and approved a request for the suspension of the Zimsec June 2021 Ordinary and Advanced Level examination session, which was presented by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education.”
“Cabinet was advised that the Covid-19 pandemic that broke out in 2020 had negatively impacted on the timing and cycle of public examinations, with the 2020 Grade 7, O-Level and A-Level examinations having commenced in early December 2020 and ended in early February 2021, instead of the usual period stretching from October to November of each year,” she said.
“The delay in writing and the marking of the previous examinations has affected the preparation and the setting of the next examination hence the decision to temporarily suspend the June 2021 examinations. This suspension of the June 2021 examination session will allow for timely focus on the November examination preparations and aid an effective focus of resources,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.- The Herald
Former Highlanders Football Club coach Hendrikus Pieter de Jongh has assumed the brand ambassadorial role for the club in his native Netherlands.
The Dutchman on Monday posted on Twitter advertising Highlanders replica jerseys in Holland using the club’s kit sponsors On the Ball (OTB) Looks’ website. De Jongh tweeted:
For my wonderful fans from Holland, there is good news. My former club Highlanders has a website (https://t.co/gsBUHeqw7f) where you can buy shirts.
The club is also giving a number of shirts to The Champ to give away. Possibly signed by myself.
The replica jerseys cost US$35 in sportswear shops while on the OTB Looks website they are priced at R550.
Highlanders spokesperson Ronald Moyo said the club appreciates De Jongh’s gesture but they are yet to speak to its technical partners OTB Looks on the matter. Moyo said:
At Highlanders, our attitude is whoever comes at any given point and contributes to the objectives of the club even if they leave, remain an extension of the club’s network.
It is against this background that we appreciate De Jongh’s voluntary service to be the club’s brand ambassador in the Netherlands.
We are actually working on a plan to see how best we can assist him (De Jongh) to profile the brand Highlanders during his media interviews on radio and elsewhere in Holland.
However, we are yet to discuss this with our technical partners, but we are in conversation with De Jongh.
The Dutch coach had a short stint a Highlanders before he crossed the floor to join Premier Soccer League champions FC Platinum.
He joined Highlanders in September 2019 and won the Chibuku Super Cup but left Bosso in January 2020 to join the Zvishavane-based club after failing to resist the lure of CAF Champions League football.
De Jongh was sacked by the platinum miners 11 months later after the Confederation of African Football refused to give him a waiver to coach in the Champions League without the required coaching badges.- NewsDay
Clarification on Further Suspension of By-Elections
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) would like to state that it is guided by the country’s legal framework in fulfilling its statutory obligations. The legal framework governing the conduct of elections in Zimbabwe comprises the Constitution, the Electoral Act, the Referendums Act and all subsidiary legislation with a bearing on elections issued by authorities that be. It is also pertinent to note that while the Constitution enshrines the fundamental rights and freedoms for citizens which include the right to elect leaders of their own choice, there are also limits imposed to such rights. Section 86 of the Constitution limits freedoms in the interest of public safety, public health and the general interest of the public. Where such rights are limited through a statutory instrument and which instrument has not been set aside by a court of law, the Commission has no right to disregard lawful obligations.
ZEC suspended all electoral activities during the greater part of last year and at the beginning of this year in compliance with lockdown measures promulgated by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in Statutory Instruments in an effort to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. On 01 March 2021, the Ministry of Health and Child Care relaxed these measures and subsequently, the Commission also announced the resumption of some electoral activities such as voter registration and transfers while by-elections remain suspended since some lockdown measures of Statutory Instrument 10 of 2021 are still in force.
The Commission stands guided by the Ministry of Health and Child Care which has the expertise in the control of the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the execution of its mandate, the Commission issues out press statements to notify its activities to stakeholders but not as a clandestine means of operating outside the legal framework. Any insinuation to the latter is tantamount to misleading the public on the purpose of these press statements and the integrity of the Commission.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has taken the Citizens’ Convergence programme to Bvukururu area, Zaka District, Masvingo Province.
Bvukururu is a remote area that has been neglected for years by the Zanu PF regime.
President Chamisa took note of the plight of villagers in the area.
“I’m in Bvukururu, Zaka. It’s so refreshing to listen to citizen voices here and see how Zimbabweans are converging, so determined to see real change and a New Zimbabwe.
Many are concerned but strong. Harvesting, bad roads and persecution of Citizens and Opposition leaders topical,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has taken the Citizens’ Convergence programme to Bvukururu area, Zaka District, Masvingo Province.
Bvukururu is a remote area that has been neglected for years by the Zanu PF regime.
President Chamisa took note of the plight of villagers in the area.
“I’m in Bvukururu, Zaka. It’s so refreshing to listen to citizen voices here and see how Zimbabweans are converging, so determined to see real change and a New Zimbabwe.
Many are concerned but strong. Harvesting, bad roads and persecution of Citizens and Opposition leaders topical,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
Tinashe Sambiri|The Zanu PF regime cannot arrest the wave of change, MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has said.
Hon Biti was commenting on the conviction and sentencing of Makomborero Haruvizishe.
The law has been weaponized against citizens, according to Hon Biti.
” The law lacks autonomy and under Emmerson has been weaponized against an angry restless population.
The conviction of @MakomboreroH is a vindictive desperate act by a renegade paranoid regime intent on unleashing chilling effect on democratic struggle.Such tactics have never worked
There is no autocracy in world that has successfully jailed& permanently emasculated wananchi s desire for change&transformation.Emmerson will not be the first.We have never been cowardsWe have never yielded on matters of principle.We will finish what we started in2009 #FreeMako,” Hon Biti tweeted.
MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala said the sentencing of Makomborero Haruvizishe will not stop the wheels of change.
“The jailing of @MakomboreroH will never stop the wheels of change.
This is pure cowardice by a regime whose mark of the beast is oppression and human rights abuses. All progressive forces will stand with him to the bitterest end.”
Tinashe Sambiri|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration on Tuesday shocked the world after sentencing human rights activist and MDC Alliance Youth Assembly member Makomborero Haruvizishe to jail for blowing a whistle.
Makomborero Haruvizishe was sentenced to 14 years in jail by Harare Magistrate Judith Taruvinga.
The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly has described the sentencing of Makomborero Haruvizishe as a criminal judgement by a criminal regime:
It’s A Criminal Judgement By A Criminal Regime
06-04-2021
Makomborero Haruzivishe, our Youth Assembly National Executive Committee member and human rights activist was today(Tuesday) sentenced to an effective 14 months in prison by a magistrate court that is now being remote controlled from ZANU PF headquarters.
So outrageous was the outcome from Rotten Row Magistrate Courts that even village courts which are held under trees would have done better in carriage of justice.
The sentencing of Mako does not only induce a sense of shock but confirms the capture of our courts by Emmerson Mnangagwa’s unpopular dictatorship.
Mako was convicted for blowing a whistle and for having resisted arrest by an officer who in court testified that he never attempted to arrest him.
How does a whistle incite violence? What language does that whistle speak which can only be understood by those who arrested and incarcerated Mako?
How on earth does one get convicted for being at a public place where a protest which he had nothing to do with was taking place. They say Mako is not a vendor so he should not have been anywhere near vendors?
How ironic! If this is the basis of arresting citizens then everyone should be in jail as ZANU PF has turned the whole country to an economy of vendors.
At this rate of Kangaroo justice, the regime will fill the prisons to bursting point.
It stinks with deception and capture that the same court that granted freedom to criminals like Obadiah Moyo who stole in excess of US50 million Covid-19 public funds had the audacity to jail Mako for whistle.
This is the same court that was ready to let airport gold smuggler Henrietta Rushwaya walk scot free without opposing bail only to pull an about turn following a public outcry.
We have every reason to question the probity and independence of a court that let free criminals like Priscah Mupfimira who stole millions of public funds.
True to Mnangagwa’s “we are everything” rants, we are now dealing with an extension of ZANU PF at Rotten Row Magistrate Courts.
Let it be known that the arrest and incarceration of Mako will not deter us but fuel our desire for change as young people.
We are Mako too and Mako is us!
A regime that disrespects rights of its citizens must know no peace.
The worst form of incitement of violence is jailing of a young activist for speaking to issues that appeal to masses.
We will not rest until justice for Mako is served!
DefyOrDie
Agenda2021
CitizensConvergenceForChange
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
The Truth About Hydration :Myths and Facts Find out how much water you really need to drink each day, whether you can overdose on H2O, and more.
Leslie Barrie By Leslie Barrie Medically Reviewed by Justin Laube, MD April 2, 2021 Medically Reviewed
Water-packed foods like watermelon can help you hit your hydration goals.
Hydration is one of those things you know you should be on top of, but you may not fully understand why.
“Hydration is important because our bodies really function [best with] adequate water balance,” says Shilpi Agarwal, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician in Washington, DC, and the author of The 10-Day Total Body Transformation. “Most organ functions require water in the right proportion to work — meaning your muscles, heart, and kidneys all need water and also need the body to be adequately hydrated in order to work properly.”
And what about dehydration, to some a scary word that may be associated with health issues big and small? “Mild dehydration can lead to dizziness, fatigue, flushed skin, headache, impaired physical performance, and confusion,” explains Malina Malkani, RDN, who lives in Rye, New York, and is the creator of Solve Picky Eating, a program for parents of finicky eaters. If unaddressed, more extreme dehydration can even cause problems like labored breathing, increased body temperature, poor blood circulation, and seizures, Malkani adds. And according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, dehydration can contribute to urinary tract infections and kidney stones.
To clear up confusion around hydration and dehydration, here are 10 things you must know to keep your health in tip-top shape.
Myth: If You’re Thirsty, You’re Already Dehydrated There is some truth to this widely repeated statement. “This can be a really helpful reminder to people, because many of us aren’t very in tune with our thirst, so once we realize we’re thirsty, our body really is calling out for water,” says Ginger Hultin, RDN, the Seattle-based owner of Champagne Nutrition and the author of Anti-Inflammatory Diet Meal Prep.
But it’s not a one-size-fits-all indicator. “Each person needs to assess if this is actually true for them, because there are a lot of reasons a person can be thirsty. It’s not 100 percent always because of dehydration,” says Hultin.
For example, something as simple as spicy food may make you thirstier than normal, according to the Cleveland Clinic. A sharp increase in thirst may also be a sign of a health problem like diabetes. It could be a side effect of a medication you’re taking; certain drugs cause dry mouth without causing dehydration per se. Regardless, it’s worth talking to your doctor if you’re much thirstier than normal to determine the underlying reason.
Fact: Dark Yellow Urine May Signal That You’re Dehydrated If you’re concerned you’re not drinking enough water, try this quick trick: Check your urine color. “Urine color can be a pretty good indication of hydration status,” says Hultin.
An eight-level urine color chart lays out urine color from clear to dark yellow or brown — as posted by the U.S. Army Public Health Command. Though everyone is different, explains Hultin, the lightest four colors indicate that you’re hydrated, and the darkest four may mean that you’re dehydrated. If your pee falls in the brown range, you should seek medical attention, as Hultin advises this could mean severe dehydration.
Source: Everyday Health
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
Samuel Takawira of 263Chat was assaulted by anti-riot police at the Magistrates Court in Harare on 6 April 2021 as they dispersed people from the court premises.
Takawira sustained injuries on his left hand and had to seek medical attention.
He was among journalists that were at the court to cover the sentencing of opposition MDC Alliance youth activist Makomborero Haruzivishe, who was convicted for inciting public violence.
The journalists were outside the court after the sentencing for purposes of conducting interviews with lawyers representing Haruzivishe, and MDC Alliance spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere, when the police started dispersing people from the court premises.
MISA Zimbabwe position
MISA Zimbabwe reiterates its long-standing position that journalists have the constitutional right to seek, receive and communicate information in terms of Section 61 of the Constitution.
The police and all other stakeholders should respect and promote media freedom by ensuring that there is no unjustified interference with the work of journalists.
MISA Zimbabwe urges all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, as well as the Ministry of Home Affairs, to impress upon the police that any limitations to the enjoyment of constitutional rights are lawful, reasonable and proportionate as prescribed in Section 86 of the Constitution.
The Smash ‘n Grab attacks on the MDC Alliance has focused on asset grab, theft of elected mandates and a handful of defections.
One thing the attackers should have seized is the war-cry, the party’s anthemic slogan CHINJA MAITIRO – GUQULA IZENZO.
It is such a credible creed, biblical indeed, for our failed State which has an arrogant record of doing wrong things at worst, or right things wrongly, at best.
We have a government that has spent 41 years battling with the “how part” – even when they try to do a few good things.
They are stealing the wrong ingredients for recovery.
By James Gwati-Harare South law maker Tongai Mnangagwa seems to be walking the talk as he this week plans to visit residents of Southlea Park a settlement which he wants to the push government to regularize.
This was announced by his office Wednesday.
“ Hon MP for Harare South Hon Tongai Mnangagwa accompanied by Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trusts (ZNOART) National Executive and its Affiliates Odar Housing Development Consortium (OHDC) and Southlea Park Home Owners Association (SPHOA) leadership will be touring Southlea park residential suburb to address issues affecting the Residents as mentioned below,” reads the message which was sent to all the Southlea Park residents.
1) Regularisation
2) Infrastructure development
3) Invasions of our recreational facilities and wetlands.
4) Invasion of our land meant for clinics, schools
5) Land barons
Date: Saturday 10 April 2021
Time : 10am
Venue: Pa Candy
MEDIA HOUSES ARE INVITED
…………………………
for more information contact ZNOART our hotline call/App +263776075414
By James Gwati- Chiredzi’s Chilonga villagers have turned to the opposition MDC-Alliance’s deputy president and human rights lawyer, Tendai Biti for protection from members of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation, CIO who are threatening them.
The disgruntled villagers on Wednesday rushed to Biti’s law firm after Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister, Ezra Chadzamira and CIOs threatened them and forced them to attend a Zanu PF meeting tomorrow.
“We have received yet another distress call from our clients in Chilonga , Chiredzi.Provincial Minister Ezra Chadzamira &CIO are forcing marching village heads to a meeting tomorrow at Mtomani Ward 6 Chilonga.The community is now fear stricken amid attempt to manufacture consent,” posted Biti on Wednesday.
We have received yet another distress call from our clients in Chilonga , Chiredzi.Provincial Minister Ezra Chadzamira &CIO are forcing marching village heads to a meeting tomorrow at Mtomani Ward 6 Chilonga.The community is now fear stricken amid attempt to manufacture consent pic.twitter.com/QT2VcqqVoE
By James Gwati-Villagers in Chiredzi’s Chilonga villager said they have been threatened by Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister, Ezra Chadzamira if they fail to attend a Zanu PF meeting tomorrow.
The disgruntled villagers have since engaged a human rights lawyer, Tendai Biti, whom they want to protect them from Chadzamira’s threats.
On his law firm Twitter handle, Biti said they are worried by the harassment of the villagers.
“We have received yet another distress call from our clients in Chilonga , Chiredzi. Provincial Minister Ezra Chadzamira &CIO are forcing marching village heads to a meeting tomorrow at Mtomani Ward 6 Chilonga. The community is now fear-stricken amid attempt to manufacture consent,” posted Biti on Wednesday.
We have received yet another distress call from our clients in Chilonga , Chiredzi.Provincial Minister Ezra Chadzamira &CIO are forcing marching village heads to a meeting tomorrow at Mtomani Ward 6 Chilonga.The community is now fear stricken amid attempt to manufacture consent pic.twitter.com/QT2VcqqVoE
Top barrister Tendai Biti’s law firm reports concerning a distress call from Chilonga in Chiredzi where the provincial minister is allegedly forcing village heads to a suspicious meeting meant to possibly force them into consent.
Efforts to get a comment from the minister were not fruitful at the time of writing.
We have received yet another distress call from our clients in Chilonga , Chiredzi.Provincial Minister Ezra Chadzamira &CIO are forcing marching village heads to a meeting tomorrow at Mtomani Ward 6 Chilonga.The community is now fear stricken amid attempt to manufacture consent pic.twitter.com/QT2VcqqVoE
By James Gwati- South African authorities last week stopped Zimdancehall duo, Killer T and Freeman’s gig and dispersed revellers for flouting Covid-19 regulations.
The show at the jam-packed Baseline, in Newtown, Johannesburg on Good Friday was held amid inadequate sanitizing, masks and social distancing.
It came to an abrupt end when the South African Police Service (SAPS) intervened and dispersed both artistes and revellers. South African authorities heightened the crackdown against partying and so-called super-spreaders events this past weekend to prevent a third wave of Covid-19 in the country, which is the worst affected by the pandemic on the continent.
By Dr Masimba Mavaza | A 42-YEAR-OLD man from Brunapeg in Mangwe district, Matabeleland South province has been arrested after he killed his brother for trying to restrain him from assaulting their mother.
Thabani Moyo of Fanyana Moyo’s homestead New Line 1 in Brunapeg, killed his younger brother Jonathan Moyo (40) from the same homestead last Wednesday.
Matabeleland South police provincial spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident that has left villagers shell shocked.
“I can confirm that we have arrested one Thabani Moyo in connection with a murder case where he is reported to have killed his younger brother.
“The circumstances are that on March 31 at around 8pm, Jonathan Moyo was asleep when the accused came from Brunapeg business centre where he was drinking. Upon arrival, the accused found his mother in the kitchen and threatened to kill her over an undisclosed issue,” said Insp Mangena.
She urged members of the public to refrain from abusing alcohol.
“If there are misunderstandings, they should engage each other soberly and in an amicable way.
“This can be done through engaging third parties that include the police, local leadership and pastors,” said Insp Mangena.
Villagers who spoke to this news crew said the accused had a tendency of harassing his family members whenever he was drunk.
They said there are still trying to come to terms that the accused killed his brother for trying to reason with him.
“Sensing danger from being beaten up after threats of being killed, the mother fled to a nearby bush. Jonathan who was asleep, was woken up by the noises.
“Jonathan tried to restrain Thabani from his violent behaviour but failed. the chronicle reported. He was stabbed on the neck and back and died on the spot. We are so shocked with such behaviour from elderly people in a community,” said the villager.
Jonathan Moyos body was buried over the Easter holidays.
By James Gwati-Communities in Tsholotsho have expressed concern over suggestions by the government that they will soon rope in soldiers to speed up the second phase of the COVID-19 mass vaccination programme.
This was revealed by villagers who attended a Conflict Analysis and Resilient Assessment meeting conducted by Heal Zimbabwe Trust, Tsholotsho last week
Participants highlighted that community members remained fearful of soldiers due to their role in Gukurahundi massacres that affected the District between 1983 and 1987.
”If reports that soldiers are going to lead the vaccination programme in phase 2 of the vaccination programme are true, then it is doomed to fail. We are very fearful of soldiers given that they killed thousands of people here during the Gukurahundi massacres. No one will take the vaccine if it is being administered by soldiers”, said one participant.
Participants also noted that the failure by the government to initiate a robust healing and reconciliation process to address Gukurahundi has created animosity between members of the security services and community members.
“Today if I see a soldier walking, it evokes memories of our people who were killed by members of the Fifth Brigade during Gukurahundi and telling us to get vaccinated by the same soldiers is very disrespectful and inconsiderate on the part of the government,” said another participant.
The meetings by Heal Zimbabwe are part of efforts to empower local communities to help safeguard against human rights abuse and also help build peaceful communities.
Heal Zimbabwe utilizes various strategies to address conflicts in local communities.
One of these ways is the use of community dialogues, an initiative for communities to discuss and collectively identify ways through which they can proffer solutions to problems in their communities.
By James Gwati-A Magistrate has acquitted two Mutare residents Precious and Priviledge Gwatidzo, who are twin sisters, after they stood trial on charges of unnecessary movement during the national lockdown period imposed by government in 2020 in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Precious and Priviledge aged 30 years, had been on trial since 7 December 2020 before Magistrate Audrey Muzhingi after they were arrested by some Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on 12 April 2020 in Mutare’s Dangamvura high-density suburb and accused of violating some national lockdown regulations when they were found outside their home instead of confining themselves to their residences.
While detained by ZRP officers, Precious and Priviledge were harassed and denied access to sanitary wear.
During trial, prosecutor Chris Munyuki told Magistrate Muzhingi that ZRP officers who were on patrol enforcing the national lockdown regulations which restricted unnecessary movement of people except those exempted, intercepted the twin sisters who reportedly failed to produce some exemption letters authorising them to be in Dangamvura suburb.
Munyuki claimed that Precious and Priviledge had acted unlawfully by failing to produce exemption letters to ZRP officers.
But in their defence, Precious and Priviledge, who were represented by Moses Chikomo of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), argued that it was essential for them to move around sourcing for some prescribed medication at a pharmacy for their grandmother, who was chronically ill, hence they were exempted from confining themselves at their residence.
The twin sisters also argued that when they were arrested by ZRP officers they had in their possession a supporting letter from their local Councillor confirming that they had an ailing member of the family who needed urgent medication.
On Tuesday, Magistrate Muzhingi found Precious and Priviledge not guilty and acquitted them.
Earlier on in July 2020, Mutare Magistrate Sheila Nazombe overturned the conviction of Precious and Priviledge after Chikomo successfully challenged the decision by some ZRP members who ordered them to pay RTGS$500 each as fine for unnecessary movement during the national lockdown period.
In her ruling, Magistrate Nazombe stated that she was satisfied that the plea of guilty entered by Precious and Priviledge when they were arrested in April 2020 was equivocal.
Magistrate Nazombe then ordered ZRP officers to refund the total fine amounting to RTGS$1 000 paid by Precious and Priviledge and directed the law enforcement agents to compile a docket and bring the twin sisters to appear in court for a proper hearing and determination of their matter of which they were acquitted by Magistrate Muzhingi on Tuesday.
Passport fees have been reviewed to US$60 for ordinary passports; and US$200 for a three-day passport, all pegged at the average US$:ZW$ exchange rate. Emergency 24-hour passport remains pegged at US$300.
#PostCabinetPressBriefing Passport fees have been reviewed to US$60 for ordinary passports; and US$200 for a three-day passport, all pegged at the average US$:ZW$ exchange rate. Emergency 24-hour passport remains pegged at US$300. pic.twitter.com/qvHtibHHUW
MNANGAGWA MUST IMMEDIATELY RELEASE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS
The MDC Alliance is extremely concerned by the Mnangagwa regime’s penchant to commit crimes against citizens and violate human rights with impunity. We condemn the regime’s intensified clampdown on dissent and its abuse of the courts to punish innocent people. Given his bad record of human rights abuses. Mnangagwa has no capacity or willingness to preside over a competent system that can effectively deliver justice and protect rights hence the increase in:
Administrative and judicial practices where activists are subjected to lengthy, unjust and undue pre-trial detention which is a departure from international standards on arrest, investigation and trial procedures:
Unfair trial, conviction and imprisonment of activists and political leaders for their non-violent exercise of internationally recognised human rights;
The vague formulation of certain legal provisions which enables them to be applied selectively so as to penalise activists for the non-violent exercise of their human rights; and
A departure from the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (The Mandela Rules).
Our concern relates to widespread abuses. However, we highlight certain matters that have particularly brought this injustice to the fore and through which the regime has further entrenched these practices. These matters are those concerning Makomborero Haruzivishe, Cecelia Chimbiri and Joana Mamombe who are currently illegally imprisoned since March 2021 as well as Tinashe Bwanaisa, Rakeshi Marufu, Collin Faison, Tafara Mafunde, Farai Chidziva and Trust Nyamado who are serving five-year jail terms for participating in a protest in January 2019.
While we continue to challenge the court’s partial understanding of the facts, we are aware that the detention of Makomborero Haruzivishe and others is solely on the basis of their political beliefs as well as their non-violent exercise of freedom of thought and conscience and other rights and freedoms guaranteed by the ICCPR thereby making it criminal and undue.
We make an urgent call on
International Human Rights Organisations to recognise the status of political prisoner Makomborero Haruzivishe, Cecilia Chimbiri, Joana Mamombe, Tinashe Bwanaisa, Rakeshi Marufu, Collin Parson, Tufuru Mufunde, Farai Chidziva and Trust Nyamado.
The Zimbabwean Government for the Immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience and the nullification of their charges which are clearly punitive measures against their peaceful exercise of their human rights.
The United Nations to launch a rather urgent, thorough, impartial and effective investigation into the abduction and torture of Cecilia Chimbiri, Joana Mamomhe and Netsai Marova. An outstanding criminal act of injustice which has also become the source of the repeated arbitrary imprisonment and harassment of the three.
MNANGAGWA MUST IMMEDIATELY RELEASE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS
The MDC Alliance is extremely concerned by the Mnangagwa regime’s penchant to commit crimes against citizens and violate human rights with impunity. We condemn the regime’s intensified clampdown on dissent and its abuse of the courts to punish innocent people. Given his bad record of human rights abuses. Mnangagwa has no capacity or willingness to preside over a competent system that can effectively deliver justice and protect rights hence the increase in:
Administrative and judicial practices where activists are subjected to lengthy, unjust and undue pre-trial detention which is a departure from international standards on arrest, investigation and trial procedures:
Unfair trial, conviction and imprisonment of activists and political leaders for their non-violent exercise of internationally recognised human rights;
The vague formulation of certain legal provisions which enables them to be applied selectively so as to penalise activists for the non-violent exercise of their human rights; and
A departure from the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (The Mandela Rules).
Our concern relates to widespread abuses. However, we highlight certain matters that have particularly brought this injustice to the fore and through which the regime has further entrenched these practices. These matters are those concerning Makomborero Haruzivishe, Cecelia Chimbiri and Joana Mamombe who are currently illegally imprisoned since March 2021 as well as Tinashe Bwanaisa, Rakeshi Marufu, Collin Faison, Tafara Mafunde, Farai Chidziva and Trust Nyamado who are serving five-year jail terms for participating in a protest in January 2019.
While we continue to challenge the court’s partial understanding of the facts, we are aware that the detention of Makomborero Haruzivishe and others is solely on the basis of their political beliefs as well as their non-violent exercise of freedom of thought and conscience and other rights and freedoms guaranteed by the ICCPR thereby making it criminal and undue.
We make an urgent call on
International Human Rights Organisations to recognise the status of political prisoner Makomborero Haruzivishe, Cecilia Chimbiri, Joana Mamombe, Tinashe Bwanaisa, Rakeshi Marufu, Collin Parson, Tufuru Mufunde, Farai Chidziva and Trust Nyamado.
The Zimbabwean Government for the Immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience and the nullification of their charges which are clearly punitive measures against their peaceful exercise of their human rights.
The United Nations to launch a rather urgent, thorough, impartial and effective investigation into the abduction and torture of Cecilia Chimbiri, Joana Mamomhe and Netsai Marova. An outstanding criminal act of injustice which has also become the source of the repeated arbitrary imprisonment and harassment of the three.
By Dr Masimba Mavaza | Zimbabwe legal system bleeds and limps on as it staggers towards shame and doom. The people of Zimbabwe have always pointed blood dripping fingers in the direction of the legal system. The bloody finger strips off the little confidence people and the international world have with the Zim legal system.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe is the Supreme Law of the country and it is the parent act of any other Legislation.
When a crime is committed in Zimbabwe the hands of criminal justice are moved by the Prosecuting Authority which is a creation of the constitution of Zimbabwe section 258 to section 263.
Almost all prosecutions in Zimbabwe are conducted by officers of the National Prosecuting Authority on behalf of State (i.e. the Government). Such prosecutions are sometimes called “prosecutions at the public instance”. Section 263 envisages an Act of Parliament conferring prosecuting powers on other bodies, but to date no such Act has done so. All public prosecutions are instituted in the name of the State to that end it is difficult to separate the prosecution and the state.
In terms of section 258 of the Constitution, the National Prosecuting Authority, headed by the Prosecutor-General, is responsible for instituting and undertaking criminal prosecutions on behalf of the State.
The Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act elaborates on the functions of prosecutors. Under the Act, the Prosecutor-General may:
delegate his functions to any public prosecutor or legal practitioner;
stop prosecutions (but probably not private prosecutions), in which event the accused person is entitled to an acquittal if he has already pleaded, but not if he has not pleaded;issue a warrant ordering the liberation from custody of a person whom he has decided not to prosecute.
So the prosecutor General is mandated by law to exercise due process in prosecuting any criminal case. Due process, is a course of legal proceedings according to rules and principles that have been established in a system of jurisprudence for the enforcement and protection of private rights. In each case, due process contemplates an exercise of the powers of government as the law permits and sanctions, under recognized safeguards for the protection of individual rights. The doctrine of due process started as early as 1215 in England in the royal promise that “No freeman shall be taken or (and) imprisoned or disseised or exiled or in any way destroyed…except by the legal judgment of his peers or (and) by the law of the land.” In subsequent English statutes, the references to “the legal judgment of his peers” and “laws of the land” are treated as substantially synonymous with due process of law.
In America this doctrine was adopted in in 1791, in the twelfth amendment which provides that “No person shall…be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”
So Due process is the legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights that are owed to a person. Due process balances the power of law of the land and from it. This then clearly means that Due process is a requirement that legal matters be resolved according to established rules and principles, and that individuals be treated fairly. Due process applies to both civil and criminal matters. It must apply to every person rich or poor without bias or influence.
In Zimbabwe individuals expect that the rights enshrined in their constitution will be applied to them fairly. This expectation—of due process—outlines the relationship individuals expect to have with their local, and national government, specifically, that the rights of the individual will not be violated.
Due process provides a necessary check on the exercise of state power over its citizens essential to the citizen–state relationship. It is a central tenet of political theory that the state’s authority to criminalise derives partly from its duty to protect the public and provide security. So the duties of prosecutors have very serious political relevance.
The respect of the law depends on the actions of the prosecutor. Where the prosecutor General dates criminals and money launderers, punishes genuine business men in order to please a section of people makes the people to lose confidence in the process of legal systems. Due process in criminal cases has many facets and nuances, and the ways in which defendants can be deprived of due process are numerous. When any element of due process is missing during a criminal prosecution, the fairness and constitutionality of the state’s attempt to deprive an individual of their freedom has been compromised.
Every person accused of a crime should have their guilt or innocence determined by a fair and effective legal process. But its not just about protecting suspects and defendants. It also makes societies safer and stronger. Without fair trials, victims can have no confidence that justice will be done. Without fair trials, trust in government and the rule of law collapses. Prosecutors are the ones who must make sure that people have trust in their laws.
Despite this, it’s a right that is being abused in courts across the country with devastating human and social consequences.
Despite the importance of fair trials being recognised by the international community, this basic human right is being abused day-in-day-out in across the country by the prosecutor General who now runs the prosecution department like his personal business. Zimbabwe must work to put an end to these abuses, towards realising our vision of a country where every person’s right to a fair trial is respected.
The way the prosecution has handled the Drax case shows a prosecution with an empty head. The way the prosecutor general has failed to reason escapes common sense.
The Prosecutor General has developed ways of imposing punishments, the case of Drax shows how the Prosecutor General presided over flawed political talk of “rebalancing” criminal justice systems to punish enemies of his friends has had a corrosive effective and it has exposed the new ways of using criminal justicce as a tool of punishing innocent people in the name of public interest. This is normally his own interest.
The Prosecutor General has refused to take advise so that he can achieve a working towards an ambitious way to punish Drax for competing against a pocket company of the Prosecutor General’s powerful friend. The Drax case is a good example of corruption in the prosecutor’s office and the abuse of Dalish Nguwaya who has been portrayed as a criminal while protecting the real criminals. We won’t get there overnight and we can’t make it on our own. But with each step we take towards our vision of a Zimbabwe where every person’s right to a fair trial is respected, Zimbabwe must protect people against miscarriages of justice and building fair and effective criminal justice systems that benefit everyone. The treatment of Nguwaya’s case embarrasses the nation and shows a backed backside to the President’s effort of opening Zimbabwe for business.
In a painful irony what stands between Dalish Nguwaya and justice is the prosecutor General’s undecided actions to act on the case. DRAX International frontman and businessman Delish Nguwaya released from remand by the court due to the failure by the state to provide a trial date.
Nguwaya was given back his travelling documents and the title deeds of his house, which were surrendered as part of his bail conditions.
Nguwaya was facing allegations of fraud. It was the state’s case that sometime last year, Nguwaya the businessman and another individual only named as Dedja, showed interest in supplying medicines through a US$20 million loan facility under a company called Papi Pharma. The move was turned down after a vetting process by the relevant government department.
It is also alleged that after a short while, Nguwaya sent the same documents to the Ministry of Health and Child Care expressing interest in supplying medical products but using a different name, Drax consult SAGL.
Acting on the misrepresentation the then Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Obadiah Moyo, through the then Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Agnes Mahomva initiated a procurement process which involved communication among all the relevant stakeholders, who include the Health Ministry, Finance Ministry, Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) and Natpharm, culminating into a contract of supply of medicines and medical products between NatPharm and Drax Consult SAGL.
On these facts Nguwaya was arrested but there was no clear evidence to get a conviction.
Despite clear legal advise from the junior prosecutors the Prosecutor General refused to err on the side of reason. He stuck his guns in the unreasonableness and never looked at the case with an open eye.
The fact that a decisive decision was not taken by the prosecutor general it fed into the rumour machine where people will start speculating and coming up with all unsubstantiated issues.
The prosecutor general is supposed to clear the air in the Drax case. He is supposed to show the people that there was no actual prejudice and that the facts of the matter do not disclose a crime.
Instead the prosecutor general chose to fuel the gossip causing anxious moments.
All what is needed is him standing up and stagger on the side of the truth.
By keeping quite the prosecutor is allowing the efforts of the president in fighting corruption to be dragged in the confusion and rubbishing the whole efforts.
People now develop the catch and release mentality against the government because clear cut cases are left to drag on allowing gossip to surround the facts.
The behaviour of the Prosecutor General deliberately tarnishes the image of the president.
The failure to clear the smoke surrounding the Drax case borders on the lines of prosecutorial misconduct.
In jurisprudence, prosecutorial misconduct is “an illegal act or failing to act, on the part of a prosecutor,
Prosecutorial misconduct occurs when a prosecutor breaks a law or a code of professional ethics in the course of a prosecution. Justice Sutherland explained prosecutorial misconduct as “overstepp[ing] the bounds of that propriety and fairness which should characterize the conduct of such an officer in the prosecution of a criminal offense.”Prosecutors are entrusted with determining who will be held accountable when a crime occurs. First and foremost, it is the prosecutor’s job to seek justice and present the judge with facts and legal arguments that result in the conviction of the guilty.
Sometimes, prosecutors find evidence that may exonerate the person they are trying to convict. Because prosecutors are charged with presenting the truth, the prosecution is obligated to turn over all exculpatory evidence to the defense. Because the criminal justice system is adversarial – the prosecution and the defense battle against each other within the framework of the law – it is very difficult to hand the opponent the tools that could very well destroy their case. Nevertheless, it is the prosecutor’s duty to do so.
Prosecutor General wields more power than any other actors in the criminal justice system. They have unreviewable power to go forward with a case or dismiss charges,
Unchecked power is always subject to abuse, and prosecutors sometimes engage in misconduct. Prosecutorial misconduct weakens the public’s perception of the integrity of the legal system and undermines the ability of the courts to achieve justice.
The political impact on the short comings of the prosecutor general are that the electorate blames the president for the failures of the prosecutor general. If the prosecutor general messes up a case his name is never discussed in the corridors. The people direct their ammunition to the system and the president is the face of the system.
Looking at this case on the round the Prosecutor general has failed to close several cases he is aware that there is no evidence to convict. He has chosen to prosecute just to be seen to be working when in actual fact there is no prospects of success in the trial. The prosecutors are using their offices to do emotional prosecutions. Prosecution has become an active persecution in progress in the offices where justice should be manufactured.
The fact that the prosecutor responds to public outcry by hauling a person to court drag him through a trial and get acquitted is in itself abuse of the system.
Many Zimbabweans have gone through embarrassing trials and financial wrecking legal battles which are useless because the prosecutor is not confident to stand for the truth.
In an effort to be politically correct the prosecutor general’s office has become political liability.
When a citizen loses his capital because the prosecutor is afraid to be truthful then an army of angry citizens is created.
Prosecutors wield an awesome power. They make the first (and sometimes the last) critical decisions on whether to deploy the ultimate power of the state—the power to punish—against particular targets. The degree to which and the ways in which prosecutorial power is checked largely define a society’s conformance to the rule of law.
At the same time, however, the rule of law has been undermined by the prosecutor general in ways that have not been fully appreciated. Changes in the locus and dispersion of prosecutorial authority, increasingly numerous, complex, and malleable legal rules, and failing procedural checks on prosecutorial decisions have allowed prosecutors (along with other officials exercising prosecutorial authority) to impose drastic punishments on selected targets without constraints traditionally associated with the rule of law.
And the practical restraints that do exist still leave room for very significant—and very troubling—amounts of discretionary prosecutorial power. That power can be exercised to pursue the innocent, to impose punishment without trial or conviction, and to pressure targets to compromise or capitulate rather than bear the risks and costs of asserting their rights or their innocence.
The power of the government as prosecutor is not only abused in ordinary criminal cases where the poor and the powerless are subjected to the weight of the criminal law system. Prosecutorial power is also abused in high-profile cases against the powerful, sometimes to serve personal or political ends. It is abused as well in selecting and pursuing targets in the world of business, where prosecutions are done to give one rival an advantage over another rival.
According to sections 260 and 261 of the Constitution, the Prosecutor-General is independent and he and all the other officers of the National Prosecuting Authority must exercise their functions impartially and without political bias.
The case of Dalish Nguwaya and Obadiah Moyo exposes the barbaric legal jungle engineered by the Prosecutor General’s office against those he feels are not in his camp. This making his office a camp rots the system and has serious repercussions on the whole government system. If there is no evidence against anyone the Prosecutor General must explain his findings and set the person free. The idea of holding a person on routine remand without a trial makes people think that there is a game at play.
The PG must be confident of his position and set people free where they deserve freedom. Give them back what you are holding which is not a proceed of a crime.
Because of the inept attitude, many innocent people have had their lives destroyed, their characters tarnished, their livelihoods crushed and they have been set against the greater public. On a closer look most of the so called high profile corruption cases are actually high sounding nothing.
By A Correspondent- A Mutare Magistrate on Tuesday 6 April 2021 acquitted two Mutare residents Precious and Priviledge Gwatidzo, who are twin sisters, after they stood trial on charges of unnecessary movement during the national lockdown period imposed by government in 2020 in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Precious and Priviledge aged 30 years, had been on trial since 7 December 2020 before Mutare Magistrate Audrey Muzhingi after they were arrested by some Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on 12 April 2020 in Mutare’s Dangamvura high-density suburb and accused of violating some national lockdown regulations when they were found outside their home instead of confining themselves to their residences.
While detained by ZRP officers, Precious and Priviledge were harassed and denied access to sanitary wear. During trial, prosecutor Chris Munyuki told Magistrate Muzhingi that ZRP officers who were on patrol enforcing the national lockdown regulations which restricted unnecessary movement of people except those exempted, intercepted the twin sisters who reportedly failed to produce some exemption letters authorising them to be in Dangamvura suburb.
Munyuki claimed that Precious and Priviledge had acted unlawfully by failing to produce exemption letters to ZRP officers.But in their defence, Precious and Priviledge, who were represented by Moses Chikomo of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), argued that it was essential for them to move around sourcing for some prescribed medication at a pharmacy for their grandmother, who was chronically ill, hence they were exempted from confining themselves at their residence.
The twin sisters also argued that when they were arrested by ZRP officers they had in their possession a supporting letter from their local Councillor confirming that they had an ailing member of the family who needed urgent medication.On Tuesday 6 April 2021, Magistrate Muzhingi found Precious and Priviledge not guilty and acquitted them.
Earlier on in July 2020, Mutare Magistrate Sheila Nazombe overturned the conviction of Precious and Priviledge after Chikomo successfully challenged the decision by some ZRP members who ordered them to pay RTGS$500 each as fine for unnecessary movement during the national lockdown period.In her ruling,
Magistrate Nazombe stated that she was satisfied that the plea of guilty entered by Precious and Priviledge when they were arrested in April 2020 was equivocal.Magistrate Nazombe then ordered ZRP officers to refund the total fine amounting to RTGS$1 000 paid by Precious and Priviledge and directed the law enforcement agents to compile a docket and bring the twin sisters to appear in court for a proper hearing and determination of their matter of which they were acquitted by Magistrate Muzhingi on Tuesday 6 April 2021.
Jurgen Klopp has blamed Liverpool’s loss to Real Madrid on Tuesday on ‘strange’ experience of playing at the hosts’ training ground, Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.
Los Blancos are using the venue for the past year while they revamp their Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
They hosted the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal clash there, outclassing the Reds in every department as they took a 3-1 lead in the tie.
But Klopp claimed the atmosphere felt strange during the game, and it will be good for his side to play in a ‘proper stadium’ in the second leg.
Speaking to the reporters after the match, the gaffer said: “It must be a really tricky task for Real Madrid at Anfield (in the second leg).
“This was strange tonight because it was really difficult with the stadium (at Madrid’s training ground) but Anfield is at least a proper stadium and it will be good for us.”
Replying to the criticism, Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, said: “I don’t have an opinion on what Jurgen said, but we are proud to play at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.”
The second leg will be played on Wednesday 14 April.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Kevin De Bruyne has signed a contract extension with Manchester City, keeping him at Etihad Stadium until 2025.
The midfielder, whose current deal was set to expire in 2023, extended his stay with two more years. The new agreement ends any uncertainty over his long-term future at the club.
“I could not be happier, since joining City in 2015, I have felt at home,” De Bruyne said after his contract was confirmed. “I love the fans, my family are settled here in Manchester and my own game has developed really well.
“This football club is geared for success. It offers me everything I need to maximise my performance, so signing this contract was a straightforward decision. I am playing the best football of my career and I honestly feel there is more to come.”
De Bruyne joined City from German club Wolfsburg in August 2015 and helped the team win two championship, four League Cups and an FA Cup.
The 29-year-old has 77 assists from his 176 Premier League appearances.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
By Leo Igwe- This question has become necessary following reported cases of attacks and killings linked to witchcraft and muti beliefs in South Africa.
In pre-apartheid and post-apartheid South Africa, these superstitious-based abuses have been perpetrated. A lot is missing in the way South Africans have addressed this problem. It has become necessary to explore how these dark and destructive phenomena could be eradicated going forward.
Let us take a look at some recent cases. In January, a mob locked up an 80-year old woman and later set her ablaze after accusing her of witchcraft. This tragic incident took place in Mbuzini. Mbuzini is a village at the border of South Africa and Mozambique. According to the report, on that fateful night, some people saw the accused sprinkling something outside. They attributed that to witchcraft. They caught the woman, took her to the house, hacked her with a hoe, and then set the body ablaze.
The alleged witch was burnt to death. The police made some arrests and the case is before the Tonga magistrate court. Witch persecution is pervasive in Mbuzini. Villagers usually banish alleged witches. In a related incident, a 27-year old woman accused of witchcraft was attacked and burnt with petrol in Kwa Zulu Natal. In 2018, three alleged witches were killed in the province.
In addition to witchcraft-related attacks, South Africa is grappling with killings linked to the belief in muti. Police have described muti killings as a form of crime against humanity. Unfortunately, this designation has done very little to persuade South Africans,-black South Africans- against this harmful superstitious belief and practice. Muti belief and practice remain strong in the region because there is some racial undertone. In South Africa, racism feature in everyday discourses.
Some identity politics underlies the debate of muti. Over the years, muti has featured prominently in the exotic representation of African culture mainly by western anthropologists and their African apologists. This misrepresentation has made it difficult to unpack and critically examine muti beliefs.
The idea of muti must be thoroughly examined to root muti-related abuses. Muti means medicine. It is derived from the Nguni word for a tree which IsiZulu is a member of. The term is often used to designate traditional medicine, ‘African medicine’.
That is where the problem lies. Muti has pejorative connotations because medicine is medicine. There is nothing like African medicine or American medicine or Indian medicine. As a form of traditional medicine, muti is often not distinguishable from magic, charms, or juju. Just like the term for God in an African language should not mean or translate to mean a different God, an African God, the term for medicine-muti (Nguni), Ogwu (Igbo) Tim (Dagomba) Ogun (Yoruba), Dawa (Swahili) should not designate other and ‘African’ medicine.
Muti is linked to African traditional belief, religion, and identity as opposed to ‘modern’ medicine that is linked to white westerners. These representations and misrepresentations of medicine are linked to ideas of modernity and tradition, science and superstition, white and black races. Incidentally, these distinctions and dichotomies persist and have made it difficult to challenge and question muti claims and ideas.
Even though they find the claims mistaken and superstitious, Black South Africans who object to muti claims may not openly challenge them because muti is designated as African; as rooted in African culture. White South Africans are reluctant to question, criticize or highlight the absurdity of muti beliefs because they do not want to be accused of racism or neocolonialism.
To avoid being accused of racism, they ignore or explain muti/witch beliefs away as illustrations of ‘African’ science. There is a need to discard these prejudices and misconceptions that have continued to hamper the cause of enlightenment in South Africa. Superstition is embedded in western as well as in African cultures. If superstition is not designated as science in the west, it should not be framed as science in Africa.
To end abuses linked to witch and muti beliefs, there is an urgent need for a reconceptualization of muti in South Africa and among South Africans. Otherization of ‘African’ medicine must stop. Folkinization of African medicine must end.
South Africans, both black and white, must reject the narrative that designates muti and witchcraft claims as part of African science (whatever that means). To further the cause of Enlightenment, South Africans need to realize that witchcraft is a form of superstition. There is a need to acknowledge a distinction between scientific muti or evidence based medicine and superstitious muti. Muti killings are informed by superstitions.
And these superstitious and irrational beliefs need to be dispelled and abandoned. Witchcraft and muti narratives must be critically evaluated. Black South Africans need to understand that there is no link between witchcraft and misfortunes such as accidents, poverty, sickness, and death that people suffer in communities. There is no evidence that muti killings and ritual sacrifice yield business, financial and political fortunes!
As a South African advocate noted: “South Africans must educate themselves on sicknesses that affect the minds of the elderly. Too many elderly persons that are suffering from dementia and have been labeled witches. They accuse them of having malevolent occult powers when found wandering in their sleepwear or even in their undies. Some elderly persons have even met their cruel deaths in the hands of local mobs.
There must also be a great awakening amongst media houses. Media stations own these gossip-mongering newspapers. There is one in particular which is very popular with witchcraft stories.
Those who own these media houses have some agenda to represent the African person as an essentially superstitious being while making money from the sale of these newspapers“.
Given the racially charged nature of issues and debates in South Africa, will South Africans rally against witch persecution and muti killings? Only time will tell.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition is concerned by the wanton disregard of the people’s will by the ruling party, Zanu PF which has embarked on a campaign to amend the constitution, adopted in 2013, before its full implementation.
On April 6, 2021, the Constitutional Amendment Bill (Number 1) passed through the Senate after it was submitted for the second time.
The Bill, through amendments to Section 180 of the constitution, gives the President powers to appoint the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and the Judge President in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission.
In essence, the Bill erodes the previous constitutional provision to subject the process of appointments of the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and the Judge President to public scrutiny and interviews.
The Bill essentially gives the President the discretion to choose his preferred candidates for appointment.
This works against judicial independence and goes against the principles of rule of law, separation of powers and transparency in government processes.
The Bill is thus an attempt to consolidate authoritarian rule through judicial capture and therefore merely seeks to serve the interests of ruling party politicians at the expense of the will of the majority who voted for the constitution in 2013.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition stands firmly against constitutional amendments before full implementation of the constitution adopted in 2013. Amending the constitution before implementation amounts to amputation.
The constitutional amendments are a real threat to civic and political rights and are part of machinations by the ruling party, Zanu PF to create a one party state in which they have sole authority to determine the governance of the country.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition is disturbed by the fact that through constitutional amendments, ruling party officials have exhibited a tendency to retain political power at the expense of the will of the people.
We implore the government to abide by the tenets of constitutional democracy and uphold the will of the people. Respect for the constitution is a fundamental pillar of a democratic society.
We further implore the ruling party, Zanu PF to desist from abusing its parliamentary majority to amend the constitution against the will of the people who voted overwhelmingly for the adoption of the constitution in 2013.
