Again, Mhondoro has been plunged into deep mourning. We have lost Chief Nyamweda, a true leader who led us without favour. His, was a fair & level ground. Accepted everyone. Zororai murugare Zuruvi, Moyo, Sahai veMabwemachena vari Nharira @hwendec @uk_mdca @ZimEye @DavidColtart pic.twitter.com/1qE6xULIZw

— CCC Mhondoro Mubaira (@cccmhondoro) February 4, 2021

Chief Nyamweda (Claudius Mandaza, 64) of the Moyo, Zuruvi clan in Mashonaland West province has died.
Chief Nyamweda reportedly succumbed to diabetes complications this morning in Norton. Leader of the Chiefs Council in the province Chief Ngezi confirmed the tragedy which comes barely two weeks after the death of Chief Mashayamombe.

“I can confirm the death of Chief Nyamweda this morning which is a great loss to the Chiefs Council in Mashonaland West province,” said Chief Ngezi.

“I got a call this morning from his wife that he had passed on. He was an easy man to work with and to us it is a great loss.”

Ironically, he said, the death comes just two days after they met to discuss the recent death of chiefs in the province.- Herald

Police in Bulawayo have arrested a 20-year-old man for allegedly stabbing his 18-year-old friend to death following a dispute over a woman.

Bongani Ngulube of Mpopoma suburb allegedly stabbed Mr Siphesihle Moyo several times all over his body and sliced his intestines.

Bulawayo Provincial Spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident that occurred around 8pm on Wednesday.

The informant, whose name was not given, was drinking whisky with Ngulube and Moyo at Bango shops. On their way home between block 9 and 10 in Mpopoma, Moyo and Ngulube had a heated misunderstanding.

“The accused person pulled out an unknown object suspected to be an okapi knife from his right trouser pocket and stabbed the now deceased once below the abdomen, twice on the left hand, the lower and upper part of arm, cutting the intestines in the process. The accused person then fled from the scene,” said Insp Ncube.

Moyo was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital where he received medical attention but later died. The informant reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of Ngulube, who is detained at Western Commonage Police Station. Insp Ncube said the trio was violating the Covid-19 lockdown regulations.

“The trio violated lockdown regulation. Had they complied with the regulations and observed curfew this could not have happened. People should realise that once you break the law, a lot can follow which can be unfortunate,
“As police we plead with members of the public not to take the law into their own hands and seek counselling and guidance from community leaders, church elders or visit the nearest police station for counseling. This is a life unnecessarily lost,” said Insp Ncube.-Chronicle

Zanu PF’s Proportional Representation legislator Lisa Singo (47) has died.

The legislator is reported to have died this morning at a local private clinic, where she had been rushed to after collapsing.

Beitbridge Senator Cde Tambudzani Mohadi confirmed the death of the legislator this afternoon.

“This is devastating news. Everyone is still shocked,” said Senator Mohadi.- The Herald

Traditional leader, Chief Nyamweda born Claudius Mandaza of the Moyo, Zuruvi clan in Mashonaland West province has died.

He was 64.

Chief Nyamweda reportedly succumbed to diabetes complications this morning in Norton.

Norton legislator (independent) Temba Mliswa posted on Twitter on Thursday expressing his sadness over the traditional leader’s death. He said:

I’ve just received the sad news that Chief Nyamweda passed away this morning at Norton Hospital after a short illness. MHDSRIEP

The leader of the Chiefs Council in Mashonaland West province, Chief Ngezi, confirmed the traditional leader’s death which comes barely two weeks after the death of Chief Mashayamombe.

Speaking to The Herald, Chief Ngezi said:

I can confirm the death of Chief Nyamweda this morning which is a great loss to the Chiefs Council in Mashonaland West province.

I got a call this morning from his wife that he had passed on. He was an easy man to work with and to us it is a great loss.

Chief Ngezi said the irony was that the death comes just two days after they met to discuss the recent death of chiefs in the province.-The Herald

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has boldly declared that he will not surrender until the people of Zimbabwe are free from oppression.

Hon Sikhala has also revealed how Emmerson Mnangagwa’s agents are tormenting his family.

Below is Hon Sikhala’s full statement.

By Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala
MP for Zengeza West.

I received intelligence early morning on Friday the 8th of January 2021, that the regime of Emmerson Mnangagwa was planning to arrest me.

As I always know the information to reliable, I informed the world about the impending arrest. I informed my brother and friend Hopewell Chin’ono about the information and he said he will stand with me throughout. Unbeknown to me was that Hopewell was also the target for arrest on same charges. As I finished talking to him and when I was busy informing other friendly corners, the news broke out that Hopewell’s house has been raided and they have pounced on him.

I tried to inquire about the motive of the arrest and the explanation was not satisfactory. It was alleged that I posted some comments over the alleged bashing of a child to death by police on Facebook and failed to locate the day and time. It really sounded bizarre as I did not remember the issue.

I had to work a plan with friends and colleagues to avoid the usual excuses of arresting us and deny bail on the grounds of flight risk that I become part of Hopewell Chin’ono’s legal team on the day of his Court appearance. Before that, Hopewell communicated to me that he has seen my warned and cautioned statement already with the police and there were really after me. I went to the Law and Order Section at Harare Police Station and asked the Officer In Charge, Law and Order, whether they want me for whatever allegations they would want to press against me. The Officer in Charge said, “they have got no such intention.”

Hopewell was appearing in Court for his initial remand and I was part of the legal Team put in place, to represent him. I appeared for the initial hearing, only to be nabbed by the same members of the Law and Order as I was about to leave the Court.

This was the beginning of a long stay in prison from Saturday the 9th of January 2021 to the 2nd of February 2021. For 26 days I was for the first time detained in solitary confinement in Section FB2 at Chikurubi Maximum Prison. This is the section where people condemned to death sentence are housed. Hopewell Chin’ono was in his own solitary confinement in the same section. His solitary prison cell was facing directly the gallows. Whatever the motive was, is only known to the persecutors.

We were both denied bail at the Magistrates’ Court. My grounds for being denied bail was that I have the propensity to commit further offenses as I “boasted that I was arrested 65 times in 2020, and have the propensity to re-offend”. This averments by the Magistrate was manufactured evidence as nothing of that sort was either submitted in Court by either the State or the Defense. It was purely manufactured evidence and facts that the Magistrate came up with and acted upon to deny me my liberty. I am going to raise a strong protestation of this with my legal practitioners, the Law Society and the Judiciary Service Commission as no such evidence was ever led in Court by either the State or the defense. I have gone through the record of proceedings at the Magistrates Court several times to look for the the elusive declaration of 65 arrests in 2020 and failed to find this needle in the haystack.

For 26 days I was denied my liberty on the basis of the manufactured evidence by the Magistrate. Such evidence was never ever put before him. It remains bizzare where it was extracted from. I would not have issues with being denied bail based on evidence and facts presented before the Court, no matter how untrue they may, and a judicial official uphelds them. To be denied one’s liberty based on manufactured evidence and facts is unprecedented. The evidence that I boasted of 65 arrests in 2020 are not true. I am still wondering where this came from. Throughout the proceedings at the Magistrates Court, nothing of that sort was addiduced in Court by either parties as evidence and facts to be determined upon by the Magistrate.

Although Justice Chitapi touched on it at length dismissing the findings of the Magistrate over such averments, he was commenting on it based on the Judgement of the Magistrate. The integrity of our judiciary is of utmost importance so as not to undermine the administration of justice and the confidence upon it by the public. Manufacturing of evidence and facts and act upon it to deny an individual’s liberty undermines the administration of justice.

Dear colleagues, I would like to thank my Legal Team of Harrison Nkomo, Jeremiah Bamu and Paidamoyo Saurombe for the sterling job they did seeking my liberty. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) remains the beacon for justice and defending human rights. I don’t have words with which to thank my sister Rose. Heal Zimbabwe Trust, you stood with me and my family throughout my unjustified incarceration. Tree of Life, you came with your hand, so great that I don’t have word with which to thank you.

Crisis Coalition (Zimbabwe), you stood firm against persecution. Amnesty International, you heighetend our persecution to the world. A million thanks.

Individuals who spoke endlessly against our incarceration, we thank you. My brothers Brian Kagoro, Trevor Ncube, Siphosami Malunga, Mbuya Dotito, Lynn and all the people of Zimbabwe who stood with me. May God do great to you. I know my wife and children are in pain. I had 3 children sitting for their Exams at different boarding schools. I didn’t want them to know that I was arrested. I am disappointed that my daughter phoned me today that she was crying throughout on her way to the Exams after being told about my arrest by her teachers.

She is a genius at school. I hope this episode did not affect her. I know how much traumatised my family go through during these trying times but they must know that it is the will of God for me to be put through such trials and tribulations.

The people of Zimbabwe, you remain my source of inspiration. You never betrayed me. You stood with me throughout. To Hopewell who was housed right on the face of the gallows, remain strong and unwavering.

Dearly I will never surrender until freedom is achieved for all our people. Zimbabwe is too precious to be owned by a few clinch of the greedy. The future of millions has been ruined. The youth, your future is bleak. There is no hope. We the middle aged started this in our youth stages. We are doing it for you and future generations.

Our dear Lord is with us the people of Zimbabwe.
I thank you all.
Be blessed.

Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) has started charging fares in foreign currency alongside local currency, but passengers have decried the disregard for official exchange rates.

Yesterday, commuters were paying R10 or US$1 for kombis while buses were charging R5 or US$1 for two passengers per trip. The same trips cost about $50 and $30 for kombis and buses, respectively.

However, the official exchange rate for the local currency to the US dollar is 1:83, while the rand to the US dollar is 1:15.

Zupco southern division operations manager Mr Tineyi Rwasoka had by yesterday, not responded to questions sent to him on Wednesday regarding the issue of payment in multi-currencies. A Zupco conductor, who declined to be identified, said the forex fares came into effect last week.

“We have not been issued the ticket books yet but once they are issued passengers can now pay one dollar for two or R5 for the bus,” she said. A number of commuters also confirmed paying in forex.

Passengers complained about the forex charges saying they were higher than those in local currency while others said they faced challenges with change when paying in forex.

“I boarded a kombi and I paid R10. I was, however, given a ticket in the local dollar denomination,” said Miss Khethiwe Ndlovu of Mahatshula.

Mr Adam Sibanda of Nkulumane said Zupco had to look into the exchange rate because those who used the local currency were paying less.

“In local currency, a kombi is $50 and US$1 in forex. If we use the official rate, a person who pays in forex would have paid about $80. It is the same with the rand to US rate. Zupco is using 1:20 but the official rate is about 1:15.

This makes it more expensive if one uses the rand compared to the US dollar,” said Mr Sibanda.Residents have said Government should look into the forex fares issue as the forex rate is not attractive for commuters.

“These fares should be adjusted so that those who pay in forex are not short changed,” said Mrs Priscilla Moyo of Entumbane.

Some commuters observed that there is more order on Zupco buses and kombis than on privately-owned kombis that used to transport the public before the initial lockdown in March last year.

“There were abusive touts who virtually ran the kombis. They could decide on a whim to increase fares and everyone would be forced to pay.

“They insulted passengers and most of the drivers flouted traffic laws thereby endangering the public,” said Mr Ambrose Dube of Gwabalanda suburb.

“However, I think the Government should avail more Zupco buses and kombis because when the economy returns to normal, the existing fleet will be overwhelmed. Nowadays, Zupco is coping because most people are staying at home because of the lockdown and schools are closed.” 

Only Zupco registered buses and kombis are allowed to transport commuters in terms of Covid-19 prevention regulations.

Authorities recently directed Zupco to enforce social distancing on buses in order to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

Zupco in January announced a 100 percent hike in fares which saw passengers paying $30 up from $16 for a trip within a 20-kilometre radius, with passengers travelling distances ranging between 21–30km paying $45 up from $24. Those travelling on routes within a 31km and 40km radius paid $60 up from $32. Chronicle

A Bulawayo man has been arrested for allegedly defiling three minor girls including his sister after he tied each girl’s hands and legs with a shoelace and placed them on his bed where he took turns to rape them.

It is reported that the 24-year-old alleged rapist from West Somerton suburb invited the three minor girls who were playing outside his house into his room claiming he wanted to give them sweets.

Following his arrest, it also emerged that he had been bedding one of the girls aged 12, who is also his neighbour, since 2017 when she was eight-years-old.

Allegations against the accused are that the girls were playing outside his house when he called them to his room saying he wanted to give them sweets.

It is reported that the seemingly unsuspicious girls rushed to enter his room as he always gives them sweets whenever he called them to his room.

It is alleged that when the three minor girls entered his room, he immediately locked the door and took three t-shirts from his wardrobe and placed them on his bed. It is further alleged that he then tied each victims’ hands and legs with shoelaces. To stop them from screaming for help he is said to have covered their mouths with the t-shirts.

After he tied them tightly, he then commanded the minor girls to lie on the bed facing upwards. He then stripped them naked before he allegedly raped them one by one.

The matter however, came to light on 20 December 2020, after one of the girls, who had been sexually abused since 2017, reported the matter to her sister.

This was after the accused on the day in question forcibly dragged the girl into his room where he later tried to strip her naked while threatening to stab her with a kitchen knife.

The minor girl reportedly screamed attracting the attention of her sister who quickly came to the accused’s room and found him struggling to remove her underwear. He reportedly bolted out of the room and fled.

The matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of the alleged rapist.

Following his arrest, it was also discovered that sometime in 2019 when she was 10-years-old, the accused sexually abused her after she was sent by her grandmother to call him so that he can drive her to the clinic.

When she arrived at his room, the accused is alleged to have forcibly pushed the girl into his room and raped her once.

The alleged rapist, who was not asked to plead to three counts of rape and one charge of indecent assault, is languishing in remand prison after Bulawayo magistrate Stephen Ndhlovu remanded him in custody to 8 March 2021. -B Metro

Tinashe Sambiri|The struggle for freedom is unstoppable, MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has said.

Hon Sikhala was granted ZWL $ 25 000 bail on Monday.

According to Hon Sikhala, the persecution of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s critics is not the solution to the deepening economic crisis.

The resilient MDC Alliance official denounced the calculated harassment of perceived government opponents.

“Hello Zimbabwe Flag of Zimbabwe my love. Chikurubi hardens the warriors. Fix the rot. Persecution of critics is not a solution.

The business of arresting opponents on non- existent laws should come to an end. We demand our freedom,” Hon Sikhala wrote on Twitter.

Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday said the rolling out of Covid-19 vaccines scientifically ascertained to be safe, will be State funded with all citizens set to access the doses for free as Government is finalising the National Vaccine Deployment Framework.
Government targets to initially immunise at least 60 percent of the population to achieve “population immunity”.

The first phase of immunisation is primarily targeting frontline workers, the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions.

There were recent conflicting media reports quoting Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube as having said that some citizens will have to pay for the Covid-19 vaccine, with Government only catering for frontline workers and the most vulnerable members of society.

However, addressing the nation yesterday, President Mnangagwa set the record straight, saying all citizens wishing to be vaccinated, will access the doses for free.

“Our overall National Response Strategy has reached a stage where we can now introduce vaccines as a second front preventive measure. As such, Covid-19 vaccines, which have been scientifically ascertained to be safe, will soon be introduced. These will be State funded and free,” he said.

“The National Vaccine Deployment Framework has also been finalised. The initial objective is to inoculate at least 60 percent of the population to achieve population immunity. The first phase of inoculation of the vaccine will see our hard-working front-line workers, the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions being prioritised.”

The President also commended Chinese President Xi Jimping and his government for donating 200 000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine. Zimbabwe was listed as one of the first countries set to receive Covid-19 vaccines from China.

According to the Chinese Embassy, what is now left is for Zimbabwe to collect the Covid-19 vaccine as the Asian economic powerhouse moves to ensure that the drug is accessible globally to all nations.

President Mnangagwa said the kind gesture by China is a true reflection of the cordial relations, strategic partnership and cooperation enjoyed by the two countries.

“Allow me to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt and sincere gratitude to the President of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency, Xi Jinping, the Government and the people of China for their kind donation of 200 000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine. We applaud China for taking a leading role in contributing to our national vaccine deployment strategy and for its consistent humane policy of treating Covid-19 vaccines as a global public goods,” he said.

“Over and above this support, the partnership under the African Union-Global Fund COVAX Facility and other bilateral arrangements will see our country secure sufficient vaccines.”

President Mnangagwa said Government has set aside the requisite financial resources for the purchase of vaccines.

He said in line with Government policy of pooling national effort and resources, his administration will also partner the corporate world and other players in the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines and related consumables.

“The recent meeting, I convened with our business sector yielded notable and commendable results. Together in unison and through our actions and our deployment of scientific options and prayer for our beloved nation, there is light at the end of the tunnel; we will win this war against Covid-19. We have not lost hope for a better future, we keep moving on,” said the President.

“As Government we continue to bolster our national resolve, determination and action plan towards arresting the impact and spread of Covid-19 outbreak within our country.”

The President also paid tribute to the frontline health workers for their dedication, sacrifice and commitment in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic.

“The war is not yet over. We must renew our vigilance at all times so that we consolidate the current downward transmission trend through masking up, washing hands and practising social distancing. This is also keeping with the exhortations made in the Bible in Exodus 30 v 18-21 which talks of washing of hands and Leviticus 13 verses 4, 5 and 46, which talks on social distancing and Leviticus 13 verses 4 and 5 om quarantine,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said Government commended the generality of citizens for their resilience and continued adherence to Covid-19 lockdown measures and the World Health Organisation (WHO) protocols, saying their positive attitude and public health behaviour has brought about a relatively flattened curve.

“Nevertheless, the Government is aware that vaccines do not provide 100 percent protection or impart immunity. With this in mind, the present WHO public health protocols remain critical in the second phase, and must continue to be adhered to at all times, even after vaccines have been administered,” he said.

The President said Government was aware of the plight of people during the lockdown and will continue to make regular assessments of the situation to achieve the intricate balance between saving lives, livelihoods and the country economy.

“You will recall that following the first case of Covid-19 virus in March 2020, a comprehensive nationwide response strategy, which rested on drastic first front preventive measures, was deployed. This initial strategy included a national lockdown complemented by WHO public health protocols such as the washing of hands with soap under running water, and/or the use of sanitisers, social distancing and mandatory wearing of face masks. The measures were necessary and impactful,” he said.

The President said the more infectious second wave, which has touched the whole world has not spared Zimbabwe.

“For over a month now, a dark cloud hovered over our nation as we painfully endured increased rate of loss of senior comrades in the party and Government, professionals across various sectors, colleagues, friends and our beloved ones due to the pandemic. Thankfully, the spike which shot up during the festive season into January, is beginning to ease,” he said.

“Through unity and the spirit of being each other’s keeper, we survived the pandemic’s first wave with remarkably low infections and fatalities. Sadly, the second wave has been dire and more infectious.”

Amid the prevailing global public health crisis, President Mnangagwa said the scientific community is working hard, with significant breakthroughs being registered.

Globally, there are now a handful of vaccines which are already in use and a few more at different stages of development.

“This has enhanced worldwide prospects for the mitigation of the pandemic, including within our nation,” said President Mnangagwa. -Herald

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa believes his 43rd birthday is evidence of God’s grace.

President Chamisa turned 43 on February 2.

“43 YEARS- EVIDENCE OF GOD’S GRACE! Thank you Lord. Thank you dear friends for making this life more meaningful…God bless you.”

Commenting on Hon Biti’s conglatulatory message, President Chamisa wrote:

“Thank you Cde & brother
@BitiTendai
. You have been such a pillar in this liberation and transformation journey. We will make Zimbabwe that JEWEL again!Tinosvika chete #Godisinit.”

Below is Hon Biti’s birthday message to President Chamisa:

“Forty three years ago you embarked on a journey of liberation transformation and democratization . Let us finish this struggle . Happy birthday Comrade President…”

On the current political crisis Hon Biti argued:
“
They have pushed the reform mantra for 3 years . But we know them .They are an incorrigible recaltricient bunch of irredeemable illegitimate thugs .Being ranked 157 out of 180 on the Corruption Index confirms who they are .

Thieves thugs , killers. ZanupfMustGo FreeAlanMoyo.”

May his soul rest in power!

— Makomborero Haruzivishe (@MakomboreroH) February 4, 2021

Mthuli Ncube clearly announcing: So really paying something from private citizens it's very important…" –@NyashChingono @ZTN_News https://t.co/fapeqANhbV pic.twitter.com/Uxb5Xn6pEj

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) February 4, 2021

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has boldly declared that he will not surrender until the people of Zimbabwe are free from oppression.

Hon Sikhala has also revealed how Emmerson Mnangagwa’s agents are tormenting his family.

Below is Hon Sikhala’s full statement.

By Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala
MP for Zengeza West.

I received intelligence early morning on Friday the 8th of January 2021, that the regime of Emmerson Mnangagwa was planning to arrest me.

As I always know the information to reliable, I informed the world about the impending arrest. I informed my brother and friend Hopewell Chin’ono about the information and he said he will stand with me throughout. Unbeknown to me was that Hopewell was also the target for arrest on same charges. As I finished talking to him and when I was busy informing other friendly corners, the news broke out that Hopewell’s house has been raided and they have pounced on him.

I tried to inquire about the motive of the arrest and the explanation was not satisfactory. It was alleged that I posted some comments over the alleged bashing of a child to death by police on Facebook and failed to locate the day and time. It really sounded bizarre as I did not remember the issue.

I had to work a plan with friends and colleagues to avoid the usual excuses of arresting us and deny bail on the grounds of flight risk that I become part of Hopewell Chin’ono’s legal team on the day of his Court appearance. Before that, Hopewell communicated to me that he has seen my warned and cautioned statement already with the police and there were really after me. I went to the Law and Order Section at Harare Police Station and asked the Officer In Charge, Law and Order, whether they want me for whatever allegations they would want to press against me. The Officer in Charge said, “they have got no such intention.”

Hopewell was appearing in Court for his initial remand and I was part of the legal Team put in place, to represent him. I appeared for the initial hearing, only to be nabbed by the same members of the Law and Order as I was about to leave the Court.

This was the beginning of a long stay in prison from Saturday the 9th of January 2021 to the 2nd of February 2021. For 26 days I was for the first time detained in solitary confinement in Section FB2 at Chikurubi Maximum Prison. This is the section where people condemned to death sentence are housed. Hopewell Chin’ono was in his own solitary confinement in the same section. His solitary prison cell was facing directly the gallows. Whatever the motive was, is only known to the persecutors.

We were both denied bail at the Magistrates’ Court. My grounds for being denied bail was that I have the propensity to commit further offenses as I “boasted that I was arrested 65 times in 2020, and have the propensity to re-offend”. This averments by the Magistrate was manufactured evidence as nothing of that sort was either submitted in Court by either the State or the Defense. It was purely manufactured evidence and facts that the Magistrate came up with and acted upon to deny me my liberty. I am going to raise a strong protestation of this with my legal practitioners, the Law Society and the Judiciary Service Commission as no such evidence was ever led in Court by either the State or the defense. I have gone through the record of proceedings at the Magistrates Court several times to look for the the elusive declaration of 65 arrests in 2020 and failed to find this needle in the haystack.

For 26 days I was denied my liberty on the basis of the manufactured evidence by the Magistrate. Such evidence was never ever put before him. It remains bizzare where it was extracted from. I would not have issues with being denied bail based on evidence and facts presented before the Court, no matter how untrue they may, and a judicial official uphelds them. To be denied one’s liberty based on manufactured evidence and facts is unprecedented. The evidence that I boasted of 65 arrests in 2020 are not true. I am still wondering where this came from. Throughout the proceedings at the Magistrates Court, nothing of that sort was addiduced in Court by either parties as evidence and facts to be determined upon by the Magistrate.

Although Justice Chitapi touched on it at length dismissing the findings of the Magistrate over such averments, he was commenting on it based on the Judgement of the Magistrate. The integrity of our judiciary is of utmost importance so as not to undermine the administration of justice and the confidence upon it by the public. Manufacturing of evidence and facts and act upon it to deny an individual’s liberty undermines the administration of justice.

Dear colleagues, I would like to thank my Legal Team of Harrison Nkomo, Jeremiah Bamu and Paidamoyo Saurombe for the sterling job they did seeking my liberty. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) remains the beacon for justice and defending human rights. I don’t have words with which to thank my sister Rose. Heal Zimbabwe Trust, you stood with me and my family throughout my unjustified incarceration. Tree of Life, you came with your hand, so great that I don’t have word with which to thank you.

Crisis Coalition (Zimbabwe), you stood firm against persecution. Amnesty International, you heighetend our persecution to the world. A million thanks.

Individuals who spoke endlessly against our incarceration, we thank you. My brothers Brian Kagoro, Trevor Ncube, Siphosami Malunga, Mbuya Dotito, Lynn and all the people of Zimbabwe who stood with me. May God do great to you. I know my wife and children are in pain. I had 3 children sitting for their Exams at different boarding schools. I didn’t want them to know that I was arrested. I am disappointed that my daughter phoned me today that she was crying throughout on her way to the Exams after being told about my arrest by her teachers.

She is a genius at school. I hope this episode did not affect her. I know how much traumatised my family go through during these trying times but they must know that it is the will of God for me to be put through such trials and tribulations.

The people of Zimbabwe, you remain my source of inspiration. You never betrayed me. You stood with me throughout. To Hopewell who was housed right on the face of the gallows, remain strong and unwavering.

Dearly I will never surrender until freedom is achieved for all our people. Zimbabwe is too precious to be owned by a few clinch of the greedy. The future of millions has been ruined. The youth, your future is bleak. There is no hope. We the middle aged started this in our youth stages. We are doing it for you and future generations.

Our dear Lord is with us the people of Zimbabwe.
I thank you all.
Be blessed.

Tinashe Sambiri|The struggle for freedom is unstoppable, MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has said.

Hon Sikhala was granted ZWL $ 25 000 bail on Monday.

According to Hon Sikhala, the persecution of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s critics is not the solution to the deepening economic crisis.

The resilient MDC Alliance official denounced the calculated harassment of perceived government opponents.

“Hello Zimbabwe Flag of Zimbabwe my love. Chikurubi hardens the warriors. Fix the rot. Persecution of critics is not a solution.

The business of arresting opponents on non- existent laws should come to an end. We demand our freedom,” Hon Sikhala wrote on Twitter.

By A Correspondent| Jailbird journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has told the Zimbabwe Republic Police to kiss goodbye to talking about property rights until they return his camera which was confiscated when they raided his house last year.

Chin’ono who was responding to remarks by British Minister for Africa James Duddridge who said international investors are reluctant to come to Zimbabwe due to arbitrary property rights and currency volatility.

“UK investors repeatedly tell us that three key things prevent them from investing in Zimbabwe: concerns about the poorly managed currency; concerns about arbitrary property rights and concerns about the legal system,” Duddridge said.

Chin’ono demanded his camera back saying his issue is now international

“I REPEAT, as long as my professional camera is not returned by @PoliceZimbabwe together with my other journalism equipment, Mnangagwa’s regime must kiss good bye to talking about Property Rights. My issue as Professor @steve_hanke said yesterday is now INTERNATIONAL,” said Chin’ono.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa believes his 43rd birthday is evidence of God’s grace.

President Chamisa turned 43 on February 2.

“43 YEARS- EVIDENCE OF GOD’S GRACE! Thank you Lord. Thank you dear friends for making this life more meaningful…God bless you.”

Commenting on Hon Biti’s conglatulatory message, President Chamisa wrote:

“Thank you Cde & brother
@BitiTendai
. You have been such a pillar in this liberation and transformation journey. We will make Zimbabwe that JEWEL again!Tinosvika chete #Godisinit.”

Below is Hon Biti’s birthday message to President Chamisa:

“Forty three years ago you embarked on a journey of liberation transformation and democratization . Let us finish this struggle . Happy birthday Comrade President…”

On the current political crisis Hon Biti argued:
“
They have pushed the reform mantra for 3 years . But we know them .They are an incorrigible recaltricient bunch of irredeemable illegitimate thugs .Being ranked 157 out of 180 on the Corruption Index confirms who they are .

Thieves thugs , killers. ZanupfMustGo FreeAlanMoyo.”

• 

• 

By A Correspondent| Following government’s climbdown from an earlier pronouncement that some people will pay for the vaccine, Zimbabweans have demanded answers on the rollout plan for vaccines procured using tax-payers money.

Fiery journalist Hopewell Chin’ono said Professor Ncube had not clarified anything demanding a government position on how vaccines procured using taxpayers’ money will be rolled out.

“Finance Minister @MthuliNcube has NOT clarified anything! This statement says Vaccines procured through donors will be freely available! That is not THE issue! The REAL issue is WHY should Vaccines bought by TAX money be sold. He is silent on that point in this statement,” Chin’ono said.

Political commentator, Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya reinforced Chin’ono’s question saying the issue was not about donated vaccines but those procured by the central government.

“Dear @MthuliNcube read these two. You are lying even more. If not, please state what gov will do when it purchases the COVID-19 vaccines,” said Ruhanya.

Kudzai Mutisi questioned government’s poor communication saying they should allow experts to do it rather always fire-fighting.

“When??? The government is too slow… Zero sense of urgency… Poor communication… If you can’t do it, leave it to those who can act… The non-existent experts will take a whole year to decide on a suitable vaccine… You can’t be a government that’s always trailing others, that’s crap,” Mutisi questioned.

Thieves last night broke into Bulawayo Mayor councillor Solomon Mguni’s car and stole cash among other valuables at his home in Nkulumane suburb.

Cllr Mguni discovered the crime on Thursday morning.

He said he had forgotten his wallet in the vehicle and the thieves also got away with his car battery.

Nkulumane suburb is one of the six western suburbs that police identified as hotspots for burglary cases which in some instances lead to women being raped.

More details to follow…

Controversial former Chivi South legislator Killer Zivhu says he is planning to meet with MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa, MDC-T President Douglas Mwonzora and President Emmerson Mnangagwa as part of his efforts to forge unity among the three.

Posting on Twitter, Zivhu said he hopes to kick start his meetings next week while praying that Mnangagwa will heed his call based on his election manifesto of being a listening president.

“Next week I will start arrangements to meet Advocate Nelson Chamisa, Senator Monzora and President ED to talk about unity during Covid time, President ED promised Zimbabweans during his campaign that he is a listening President ,hope he will listen to my request,” said Zivhu.

ZANU PF has castigated unscrupulous businesses that have unjustifiably hiked prices at a time when the general populace is grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic which has forced Government to impose a national lockdown level four to curb its spread.

The governing party’s spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo said in a statement yesterday that businesses should have a heart particularly at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has seen lives being lost while livelihoods have been disrupted.

To curb the spread of the Covid19 which spiked in January, the Government imposed a lockdown until February 15.

However, some business, despite the currency stability and a waiver on essential services to continue doing business notwithstanding the lockdown have been hiking prices.

“The revolutionary Zanu PF party is concerned by the recent spike in the cost of goods and services, particularly basic commodities. Such a development has no grounding in basic economics. It is merely a manifestation of greed in some of our business entities.

“Surely, this practice weighs heavily on the poor and must be nipped in the bud. Certainly, the ordinary citizen needs protection. With Covid-19 pandemic ravaging the country, empathy should be at play in our daily relations.

“The deadly pandemic has not spared our economy hence the need to take care of each other,” said Moyo.

He said the country, just like the world at large is in danger of the Covid-19 pandemic which has claimed more than 1 000 people locally adding that such tragedies can only be confronted by empathy and adhering to measures that minimise the spread of the vicious pandemic such as social distancing, wearing face masks and staying at home.

“The WHO protocols relevant to this virus and Ministry of Health and Child Care regulations must be observed religiously. We are indeed all endangered species. Times are hard, very hard. There is therefore no need for unscrupulous and speculative behaviour which has led to this situation, soaring of prices.

“The party is therefore appealing to the business community to conduct their business ethically. Love thy neighbour. Together we shall fulfil the ideals of Vision 2030 as often spelt out by His Excellency the President, Cde ED Mnangagwa,” said Moyo.

Even under the scourge of Covid-19 and its effects on the economy, Zimbabwe is vigorously pursuing Vision 2030 to become an upper middle class economy by 2030, a vision that is unpinned by the exciting revival of agriculture, increased mining production and also tourism.- The Herald

POLICE have launched a manhunt for a Mudzi man, Shame Chimbwanda (46) who allegedly bashed his son Messiah (13) to death whom he accused of stealing his US$10.

After allegedly stealing the money, Messiah disappeared from the homestead on January 23 and re-surfaced on February 1, where he was greeted by an angry father who grabbed a horse pipe and severely assaulted him all over the body.

He also banged the son against the wall and he sustained serious injuries.

His wife and mother of the deceased boy Mrs Chimbwanda attempted to intervene but she too was assaulted.

After realising that the son was dead, Chimbwanda disappeared from their homestead.-The Herald

A Zaka octogenarian has died after he was mauled and trampled by a hippopotamus that charged at him while herding cattle.

Police have identified the deceased as Langson Svondero (81) of Mupuwa Village in Nhema communal lands.

The raging hippo attacked Svondero inflicting a deep wound on his left leg before repeatedly trampling until he died.

Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said the tragic incident occurred on Monday when the now deceased was herding cattle in the company of his juvenile grandson just before sunset.

“A hippopotamus appeared from a nearby thicket charging towards Svondero. His grandson yelled to alert him but the hippo bit his left leg and he fell to the ground.”

“The hippo then began trampling him. The deceased’s grandson ran cried for help from other villagers but when they finally arrived Svondero had already died. He had also sustained a deep cut on the chest,” said Inspector Dhewa.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo said the hippo could have came from Chiredzi River adding that a team had been dispatched to investigate the matter.

He lamented increasing cases of humans/wildlife conflict in Zaka and Chiredzi districts.- The Herald

NEWLY-elected MDC president Douglas Mwonzora was yesterday accepted into the Parliament’s Standing Rules and Orders Committee (SROC) to replace Innocent Gonese — an ally of his erstwhile colleague, Nelson Chamisa.

Since the commencement of the ninth Parliament, Gonese, who is the MDC MP for Mutare Central, has been serving the opposition party’s interests in the powerful SROC.

But in a move seen as an effort by Mwonzora to consolidate his position, following his controversial election at the party’s extraordinary congress held in December amid allegations of massive rigging, Gonese was replaced under unclear circumstances.

Contacted for comment, Mwonzora said he was seconded to the SROC committee by the party last year as Parliament wanted someone with a legal background.

“Following the resignation of Innocent Gonese from the committee last year, I was seconded to the committee when I was still the secretary-general of the party.

“Parliament then accepted me in the committee through the announcement made by the Speaker of Parliament today. “Otherwise, I was seconded to the committee last year,” he said.

The SROC is the most powerful organ which runs the affairs of Parliament and makes important decisions.

Since Thokozani Khupe who was declared the interim MDC acting president by the Supreme Court in April, she recalled 21 legislators believed to be rallying behind Chamisa.

Apart from legislators, Khupe also recalled close to 80 MDC councilors who pledged allegiance to Chamisa.

The announcement by Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda that Mwonzora would be admitted to the committee comes as the latest move by the newly-elected MDC president to consolidate power.

Following his ascendency to power within the MDC, Mwonzora has been reaching out to disgruntled party members in a bid to bridge the impasse and mend relations in the party. -Daily News

A kombi driver who allegedly killed his girlfriend is said to have committed suicide near Esigodini Tollgate, just a few kilometres from his Mlomolihotho rural home in Mawabeni.

Melinkosi Moyo from Lobengula suburb, Bulawayo allegedly stabbed Prudence Ndlovu (24) to death in Nkulumane suburb on Sunday morning.

Moyo had been on the run since committing the crime. His body was found on Tuesday near Esigodini Tollgate and police informed his family about his death yesterday morning.

A Chronicle news crew visited Moyo’s New Lobengula residence yesterday and his relatives confirmed that they had been informed that he had hanged himself from a tree.

His sister, Ms Sizoluhle Moyo said the incident has left the family shattered as they do not know where to turn to for answers. Ms Moyo said other family members had gone to identify her brother’s body.

She said her uncles last communicated with Moyo at about 2AM on Sunday while she last spoke to him at around 12AM and at no point did he reveal that he had committed a crime.

“What I know is that he was accusing Prudence of cheating on him. He constantly called me at about 11PM, revealing that he had found her hiding place in Nkulumane. He said I should call umakoti wethu (our daughter-in-law) although they were still boyfriend and girlfriend but she was not answering her phone. He called her and then phoned me back telling me to call her. That is when she answered the phone saying when Meli does not understand something he becomes harsh. She didn’t even tell me that they were fighting,” said Ms Moyo.

“This has left us with more questions than answers because we don’t know him as a violent person. So, we want to know how he ended up being in Nkulumane where the crime was committed. He had big plans for his life so we really don’t know why he would do such a thing. He had acquired a class one driver’s licence and was set to relocate to South Africa before lockdown was imposed. So, we also would want to engage Prudence’s family maybe they know better what really transpired because at no point did we hear that they were having relationship problems. We last saw her three days before she was killed.”

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube could not immediately confirm that Moyo’s body had been recovered.

“What we know so far is that there is a body that was found in Esigodini but before the family identifies it as his we cannot confirm that it’s his,” said Insp Ncube.

A fellow tenant at Moyo’s Lobengula West residence said he arrived home at 2AM Sunday and borrowed R200 from her. She said he told her that Ndlovu would bring the money in the morning.

“I didn’t know him that much. I just knew that he was a driver always moving in cars. But on Sunday he arrived at about 2AM, took a bath and borrowed R200 which he said his girlfriend would bring later.

“He was so calm and we didn’t suspect anything until armed police knocked at our doors at about 5AM looking for him. That is when we learnt that he had killed someone and we did not find any blood stains anywhere,” said the tenant who preferred not to be named. -Chronicle

Two Platinum Fuel employees accused of stealing nearly US$200 000 in transactions they entered with other fuel dealers between November last year and January this year, have been denied bail by a Harare magistrate.

Tatenda Maredza (31) and Malcolm Dodo (26) who allegedly duped Platinum Fuels, run by Ace Lumumba Gerald Mutumanje, were denied bail by magistrate Mrs Barbra Mateko who noted that they were flight risk.

 

Mrs Mateko also said they were likely to interfere with investigations. Maredza and Dodo are charged with theft of trust property, corruptly concealing a transaction from a principal and unlawful dealing in petroleum. They allegedly stole 153 000 litres of diesel worth US$158 520 and US$30 500 cash from Lumumba’s firm.

 

It is alleged that in November last year, Platinum Fuel represented by Lumumba received fuel worth US$244 780 from Comoil and the two were tasked to pay the supplier US$212 125 and they only paid US$202 125 and failed to account for US$9 900.

 

Further allegations are that during the period they received 60 000 litres of diesel worth US$61 800 which they sold and kept the money to themselves.

 

 

They allegedly received another 93 000 litres of diesel worth US$96 720 and they failed to account for the money or the diesel. It is the State’s case that on December 23 last year the two supplied International Freight Services with 18 000 litres on the pretext that it was coming from the company yet the company had no knowledge of the transaction.

 

 

On January 6 it is also alleged that they supplied the same company with 25 000 litres of diesel on the guise it was from the company.

 

 

Further allegations are that they also swindled their employer of US$20 600 on January 9 in another fuel deal.

 

 

The court heard that the duo were arrested after supplying 10 000 litres of diesel at Skyline service station along Masvingo Road on the pretext that it was from Platinum Fuel while they were not licenced fuel dealers.

 

 

The State alleges that the two failed to account for 153 000 litres of diesel worth US$158 520 and US$30 500 cash. -Herald

Jailed former Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Jason Machaya has filed an application for leave to appeal at the Supreme Court after his application for bail pending appeal against conviction and sentence was dismissed by the Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Christopher Dube-Banda.

Machaya (68) and his accomplice provincial planning officer Chaisayanyerwa Chibururu (50) were last year in September each sentenced to 48 months imprisonment for criminal abuse of office.

Chibururu has however, since been released on $50 000 bail pending appeal.

They were convicted by provincial magistrate Ms Charity Maphosa for unlawfully allocating 17 799 stands to land developers in Gokwe town, who in turn gave the pair 1 000 stands worth US$900 000 which was computed as $900 000 in local currency.

The court ruled against an application by the State for the accused persons to pay restitution of 1 000 stands to Gokwe town saying they had benefitted nothing from the criminal abuse of office charges.

The court also ruled against the State’s application to call to the witness stand a Government estate evaluator to give the new value of the stands.

In dismissing Machaya’s application for bail pending appeal, Justice Dube-Banda said the applicant failed to discharge the onus upon him to proffer positive grounds warranting his release.

Machaya, who is challenging his conviction and sentence under case number HCA90/20, through his lawyers Mbidzo, Muchadehama and Makoni Legal Practitioners, yesterday filed a fresh application at the Bulawayo High Court for leave to appeal at the Supreme Court.

In his grounds of appeal, Machaya said Justice Dube-Banda misdirected himself by denying him bail on the basis that he would abscond, arguing that there was no evidence suggesting that he was flight risk.

“The court also erred in holding that there was no prospect of success when there were such prospects of success on both conviction and sentence,” he said.

Machaya said the High Court ignored his explanation and evidence, arguing that the essential elements of the offence had not been proved.

“In regard to sentence this court’s default position was that sentencing was in the direction of the trial court. The court even sought to magnify the aggravating factors in the matter. The harshness of the sentence imposed show that up-service was done to the factors of mitigation I had advanced,” he argued.

“I feel discriminated by the court when it granted bail to my co-appellant and denied me bail. I have a right to appeal to the Supreme Court or Constitutional Court and it is my intention to appeal against the conviction and sentence right up to the last court, whatever it takes.”

Machaya said due to the Covid-19 measures that are being implemented by the courts, the delay of the prosecution of his appeal will be rendered useless if he is not granted bail.

“In the circumstances, I pray that I be granted leave to appeal this court’s refusal to grant me bail pending appeal to the Supreme Court,” he said.

The State is yet to respond to Machaya’s latest application. Initially, the State, which was represented by Mr Khumbulani Ndlovu had opposed the application, which Machaya had jointly filed with Chibururu, arguing that there was no guarantee that if released on bail the two appellants would not abscond.

Mr Ndlovu said the appellants lost the benefit of the presumption of innocence following their conviction.

According to court papers, between 2011 and 2017, Machaya used his official powers to acquire 1 000 residential stands that were available in Mapfungautsi suburb in Gokwe town.

The area is under Gokwe Town Council’s administration and Machaya’s conduct was contrary to Government policy which authorises the Local Government Ministry to acquire only 10 percent of residential stands.

Due to Machaya’s conduct, Gokwe Town Council lost revenue. Machaya further imposed a land developer, Striations World Marketing Property Developers, to service and sell stands without following proper tender procedures.

In 2013, Machaya made verbal demands to Gokwe Town Council to release 1 000 stands as opposed to written requests made by the Local Government Ministry.

Chibururu working in cahoots with Machaya drew plans before the stands were allocated to private land developers. -Chronicle

Tinashe Sambiri|Former MDC Alliance Masvingo Provincial chairperson, Wilstaff Sitemere, has castigated Douglas Mwonzora and Morgen Komichi for ” betraying the people’s struggle.”

Sitemere is a fearless MDC cadre who personally led rescue operations at the height of political violence in 2008. He was arrested and threatened with death several times.

Commenting on a message written on Facebook by another veteran activist, Stanley Manguma about the way forward in the struggle for freedom, Sitemere said:

“Sinyoro handei kwaStephen Serima Matizha togozopfuura nokuSoti Sosi kuChiguhune uko timboona kuti Gutu inodzokera pekare paye here.( Let’s go back to Gutu and other places so that we can rekindle the spirit of the struggle).

Hey the good old days when we were devoted deep down from our hearts to see a liberated Zim.Kwete zvana Dougie nanaKomichi.Real serpents.”

A 44-year-old Bulawayo man died before admission to Mpilo Central Hospital after he was assaulted over amacimbi by two men in Old Pumula suburb.

The late Mr Khumbula Homes Zulu suffered a swollen mouth and internal injuries after he was attacked by two men identified only as Tho and Rey whose ages are not known.

Mr Zulu was allegedly beaten for refusing to share his mopane worms with the two accused persons.

He developed breathing complications after the assault and died two days later when his mother had taken him to the hospital.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident yesterday.

He urged people who may have information that could lead to the arrest of the two accused persons to contact any nearest police station.

“Police are investigating a suspected case of murder which occurred in Old Pumula on the 25th of January 2021.

“The deceased is Khumbula Homes Zulu, a male adult aged 44 years who resides in Old Pumula.

“The accused persons are Rey and Tho both of number 5313 Old Pumula, Bulawayo,” said Insp Ncube.

He said Zulu left home going to Old Pumula shops to buy amacimbi.

After buying, he was approached by the accused persons who asked for some.

“A misunderstanding arose after he refused to share his amacimbi that led to a fist fight and after that Zulu went away to drink alcohol.

At around 6pm Zulu visited his friend Freedom Dube and narrated his fist fight story complaining of hunger and having difficulties in breathing,” he said.

“On January 26, 2021 at around 8AM, Mr Dube woke him up and discovered that he was still having difficulties in breathing.

“He told Zulu’s mother but she dismissed it saying he usually experiences such.”

Insp Ncube said Zulu’s condition continued to deteriorate until Mr Dube took him to his home at around 8pm.

“On 27 January 2021 at 2AM, Zulu’s mother summoned an ambulance which ferried him to Mpilo Central Hospital where he later died before admission. CID homicide attended the scene,” said Insp Ncube.−Chronicle

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1357052843442593794?s=19

Police threw teargas at pedestrians and assaulted several people at corner Coca-Cola and Airport road at around 3.30pm more than 2 hrs before the Curfew. Why is this being done @PoliceZimbabwe ? pic.twitter.com/DaoDOZA1Ki

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) February 3, 2021

VIDEO LOADING BELOW……

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa believes his 43rd birthday is evidence of God’s grace.

President Chamisa turned 43 on February 2.

“43 YEARS- EVIDENCE OF GOD’S GRACE! Thank you Lord. Thank you dear friends for making this life more meaningful…God bless you.”

Commenting on Hon Biti’s conglatulatory message, President Chamisa wrote:

“Thank you Cde & brother
@BitiTendai
. You have been such a pillar in this liberation and transformation journey. We will make Zimbabwe that JEWEL again!Tinosvika chete #Godisinit.”

Below is Hon Biti’s birthday message to President Chamisa:

“Forty three years ago you embarked on a journey of liberation transformation and democratization . Let us finish this struggle . Happy birthday Comrade President…”

On the current political crisis Hon Biti argued:
“
They have pushed the reform mantra for 3 years . But we know them .They are an incorrigible recaltricient bunch of irredeemable illegitimate thugs .Being ranked 157 out of 180 on the Corruption Index confirms who they are .

Thieves thugs , killers. ZanupfMustGo FreeAlanMoyo.”

Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has pointed out that Douglas Mwonzora is being used by Zanu PF to disrupt service delivery in local authorities.

The MDC Alliance will soon release a detailed report revealing how Mwonzora is being used by Zanu PF to stifle development in local authorities.

See the MDC Alliance statement below:

Harare City Council: A ticking Time Bomb

A disaster of unprecedented proportions is looming at the capital city of the country, Harare.

The effects of the collapse will be felt by the whole country for a long time to come.

1. Governance
   Since March 2020, Harare has lost 24 democratically elected MDC Alliance Councilors to illegal recalls by Khupe and Mwonzora in cahoots with Zanu PF.

In that period, four (4) Full Council meetings were disrupted by the police and the so called Special Anti-corruption unit in Mr. Mnangagwa’s office headed by his nephew Thabani Vusa Mpofu. The same disruption happened in Chitungwiza Municipality.
In all cases, the Councilors, officials who got arrested during these Full Council meetings got released without charge after being held for long hours at Harare Central Police Station.
Such harassment did not spare Councilors attending Committee meetings. Many Committee meetings and Full Council meetings flopped several times due to failure to have a quorum and fear of being harassed or arrested. Council Chamber is like Parliament, no one should be arrested or disturbed while in the Council Chambers.

The Mayor, Deputy Mayor & Town Clerk all are on suspension. Therefore council is unable to do either Committee or Full Council meetings. The Mayor or Deputy Mayor is the only office mandated to appoint an Acting Town Clerk. The Town Clerk is the Chief Signatory of Council accounts and we can’t have three people acting on Town Clerks position within three months. We are talking of a position which is supposed to safeguard residents’ money, the Chief Accounting Officer of council.

2. Staffing
   Currently, Harare City Council has only (3) three substantive Directors out of a possible total of eight (8) but one Director of Education, Housing and Social Amenities is on suspension meaning we have only two substantive Directors at work who is Director of Works and Director of Health.

Harare City Council has already done its work of confirming the vacant Directorship post but the Ministry of Local Government is yet to confirm. Failure to act is because the Minister of Local Government who is supposed to constitute the controversial Local Government Board is yet to do so. It is close to 5 years now without the Local Government Board.

The rest of the Directors are working in an acting capacity as a direct result of the harassment by the police and are afraid to make decisions.

The state of affairs is a result of the disfunctionality of the Local Government Board, a board that finalizes the appointment of senior Council staff on behalf of the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr. July Moyo.

The Town Clerk, Engineer Hosiah Chisango, is on suspension. In the absence of a Mayor and Deputy Mayor no one can assume the position of Acting Town Clerk. An acting Town clerk can only be appointed by the Chairperson of Council, in this case the Mayor.

3) The results
The state of affairs at Harare, is a direct result of the unnecessary and illegal recalls of MDC Alliance Councilors by the by Khupe and Mwonzora. In total Mwonzora recalled 22 MDC Alliance Councilors and the other two were occasioned by death.
Among those recalled were, The Mayor Cllr Gomba and his deputy, His Worship Mupamawonde. Six of the eight committee chairpersons were recalled as well.
Sadly, July Moyo suspended the new Mayor His Worship Cllr Jacob Mafume and his Deputy, Councilor Mukunguma thus bringing down the service delivery apparatus at Harare.

4) The Consequences
The result of all the actions of central government and Mr. Mwonzora is a total handicapped city governance system.

Massive asset stripping and property looting will happen in the absence of the checks and balances and oversight provided by the Councilors both in committees and in full council. This is a huge disaster which future forensic audits will confirm.

Land will be corruptly disposed of and the case of unplanned settlements will sprout up uncontrollably. Allocation of land was stopped while more illegal demolitions have been promised by the Provincial Development Coordinator. They is no logic in demolishing houses while stopping proper allocation of stands. Where will these people go?

Contracts for water treatment chemicals and other materials including transfers from central government will all find their way into the deep and bottomless pockets of the well-heeled and politically connected, corrupt Zanu PF cartels.
New models of service delivery such as the management of parking will be taken over and destroyed by Zanu PF and will be driven to the ground.

Solution

1. The Minister of Local government must immediately stop interfering with the activities at Harare and let the City to employ qualified managers and Directors.
2. The Provincial Development Coordinator, Mr. Muguti should stop giving illegal orders to Council, causing disruption of Council meetings and let Council sit and exercise its oversight role on staff and make decisions for the good of the people.
3. The Minister should lift the suspension of Mayor Mafume and His Deputy, we simply cannot afford to set Harare on autopilot for a single day without unbearable consequences.
   Alternatively, the disciplinary processes should be completed expeditiously. The Mayor, who we know is innocent can get back to work.
4. The gap caused by the illegal recalls of councilors is yawning widely. This has to be filled as a matter of urgency. Consequently, the illegal recalls should be reversed or by-elections should be run as soon as the COVID19 challenges are manageable. And these can be done with strict adherence to the World Health Organisation recommended protocols. Ironically failure to plug this yawning gap can lead to more deaths to Cholera and other gastrointestinal diseases which thrive during and post periods of heavy rains.
5. All councilors, and staff who have been barred from going to council should have their cases expeditiously dealt with at the courts or in internal processes so as to bring matters to finality for the good of council and the people. Weaponizing law to score cheap political points should just stop forthwith. No Councilor should be arrested or charged for simply attending a Committee or Full Council meetings.
6. A timeline for bringing back normalcy to the sunshine City must be sculpted and implemented. We cannot afford even another minute with this governance situation at the Sunshine City. The consequences are just too ghastly to think of.

A detailed exposé of deliverables and work in progress will be made in the next submission showing clearly the damage and disruption caused by Mwonzora and Zanu PF’s illegal recall of democratically elected MDC Alliance councilors.

Sesel Zvidzai
Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development

Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has pointed out that Douglas Mwonzora is being used by Zanu PF to disrupt service delivery in local authorities.

The MDC Alliance will soon release a detailed report revealing how Mwonzora is being used by Zanu PF to stifle development in local authorities.

See the MDC Alliance statement below:

Harare City Council: A ticking Time Bomb

A disaster of unprecedented proportions is looming at the capital city of the country, Harare.

The effects of the collapse will be felt by the whole country for a long time to come.

1. Governance
   Since March 2020, Harare has lost 24 democratically elected MDC Alliance Councilors to illegal recalls by Khupe and Mwonzora in cahoots with Zanu PF.

In that period, four (4) Full Council meetings were disrupted by the police and the so called Special Anti-corruption unit in Mr. Mnangagwa’s office headed by his nephew Thabani Vusa Mpofu. The same disruption happened in Chitungwiza Municipality.

In all cases, the Councilors, officials who got arrested during these Full Council meetings got released without charge after being held for long hours at Harare Central Police Station.
Such harassment did not spare Councilors attending Committee meetings. Many Committee meetings and Full Council meetings flopped several times due to failure to have a quorum and fear of being harassed or arrested. Council Chamber is like Parliament, no one should be arrested or disturbed while in the Council Chambers.

The Mayor, Deputy Mayor & Town Clerk all are on suspension. Therefore council is unable to do either Committee or Full Council meetings. The Mayor or Deputy Mayor is the only office mandated to appoint an Acting Town Clerk. The Town Clerk is the Chief Signatory of Council accounts and we can’t have three people acting on Town Clerks position within three months. We are talking of a position which is supposed to safeguard residents’ money, the Chief Accounting Officer of council.

2. Staffing
   Currently, Harare City Council has only (3) three substantive Directors out of a possible total of eight (8) but one Director of Education, Housing and Social Amenities is on suspension meaning we have only two substantive Directors at work who is Director of Works and Director of Health.

Harare City Council has already done its work of confirming the vacant Directorship post but the Ministry of Local Government is yet to confirm. Failure to act is because the Minister of Local Government who is supposed to constitute the controversial Local Government Board is yet to do so. It is close to 5 years now without the Local Government Board.

The rest of the Directors are working in an acting capacity as a direct result of the harassment by the police and are afraid to make decisions.

The state of affairs is a result of the disfunctionality of the Local Government Board, a board that finalizes the appointment of senior Council staff on behalf of the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr. July Moyo.

The Town Clerk, Engineer Hosiah Chisango, is on suspension. In the absence of a Mayor and Deputy Mayor no one can assume the position of Acting Town Clerk. An acting Town clerk can only be appointed by the Chairperson of Council, in this case the Mayor.

3) The results
The state of affairs at Harare, is a direct result of the unnecessary and illegal recalls of MDC Alliance Councilors by the by Khupe and Mwonzora. In total Mwonzora recalled 22 MDC Alliance Councilors and the other two were occasioned by death.
Among those recalled were, The Mayor Cllr Gomba and his deputy, His Worship Mupamawonde. Six of the eight committee chairpersons were recalled as well.
Sadly, July Moyo suspended the new Mayor His Worship Cllr Jacob Mafume and his Deputy, Councilor Mukunguma thus bringing down the service delivery apparatus at Harare.

4) The Consequences
The result of all the actions of central government and Mr. Mwonzora is a total handicapped city governance system.

Massive asset stripping and property looting will happen in the absence of the checks and balances and oversight provided by the Councilors both in committees and in full council. This is a huge disaster which future forensic audits will confirm.

Land will be corruptly disposed of and the case of unplanned settlements will sprout up uncontrollably. Allocation of land was stopped while more illegal demolitions have been promised by the Provincial Development Coordinator. They is no logic in demolishing houses while stopping proper allocation of stands. Where will these people go?

Contracts for water treatment chemicals and other materials including transfers from central government will all find their way into the deep and bottomless pockets of the well-heeled and politically connected, corrupt Zanu PF cartels.
New models of service delivery such as the management of parking will be taken over and destroyed by Zanu PF and will be driven to the ground.

Solution

1. The Minister of Local government must immediately stop interfering with the activities at Harare and let the City to employ qualified managers and Directors.
2. The Provincial Development Coordinator, Mr. Muguti should stop giving illegal orders to Council, causing disruption of Council meetings and let Council sit and exercise its oversight role on staff and make decisions for the good of the people.
3. The Minister should lift the suspension of Mayor Mafume and His Deputy, we simply cannot afford to set Harare on autopilot for a single day without unbearable consequences.
   Alternatively, the disciplinary processes should be completed expeditiously. The Mayor, who we know is innocent can get back to work.
4. The gap caused by the illegal recalls of councilors is yawning widely. This has to be filled as a matter of urgency. Consequently, the illegal recalls should be reversed or by-elections should be run as soon as the COVID19 challenges are manageable. And these can be done with strict adherence to the World Health Organisation recommended protocols. Ironically failure to plug this yawning gap can lead to more deaths to Cholera and other gastrointestinal diseases which thrive during and post periods of heavy rains.
5. All councilors, and staff who have been barred from going to council should have their cases expeditiously dealt with at the courts or in internal processes so as to bring matters to finality for the good of council and the people. Weaponizing law to score cheap political points should just stop forthwith. No Councilor should be arrested or charged for simply attending a Committee or Full Council meetings.
6. A timeline for bringing back normalcy to the sunshine City must be sculpted and implemented. We cannot afford even another minute with this governance situation at the Sunshine City. The consequences are just too ghastly to think of.

A detailed exposé of deliverables and work in progress will be made in the next submission showing clearly the damage and disruption caused by Mwonzora and Zanu PF’s illegal recall of democratically elected MDC Alliance councilors.

Sesel Zvidzai
Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development

Tinashe Sambiri|Former MDC Alliance Masvingo Provincial chairperson, Wilstaff Sitemere, has castigated Douglas Mwonzora and Morgen Komichi for ” betraying the people’s struggle.”

Sitemere is a fearless MDC cadre who personally led rescue operations at the height of political violence in 2008. He was arrested and threatened with death several times.

Commenting on a message written on Facebook by another veteran activist, Stanley Manguma about the way forward in the struggle for freedom, Sitemere said:

“Sinyoro handei kwaStephen Serima Matizha togozopfuura nokuSoti Sosi kuChiguhune uko timboona kuti Gutu inodzokera pekare paye here.( Let’s go back to Gutu and other places so that we can rekindle the spirit of the struggle).

Hey the good old days when we were devoted deep down from our hearts to see a liberated Zim.Kwete zvana Dougie nanaKomichi.Real serpents.”