Former MDC T legislator for Masvingo CentralTongai Matutu who all but joined ZANU PF before the 2018 elections when he was disqualified from contesting party internal elections because of his continued disregard of the party policies today unveiled himself as a ZANU PF member to ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House.
The former legislator was disqualified from contesting the MDC Alliance Masvingo chairmanship on the grounds that he once quit the party then led by late ex-Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai before he re-joined after heeding the MDC founding leader’s call for renegade members to return before his death.
Mr Matutu dumped Tsvangirai’s party and teamed up with Mr Tendai Biti and others to form the People’s Democratic Party.
He rejoined the party before the 2018 harmonised elections and according to his party’s constitution he was barred from holding office for five years for his misdemeanor.
In a rare occurance where an ordinary member joining ZANU PF does so at State House, Matutu told Mnangagwa that he was crossing over to Zanu PF saying the opposition party “in its various forms” has lost direction as it is now wasting precious time bickering among themselves.
Mnangagwa welcomed him together with his two Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi at State House in Harare on Monday afternoon.
President Mnangagwa said he felt elated in welcoming back “home” Matutu.
Briefing journalists, Matutu said he was not joining Zanu PF because he was desperate but he was guided by his conscience and was convinced that his decision was the best choice not only for him but for the nation.
He said more people were expected to follow suit as they were fed up by the loss of direction within the MDCs.
Prince Dube received his prize money over the weekend for winning the Tanzanian Premier League’s Player of the Month award for September.
The Zimbabwean was presented with a Sh1m (US$430) cheque plus an accolade ahead of the Saturday’s 1-1 draw against JKT Tanzania.
The award is his first since his arrival in the league ahead of the 2020/21 season from Highlanders. He featured in four games during the month, scoring three vital goals and provided an assist to help the team maintain a perfect start.
Meanwhile, Azam FC coach Aristica Cioaba also received his award for winning the best coach of the month.-Soccer 24
Is something wrong with the name ZANU PF? Is it cursed or its just a party of ruthless, shameless hard core criminals who are after making money?
Two days ago ZANU PF ward councillor invited his business friends to come and “loot” government sourced stock feed from Murowa business centre for resale in Zvishavane town.
The stock feed was sourced by the government and meant for the rural people whose cattle are succumbing to the obtaining drought.
This was a noble idea considering the importance of cattle to the rural folks but this greedy and unsympathetic councillor saw a big gap of making huge bucks.
The government sourced stock feed was retailing at 6 USD cash (no bond no swipe but hard cash USD). 6 USD is equivalent to 600 zimdollars which is a lot of money to the poor povo.
The ward Councillor who is based in Zvishavane town invited his business friends to come and buy this cheap stock feed and transport it back to Zvishavane for resale.
The very same stock feed is now being sold at 16 USD to the very same poor rural folks who were robbed by the stingy greedy and unsympathetic councillor.
Is this the ZANU PF way of doing things? Is this how ZANU PF Councillors cater for the electorate? Is the First Secretary of ZANU PF aware of the shenanigans?
The very same ward Councillor is asking for huge sums of money for drought relief grain and government sourced agricultural inputs. Surprisingly these huge sums of hard cash go un-receipted.
The Councillor’s committee is known for selling looted grain and agricultural inputs. This has been happening ever since this crook councillor came into office and we have complained a million times but it seems he is the law himself.
But one thing for certain, he is tarnishing and de-campaining ZANU PF. Surely its a shame when shameless people rob the very same poor people who voted for them.
Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has denounced the persecution of church leaders by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.
President Chamisa said the church should be allowed to play a leading role in praying for the nation without fear of being victimized.
President Chamisa made the remarks at the funeral service for the late MDC Alliance National Executive member, Hon Fani Chirisa at the St Peter’s Anglican Church in Mabelreign, Harare on Sunday.
He described Hon Chirisa as a great unifier.
“We have lost a great unifier and dedicated party cadre. We will remember her noble deeds forever,” said President Chamisa.
“Let me take this opportunity to encourage church leaders to pray for the nation.Church leaders should not be persecuted for doing their work – that is unacceptable.Let the church leaders play a leading role in praying for politicians and the nation,” added President Chamisa.
Tottenham coach Jose Mourinho has taken a swipe at Real Madrid after Gareth Ball scored his first goal since his loan switch to London this season.
The striker left Madrid to join Spurs on a season-long loan after a fall out with coach Zinedine Zidane. He scored the winner in Sunday’s 2-1 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Speaking after the match, Mourinho said he can’t wait to see how Real reacted to the goal.
“When I have five minutes, I’m going on Safari (the internet) to the Real Madrid website to see what they say,” said the Spurs boss.
“He knows we care about him and we know he cares about us, the team and the club, Spurs. He’s the perfect fit, he’s very calm, very intelligent, he has good feelings.”
Meanwhile, Mourinho was unhappy with VAR as referee Graham Scott and video official Jon Moss were involved in controversies involving two of the three goals and a penalty appeal.
Mourinho said: ”I prefer to stay away [from VAR]. Probably the referee should go to the press conference and explain.
“He had time to go to the screen, so only he can explain why it is a goal. He is a good ref and a good guy, only he can explain that decision. My view doesn’t matter.”-Soccer 24
By Dorrothy Moyo | In 2017, he was daily tormented by the First Lady leading to his humiliating ouster from government, this time it is a different kind of attack. The former energy minister, Fortune Chasi, who was dramatically removed from the contentious job this year (the second time in 2 years) has written complaining alleging that he has had scary owls sent after him to torment him.
Chasi made the claim in a tweet on Monday apparently pleading with the senders saying “what have I done to get at least 4 owls singing in a choir a few metres from my window?”
In Shona mythology, an owl is a sign of a very bad thing about to happen. The albeit beutiful creature is used by mysticists to associate it with witchcraft and bad luck. Since the days of the fake Nehanda Nyakasikana, the 1890s days witchdoctor, there has never been any proof that the majestic creature has got any spiritual power or association thereof.
Chasi’s possible joke was met with responses from religious people who suggested that he must consider repenting and he will be forgiven.
“Try to be right with God and Declare the all powerful Blood of Jesus Christ. Do not be afraid for no evil can stand when you call on the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen!,” wrote the United democratic Alliance leader Daniel Shumba.
Below were some of the interactions Monday morning.
Belgian winger Eden Hazard scored for Real Madrid for the first time in over a year as the defending LaLiga champions thrashed Huesca 4-1 on Saturday.
The former Chelsea man, who has struggled to settled at Los Blancos due to injuries, returned to the side from a long lay off last week when Zinedine Zidane’s charges drew 2-2 with Borrusia Mönchengladbach in the Champions League.
He was drafted into the starting eleven today and repaid Zidane’s faith by thrusting Madrid ahead five minutes before the half time break with a well-taken left foot strike.
Karim Benzema doubled Real’s advantage in first half stoppage time to ensure a healthy at the break.
Uruguayan midfielder Fede Valverde made it 3-0 just after the restart off a Benzema assist before Huesca’s David Ferreiro pulled one back for the visitors.
Benzema then put the final nail on the Huesca coffin in the 90th minute as Madrid comfortably collected three points.-Soccer 24
Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly has described Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s hatred of young people as appalling and unacceptable.
In a statement MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson, Steven Sarkozy Chuma, condemned the detention of political activists by Mr Mnangagwa’s administration.
Read full statement below :
02-11-2020
Just a day before the release of Terrence Manjengwa, who spend more than 60 days in prison before trial, two other young activists were caged at Harare Remand Prison.
The two, Prince Gora and Young Matate are student leaders and their only crime is demanding answers from Impala Car Rental on why the company aided in abduction of fellow student, Tawanda Muchehiwa.
This is not the first time that Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime has raised a middle finger on the students community for demanding a safe learning environment.
ZINASU President Takudzwa Ngadziore, had to spend more than a month in prison for simply demanding a safe environment where students study without fear of abductions from the regime.
A regime that do not respect students certainly has no respect for academic freedoms and such a regime is doomed!
Universities and tertiary institutions are meant to be a universitas when knew horizons of knowledge are shared and at the center of that is a student.
What this entails is that students’ sphere of influence like homes must be safe from evils like abductions if the country is to reap benefits from academics.
Where abductions and arbitrary arrests and imprisonment of students reigns supreme, disaster looms.
Mnangagwa’s regime has since turned Harare Remand Prison and Chikurubi Maximum Prison into concentration camps for student leaders and political activists.
For Mnangagwa, the rightful place of students is filthy prisons and not university campuses!
It time for the students community and the society at large to demand for an end to persecution by prosecution of students.
If students and youths of the past successfully challenged the evil colonial system in the 1970s, surely this generation can equally do the same against abductions, arbitrary arrests and sentence without trial.
Gora and Matate deserve freedom.
#FreeYoungAndPrince!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCAllianceYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
By Claire Nyamubarwa| The battle for Zanu PF District Coordinating Committee(DCC) chairmanship for Mazowe turned bloody over the weekend when one member of a rival group was severely assaulted.
The assaulted youth leader Paul Kasvosve has since reported the case which is yet to be tried at the courts but indications are that it will appear today(Monday).
According to reports, a group allegedly working under the instruction of Kazembe Kazembe who is rooting for John Mudzonga ,besieged a joint in Concession assaulting members of a rival group which left Kasvosve badly injured with a broken upper lip and broken teeth.
There are allegations that the youths brazenly told police officers who were investigating the case that they were untouchable as they were taking orders from their boss (Minister of Home Affairs, Kazembe Kazembe)
The case which had suspiciously took time to be tried is set to appear this Monday (today).
“There are worries that the violent incident happened some weeks ago but the police was dragging its feet pointing to suspected interference from the Minister,” claimed one informant who requested anonymity.
It is alleged that Kazembe has vowed that John Mudzonga who is the Mazowe Rural District Council Chairman will be the next Mazowe DCC Chairperson at whatever cost.
Efforts to get a comment from Minister Kazembe were unsuccessful.
Interestingly Kazembe was quoted in a local daily saying there will be a bloodbath if anyone dare challenge his position as Mashonaland Central chairman. His preferred candidate John Mudzonga is his campaign manager.
Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has intensified efforts to protect fundamental constitutional rights.
The party has also implored democratic forces to resist attempts by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa to muzzle alternative voices.
Read statement below:
02 NOVEMBER 2020
MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA DISTRICT LAMBASTS THE RECENTLY ACCLAIMED ZANUPF ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS LAW AS A DESPERATE MECHANISM OF DETERRENCE TO SOCIAL DEMOCRATS.
Mdc Alliance Namibia is perturbed by the fact that the Zanupf government continues to trample on the basic fundamental rights of the Zimbabwean citizenry.
Irrespective of the clearly visible provisions of Section 59 of the Constitution of the Motherland which states that, “Every person has the right to demonstrate and present petitions but these rights must be exercised peacefully”.
This is in line with diverse International Human Rights Instruments , including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. As social democrats, we appeal to the illegitimate Zanupf government to respect its own constitution and international human rights instruments to which our beloved country is a signatory.
It was mesmerising to witness the regime’s perpetual suffocation of constitutional democracy when the Zimbabwe cabinet recently applauded proposed statute that would make it a crime for activists to make “spurious claims” of human rights violations, hold anti-government protests that could draw international attention or speak with foreign governments empty of state endorsement. The undemocratic development was backed by Monica Mutsvangwa who said President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s cabinet has appreciated the prospective amendments to the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act to criminalise the unauthorised communication or negotiation by denationalised citizens with foreign governments.
Although these proposed alterations to the law are expected to be backed by Zimbabwe’s August House which is monopolised by Mnangagwa’s ruling Zanupf party, Mdc Alliance Namibia goes on to solicit absolute justice in Zimbabwe. We want to encourage the disillusioned despotic regime to tolerate divergent views and expressions fundamental in any constitutional democracy, but in Zimbabwe, where we have no protections, it is vital. This foolish and selfish law has been criticised by both domestic and international Lawyers as well as social democrats in the vicinity.
As a district, we are astonished by Zanupf’s shift from hard-line policy to hard-line law which is completely worrisome in a purported ‘new dispensation’ after the 17 November Coup.
Moreso, while such hard-line and suicidal policies on political opposition are not novel in monocracy, the rigorousness and diameter of the law to enforce such a detrimental policy remains a mammoth task.
Brennan said: it would be a parody of democracy to confer on the people a power to choose their Parliament but to deny the freedom of public discussion from which the people derive their political judgements. In light of this postulation, Mdc Alliance Namibia supposes that the autocratic regime must halt controlling or schooling us on how hungry citizens should express serious national issues since it can greatly inoculate the strength of their political message, if not extinguish its revolutionary impact altogether.
Moreover, as genuine revolutionaries, we are clear that this law raises adverse questions about the contemporary attitudes and commitment to representative and responsible government in the country. Zanupf must be cognisant of the fact that in a society awash with national consciousness, independent individuals must embrace varying-perhaps sensational -avenues and measures to publicise nonconformity and remonstrance to ill-advised government policies. As an “alternative government”, Mdc Alliance is aware of the fact that, although the government has the obligation to regulate actions that undermine the public interest, such austerity legal measures should be tailored and balanced against the constitutional duty to ensure freedom of political expression in the Motherland.
Furthermore, the unceremonious inception of the Zanupf law has just generated fear in social democrats because it gives room to the captured securocrats to escalate the levels of human slaughter or massacre by overambitious Zanupf Satanists. Zimbabwe has seen multiple opposition activists being exterminated and desensitised by police with amnesty.
The police, army and state agencies must refrain from violence , including the exploitation of live ammunition against unarmed innocent civilians. In a democratic dispensation , we urge the Zimbabwe Republic Police , like any other professional police force , to guide and assist the protesters as they peacefully march through the streets anywhere in the country.
The enactment of this apartheid and repressive law is simply meant to entrench authoritarianism.
We shall continue to demand justice and our basic universal freedoms enshrined in the constitution. We advocate for the alignment of the 2013 Constitution before it is amended.
Social democrats have the conviction that it is alignment that comes first before any transformation is done. It is imperative to to remove unconstitutional jargon in our beloved constitution in the country.
In conclusion, Zanupf must ALIGN the 2013 Constitution instead of AMENDING it.
We shall continue to protest and petition the government against arbitrary arrests, abductions, torture and high levels of murder to opposition activists as stipulated in Section 59 of the constitution of Zimbabwe. We are not deterred by Zanupf shenanigans driven by greed and massive looting!
By A Correspondent- The battle for Mazowe DCC Chairmanship has reached another level with reports of violence now before the courts.
Zanu PF Concession District youth official Paul Kasvosve was allegedly severely assaulted by a Kazembe Kazembe sponsored terror gang.
It is alleged that Kazembe Kazembe sponsored youths invaded a leisure spot, Al Shabaab style in Concession and brutally assaulted youths linked to a rival camp.
One of the assaulted youths Paul Kasvosve suffered scaring on the upper lip, broken teeth and a Government medical officer classified the injuries as severe.
The matter is set to appear before the courts on Monday 2 November after police reports were made. The assault took place last week and police were dragging their feet on the matter as they feared the wrath of police boss Kazembe Kazembe.
It is alleged that youths told police officers that they can’t touch them as they are protected by their boss. The terror gang has caused havoc in Concession.
The gang which claim to be sponsored by Kazembe Kazembe assaulted Paul Kasvosve and others telling them to stop supporting anyone who challenges John Mudzonga.
John Mudzonga is the Mazowe Rural District Council chairman, he is also Kazembe Kazembe’s campaign manager.
Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe was not reachable for comment on the allegations which will be heard in court today.
For medicines to work safely, it’s vital to have strong systems in place to report any undesired side effects or “adverse drug reactions“.
The most important aspect of drug safety monitoring is reliable, real-time information. Health-care professionals (physicians, pharmacists, nurses, dentists) are best placed to report suspected adverse reactions as part of patient care. Patients also have a critical role in getting the right information to authorities and should refer to their medical practitioner as soon as they detect unwanted symptoms or reactions. Both health professionals and patients should report these even if they are doubtful about the precise relationship between the given drug and the reaction.
Most adverse reactions are preventable
Many undesired drug reactions may be due to factors independent of the medicine. For example:
incorrect diagnosis of the patient’s medical condition;prescription of an inappropriate drug or incorrect dosage of the appropriate drug;an undetected medical, genetic or allergic condition that may cause a patient reaction;self-medication with prescription medicines;not following instructions for taking the medication;interactions with other drugs (including traditional medicines) and certain foods.
But s risks may also occur because a medicine’s composition and ingredients do not meet required standards, causing them to be ineffective and even hazardous; or because the medicine is counterfeit, with no active ingredients or inappropriate ingredients.
Assessing medicines before and after they reach patients
Before medicines or vaccines are made widely available in countries, they are rigorously tested in patient and healthy volunteers respectively to discover how well they work for a defined disease and how safe they are. But to get a comprehensive picture of a product’s safety, it is important to keep watching how it works once it is widely used in a population.
This requires careful patient monitoring and further scientific data collection by organized local, national and international agencies.
Drug safety during the COVID-19 pandemic
International drug safety monitoring is particularly important during global epidemics such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, and even more so when there are no proven vaccines or medicines for the disease. As new COVID-19 vaccines and treatments become available, health-care professionals and patients will need to be actively engaged in monitoring the effects of these novel products and reporting any potential adverse reaction. By analyzing reported reactions, national medicines authorities can take the necessary measures for safer use of the drugs, scientists can assess the data and, if needed, international networks can be activated to address the problem.
WHO’s role in making medicines safer
WHO promotes global drug safety through its Programme for International Drug Monitoring, which supports countries to develop sound pharmacovigilance policies, organizes hands-on training and workshops, and establishes networks for information sharing.
An important role of the programme is to strengthen national reporting systems and their contribution to VigiBase, the global WHO database for adverse drug reactions, managed by Uppsala Monitoring Centre in Sweden, and to identify possible links between the use of a drug and adverse reactions. When signals of drug safety problems emerge through the database or other sources, WHO and Uppsala Monitoring Centre share new information on serious adverse reactions with all WHO Member States.
A recent key WHO development is the introduction of a mobile application called “Med Safety”, jointly launched in nine countries* with Uppsala Monitoring Centre and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. The app enables health-care professionals and patients to report suspected adverse reactions directly to the national authorities’ data base. WHO is preparing to roll out the app in more countries once a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available.
Source: World Health Organization
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
By Dorrothy Moyo | In 2017, he was daily tormented by the First Lady leading to his humiliating ouster from government, this time it is a different kind of attack. The former energy minister, Fortune Chasi, who was dramatically removed from the contentious job this year (the second time in 2 years) has written complaining alleging that he has had scary owls sent after him to torment him.
Chasi made the claim in a tweet on Monday apparently pleading with the senders saying “what have I done to get at least 4 owls singing in a choir a few metres from my window?”
In Shona mythology, an owl is a sign of a very bad thing about to happen. The albeit beutiful creature is used by mysticists to associate it with witchcraft and bad luck. Since the days of the fake Nehanda Nyakasikana, the 1890s days witchdoctor, there has never been any proof that the majestic creature has got any spiritual power or association thereof.
Chasi’s possible joke was met with responses from religious people who suggested that he must consider repenting and he will be forgiven.
“Try to be right with God and Declare the all powerful Blood of Jesus Christ. Do not be afraid for no evil can stand when you call on the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen!,” wrote the United democratic Alliance leader Daniel Shumba.
Below were some of the interactions Monday morning.
By A Correspondent- Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Larry Mavima has gone into self-isolation after testing positive to Covid-19.
Senator Mavima confirmed the development this morning saying he is now in self isolating at his home while being taken care of by some local specialist doctors. Sen Mavima who is also the Provincial Covid-19 taskforce chairperson, however, said he was out of danger as there were no other symptoms.
“I can confirm that I have tested positive to Covid-19 and am self-isolating at home. I would like to quickly inform the entire province and the nation at large that I am not in any immediate danger. I am grateful to a wonderful team of local specialist doctors who have been monitoring my situation. I don’t have any other symptoms.
“I am in isolation but in high spirits for there is no stigma to this pandemic as everyone is at risk of contracting it. I am also banking on prayers from all corners,” said Sen Mavima who was speaking on a telephone interview from his home.
Just a day before the release of Terrence Manjengwa, who spend more than 60 days in prison before trial, two other young activists were caged at Harare Remand Prison.
The two, Prince Gora and Young Matate are student leaders and their only crime is demanding answers from Impala Car Rental on why the company aided in abduction of fellow student, Tawanda Muchehiwa.
This is not the first time that Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime has raised a middle finger on the students community for demanding a safe learning environment.
ZINASU President Takudzwa Ngadziore, had to spend more than a month in prison for simply demanding a safe environment where students study without fear of abductions from the regime.
A regime that do not respect students certainly has no respect for academic freedoms and such a regime is doomed!
Universities and tertiary institutions are meant to be a universitas when knew horizons of knowledge are shared and at the center of that is a student.
What this entails is that students’ sphere of influence like homes must be safe from evils like abductions if the country is to reap benefits from academics.
Where abductions and arbitrary arrests and imprisonment of students reigns supreme, disaster looms.
Mnangagwa’s regime has since turned Harare Remand Prison and Chikurubi Maximum Prison into concentration camps for student leaders and political activists.
For Mnangagwa, the rightful place of students is filthy prisons and not university campuses!
It time for the students community and the society at large to demand for an end to persecution by prosecution of students.
If students and youths of the past successfully challenged the evil colonial system in the 1970s, surely this generation can equally do the same against abductions, arbitrary arrests and sentence without trial.
Gora and Matate deserve freedom.
#FreeYoungAndPrince!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCAllianceYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has intensified efforts to protect fundamental constitutional rights.
The party has also implored democratic forces to resist attempts by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa to muzzle alternative voices.
Read statement below:
02 NOVEMBER 2020
MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA DISTRICT LAMBASTS THE RECENTLY ACCLAIMED ZANUPF ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS LAW AS A DESPERATE MECHANISM OF DETERRENCE TO SOCIAL DEMOCRATS.
Mdc Alliance Namibia is perturbed by the fact that the Zanupf government continues to trample on the basic fundamental rights of the Zimbabwean citizenry.
Irrespective of the clearly visible provisions of Section 59 of the Constitution of the Motherland which states that, “Every person has the right to demonstrate and present petitions but these rights must be exercised peacefully”.
This is in line with diverse International Human Rights Instruments , including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. As social democrats, we appeal to the illegitimate Zanupf government to respect its own constitution and international human rights instruments to which our beloved country is a signatory.
It was mesmerising to witness the regime’s perpetual suffocation of constitutional democracy when the Zimbabwe cabinet recently applauded proposed statute that would make it a crime for activists to make “spurious claims” of human rights violations, hold anti-government protests that could draw international attention or speak with foreign governments empty of state endorsement. The undemocratic development was backed by Monica Mutsvangwa who said President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s cabinet has appreciated the prospective amendments to the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act to criminalise the unauthorised communication or negotiation by denationalised citizens with foreign governments.
Although these proposed alterations to the law are expected to be backed by Zimbabwe’s August House which is monopolised by Mnangagwa’s ruling Zanupf party, Mdc Alliance Namibia goes on to solicit absolute justice in Zimbabwe. We want to encourage the disillusioned despotic regime to tolerate divergent views and expressions fundamental in any constitutional democracy, but in Zimbabwe, where we have no protections, it is vital. This foolish and selfish law has been criticised by both domestic and international Lawyers as well as social democrats in the vicinity.
As a district, we are astonished by Zanupf’s shift from hard-line policy to hard-line law which is completely worrisome in a purported ‘new dispensation’ after the 17 November Coup.
Moreso, while such hard-line and suicidal policies on political opposition are not novel in monocracy, the rigorousness and diameter of the law to enforce such a detrimental policy remains a mammoth task.
Brennan said: it would be a parody of democracy to confer on the people a power to choose their Parliament but to deny the freedom of public discussion from which the people derive their political judgements. In light of this postulation, Mdc Alliance Namibia supposes that the autocratic regime must halt controlling or schooling us on how hungry citizens should express serious national issues since it can greatly inoculate the strength of their political message, if not extinguish its revolutionary impact altogether.
Moreover, as genuine revolutionaries, we are clear that this law raises adverse questions about the contemporary attitudes and commitment to representative and responsible government in the country. Zanupf must be cognisant of the fact that in a society awash with national consciousness, independent individuals must embrace varying-perhaps sensational -avenues and measures to publicise nonconformity and remonstrance to ill-advised government policies. As an “alternative government”, Mdc Alliance is aware of the fact that, although the government has the obligation to regulate actions that undermine the public interest, such austerity legal measures should be tailored and balanced against the constitutional duty to ensure freedom of political expression in the Motherland.
Furthermore, the unceremonious inception of the Zanupf law has just generated fear in social democrats because it gives room to the captured securocrats to escalate the levels of human slaughter or massacre by overambitious Zanupf Satanists. Zimbabwe has seen multiple opposition activists being exterminated and desensitised by police with amnesty.
The police, army and state agencies must refrain from violence , including the exploitation of live ammunition against unarmed innocent civilians. In a democratic dispensation , we urge the Zimbabwe Republic Police , like any other professional police force , to guide and assist the protesters as they peacefully march through the streets anywhere in the country.
The enactment of this apartheid and repressive law is simply meant to entrench authoritarianism.
We shall continue to demand justice and our basic universal freedoms enshrined in the constitution. We advocate for the alignment of the 2013 Constitution before it is amended.
Social democrats have the conviction that it is alignment that comes first before any transformation is done. It is imperative to to remove unconstitutional jargon in our beloved constitution in the country.
In conclusion, Zanupf must ALIGN the 2013 Constitution instead of AMENDING it.
We shall continue to protest and petition the government against arbitrary arrests, abductions, torture and high levels of murder to opposition activists as stipulated in Section 59 of the constitution of Zimbabwe. We are not deterred by Zanupf shenanigans driven by greed and massive looting!
BUHERA – Members of a Buhera family recently set eight vicious dogs on cops who had come to make an arrest.
They then stripped one of the officers naked before forcing him to leave without his clothes and two cellphones. They also severely assaulted the officers with knobkerries.
Constable Fungai Chiminya and Obert Kambewu were assaulted at Hwechuma Village under Chief Nyashanu in Buhera at around 9pm on October 22, 2020.
Two members of the family, Most Hwechuma (20) and Morris Chuma (31) have since been arrested and Most was sentenced to two years in jail by Murambinda magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai after being convicted for assaulting police officers.
He was sentenced on Tuesday while Morris who appeared in court on Wednesday is yet to hear his verdict. The two cops and had come to arrest Morris who was wanted on a rape case. Six months of Most’s charges were suspended for five years. Three other accused members of the family are still at large.
Witness Hamudi representing the State said the two cops Chiminya and Kambewu went to Hwechuma Village to arrest Morris wanted in connection with a rape case.
Upon arrival the cops introduced themselves to Morris and tried to apprehend him but he overpowered them and called family members to help him.
Morris, Most and others who are on the run attacked the two cops with stones thereby forcing them to run away. Morris then unleashed eight dogs on cops.
Morris caught up with Kambewu and stripped him of all his clothes down to the underwear.
Hetook away the clothes and two cellphones and let him go naked.
Kambewu sustained bruises on the back, swollen legs and wounds on the legs as a result of dog bites and was having difficulties in walking.
Minya managed to escape and seek refuge in a kitchen at Diana Hwechuma’s homestead.
A report was made to ZRP Murambinda who then attended the scene.
Kambewu’s clothes were recovered dumped at Diana Hwechuma’s homestead.
The two cell phones were recovered from Morris’ bedroom hidden under the blankets.
Two knobkerries which were used to commit the crime were also recovered from the same room.
Morris was arrested on October 28 after a raid by the Police. Source :Masvingo Mirror
By Dorrothy Moyo | In 2017, he was daily tormented by the First Lady leading to his humiliating ouster from government, this time it is a different kind of attack. The former energy minister, Fortune Chasi, who was dramatically removed from the contentious job this year (the second time in 2 years) has written complaining alleging that he has had scary owls sent after him to torment him.
Chasi made the claim in a tweet on Monday apparently pleading with the senders saying “what have I done to get at least 4 owls singing in a choir a few metres from my window?”
In Shona mythology, an owl is a sign of a very bad thing about to happen. The albeit beutiful creature is used by mysticists to associate it with witchcraft and bad luck. Since the days of the fake Nehanda Nyakasikana, the 1890s days witchdoctor, there has never been any proof that the majestic creature has got any spiritual power or association thereof.
Chasi’s possible joke was met with responses from religious people who suggested that he must consider repenting and he will be forgiven.
“Try to be right with God and Declare the all powerful Blood of Jesus Christ. Do not be afraid for no evil can stand when you call on the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen!,” wrote the United democratic Alliance leader Daniel Shumba.
Below were some of the interactions Monday morning.
Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has denounced the persecution of church leaders by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.
President Chamisa said the church should be allowed to play a leading role in praying for the nation without fear of being victimized.
President Chamisa made the remarks at the funeral service for the late MDC Alliance National Executive member, Hon Fani Chirisa at the St Peter’s Anglican Church in Mabelreign, Harare on Sunday.
He described Hon Chirisa as a great unifier.
“We have lost a great unifier and dedicated party cadre. We will remember her noble deeds forever,” said President Chamisa.
“Let me take this opportunity to encourage church leaders to pray for the nation.Church leaders should not be persecuted for doing their work – that is unacceptable.Let the church leaders play a leading role in praying for politicians and the nation,” added President Chamisa.
By A Correspondent- A desperate for love fifty-three-year-old UK based woman was left grasping for straws after a local lover duped her of money she sent despite them having not seen face to face.
Stembiso Chaira lost more than US$1000 to Gilbert Mukoka, 49, of Tafara after the two agreed to construct a house where they would stay at Wazvaremhaka Village in Chivhu.
The WhatsApp relationship started end of May but it was in early Jun that Mukoka won Chaira’s heart after travelling to her rural area, Chivhu.
They agreed to build a house in Chivhu and Mukoka volunteered to manage the project.
“My search to have someone to settle with has emotionally affected me and left me hunting for Mukoka. I gave him my heart unaware that he was after milking me,” said Chaira.
“I connected with him through a love programme on social media and we exchanged contacts and photographs before we started a relationship.
“He indicated to me that he was a builder and we agreed to build a home at my home village.
“I gave him directions and he visited the village together with his son Adoration where they managed to dig a foundation and delivered five bags of cement.
“After that visit, I trusted him and sent money to buy all the building material he wanted according to the quotations he sent to me beginning of June this year.
“He refused to send photographs of the building material he claimed to have bought before blocking my contacts until today.
“Mukoka visited my village together with one of his sons he claimed was a builder who was to help him in the construction of the house.
“We agreed on the house plan and he charged me for the drawing of the plan and hey that was that. He has brought shame to my name in the village,” said Chaira appealing to anyone who may help with information leading to Mukoka’s whereabouts.
However, his son, Adoration confirmed the story to H Metro referring all questions to Mukoka.
“It is true that I work with my father as a builder and we once visited Chaira’s homestead in Chivhu but I am not in a position to explain how the construction was not completed,” said Adoration.
“If my father’s mobile number is not reachable I will inform him about this and he will call you for details about that lady,” said Adoration.
Efforts to get Mukoka’s side of the story were fruitless-
By A Correspondent- Striking teachers have reviewed downwards their salary demands and have now proposed a salary of US$360 monthly or the equivalent in local currency.
They were demanding US$520 initially. This follows a meeting the Zimbabwe Teachers Association had with President Mnangagwa last week.
It also comes as fissures have emerged among the teachers’ unions that Zimta’s meeting with the President was secretive and that the organisation had sold out by reviewing demands without consulting.
In a letter to Public Service minister last week Zimta CE Sifiso Ndlovu recommended that Government pays attention to structural differentiations in grades, qualifications and length of service when reviewing the salaries.
He said sector specific allowances be instituted with immediate effect.
By A Correspondent- A Leaked conversation between two senior Zanu-PF officials in Mashonaland Central province has exposed a rift in the ruling party ahead of the district co-ordinating committee (DCC) elections.
This comes at a time some interested candidates like Energy minister Zhemu Soda, who is also allegedly campaigning for a post in the DCC, has claimed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa ordered that he should run uncontested.
Former Muzarabani MP Christopher Chitindi is also reportedly eyeing the Muzarabani district chairmanship.
In the leaked audio, Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central provincial deputy spokesperson Fredrick Nhaka is allegedly engaged in a telephone conversation, where he warned a district political commissar in Bindura against associating with businessman James Makamba, and those whom he said were aligned to the country’s Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga.
Makamba is reportedly eyeing the provincial chairperson post and is aligned to Chiwenga.
Nhaka is heard in the audio giving his preferred list of candidates, where he referred to some candidates as ED’s people (Mnangagwa’s people). He also gave another list of party officials whom he said were linked to Chiwenga.
“These people I have mentioned to you are ED’s people. They are fighting the President and are now with Chiwenga. They are working with leadership here and also with Makamba,” Nhaka said in the audio.
He also said he did not want fights just like what happened with former VicePresident Joice Mujuru who alleged led a faction called Gamatox.
Contacted for comment, Soda claimed that people were jealous of his appointment as Energy minister by Mnangagwa, and as a result were cooking up stories about factionalism in Zanu-PF using his name.
“People are just jealous of my appointment and are cooking up stories. There was a fake letter on social media written by misguided members in our district just to soil my name,” Soda said.
Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central provincial chairperson Kazembe Kazembe said party members should be warned against dropping Mnangagwa and Chiwenga’s names to pursue their personal agendas.
“This narrative that there is a rift in the presidium is both nonsensical and imaginary. That is the language of the enemy. The President and his Vice-Presidents work very well and they will not lose sleep over these artificial enemymade non-existent rifts,” the Home Affairs minister said.
Kazembe also told NewsDay that provincial members, the national consultative assembly, central committee and politburo members should not interfere with DCC elections.
“We have noted with concern that some senior party officials have taken a direct interest in the DCC elections and some are even campaigning for the candidates.
“Aspiring candidates should be allowed to campaign freely and on their own. The party will not hesitate to discipline all those found interfering,” Kazembe said.
He warned that those putting the name of the party ito disrepute will be disciplined. -Newsday
By Douglas Mwonzora| Last night at around 11:30 pm the MDC Alliance youths broke into the regalia shop at the Morgan Tsvangirai House. They tried to gain entry into the main building but were thwarted by our alert internal security personnel.
Police were then called in and 8 of the intruders were arrested. A few days ago these people were ordered to leave our building by the Magistrates Court sitting in Harare. We then took possession of our building.
It is surprising that these youths are being sent to violate a clear order of the court. We have instructed our youths not to fight with these people but to call the police in order to minimize personal injury that will come from fighting.
The MDC Alliance Party has now resorted to sacrificing the youths by inciting them to engage in acts of anarchy and lawlessness.
They take advantage of the poverty of these youths and pay them ridiculously low sums of money and cheap liquor to engage in violence. These youths are drawn from Mbare and similarly poor neighborhoods were poverty is rife.
This is wrong and evil. We appeal to the youths to desist from being abused like this. We have also taken a stance that we are not going to yield to lawlessness and anarchy and we will defend our property using lawful means.
We are happy that our party security have displayed remarkable restraint in the face of gross provocations and abuse. Only a week ago two members of the Security Department were hospitalized after being assaulted by these youths on the orders of the criminal and anarchist elements.
The grand objective of these criminals is to disturb our Congress. However they will not succeed. Together we will win. Victory is Certain.
By Claris Magwenzi | Freelance journalist | The battle for Mazowe DCC Chairmanship has reached another level with reports of violence now before the courts. ZANU PF Concession District youth official Paul Kasvosve was severely assaulted by a Kazembe Kazembe sponsored terror gang.
It is alleged that Kazembe Kazembe sponsored youths invaded a leisure spot, Al Shabaab style in Concession and brutally assaulted youths linked to a rival camp.
One of the assaulted youths Paul Kasvosve suffered scaring on the upper lip, broken teeth and a Government medical officer classified the injuries as severe.
The matter is set to appear before the courts on Monday 2 November after police reports were made. The assault took place last week and police were dragging their feet on the matter as they feared the wrath of police boss Kazembe Kazembe.
It is alleged that youths told police officers that they can’t touch them as they are protected by their boss. The terror gang has caused havoc in Concession. The gang who claim to be sponsored by Kazembe Kazembe assaulted Paul Kasvosve and others telling them to stop supporting anyone who challenges John Mudzonga. John Mudzonga is the Mazowe Rural District Council chairman, he is also Kazembe Kazembe’s campaign manager.
Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe was not reachable for comment on the allegations which will be heard in court today.
Attached below is a medical affidavit from the Government medical officer who examined Paul Kasvosve’s injuries.
By A Correspondent- A 49 year old Bindura man was arraigned before a Bindura regional magistrate Amos Mubhobho yesterday for allegedly raping his daughter-in-law.
Anderson Chabata was not asked to plead to the rape charge and was remanded in custody to November 4.
The state-led by Samson Chamunorwa alleged on October 17 the suspect was left at his homestead with his daughter-in-law and a nine-year-old juvenile while the complainant’s husband went to seek employment somewhere.
Around 8 pm the juvenile fell asleep and the complainant took her to bed.
Upon her return to the dining room, Chabata started caressing the complainant’s buttocks and breasts before raping her once.
Chabata threatened to kill the complainant if she reveals the rape to anyone.
The following day the complainant called her husband and told her about the rape.
The husband came back and accompanied his wife to the police station leading to the arrest of Chabata.
According to Chitungwiza Residents Trust (CHITREST), Chitungwiza Mayor Lovemore Maiko has been arrested for directing Council to stop Demolition of illegal Houses and convening special Council meeting without following proper procedures.
By ACorrespondent- Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Larry Mavima has gone into self-isolation after testing positive to Covid-19.
Senator Mavima confirmed the development this morning saying he is now in self isolating at his home while being taken care of by some local specialist doctors. Sen Mavima who is also the Provincial Covid-19 taskforce chairperson, however, said he was out of danger as there were no other symptoms.
“I can confirm that I have tested positive to Covid-19 and am self-isolating at home. I would like to quickly inform the entire province and the nation at large that I am not in any immediate danger. I am grateful to a wonderful team of local specialist doctors who have been monitoring my situation. I don’t have any other symptoms.
“I am in isolation but in high spirits for there is no stigma to this pandemic as everyone is at risk of contracting it. I am also banking on prayers from all corners,” said Sen Mavima who was speaking on a telephone interview from his home.
Is something wrong with the name ZANU PF? Is it cursed or its just a party of ruthless, shameless hard core criminals who are after making money?
Two days ago ZANU PF ward councillor invited his business friends to come and “loot” government sourced stock feed from Murowa business centre for resale in Zvishavane town.
The stock feed was sourced by the government and meant for the rural people whose cattle are succumbing to the obtaining drought.
This was a noble idea considering the importance of cattle to the rural folks but this greedy and unsympathetic councillor saw a big gap of making huge bucks.
The government sourced stock feed was retailing at 6 USD cash (no bond no swipe but hard cash USD). 6 USD is equivalent to 600 zimdollars which is a lot of money to the poor povo.
The ward Councillor who is based in Zvishavane town invited his business friends to come and buy this cheap stock feed and transport it back to Zvishavane for resale.
The very same stock feed is now being sold at 16 USD to the very same poor rural folks who were robbed by the stingy greedy and unsympathetic councillor.
Is this the ZANU PF way of doing things? Is this how ZANU PF Councillors cater for the electorate? Is the First Secretary of ZANU PF aware of the shenanigans?
The very same ward Councillor is asking for huge sums of money for drought relief grain and government sourced agricultural inputs. Surprisingly these huge sums of hard cash go un-receipted.
The Councillor’s committee is known for selling looted grain and agricultural inputs. This has been happening ever since this crook councillor came into office and we have complained a million times but it seems he is the law himself.
But one thing for certain, he is tarnishing and de-campaining ZANU PF. Surely its a shame when shameless people rob the very same poor people who voted for them.
The refusal by Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) staff at Beitbridge to handle bus passengers yesterday saw 366 Zimbabweans returning from South Africa in 12 buses stranded at Beitbridge Border Post, although they had already been cleared for re-entry by the Department of Immigration.
Government clarified last month that Zimbabweans may now return from South Africa via Beitbridge without having to seek authorisation from the Zimbabwean embassy or the South African government.
South Africa opened 18 of its 35 land borders to passenger traffic on 1 October and Zimbabwe will gradually open its borders to passenger traffic, mainly motorists in private vehicles and pedestrians.
At the moment, only Zimbabweans based in South Africa and those foreigners with valid residents or workers permits are allowed entry into the country, while South Africans and Zimbabweans who are holders of the neighbouring country’s permits are allowed to exit.
By end of the day yesterday, the travellers, mostly women with young children, had become restless, having arrived at the border post at 8am.
According to one border official, the travellers were cleared by the Department of Immigration to enter the country, but hit a brick wall at Zimra.
“By 10am, they had all completed immigration formalities and the delays are only at Zimra where they were told that the customs officials were not clearing travellers in buses as yet,” said the official.
Mai Panashe of Harare said they were having challenges with Zimra officials.
“We arrived here in the morning and were cleared by the immigration officers,” she said. “Now our challenge is with Zimra who are saying we should return to South Africa since they are not processing arrivals in buses. This is very unfair. How can they deny us entry into our own country?”
Most of the travellers said they were returning home after having been stuck in South Africa since the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown.
The Assistant Regional Immigration Officer in charge of Beitbridge, Mr Nqobile Ncube was not available for comment yesterday, while Zimra’s head of communications, Mr Francis Chimanda, said he was yet to get full details on the situation obtaining at Beitbridge.
Before the lockdown in April, a total of 600 000 travellers would use Beitbridge monthly in both directions.
The figure is likely to increase after December 1 when more people travel considering that it is a transit port for those from Malawi, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania.
Plumtree, Victoria Falls, Chirundu, Nyamapanda and Forbes are some of the borders which will be re-opened in a phased programme next month.
By A Correspondent- A 49 year old Bindura man was arraigned before a Bindura regional magistrate Amos Mubhobho yesterday for allegedly raping his daughter-in-law.
Anderson Chabata was not asked to plead to the rape charge and was remanded in custody to November 4.
The state-led by Samson Chamunorwa alleged on October 17 the suspect was left at his homestead with his daughter-in-law and a nine-year-old juvenile while the complainant’s husband went to seek employment somewhere.
Around 8 pm the juvenile fell asleep and the complainant took her to bed.
Upon her return to the dining room, Chabata started caressing the complainant’s buttocks and breasts before raping her once.
Chabata threatened to kill the complainant if she reveals the rape to anyone.
The following day the complainant called her husband and told her about the rape.
The husband came back and accompanied his wife to the police station leading to the arrest of Chabata.
EXCLUSIVE: Walter Magaya has begun losing his physical properties to victims he defrauded 3 years ago, with the first attachment by the court done last week | DO YOU SYMPATHISE WITH HIM?
How you have fallen from heaven,
You a star of the morning, son of the dawn!
You have been cut down to the earth,
You who defeated the nations!
13 But you said in your heart,
‘I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne above the stars of God,
And I will sit on the mount of assembly
In the recesses of the north.
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.’ – Isaiah 14:12-14
He used to not only terrorise his victims, he would steal from them, and while some would lose money, more than 15 others would lose their very lives – Walter Magaya’s vile glory has come to an end.
Walter Magaya
By A Correspondent| A Harare elderly woman was ordered to sell her posh flat in the Harare CBD and hand the money to controversial preacher Walter Magaya for a fake property he claimed was under construction in the Westgate area.
The self proclaimed prophet forced the vulnerable elder, who is a pensioner, to trade off her residence for a non existent mansion.
To force his sale through, Magaya had shown her a place where he announced he is building new flats, in Wonderland Estates (after Westgate along Lomagundi road).
This is a scheme first exposed by ZimEye.com three years ago.
ZimEye remains dedicated to expose more of Magaya’s frauds, to give victims a voice so they can recover their money’s.
At one point Magaya had already taken the woman to the fake property “saying this is yours.” She would 3 years later discoverthat it was all fake and the whole piece of land is actually owned by some Chinese businessperson.
At one time during court hearings, the elder’s lawyer tried to obtain restitution from an unfinished property at the estate, only to be told that the so called MAGAYA estate has since been sold off to some undisclosed Chinese businessmen, as the complainant narrates.
“My client was concerned saying she might be killed by MAGAYA’s people. According to her MAGAYA kills those who exposes him,” the lawyer Frank Nyangani tells ZimEye.
“It was MAGAYA who persuaded her saying you can actually sell this flat and invest in this bigger thing,” he adds.
He continues saying, “all along she was scared if the matter is published…”
Mr Nyangani however said she has since changed her mind and now says, “if he kills me let him kill me.”
Magaya had shown her 20 houses.
Magaya’s defence was the elderly had paid USD70,000 and he says this was a deposit; she is supposed to pay USD 140,000 so she must pay him an additional USD70,000 and he will refund her USD70,000 in bond note value.
A writ of execution has since been obtained to attach Magaya’s property.
By A Correspondent- President Mnangagwa has appointed a 13-member steering committee to oversee the implementation of the National Anti Corruption Strategy, which was launched in July.
Members of the committee include ZACC chairwoman Loice Matanda-Moyo, ZEC chairperson Priscilla Chigumba, Public Service Commission chairman Vincent Hungwe, Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda, Commissioner General of the Police Godwin Matanga, Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority Faith Mazani and Reserve Bank Governor John Mangudya.
Other members of the committee would be drawn from the Financial Intelligence Unit, NGOs, Zimbabwe Union of Journalists, Chamber of Mines and Consumer Council of Zimbabwe.-dailynews
Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Larry Mavima has gone into self-isolation after testing positive to Covid-19.
Senator Mavima confirmed the development this morning saying he is now in self isolating at his home while being taken care of by some local specialist doctors. Sen Mavima who is also the Provincial Covid-19 taskforce chairperson, however, said he was out of danger as there were no other symptoms.
“I can confirm that I have tested positive to Covid-19 and am self-isolating at home. I would like to quickly inform the entire province and the nation at large that I am not in any immediate danger. I am grateful to a wonderful team of local specialist doctors who have been monitoring my situation. I don’t have any other symptoms.
“I am in isolation but in high spirits for there is no stigma to this pandemic as everyone is at risk of contracting it. I am also banking on prayers from all corners,” said Sen Mavima who was speaking on a telephone interview from his home.
By A Correspondent | A Zimbabwean nurse who is a pastor has passed away in Nottingham.
The mother of two, Anna Chibwana, was also a pastor’s wife. Her husband, Edwin, is a close colleague of Christ Embassy church founder, Chris Oyakhilome.
the late pastor Anna and husband, Ed
They’ve been together running a church in the east Midlands, called The New Creation church.
A family member, a niece described Anna as ‘a loving mother who was always hardworking.’
She passed away following a combined struggle with COVID and colon cancer.
She had colon cancer before and was later diagnosed COVID positive after hospitalisation, a church elder told ZimEye.
A former church media employee described Pastor Anna as a dedicated mother, a hard worker who was working hard to look after her family in the UK and in Zimbabwe. – More to follow…
By A Correspondent- A Leaked conversation between two senior Zanu-PF officials in Mashonaland Central province has exposed a rift in the ruling party ahead of the district co-ordinating committee (DCC) elections.
This comes at a time some interested candidates like Energy minister Zhemu Soda, who is also allegedly campaigning for a post in the DCC, has claimed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa ordered that he should run uncontested.
Former Muzarabani MP Christopher Chitindi is also reportedly eyeing the Muzarabani district chairmanship.
In the leaked audio, Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central provincial deputy spokesperson Fredrick Nhaka is allegedly engaged in a telephone conversation, where he warned a district political commissar in Bindura against associating with businessman James Makamba, and those whom he said were aligned to the country’s Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga.
Makamba is reportedly eyeing the provincial chairperson post and is aligned to Chiwenga.
Nhaka is heard in the audio giving his preferred list of candidates, where he referred to some candidates as ED’s people (Mnangagwa’s people). He also gave another list of party officials whom he said were linked to Chiwenga.
“These people I have mentioned to you are ED’s people. They are fighting the President and are now with Chiwenga. They are working with leadership here and also with Makamba,” Nhaka said in the audio.
He also said he did not want fights just like what happened with former VicePresident Joice Mujuru who alleged led a faction called Gamatox.
Contacted for comment, Soda claimed that people were jealous of his appointment as Energy minister by Mnangagwa, and as a result were cooking up stories about factionalism in Zanu-PF using his name.
“People are just jealous of my appointment and are cooking up stories. There was a fake letter on social media written by misguided members in our district just to soil my name,” Soda said.
Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central provincial chairperson Kazembe Kazembe said party members should be warned against dropping Mnangagwa and Chiwenga’s names to pursue their personal agendas.
“This narrative that there is a rift in the presidium is both nonsensical and imaginary. That is the language of the enemy. The President and his Vice-Presidents work very well and they will not lose sleep over these artificial enemymade non-existent rifts,” the Home Affairs minister said.
Kazembe also told NewsDay that provincial members, the national consultative assembly, central committee and politburo members should not interfere with DCC elections.
“We have noted with concern that some senior party officials have taken a direct interest in the DCC elections and some are even campaigning for the candidates.
“Aspiring candidates should be allowed to campaign freely and on their own. The party will not hesitate to discipline all those found interfering,” Kazembe said.
He warned that those putting the name of the party ito disrepute will be disciplined. -Newsday
In Zimbabwe if one uses a threat perceived could deter or discourage an officer from performing duty by use of violence or fear, they are convicted of resisting an executive officer. It is a serious crime.
Auxillia Mnangagwa
ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s wife at the weekend threatened a police officer who named her for gold smuggling in the case against former ZIFA boss Henrietta Rushwaya who was last week arrested at RGM airport with a bag full of 6kg uncleared gold.
She said ” I am challenging the Police through their relevant office to issue a statement with regards the utterances by one officer during her arrest that falsely implicated me and my son Collins.”
Below was Auxillia’s full statement.
As first lady my duty is first and foremost to Zimbabwe as a nation. I serve each and every Zimbabwean whole heartedly and selflessly. I serve the interests of my nation and not any individual. I do not engage in illegal narrow minded pursuits like gold smuggling.
I have no dealings nor involvement with Miss Henrietta Rushwaya of any illegal kind. I am challenging the Police through their relevant office to issue a statement with regards the utterances by one officer during her arrest that falsely implicated me and my son Collins.
I am a strong advocate for transparency and honesty and any continued silence by the police can be misconstrued as a cover up. If there is any incriminating evidence against me I challenge the police to present it to the nation without fear or favour. If there be none I also challenge the police to say so.
I will not be dissuaded from working for those who need my help in both rural and urban areas. I will also support totally all anti corruption activities regardless of the many malicious attacks clearly designed to cow me from supporting them. I stand firm on my principles.
It pains me that my son who is hard working and an obedient son, is being attacked for no reason other than being a member of the first family. He is a hard working person and strives to improve himself day by day. As a mother I am proud of his work ethic and encourage him not be affected by malicious rumours.
I am an advocate for peace and love and work hard at helping those who I can. I am greatly aggravated by the continuation of these false stories and claims. However, I remain unshaken and will continue to serve my nation in its entirety to the best of my ability.
By Leonard Koni| A crisis where the government deployed the army, rolled tanks into the streets and killed innocent unarmed civilians at 45°angle and a commission of enquiry instituted but no one is held accountable.
Zimbabwe is such a peaceful country and does not deserve this. We are in a crisis where teachers, doctors are incapacitated to an extent of not carrying out their duties because of poor remunerations thereby killing both the education and healthy system of a country.
A crisis where top government officials sacrifice the few available resources on arbitrary arrests, abductions, torturing and harassment of political activists who speak out and denounce corruption done by the state and incarcerating them on trumped up charges, a very good example is the imprisonment of Hopewell Chin’ono, Joana Mamombe, Jacob Ngarivhume, Ngadziore just to mention a few.
A crisis is when a government allows inflating of prices and corruptly engage a bogus company called Drax International and no one is arrested. A crisis is when a government prioritises buying state of the art range rovers when people have no clean water and fetch it from the grave yards.
The Government of the day should profer some solutions to such challenges.
Corruption is killing the once vibrant Southern African country. Instead of addressing this free-for-all corruption, they make legislation likely to be used against those criticising the rot.
The masses who have become the target enemy have nothing to do with these super powers who have imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe.
We have a President of Zimbabwe Minerals Federation Henrietta Rushwaya who was arrested at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport trying to smoothly smuggle six kilograms of gold to Dubai instructed the switching off of the CCTV to allow her free pass.
Such is a crisis in a country were 80% are living under the poverty datum line and the rich are getting richer.
This talk of sanctions is just hiding with a finger. There is a lot happening behind the scenes.
Of course the people know what is happening and cannot only gasp and swallow under a barrage of propaganda and spin from the state media.
The more you beat a small drum, the more it is likely to burst quickly. The more a powerful person repeats a lie the greater its credibility. It’s an age-old truism about the escapism of desperados. We remain stuck in the cemetery of dreams.
At this juncture can we stop talking about sanctions and start putting all corrupt people in jails and keep them in for a while. We need to rebuild Zimbabwe and make it work again.
Corruption is affecting teachers, doctors, nurses and eveyone in our communities.
We have reversed the gains of independence and have installed a mafia cartel of saboteurs who are leaching and pillaging the country siphoning its resources and stashing the loot in foreign banks.
Today its six kilograms and tomorrow it is going to be a tonne. Can we have a report on how much did we accrue from Chiadzwa diamonds? Have Chiadzwa proceeds maintained the country’s economic stability?
The country and its people bear the scars 40 years of economic savagery.
The country has failed to solve the economic equation and instead has the energy to smuggle back AIPPA to gag and twart its own citizens who will speak ill or demonstrate during times of very important summits or meetings.
The government quickly forgets that different countries have embassies and foreign media houses operating within the chambers of information dissemination.
ZANU PF has always missed the point. Its problems are not with the west but they just use that as an excuse to abuse its own people. Cuba had problems with America but it was able to stand the pressure because it rallied its people behind its leadership by making sure that no one complained of being left out.
Who really would care about elections if the government is using the collected tax to build hospitals and schools, roads and infrastructure for the benefit of the people?
There is a great number of people hate those who speak the truth and speak out against injustice and corruption, because they would rather work for a corrupt institution than leave it. And they don’t want you ending the party while they can drink on your tap.
The treatment of people who have been arrested championing for democracy, good governance and fighting corruption in the country has left people asking the credibility and impartially of our judiciary system.
By Mthwakazi- It has always been how Zanu pf’s murderers work to cover their fingerprints in crime scenes which sees Chief Fortune Charumbira heaped with the responsibility to lead the Gukurahundi reburial exercise.
As we have always said that, the much talked about Gukurahundi reburial has nothing to do with healing the survivors of the massacres but everything about setting the perpetrators off the hook, we don’t think Emmerson Mnangagwa himself can give reasons of what exactly qualifies Charumbira to lead the reburial exercise.
Other than Charumbira is a Shona and perfectly positioned to shield him from prosecution, I don’t think Mnangagwa has any reason to justify his choice. It must be remembered that after the outbreak of Entumbane Zipra – Zanla war, a commission headed by a Shona Judge, Enoch Dumbutshena was established by Robert Mugabe to investigate the reasons for the outbreak of the war.
Its findings are unknown until this day. In 1983, the Gukurahundi stormed Mthwakazi/Matabeleland, killing, raping, torturing and maiming hundreds of people. There was a loud outcry of what was happening.
Fearing being exposed, Mugabe together with his henchman, Emmerson Mnangagwa, hatched a plan to dig and cover those carcasses deep underground. Another commision headed by another Shona, Simplisius Chihambakwe was established between 1983 and 84. Its results too went missing until this day.
So as number one suspect in the massacres, Mnangagwa only chose Charumbira to ensure he destroys all the existing evidence of the killings so he can ‘walk’ free. If that is not the case, what are the duties of Charumbira in the reburial exercise and what makes him special to lead it? Are there no Ndebele chiefs who are well versed with the burial cultures of Mthwakazi who could lead that process?
As MLF, we warn Mnangagwa to note that his dirty tricks on Mthwakazi can no longer go unnoticed and it is unfortunate that whether he successfully destroys the evidence of the killings, he cannot rub out of our minds the names of all those who had a hand in the killings. Their day to pay for their sins is coming very fast.
We also urge all Mthwakazi chiefs to keep away from this evil exercise.
ANALYSIS| Donald Trump audibly indicated he won’t go peacefully, Emmerson Mnangagwa lied saying he will step down peacefully, at least Mnangagwa demonstrated some responsibility albeit faking it.
Trump abused court officials, put sanctions on the ICC prosecutor. Mnangagwa set up Motlanthe, even though it was a fake commission. LIVE DISCUSSION AT 3PM HARARE TIME
Is something wrong with the name ZANU PF? Is it cursed or its just a party of ruthless, shameless hard core criminals who are after making money?
Two days ago ZANU PF ward councillor invited his business friends to come and “loot” government sourced stock feed from Murowa business centre for resale in Zvishavane town.
The stock feed was sourced by the government and meant for the rural people whose cattle are succumbing to the obtaining drought.
This was a noble idea considering the importance of cattle to the rural folks but this greedy and unsympathetic councillor saw a big gap of making huge bucks.
The government sourced stock feed was retailing at 6 USD cash (no bond no swipe but hard cash USD). 6 USD is equivalent to 600 zimdollars which is a lot of money to the poor povo.
The ward Councillor who is based in Zvishavane town invited his business friends to come and buy this cheap stock feed and transport it back to Zvishavane for resale.
The very same stock feed is now being sold at 16 USD to the very same poor rural folks who were robbed by the stingy greedy and unsympathetic councillor.
Is this the ZANU PF way of doing things? Is this how ZANU PF Councillors cater for the electorate? Is the First Secretary of ZANU PF aware of the shenanigans?
The very same ward Councillor is asking for huge sums of money for drought relief grain and government sourced agricultural inputs. Surprisingly these huge sums of hard cash go un-receipted.
The Councillor’s committee is known for selling looted grain and agricultural inputs. This has been happening ever since this crook councillor came into office and we have complained a million times but it seems he is the law himself.
But one thing for certain, he is tarnishing and de-campaining ZANU PF. Surely its a shame when shameless people rob the very same poor people who voted for them.
By Mthwakazi- It has always been how Zanu pf’s murderers work to cover their fingerprints in crime scenes which sees Chief Fortune Charumbira heaped with the responsibility to lead the Gukurahundi reburial exercise.
As we have always said that, the much talked about Gukurahundi reburial has nothing to do with healing the survivors of the massacres but everything about setting the perpetrators of the hook, we don’t think Emmerson Mnangagwa himself can give reasons of what exactly qualifies Charumbira to lead the reburial exercise.
Other than Charumbira is a Shona and perfectly positioned to shield him from prosecution, I don’t think Mnangagwa has any reason to justify his choice. It must be remembered that after the outbreak of Entumbane Zipra – Zanla war, a commission headed by a Shona Judge, Enoch Dumbutshena was established by Robert Mugabe to investigate the reasons for the outbreak of the war.
Its findings are unknown until this day. In 1983, the Gukurahundi stormed Mthwakazi/Matabeleland, killing, raping, torturing and maiming hundreds of people. There was a loud outcry of what was happening.
Fearing being exposed, Mugabe together with his henchman, Emmerson Mnangagwa, hatched a plan to dig and cover those carcasses deep underground. Another commision headed by another Shona, Simplisius Chihambakwe was established between 1983 and 84. Its results too went missing until this day.
So as number one suspect in the massacres, Mnangagwa only chose Charumbira to ensure he destroys all the existing evidence of the killings so he can ‘walk’ free. If that is not the case, what are the duties of Charumbira in the reburial exercise and what makes him special to lead it? Are there no Ndebele chiefs who are well versed with the burial cultures of Mthwakazi who could lead that process?
As MLF, we warn Mnangagwa to note that his dirty tricks on Mthwakazi can no longer go unnoticed and it is unfortunate that whether he successfully destroys the evidence of the killings, he cannot rub out of our minds the names of all those who had a hand in the killings. Their day to pay for their sins is coming very fast.
We also urge all Mthwakazi chiefs to keep away from this evil exercise.
A young journo Tafadzwa Nyikadzino has furiously accused senior scribe Hopewell Chin’ono of being scared of asking Norton MP Temba Mliswa questions.
Nyikadzino said Chin’ono is not fair by criticising other journalists for failing to ask certain questions. In his charged statement on video, he said Chin’ono does not attend press conferences just as he also said his battles are only on Twitter. Below was the briefer –
By Jane Mlambo| Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) President Takudzwa Ngadziore has vowed to continue fighting for the rights of students and justice for Bulawayo based Tawanda Muchehiwa saying silence will not guarantee his safety.
Posting on Twitter, Ngadziore who spend close to 40 days at Chikurubi maximum prison following his arrest at Impala Car rental premises said he will not pay attention to those asking him to be silent.
“I’ve heard ludicrous whispers, “If you talk, they will kill you Takudzwa” I’ve Questioned back : Is silence going to save me from Death (?) ONE SOLUTION- REVOLUTION,” vowed Ngadziore.
Since the abduction of Tawanda Muchehiwa in Bulawayo early this year, Ngadziore has continued to make noise in demand for justice.
He was arrested when he first went to Impala car rental premises demanding justice for Muchehiwa, resulting in his arrest. He was granted bail and ordered not to set foot 100 metres from Impala car rental premises.
The controversial Government Information Permanent Secretary, Ndabaningi Mangwana is attending a media Alliance function early Monday morning….video loading below
By Farai D Hove | ANALYSIS | Robert Mugabe is turning in his grave after his employee and the man who once swore he would resign upon his boss’ removal, spokesperson George Charamba on Saturday uploaded a video of himself driving in a road a third narrower and tinier than the ones built by the Ian Smith regime 70 years ago.
Zimbabwe is still to have a 50 km road of the multi lane simple, 70 years after the first dualisations were done by the former Rhodesian state establishment.
Harare roads in 1960s with three lanes aside
Charamba’s boast comes at a time when the government has continued to allow the road parastatal, ZINARA to continue running the national transport infrastructure despite cash leakages that are a result of crony fested management, repeating for 4 decades.
Charamba was ecstatic as he wrote: “mabasa eZANU PF vakomana!!!! Aahhh!!!!! Ichoooooo!!!!” – these are the works of ZANUPF.’
Yes, the road might not one in Harare, but the point remains that 70 years later, rural areas should surely have received road expansions of the 1960 glories, the same way other African countries like South Africa have developed theirs.
Ghana is constructing Africa's second 4-tier interchange, the $94 million Pokuase Interchange. pic.twitter.com/p7StL7wKW5
Take the EB Cloete Interchange, for instance: located within the eThekweni Metro, KwaZulu-Natal, has for years been the South African National Roads Agency Ltd’s (SANRAL) iconic interchange. Constructed in the 1970s, it has provided a full-system interchange for the N2 and N3 National Roads.
An inter city road 80 years ago should be twice that of an inner city 20 years later if there’s been development, especially in a country that’s been the world’s fastest growing crop economy. Comparators can be drawn from countries paired with Rhodesia in the UN 1975 World Book.
Charamba’s boasts also come at a time Zimbabwe has abandoned the complete dualisation of the Beitbridge – Harare, Chirundu highway.
Infor minister Monica Mutsvangwa says Government will now only rehabilitate and widen the highway over the next three years at a cost of $693 million, while dualisation will only take place on some sections of the road. The road will be widened from the current seven metres to 12,5 metres making it at par with the N1 highway in South Africa and the Chirundu-Lusaka Road in Zambia. Sections of the road to be dualised will cost $466 million.
The project will be carried out by local contractors while Government concludes negotiations with Chinese firm Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group Limited (AFECC). Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Joel Biggie Matiza said first phase which is rehabilitation and widening, has already started with mobilisation of equipment. He said some of the equipment is on site and the contractors are working on detours.
“Cabinet received a briefing by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development (Joel Biggie Matiza) on progress in the rehabilitation and dualisation of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway, following the decision by Government to use resources from the Road Fund, while waiting the conclusion of ongoing discussion with AFECC, a Chinese investor on the project,” Minister Mutsvangwa said at the end if 2018.
“It should be noted that the decision to commence work on the rehabilitation and dualisation of the highway using local resources was taken in light of the fact that a lot of time has already been lost on the project and that the lives of the travelling public continued to be at risk along this major highway which joins the North-South Development Corridor in the sub-region.
“In terms of this arrangement, the highway will be upgraded in two phases. Phase one entails the rehabilitation and widening of the existing road from the current seven metres width to Southern Africa Transport and Communications Commission (SATCC) standards of 12,5 meters width, and climbing lanes where necessary. This will bring the road to the same standard as N1 on the South African side and the Chirundu-Lusaka Road on the Zambian side.”
By Reason Wafawarova| There are a number of interesting pointers and talking points about the Gold Smuggling Case involving Henrietta Rushwaya.
The case itself looks ridiculously criminal. No one exports 6 kgs of gold in a hand luggage handbag through regular airline checking points with no export paper trail to show for it, and then goes to court to declare innocence and a desperation to have a hearing to clear their name.
Then there is the implication of one Ali Muhammed as the owner of the gold in question and the deal, and another implication of an unnamed would be recipient in Dubai.
Then there is the implication of two security agents as accomplices to Rushwaya, with one Tserai being a known aide of the President, and also of the First Lady.
Then another person is arrested for allegedly trying to secure the release of Rushwaya by pretending to be a member of the Central Intelligence Organisation and also making claims that the gold in question belonged to the First Lady and her son Collins.
Then the Chief Secretary issues a statement warning “impersonators” to stop the “name dropping” habit where the name of the President or that of his wife or children have been used to act above the law, or to secure impunity.
Then we have the First Lady issuing a statement absolving herself from the gold smuggling case, and impliedly threatening the individual who named her and her son.
In the same statement the First Lady “challenges” the police to issue a public statement either incriminating her or absolving her.
In fact she dares the police to say something public about her and her son, reminding us of how much of a law abiding and transparent citizen she is, totally driven by the philanthropic passion to serve our underprivileged people across the country, and therefore far too busy doing great things for us that she has absolutely no time for petty crimes like smuggling just 6 kilograms of gold.
Here are pertinent questions that needy a speedy answer.
1. On what basis is it assumed the person who implicated the First Lady was fabricating his story?
2. We have not heard that the implicated First Lady and her son Collins have been interviewed by either the investigating officers or the fourth state, the media; or by any other independent persons, or ZACC, or Parliament. Why is that?
3. Is it not part of transparency for these two to be interviewed in the public interest?
4. We are told Collins denied the allegations to his friends. Wouldn’t it be better for him to volunteer his side of the story to the investigators?
5. Being implicated in the case, the First Lady becomes a suspect, or at the very least a person of interest or candidate for questioning.
As such does she hold any locus standi to suggest what the police must do in the course of investigations of this case?
Does she have the moral ground to help the police determine the facts in a case where she is implicated?
Does this amount to interference with the course of justice, or intimidating the institution of policing to influence the outcome of an investigation?
6. Does the ZRP issue public statements on criminal matters at the instigation of subjects of their investigations?
7. This matter is already before the courts, with the implicator charged to face trial. Is it not subjudice to make comments on the matter in regards to what investigators aught to do?
8. What does the President have to say about the internet picture trail that shows him with two of the accused 5, excluding Tserai his aide?
9. The First Lady absolves her adult son as innocent because she says, “He is hardworking.” Do parents declare the innocence of their adult children leading independent lives when they get implicated in alleged criminal matters?
10. Can the comments from the First Lady be misconstrued or construed to suggest shielding her son from possible arrest or questioning?
I am asking these questions not because I believe the First Lady tried to smuggle gold out of the country, nor because I believe she didn’t.
I am asking purely based on due process and the principle that says justice must be seen to be done, especially where high profile personalities are implicated or accused.
I do hope that the police will stand firm on their constitutional oath, and also that those suspected or charged will receive fair treatment and a fair trial where one will occur.
Current first lady Auxilia Mnangagwa visiting Janet Banana widow to former President Canaan Banana
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has Gazetted benefits for spouses of former presidents and vice presidents that have served the country since 1987 automatically eliminating former President Canaan Banana’s widow, Janet.
Mnangagwa’s moves is done regardless of efforts by the Banana to have their mother accorded her benefits.
Canaan Sodindo Banana (5 March 1936 – 10 November 2003) was a Zimbabwean Methodist minister, theologian, and politician who served as the first President of Zimbabwe from 1980 to 1987. He was Zimbabwe’s first head of state after the Lancaster House Agreement that led to the country’s independence. In 1987, he stepped down as President and was succeeded by Prime Minister Robert Mugabe, who became the country’s executive president.
The family has tried to be very diplomatic about resolving the issue of the former President’s Pension and Retirement benefits that should have been accorded to the late President and First lady as stated in the Act that does not cover children above the age of 18 years.
The family says for over 17 years the former first lady has not received her full entitlement and consequently resorted to leading a life of frugality in the United Kingdom.
For a while now the family have been in constant communications with the previous and current government officials through countless correspondences and phone calls without any progress or timely responses being acknowledged besides lip service here and there.
In response, Mnangagwa has completely shut out the family pronouncing that the benefits will only accrue from those in office after 1987.
The benefits are contained in Statutory Instruments 261 and 260 of 2020 titled Presidential Pension and Retirement Benefits (Services and Facilities for Spouses of Former Presidents) Notice, 2020 and Presidential Pension and Retirement Benefits (Services and Facilities for Spouses of Former Vice Presidents), Notice 2020.
The SIs were gazetted in terms of section 3(1) of the Presidential Pension and Retirement Benefits Act.
SI 261 provides for the benefits of spouses of former presidents who serve for at least one full term.
“The spouse of the former President shall be entitled to the services of the following – such security personnel as may be determined by the President, but not less than two, and to be increased by such number as may be determined by the President whenever, and for such period, as the need arises; one driver; one private secretary and one aide-de-camp officer or personal assistant,” reads SI 261.
The spouse of the former President shall also be entitled to the provision of an office accommodation as may be determined by the President; a landline telephone and a cellphone; one computer and such other office facilities, equipment and materials as may be determined by the President.
The State will also provide accommodation to the spouse of the former President, including one domestic worker, a gardener, a cook and one waiter.
The spouse will also receive an allowance for medical aid contributions; a diplomatic passport; business class air and rail private travel within Zimbabwe, if available up to a maximum of two trips per annum; and business class international air private travel up to a maximum of two trips per year.
In terms of vehicles, the spouse will receive one sedan (Mercedes Benz E300 Series) or one four-wheel drive station wagon or an equivalent or similar class of vehicle; one pick-up van; and others meant for security personnel and other staff serving the spouse.
The vehicles would be maintained by the State while fuel allocation would be determined by the President.
The vehicles would be replaced every five years.
With respect to other benefits, the spouse of the former President shall be entitled to the provision of — (a) an entertainment allowance as determined by the President from time to time; telephone expenses in respect of the office and official residence of the spouse of the former President and water and electricity exemption in respect of the office and official residence of the former spouse of a former President, reads SI 261.
SI 260 provides for the benefits of spouses of a former vice president and these include; a domestic worker; a gardener; a driver; one private secretary and one aide-de-camp officer or personal assistant.
The other benefits are a Mercedes Benz sedan as may be determined by the President; colour television set; and an official office telephone.
The spouse will also receive allowances covering medical aid contributions and air travel once a year.
The open door policy of President Mnangagwa should not be abused for corruption, Zanu PF National Commissar Victor Matemadanda has warned.
The warning comes as reports surface of corrupt people using photographs of themselves meeting the President to disrupt investigations.
Speaking during Sunday’s Mashonaland West Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting in Chinhoyi, which was aimed at discussing the impending District Coordinating Committee (DCC) elections, Matemadanda said many party members were abusing the President’s goodwill to conduct corrupt activities.
The new administration led by President Mnangagwa has made a commitment to eradicate corruption.
“We have people who have taken advantage of President Mnangagwa’s open door policy to conduct corrupt activities,” said Matemadanda.
“These people manipulate the warm response they would have received from the President. Some use photographs they would have been taken together with President Mnangagwa to engage in corruption. Recently, security agents arrested Henrietta Rushwaya who we suspect is among those who abused the open door policy.
“The Second Republic has continued to fight corruption since its coming to power. Arrests have been made by both the police and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission. Britain should not lecture Zimbabwe about corruption, democracy and sanctions. Our government, through the leadership of President Mnangagwa, is leading the nation in the right direction.”
Matemadanda, who is also the Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, said the country’s defence forces were not going to fold hands and let detractors derail the peace and development agenda.
Soul Jah Love: "I couldn't perform because they came to pick me up at 12:11 midnight yet the club was supposed to be closed at 12. So now because they had JahMaster… they just wanted to use me to gather people so that they won't pay me back my money -@EargroundZw video pic.twitter.com/CdPoeDOzO9
By Dorrothy Moyo | In 2017, he was daily tormented by the First Lady leading to his humiliating ouster from government, this time it is a different kind of attack. The former energy minister, Fortune Chasi, who was dramatically removed from the contentious job this year (the second time in 2 years) has written complaining alleging that he has had scary owls sent after him to torment him.
Chasi made the claim in a tweet on Monday apparently pleading with the senders saying “what have I done to get at least 4 owls singing in a choir a few metres from my window?”
In Shona mythology, an owl is a sign of a very bad thing about to happen. The albeit beautiful creature is used by mysticists to threaten witchcraft or bad luck. Since the days of the fake Nehanda Nyakasikana, the 1890s days witchdoctor, there has never been any proof that the majestic creature has got any spiritual power or association thereof.
Chasi’s possible joke was met with responses from religious people who suggested that he must consider repenting and he will be forgiven.
“Try to be right with God and Declare the all powerful Blood of Jesus Christ. Do not be afraid for no evil can stand when you call on the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen!,” wrote the United democratic Alliance leader Daniel Shumba.
Below were some of the interactions Monday morning.
Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic has named his provisional squad for the upcoming back-to-back AFCON qualifiers against Algeria, beginning with an away trip to North Africa on the 12th of this month.
Following a week filled with speculation and anxiety in local football circles regarding the composition of the Zimbabwe senior men’s national soccer team for the Afcon qualifiers against Algeria, Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic has finally named a 24-man provisional squad ahead of the back-to-back clashes with the Desert Foxes.
With the Croatian leading Zimbabwe into a drub goalless draw with the Flames of Malawi during the international break early last month, he is upbeat all the players called for camp will report for duty and make his first competitive dugout appearance a memorable one.
The players called into camp are: Goalkeepers Elvis Chipezeze, Talbert Shumba and Tatenda Mukuruva.
The defenders are: Jimmy Dzingai, Alec Mudimu, Jordan Zemura, Teenage Hadebe, Tendai Jirira, Divine Lunga, Tendai Darikwa and Adam Chicksen.
Khama Billiat, Marshall Munetsi, Ovidy Karuru, Butholezwe Ncube, Tafadzwa Rusike, Marvellous Nakamba, Knowledge Musona, Terrence Dzvukamanja, King Nadolo and Kuda Mahachi make up the midfielders.
The forwards are Tino Kadewere, David Moyo and Prince Dube.
Zimbabwe opponents Algeria played two friendlies against Nigeria and Mexico, winning one-nil against the Super Eagles and drawing 2-all with Mexico.
Coach Logarusic believes the talent at his disposal has what it takes to frustrate the Desert Foxes.
The Desert Foxes lead Group H with 6 points from 2 games while Zimbabwe is second with 4 points. Botswana is third with a point while Zambia is anchoring the table with no points.
South Africa-based players will be the first to troop into camp on the 6th of this month, followed by part of the European contingent on 7 and 8 November after playing their league games.
The Warriors are expected to depart for Algiers on the 10th of this month.
By Farai D Hove | ANALYSIS | Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba on Saturday uploaded a video of himself driving in a road a third narrower and tinier than the ones built by the Ian Smith regime 70 years ago.
Zimbabwe is still to have a 50 km road of the multi lane simple, 70 years after the first dualisations were done by the former Rhodesian state establishment.
Harare roads in 1960s with three lanes aside
Charamba’s boast comes at a time when the government has continued to allow the road parastatal, ZINARA to continue running the national transport infrastructure despite cash leakages that are a result of crony fested management, repeating for 4 decades.
Charamba was ecstatic as he wrote: “mabasa eZANU PF vakomana!!!! Aahhh!!!!! Ichoooooo!!!!” – these are the works of ZANUPF.’
Yes, the road might not one in Harare, but the point remains that 70 years later, rural areas should surely have received road expansions of the 1960 glories, the same way other African countries like South Africa have developed theirs.
Ghana is constructing Africa's second 4-tier interchange, the $94 million Pokuase Interchange. pic.twitter.com/p7StL7wKW5
Take the EB Cloete Interchange, for instance: located within the eThekweni Metro, KwaZulu-Natal, has for years been the South African National Roads Agency Ltd’s (SANRAL) iconic interchange. Constructed in the 1970s, it has provided a full-system interchange for the N2 and N3 National Roads.
An inter city road 80 years ago should be twice that of an inner city 20 years later if there’s been development, especially in a country that’s been the world’s fastest growing crop economy. Comparators can be drawn from countries paired with Rhodesia in the UN 1975 World Book.
Charamba’s boasts also come at a time Zimbabwe has abandoned the complete dualisation of the Beitbridge – Harare, Chirundu highway.
Infor minister Monica Mutsvangwa says Government will now only rehabilitate and widen the highway over the next three years at a cost of $693 million, while dualisation will only take place on some sections of the road. The road will be widened from the current seven metres to 12,5 metres making it at par with the N1 highway in South Africa and the Chirundu-Lusaka Road in Zambia. Sections of the road to be dualised will cost $466 million.
The project will be carried out by local contractors while Government concludes negotiations with Chinese firm Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group Limited (AFECC). Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Joel Biggie Matiza said first phase which is rehabilitation and widening, has already started with mobilisation of equipment. He said some of the equipment is on site and the contractors are working on detours.
“Cabinet received a briefing by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development (Joel Biggie Matiza) on progress in the rehabilitation and dualisation of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway, following the decision by Government to use resources from the Road Fund, while waiting the conclusion of ongoing discussion with AFECC, a Chinese investor on the project,” Minister Mutsvangwa said at the end if 2018.
“It should be noted that the decision to commence work on the rehabilitation and dualisation of the highway using local resources was taken in light of the fact that a lot of time has already been lost on the project and that the lives of the travelling public continued to be at risk along this major highway which joins the North-South Development Corridor in the sub-region.
“In terms of this arrangement, the highway will be upgraded in two phases. Phase one entails the rehabilitation and widening of the existing road from the current seven metres width to Southern Africa Transport and Communications Commission (SATCC) standards of 12,5 meters width, and climbing lanes where necessary. This will bring the road to the same standard as N1 on the South African side and the Chirundu-Lusaka Road on the Zambian side.”
By A Correspondent| Double tragedy has hit a family, after a South African based man was reported dead inside a hospital in the border town of Musina.
This was according to an announcement made via audio messaging.
The man, only identified as Derreck Ndlovu was last Friday said to have departed and his body ‘stranded’ inside the mortuary.
The full announcement reads as follows –
Greetings good people. I have announcement about a lad called Derreck Ndlovu. I once had conversations with this lady when be told me he comes from Domboshawa in the Mverechena area, he was very tall lad. Many people knew him by being tall but I asked him his name when he told me he is Derreck. This lad now has two months since entering hospital at Musina.
Today I received word that he has died, today the 30th October. Three to four months ago his brothers once came from it is believed Pretoria or Joburg, and came to where he was living while traveling to their mother’s funeral in Domboshawa, it was said the mother died in an inferno.
So now there is noone with contacts ofrphone numbers of the brothers. So I was asking if there is anyone hearing this notice, they must spread the word. He died today the 30th October.
The Supreme Court will today determine the MDC-Alliance’s appeal against the High Court’s May judgment which ruled that the outfit is not a legal person with the capacity to sue or be sued.
The appeal will be heard by Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza, sitting with Justice Tendai Uchena and Justice Samuel Kudya.
This comes as the MDC-A had brought an urgent High Court application challenging MDC-T’s recall of legislators elected on the MDC-A ticket.
However, on May 29 this year, Justice Tawanda Chitapi ruled that the MDC-A as a collective had no legal right and responsibility to sue on behalf of the recalled legislators, who could bring legal action as individuals.
Justice Chitapi considered that evidence brought before the court indicated that the MDC-A was a coalition of political parties, with the status of a political party under the Electoral Act, but without legal standing as a person.
In the absence of such requirements as a decision to be legally incorporated as a voluntary organisation, or corporate, the MDC-A falls short as a political party.
By definition, the Justice Chitapi conceded, the MDC-A might be called a political party in terms of the Electoral Act, but found that there were no written instruments governing how the party was constituted or operated.
The agreement, Justice Chitapi ruled, constituted the parties’ entire agreement to the alliance, but did not spell out the legal status of the MDC-A.
Thousands of people from all walks of life convened at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre yesterday to say their final goodbyes to the country’s rap king, Mgcini “Cal Vin” Nhliziyo.
It was more like a celebration, rather than a funeral, as Cal Vin was buried like the king he was in the City of Kings and Queens, Bulawayo, with over 5 000 people attending the gathering.
Cal Vin died last week after he was run over by a car that sped away, just a few metres from his home.
He was buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery, an honour bestowed only to luminaries of Bulawayo for their great work in uplifting the city.
Among the many people who gathered were Bulawayo mayor Solomon Mguni, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe director Nicholas Moyo and Highlanders Football Club chief executive officer Nhlanhla Dube.
Fellow artistes — Sandra Ndebele, Babongile Sikhonjwa, Clive Chigubhu, Ntando Van Moyo, Mudiwa, Walter Wanyanya, Aldrian “Beefy” Harrison, Zima awards chairman Reason Sibanda, Trevor Dongo, Asaph, Lee Mc Honey, Gilmore Tee and Novuyo Seagirl — were also in attendance.
The funeral was live-streamed on the CnC live events Facebook page for those who could not make it, while a memorial was held in South Africa by fans across the Limpopo.
It was heart-wrenching to see Cal Vin’s mother, Sinikwe Luphahla, with grief stricken eyes viewing her son’s body in a casket for the last time.
His girlfriend, Michelle Maphosa, who was seated next to Cal Vin’s mother was highly emotional as she saw her lover in his lifeless state.
Cal Vin’s crew from his Kontrol Tribe record label — Mawiza, Mziztoz Mfana Futhi and Tebza — were all distraught.
Their sadness embodied the mood that was in the auditorium.
Seeing Cal Vin in the casket was not for the faint hearted, the gravity of the wounds on his face were a painful reminder that he suffered immensely when he was run over on that tragic Saturday last week.
Representing the Ministry of Youth Sports, Arts and Recreation, chief director, Dr Benson Dube, called for the perpetrator to be swiftly caught.
“Whether it was intentional or not, it’s our desire that justice must be done to the perpetrator,” he said.
“We’ve given the family $50 000 as our contribution to the funeral.”
A staunch supporter of Zimbabwe giants Highlanders Football Club, Cal Vin was given a VIP treatment for his work with the club.
Dube, the Highlanders Football Club CEO, spoke highly of Cal Vin, saying he helped them with some of their projects.
Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Judith Ncube said it had not been a good week for Bulawayo due to the deaths the city recorded.
“First, it was the Mzilikazi boy who was horrifically run over by a bus at Renkini,” she said.
“Cal Vin followed on Sunday and then on Thursday, Sibonisiwe Sithole from Iyasa passed on.”
Those who never got a chance to watch Cal Vin perform live were also treated to one his performances through music videos which amplified emotions in the auditorium.
On Saturday, Cal Vin’s body was taken around Bulawayo suburbs in a Funeral Services Group hearse.
The interim leader of the opposition MDC-T, Thokozani Khupe has removed and placed Nelson Chamisa’s ally, Daniel Molekele from the chairmanship of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher and Tertiary Education.
Molekele was replaced by Lindiwe Maphosa who crossed over from MDC Alliance to the rival MDC-T as the leadership crisis in the MDC rages on.
The development was announced by National Assembly Speaker Advocate Jacob Mudenda in Parliament this Thursday. Mudenda said:
The MDC-T has nominated the following to be chairpersons of committees; Southerton MP Peter Moyo will take over from former Kuwadzana MP Chalton Hwende as chairperson of the Information Communication Technology Portfolio Committee. Yvonne Musarurwa (MDC-T) is now the new chairperson of the Environment Portfolio Committee and will replace former PR MP Concillia Chinanzvavana (MDC Alliance). Molokele will be replaced by Maphosa.
This was however not unprecedented after Binga North MP Prince Dubeko Sibanda was previously removed from the chairmanship of the Media and Information Portfolio Committee; Hwende (ICT), and Chinanzvavana.
Noticeably, the removed members were very vocal in the committees.
Since the March Supreme Court ruling on the MDC leadership crisis, Khupe has been on a recalling spree of members of the MDC Alliance accusing them of ceasing to represent the interests of the party that gave them the ticket into 2018 elections.
Civic organisations are free to petition Parliament, but a constitutionally-elected Government will only be removed through an election rather than unconstitutional regime change means, Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda has said.
Speaking during a stakeholders meeting with civic society organisations and the media at the Chinhoyi University of Technology last week, Advocate Mudenda said Parliament received both petitions, addressing various issues.
He, however, noted that the majority of petitions were largely from some Western-funded organisations purporting to be champions of democracy yet pushing for civil unrest using innocent citizens to effect regime change.
“Right now we are receiving a number of petitions, which speak to our daily lives.
“However, some organisations that are giving out money to people in Zimbabwe and Africa to effect regime change are also there. Regime change cannot come through petitions but only through voting,” he said.
Advocate Mudenda said although there was an intricate connection between Parliament and civic organisations under Section 149 of the constitution, which allowed citizens to petition Parliament, there was a clear cut line that had to be followed.
“When petitioning the Parliament, citizens should desist from using foul and insulting language. Citizens should also include their names and organisations they are representing.
They should also disclose their source of funds.
“As Parliament, we will protect whoever sends petition, but they have to be objective and factual.”
He also added that since the doctrine of separation of powers stops Parliament from meddling with the judiciary, petitions whose issues were before the courts would not be entertained by the Speaker of Parliament and the Senate President.
He added that the Clerk of Parliament receives petitions from citizens and then writes to leaders of the two houses who in turn deliberate on the issues.
Zimbabwe is part of the 179-member Inter-parliamentary Union and is obliged to give citizens their democratic right in airing their objective voices to improve quality and relevance of legislatures.
“Zimbabwe is a democratic and unitary state whose policies and laws are derived from the views of the public.
However, for the citizens to add their voices, the media which has the key means to inform the public should play its informative role so that they are well versed with Acts, Bills and policies,” he added.
He said the citizens possessed the power to put the performance and roles of the executive, Parliament and judiciary under spotlight.
A dispute between three prominent chiefs over jurisdiction of the Great Zimbabwe monuments continues to rage and has sucked in their subjects who are now also at loggerheads over who has dominion over the historic site.
While the battle for control of the monuments is now largely academic because the monuments are now a national heritage site under the custody of the State, the dispute continues to simmer within the Charumbira, Murinye and Mugabe families.
Great Zimbabwe is under the stewardship of the State through the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ).
Chiefs Charumbira (Shumba Sipambi), Murinye and Mugabe (who are both of the Duma Moyo) totem are in disagreement over the jurisdiction of the iconic monuments.
This comes as Great Zimbabwe has been hogging the limelight over proliferation of illegal settlements that are encroaching into the world heritage site. The settlements are blamed on unscrupulous village heads illegally parcelling out land.
Vice President Kembo Mohadi recently cautioned over the mushrooming of settlements, saying illegal settlers should immediately vacate the monuments’ precincts or face the law’s wrath.
Discussions at drinking spots and other gatherings within communities are dominated by various theories trying to explain the rightful traditional authority in charge of Great Zimbabwe.
Chief Murinye’s backers argue that the monuments fall under his jurisdiction since the founding Chief Murinye sired Mugabe who was his third born son.
They said Mugabe was the original Chief Murinye’s third eldest son after Shumba Chekai and Chikwanda and was actually allocated his present-day territory to rule by his father.
It is further alleged the original Chief Murinye first stayed in an area called Beza Ravakamira, east of the monuments near Lake Mutirikwi, before being forced away by white colonialists and resettled in the Mushandike area before moving again to the Great Zimbabwe monuments where he died.
Chief Murinye, Mr Ephias Munodawafa, said he was not at liberty to delve much into the jurisdiction of Great Zimbabwe monuments.
“I don’t want to say much about that issue, I am a qualified lawyer, but what I can tell you for a fact is that Mugabe was actually the original Murinye’s third eldest son who was given territory to rule by Shumba Chekai on the orders of the original Chief Murinye,” he said.
Chief Murinye qualified as a lawyer a few years ago and is building his homestead at Oartlands Farm, a short distance from the iconic monuments to the east.
This development has courted mixed reactions from communities in the area, with some claiming the move was an indirect attempt to stake a claim to the monuments.
His opponents said Chief Murinye’s claim to Great Zimbabwe was far-fetched as his boundary with Chief Mugabe was at Mupudzi River near Ancient City Lodge, which was away from the monuments.
Others even said Chief Murinye’s boundary with Chief Mugabe’s area was Mutirikwi River, which feeds into Lake Mutirikwi.
Chief Mugabe, Mr Matubede Mudavanhu, was assertive that Great Zimbabwe fell under his domain.
He said literature by white explorers and early missionaries vindicated his claim.
“It is clear even in all writings about Great Zimbabwe that the monuments fall under my area,” he said.
“Missionaries and explorers unanimously concur that when they arrived at the monuments around 1893, they found Haruzivishe, the great Mugabe ancestor there and in charge.”
Chief Mugabe said his boundary with Chief Murinye was further east of the monuments, while also ruling out Chief Charumbira’s claim to control. Chief Charumbira dismissed claims by Chief Mugabe, but hastened to say the argument over who controlled the monuments was largely academic.
“It’s academic to talk about that because the monuments are under the State,” he said. “No chief collects revenue from tourists who visit that place, all the money goes to the State, so it’s pointless to discuss about whose area the monuments are under.”
Chief Charumbira intimated that under normal circumstances, Great Zimbabwe would fall under him since the place was under Nemanwa, who was a headman under Charumbira.
He said Chief Mugabe’s claims to Great Zimbabwe were far-fetched since his boundary with Charumbira was close to Morgenster Mission, away from the monuments to the south.
“I am a national leader for chiefs and don’t want to reduce my standing by discussing such issues,” he said.
“However, the truth of the matter is that Mugabe and Charumbira’s boundary is at Henry Murray School at Morgenster.”
Chief Charumbira said Chief Mugabe’s boundary with Chief Murinye was at Chebopopo, a stream well outside the Great Zimbabwe monuments’ precincts.
This indirectly means he believes that none of the two chiefs can lay a claim to the monuments, leaving the area under Nemanwa, who is Chief Charumbira’s headman.
Zimbabwe has taken delivery of 50 more buses from China to boost the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) fleet.
In the last 12 months, Government imported over 300 buses from China and Belarus which has helped to restore sanity in the public transport sector.
The latest batch of 50 Golden Dragon buses from China arrived in the country via Beitbridge between Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
The buses were shipped through the Durban port in South Africa and the consignment comes a few months after Government took receipt of 70 buses from the Asian country.
Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza could not be reached to comment on the arrival of the consignment yesterday.
Zupco’s acting chief executive officer, Mr Everisto Madangwa, said he would give more information on the importation of the buses at a later stage.
An official who declined to be named confirmed the arrival of the buses at Beitbridge.
“So far, we have 50 buses within the border and the import documents are being processed by a customs clearing company contracted by the Government,” said the official.
More than 1 000 buses have been acquired from China and they are being delivered to the country in batches.
President Mnangagwa has reaffirmed Government’s commitment to easing transport challenges by availing reliable and affordable transport to the people.
Communities and traditional leaders continue to request for more Zupco buses to service their routes which have not been fully covered by other private transporters.
The Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana has warned the public against abusing the First Family’s name to carry out illegal activities.
This comes after some suspects in the attempted gold smuggling case involving arrested Zimbabwe Miners Federation president, Henrietta Rushwaya, falsely claimed that they were linked to the First Family.
In a statement yesterday, Mr Mangwana said police investigations had established that recent claims by one suspect, Gift Karanda, that members of the First Family were involved in gold smuggling were false and were meant to intimidate law enforcement agencies, thereby obstructing the course of justice.
“Reference is made to the recent arrests of several suspects in an alleged case of attempted gold smuggling at the Robert Mugabe International Airport on October 26, 2020.
“Following the arrests, Government has been made aware that there are some individuals and groups, including one of the suspects in the case, who are abusing the First Family’s name in their illegal activities.
“His Excellency, President Mnangagwa has demonstrated his zero tolerance stance on corruption and organised crime. On her part, the First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, has distanced herself and the family from any of the suspects involved in the gold smuggling case.
“All security apparatus have standing orders to enforce the law blinded to who a person is, knows or is related to. The law itself has adequate provisions to deal with those who interfere with its application or processes,” said Mr Mangwana.
Those who tried to defeat the course by invoking names of powerful or influential people would face the full wrath of the law.
“Government would like to urge citizens to report all suspected cases of crime and corruption to relevant law enforcement agencies and not manipulate such cases for political clout using falsehoods and innuendo.”
Threatening a police officer attracts severe consequences.
Auxillia Mnangagwa
In Zimbabwe if one uses a threat perceived could deter or discourage an officer from performing duty by use of violence or fear, they are convicted of resisting an executive officer. It is a serious crime.
Auxillia Mnangagwa
ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s wife at the weekend threatened a police officer who named her for gold smuggling in the case against former ZIFA boss Henrietta Rushwaya who was last week arrested at RGM airport with a bag full of 6kg uncleared gold.
She said ” I am challenging the Police through their relevant office to issue a statement with regards the utterances by one officer during her arrest that falsely implicated me and my son Collins.”
Below was Auxillia’s full statement.
As first lady my duty is first and foremost to Zimbabwe as a nation. I serve each and every Zimbabwean whole heartedly and selflessly. I serve the interests of my nation and not any individual. I do not engage in illegal narrow minded pursuits like gold smuggling.
I have no dealings nor involvement with Miss Henrietta Rushwaya of any illegal kind. I am challenging the Police through their relevant office to issue a statement with regards the utterances by one officer during her arrest that falsely implicated me and my son Collins.
I am a strong advocate for transparency and honesty and any continued silence by the police can be misconstrued as a cover up. If there is any incriminating evidence against me I challenge the police to present it to the nation without fear or favour. If there be none I also challenge the police to say so.
I will not be dissuaded from working for those who need my help in both rural and urban areas. I will also support totally all anti corruption activities regardless of the many malicious attacks clearly designed to cow me from supporting them. I stand firm on my principles.
It pains me that my son who is hard working and an obedient son, is being attacked for no reason other than being a member of the first family. He is a hard working person and strives to improve himself day by day. As a mother I am proud of his work ethic and encourage him not be affected by malicious rumours.
I am an advocate for peace and love and work hard at helping those who I can. I am greatly aggravated by the continuation of these false stories and claims. However, I remain unshaken and will continue to serve my nation in its entirety to the best of my ability.
PUBLIC examinations for Ordinary Level candidates will spill into January next year, while results for Grade Seven candidates will be released before year-end to allow parents adequate time to secure Form One places for their children.
The examinations begin on December 1 with around 1,2 million candidates having registered to sit for the exams countrywide.
Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) dl said that Grade 7 candidates will sit first.
Advanced Level examinations will be completed by year-end.
Around 600 000 pupils will sit for Grade Seven examinations, while about 400 000 have registered for the Ordinary Level exams with nearly 200 000 candidates set to sit for the Advanced Level exams.
Exam classes are undergoing an intense crash programme to ensure that learners catch up on lost learning time.
Pupils sitting for the Cambridge examinations are already halfway through their exams, which started on October 1 and are ending on November 18.
About 50 000 pupils are sitting for Cambridge examinations at 118 private schools across the country.
Educationist Dr Cephas Nziramasanga proposed “lenient examinations” in light of the uncertain circumstances that learners have faced.
“We are now left with a month before the examinations start and given the circumstances, there are two options that are there, the first one being that they can stop the examinations and let pupils write when they are ready,” he said.
“The second option is that they let the pupils sit for the examinations with the markers being lenient and understanding.
“Personally I would go for the second option so that pupils can proceed to the next level.
“I think the examinations should be ‘soft’ so that pupils are tested on issues that they know and we hope they pass so that they go to next stage.
“It must be a win-win situation for everyone.”
Examination preparations for pupils have been hampered by failure by some teachers to report for duty.
The teachers are however, expected to report for duty as Government has said it will continue to improve the welfare of civil servants.
Bodies of two of the five miners who were trapped after a mine shaft collapsed at Task Mining Syndicate in Chegutu on September 8 have been retrieved by artisanal miners, Makorokoza, who are continuing to search for the other three bodies.
The body of Shingai Gwatidzo (20), which was among the two that were retrieved on Saturday was buried at Borgan Villa resettlement area in Mhondoro yesterday. It was in an advanced state of decomposition.
Fellow artisanal miners defied a Government directive to stop the search for the bodies of their trapped colleagues after all hope was abandoned of finding the five alive. The artisanal miners discovered the bodies 51 days after the incident.
Efforts to locate the other three bodies are continuing despite Government’s directive to suspend operations to avoid further loss of lives.
The second recovered body is yet to be identified owing to the degree of decomposition.
Apart from Gwatidzo, the other trapped miners were Munashe Nyamukanga (16), Charles Mutume (31), Crynos Nyamukanga (44) and Constantino Dzinoreva (47).
Chegutu district Civil Protection Unit (CPU) chairperson, Mr Tariro Tomu, said the artisanal miners clandestinely continued rescue operations after Government ordered their suspension on October 2, citing safety concerns.
“Management at Task Mining Syndicate confirmed to me that they have discovered two bodies which they are yet to retrieve. Their efforts continued outside the directive that we issued but as the CPU, we have secured five coffins for their decent burials.”
Despite lack of proper equipment and the threat of a possible shaft collapse, the artisanal miners manoeuvred through the 140-metre deep shaft and its complex tunnels in search of the bodies of their colleagues.
A sombre atmosphere engulfed the site when Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) executive moderator, Archbishop Johannes Ndanga, helped break the news of the discovery of the bodies to family members before giving a prayer.
He said the efforts by artisanal miners had helped bring closure to the families’ concerns.
“When such accidents occur, we should strive by all means to preserve our culture by letting relatives of the deceased bury their loved ones.
“I urge our mining inspectors to also consider the cultural implications that are attached to such unfortunate incidence. It was my wish that the five trapped get decent burials and as the church, we will not only render spiritual support but financial as well during the entire course of their burial,” he said.
Gwatidzo’s parents said although they had been devastated by the death of their son, the breakthrough had given them peace of mind.
“Sadly, we lost our son in the mishap and although our hopes were to see him alive, God has chosen his way of ending his life. I am, however, glad that finally, I have given my son a proper burial. I am also touched by the sympathy that hundreds of villagers and Chief Ngezi have shown,” said Mr Gwatidzo.
“My son had registered for six Ordinary Level subjects for the November examination. He had shown to be a very good athlete, representing the province’s secondary schools at national level last year and excelling in practical subjects.
“He chose to retake the subjects he failed last year with the hope of passing this year,” his mother Mrs Yeukai Gwatidzo.
Crynos Nyamukanga’s two wives, Ellen Nyongoro (34) and Elizabeth Nyirenda (40) are still camped at the site hoping that their husband will be found.
“When he left home, he urged us to unite as his wives. He also said he would raise and save enough money for a tractor to help maximise production at our plot,” an emotional Ms Nyirenda said.
The second wife, Ms Nyongoro, was also struggling to come to terms with the loss of Munashe Nyamukanga, her first born son.
With tears running down her chicks, she said: “My husband was finding it hard to support his polygamous life. I had begun to put hope on Munashe as he was a bright child at school,” she said.
Gogo Mutume, who is taking care of Charles’ two young girls, pleaded with well-wishers to chip in the upkeep of the children left under her care.
Ulate Dzinoreva, whose father (Constantino Dzinoreva) is also yet to be found, said he had premonitions about his untimely death.
Task Mining Syndicate chairperson, Mr Timothy Masviba said coffins and food had so far been secured for the burial of the five and pleaded with well-wishers to chip in with transport as the five were going to be buried in different parts of the country.
“We have discovered two and I am sure by tomorrow we would have discovered the remaining three. We have raised money for coffins and food towards burial processes but because the CPU has chipped in with coffins, we will put some of the funds to transport costs,” he said.
The syndicate is working with the Ministry of Mines, police and the CPU to map the way forward.
KAIZER Chiefs’ new coach Gavin Hunt wants a “frustrated” Khama Billiat to simplify his game.
Hunt spoke about the Zimbabwean striker soon after Chiefs’ 1-0 win against Chippa United on Tuesday night.
Billiat once again failed to find the back of the net on his 49th league appearance for Amakhosi.
“He is a little bit frustrated, any striker would be frustrated, he hasn’t scored much in the last couple of games, so he has to simplify the game a little bit more,” Hunt was quoted by Soccer Laduma.
“Even in the second half, he tried to get too clever. But to be fair, in three games he’s had a good couple of chances.
“But as long as he keeps working hard, keeps running off the ball, defending and doing the right things then he will keep playing.
“I think it’s just to break the ice with him.”
Billiat is still to find the net in Kaizer Chiefs’ opening two league matches.
The Warriors star looked a dejected figure last season under former Chiefs gaffer Ernest Middendorp.
However, new coach Hunt has vowed to turn the star’s fortunes.-The Sunday News
Farai Dziva|Former Zanu PF MP Killer Zivhu has triggered a raging social media storm after claiming Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is a man of God.
Zivhu received a backlash on social media after attempting to glorify the cornered Zanu PF leader.
“Gold repa airport iro siyai ED imwi vekutaurisa saka kana hama yaba newe wabawo here.Kana ED achida zve gold ungatadza here kubudisa iye ari President.ED munhu waMwari haabiri nyika yake haana kuita President kuti asvake mari but kubatsira vanhu ve Zimbabwe mari dzake unadzo.
ED is the legitimate President of Zimbabwe,hapana chakaipa kuti President vaone vanhu kana kutorwa pictures with him.Musati kana munhu akaita zvinhu zvake kana kuba moti wakambotorwa picture na President zvine basa reyi izvozvo pakatorwa picture ndipo paibiwa here siyanayi na ED,” Zivhu wrote on Twitter.
PROMINENT Kwekwe lawyer, Liberty Mashanyare has been arrested for allegedly obstructing the course of justice after he reportedly instructed his client to dispose fuel that was meant to be used as an exhibit by the State.
Mashanyare (35) reportedly ordered Asif Kurawely, the director of Arman Puma Service Station to dispose 20 000 litres of diesel meant to be used as exhibit by the State. The diesel had been fraudulently acquired from Harare and investigations were still underway.
Mashanyare has since been arraigned before Gweru Magistrate Mrs Magret Mukucha and was granted $5 000 bail. He will be back in court on November 30.
The State alleges that Mashanyare of Mavhiringidze and Mashanyare Legal Practitioners directed Kurawely to dispose 20 000 litres of diesel which were fraudulently acquired despite knowing that it was meant to be used as an exhibit by the police.
Kurawely allegedly fraudulently acquired the diesel from Onismas Kufazvinei of Phoenix Oil Pot Limited in Harare.
A report of fraud was reported at ZRP Kwekwe Central by Christine Matizha, who represented Phoenix Oil Pot against Kufazvinei.
On October 1, a warrant of search and seizure for the diesel was granted by Kwekwe Magistrate Mrs Florence Nago.
On October 3, detectives from CID Kwekwe served the warrant of search and seizure on Kurawely and advised him not to dispose the diesel as it was an exhibit.
On October 9, Kurawely through his lawyer Mashanyare, made an application for cancellation of the warrant for search and seizure.
The application was heard at Kwekwe Magistrate’s Courts and was reportedly dismissed. On October 20, the accused person allegedly wrote a correspondence to Kurawely copied to the police advising him to dispose the diesel.
This prompted detectives to visit Arman Puma Services Station where they discovered that the diesel had been sold on the accused person’s directive. This led to Mashanyare arrest and his subsequent appearance in court.
Ms Namatirai Chipere represented the State while Mr Valentine Mutatu and Davison Mujaya represented the accused person. -Chronicle
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Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance has stepped up efforts to empower and equip rural women with essential skills for survival.
Speaking in Zvimba, Mashonaland West Province on Saturday, MDC Alliance Women’s Assembly chairlady, Hon Muchirairwa Mugidho bemoaned the persecution of rural women by Zanu PF. Hon Mugidho made the remarks an event held to celebrate International Rural Women’s Day.
In a statement released yesterday, MDC Alliance Mashonaland West said the International Rural Women’s commemoration event was successful:
Wow! The women have done it again.Yes the #International RuralWomens Day was held today in Zvimba West.
Zanu and it’s hell’s angels tried painstakingly to scuttle the event but the people stood up and defended the movement.
The MDC Alliance National Organising Sec Hon Chibaya,Women Assembly Chair Mama Mgidho and other National members graced the event.PC Magunje attended together with the members of his PAC.
Hundreds of women attended.They danced and sang.Modelling was part of the days proceedings and made the day colourful.
There was also food competitions among other competitions.
The women enjoyed themselves as they sang ,danced and ate their hearts out.
Indeed it was a beautiful day for the beautiful people who are the bedrock of our Struggle.
Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration consists of clueless dealers who have dismally failed to transform the country’s economy.
The MDC Alliance is determined to address basic issues affecting ordinary citizens, according to President Chamisa.
See President Chamisa’s statement below:
“A NEW ZIMBABWE will only be possible with NEW POLITICS .
Nothing short of a cultural revolution, structural reset, system overhaul, infrastructure revamp and strategy rethink will set our country on a new trajectory.
Vision not division will make that miracle come true.
Leaders not dealers and rulers can only make this happen.
Planning not plotting will prosper our country.Love not hate will take us there.
Gautrain expansion plan links Soweto to Johannesburg. Bullet trains are a reality in our lifetime.
Bulawayo to Harare in 2 hours is doable in our lifetime.Yes we will address all basics -water, food, employment, education and health and yes we will bring bullet trains and Spaghetti roads to the people.”
Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration consists of clueless dealers who have dismally failed to transform the country’s economy.
The MDC Alliance is determined to address basic issues affecting ordinary citizens, according to President Chamisa.
See President Chamisa’s statement below:
“A NEW ZIMBABWE will only be possible with NEW POLITICS .
Nothing short of a cultural revolution, structural reset, system overhaul, infrastructure revamp and strategy rethink will set our country on a new trajectory.
Vision not division will make that miracle come true.
Leaders not dealers and rulers can only make this happen.
Planning not plotting will prosper our country.Love not hate will take us there.
Gautrain expansion plan links Soweto to Johannesburg. Bullet trains are a reality in our lifetime.
Bulawayo to Harare in 2 hours is doable in our lifetime.Yes we will address all basics -water, food, employment, education and health and yes we will bring bullet trains and Spaghetti roads to the people.”
By Farai D Hove | Govt Propaganda Secretary Ndabaningi Mangwana was on Monday morning humiliated at Rainbow Towers where journalists gathered for. America alliance function remained cold while he was speaking.
Mangwana said he was expecting them to be celebrating.
“AIPPA was repealed.
“It was not partially repealed, it’s gone, and I think this being the first conference … after the repealing of AIPPA, I expected to see banners saying AIPPA is gone,” said Mangwana.
Mangwana who said it wasn’t at all a creation of ZANU PF, was met with more shame as scribes kept their hands to themselves during clapping.
Below were the live scenes (program continues)
AIPPA was repeale. It was not partially repealed, it's gone, and I think this being the first conference … after the repealing of AIPPA, I expected to see banners saying AIPPA is gone, says @nickmangwana | IS HE TELLING THE TRUTH? pic.twitter.com/tElTej7lea
AIPPA was repeale. It was not partially repealed, it's gone, and I think this being the first conference … after the repealing of AIPPA, I expected to see banners saying AIPPA is gone, says @nickmangwana | IS HE TELLING THE TRUTH? pic.twitter.com/tElTej7lea
By A Correspondent- An estimated 5 000 people packed into the Amphitheatre in Bulawayo on Sunday to bid farewell to music star Cal_Vin, who was killed in a hit and run car accident on October 25.
The 34-year-old rapper, real name Calvin Mgcini Nhliziyo, was laid to rest at Lady Stanley Cemetery.
Speaking at a funeral service before the burial, Bulawayo mayor Solomon Mguni said it was a pity that famous artists die poor without leaving anything for their children. He said:
What have our artistes benefited from the music that they shared in their lifetime? It’s a wakeup call to all of us that we should appreciate artistes when they are alive.
It’s a pity when I look at Cal Vin’s life that he was still living at home.
As a city, we’ve failed to honour or give respect to our artistes by at least giving them a stand so that they are able to leave something for their children.
Cal_Vin was run over by a car on his way home from Cricket Club in Emakhandeni suburb where he watched a football match on the night of October 25.
He was with his girlfriend and two others when a white Mazda Familia with no number plates knocked him slightly off balance.
Witnesses said in a fit of rage, the singer jumped on the vehicle’s bonnet demanding that the driver stops.
However, the car appeared to pick up speed before the driver applied an emergency brake, throwing the singer off the vehicle before running him over.
Police on Friday announced that they had arrested 28-year-old Wilfred Mafuka, who handed himself in over the hit-and-run killing of the singer.
PUBLIC examinations for Ordinary Level candidates will spill into January next year, while results for Grade Seven candidates will be released before year-end to allow parents adequate time to secure Form One places for their children.
The examinations commence on 1 December with around 1,2 million candidates having registered to sit for the exams countrywide. Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) board chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje told our Harare Bureau that Advanced Level examinations will however, be completed by year-end.
“Examinations will start on December 1 with Grade Seven candidates being the first to sit for the exams. This will enable their answer scripts to be marked and the results to be published in December so as to allow parents enough time to look for Form One places. Advanced Level candidates are also likely to write and complete their examinations in December. Ordinary Level classes will have their examinations spill into January.”
He said due to the large number of subjects offered at O’Level, it was inevitable that the exams would spill into 2021.-The Sunday News
Own Correspondent| Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa has promulgated Statutory Instrument 261 which stipulates the benefits to be enjoyed by former first ladies.
Analysts argue Mr Mnangagwa is keen to “appease” former First Lady Grace Mugabe following the fallout with his long time boss Robert Mugabe.
The benefits are as follows:
such security personnel as may be determined by the President but not less than two, and to be increased by such number as may be determined by the President whenever, and for such period, as the need arisesone driverone Private Secretaryone aide-de-camp officer or personal assistantoffice accommodation as may be determined by the President
a landline telephone and a cell phoneone computersuch other office facilities, equipment and materials as may be determined by the President
suitable state residential accommodationone domestic employee
one gardener one cook and one waiter
An allowance covering medical contributions of the spouse of the former President
a diplomatic passport
business class air and rail private travel within Zimbabwe, if available up to a maximum of two trips per annum
business class international air private travel up to a maximum of two trips per annumone sedan (Mercedes Benz E300 Series) or one four-wheel-drive station wagon or an equivalent or similar class of motor vehicleone pick-up van such number of motor vehicles as may be determined by the President must be put at the disposal of the security personnel and other staff serving the spouse of a former President
fuel as may be determined by the President from time to time
maintenance of vehicles referred to in paragraph 6(a)which cost of maintenance shall be borne by the Government replacement vehicles every five years
an entertainment allowance as determined by the President from time to timetelephone expenses in respect of the office and official residence of the spouse of the former President
water and electricity exemption in respect of the office and official residence of the former spouse of a former President…
A clinic under Chief Sai in Gokwe South District, Midlands Province, was destroyed by fire on Wednesday living more than 30 000 families stranded.
Reports suggest that a gas leak from a refrigerator at Sai Clinic triggered the inferno which consumed drugs, medical equipment and property worth thousands of dollars.
The villagers are now forced to walk over 100km to the nearest clinic in the hot and dry district.
The incident was confirmed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi. He said:
Police are investigating a fire incident which occurred at Sai Clinic on 28 October.
It is said the fire broke out in the dispensary and spread to other rooms, destroying various properties including drugs.
No one was injured and the cause of the fire is yet to be established.
Meanwhile, Gokwe Civil Protection Unit head Netsai Mushauri said they have dispatched a team to ascertain what really happened and how they can assist.-ZTN
ONE more person succumbed to Covid-19 in Bulawayo yesterday while five others tested positive in the city.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Bulawayo death is the only Covid-19 related death reported in the country.
Zimbabwe has so far recorded 8 367 Covid-19 cases and the country’s recovery rate stands at 94 percent.
In recent weeks, Bulawayo has been recording an increase in active cases and Covid-19 deaths.
“We recorded five new cases and one death in the last 24 hours and these were all recorded in Bulawayo province. As at 31 October 2020, Zimbabwe had 8 367 confirmed cases, including 7 894 recoveries and 243 deaths. We also recorded 10 new recoveries in the last 24 hours, seven from Bulawayo and three from Masvingo province,” read the statement from the Ministry.
Export earnings from the mining sector and Diaspora remittances have largely provided the lifeblood to the foreign currency auction system since its launch on June 23 this year, according to Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Dr John Mangudya.
The coronavirus pandemic has directly and indirectly taken a heavy toll on most local sectors owing to disruptions to local and global supply chains.
A recent survey conducted by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) revealed that the fallout of the global health crisis resulted in declining production and subdued exports, which affected local foreign currency generation.
But, as the country has progressively opened up, exports, buoyed by the mining sector, have grown by 12,7 percent to US$4,8 billion in the first nine months of the year compared to the same period a year earlier.
Increased foreign currency generation capacity has enabled monetary authorities to sustain the foreign currency auction system, which has stabilised both the exchange rate and prices of basic commodities.
These foreign currency receipts include earnings from minerals exports, loans and diaspora remittances.
Speaking at the launch of this year’s Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe mining sector survey report, RBZ Governor Dr John Mangudya said the mining sector and Diaspora remittances tempered declining revenues from other sectors.
In particular, the mining sector contributed US$2,4 billion in the nine-month period ending September 30 compared to US$2,1 billion in the same period a year ago.
“You are doing a fantastic job in mining; you give us hope,” said Dr Mangudya.
“Mining grew by 14 percent compared to last year . . .that is a significant increase despite Covid-19, which affected the prices of chrome.
“If you take 30 percent of US$2,4 billion, it is US$800 million that mining is contributing to the foreign currency auction system. The other key driver that increased our foreign currency has been Diaspora remittances.
“Diaspora remittances for this year increased by 45 percent from US$457 million to US$658 million this year.
“So if you add the contribution from mining and remittances, it compensated the decline in agriculture and manufacturing,” he said.
Growing revenues took place at a time when the sector suspended expansion projects.
Chrome and chromium products — a key mineral for Zimbabwe — took a knock as international prices plunged.
Dr Mangudya said the recently introduced requirement for businesses to liquidate 20 percent of their foreign currency sales also made significant contributions.
Government is, however, concerned by the marked decline in gold deliveries to Fidelity Printers and Refiners, the country’s sole gold buyer.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe recently indicated the country could be losing US$100 million per month through smuggling.
However, economist Eddie Cross in May this year claimed Zimbabwe could be producing more than 100 tonnes, of which the bulk is being spirited out of the country by smuggling syndicates.
In the first nine months of the year, deliveries stood at 12,8 tonnes compared to 18,3 tonnes in the comparable period a year ago.
Government plans to grow deliveries to at least 100 tonnes annually.
Speaking while touring a gold processing centre in Matabeleland North province recently, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube claimed the country’s gold was being smuggled to South Africa and Dubai.
He said measures were being put in place to plug the leakages.
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday mourned the death of long-serving Director of State Occasions in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Ambassador Evelyn Kawonza, saying she was a humble and hardworking public servant.
Ambassador Kawonza died on Friday after a long illness.
In a statement, the President consoled the Kawonza family over the death of the accomplished diplomat.
“The death of Ambassador Evelyne Kawonza following a long period of illness has robbed our nation of a long-serving civil servant and a loyal and diligent Ambassador,” he said.
“A long-time Director of State Occasions in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Ambassador Kawonza belonged to a pioneering crop of civil servants who shaped and manned our Government systems from Independence in 1980 when the country suffered from a dearth of skills in the civil service.”
President Mnangagwa said Ambassador Kawonza served the country diligently.
“She served the Government without blemish, a proud record which saw her rise through the ranks until she became Zimbabwe’s Ambassador in different parts of the world for more than a decade.
“A distinguished farmer, Ambassador Kawonza would cut a name for herself as a prominent potato seed producer in Mashonaland West where she farmed,” he said.
The President said after defending the Land Reform Programme in Western capitals during her tenure as a diplomat, Ambassador Kawonza proceeded to demonstrate what the new indigenous farmers could do once given access to their heritage.
“We have lost a humble civil servant and a hardworking citizen who believed in her own country and served it wholeheartedly and with honesty.
“On behalf of the Government, my family and on my own behalf, I wish to express my deepest condolences to the Kawonza family who have lost their loved one.
“May they derive solace from the distinguished public career of the dear departed, and the high regard in which our nation held her.
Publishing identities of members of security services, including names of confidential informants and sources, will soon be criminalised under new provisions that will be added to the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, adopted by Cabinet last week.
Cabinet approved seven broad amendments to the law which make unauthorised private negotiations of a foreign relations nature between citizens and foreign governments illegal.
Making false statements with the intention of influencing any dispute between Zimbabwe and a foreign government will also be outlawed.
The proposed amendments seek to broaden criminal acts against the State.
A memorandum on principles of the proposed amendments tabled in Cabinet by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi recommending the changes effectively vests negotiations with foreign governments solely under the exclusive ambit of the State.
Minister Ziyambi told The Sunday Mail that Government had elected to introduce the changes through amending an already existing law instead of crafting a new one, which could take longer.
“It is easier (to amend an existing law) because in the code we already have crimes against the State and this is one of them,” said Minister Ziyambi.
Legislation to protect the identities of security services personnel is common in most jurisdictions, including the United States.
The US Congress passed the Intelligence Identities Protection Act in 1982, which criminalises the unauthorised disclosure of information that exposes covert US intelligence agents.
The law was passed in response to concerns of members of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees “about the systematic effort by a small group of Americans, including some former intelligence agency employees, to disclose the names of covert intelligence agents”.
The Act prescribes punishment for disclosing the identities of covert agents with increasing severity according to the level of access to classified information the offender exploited.
The country could soon have a similarly crafted law once amendments sail through Parliament and are signed into law by the President.
“In the process of reviewing the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, it has been further identified that the current provisions do not cater for the protection from publication of the identity of members the security services, including informants and sources,” reads the Cabinet memorandum in part.
“Furthermore, it is proposed that Section 30 be amended to include the act of publication of the identity of members of the security services, including that of informants and sources as an offence of causing disaffection of officials.
“It is further proposed that “informants” and “sources” also be defined in terms of the Act.”
Some political activists have of late been using social media to publish the identities of security services personnel to suit their political agenda.
Negotiations
Justifying the proposed changes in the memorandum, Minister Ziyambi said the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) only recognises states as legitimate players in foreign relations and negotiations.
He argued that some private citizens were wilfully misinforming foreign governments in order to gain self-favour and discredit the Government.
Citizens will, however, not be prohibited from seeking redress for harm suffered from foreign governments.
Reads the memorandum: “It is proposed that the Act be amended to include the following provisions which criminalise conduct that falls within the following broad categories: Unauthorised private negotiations engaged in by citizens of Zimbabwe with a foreign government which directly or indirectly relates to the country’s foreign relations and policy with other sovereign nations.
“The law should be restricted to private negotiations that impact on the promotion and protection of the national interests of Zimbabwe, including its foreign policy agenda, but not negotiations by citizens on matters of purely private commercial interests.”
Provisions of the new law would avoid taking away the rights of individual citizens seeking redress for harm suffered as a result of conduct by a foreign sovereign government, its agents or citizens.
Citizen’s involvement in State-level diplomacy, added Minister Ziyambi, was now a source of chaos to the national interest and undermines the country’s foreign policy agenda.
“Zimbabwe, as many other countries, has not been spared from the malaise of isolated citizens or groupings, cooperating or conniving with certain hostile foreign governments to inflict suffering on its citizens, Government and generally its national interests.
“These self-appointed individuals are not shy to speak with indecent haste against their own country on issues of foreign relations without bothering to verify facts or engage domestic authorities.
“A substantial number wilfully misinform foreign governments in order to gain self-favour and discredit the Government. . .
“What is absent in our law are specific provisions that prescribe or criminalise the unauthorised communication or negotiation by private citizens with foreign sovereign governments that have a direct or indirect implication on Zimbabwe’s foreign relations and policy.”
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs chairperson Mr Misheck Mataranyika said the law will engender patriotism.
“It is a delayed law, honestly, because it is an inherent thing that everyone should be patriotic to their country,” said Mr Mataranyika.
“If someone calls for the imposition of sanctions then they should be punished accordingly.”
Having noted the diplomatic chaos that comes with private citizens having unauthorised negotiations with foreign governments, the US government passed the Logan Act in 1799.
It specifically prohibits citizens from negotiating with other nations on behalf of the United States without authorisation and makes it a crime for a citizen to confer with foreign governments against the interests of the United States.
Several local opposition politicians and prominent civil society leaders have often been accused of engaging hostile foreign governments to adopt an antagonistic posture towards Harare.
The United States government unilaterally imposed harsh economic sanctions on Zimbabwe at the turn of the millennium at the instigation of leaders in the opposition and civic society.
The sanctions, which have continued to be renewed annually, have wreaked havoc on the country’s economy, with Zimbabwe now ineligible for balance of payment support and affordable loans from international finance institutions.
Some opposition leaders have become permanent features at the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, where they constantly campaign for further sanctions against the country.
Whistleblower website — Wikileaks — has also outed dalliances between some local politicians and officials at the US embassy in Harare, with one politician requesting US military intervention in Zimbabwe in order to facilitate an illegal change of Government.
