I speak tonight for the dignity of man and the destiny of democracy. I urge every member of both parties, people of all religions and of all colours, from every section of this country, to join me in that cause.
At times history and fate meet at a single time in a single place to shape a turning point in man’s unending search for freedom. – Lyndon Baines Johnson
……
Last year June, the Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala said Emmerson Mnangagwa who pushed his way to Presidency through the 2017 military coup will be replaced by a transitional authority in a civilian administration.
Sikhala added saying Zimbabweans will deal with Mnangagwa the Tunisian and Sudanese way. “This man (Mnangagwa) is clueless, his government is pathetic,” he said.
He added “Mugabe would at least show you some instincts of knowing how to run a state. This man is an embarrassment to the people of Zimbabwe and he knows it. “Zimbabweans do not see an election before 2023. Zimbabweans see a change of government before 2023 through the will of the people.”
Sikhala also said, “If you had been following some of the elections in Africa, you would know that Ben Ali won by 96% but six months later, the people of Tunisia said enough is enough.
“Omar Al Bashir (ousted Sudanese leader) won elections last year but it did not take two years for people to say enough is enough. “I see that if Emmerson Mnangagwa is not going to engage MDC President Nelson Chamisa and the MDC leadership to find a solution, the people of Zimbabwe, without the influence of anyone, will make sure that they take the destiny of this country into their own hands.”
MDC T Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora has expelled Dusty Zivhaze, an MDC founding member who succumbed to ulcers on July 15, 2019 from the party.
An internal memo dated July 2, 2020 and signed by Mwonzora affirms the expulsion.
Efforts to get a comment from Mwonzora were futile.
Zivhave, an MDC founding member died on July 15, 2019 at Checheche St Peters Hospital after battling ulcers. He was the secretary for information and publicity at the time of his death.
The memo expels 34 members from Harare, Mash West, Manicaland, Mash Central, Chitungwiza, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Mat North and Mat South.
In Masvingo, the late Zivhaze was expelled together with provincial chairperson James Gumbi, Takanayi Mureyi and youth leader Philip Chingini.
“In terms of clause 5 (10)a of the constitution of the MDC party be their joining or supporting another party they have automatically terminated their membership of the MDC party led by the late Dr Richard Morgan Tsvangirai,” reads part of the memo. -MasvingoMirror
By Patrick Guramatunhu- One of the most offensive and exasperating things the white colonial oppressors did was to deny the blacks their voice and human dignity.
In the workplace blacks were called “boyi” and were expected to grovel before the whites, to show respect, and to do as they were told.
The print and electronic media was there to give the whites a voice. The few independent newspapers and magazine serving the blacks were expected to help keep law and order by not questioning the blatant racial injustice. And so such publications as Moto, a Roman Catholic Church backed magazine, were harassed and censored by the white regime for publishing strongly held views by blacks. The whites could not tolerate any black person do dared to think for themselves; they were considered radicals and dangerous.
In white ruled Rhodesia, blacks had no meaningful say in the governance of the country. They had no vote; period.
Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980 has brought an end to white colonial oppression but only to replace it with black ruling elite oppression. All pretence of Zimbabwe being a multi-party democracy completely evaporated with the signing of the Zanu PF and PF Zapu Unity Accord in 1987; merging the two parties to form the de facto one-party, Zanu PF, dictatorship.
Zanu PF assimilated the laws and practices designed to silence and oppress the blacks, lock, stock and barrel, and keep the white in power; only this time they were to keep the Zanu PF dictatorship in power.
In Zanu PF ruled Zimbabwe, blacks had a vote in theory but not in practice. Starting with the 1980 elections Zanu PF has blatantly cheated and used violence varying from subtle intimidation to beatings, rape and even cold-blooded murder to secure electoral victory. Zimbabwe has never ever held free, fair and credible elections.
The root cause of Zimbabwe’s economic mess is the failure to hold free and fair elections. The country has been stuck with a corrupt and incompetent Zanu PF regime for 40 years now. 40 years of gross mismanagement and rampant corruption have left the country in economic ruins and millions are now living in abject poverty.
The economic situation in Zimbabwe has reached alarming levels, unemployment has soared to 90% plus, basic services such as education and health care have all but collapsed. 34% of the population, according to WB 2019 report, were living in extreme poverty. The corona virus pandemic has made the health and economic situation even worse. The human suffering caused by the economic meltdown has become intolerable.
It is extremely annoying therefore that instead of the nation addressing the country’s economic mess and the underlying cause of rigged elections the nation being forced to discuss a side show.
“Zanu-PF takes strong exception to being lectured on issues of human rights by citizens of countries which perpetrated the brutalities accompanying the Atlantic African Slave Trade and colonial conquest of Africa, and who refuse to render apologies or pay reparations,” said Patrick Chinamasa, Zanu PF’s acting spokesperson.
“As a consequence of seeking to redress the brutalities that occurred in the colonisation of Zimbabwe, accompanied by dispossession of our land and brutal confiscation of livestock by colonialists, the country has suffered 20 years of naked bullying, economic isolation and severe sanctions regime by the former colonial powers now acting in concert as economic and political powers in support of what they allege are rights of 4 500 white former farmers,” he said.
Ordinary Zimbabweans have been calling for the restoration of their basic freedoms and human rights including the right to a meaningful vote and the right to life itself. Of course, they have been crying for freedom, peace, justice and human dignity all their lives; they are at the coal face of Zanu PF oppression just as they were at the coal face of white colonial oppression.
Last month President Cyril Ramaphosa of SA send envoys to Zimbabwe whose mission was to encourage Zanu PF to accept meaningful democratic changes and end the country’s worsening economic and political crisis. SA was told in no uncertain terms to mind its own business.
“We are an independent sovereign country. We agreed in our meeting that we are equal sovereign States. South Africa has no mediatory role to play in Zimbabwe. We know that the South African government is controlled by white men,” remarked Patrick Chinamasa.
So Zanu PF has completely ignored the ordinary Zimbabweans who have crying for their freedoms and rights because the regime is indifferent to their suffering. And, more significantly, Zanu PF, just like the white colonial regime before it, does not recognise ordinary Zimbabweans as human beings entitled to the same freedoms and rights as other human being.
“That at the time of abolition of the Atlantic African slave trade the British through the British Parliament approved and paid 20 million pounds to slave owners already rich through the labour of the slaves,” concluded Chinamasa.
This is just madness! And so, ordinary Zimbabweans be denied their basic freedoms and rights because the British compensated the slave owners but not the slaves. What has that got to do with me?
By A Correspondent | Government spokesperson, Nick Mangwana has at the last minute turned down a LIVE debate with former Harare mayor Gomba over MDC run councils saying:
“Please get someone from Zanu PF as I am not a politician and can’t really go for the political jugular as I am restrained by my office,” as he told ZimEye.
Yesterday Mangwana accused the MDC of running down the councils. He wrote on Twitter saying, “Our Cities have been totally run-down. What’s interesting is that in 20 years(1980-2000) we had great services.
“One wonders what has happened in the last 20(2000-2020) for us to be in this mess.
“Those who can’t run smaller things can’t surely run things at a National Scale.”
Our Cities have been totally run-down. What's interesting is that in 20 years(1980-2000) we had great services. One wonders what has happened in the last 20(2000-2020) for us to be in this mess. Those who can't run smaller things can't surely run things at a National Scale. pic.twitter.com/DzYBCmzcdk
Farai Dziva|ZINASU leader, Takudzwa Ngadziore who was granted bail on Friday, has declared he is determined to push for democratic change despite harassment and persecution.
The vibrant and brave ZINASU leader also urged the nation to unite in fighting for freedom from Zanu PF oppression.
Commenting on Ngadziore’s remarks President Chamisa said:
“On point Zinasu President. Resistance is the language of the oppressed!”
Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s desperate attempt to use guns to disrupt the people’s struggle literally confirms that he is an illegitimate leader who is afraid of the power of the citizens, according to President Chamisa.
Advocate Chamisa also took a swipe at the jittery Zanu PF leader for using “excessive force and coercion against hapless citizens.”
“The incumbent’s illegitimacy is confirmed by the excessive use of force and coercion against citizens.
Faith in brute force often mislead unpopular rulers to mistakenly rely on guns, imprisonment, teargas and terror to subjugate and muzzle citizens. Ultimately,citizens will always win,” President Chamisa said in a statement.
Farai Dziva|ZINASU leader, Takudzwa Ngadziore who was granted bail on Friday, has declared he is determined to push for democratic change despite harassment and persecution.
The vibrant and brave ZINASU leader also urged the nation to unite in fighting for freedom from Zanu PF oppression.
Commenting on Ngadziore’s remarks President Chamisa said:
“On point Zinasu President. Resistance is the language of the oppressed!”
Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s desperate attempt to use guns to disrupt the people’s struggle literally confirms that he is an illegitimate leader who is afraid of the power of the citizens, according to President Chamisa.
Advocate Chamisa also took a swipe at the jittery Zanu PF leader for using “excessive force and coercion against hapless citizens.”
“The incumbent’s illegitimacy is confirmed by the excessive use of force and coercion against citizens.
Faith in brute force often mislead unpopular rulers to mistakenly rely on guns, imprisonment, teargas and terror to subjugate and muzzle citizens. Ultimately,citizens will always win,” President Chamisa said in a statement.
…convening a meeting at 10pm on a date in August 2020, to complain why the tender team did not award a dysfunctional firm the tender.
By A Correspondent | When he was sworn into office 2 years ago, the Deputy Health And Child Care Minister, John Mangwiro swore saying he would help the country lower its health bill.
John Mangwiro
25 months later, a major investigation opened by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission investigates the circumstances in which, the pharmaceutical parastatal, Natpharm is being forced to award Young Healthcare Limited, a briefcase company, a tender for COVID materials. The Deputy Health Minister is under investigation for among other things, complaining and convening a meeting at 10pm on a date in August 2020, to complain why the tender team did not award dysfunctional firm the tender.
The investigation also looks into why COVID 19 materials were overpriced in the deal.
“Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro convened a meeting with the adjudication team, where he queried the reasons why the team did not award the tender to Young HealthCare Limited. Members were threatened with dismissal;” the ZACC report says.
The report investigates how minister Mangwiro allegedly pounced on Natpharm’s adjudicating team for tenders, late at night, at 10pm and grilled them why they are refusing to award Young HealthCare Limited the tender.
The value was at first set at USD5,6 million.
Young Health Care Limited was awarded a contract to supply nucleic acid and purification machines, transport media and reagents.
But to date, Natpharm has received supplies worth only US$124 630.
Dr John Mangwiro
The Deputy Minister also reportedly insisted on pre-payment and tasked the technical team from laboratory and Natpharm procurement to visit Young Health Care Limited in their country office and verify available stock in order to compel the Natpharm Acting MD to make a prepayment to Young Health Care Limited. Such actions violated the evaluation process since the technical team did not have the mandate to carry out the verification of supplies.
THE FULL ZACC REPORT IS BELOW:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BACKGROUND……………………………………………………………………3
OBJECTIVES………………………………………………………………..…….3
METHODOLOGY…………………………………………………………………4
FINDINGS……………………………………………………………………..4-7
RECOMMENDATIONS…………………………………………..…………….8
6. CONCLUSIONS………………………………………………………………………9
CLIENT’S COMMENTS ON RECOMMENDATIONS………….…………..9
IMPLEMENTATION…………………………………………… ..…………..10
MONITORING AND EVALUATION……………………………………….10
ANNEXURES……………………………………………………………………11
1. BACKGROUND
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, as prescribed by Section 12 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act (Chapter9:22) is mandated, amongst other functions, to monitor and examine the practices, systems and procurement procedures of the public and private institutions; to advise and assist agency or institution in the elimination of minimization of corruption; and to assist in the formulation of practices, systems and procurement procedures of public institutions with a view to the elimination of corrupt practices.
It is against this background that the Commission assigned Compliance and Systems Department to carry out a Compliance and Systems Spot Check Exercise on the procurement procedures for Tender Number– International NAT TCB FWWK 04/2020- laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19 at Natpharm. The exercise was necessitated by allegations raised in the anonymous letter to ZACC dated 18th August 2020 that Natpharm and Ministry of Health and Child Care did not follow proper procurement procedures for the procurement of laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19 management (tender reference number: INT NAT ITCB FWWK 04/2020).
2. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the exercise were to ascertain the allegations made in the anonymous letter, which were as follows:-
The tender was awarded to a non-deserving company (Young Healthcare), whose products were sub-standard and do not meet
World Health Organization and FDA specifications; and CE marked;
The price quoted by Young International was higher than other competitors whose products were approved by WHO, FDA; and CE marked;
Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro convened a meeting with the adjudication team, where he queried the reasons why the team did not award the tender to Young HealthCare Limited.
Members were threatened with dismissal;
To examine the systems, procurement procedures and practices related to Tender Number : International NAT TCB FWWK 04/2020- laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19; and
To come up with recommendations to plug loopholes and measures in view of the above allegations.
3. METHODOLOGY
1. Interviews
Interviews with members of the adjudication team for the tender for laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables, were held to ascertain what transpired during the procurement process with a view of ascertaining the allegations, tracing the systems used, identify weaknesses and possible remedies. The individuals interviewed were the Acting Managing Director of Natpharm, officers from National Microbiology Reference Laboratories (NMRL) and the procurement officer at Natpharm.
2. Documents Analysis
In order to confirm some statements made by the interviewees, the team requested for a number of documents listed below:
Tender documents for 04/2020;
Summary Report of the tender; and
Young HealthCare Limited company profile and communication with Natpharm and Ministry of Health and Child Care.
4. FINDINGS
4.1 Non-Compliance with provisions of PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020, Public Finance Management Act [Chapter: 22:19] and the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act [Chapter 10:31] by Ministry of Health and Child Care.
4.1.1 Numerous directives from the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), particularly Deputy Minister Dr. Mangwiro to
Natpharm Management
Procurement process of the tender 04/2020 was marred by directives from the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Mangwiro, resulting in delaying of the procurement. A letter from the then Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Mhlanga dated 15 July 2020, instructing Nat-Pharm to make direct procurement of supplies from Young Health Care (attached) was issued when the company was not registered with PRAZ. This is violation of some provisions of PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020 which stipulates that, only PRAZ listed suppliers are sources of COVID-19 supplies. When Natpharm insisted on competitive bidding, the tender process had to be postponed to allow Young Health Care Limited to register with PRAZ. This delayed the procurement of COVID-19 materials.
The Deputy Minister has usurped the authority of the Permanent Secretary as the accounting Officer.
The Deputy Minister does not have the powers and mandate to undertake administrative duties, which are the responsibility of the Permanent Secretary. The Deputy Minister reportedly issued numerous directives to the Nat-Pharm management throughout the tender process.
4.1.2 Price-inflation by Young Health Care on Direct Procurement quotation ($5 600 000)
Initial quotation by Young Health Care for supply of commodities under direct procurement, where prices quoted by Young Heath Care Limited were exorbitant amounted to USD$5 600 000-00, which was coincidentally the same amount that was in the Ministry coffers, suggesting that the company had inside information.
When Nat-Pharm insisted on competitive bidding, Young
Health Care Limited subsequently submitted a bid price of USD$ 3 600 000-00 for the same items. This saw a reduction of 36% in the price. (see attached two quotations).
4.1.3 Interference with the bidding process by the Deputy Minister
of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro. (see attached report from Natpharm).
Natpharm settled for competitive bidding, which saw other bidders coming on board to compete with Young Health Care. The tender was eventually floated on the 5th of August and closed 7th of August 2020, in line with PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020 which provides for emergency procurement, allowing tenders to be floated for 48hrs instead of 40 working days under normal circumstances. A total of 22 bidders participated. The adjudication of the tender started from the 8th to 10th of August 2020 and resumed from the 13th and 14th of August 2020.
4.1.4 The results of the winners were announced except for tender item 24, 25 and 26 which are yet to be concluded to allow further technical evaluation of the samples from bidders.
4.1.5 Natpharm Acting MD reported that he received a phone call from the Deputy Minister instructing him to convene with his adjudication team during odd hours to explain why the tender was not awarded to
Young Healthcare Limited. The Deputy Minister also demanded that a purchase order be issued that same night. The adjudication team was picked from their homes around 2200 hours and were interrogated by the Deputy Minister until early hours of the following day.(see attached report) The Deputy Minister threatened the team with dismissal for failing to award Young Health Care the contracts.
4.1.6 Violation of the terms and conditions of Supply Contract by
Young Healthcare Limited and the Deputy Minister
(i). Young Health Care Limited was genuinely awarded the contract to supply nucleic acid and purification machines, transport media and reagents. To date, Natpharm has received supplies worth US$124 630, 40 as follows:
Young Healthcare Deliveries on the 31st of August 2020
Item
Quantity Ordered
QuantityReceived
%
Purification machines
4
2
50
Nucleic Acid
220 000
13 824
6.3
Transport Media
220 000
14 000
6.4
Source: Natpharm
Young Health Care Limited managed to deliver a paltry 6% of Nucleic Acid and another 6% of Transport Media but went on to request prepayment for the awarded contract, including undelivered supplies ( see attached request), contrary to the terms and conditions of the contract signed with Nat-Pharm, which stipulates that payment should be made 7 days after delivery.(post-payment)
(ii) The Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Mangwiro reportedly insisted on pre-payment and tasked the technical team from laboratory and Natpharm procurement to visit Young Health Care Limited in their country office and verify available stock ( see letter dated 25th August 2020) in order to compel the Natpharm Acting MD to make a prepayment to Young Health Care Limited. Such actions violated the evaluation process since the technical team did not have the mandate to carry out the verification of supplies.
Natpharm Acting MD wrote a letter on the 26th of August 2020 (attached) to the Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care informing him of the pre-payment issue and seeking guidance on how to proceed. However, there was no response from the Ministry, prompting the Acting MD to decline taking the Deputy Minister’s instruction to pre-pay Young Health Care and he referred him to the signed contract (attached). Verification team noted that items amounting to US$127,643.20 were in-stock instead of US$922, 000.00 requested for prepayment.
5. RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Given the extent to which the Deputy Minister was involved in the said tender process, indications are that he was acting on his own capacity and not on behalf of the Ministry. The actions of the Deputy Minister signal a personal interest in the tender and this should have prompted him to declare his interest.
5.2 The conduct of the Minister during this tender process warrants further investigations for Criminal Abuse of Office for possible violation of Section 174 of the Criminal Law Codification Act [Chapter 9:23]. Apart from this provision, further investigations should be conducted to ascertain possible violation of Section 14 of the Public Finance Management Act [Chapter 22:19] by the Deputy Minister through giving ministerial directives having financial implications when he demanded prepayment of undelivered goods to Young Health Care.
5.3 There is need for further investigations into the possible violation of the
Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter 22:23] as
the conduct of the Deputy Minister might have compromised the independence of Natpharm as a procurement entity.
5.4 The Commission should closely follow the re-floated tender laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables for COVID-19 to ensure competitive bidding and that undeserving bidders are not awarded the contracts.
5.5 Best practices and good corporate governance should always be applied during procurement processes. Officials who are appointed to carry out procurement process should be allowed to do so independently without interference.
5.6 Investigations into possible violation of the Cabinet Directive that granted Natpharm exclusive powers for procurement of Covid 19 materials.
6. CONCLUSIONS
The timeous intervention by the Commission has resulted in the cancellation of the controversial tender awarded to Young Health Care Limited, thus saving the nation from a potential loss of USD$2million, had the tender been awarded.
The Systems and Review Team recommendation – for cancellation of the tender- has however been pre-empted by NatPharm`s decision to cancel the tender. The Team is satisfied with this positive outcome which signals the importance of conducting such spot checks.
Farai Dziva|MDC-T Organizing Secretary, Abednego Bhebhe has all but distanced himself from Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora’s sinking political project.
Bhebhe’s court affidavit exposes how Khupe and her disciples are using fake 2014 MDC-T structures to undertake the business of the 2014 MDC-T party.
Bhebhe also queried Khalipani Phugeni’s role in the 2014 MDC-T structures.
Bhebhe further exposed the high level of unconstitutionalism which has seen Thokozani Khupe and Mwonzora making decisions without consulting the National Council.
In a statement on the same issue, MDC Alliance said: MCD-T Organising Secretary Bhebhe has exposed how @DMwonzora and Khupe are manufacturing MDC-T 2014 structures, how they have consistently refused to hold meetings of 2014 legitimate structures in an EXPLOSIVE affidavit…
By Dorrothy Moyo | ANALYSIS | When he came into power, he said that God has called him serve the people in truth and righteousness. But barely 6 months into office, President Lazarus Chakwera, a pastor has turned worse than his predecessors the Mutharikas and Kamuzu Banda. Yesterday his administration took a sudden turn to completely ignore the gross crimes against humanity committed by his counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa which have been condemned by the United Nations; the violations have made both local and international business to lose trust in the zanu-pf leader.
Instead of complaining about the crimes personally sanctioned against the nation’s civilians by Emmerson Mnangagwa for over 37 years, the recently sworn in president Lazarus Chakwera’s local envoy chose to rather concentrate on deceptions created by Mnangagwa over the so called sanctions on a few ZANU PF entities between 2002 and 2020.
The US ZIDERA bill was put in place to curtail and discourage the crimes that have continued since 1983.
Chakwera’s local envoy, Ambassador Annie Yauka Kumwenda, speaking in support for Mnangagwa’s Anti Sanctions Day, announced as follows, ” Malawi joins the rest of the world…in calling an end to the imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe which have been in existence for almost 20 years now, this means that children are being born and raised in a sanctioned environment, and this becomes a gross violation of Human Rights more especially in children…”
She continued saying, “what we are saying now is please consider to remove these sanctions on Zimbabwe.
“Allow Zimbabwe to participate fully in global trade and in global economic activities and all those other opportunities and let Zimbabwe perform without the sanctions and be judged its performance according to what they are capable of.”
VIDEO
Malawi joins the rest of the world…in calling an end to the imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe which have been in existence for almost 20 years now, this means that children are being born and raised in a sanctioned environment, and this becomes a gross violation of Human Rights… pic.twitter.com/G3gOghQxcQ
MDC T Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora has expelled Dusty Zivhaze, an MDC founding member who succumbed to ulcers on July 15, 2019 from the party.
An internal memo dated July 2, 2020 and signed by Mwonzora affirms the expulsion.
Efforts to get a comment from Mwonzora were futile.
Zivhave, an MDC founding member died on July 15, 2019 at Checheche St Peters Hospital after battling ulcers. He was the secretary for information and publicity at the time of his death.
The memo expels 34 members from Harare, Mash West, Manicaland, Mash Central, Chitungwiza, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Mat North and Mat South.
In Masvingo, the late Zivhaze was expelled together with provincial chairperson James Gumbi, Takanayi Mureyi and youth leader Philip Chingini.
“In terms of clause 5 (10)a of the constitution of the MDC party be their joining or supporting another party they have automatically terminated their membership of the MDC party led by the late Dr Richard Morgan Tsvangirai,” reads part of the memo. -MasvingoMirror
Farai Dziva|MDC-T Organizing Secretary, Abednego Bhebhe has all but distanced himself from Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora’s sinking political project.
Bhebhe’s court affidavit exposes how Khupe and her disciples are using fake 2014 MDC-T structures to undertake the business of the 2014 MDC-T party.
Bhebhe also queried Khalipani Phugeni’s role in the 2014 MDC-T structures.
Bhebhe further exposed the high level of unconstitutionalism which has seen Thokozani Khupe and Mwonzora making decisions without consulting the National Council.
In a statement on the same issue, MDC Alliance said: MCD-T Organising Secretary Bhebhe has exposed how @DMwonzora and Khupe are manufacturing MDC-T 2014 structures, how they have consistently refused to hold meetings of 2014 legitimate structures in an EXPLOSIVE affidavit…
A potential disaster is looming for the Mighty Warriors after it emerged the Women’s Soccer League was not aware of Zimbabwe’s participation at next month’s cosafa Championships.
After being suspended indefinitely owing to Covid-19, the women’s game in Southern Africa will resume with the 2020 cosafa Women’s Championship, which will be staged concurrently with the Girls Under-17 tournament, at the Nelson Mandela Bay in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
The tournaments will kick off on November 3 with the women’s tourney. They will be the first women’s internationals on the continent since the pandemic wreaked havoc on football and global sport.
While it is a welcome return to national team competition for cosafa nations, who have endured a frustrating 2020, it seems the Mighty Warriors are still in the dark about their participation at the tournament.
Women’s Soccer League chairperson Barbra Chikosi, who is widely accused of behaving like an “absentee landlady” by a number of women’s clubs, told The Sunday Mail Sport she had not received any communication about the championships.
“I am not even aware of the cosafa programme, whether the tournament has been confirmed or if the dates are out yet. I will have to talk to ZIFA and find out because I am in the dark,” she said.
Women’s football was granted US$500 000 from the US$1,5 million Covid-19 relief fund that ZIFA received from FIFA. The money is earmarked for the resumption of the women’s game.
According to a list compiled by ZIFA, Evelyn Rimai will be in charge of the Under-15s, while the Under-17 team will be headed by Thulani Sibanda. Rosemary Mugadza will be in charge of the Under-20s.
Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda will oversee the Mighty Warriors. Surprisingly, the coaches claim that although the list was released by ZIFA, the association is yet to officially communicate with them regarding the cosafa tournament.
Sibanda said he was unaware of preparations for the cosafa tournament. “Not sure if I am involved since ZIFA say they are yet to confirm our appointments. However, the truth is that we are not prepared,” he said.
“Body adaptations to training require six weeks, excluding the two weeks of muscle toning, but as an emergency measure, maybe players can be taught time-tapping for the matches. “This technique works for a single match though.
“Proper time is anything above eight weeks, but as coaches, if worse comes to worst, we may be forced to compromise.”
Mugadza, who too is waiting for confirmation and official communication regarding participation at the regional tournament, said the association needs to speed up their processes and get their charges in camp as soon as possible.
“I am not even sure if we are going to participate, because ZIFA is still quiet on the matter, and this at a time when we should be racing against time.
“Remember, teams have not been active for months, and if we are to be part of the tournament, then it means we are behind. There is no time to waste,” she said.
Kwinji 15 confirmed to our sister paper The Herald that she was still in the dark. “I do not have any official communication from the office on whether we are playing or not, so the best people to talk to would be the office,” she said.
ZIFA communications and competitions manager Xolisani Gwesela, however, said ZIFA had long confirmed Zimbabwe’s participation with the Cosafa secretariat.
“Yes, we confirmed participation for Under-17 and senior team in the upcoming cosafa tournaments. We will provide a detailed programme in the coming week (this week),’’ he said. -Sunday Mail
The Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) will from tomorrow start conducting road tests and issuing driver’s licences after close to six months of closure.
The closure of VID in March after the Government introduced a national lockdown due to Covid-19, had left hundreds of learners and prospective learner drivers in a quandary. The Government, however, extended the validity of provisional driving licences and defensive driving certificates by six months giving room for holders to remain eligible for testing. This was done through SI 144 of 2020. Ideally, provisional licences have a one-year lifespan from the date of issue.
SI 144 of 2020 also known as Public Health (Covid-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (Amendment) Order, 2020 (No. 11) gave provisional licence holders six more months in addition to the one-year period the document is valid to compensate for time lost during the lockdown.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has since issued a circular to VID depots instructing them to start conducting tests and issue drivers licences from tomorrow. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development Engineer Amos Marawa told Sunday News that VID had finalised developing the Covid-19 operating guidelines and standard operating procedures which are in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and were approved by the National Task Force on Covid-19 and Cabinet. Eng Marawa said despite the go ahead, VID will continue operating under the prescribed modus operandi during the Covid-19 induced lockdown period.
“VID has developed Covid-19 operating guidelines and standard operating procedures which are in line with WHO guidelines and were approved by the National Task Force on Covid-19 and Cabinet. These will guide the operations of VID during the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Insurance Council of Zimbabwe (ICZ) has announced that the Central Vehicle Registry’s (CVR) has no capacity to issue adequate vehicle registration licences. In a presentation during a virtual training of journalists, ICZ representative Mr Tendai Karonga said there were 80 000 unregistered vehicles in the country yet the CVR has the capacity to issue 32 000 registration plates up to the end of the year. This comes at a time when crimes of robbery perpetrated by motorists using unregistered vehicles are on the increase.
“Performance of motor insurance was further affected by the Central Vehicle Registry’s (CVR) inability to register vehicles due to lack of financial resources to produce registration plates. This resulted in about 80 000 unregistered and uninsured vehicles on the roads leading to a loss of the mandatory Third-Party Motor premiums of approximately Z$60 million. Statistics are based on the CVR Registrar’s Report to the Parliamentary Transport Committee on 28 September 2020. The situation might persist as CVR has financial resources to provide plates for 32 000 vehicles leaving more than 48 000 unregistered,” said Mr Karonga. -Sunday News
Own Correspondent| Gogo Ndunge has reportedly fired a broadside at controversial Masvingo based preacher Isaac Makomichi after the two clashed over a client.
The controversial cleric posted a statement on social media, boasting of his spiritual powers.
“Two friends are dating one person-the other one is my client and the other one is Mbuya Ndunge’s.
Now my client won the race, it’s sad to note that Mbuya Ndunge is calling me saying she will destroy me.
I have confirmed the number through eco cash and I have managed to record voice calls.
Definitely I’m making a police report today.
If she is strong enough let her help her client to win back the boyfriend,” claimed Makomichi.
By Dr Masimba Mavaza | Zimbabweans in diaspora are horrified by the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe for such a long time. No matter how hard the Zimbabwean government has tried to do what the West demand all these efforts are taken as nothing.
Dr Masimba Mavaza
In the UK a group of Zimbabweans has formed a coalition against sanctions with some imdibiduals engaging the UK government. This group of Zimbabweans in UK began by noting that the president is the pivotal player in the sanctions policy and that presidents pander to voters in swing states; Therefore, the size of a diaspora’s voting block in swing states should determine whether the American government imposes sanctions on their former homeland or not.
In order to be heard, the Zimbabweans have encouraged their fellow patriots to register for voting in America so that their voice can be recognised. A Zimbabwean group against Sanctions found that a one-percentage-point increase in the size of a country’s diaspora in swing states increases the probability of removal of sanctions by 19 percentage points. It then goes on to calculate causal estimates of the effectiveness of engaging the host governments to abandon economic sanctions and regime change agenda against Zimbabwe. Using the size of diasporas in swing states as an instrumental variable for the economic sanctions fight it shows that sanctions do not have a statistically-significant impact on regime change. How do the desires of disaporas combine with the ambitions of presidential candidates to encourage the American economic sanctions policy? Diasporas from Zimbabwe can feel the effects of the sanctions even if they are away from home. Most of their relatives are out of employment; the industry has been hit hard by sanctions. The political land scape is soiled by sanctions and not a single right minded Zimbabwean will support sanctions against their mother land. The West has now realised that no diasporas despise their motherland and they want the Western governments to abandon the sanctions.
In America it is a fact that the president has the power to unilaterally impose and revoke sanctions so they have to appeal to the president on the promise of removing sanctions. As Zimbabwe commemorated the SADC solidarity on the fight against sanctions, the Diaspora in America are aware that the president panders to swing-state voters. As a result, a diasporas power to fight against sanctions runs through theWhite House and is determined by the diaspora’s distribution between swing states and safe states. Diasporas concentrated in swing states will be able to affect American sanctions policy; those concentrated in safe states will not.Sanctions are costly not only on Zimbabwe but on the country imposing them, so the United States government may be more likely to remove sanctions in cases where they will be unsuccessful, biasing statistical analysis in favor of finding that sanctions are evil and simply destructive to humanity. Conversely, sanctions are often imposed as a last resort, when other policies are seen as either too meek or too costly. Further, if targeted governments believe that resistance is futile, they will be more likely to capitulate before sanctions are imposed in order to avoid pointless damage. In the case of Zimbabwe diaspora has argued that America targeted a wrong country.
Both of these factors would bias the results against finding that sanctions are effective. As a result of these competing biases, previous estimates of the effectiveness of economic sanctions are unreliable and even whether they underestimate or overestimate sanctions’ true effect is unknown.
The Zimbabweans in diaspora have joined SADC in putting pressure on America to lift the Sanctions.
A sanctioned Zimbabwe is a burden to each and every person in Zimbabwe. To this end diaspora views Sanctions as repugnant to social justice.
The so called targets in the sanctions are not the ones to feel the pinch. It is the old lady in Mutoko the young child in Taholotsho the innocent girl in Chikeaka. All these are victims. In this time of COVID diaspora views sanctions as a death trap which needs to be removed for the benefit of every Zimbabwean.
The state of our hospitals we can not improve under these conditions. Diaspora examines the impact of imposed sanctions on the stability of Zimbabwean economy. It explores the transnational nature of Zimbabwean society and examines the history and structure of the Zimbabwean diaspora as well as its transformation since the new dispensation. Diaspora has noted that the government of America as well as both its supporters and its opponents have all instrumentalized sanctions for their own purposes. Zimbabwe has used sanctions to rally supporters “around the flag”, calling on the diaspora to raise voices to negate their effect. By contrast, opposition activists have campaigned against removing of sanctions arguing that a good economy for Zimbabwe may be used for illicit military purposes in breach of human right. In this sense, the sanctions have destabilized a core component of the nation’s resource base. Diaspora sees the evil hand of the sanctions and together with those at home we shout with chocked voices. “We cannot breathe.” We cry together with prophet Amos. “Lord father forgive Zimbabwe can not survive for she is too small” [email protected]
There is no doubt that the late MDC founding and former Prime Minister, Right Honourable Morgan Richard Tsvangirai identified and nurtured President Chamisa’s capacity and charisma…
A reflection of the strong bond between President Tsvangirai and President Chamisa .Above PresidentTsvangirai “hands over” the stick to President Chamisa
In a murder case that has left villagers near Shavambiri Business Centre shell-shocked, a Marange man fatally assaulted his younger brother after a beer binge.
The siblings — Nyashadzashe (35) and Mundawashe Chinamira (25) — fought for several hours before the former overpowered the latter and fatally struck him with an iron bar.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa, confirmed the case and said Nyashadzashe has since been charged with murder as defined in Section 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23. Insp Kakohwa said on October 6, Nyashadzashe and the now late Mundawashe spent the whole day drinking an illicit brew at the business centre.
Later that night, the heavily intoxicated brothers had a fierce brawl.
At around 10pm, their uncle — Mr Tatenda Musoni — offered to accommodate them in his barbershop for the night.
The brothers were left sleeping in the barbershop while Mr Musoni went home.
However, Mr Musoni locked the screen door from outside as his nephews were drunk.
At around midnight, Mr Patrick Mutimbanyoka, a security guard at the business centre, heard some noise coming from the barbershop and went to investigate.
“He peeped through the screen door and saw the brothers fighting. Nyashadzashe threw an empty beer bottle at Mr Mutimbanyoka but missed him. The security guard ran for his life.
“When Mr Mutimbanyoka came back after about 30 minutes in the company of a Mr Tinashe Kangorongo, the two brothers were still fighting. The due tried to stop the brothers from fighting but they couldn’t do much since the screen door was still locked.
“Nyashadzashe attempted to strike Mr Mutimbanyoka with an iron bar so Messrs Mutimbanyoka and Kangorongo decided to leave,” said Inspector Kakohwa.
At around 5am the following morning, Mr Musoni came back to unlock the door. He found the two brothers lying on the floor.
However, there was blood all over the floor. Mundawashe had deep cuts on his head and was writhing in pain.
Mr Musoni quickly alerted other villagers.
Mundawashe was ferried to the nearby Bakorenhema Clinic for treatment.
He died around 7.30am.
Inspector Kakohwa said Nyashadzashe admitted that he committed the offence, claiming that his younger sibling had threatened to cut off his head for ritual purposes.-Manica Post
By A Correspondent | Government spokesperson, Nick Mangwana has at the last minute turned down a LIVE debate with former Harare mayor Gomba over MDC run councils saying:
“Please get someone from Zanu PF as I am not a politician and can’t really go for the political jugular as I am restrained by my office,” as he told ZimEye.
Yesterday Mangwana accused the MDC of running down the councils. He wrote on Twitter saying, “Our Cities have been totally run-down. What’s interesting is that in 20 years(1980-2000) we had great services.
“One wonders what has happened in the last 20(2000-2020) for us to be in this mess.
“Those who can’t run smaller things can’t surely run things at a National Scale.”
Our Cities have been totally run-down. What's interesting is that in 20 years(1980-2000) we had great services. One wonders what has happened in the last 20(2000-2020) for us to be in this mess. Those who can't run smaller things can't surely run things at a National Scale. pic.twitter.com/DzYBCmzcdk
By Wilbert Mukori- “There are no imaginative skills on how to move the country forward internally and externally, be it economic and political in both the ruling party and the opposition of Nelson Chamisa,” wrote Nomazulu Thata, commenting on Professor Stephen Chan’s recent video interview.
Professor Stephen Chan is a blundering idiot masquerading as an intellectual. He has made many very serious blunders on Zimbabwe politics in the past and talked about one such blunder in his interview. He admitted to advising the British Secretary of State for Africa to attend Mnangagwa’s inauguration following the rigged July 2018 elections. He argued the British to give Mnangagwa a chance.
Other luminary personalities who had observed Zimbabwe’s July 2018 elections, notably Labour MP Kate Hoey, dismissed the elections as a farce and argued the international community not to give the illegitimate Zanu PF regime any support.
It was a great pity that the British government accepted Professor Chan’s advice and not that of MP Hoey. We, in Zimbabwe, have paid dearly for that blunder to this day!
I do agree with Professor Chan’s gloomy assessment of the sorry state Zimbabwe is in. He is right to say there is a lack of imagination, internally and externally, as what to do to get the country out of the mess. The irony is the solution has been hiding in plain sight all along; if only we would open our eyes and minds to see it.
The root cause of Zimbabwe’s economic and political crisis is the country’s failure to hold free, fair and credible elections. 40 years of gross mismanagement and rampant corruption have left the country’s economy in ruins. 40 years of stifled debate and democratic competition has forced quality out of public life leaving the field open to corrupt and incompetent individuals on both sides of the political divide.
We need to implement the democratic reforms to promote free debate and competition and to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections.
Since Zanu PF government will never implement the reforms, the party will never reform itself out of office, we must appoint an independent body that will implement the reforms.
Zanu PF must step down to allow the political space for the independent body that will implement the reforms.
“Zanu PF will never step down!” many have argued. Of course, they will step down; they have done is before already!
Zanu PF was forced to step down following the blatant cheating and wanton violence of the 2008 elections. The international community, included the usually reticent see nothing SADC and AU, refused to endorse Zanu PF’s claim of electoral victory and legitimacy.
By participating in the July 2018 elections Zimbabwe’s corrupt and incompetent opposition parties gave the flawed and illegal process credibility and, by extension, the vote rigging Zanu PF regime some modicum of legitimacy. Just one of the many decisions proving the compete lack of quality and imagination on the part of Nelson Chamisa et al!
The EU, the Americans, the Commonwealth and all the other nations and organisations with any democratic credentials worth a spit condemned the July 2018 elections as a farce.
“The electoral commission lacked full independence and appeared to not always act in an impartial manner. The final results as announced by the Electoral Commission contained numerous errors and lacked adequate traceability, transparency and verifiability,” stated the EU Mission final report.
“As such, many aspects of the 2018 elections in Zimbabwe failed to meet international standards.”
Given such a damning report, the decision by Professor Chan and the British to let Mnangagwa off the legitimacy hook beggared belief and showed a complete lack of imagination.
The pressure on Zanu PF to stop down should have been brought to bear immediately following the rigged 31 July 2018. The pressure can still be brought to bear even now, the failure to revive the economy is putting Mnangagwa under renewed pressure.
Mnangagwa rigged the July 2018 elections confident he would go on to “rig” economic recovery. His “Zimbabwe is open for business!” clarion call has failed to attract the flood of investors. The corona virus pandemic has made a bad situation even worse, the crisis has now turned into a real tragedy.
Before the corona virus outbreak, 34% of the Zimbabweans were already living in extreme poverty; the number has surged upward.
Basic services such as health care and education have all but collapse because of decades of poor funding. Teachers and health care personal have been on strike for months on end demanding a living wage and safe working conditions. All civil servants have just been awarded up 500% wage increase taking the pittance wage of the lowest paid teachers from US$30 to 157 pm. The PDL in Zimbabwe is US$650 pm.
With inflation already at 838% year on year, the wage hike will be eroded away within a few months and everyone will be out of strike again.
With more than a third of the population living in extreme poverty, no health care service, no education for the children, etc. Zimbabwe’s future is bleak. And as long as the country remains a Banana Republic, a pariah state, ruled by corrupt, incompetent and vote rigging thugs; the situation will only get worse.
Zimbabwe could have been saved from this tragic end if only Zanu PF had been stopped from turning the country into a pariah state. The country can still be save from sinking even deeper into this man-made hell-on-earth by implementing the democratic reforms designed to end the curse of rigged elections.
Only that is needed is the courage and resolve to demand that the illegitimate Zanu PF regime steps down and stop holding the nation to ransom.
Yes, Professor Chan is right, there really is shocking lack of imagination here. When a corrupt, incompetent and, for all intend and practical purposes, braindead thug like Emmerson Mnangagwa is viewed for 40 years and counting as an all powerful demigod; there is a daft lack of imagination all round.
By A Correspondent- Police in Mutoko, Mashonaland East province have arrested a 23-year-old man who allegedly axed his aunt to death, accusing her of misplacing his talisman.
Piniel Tinomuda, of village 43 Hoyuyu, is also facing another charge of attempted murder after he also struck his grandmother, Benhilda Nyarambi (81), with an axe over the same issue.
The body of the deceased, Lizzie Madende (59), has since been conveyed to Murewa Hospital mortuary for a postmortem, while Nyarambi is battling for her life at Mutoko District Hospital.
Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed both incidents.
“It is disheartening to report the death of the victim through such a gruesome way. It is also disturbing to note that the accused person took the law into his own hands and critically injured another victim,” he said.
“Violence should not permeate our communities to such an extent. The public should respect the sanctity of life and resolve any misunderstandings amicably. The suspect will be taken to court soon on murder and attempted murder charges.”
It is reported that on Tuesday at around 8pm, Madende was at her residence with other family members, including the suspect.
Tinomuda reportedly accused Madende for misplacing his talisman which he kept in an old tyre behind his bedroom.
The suspect became violent, drew an axe from his bedroom and struck Madende on the head twice, killing her on the spot.
Nyarambi reportedly pleaded with the suspect to stop axing his aunt. He then turned and struck her twice on the neck and arm.
Nyarambi fell down and became unconscious.
After realising that he had committed a heinous crime, Tinomuda fled and hid in a nearby mountain.
A report was made at Janhi Police Base, who launched a manhunt and arrested him.-Newsday
MDC T Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora has expelled Dusty Zivhaze, an MDC founding member who succumbed to ulcers on July 15, 2019 from the party.
An internal memo dated July 2, 2020 and signed by Mwonzora affirms the expulsion.
Efforts to get a comment from Mwonzora were futile.
Zivhave, an MDC founding member died on July 15, 2019 at Checheche St Peters Hospital after battling ulcers. He was the secretary for information and publicity at the time of his death.
The memo expels 34 members from Harare, Mash West, Manicaland, Mash Central, Chitungwiza, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Mat North and Mat South.
In Masvingo, the late Zivhaze was expelled together with provincial chairperson James Gumbi, Takanayi Mureyi and youth leader Philip Chingini.
“In terms of clause 5 (10)a of the constitution of the MDC party be their joining or supporting another party they have automatically terminated their membership of the MDC party led by the late Dr Richard Morgan Tsvangirai,” reads part of the memo. -MasvingoMirror
Farai Dziva|ZINASU leader, Takudzwa Ngadziore who was granted bail on Friday, has declared he is determined to push for democratic change despite harassment and persecution.
The vibrant and brave ZINASU leader also urged the nation to unite in fighting for freedom from Zanu PF oppression.
Commenting on Ngadziore’s remarks President Chamisa said:
“On point Zinasu President. Resistance is the language of the oppressed!”
Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s desperate attempt to use guns to disrupt the people’s struggle literally confirms that he is an illegitimate leader who is afraid of the power of the citizens, according to President Chamisa.
Advocate Chamisa also took a swipe at the jittery Zanu PF leader for using “excessive force and coercion against hapless citizens.”
“The incumbent’s illegitimacy is confirmed by the excessive use of force and coercion against citizens.
Faith in brute force often mislead unpopular rulers to mistakenly rely on guns, imprisonment, teargas and terror to subjugate and muzzle citizens. Ultimately,citizens will always win,” President Chamisa said in a statement.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police has said the death of John Sithole who died in a Beitbridge shootout which followed a 14-hour stand-off, solves a number of cases.
Sithole was on a list of police’s most wanted people in connection with crimes committed in Beitbridge, Mberengwa and along highways to Harare and Bulawayo.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, yesterday gave details of cases being cleared.
The suspect has helped clear two cases of rape and attempted murder in Mberengwa and seven armed robberies that occurred around Beitbridge.
However, we cannot give further details concerning the cases since we are pursuing his other accomplices.
In the Mberengwa case which happened three weeks ago, Sithole is alleged to have raped a woman and her child in before locking them up in a house and setting them ablaze.
The victims were saved by other villagers who managed to put out the fire–statemedia
By A Correspondent- In a murder case that has left villagers near Shavambiri Business Centre shell-shocked, a Marange man fatally assaulted his younger brother after a beer binge.
The siblings — Nyashadzashe (35) and Mundawashe Chinamira (25) — fought for several hours before the former overpowered the latter and fatally struck him with an iron bar.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa, confirmed the case and said Nyashadzashe has since been charged with murder as defined in Section 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23. Insp Kakohwa said on October 6, Nyashadzashe and the now late Mundawashe spent the whole day drinking an illicit brew at the business centre.
Later that night, the heavily intoxicated brothers had a fierce brawl.
At around 10pm, their uncle — Mr Tatenda Musoni — offered to accommodate them in his barbershop for the night.
The brothers were left sleeping in the barbershop while Mr Musoni went home.
However, Mr Musoni locked the screen door from outside as his nephews were drunk.
At around midnight, Mr Patrick Mutimbanyoka, a security guard at the business centre, heard some noise coming from the barbershop and went to investigate.
“He peeped through the screen door and saw the brothers fighting. Nyashadzashe threw an empty beer bottle at Mr Mutimbanyoka but missed him. The security guard ran for his life.
“When Mr Mutimbanyoka came back after about 30 minutes in the company of a Mr Tinashe Kangorongo, the two brothers were still fighting. The due tried to stop the brothers from fighting but they couldn’t do much since the screen door was still locked.
“Nyashadzashe attempted to strike Mr Mutimbanyoka with an iron bar so Messrs Mutimbanyoka and Kangorongo decided to leave,” said Inspector Kakohwa.
At around 5am the following morning, Mr Musoni came back to unlock the door. He found the two brothers lying on the floor.
However, there was blood all over the floor. Mundawashe had deep cuts on his head and was writhing in pain.
Mr Musoni quickly alerted other villagers.
Mundawashe was ferried to the nearby Bakorenhema Clinic for treatment.
He died around 7.30am.
Inspector Kakohwa said Nyashadzashe admitted that he committed the offence, claiming that his younger sibling had threatened to cut off his head for ritual purposes.-Manica Post
By A Correspondent | Government spokesperson, Nick Mangwana has at the last minute turned down a LIVE debate with former Harare mayor Gomba over MDC run councils saying:
“Please get someone from Zanu PF as I am not a politician and can’t really go for the political jugular as I am restrained by my office,” as he told ZimEye.
Yesterday Mangwana accused the MDC of running down the councils. He wrote on Twitter saying, “Our Cities have been totally run-down. What’s interesting is that in 20 years(1980-2000) we had great services.
“One wonders what has happened in the last 20(2000-2020) for us to be in this mess.
“Those who can’t run smaller things can’t surely run things at a National Scale.”
Our Cities have been totally run-down. What's interesting is that in 20 years(1980-2000) we had great services. One wonders what has happened in the last 20(2000-2020) for us to be in this mess. Those who can't run smaller things can't surely run things at a National Scale. pic.twitter.com/DzYBCmzcdk
The English Premier League returned to action this Saturday following the FIFA international break. Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are some of the big teams that played today. Below are the results of the matches played.
Everton 2-2 Liverpool; (Michael Keane 19′ and Dominic Calvert-Lewin 81′; Sadio Mané 3′ Mohamed Salah 72′) Chelsea 3-3 Southampton; (Timo Werner 15′, 28′ and Kai Havertz 59′; Danny Ings 43′, Che Adams 57′ Jannik Vestergaard 90+2′) Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal; (Raheem Sterling 23′)
The Newcastle v Manchester United match is next at 2100 hours.
Tomorrow:
Sponsored: Click here to buy NetOne, Telecel Airtime online using EcoCash
Sheffield United v Fulham Crystal Palace v Brighton Tottenham v West Ham Leicester v Aston Villa
By Dorrothy Moyo | The government of Malawi took a sudden turn at the weekend as they completely ignored the gross crimes against humanity committed by Emmerson Mnangagwa and his administration which have been condemned by the United Nations, and have made both local and international business to lose trust in the zanu-pf leader.
Instead of complaining about the crimes personally sanctioned against the nation’s civilians by Emmerson Mnangagwa for over 37 years, the recently sworn in president Lazarus Chakwera’s local envoy chose to rather concentrate on so called sanctions on a few ZANU PF entities between 2002 and 2020.
Chakwera has for months been thought to be a Nelson Chamisa ally.
The US ZIDERA bill was put in place to curtail and discourage the crimes that have continued since 1983.
Chakwera’s local envoy, Ambassador Annie Yauka Kumwenda, speaking in support for Mnangagwa’s Anti Sanctions Day, announced as follows, ” Malawi joins the rest of the world…in calling an end to the imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe which have been in existence for almost 20 years now, this means that children are being born and raised in a sanctioned environment, and this becomes a gross violation of Human Rights more especially in children…”
She continued saying, “what we are saying now is please consider to remove these sanctions on Zimbabwe.
“Allow Zimbabwe to participate fully in global trade and in global economic activities and all those other opportunities and let Zimbabwe perform without the sanctions and be judged its performance according to what they are capable of.”
VIDEO
Malawi joins the rest of the world…in calling an end to the imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe which have been in existence for almost 20 years now, this means that children are being born and raised in a sanctioned environment, and this becomes a gross violation of Human Rights… pic.twitter.com/G3gOghQxcQ
Armed robbery suspect John Sithole, a.k.a Kedha, who was shot in a gunfight at a Beitbridge house this week after a 14-hour hostage stand-off, was wanted by the police in connection with two cases of rape, attempted murder and seven other armed robberies.
Sithole, who was shot and killed by police as he sought to escape while firing at police units surrounding the house in Beitbridge’s Dulivhadzimu suburb on Thursday, was known to be a violent criminal.
He is said to have been on the police most wanted list in connection with crimes committed in Beitbridge, Mberengwa and along highways to Harare and Bulawayo.
The Herald understands that Sithole was launching his operations from Musina in South Africa and would usually skip the border through the Limpopo River.
In the attempted murder case which occurred three weeks ago, Sithole is said to have raped a woman and her child in Mberengwa before locking them up in a house and setting it ablaze.
The victims were saved by other villagers who managed to put out the fire.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, yesterday gave details of cases being cleared.
“The suspect has helped clear two cases of rape and attempted murder in Mberengwa and seven armed robberies that occurred around Beitbridge,” he said.
“However, we cannot give further details concerning the cases since we are pursuing his other accomplices.”
Sithole was shot and killed in a heavy gunfire exchange.
During the stand-off, he managed to shoot and wound one detective on the arm.
Before his demise, he had initially evaded arrest at the Limpopo River on Wednesday afternoon and hid at his rented house in Dulivhadzimu where he was found by the detectives.
According to police, Sithole was ordered to surrender, but he turned violent and held 10 people at the house hostage and opened fire at the police who tried everything to make him surrender.
He did not relent and kept firing until reinforcements were called in from the police special tactics unit which eventually killed him in the afternoon after he had released the hostages.
Police recovered a Black Star S.A Calsap Pistol loaded with six rounds, and a plastic containing loose dagga from his trousers.
“A further search was conducted around the house leading to the recovery of 25 by 9mm spent cartridges,” said a security source. “Another 105 cartridges shot from the police’s AK47 rifles and 25 from FN rifles were also picked from the crime scene.”
According to a source, the tactical team established that Sithole had around 50 live rounds before the start of the gun battle, but only six were recovered at the end, meaning the rest had been fired at the police.
The total number of declared deaths from the new coronavirus has topped 1.1 million around the world, according to an AFP tally from official sources.
At least 1,100,056 fatalities, out of 38,997,267 cases, have been reported.
Almost one in five deaths was in the United States, the hardest-hit country which has 217,798 deaths from 7,985,356 infections.
The United States is followed by Brazil with 152,460 deaths from 5,169,386 cases, India with 112,161 deaths from 7,370,468 cases, Mexico 85,285 fatalities from 834,910 cases and the United Kingdom with 43,293 deaths out of 673,622 reported infections.
With daily COVID-19 infections rising to record levels in several US states, false information remains a barrier to people getting vaccinated.
US health officials are pushing Americans to get vaccinated against the flu to help prevent hospitals already busy battling COVID-19 from being overwhelmed this winter, but false claims are threatening their efforts.
Misinformation on social media, particularly that a flu shot will increase the risk of contracting the coronavirus or cause you to test positive for COVID-19 — it won’t — is undermining the public health message.
MDC T Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora has expelled Dusty Zivhaze, an MDC founding member who succumbed to ulcers on July 15, 2019 from the party.
An internal memo dated July 2, 2020 and signed by Mwonzora in possession of The Mirror affirms the expulsion. Efforts to get a comment from Mwonzora were futile.
Make your business swim. Advertise with The Mirror from as little as a USD$1.00 Zivhave, an MDC founding member died on July 15, 2019 at Checheche St Peters Hospital after battling ulcers. He was the secretary for information and publicity at his death.
The memo expels 34 members from Harare, Mash West, Manicaland, Mash Central, Chitungwiza, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Mat North and Mat South.
In Masvingo, the late Zivhaze was expelled together with provincial chairperson James Gumbi, Takanayi Mureyi and youth leader Philip Chingini.
“In terms of clause 5 (10)a of the constitution of the MDC party be their joining or supporting another party they have automatically terminated their membership of the MDC party led by the late Dr Richard Morgan Tsvangirai,” reads part of the memo.
Kaizer Chiefs winger Khama Billiat says Amakhosi are hungry for silverware in the 2020/21 season under new coach Gavin Hunt.
Amakhosi kick-start their season with a tricky MTN 8 quarter-final clash with Maritzburg United on Sunday, in what will be Hunt’s maiden game in charge of the Glamour Boys.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the clash, the Warriors star was upbeat and said the team is determined to do better than last season.
“The atmosphere in the build up to the game has been great, good energy. We still feel that from what we did last season, we had to come back quicker and get the momentum going,” he said.
Continued Billiat: “I have been given another opportunity, in a new season with a great coach and good players around me.”
The Aces Youth Academy graduate also said it is the team’s desire to win silverware this season.
“We are playing with great understanding as a team, with an idea of how we want to play this season. I’m lucky to be part of a great team and we are hungry to win trophies,” explained Billiat.-Soccer 24
Marshall Munetsi will miss another game for Stade de Reims due to suspension.
The Zimbabwean midfielder was not included in the squad for today’s Ligue 1 Round 7 match against Lorient after he received a third yellow card in a period of ten official matches.
Munetsi was booked in the 2-2 draw at Rennais last weekend while the other yellow card came in Round three of the campaign and the third one was carried forward from last season.
The suspension follows after the player served a red card ban in the game before the trip to Rennais.
Meanwhile, Munetsi has made seven appearances across all competitions in this season thus far. -Soccer 24
By A Correspondent | Government spokesperson, Nick Mangwana has at the last minute turned down a LIVE debate with former Harare mayor Gomba over MDC run councils saying:
“Please get someone from Zanu PF as I am not a politician and can’t really go for the political jugular as I am restrained by my office,” as he told ZimEye.
Yesterday Mangwana accused the MDC of running down the councils. He wrote on Twitter saying, “Our Cities have been totally run-down. What’s interesting is that in 20 years(1980-2000) we had great services.
“One wonders what has happened in the last 20(2000-2020) for us to be in this mess.
“Those who can’t run smaller things can’t surely run things at a National Scale.”
Our Cities have been totally run-down. What's interesting is that in 20 years(1980-2000) we had great services. One wonders what has happened in the last 20(2000-2020) for us to be in this mess. Those who can't run smaller things can't surely run things at a National Scale. pic.twitter.com/DzYBCmzcdk
Farai Dziva|ZINASU leader, Takudzwa Ngadziore who was granted bail on Friday, has declared he is determined to push for democratic change despite harassment and persecution.
The vibrant and brave ZINASU leader also urged the nation to unite in fighting for freedom from Zanu PF oppression.
Commenting on Ngadziore’s remarks President Chamisa said:
“On point Zinasu President. Resistance is the language of the oppressed!”
Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s desperate attempt to use guns to disrupt the people’s struggle literally confirms that he is an illegitimate leader who is afraid of the power of the citizens, according to President Chamisa.
Advocate Chamisa also took a swipe at the jittery Zanu PF leader for using “excessive force and coercion against hapless citizens.”
“The incumbent’s illegitimacy is confirmed by the excessive use of force and coercion against citizens.
Faith in brute force often mislead unpopular rulers to mistakenly rely on guns, imprisonment, teargas and terror to subjugate and muzzle citizens. Ultimately,citizens will always win,” President Chamisa said in a statement.
Farai Dziva|MDC-T Organizing Secretary, Abednego Bhebhe has all but distanced himself from Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora’s sinking political project.
Bhebhe’s court affidavit exposes how Khupe and her disciples are using fake 2014 MDC-T structures to undertake the business of the 2014 MDC-T party.
Bhebhe also queried Khalipani Phugeni’s role in the 2014 MDC-T structures.
Bhebhe further exposed the high level of unconstitutionalism which has seen Thokozani Khupe and Mwonzora making decisions without consulting the National Council.
In a statement on the same issue, MDC Alliance said: MCD-T Organising Secretary Bhebhe has exposed how @DMwonzora and Khupe are manufacturing MDC-T 2014 structures, how they have consistently refused to hold meetings of 2014 legitimate structures in an EXPLOSIVE affidavit…
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries were making steady progress in tackling tuberculosis (TB), with a 9% reduction in incidence seen between 2015 and 2019 and a 14% drop in deaths in the same period. High-level political commitments at global and national levels were delivering results. However, a new report from WHO shows that access to TB services remains a challenge, and that global targets for prevention and treatment will likely be missed without urgent action and investments.
Approximately 1.4 million people died from TB-related illnesses in 2019. Of the estimated 10 million people who developed TB that year, some 3 million were not diagnosed with the disease, or were not officially reported to national authorities.
The situation is even more acute for people with drug-resistant TB. About 465 000 people were newly diagnosed with drug-resistant TB in 2019 and, of these, less than 40% were able to access treatment. There has also been limited progress in scaling up access to treatment to prevent TB.
“Equitable access to quality and timely diagnosis, prevention, treatment and care remains a challenge,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. “Accelerated action is urgently needed worldwide if we are to meet our targets by 2022.”
About 14 million people were treated for TB in the period 2018-2019, just over one-third of the way towards the 5-year target (2018-2022) of 40 million, according to the report. Some 6.3 million people started TB preventive treatment in 2018-2019, about one-fifth of the way towards the 5-year target of 30 million.
Funding is a major issue. In 2020, funding for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care reached US$ 6.5 billion, representing only half of the US$ 13 billion target agreed by world leaders in the UN Political Declaration on TB.
The COVID-19 pandemic and TB
Disruptions in services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have led to further setbacks. In many countries, human, financial and other resources have been reallocated from TB to the COVID-19 response. Data collection and reporting systems have also been negatively impacted.
According to the new report, data collated from over 200 countries has shown significant reductions in TB case notifications, with 25-30% drops reported in 3 high burden countries – India, Indonesia, the Philippines – between January and June 2020 compared to the same 6-month period in 2019. These reductions in case notifications could lead to a dramatic increase in additional TB deaths, according to WHO modelling.
However, in line with WHO guidance, countries have taken measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on essential TB services, including by strengthening infection control. A total of 108 countries – including 21 countries with a high TB burden – have expanded the use of digital technologies to provide remote advice and support. To reduce the need for visits to health facilities, many countries are encouraging home-based treatment, all-oral treatments for people with drug-resistant TB, provision of TB preventive treatment, and ensuring people with TB maintain an adequate supply of drugs.
“In the face of the pandemic, countries, civil society and other partners have joined forces to ensure that essential services for both TB and COVID-19 are maintained for those in need,” said Dr Tereza Kaseva, Director of WHO’s Global TB Programme. “These efforts are vital to strengthen health systems, ensure health for all, and save lives.”
A recent progress report from the UN Secretary General outlines 10 priority actions for Member States and other stakeholders to close gaps in TB care, financing and research, as well as advance multisectoral action and accountability, including in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Note for the editors
Global targets
In 2014 and 2015, all Member States of WHO and the UN adopted the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and WHO’s End TB Strategy. The SDGs and End TB Strategy both include targets and milestones for large reductions in TB incidence, TB deaths and costs faced by TB patients and their households.
TB is included under Goal 3 Target 3.3 of the SDGs which aims to “end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases” by the year 2030.
The WHO End TB Strategy aims for a 90 per cent reduction in TB deaths and an 80 per cent reduction in the TB incidence rate by 2030, compared to the 2015 baseline. Milestones for 2020 include a 20% reduction in the TB incidence rate and a 35% reduction in TB deaths.
Efforts to step up political commitment in the fight against TB intensified in 2017 and 2018 culminating, in September 2018, in the first-ever high-level meeting on TB at the UN General Assembly. The outcome was a political declaration in which commitments to the SDGs and End TB Strategy were reaffirmed. The UN Political Declaration on TB also included 4 new targets for the period 2018-2022:
Treat 40 million people for TB diseaseReach at least 30 million people with TB preventive treatment for a latent TB infectionMobilize at least US$13 billion annually for universal access to TB diagnosis, treatment and careMobilize at least US$2 billion annually for TB research…
Source :World Health Organization
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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By A Correspondent | Government spokesperson, Nick Mangwana has at the last minute turned down a LIVE debate with former Harare mayor Gomba over MDC run councils saying: “Please get someone from Zanu PF as I am not a politician and can’t really go for the political jugular as I am restrained by my office,” as he told ZimEye.
Yesterday Mangwana accused the MDC of running down the councils. He wrote on Twitter saying, “Our Cities have been totally run-down. What’s interesting is that in 20 years(1980-2000) we had great services.
“One wonders what has happened in the last 20(2000-2020) for us to be in this mess.
“Those who can’t run smaller things can’t surely run things at a National Scale.”
Our Cities have been totally run-down. What's interesting is that in 20 years(1980-2000) we had great services. One wonders what has happened in the last 20(2000-2020) for us to be in this mess. Those who can't run smaller things can't surely run things at a National Scale. pic.twitter.com/DzYBCmzcdk
“But he posted a politically motivated statement on Twitter,” Gomba complained saying, to which Mangwana replied saying, “Lol. Tell him I posted as an aggrieved ratepayer.”
So why don’t you come debate with your mayor as a ratepayer then?
To this, Mangwana said, “Naaa. People will always quote what I say and attribute it to Govt. Get Cde Mugwadi or Chirau.”
Farai Dziva|MDC-T Organizing Secretary, Abednego Bhebhe has all but distanced himself from Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora’s sinking political project.
Bhebhe’s court affidavit exposes how Khupe and her disciples are using fake 2014 MDC-T structures to undertake the business of the 2014 MDC-T party.
Bhebhe also queried Khalipani Phugeni’s role in the 2014 MDC-T structures.
Bhebhe further exposed the high level of unconstitutionalism which has seen Thokozani Khupe and Mwonzora making decisions without consulting the National Council.
In a statement on the same issue, MDC Alliance said: MCD-T Organising Secretary Bhebhe has exposed how @DMwonzora and Khupe are manufacturing MDC-T 2014 structures, how they have consistently refused to hold meetings of 2014 legitimate structures in an EXPLOSIVE affidavit…
By A Correspondent- MDC-Alliance party youth leader Godfrey Kurauone has slapped President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government and other accomplices with a $2.4 million lawsuit over his unlawful arrest, detention and malicious prosecution, which resulted in him spending more than 40 days in prison before he was acquitted.
Kurauone, who serves as the National Organising Secretary for the MDC-Alliance party’s Youth Assembly and also as Masvingo Urban Ward 4 Councillor, endured horror when he was imprisoned at Masvingo Remand Prison after he was arrested on 31 July 2020 and charged with obstructing the free movement of traffic during an anti-government protest to demonstrate against rampant corruption.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers who arrested Kurauone charged him with obstructing or endangering the free movement of persons or traffic as defined in Section 38(c) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Following his arrest in July, Kurauone was denied bail at Masvingo Magistrates Court and at Masvingo High Court and only stood trial which commenced early in September.
During his trial at Masvingo Magistrates Court, prosecutors alleged that Kurauone blocked roads by putting stones and burnt tyres along Gaths Mine to Chirumanzu road for a stretch of 500 metres on 31 July.
Kurauone had also been charged with criminal nuisance as defined in section 46 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for allegedly circulating a video on WhatsApp on 20 July showing him singing a song with lyrics which authorities deemed derogatory to President Mnangagwa.
But prosecutors later withdrew the criminal nuisance charge and prosecuted him over the charge of obstruction of free movement of persons and traffic.
However, Magistrate Patience Madondo on 10 September 2020 acquitted Kurauone after his lawyer Martin Mureri of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights applied for discharge at the close of the prosecution case thereby ending his prison ordeal.
In his notice of intention to sue, Kurauone charged that his arrest by ZRP officers and prosecution by representatives of Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi was motivated by malice and improper motives.
The opposition party youth leader cited Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe, ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga, Prosecutor-General Hodzi, Detective Constable Muonde, who arrested him and the Officer In Charge at Masvingo Central Police Station as respondents whom he asked to take appropriate action in paying him $2.4 million as compensation for gross violation of his rights.
Out of the $2.4 million that he is demanding, $500 000 is for damages for unlawful and wrongful arrest, $800 000 for unlawful and wrongful detention, $800 000 for malicious prosecution and $300 000 for legal expenses incurred defending himself against the malicious allegations levelled against him.
By A Correspondent- A prosecutor who was once forced to recuse herself from prosecuting an MDC Alliance MP has quit her job after standing for election in Zanu-PF internal elections.
Namatirai Chipere is contesting to be Zanu-PF’s legal secretary in District Coordinating Committee elections in Gweru.
After reports emerged last week of her participation in the election, Prosecutor General Kumbirai Hodzi finally responded to the furore on Thursday, revealing that Chipere had resigned as a prosecutor.
The government wishes to advise that in line with constitutional requirements, the prosecutor resigned from the National Prosecuting Authority,” Hodzi said in a statement issued through the ministry of information.
The statement did not say when she resigned.
Chipere’s open allegiance with Zanu-PF was a major sore point with opposition activists appearing in at the Magistrate’s Court in Gweru charged with various public order offences.
In June, she was forced to recuse herself from the trial of Chiwundura MP Livingstone Chimina after the court was shown pictures of her in Zanu-PF regalia. Chimina was on trial for allegedly assaulting a Zanu-PF member.
By A Correspondent- Since President Mnangagwa came into power in November 2017, the Government has shown commitment to improve the welfare of its workforce.
In an interview after touring a food manufacturing and processing firm in Bulawayo yesterday, Prof Ncube said:
“Since we came in as a new dispensation, we have not failed to pay the civil servants their normal salaries on time.
Secondly, we have not failed to pay them their bonus on time, so there should be no question about that.”
He said the Second Republic is committed to improving the welfare of its workers thus relentless efforts were being made to cushion them from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.
“We will pay their normal bonus, and of late of course we’ve been negotiating with civil servants. They are receiving the 40 percent adjustment to their core salary and we are continuing with the US$75 payment per month under the Covid-19 allowance.
“That is carrying on and health sector workers are getting a further top up being for those that are in the frontline in terms of Covid-19,” said Prof Ncube.
“We have a four-tier system. We have got the first tier earning $6 000, the next tier about $3 750, the next tier about $2 500 and the last tier about $1 500 and that’s to deal with the health sector because they are on the frontline.”
He said that was in addition to the 40 percent adjustment and US$75 payment per month.
Ncube said the 13th cheque will be paid next month.
Meanwhile, the Government has said negotiations for salary increment with the National Joint Negotiating Council were underway and any agreement to be arrived at will be announced soon and honoured in the spirit of collective bargaining.
Government has a long history of negotiating with its workers in good faith and it is hoped that any salary increments the parties negotiate will not work against the stability that has been achieved on the financial markets and price stability as this will fuel inflation and erode the gains achieved so far.
Year-on-year inflation for last month slowed down to 659,4 percent compared to 761 percent the previous month, anchored by the progressive macro-economic policies Government is putting in place.
Official figures also show that the month-on-month inflation last month slid to 3,83 percent shedding 4,61 percentage points on the August rate of 8,44 percent.
Before the Government’s intervention through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, more than $8 billion was circulating outside the formal monetary systems and this was cited as one of the major factors driving price increases and instability on the foreign exchange markets.
It is in this context that the monetary authorities stepped in to stamp out illegal transactions by mobile money agents.
The Government, in June also moved in to promote macro-economic stability as well as containing the run-away inflation by introducing the weekly foreign exchange auction trading system.
Stability of the exchange rate on the auction market has stopped the run of the parallel market exchange rate, slowing down inflation.-statemedia
By Patrick Guramatunhu- One of the most offensive and exasperating things the white colonial oppressors did was to deny the blacks their voice and human dignity.
In the workplace blacks were called “boyi” and were expected to grovel before the whites, to show respect, and to do as they were told.
The print and electronic media was there to give the whites a voice. The few independent newspapers and magazine serving the blacks were expected to help keep law and order by not questioning the blatant racial injustice. And so such publications as Moto, a Roman Catholic Church backed magazine, were harassed and censored by the white regime for publishing strongly held views by blacks. The whites could not tolerate any black person do dared to think for themselves; they were considered radicals and dangerous.
In white ruled Rhodesia, blacks had no meaningful say in the governance of the country. They had no vote; period.
Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980 has brought an end to white colonial oppression but only to replace it with black ruling elite oppression. All pretence of Zimbabwe being a multi-party democracy completely evaporated with the signing of the Zanu PF and PF Zapu Unity Accord in 1987; merging the two parties to form the de facto one-party, Zanu PF, dictatorship.
Zanu PF assimilated the laws and practices designed to silence and oppress the blacks, lock, stock and barrel, and keep the white in power; only this time they were to keep the Zanu PF dictatorship in power.
In Zanu PF ruled Zimbabwe, blacks had a vote in theory but not in practice. Starting with the 1980 elections Zanu PF has blatantly cheated and used violence varying from subtle intimidation to beatings, rape and even cold-blooded murder to secure electoral victory. Zimbabwe has never ever held free, fair and credible elections.
The root cause of Zimbabwe’s economic mess is the failure to hold free and fair elections. The country has been stuck with a corrupt and incompetent Zanu PF regime for 40 years now. 40 years of gross mismanagement and rampant corruption have left the country in economic ruins and millions are now living in abject poverty.
The economic situation in Zimbabwe has reached alarming levels, unemployment has soared to 90% plus, basic services such as education and health care have all but collapsed. 34% of the population, according to WB 2019 report, were living in extreme poverty. The corona virus pandemic has made the health and economic situation even worse. The human suffering caused by the economic meltdown has become intolerable.
It is extremely annoying therefore that instead of the nation addressing the country’s economic mess and the underlying cause of rigged elections the nation being forced to discuss a side show.
“Zanu-PF takes strong exception to being lectured on issues of human rights by citizens of countries which perpetrated the brutalities accompanying the Atlantic African Slave Trade and colonial conquest of Africa, and who refuse to render apologies or pay reparations,” said Patrick Chinamasa, Zanu PF’s acting spokesperson.
“As a consequence of seeking to redress the brutalities that occurred in the colonisation of Zimbabwe, accompanied by dispossession of our land and brutal confiscation of livestock by colonialists, the country has suffered 20 years of naked bullying, economic isolation and severe sanctions regime by the former colonial powers now acting in concert as economic and political powers in support of what they allege are rights of 4 500 white former farmers,” he said.
Ordinary Zimbabweans have been calling for the restoration of their basic freedoms and human rights including the right to a meaningful vote and the right to life itself. Of course, they have been crying for freedom, peace, justice and human dignity all their lives; they are at the coal face of Zanu PF oppression just as they were at the coal face of white colonial oppression.
Last month President Cyril Ramaphosa of SA send envoys to Zimbabwe whose mission was to encourage Zanu PF to accept meaningful democratic changes and end the country’s worsening economic and political crisis. SA was told in no uncertain terms to mind its own business.
“We are an independent sovereign country. We agreed in our meeting that we are equal sovereign States. South Africa has no mediatory role to play in Zimbabwe. We know that the South African government is controlled by white men,” remarked Patrick Chinamasa.
So Zanu PF has completely ignored the ordinary Zimbabweans who have crying for their freedoms and rights because the regime is indifferent to their suffering. And, more significantly, Zanu PF, just like the white colonial regime before it, does not recognise ordinary Zimbabweans as human beings entitled to the same freedoms and rights as other human being.
“That at the time of abolition of the Atlantic African slave trade the British through the British Parliament approved and paid 20 million pounds to slave owners already rich through the labour of the slaves,” concluded Chinamasa.
This is just madness! And so, ordinary Zimbabweans be denied their basic freedoms and rights because the British compensated the slave owners but not the slaves. What has that got to do with me?
By A Correspondent- A Malawian Judge, Judge Mankhambira Charles Mkandawire will smile all the way to the bank after the regional bloc Southern African Development Committee has ordered to compensate him after they reportedly wrongfully terminated his contact as the bloc’s Registrar of the SADC Tribunal, Nyasa Times reports.
Mkandawire who had been locked in a legal battle with SADC will reportedly be compensated for US$380 184.71 less his cumulative earnings in Malawi from the time of the termination of his contract up to 30th November 2016.
Additionally, the judge will also get a 10% interest on the amount of claim from 30th November 2016 until the whole amount is paid in full.
The Tribunal that ruled in Judge Mkandawire’s favor was chaired by fired judge Justice Francis Bere at the SADC Administrative Tribunal in Gaborone, Botswana under application number 2 of 2019. Justice Bere reportedly chastised the SADC Secretariat for humiliating Judge Mkandawire and ordered the latter to pay for the cost of the suit.
In delivering his ruling Justice Bere reportedly said: The Applicant’s departure from SADC was characterized by extreme humiliation which negatively impacted on the general welfare of his family. His wife and Son who were enrolled at some universities in Namibia had to cut short their studies. In short, the Applicant made an unceremonious exit from SADC. The whole script makes sad reading
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has released details that show armed robbery cases are on the rise in Zimbabwe.
Using their official Twitter handle ZRP posted the following cases in which a gang of armed robbers managed to rob unsuspecting citizens of their hard-earned cash or property.
Tweeted ZRP:
In Chitungwiza, on 13/10/20, seven unknown male adults broke into a house armed with a rifle and iron bars. The men robbed the family of cash US$5 020.00 , two cell-phones and made good their escape. Police are investigating the matter.
In Beitbridge, on 13/10/20, a man who had gone for prayers in the bush was approached by five armed men. The men robbed him of cash ZAR10 000.00, US$200.00, seven cellphones and clothes. Investigations are also underway.
Police in Harare are investigating a case of armed robbery where a man (41) was robbed of his Toyota Hilux Revo vehicle, reg.no. AFE 3194 by three male adults driving a grey Honda Fit on 13/10/20 in Eastlea, Hre. 2/2 The men were armed with pistols and they also took away the man’s cellphone and two laptops. #notocrime
ZRP also warned the public against boarding unregistered vehicles as they said robbers are now using unregistered vehicles to steal from the public:
Members of the public are warned against boarding unregistered motor vehicles. On 13/10/20 a man (29) boarded an unregistered silver Toyota Axio in Harare intending to go to Bindura.The vehicle had three occupants who then robbed the man of his cash, laptop, cellphones and two satchels. The man was dumped at Greencroft shopping centre.
On the same date, in Kuwadzana, a man (32) boarded an unregistered Nissan Caravan and with seven occupants who robbed him of his cash and dumped him in Kuwadzana 4.A female adult (27) boarded an unregistered black Toyota Wish in Zengeza 3, Chitungwiza intending to go to Sunningdale on 12/10/20 at around 2200 hours. The driver stopped the vehicle and three other occupants on board searched the woman and stole her cash, two cellphones and clothes at knife point. She was dumped near Maruta Shopping centre.#notounregisteredvehicles
By A Correspondent- ZCTU has urged the government to close down schools till striking teachers return to work because of reports of students being involved in undesirable activities in schools.
There are several videos circulating on social media of learners engaging in truant activities at schools where there is no one to chastise them because there are no teachers.
The development comes after a video circulated on social media of a nasty fight involving learners where the students are seen fighting each other with chairs in a classroom.
Close schools until teachers are back after resolving their legitimate grievances. We are going to witness fatalities in these schools without teachers. Parents why are you sending children to school?
Teachers have been on strike since schools opened on 28 September.
By A Correspondent- According to Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga, ZRP will recruit 1000 Police officers after the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is over..
PG Matanga was speaking during a “discuss the security situation in the country” news briefing he jointly addressed with the Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe.
Matanga said:
We last recruited in 2018, but I have been given the green light by the Police Service Commission through the Home Affairs ministry to recruit 1,000 men and women to train as police officers.
The Covid-19 pandemic came unplanned and we ended up having too many roadblocks, so the army ended up collaborating with the police.
If you read the Constitution, depending on the situation on the ground the army may be called in to assist. It’s not about shortages (of police officers) but it’s about the public order situation where you will see we have roadblocks all over. Any department can be called in to assist.
Matanga commended the work of the police officers who work for his department and said even though they were not adequately funded, they have done a good job in dealing with dangerous criminals.
During the same briefing Kazembe Kazembe urged fugitive politicians to voluntarily surrender themselves to the authorities to clear their names.
The president of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, Dr Takavafira Zhou has said the government is to blame for the high prevalence of pregnancy cases among learners.
This comes after the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Education has reported that over 400 learners dropped out of school due to pregnancies and or illnesses.
Meanwhile, education minister Cain Mathema said communities and parents or guardians should work together for the upbringing of children since the said pregnancies were registered while learners were home. We present Zhou’s statement below.
Gvt Reponsible for the High Prevalence of Pregnancy Cases Among 2020 Students
17 October 2020
Ptuz baseline survey has shown that more than 20 000 of the 2020 final examination girl candindates are heavily pregnant. While parents may be partially responsible for this state of affairs, gvt must take the large blame.
Fundamentally, gvt enacted regulations allowing pregnant girl children to continue with their education have been taken as an open cheque to sex with the consequent high prevalence of pregnancy among students.
We highlighted previously that there was need for wide engagement with communities and educators but our professional advice was disregarded. Not that the enactment was totally wrong, but that it was hurriedly done without engaging stakeholders and explaining its efficacy. Anything right but done at the wrong time and without safety valves is totally wrong and we are paying for our wrong actions. The govt must therefore accept total responsibility for its actions and inactions.
Over and above since schools closed on 24 March there was very little activity, if any, to engage students and communities on awareness of covid 19 pandemic, confidence building, new pedagogical intercourse between teachers and learners, and creating hope for a better future.
The only source of intertainment for poor students became sex, more so when the politicians, artisinal miners, money changers and some rich cartels dangled monetary poisoned carrots.
Worse still the current gvt has presided over the fall of the teaching profession from grace to grass with monotonous regularity, reducing salaries from US$520-US$40 thereby eroding the value and dignity of teachers. The loss of our lustre has also been accompanied by loss of being role models so much that our advice is not accepted by students.
We therefore have lost our role as custodians of moral values and good chacter builders with the consequent high prevalence of pregnant cases among students.
Govt has eroded the importance of education in Zimbabwe so much that students do not see the value of pursuit of educational endeavours. So when students meet ‘potential cash husbands’ they are eager to get pregnant. Sadly, most of such potential husbands are either already married or liars who quickly dump students.
Worse still the more than 90% unemployment, poverty and misery of majority of Zimbabweans have left many parents unable to pay school fees and thereby enticing students to engage in sex in order to survive.
The current situation where students are going to schools where more than 90% of teachers are not present due to incapacitation will worsen the prevalence of pregnancy rate. Several students leave their homes allegedly to go schools but never get there as they spend the day either in guest houses abused by politicians and cartels or in some bush abused by artisinal miners etc. Most such students leave their homes wearing uniforms but quickly change into other clothes along the way.
Way Forward -The right to education is a fundamental right that must be guaranteed by gvt in order to allow children from poor families to pursue their education to a logical conclusion. -Gvt must restore the status of teachers that has been eroded over time. The best way to do so is to pay them a living wage. -Parents must stop sending their children to school until teachers are in schools. If so many pupils got pregnant while in your custody, what more is happening in the absence of teachers in schools? It is free for all, more so given group sex orgies arranged by students where male and female students would be naked drinking and taking drugs.
By A Correspondent- Vice President Kembo Mohadi has said the ruling ZANU PF will continue ruling despite the name-calling by its detractors.
Mohadi made the remarks while addressing government officials, among them Cabinet ministers, following a tour of infrastructure built under the Beitbridge Redevelopment Project. He said:
People call us junta, the President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) is a war veteran, Vice-President (Constantino) Chiwenga is a soldier, I am a soldier, (Housing) minister (Daniel) Garwe here is a soldier and we will rule not minding what the media says. We will continue to rule. Civilians will not.
Those of you who are like dogs barking at the rising moon, you can come back home because the moon will continue rising. There is nothing wrong in coming back home.
A Military Junta predominantly refers to the government of an authoritarian state run by high-ranking officers of a military.
ZANU PF critics started using the term junta in reference to President Mnangagwa after he rose to power in 2017 through a military assisted transition.
Mnangagwa is also accused of conniving with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to manipulate 2018 elections in his favour.
Analysts have also observed the militarisation of several government departments and parastatals since the ascendancy of Mnangagwa to power.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- A habitual thief from Tsholotsho who used a spoon to break into the same shop through the same window on six different occasions and stole groceries and airtime worth over $20 000 shocked a court when he blamed Satan for his criminal activities.
But the court rubbished the burglar Nqobile Moyo (20)’s lame excuse and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour.
This was after he was convicted of six counts of unlawful entry into premises and six counts of theft by Tsholotsho resident magistrate Victor Mpofu.
He will, however, spend an effective of eight years behind bars after two years of his jail package was suspended for five years on condition that he does not within that period commit similar crimes.
For the State, prosecutor Billiard Muguwu told the court that on the night of 22 January this year and at around 11pm Moyo armed himself with a spoon and went to Jonathan Ndebele (36)’s shop at Ntulula Business Centre in Tsholotsho.
Upon arrival he forced open one of the shop windows and got inside. While inside he took a Samsung cell phone, 16 x 200mls Skippers cane spirit, 5x500g biscuits, 65x Netone juice cards and 26x$10 Econet juice cards, altogether worth $7 350.
On 9 February at around 10 pm the accused person went to the complainant’s shop and used a spoon again to force open the same window and took 10x500ml Pepsi drinks, 6x200ml Clere body lotion, 25x500g hello snacks, 16x$10 Netone juice cards and the stolen items were valued at $5 500.
The court heard that on 11 May at around 10pm using the same modus operandi, Moyo again broke into Ndebele’s shop and took 6x500ml maheu, 5x200g chunks, 5x2kg sugar, 21x$10 Netone juice cards and the stolen items were valued at $4 500.
The court proved that on 15 April, Moyo again went to Ndebele’s shop armed with a spoon and forced open the same window and stole groceries and airtime worth $3 700.
The stolen items include 4x2kg rice, 15x500g hello snacks, 18x$10 net one juice cards and 22x$5 Econet juice cards.
On 22 May at around 11pm a daring Moyo struck again at Ndebele’s shop and took 4x2litre cooking oil, 5x500g peanut butter, seven loaves of bread, 27x$10 Netone juice cards and a speaker box, all valued at $5 500.
Having made it a habit to break into Ndebele’s shop using the same spoon and window, on 8 June at around 11pm Moyo again took 16x200g maputi, 5x500ml milk and 4x500g salt.
His luck, however, ran out on 22 June when police arrested him and recovered a speaker box, Samsung cell phone and a few groceries from his house.
Moyo admitted to stealing the items and when asked why he committed the offence, Moyo told the magistrate that the devil had possessed him and instructed him to commit the crime.
In coming up with the sentence the magistrate considered that the accused’s conduct was far from repentance as he repeatedly broke into the complainant’s business premises. He said this was an act of economic sabotage on the innocent complainant who was trying to make ends meet in a distressed economy.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- A teacher who duped a woman of R35 000 and US$1 050 in a botched building material deal ran out of luck and has been convicted of his crime.
A court heard that at a date not known to the prosecutor but in May last year Zenzile Mahlangu (38) was introduced to Mzokhulu Ncube (45), a teacher at Eastview High School in Bulawayo by her pastor.
The court heard the pastor told Mahlangu that Ncube could help her get building material as she was constructing a house in Trenance suburb.
Mahlangu embraced the idea which resulted in her and Ncube meeting at her flat in the city centre.
Representing the State, Hardlife Mhaka said:
“Mahlangu allegedly gave Mzokhulu US$1 050 for the purchase of window panes and door frames for her house which is under construction in Trenance suburb,” he said.
The court heard that Ncube allegedly squandered the money and told the unsuspecting Mahlangu that he was waiting for an order from South Africa.
In April last year he allegedly phoned Mahlangu and asked for a second payment saying he wanted to order a lot of building material for her so that she would finish building her house quickly.
Mahlangu, the court heard, was enticed by that and she allegedly gave him R35 000 so that he could buy building material that included an aluminium frame. The court heard that after two weeks of that payment, Ncube’s phone was not reachable and that raised eyebrows prompting Mahlangu to look for him and she found him at Eastview High School where he is employed as a teacher.
When she asked about the building material Ncube allegedly made empty promises. Subsequently Mahlangu sensed she was duped and reported the matter to the police leading to Ncube’s arrest.
During a full trial before magistrate Amanda Moyo, Ncube was convicted of theft of trust property and remanded in custody. He will be sentenced next week on Monday.-statemedia
Own Correspondent| Gogo Ndunge has reportedly fired a broadside at controversial Masvingo based preacher Isaac Makomichi after the two clashed over a client.
The controversial cleric posted a statement on social media, boasting of his spiritual powers.
“Two friends are dating one person-the other one is my client and the other one is Mbuya Ndunge’s.
Now my client won the race, it’s sad to note that Mbuya Ndunge is calling me saying she will destroy me.
I have confirmed the number through eco cash and I have managed to record voice calls.
Definitely I’m making a police report today.
If she is strong enough let her help her client to win back the boyfriend,” claimed Makomichi.
By A Correspondent- Eunice Chitangu from Marumisa village under Chief Nemangwe has been hauled to the traditional court after she decided to punish her husband Nesbert Chitondo by denying him sex over unpaid lobola.
Chitagu also made this decision as punishment for allegedly demanding sex all the time even when she was not in the mood.
It was revealed to B-Metro that in January this year, Chitangu who felt her husband should not continue enjoying her affection without giving her parents their dues as an appreciation for raising a woman who bore him four children solemnly told him the comfort, he had enjoyed was equivalent to the lobola he had so far paid.
Irked by his wife’s “sufficient reason” to deny him his conjugal rights, Chitondo then approached Chief Nemangwe’s traditional court complaining that his wife was holding him at ransom by allegedly denying him sex on grounds that he had not yet finished paying lobola for her.
According to a source who claimed to have intimate details of the incident, Chitondo was now accusing his wife of having a boyfriend arguing that same boyfriend must be the one who has been issuing instructions to his wife so that he doesn’t get his conjugal rights.
“In his case which is yet to be heard before Chief Nemangwe, Chitondo is complaining about his wife saying since January this year, he has not had sex with her because every time he tries to stimulate her sexual desires, she would refuse saying he should pay the outstanding lobola.
“Despite the fact he wanted the chief to restore the conjugal rights, Chitondo was complaining that he was also fed up of living with a stingy and disrespectful wife,” the source said.
The source further said Chitondo tried his best to make his wife happy and he even preached to her on the dangers of leaving him sexually starved, but to no avail.
B-Metro also gathered that central to the dispute is the fact that Chitondo was constantly demanding sex to an extent that he would even set his alarm clock an extra 30-40 minutes early so that he could fit in some of his lovemaking sessions with his seemingly restive wife.
Contacted for comment Chief Nemangwe could neither confirm nor deny the incident.
“I am not at liberty to comment on that case now because I have a lot of cases before me, which accumulated after we suspended hearings in March as part of Government’s efforts to reduce the spread of the deadly Covid-19. I will however, only be able to do so after I have presided over it,” said Chief Nemangwe
By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo man who is reportedly under investigation for suspected murder in Gwanda, Matabeleland South province is also being accused of engaging in the “cold and callous” acts of digging up graves.
Although his motive for digging up graves was not immediately established, Noel Masuku from Cowdray Park suburb was exposed by his brother Nicholas Masuku who is also a businessman after he sued him for breaching his peace by persistently confronting him over the suspected murder case whose investigations are still pending.
This was also after Noel claimed that his elder brother was branding him a witch before he threatened to hire thugs to abduct him.
So frosty is the relationship between the two brothers that Noel last week rushed to Bulawayo Civil Court and sought a protection order against Nicholas claiming he had also threatened to kill him.
“I request that the court must secure me with a protection order against my brother Nicholas Khawulani Masuku who is threatening to kill me. He is constantly coming to my house to insult me while armed with a pistol.
He is also saying I am a wizard and he will hire people to abduct me and make me disappear forever. He claims that since he is an ex- soldier who was trained to kill, no one will arrest him because he is well connected to all law enforcement agencies,” said an emotionally disturbed Noel.
Noel further said Nicholas was also insulting his mother calling her a prostitute who was abusing his father’s wealth.
He then begged presiding magistrate Nkosinomusa Ncube to grant a protection order against his brother saying the harassment was now affecting his family.
In response Nicholas justified his frequent visits to his younger brother’s place saying he had a case to answer concerning a suspected murder case which happened in Gwanda.
“I once came to court last year regarding this issue and the applicant defaulted. He is my brother and there is a pending murder case in Gwanda which is under investigation. We suspected he murdered someone and is also being suspected of digging up graves. I called him about this and went to his house to talk about it and he is now accusing me of fighting with him.
“In fact he is the one who is always fighting with us and there is no reason why I should shoot him. He is, however, interfering with investigations in which I’m also a complainant,” responded Nicholas.
In her ruling the magistrate granted an order in favour of Noel which spells that Nicholas should not call him or to go to his house without his consent and the order is valid for a period of eight years.
In coming up with the ruling the magistrate observed that there were reasonable grounds for believing that Nicholas had committed a breach of peace towards his younger brother especially from his submissions that he was going to reprimand him over the suspected murder case in question whose investigations were still pending.-BMetro
By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance Vice national Chairperson Job Sikhala has warned Zanu Pf stalwarts that their party will not rule Zimbabwe forever.
Said Sikhala:
Dear Kembo Mohadi
You are deluded to entertain your illusions that you will rule this country forever. Although you called yourself junta, what you said will happen on our dead bodies. Mkajaidzwa kudzvanyirira vanhu. We are on this case as serious as well as you purport to be.”
Dear Kembo Mohadi.
You are deluded to entertain your illusions that you will rule this country forever. Although you called yourself junta, what you said will happen on our dead bodies. Makajaidzwa kudzvanyirira vanhu. We are on this case as serious as well as you purport to be.
What I have been briefed since my release from prison from the African diplomatic front is that ED's regime has totally shut out emissaries from @President Cyril Ramaphosa from meeting anyone outside themselves. On this they will not relent. Time now to think outside the box.
By A Correspondent- While many people are happy that the rainy season is upon us, a woman from Ntabazinduna is living in fear of losing her life after her estranged husband threatened to kill her by lightning while in her house.
Rhoda Dlodlo from Madlelenyoni Line claimed her ex-husband Elias Zondo from Dobha Line in ward 5, also in Ntabazinduna, threatened that he had the power to send lightning to kill her as punishment for deserting him.
In a desperate bid to stop Zondo from carrying out his chilling threats, a fearful Dlodlo approached the Bulawayo Civil Court and sought a protection order against him.
“I want a protection order to be granted against my ex-husband Elias Zondo. We parted ways because he was an irresponsible man. He was failing to financially support me. He is a drunkard and would drink beer from morning till late at night.
“He would come home very drunk and start insulting me with vulgar language. On 17 September he followed me to my sister’s house where I’m now staying. He came armed with an axe and knobkerrie and was threatening to harm me.
“He also threatened to bewitch me saying he was going to send lightning to kill me together with those I’m staying with. He is also coming late at night at our home and lies in wait in the yard. He is a very dangerous man and I now feel insecure that he can harm me together with those people I’m staying with,” said Dlodlo.
Zondo didn’t, however, refute his ex-wife’s accusations. He said he carried out the threats in a bid to force Dlodlo to reconcile with him.
“Yes, I followed her to where she is now staying because I wanted her to come back home so that we can stay together. I was hurt that she deserted me so that is why I followed her to her place of residence. This is also because I didn’t expect her to leave me just like that,” protested Zondo.
His efforts to reconcile with Dlodlo seemed to have been dampened after the presiding magistrate Nkosinomusa Ncube sternly ordered him that for the next six months he should not to go to her house without her consent or to behave in a violent manner towards her.-statemedia
By Patrick Guramatunhu- One of the most offensive and exasperating things the white colonial oppressors did was to deny the blacks their voice and human dignity. In the workplace blacks were called “boyi” and were expected to grovel before the whites, to show respect, and to do as they were told.
The print and electronic media was there to give the whites a voice. The few independent newspapers and magazine serving the blacks were expected to help keep law and order by not questioning the blatant racial injustice. And so such publications as Moto, a Roman Catholic Church backed magazine, were harassed and censored by the white regime for publishing strongly held views by blacks. The whites could not tolerate any black person do dared to think for themselves; they were considered radicals and dangerous.
In white ruled Rhodesia, blacks had no meaningful say in the governance of the country. They had no vote; period.
Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980 has brought an end to white colonial oppression but only to replace it with black ruling elite oppression. All pretence of Zimbabwe being a multi-party democracy completely evaporated with the signing of the Zanu PF and PF Zapu Unity Accord in 1987; merging the two parties to form the de facto one-party, Zanu PF, dictatorship.
Zanu PF assimilated the laws and practices designed to silence and oppress the blacks, lock, stock and barrel, and keep the white in power; only this time they were to keep the Zanu PF dictatorship in power.
In Zanu PF ruled Zimbabwe, blacks had a vote in theory but not in practice. Starting with the 1980 elections Zanu PF has blatantly cheated and used violence varying from subtle intimidation to beatings, rape and even cold-blooded murder to secure electoral victory. Zimbabwe has never ever held free, fair and credible elections.
The root cause of Zimbabwe’s economic mess is the failure to hold free and fair elections. The country has been stuck with a corrupt and incompetent Zanu PF regime for 40 years now. 40 years of gross mismanagement and rampant corruption have left the country in economic ruins and millions are now living in abject poverty.
The economic situation in Zimbabwe has reached alarming levels, unemployment has soared to 90% plus, basic services such as education and health care have all but collapsed. 34% of the population, according to WB 2019 report, were living in extreme poverty. The corona virus pandemic has made the health and economic situation even worse. The human suffering caused by the economic meltdown has become intolerable.
It is extremely annoying therefore that instead of the nation addressing the country’s economic mess and the underlying cause of rigged elections the nation being forced to discuss a side show.
“Zanu-PF takes strong exception to being lectured on issues of human rights by citizens of countries which perpetrated the brutalities accompanying the Atlantic African Slave Trade and colonial conquest of Africa, and who refuse to render apologies or pay reparations,” said Patrick Chinamasa, Zanu PF’s acting spokesperson.
“As a consequence of seeking to redress the brutalities that occurred in the colonisation of Zimbabwe, accompanied by dispossession of our land and brutal confiscation of livestock by colonialists, the country has suffered 20 years of naked bullying, economic isolation and severe sanctions regime by the former colonial powers now acting in concert as economic and political powers in support of what they allege are rights of 4 500 white former farmers,” he said.
Ordinary Zimbabweans have been calling for the restoration of their basic freedoms and human rights including the right to a meaningful vote and the right to life itself. Of course, they have been crying for freedom, peace, justice and human dignity all their lives; they are at the coal face of Zanu PF oppression just as they were at the coal face of white colonial oppression.
Last month President Cyril Ramaphosa of SA send envoys to Zimbabwe whose mission was to encourage Zanu PF to accept meaningful democratic changes and end the country’s worsening economic and political crisis. SA was told in no uncertain terms to mind its own business.
“We are an independent sovereign country. We agreed in our meeting that we are equal sovereign States. South Africa has no mediatory role to play in Zimbabwe. We know that the South African government is controlled by white men,” remarked Patrick Chinamasa.
So Zanu PF has completely ignored the ordinary Zimbabweans who have crying for their freedoms and rights because the regime is indifferent to their suffering. And, more significantly, Zanu PF, just like the white colonial regime before it, does not recognise ordinary Zimbabweans as human beings entitled to the same freedoms and rights as other human being.
“That at the time of abolition of the Atlantic African slave trade the British through the British Parliament approved and paid 20 million pounds to slave owners already rich through the labour of the slaves,” concluded Chinamasa.
This is just madness! And so, ordinary Zimbabweans be denied their basic freedoms and rights because the British compensated the slave owners but not the slaves. What has that got to do with me?
Linda Masarira, a Zimbabwean politician and current president of the Labour, Economists and African Democrats party (LEAD) has written an open letter to Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga complaining about police brutality on a senior citizen. Below is the letter.
16 October 2020
Dear CG Matanga,
It is with pain in my heart that I write this letter to you, after learning of the harassment by the police of an elderly woman Editor Mavaza aged 65 residing in Glen View.
The background of the story is that last month in September Editor Mavaza was assaulted by her tenant who is lodging at her house 7988 28th Road Glen View area 8, Harare.
She was assaulted after asking the tenant to vacate her house after 3 months notice had lapsed. The police did not arrest the tenant after she had made a report at ZRP Glen View.
The officer at ZRP Makomva Post in Glenview threatened the complainant and sent her back home where the lodger had remained. The lodger had systematically and continually harassed this old woman taking advantage that she is a widow and her two adult boys died within six months of each other due to unnatural causes.
The tenant refused to pay the outstanding rentals and for the current month of October and is still staying at the house. Out of frustration, the home-owner decided to remove the door of the room which the lodger was using and he reported to the police leading to the arrest of Editor Mavaza.
She was arrested and charged with unlawful eviction of a lodger. Despite the clear fact that the law does not recognise the removal of a door as a crime the police harassed Editor insulted her. One lady police officer told her that if she does not cooperate with the lodger she will rot in cells.
The police denied Editor Mavaza her right to contact her lawyer and access to food and her medication.
Commissioner-General, this woman is a senior citizen who has been harassed by law enforcement agents, denied medication and food, a right to fair trial and was released yesterday without a charge.
The police in order to cover up they told the complainant to make a withdrawal to legitimise their detention of this old lady.
The reason why I am engaging your office, is that it is not the first time that women house owners have approached me for assistance in similar matters in Harare.
The cases are similar in nature where ZRP officials take sides and deny women the right to a fair trial and justice.
In this case, when she reported the assault case it was ignored and that is an issue of gender-based violence which all organs of the state should condemn without fear or favour.
Commissioner General, the detention of Editor Mavaza was unlawful and vindictive. The police used cells to force the poor old lady to allow the abusive lodger to stay at her house where he is not paying rent. The lodger is actually boasting that the police are in his pocket and he will do things his way.
My pain Commissioner-General is that the actions of the police stinks of corruption and I am humbly asking you to institute investigations of all involved officers.
Furthermore, the charge did not warrant a detention denial including being denied her medication and refusal to avail the poor lady to see her lawyer.
I know that you are a man who does not tolerate corruption and abuse of police powers. Please look into this matter and bring justice to this poor old lady.
I have decided to take this case to you for assistance.
Women’s rights are human rights. In anticipation of a favourable response I remain,
A reflection of the strong bond between President Tsvangirai and President Chamisa .Above PresidentTsvangirai “hands over” the stick to President Chamisa
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube has said the current administration led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa has always paid workers’ salaries and bonuses on time.
Ncube told The Herald in an interview after touring a food manufacturing and processing firm in Bulawayo that bonuses will be coming in November. He said:
Since we came in as the New Dispensation, we have not failed to pay the civil servants their normal salaries on time.
Secondly, we have not failed to pay them their bonus on time, so there should be no question about that. We will pay their normal bonus, and of late of course, we have been negotiating with civil servants.
They are receiving the 40 percent adjustment to their core salary and we are continuing with the US$75 payment per month under the Covid-19 allowance.
That is carrying on and health sector workers are getting a further top-up being for those that are in the frontline in terms of Covid-19.
Before the Mnangagwa-led administration came to power in 2017, workers pay dates were not certain and would usually be staggered to the following month as government coffers had allegedly dried up.
Meanwhile, workers have expressed concern over the depreciation of the value of their salaries leaving them incapacitated to perform their contractual duties and responsibilities.
Resultantly, they have since last year embarked on a series of protests to force the government to restore their 2018 salaries.
By Masimba Mavaza- “Man sitting on outdoor wooden stairwell, cupped hand wrapped around clenched hand, both hands held to mouth, a pained gaze.”
This is the everyday posture most men in the UK adopt under pressure from their partners and spouses.
Domestic violence against men is rampant in the UK. The laws in the UK tilts towards women thus many men have become victims. Many men are in an abusive relationship. Zimbabwean men are shocked by the behaviour of their women once they come to England.
Abuse of men happens far more often than you might expect in most relationships. It happens to men from all cultures and all walks of life regardless of age or occupation.
Figures suggest that as many as one in three Zimbabwean victims of domestic violence are male. However, men are often reluctant to report abuse because they feel embarrassed, fear they won’t be believed, or are scared that their partner will take revenge.
Maxwell Mutungwazi is a Zimbabwean man who joined his wife in the United Kingdom. He narrates his story with tears running down his cheeks.
“I was a manager in one of the factories in Harare. Life was not that bad. I was managing. I had stayed two years with my minor children my wife had gone to the Uk. She would call me everyday we would talk. All was well. She got a job as a nurse and she would send money. So we applied for our visa that is me and my children. The kids were excited to see their mother after two years. The thought of flying for the first time the dreams of being in the arms of my wife again made me glow with expectations. We were on the top of the clouds literally as we flew into the Uk. Our first month was perfect a scene cut out of a romantic movie.”
Maxwell paused for a minute the tears on his cheeks had dried leaving two bold white lines which ran from the eyes down the cheeks. He looked at me and said:
“My life has turned upside down. My wife started not coming home saying she was having long days and nights. She had developed ways of answering her phone away from me. When on a voice call, she would go lock herself in the car.
She would say they are private work calls. If I demanded to see only the number which called her, she became an abusive partner. She would hit, kick, bite, punch, spit, throw things, or destroy my possessions. She would tell me that “Boarder ndi maenzanise ” if I tried to stand up to her. She would call the police on me.”
To make up for any difference in strength, she attacked me while I was asleep or otherwise catch me by surprise. She started using weapons such as pots or knives, or strike me with an object, abuse or threaten our children.
She then would tell me that If I tried to retaliate, she would take me off her visa.”
Maxwell paused again now his tears had started to flow. This time his nose gave way. He was so powerless to wipe them out. He continued now with a shaky voice.
“You know I left my job. I sold my property and we even sold the house. There is nothing back home. I am trapped in this country. My wife does what she wants. The little time she is home she is on WhatsApp.”
Of course, domestic abuse is not limited to violence. Emotional and verbal abuse can be just as damaging. As a male, your spouse or partner may:Verbally abuse you, belittle you, or humiliate you in front of friends, colleagues, or family, or on social media.
Maxwell explained how his wife can call her relatives dissing him”. However, when Maxwell is on the phone with his shift manager, the wife becomes possessive, acts jealous, or harasses him with accusations of being unfaithful.
“One day she took away my car keys and told me that she bought it and she does what she wants. She tries to control where i go and who I see. Despite the fact that she is never at home. The little times we see each other, its always horror and disaster.”
He continued:
“She tries to control how i spend the little money i earn or deliberately default on joint financial obligations saying “You are now working, look after the family.”
When she meets the few friends I have made, she makes false allegations about me to my friends, employer, or the police, or find other ways to manipulate and isolate me. She threatened to leave me and prevent me from seeing my kids if I was to report the abuse.”
He continued this time visibly dejected
“As an abused man, I faced a lot of challenges including shortage of resources, a lack of understanding from friends and family, and legal obstacles, especially if trying to gain custody of my children from an abusive mother.”
All this gave me a very deep anger so one day I left the house i took my kids with me. Thats when the police came and charged me with abduction.”
He started sobbing.
“I have lived with my kids alone all these years until this woman called the police on me. They took my kids from me I don’t even know where my kids are. The police took me and instructed that i be examined under mental health act. I was then forcefully kept at a home for being mentally disturbed. I have no access to my children and i can not work. But I am not insane”
The more I tried to reason the more I was sedated and forced to be in a sleepy mode. My wife being a nurse convinced the police that I was insane. I was only released back to an assisted living accommodation.”
Maxwell looked up and cried again.
This is one of the sad stories Zimbabwean men are facing in the UK.
Matimbe another Zimbabwean man in Leicester said the ladies have assumed power against their men. They now feel empowered to treat their men like trash. Most men have gained courage in their circumstances, they seek to overcome these challenges and escape the violence and abuse.
Most Zimbabwean men don’t leave abusive relationships.
Regardless of gender, ending a relationship, even an abusive one, is rarely easy. It becomes even harder if you’ve been isolated from friends and family, threatened, manipulated, and controlled, or physically and emotionally beaten down.
You may feel that you have to stay in the relationship because you have no alternative, John Masaka a social worker commented.
He pointed further that one feels ashamed.
“Many men feel great shame that they’ve been abused, been unable to stand up for themselves, or somehow failed in their role as a male, husband, or father.
Most men suffer because they have they are afraid to be embarrassed at church. Their religious beliefs dictate that they stay or their self-worth is so low that they feel this abusive relationship is all they deserve.
Many men worry they’ll have difficulty being believed by the authorities, or that their abuse will be minimized because they’re male, or find there are few resources to specifically help abused men.
The tragedy to this is that many men are in denial. Just as with female domestic violence victims, denying that there is a problem in their relationship will only prolong the abuse. They may still love their partner when they’re not being abusive and believe that they will change or that they can help them.
In all these abused situations it is the children who suffer the most. The abused men worry that if they leave, their spouse will harm their children or prevent them from having access to them.
Obtaining custody of children is always challenging for fathers, but even if they are confident that they can do so, they may still feel overwhelmed at the prospect of raising them alone.”
He added that many men leave in perpetual bondage.
“Women have become monsters and break their families and many hearts along the way.
Because these women are bread winners their parents will always support them. They will never correct them. The “Ane mari ndiye mukuru” syndrome meaning the one who has money is believed has destroyed the institution of marriage.
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s minister of Primary and Secondary Education Ambassador Cain Mathema has directed schools to start conducting lessons online amid teachers’ protests over poor salaries.
Mathema made the remarks after his presentation on the role of education in nation-building and development at the Zimbabwe National Defence University.
He said:
Once you have online learning, it means the child has to be assisted at home. I cannot accept that public schools at this moment do not have online learning facilities, there is absolutely no reason at all. Each school has enough land for commercial activity.
Commenting on reports that over 400 learners have dropped out of school due to pregnancy or illnesses and that videos of learners exhibiting naughty behaviours, he said schools, communities, and parents or guardians should partner to help in the upbringing of children.
Teachers have not returned to works since the reopening of schools for writing classes on the 28th of October and are adamant they will not go to work until the government has restored their 2018 salaries.
They are currently earning an equivalent of US$30 on average down from about US$500 in 2018.
The teachers say they are incapacitated to execute their duties and responsibilities as their salaries are way too low and also considering that Zimbabwe is an inflationary economy.
Mathema also speaks when the issue of electronic learning has since caused divisions amongst stakeholders with some saying the government should first close the digital divide between urban and rural schools.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions has advised that schools should be closed in light of the absence of teachers in schools.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has reported that Banking sector deposits at the central bank increased by ZW$1.4 billion, while currency issued increased by ZW$69.5 million.
This resulted in reserve money rising by ZW$1.1 billion, to ZW$15.4 billion over the week ending 9 October 2020.
Government deposits at the Central Bank declined by ZW$1.7 billion, which had the impact of injecting liquidity at banks, thus contributing to the increase in reserve money during the week under review.
Matebeleland had in the past always provided leadership at critical moments in the history of this country. This dates back to the inception of the Ndebele state, to resistance to colonialism, to Queen Lozikeyi reign, to early Nationalist Movements, to the mighty ZPRA right up to the formation of the MDC. I am of the opinion that one of the gravest mistakes of the MDC was the 2005 split that robbed the MDC of great minds of Welshman Ncube, David Coltart, Gibson Sibanda, Fletcher Dulini, Paul Themba, and many others. I am in no way implying that Matebeleland leaders are superior to leaders from other regions but raising the point that Matebeleland leaders are as up to the task as everybody else. There is need therefore, to have leaders from the region fighting for space, supported, acknowledged and recognised.
Since the Mugabe reign, from the 1980 ethnic census disguised as elections to date, leaders from the region seem to have been relegated to novices in the context of national political discourse. This has continues even to date.
Activists from Matebeleland are the latest victims of Hararerisation of the struggle. This is not only done by Harare but it is perpetuated by some within the region. I try and explain how this is so in this article. Please note that these are personal observations.
Battle for Prominence in Matebeleland (the next Joshua Nkomo)
There seems to be a behind the scenes of who is the legitimate Matebeleland leader or who will replace Joshua Nkomo. This has been the greatest undoing for our people. It is the most divisive aspect of our collective struggles. It results in local leadership not complimenting each other but competing against each other. Some amongst us are quick to partner with Harare so as to be pseudo representatives of Matebeleland in Harare platforms. Our collective ability to bargain or even bring local issues to the national table is thoroughly undermined in the process.
Lack of Solidarity
I don’t know why but there seems to be limited solidarity around local activists. I remember when Josphat Mzaca Ngulube was detained and eventually sentenced to 7 years in prison, there was never a hashtag for him. However when our counterparts in Harare are persecuted we are all seen in the I stand with so and so and Free so and so hashtags. Our people from the region will tell you that they don’t know you or you are not big enough. What lame excuses. At worst they will tell you they don’t know what we stand for. Currently, we have Nigel Ndlovu, Lillian and Nyasha going to court. They give updates about their case. Generally, none cares. Mzingaye Thaka a 20 year old was arrested. He did not trend but Ngadziore is trending. We just need to stand with ours, tell their story till it gets the attention at national level.
Skepticism
Somehow, our people are skeptical about each other. I remember when the state broke into my house I called alot of people that night. One of our respected activists asked me to prove that I am not making everything up. I couldn’t believe my ears. I call you at 2am and you ask me to prove that my life is under threat. What madness! Alot of our cadres now opt to suffer in silence. This is because each time they call for help, our own people are quick to say ‘sebedinga imali, relevance, clout, visas or attention’. Sadly this narrative seems to be touted by those amongst us against us and rarely in reference to Hararians.
Lack of Media Coverage.
Media plays a key role in any struggle. It is thus prudent that we give our activists as much media coverage as possible. Even social media is a good tool. Retweet their story, share in WhatsApp groups and everywhere else. Sadly, our people want to tell our story when we die or are harmed. Should you escape, your story is not Newsworthy. Some activists have been in hiding since July, they have lost jobs and means of survival. They now survive on handouts. Before they can be helped, there is need that they prove their story. The fastest way of doing so is by googling their name or checking if it was reported by anyone, especially known local media. Many a times, Matebeleland Activists are not covered in the media. I was shocked when I checked how many times my story, reported by International media, was reported by local media. Bulawayo 24 has been our shining light in this regard. Once media does not cover us, we become low hanging fruits for the state. When I felt unsafe, I decided to grow my Twitter account. I moved from 300 in May to 5000 currently. It helps. Otherwise I would have remained relatively unknown.
Poor political Organisation.
The other haranguing factor of our struggle in the region is that locally led political parties are not visible on the ground (except MRP). As a result when activists speak on issues the politicians feel undermined or threatened. As such they don’t embrace us. They castigate us. Should we get into trouble for speaking out, they celebrate. Actually, when the state eliminates activists, it is to the advantage of these political parties. They don’t offer any support or solidarity to local Activists. Even if we ask for support, they don’t mince their words. We are not one of them, they say. On the other hand MDC Alliance seems to embrace everyone. Whether it is sincere or not is secondary. I for one have Nelson Chamisa checking on me every week. I am not a member of his party but he calls or sends a WhatsApp message just to check if am okay. I saw Job Sikhala checking on Mduduzi Mathuthu the other day. Where are our own leaders. Our own political leaders are quiet. We meet them by chance when the threat has subsided only for them to say ‘Ngezwa mntanami. Selinjani kodwa’ At worst I have been offered assistance on condition that I join a certain political party. Imagine. Our political parties must learn to stand with local Activists
The being used tag
Our people don’t trust us. Everytime we rise and speak, they are the first to say Harare is using us. This is an insult to my Revolutionary Resolve. Are they saying people from our region have no capacity to speak out against injustice without being influenced by Harare? For instance, I designed and distributed #ZanuPfMustGo masks without a Harare partnership but our people felt that I was being used by Harare. As a result of this Kusetshenziswa tag, we don’t get help in the day of trouble as the expectation is that our Harare Handlers are taking care of us
The struggle is in Harare
There is a general notion that the struggle is in Harare and Harare Activists are superior. All rapid response mechanisms seem to be in Harare. Local Activists have to report to some Harare person who has never heard of them. We need to submit resumés as we are relatively unknown. I remember Mduduzi Mathuthu complaining after being sent a rookie lawyer by ZLHR. Josphat has in the past raised the same concern. Somehow the ‘real fighters’ are in Harare, thina singabakhaphi, we are the bridal train. I remember Fadzai Mahere querying Thandekile Moyo credentials in the Activism trenches. By marching one day she felt qualified to castigate someone who has been in the trenches longer simply because she had not seen her in Harare. What is saddening is that our own Harare is Laker loyalists did not defend Thandekile from Fadzai. This must change. Zimbabwe is not Harare.
Limited Resources
Our people, tempestuous as we are, seem not to have mechanisms to meaningfully stand with their Activists. There is no emergency fund on standby, no safe houses and no mechanisms to assist and alert the world of the persecution of our people. This is normal judging our context. What is abnormal is that we are then refered to as Sellouts once we get help from elsewhere or decide to abandon the struggle due to lack of support. We are expected to be content and consoled by words like ‘istruggle sinjalo’ when our children are hungry. Our people are comfortable with a self sustained cadre who also funds the struggle. Should you ask them to meaningfully and materially support those in the trenches they are quick to say the struggle is voluntary.
The Tribal Card
It seems once one is from Matebeleland, there is a notion that they are tribal. We continuously have to explain how the Matebeleland struggle is a national struggle. We are viewed as tribalists with a Ndebele supremacist agenda. We are not trusted. We are isolated. This is regardless of the fact that all this is not true. Our Harare counterparts are quick to push this narrative to elbow us from the national context and to alienate us from the people
It’s hard to be an Activist in Matebeleland
Mthulisi Hanana is a political activist and Human Rights Defender from Matebeleland. He is currently is exile. He believes that the people of Zimbabwe must do whatever is necessary to get their freedom from Zanu Pf.
Linda Masarira, a Zimbabwean politician and current president of the Labour, Economists and African Democrats party (LEAD) has written an open letter to Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga complaining about police brutality on a senior citizen. Below is the letter.
16 October 2020
Dear CG Matanga,
It is with pain in my heart that I write this letter to you, after learning of the harassment by the police of an elderly woman Editor Mavaza aged 65 residing in Glen View.
The background of the story is that last month in September Editor Mavaza was assaulted by her tenant who is lodging at her house 7988 28th Road Glen View area 8, Harare.
She was assaulted after asking the tenant to vacate her house after 3 months notice had lapsed. The police did not arrest the tenant after she had made a report at ZRP Glen View.
The officer at ZRP Makomva Post in Glenview threatened the complainant and sent her back home where the lodger had remained. The lodger had systematically and continually harassed this old woman taking advantage that she is a widow and her two adult boys died within six months of each other due to unnatural causes.
The tenant refused to pay the outstanding rentals and for the current month of October and is still staying at the house. Out of frustration, the home-owner decided to remove the door of the room which the lodger was using and he reported to the police leading to the arrest of Editor Mavaza.
She was arrested and charged with unlawful eviction of a lodger. Despite the clear fact that the law does not recognise the removal of a door as a crime the police harassed Editor insulted her. One lady police officer told her that if she does not cooperate with the lodger she will rot in cells.
The police denied Editor Mavaza her right to contact her lawyer and access to food and her medication.
Commissioner-General, this woman is a senior citizen who has been harassed by law enforcement agents, denied medication and food, a right to fair trial and was released yesterday without a charge.
The police in order to cover up they told the complainant to make a withdrawal to legitimise their detention of this old lady.
The reason why I am engaging your office, is that it is not the first time that women house owners have approached me for assistance in similar matters in Harare.
The cases are similar in nature where ZRP officials take sides and deny women the right to a fair trial and justice.
In this case, when she reported the assault case it was ignored and that is an issue of gender-based violence which all organs of the state should condemn without fear or favour.
Commissioner General, the detention of Editor Mavaza was unlawful and vindictive. The police used cells to force the poor old lady to allow the abusive lodger to stay at her house where he is not paying rent. The lodger is actually boasting that the police are in his pocket and he will do things his way.
My pain Commissioner-General is that the actions of the police stinks of corruption and I am humbly asking you to institute investigations of all involved officers.
Furthermore, the charge did not warrant a detention denial including being denied her medication and refusal to avail the poor lady to see her lawyer.
I know that you are a man who does not tolerate corruption and abuse of police powers. Please look into this matter and bring justice to this poor old lady.
I have decided to take this case to you for assistance.
Women’s rights are human rights. In anticipation of a favourable response I remain,
Normally straight talking MDC-T 2014 National Organising Secretary Abednico Bhebhe has burst out revealing that party President Thokozani Khupe and National Chairman Morgen Komichi misused over $7 million of the party funds.
Bhebhe made the sensational claims in an affidavit he deposited at the High Court in a court case where two party members are demanding the party leaders to volunteer critical information about the party to its members ahead of a special Congress to elect an heir to late founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
The two party members leading the case are Gilbert Kagodora and Nason Mamuse.
MDC-T is the 1st Respondent, Khupe, Komichi and Bhebhe are 2nd, 3rd and 4th Respondents respectively.
“1st Respondent (MDC-T) opened and now operates books of accounts without reference whatsoever to the National Executive as is required by the constitution,” said Bhebhe.
“In fact, 1st Respondent received from the Government of Zimbabwe, under the Political Finances Act, whooping Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Zimbabwean dollars which 2nd (Khupe) and 3rd (Komichi) Respondents wiped clean outside the mandate and framework of 1st Respondent’s constitution.”
Bhebhe also revealed that Khupe and Komichi had refused to listen to him when he advised them to organise a proper national executive committee meeting as directed by the party constitution.
“In fact, as late as Thursday the 8th of October 2020, in the course of a sitting of 1st Respondent’s National Standing Committee, a subcommittee of the National Executive, I reiterated for the umpteenth time to 2nd and 3rd Respondents the need to convene a National Executive and/or National Council meeting,” he said.
“I must acknowledge though a sorry attempt by 2nd Respondent to hold a virtual National Council meeting, sometime on the 9th of May 2020.
“2nd Respondent directed the holding of a National Council meeting on the WhatsApp platform.
“In my capacity as the National Organising Secretary, I created a WhatsApp group on the 3rd of May 2020 with a membership of just about One Hundred Fifty (150) members of the 2014 structures and in which I was the Administrator with full benefits.
“Shortly after commencement of the virtual National Council meeting, after Douglas Mwonzora cited in the 1st Applicant’s founding affidavit had posted the agenda, there was an en mass departure of some members exiting the WhatsApp group one after another.
“Shortly thereafter, my number was added (as an ordinary backbencher) to a new WhatsApp group at which something with the semblance of a meeting seemed to be starting or continuing.”
Bhebhe added, “I noticed that 3rd Respondent was the co-administrator of the said WhatsApp group, sharing administration benefits with a Mr Phugeni, some lanky tall fellow well known to me as a member of the National Executive.
“I confronted 2nd and 3rd Respondents about the new arrangement and voiced my dissatisfaction there and then, before exiting shortly after my pleas that the meeting be properly constituted if it is to be considered a sitting of the National Council were ignored.
“I am not surprised, in light of the foregoing, that 1st and 2nd Applicants are before this Honourable Court.”
The former opposition legislator went on to say that Khupe has failed to adhere to the 30 March Supreme Court judgment which nullified the appointment of Nelson Chamisa as MDC leader, ordering the party to hold an extraordinary congress, using the 2014 structures.
Bhebhe said both Khupe and Komichi were disregarding the MDC-T constitution, abusing the National Standing Committee to pass “dubious” decisions such as firing elected officials and members of the 2014 party structures without due process.
Former South African President Jacob Zuma at the State Capture Commission in Parktown, 16 July 2019. Picture Neil McCartney
‘My opponents have now decided to target my children and this is where I draw the line and state that this harassment of my children is a declaration of war.’
Former president Jacob Zuma has penned yet another scathing letter to the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, the media, law enforcement agencies and banks to leave his children out of any investigation on him.
“I am pleading with our law enforcement agencies, our media, the banks and more particularly the investigators of the commission, to leave my children out of their brief to scapegoat and punish me in order to conceal the crimes of the powerful. My children were not in government and should not be dragged into battles designed to destroy me,” said the former president.
Zuma’s statement follows a Sunday Times article which alleged “the Zondo commission on state capture is set to rip the veil of secrecy off thousands of potentially dodgy financial transactions linked to former president Jacob Zuma, his family and his secretive education trust.”
The publication claimed to have seen subpoenas relating to at least 20 accounts linked to Zuma’s family, “including a TV production company that produces an SABC1 soapie, Uzalo”.
But the former president claimed in his statement that his children had not been notified by the commission.
“If they have become subjects of any investigation by the commission, they should be notified just like any other implicated person so that they can exercise their rights like any other implicated person. So far, they have not been served with any notices indicating that they are in any way implicated by any witness selected by the commission,” he said.
Also read: Zuma Foundation accuses Zondo of trying to humiliate JZ
Zuma has pleaded with the commission to leave his children alone, and said he was the one central to its investigation, not his family.
“I have indeed accepted that the commission is desperate to deliver me for what is alleged to be my role in what is called state capture as it cannot complete this commission without lynching the original target of those who conceptualised the commission as a part of the campaigns to discredit me,” he said.
“However, I condemn as utter cowardice the attempts to target my children by way of clandestine investigations into matters that have nothing to do with them. My children live their lives separately and must be treated like any child or person that has not been implicated in any wrongdoing.”
He said the alleged harassment of his children was “the height of barbarism” and further vowed to fight it.
“My opponents have now decided to target my children and this is where I draw the line and state that this harassment of my children is a declaration of war. The system has crossed the line and I will fight it with all I have.”
Read his statement below:
View gallery (2)
The commission has issued a subpoena against the former president to appear before the commission at 10am on 16 November.
Failure to comply with a directive of the chairperson, without sufficient cause is a “criminal offence”, chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, said last week.
This comes after Zondo said last month that he would not negotiate with Zuma and his legal team on the dates that the former president should testify at the commission.
Zuma had failed to appeared before the commission as the former president was preparing for his arms deal court matter, according to a letter by his lawyers
MBARE Magistrate Shelly Zvenyika on Thursday 15 October 2020 acquitted 11 nurses who had been on trial after they were arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers in July and charged with contravening some national lockdown regulations during a protest over poor salaries and working conditions.
Magistrate Zvenyika acquitted the 11 nurses at the close of the prosecution case after their lawyers Tinashe Chinopfukutwa and Rudo Bere of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights applied for them to be discharged arguing that the nurses had not committed an offence warranting them to be prosecuted.
The 11 nurses namely Ndadyei Gudza, Raikai Chibharo, Moses Sigauke, Michelle Magonye, Kumbirai Maiswa, Trish Chireka, Nyasha Kapesi, Evermay Chikoka, Lucas Sharara, Samson Gurupira and Laiza Magwizi, whose trial commenced on Tuesday 29 September 2020, were arrested on Monday 6 July 2020 and charged with participating or convening a gathering knowing that such a gathering is prohibited in terms of section 5(3)(a) of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020 Public Health (COVID 19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment Regulations) National Lockdown) Order, 2020.
During trial, prosecutors told Magistrate Zvenyika that the nurses contravened national lockdown regulations when they allegedly gathered at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare on Monday 6 July 2020 for a feedback meeting convened over a litany of grievances against government which is their employer.
The nurses who are employed at various medical centres including Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Chitungwiza Central Hospital and Sally Mugabe Central Hospital were accused of being part of about 100 people who gathered at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital intending to stage a demonstration and proceeded to sing protest songs and waved some placards in contravention of national lockdown regulations.
Sigauke, who is one of the nurses acquitted on Thursday 15 October 2020 returns to court on Monday 26 October 2020 for commencement of his trial on a charge of incitement as defined in section 187 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, after he allegedly recorded a video while in police detention on Monday 6 July 2020 at Mbare Police Station and posted it on Facebook encouraging other nurses to come and join the detained nurses in demonstrating at Mbare Police Station.
The state alleged that Sigauke posted a message on Facebook which reads; “Ngatingouya tizadze camp tese tiite demo yedu tiri mu camp. Handiti ndimo munonzi muri illegal,” which if loosely translated means; “Let’s all gather at the police station and stage our demonstration.”
By posting such a message, prosecutors charged that Sigauke had incited nurses to gather at Mbare Police Station and demonstrate and cause violence.
Just three days before the Zimbabwe cricket team is scheduled to touch down in Islamabad for a three ODI and three T20I series, the Pakistan Cricket Board reiterated it has not paid any extra money to the visitors to undertake the FTP tour as was the case with them in 2015.
“The PCB paid Zimbabwe, a World XI and West Indies players between 2015 and 2018. We believe that was the right move then and was done to build confidence in the visiting players, the cricket boards and to help revive cricket in Pakistan.
“However, the PCB has moved on very quickly from this. It is now focusing on building, developing and strengthening trust, confidence and credibility in the eyes of the cricketing world,” PCB chief executive officer, Wasim Khan told the Associated Press of Pakistan in an exclusive interview here on Sunday.
“The need to entice international players to Pakistan by offering handsome financial rewards is now firmly behind us. Instead, the PCB will invest these valuable funds into our women’s cricket, upgrading our infrastructure, improving domestic and international player contracts and developing world-class coach education programmes,” Wasim, a former first-class cricketer and a Warwick Business School graduate, said.
The PCB reportedly paid USD12,500 to each Zimbabwe player in 2015, while each member of the World XI received up to USD100,000 in 2017.
The PCB also paid the West Indies side in access of USD250,000 in 2018 to play three T20Is in Karachi. In addition, the ICC paid an independent security firm US$1.2million over three years as part of its contribution for the resumption of cricket in Pakistan.
In 2014, the PCB had announced it will play India in six bilateral series from 2015 and 2023. However, it turned out to be a disaster as the PCB ended up paying around USD1.6 million as compensation to the BCCI after losing a battle in the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee, which was 60 per cent of the legal cost.
“The return of Test cricket after 10 years was underpinned by the visits of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh respectively, while additionally, an MCC team toured Lahore after 48 years.
“Furthermore, the delivery of 30 matches of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 at four Pakistan venues, which included 37 foreign players after nearly 425 players had expressed their interest, further evidenced that our country is as safe and as secure as any place in the world.
Bosnia sentences former Serb commander over genocide “The England and Wales Cricket Board’s positive intent of visiting Pakistan for a short three T20I series in January 2021 is a clear indictor that after the 2019-2020 season, international teams can feel a real level of confidence coming to Pakistan, fully aware that our safety and security provisions are robust and our hospitality remains second to none,” said Wasim.
On the series against India, the former Leicestershire County Cricket Club chief executive reiterated the PCB had now moved on from the never-ending discussion about whether India will play Pakistan.
“Unlike many boards who need to play India from a financial perspective, the PCB has taken an unprecedented and unique step of signing a ground-breaking domestic US$200million deal with PTV Sports and I-Media Communications Services. This will see all home internationals, domestic, women’s and age-group cricket being shown on PTV Sports for, at least, the next three years.
“As well as the commercial value of Pakistan versus India matches in ICC tournaments, everyone is aware of the value of bilateral cricket between both nations.
CPEC strong pillar of Pak-China all weather friendship: Ambassador Haque However, just as importantly, from a purely cricketing perspective, fans around the world will continue to be deprived of watching and following what is arguably the fiercest rivalry in world sport.
“Instead of dwelling on the fact that before it can play Pakistan, the BCCI has to seek permission from its government that demonstrates polarizing policies and anti-Pakistan rhetoric, the PCB remains highly focused on what lies ahead.
“We have home series against Zimbabwe, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and England in the next two years. These series will surely will provide the cricket fans and followers plenty of quality cricket, thrill and excitement, which will be extremely pleasing and satisfying for us as PCB” concluded the 49-year-old who had joined the PCB in February 2019 on a three-year contract.
A Mutare nurse stands accused of denying her husband his conjugal rights for the past three years and spitting on his face each time he asks for them.
Jairos Mamvura recently let the cat out of the bag as he begged the court for an official separation from his wife Molly Mamvura.
However, Mutare magistrate Ms Notebulgar Muchineripi told Jairos that she could neither separate nor keep them together.
Ms Muchineripi, however, granted a protection order in Molly’s favour as she had approached the courts saying Jairos is violent.
In response, Jairos said he loses his marbles as his wife has been denying him his conjugal rights for the past three years.
“I need a separation. This is not a marriage. I am being denied my rights in the bedroom. She should respect me as her husband and entertain me in the bedroom. She actually spits in my face, telling me that she will not sleep with me. It has been three years since we last became intimate. On our way here, she spit on my face. What kind of wife is she?” he said.
Jairos also begged the court to order Molly to stop attending to her patients at their matrimonial home. “She is a nurse and has converted our house into a backyard surgery. She attends to her patients in the presence of our children. Maybe the court has the power to stop her from doing that as I have failed. She should not treat her patients at home. Our home is not a surgery and she is not a doctor,” said Jairos.
Molly confirmed that she has been denying her husband his conjugal rights, adding that she will never be intimate with him for as long as he continues making her his punching bag.
“He is very violent and is always assaulting me. After assaulting me, he expects me to sleep with him. Not in this world will I entertain an abusive husband in bed. I also need that separation if that is what he wants. Maybe it is time for us to part ways because we haven’t been a real family for too long,” she said.
Molly also revealed that Jairos has not been coming home for a while now. Ms Muchineripi granted a protection order in Molly favour. The order bars Jairos from breaching his wife’s peace. She went on to remind the couple that she is not a divorce magistrate. “My duty is to see that there is peace between the two of you. This is not a divorce or separation order that I am granting to Molly. Go and live in peace,” said Ms Muchineripi.
POLICE in Mutoko, Mashonaland East province have arrested a 23-year-old man who allegedly axed his aunt to death, accusing her of misplacing his talisman.
Piniel Tinomuda, of village 43 Hoyuyu, is also facing another charge of attempted murder after he also struck his grandmother, Benhilda Nyarambi (81), with an axe over the same issue.
The body of the deceased, Lizzie Madende (59), has since been conveyed to Murewa Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem, while Nyarambi is battling for her life at Mutoko District Hospital.
Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed both incidents.
“It is disheartening to report the death of the victim through such a gruesome way. It is also disturbing to note that the accused person took the law into his own hands and critically injured another victim,” he said.
“Violence should not permeate our communities to such an extent. The public should respect the sanctity of life and resolve any misunderstandings amicably. The suspect will be taken to court soon on murder and attempted murder charges.”
It is reported that on Tuesday at around 8pm, Madende was at her residence with other family members, including the suspect.
Tinomuda reportedly accused Madende for misplacing his talisman which he kept in an old tyre behind his bedroom.
The suspect became violent, drew an axe from his bedroom and struck Madende on the head twice, killing her on the spot.
Nyarambi reportedly pleaded with the suspect to stop axing his aunt. He then turned and struck her twice on the neck and arm.
Nyarambi fell down and became unconscious.
After realising that he had committed a heinous crime, Tinomuda fled and hid in a nearby mountain.
A report was made at Janhi Police Base, who launched a manhunt and arrested him.
Security services are redoubling efforts to fight violent crime and corruption and want the public to help by reporting suspicious behaviour.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe yesterday said violent crime, corruption and the abuse of social and other media, and the resulting upsurge in fake news reports remained high on the law enforcement agenda.
In his statement, Minister Kazembe urged citizens to be on the guard against criminals and report suspicious behaviour wherever it manifested.
“With regards to violent crime, the security services have gone a gear up to sharpen the identification, tracing, apprehending and presenting for prosecution of all suspects implicated in violent crime in the country,” he said.
This comes after a series of incidents in recent weeks where police exchanged gunfire with criminals with several people, including security personnel, dying in gun battles.
Last month in Chivhu, two suspected criminals killed a soldier and fled with two AK-47 rifles while soldiers were also badly injured in a shoot-out with the thugs. But after a smart operation mounted by the security forces, the two suspects were tracked down and killed a day after killing the soldier.
This week, an armed gang attacked the Mt Pleasant home of Lieutenant-General (Retired) Engelbert Rugeje where a suspected criminal was killed.
On Thursday, another suspected criminal was killed by police in a gunfight after he had been holed up with hostages in a stand-off that lasted 14 hours in Beitbridge. The suspect was on the police wanted list in connection with several armed robberies.
On corruption, Minister Kazembe said citizens must play an active role in reporting cases and help in the identification and location of suspects.
“Corruption remains a cancer that gnaws slowly against our thrust as a nation towards the Vision 2030 trajectory set out by His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa. The law enforcement agencies are rebounding their efforts to tackle the scourge, working in concert with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and the Special Anti-Corruption Unit in the Office of the President and Cabinet.”
Minister Kazembe said authorities were also seized with securing the return of fugitives from justice that were scattered in various parts of the globe.
Zimbabwe was renowned for its fair justice system which meant the courts would clear innocent suspects and convict the guilty.
“As law enforcement agencies, our role is to bring suspects to justice, then the normal procedures take effect. We urge the suspects to do themselves a favour by voluntarily returning to clear their names if they are innocent.”
“The abuse of social media and the scourge of fake reportage, which are often motivated by subversive intentions, will remain closely monitored to protect peace and stability in the country. They are trying to subvert our economic revival efforts,” said Minister Kazembe.
He said peace and stability were needed in the country’s quest to attain an upper middle income society by 2030.
“The peace and stability in Zimbabwe is what guarantees and secures the path to the attainment of Vision 2030, which we must all rally behind.”
“I call upon all peace-loving citizens to play their part in this journey and help fight violent crime, corruption and subversion spearheaded by malcontents whose only mission is to try to grab power unconstitutionally and violently for their own personal greed purposes and against the dictates of our democracy and constitutionalism.”
Civil servants have been reassured that they will get this year’s bonuses next month, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said yesterday.
In an interview with state media, Prof Ncube said: “Since we came in as the New Dispensation, we have not failed to pay the civil servants their normal salaries on time.
“Secondly, we have not failed to pay them their bonus on time, so there should be no question about that. We will pay their normal bonus, and of late of course, we have been negotiating with civil servants.
“They are receiving the 40 percent adjustment to their core salary and we are continuing with the US$75 payment per month under the Covid-19 allowance.
That is carrying on and health sector workers are getting a further top-up being for those that are in the frontline in terms of Covid-19.”
Prof Ncube said for the health sector, there was a four-tier system, with the first tier earning $6 000, the next tier about $3 750, the other tier about $2 500 and the last tier about $1 500.
This is in addition to the 40 percent adjustment and US$75 payment per month, which is now converted to the local currency on the prevailing exchange rate.
Prof Ncube said the 13th cheque will be paid next month.
Seven police officers who threw teargas canisters onto a bus full of passengers at the Harare Exhibition Park will be charged under the Police Act, Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga has said.
Passengers that were in the bus were forced to jump through the windows onto the tarmac to escape the tear smoke.
The seven police officers, who were arrested after the incident, had wanted to arrest the bus driver because he had a Class 2 driver’s licence instead of a Class 1 required to drive buses.
Comm-Gen Matanga said the officers erred and will be charged for their actions.
“We have arrested the seven officers in connection with the incident, which occurred at the Harare Agricultural Show grounds,” he said. “We are going to charge them under the Police Act.
“The officers who are carrying out the investigations are the ones who are going to pick the appropriate charge from the Police Act. As far as I am concerned, I can generally say they performed their duty improperly.
“I run my office guided by an Act of Parliament, that is the Police Act.”
Comm-Gen Matanga said appropriate legal frameworks will be evoked when charging the officers.
Tear smoke is usually used to disperse crowds that would have turned violent, but it is not clear why the officers decided to throw the canisters onto the bus.
Meanwhile, the police have been allowed to recruit 1 000 more officers, with the last recruitment having been done in 2018.
Comm-Gen Matanga confirmed the development, but said they will recruit when it is safe to do so.
“As we speak right now, I have got authority from the Police Service Commission, through the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage to recruit 1 000 men and women for the year 2020,” he said.
“But right now I have not done so because of the Covid-19 pandemic. We will wait until such a time the situation allows us to do so.”
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube says that the country is set for a financial boom next year besides reduction in Zimbabwe’s gross domestic product this year of minus 4,5 percent which he attributed to the Covid-19 scourge.
“In 2021, the economy is predicted to recover from a projected contraction of -4,5 percent in 2020 to a growth of 7,4 percent, driven by consumption (2,6 percent) and investment (5,8 percent) improvements,” said Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube yesterday.
Launching the 2021 Budget Strategy Paper in Harare, a document expected to guide wider consultations on the upcoming 2021 National Budget, the Minister said: “The recovery in consumption is mainly anchored on expected stabilisation of inflation through ongoing policy interventions which should aid restoration of purchasing power of consumers.
“Employers including Government will continue to review wages and salaries in line with inflation developments and budget capacity to restore eroded incomes as the economy recovers.”
The 2021 Budget Strategy Paper marks the transition from the Transitional Stabilisation Programme, which is coming to an end this December, paving way for the longer term National Development Strategy from 2021-2025.
The 2021 Budget Strategy Paper is themed “Building Resilience and Economic Recovery Post Covid-19”.
“Government is launching the 2021 Budget Strategy Paper (BSP) in line with the New Dispensation’s commitment of ensuring broader stakeholder involvement in policy formulation processes, that way generating effective public participation in policy and programmes implementation,” said the Minister.
“Accordingly, the 2021 Budget Strategy Paper (BSP) constitutes a valuable tool, meant to guide consultative discussions and sharing of ideas on national priority policies, programmes and projects for the forthcoming 2021 National Budget,” reads part of the document.
“Under the theme “Building Resilience and Economic Recovery Post-Covid-19”, the Budget Strategy Paper focusses on strengthening the economy to withstand any potential climatic (drought, cyclones, floods, pests) and macro-economic shocks, as we focus on attaining inclusive and sustainable growth towards Vision 2030.”
Monthly inflation is now falling to almost trivial levels and this will be seen in revised annual inflation predictions with the 12-month rate by year-end now expected to be 134 percent, down from the initial prediction of 300 percent.
This is a result of the high monthly inflation recorded in the last five months of last year fall out of the calculation to be replaced by trivial monthly rates already seen and predicted for the rest of this year.
Annual inflation measures the rise in the cost of living over the previous 12 months. With monthly inflation rising steadily from February last year until July this year, when it peaked at 35 percent, the running 12-month figure also rose in line with the monthly rates to a peak of around 837 percent.
But since the introduction of the foreign currency auction system, which has brought about macro-economic stability, high monthly figures from August and September last year have already been replaced by very low figures from the same two months this year, which in turn has seen the resulting annual inflation figures falling to almost 660 percent.
Even the 134 percent now predicted by year-end will be largely due to the rising monthly figures between February and July this year, after an anomalous very low January figure.
“The slowdown in inflation will be attributed to deepening of the foreign currency auction market which is expected to sustain exchange rate stability,” said the Minister.
“Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is also expected to continue to curtail growth in money supply, which is one of the major drivers of inflation.”
Prof Ncube said economic prospects for the coming year will be underpinned by “macro stability characterised by currency stability, declining annual inflation averaging 134 percent, and fiscal stability.”
The foreign currency auction system has brought about price stability as a good number of retailers and service providers are now utilising market-based pricing, and this is being reflected in recent inflation trends.
The stability has been predicated on the fiscal discipline of the Second Republic with Government living within its means, that is what it collects in taxes, instead of wild borrowing and then printing, in later years printing digitally, extra money and thus driving up money supply without corresponding increases in production.
The month-on-month inflation rate in September 2020 was 3,83 percent, reinforcing the dramatic fall seen in August, when it had fallen to 8,44 percent.
Below is a comment by a family friend of the Chiwengas, ‘ the prolific activist Setfree Mafukidze who says some of the things narrated by VP Chiwenga son, Kuda Blessing, to ZimEye, had already been shared with him before.
” I have known Kuda Blessing Chiwenga since he was a small boy back in Marondera as he grew up at some point he looked up to me for advice and l also valued his own advice.
Chiwenga with Patson Dzamara and Setfree Mafukodza
By A Correspondent | ” I am not safe here. South African Police Services raided my former residence around 4:00 am and attempted to break into the house in search for me, ” announced the abducted MDC A Marondera candidate (2018 polls), Learnmore Magorimbo.
The development comes two weeks after Mr Magorimbo, who turns 25 today, was abducted, tortured, only to be rescued by passerbies in a Capetown location.
Ever since fleeing Zimbabwe after the January military crackdown, Magorimbo has been on the run from ZANU PF assailants. On the 28th September him and his wife were allegedly abducted and tortured.
The abductors were two men and a woman who kidnapped the couple and drove to a nearby bank before taking them to an open area where he was stoned with a half brick, he narrates.
His wife was also assaulted and this only stopped when a group of people nearby walked over to see what was happening. (Below was his narration back then).
He reported the matter to the local police.
But two weeks the SAPS have descended into his rented property in Capetown, not to give him his highly awaited reference number, but allegedly to arrest him.
He tells ZimEye he “has no clue why this is being done to him.”
It is feared that many police officers in Capetown are also involved in armed robberies.
He was not at home at the time, and a female source narrates saying, “today police came over at around 5am, saying they are looking for sekuru.
” They said they are after Kumbi who was assaulted. We are not sure why they want him, because the manner they are searching for him is unusual, they appeared like he is guilty of something. “
The source continued saying, the police officers jumped the durawall and began banging the door as if they want to smash the door down. “
ZimEye was at the time of writing still making a follow up with the local police at Milnerton, Capetown.
By A Correspondent | ” I am not safe here. South African Police Services raided my former residence around 4:00 am and attempted to break into the house in search for me, ” announced the abducted MDC A Marondera candidate (2018 polls), Learnmore Magorimbo.
The development comes two weeks after Mr Magorimbo, who turns 25 today, was abducted, tortured, only to be rescued by passerbies in a Capetown location.
Ever since fleeing Zimbabwe after the January military crackdown, Magorimbo has been on the run from ZANU PF assailants. On the 28th Sept him and his wife were allegedly abducted and tortured.
The abductors were two men and a woman who kidnapped the couple and drove to a nearby bank before taking them to an open area where he was stoned with a half brick, he narrates. His wife was also assaulted and this only stopped when a group of people nearby walked over to see what was happening. (Below was his narration back then).
He reported the matter to the local police.
https://youtu.be/UedLIJ0wY60
But two weeks the SAPS have descended into his rented property in Capetown, not to give him his highly awaited reference number, but allegedly to arrest him.
He tells ZimEye he “has no clue why this is being done to him.”
It is feared that many police officers in Capetown are also involved in armed robberies.
He was not at home at the time, and a female source narrates saying, “today police came over at around 5am, saying they are looking for sekuru.
” They said they are after Kumbi who was assaulted. We are not sure why they want him, because the manner they are searching for him is unusual, they appeared like he is guilty of something. “
The source continued saying, the police officers jumped the durawall and began banging the door as if they want to smash the door down. “
ZimEye was at the time of writing still making a follow up with the local police at Milnerton, Capetown.
By A Correspondent| MDC Alliance Secretary General Charlton Hwende is struggling to secure a new passport after his diplomatic passport was repossessed by Parliament following his recall.
Hwende was recalled by MDC-T following a Supreme Court ruling which handed power of the Labour backed movement to Dr Thokozani Khupe.
After the recall, Hwende and other legislators who were given diplomatic passports were asked to return them as they were deemed parliamentary privilege.
Now Hwende says he has been moving from one office to the other at Registrar General’s office without success, a process that seems to be frustrating him.
“I have been to the Registrar General’s office weekly for months now requesting my green passport and I have been sent from one office to another without success. I need to travel my Diplomatic Passport was cancelled but they now don’t want to give me my Ordinary Passport Back,” said Hwende.
Black Men Highest At Risk Of Dying From COVID Than Whites Figures for England and Wales. Deaths between 2 March and 28 July. Grey area shows the confidence interval. Figures in horizontal axis in times.
Black Men Highest At Risk Of Dying From COVID Than Whites Figures for England and Wales. Deaths between 2 March and 28 July. Grey area shows the confidence interval. Figures in horizontal axis in times.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has called all political fugitives to return home and face punishment before they face extradition.
In a statement, Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe said the government was seized with corruption-related matters.
He advised Zimbabweans who fled the country while they had unfinished cases in courts to come back and clear their names before they face extradition.
“Secondly, corruption remains cancer that gnaws slowly against our thrust as a nation towards the Vision 2030 trajectory set out by His Excellency, President E.D. Mnangagwa.
The law enforcement agencies are rebounding their efforts to tackle the scourge, working in concert with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and the Special Anti Corruption Unit in the Office of the President and Cabinet. Citizens must play an active role in reporting any acts of corruption they witness and should help law enforcement agencies to identify and locate the suspects.
“On a related matter, we are seized with securing the return of fugitives from justice that are scattered in various parts of the globe. Zimbabwe is renowned for its fair justice system which will afford all such fugitives the opportunity to return home and clear their names. As law enforcement agencies, our role is to bring suspects to justice, then the normal procedures take effect. We urge the suspects to do themselves a favor by voluntarily returning to clear their names if they are innocent,” Kazembe said.
The Government through the National Prosecuting Authority this week said it had formally approached South Africa to help extradite former Zanu PF Political Commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere.
Kasukuwere together with former cabinet ministers, Jonathan Moyo, Walter Mzembi, and Patrick Zhuwao fled the country in November 2017 after a military coup that ousted late former president Robert Mugabe.
Mnangagwa has been trying to extradite them but the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) in 2018 refused to cooperate with the government of Zimbabwe.
Interpol argued that the charges the former Zanu PF politicians faced were more political.
A 70-YEAR-OLD man from Bulilima drowned while he was fishing in a dam.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred at Kariba Dam in Fairview Village on Tuesday at around 11AM.
He said Emmanuel Mudzingwa from Nketa 6 Suburb in Bulawayo was fishing at the dam in the company of others when he drowned.
“I can confirm that we recorded a case of drowning which occurred at Kariba Dam in Fairview Village. Emmanuel Mudzingwa was fishing with others when he caught a big fish which pulled the fishing line and drifted with it further into dam. Mudzingwa tried to pursue the fish by following the fishing line. He dived inside the dam and drowned after failing to swim.
“His peers tried to rescue him but failed. Mudzingwa’s body was retrieved from the dam and the matter was reported to the police who attended the scene,” he said.
Chief Insp Ndebele urged members of the public to be careful when around water bodies. He said a number of lives have been lost during fishing expeditions. Chief Insp Ndebele said now that the rainy season had started people should desist from attempting to cross flooded rivers.
There is a letter circulating on social media purportedly written by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to Great Zimbabwe University Vice Chancellor Professor Rungano Zvobgo.
In the letter, Mnangagwa praises Zvobgo for building and developing the institution ‘brick by brick’ in what portrays him as merely a ceremonial Chancellor who is not involved in the running of the university.
By Farai D Hove | ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is getting military advice from Ethiopia’s former brutal dictator, a top former minister has hinted.
The development might explain the reign of terror that has seen over 25 people killed and more than 50 women raped during the first two years after the removal of former president Robert Mugabe.
Mengistu Haile Mariam standing with former PM Hailemariam Desaleng (left) at State House in Harare in 2018 – FILE COPY
Speaking on the day Mnangagwa’s regime announced it wants former G40 ministers to return to Zimbabwe and clear themselves, the former Foreign Affairs Minister during Robert Mugabe days, Eng Walter Mzembi hinted saying Mnangagwa has skeletons in his closet.
Walter Mzembi
Mzembi’s colleague who is the former Local Government minister, Saviour Kasukuwere, scoffed at the calls to return home saying Mnangagwa wants to ,”clear us out of existence I guess!”
Mzembi wrote back responding to statements by Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe who yesterday said the G40 ministers must come back and clear their names.
On the other hand, Mzembi reacted saying:
“Did Mnangagwa come back to clear his name after he ran away to South Africa(?) Read his response letter when a similar invitation was issued to him!”
He continued saying:
“Zimbabwe Government has hosted Mengistu as its Military Advisor & REFUSED TO HAND HIM OVER since his deposition in 1991. Under his Red Terror reign up to 750000 people died, he was convicted in absentia in 2007/8 for his personal role in this. Ndapedza!
“I am not Mengistu have never killed even a goat in my life , disagreeing politically and not supporting the ascension of @edmnangagwa into office of President is not a crime , this should not result in framing of charges against opponents. Goodnight! “
Mengistu’s administration is alleged to have killed an estimated half a million people, including the country’s last emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie.
After the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) came to power, a court sentenced Mengistu to life in prison in absentia. Although the Ethiopian government requested his extradition in 2006, the late President Robert Mugabe reportedly refused to hand over the ex-leader, who was at the time his adviser on Ethiopia’s security affairs.
By A Correspondent| Information Secretary Nick Mangwana has blamed returning Zimbabweans from South African prisons who were released during the lockdown, for the recent spike in crime in the country.
This is despite the fact that some of the criminals involved in armed robberies being unmasked as either members of the military or police with some of them using AK47 guns commonly used by the state security.
“During Lockdown we had no option but accept over 500 hardcore criminals who were detained at Lindela Holding Facilities in South Africa because they were our citizens. The consequence is a spike in violent crime in our country but our Security Forces are up to the task,” said Mangwana.
Zimbabwe has witnessed a recent spike in armed robberies in major cities such as Harare and Bulawayo believed to be caused by the tight economic situation in the country.
THE Premier Soccer League (PSL) released the 2020-21 DStv Premiership fixtures yesterday.
Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns, the two clubs that fought for the championship until the last minute of the previous season, will feature in the opening act of the DStv Premiership at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 24 October.
At the same time, Baroka FC will be at home against Maritzburg United at Peter Mokaba Stadium and Lamontville Golden Arrows will travel to the Free State to play Bloemfontein Celtic at Dr. Molemela Stadium.
At 1800, Cape Town City hosts Chippa United at Cape Town Stadium.
There are two matches at 2015: AmaZulu are at home against Orlando Pirates at Jonsson Kings Park while SuperSport United will be playing against Black Leopards at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
On Sunday, 25 October, Swallows FC will play their first match in the professional ranks since the 2014-15 season when they were relegated. They will travel to Stellenbosch to play Stellenbosch FC at Danie Craven Stadium at 1530.
In Thohoyandou at the same time, history will be made when both Tshakhuma FC and TS Galaxy play their first match in the top-flight league. — SuperSport
By Patrick Guramatunhu | One of the most offensive and exasperating things the white colonial oppressors did was to deny blacks their voice and their dignity. In the workplace blacks were called “boyi” and were expected to grovel before the whites, to show respect, and to do as they were told.
The print and electronic media was there to give the whites a voice. The few independent newspapers and magazines serving the blacks were expected to help keep Law and Order by not questioning the racial injustice.
And so such publications as Moto, a Roman Catholic Church backed magazine, were harassed and censored by the white regime for publishing strongly held views by blacks. The whites could not tolerate any black person who dared to think for themselves; they were considered radicals and dangerous.
In white ruled Rhodesia, blacks had no meaningful say in the governance of the country. They had no vote; period.
Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980 has brought an end to white colonial oppression but only to replace it with black ruling elite oppression. All pretence of Zimbabwe being a multi-party democracy completely evaporated with the signing of the Zanu PF and PF Zapu Unity Accord in 1987; merging the two parties to form the de facto one-party, Zanu PF, dictatorship.
Zanu PF assimilated the laws and practices designed to silence and oppress the blacks, lock, stock and barrel, and keep the white in power; only this time they were to keep the Zanu PF dictatorship in power.
In Zanu PF ruled Zimbabwe, blacks had a vote in theory but not in practice. Starting with the 1980 elections Zanu PF has blatantly cheated and used violence varying from subtle intimidation to beatings, rape and even cold-blooded murder to secure electoral victory. Zimbabwe has never ever held free, fair and credible elections.
The root cause of Zimbabwe’s economic mess is the failure to hold free and fair elections. The country has been stuck with a corrupt and incompetent Zanu PF regime for 40 years now. 40 years of gross mismanagement and rampant corruption have left the country in economic ruins and millions are now living in abject poverty.
The economic situation in Zimbabwe has reached alarming levels, unemployment has soared to 90% plus, basic services such as education and health care have all but collapsed. 34% of the population, according to WB 2019 report, were living in extreme poverty. The corona virus pandemic has made the health and economic situation even worse. The human suffering caused by the economic meltdown has become intolerable.
It is extremely annoying therefore that instead of the nation addressing the country’s economic mess and the underlying cause of rigged elections the nation being forced to discuss a side show.
“Zanu-PF takes strong exception to being lectured on issues of human rights by citizens of countries which perpetrated the brutalities accompanying the Atlantic African Slave Trade and colonial conquest of Africa, and who refuse to render apologies or pay reparations,” said Patrick Chinamasa, Zanu PF’s acting spokesperson.
“As a consequence of seeking to redress the brutalities that occurred in the colonisation of Zimbabwe, accompanied by dispossession of our land and brutal confiscation of livestock by colonialists, the country has suffered 20 years of naked bullying, economic isolation and severe sanctions regime by the former colonial powers now acting in concert as economic and political powers in support of what they allege are rights of 4 500 white former farmers,” he said.
Ordinary Zimbabweans have been calling for the restoration of their basic freedoms and human rights including the right to a meaningful vote and the right to life itself. Of course, they have been crying for freedom, peace, justice and human dignity all their lives; they are at the coal face of Zanu PF oppression just as they were at the coal face of white colonial oppression.
Last month President Cyril Ramaphosa of SA send envoys to Zimbabwe whose mission was to encourage Zanu PF to accept meaningful democratic changes and end the country’s worsening economic and political crisis. SA was told in no uncertain terms to mind its own business.
“We are an independent sovereign country. We agreed in our meeting that we are equal sovereign States. South Africa has no mediatory role to play in Zimbabwe. We know that the South African government is controlled by white men,” remarked Patrick Chinamasa.
So Zanu PF has completely ignored the ordinary Zimbabweans who have crying for their freedoms and rights because the regime is indifferent to their suffering. And, more significantly, Zanu PF, just like the white colonial regime before it, does not recognise ordinary Zimbabweans as human beings entitled to the same freedoms and rights as other human being.
“That at the time of abolition of the Atlantic African slave trade the British through the British Parliament approved and paid 20 million pounds to slave owners already rich through the labour of the slaves,” concluded Chinamasa.
This is just madness! And so, ordinary Zimbabweans be denied their basic freedoms and rights because the British compensated the slave owners but not the slaves. What has that got to do with me? – SOURCE: zimbabwelight.blogspot.com
Khupe,Mwonzora et Al subverting the Supreme Court Judgement: Abednego Bhebhe
16 October 2020
By
Mandava Blessing
The 2014 MDC-T Organising Secretary Hon Abednego Bhebhe attacked Thokozani Khupe and the judicially constructed MDC-T Presidium for unconstitutional and irregular conduct.
Bhebhe made the remarks in his Court affidavit after the MDC-T Acting President Thokozani khupe,Mr Komichi and Bhebhe were taken to court by National Executive Member Gilbert Kagodora and Naison Mamuse.
In his Court Affidavit,he exposed how the Khupe cabal are using fake 2014 MDC-T structures to undertake the business of the 2014 MDC-T party.He queried Khalipani Phugeni’s role in the 2014 MDC-T structures.
He further exposes the high level of unconstitutionalism and unilateralism which has seen the Thokozani khupe and Mwonzora making personal decisions without consulting the National Council.
Hon Bhebhe’s remarks comes in the wake of Provincial Assemblies of the 2014 MDC-T structures who are now coalescing to finish the unfinished business of the MDC-T as directed by the Supreme Court Judgement.He demanding a constitutional EOC with bonafide delegates not manufactured ones.
Investigations by The Change Radio revealed that the court resurrected MDC-T has never met its 2014 membership or party organs since the delivery of the Supreme Court Judgement in May.However,the Khupe led MDC-T has proceeded to make decisions on behalf of the MDC-T without the 2014 National Council’s blessings.The Party’s Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora has even threatened to bar bonafide EOC delegates perceived as Advocate Chamisa supporters from attending the EOC.
By
Mandava Blessing
The 2014 MDC-T Organising Secretary Hon Abednego Bhebhe attacked Thokozani Khupe and the judicially constructed MDC-T Presidium for unconstitutional and irregular conduct.
Bhebhe made the remarks in his Court affidavit after the MDC-T Acting President Thokozani khupe,Mr Komichi and Bhebhe were taken to court by National Executive Member Gilbert Kagodora and Naison Mamuse.
In his Court Affidavit,he exposed how the Khupe cabal are using fake 2014 MDC-T structures to undertake the business of the 2014 MDC-T party.He queried Khalipani Phugeni’s role in the 2014 MDC-T structures.
He further exposes the high level of unconstitutionalism and unilateralism which has seen the Thokozani khupe and Mwonzora making personal decisions without consulting the National Council.
Hon Bhebhe’s remarks comes in the wake of Provincial Assemblies of the 2014 MDC-T structures who are now coalescing to finish the unfinished business of the MDC-T as directed by the Supreme Court Judgement.He demanding a constitutional EOC with bonafide delegates not manufactured ones.
Investigations by The Change Radio revealed that the court resurrected MDC-T has never met its 2014 membership or party organs since the delivery of the Supreme Court Judgement in May.However,the Khupe led MDC-T has proceeded to make decisions on behalf of the MDC-T without the 2014 National Council’s blessings.The Party’s Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora has even threatened to bar bonafide EOC delegates perceived as Advocate Chamisa supporters from attending the EOC.
By A Correspondent| Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe has warned social media users that government will be monitoring their activities to protect “peace and stability in the country” in what confirms the state’s intention spook on citizens freedoms.
Addressing the media in Harare today, Kazembe said abuse of social media and fake news was motivated by subversive intentions.
“The abuse of social media and the scourge of fake reportage, which are often motivated by subversive intentions, will remain closely monitored to protect peace and stability in the country. They are trying to subvert our economic revival efforts,” said Kazembe.
THE Sports and Recreation Commission has green lighted football to return after months of inactivity due to the Coronavirus outbreak that paralysed sporting activities on a global scale.
The approval is in line with provisions of Statutory Instrument 200 of 2020.
In a letter to Zifa secretary-general Joseph Mamutse, SRC director-general Prince Mupazviriho said football training had been okayed with effect from yesterday, while competition proper will be conducted in a bubble format, just like what happened across the Limpopo in South Africa.
“The Sports and Recreation Commission hereby gives you notice, following your application that the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation approved the gradual and phased resumption of football activities effective 16th of October in line with the provisions of Statutory Instrument 200 of 2020,” reads the statement by Mupazviriho.
He said the approval was for the Premier Soccer League, Women’s Soccer League and all national teams.
He emphasised that the resumption will take the format of a mini-league using the bubble concept.
“The resumption of football activities shall take the format of the mini-league using the bubble concept adopted by yourselves. The football activities in addition to the requirements specified by World Health Organisation (WHO) for safe resumption of sport, Statutory Instrument 200 of 2020, your submitted protocols, other legislation and policy directives relating to the prevention and containment of Covid-19, be subject to the following conditions; strict adherence to the bubble concept, implementation of Standard Operating Procedures and Zifa and its affiliates to provide resources and finances to undertake those activities,” said the SRC.
It said resumption of the game was a phased approach and assessments will be done during the initial stage on whether or not all provisions are in place and adherence to set protocols in order to inform the complete resumption of all football activities.
“Please note that all protocols for the resumption and containment of Covid-19 must be observed at all times and SRC expect strict and full compliance by all your members,” said the Commission.
There was, however, no clarity on whether fans will be allowed into the stadia during friendly and official matches.-Chronicle
By Mandava Blessing| Teachers and teacher Unions have blasted the Government for being an insincere and uncaring employer which is not concerned about the workers’ plight or welfare whatsoever.
The government in a dramatic u-turn has made a major climb down from it’s vitriolic attacks on teachers and threats which saw the President Mr ED Munangagwa attacking and threatening teachers in his address in Mutare recently.Not to be left out in the attack were some high ranking Government Officials such as Nick Mangwana who threatened the unarmed teachers with war for allegedly arm twisting the Government to consider their welfare seriously.
Speaking to the Change Radio in Hurungwe,a senior teacher who requested anonymity accused the government of politicising the teachers’ welfare demands.Mr Bernad Of Masvingo noted that there is no political will by the Government to remunerate the teachers well or to improve their conditions of service.
Speaking to the Change Radio the Secretary for Mobilisation in the Professional Educators Union Of Zimbabwe Mr Maltin Mukusha described the move by the Public Service Commission to convert the teachers’ Covid19 allowance to RTGS as “nonsensical and a lack of seriousness by the Government”.He angrily retorted that,”teachers are not morons who can be taken for a ride”.The PEUZ President Mr Wilson Makanyaire simply noted the PSC deception as a circus.
The PTUZ responding to the Public Service Commission on its Twitter handle said,”The announcement is actually Hot air.The deception won’t work.Our members remain incapacitated”.
The Zimbabwe Rural Teachers Union in a communique issued by its Secretary General Mr Fambai Fambai echoed the PTUZ stance and noted that ,”teachers won’t be Hoodwinked into dropping the incapacitation action by piecemeal solutions which are not sustainable”.
The majority of teachers that were interviewed by this publication bemoaned the Government’s segregatory tendencies which has seen it prioritising the security sector ahead of the teachers.Many have showed no trace if fear of dismissal as they equated their current situation as far worse than that of the unemployed in the streets.
Investigations by The Change Radio have revealed that most teachers are now eking out a decent living from vending,fish mongering or by engaging in illegal mining activities.
The announcement by the Public Service Commission Secretary Ambassador J Wutawunashe unearthed the Government’s hypocrisy and monumental deception.The Government has not increased the civil servants salaries but has infact converted the workers’ existing Covid19 allowance into RTGS and will pay this allowance on the pay day.
The PTUZ President Dr Takavafira Zhou summed it up by sadly noting that the Government is “urinating on teachers and has not moved an inch to make thing better for both the pupils and the teachers”.
The teacher Unions are now calling on parents to withdraw their pupils from school as they are roaming freely without anyone to monitor them.
Efforts to get a comment from the Public Service Commission were fruitless.Other Teacher Unions had not responded to this publication by time of going to press.
