Police throw tear smoke into a bus full of children and elderly people…

Watch video below…

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has pointed out that the dignity of the teaching profession must be restored.

In a statement on Sunday, President Chamisa accused Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration of trampling on teachers’ fundamental rights.

See statement below:

I’m in Buhera where parents are extremely concerned about education and the dignity of students in schools.

Teachers must be paid real money and in $US.

Teachers must be capacitared and have decent conditions of service. The dignity of the teaching profession must be restored.

Education is the backbone of any nation. Teachers are the conscience of society. A nation that neglects its education neglects its civilization.

A government that ignores its teachers ignores its future!

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has implored Zimbabweans to remain steadfast in their quest for freedom from tyranny.

President Chamisa made the remarks at the funeral of MDC Alliance MP Hon Anna Myambo in Chitungwiza on Friday.

He took a swipe at Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa for using guns to silence dissenting voices.

Said President Chamisa: Mnangagwa is using guns to suppress the will of the people.Mnangagwa has guns and we have the people.

Don’t be intimidated, Mnangagwa cannot arrest the whole nation.

In Zimbabwe everyone is prison, Mnangagwa himself is in prison.”

He added:”(Thokozani) Khupe is playing with a snake.Wait and see you cannot play with a wild beast one day it will kill.Can you harness a snake’s eggs? It’s too risky – sadly that is what Khupe is doing.

Hon Myambo was a dedicated party cadre.This thing(recall) affected her.”

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has implored Zimbabweans to remain steadfast in their quest for freedom from tyranny.

President Chamisa made the remarks at the funeral of MDC Alliance MP Hon Anna Myambo in Chitungwiza on Friday.

He took a swipe at Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa for using guns to silence dissenting voices.

Said President Chamisa: Mnangagwa is using guns to suppress the will of the people.Mnangagwa has guns and we have the people.

Don’t be intimidated, Mnangagwa cannot arrest the whole nation.

In Zimbabwe everyone is prison, Mnangagwa himself is in prison.”

He added:”(Thokozani) Khupe is playing with a snake.Wait and see you cannot play with a wild beast one day it will kill.Can you harness a snake’s eggs? It’s too risky – sadly that is what Khupe is doing.

Hon Myambo was a dedicated party cadre.This thing(recall) affected her.”

MEDICAL Doctors who were on strike have apologised for their misconduct with the government pardoning and allowing them to go back to their workstations.
It was indeed a rare moment when doctors in training who have been on an industrial action countrywide met Vice President Retired General Dr Constantino Chiwenga, who is also in charge of the health and child care portfolio.
Accompanied by the Chairperson in the Department of Health Professions Education at the university of Zimbabwe, like prodigal sons, the doctors admitted their misconduct and expressed remorse for their actions.
In a heart to heart talk, the vice president reminded the doctors that their professional mandate adding that they must value the sanctity of life in whatever action they decide to take.
Dr Chiwenga assured the doctors that government is committed to ensuring that health care workers are adequately remunerated.
Deputy minister of health and child care Dr John Mangwiro thanked the vice president for his understanding and giving the doctors in training a second chance to pursue their studies.
Members of the health services board were also in attendance.
Last year some doctors were dismissed from public health service for violating multiple labour provisions, leaving the Government with no option but to institute disciplinary action.
In August last year the Government through the Bipartite Negotiating Panel offered to review all health workers’ basic salaries by 50 to 76 percent on a sliding scale.
All health workers, junior doctors included were in agreement and signed the collective bargaining agreement on the understanding that negotiations centred on reviewing allowances would continue.
Government also made a commitment to look into the provision of transport for health workers and further review the cost of living adjustment in the fourth quarter of the year.
However, some doctors backtracked and disowned the agreement.

Watch the live video loading below……please be patient as it uploads

Members of the Welshman Ncube’s MDC which was incorporated into the MDC Alliance in the run up to the 2018 elections under the Alliance agreement are up in arms with the Nelson Chamisa led side to the Alliance over the Kuwadzana constituency by election candidate.

The Ncube led side went up in arms declaring that the seat was reserved for them as per a 2018 agreement.

The feuding led to former party spokesperson Kurauone Chihwayi withdrawing from contesting the primary elections declared by the Alliance.

In a letter to the MDC Alliance secretary general, Chalton Hwende, Chihwayi, expressed his disappointment in being forced into a contest with other MDC Alliance partners.

“I am strongly disturbed by the violation of a valid MDC Alliance agreement that expires in 2023, which gave the seat to the MDC led by Prof Welshman Ncube.

“As such, I expected the MDC to elect or choose one of its own to finish the term of office left by the late Hon. Miriam Mushayi,” Chihwayi said.

“I did not see the rationale of participating in a primary election with members of the then MDC-T in the MDC Alliance. I am a full member of the MDC Alliance by virtue of being a member of the MDC,” Chihwayi alluded.

He further said members of the then MDC-T should withdraw from the primary elections as a way of showing respect to the terms and conditions of the 2018 agreement.

The late Mushayi was a member of the MDC led by Welshman Ncube.

Paul Nyathi

Recalled ZANU PF Chivi South legislator Killer Zivhu has donated canoes to teachers at an undisclosed school for them to use to catch fish at Tokwi Mukosi Dam.

In the video below, Zivhu says he is donating the canoes to the teachers to catch fish at the Tugwi Mukosi dam and they can either eat the fish or sell them to sustain themselves.

Last week Zivhu also donated mealie meal and relish to some teachers.

Watch the video below:

State Media

Successful applicants for the six free to air national commercial television licences will be issued with licences to operate by the end of November.

This was revealed during the ongoing public inquiry via Zoom, for the provision of Free-to-air National Commercial Television Broadcasting Services, by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe. The public inquiry is done in this manner to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.

The public inquiry commenced today, Monday October 12 and will end on Wednesday October 21.

BAZ Twitter page said: The Chair of Free-to-Air National Commercial Television Licensing Public Inquiry Commission Mr. Charles Sibanda revealed that successful applicants will be issued with licences by end of November 2020.”

He was speaking during the slot for Acacia Media where they laid out their case as to why the station should be considered.

Apart from Acacia Media there are other 13 applicants for the television channels, namely, AB Communications (Pvt) Ltd t/a Flex TV, Blackbury Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd t/a Blackbury TV, Conduit Investments (Pvt) Ltd t/a Conduit TV Station, Continental Television (Pvt) Ltd, Channel Dzimbahwe (Pvt) Ltd t/a Channel D, Fairtalk Communications (Pvt) Ltd t/a Keyona TV, Heart & Soul Broadcasting Services (Pvt) Ltd t/a HStv, Jester Media Services (Pvt) Ltd t/a 3KTV, Just in Time TV (Pvt) Ltd t/a JIT TV, Medianet Productions (Pvt) Ltd t/a Sunrise TV, Meditation Investments (Pvt) Ltd t/a Zim news Channel, Rusununguko Media (Pvt) Ltd t/a NRTV and Zimpapers (1980) Limited t/a ZTN.

IOL

Taxpayers forked out more than R100 000 for what has now been dubbed a ’joyride’ to Zimbabwe for ANC officials.

On Monday, the DA questioned whether the amount of R105 545 was accurate as it excluded other expenses.

Last month, the trip made headlines after it was found that ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule and Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu had piggybacked on a ride to Zimbabwe. Initially, only Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula had been given permission to travel to Zim using the state’s Air Force jet.

The DA’s Kobus Marais said they were of the view that the trip has been grossly under-calculated.

“The R86 000 per hour confirmed by the Minister of Defence to President Cyril Ramaphosa excluded the costs related to landing rights and parking of the Falcon 900 for nearly 24 hours, the costs related to onboard food and drinks as well as the costs related to pilots and onboard staff. In addition, the official passenger list indicated the Minister plus six members of the ANC’s NEC were on board, which correlates with the seven people she indicated in her letter to her Zimbabwean counterpart on 7 September 2020 when she requested a visit to Harare,” Marais said.

The DA has written to National Treasury to ascertain whether Finance Minister Tito Mboweni was consulted prior to going on the trip.

Marais said the Defence Act is clear, Section 80(3)(a)(i) states that, the Minister of Defence must first consult the Minister of Finance before allowing conveyance of any person who is not an officer or employee of the State on board a SAAF aircraft.

“However, there is no reference in any of the two reports submitted by Minister Mapisa-Nqakula to President Cyril Ramaphosa of any consultation with the Finance Minister. If, as we suspect, Minister Mboweni was not consulted, then the use of the SAAF jet by the ANC delegation results in irregular, wasteful and unauthorised expenses,” he said.

He said they want to know what steps Treasury will take against Minister Mapisa-Nqakula and the ANC’s blatant and unauthorised abuse of State resources.

“Additionally, as far as the costs are concerned, the DA wants to know if Treasury was consulted by Minister Mapisa-Nqakula to determine a reasonable amount the ANC must pay back for abusing State resources,” he said.

ZBC

PARLIAMENT is requesting information regarding beneficiaries of the Government guaranteed scheme for winter cropping season as well as the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement’s piggery scheme for this year.

In a letter written by Clerk of Parliament Kennedy Chokuda to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Dr John Basera, parliament through the parliamentary portfolio committee on Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement chaired by Gokwe Nembudziya legislator Justice Mayor Wadyajena is requesting names of beneficiaries under the CBZ facility.

“The above-mentioned committee is currently inquiring in to the financing of agricultural activities. The committee invited you to appear before it several times to brief the committee on the state of preparedness and financing of 2020 winter cropping season and you did not come citing several reasons.

“On the 30th of June, 2020, you appeared before the committee and the committee requested you to submit a comprehensive list of beneficiaries guaranteed by government under the CBZ facility (Command Agriculture) for the current winter cropping season. During the same meeting and subsequent follow ups by the committee clerk, you clearly mentioned that you will never provide that information to the committee,” reads part of the letter.

Clerk of Parliament also warned Dr Basera on the consequences to be faced for failure to avail the rested information.

“To this end the committee is requesting you to submit the following information without fail. Failure to submit the requested information will result in the preferment of charges of contempt of parliament: Comprehensive list of beneficiaries of the Command Agriculture Scheme guaranteed by Government through the CBZ facility for the current winter cropping season and their contact details; Comprehensive list of farmers or individuals who benefitted under the Ministry ‘s Piggery Project in 2020,” reads part of the letter.

Contacted for comment on the issues raised by Parliament, Dr Basera did not answer his mobile phone.

Government has partnered with local banks for the funding of the winter cropping season which has been described as successful considering the number of hectares cultivated under wheat this year compared to previous years.

This year through the help of financial institutions, the country planted 41 000 hectares of wheat compared to 29 000 hectares of the crop last year.

Business Day

SA has much to answer for the sorry state Zimbabwe is in. Back in 2002, so much was riding on the Movement for Democratic Change( MDC) led by the late Morgan Tsvangirai being able to beat Robert Mugabe at the polls.

Tsvangirai said the night before the result was announced he was visited by the SA observer mission leaders, Brigalia Bam and Sam Motsuenyane, who told him he had won. So it came as a big shock when the wily Mugabe was announced as winner — and the election was declared free and fair. Patricia de Lille was part of the SA parliamentary observer mission and later said when she left the Sheraton Hotel in Harare each morning she saw many of her fellow MPs sitting in the foyer. They were usually sitting in the same comfortable chairs when she returned at the end of the day. In short, they failed to do their duty.

Justices Sisi Khampepe and Dikgang Moseneke conducted the SA judicial review, which concluded that the poll was not free and fair. But government refused to allow public access to the report until 2014 and only released it after the Mail & Guardian repeatedly appealed to the courts. By then another couple of elections had come and gone with increased levels of brutality, the decimation of the farming community and millions of Zimbabweans fleeing their country for the perceived greener pastures of SA. Tsvangirai was arrested and imprisoned on trumped up charges of treason and would certainly have gone to the gallows had it not been for the heroic efforts of the late George Bizos to secure his acquittal. Subsequent elections in 2008, 2013 and 2018 were marked with the same degree of brutality.

After the 2008 poll, which was particularly bloody and SA and Sadc observer missions yet again declared free and fair, Tsvangirai was forced into forming a government of national unity with Zanu-PF. Like Joshua Nkomo, who was forced into a unity government with Mugabe in 1987 to stop the genocide of the Matabele, Tsvangirai thought it the only way to stop the bloodshed and the downward spiral of the of the economy. While the unity government existed peace prevailed and the economy recovered to a degree, thanks to the fiscal management of Tendai Biti, who dollarised the economy. For a short time Zimbabwe flourished as a third world country with a first world currency.

The 2013 poll saw the end of the unity government as the MDC prepared to contest the election. Tsvangirai’s campaign saw him traversing Zimbabwe in his red bus, with “Morgan is More” emblazoned on the side. He did not lose the election in terms of popularity with the electorate, but lost it due to a grossly inflated voters roll that contained the names of tens of thousands of people who had died or emigrated. Tsvangirai beat Mugabe at the initial polls winning 47.9% against Mugabe’s 43.2%, forcing a runoff. But he withdrew from the second campaign following an exceptionally bloody campaign by Zanu-PF forces that targeted MDC voters.

Eventually, in August 2017, not long before his untimely death, Tsvangirai decided it was time to unite all opposition parties under a new properly registered and constituted party, the MDC Alliance. He would lead it and Nelson Chamisa would be his deputy. MDC-T would continue as a stand-alone party and Thokozani Khupe, appointed in 2014, would remain as its deputy.

Tsvangirai felt he was allowed to appoint new deputy presidents as at the 2014 MDC Congress a motion was moved and passed that the party president would be allowed to appoint other officers as he saw fit. The secretary-general of the party at the time was Douglas Mwonzoro, who failed, possibly deliberately, to do his duty by recording the minutes of congress, which it turns out has been to his advantage as he now sits firmly in the Khupe camp. This recently came back to bite Chamisa and the MDC Alliance.

The subsequent disputed 2018 poll clearly demonstrated that Zanu-PF was up to its old tricks again. Khupe only garnered a little more than 45,000 votes, while Chamisa, according to votes recorded by photographing signed off results papers at individual polling stations and collated at the alliance headquarters, got more than two-million, more than enough to become president of Zimbabwe and form a new democratic government. But the official results posted by the electoral commission told a different story. Chamisa won 44.3%, Mnangagwa 50.8% and Khupe, now installed as the official leader of the opposition, just 3.42%.

But Khupe is hungry for power and has done everything she can to nullify the validity of Chamisa’s presidency of the MDC Alliance in court. What people do not realise is that Khupe was elected vice-president of the MDC T in 2014 for a period of only five years. This expired in July, a fact the Harare High Court ignored when it handed down its judgment at the end of August nullifying Chamisa’s presidency of the MDC Alliance, which Khupe has now hijacked as her own. Khupe has been in cahoots with Zanu-PF for some time.

Backing this assertion up, and reminiscent of Bell Pottinger’s white monopoly capital campaign funded by the Guptas, is the fact that Zanu-PF pays a Washington PR company, Mercury, $1.5m a year to promote Khupe as the leader of the official opposition. The reality is that Zanu-PF is trying to put lipstick on the pig, aiming for a de facto one-party state under the guise of democracy.

What is encouraging is that Khupe has little support, despite hijacking the MDC Alliance as her own, is busy firing MPs and city councillors and has been captured in a Twitter video saying she is in politics because “It’s all about getting money. We are doing this for the money”.

Chamisa will bounce back. He has a loyal following among democracy hungry Zimbabweans that transcends tribal affiliations He will rebrand and rebuild an inclusive party that will most certainly win an election provided it is free and fair.

It is time for Cyril Ramaphosa to act, not only as the president of SA, Zimbabwe’s most important neighbour, but as the current president of the AU. He needs to know that Zimbabwe is in greater peril that it ever has been before, and that the adverse impact it has been having on SA will escalate. He needs to get independent negotiators who will listen to all parties about the situation in Zimbabwe. When Lindiwe Zulu visited Zimbabwe recently with ANC hangers-on, she was reportedly told by Zanu-PF not to speak to Chamisa, despite his efforts to arrange a meeting. This has to stop. We now need an honest broker.

• Hudleston is a Zimbabwe-born journalist and author of The Face of Courage, a 2006 biography on Morgan Tsvangirai.

GOVERNMENT is impressed with implementation of COVID-19 mandatory health protocols at the country’s airports following the resumption of domestic and international flights.

This comes as Zimbabwe opened its airspace two weeks ago to allow free movement of goods and human traffic after months of a COVID-19 induced national lockdown.

The resumption of flights does not however mean laxity, as government remains on high alert to ensure the consolidation of strides achieved in containing the virus.

It is against this background that the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, was at Robert Gabriel Mugabe international airport this Monday to assess the implementation of government directives in respect of COVID-19 mandatory health Protocols.

According to the Director of Airports, Mr Tawanda Gusha, Covid-19 containment measures put in place have so far been encouraging without any incidences.

“ Since flights resumed we have had 30 per cent load factor and the numbers have been increasing each passing day as we try to contain the pandemic, he said.

After an assessment tour of the country’s biggest airport, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa was left satisfied that the responsible authorities have put in place all the necessary precautionary measures to ensure a safe environment.

“I am here on a tour of the airport and I have assessed the situation here and I am happy to report that travellers are showing confidence with protocols with regards to preventive and control measures taking place here in line with World Health Organisation and government regulations,” said the Minister.

Demonstration of ease of doing business is also being exhibited at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport health centre where three laboratories have a testing turnaround time of not more than two and half hours.

By A Correspondent| The Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services has announced that the seven police officers who fired tear cannisters inside a loaded bus at Showground today have been arrested and will be charged.

This was revealed on Twitter after the video of the incident went viral on social media this afternoon.

“Govt has been made aware of an incident at Harare Showgrounds where a team of 7 officers have been arrested for deploying tear smoke in an occupied bus. They will face charges. The crew of the bus has also been arrested as the bus in question was being driven by a tout,” the ministry said.

Government says seven police officers have been arrested following a shocking incident that occurred at the Harare Showgrounds pickup point in which Zimbabwe Republic Police officers threw teargas in an occupied bus.

This was tweeted by the Ministry Of Information, Publicity and broadcasting services late Monday afternoon.

More details to follow.

Former Zanu PF Mashonaland Central youth chairperson Godfrey Tsenengamu will spend another night in custody after Harare regional magistrate Mr Ngoni Nduna said he was yet to complete his bail ruling.

Mr Nduna said he should be done by tomorrow morning.

Tsenengamu initially appeared in court on Saturday on incitement to commit public violence with an alternative charge of incitement to participate in a public gathering with intend to commit public

violence.

Tsenengamu was among 14 political activists, including MDC-Alliance deputy chair Job Sikhala and Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure, who were on the police wanted list for inciting public violence.

He handed himself over to the police on Friday.

HIGH Court Judge Justice Evangelista Kabasa has stopped the primitive ill-treatment of a widow, Manesi Ncube by interdicting a local traditional leader and a Councillor from evicting her from homestead in Mpoyi village in Plumtree.

Ncube was in August 2020 ordered to leave her village following allegations by some community members that she neglected her sick child and left her to die in her homestead.

Aggrieved by the irrational decision, Ncube approached Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) for legal assistance and this led Shepherd Chamunorwa of ZLHR to file an urgent chamber application at Bulawayo High Court seeking an order to interdict Headmen Madlambuzi known as Fidzani Ndlovu and Witness Ncube, the Councillor for Ward 12 in Hingwe, Plumtree in Matabeleland South province, from evicting her.

During the court hearing, it emerged that Ncube’s daughter, who had passed away, was actually an adult person, who was married to a man who also resides in the same village. The man decided to take Ncube’s daughter back to her mother when she became seriously ill.

At some time, Ncube being a widow and having other minor children to look after, decided to travel to Botswana in search of employment to fend for her children.

While she was in Botswana, her adult, married daughter passed away. On her return home to bury her daughter, Ncube discovered that she had been buried and the community had taken a resolution that she was irresponsible and should be evicted from the village.

A traditional court was convened at the beginning of August 2020, and it was decided by the community leadership that she must vacate by 31 August 2020.

As the court proceedings were underway, it was discovered that Ward 12 Councillor Ncube assisted by other villagers had destroyed one of Ncube’s houses at her homestead.

However, the destruction and eviction has since been stopped by Justice Kabasa, who interdicted Ndlovu and Ncube from evicting the widow and also ordered them to restore her to her homestead.

Ndlovu and Ncube were also barred from harming the widow or her children physically or destroying or demolishing her homestead.

Chamunorwa has also assisted Ncube to report the destruction of her property at the local police station and is currently awaiting the outcome of investigations by Zimbabwe Republic Police members.-ZLHR

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has pointed out that the dignity of the teaching profession must be restored.

In a statement on Sunday, President Chamisa accused Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration of trampling on teachers’ fundamental rights.

See statement below:

I’m in Buhera where parents are extremely concerned about education and the dignity of students in schools.

Teachers must be paid real money and in $US.

Teachers must be capacitared and have decent conditions of service. The dignity of the teaching profession must be restored.

Education is the backbone of any nation. Teachers are the conscience of society. A nation that neglects its education neglects its civilization.

A government that ignores its teachers ignores its future!

HIGH Court Judge Justice Evangelista Kabasa has stopped the primitive ill-treatment of a widow, Manesi Ncube by interdicting a local traditional leader and a Councillor from evicting her from homestead in Mpoyi village in Plumtree.

Ncube was in August 2020 ordered to leave her village following allegations by some community members that she neglected her sick child and left her to die in her homestead.

Aggrieved by the irrational decision, Ncube approached Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) for legal assistance and this led Shepherd Chamunorwa of ZLHR to file an urgent chamber application at Bulawayo High Court seeking an order to interdict Headmen Madlambuzi known as Fidzani Ndlovu and Witness Ncube, the Councillor for Ward 12
in Hingwe, Plumtree in Matabeleland South province, from evicting her.

During the court hearing, it emerged that Ncube’s daughter, who had passed away, was actually an adult person, who was married to a man who also resides in the same village. The man decided to take Ncube’s daughter back to her mother when she became seriously ill.

At some time, Ncube being a widow and having other minor children to look after, decided to travel to Botswana in search of employment to fend for her children.

While she was in Botswana, her adult, married daughter passed away. On her return home to bury her daughter, Ncube discovered that she had been buried and the community had taken a resolution that she was irresponsible and should be evicted from the village.

A traditional court was convened at the beginning of August 2020, and it was decided by the community leadership that she must vacate by 31 August 2020.

As the court proceedings were underway, it was discovered that Ward 12 Councillor Ncube assisted by other villagers had destroyed one of Ncube’s houses at her homestead.

However, the destruction and eviction has since been stopped by Justice Kabasa, who interdicted Ndlovu and Ncube from evicting the widow and also ordered them to restore her to her homestead.

Ndlovu and Ncube were also barred from harming the widow or her children physically or destroying or demolishing her homestead.

Chamunorwa has also assisted Ncube to report the destruction of her property at the local police station and is currently awaiting the outcome of investigations by Zimbabwe Republic Police members.

By A Correspondent- A Harare magistrate has ordered the imprisonment of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage minister Kazembe Kazembe for 60 days for contempt of court.

Kazembe failed to compensate a Gweru student, Simon Mandoza, for $199 500 for injuries suffered following a savage assault by police officers in 2018.

Magistrate Tilda Mazhande gave the minister a two-week ultimatum to pay or he would have to serve 60 days in prison.

Mandoza’s lawyers Fiona Iliff and Obey Shava, from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, then applied and obtained an order for Kazembe’s incarceration which was granted by the court.

“It is ordered that in default, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Kazembe Kazembe be and are hereby declared to be in contempt of court in that they have wilfully disregarded the order of this honourable court issued on 20 November 2019 by magistrate Mazhande,” reads the order.

“The fourth respondent (Kazembe) be sentenced to 60 days imprisonment, the whole of which is suspended for 14 days on condition that in his official position as the Minister of Home Affairs, he causes payment of the judgment debt of $199 500 together with interest at the prescribed rate from the date of summons to the date of full payment.”

The order said should Kazembe fail to comply, he shall immediately be committed to prison to serve the sentence imposed by Mazhande.

The police arrested Mandoza on September 20, 2018 while he was standing outside a fast-food outlet in Harare’s central business district (CBD) waiting for his brother to pick him up.

He was not aware that the police were carrying out an operation against informal traders in the CBD at that time.

As a result, Mandoza was slapped by a police officer and forced to get into the back of a police vehicle.

While they were in the vehicle, the same police officer beat Mandoza with his truncheon on the shoulder and at the back of his head, while he threatened to further assault him.

He was finally taken to Harare Central Police Station, where he was released without any charge preferred against him.-Newsday

Watch the live video loading below…… please be patient as it uploads

By A Correspondent- Citizens here have expressed shock at a video which is showing police details throwing a teargas canister inside a bus full of passengers some of whom included children.

In the video, several passengers fell out of the bus through the windows risking being crashed by oncoming traffic while escaping from the teargas smoke.

A man commenting on the development in the video also alleged that a female police officer threw the teargas canister inside the Rimbi bus which was ferrying passengers.

It could however not be immediately established when and what time the incident occured but suggestions are that the incident occurred at a pick up point near Harare Show Grounds.

Watch the live video loading below… (please be patient as it uploads)

watch the live video loading below…..(please be patient as it uploads)

By A Correspondent- Teachers’ representative groups on Sunday jointly expressed concern over President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s remarks with regards to teachers’ salaries and condition of service.

The president had assured the nation that the “government will never be held to ransom by teachers” who were failing to report for duty in a bid to push government “to do what they want.”

Teachers responded in a joint statement saying they were not deterred by threats since “incapacitation is greater than any threat.” 

Read the statement in part:

We are worried that His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa, made remarks threatening teachers on industrial action before seeking engagement and remaining indifferent to the plight of the teachers. Teachers are not for charity, but professionals who are only crying for dignified treatment, reasonable salaries and befitting conditions of service.

We are shocked by some acts of ‘benevolence’ in the form of food handouts by some misguided elements who want to hijack the teachers’ incapacitation for personal aggrandisement. The nation should know that teachers in all public schools are not at work because the government has failed them and will not succumb to any threats. Where there are incidents of teaching taking place, it is just cosmetic.

Salary negotiations between the government and teachers did not yield expected results as teachers viewed offers by the government as insignificant in light of the soaring inflation.

The government recently reviewed the cost of living adjustment by 40 percent but teachers still refused to return to work.

Workers are on average earning an equivalent of US$35 which is below the poverty datum line.

Meanwhile, learners are reportedly engaging in mischievous acts as there few teachers (29%) in schools to be monitoring them.-Newsday

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has pointed out that the dignity of the teaching profession must be restored.

In a statement on Sunday, President Chamisa accused Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration of trampling on teachers’ fundamental rights.

See statement below:

I’m in Buhera where parents are extremely concerned about education and the dignity of students in schools.

Teachers must be paid real money and in $US.

Teachers must be capacitared and have decent conditions of service. The dignity of the teaching profession must be restored.

Education is the backbone of any nation. Teachers are the conscience of society. A nation that neglects its education neglects its civilization.

A government that ignores its teachers ignores its future!

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwean national Blessing Bveni will appear in the Cape Town high court this morning when he is set to start his defence.

Bveni is accused of murdering two people in the Table Mountain National Park and attacking 10 others during a spate of violent attacks in the park in early 2018.

He is also accused of using a fake Zimbabwean passport to gain temporary asylum in SA.

Fifty-year-old pilot Doug Notten was stabbed to death by a “kind-eyed” killer on February 20 2018 while he was walking on a mountain path near Fish Hoek. His wife, Julia, who was with him at the time, escaped unharmed.

“When he approached us, I thought he was a good-looking man. He had beautiful, kind eyes. But when he pulled out a knife, his eyes turned into slits and his whole face turned to anger and he just started stabbing Doug, repeatedly,” said Julia.

A few weeks later in March 2018, cyclist Ian McPherson was stabbed to death a few hundred metres from where Notten was killed. McPherson’s new mountain bike was stolen in the incident.

A SANParks master tracker arrived on the scene and tracked the stolen bicycle’s tyre tracks over the sand dunes, leading past an infrared camera of a residential complex. The black and white image revealed what police say was the culprit pushing a bicycle minutes after McPherson was attacked. The man was wearing a V-neck shirt.

McPherson’s bicycle and cellphone were tracked down to Masiphumelele, a nearby informal settlement, and when police interrogated the vendors who were selling the items, they said they bought the items from a Zimbabwean named Blessing. Police tracked down Blessing to a home in Philippi East where they arrested him.

Watch the video for a full recap of how the police and prosecution believe Bveni pounced on his victims.

-TimesLive

By A Correspondent- Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raj Modi has dismissed as fake and shocking reports which suggested that he was operating a plant that brews an illicit brand called “The Commander In Chief.”

Modi claimed that all his alcoholic beverages are approved by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) adding the reports are inspired by a motive to undo his “good name.” He said:

I was shocked to wake up to news that I manufacture and sell an illicit beer called Commander In Chief.

I have no idea what inspired that story because it is not only false but malicious. This is a figment of someone’s imagination. I don’t make alcohol which is not approved by the Standard Association of Zimbabwe.

I challenge whoever came up with those allegations to prove that I manufacture such a product. Where do I manufacture it? Does it even exist? I doubt because I have not come across it.

Modi said he legally manufactures three alcoholic products namely Modivine Brandy, Everest Can Spirit and Divine Vodka.  challenging those who have complaints about their quality to come forward.

By A Correspondent- There has been a three car pile up accident along Samora Machel in Harare.

The accident occured this morning at a curve near Cresta Lodge.

One of the vehicles overturned.

This is a developing story.

By A Correspondent- With the rising cost of electricity, there has been increased interest in splitting electricity meters by landlords and tenants.

A split meter allows each family within a property to split their electricity consumption. This way, they only pay for the electricity that they use an no one else’s. it also works for businesses in solving a situation where several companies within a premises are sharing a single meter.

Representing a company that retails and installs prepaid electricity meters, *Power Split Meters,* Mr. Herbet Chibhememe said they have seen an increase in demand for the solution as more people become aware of its benefits. “People are now realising that this issue of sharing electricity consumption is not sustainable. Electricity is now quite expensive and people are opting to just get split meters so that they just pay for what they use as a family or business.

Even those that are tenants are getting these meters because even when they decide to move to a new place, they can take their electricity split meter with them.

It just makes sense when you think about. Those that use less electricity should pay less and high spenders should pay more. Having a situation where everyone pays the same is unfair.”

Mr. Chibhememe said that their company has been helping customers move to prepaid meters for close to 5 years now.

He explained:

“Some are only getting to know about us now but we’ve been providing this solution for almost 5 years now. Electricity is now expensive – people are actively looking for a solution to manage these costs better. Even for families that are sharing a single house, they can buy a split meter and separate their consumption”

Power Split Meters can be contacted on WhatsApp number +263 777 556 864 or +263 779 136 276

By A Correspondent- Eight armed robbers raided the Bulawayo High Court yesterday and gained entry into the court’s criminal registry after attacking and disarming police officers manning the premises.

The incident occurred at about 4AM and the suspects were reportedly armed with pistols.

They left two police officers injured as they forced their way into the court building and finally the criminal registry.

One of the officers is admitted to a Bulawayo hospital while the other one did not sustain serious injuries but the robbers tied his hands and legs before they left.

The robbers are said to have used a grinder as they tried to break the registry safe.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the robbery.

“We are investigating an armed robbery case which occurred at the Bulawayo High Court yesterday morning at 4AM. It is said about eight suspects went to the court and attacked two officers who were on duty and these suspects were armed with pistols.

“After attacking them, they blindfolded one of the officers. They then tried to force open the court’s main safe to the criminal registry’s office using a key. After failing, they tried again to use a grinder and, in the process, it is alleged that they were making phone calls,” said Nyathi.

He said after failing in their attempts, they tied the hands and legs of one of the police officers.

The officer who sustained some serious injuries was taken to hospital where he is receiving treatment.

“They attacked him using their weapons. He is being treated at a hospital in Bulawayo, but we cannot reveal where he is receiving treatment,” he said.

Nyathi said police suspect the robbers had inside information.

“These guys had inside information and we want to establish the motive behind the robbery and the attack on the officers. We are therefore leaving no stone unturned in our quest to get to the bottom of this case and apprehend the suspects. The law will definitely take its course,” said Nyathi.

Judicial Service Commission (JSC) spokesperson Ms Rumbidzai Takawira said the Commission had deployed a team from Harare to assess the situation on the ground.

“We have a team that is going there to ascertain what really transpired and we can only have information tomorrow (today),” said Ms Takawira.

A legal expert who declined to be named said an exhibit safe room can contain files or prosecution documents for suspects appearing before the courts.-statemedia

By A Correspondent | The most powerful post coup military politician, only next to the Presidium, former ZANU PF National Commissar, Gen Engelbert Eugeje has spoken for the first time following a gun attack at his Mt Pleasant house on Sunday morning.

There was a heavy exchange of gunfire in the wee hours of Sunday as security details at Rugeje’s home engaged in a fierce two-hour gun battle with unknown assailants.

He spoke after armed intruders were “repelled” by soldiers and one intruder was shot dead, when they tried to attack his house.

Speaking exclusively to ZimEye Gen Rugeje said, “I wasn’t there.”

He was asked if he knows what happened as well as details of possible injuries, and he said, “get the details from ZRP who attended the scene I wasn’t there.”

He was also asked if he has a clue of who is behind this and what their agenda is, and to this he replied with a long sigh and then said,

“I don’t have a clue when I was not there,”

Asked on his well being, how he feels, Gen Rugeje became non committal with responses.

His phone was hung up soon afterwards.

The development comes as Rugeje, who occupied the party’s most influential position, was rumoured to be next in line for disappearance or a car accident as has happened to many before him.

His immediate predecessor Saviour Kasukuwere fled Zimbabwe after his house was pounced on by skilled snipers.

Since independence 1980, every other political commissar has suffered either an assassination, or a humiliating ouster. The list of victims includes:

Mayor Urimbo,

Maurice Nyagumbo,

Movern Mahachi,

Border Gezi,

Elliot Manyika,

Webster Shamu,

In 2018, Rugeje hinted on a political sabbatical arguing that “people should not be mistaken that jobs are found at ZANU PF HQ”.

Rugeje took over from Saviour Kasukwere who was fired from Zanu Pf in 2017 for being linked to a faction which was coalescing around former first lady Grace Mugabe. The expulsion of the G40 faction resulted in some fissures ahead of the polls with some members of the party forming a new outfit called the National Patriotic Front which was also supported by former president Robert Mugabe.

The former army general was appointed by Mnangagwa at the party’s extra-ordinary congress in Harare before he presided over a chaotic primary election where he received brickbats from senior party members like Christopher Mutsvangwa for causing divisions in the party.

Watch the video loading below…….(please be patient as it uploads)

Rugeje, considered a Chiwenga loyalist, was retired from the army by Mnangagwa.

He was however roundly criticised for pursuing a factional agenda in the party’s chaotic primary elections to select legislative and municipal representatives ahead of the July 30, 2018 general elections.

He was, however, unceremoniously booted out by Mnangagwa soon after the elections and replaced by Gokwe Central MP Victor Matemadanda.

Mnangagwa has, since the 2018 election, been purging army generals believed to be aligned to Chiwenga.

By A Correspondent- Former Harare mayor Herbert Gomba turned up in court last Wednesday clad in a T-Shirt and jeans, earning a warning from Harare regional magistrate, Mr Trynois Utahwashe, that he would be committed to remand prison if he returned to court informally dressed.

Gomba told the court that he only learnt of his court appearance when he had come to verify with the Clerk of Court following “confusion over when he was supposed to appear in court.”

More to follow…

-statemedia

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Chairperson, Rashid Mahiya has today visited incarcerated ZINASU President Takudzwa Ngadziore at Chikurubi maximum prison.

Ngadziore has been in detention since his arrest on 18 September while addressing the press 101 metres away from Impala Car Rental.

He is being charged with inciting public violence and is waiting for the High Court to make a determination on his bail appeal.

VIEW PICTURES LOADING BELOW….

By Jane Mlambo| Former local government minister Savior Kasukuwere has urged government to fix the economy first instead of trying to extradite him from self-imposed exile in South Africa.

Responding to a news article published by The Herald which reported that government was beginning processes to extradite Kasukuwere, the former Zanu PF National Commissar said the state should be fixated with fixing the ecomy.

“Zimbabwe: Mnangagwa Pushes Extradition of South Africa-Based G40 Members. Politics! Fix the economy chief,” said Kasukuwere.

Kasukuwere, Walter Mzembi, Jonathan Moyo and Patrick Zhuwao are some of the G40 members who are in exile following the November 2017 military coup that removed former President Robert Mugabe.

By A Correspondent- There has been a three car pile up accident along Samora Machel in Harare.

The accident occured this morning at a curve near Cresta Lodge.

One of the vehicles overturned.

This is a developing story.

By A Correspondent- At least five Zanu-PF candidates will contest the party’s primary elections to be held soon to fill the Marondera East constituency seat that was left vacant following the death of Patrick Chidhakwa.

Chidhakwa died in South Africa last month due to heart complications and was buried at his rural home in Gokwe.

Some party officials in the constituency have begun campaigning by distributing fliers and posters on social media platforms.

Some of the aspiring candidates include youthful leader Richmond Chikore, agronomist Tatenda Watambwa, Ngonidzashe Mandaza and Paradzai Bhasikoro.

NewsDay is reliably informed that some party members are pushing for former Marondera Central MP Lawrence Katsiru to represent them.

Katsiru owns a farm in the constituency.

Chidhakwa’s predecessor and ex-top police officer Jeremiah Chiwetu is also reportedly eying a comeback.

Zanu-PF provincial secretary for administration Kudzai Majuru said the date for primary elections was still to be set and that they were waiting for a directive from higher offices.

“The date for the primary elections is yet to be set and we are waiting for a directive from our superiors. It is a process. Some have already fowarded their CVs and the chairman (Joel Biggie Matiza) will guide us accordingly on the vetting process,” he said.

Chidhakwa snatched the seat from Chiwetu in the primary elections before winning in the 2018 elections.

The MDC-Alliance in Marondera district has also started a similar process with aspiring candidates still forwarding their CVs.

Both Zanu-PF and the MDC Alliance have been conducting primary elections despite Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also Health minister, suspending by-elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic.-Newsday

By A Correspondent | The most powerful post coup military politician, only next to the Presidium, former ZANU PF National Commissar, Gen Engelbert Eugeje has spoken for the first time following a gun attack at his Mt Pleasant house on Sunday morning.

He spoke after armed intruders were “repelled” by soldiers and one intruder was shot dead, when they tried to attack his house.

Speaking exclusively to ZimEye Gen Rugeje said, “I wasn’t there.”

He was asked if he knows what happened as well as details of possible injuries, and he said, “get the details from ZRP who attended the scene I wasn’t there.”

He was also asked if he has a clue of who is behind this and what their agenda is, and to this he replied with a long sigh and then said,

“I don’t have a clue when I was not there,”

Asked on his well being, how he feels, Gen Rugeje became non committal with responses.

His phone was hung up soon afterwards.

The development comes as Rugeje, who occupied the party’s most influential position, was rumoured to be next in line for disappearance or a car accident as has happened to many before him.

His immediate predecessor Saviour Kasukuwere fled Zimbabwe after his house was pounced on by skilled snipers.

Since independence 1980, every other political commissar has suffered either an assassination, or a humiliating ouster. The list of victims includes:

Mayor Urimbo,

Maurice Nyagumbo,

Movern Mahachi,

Border Gezi,

Elliot Manyika,

Webster Shamu,

In 2018, Rugeje hinted on a political sabbatical arguing that “people should not be mistaken that jobs are found at ZANU PF HQ”.

Rugeje took over from Saviour Kasukwere who was fired from Zanu Pf in 2017 for being linked to a faction which was coalescing around former first lady Grace Mugabe. The expulsion of the G40 faction resulted in some fissures ahead of the polls with some members of the party forming a new outfit called the National Patriotic Front which was also supported by former president Robert Mugabe.

The former army general was appointed by Mnangagwa at the party’s extra-ordinary congress in Harare before he presided over a chaotic primary election where he received brickbats from senior party members like Christopher Mutsvangwa for causing divisions in the party.

Watch the video loading below…….(please be patient as it uploads)

Rugeje, considered a Chiwenga loyalist, was retired from the army by Mnangagwa.

He was however roundly criticised for pursuing a factional agenda in the party’s chaotic primary elections to select legislative and municipal representatives ahead of the July 30, 2018 general elections.

He was, however, unceremoniously booted out by Mnangagwa soon after the elections and replaced by Gokwe Central MP Victor Matemadanda.

Mnangagwa has, since the 2018 election, been purging army generals believed to be aligned to Chiwenga.

State Media

The skies were overcast the whole day yesterday as if to give people a break from the scorching sun witnessed the previous day.

It was the day of King Mambo’s royal wedding at his homestead in Mawabeni in Umzingwane District. The king was installed last year during a ceremony attended by 80 chiefs drawn from across the country.

Yesterday, people braved the chilly weather and put their best attire for the wedding. Many walked, some cycled while others drove to reach the homestead where two giant white tents were pitched to accommodate guests.

The ceremony started at around 2:40PM. By then enough food had been saved and there was still a lot that remained.

King Mambo born Mike Moyo who is also referred to as Ilitshe Aligiqiki, was ushered to his royal chair set up in the traditional Marquette which resembled a traditional hut decorated with yokes, hoes and shovels.

He was wearing a traditional vest associated with Zulu maskandi artists, a short which matched and brown shoes. Ululations accompanied his entrance as he was accompanied by three chiefs.

That he was happy was clear as he smiled to the crowds lifting his hand as if to bless the multitudes.

His bride, Queen Ndlovukazi, born Priscilla Percy Ndlovu, who is the king’s second wife was ushered inside the homestead accompanied by traditional dancers.

She was wearing a traditional dress with brown colours.

Once she took her place beside the King, the festivities started and various traditional groups and poets took turns to entertain the crowd.

The highlight of the ceremony was when the king and queen took the Jerusalem Challenge dance accompanied by Victory Siyanqoba dance group and they did justice showing that they had thoroughly rehearsed.

“I am over the moon for marrying my second wife uMandlovu. In our Lozwi/Rozvi culture, Kings don’t stop marrying. So, we might be here next year for another wedding,” declared the King in an interview with the media during a short break.

Asked if the queen will accept more wives, King Mambo said: “Once you are married to a king; they are educated about our culture so that they know what they are getting themselves into.”

King Mambo challenged men not to resort to “omakhwapheni” to help fight diseases like HIV.

“I want to encourage all men in the country to stop small houses. If you need another wife our culture allows us to do so. Let us do things that are lawful in our culture as African people. This helps us fight diseases like HIV,” he said.

King Mambo said he is worried about high divorce statistics in the country and said people must observe their culture.

“Families must have family courts to educate and bring peace to partners who are having marital problems to avoid the high numbers of divorce cases we are witnessing. During my ancestor Mambo’s time, women were respected and elders played an important role in building families,”he said.

Umzingwane MP Cde Levy Mayihlome hailed the move by the King and said there is a need for the country to open debate on the monarchy.

“There is no conflict in having a monarchy in a democratic country led by an executive President. Our constitution says we are a unitary state without a monarch but in other countries like South Africa they have many kings not just one.

“The monarchy is in charge of culture and tradition in that set up and it won’t affect a constitutional democracy. I do not see any conflict there. I believe we must have an open dialogue as a country about having monarchs. Our cultures are different. We have many languages and different cultures which must be respected so that we have unity in diversity as a people,” he said.

Chief Malisa of Silobela also said there is need for the country`s constitution to be revisited to address the monarchy debate.

“We want unity, peace and development in the country and it is kings who assist in bringing harmony because kings are apolitical. We know that our constitution at the moment has no room for a king but our ancestors have given us a king.

“The Government is encouraging us to revive our cultures and going forward we need to talk about it. We know that in the past Mambo ruled with Mzilikazi, those are some of the issues we need to talk about,” said Chief Malisa.

Chief Makoni of Rusape in Manicaland said there is need for the country to restore its past traditional set up.

“We want our culture to go back to where it was so that we benefit from the richness of this country. We are here to rebuild Zimbabwe and restore our legacy and once we do that, I believe Zimbabwe will be a prosperous nation,” he said.

In no time King Mambo and queen Ndlovu had changed into royal attires and the festivities continued. The dance floor was lit with people dancing in celebration.

By A Correspondent- The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) refused to cooperate with the government of Zimbabwe in its bid to have Robert Mugabe-era cabinet Ministers arrested and extradited.

Walter Mzembi and former ZANU PF political commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere are facing various criminal charges back home.

According to ZimLive, the Zimbabwean government’s request was dismissed by Interpol after it sought for the arrest and extradition of Kasukuwere.

In a letter to Harare authorities, seen by the publication, Interpol said all requests for placement of an individual on a red notice are forwarded to its Notices and Diffusions Task Force to ensure that they comply with the organisation’s constitution and rules, in particular, Article 3. The Clause makes it clear that:

… it is strictly forbidden for the organisation to undertake any intervention or activities of a political, military or racial character.

Following the government’s request to have Kasukuwere apprehended in May, the organisation wrote that it considered: … the status of the person, the nature of the offence, the general context of the case and the implications for the neutrality of the organisation.

… Given the above and taking into account the neutrality of the organisation, it is considered that the request may engage the organisation in matters, which would bring into question its neutrality according to article 3 of Interpol’s constitution.

As a result, the General Secretariat is not in a position to publish the red notice against Mr Kasukuwere and the information concerning the individual will be deleted from Interpol’s databases.

Besides Mzembi and Kasukuwere, some high profile individuals who served in the Mugabe administration and are now out of the country include Jonathan Moyo, Godfrey Gandawa, Walter Chidhakwa, Mandi Chimene and Patrick Zhuwao, the former police chief Augustine Chihuri and former intelligence chief Happyton Bonyongwe.

They are all considered to have been aligned to the G40 faction which was weakened following former President Mugabe’s “resignation”.

By A Correspondent| Chitungwiza Municipality on Sunday 11 October 2020 resolved to stop the demolition of some residents’ houses after Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) threatened to sue the local authority for violating people’s fundamental rights.

In a letter written on behalf of Chitungwiza Residents Trust (CHITREST) by Paidamoyo Saurombe and Tinashe Chinopfukutwa of ZLHR to the Chamber Secretary at Chitungwiza Municipality, the residents association protested against the local authority’s issuance of a purported Demolition Order on Thursday 8 October 2020, where it identified some places in St Mary’s, Zengeza, Seke and Nyatsime suburbs ordering people occupying houses in these areas to depart from the land, remove property from the land, demolish any structures erected, remove all the rubble from the land and restore the land to its original site by Monday 12 October 2020.

Saurombe and Chinopfukutwa stated that the issuance of a purported Demolition Order by Chitungwiza Municipality is a violation of residents’ basic rights protected under section 74 of the Constitution and which provides that no persons may be evicted from their home or have their home demolished without an order of court made after considering all the relevant circumstances.

Saurombe and Chinopfukutwa gave Chitungwiza Municipality an ultimatum lasting up to 9:AM on Monday 12 October 2020 for the local authority to furnish them with a court order authorising the eviction of people and demolition of their houses or else the human rights lawyers would pursue legal remedies to protect the rights of the residents.

But in response to the letter written by CHITREST, Chitungwiza Municipality on Sunday 11 October 2020 said it had resolved to suspend the demolition exercise hence the demolitions will no longer be effected as per its Demolition Order which it had issued on 8 October 2020.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwean government has once again engaged South Africa in a bid to repatriate exiled former cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere.

The former Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister faces four counts of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.

The National Prosecuting Authority has since prepared indictment papers and the former ZANU PF political commissar will be tried as soon as he is brought home. Mr Nelson Mutsonziwa, in an affidavit commissioned by chief law officer Mr Chris Mutangadura said:

This request is not being pursued for political reasons or any ulterior purpose. Zimbabwe guarantees that Saviour Kasukuwere will receive a fair trial in terms of the laws of Zimbabwe. The Republic of Zimbabwe also undertakes to render assistance to the Republic of South Africa in any criminal matter,

It is alleged that during his tenure as the local government minister, Kasukuwere corruptly parcelled out over 220 hectares of land in Harare and Masvingo to the sister of former First Lady Grace Mugabe, Shuvai Gumbochuma.

He did so at the expense of eight entities who had been awarded the land by his predecessor Ignatious Chombo.

He is also being accused of having corruptly awarded a tender to a company called Brainworks Capital when he was still the Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment.

Last year, the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) rejected Zimbabwe’s request to extradite Kasukuwere on grounds that the case would have implications on the organosation’s neutrality.

Kasukuwere and some view the charges against him as politically motivated.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- The Thokozani Khupe Cancer Foundation has joined the rest of the world in the campaign to increase awareness of Breast Cancer.  

Posting on Twitter, MDC-T interim leader, Dr Thokozani Khupe who is the founder of the Foundation urged both men and women to be screened on a regular basis.

She posted:

We are calling on every woman and man to do regular self-examination to help detect any abnormalities. Early detection saves lives.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease.Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, although incidence rates vary widely across the world.

By A Correspondent- The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has claimed that over 400 girls from four districts in Manicaland have dropped out of school altogether owing to pregnancy, marriage, financial challenges and illness.

Manicaland provincial education director (PED) Mr Edward Shumba, told The Herald the figure is expected to rise as Mutare, Chimanimani and Nyanga districts are still compiling statistics following the resumption of lessons for examination classes on September 28. He said:

We have so far received statistics from Buhera, Chipinge, Mutasa and Makoni. The other three districts are yet to send the statistics, but we expect the figures to increase.

There are 96 female learners in Buhera who dropped out for marriage and five males. We also have one O’ level student who fell pregnant. Other reasons given for the dropping out are financial challenges, illness with some joining the job market.

Mr Shumba said Buhera district had registered 47 grade seven dropouts, of which 35 were girls and 12 were boys. At O’Level, 90 girls and 49 boys dropped out while one A’ level girl dropped out in the district.

In Chipinge 46 females are said to have been married while Makoni recorded 65 pregnancies and 64 marriages and Mutasa had 40 marriages.

This comes when the government recently amended the Education Act to allow pregnant learners to attend classes in all schools, which would ordinarily mean most of these children are allowed to go back to class.

Paul Nyathi

The MDC Alliance will on Tuesday issue out a statement on its much talked about financial audit.

The routine audit came after some sectors of the media claimed that huge amounts of money were not accounted for in the opposition party.

The Treasurer General of the party, David Coltart quickly dismissed the rumour that the financial audit was a witch-hunt exercise.

The claims were that party president and secretary-general, in that order, Nelson Chamisa and Chalton Hwende diverted party funds into personal use.

Coltart however said that the audit was only meant to enhance accountability and transparency in the party.

“As I have made clear to a variety of journalists in the last few weeks since this false story first emerged I am not aware of any money which has been misappropriated from MDC coffers by any official or party leader,” said Coltart.

“The attempts by some to portray the audit as some kind of investigation into alleged impropriety are misleading and utterly false,” he added.

The audit was agreed to last year and is a routine audit. I should also point out that this is the first time the MDC has conducted an audit of this nature and it is the first time any political party in Zimbabwe has ever subjected itself to an audit.

Daily News

NATIONAL Constitutional Assembly (NCA) president Lovemore Madhuku has challenged political parties and ordinary citizens to call for the removal of a clause in the Constitution providing for the recall of members of Parliament (MPs), saying the recalls affect democratic participation and policy development.
This comes as the MDC has recalled over 30 MPs and 45 councillors following a Supreme Court ruling in April this year which declared Thokozani Khupe the rightful interim leader of the party.

Speaking during an online discussion held recently on the implications of the recalls on policy and service delivery, Madhuku said there was need for the removal of the clause, which provides for the recall of MPs and councillors in order to avoid chaos within political parties at the expense of ordinary citizens.

“The recalls that have happened now are not different from the recalls that happened in the past, there is just a dispute in terms of which party these MPs belong to.

Parliament believes these MPs belong to MDC-T. “It may be wrong or it may be right but that is a matter which is before the courts. I don’t think that the clause should remain.

Fadzai Mahere
“It should be removed from the Constitution. The NCA doesn’t support that. “If Zimbabweans still support that clause it means that they would want a situation where the MPs can be removed,” Madhuku said.

According to Madhuku, Section 129 subsection 1, paragraph K of the Constitution provides for the recall of MPs and councillors if they cease to be a member of the political party they were elected under — which is what is currently being used to recall MDC Alliance members who denounced their membership of the MDC-T party.
Speaking at the same event, MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzai Mahere said the recalls were political and meant to destroy the MDC Alliance as the country’s “strongest opposition party”.

“The recalls confirm that Zimbabwe is a nation in crisis. We see a dramatisation of the crisis in Zimbabwe and the coordinated attempt to return Zimbabwe to a one-party state.

“The capture of State institutions throughout this recall process is completely brazen. “The question on the mind of
every Zimbabwean is how can MPs be recalled by a political party that did not install them in Parliament?
… This is an attempt to destroy the stronger opposition.

“An opposition with mass popular support that says no on certain terms … that speaks out against the economic and health crises,” Mahere said.

Zanu PF director of information Tafadzwa Mugwadi said it was time for the MDC factions to man up and address their problems without blaming outsiders.

“There is no way that I see Zanu PF involved in what is going on between the two MDC political parties. We are always very clear as Zanu PF that there is no crisis in Zimbabwe. In fact, the crisis is in the MDC and MDC Alliance and other MDCs out there.

“You are failing as a political party. You are failing to organise yourselves and now there is a legitimacy crisis within the MDC.

“We don’t bother ourselves with what happens within the MDC or Harvest House. “What is on our table is to ensure that we transform our manifesto of 2018 into reality to ensure that we achieve Vision 2030, to ensure we
stabilise the currency and to bring sanity in the mobile money sector, to prepare for the next farming season through farming modernisation and mechanisation,” Mugwadi said.

Meanwhile, MDC secretarygeneral Douglas Mwonzora said the recall of MPs and councillors from Parliament was based on the need to eliminate those who had denounced the party, those who were corrupt and those who engaged in acts of violence.

“We did not recall people because they did not pledge allegiance to us. “I’m sure you are talking about the affidavits that MPs were made to sign.

“They were not made to sign those affidavits by us. “They were made to sign them by the party that Nelson Chamisa
heads.

“These were created by their lawyers, including Tendai Biti and Charlton Hwende where they specifically said they no longer belonged to the MDC and some of the MPS who were recalled in court documents specifically said that
they were no longer members of our party.

“Once they pledged that they were no longer members of the MDC-T they were bound by word and deed and so the recalls were made,” Mwonzora said.

Paul Nyathi

The High Court will today sit to hear an urgent application filed on Friday by a member of the MDC-T against acting leader Thokozani Khupe.

The members wants the courts to stop Khupe from blocking other 2014 Congress members from attending the Congress.

State Media

GOVERNMENT is crafting a policy that will guide the exhumation and reburial of Gukurahundi victims as it implements measures aimed at national healing.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage on its part is leading the crafting of the exhumation and reburials policy.

The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) is also part of the stakeholders crafting the policy.

NPRC chairperson Retired Justice Selo Nare on Friday said while Covid-19 has disrupted their plans, the commission has slowly started rolling out its programmes aimed at addressing the Gukurahundi issue.

He said the exhumation and reburials of Gukurahundi victims remains top of the NPRC agenda.

Rtd Justice Nare commended Government for working on a policy that would guide the process. “At the moment the policy is being worked on and several stakeholders including the NPRC are involved. It is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage. The exhumation and reburial policy that exists only covered episodes that happened up to 1979 but the new policy is holistic as it covers events that occurred after 1980,” said Rtd Justice Nare.

He said once the policy is out and approved by Government, the process of exhumations and reburials will then follow guided by the policy.

“This will see some of the people who were improperly buried being reburied according to their norms and culture,” he said.

Rtd Justice Nare said Zimbabwe needs a healing process as a lot of people are hurt as a result of some unresolved conflicts.

He said before conducting public hearings, the commission needs to counsel victims affected by various conflicts, including Gukurahundi.

Rtd Jutice Nare said counselling enables some victims to openly speak about hurtful things, which is very vital in the healing and reconciliation process.

“If you take into consideration the conflicts that have occurred in the past, you’ll realise that people have been boiling but they have not had an opportunity to open up.

“This is an opportunity for people to open up on something that they were not discussing from the 1980s.

“We know that some people are going to break down hence offering of psychological social support is important in order to encourage people to open up,” he said.

Rtd Justice Nare said NPRC will continue offering psycho-social support to victims as long as there is need for such a service.

Asked if it was not too late for counselling, Rtd Justice Nare said:

“That sort of thing is continuous, it’s not too late as it were. I think there is time when people need to be counselled, remember when there was this agreement (Unity Accord) between the Presidency in the 1987, the grassroots had not been involved, it was the top hierarchy. It’s the grassroots that must be involved, it’s the grassroots that need to be looked into.”

The High Court in Bulawayo recently dismissed an application by a pressure group, Ibhetshu Likazulu and alleged Gukurahundi survivor Charles Thomas to block exhumation and reburials of Gukurahundi victims.

The applicants had rushed to the courts claiming that President Mnangagwa, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe and Ms Jenny Williams of Matabeleland Collective wanted Government to illegally exhume and rebury Gukurahundi victims.

Justice Martin Makonese threw out the applicants’ case for being presumptuous and premature as there was no evidence that Government wanted to rush exhumations and reburials of Gukurahundi victims.

THE United States of America (USA) has reiterated its desire to see President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his government succeed in improving the lives of long-suffering Zimbabweans.
Speaking to the Daily News On Sunday in an exclusive interview this week, USA ambassador to Zimbabwe Brian Nichols said Washington remained ready to assist Zimbabwe – as long as Mnangagwa and the government fulfilled the promises that were made after the dramatic fall from power of the late former president Robert Mugabe in November 2017.

This comes as Mnangagwa himself has said that he is keen to mend Zimbabwe’s frosty relations of the past two decades with western countries and the USA.

Nichols said Washington wanted to see a prosperous Zimbabwe, contrary to the views held by some Zanu-PF supporters.

“The United States shares the desires of the people of Zimbabwe who want to see a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe that provides for its people and contributes to regional stability.

“To realise these goals, we strongly believe it is important that government and non-governmental entities alike promote our shared values and work in areas of common concern.

“Whenever we may differ on the best means of achieving these goals, we will seek to engage in a dialogue that is respectful and that seeks to uphold the universal values and rights that Zimbabweans fought so hard to gain 40 years ago,” Nichols told the Daily News On Sunday.

However, he also said the USA government was keen to see Mnangagwa fulfilling the promises he made when he replaced Mugabe.

“This government campaigned on a platform of reform. Zimbabwe’s constitution enshrines many fundamental freedoms.

“The government of Zimbabwe should enact and implement its promised political and economic reforms.

“In 2018, the government committed to implementing the recommendations of the Motlanthe Commission,” Nichols further told the Daily News On Sunday.

“As we have stated before, our engagement will depend on the government’s implementation of those reforms, consistent with international standards.

“The Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Amendment Act (ZDERA) of 2018 outlines the steps Zimbabwe needs to take to gain the support of the United States government for new lending through international financial institutions.

“The key conditions the United States require Zimbabwe to satisfy remain the same – the restoration of the rule of law, free and fair elections, equitable, legal and transparent land reform … military and national police subordinate to a civilian-led government.

“If Zimbabwe were to fully align its laws to the 2013 Constitution and follow through on President Mnangagwa’s own promises of reform, it would meet these requirements,” Nichols further told the Daily News On Sunday.

“In his meetings with the president (Mnangagwa) and Foreign Affairs minister (Sibusiso Moyo), assistant secretary Tibor Nagy emphasised the importance of implementing promised economic and political reforms to restore Zimbabwe’s international reputation, rebuild the economy and give voice to all Zimbabweans.

“Both President Mnangagwa and Minister Moyo have indicated Zimbabwe’s commitment to these reforms, including holding security forces accountable for violent incidents in 2018 and 2019.

“The Global Compensation Deed Agreement represents an important step forward in resolving Zimbabwe’s land tenure and agriculture problems. However, we will need to see its implementation before we can evaluate it fully,” Nichols added.

This comes as Mnangagwa and his administration have been accused of blowing away the international goodwill which followed the fall of Mugabe from power in November 2017, via a stunning and widely-supported military coup.

Despite making a number of promises, including carrying out broad-based economic and political reforms, Mnangagwa stands accused of failing to fulfil most of them.

However, his government has been credited with expunging some repressive laws from the statute books that were routinely used by Mugabe’s regime to punish political opponents and independent media like the Daily News.

Among the laws that have been scrapped are the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and the Public Order and Security Act (Posa).

In addition, Mnangagawa has been praised for trying to end years of chaos in the agricultural sector by restoring farming rights that were taken away during Mugabe’s ruinous reign.

In this regard, the government recently signed a US$3,5 billion Global Compensation Agreement with white former commercial farmers, while also announcing that all farmers who lost their land protected by Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreements (BIPPAs) would either be compensated or have their land titles restored.

However, Nichols told the Daily News On Sunday that while this was encouraging, Mnangagwa needed to fulfil his promises and put Zimbabwe back on the path to success – as the country had “everything needed to succeed”.

“Zimbabwe has tremendous economic potential. First, it has well educated people. There are so many impressive Zimbabweans in this country, and when you add the Diaspora around the world, you see Zimbabweans at the best universities and at the top of businesses around the world.

“That’s an enormous resource others don’t have. Second, the extractive industries and mineral resources here are vast. The country also has world-class tourist attractions like Victoria Falls and Great Zimbabwe.

“This country was once an agricultural powerhouse, saving southern Africa from a tremendous drought 21 years ago. It can do so again, with the right policies,” Nichols further told the Daily News On Sunday.

“We will continue to press the Government of Zimbabwe to implement the necessary political and economic reforms to provide Zimbabwean citizens with the prosperity, security and well-being they deserve.

“However, the United States cannot build Zimbabwe, only Zimbabweans can do that. United States support will be available where appropriate, when Zimbabwean leaders request it,” Nichols added.

Washington has previously affirmed that it is ready to assist Zimbabwe if authorities implement sweeping reforms.

In the run-up to the historic 2018 national elections, Washington signalled its intent to end nearly two decades of frosty relations between the US and Zimbabwe, when it sent a powerful delegation to Harare to engage with Mnangagwa.

Relations between Zimbabwe and the West have been icy since the country embarked on chaotic and widely-criticised land reforms, which saw many commercial farmers losing their land at the height of Mugabe’s ruinous rule.

The move proved disastrous for the country and its long-suffering citizens, as this resulted in Zimbabwe’s isolation from the rest of the international community, while also destroying the critical agricultural sector.

It also saw Zimbabwe’s credit lines and trade facilities being blocked following the imposition of sanctions on the country – amid widespread criticism of Harare’s human rights record.

This subsequently resulted in Zimbabwe hitting rock bottom economically a decade ago, which left most citizens dirt poor and living on less than a dollar a day – with many companies closing down and investors pulling out.

Source – dailynews

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s goverment says it is eagerly awaiting response from South Africa and Kenya following a request to have former Cabinet Ministers, Saviour Kasukuwere, Walter Mzembi and Professor Jonathan Moyo, extradited for trial on theft and fraud charges.

Mzembi allegedly skipped bail while on remand on charges of criminal abuse of duty and theft of trust funds involving US$847 000.
Mzembi allegedly committed the offences when he was Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry and was spearheading Zimbabwe’s co-hosting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Conference in August 2013.
He is believed to be staying in South Africa since he skipped bail on the criminal charges some two years ago.

Kenya is also expected to respond to Zimbabwe’s request for the extradition of former Minister Jonathan Moyo, who is accused of diverting US$244 575 from the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund.

South Africa has been asked to extradite former Cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere to Zimbabwe to answer to four counts of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.

The first three counts arise from the time when Kasukuwere was Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister and allegedly corruptly parcelled out over 220 hectares of land in Harare and Masvingo to the sister of former First Lady Grace Mugabe, Shuvai Gumbochuma.
The other count dates back to when as Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment, he allegedly and corruptly awarded a tender to a company called Brainworks Capital.

Brainworks was granted a tender to perform brokerage services to the Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment without following laid down procedures.
The Government, through the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), is seeking the assistance of the South African authorities to bring Kasukuwere to a Zimbabwean court for trial.
Indictment papers have since been prepared and Kasukuwere will be tried as soon as he is brought home.

Mr Nelson Mutsonziwa, in an affidavit commissioned by chief law officer Mr Chris Mutangadura, assured the South African government that the criminal charges preferred against Kasukuwere were not political and that he should simply be brought to court within a reasonable time for justice to prevail.

“This request is not being pursued for political reasons or any ulterior purpose. Zimbabwe guarantees that Saviour Kasukuwere will receive a fair trial in terms of the laws of Zimbabwe. The Republic of Zimbabwe also undertakes to render assistance to the Republic of South Africa in any criminal matter,” reads part of the request.

While there is no formal extradition agreement between South Africa and Zimbabwe, the NPA premised its request on the Extradition (Designated Countries) Order of 1990 which designated South Africa as one of the nations to which the Government can seek legal mutual assistance in extradition cases.

Kasukuwere is being accused of showing favour to the former President’s sister-in-law by withdrawing letters offering 150ha of land to eight developers and giving it to Mrs Gumbochuma’s unregistered company called Rodonior (Pvt) Ltd and seven others.

The eight entities had been allocated the land by Kasukuwere’s predecessor in the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Dr Ignatius Chombo, but Kasukuwere withdrew the offer saying he now wanted to use the land for “other pressing issues”.

The eight entities are: Vanorima Investments, Delatfin Investments, Release Power, Bildos Investments, Prophetic Healing Deliverance (PHD), Waiway Investments, Amadulu Construction and China Jianti.
Land use was never changed, but all the land was then given to seven other companies, including Mrs Gumbochuma’s Rodonior Pvt Ltd.

• State Media

State Media

EIGHT armed robbers raided the Bulawayo High Court at the weekend and gained entry into the court’s criminal registry after attacking and disarming police officers manning the premises.

The incident occurred at about 4AM and the suspects were reportedly armed with pistols.
They left two police officers injured as they forced their way into the court building and finally the criminal registry.

One of the officers is admitted to a Bulawayo hospital while the other one did not sustain serious injuries but the robbers tied his hands and legs before they left.

The robbers are said to have used a grinder as they tried to break the registry safe.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the robbery.
“We are investigating an armed robbery case which occurred at the Bulawayo High Court yesterday morning at 4AM. It is said about eight suspects went to the court and attacked two officers who were on duty and these suspects were armed with pistols.

“After attacking them, they blindfolded one of the officers. They then tried to force open the court’s main safe to the criminal registry’s office using a key. After failing, they tried again to use a grinder and, in the process, it is alleged that they were making phone calls,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He said after failing in their attempts, they tied the hands and legs of one of the police officers.
The officer who sustained some serious injuries was taken to hospital where he is receiving treatment.

“They attacked him using their weapons. He is being treated at a hospital in Bulawayo, but we cannot reveal where he is receiving treatment,” he said.

Asst Comm Nyathi said police suspect the robbers had inside information.

“These guys had inside information and we want to establish the motive behind the robbery and the attack on the officers. We are therefore leaving no stone unturned in our quest to get to the bottom of this case and apprehend the suspects. The law will definitely take its course,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

Judicial Service Commission (JSC) spokesperson Ms Rumbidzai Takawira said the Commission had deployed a team from Harare to assess the situation on the ground.

“We have a team that is going there to ascertain what really transpired and we can only have information tomorrow (today),” said Ms Takawira.

A legal expert who declined to be named said an exhibit safe room can contain files or prosecution documents for suspects appearing before the courts.

The expert said even valuables that are confiscated when arresting suspects can be stored in the court’s registry.

“A crime registry can store exhibits which include weapons used by criminals in committing crimes. The exhibits are very vital in the prosecution process and probably these robbers wanted to steal these exhibits or destroy important documents,” said the expert.

Paul Nyathi

Seven heavily armed man broke into the Mount Pleasant home of former Zanu PF national Commissar, Lieutenant General Engelbert Rugeje (Rtd), resulting in a heavy gun exchange which ended with one of the man shot dead.

The incident which happened in the early hours of Sunday morning has been downplayed by the police who have claimed that it was just a federal robbery incident.

“These were purely criminals. There was an exchange of gunfire that left one person dead at Lt-General Engelbert Rugeje’s (Rtd) residence in Mt Pleasant, Harare, involving security personnel and seven suspected criminals in the morning,” National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said.

“More information will be released soon as police are still carrying out investigations,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

Asst Comm Nyathi said it seemed the criminals did not know who stayed at the house and also took advantage of the darkness since there was no electricity in the area for some hours.

Speaking exclusively to ZimEye Gen Rugeje said, “I wasn’t there.”

He was asked if he knows what happened as well as details of possible injuries, and he said, “get the details from ZRP who attended the scene I wasn’t there.”

He was also asked if he has a clue of who is behind this and what their agenda is, and to this he replied with a long sigh and then said,

“I don’t have a clue when I was not there,”

Asked on his well being, how he feels, Gen Rugeje became non committal with responses.

His phone was hung up soon afterwards.

The development comes as Rugeje, who occupied the party’s most influential position, was rumoured to be next in line for disappearance or a car accident as has happened to many before him.

His immediate predecessor Saviour Kasukuwere fled Zimbabwe after his house was pounced on by skilled snipers.

Since independence 1980, every other political commissar has suffered either an assassination, or a humiliating ouster. The list of victims includes:

Mayor Urimbo,

Maurice Nyagumbo,

Movern Mahachi,

Border Gezi,

Elliot Manyika,

Webster Shamu,

In 2018, Rugeje hinted on a political sabbatical arguing that “people should not be mistaken that jobs are found at ZANU PF HQ”.

Rugeje took over from Saviour Kasukwere who was fired from Zanu Pf in 2017 for being linked to a faction which was coalescing around former first lady Grace Mugabe. The expulsion of the G40 faction resulted in some fissures ahead of the polls with some members of the party forming a new outfit called the National Patriotic Front which was also supported by former president Robert Mugabe.

The former army general was appointed by Mnangagwa at the party’s extra-ordinary congress in Harare before he presided over a chaotic primary election where he received brickbats from senior party members like Christopher Mutsvangwa for causing divisions in the party.

Watch the video loading below…….(please be patient as it uploads)

Watch the video loading below…….(please be patient as it uploads)

https://web.facebook.com/v3.2/plugins/video.php?allowfullscreen=false&app_id=&autoplay=false&channel=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticxx.facebook.com%2Fx%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter%2F%3Fversion%3D46%23cb%3Df131e95b748de84%26domain%3Dwww.zimeye.net%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.zimeye.net%252Ff359cb40b4033d4%26relation%3Dparent.parent&container_width=330&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fwatch%2F%3Fv%3D683607689220658&locale=en_US&sdk=joey&show_captions=true&show_text=false&width=696

Joint Teachers Unions’ Statement On Mnangagwa’s Threat Against Striking Teachers

11 October 2020

▪️ Now that we are about to reach the Armageddon of our incapacitation struggle as witnessed by more teachers joining the action and schools being deserted;

▪️ Worried that His Excellency, President E. D. Mnangagwa made remarks threatening teachers on industrial action before seeking engagement and remaining indifferent to the plight of the teachers;

▪️ Observing that the $600 million meant for Covid-19 purposes did not filter into the schools as evidenced by acute shortage of PPEs and other Covid-19 abatement items in most of the schools;

▪️ Aware that Government is still acting in denial about the situation in our schools as evidenced by their threats to fire teachers or cease their salaries and pretending that the school system is functioning normally;

▪️ Shocked by some acts of ‘benevolence’ in the form of food handouts by some misguided elements who want to hijack the teachers’ incapacitation for personal aggrandizement.

Therefore, we, the undersigned teachers’ representatives, do hereby reiterate that:

▪️ No amount of force or threat can capacitate teachers who have all tested positive to poverty. The employer should swallow her pride and do the right thing.

▪️ The nation should know that teachers in all public schools are not at work because the government has failed them and will not succumb to any threats. Where there are incidents of teaching taking place, it is just cosmetic.

▪️ Teachers are not for charity but professionals who are only crying for dignified treatment, reasonable salaries and befitting conditions of service.

▪️ It is only through meaningful engagement, improved salaries, eradication of discrimination among government workers, assurance of health and safety of teachers and pupils during this Covid-19 period, and harmonisation of labour laws that teachers’ return to schools can be guaranteed. Once government brings a meaningful offer, teachers are ready to report for duty thereafter.

▪️ We, as teachers, want a separate collective bargaining board where we can then articulate the education specific issues unlike the current scenario where the education sector is bundled up with everyone else.

▪️ Teachers should remain resolute and focused on our demands. All pusillanimous tendencies should be a thing of the past going forward. Teachers should encourage those who are still reporting for duty to join others in showing government that we deserve better.

▪️ Teachers are not against parents and students. In actual fact, what teachers are simply saying is that it is very dangerous to entrust the future on learners in the hands of a frustrated, poorly remunerated and stressed teachers. Once the impasse is resolved, teachers will do everything possible to help their learners.

▪️ President E. D. Mnangagwa should not ignore the plight of teachers. We don’t want to believe that he would want to be remembered for destroying the education system of this country.

Jointly signed by

 ARTUZ – Chere R. (0775643192)

PTUZ -Zunde L. (0772198868)

TUZ – Phiri R. (0772680952)

ZDTU – Tasaranarwo F. (0773816324)

ZIMTA – Sibanda N. T. (0772803254)

ZINATU – Nyawo M. (0774013500)

ZINEU – Chinosengwa C. (0715815347)

ZRTU – Fambai F. (0775226380)

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has implored Zimbabweans to remain steadfast in their quest for freedom from tyranny.

President Chamisa made the remarks at the funeral of MDC Alliance MP Hon Anna Myambo in Chitungwiza on Friday.

He took a swipe at Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa for using guns to silence dissenting voices.

Said President Chamisa: Mnangagwa is using guns to suppress the will of the people.Mnangagwa has guns and we have the people.

Don’t be intimidated, Mnangagwa cannot arrest the whole nation.

In Zimbabwe everyone is prison, Mnangagwa himself is in prison.”

He added:”(Thokozani) Khupe is playing with a snake.Wait and see you cannot play with a wild beast one day it will kill.Can you harness a snake’s eggs? It’s too risky – sadly that is what Khupe is doing.

Hon Myambo was a dedicated party cadre.This thing(recall) affected her.”

THREE men from Chivi in Masvingo province have been arrested for allegedly teaming up to murder their 72-year-old mother after accusing her of witchcraft.

The accused — Duduzile, Bright and Daniel Tizirai of Makuvire village — last week appeared before Masvingo High Court judge Justice Garainesu Mawadze charged with murder.

Prosecutor Emmanuel Mathose alleged that on April 5 this year, the co-accused approached their now deceased mother, Nyengeterai Tizirai, and accused her of causing the death of her daughter-in-law.

The trio reportedly took the deceased to Nyaningwe dip-tank, tied her hands with a rope and took turns to assault her using a rubber strip and logs.-The Sunday Mail