Paul Nyathi
ZANU PF Secretary for Administration Obert Mpofu has reiterated his unpopular sentiments that Zimbabweans must forget the Gukurahundi Genocide that killed more 20 000 citizens of Midlands and Matabeleland in the early 1980s.
Writing in his book Shoulders of struggle, Mpofu says, “Finally let bygones be bygones. Government should not be coerced into making reactionary subjective apologies for Gukurahundi by forces pursuing neo-colonial polarising agenda
“The Unity Accord formalised the needed reconciliation process as it brought the key stakeholder political entities to map out of conflict towards durable national healing.”
The quote prompted Professor Jonathan Moyo to call Mpofu a sellout. Moyo lost his father during the genocide.
“There you have it from a judas & #gukurahundi collaborator with bloody hands who betrayed Joshua Nkomo, Zapu & his own community & whose treachery is yet to be told; who also was used by Mnangagwa to leak #Willowgate fibs to the @ChronicleZim to destroy Maurice Nyagumbo & others!” Moyo posted on Twitter.
In a paper written in 2019, Mpofu made the following submissions:
The Gukurahundi disturbances ended in 1987 when Zanu and Zapu signed the Unity Accord. The next result of this Unity Accord was that it effectively dissolved both Zanu and Zapu and gave birth to a new party known as the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF).
On 18 April 1988, the Government announced an amnesty for all dissidents, and further called on them to lay down their arms. A general ordinance was issued stating all those who surrendered before 31 May would be granted full pardon.
Finally let bygones be bygones, if Government is to be dragged into formally apologising, this will open closed wounds which may be catastrophic to the party and government.
Paul Nyathi
There is confusing reports in South Africa on whether a warrant of arrest has been issued for ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule.
Independent Media reported on Tuesday night that the National Prosecuting Authority issued a warrant of arrest for Magashule after a number of high-profile arrests have been made recently.
Magashule also confirmed knowledge of his intended arrest after Independent Media sent him questions at about 8.30pm on Tuesday.
“I’m aware. I’m aware,“ he said. ’’It’s going to be a Hollywood style type of thing. But we will see,” Magashule said.
Investigative unit The Hawks has however distanced itself from the IOL report that a warrant has been issued for the arrest of the ruling ANC Secretary-General.
If Magashule is arrested he will charged over his role in the controversial Vrede Dairy Farm project. He will be charged for his alleged ’’failure to exercise oversight’’ relating to the Vrede Dairy Farm investigation.
Magashule was the premier of the Free State when money meant to empower emerging farmers was allegedly misused.
Sources inside the Hawks have confirmed that Magashule was part of the list of people who are set to be arrested this month.
Magashule declined to respond on whether any other high-profile ANC members would be arrested.
“I can’t talk of others. But we will see,” said Magashule briefly, before putting the phone down.
In August, The Star reported that more than R756m was paid to a company named in the Free State Vrede Dairy Farm scandal, with an alleged bribery payment scheme at the centre of lucrative contracts.
These allegations were contained in the charge sheet against Lenah Mohapi, a director at Superior Quality Trading, the company which received the R245m contract in 2014 to run agricultural projects in the Free State.
According to IOL, Magashule will be taken into custody for his role in the project.
In a statement, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation describes the report as a malicious intent to undermine the integrity of the organisation.
Source: Agencies/ILO/eNca
Paul Nyathi
Johnny Nash, the American singer who sang the incredibly happy and infectious 1970s #1 hit, “I Can See Clearly Now,” has died.
The singer’s son released the news to media early Wednesday morning.
Johnny was at home Tuesday when he passed away of natural causes. No word on cause of death yet.
Johnny was born in Houston and made his debut as a major label artist in 1957 with the single, “A Teenager Sings the Blues.” However, it was his reggae-tinged hit that topped the charts in November of 1972, and stayed there for 4 weeks.
Nash sold more than 1 million copies of the single, and it made him an international star, especially in Jamaica … where he became one of the first non-Jamaican singers to record reggae on the island.
While he might go down in music history as a one-hit wonder, what a smash. “I Can See Clearly Now” has been covered numerous times after Johnny. A couple of those covers even reached the top 20 — the most recent one being Jimmy Cliff’s 1993 version for the “Cool Runnings” soundtrack.
His son, John Nash III, says “He was a wonderful father and family man. He loved people and the world. He will be missed within his community. Family was his everything.”
Johnny was 80.
Watch video downloading below:
Agencies
State Media
BULAWAYO’S water crisis has worsened with council only managing to provide water to as little as two out of nearly 100 suburbs a day.
Council has since abandoned the 144 hour-weekly water shedding schedule that saw it supplying water to all suburbs twice weekly, for 12 hours on each day.
According to its Provisional Water Supply Restoration Strategy (PWSRS), residents are supposed to get supplies once a week from 5PM to the following morning. However, the water usually comes well into the night and by 8AM all taps would have run dry.
For instance, according to the council’s strategy released yesterday, Pumula South and Pumula East were the only Bulawayo suburbs to receive water from 5PM to the following morning.
Only the city centre, mining and industrial areas are exempted from the water cuts.
The acute water crisis has even seen housebreakers targeting bulk water containers.
Residents have complained that council does not seem to have a plan to address the water crisis as the situation worsens by each passing day, with boreholes that had been saving the situation in the past few months reportedly drying up.
Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube yesterday admitted that council was in a water crisis dilemma.
“We suspended the water 144-hour weekly water shedding. We suspended it because we could no longer adhere to that schedule. This is so because we don’t have water as a city.
“We no longer have water in the city while consumption has increased. Residents have also resorted to buying Jojo tanks (bulk water containers) and whenever we shut supplies we do so because our reservoirs would have run dry,” said Mr Dube.
“We are forced to wait again while reservoirs are stabilising before we can reopen them again. The situation is worsened by electricity supplies which are very erratic. While power cuts have always been there, they were not visible because our reservoirs used to be stable for both raw water and purified. But at the moment we are living from hand to mouth. We have no water in the reservoirs. We only have purified water in reservoirs and whenever we experience power cuts everything stops.”
He said water consumption has also increased, although he could not give the daily statistics of the water consumption.
Mr Dube said under the PWSRS, council tries to isolate and prioritise high lying areas so that the areas also receive water.
“But there is an increasing phenomenon where some people open closed valves while some vandals damage our infrastructure just to draw water. This actually affects the water provision strategy,” said Mr Dube.
He described the water crisis as the worst to ever happen in Bulawayo.
“This is the worst ever water crisis in Bulawayo. Bulawayo has experienced water crises before but this one even supersedes the one that was experienced in 1992. It’s the worst because we have not received any meaningful rains since the 2016/17 rainy season. Even water levels at our boreholes are now very low.”
He said the only solution is implementing short to midterm strategies such as rehabilitating the Epping Forest and duplication of the 42km Mtshabezi-Ncema pipeline.
Mr Dube said if rains and fill up the dams, normal supplies will resume within a week’s time.
Acting Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said the water crisis has resulted in a new crop of thieves targeting Jojo tanks.
She said last month thieves stole bulk water containers at Premier High School and at a preschool in Pumula East suburb.
“We attribute the theft of these containers to the prevailing water crisis in the city. We encourage institutions to hire security guards while finding better means to secure their containers that have become targets for criminals,” she said.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association co-ordinator Mr Emmanuel Ndlovu said council should just admit that it cannot provide water to residents.
“With the worsening water crises, we are most likely to have another outbreak of water-borne diseases. The council seems to have run out of a strategy to address the water situation. At the moment council is only providing water to only one ward per day. We are afraid that we might have a repeat of the Luveve situation,” said Mr Ndlovu.
Bulawayo United Residents’ Association (Bura) chairperson Mr Winos Dube said the water situation was dire in most residential areas as residents do not know when they will receive water.
“Council’s Provisional Water Supply Restoration Strategy water strategy is not reliable. Residents no longer know the next time they will receive running water in their homes. Survival has become difficult for most residents and the situation seems to be worsening by the day,” said Mr Dube.
“Year after year the city has been experiencing water problems but the city does not seem to have a better disaster management system to address the water crisis. There is no disaster management plan.”
Paul Nyathi
MDC-T Acting President Thokozani Khupe has suffered a setback after her much hyped swearing in ceremony as a Member of Parliament was cancelled at the last minute following a challenged by one Charles Madhiwa who took the matter to the High Court.
Madhiwa is seeking the following order to be granted:
That the Respondents shall show cause, if any, why a final order should not be granted in the following terms:
Paul Nyathi
Zimbabwe has been ranked number 102 by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The rankings were crafted in such a manner that countries in the single digit category did not do well in fighting the pandemic while those with double digits did better and those with three digits did well.
Countries that recorded the most deaths and infections such as the United States, Britain and Italy, are in the single digit category.
Addressing corporates and organisations from Bulawayo who had come to present Covid-19 donations towards the operationalisation of Ekusileni Hospital in Bulawayo at State House yesterday, President Mnangagwa said although the country’s health sector was facing challenges, Government and the people were more conscious and took mitigatory measures more than other countries.
President Mnangagwa said WHO had ranked countries according to how they were faring with regards to the impact and mitigation of the pandemic.
“Those with single digits didn’t do well. Those with double digits were better than those with single digits but Zimbabwe goes to the three digits. We are number 102,” he said.
He said the US was on number 1, Brazil 2, Russia 3, India 4, Britain 5 and South Africa 7.
“When you look at the capacity of these individual countries’ economies, one would think they have more muscle and both capacity and capability to deal with the pandemic far much more than us who have weak economies.
“Because of the realisation that we do not have a solid health infrastructure system in place, we become more conscious than those who have,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said Government had prioritised serving lives even if it meant negative impact on the economy.
“Post Covid-19 pandemic we can still sit around the table as we are and discuss how to resuscitate our economy and how to grow our economy. Since time immemorial before Christ, even before the Roman empire, we have never had a conference where people discuss on how to raise the dead.
“So we will not be an exception. We need to take measures to preserve lives. But we need to identify that which is critically important and correct and quite another to be able to carry the nation with that vision. We as Government feel extremely proud that our people: individually, as groups, communities, companies, churches, organisations and as societies, have moved and responded to this appeal to show compassion and make contributions to fight and mitigate the impact of this pandemic,” said the President.
Source: State Media
Paul Nyathi
Zimbabwe recorded another Covid-19 death on Tuesday following the death of 65 year old Brigadier-General Sambulo Ndlovu (Retired) due to a Covid-19-related illness.
Brig-Gen Ndlovu died at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals
Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant-General Edzai Absalom Chanyuka Chimonyo confirmed the death.
Brig-Gen Ndlovu (Rtd) is survived by his wife Sarah and six children, three boys and three girls, Nguquko, Vezubule, Prince Majaha, Thobekile, Lindiwe and Sithulisiwe.
The ZNA said in a statement that funeral and burial arrangements will be carried out according to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on Covid-19.
The army official’s death takes the national Covid-19 deaths to 229 since the outbreak of three killer disease in March.
7915 cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in the country so far with 17 new cases recorded on Tuesday. 6440 have recovered with 16 new recoveries reported on Tuesday.
State Media
Disciplinary tribunals headed by retired judges have now been set up by President Mnangagwa for Frank Muchengwa of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) and Zimbabwe Land Commission deputy chairperson Tadious Muzoroza and commissioner Jeanette Marrie Manjengwa.
The commissions were set up under constitutional provisions that call on the President to establish these on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission.
The three-member team for Muchengwa will be chaired by retired High Court judge Justice Nicholas Ndou sitting with University of Zimbabwe law lecturer Dr Tarisai Mutangi and lawyer Ms Clara Mapota.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Secretary Mrs Virginia Mabhiza will provide the secretariat to the tribunal.
ZACC is an independent body in terms of the Constitution and disciplinary procedures governing the body are the same as those relating to judges and the Prosecutor-General.
In the event of a misconduct, an independent tribunal must be set up to investigate and make recommendations to the President.
The Constitution states that such a tribunal must consist of at least three members appointed by the President and the chairperson must be someone who once served as a judge of the Supreme or High Court.
According to the Government Gazette published yesterday, the tribunal shall be held for five months from the date of swearing in of the members, at such appropriate venue as shall be determined by the tribunal.
Muchengwa was sworn-in by President Mnangagwa in July last year following public interviews conducted by Parliament’s Standing Rules and Orders Committee chaired by Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda. This committee is the top committee of Parliament.
Parliament invited applications and shortlisted candidates after the resignation of the Commission that was led by Dr Job Whabira.
Following the interviews of 38 candidates, Parliament submitted the names of the constitutionally-prescribed 12 people from which the President was obliged to appoint eight to be members of ZACC.
Other commissioners that took office were Fungai Jessie Majome, John Makamure, Gabriel Chaibva, Thandiwe Thando Mlobane, Michael Dennis Santi, Kuziva Phineas Murapa and Mabel Ndakaripa Hungwe.
The President set up another three-member tribunal to look into the misconduct allegations against two officials from the Zimbabwe Land Commission.
Retired Justice Maphios Cheda will chair the tribunal and sit with Telecel Zimbabwe chief executive Ms Angeline Vere, and Gweru lawyer Mr Godfrey Mutseyekwa.
Muzoroza and Manjengwa are accused of allegedly co-authoring and uploading onto the World Bank Conference website an abstract, which painted a negative picture of the country’s land reform programme in respect of the land tenure and allocation of land to women, youths and farm workers.
It is alleged the abstract made reference to the Zimbabwe Land Commission National Comprehensive Land Audit Phase One Report.
State Media
Enough teachers are reporting for duty to cope with the examination forms already back in class in the phased schools reopening.
In order to minimise the risk of Covid-19 infections, Government directed the reopening of examination classes first, and teachers who are supposed to take care of these pupils have been reporting for duty.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema said an average of 29 percent of teachers have been reporting for duty countrywide, which is enough.
There have been threats of industrial action from teachers’ unions to apply pressure in salary negotiations.
In response, Minister Mathema acknowledged that teachers have their concerns, but said the low turnout was as a result of the phased reopening approach.
“It is correct that a number of teachers are not at work. On average about 29 percent are going to work. Remember only examination classes are back at school and those teachers going to work suffice the job at hand.
“The teachers have their concerns and Government is addressing them. I want to assure learners and parents that exams will go on as scheduled. Learning will not be disrupted.
“The first phase has resumed classes safely and we are now preparing for the next phase as well as putting in place measures to protect those already at school,” said Minister Mathema.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima said Government held a meeting with teachers’ union representatives on Monday.
Prof Mavima said the economy is recording some positive stability and improvements on the macroeconomic front which the country and the civil service cannot afford to disrupt by demands that torpedo the progression.
After yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa updated the public on schools and on the civil service salary negotiations.
“With regard to the re-opening of schools the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is monitoring the situation and updating the Public Service Commission daily, while awaiting the outcome of the ongoing National Joint Negotiating Council talks.”
“Priority training of teaching and non-teaching staff on Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures for phase 1 is underway in all the provinces, while logistical arrangements for phase 2 staff training are being organised.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said the Government has come up with guidelines to ensure effective care and support for both teaching and learning, with effective catch-up learning and remedial teaching, in preparation for public examinations.
On the issue of international travel, Minister Mutsvangwa said citizens can travel outside the country as long as they meet requirements of the country they want to visit.
Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet noted that all three international airports now had laboratory facilities that can produce PCR Covid-19 test results within two hours.
“With regard to laboratory facilities, Cabinet noted that Lancet Laboratories commissioned its laboratory at Victoria Falls International Airport, and pledges to deliver PCR results within two hours for both arriving and departing travellers. The Robert Gabriel Mugabe and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airports have similar private and public testing facilities.”
“The taskforce will be dispatching teams to the country’s land ports and airports of entry to assess their readiness in handling the large numbers associated with the complete opening up of the country to domestic and international flights,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
State Media
Efforts have been suspended to rescue or recover the bodies of five miners trapped underground at Task Mining Syndicate in Chegutu 30 days ago when a mineshaft collapsed since more people may die in the dangerous ground although there is now no hope of finding survivors.
Once Cabinet confirms the abandonment of the search mission, all access points into the shaft will be sealed off, making the shaft in effect a grave for Constantino Dzinoreva (47), Charles Mutume (31), Crynos Nyamukanga (44) Shingai Gwatidzo (20) and Munashe Christian (17).
Local Government and Public Works Deputy Minister Cde Marian Chombo said the Civil Protection Unit (CPU), which falls under the ministry, had indicated the need to abandon the rescue efforts because the continuous collapse of the shaft could endanger more people.
She said the unit was working with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development which is an active member of the Cabinet Committee on Environment Disaster Prevention and Management.
“The role of Civil Protection Unit, through its decentralised structures, is to coordinate operations while technical expertise come from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development. To date, from the reports they have sent to us, they’ve indicated that we need to abandon the rescue efforts due to the continuous collapse of the shaft. However the chairman of the committee is to report to Cabinet on the technical advice given by the subnational structures. In this case, Cabinet will make the final decision,” she said.
CPU director Mr Nathan Nkomo said they were awaiting Cabinet’s decision on the way forward with the unit’s decision to suspend the rescue effort being premised on findings by the Ministry of Mines.
Cabinet would deliberate on the final report presented on the rescue operations after which a decision on whether or not to permanently halt operations would be made.
“We can’t put a final closure on the rescue effort as we are guided by the Cabinet’s decision. As the Civil Protection Unit, we acted upon recommendations provided by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development which has been an integral part in the rescue efforts of the five trapped miners.
“We took seriously the recommendations given by Mines officials and decided to suspend rescue efforts until Cabinet’s decision on the way forward as was done to the Chimanimani Cyclone Idai rescue efforts.
“As CPU, we acted to save the lives of the rescuers who faced the danger of getting trapped by unstable ground,” he said.
Chief Government mining engineer, Michael Munodawafa, said he had earlier recommended that operations be done carefully considering that the ground was wobbling.
“The last time we recommended to the CPU that since operations were becoming dangerous considering unstable ground, there was a need to be careful and monitor operations. However, the decision to halt operations by CPU was a collective decision emanating from discoveries and recommendations given,” he said.
A report written by Chegutu district development coordinator, Mr Tariro Tomu to Task Mining Syndicate management, shows that the operations were stopped after they proved to be unsuccessful owing to safety challenges.
“A technical report from the Ministry of Mines has shown that operations are proving to be unsuccessful because of safety challenges. There is continuous fall of ground within the collapsed zone,” read part of the report.
The report also showed that the accident area was becoming more unstable and unsafe as most of the support pillars were mined out before the accident.
“There is no second escape route in case of emergency and the plan of installing a bulkhead and allowing people to work below it is a risky operation as there is a high risk of it falling thereby exposing the workers to great danger if trapped,” reads the report.
Under the Mining Management and Safety Regulations, all rescue operations and retrieval of the bodies were ordered stopped with immediate effect.
Task Mining Syndicate chairperson, Mr Timothy Masviba said the mine was going to engage the Government to be allowed to rescue the trapped miners.
Families have not lost hope of finding their relatives alive and are still camped at the mine premises where they are imploring Government to extend the operation to help the trapped workers.
They have also petitioned Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Winston Chitando, the local legislator, Webster Shamhu and Chief Ngezi to convince CPU to continue with the operation.
Minister Mliswa-Chikoka urged the family members to understand the Government’s decision as it was coming from experts and aimed at protecting lives.
ZBC
MUTARE: A Nyanga family says it is yet to come to terms with the death of six relatives in a road traffic accident which occurred along the Nyanga-Ruwangwe road at the weekend.
The Matizakurima family was plunged into mourning Saturday morning after six family members perished in a road traffic accident, which also left 28 others injured.
Five people died on the spot while the sixth passed on after admission at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare.
The accident occurred when the Matizakurima family were on their way to a gravesite beautification ceremony.
Surviving relatives including Mutsawashe Matizakurima, who was driving the two-tonne truck carrying 34 passengers and cement, narrated their ordeal.
“The brakes failed and the I struggled to control the vehicle as it sped down the hill making it,” he said.
“I tried to stop the truck but I failed after the break failure. I failed to negotiate a curve due to the speed of the vehicle.”
A survivor added; “We told the driver to reduce speed after we realised that there was an unusual smell due to breaks. He told us that the vehicle has lost brakes. What happened there after I don’t remember but I just woke up being injured.”
Added another; “The driver told us that the car had lost breaks and I took a decision to jump out of the car after sensing danger.
“I lost two brothers in the accident with two sisters including the driver’s wife.”
Some of the injured were admitted at Nyanga District Hospital, while others have been discharged.
“We received 22 patience and five bodies,” said Nyanga Acting District Medial Officer, Dr Hamish Mubata.
“We referred five critical patience to Victoria Chitepo provincial hospital. Seven were discharged at Regina Coeli Hospital. We have discharged 16 we are left with eight patients with four still in Mutare.”
Local legislator, Honourable Chido Sanyatwe and Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba welcomed the support that the family has received so far while also calling for the use of roadworthy vehicles.
“We thank the assistance we got from government to assist the bereaved families and the injured pull through this difficult situation,” said Cde Sanyatwe.
Dr Gwaradzimba added; “The other issue is the issues of vehicles conditions. The VID and police should continue inspecting the cars and carrying capacities.
“I met the driver who confirmed that the vehicle’s breaks failed and could not be controlled due to the load.
“There is a need for families not to travel in large numbers to avoid an incident were family members died in a single accident.”
Police and other stakeholders have on several occasions urged motorists to adhere to road safety guidelines to avoid loss of life.
Warriors player and former Highlanders striker Prince Dube will miss out on the Warriors’ friendly match against Malawi because of a hamstring injury.
The Tanzanian based striker reportedly suffered an injury on Sunday and his team doctor ordered him to rest for a week before resuming light training.
In a letter sent by Azam’s medical doctor to ZIFA, Prince Dube’s team doctor said:
Please refer to the above mentioned who is our player, sustained injury of left hamstring muscle (posterior aspect of left thigh) in a league match. He is on medication, Tens and he had been given one week rest then resume small exercises and physiotherapy. So I here recommend not to join your team on medical grounds.
Dube joined Tanzania’s Azam FC in August and he made a great start at the Tanzania top-flight league team by scoring in most matches he has played so far.
Azam is so mesmerized with Prince Dube, they presented him with a special T-Shirt appreciating his contribution to the team a few weeks after he became part of the team.
Meanwhile, the government is yet to OK the Warriors’ match against Malawi’s Flames slated to be played at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre in preparation for the AFCON qualifiers against Algeria to be played next month.-The Sunday News
06/10/2020
Rev Vusumuzi Samuel Sifelani who died on the 29th of September in Bulawayo was laid to rest in his rural home in Lower Gweru yesterday.
Rev Sifelani, the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) Ecumenical Liaison Officer’s week long funeral was attended by people from all walks of life-a clear testimony of the character of Samuel.
From Wednesday last week to Saturday, the 3th of October, hundreds joined the Sifelani family in mourning a man who has been hugely described as humble, friendly, intelligent, eloquent and likeable. Those who attended the daily evening church services at the late’s residence in Greendale, Harare, continued to hear of a man whose legacy has already influenced the physical and spiritual lives of many in Zimbabwe and beyond.
In Bulawayo a church service had also been held at the ZCC offices in preparation for the transfer of Rev Sif’s body to Harare. ZCC President, Bishop Khanye led the service.
The final church service in Harare was held on Sunday at the Anglican Cathedral in Harare. Over 700 people attended the service. These included ZCC’s Supervisory Council members, Advisory Board, Local Ecumenical Felloships(LEFs), ecumenical partners (including the World Council of Churches representatives in Zimbabwe), civil society, embassies, development partners, politicians, academia, business, arts and individuals who worked and associated with the late clergyman.
Yet the Requiem Mass for Rev Sif, as he was widely known, was held later in the day at his home congregation, St Mathews Anglican in Gweru.
The service was attended by nearly 800 people who included serving and retired Bishops of the Anglican Church ( Retired Bishop Mukwanda, Bishop Mutamiri and Bishop Makumbe) and representatives from other sectors of the society. This was an emotionally filled session. Rev Sif grew up and was educated in Gweru.
He always boasted of being a Gweru man. He loved his town and indeed, his town men and women thronged the St Mathews church to pay their last respect to The Sif. By the way he once led the youth wing of the church as its President-Sam was a presidential material.
The Sif’s body passed through his Ascot home on it’s way to his rural home in Dimbamiwa Village in Lower Gweru for burial on the following day.
A traditionally very quiet Dimbamiwa village was marred with thousands of mourners who had travelled from across the country. Here was a funeral befitting the character of The Sif. He was a man of the people and the people responded in their numbers when the word spread that the Giant had fallen.
Rev Sif clearly deserved what happened at his home on Monday. Speaker after speaker shared his or her unique experience with Samuel. Some shared how he cultivated the spirit of environmentalism and ecumenism within the church.
Some shared how The Sif would drive all the way from Greendale only to buy a plate of mazondo in Warren Park.
Others talked of a man who popularised the Zimbabwean proverb ‘Mira nditange ndanzwa madam’. Yet others talked of a humble man who did not want to be praised on anything he did.
If you praised him he would simply say ‘Ko zvopweregwa here? Ndozvoga here…’ Each person who attended the burial had a story to tell. Over a thousand and five hundred people gathered at the Sifelani homestead to bid fare well to a man who had only lived a very short but fruitful life.
Thus, a big tree has fallen. It has however, left fruits for us to feed from, said his former boss, Rev Dr Kenneth Mtata in his sermon at the burial site. The Sif was an environmentalist, a theologian of note, an all rounder-one who always had an example to share with his audience on any subject under discussion.
Appreciation goes to the church in Harare, Gweru and Lower Gweru for the support rendered through out the week as people were celebrating a well lived life by The Sif.
The ZCC Bishops in Harare, Gweru and Bulawayo, thank you. The ZCC Advisory Board Chair, Amai Vimbai Nyemba, thank you. Dr Mtata, and your team thank you. The ZCC LEFs you stood with one of your own. The Sif’s networks from various sectors, thank you. Dimbamiwa community, siyabonga.
The Sifelani and Mapolisa families, we continue to pray for you as you recover from this big loss. The Sif is survived by his wife and four children, two of whom are only a month and half old.
Tinashe Gumho
( Zimbabwe Council of Churches )
A 28-YEAR-OLD man from Mpopoma suburb was stabbed to death in a bloody clash between rival gangs at a house party held in violation of lockdown regulations.
Bhekumuzi Nkomo was fatally stabbed between Saturday (10PM) and Sunday (1AM) as his family and police gave contradicting statements on the time when the crime could have been committed.
It is unclear why Nkomo was killed but the fight involved two rival gangs that were attending a birthday party in the same suburb on Saturday.
A blood-stained knife suspected to have been used to attack him was found 10 metres from his body.
His killer is yet to be arrested.
Nkomo’s younger brother Mr Mzimkhulu Nkomo told Chronicle on Monday that the fight started at about 10PM while they were at a party.
He said he does not know how the fight started but he joined in as he observed that a rival gang was assaulting his brother.-Chronicle
POLICE in Matabeleland North have launched a manhunt for a Binga man who allegedly fatally struck his ex-wife with an unknown sharp object before cutting off a finger which he disappeared with.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese identified the suspect as Deny Mumpande (38) of Phukhoma 7 Chuzya Village under Chief Sinamagonde in Lusulu.
She said the murder took place last Friday when Mumpande stalked his ex-wife Ms Nolia Mudimba (33) after she had gone to fetch water from a nearby stream.
Mumpande allegedly could not stomach the fact that his wife had left him and went to stay with her parents.
The two had been living in separation for an undisclosed period.
“I can confirm that we received a report of a woman who was killed by her ex-husband in Lusulu. On 2 October at around 5pm the now deceased and Miss Believe Siamupa aged 18 were going home from the nearby Gungwe River where they had gone to fetch water. While on their way they met Mumpande who was carrying an unknown object which was wrapped in a sack,” said Chief Insp Makonese.
She said Mumpande asked the teenager to go as he wanted to talk to the now deceased.
“While Believe Siamupa was about 18 metres away she heard the now deceased screaming and asking for forgiveness from Mumpande. She also heard the sound of a falling bucket of water and an object hitting the now deceased,” said Chief Insp Makonese.
Miss Siamupa ran home and informed the deceased’s father Mr Charles Siamwele who teamed up with other villagers and proceeded to the scene of the attack.
They found the deceased lying on the ground facing downwards with two deep cuts on the head, another on the right hand and left knee.
A finger on her right hand was missing.
A report was made at ZRP Lusulu while the deceased’s body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals in Bulawayo for post-mortem.-Chronicle
Brigadier-General Sambulo Ndlovu (Retired) has died.
He was 65.
Brig-Gen Ndlovu (Rtd), whose Chimurenga name was Stanley Hlayibeni, died yesterday at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals due to a Covid-19-related illness.
Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant-General Edzai Absalom Chanyuka Chimonyo confirmed the death.
Brig-Gen Ndlovu (Rtd) is survived by his wife Sarah and six children, three boys and three girls, Nguquko, Vezubule, Prince Majaha, Thobekile, Lindiwe and Sithulisiwe.
The ZNA said in a statement that funeral and burial arrangements will be carried out according to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on Covid-19.-The Herald
Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has described its victory in the Gwanda Mayoral election as a body blow to Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora’ s political formation.
According to MDC Alliance, the two are “working tirelessly to thwart the struggle for real change”
Read full statement below:
06 OCTOBER 2020
The insatiable appetite to bring Mdc Alliance to extinction hit a brick wall in Gwanda when the judicially-constructed Mdc-T suffered another heavy blow at the hands of our resolute Mdc Alliance Councillor, Njabulo Siziba who won the Mayoral position recently. We are quite conscious to the support that Zanupf is currently giving to Khupe and her cabal aimed to dismember our party by sponsoring internal divisions.
Despite the illegal Zanupf induced recalls by a despot in the making , Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora, Mdc Alliance Mayoral candidate snatched the mayorship of Gwanda. We salute our remaining loyal and resilient councillors who strongly defied Mdc-T directive to vote the Zanupf-backed mayoral candidate. As Mdc Alliance Namibia, we are resolutely behind our objective councillors who exhibited lack of greedy and phobia to be fired from the council. It is now apparent that the Mdc Alliance leaders are not in politics for money in antithesis with their erstwhile comrades who subscribe to politics of plunder and self-aggrandisement.
Moreover, the district would like to laud its councillors in Gwanda for vanguishing state-sponsored Mwonzora and cronies. Securing the Mayorship against all odds is a profound demonstration of the political prowess and popularity in the political dynamo, Mdc Alliance fronted by President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
As we celebrate this gigantic victory, it is imperative to acknowledge the perfect work done by our organic and pragmatic Provincial leadership and our vibrant National Local Government Secretary Hon Zvidzai.
Furthermore, Mdc Alliance Namibia district is also cognisant of the fact that Mdc-T led by Khupe has been winning Zanupf-anchored court cases but dismally losing democratic elections such as the Harare Mayoral elections won by advocate Jacob Mafume of Mdc Alliance. Our support to the national democratic revolution shall perpetually multiply since we are dedicated to exploit all our organs to defend the people’s project. This Zanupf plan to block our President from participating in 2023 presidential elections will never suffice.
In a nutshell, Mdc Alliance Namibia jubilates when the struggle for socio-economic transformation triumphs. We shall remain absolutely dedicated and committed to the change that delivers engineered by none other than the political mountain, President Advocate Nelson Chamisa who amassed a record of 2.6 million votes in 2018.
Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya
Farai Dziva|President Chamisa has accused Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration of governing through fraud.
Those who are running the country are using fraudulent ways to suppress the will of the people, according to President Chamisa.
President Chamisa, quoted by NewsDay said:
“We have people who are in government out of a criminal conduct and fraud and they can only continue to be in government through fraud.
Their foundation and framework is fraudulent and we cannot allow that to continue…”
By Nomusa Garikai | School closed end of March, at the on set of the nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of corona virus, have just reopened. Many teachers are refusing to go back to work until they are paid living wages.
The Poverty Datum Line wage for a family of five is US$650 per month. Some teachers are paid as little as US$30 per month which is less than 5% of the PDL.
”They (teachers) have raised their concerns and we are taking these concerns to the President and Cabinet. We have heard their concerns, but we also appealed to them to be realistic in their concerns and consider the economic conditions prevailing in the country,” said Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima.
“The salary negotiations between the Government and the National Joint Negotiating Council are ongoing. But Government decided to cushion its workers, while waiting for these negotiations to be finalised and the appeal to civil servants is to be patient while waiting for the outcome.”
The sheer arrogance of this Zanu PF government beggars belief!
Is government being realistic in paying someone 5% of the PDL wage?
The issue of slave wages was on the table before the lockdown six months ago; why has government failed to have this matter resolved during that period?
Of course, the teachers, like everyone else, are aware of the prevailing economic conditions in the country. They know the prices of basic necessities such as food and fuel are soaring, there are the usual shortages of cash and medicine, inflation is soaring, etc., etc. They are worried sick.
With year on year inflation rate now at 838% or month on month rate at 35%, they will need to get a 35% wage increase every month just to stay where they are! They know that will not happen and hence the reason they are asking the wages to be paid in US$ or pegged to the US$.
The much anticipated flood of new investors and lenders in response to President Mnangagwa’s clarion “Zimbabwe is open for business!” call has never materialised. This Zanu PF government must now accept that it has failed to revive the country’s economy, team inflation, etc., etc.
It is unrealistic to expect teachers to live on US$30 per month. Without the teachers, Zimbabwe’s education service has but totally collapsed. The same has happen to the health service and other sectors.
What kind of nation is this with no education for the children? No function health care? And the timing could not have been worse, given we are in the middle of a serious pandemic.
The economic situation is Zimbabwe has become intolerable; teachers cannot be expected to survive on air and the nation cannot be expected to accept a future with no education, health care, etc.
“Teachers must be realistic with the wage demands!” No Minister Mavima, it is government that is not being realistic, teachers cannot survive on fresh air alone! – SOURCE: zsdemocrats.blogspot.com
Patson Dzamara Memorial Service
Celebrating
The Life Of
PATSON T. DZAMARA
April 06, 1986 – August 26, 2020
MEMORIAL SERVICE TO BE HELD AT
11640 Glen View 7, Harare
24 OCTOBER 2020
09:00 – 14.00hrs
For more info contact:
Paddy Dzamara +263772636348
Patience Dzamara +263773918063
Farai Dziva|Key stakeholders are threatening to pull out of a clinic construction project in Gutu District, Masvingo Province, due to political interference, it has emerged.
Impeccable sources told ZimEye.com on Saturday, the construction of a clinic at Chitsa Business Centre has been stalled by political interference.
Key stakeholders are reportedly unhappy with the politicization of the project.
“Villagers were forced to chant Zanu PF slogans at stakeholders meeting last week.
This has angered those interested in funding the clinic construction project.
In actual fact the project has been grabbed by Zanu PF.
Zanu PF is already using the project as a campaign tool,” a government official told ZimEye.com.
A member of the clinic construction committee also revealed:
” The whole project has been grabbed by Zanu PF and decisions are being made at party level.”
Police in Matabeleland North have launched a manhunt for a Binga man who allegedly fatally struck his ex-wife with an unknown sharp object before cutting off a finger which he disappeared with.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese identified the suspect as Deny Mumpande (38) of Phukhoma 7 Chuzya Village under Chief Sinamagonde in Lusulu.
She said the murder took place last Friday when Mumpande stalked his ex-wife Ms Nolia Mudimba (33) after she had gone to fetch water from a nearby stream.
Mumpande allegedly could not stomach the fact that his wife had left him and went to stay with her parents. The two had been living in separation for an undisclosed period.
“I can confirm that we received a report of a woman who was killed by her ex-husband in Lusulu. On 2 October at around 5pm the now deceased and Miss Believe Siamupa aged 18 were going home from the nearby Gungwe River where they had gone to fetch water. While on their way they met Mumpande who was carrying an unknown object which was wrapped in a sack,” said Chief Insp Makonese.
She said Mumpande asked the teenager to go as he wanted to talk to the now deceased.
“While Believe Siamupa was about 18 metres away she heard the now deceased screaming and asking for forgiveness from Mumpande. She also heard the sound of a falling bucket of water and an object hitting the now deceased,” said Chief Insp Makonese.
Miss Siamupa ran home and informed the deceased’s father Mr Charles Siamwele who teamed up with other villagers and proceeded to the scene of the attack.
They found the deceased lying on the ground facing downwards with two deep cuts on the head, another on the right hand and left knee.
A finger on her right hand was missing. A report was made at ZRP Lusulu while the deceased’s body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals in Bulawayo for post-mortem.
Chief Insp Makonese appealed to couples not to resort to violence but seek counselling when faced with problems in their relationships.
“The suspect is on the run and we want to appeal to people not to resort to violence when their relationships fail to work. We are losing many lives due to crimes of passion as men use violence on their spouses. Let’s seek counselling and advice from family and church elders,” she said. -Chronicle
Farai Dziva|Key stakeholders are threatening to pull out of a clinic construction project in Gutu District, Masvingo Province, due to political interference, it has emerged.
Impeccable sources told ZimEye.com on Saturday, the construction of a clinic at Chitsa Business Centre has been stalled by political interference.
Key stakeholders are reportedly unhappy with the politicization of the project.
“Villagers were forced to chant Zanu PF slogans at stakeholders meeting last week.
This has angered those interested in funding the clinic construction project.
In actual fact the project has been grabbed by Zanu PF.
Zanu PF is already using the project as a campaign tool,” a government official told ZimEye.com.
A member of the clinic construction committee also revealed:
” The whole project has been grabbed by Zanu PF and decisions are being made at party level.”
A speeding vehicle with poor lights last week Thursday rammed into a Nissan Caravan killing some of the people who were behind it trying to help a trapped motorist who had been involved in an accident.
The accident was confirmed by Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Fidelis Dhewu who said two died on the spot, one on the way to the hospital while others were admitted at Mvurwi Hospital.
Police say Edward Makumbe (52) was driving a Mazda Bongo towards Mvurwi when he hit a cow and was trapped inside the vehicle.
Notice Makaza (34), who was driving a Nissan Caravan parked his vehicle to assist the trapped motorist. Assistant Inspector Dhewu added:
Jumbe Trymore (43), who was driving a truck with poor lights and was also speeding, failed to keep a proper lookout and hit the Nissan Caravan and as a result the three people who were behind the Nissan Caravan were knocked down.
Shamu and Kasaira died on the spot while Mvurumu, who had come from nearby houses to render assistance, died on the way to Mvurwi Hospital. Makaza is in a stable condition.
He added that Jumbe has since been charged with culpable homicide while the owner of the cow is charged under the Road and Traffic Regulations.
The accident happened around 6 pm along Guruve-Mvurwi Road.
Those involved in the accident were identified as Lilian Shamu, Tarisai Kasaira, Delight Mvurumu, Norman Makaza and Darlington Guvamombe.-The Herald
A speeding vehicle with poor lights last week Thursday rammed into a Nissan Caravan killing some of the people who were behind it trying to help a trapped motorist who had been involved in an accident.
The accident was confirmed by Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Fidelis Dhewu who said two died on the spot, one on the way to the hospital while others were admitted at Mvurwi Hospital.
Police say Edward Makumbe (52) was driving a Mazda Bongo towards Mvurwi when he hit a cow and was trapped inside the vehicle.
Notice Makaza (34), who was driving a Nissan Caravan parked his vehicle to assist the trapped motorist. Assistant Inspector Dhewu added:
Jumbe Trymore (43), who was driving a truck with poor lights and was also speeding, failed to keep a proper lookout and hit the Nissan Caravan and as a result the three people who were behind the Nissan Caravan were knocked down.
Shamu and Kasaira died on the spot while Mvurumu, who had come from nearby houses to render assistance, died on the way to Mvurwi Hospital. Makaza is in a stable condition.
He added that Jumbe has since been charged with culpable homicide while the owner of the cow is charged under the Road and Traffic Regulations.
The accident happened around 6 pm along Guruve-Mvurwi Road.
Those involved in the accident were identified as Lilian Shamu, Tarisai Kasaira, Delight Mvurumu, Norman Makaza and Darlington Guvamombe.-The Herald
Three people who died in a road accident that occured along the Nyanga-Nyamaropa road at the weekend have been laid to rest at their family home in Kanyimo, Nyanga this morning.
The other two are expected to be buried tomorrow morning in Nyanga.
The five died when the truck they were travelling in, which was carrying more than 25 people, lost brakes and veered off the road at around 3am on Saturday.
Manicaland Provincial Development Coordinator Mr Edgars Seenza said the accident had been declared a disaster and Government was assisting in the burial of the deceased.
“Three of the deceased were buried in Kanyimo village this morning. Their bodies were ferried from Nyanga to their village last night. The other two will be buried in Nyanga tomorow in another village. Government is providing coffins and hearse for those who died and will also be taking care of the hospital fees for those who are in the hospital,” he said.
He said of those who had been injured, nine out of 17 who had been admitted at Nyanga District hospital had been discharged by last night while all those who had been admitted at Regina Coeli hospital had also been discharged. Five are still admitted at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare.
Mr Seenza said the Minister of State for Manicaland Affairs and Devolution Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba would lead a delegation from the province to visit the injured today before meeting with families of the deceased in Nyanga later in the day.
According to witnesses, the truck was carrying members of the Matizakurima family who were going to their rural home for a tombstone unveiling ceremony when the accident occurred at the same spot where the Regina Coeli bus disaster occurred in 1991-The Herald
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has ordered the country’s security arms to decisively deal with ritual murderers and people who betray their country by engaging in criminal activities for money.
Addressing mourners at the burial of national hero Cde Ruphus Chigudu, who was interred at the sacred National Heroes Acre yesterday, the President said Zimbabweans should pluck a leaf from the illustrious generation of the country’s liberators who knew that guns were for the defence and protection of national interests and not for criminal deeds.
“Government is very concerned about growing cases of ritual murders of minors,” said President Mnangagwa. “Let me reiterate that all stakeholders in our criminal justice system should speedily and strongly deal with perpetrators so that this evil trend is expunged from our society.
“Equally worrisome are the growing cases of armed and violent crimes. We must draw lessons and inspiration from the late Brigadier General Chigudu whose profession was founded on use of firearms, who knew that guns are for the defence and protection of national interest, unlike others in our midst who turn up against their own nation, betray their own people for the love of money, engage in criminal activities due to lack of principle. I have ordered our security arms to deal with such misdeeds.”-Chronicle
By A Correspondent | One of the latest declarations of intent to depopulate a large section of the Zimbabwean community was publicly made by Mr. Emmerson Mnangagwa on the 8th of April 2015 (video) at the home of the late Simon Muzenda in Masvingo. Mr Mnangagwa announced saying that all election winners are corpses.
Mnangagwa Announced: All Elections Winners And Their Supporters Are Corpses | WILL HE SUCCEED'N TURNING NATION INTO A MASS GRAVE OF CHAMISA-RITES?
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) October 6, 2020
He also said their supporters who are the majority in the country, are corpses. He said in full:
“So let me tell you that the majority are corpses. Democracy says let us go to the majority, that is why there is death on earth, because democracy; because those who have won elections are the majority.
“So the journey traveled by the majority is the journey revealed by preachers such as [Bishop] Mutendi, and [Rev] Wutaunashe.
“But as for us we teach you about how to live on Earth, that is our job to instruct you to live on Earth properly, live well, we want unity, we want peace, we want tranquility, let us farm on farms, let us have farms that are good; Let us have roads that are good. People should have jobs, people should get education, to lift the country.
“God is happy when his people are building, God is happy when people are quiet. So I am saying to you here in Masvingo. It is now Masvingo it is no longer Fort Victoria,
I thank you all for tranquility.”
Full speech by His Excellency President Mnangagwa at the burial of national hero Cde Ruphus Chigudu
We gather here today at our sacred National Shrine in deep sorrow and grief as we lay to rest our comrade and National Hero, Brigadier-General Ruphus Chigudu who passed on, on 24 September 2020 at the age of 64.
Allow me on behalf of the party, Zanu PF, Government and people of Zimbabwe, my family and indeed on my own behalf to convey our deepest condolences to the Chigudu family, foremost to his wife Vimbai Chigudu and children.
May you find comfort and solace in that the nation is with you over this huge loss. Together we have lost an astute military man, a father and a unifier.
We thus have lost a stalwart of the National Struggle, indeed a fearless cadre. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
The untimely death of Brigadier-General Cde Ruphas Chigudu came to me as a shock and to those he served with in Government, all of us in the party and especially those of us who participated in the liberation struggle.
It is sad that just on the 11th of June this year, Cde Ruphus Chigudu was promoted to the rank of a Brigadier-General. We in Zanu PF and Government have lost a great fighter who served his nation with honour, loyalty and distinction.
The defence and security establishment and the nation are poorer without him. Quiet and unassuming, he was a fearless veteran, fellow fighter who after Independence, transformed himself into a loyal and professional soldier, dedicated to the defence of our Independence and sovereignty to the very end.
Fellow Mourners;
Born on 11 December 1955, the late National Hero grew up in Chigudu Village in Chiendambuya communal area under Chief Makoni in Manicaland Province.
A bright student who excelled in his primary and secondary studies, jumping past all the systemic bottlenecks placed in his way by the settlers. The man we are interring here at the sacred shrine started his political activism in 1972 following a demonstration against the oppressive Rhodesian government.
He was arrested and detained in Marondera following a reaction to the death of a senior nationalist party official at the hands of the white settler regime.
The imprisonment did not deter him from perusing the revolutionary spirit that had gathered momentum. He joined the struggle in 1976 following the blatant racist policies at the then Rodox Private Limited company where he worked for in Bulawayo.
The oppressive system of companies in the colonial era led the late Brigadier-General Ruphus Chigudu to team up with his contemporaries and joined the liberation struggle.
What distinguished the late Brigadier-General Cde Chigudu from many of his generation was his strong urge to fight, resist and oppose the discriminatory national condition, even if it meant taking up arms and possibly paying the ultimate price.
The Independence and freedoms we enjoy today came from such collective vision and sacrifices by this brave generation which Cde Chigudu personifies.
He left the country for the struggle through Nyanga District of Manicaland. While in Mozambique at Doroi camp, the Rhodesian forces orchestrated a biological warfare which claimed several fellow comrades through what we called Matekenya, but the late Brigadier-General Cde Chigudu survived the attack.
Such were vicious, ruthless and planned attacks to our heroes and heroines. Lest we forget.
Once in Mozambique and after learning the art of guerrilla warfare, the late Brigadier-General, Cde Chigudu embarked on several duties of struggle, including teaching fellow cadres, and of course, going to the war front to engage colonial forces.
I applaud his teaching and leadership qualities, which also contributed to the execution of the protracted struggle for our independence.
His acts of gallantry, bravery, loyalty and hard work saw him rising to the rank of platoon commander. In 1977, he was withdrawn from the front and tasked to lead a contingent of 150 men to Cincu Training Camp in Romania to train in field artillery.
He stayed at the camp up to 1979 as an instructor. Our late national hero was later transferred to Sibiu Artillery School where he completed another Field Artillery Course in February 1981.
Exposed not only to the dangers of the war, but to the far reaching effects of the biological warfare, he never gave in to the whims and caprices of our enemies. Given the onslaught, machinations and clandestine shenanigans by our detractors, isu tasara ngatirambei takabatana, takatsunga in defence of our hard worn independence.
Violence, destruction of property and making Zimbabwe ungovernable can never be democratic and it is not what we fought for. He was attested in the Zimbabwe National Army on 1st of April 1981 with several responsibilities including army inspections, research and development.
His contribution to Zimbabwe and SADC’s peace and security is commendable. He earned himself several medals including the Independence Medal, Service Medal, long and Exemplary Service Medal as well as the Commander of Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award.
On the regional front he was awarded the Mozambique and Republic of Congo campaign medals. The late Brigadier-General Chigudu vanga vakazvipira hupenyu hwese kusunugura nyika. He defended our hard won independence, par excellence!
We lay him to rest in this month of October, which is significant to us as a nation and region, as SADC stands with us to fight the illegally imposed sanctions on us.
His burial must be a constant remainder of our collective resolve and the regional solidarity towards the unequivocal call for the unconditional removal of the sanctions by Britain and their allies.
Fellow mourners;
The Land has come, and is now united with its people. It has come forever and is irreversible. There are those in our midst who are misreading what Government constitutionally seeks to achieve.
In pursuit of a narrow agenda, they think they have now found a credible platform for mobilising against Zanu PF and its Government. They are desperate, they are doomed.
My administration remains determined towards food security and self-sufficiency. We are heavily investing in mechanised agriculture with the support of our friendly countries and companies. Only last week, I launched the Belarus US$51 million agriculture mechanisation programme to accelerate the sustainable modernisation and mechanisation of our agriculture sector.
We must make maximum utilisation of the land which the late Brigadier-General Cde Chigudu liberated. He never hesitated to put his life for his country, principally for Independence, for land and general empowerment.
We have the weighty responsibility of producing and feeding the nation through heightening the preparations for the 2020/2021 agricultural season. Equally on the macro-economic front we are enjoying a balanced budget.
We are gradually reducing employment costs so more and more resources go towards national capital formation and gainful production. The national infrastructure in particular roads, dams and energy and power generation sector is being upgraded and repaired, with visible gains being recorded each day.
Cde Chigudu knew the value of peace. We pay tribute to him by cherishing peace, perfect peace in our Land. In this regard, I commend us the people of Zimbabwe for upholding peace, tranquillity, love and harmony which our late national hero fought for.
Meanwhile, I would like to urge us to continue observing the laid down Covid-19 lockdown measures. The novel coronavirus is still with us. We must not allow complacency to trigger a relapse. We value life above all else. Voting and democracy are enjoyed by the living not by the sick, dying or the dead.
Government is very concerned about growing cases of ritual murders of minors. Let me reiterate that all stakeholders in our criminal justice system speedily and strongly deal with the perpetrators so that this evil trend is expunged from our society.
Equally worrisome are the growing cases of armed and violent crimes.
We must draw lessons and inspirations from the late Brigadier-General Cde Chigudu whose profession was founded on use of firearms, who knew that guns are for the defence and protection of national interest unlike others in our midst who turn up against their own nation, betray their own people for the love of money, engage in criminal activities due to lack of principle. I have ordered our security arms to deal with such misdeeds.
Today we lay Cde Chigudu to rest. His contribution to who we are, remains written and remembered. He is the Hero of our people and our nation. We thus bury him here for remembrance and eternal reverence, alongside his peers.
As I conclude, let us not betray the sacrifices for self-determination and legacy bequeathed to us by the living and fallen Heroes.
To the late Brigadier-General Cde Ruphus Chigudu “Promise Chombo,” Rest in eternal peace. Lala ngokuthula, qhawe lama qhawe. Zororai murugare gamba remagamba.
God Bless you all!
God Bless Zimbabwe!
I thank you.
Paul Nyathi
No, President Kagame has not appointed 19-year-old minister.
A post shared multiple times on social networking platforms across Africa claims that Rwandan President Paul Kagame has appointed a 19-year-old teenage as a minister.
This is False, Rwandan authorities confirmed that no such installation had been made.
The claim, holds that Kagame appointed Patrick Nkuriza, 19, as the Minister of New Technologies and Development.
“Indeed, this little genius has experienced a meteoric rise to the point of obtaining the baccalaureate at 14-years-old and subsequently obtaining a doctorate in digital tele communication engineering,” the post partly reads.
It went on: “Patrick is a real gifted person who has developed several applications which allow his country to make its activities very efficient in many economic fields.”
Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs Vincent Biruta termed the claim as “fake news” and confirmed that no such addition had been made to Kagame’s cabinet.
Moreover, there is no docket as the Ministry of New Technologies and Development in the Rwandan government.
An equivalent could be the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology and Innovation which is currently held by 37-year-old Paul Ingabire.
Ms Ingabire was appointed by Kagame in October 2018.
Misleading image
Multiple image reverse search, also established that the photo being peddled as that of Nkuriza belong to British wonder-kid Ramarni Wilfred.
At 17, Wilfred has an IQ higher than Bill Gates and the estimated 160 of Einstein. The London school boy scored 162 in an IQ test at age 11.
Technology will be needed to patrol the South African border with Zimbabwe.
Parliamentary watchdog Scopa has labelled the recently-built, R40-million Beitbridge fence not fit for purpose.
It’s the first time Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has weighed in on the debacle over the fence.
Mapisa-Nqakula says sensors and drones will have to be deployed to better patrol the border.
“It is clear that the whole thing of a fence has not worked, and probably will not work, it doesn’t matter the quality of the fence we put up,” Mapisa-Nqakula said.
Parliament has heard the Special Investigating Unit will approach the Special Tribunal on Thursday to freeze the bank account of the construction company involved.
The SIU has already handed over four criminal cases to the National Prosecuting Authority. These include the two service providers and two officials.
Thirteen public works officials, including the director-general and the minister’s advisor, are also facing disciplinary charges.
AFP
ZIMBABWEAN midfielder, Marvelous Nakamba has stayed put at English Premier League club Aston Villa despite speculation linking him with a loan exit to Turkey.
With the transfer having closed in England on Monday, Nakamba remained at Villa where he is now expected to fight for a place in the starting lineup. In his team’s three league matches so far, Nakamba has started on the bench with Brazilian Douglas Luiz chosen ahead of him in the central midfield role. In the last two matches, Nakamba has replaced Luiz with a few minutes to go.
On Sunday, Nakamba was introduced as an 80th minute substitute for Luiz as Villa hammered defending champions Liverpool 7-2. Nakamba even had a shot on target taken with his left foot, which was smothered by Liverpool’s second choice goalkeeper, Spaniard Adrian who had a terrible time in goal for the Reds in place of the injured first choice Alisson Becker
The Zimbabwean started and played 90 minutes in Villa’s three matches in the Carabao Cup where they were booted out in the fourth round of the competition after a 1-0 defeat to Stoke City at Villa Park last Thursday.
Nakamba joined Villa on a five year deal from Club Brugge of Belgium in August last year, with the Claret and Blue said to have paid £11m for the Warriors star.
While Aston Villa manager Dean Smith said Nakamba fits the criteria of the type of player they were looking for when he joined, the defensive midfielder has struggled to command a place in starting lineup. The arrival of England midfielder Ross Barkly on loan from Chelsea has made life even more difficult for Nakamba who has to work extra hard for a place in Villa’s midfield.
Media Statement
SALARY NEGOTIATION FEEDBACK MEETING
To: Members of all the undersigned Unions/Associations
Ccc :Parents and Learners
We the undersigned teachers’ Unions wish to unequivocally state that the meeting that had been perceived to bring tangible results failed to bring such.
What the Honourable Minister Paul Mavhima did was to assure teachers that no one will be fired willy nilly from work as a result of incapacitation.
We managed to present successfully our position paper. The Minister promised to take our demands to cabinet for further discussion
There was no progress from the meeting at all.
Therefore we wish to state it clearly that members of the teaching fraternity remain incapacitated
To parents and learners we would like to advice them that it is risky to keep learners at a school environment where there are no teachers
Jointly Signed by
ARTUZ – Chere R
PTUZ – Zunde L
TUZ – Phiri R
ZDTU – Tasaranarwo F
ZIMTA – Sibanda N. T
ZINATU – Nyawo M
ZINEU – Chinosengwa C
ZRTU – Fambai F
Paul Nyathi
Watch this tuesday’s post cabinet meeting press briefing in the video downloading below: please be patient as the video downloads.
Paul Nyathi
The Foreign Exchange Auction Results of 6 October 2020 by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has seen the Zimbabwe Dollar gaining strength against the US$ by from 8.4439 the previous week to 8.13486.
The grand total of bids made at the auction was US$24 691 329 32.
THE State has indicated that it wants MDC Alliance MP Joanna Mamombe to spend four to six more weeks at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison while waiting for the release of the results of her mental examination.
Mamombe yesterday appeared before magistrate Bianca Makwande together with five other accused persons that include MDC Alliance youth leader Obey Sithole on charges of participating in an unsanctioned protest during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
The MDC Alliance legislator was committed to prison by magistrate Makwande for two weeks and she will be back in court on October 8, when the results are expected to be available.
But the State said Mamombe would not be out of prison on October 8 as was ordered by the court because results of the tests conducted on her would only be released after four to six weeks.
Prosecutor Michael Reza told the court that the accused were in court for trial, but it could not start because the government doctors had not availed the mental examination results for Mamombe.
Reza said the State was expecting the mental examination results in four to six weeks’ time and that is when they would provide a trial date.
The legislator’s lawyers Obey Shava and Gift Mtisi of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, however, put the State on notice that if they failed to resume trial by October 30, they would file for refusal of further remand.
But Reza said the trial would be guided by the availability of the results.
Mamombe was remanded in custody for mental examination after her lawyer submitted in court that she was not mentally fit to stand trial.
She was supposed to stand trial in a matter she is accused of faking abduction together with MDC Alliance members Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.
The trio was reportedly abducted in May and found dumped in rural Bindura after being sexually abused and tortured by suspected State security agents.
Makwande, however, postponed the matter to October 13 for a possible trial date.
Source – NewsDay
Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) leader has been sent back to prison following the High Court’s judgement to reserve his bail appeal ruling.
Ngadziore has been in prison since September facing a charge of participating in a gathering with the intent to promote public violence after he was allegedly caught addressing a press conference at OK Mart near Impala Car Rental premises.
High Court Judge, Justice Davison Foroma reserved Takudzwa Ngadziore’s bail saying the parties will be notified when he will be ready to hand down the judgment.
A few days before his second arrest, he had been granted bail for similar allegations after staging a demonstration at the troubled car rental company which was fingered in the abduction of Tawanda Muchehiwa in Bulawayo.
Paul Nyathi
VP CONSTANTINO Chiwenga condemned authorities at UBH for maintaining memorabilia plaques with colonial names, saying they should be removed and replaced with names of pioneer black doctors and nurses at the institution.
“I have seen some names which I think need to be removed and replaced with names of our heroes and heroines. We had our own heroines such as Queen Lozikeyi Dlodlo who was hanged from a tree at Masotsha Ndlovu Avenue,” she said.
“We have national heroes here such General Mtshana Khumalo. We need to preserve and regenerate our own history and those names should reflect the history of this region so that we educate the younger generation. Why not honour our first black doctors and nurses?”
A 20-YEAR-OLD illegal miner died after a shaft collapsed while he was searching for gold at a mine in Esigodini.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred on Monday at around 5PM at Alice Farm Compound in Esigodini. He said Nkosilathi Mkandla was in the company of two friends when he entered into a shaft at a disused mine.
“I can confirm that we recorded a fatal mine accident which occurred in Alice Farm Compound in Esigodini. Nkosilathi Mkandla was in the company of two others when they arrived at a disused mine shaft. He went down the shaft in search for gold samples while his peers remained outside.
“The shaft collapsed while he was inside and buried him. His friends dug him out but by the time they got to him he was already dead. The matter was reported to the police who attended the scene and Mkandla’s body was ferried to Esigodini District Hospital mortuary,” he said.
Chief Insp Ndebele urged members of the public to desist from engaging in illegal mining activities as by so doing they were endangering their lives. He also urged miners to stay away from disused or abandoned shafts as they were a life threat.
“Mining is a dangerous activity which requires people to follow the necessary rules and requirements. People must desist from engaging in illegal mining activities as they will be risking their lives. Disused or closed shafts should be left alone as they are a risk to human life. If shafts have been abandoned it means that experts realised that further operations in those shafts will endanger the lives of people. Those shafts would have also been ruled out as unsafe and that should be respected,” he said.
President Chamisa’s MDC Alliance popularity continues to rise
As court made MDC T led by Khupe and Zanu PF chicken out of mayoral elections
6 October 2020
Wezhira Munya
MDC Alliance led by popular and charismatic President Nelson Chamisa won Beitbridge mayoral elections today.
Councillor Munyaradzi Chitsunge is now the new mayor of Beitbrdge Municipality.
MDC T led by Khupe recalled former Beitbridge Mayor Morgan Ncube. MDC T Secretary General senator Douglas Mwonzora wrote a letter to local government minister requesting him to recall Mayor Morgan Ncube.
Today, Beitbridge mayoral elections were held and Zanu PF and MDC T candidates chickened out of mayoral elections after sensing defeat by MDC Alliance candidate Munyaradzi Chitsunge who won mayoral election uncontested.
MDC Alliance Secretary General honourable Chalton Hwende wrote on twitter:
“We have just won tghe Beitbridge Mayoral Election. We defeated both Zanu-PF led by @edmnangagwa and the Zanu-PF Lite led by @DrThoko_Khupe . The Mayor and his Deputy are with the People. Our Mayor and 3 Cllrs were illegally recalled by Mwonzora conniving with ED.”
MDC T led by Khupe have won many court battles against MDC Alliance through what , political analyst Kimberely Tariro Mamhende describe as “MDC T court victories are Zanu PF made. Zanu PF has captured courts especially where MDC T vs MDC Alliance is concerned.”
Yesterday, MDC Alliance mayoral candidate defeated Zanu PF and MDC T candidates in Gwanda.
MDC Alliance councillors are no- longer afraid of the “recall weapon” being used by MDC T to force councillors to support MDC T.
Mr Philip Mugabe of MDC T Mudzuri faction castigated Senator Mwonzora for using recalls as a way to get favours as MDC T presidential candidate at the forthcoming extraordinary congress.
On the other hand, MDC T supporter Ms Sekai Muchaneta who is pro-senator Komichi’s presidential candidature at MDC T congress , said, “These recalls are exposing us -MDC T party that we don’t have grassroots supports. These mayoral elections defeats are embarrassing and the recalls must be stopped as soon as possible.”
On the other hand, Alex Ncube, MDC T supporter who is pro-Khupe said , “I kindly request acting President Dr Khupe to stop these unnecessary recalls. These recalls show that we-MDC T lack strategy. The defeats of mayoral elections show that we are losers. In 2018 , presidential elections Dr Khupe got 45 000 votes and MDC Alliance candidate President Chamisa got more than 2 million votes. Surely MDC Alliance is popular.”
Most political analysts view MDC T induced recalls as vindictive towards MDC Alliance party and President Nelson Chamisa.
Social commentator Derrick Chikuni said, “MDC T led by Khupe will win court cases because MDC T is Zanu PF proxy. Dr Khupe has strong relationship with Zanu PF president Mnangangwa through POLAD and MDC Alliance will continue to win elections because it has grassroot based support. “
Paul Nyathi
Four people were burnt beyond recognition on Sunday morning following a head-on collision between a Nissan UD truck and a Toyota Wish near Macheke along the Harare-Mutare Highway.
The deceased, including the driver, were all in the Toyota Wish while the truck driver and his colleague escaped with injuries.
It is reported that on Sunday, at around 2am, Boyson Chikwanda and a colleague were travelling towards Mutare in a UD truck, while the Toyota Wish was heading in the opposite direction.
On approaching the 93km peg along the Harare-Mutare Highway, the truck encroached into the opposite lane and collided with the Toyota Wish, and both vehicles burst into flames.
The vehicles were burnt to shells while the Toyota Wish occupants were burnt beyond recognition.
Chikwanda and his colleague, who escaped with minor injuries, were rushed to Marondera Provincial Hospital where they are still admitted.
— NewsDay
Paul Nyathi
VICE-PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga’s visit to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) last Friday rekindled memories of how his life was saved at the institution after he ruptured his appendix 37 years ago.
He was rushed to the hospital writhing in pain after being diagnosed of appendicitis, a condition in which the appendix becomes inflamed and filled with pus, causing pain. It is usually treated with surgery and antibiotics and if untreated, the appendix can rupture and cause an abscess or systemic infection.
The rupture spreads infection throughout the abdomen and the condition, which can be fatal, requires immediate surgery to remove the appendix and clean the abdominal cavity.
Speaking during his familiarisation tour of UBH, VP Chiwenga briefly narrated how doctors saved his life.
“I am fond of this hospital because I got saved here many years ago. I am grateful UBH is now developing and this is where my life was first was saved way back in 1983 and if you go to your records you will find that you cured somebody who had ruptured his appendix,” he said.
“I think I was the second survivor for this condition.”
A nostalgic smile played across his lips as he briefly narrated the memories of the loving care and dedication of a team of nurses and doctors who ensured he did not become a death statistic.
He recalled how he was rushed to theatre and treated of the life threatening condition, adding he wanted to ensure all hospitals in the country worked in the same way UBH operated when he was saved.
Source: State Media
By A Correspondent- A 15 year old boy who went missing for two days was yesterday found floating in a dam in Mazowe.
Mashonaland Central deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Fidelis Dhewu confirmed the case.
“I can confirm that Steady Katura who was missing for two days at Watchwood farm was found floating in a dam at the farm yesterday,” he said.
Allegations are that the now deceased Katura failed to swim while playing at a local dam and drowned he was missing for two days and latter retrieved by police sub aqua unit.
Paul Nyathi
Confusion has hit Gwanda town as to which political party their newly elected Mayor belongs.
Ward 4 councillor, Njabulo Siziba was elected as the new mayor replacing former mayor Jastone Mazhale who was recently recalled by the MDC-T party for being aligned to the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa.
Cllr Siziba won the mayoral race polling five votes beating Ward 10 councillor Albert Ndlovu of Zanu-PF who garnered four votes following a rerun.
The new mayor had initially been nominated together with Cllr Ndlovu and Cllr Thulani Moyo also of Zanu-PF.
In the first round of voting, Cllr Moyo garnered one vote while his rivals garnered four votes each leading to a re-run.
The victory by Siziba immediately sent wild celebrations from the Chamisa led party who claimed the victory as theirs.
The MDC Alliance Secretary General Charlton Hwende was the first senior party official to claim the victory minutes after the results were announced.
It has however since emerged that the MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe claims Siziba was their candidate and was nominated by the party in a caucus meeting a day before the election.
The party claims that all opposition party councillors attended the meeting and unanimously endorsed Siziba as the party candidate with current Deputy Mayor Ponolo Maphala retaining his position.
Speaking to journalists on Monday evening after the election, MDC-T party spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni challenged anyone with proof that Siziba was an MDC Alliance candidate to bring the information forward as he was convinced that the Mayor is an MDC-T member.
However, speaking to ZimEye.com in an interview on Tuesday, councillor Siziba all but confirmed that he was an MDC Alliance member.
Siziba initially refused to give ZimEye.com an interview indicating that he was mourning his son who passed on two days before the election.
Probed on who ZimEye.com could talk to on his behalf he referred the journalist to an MDC Alliance administration officer.
“You can talk to Mr Gwebu the party administrator at the offices in Gwanda, he has all the information,” said Siziba.
When probed to which party Gwebu belonged Siziba indicated that its the MDC Alliance before confessing that it is the party he also belongs to.
Gwanda Municipality now has nine councillors following the recalling of the former mayor Mazhale.
In his acceptance speech, Cllr Siziba pledged to work tirelessly to improve service delivery in the town.
“I would like to thank you all my fellow councillors for entrusting me with this role of being the mayor of the town. I hope to carry on from where my predecessor left off. My main focus will be issues of service delivery such as water, sewer and refuse collection. It should show that our town has leadership which has people at heart by the level of service delivery,” he said.
“As councillors we have always worked together as a team and we should continue in the same spirit. I have the utmost respect for all of you as councillors and I hope that we will continue working well together regardless of political affiliation for the betterment of our town. This town has a lot of potential and if development is properly implemented, we can see a lot of improvement.”
Gwanda District Administrator, Ms Kiliboni Ndou administered the election process which was conducted through a secret ballot.
Warriors striker Tinotenda Kadewere will miss the Warriors’ friendly game against Malawi at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on October 11.
The forward’s name was not on the list of players confirmed by his club – Lyon – that have been called up for international duty during the FIFA break.
The French side announced on Monday that over a dozen of its stars would fly out to feature for their countries.
Kadewere’s absence follows news that the Warriors technical is in a quandary after several more players based in Europe pulled out of the team.
Nottingham Forest defender Tendayi Darikwa and QPR striker Macauley Bonne are said to be among those that have excused themselves, while some clubs rejected the requests for player release after receiving them late.-Soccer 24
By A Correspondent- A speeding vehicle with poor lights last week Thursday fatally stroke a Nissan caravan killing some of the people who were behind it trying to help a trapped motorist who had been involved in an accident.
The accident was confirmed by Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Fidelis Dhewu who said two died on the spot, one on the way to the hospital while others were admitted at Mvurwi Hospital.
Police say Edward Makumbe (52) was driving a Mazda Bongo towards Mvurwi when he hit a cow and was trapped inside the vehicle.
Notice Makaza (34), who was driving a Nissan Caravan parked his vehicle to assist the trapped motorist.
Assistant Inspector Dhewu added:
Jumbe Trymore (43), who was driving a truck with poor lights and was also speeding, failed to keep a proper lookout and hit the Nissan Caravan and as a result the three people who were behind the Nissan Caravan were knocked down.
Shamu and Kasaira died on the spot while Mvurumu, who had come from nearby houses to render assistance, died on the way to Mvurwi Hospital. Makaza is in a stable condition.
He added that Jumbe has since been charged with culpable homicide while the owner of the cow is charged under the Road and Traffic Regulations.
The accident happened around 6 pm along Guruve-Mvurwi Road.
Those involved in the accident were identified as Lilian Shamu, Tarisai Kasaira, Delight Mvurumu, Norman Makaza and Darlington Guvamombe.-statemedia
With five days before the Warriors’ friendly game against Malawi, Zifa seems to have done little in preparations for the encounter.
The players were expected to have started reporting for camp by Tuesday, but as it stands right now, only a few stars selected are able to travel for the match.
It’s understood that some clubs refused to release the players because the requests were made late. The national team currently has no team-manager who is responsible for such duties and the responsibilities are now being split among other officials.
Some players who have received call-ups are still to get tickets and others have been told to use their money and fly straight to Malawi where the association will then reimburse all the travelling expenses.
This arrangement, however, was made in the last minute as an improvisation and it’s unlikely to work since some players are already pulling out of the squad out of frustration.
This has left coach Zdravko Logarusic in a quandary to assemble a second team and that’s the reason the squad hasn’t been announced yet.-Soccer 24
Farai Dziva|President Chamisa has accused Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration of governing through fraud.
Those who are running the country are using fraudulent ways to suppress the will of the people, according to President Chamisa.
President Chamisa, quoted by NewsDay said:
“We have people who are in government out of a criminal conduct and fraud and they can only continue to be in government through fraud.
Their foundation and framework is fraudulent and we cannot allow that to continue…”
A visibly-emotional Patrice Evra has blasted Manchester United players for their appalling performance in their 1-6 loss to Tottenham Hotspur, describing it as shambolic.
The former left back was stunned by his former side’s display as a rampant Spurs ran riot at Old Trafford.
“Its a shamble,”‘Evra said in the post-match analysis of the game on Sky Sports.
“Gary Neville always says captain Harry Maguire needs a holiday or a break, or he should be paired with someone else in defence, what about taking him out of the team for a change?”
“Tonight, there is no excuse. They have let down the United fans. Its not really about the result, I have lost 1-6 before with United against Manchester City at Old Trafford but its about the same story every year and now I understand how it feels to be a United fan,” the Frenchman said.
He continued: “That is why I don’t like analyzing United games because I tend to get emotional.”-Soccer 24
Mamelodi Sundowns have announced three signings to add to the ten players who have already arrived at the club ahead of the new season.
The South African giants have signed Kermit Erasmus from Cape Town City on a 3-year contract, Grant Margeman from Cape Umoya and Jody February from Ajax Cape Town.
Last week the club announced the capture of the BidVest Wits trio of Ricardo Goss, Haashim Domingo and Gift Motupa, as well as Aubrey Modiba from SuperSport United.
Other signings are George Maluleka (Kaizer Chiefs), Grant Margeman (Ajax Cape Town), Lesedi Kapinga (Black Leopards), Mothobi Mvala (Highlands Park), Peter Shalulile (Highlands Park) and Luvuyo Phewa (Real Kings), Nyiko Mobbie (Stellenbosch).-Soccer 24
Someone having a heart attack may experience any or all of the following:
Uncomfortable pressure, fullness or squeezing pain in the center of the chest Discomfort or pain spreading beyond the chest to the shoulders, back, neck, jaw, teeth, or one or both arms, or occasionally upper abdomen Shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting ,Sweating? Nausea
A heart attack generally causes chest pain for more than 15 minutes, but it can also have no symptoms at all.
It’s important to be aware that symptoms other than chest pain may occur, such as indigestion or persistent neck or jaw pain.
Many people who experience a heart attack have warning signs hours, days or weeks in advance.
What to do if you or someone else may be having a heart attack
Call 911 or your local emergency number. Don’t ignore or attempt to tough out the symptoms of a heart attack. If you don’t have access to emergency medical services, have a neighbor or a friend drive you to the nearest hospital.
Drive yourself only as a last resort, and realize that it places you and others at risk when you drive under these circumstances.
Chew and swallow an aspirin, unless you are allergic to aspirin or have been told by your doctor never to take aspirin.Take nitroglycerin, if prescribed. If you think you’re having a heart attack and your doctor has previously prescribed nitroglycerin for you, take it as directed. Don’t take anyone else’s nitroglycerin, because that could put you in more danger.
Begin CPR if the person is unconscious. If you’re with a person who is unconscious, tell the 911 dispatcher or another emergency medical specialist. You may be advised to begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
If you haven’t received CPR training, doctors recommend performing only chest compressions (about 100 to 120 compressions a minute). The dispatcher can instruct you in the proper procedures until help arrives.
If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is immediately available and the person is unconscious, follow the device instructions for using it.
Source :Mayoclinic
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
email :[email protected]
Twitter :zimonlinehealthcentre
@zimonlinehealt1
YouTube: zimbabwe online health centre
Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has described its victory in the Gwanda Mayoral election as a body blow to Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora’ s political formation.
According to MDC Alliance, the two are “working tirelessly to thwart the struggle for real change”
Read full statement below:
06 OCTOBER 2020
The insatiable appetite to bring Mdc Alliance to extinction hit a brick wall in Gwanda when the judicially-constructed Mdc-T suffered another heavy blow at the hands of our resolute Mdc Alliance Councillor, Njabulo Siziba who won the Mayoral position recently. We are quite conscious to the support that Zanupf is currently giving to Khupe and her cabal aimed to dismember our party by sponsoring internal divisions.
Despite the illegal Zanupf induced recalls by a despot in the making , Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora, Mdc Alliance Mayoral candidate snatched the mayorship of Gwanda. We salute our remaining loyal and resilient councillors who strongly defied Mdc-T directive to vote the Zanupf-backed mayoral candidate. As Mdc Alliance Namibia, we are resolutely behind our objective councillors who exhibited lack of greedy and phobia to be fired from the council. It is now apparent that the Mdc Alliance leaders are not in politics for money in antithesis with their erstwhile comrades who subscribe to politics of plunder and self-aggrandisement.
Moreover, the district would like to laud its councillors in Gwanda for vanguishing state-sponsored Mwonzora and cronies. Securing the Mayorship against all odds is a profound demonstration of the political prowess and popularity in the political dynamo, Mdc Alliance fronted by President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
As we celebrate this gigantic victory, it is imperative to acknowledge the perfect work done by our organic and pragmatic Provincial leadership and our vibrant National Local Government Secretary Hon Zvidzai.
Furthermore, Mdc Alliance Namibia district is also cognisant of the fact that Mdc-T led by Khupe has been winning Zanupf-anchored court cases but dismally losing democratic elections such as the Harare Mayoral elections won by advocate Jacob Mafume of Mdc Alliance. Our support to the national democratic revolution shall perpetually multiply since we are dedicated to exploit all our organs to defend the people’s project. This Zanupf plan to block our President from participating in 2023 presidential elections will never suffice.
In a nutshell, Mdc Alliance Namibia jubilates when the struggle for socio-economic transformation triumphs. We shall remain absolutely dedicated and committed to the change that delivers engineered by none other than the political mountain, President Advocate Nelson Chamisa who amassed a record of 2.6 million votes in 2018.
Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya
06 OCTOBER 2020
The insatiable appetite to bring Mdc Alliance to extinction hit a brick wall in Gwanda when the judicially-constructed Mdc-T suffered another heavy blow at the hands of our resolute Mdc Alliance Councillor, Njabulo Siziba who won the Mayoral position recently. We are quite conscious to the support that Zanupf is currently giving to Khupe and her cabal aimed to dismember our party by sponsoring internal divisions.
Despite the illegal Zanupf induced recalls by a despot in the making , Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora, Mdc Alliance Mayoral candidate snatched the mayorship of Gwanda. We salute our remaining loyal and resilient councillors who strongly defied Mdc-T directive to vote the Zanupf-backed mayoral candidate. As Mdc Alliance Namibia, we are resolutely behind our objective councillors who exhibited lack of greedy and phobia to be fired from the council. It is now apparent that the Mdc Alliance leaders are not in politics for money in antithesis with their erstwhile comrades who subscribe to politics of plunder and self-aggrandisement.
Moreover, the district would like to laud its councillors in Gwanda for vanguishing state-sponsored Mwonzora and cronies. Securing the Mayorship against all odds is a profound demonstration of the political prowess and popularity in the political dynamo, Mdc Alliance fronted by President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
As we celebrate this gigantic victory, it is imperative to acknowledge the perfect work done by our organic and pragmatic Provincial leadership and our vibrant National Local Government Secretary Hon Zvidzai.
Furthermore, Mdc Alliance Namibia district is also cognisant of the fact that Mdc-T led by Khupe has been winning Zanupf-anchored court cases but dismally losing democratic elections such as the Harare Mayoral elections won by advocate Jacob Mafume of Mdc Alliance. Our support to the national democratic revolution shall perpetually multiply since we are dedicated to exploit all our organs to defend the people’s project. This Zanupf plan to block our President from participating in 2023 presidential elections will never suffice.
In a nutshell, Mdc Alliance Namibia jubilates when the struggle for socio-economic transformation triumphs. We shall remain absolutely dedicated and committed to the change that delivers engineered by none other than the political mountain, President Advocate Nelson Chamisa who amassed a record of 2.6 million votes in 2018.
Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya
In September, Zimbabwe turned the corner and joined, full time, the dark list of the world’s repressive regimes, where citizens are reduced to nothing but subjects who are not part to deciding how the country is run in sharp contrast to the tenets of democracy and good
governance.
As has been the case for the past six months, government continued to use Covid-19 as an excuse to stifle rights and freedoms guaranteed by the supreme law, and as evidenced by the nature of human rights violations this month, the violations went a notch up, and were more than ever before, systematic and methodical.
In the month of September, there were no more attempts to present a false face of
democracy and this is evidenced by the following developments recorded in September, some of which had started earlier.
THE growing feeling that judicial independence is being whittled down to such an extent that it is a weapon to persecute by prosecution, dissenting voices. The arbitrary/ unlawful/political arrests, abductions, torture, harassment and intimidation that heightened in April, were widely used in May, June and July, and fine-tuned in August and September.
2
THE continued neglect of social services rendered the country’s health, education and social welfare and services sectors completely incapacitated. More than ever before, access to healthcare, water, stable income, food security, and other social services was
a critical human rights issue in the country. While the Zimbabwe dollar remained stable against the US dollar through the auction system, the majority of Zimbabweans remained in poverty, with their disposal income remaining very low, and the food insecurity unabated.
“
‘in September the majority of Zimbabweans remained in poverty, with their disposal
income remaining very low, and the food insecurity unabated.
”
THE strengthening of the ruling Zanu PF community level intimidation of opposition
political and human rights activists left communities much more scared of their own
government.
This is made worse by the continued presence of state security agents in the
streets and villages, who, under the guise of enforcing Covid-19 regulations, flagrantly and
with impunity suppressed basic rights. The instruments of repression remained well oiled,
vigilant, and ready to strike.
WITH the Zimbabwean crisis having entered a stage where it became a concern for
neighbouring countries, the regional body SADC, the African Union, the United Nations and
the international community in general, the Government of Zimbabwe and ruling party has
remained aloof, disregarding the growing calls for process facilitation to solve the crisis and
get Zimbabwe back onto the path to democracy, good governance and economic prosperity.
Zimbabweans were once again on their own, presided over by a government that is in the
habit of preying on its citizens.
Evidence of these four key events in September is highlighted in this month’s statistics of human rights violations, where the army, police, Zanu PF and municipal police contributed to a combined 74.9 percent of human rights violations.
For seven successive months, state security agents remain the leading perpetrators of
human rights violations.
Disaggregated, the police contributed the highest percentage at 31.03, followed by Zanu PF at 15.61 percent, the army at 13.83 percent and the municipal police at 10.87 percent, while unspecified state agents contributed to 3.56 percent.
The MDC Alliance contributed 1.58 percent and MDC-T Khupe was in the same region at 1.19 percent attributable to the conflict between the two factions. The affiliation of 22.33
percent of the perpetrators was unknown.
Men contributed to the most human rights violations at 88.98 percent compared to 8.46
percent women. ZPP recorded five cases of killings , three cases of attempted murder and three cases of abduction.
In September, there were 23 cases of assault, 11 incidents of unlawful detention, two cases
of torture and 81 cases of harassment and intimidation.
ZPP continues to note with great concern that the large number of the human rights violations recorded in September and prior to that are attributable to state affiliated
agents and/or institutions, and this presents what is an apparent regression of Zimbabwe
into a crisis.
Weaponisation Of The Law
At the time of writing this report, Joanna Mamombe, an MDC Alliance youth leader and Member of Parliament is in prison. She and two others, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai
Marova were abducted and tortured by suspected state security agents in May 2020 after being arrested for leading a flash protest against hunger in Warren Park.
Following this, the three were then charged with ‘faking their own abduction’ This is despite the existence of a strong footprint of state security agents in their arrest, abduction and torture.
Following the horror incident, Mamombe was admitted in hospital, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, rendering her unable to attend a court hearing.
But the State, through Harare magistrate Bianca Makwande, decided to remand Mamombe in custody for two weeks pending examination of her mental health by two government doctors.
Mamombe joins part of the growing number of political and human rights activists who are victims of the capture of the judiciary by the ruling party. These include MDC Alliance deputy chairperson Job Sikhala who was released from Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison after weeks of pre-trial detention and his bail bid being frustrated several times. Sikhala’s ordeal is similar to that of journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume, and MDC Alliance youth leader Godfrey Kurauone.
The four, who have all be charged with inciting violence, spent up to, between 30 and 45 days each in prison, and their ordeal, which includes ill-treatment, being transferred to the maximum section of the prison, delays in bail hearings and judgement, all point to a judiciary that has become a weapon to silence dissent.
Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has accused Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration of governing through fraud.
Those who are running the country are using fraudulent ways to suppress the will of the people, according to President Chamisa.
President Chamisa, quoted by NewsDay said:
“We have people who are in government out of a criminal conduct and fraud and they can only continue to be in government through fraud.
Their foundation and framework is fraudulent and we cannot allow that to continue…”
Someone having a heart attack may experience any or all of the following:
Uncomfortable pressure, fullness or squeezing pain in the center of the chest Discomfort or pain spreading beyond the chest to the shoulders, back, neck, jaw, teeth, or one or both arms, or occasionally upper abdomen Shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting ,Sweating? Nausea
A heart attack generally causes chest pain for more than 15 minutes, but it can also have no symptoms at all.
It’s important to be aware that symptoms other than chest pain may occur, such as indigestion or persistent neck or jaw pain.
Many people who experience a heart attack have warning signs hours, days or weeks in advance.
What to do if you or someone else may be having a heart attack
Call 911 or your local emergency number. Don’t ignore or attempt to tough out the symptoms of a heart attack. If you don’t have access to emergency medical services, have a neighbor or a friend drive you to the nearest hospital.
Drive yourself only as a last resort, and realize that it places you and others at risk when you drive under these circumstances.
Chew and swallow an aspirin, unless you are allergic to aspirin or have been told by your doctor never to take aspirin.Take nitroglycerin, if prescribed. If you think you’re having a heart attack and your doctor has previously prescribed nitroglycerin for you, take it as directed. Don’t take anyone else’s nitroglycerin, because that could put you in more danger.
Begin CPR if the person is unconscious. If you’re with a person who is unconscious, tell the 911 dispatcher or another emergency medical specialist. You may be advised to begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
If you haven’t received CPR training, doctors recommend performing only chest compressions (about 100 to 120 compressions a minute). The dispatcher can instruct you in the proper procedures until help arrives.
If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is immediately available and the person is unconscious, follow the device instructions for using it.
Source :Mayoclinic
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
email :[email protected]
Twitter :zimonlinehealthcentre
@zimonlinehealt1
YouTube: zimbabwe online health centre
Thokozani Khupe to sneak into Parliament as the leader of the opposition…
Analysts say the whole thing is calculated to dismantle the MDC Alliance led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
Watch video below :
Patson Dzamara Memorial Service
Celebrating
The Life Of
PATSON T. DZAMARA
April 06, 1986 – August 26, 2020
MEMORIAL SERVICE TO BE HELD AT
11640 Glen View 7, Harare
24 OCTOBER 2020
09:00 – 14.00hrs
For more info contact:
Paddy Dzamara +263772636348
Patience Dzamara +263773918063
Farai Dziva|Key stakeholders are threatening to pull out of a clinic construction project in Gutu District, Masvingo Province, due to political interference, it has emerged.
Impeccable sources told ZimEye.com on Saturday, the construction of a clinic at Chitsa Business Centre has been stalled by political interference.
Key stakeholders are reportedly unhappy with the politicization of the project.
“Villagers were forced to chant Zanu PF slogans at stakeholders meeting last week.
This has angered those interested in funding the clinic construction project.
In actual fact the project has been grabbed by Zanu PF.
Zanu PF is already using the project as a campaign tool,” a government official told ZimEye.com.
A member of the clinic construction committee also revealed:
” The whole project has been grabbed by Zanu PF and decisions are being made at party level.”
A speeding vehicle with poor lights last week Thursday rammed into a Nissan Caravan killing some of the people who were behind it trying to help a trapped motorist who had been involved in an accident.
The accident was confirmed by Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Fidelis Dhewu who said two died on the spot, one on the way to the hospital while others were admitted at Mvurwi Hospital.
Police say Edward Makumbe (52) was driving a Mazda Bongo towards Mvurwi when he hit a cow and was trapped inside the vehicle.
Notice Makaza (34), who was driving a Nissan Caravan parked his vehicle to assist the trapped motorist. Assistant Inspector Dhewu added:
Jumbe Trymore (43), who was driving a truck with poor lights and was also speeding, failed to keep a proper lookout and hit the Nissan Caravan and as a result the three people who were behind the Nissan Caravan were knocked down.
Shamu and Kasaira died on the spot while Mvurumu, who had come from nearby houses to render assistance, died on the way to Mvurwi Hospital. Makaza is in a stable condition.
He added that Jumbe has since been charged with culpable homicide while the owner of the cow is charged under the Road and Traffic Regulations.
The accident happened around 6 pm along Guruve-Mvurwi Road.
Those involved in the accident were identified as Lilian Shamu, Tarisai Kasaira, Delight Mvurumu, Norman Makaza and Darlington Guvamombe.-The Herald
By A Correspondent| MDC Alliance Treasurer General David Coltart has dismissed Finance minister Professor Mthuli Ncube’s economic projections saying his assertion that the country is on a path to sustainable growth was more smoke and mirrors.
Commenting on remarks made by Professor Ncube, Coltart said the economy cannot be on the right path when doctors and teachers are getting slave wages.
“Mthuli Ncube says the economy is on the path to sustainable growth. This is just more smoke & mirrors. How can any economy be on the right path when doctors and teachers are being paid slave wages and the political elite are looting millions?,” said Coltart.
Yesterday, Professor Ncube said government’s efforts to turnaround and place the economy on a path to sustainable growth were bearing fruit.
“Price stability is now visible in line with convergence of parallel and auction rates. (Government also) introduced a second auction system for small scale operators,” Ncube noted.
By A Correspondent- The axe is hovering over the heads of close to 80 more MDC councillors countrywide after the party’s national standing committee resolved to recall them last week, saying they no longer represent the party’s interests.
MDC secretary general Douglas Mwonzora confirmed the development but did not have the exact number of the latest recalls.
Some of the councillors set to be recalled include Chinhoyi mayor Dyke Makumbi, his deputy Chipo Mlotshwa and four other councillors from town.
The letters of recall are currently being drafted.-DailyNews
By Dorothy Moyo | A live broadcast involving Senator Douglas Mwonzora, Proffesor Lovemore Madhuku and ZANU PF Information Director, Tafadzwa Mugwadi concerning Parliamentary/ Local Government recalls, has been cancelled.
The program had been set for at 12 PM CAT on the ZTN.
The reasons for the cancellation were not reviewed at the time of writing. More to follow…
By A Correspondent | One of the first declarations to depopulate a large section of the Zimbabwean community was publicly made by Mr. Emmerson Mnangagwa on the 8th of April 2015 (video) at the home of the late Simon Muzenda in Masvingo. Mr Mnangagwa announced saying that all election winners are corpses.
He also said their supporters who are the majority in the country, are corpses. He said in full:
“So let me tell you that the majority are corpses. Democracy says let us go to the majority, that is why there is death on earth, because democracy; because those who have won elections are the majority.
“So the journey traveled by the majority is the journey revealed by preachers such as [Bishop] Mutendi, and [Rev] Wutaunashe.
“But as for us we teach you about how to live on Earth, that is our job to instruct you to live on Earth properly, live well, we want unity, we want peace, we want tranquility, let us farm on farms, let us have farms that are good; Let us have roads that are good. People should have jobs, people should get education, to lift the country.
“God is happy when his people are building, God is happy when people are quiet. So I am saying to you here in Masvingo. It is now Masvingo it is no longer Fort Victoria,
I thank you all for tranquility.”
MDC Alliance Secretary General Charlton Hwende has announced that they have won the Beitbridge Mayoral elections following the recall of the sitting Mayor by the MDC-T party.
Posting on Twitter, Hwende said, “We have just won the Beitbridge Mayoral Election. We defeated both Zanu-PF led by @edmnangagwa and the Zanu-PF Lite led by @DrThoko_Khupe . The Mayor and his Deputy are with the People. Our Mayor and 3 Cllrs were illegally recalled by Mwonzora conniving with ED.”
By A Correspondent- A soldier who claimed to have carried out the White City Stadium bombing in June 2018 while trying to impress a girlfriend was jailed for 12 years, his lawyer said.
Tendai Saunyama Kandima, who worked for Military Intelligence, was convicted of making statements prejudicial to the state by the General Court Martial.
Kandima had no lawyer during his trial. Harare lawyer Innocent Gonese – instructed by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights – has taken up his case aiming to secure his release to enable him to undergo urgent treatment for a heart ailment.
Gonese told ZimLive:
“I’ve just been engaged, and we’ll look at our options. Obviously, an appeal can only be made to the Supreme Court because the General Court Martial is the same as the High Court.”
Gonese hopes to secure Kandima’s release on compassionate grounds. He is serving an effective six years after half of his sentence was conditionally suspended.
No-one has been charged over the June 23, 2018, grenade attack which happened as President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputies Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi were leaving a Zanu PF rally at White City Stadium in Bulawayo.
Three security aides of the president were killed and 40 others – including Mohadi – were injured in the explosion.
Mnangagwa told the BBC he knew who was behind the attack, and promised that arrests would be made after elections held in July 2018 – but an inter-agency investigation into the incident has failed to make headway.
Kandima, according to Gonese, boasted to his girlfriend that he was behind the bombing in a WhatsApp message sent early last year. The message eventually found its way to the military leading to his arrest and detention at 2 Infantry Brigade at Kaguvi Barracks in Harare. It was later established that Kandima was in India when the incident happened.
He was tried by the military court accused of “publishing or communicating a wholly or materially false statement with the intention or realising that there is a real risk or possibility of undermining public confidence in a law enforcement agency.”
Father-of-two Kandima lived in Chitungwiza with his wife.-ZimLive
Analyst Mari Matutu writes on: Kupusa kwemaMP aChamisa neKupusa Kwedu.
He says in full:
By Mari Matutu | The greatest test and interview of President Nelson Chamisa was presented on Friday 2 October 2020. His whole political carrier is tested by the ZEC Gazette.
I as his supporter want to put the below facts that are before President Chamisa
1) He won 2018 election as MDC A president and ZEC rigged
2) Supporters were killed fighting and defending the win
3) People have lost resources defending the win
4) People are in jail for defending the win
5) Members of Parliament and councillors who won seats under MDC A are chucked out of the house illegally for defending the win.
6) The whole nation, Churches, civil societies and international bodies have raised voices concerning the same matter, yet
7) President Nelson Chamisa is aspiring to be a National president. Whose duties are spelt in s90 of constitution
90 Duties of President
(1) The President must uphold, defend, obey and respect this Constitution as the supreme law of the nation and must ensure that this Constitution and all the other laws are faithfully observed.
(2) The President must—
(a) promote unity and peace in the nation for the benefit and well-being of all the people of Zimbabwe;
(b) recognise and respect the ideals and values of the liberation struggle;
(c) Ensure protection of the fundamental human rights and freedoms and the rule of law; and
(d) respect the diversity of the people and communities of Zimbabwe.
While Mnangagwa has failed on every word on the duties of president which is the reason why everyone has experienced all the listed problems but I am afraid to say this now;
President Nelson Chamisa is being tested if he knows and understand the roles of Head of State and how to defend the constitution.
While he could uphold, obey and respect the constitution which are things one can do without noticeable action but now DEFENDING the constitution cannot be done in silence and has got causalities should the other side react aggressively.
MR President this is my expectation as your subject
The ZEC Gazette is in violation of s157(1)(d)(i). The whole reasoning of what is purported to be reason for such action is in violation of sections 120(2) and 124(2) of constitution and by s2(1) that Gazette is inconsistent with constitution in that in 2018 election we had two party lists at nominations one from MDC A and one from MDC T which all passed the nomination court and a Gazette was published, elections were held as such. The AU observer mission was here and observed those elections too. AU’s AFRICAN CHARTER ON DEMOCRACY, ELECTION AND GOVERNANCE has article 3 and 4 which spells out the values and principles of democracy.
With all this background Mr President you have no reason to uphold, obey or respect that Gazette but to defend with all you have at disposal. Any action that is inconsistent with constitution remains invalid no matter.
Arise and roar.
We await your voice latest today
By Mari Matutu | The greatest test and interview of President Nelson Chamisa was presented on Friday 2 October 2020. His whole political carrier is tested by the ZEC Gazette.
I as his supporter want to put the below facts that are before President Chamisa
1) He won 2018 election as MDC A president and ZEC rigged
2) Supporters were killed fighting and defending the win
3) People have lost resources defending the win
4) People are in jail for defending the win
5) Members of Parliament and councillors who won seats under MDC A are chucked out of the house illegally for defending the win.
6) The whole nation, Churches, civil societies and international bodies have raised voices concerning the same matter, yet
7) President Nelson Chamisa is aspiring to be a National president. Whose duties are spelt in s90 of constitution
90 Duties of President
(1) The President must uphold, defend, obey and respect this Constitution as the supreme law of the nation and must ensure that this Constitution and all the other laws are faithfully observed.
(2) The President must—
(a) promote unity and peace in the nation for the benefit and well-being of all the people of Zimbabwe;
(b) recognise and respect the ideals and values of the liberation struggle;
(c) Ensure protection of the fundamental human rights and freedoms and the rule of law; and
(d) respect the diversity of the people and communities of Zimbabwe.
While Mnangagwa has failed on every word on the duties of president which is the reason why everyone has experienced all the listed problems but I am afraid to say this now;
President Nelson Chamisa is being tested if he knows and understand the roles of Head of State and how to defend the constitution.
While he could uphold, obey and respect the constitution which are things one can do without noticeable action but now DEFENDING the constitution cannot be done in silence and has got causalities should the other side react aggressively.
MR President this is my expectation as your subject
The ZEC Gazette is in violation of s157(1)(d)(i). The whole reasoning of what is purported to be reason for such action is in violation of sections 120(2) and 124(2) of constitution and by s2(1) that Gazette is inconsistent with constitution in that in 2018 election we had two party lists at nominations one from MDC A and one from MDC T which all passed the nomination court and a Gazette was published, elections were held as such. The AU observer mission was here and observed those elections too. AU’s AFRICAN CHARTER ON DEMOCRACY, ELECTION AND GOVERNANCE has article 3 and 4 which spells out the values and principles of democracy.
With all this background Mr President you have no reason to uphold, obey or respect that Gazette but to defend with all you have at disposal. Any action that is inconsistent with constitution remains invalid no matter.
Arise and roar.
We await your voice latest today
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday alleged a plot by Zanu-PF insiders to oust him from office after agreeing to pay white commercial farmers US$3,5 billion in compensation for land expropriated by government for resettlement to landless blacks at the start of the millennium.
The Global Compensation Agreement between government and the white former commercial farmers, for improvements and equipment, signed in July had been in the works since 2016, but has met with stiff resistance, with some Zanu-PF elements challenging the deal.
A group of war veterans have challenged the agreement in court.
In August, Mnangagwa’s government was forced to offer land as compensation to local blacks who lost their farms during the often chaotic land reform exercise under the late former president Robert Mugabe and to companies whose farms were protected under the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements.
The decision has been met with hostility from various quotas, with many accusing Mnangagwa of trying to reverse the land reform programme that allegedly empowered natives, but alienated Zimbabwe from her traditional Western donors and plunged the country into a deep economic mess.
Some war veterans, a critical wing in the ruling Zanu-PF, which often views itself as the stockholder of the former liberation party, immediately accused Mnangagwa of selling out and reversing the gains made of the liberation struggle.
Mnangagwa told mourners at the burial of national hero Brigadier-General Ruphus Chigudu that he was aware of a plot by some elements “from within the party” to try to use the land issue as an excuse for regime change.
“The land has come and it has now been united with its people. It has come forever and is irreversible,” he said.
Mnangagwa was apparently referring to critics who accused him of seeking to reverse the programme that benefited millions of Zimbabweans, mostly Zanu-PF supporters.
“There are those in our midst who are misreading what the government constitutionally seeks to achieve in pursuit of a narrow agenda,” he said.
“They think they have now found a credible platform for mobilising against our administration and its government. They are desperate, but let me assure you, they are bound to fail.”
Mnangagwa, who came to power through a military coup in November 2017, has claimed several plots against his rule in the three years he has been in power.
In May 2018, ahead of the July 30 elections, Mnangagwa said he had unearthed a plot by some Zanu-PF MPs working with MDC Alliance to use their numbers in Parliament to impeach him.
In June, Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe, claimed there was a coup plot against Mnangagwa involving the opposition and civil society.
That same month, Mnangagwa admitted there were some wolves in sheep’s skins in his party.
Last week, State Security minister Owen Ncube said there were “rogue elements” that included MDC Alliance and G40 members that had been conniving with some Western nations to smuggle guns into the country and set up “democratic resistance committees” to destroy the democratic foundations of Zimbabwe.
Several MDC Alliance officials have in recent months been arrested for allegedly plotting to subvert a constitutionally-elected Zanu-PF government.
Mnangagwa’s government has also accused the exiled members of the G40 faction of plotting from South Africa to oust his administration.
Zanu-PF has been involved in fierce internal fights, with some members allegedly aligning themselves with VicePresident Constantino Chiwenga, who is said to be angling to take over from his boss, although he has publicly denied harbouring such ambitions.
Mnangagwa yesterday endorsed Chiwenga’s decision to suspend the holding of by-elections until the COVID-19 pandemic is over, saying there was no need to be complacent as the threat of the disease remained real.
Chiwenga, in his capacity as Health minister, last week suspended by-elections, a move that legal experts said was unconstitutional and, therefore, a nullity.
“Voting and democracy are enjoyed by the living, not by the sick nor those dying or dead,” Mnangagwa said while urging people to observe laid down COVID-19 preventive measures.
He also said government had put security agents on high alert to curb the rise in ritual murders and armed robberies.
This came after the suspected ritual murder of a seven-year-old Murewa boy allegedly by his uncle and a domestic worker.
“Let me reiterate that all stakeholders in our justice delivery system deal with this so that this evil trend is expunged from our society,” Mnangagwa said.
“Equally worrisome are the growing cases of armed and violent crimes. We must draw lessons from the late Brigadier-General who knew the use of guns was to protect the nation.”
He said Zimbabweans should remain peaceful and united in the wake of “machinations” by the country’s detractors.
“Given the onslaught, machinations and clandestine shenanigans by our detractors, let us be united in defence of our hard won independence,” he said.
“In this regard, I commend us the people of Zimbabwe for upholding peace, harmony and love which our late national hero fought for.”
“Violence, destruction of property and making Zimbabwe ungovernable can never be democratic and it is not what we fought for.”
By A Correspondent- A Chivhu woman was left homeless after her mentally-challenged son destroyed property worth over $100 000.
Kudakwashe Gahadzikwa (29) of Mombe village in Chief Neshangwe’s area yesterday appeared before Chivhu magistrate Sam Chitumwa facing malicious damage to property charges.
He was not asked to plead, but was referred to hospital for mental examination.
It is the State’s case that on September 19, 2020, Gahadzikwa, who was at his mother Beauty Maunze’s homestead, removed his children’s clothes from the bedroom.
His mother inquired why he was doing so and he threatened to kill her.
Maunze then rushed to call her son’s wife.
When Gahadzikwa was left alone, he set two houses on fire, destroying property worth $100 000 and US$350 that was in the bedroom. His mother reported the matter to the police.
Gahadzikwa was remanded in custody to October 12, 2020.
Mike Choto represented the State..-newsday
By A Correspondent- The State has indicated that it wants MDC Alliance MP Joanah Mamombe to spend four to six more weeks at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison while waiting for the release of the results of her mental examination.
Mamombe yesterday appeared before magistrate Bianca Makwande together with five other accused persons that include MDC Alliance youth leader Obey Sithole on charges of participating in an unsanctioned protest during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
The MDC Alliance legislator was committed to prison by magistrate Makwande for two weeks and she will be back in court on October 8, when the results are expected to be available.
But the State said Mamombe would not be out of prison on October 8 as was ordered by the court because results of the tests conducted on her would only be released after four to six weeks.
Prosecutor Michael Reza told the court that the accused were in court for trial, but it could not start because the government doctors had not availed the mental examination results for Mamombe.
Reza said the State was expecting the mental examination results in four to six weeks’ time and that is when they would provide a trial date.
The legislator’s lawyers Obey Shava and Gift Mtisi of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, however, put the State on notice that if they failed to resume trial by October 30, they would file for refusal of further remand.
But Reza said the trial would be guided by the availability of the results.
Mamombe was remanded in custody for mental examination after her lawyer submitted in court that she was not mentally fit to stand trial.
She was supposed to stand trial in a matter she is accused of faking abduction together with MDC Alliance members Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.
The trio was reportedly abducted in May and found dumped in rural Bindura after being sexually abused and tortured by suspected State security agents.
Makwande, however, postponed the matter to October 13 for a possible trial date.-newsday
By A Correspondent- A soldier who claimed to have carried out the White City Stadium bombing in June 2018 while trying to impress a girlfriend was jailed for 12 years, his lawyer said.
Tendai Saunyama Kandima, who worked for Military Intelligence, was convicted of making statements prejudicial to the state by the General Court Martial.
Kandima had no lawyer during his trial. Harare lawyer Innocent Gonese – instructed by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights – has taken up his case aiming to secure his release to enable him to undergo urgent treatment for a heart ailment.
Gonese told ZimLive: “I’ve just been engaged, and we’ll look at our options. Obviously, an appeal can only be made to the Supreme Court because the General Court Martial is the same as the High Court.”
Gonese hopes to secure Kandima’s release on compassionate grounds. He is serving an effective six years after half of his sentence was conditionally suspended.
No-one has been charged over the June 23, 2018, grenade attack which happened as President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputies Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi were leaving a Zanu PF rally at White City Stadium in Bulawayo.
Three security aides of the president were killed and 40 others – including Mohadi – were injured in the explosion.
Utter devastation … Injured people lie on the ground in the immediate aftermath of a bomb explosion at White City Stadium on June 23, 2018
Mayhem … Several people lie injured moments after the bomb explosion which killed three
Mnangagwa told the BBC he knew who was behind the attack, and promised that arrests would be made after elections held in July 2018 – but an inter-agency investigation into the incident has failed to make headway.
Kandima, according to Gonese, boasted to his girlfriend that he was behind the bombing in a WhatsApp message sent early last year. The message eventually found its way to the military leading to his arrest and detention at 2 Infantry Brigade at Kaguvi Barracks in Harare. It was later established that Kandima was in India when the incident happened.
He was tried by the military court accused of “publishing or communicating a wholly or materially false statement with the intention or realising that there is a real risk or possibility of undermining public confidence in a law enforcement agency.”
Father-of-two Kandima lived in Chitungwiza with his wife.
By Nomusa Garikai| President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his fellow coup plotters knew the world at large did not approve of the November 2017 military coup that toppled Mugabe. To earn himself some brownie points, Mnangagwa promised to hold free, fair and credible elections. And in addition, he would allow election observers and reporters from West, whom Mugabe had barred, to cover the elections.
Mnangagwa did not keep his promise, the July 2018 elections were not free, fair and credible; he failed to implement even one token democratic reform. The West election observers including the Commonwealth mission condemned the elections as a farce.
“The electoral commission lacked full independence and appeared to not always act in an impartial manner. The final results as announced by the Electoral Commission contained numerous errors and lacked adequate traceability, transparency and verifiability,” stated the EU Election Mission final report.
“Many aspects of the 2018 elections in Zimbabwe failed to meet international standards.”
The damning reports have left Mnangagwa smarting from a legitimacy problem; one his main political opponent, Nelson Chamisa has taken full advantage of. Mnangagwa is under increasing pressure to implement democratic reforms designed to take away Zanu PF’s carte blanche power to rig elections.
If the next elections are held with no reforms implemented, the legitimacy problem will not go away. Indeed, given all the other problems of the worsening economic, the all but collapsed health and education service, etc. the legitimacy problem will only amplify all the other problems.
Zanu PF has no intention of implementing the reforms and so the party is left with only one way of dealing with the illegitimacy problem – making sure they are no observers to condemn the flawed and illegal elections.
“I should congratulate Malawi, for the first time in our region, possibly on the continent, here is a country which has had the general elections without foreign observers, without the United Nations, African Union, SADC and almost all these civil society organisations observing elections,” Mnangagwa addressing President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi. The latter is on a state visit to Zimbabwe.
“This makes us think whether it’s still necessary in future for SADC countries to look for supervision from across oceans.”
President Mnangagwa has reverted to the old Zanu PF argument that the West has condemned Zimbabwean elections as a farce and imposed the economic sanctions on country as punishment for party’s land reform policy.
“These sanctions were a direct response by Britain and her allies to Zimbabwe’s land reform programme in 1999/2000,” he explained to his guest.
“We make no apologies for taking back our land and we are happy that the people have been reunited with their land.”
This is an insult to every Zimbabwean out there because Zanu PF has never held free, fair and credible elections, starting with the 1980 elections. It is no secret that Zanu PF did not withdraw many of its Zanla operative to assembly points as agreed in the Lancaster House Agreement. The operatives’ campaign message to the voters was that the civil war would continue, if Zanu PF lost the elections. And so the people voted to end the war.
Some people argued that the Zanu PF war threat was a bluff. No one has ever doubted Zanu PF’s murderous intend since the party launched the 1983 to 1987 Gukurahundi massacre. The barbaric violence targeted PF Zapu leaders and supporters to either wipe out party or force the party to join Zanu PF. To stop further bloodshed, the late Dr Joshua Nkomo signed the Unity According paving the way for the imposing of the de facto one-party, Zanu PF, dictatorship that has ruled the country with an iron fist to this day.
Zanu PF’s failure to hold free, fair and credible elections has everything to do with the establishment and retention of the country’s one-party dictatorship. The 1999 Zanu PF land reform and the sanctions are smoke screens to hide the truth. How did the land reform or sanctions stop ZEC producing verified voters’ roll, for example?
Besides everyone, including SADC and AU election observers known for endorsing Zimbabwe’s flawed elections until then, condemned Zimbabwe’s 2008 elections for the blatant cheating and wanton violence. What ax did SADC and AU have to grind with Zanu PF then?
Even if President Mnangagwa was to get his wish and banish all the western nations and organisations from observing Zimbabwe’s elections. And all those who do observe the election rub stamp the flawed and illegal elections as free, fair and credible that will not change the reality on the ground – Zimbabwe will still be a pariah state ruled by corrupt, vote rigging tyrants.
As long as Zimbabwe remains a pariah state the country’s economic meltdown will only get worse. Already unemployment has soared to dizzying heights of 90%; basic services like health care and education have all but completely collapsed; as of last year, 2019, 34% of the population were living in abject poverty; etc.; etc. The corona virus outbreak has made the situation even worse. The economic situation in Zimbabwe is unsustainable making the socially and politically unstable.
Mnangagwa will not need to rig the elections if the economic is booming. He can boot out the foreign election observers to rig legitimacy but, as Mugabe was forced to admit, his days in power are numbered as long as nothing is done to end the worsening economic meltdown.
Ultimately it is the long suffering Zimbabweans; not the election observers, honest or otherwise; who will decide who rules Zimbabwe. The worsening economic situation will force the people to demand change.
“It is the economy, stupid!” that is ending the Zanu PF dictatorship!
SOURCE: zsdemocrats.blogspot.com
By A Correspondent| HARARE: Girls and young women worldwide are demanding urgent action from social media companies after a landmark survey has revealed more than half (58%) have been harassed or abused online.
Attacks are most common on Facebook, where 39% say they have suffered harassment, but occur on every platform included in the global study including Instagram (23%), WhatsApp (14%), Snapchat (10%), Twitter (9%) and TikTok (6%).
The research by Plan International, a leading girls’ rights organisation, is based on a survey and a series of in-depth interviews of 14,000 girls aged 15-25 from 22 countries.
The largest study of its kind, it found girls who use social media in high and low-income countries alike are routinely subjected to explicit messages, pornographic photos, cyberstalking and other distressing forms of abuse, and reporting tools are ineffective in stopping it.
Online violence has led to nearly one in five (19%) of those who have been harassed stopping or significantly reducing their use of the platform on which it happened, while another one in ten (12%) have changed the way they express themselves.
Abuse also damages girls’ lives offline, with one in five (22%) of those surveyed saying they or a friend have been left fearing for their physical safety, while 44% say social media companies need to do more to protect them.
Angela Muriithi, Country Director of Plan International Zimbabwe, said: “Although this research was gathered in conversation with more than 14,000 girls across multiple continents, they share similar experiences of harassment and discrimination that resonate with experiences of girls and young women in Zimbabwe.”
“The effect is that girls end up withdrawing from online platforms because of fear and intimidation and resultantly missing out on educational and other opportunities.” “These attacks may not be physical, but they are often threatening, relentless, and limit girls’ freedom of expression.
Driving girls out of online spaces is hugely disempowering in an increasingly digital world, and damages their ability to be seen, heard and become leaders.” “Disappointingly, they are being left to deal with online violence on their own, with profound consequences for their confidence and wellbeing.
With COVID-19 driving more of our lives online and with internet access around the world improving, it is time for digital platforms to step up and protect their users.” The most common type of attack is abusive and insulting language, reported by 59% of girls who have been harassed, followed by purposeful embarrassment (41%), body shaming and threats of sexual violence (both 39%).
The report – titled Free to be online? Girls’ and young women’s experiences of online harassment – found that social media is a significant part of young people’s lives and is widely used for activism, entertainment, to learn and to keep in touch with friends and family.
Three-quarters (74%) of those surveyed say they post frequently or very frequently, while interviews suggest that COVID-19 has made being online even more important. In the words of one young woman, (18) said: “Social media is very important these days, and I often use it for three to four hours a day.”
However, this leaves girls vulnerable to new forms of abuse, with 50% saying online harassment is more common than street harassment.
Describing her experience of using social media, one young woman in Harare said: “I get all sorts of requests ranging from meet ups, requests for nude pictures from strangers and at times from people I know. Some of the requests are accompanied by threats and use of bad words if I fail to meet them.
“This form of abuse robs us of the much needed confidence and dignity to an extent that many of us are depressed and have decided to be quiet on such platforms.”
Although one in three (35%) have reported perpetrators, abuse persists because they can make new accounts and significant numbers of people need to report harmful content before action is taken.
Another girl (17), who was interviewed for the study said: “I would block him but he would create more profiles and keep sending me pictures of myself I had previously shared online.” Have removed Ecuador because it doesn’t resonate with our local audience.
Harassment takes a profound toll on girls’ confidence and wellbeing, with 39% of those surveyed saying it lowers self-esteem, 38% saying it creates mental and emotional stress and 18% saying it can cause problems at school.
The research was carried out as part of Girls Get Equal, Plan International’s global campaign for a world where girls and young women have the power to be leaders and shape the world around them. As part of the campaign, girls around the world have written an open letter to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter calling on them to create stronger and more effective ways to report abuse and harassment.
Plan International is also asking governments worldwide to implement specific laws to deal with online gender-based violence and ensure girls who suffer it have access to justice.
Ms Muriithi continued: “Social media companies have the power to make change.”
“They must do more to tackle harmful behaviour and ensure that their platforms are safe environments that allow girls, young people and other groups that are vulnerable to harassment to fully express themselves and play their rightful role in shaping the modern world.”
Three people trying to help a motorist trapped in his vehicle after it hit a cow at the 23km peg along the Guruve-Mvurwi Road around 6pm on Thursday last week, were fatally struck by a speeding vehicle that had poor lights.
Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Fidelis Dhewu said the three were Lilian Shamu, Tarisai Kasaira and Delight Mvurumu and two others, Norman Makaza and Darlington Guvamombe, were injured and are admitted at Mvurwi Hospital.
Guvamombe is reportedly in a serious condition. The accident happened around 6pm.
Ass Insp Dhewu said Edward Makumbe (52) was driving a Mazda Bongo towards Mvurwi when he hit a cow and was trapped inside the vehicle.
Notice Makaza (34), who was driving a Nissan Caravan in the same direction, parked his vehicle in front of the Mazda Bongo to render assistance.
“Jumbe Trymore (43), who was driving a truck with poor lights and was also speeding, failed to keep a proper lookout and hit the Nissan Caravan and as a result the three people who were behind the Nissan Caravan were knocked down.
Shamu and Kasaira died on the spot while Mvurumu, who had come from nearby houses to render assistance, died on the way to Mvurwi Hospital. Makaza is in a stable condition.”
Ass Insp Dhewu said Jumbe has since been charged with culpable homicide while the owner of the cow is charged under the Road and Traffic Regulations.
Ass Insp Dhewu appealed to motorists to drive roadworthy vehicles and to keep a proper lookout to avoid accidents.
-State Media
By A Correspondent| Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE) together with Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA) represented by Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum approached the High Court of Zimbabwe suing President Emmerson Mnangagwa for making cabinet appointments that are not gender balanced.
Section 17 (1) (b) (ii) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe requires that women constitute at least half the membership of all elective and appointed governmental bodies established by or under the Constitution or any other Act of Parliament.
However, President Mnangagwa has failed several times to abide by these constitutional provisions for example when he appointed five female and eighteen male ministers on 08 November 2019 when he did a cabinet reshuffle. Through those appointments the number of women in cabinet stood at 21% instead of 50%. The President also went further to appoint five women and thirteen men as deputy ministers and thus women constituted 28% of the total number of deputy ministers instead of the constitutionally required 50%.
Moreso, after firing health minister Obadiah Moyo over corruption, the President replaced him with a male candidate, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. The replacement of the late Agriculture minister Perrance Shiri was also a man, Anxious Masuka, whilst when Energy minister Fortune Chasi was fired, he was also replaced with Soda Zhemu, another male leader. The case is still pending before the courts.
Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence has released a report titled “The state of women’s rights and wellbeing in the era of Covid-19 in Zimbabwe.” The report outlined the impact of Covid-19 on Zimbabwean women who reside in both urban and rural areas and expose the disproportionate burden that the pandemic has had on women.
With women being the most affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, the major impacts of the pandemic on Zimbabwean women include; violence against women human rights defenders and political activists, domestic violence, access to health services, education, unpaid care work and domestic work, women working in the informal sector, corruption, access to reliable, clean and potable water and demolition of vending stalls as well as the lack of support systems for mental health issues.
The organisation also recorded a total number 985 cases of human rights violations against women across all the ten provinces of Zimbabwe since the first case of Covid-19 infection was reported in March 2020. The provinces which recorded the highest number of cases are Harare, Bulawayo and Masvingo whilst Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland had the least number of cases.
The recorded cases also came in different forms of torture which include, arbitrary arrests, assault, online violence, unlawful detentions and abductions. Amongst the appeals made by WALPE to the Government is the need to spearhead a campaign to end all forms of violence against women and girls and bring to book all state security officials responsible for perpetrating gross human rights violations countrywide against women.
The report concluded that the state of women’s rights and well-being in the era of Covid-19 in Zimbabwe has rapidly and negatively reshaped the participation of women in political, social and economic activities.
BY DR MASIMBA MAVAZA | Tongues are being rolled overtime as Zimbabweans are being fed propaganda over the suspension of by elections on December.
The Vice President Dr Cde Constantino Gueveya Chiwenga, who is also the Health Minister, on Friday 2nd October 2020 suspended all by-elections the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) had scheduled for 5 December citing the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the onset of COVID 19 ZEC chairperson, Justice Priscilla Chigumba following the guidelines of the World Health Organisation announced that by-elections were to be conducted in December 2020.
Justice Chigumba was like any other person in the world believing that by December COVID will be history.
After having carefully studied the situation in the world and the ugly resurgent of the virus in several countries
Dr Chiwenga as the Health Minister announced that all by-elections had been suspended.
“It is hereby notified by the Minister of Health in terms of section 68 of the Public Health Act (Chapter 15:17) made the following regulations – 1).
“These regulations maybe cited as the Public Health (Covid-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment (Amendment) Regulation pursuant to subsection (2), the holding of any by-election to fill a casual vacancy in Parliament or in local authority is for the duration of the period of the declaration of Covid-19 as a formidable epidemic disease, suspended, and if such vacancy occurred while such declaration is in force, no part of the period from the date of such vacancy to the date of the end of declaration shall be counted for the purpose of section (158 (3) of the Constitution,” Statutory Instrument 225A of 2020 reads.
While Article 68 reads
“Regulations regarding formidable epidemic diseases and conditions or events of public health concern
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, in the case of the occurrence or threatened outbreak of any formidable epidemic disease, condition or event of public health concern, the Minister may make regulations as to all or any of the following matters, namely-
(a) the imposition and enforcement of quarantine and the regulation and restriction of public traffic and of the movements of persons;
(b) the closing of schools or the regulation and restriction of school attendance;
(c) the closing o f churches and Sunday schools and restriction o f gatherings or meetings for the purpose of public worship;
(d) the regulation or restriction or, where deemed necessary, the closing of any place or places of public entertainment, recreation or amusement, or where intoxicating liquor is sold by retail, and the regulation or restriction, or, w·here deemed necessary, the prohibition, of the convening, holding or attending of entertainments, assemblies, meetings or other public gatherings;
(e) the prevention and remedying of overcrowding or the keeping of any dwelling or other building or the contents thereof in a state of sanitation posing or likely to pose a public health risk;
(f) the medical examination of persons who are suspected of being infected with, or who may have recently been
e) “A’Posed to the infection of, such disease, and of persons about to depart from any infected area, and the disinfection of their baggage and personal effects, and the detention of such persons until they have after such examination been certified to be free from any infectious disease and tmtil their baggage and personal effects have been disinfected;
(g) the keeping under medical observation or sun,eillance, or the removal, detention and isolation ofpersons who may have recently been exposed to the infection of, <md who may be in the incubation stage of, such disease; the detention and isolation of such persons until released by due authority, the use o f guards and force for that purpose, and, in case of absolute necessity, the use o f firearms o r other weapons, and the arrest with o r without warrant of any person who has escaped from such detention or isolation;”
Subsection one is very clear on what should be done by the minister
“(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, in the case of the occurrence or threatened outbreak of any formidable epidemic disease, condition or event of public health concern, the Minister may make regulations as to all or any of the following matters, namely”
The minister is given a mandate to make regulations as to any of the matters which tickles the roots of the Public Health. This is a mandate which does mot call the minister to approach parliament.
All he needs to satisfy himself is that the pandemic has been declared a national disaster. COVID 19 was declared as such and it trend signalled a cruel come back which could be a heavy strain on our health system.
The minister has the burden of keeping the nation safe from any health hazard on his shoulders.
When making a decision the minister will consider the best interest of the nation ahead of any other issues which are not life threatening. So the Public Health Act empowers him to shield the nation from the arrows and pains of any ravaging pandemic.
So the Vice president was guided by Part II OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACT which direct the ADMINISTRATION OF THE PuBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM Sub-Part A: “National health system administration
3 Ministry Responsible for public health
(1) The Ministry shall be under the control of the Minister.
(2) The functions of the Ministry shall, subject to this Act be-
(a) to protect promote, improve and maintain the health of the population; and
(b) to detennine the policies and measures necessary to protect, promote, improve and maintain the health and well-being of the population; and—————-
(d) to equitably prioritise and allocate resources to the health services that the State can provide; and
(e) to enhance collaboration among state and non-state actors and communities; and
(f) to inform educate and empower the population about health issues; and
(g) to take measures for the prevention, limitation or suppression of infectious,
communicable and non-communicable diseases within Zimbabwe; and
(h) to advise and assist local authorities in regard to matters affecting public health; —-“
The decision taken was lawful and not a decision made politically. It is the detractors who are now politicising a health matter.
The opposition parties and some other civic organisations like the Elections Resource Centre (ERC) said the suspension affected the independence of (ZEC) The detractors are not looking at the aim of suspension.
By its nature suspension means just to pause or wait. It is different from cancelling. By elections are simple set aside pending the sustainability and control of the COVID 19 pandemic.
The allegations being put against ZANU PF are laughable and naughty. These allegations are coming from the people who have not looked at this case on the round.
A suggestion that ZANU PF is afraid of by elections hence the suspension is a joke in itself. To start with ZANU PF does not fear elections. It fought for elections and it takes its pride in holding successful elections. In case one might not know it is ZANU PF which introduced the system of international observers. ZANU PF has been winning elections for the past forty years and as such elections are a pleasure to ZANU PF.
The second point is that MDC in all its letters like MDC A MDC T or MDC N or B or S is at its worst since its formation and splitting sessions. It is plucking its strength off and destroying itself. It has no time to concentrate on elections. The reality is that MDC leadership is busy fighting for their survival with Khupe politicking using emotions not her head.
The suspension of these elections is actually a blessing in disguise for the MDCs. Chamisa has lost his clout he no longer sleeps. On eye is looking at Mwonzora Kuphe Komichi while the eye is looking at Biti who has made his intentions to take over very clear and Job who is behaving like a mad man chasing nothing.
If there was any man relived with this suspension is Chamisa.
So the narrative that democracy has been suspended is a shallow narrow reasoning. Suspending elections does not mean suspending democracy. Democracy is not only measured by elections. Elections survive in a democracy but democracy in themselves.
The suspension of the by elections has been fone lawfully and with compassion.
Again it was not ZANU PF which suspended the elections bu the minister of health. The nation must applaud him for taking such a bold move. While elections are suspended they have not been banned.
To that end the ruling Zanu PF is continuing with primary elections to choose candidates to fill vacant parliamentary and local government seats despite the suspension of by-elections that were set for December 5 by Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga. The reason is because ZANU PF is not shy of elections. So it has to be always prepared.
Surprisingly MDC is only vilifying the Vice President. When they lose elections the will not point to their stupid attitude the will blame ZANU PF. Becoming professional complainers does not win elections.
What should be known is that VP Chiwenga only ordered that holding by-elections will remain suspended “for the duration of the period of declaration of Covid-19 as a formidable epidemic disease”. This suspension simply means put your houses on order.
So the narrative that this suspension is illegal is simply nonsense and immaturity.
VP Chiwenga doubles up as Health and Child Care minister, and his decision to suspend electoral processes, citing Covid-19 is largely influenced more by science not by politics.
So the allegation that ZANU PF is using COVID 19 to stifle democracy is the work of those empty heads seeking to tarnish the good name of zimbabwe.
ZANU PF has a majority in parliament so these by elections do not benefit ZANU PF. Furthermore the opposition is disintegrating into smoke and thus less prepared to participate in any elections b
VP Chiwenga’s suspension is not part of efforts to close the democratic space as being said by the opposition.
The suspension of by-elections by VP Chiwenga was legal and very constitutional. It puts people’s lives first and indeed he must be applauded for such a bold move. Looking at the case on the round the Act mandates the minister to Act and decide alone without calling parliament.
“Power to govern is derived from the people through constitutional means and the constitution provides for how people must be governed. So the actions of the VP are perfectly in-order.
Douglas Coltart, a human rights lawyer, said Chiwenga’s ban delivered through a statutory instrument cannot withstand legal scrutiny.
“Firstly, it effectively suspends section 158 sub-section 3 of the constitution, which stipulates the time within which by-elections need to be conducted.
“A statutory instrument has no power to suspend a constitution,” Coltart said. “The minister of Health has no authority to determine the conduct of elections.
“That is determined by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) and the Electoral Act, which is administered by the Justice minister, not the Health minister. “So he has no power to do what he has done.”
Zec last month said by-elections to replace over 30 MDC Alliance legislators and over 100 councillors controversially recalled by the rival MDC-T would be held on December 5.
So the submissions by Coltart are wrong biased and embarrassing. Chiwenga did not seek to control how elections are done. He did not seek to interfere with ZEC. He simply did his duty to protect the people of Zimbabwe. This he is mandated by the Act and the constitution.
The decision is supported by facts and it is very rational compassionate and human centred. The decision by cde Chiwenga is rational and very proportionate to the dangers posed by Covid-19 as many countries have not been able to hold Covid-19-compliant elections.” The decision is valid and powered by law.
The problem with the opposition and most Civic societies is that they are busy looking for anything which can trigger a crisis. They are looking for an elephant in the house.
These are desperate times they need desperate measures.
Vazet [email protected]
A 20-YEAR-OLD Hwange man allegedly dragged a woman from her minor children and raped her repeatedly overnight after viciously attacking her husband.
Erasmus Tshuma of C51 Lwendulu and employed at Zimberly Investments, allegedly went to the couple’s homestead on the outskirts of Hwange town around 11pm and threw stones at their bedroom hut.
The complainant, her husband and three minor children who all cannot be named, were asleep when Tshuma invaded their home
The complainant’s husband emerged from the hut intending to check where the stones were coming from and Tshuma assaulted him.
Seeing that her husband was being attacked, the complainant took the minor children and fled towards a neighbour’s homestead across a nearby stream intending to seek help but the accused gave chase.
He caught up with her at the stream and dragged her into the bush leaving the kids alone after forcing them to sit on a rock.
He allegedly further dragged her to another nearby homestead where he asked for condoms and was given before raping her again.
Tshuma was not asked to plead to assault, rape and aggravated indecent assault when he appeared before Hwange magistrate Ms Barbara Phiri who remanded him in custody to 15 October.
Prosecuting Mr John Mutyakaviri said Tshuma was arrested last Thursday.
“On the 6th day of June around 11pm the accused went to the complaint’s homestead and started throwing stones at the complainant’s bedroom while she was asleep with her husband and their three children.
“The complainant’s husband came out of the hut and approached Tshuma in a bid to stop him from pelting them and the complainant started assaulting him. Seeing that her husband was being assaulted the complainant who was half naked, took the three children and fled towards a neighbour’s homestead,” said Mr Mutyakaviri.
When he caught up with her, Tshuma subjected the woman to a torturous night as he dragged her before raping her several times.
NEWSDAY– President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday alleged a plot by Zanu PF insiders to oust him from office after agreeing to pay white commercial farmers US$3,5 billion in compensation for land expropriated by government for resettlement to landless blacks at the start of the millennium.
The Global Compensation Agreement between government and the white former commercial farmers, for improvements and equipment, signed in July had been in the works since 2016, but has met with stiff resistance, with some Zanu PF elements challenging the deal.A group of war veterans have challenged the agreement in court.
In August, Mnangagwa’s government was forced to offer land as compensation to local blacks who lost their farms during the often chaotic land reform exercise under the late former president Robert Mugabe and to companies whose farms were protected under the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements.
The decision has been met with hostility from various quotas, with many accusing Mnangagwa of trying to reverse the land reform programme that allegedly empowered natives, but alienated Zimbabwe from her traditional Western donors and plunged the country into a deep economic mess.
Some war veterans, a critical wing in the ruling Zanu PF, which often views itself as the stockholder of the former liberation party, immediately accused Mnangagwa of selling out and reversing the gains made of the liberation struggle.
Mnangagwa told mourners at the burial of national hero Brigadier-General Ruphus Chigudu that he was aware of a plot by some elements “from within the party” to try to use the land issue as an excuse for regime change.
“The land has come and it has now been united with its people. It has come forever and is irreversible,” he said.
Mnangagwa was apparently referring to critics who accused him of seeking to reverse the programme that benefited millions of Zimbabweans, mostly Zanu PF supporters.
“There are those in our midst who are misreading what the government constitutionally seeks to achieve in pursuit of a narrow agenda,” he said.
“They think they have now found a credible platform for mobilising against our administration and its government. They are desperate, but let me assure you, they are bound to fail.”
Mnangagwa, who came to power through a military coup in November 2017, has claimed several plots against his rule in the three years he has been in power.
In May 2018, ahead of the July 30 elections, Mnangagwa said he had unearthed a plot by some Zanu PF MPs working with MDC Alliance to use their numbers in Parliament to impeach him.
In June, Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe, claimed there was a coup plot against Mnangagwa involving the opposition and civil society.
That same month, Mnangagwa admitted there were some wolves in sheep’s skins in his party.
Last week, State Security minister Owen Ncube said there were “rogue elements” that included MDC Alliance and G40 members that had been conniving with some Western nations to smuggle guns into the country and set up “democratic resistance committees” to destroy the democratic foundations of Zimbabwe.
Several MDC Alliance officials have in recent months been arrested for allegedly plotting to subvert a constitutionally-elected Zanu PF government.
Mnangagwa’s government has also accused the exiled members of the G40 faction of plotting from South Africa to oust his administration.
Zanu PF has been involved in fierce internal fights, with some members allegedly aligning themselves with Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, who is said to be angling to take over from his boss, although he has publicly denied harbouring such ambitions.
Mnangagwa yesterday endorsed Chiwenga’s decision to suspend the holding of by-elections until the COVID-19 pandemic is over, saying there was no need to be complacent as the threat of the disease remained real.
Chiwenga, in his capacity as Health minister, last week suspended by-elections, a move that legal experts said was unconstitutional and, therefore, a nullity.
“Voting and democracy are enjoyed by the living, not by the sick nor those dying or dead,” Mnangagwa said while urging people to observe laid down COVID-19 preventive measures.
He also said government had put security agents on high alert to curb the rise in ritual murders and armed robberies.
This came after the suspected ritual murder of a seven-year-old Murewa boy allegedly by his uncle and a domestic worker.
“Let me reiterate that all stakeholders in our justice delivery system deal with this so that this evil trend is expunged from our society,” Mnangagwa said.
“Equally worrisome are the growing cases of armed and violent crimes. We must draw lessons from the late Brigadier-General who knew the use of guns was to protect the nation.”
He said Zimbabweans should remain peaceful and united in the wake of “machinations” by the country’s detractors.
“Given the onslaught, machinations and clandestine shenanigans by our detractors, let us be united in defence of our hard won independence,” he said.
“In this regard, I commend us the people of Zimbabwe for upholding peace, harmony and love which our late national hero fought for.”
“Violence, destruction of property and making Zimbabwe ungovernable can never be democratic and it is not what we fought for.”
–NEWSDAY
Dear Knowledge Hakata
“As a political student this is my prediction of what is happening and what is going to happen in Zimbabwe. Zanu PF knows that they won’t stand a chance in 2023 presidential elections and to counter that they had to create fake opposition party in the form of MDC Khupe and her political demagogues,” you predicted
Your name is Knowledge but, sadly, knowledge is the one thing you DO NOT have!
Zanu PF has been rigging elections for donkey years now because the party KNEW it would lose power if it held free, fair and credible elections. Mnangagwa promised to hold free, fair and credible elections following the November 2017 military coup but failed to implement even one token democratic reform because he did not want to risk losing the elections.
Mnangagwa knew that if he could get the MDC to participate in the elections regardless of the electoral flaws and illegalities he can rig the election and get away with it. He offered the opposition a few gravy train seats as bait and it worked. There were 23 presidential candidates alone!
“MDC has stringent measures to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections,” insisted Nelson Chamisa. Of course, he knew that Zanu PF was rigging the July 2018 elections, he had no measures to stop the rigging and yet he still participated out of greed.
Zanu PF went on to win 2/3 majority in parliament and the presidency in the July 2018 elections.
By participating in these flawed and illegal elections the opposition are giving “credibility” to the flawed process. And they know it, as David Coltart readily admitted.
In his Book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe, David Coltart, former MDC – Ncube Senator and Minister of Education in the 2008 GNU, gave details of how Zanu PF was flouting the electoral rules in the upcoming 2013 elections. It was clear to all the elections would not be free, fair and credible.
“The worst aspect for me about the failure to agree a coalition was that both MDCs couldn’t now do the obvious – withdraw from the elections,” wrote Senator Coltart.
“The electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility.”
By giving credibility to the illegal election process the opposition is also, by extension, giving legitimacy to the vote rigging, ipso facto, illegitimate Zanu PF government.
Zanu PF’s electoral chance of winning the 2023 elections have not improved from that in 2018 and hence the reason the party has resolutely resisted all calls to implement the democratic reforms. The only likely reforms to be carried out are to create the position of Leader of the Opposition complete with a few Shadow Cabinet post; the office bearers will be entitled to ministerial limos, generous salaries, etc. The opposition will find the bait even more irresistible!
Mnangagwa won 2018 elections because Zanu PF had the carte blanche dictatorial powers to rig the elections. The party has retained all the dictatorial powers and so would he bother creating fake opposition parties to win the 2023 elections?
Ever since the High Court ruling that said Nelson Chamisa’s seizure of power following Morgan Tsvangirai’s death in February 2018 had violated MDC’s own constitution; MDC leaders have been at each other’s throat. The most important point here is to accept that MDC leaders are their own worst enemy in this mess. It is foolish, to say the least, to blame Mnangagwa and Zanu PF for MDC leaders’ own breath taking incompetence and greed.
The irony is Zanu PF has managed to stay in power post the 2008 to 2013 GNU thanks to the breath taking incompetence and greed of the MDC. And in turn MDC leaders themselves have in power thanks to the breath taking naivety of opposition supporters like Knowledge Hakata who binary mentality will not allow them to see MDC leaders for what they are – sell-outs.
People like Hakata cannot talk of Chamisa except in conjunction with Mnangagwa. Since he has judged the latter a corrupt, incompetent and murderous tyrant, which many of us would agree with; and compared to Mnangagwa, Chamisa is an angel! This is nothing new.
Before independence the whites were the devil incarnate and Mugabe and Zanu PF were the angels. It took 20 years for before many Zimbabweans finally accept that Zanu PF was a party of corrupt and murderous thugs. And today, after 21 years of risking life and limb to elect MDC leaders into power and with nothing to show for it; many Zimbabweans are yet to accept that MDC leaders are not the angels they imagined.
Of course, the mental refusal of seeing and judging Chamisa except in the light of Mnangagwa and no one else is as flawed, limited and foolish as one who will only view the world in black and white when there are are all the colours of the rainbow.
How tragic that we are living in the age when other have landed on the moon; a carrying out route operation on the most delicate human organ, the brain; and a thousand other things beside. In Zimbabwe we still do not know what constitute free, fair and credible elections; something the Greeks bequeathed mankind 2 500 years ago!
MLO Supreme Council was angered by the gunning down of 2 Matabeles, Morgan Sibanda and Dumisani Mpofu by the number one killers of Matabele people, the Zimbabwe National Army, for speaking Ndebele language.
This act of barbarism happened at Chisuma Business Center in Victoria falls, Matabeleland North, on Wednesday night.
MLO Supreme Council was so pissed of by this wanton killing of Matabeles by the Zimbabwe National Army that it took a decision that it is time for the people of Matabeleland to rise up and defend the Republic of Matabeleland citizenry.
To this effect MLO President Cde Paul Siwela released a statement which read as follows: “Zimbabwe National Army soldiers from 1.2 Infantry Battalion wantonly opened fire and gunned two unarmed Matebele civilian men in Victoria Falls for speaking Ndebele language. MLO calls upon all able bodied Matabele men and women to get ready to be on call up to defend our people.”
As MLO Supreme Council we solidly stand by the above statement by the Commander in Chief, Cde Paul Siwela.
As I write this statement the government of Zimbabwe has deployed more soldiers to Chisuma village to terrorise villagers and force them to accept a false narration by the Zimbabwe Republic Police that the deceased were killed while trying to disarm the soldiers.
We understand the army, in a bid to contain the angry villagers, has imposed a curfew and are beating up poor villagers for denouncing the barbaric act.
The Zimbabwe National Army which is supposedly our defender, has killed more Matabele people than any other enemy or pandemic in Zimbabwe since 1980.
Surely the people of Matabeleland cannot sit and wait to die of natural causes when their innocent relatives are being slaughtered like sheep.
The Zimbabwe government has no licence to kill the people of Matabeleland but are motivated by tribal hatred.
The same goes for the people of
Matabeleland, but in the face of annihilation by the Zimbabwe National Army, we have no any other option but to take up arms and defend Matabele nation from complete obliteration.
Where are Zimbabwe civic organizations? Where are the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights? Where are the church leaders? Where is the MDC Alliance which prides itself as party of excellence and paragon of democracy?
All the above make a deafening noise when Shonas are abused in Zimbabwe. Here are 2 innocent Matabeles killed by the Zimbabwe National Army in cold blood, and the tribalists have locked themselves behind their doors because to them Matabele life has no value.The silence is deafening!
It is not surprising that they were celebrating, ululating and cheering on the Zimbabwe National Army 5th Brigade in the 80s when it was murdering, raping and maiming Matabeles.
Yes they cheered and danced until 40 000 Matabeles were dead. They are doing it now when the Zimbabwe National Army is killing innocent Matabeles. They will do it in the future until Matabeleland is independent. This is because they are tribalists and die hard supporters of Shona supremacy.
They are even proud of the Shona identity they were given by our forefathers and hate their original Hutu identity. Ask them what was their collective identity before our forefathers called them Shonas ie meaning those who run away from the battle and disappear in the caves. Shonas are Hutus who were chased away from Burundi for theft, corruption and witchcraft by their brothers.
This leaves the people of Matabeleland with no question if they are Zimbabweans or not. If they were, all the above mentioned organizations would be attacking the Zimbabwe government like bees by now. But the opposite is happening. There is deafening silence in Mashonaland. Silence similar to that during Matabeleland genocide in the 1980s.
Matabeles who still view themselves as Zimbabweans after Matabeleland genocide and all these other barbaric and terrifying events that continue to happen must think again before it is too late.
Let all able bodied men and women answer to the clarion call from the President of MLO and defend ourselves.
It is now time we define our history and take control of our destiny.
Izenzo kungemazwi!
Israel Dube
MLO Secretary for Information and Public Affairs
The emotional power of graphics – the clarity of conviction:
By A Correspondent| Today at High Court, ZINASU leader Takudzwa Ngadziore appears for his bail appeal seeking his release from Harare Remand Prison, where he has been detained since last week.
Ngadziore was denied bail at Harare Magistrates Court after he was arrested and charged for allegedly protesting against the use of Impala Car Rental vehicle in the abduction of Tawanda Muchehiwa in July by some unidentified people.
ZINASU leader will have to spend more time in jail awaiting outcome of his bail appeal filed by Webster Jiti of ZLHR after High Court Judge postponed hearing and determination of his matter to Thursday to allow the State to file its response to his freedom bid.
“After investing our energies in seeking the release of Ngadziore, we are saddened that Taku will have to spend more time in jail after hearing of his appeal was postponed to Tuesday because the State has not filed its response & the record of proceedings has some missing pages.
“At High Court today, we are ready to make submissions on behalf of ZINASU leader seeking his release on bail. Ngadziore has spent a long time in prison since he was arrested in September for allegedly addressing a media briefing on abduction of Muchehiwa,” said ZLHR.
Webster Jiti is ready to represent Ngadziore during the hearing of the bail appeal wherein he seeks to end the incarceration of the student leader.
By Farai D Hove | A Zimbabwean woman looking for her sons, makes a report saying she was abducted in Chisumbanje and dumped hundreds of kilometres away in Bindura.
When asked when this happened, she says it was during the days of the late President Robert Mugabe’s Celebration. She is not clear when exactly this “celebration” was. VIDEO-
Three people trying to help a motorist trapped in his vehicle after it hit a cow at the 23km peg along the Guruve-Mvurwi Road around 6pm on Thursday last week, were fatally struck by a speeding vehicle that had poor lights.
Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Fidelis Dhewu said the three were Lilian Shamu, Tarisai Kasaira and Delight Mvurumu and two others, Norman Makaza and Darlington Guvamombe, were injured and are admitted at Mvurwi Hospital.
Guvamombe is reportedly in a serious condition. The accident happened around 6pm.
Ass Insp Dhewu said Edward Makumbe (52) was driving a Mazda Bongo towards Mvurwi when he hit a cow and was trapped inside the vehicle.
Notice Makaza (34), who was driving a Nissan Caravan in the same direction, parked his vehicle in front of the Mazda Bongo to render assistance.
“Jumbe Trymore (43), who was driving a truck with poor lights and was also speeding, failed to keep a proper lookout and hit the Nissan Caravan and as a result the three people who were behind the Nissan Caravan were knocked down.
Shamu and Kasaira died on the spot while Mvurumu, who had come from nearby houses to render assistance, died on the way to Mvurwi Hospital. Makaza is in a stable condition.”
Ass Insp Dhewu said Jumbe has since been charged with culpable homicide while the owner of the cow is charged under the Road and Traffic Regulations.
Ass Insp Dhewu appealed to motorists to drive roadworthy vehicles and to keep a proper lookout to avoid accidents.
MLO Supreme Council was angered by the gunning down of 2 Matabeles, Morgan Sibanda and Dumisani Mpofu by the the number one killers of Matabele people, Zimbabwe National Army, for speaking Ndebele language.This act of barbarism happened at Chisuma Business Center in Victoria falls, Matabeleland North, on Wednesday night.
MLO Supreme Council was so pissed of by this wanton killing of Matabeles by the Zimbabwe National Army that it took a decision that it is time for the people of Matabeleland to rise up and defend the Republic of Matabeleland citizenry.
To this effect MLO President Cde Paul Siwela released a statement which read as follows: “Zimbabwe National Army soldiers from 1.2 Infantry Battalion wantonly opened fire and gunned two unarmed Matebele civilian men in Victoria Falls for speaking Ndebele language. MLO calls upon all able bodied Matabele men and women to get ready to be on call up to defend our people.”
As MLO Supreme Council we solidly stand by the above statement by the Commander in Chief, Cde Paul Siwela.
As I write this statement the government of Zimbabwe has deployed more soldiers to Chisuma village to terrorise villagers and force them to accept a false narration by the Zimbabwe Republic Police that the deceased were killed while trying to disarm the soldiers.
We understand the army, in a bid to contain the angry villagers, has imposed a curfew and are beating up poor villagers for denouncing the barbaric act.
The Zimbabwe National Army which is supposedly our defender, has killed more Matabele people than any other enemy or pandemic in Zimbabwe since 1980.
Surely the people of Matabeleland cannot sit and wait to die of natural causes when their innocent relatives are being slaughtered like sheep.
The Zimbabwe government has no licence to kill the people of Matabeleland but are motivated by tribal hatred.
The same goes for the people of
Matabeleland, but in the face of annihilation by the Zimbabwe National Army, we have no any other option but to take up arms and defend Matabele nation from complete obliteration.
Where are Zimbabwe civic organizations? Where are the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights? Where are the church leaders? Where is the MDC Alliance which prides itself as party of excellence and paragon of democracy?
All the above make a deafening noise when Shonas are abused in Zimbabwe. Here are 2 innocent Matabeles killed by the Zimbabwe National Army in cold blood, and the tribalists have locked themselves behind their doors because to them Matabele life has no value.The silence is deafening!
It is not surprising that they were celebrating, ululating and cheering on the Zimbabwe National Army 5th Brigade in the 80s when it was murdering, raping and maiming Matabeles.
Yes they cheered and danced until 40 000 Matabeles were dead. They are doing it now when the Zimbabwe National Army is killing
innocent Matabeles. They will do it in the future until Matabeleland is independent. This is because they are tribalists and die hard supporters of Shona supremacy.
They are even proud of the Shona identity they were given by our forefathers and hate their original Hutu identity. Ask them what was their collective identity before our forefathers called them Shonas ie meaning those who run away from the battle and disappear in the caves. Shonas are Hutus who were chased away from Burundi for theft, corruption and witchcraft by their brothers.
This leaves the people of Matabeleland with no question if they are Zimbabweans or not. If they were, all the above mentioned organizations would be attacking the Zimbabwe government like bees by now. But the opposite is happening. There is deafening silence in Mashonaland. Silence similar to that during Matabeleland genocide in the 1980s.
Matabeles who still view themselves as Zimbabweans after Matabeleland genocide and all these other barbaric and terrifying events that continue to happen must think again before it is too late.
Let all able bodied men and women answer to the clarion call from the President of MLO and defend ourselves.
It is now time we define our history and take control of our destiny.
Izenzo kungemazwi!
Israel Dube
MLO Secretary for Information and Public Affairs
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe has seen the number of malnutrition cases rising lately due to the drought-induced food insecurity and the deteriorating economy.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicated in its latest report that the majority of households in the country require food assistance to prevent a worse-off scenario.
Said the humanitarian office:
The number of pellagra cases reported has continued to increase in Zimbabwe. As per routine data, 1 258 pellagra cases were recorded between January to July 2020, which is double compared to the 667 cases over the same period last year.
Following increases from 88 pellagra cases in March to 141 in April, 224 in May and 248 in June, 169 cases were reported for July 2020. The numbers of pellagra cases are likely to continue to increase as food insecurity in the country deepens and household income for accessing diversified diets continues to be depleted by the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown and economic crisis.
The UN office observes that nationally 56 percent of women were consuming less than five groups of recommended foods.
Zimbabwe has had acute food shortages since 2019 promoting the government to import and subsidise maize grain and or mealie-meal.
Back in March when the coronavirus lockdown was involved, the government pledged but did not commit to distributing cushioning packages to vulnerable members of the society to shield them from the effects of the lockdown.-DailyNews
BY DR MASIMBA MAVAZA | Tongues are being rolled overtime as Zimbabweans are being fed propaganda over the suspension of by elections on December. The Vice President Dr Cde Constantino Gueveya Chiwenga, who is also the Health Minister, on Friday 2nd October 2020 suspended all by-elections the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) had scheduled for 5 December citing the Covid-19 pandemic. In the onset of COVID 19 ZEC chairperson, Justice Priscilla Chigumba following the guidelines of the World Health Organisation announced that by-elections were to be conducted in December 2020.
Justice Chigumba was like any other person in the world believing that by December COVID will be history.
After having carefully studied the situation in the world and the ugly resurgent of the virus in several countries
Dr Chiwenga as the Health Minister announced that all by-elections had been suspended.
“It is hereby notified by the Minister of Health in terms of section 68 of the Public Health Act (Chapter 15:17) made the following regulations – 1).
“These regulations maybe cited as the Public Health (Covid-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment (Amendment) Regulation pursuant to subsection (2), the holding of any by-election to fill a casual vacancy in Parliament or in local authority is for the duration of the period of the declaration of Covid-19 as a formidable epidemic disease, suspended, and if such vacancy occurred while such declaration is in force, no part of the period from the date of such vacancy to the date of the end of declaration shall be counted for the purpose of section (158 (3) of the Constitution,” Statutory Instrument 225A of 2020 reads.
While Article 68 reads
“Regulations regarding formidable epidemic diseases and conditions or events of public health concern
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, in the case of the occurrence or threatened outbreak of any formidable epidemic disease, condition or event of public health concern, the Minister may make regulations as to all or any of the following matters, namely-
(a) the imposition and enforcement of quarantine and the regulation and restriction of public traffic and of the movements of persons;
(b) the closing of schools or the regulation and restriction of school attendance;
(c) the closing o f churches and Sunday schools and restriction o f gatherings or meetings for the purpose of public worship;
(d) the regulation or restriction or, where deemed necessary, the closing of any place or places of public entertainment, recreation or amusement, or where intoxicating liquor is sold by retail, and the regulation or restriction, or, w·here deemed necessary, the prohibition, of the convening, holding or attending of entertainments, assemblies, meetings or other public gatherings;
(e) the prevention and remedying of overcrowding or the keeping of any dwelling or other building or the contents thereof in a state of sanitation posing or likely to pose a public health risk;
(f) the medical examination of persons who are suspected of being infected with, or who may have recently been
e) “A’Posed to the infection of, such disease, and of persons about to depart from any infected area, and the disinfection of their baggage and personal effects, and the detention of such persons until they have after such examination been certified to be free from any infectious disease and tmtil their baggage and personal effects have been disinfected;
(g) the keeping under medical observation or sun,eillance, or the removal, detention and isolation ofpersons who may have recently been exposed to the infection of, <md who may be in the incubation stage of, such disease; the detention and isolation of such persons until released by due authority, the use o f guards and force for that purpose, and, in case o f absolute necessity, the use o f firearms o r other weapons, and the arrest with o r without warrant of any person who has escaped from such detention or isolation;”
Subsection one is very clear on what should be done by the minister
“(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, in the case of the occurrence or threatened outbreak of any formidable epidemic disease, condition or event of public health concern, the Minister may make regulations as to all or any of the following matters, namely”
The minister is given a mandate to make regulations as to any of the matters which tickles the roots of the Public Health. This is a mandate which does mot call the minister to approach parliament. All he needs to satisfy himself is that the pandemic has been declared a national disaster. COVID 19 was declared as such and it trend signalled a cruel come back which could be a heavy strain on our health system. The minister has the burden of keeping the nation safe from any health hazard on his shoulders.
When making a decision the minister will consider the best interest of the nation ahead of any other issues which are not life threatening. So the Public Health Act empowers him to shield the nation from the arrows and pains of any ravaging pandemic.
So the Vice president was guided by Part II OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACT which direct the ADMINISTRATION OF THE PuBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM Sub-Part A: “National health system administration
3 Ministry Responsible for public health
(1) The Ministry shall be under the control of the Minister.
(2) The functions of the Ministry shall, subject to this Act be-
(a) to protect promote, improve and maintain the health of the population; and
(b) to detennine the policies and measures necessary to protect, promote, improve and maintain the health and well-being of the population; and—————-
(d) to equitably prioritise and allocate resources to the health services that the State can provide; and
(e) to enhance collaboration among state and non-state actors and communities; and
(f) to inform educate and empower the population about health issues; and
(g) to take measures for the prevention, limitation or suppression of infectious,
communicable and non-communicable diseases within Zimbabwe; and
(h) to advise and assist local authorities in regard to matters affecting public health; —-“
The decision taken was lawful and not a decision made politically. It is the detractors who are now politicising a health matter.
The opposition parties and some other civic organisations like the Elections Resource Centre (ERC) said the suspension affected the independence of (ZEC) The detractors are not looking at the aim of suspension. By its nature suspension means just to pause or wait. It is different from cancelling. By elections are simple set aside pending the sustainability and control of the COVID 19 pandemic.
The allegations being put against ZANU PF are laughable and naughty. These allegations are coming from the people who have not looked at this case on the round.
A suggestion that ZANU PF is afraid of by elections hence the suspension is a joke in itself. To start with ZANU PF does not fear elections. It fought for elections and it takes its pride in holding successful elections. In case one might not know it is ZANU PF which introduced the system of international observers. ZANU PF has been winning elections for the past forty years and as such elections are a pleasure to ZANU PF.
The second point is that MDC in all its letters like MDC A MDC T or MDC N or B or S is at its worst since its formation and splitting sessions. It is plucking its strength off and destroying itself. It has no time to concentrate on elections. The reality is that MDC leadership is busy fighting for their survival with Khupe politicking using emotions not her head.
The suspension of these elections is actually a blessing in disguise for the MDCs. Chamisa has lost his clout he no longer sleeps. On eye is looking at Mwonzora Kuphe Komichi while the eye is looking at Biti who has made his intentions to take over very clear and Job who is behaving like a mad man chasing nothing.
If there was any man relived with this suspension is Chamisa.
So the narrative that democracy has been suspended is a shallow narrow reasoning. Suspending elections does not mean suspending democracy. Democracy is not only measured by elections. Elections survive in a democracy but democracy in themselves.
The suspension of the by elections has been fone lawfully and with compassion.
Again it was not ZANU PF which suspended the elections bu the minister of health. The nation must applaud him for taking such a bold move. While elections are suspended they have not been banned. To that end the ruling Zanu PF is continuing with primary elections to choose candidates to fill vacant parliamentary and local government seats despite the suspension of by-elections that were set for December 5 by Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga. The reason is because ZANU PF is not shy of elections. So it has to be always prepared.
Surprisingly MDC is only vilifying the Vice President. When they lose elections the will not point to their stupid attitude the will blame ZANU PF. Becoming professional complainers does not win elections.
What should be known is that VP Chiwenga only ordered that holding by-elections will remain suspended “for the duration of the period of declaration of Covid-19 as a formidable epidemic disease”. This suspension simply means put your houses on order.
So the narrative that this suspension is illegal is simply nonsense and immaturity.
VP Chiwenga doubles up as Health and Child Care minister, and his decision to suspend electoral processes, citing Covid-19 is largely influenced more by science not by politics.
So the allegation that ZANU PF is using COVID 19 to stifle democracy is the work of those empty heads seeking to tarnish the good name of zimbabwe. ZANU PF has a majority in parliament so these by elections do not benefit ZANU PF. Furthermore the opposition is disintegrating into smoke and thus less prepared to participate in any elections b
VP Chiwenga’s suspension is not part of efforts to close the democratic space as being said by the opposition.
The suspension of by-elections by VP Chiwenga was legal and very constitutional. It puts people’s lives first and indeed he must be applauded for such a bold move.
Looking at the case on the round the Act mandates the minister to Act and decide alone without calling parliament.
“Power to govern is derived from the people through constitutional means and the constitution provides for how people must be governed. So the actions of the VP are perfectly in-order.
Douglas Coltart, a human rights lawyer, said Chiwenga’s ban delivered through a statutory instrument cannot withstand legal scrutiny.
“Firstly, it effectively suspends section 158 sub-section 3 of the constitution, which stipulates the time within which by-elections need to be conducted.
“A statutory instrument has no power to suspend a constitution,” Coltart said.
“The minister of Health has no authority to determine the conduct of elections.
“That is determined by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) and the Electoral Act, which is administered by the Justice minister, not the Health minister.
“So he has no power to do what he has done.”
Zec last month said by-elections to replace over 30 MDC Alliance legislators and over 100 councillors controversially recalled by the rival MDC-T would be held on December 5.
So the submissions by Coltsrt are wrong biased and embarrassing. Chiwenga did not seek to control how elections are done. He did not seek to interfere with ZEC. He simply did his duty to protect the people of Zimbabwe. This he is mandated by the Act and the constitution.
The decision is supported by facts and it is very rational compassionate and human centred. The decision by cde Chiwenga
is rational and very proportionate to the dangers posed by Covid-19 as many countries have not been able to hold Covid-19-compliant elections.” The decision is valid and powered by law.
The problem with the opposition and most Civic societies is that they are busy looking for anything which can trigger a crisis. They are looking for an elephant in the house.
These are desperate times they need desperate measures.
Vazet [email protected]
Dear Knowledge Hakata
“As a political student this is my prediction of what is happening and what is going to happen in Zimbabwe. Zanu PF knows that they won’t stand a chance in 2023 presidential elections and to counter that they had to create fake opposition party in the form of MDC Khupe and her political demagogues,” you predicted
Your name is Knowledge but, sadly, knowledge is the one thing you DO NOT have!
Zanu PF has been rigging elections for donkey years now because the party KNEW it would lose power if it held free, fair and credible elections. Mnangagwa promised to hold free, fair and credible elections following the November 2017 military coup but failed to implement even one token democratic reform because he did not want to risk losing the elections.
Mnangagwa knew that if he could get the MDC to participate in the elections regardless of the electoral flaws and illegalities he can rig the election and get away with it. He offered the opposition a few gravy train seats as bait and it worked. There were 23 presidential candidates alone!
“MDC has stringent measures to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections,” insisted Nelson Chamisa. Of course, he knew that Zanu PF was rigging the July 2018 elections, he had no measures to stop the rigging and yet he still participated out of greed.
Zanu PF went on to win 2/3 majority in parliament and the presidency in the July 2018 elections.
By participating in these flawed and illegal elections the opposition are giving “credibility” to the flawed process. And they know it, as David Coltart readily admitted.
In his Book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe, David Coltart, former MDC – Ncube Senator and Minister of Education in the 2008 GNU, gave details of how Zanu PF was flouting the electoral rules in the upcoming 2013 elections. It was clear to all the elections would not be free, fair and credible.
“The worst aspect for me about the failure to agree a coalition was that both MDCs couldn’t now do the obvious – withdraw from the elections,” wrote Senator Coltart.
“The electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility.”
By giving credibility to the illegal election process the opposition is also, by extension, giving legitimacy to the vote rigging, ipso facto, illegitimate Zanu PF government.
Zanu PF’s electoral chance of winning the 2023 elections have not improved from that in 2018 and hence the reason the party has resolutely resisted all calls to implement the democratic reforms. The only likely reforms to be carried out are to create the position of Leader of the Opposition complete with a few Shadow Cabinet post; the office bearers will be entitled to ministerial limos, generous salaries, etc. The opposition will find the bait even more irresistible!
Mnangagwa won 2018 elections because Zanu PF had the carte blanche dictatorial powers to rig the elections. The party has retained all the dictatorial powers and so would he bother creating fake opposition parties to win the 2023 elections?
Ever since the High Court ruling that said Nelson Chamisa’s seizure of power following Morgan Tsvangirai’s death in February 2018 had violated MDC’s own constitution; MDC leaders have been at each other’s throat. The most important point here is to accept that MDC leaders are their own worst enemy in this mess. It is foolish, to say the least, to blame Mnangagwa and Zanu PF for MDC leaders’ own breath taking incompetence and greed.
The irony is Zanu PF has managed to stay in power post the 2008 to 2013 GNU thanks to the breath taking incompetence and greed of the MDC. And in turn MDC leaders themselves have in power thanks to the breath taking naivety of opposition supporters like Knowledge Hakata who binary mentality will not allow them to see MDC leaders for what they are – sell-outs.
People like Hakata cannot talk of Chamisa except in conjunction with Mnangagwa. Since he has judged the latter a corrupt, incompetent and murderous tyrant, which many of us would agree with; and compared to Mnangagwa, Chamisa is an angel! This is nothing new.
Before independence the whites were the devil incarnate and Mugabe and Zanu PF were the angels. It took 20 years for before many Zimbabweans finally accept that Zanu PF was a party of corrupt and murderous thugs. And today, after 21 years of risking life and limb to elect MDC leaders into power and with nothing to show for it; many Zimbabweans are yet to accept that MDC leaders are not the angels they imagined.
Of course, the mental refusal of seeing and judging Chamisa except in the light of Mnangagwa and no one else is as flawed, limited and foolish as one who will only view the world in black and white when there are are all the colours of the rainbow.
How tragic that we are living in the age when other have landed on the moon; a carrying out route operation on the most delicate human organ, the brain; and a thousand other things beside. In Zimbabwe we still do not know what constitute free, fair and credible elections; something the Greeks bequeathed mankind 2 500 years ago!
By A Correspondent- MDC T interim leader Thokozani Khupe is set to be sworn in today.
The development follows the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) gazetting the names of legislators who will replace MDC Alliance Members of Parliament who were recalled by the MDC-T.
The names which ZEC chair, Justice Priscilla Chigumba gazetted include MDC interim president Thokozani Khupe, her spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni, Yvonne Winfielda Musarurwa, Lindani Moyo, January Sawuke, Memory Munochinzwa, Lwazi Sibanda, Sipho Mokone, Molly Dorothy Ndlovu, Tamani Moyo, Gertrude Moyo, Piniel Denga, Chief Ndlovu, Nomalanga Khumalo and Teti Chisorochengwe.
Reads the latest Government Gazette:
It is hereby notified, in terms of section 39(7)(a) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13], that persons listed in the Schedule nominated by the MDC -T party to fill the vacancies that occurred among the party list members of the National Assembly and the Senate following the recall of the incumbent members by the MDC-T party on the grounds that they had ceased to be members of that party, have been appointed as National Assembly party-list members and Senators respectively with effect from the date of publication of this notice.
This comes as by-elections to replace the recalled legislators and councillors are in limbo after the Health Minister, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has amended the COVID-19 Regulations Act to block elections.
MDC-T leadership has since March this year been recalling MPs and councillors aligned to MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa.-DailyNews
By A Correspondent- Five people have been arrested in connection with the violence that broke out in Kwekwe at the ruling ZANU PF’s primary elections held over the weekend.
The elections were called off after machete-wielding youths stormed the command centre at the party’s Kwekwe district office and started to beat up everyone, including polling agents.
Kandros Mugabe (ZANU PF’s losing Kwekwe Central candidate in 2018) and Energy Ncube (nephew of state minister Owen Mudha Ncube), were contesting to represent the party in the by-elections meant to replace Kwekwe Central legislator Masango Matambanadzo who succumbed to COVID-19 in July this year.
The arrest was confirmed by Zanu PF Midlands provincial spokesperson Cornelius Mpereri who said the party was assisting the police with investigations.
Mpereri said:
There are suspects who have since been arrested following the disturbances on Sunday, but you can check with the police for the names.
I am not in the office at the moment. We are a peaceful party and we continue to work with the police as we seek to bring the perpetrators of the violence to book.
Of interest to some, however, is the fact that the primary elections were conducted after the Health Minister, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga had decreed that by-elections to replace recalled MDC Alliance MPs will not be conducted.
Through Statutory Instrument (SI), 225A of 2020 Chiwenga cited the coronavirus pandemic as the reason why the elections should be suspended indefinitely.
Some say the directive is a political tool to prevent the citizenry from choosing representatives of their own as the party which recalled the MPs will now nominate replacements.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- Two soldiers stationed at Manyame air force base appeared in court on Monday after they allegedly stole gold ore belonging to Maxen Manuel Syndicate in Mazoe where they are part-time workers.
The duo, Taurai Towo (34) a corporal and Tinashe Tembo, a sergeant were remanded out of custody and will appear again in court on 18 October 2020.
It is alleged that on 29 September, the accused connived together with a security guard Themba Mudzengerere who is still at large connived with Tamuka Gandiwa (20), Promise Chivhorovhoro and Cosmas Kafudzaruwa (29) and stole 1 100kgs which they sold to Morebetterdays Milling company and shared the proceeds.
On the following day, the mine supervisor Dannie Chesa discovered that 55x 20 kgs sacks of gold ore were missing and made a report leading to the arrest of the five accused persons.USD90 was recovered from Gandiwa while USD130 and 5kg gold ore was recovered from Kafudzaruwa.
Paul Nyathi
Newly elected MDC Alliance Gwanda Mayor Njabulo Siziba is set to break record for serving the shortest time as Mayor of a council in Zimbabwe as the Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T is set to recall him together with two other councillors for being dishonest and playing double standards.
Reliable sources within the MDC-T Matabeleland South Province have provided ZimEye.com with details that Siziba together with his colleague councillors Nappy Moyo and Mkhululi Tshuma will be recalled within the next few days at the recommendation of the province.
The sources, who provided ZimEye.com with a copy of the recommendation letter for the recall from the province to Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora said that the three councillors took the party for a ride after attending an MDC-T meetingin the town a day before the election where they agreed to nominate and elect Siziba as an MDC-T Councillor only to change the party name and allegiance at the election.
The province has since recommended for the recall which Mwonzora is set to execute immediately.
The three councillors hit the headlines a month ago in pictures in a meeting with the MDC-T leadership where they denounced their allegiance to the Nelson Chamisa led MDC Alliance.
Only former Mayor Jastone Mazhale came out of the meeting dismissing Khupe and her MDC-T which led to his immediate recall.
After Mazhale’s recall, the three councillors appeared in an MDC Alliance media statement claiming allegiance to the MDC Alliance.
MDC-T spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni could not be reached for a comment at the time of this article.
More details to follow.
The DA wants to see the minutes of the meeting between Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and her Zimbabwean counterpart, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, during a visit last month.
Mapisa-Nqakula met with Muchinguri-Kashiri on 9 September, only two days after she requested the meeting. This meeting happened on the same date as the one between ANC officials and Zimbabwe’s governing party, Zanu-PF. The ANC officials travelled with Mapisa-Nqakula on board an SA Air Force Falcon 900 jet to Harare.
The meeting between Mapisa-Nqakula and Muchinguri-Kashiri lasted about two-and-a-half hours, while the ANC and Zanu-PF meeting lasted about nine, according to Mapisa-Nqakula’s draft affidavit to the Public Protector.
Accompanying Mapisa-Nqakula was Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu, and civilians Ace Magashule, Nomvula Mokonyane, Tony Yengeni, Enoch Godongwana and Dakota Lekgoete, all senior ANC members.
After a public outcry, the Presidency last week released Mapisa-Nqakula’s reports to President Cyril Ramaphosa and documentation relating to the visit. The details from these documents sketch a picture of a hastily arranged official visit after the ANC resolved to meet Zanu-PF.
Suspicion
DA MP and spokesperson on defence Kobus Marais said in a statement on Monday Mapisa-Nqakula’s report to Ramaphosa “gives rise to the suspicion that she is simply conspiring to hide the ANC’s abuse of state resources behind this meeting”.
He said on Monday:”We believe that the minutes of this meeting will reveal what we all suspect – that this meeting was nothing more than a ruse by the minister to hide the fact that the whole trip to Zimbabwe was solely in service to ANC politics and had nothing to do with the business of government.”
“Nowhere in her report to the president does she give any feedback on a meeting deemed so urgent and critical that it could not be conducted over a virtual platform and had to break the rules of the Ministerial Handbook which requires approval two weeks in advance.”
Included in Mapisa-Nqakula’s documents is a draft affidavit to the Public Protector, in which she states that the ANC delegation, which included her, met with Zanu-PF from 10:00 to 19:00 on 9 September.
Meeting
She said at about 16:30, she and Muchinguri-Kashiri broke away to have their official meeting, which lasted until about 19:00 before they addressed a press briefing on the meeting at 19:30.
She also attached a copy of a report by the Zimbabwean news outlet ZBC News on the briefing.
Marais said it seemed clear the ANC wanted to visit Zimbabwe, but was unable to do so due to its current financial constraints and then “decided that they are above the rules and regulations governing normal South African citizens”.
“And instead of rebuking this blatant abuse of state resources and being steadfast in fighting corruption – as he so recently promised to do again – the president went along with the subterfuge because it is simply impossible that President Ramaphosa had no idea what the members of his party and Cabinet were up to.”
Ramaphosa reprimanded Mapisa-Nqakula and docked three months of her salary after he considered the reports and documentation and found she had made an “error in judgement”.
This is not enough for Marais.
“They should both suffer the consequences of their actions. Neither’s hands are clean. Those in the ANC that organised this abuse are as guilty as those who partook, and those who tried to cover it up. The ANC should pay back all the money for the flight, and not just a small percentage calculated by a minister who has already proven that she would put her party before her country.”
Marais said the DA would submit parliamentary questions about the meeting and request the information via the Promotion of Access to Information Act.
Source: The Citizen
