Blast From The Past- President Tsvangirai “Prepares” President Chamisa
Govt Boasts Of Paying Its Workers On Time
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube has said the current administration led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa has always paid workers’ salaries and bonuses on time.
Ncube told The Herald in an interview after touring a food manufacturing and processing firm in Bulawayo that bonuses will be coming in November. He said:
Since we came in as the New Dispensation, we have not failed to pay the civil servants their normal salaries on time.
Secondly, we have not failed to pay them their bonus on time, so there should be no question about that. We will pay their normal bonus, and of late of course, we have been negotiating with civil servants.
They are receiving the 40 percent adjustment to their core salary and we are continuing with the US$75 payment per month under the Covid-19 allowance.
That is carrying on and health sector workers are getting a further top-up being for those that are in the frontline in terms of Covid-19.
Before the Mnangagwa-led administration came to power in 2017, workers pay dates were not certain and would usually be staggered to the following month as government coffers had allegedly dried up.
Meanwhile, workers have expressed concern over the depreciation of the value of their salaries leaving them incapacitated to perform their contractual duties and responsibilities.
Resultantly, they have since last year embarked on a series of protests to force the government to restore their 2018 salaries.
The Plight Of Zimbabwean Men In Diaspora
By Masimba Mavaza- “Man sitting on outdoor wooden stairwell, cupped hand wrapped around clenched hand, both hands held to mouth, a pained gaze.”
This is the everyday posture most men in the UK adopt under pressure from their partners and spouses.
Domestic violence against men is rampant in the UK. The laws in the UK tilts towards women thus many men have become victims. Many men are in an abusive relationship. Zimbabwean men are shocked by the behaviour of their women once they come to England.
Abuse of men happens far more often than you might expect in most relationships. It happens to men from all cultures and all walks of life regardless of age or occupation.
Figures suggest that as many as one in three Zimbabwean victims of domestic violence are male. However, men are often reluctant to report abuse because they feel embarrassed, fear they won’t be believed, or are scared that their partner will take revenge.
Maxwell Mutungwazi is a Zimbabwean man who joined his wife in the United Kingdom. He narrates his story with tears running down his cheeks.
“I was a manager in one of the factories in Harare. Life was not that bad. I was managing. I had stayed two years with my minor children my wife had gone to the Uk. She would call me everyday we would talk. All was well. She got a job as a nurse and she would send money. So we applied for our visa that is me and my children. The kids were excited to see their mother after two years. The thought of flying for the first time the dreams of being in the arms of my wife again made me glow with expectations. We were on the top of the clouds literally as we flew into the Uk. Our first month was perfect a scene cut out of a romantic movie.”
Maxwell paused for a minute the tears on his cheeks had dried leaving two bold white lines which ran from the eyes down the cheeks. He looked at me and said:
“My life has turned upside down. My wife started not coming home saying she was having long days and nights. She had developed ways of answering her phone away from me. When on a voice call, she would go lock herself in the car.
She would say they are private work calls. If I demanded to see only the number which called her, she became an abusive partner. She would hit, kick, bite, punch, spit, throw things, or destroy my possessions. She would tell me that “Boarder ndi maenzanise ” if I tried to stand up to her. She would call the police on me.”
To make up for any difference in strength, she attacked me while I was asleep or otherwise catch me by surprise. She started using weapons such as pots or knives, or strike me with an object, abuse or threaten our children.
She then would tell me that If I tried to retaliate, she would take me off her visa.”
Maxwell paused again now his tears had started to flow. This time his nose gave way. He was so powerless to wipe them out. He continued now with a shaky voice.
“You know I left my job. I sold my property and we even sold the house. There is nothing back home. I am trapped in this country. My wife does what she wants. The little time she is home she is on WhatsApp.”
Of course, domestic abuse is not limited to violence. Emotional and verbal abuse can be just as damaging. As a male, your spouse or partner may:Verbally abuse you, belittle you, or humiliate you in front of friends, colleagues, or family, or on social media.
Maxwell explained how his wife can call her relatives dissing him”. However, when Maxwell is on the phone with his shift manager, the wife becomes possessive, acts jealous, or harasses him with accusations of being unfaithful.
“One day she took away my car keys and told me that she bought it and she does what she wants. She tries to control where i go and who I see. Despite the fact that she is never at home. The little times we see each other, its always horror and disaster.”
He continued:
“She tries to control how i spend the little money i earn or deliberately default on joint financial obligations saying “You are now working, look after the family.”
When she meets the few friends I have made, she makes false allegations about me to my friends, employer, or the police, or find other ways to manipulate and isolate me. She threatened to leave me and prevent me from seeing my kids if I was to report the abuse.”
He continued this time visibly dejected
“As an abused man, I faced a lot of challenges including shortage of resources, a lack of understanding from friends and family, and legal obstacles, especially if trying to gain custody of my children from an abusive mother.”
All this gave me a very deep anger so one day I left the house i took my kids with me. Thats when the police came and charged me with abduction.”
He started sobbing.
“I have lived with my kids alone all these years until this woman called the police on me. They took my kids from me I don’t even know where my kids are. The police took me and instructed that i be examined under mental health act. I was then forcefully kept at a home for being mentally disturbed. I have no access to my children and i can not work. But I am not insane”
The more I tried to reason the more I was sedated and forced to be in a sleepy mode. My wife being a nurse convinced the police that I was insane. I was only released back to an assisted living accommodation.”
Maxwell looked up and cried again.
This is one of the sad stories Zimbabwean men are facing in the UK.
Matimbe another Zimbabwean man in Leicester said the ladies have assumed power against their men. They now feel empowered to treat their men like trash. Most men have gained courage in their circumstances, they seek to overcome these challenges and escape the violence and abuse.
Most Zimbabwean men don’t leave abusive relationships.
Regardless of gender, ending a relationship, even an abusive one, is rarely easy. It becomes even harder if you’ve been isolated from friends and family, threatened, manipulated, and controlled, or physically and emotionally beaten down.
You may feel that you have to stay in the relationship because you have no alternative, John Masaka a social worker commented.
He pointed further that one feels ashamed.
“Many men feel great shame that they’ve been abused, been unable to stand up for themselves, or somehow failed in their role as a male, husband, or father.
Most men suffer because they have they are afraid to be embarrassed at church.
Their religious beliefs dictate that they stay or their self-worth is so low that they feel this abusive relationship is all they deserve.
Many men worry they’ll have difficulty being believed by the authorities, or that their abuse will be minimized because they’re male, or find there are few resources to specifically help abused men.
The tragedy to this is that many men are in denial. Just as with female domestic violence victims, denying that there is a problem in their relationship will only prolong the abuse. They may still love their partner when they’re not being abusive and believe that they will change or that they can help them.
In all these abused situations it is the children who suffer the most. The abused men worry that if they leave, their spouse will harm their children or prevent them from having access to them.
Obtaining custody of children is always challenging for fathers, but even if they are confident that they can do so, they may still feel overwhelmed at the prospect of raising them alone.”
He added that many men leave in perpetual bondage.
“Women have become monsters and break their families and many hearts along the way.
Because these women are bread winners their parents will always support them. They will never correct them. The “Ane mari ndiye mukuru” syndrome meaning the one who has money is believed has destroyed the institution of marriage.
Vazet2000@yahoo.co.uk
Govt Directs Schools To Begin Online Lessons
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s minister of Primary and Secondary Education Ambassador Cain Mathema has directed schools to start conducting lessons online amid teachers’ protests over poor salaries.
Mathema made the remarks after his presentation on the role of education in nation-building and development at the Zimbabwe National Defence University.
He said:
Once you have online learning, it means the child has to be assisted at home. I cannot accept that public schools at this moment do not have online learning facilities, there is absolutely no reason at all. Each school has enough land for commercial activity.
Commenting on reports that over 400 learners have dropped out of school due to pregnancy or illnesses and that videos of learners exhibiting naughty behaviours, he said schools, communities, and parents or guardians should partner to help in the upbringing of children.
Teachers have not returned to works since the reopening of schools for writing classes on the 28th of October and are adamant they will not go to work until the government has restored their 2018 salaries.
They are currently earning an equivalent of US$30 on average down from about US$500 in 2018.
The teachers say they are incapacitated to execute their duties and responsibilities as their salaries are way too low and also considering that Zimbabwe is an inflationary economy.
Mathema also speaks when the issue of electronic learning has since caused divisions amongst stakeholders with some saying the government should first close the digital divide between urban and rural schools.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions has advised that schools should be closed in light of the absence of teachers in schools.-statemedia
“Banking Sector Deposits Increased By ZW$1.4b”: RBZ
By A Correspondent- The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has reported that Banking sector deposits at the central bank increased by ZW$1.4 billion, while currency issued increased by ZW$69.5 million.
This resulted in reserve money rising by ZW$1.1 billion, to ZW$15.4 billion over the week ending 9 October 2020.
Government deposits at the Central Bank declined by ZW$1.7 billion, which had the impact of injecting liquidity at banks, thus contributing to the increase in reserve money during the week under review.
Matabeleland Has Always Provided Tested Leadership For The Country At Critical Moments – Opinion
By Mthulisi Hanana
Matebeleland had in the past always provided leadership at critical moments in the history of this country. This dates back to the inception of the Ndebele state, to resistance to colonialism, to Queen Lozikeyi reign, to early Nationalist Movements, to the mighty ZPRA right up to the formation of the MDC. I am of the opinion that one of the gravest mistakes of the MDC was the 2005 split that robbed the MDC of great minds of Welshman Ncube, David Coltart, Gibson Sibanda, Fletcher Dulini, Paul Themba, and many others. I am in no way implying that Matebeleland leaders are superior to leaders from other regions but raising the point that Matebeleland leaders are as up to the task as everybody else. There is need therefore, to have leaders from the region fighting for space, supported, acknowledged and recognised.
Since the Mugabe reign, from the 1980 ethnic census disguised as elections to date, leaders from the region seem to have been relegated to novices in the context of national political discourse. This has continues even to date.
Activists from Matebeleland are the latest victims of Hararerisation of the struggle. This is not only done by Harare but it is perpetuated by some within the region. I try and explain how this is so in this article. Please note that these are personal observations.
- Battle for Prominence in Matebeleland (the next Joshua Nkomo)
There seems to be a behind the scenes of who is the legitimate Matebeleland leader or who will replace Joshua Nkomo. This has been the greatest undoing for our people. It is the most divisive aspect of our collective struggles. It results in local leadership not complimenting each other but competing against each other. Some amongst us are quick to partner with Harare so as to be pseudo representatives of Matebeleland in Harare platforms. Our collective ability to bargain or even bring local issues to the national table is thoroughly undermined in the process.
- Lack of Solidarity
I don’t know why but there seems to be limited solidarity around local activists. I remember when Josphat Mzaca Ngulube was detained and eventually sentenced to 7 years in prison, there was never a hashtag for him. However when our counterparts in Harare are persecuted we are all seen in the I stand with so and so and Free so and so hashtags. Our people from the region will tell you that they don’t know you or you are not big enough. What lame excuses. At worst they will tell you they don’t know what we stand for. Currently, we have Nigel Ndlovu, Lillian and Nyasha going to court. They give updates about their case. Generally, none cares. Mzingaye Thaka a 20 year old was arrested. He did not trend but Ngadziore is trending. We just need to stand with ours, tell their story till it gets the attention at national level.
- Skepticism
Somehow, our people are skeptical about each other. I remember when the state broke into my house I called alot of people that night. One of our respected activists asked me to prove that I am not making everything up. I couldn’t believe my ears. I call you at 2am and you ask me to prove that my life is under threat. What madness! Alot of our cadres now opt to suffer in silence. This is because each time they call for help, our own people are quick to say ‘sebedinga imali, relevance, clout, visas or attention’. Sadly this narrative seems to be touted by those amongst us against us and rarely in reference to Hararians.
- Lack of Media Coverage.
Media plays a key role in any struggle. It is thus prudent that we give our activists as much media coverage as possible. Even social media is a good tool. Retweet their story, share in WhatsApp groups and everywhere else. Sadly, our people want to tell our story when we die or are harmed. Should you escape, your story is not Newsworthy. Some activists have been in hiding since July, they have lost jobs and means of survival. They now survive on handouts. Before they can be helped, there is need that they prove their story. The fastest way of doing so is by googling their name or checking if it was reported by anyone, especially known local media. Many a times, Matebeleland Activists are not covered in the media. I was shocked when I checked how many times my story, reported by International media, was reported by local media. Bulawayo 24 has been our shining light in this regard. Once media does not cover us, we become low hanging fruits for the state. When I felt unsafe, I decided to grow my Twitter account. I moved from 300 in May to 5000 currently. It helps. Otherwise I would have remained relatively unknown.
- Poor political Organisation.
The other haranguing factor of our struggle in the region is that locally led political parties are not visible on the ground (except MRP). As a result when activists speak on issues the politicians feel undermined or threatened. As such they don’t embrace us. They castigate us. Should we get into trouble for speaking out, they celebrate. Actually, when the state eliminates activists, it is to the advantage of these political parties. They don’t offer any support or solidarity to local Activists. Even if we ask for support, they don’t mince their words. We are not one of them, they say. On the other hand MDC Alliance seems to embrace everyone. Whether it is sincere or not is secondary. I for one have Nelson Chamisa checking on me every week. I am not a member of his party but he calls or sends a WhatsApp message just to check if am okay. I saw Job Sikhala checking on Mduduzi Mathuthu the other day. Where are our own leaders. Our own political leaders are quiet. We meet them by chance when the threat has subsided only for them to say ‘Ngezwa mntanami. Selinjani kodwa’ At worst I have been offered assistance on condition that I join a certain political party. Imagine. Our political parties must learn to stand with local Activists
- The being used tag
Our people don’t trust us. Everytime we rise and speak, they are the first to say Harare is using us. This is an insult to my Revolutionary Resolve. Are they saying people from our region have no capacity to speak out against injustice without being influenced by Harare? For instance, I designed and distributed #ZanuPfMustGo masks without a Harare partnership but our people felt that I was being used by Harare. As a result of this Kusetshenziswa tag, we don’t get help in the day of trouble as the expectation is that our Harare Handlers are taking care of us
- The struggle is in Harare
There is a general notion that the struggle is in Harare and Harare Activists are superior. All rapid response mechanisms seem to be in Harare. Local Activists have to report to some Harare person who has never heard of them. We need to submit resumés as we are relatively unknown. I remember Mduduzi Mathuthu complaining after being sent a rookie lawyer by ZLHR. Josphat has in the past raised the same concern. Somehow the ‘real fighters’ are in Harare, thina singabakhaphi, we are the bridal train. I remember Fadzai Mahere querying Thandekile Moyo credentials in the Activism trenches. By marching one day she felt qualified to castigate someone who has been in the trenches longer simply because she had not seen her in Harare. What is saddening is that our own Harare is Laker loyalists did not defend Thandekile from Fadzai. This must change. Zimbabwe is not Harare.
- Limited Resources
Our people, tempestuous as we are, seem not to have mechanisms to meaningfully stand with their Activists. There is no emergency fund on standby, no safe houses and no mechanisms to assist and alert the world of the persecution of our people. This is normal judging our context. What is abnormal is that we are then refered to as Sellouts once we get help from elsewhere or decide to abandon the struggle due to lack of support. We are expected to be content and consoled by words like ‘istruggle sinjalo’ when our children are hungry. Our people are comfortable with a self sustained cadre who also funds the struggle. Should you ask them to meaningfully and materially support those in the trenches they are quick to say the struggle is voluntary.
- The Tribal Card
It seems once one is from Matebeleland, there is a notion that they are tribal. We continuously have to explain how the Matebeleland struggle is a national struggle. We are viewed as tribalists with a Ndebele supremacist agenda. We are not trusted. We are isolated. This is regardless of the fact that all this is not true. Our Harare counterparts are quick to push this narrative to elbow us from the national context and to alienate us from the people
It’s hard to be an Activist in Matebeleland
Mthulisi Hanana is a political activist and Human Rights Defender from Matebeleland. He is currently is exile. He believes that the people of Zimbabwe must do whatever is necessary to get their freedom from Zanu Pf.
Linda Masarira Takes Commissioner General Godwin Matanga Head-on On Police Brutality
Linda Masarira, a Zimbabwean politician and current president of the Labour, Economists and African Democrats party (LEAD) has written an open letter to Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga complaining about police brutality on a senior citizen. Below is the letter.
16 October 2020
Dear CG Matanga,
It is with pain in my heart that I write this letter to you, after learning of the harassment by the police of an elderly woman Editor Mavaza aged 65 residing in Glen View.
The background of the story is that last month in September Editor Mavaza was assaulted by her tenant who is lodging at her house 7988 28th Road Glen View area 8, Harare.
She was assaulted after asking the tenant to vacate her house after 3 months notice had lapsed. The police did not arrest the tenant after she had made a report at ZRP Glen View.
The officer at ZRP Makomva Post in Glenview threatened the complainant and sent her back home where the lodger had remained. The lodger had systematically and continually harassed this old woman taking advantage that she is a widow and her two adult boys died within six months of each other due to unnatural causes.
The tenant refused to pay the outstanding rentals and for the current month of October and is still staying at the house. Out of frustration, the home-owner decided to remove the door of the room which the lodger was using and he reported to the police leading to the arrest of Editor Mavaza.
She was arrested and charged with unlawful eviction of a lodger. Despite the clear fact that the law does not recognise the removal of a door as a crime the police harassed Editor insulted her. One lady police officer told her that if she does not cooperate with the lodger she will rot in cells.
The police denied Editor Mavaza her right to contact her lawyer and access to food and her medication.
Commissioner-General, this woman is a senior citizen who has been harassed by law enforcement agents, denied medication and food, a right to fair trial and was released yesterday without a charge.
The police in order to cover up they told the complainant to make a withdrawal to legitimise their detention of this old lady.
The reason why I am engaging your office, is that it is not the first time that women house owners have approached me for assistance in similar matters in Harare.
The cases are similar in nature where ZRP officials take sides and deny women the right to a fair trial and justice.
In this case, when she reported the assault case it was ignored and that is an issue of gender-based violence which all organs of the state should condemn without fear or favour.
Commissioner General, the detention of Editor Mavaza was unlawful and vindictive. The police used cells to force the poor old lady to allow the abusive lodger to stay at her house where he is not paying rent. The lodger is actually boasting that the police are in his pocket and he will do things his way.
My pain Commissioner-General is that the actions of the police stinks of corruption and I am humbly asking you to institute investigations of all involved officers.
Furthermore, the charge did not warrant a detention denial including being denied her medication and refusal to avail the poor lady to see her lawyer.
I know that you are a man who does not tolerate corruption and abuse of police powers. Please look into this matter and bring justice to this poor old lady.
I have decided to take this case to you for assistance.
Women’s rights are human rights. In anticipation of a favourable response I remain,
Linda Masarira
Abednico Bhebhe Exposes Thokozani Khupe And Morgen Komichi Fraud On Party Funds As MDC-T 2014 Begins To Crumble Ahead Of Congress
Paul Nyathi
Normally straight talking MDC-T 2014 National Organising Secretary Abednico Bhebhe has burst out revealing that party President Thokozani Khupe and National Chairman Morgen Komichi misused over $7 million of the party funds.
Bhebhe made the sensational claims in an affidavit he deposited at the High Court in a court case where two party members are demanding the party leaders to volunteer critical information about the party to its members ahead of a special Congress to elect an heir to late founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
The two party members leading the case are Gilbert Kagodora and Nason Mamuse.
MDC-T is the 1st Respondent, Khupe, Komichi and Bhebhe are 2nd, 3rd and 4th Respondents respectively.
“1st Respondent (MDC-T) opened and now operates books of accounts without reference whatsoever to the National Executive as is required by the constitution,” said Bhebhe.
“In fact, 1st Respondent received from the Government of Zimbabwe, under the Political Finances Act, whooping Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Zimbabwean dollars which 2nd (Khupe) and 3rd (Komichi) Respondents wiped clean outside the mandate and framework of 1st Respondent’s constitution.”
Bhebhe also revealed that Khupe and Komichi had refused to listen to him when he advised them to organise a proper national executive committee meeting as directed by the party constitution.
“In fact, as late as Thursday the 8th of October 2020, in the course of a sitting of 1st Respondent’s National Standing Committee, a subcommittee of the National Executive, I reiterated for the umpteenth time to 2nd and 3rd Respondents the need to convene a National Executive and/or National Council meeting,” he said.
“I must acknowledge though a sorry attempt by 2nd Respondent to hold a virtual National Council meeting, sometime on the 9th of May 2020.
“2nd Respondent directed the holding of a National Council meeting on the WhatsApp platform.
“In my capacity as the National Organising Secretary, I created a WhatsApp group on the 3rd of May 2020 with a membership of just about One Hundred Fifty (150) members of the 2014 structures and in which I was the Administrator with full benefits.
“Shortly after commencement of the virtual National Council meeting, after Douglas Mwonzora cited in the 1st Applicant’s founding affidavit had posted the agenda, there was an en mass departure of some members exiting the WhatsApp group one after another.
“Shortly thereafter, my number was added (as an ordinary backbencher) to a new WhatsApp group at which something with the semblance of a meeting seemed to be starting or continuing.”
Bhebhe added, “I noticed that 3rd Respondent was the co-administrator of the said WhatsApp group, sharing administration benefits with a Mr Phugeni, some lanky tall fellow well known to me as a member of the National Executive.
“I confronted 2nd and 3rd Respondents about the new arrangement and voiced my dissatisfaction there and then, before exiting shortly after my pleas that the meeting be properly constituted if it is to be considered a sitting of the National Council were ignored.
“I am not surprised, in light of the foregoing, that 1st and 2nd Applicants are before this Honourable Court.”
The former opposition legislator went on to say that Khupe has failed to adhere to the 30 March Supreme Court judgment which nullified the appointment of Nelson Chamisa as MDC leader, ordering the party to hold an extraordinary congress, using the 2014 structures.
Bhebhe said both Khupe and Komichi were disregarding the MDC-T constitution, abusing the National Standing Committee to pass “dubious” decisions such as firing elected officials and members of the 2014 party structures without due process.
“Leave My Children Alone” – Jacob Zuma tells Zondo commission
Citizen
Former South African President Jacob Zuma at the State Capture Commission in Parktown, 16 July 2019. Picture Neil McCartney
‘My opponents have now decided to target my children and this is where I draw the line and state that this harassment of my children is a declaration of war.’
Former president Jacob Zuma has penned yet another scathing letter to the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, the media, law enforcement agencies and banks to leave his children out of any investigation on him.
“I am pleading with our law enforcement agencies, our media, the banks and more particularly the investigators of the commission, to leave my children out of their brief to scapegoat and punish me in order to conceal the crimes of the powerful. My children were not in government and should not be dragged into battles designed to destroy me,” said the former president.
Zuma’s statement follows a Sunday Times article which alleged “the Zondo commission on state capture is set to rip the veil of secrecy off thousands of potentially dodgy financial transactions linked to former president Jacob Zuma, his family and his secretive education trust.”
The publication claimed to have seen subpoenas relating to at least 20 accounts linked to Zuma’s family, “including a TV production company that produces an SABC1 soapie, Uzalo”.
But the former president claimed in his statement that his children had not been notified by the commission.
“If they have become subjects of any investigation by the commission, they should be notified just like any other implicated person so that they can exercise their rights like any other implicated person. So far, they have not been served with any notices indicating that they are in any way implicated by any witness selected by the commission,” he said.
Also read: Zuma Foundation accuses Zondo of trying to humiliate JZ
Zuma has pleaded with the commission to leave his children alone, and said he was the one central to its investigation, not his family.
“I have indeed accepted that the commission is desperate to deliver me for what is alleged to be my role in what is called state capture as it cannot complete this commission without lynching the original target of those who conceptualised the commission as a part of the campaigns to discredit me,” he said.
“However, I condemn as utter cowardice the attempts to target my children by way of clandestine investigations into matters that have nothing to do with them. My children live their lives separately and must be treated like any child or person that has not been implicated in any wrongdoing.”
He said the alleged harassment of his children was “the height of barbarism” and further vowed to fight it.
“My opponents have now decided to target my children and this is where I draw the line and state that this harassment of my children is a declaration of war. The system has crossed the line and I will fight it with all I have.”
Read his statement below:
View gallery (2)
The commission has issued a subpoena against the former president to appear before the commission at 10am on 16 November.
Failure to comply with a directive of the chairperson, without sufficient cause is a “criminal offence”, chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, said last week.
This comes after Zondo said last month that he would not negotiate with Zuma and his legal team on the dates that the former president should testify at the commission.
Zuma had failed to appeared before the commission as the former president was preparing for his arms deal court matter, according to a letter by his lawyers
Nurses Acquitted For Demonstrating Over Poor Salaries
MBARE Magistrate Shelly Zvenyika on Thursday 15 October 2020 acquitted 11 nurses who had been on trial after they were arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers in July and charged with contravening some national lockdown regulations during a protest over poor salaries and working conditions.
Magistrate Zvenyika acquitted the 11 nurses at the close of the prosecution case after their lawyers Tinashe Chinopfukutwa and Rudo Bere of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights applied for them to be discharged arguing that the nurses had not committed an offence warranting them to be prosecuted.
The 11 nurses namely Ndadyei Gudza, Raikai Chibharo, Moses Sigauke,
Michelle Magonye, Kumbirai Maiswa, Trish Chireka, Nyasha Kapesi,
Evermay Chikoka, Lucas Sharara, Samson Gurupira and Laiza Magwizi, whose trial commenced on Tuesday 29 September 2020, were arrested on Monday 6 July 2020 and charged with participating or convening a gathering knowing that such a gathering is prohibited in terms of section 5(3)(a) of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020 Public Health (COVID 19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment Regulations) National Lockdown) Order, 2020.
During trial, prosecutors told Magistrate Zvenyika that the nurses contravened national lockdown regulations when they allegedly gathered at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare on Monday 6 July 2020 for a feedback meeting convened over a litany of grievances against government which is their employer.
The nurses who are employed at various medical centres including Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Chitungwiza Central Hospital and Sally Mugabe Central Hospital were accused of being part of about 100 people who gathered at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital intending to stage a demonstration and proceeded to sing protest songs and waved some placards in contravention of national lockdown regulations.
Sigauke, who is one of the nurses acquitted on Thursday 15 October 2020 returns to court on Monday 26 October 2020 for commencement of his trial on a charge of incitement as defined in section 187 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, after he allegedly recorded a video while in police detention on Monday 6 July 2020 at Mbare Police Station and posted it on Facebook encouraging other nurses to come and join the detained nurses in demonstrating at Mbare Police Station.
The state alleged that Sigauke posted a message on Facebook which reads; “Ngatingouya tizadze camp tese tiite demo yedu tiri mu camp. Handiti ndimo munonzi muri illegal,” which if loosely translated means; “Let’s all gather at the police station and stage our demonstration.”
By posting such a message, prosecutors charged that Sigauke had incited nurses to gather at Mbare Police Station and demonstrate and cause violence.
zlhr
Pakistani Cricket Board Vows It Will Not Pay Zim Players Even A Cent In Upcoming Tour
Just three days before the Zimbabwe cricket team is scheduled to touch down in Islamabad for a three ODI and three T20I series, the Pakistan Cricket Board reiterated it has not paid any extra money to the visitors to undertake the FTP tour as was the case with them in 2015.
“The PCB paid Zimbabwe, a World XI and West Indies players between 2015 and 2018. We believe that was the right move then and was done to build confidence in the visiting players, the cricket boards and to help revive cricket in Pakistan.
“However, the PCB has moved on very quickly from this. It is now focusing on building, developing and strengthening trust, confidence and credibility in the eyes of the cricketing world,” PCB chief executive officer, Wasim Khan told the Associated Press of Pakistan in an exclusive interview here on Sunday.
“The need to entice international players to Pakistan by offering handsome financial rewards is now firmly behind us. Instead, the PCB will invest these valuable funds into our women’s cricket, upgrading our infrastructure, improving domestic and international player contracts and developing world-class coach education programmes,” Wasim, a former first-class cricketer and a Warwick Business School graduate, said.
The PCB reportedly paid USD12,500 to each Zimbabwe player in 2015, while each member of the World XI received up to USD100,000 in 2017.
The PCB also paid the West Indies side in access of USD250,000 in 2018 to play three T20Is in Karachi. In addition, the ICC paid an independent security firm US$1.2million over three years as part of its contribution for the resumption of cricket in Pakistan.
In 2014, the PCB had announced it will play India in six bilateral series from 2015 and 2023. However, it turned out to be a disaster as the PCB ended up paying around USD1.6 million as compensation to the BCCI after losing a battle in the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee, which was 60 per cent of the legal cost.
“The return of Test cricket after 10 years was underpinned by the visits of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh respectively, while additionally, an MCC team toured Lahore after 48 years.
“Furthermore, the delivery of 30 matches of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 at four Pakistan venues, which included 37 foreign players after nearly 425 players had expressed their interest, further evidenced that our country is as safe and as secure as any place in the world.
Bosnia sentences former Serb commander over genocide
“The England and Wales Cricket Board’s positive intent of visiting Pakistan for a short three T20I series in January 2021 is a clear indictor that after the 2019-2020 season, international teams can feel a real level of confidence coming to Pakistan, fully aware that our safety and security provisions are robust and our hospitality remains second to none,” said Wasim.
On the series against India, the former Leicestershire County Cricket Club chief executive reiterated the PCB had now moved on from the never-ending discussion about whether India will play Pakistan.
“Unlike many boards who need to play India from a financial perspective, the PCB has taken an unprecedented and unique step of signing a ground-breaking domestic US$200million deal with PTV Sports and I-Media Communications Services. This will see all home internationals, domestic, women’s and age-group cricket being shown on PTV Sports for, at least, the next three years.
“As well as the commercial value of Pakistan versus India matches in ICC tournaments, everyone is aware of the value of bilateral cricket between both nations.
CPEC strong pillar of Pak-China all weather friendship: Ambassador Haque
However, just as importantly, from a purely cricketing perspective, fans around the world will continue to be deprived of watching and following what is arguably the fiercest rivalry in world sport.
“Instead of dwelling on the fact that before it can play Pakistan, the BCCI has to seek permission from its government that demonstrates polarizing policies and anti-Pakistan rhetoric, the PCB remains highly focused on what lies ahead.
“We have home series against Zimbabwe, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and England in the next two years. These series will surely will provide the cricket fans and followers plenty of quality cricket, thrill and excitement, which will be extremely pleasing and satisfying for us as PCB” concluded the 49-year-old who had joined the PCB in February 2019 on a three-year contract.
“Go And Live In Peace,” Court Tells Husband And Wife Who Have Been Denying Each Other Conjugal Rights For Three Years
A Mutare nurse stands accused of denying her husband his conjugal rights for the past three years and spitting on his face each time he asks for them.
Jairos Mamvura recently let the cat out of the bag as he begged the court for an official separation from his wife Molly Mamvura.
However, Mutare magistrate Ms Notebulgar Muchineripi told Jairos that she could neither separate nor keep them together.
Ms Muchineripi, however, granted a protection order in Molly’s favour as she had approached the courts saying Jairos is violent.
In response, Jairos said he loses his marbles as his wife has been denying him his conjugal rights for the past three years.
“I need a separation. This is not a marriage. I am being denied my rights in the bedroom. She should respect me as her husband and entertain me in the bedroom. She actually spits in my face, telling me that she will not sleep with me. It has been three years since we last became intimate. On our way here, she spit on my face. What kind of wife is she?” he said.
Jairos also begged the court to order Molly to stop attending to her patients at their matrimonial home. “She is a nurse and has converted our house into a backyard surgery. She attends to her patients in the presence of our children. Maybe the court has the power to stop her from doing that as I have failed. She should not treat her patients at home. Our home is not a surgery and she is not a doctor,” said Jairos.
Molly confirmed that she has been denying her husband his conjugal rights, adding that she will never be intimate with him for as long as he continues making her his punching bag.
“He is very violent and is always assaulting me. After assaulting me, he expects me to sleep with him. Not in this world will I entertain an abusive husband in bed. I also need that separation if that is what he wants. Maybe it is time for us to part ways because we haven’t been a real family for too long,” she said.
Molly also revealed that Jairos has not been coming home for a while now. Ms Muchineripi granted a protection order in Molly favour. The order bars Jairos from breaching his wife’s peace. She went on to remind the couple that she is not a divorce magistrate. “My duty is to see that there is peace between the two of you. This is not a divorce or separation order that I am granting to Molly. Go and live in peace,” said Ms Muchineripi.
Man Axes Aunty To Death Over A Missing Lucky Charm
NewsDay
POLICE in Mutoko, Mashonaland East province have arrested a 23-year-old man who allegedly axed his aunt to death, accusing her of misplacing his talisman.
Piniel Tinomuda, of village 43 Hoyuyu, is also facing another charge of attempted murder after he also struck his grandmother, Benhilda Nyarambi (81), with an axe over the same issue.
The body of the deceased, Lizzie Madende (59), has since been conveyed to Murewa Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem, while Nyarambi is battling for her life at Mutoko District Hospital.
Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed both incidents.
“It is disheartening to report the death of the victim through such a gruesome way. It is also disturbing to note that the accused person took the law into his own hands and critically injured another victim,” he said.
“Violence should not permeate our communities to such an extent. The public should respect the sanctity of life and resolve any misunderstandings amicably. The suspect will be taken to court soon on murder and attempted murder charges.”
It is reported that on Tuesday at around 8pm, Madende was at her residence with other family members, including the suspect.
Tinomuda reportedly accused Madende for misplacing his talisman which he kept in an old tyre behind his bedroom.
The suspect became violent, drew an axe from his bedroom and struck Madende on the head twice, killing her on the spot.
Nyarambi reportedly pleaded with the suspect to stop axing his aunt. He then turned and struck her twice on the neck and arm.
Nyarambi fell down and became unconscious.
After realising that he had committed a heinous crime, Tinomuda fled and hid in a nearby mountain.
A report was made at Janhi Police Base, who launched a manhunt and arrested him.
Kazembe Kazembe Deploys State Security To Monitor Social And Online Media Due To “Upsurge In Fake News.”
Security services are redoubling efforts to fight violent crime and corruption and want the public to help by reporting suspicious behaviour.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe yesterday said violent crime, corruption and the abuse of social and other media, and the resulting upsurge in fake news reports remained high on the law enforcement agenda.
In his statement, Minister Kazembe urged citizens to be on the guard against criminals and report suspicious behaviour wherever it manifested.
“With regards to violent crime, the security services have gone a gear up to sharpen the identification, tracing, apprehending and presenting for prosecution of all suspects implicated in violent crime in the country,” he said.
This comes after a series of incidents in recent weeks where police exchanged gunfire with criminals with several people, including security personnel, dying in gun battles.
Last month in Chivhu, two suspected criminals killed a soldier and fled with two AK-47 rifles while soldiers were also badly injured in a shoot-out with the thugs. But after a smart operation mounted by the security forces, the two suspects were tracked down and killed a day after killing the soldier.
This week, an armed gang attacked the Mt Pleasant home of Lieutenant-General (Retired) Engelbert Rugeje where a suspected criminal was killed.
On Thursday, another suspected criminal was killed by police in a gunfight after he had been holed up with hostages in a stand-off that lasted 14 hours in Beitbridge. The suspect was on the police wanted list in connection with several armed robberies.
On corruption, Minister Kazembe said citizens must play an active role in reporting cases and help in the identification and location of suspects.
“Corruption remains a cancer that gnaws slowly against our thrust as a nation towards the Vision 2030 trajectory set out by His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa. The law enforcement agencies are rebounding their efforts to tackle the scourge, working in concert with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and the Special Anti-Corruption Unit in the Office of the President and Cabinet.”
Minister Kazembe said authorities were also seized with securing the return of fugitives from justice that were scattered in various parts of the globe.
Zimbabwe was renowned for its fair justice system which meant the courts would clear innocent suspects and convict the guilty.
“As law enforcement agencies, our role is to bring suspects to justice, then the normal procedures take effect. We urge the suspects to do themselves a favour by voluntarily returning to clear their names if they are innocent.”
“The abuse of social media and the scourge of fake reportage, which are often motivated by subversive intentions, will remain closely monitored to protect peace and stability in the country. They are trying to subvert our economic revival efforts,” said Minister Kazembe.
He said peace and stability were needed in the country’s quest to attain an upper middle income society by 2030.
“The peace and stability in Zimbabwe is what guarantees and secures the path to the attainment of Vision 2030, which we must all rally behind.”
“I call upon all peace-loving citizens to play their part in this journey and help fight violent crime, corruption and subversion spearheaded by malcontents whose only mission is to try to grab power unconstitutionally and violently for their own personal greed purposes and against the dictates of our democracy and constitutionalism.”
Mthuli Ncube Says Government Is Paying Civil Servants Very Well And Assures Them A Bonus Next Month
State Media
Civil servants have been reassured that they will get this year’s bonuses next month, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said yesterday.
In an interview with state media, Prof Ncube said: “Since we came in as the New Dispensation, we have not failed to pay the civil servants their normal salaries on time.
“Secondly, we have not failed to pay them their bonus on time, so there should be no question about that. We will pay their normal bonus, and of late of course, we have been negotiating with civil servants.
“They are receiving the 40 percent adjustment to their core salary and we are continuing with the US$75 payment per month under the Covid-19 allowance.
That is carrying on and health sector workers are getting a further top-up being for those that are in the frontline in terms of Covid-19.”
Prof Ncube said for the health sector, there was a four-tier system, with the first tier earning $6 000, the next tier about $3 750, the other tier about $2 500 and the last tier about $1 500.
This is in addition to the 40 percent adjustment and US$75 payment per month, which is now converted to the local currency on the prevailing exchange rate.
Prof Ncube said the 13th cheque will be paid next month.
Commissioner General Godwin Matanga Promises To Thoroughly Deal With Police Officers Who Fired Teargas Into A Bus
Seven police officers who threw teargas canisters onto a bus full of passengers at the Harare Exhibition Park will be charged under the Police Act, Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga has said.
Passengers that were in the bus were forced to jump through the windows onto the tarmac to escape the tear smoke.
The seven police officers, who were arrested after the incident, had wanted to arrest the bus driver because he had a Class 2 driver’s licence instead of a Class 1 required to drive buses.
Comm-Gen Matanga said the officers erred and will be charged for their actions.
“We have arrested the seven officers in connection with the incident, which occurred at the Harare Agricultural Show grounds,” he said. “We are going to charge them under the Police Act.
“The officers who are carrying out the investigations are the ones who are going to pick the appropriate charge from the Police Act. As far as I am concerned, I can generally say they performed their duty improperly.
“I run my office guided by an Act of Parliament, that is the Police Act.”
Comm-Gen Matanga said appropriate legal frameworks will be evoked when charging the officers.
Tear smoke is usually used to disperse crowds that would have turned violent, but it is not clear why the officers decided to throw the canisters onto the bus.
Meanwhile, the police have been allowed to recruit 1 000 more officers, with the last recruitment having been done in 2018.
Comm-Gen Matanga confirmed the development, but said they will recruit when it is safe to do so.
“As we speak right now, I have got authority from the Police Service Commission, through the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage to recruit 1 000 men and women for the year 2020,” he said.
“But right now I have not done so because of the Covid-19 pandemic. We will wait until such a time the situation allows us to do so.”
Mthuli Ncube Says Zimbabweans Will Be All Smiles Next Year As He Promises An Economic Boom
State Media
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube says that the country is set for a financial boom next year besides reduction in Zimbabwe’s gross domestic product this year of minus 4,5 percent which he attributed to the Covid-19 scourge.
“In 2021, the economy is predicted to recover from a projected contraction of -4,5 percent in 2020 to a growth of 7,4 percent, driven by consumption (2,6 percent) and investment (5,8 percent) improvements,” said Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube yesterday.
Launching the 2021 Budget Strategy Paper in Harare, a document expected to guide wider consultations on the upcoming 2021 National Budget, the Minister said: “The recovery in consumption is mainly anchored on expected stabilisation of inflation through ongoing policy interventions which should aid restoration of purchasing power of consumers.
“Employers including Government will continue to review wages and salaries in line with inflation developments and budget capacity to restore eroded incomes as the economy recovers.”
The 2021 Budget Strategy Paper marks the transition from the Transitional Stabilisation Programme, which is coming to an end this December, paving way for the longer term National Development Strategy from 2021-2025.
The 2021 Budget Strategy Paper is themed “Building Resilience and Economic Recovery Post Covid-19”.
“Government is launching the 2021 Budget Strategy Paper (BSP) in line with the New Dispensation’s commitment of ensuring broader stakeholder involvement in policy formulation processes, that way generating effective public participation in policy and programmes implementation,” said the Minister.
“Accordingly, the 2021 Budget Strategy Paper (BSP) constitutes a valuable tool, meant to guide consultative discussions and sharing of ideas on national priority policies, programmes and projects for the forthcoming 2021 National Budget,” reads part of the document.
“Under the theme “Building Resilience and Economic Recovery Post-Covid-19”, the Budget Strategy Paper focusses on strengthening the economy to withstand any potential climatic (drought, cyclones, floods, pests) and macro-economic shocks, as we focus on attaining inclusive and sustainable growth towards Vision 2030.”
Monthly inflation is now falling to almost trivial levels and this will be seen in revised annual inflation predictions with the 12-month rate by year-end now expected to be 134 percent, down from the initial prediction of 300 percent.
This is a result of the high monthly inflation recorded in the last five months of last year fall out of the calculation to be replaced by trivial monthly rates already seen and predicted for the rest of this year.
Annual inflation measures the rise in the cost of living over the previous 12 months. With monthly inflation rising steadily from February last year until July this year, when it peaked at 35 percent, the running 12-month figure also rose in line with the monthly rates to a peak of around 837 percent.
But since the introduction of the foreign currency auction system, which has brought about macro-economic stability, high monthly figures from August and September last year have already been replaced by very low figures from the same two months this year, which in turn has seen the resulting annual inflation figures falling to almost 660 percent.
Even the 134 percent now predicted by year-end will be largely due to the rising monthly figures between February and July this year, after an anomalous very low January figure.
“The slowdown in inflation will be attributed to deepening of the foreign currency auction market which is expected to sustain exchange rate stability,” said the Minister.
“Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is also expected to continue to curtail growth in money supply, which is one of the major drivers of inflation.”
Prof Ncube said economic prospects for the coming year will be underpinned by “macro stability characterised by currency stability, declining annual inflation averaging 134 percent, and fiscal stability.”
The foreign currency auction system has brought about price stability as a good number of retailers and service providers are now utilising market-based pricing, and this is being reflected in recent inflation trends.
The stability has been predicated on the fiscal discipline of the Second Republic with Government living within its means, that is what it collects in taxes, instead of wild borrowing and then printing, in later years printing digitally, extra money and thus driving up money supply without corresponding increases in production.
The month-on-month inflation rate in September 2020 was 3,83 percent, reinforcing the dramatic fall seen in August, when it had fallen to 8,44 percent.
Zim Covid-19 Update As At 16 October 2020
Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) coronavirus situation report as of 16 October 2020:
New cases: 24
Locals: 24
Returnees: 0
Deaths: 0
Recoveries: 4
PCR Tests Done: 615
National Recovery Rate: 95%
Active Cases: 195
Total Cumulative Cases: 8099
Total Recoveries: 7673
Total Deaths: 231
LATEST- VP Chiwenga’s Son Says Dad’s A Thief And We’re Not Going Anywhere,
Below is a comment by a family friend of the Chiwengas, ‘ the prolific activist Setfree Mafukidze who says some of the things narrated by VP Chiwenga son, Kuda Blessing, to ZimEye, had already been shared with him before.
Says Mafukidze: This story makes me sad on many fronts.
” I have known Kuda Blessing Chiwenga since he was a small boy back in Marondera as he grew up at some point he looked up to me for advice and l also valued his own advice.
“Some of the contents here he shared with me at some point. ” – READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.
South African Police In Break-In Attempt At Zim Fugitive’s Rented House
By A Correspondent | ” I am not safe here. South African Police Services raided my former residence around 4:00 am and attempted to break into the house in search for me, ” announced the abducted MDC A Marondera candidate (2018 polls), Learnmore Magorimbo.
The development comes two weeks after Mr Magorimbo, who turns 25 today, was abducted, tortured, only to be rescued by passerbies in a Capetown location.
Ever since fleeing Zimbabwe after the January military crackdown,
Magorimbo has been on the run from ZANU PF assailants. On the 28th September him and his wife were allegedly abducted and tortured.
The abductors were two men and a woman who kidnapped the couple and drove to a nearby bank before taking them to an open area where he was stoned with a half brick, he narrates.
His wife was also assaulted and this only stopped when a group of people nearby walked over to see what was happening. (Below was his narration back then).
He reported the matter to the local police.
But two weeks the SAPS have descended into his rented property in Capetown, not to give him his highly awaited reference number, but allegedly to arrest him.
He tells ZimEye he “has no clue why this is being done to him.”
It is feared that many police officers in Capetown are also involved in armed robberies.
He was not at home at the time, and a female source narrates saying, “today police came over at around 5am, saying they are looking for sekuru.
” They said they are after Kumbi who was assaulted. We are not sure why they want him, because the manner they are searching for him is unusual, they appeared like he is guilty of something. “
The source continued saying, the police officers jumped the durawall and began banging the door as if they want to smash the door down. “
ZimEye was at the time of writing still making a follow up with the local police at Milnerton, Capetown.
Abducted MDC Alliance Candidate Raided By Police In South Africa
By A Correspondent | ” I am not safe here. South African Police Services raided my former residence around 4:00 am and attempted to break into the house in search for me, ” announced the abducted MDC A Marondera candidate (2018 polls), Learnmore Magorimbo.
The development comes two weeks after Mr Magorimbo, who turns 25 today, was abducted, tortured, only to be rescued by passerbies in a Capetown location.
Ever since fleeing Zimbabwe after the January military crackdown,
Magorimbo has been on the run from ZANU PF assailants. On the 28th Sept him and his wife were allegedly abducted and tortured.
The abductors were two men and a woman who kidnapped the couple and drove to a nearby bank before taking them to an open area where he was stoned with a half brick, he narrates. His wife was also assaulted and this only stopped when a group of people nearby walked over to see what was happening. (Below was his narration back then).
He reported the matter to the local police.
But two weeks the SAPS have descended into his rented property in Capetown, not to give him his highly awaited reference number, but allegedly to arrest him.
He tells ZimEye he “has no clue why this is being done to him.”
It is feared that many police officers in Capetown are also involved in armed robberies.
He was not at home at the time, and a female source narrates saying, “today police came over at around 5am, saying they are looking for sekuru.
” They said they are after Kumbi who was assaulted. We are not sure why they want him, because the manner they are searching for him is unusual, they appeared like he is guilty of something. “
The source continued saying, the police officers jumped the durawall and began banging the door as if they want to smash the door down. “
ZimEye was at the time of writing still making a follow up with the local police at Milnerton, Capetown.
Hwende Frustrated, Struggling To Get New Green Passport After Losing Diplomatic Privilege
By A Correspondent| MDC Alliance Secretary General Charlton Hwende is struggling to secure a new passport after his diplomatic passport was repossessed by Parliament following his recall.
Hwende was recalled by MDC-T following a Supreme Court ruling which handed power of the Labour backed movement to Dr Thokozani Khupe.
After the recall, Hwende and other legislators who were given diplomatic passports were asked to return them as they were deemed parliamentary privilege.
Now Hwende says he has been moving from one office to the other at Registrar General’s office without success, a process that seems to be frustrating him.
“I have been to the Registrar General’s office weekly for months now requesting my green passport and I have been sent from one office to another without success. I need to travel my Diplomatic Passport was cancelled but they now don’t want to give me my Ordinary Passport Back,” said Hwende.
UK: Black Men At Higher Risk Of Dying From COVID Than Whites – Stats
Black Men Highest At Risk Of Dying From COVID Than Whites Figures for England and Wales. Deaths between 2 March and 28 July. Grey area shows the confidence interval. Figures in horizontal axis in times.
Mnangagwa Still Fighting to Arrest Jonathan Moyo, Mzembi, Zhuwao And Kasukuwere
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has called all political fugitives to return home and face punishment before they face extradition.
In a statement, Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe said the government was seized with corruption-related matters.
He advised Zimbabweans who fled the country while they had unfinished cases in courts to come back and clear their names before they face extradition.
“Secondly, corruption remains cancer that gnaws slowly against our thrust as a nation towards the Vision 2030 trajectory set out by His Excellency, President E.D. Mnangagwa.
The law enforcement agencies are rebounding their efforts to tackle the scourge, working in concert with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and the Special Anti Corruption Unit in the Office of the President and Cabinet. Citizens must play an active role in reporting any acts of corruption they witness and should help law enforcement agencies to identify and locate the suspects.
“On a related matter, we are seized with securing the return of fugitives from justice that are scattered in various parts of the globe. Zimbabwe is renowned for its fair justice system which will afford all such fugitives the opportunity to return home and clear their names. As law enforcement agencies, our role is to bring suspects to justice, then the normal procedures take effect. We urge the suspects to do themselves a favor by voluntarily returning to clear their names if they are innocent,” Kazembe said.
The Government through the National Prosecuting Authority this week said it had formally approached South Africa to help extradite former Zanu PF Political Commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere.
Kasukuwere together with former cabinet ministers, Jonathan Moyo, Walter Mzembi, and Patrick Zhuwao fled the country in November 2017 after a military coup that ousted late former president Robert Mugabe.
Mnangagwa has been trying to extradite them but the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) in 2018 refused to cooperate with the government of Zimbabwe.
Interpol argued that the charges the former Zanu PF politicians faced were more political.
-Josey Mahachi
70-Year-Old Bulilima Man Drowns To Death While Fishing
A 70-YEAR-OLD man from Bulilima drowned while he was fishing in a dam.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred at Kariba Dam in Fairview Village on Tuesday at around 11AM.
He said Emmanuel Mudzingwa from Nketa 6 Suburb in Bulawayo was fishing at the dam in the company of others when he drowned.
“I can confirm that we recorded a case of drowning which occurred at Kariba Dam in Fairview Village. Emmanuel Mudzingwa was fishing with others when he caught a big fish which pulled the fishing line and drifted with it further into dam. Mudzingwa tried to pursue the fish by following the fishing line. He dived inside the dam and drowned after failing to swim.
“His peers tried to rescue him but failed. Mudzingwa’s body was retrieved from the dam and the matter was reported to the police who attended the scene,” he said.
Chief Insp Ndebele urged members of the public to be careful when around water bodies. He said a number of lives have been lost during fishing expeditions. Chief Insp Ndebele said now that the rainy season had started people should desist from attempting to cross flooded rivers.
-State Media
PICTURE: Is This Mnangagwa’s Handwriting
There is a letter circulating on social media purportedly written by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to Great Zimbabwe University Vice Chancellor Professor Rungano Zvobgo.
In the letter, Mnangagwa praises Zvobgo for building and developing the institution ‘brick by brick’ in what portrays him as merely a ceremonial Chancellor who is not involved in the running of the university.
Is this Mnangagwa’s handwriting?
Mnangagwa’s Ethiopian Military Advisor Named
By Farai D Hove | ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is getting military advice from Ethiopia’s former brutal dictator, a top former minister has hinted.
The development might explain the reign of terror that has seen over 25 people killed and more than 50 women raped during the first two years after the removal of former president Robert Mugabe.
Speaking on the day Mnangagwa’s regime announced it wants former G40 ministers to return to Zimbabwe and clear themselves, the former Foreign Affairs Minister during Robert Mugabe days, Eng Walter Mzembi hinted saying Mnangagwa has skeletons in his closet.
Mzembi’s colleague who is the former Local Government minister, Saviour Kasukuwere, scoffed at the calls to return home saying Mnangagwa wants to ,”clear us out of existence I guess!”
Mzembi wrote back responding to statements by Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe who yesterday said the G40 ministers must come back and clear their names.
On the other hand, Mzembi reacted saying:
“Did Mnangagwa come back to clear his name after he ran away to South Africa(?) Read his response letter when a similar invitation was issued to him!”
He continued saying:
“Zimbabwe Government has hosted Mengistu as its Military Advisor & REFUSED TO HAND HIM OVER since his deposition in 1991. Under his Red Terror reign up to 750000 people died, he was convicted in absentia in 2007/8 for his personal role in this. Ndapedza!
“I am not Mengistu have never killed even a goat in my life , disagreeing politically and not supporting the ascension of @edmnangagwa into office of President is not a crime , this should not result in framing of charges against opponents. Goodnight! “
Mengistu’s administration is alleged to have killed an estimated half a million people, including the country’s last emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie.
After the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) came to power, a court sentenced Mengistu to life in prison in absentia. Although the Ethiopian government requested his extradition in 2006, the late President Robert Mugabe reportedly refused to hand over the ex-leader, who was at the time his adviser on Ethiopia’s security affairs.
Nick Mangwana Blames Spike In Crime Rate to Released Prisoners From South African Jail
By A Correspondent| Information Secretary Nick Mangwana has blamed returning Zimbabweans from South African prisons who were released during the lockdown, for the recent spike in crime in the country.
This is despite the fact that some of the criminals involved in armed robberies being unmasked as either members of the military or police with some of them using AK47 guns commonly used by the state security.
“During Lockdown we had no option but accept over 500 hardcore criminals who were detained at Lindela Holding Facilities in South Africa because they were our citizens. The consequence is a spike in violent crime in our country but our Security Forces are up to the task,” said Mangwana.
Zimbabwe has witnessed a recent spike in armed robberies in major cities such as Harare and Bulawayo believed to be caused by the tight economic situation in the country.
Mnangagwa On Video: Make Sure You Run Down All MDC Councils And Kill Everything At Harvest House…
Do You Remember These Football Stars?
VIDEO: Is This Murehwa N’anga The Secret Brains Behind Tapiwa’s Murder?
Bitter Rivals Chiefs, Sundowns Clash In Season Opener
THE Premier Soccer League (PSL) released the 2020-21 DStv Premiership fixtures yesterday.
Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns, the two clubs that fought for the championship until the last minute of the previous season, will feature in the opening act of the DStv Premiership at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 24 October.
At the same time, Baroka FC will be at home against Maritzburg United at Peter Mokaba Stadium and Lamontville Golden Arrows will travel to the Free State to play Bloemfontein Celtic at Dr. Molemela Stadium.
At 1800, Cape Town City hosts Chippa United at Cape Town Stadium.
There are two matches at 2015: AmaZulu are at home against Orlando Pirates at Jonsson Kings Park while SuperSport United will be playing against Black Leopards at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
On Sunday, 25 October, Swallows FC will play their first match in the professional ranks since the 2014-15 season when they were relegated. They will travel to Stellenbosch to play Stellenbosch FC at Danie Craven Stadium at 1530.
In Thohoyandou at the same time, history will be made when both Tshakhuma FC and TS Galaxy play their first match in the top-flight league. — SuperSport
Zanu PF Tells Whites “To Shut Up” On Reforms
– madness, hurting blacks not whites
By Patrick Guramatunhu | One of the most offensive and exasperating things the white colonial oppressors did was to deny blacks their voice and their dignity. In the workplace blacks were called “boyi” and were expected to grovel before the whites, to show respect, and to do as they were told.
The print and electronic media was there to give the whites a voice. The few independent newspapers and magazines serving the blacks were expected to help keep Law and Order by not questioning the racial injustice.
And so such publications as Moto, a Roman Catholic Church backed magazine, were harassed and censored by the white regime for publishing strongly held views by blacks. The whites could not tolerate any black person who dared to think for themselves; they were considered radicals and dangerous.
In white ruled Rhodesia, blacks had no meaningful say in the governance of the country. They had no vote; period.
Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980 has brought an end to white colonial oppression but only to replace it with black ruling elite oppression. All pretence of Zimbabwe being a multi-party democracy completely evaporated with the signing of the Zanu PF and PF Zapu Unity Accord in 1987; merging the two parties to form the de facto one-party, Zanu PF, dictatorship.
Zanu PF assimilated the laws and practices designed to silence and oppress the blacks, lock, stock and barrel, and keep the white in power; only this time they were to keep the Zanu PF dictatorship in power.
In Zanu PF ruled Zimbabwe, blacks had a vote in theory but not in practice. Starting with the 1980 elections Zanu PF has blatantly cheated and used violence varying from subtle intimidation to beatings, rape and even cold-blooded murder to secure electoral victory. Zimbabwe has never ever held free, fair and credible elections.
The root cause of Zimbabwe’s economic mess is the failure to hold free and fair elections. The country has been stuck with a corrupt and incompetent Zanu PF regime for 40 years now. 40 years of gross mismanagement and rampant corruption have left the country in economic ruins and millions are now living in abject poverty.
The economic situation in Zimbabwe has reached alarming levels, unemployment has soared to 90% plus, basic services such as education and health care have all but collapsed. 34% of the population, according to WB 2019 report, were living in extreme poverty. The corona virus pandemic has made the health and economic situation even worse. The human suffering caused by the economic meltdown has become intolerable.
It is extremely annoying therefore that instead of the nation addressing the country’s economic mess and the underlying cause of rigged elections the nation being forced to discuss a side show.
“Zanu-PF takes strong exception to being lectured on issues of human rights by citizens of countries which perpetrated the brutalities accompanying the Atlantic African Slave Trade and colonial conquest of Africa, and who refuse to render apologies or pay reparations,” said Patrick Chinamasa, Zanu PF’s acting spokesperson.
“As a consequence of seeking to redress the brutalities that occurred in the colonisation of Zimbabwe, accompanied by dispossession of our land and brutal confiscation of livestock by colonialists, the country has suffered 20 years of naked bullying, economic isolation and severe sanctions regime by the former colonial powers now acting in concert as economic and political powers in support of what they allege are rights of 4 500 white former farmers,” he said.
Ordinary Zimbabweans have been calling for the restoration of their basic freedoms and human rights including the right to a meaningful vote and the right to life itself. Of course, they have been crying for freedom, peace, justice and human dignity all their lives; they are at the coal face of Zanu PF oppression just as they were at the coal face of white colonial oppression.
Last month President Cyril Ramaphosa of SA send envoys to Zimbabwe whose mission was to encourage Zanu PF to accept meaningful democratic changes and end the country’s worsening economic and political crisis. SA was told in no uncertain terms to mind its own business.
“We are an independent sovereign country. We agreed in our meeting that we are equal sovereign States. South Africa has no mediatory role to play in Zimbabwe. We know that the South African government is controlled by white men,” remarked Patrick Chinamasa.
So Zanu PF has completely ignored the ordinary Zimbabweans who have crying for their freedoms and rights because the regime is indifferent to their suffering. And, more significantly, Zanu PF, just like the white colonial regime before it, does not recognise ordinary Zimbabweans as human beings entitled to the same freedoms and rights as other human being.
“That at the time of abolition of the Atlantic African slave trade the British through the British Parliament approved and paid 20 million pounds to slave owners already rich through the labour of the slaves,” concluded Chinamasa.
This is just madness! And so, ordinary Zimbabweans be denied their basic freedoms and rights because the British compensated the slave owners but not the slaves. What has that got to do with me? – SOURCE: zimbabwelight.blogspot.com
Bhebhe Distances Self From Khupe, Mwonzora Project
Khupe,Mwonzora et Al subverting the Supreme Court Judgement: Abednego Bhebhe
16 October 2020
By
Mandava Blessing
The 2014 MDC-T Organising Secretary Hon Abednego Bhebhe attacked Thokozani Khupe and the judicially constructed MDC-T Presidium for unconstitutional and irregular conduct.
Bhebhe made the remarks in his Court affidavit after the MDC-T Acting President Thokozani khupe,Mr Komichi and Bhebhe were taken to court by National Executive Member Gilbert Kagodora and Naison Mamuse.
In his Court Affidavit,he exposed how the Khupe cabal are using fake 2014 MDC-T structures to undertake the business of the 2014 MDC-T party.He queried Khalipani Phugeni’s role in the 2014 MDC-T structures.
He further exposes the high level of unconstitutionalism and unilateralism which has seen the Thokozani khupe and Mwonzora making personal decisions without consulting the National Council.
Hon Bhebhe’s remarks comes in the wake of Provincial Assemblies of the 2014 MDC-T structures who are now coalescing to finish the unfinished business of the MDC-T as directed by the Supreme Court Judgement.He demanding a constitutional EOC with bonafide delegates not manufactured ones.
Investigations by The Change Radio revealed that the court resurrected MDC-T has never met its 2014 membership or party organs since the delivery of the Supreme Court Judgement in May.However,the Khupe led MDC-T has proceeded to make decisions on behalf of the MDC-T without the 2014 National Council’s blessings.The Party’s Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora has even threatened to bar bonafide EOC delegates perceived as Advocate Chamisa supporters from attending the EOC.
By
Mandava Blessing
The 2014 MDC-T Organising Secretary Hon Abednego Bhebhe attacked Thokozani Khupe and the judicially constructed MDC-T Presidium for unconstitutional and irregular conduct.
Bhebhe made the remarks in his Court affidavit after the MDC-T Acting President Thokozani khupe,Mr Komichi and Bhebhe were taken to court by National Executive Member Gilbert Kagodora and Naison Mamuse.
In his Court Affidavit,he exposed how the Khupe cabal are using fake 2014 MDC-T structures to undertake the business of the 2014 MDC-T party.He queried Khalipani Phugeni’s role in the 2014 MDC-T structures.
He further exposes the high level of unconstitutionalism and unilateralism which has seen the Thokozani khupe and Mwonzora making personal decisions without consulting the National Council.
Hon Bhebhe’s remarks comes in the wake of Provincial Assemblies of the 2014 MDC-T structures who are now coalescing to finish the unfinished business of the MDC-T as directed by the Supreme Court Judgement.He demanding a constitutional EOC with bonafide delegates not manufactured ones.
Investigations by The Change Radio revealed that the court resurrected MDC-T has never met its 2014 membership or party organs since the delivery of the Supreme Court Judgement in May.However,the Khupe led MDC-T has proceeded to make decisions on behalf of the MDC-T without the 2014 National Council’s blessings.The Party’s Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora has even threatened to bar bonafide EOC delegates perceived as Advocate Chamisa supporters from attending the EOC.
Govt Targets ‘Social Media Abusers’
By A Correspondent| Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe has warned social media users that government will be monitoring their activities to protect “peace and stability in the country” in what confirms the state’s intention spook on citizens freedoms.
Addressing the media in Harare today, Kazembe said abuse of social media and fake news was motivated by subversive intentions.
“The abuse of social media and the scourge of fake reportage, which are often motivated by subversive intentions, will remain closely monitored to protect peace and stability in the country. They are trying to subvert our economic revival efforts,” said Kazembe.
Local Football Action Returns. ..
THE Sports and Recreation Commission has green lighted football to return after months of inactivity due to the Coronavirus outbreak that paralysed sporting activities on a global scale.
The approval is in line with provisions of Statutory Instrument 200 of 2020.
In a letter to Zifa secretary-general Joseph Mamutse, SRC director-general Prince Mupazviriho said football training had been okayed with effect from yesterday, while competition proper will be conducted in a bubble format, just like what happened across the Limpopo in South Africa.
“The Sports and Recreation Commission hereby gives you notice, following your application that the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation approved the gradual and phased resumption of football activities effective 16th of October in line with the provisions of Statutory Instrument 200 of 2020,” reads the statement by Mupazviriho.
He said the approval was for the Premier Soccer League, Women’s Soccer League and all national teams.
He emphasised that the resumption will take the format of a mini-league using the bubble concept.
“The resumption of football activities shall take the format of the mini-league using the bubble concept adopted by yourselves. The football activities in addition to the requirements specified by World Health Organisation (WHO) for safe resumption of sport, Statutory Instrument 200 of 2020, your submitted protocols, other legislation and policy directives relating to the prevention and containment of Covid-19, be subject to the following conditions; strict adherence to the bubble concept, implementation of Standard Operating Procedures and Zifa and its affiliates to provide resources and finances to undertake those activities,” said the SRC.
It said resumption of the game was a phased approach and assessments will be done during the initial stage on whether or not all provisions are in place and adherence to set protocols in order to inform the complete resumption of all football activities.
“Please note that all protocols for the resumption and containment of Covid-19 must be observed at all times and SRC expect strict and full compliance by all your members,” said the Commission.
There was, however, no clarity on whether fans will be allowed into the stadia during friendly and official matches.-Chronicle
Teachers Blasts ‘Insincere And Uncaring’ Govt
By Mandava Blessing| Teachers and teacher Unions have blasted the Government for being an insincere and uncaring employer which is not concerned about the workers’ plight or welfare whatsoever.
The government in a dramatic u-turn has made a major climb down from it’s vitriolic attacks on teachers and threats which saw the President Mr ED Munangagwa attacking and threatening teachers in his address in Mutare recently.Not to be left out in the attack were some high ranking Government Officials such as Nick Mangwana who threatened the unarmed teachers with war for allegedly arm twisting the Government to consider their welfare seriously.
Speaking to the Change Radio in Hurungwe,a senior teacher who requested anonymity accused the government of politicising the teachers’ welfare demands.Mr Bernad Of Masvingo noted that there is no political will by the Government to remunerate the teachers well or to improve their conditions of service.
Speaking to the Change Radio the Secretary for Mobilisation in the Professional Educators Union Of Zimbabwe Mr Maltin Mukusha described the move by the Public Service Commission to convert the teachers’ Covid19 allowance to RTGS as “nonsensical and a lack of seriousness by the Government”.He angrily retorted that,”teachers are not morons who can be taken for a ride”.The PEUZ President Mr Wilson Makanyaire simply noted the PSC deception as a circus.
The PTUZ responding to the Public Service Commission on its Twitter handle said,”The announcement is actually Hot air.The deception won’t work.Our members remain incapacitated”.
The Zimbabwe Rural Teachers Union in a communique issued by its Secretary General Mr Fambai Fambai echoed the PTUZ stance and noted that ,”teachers won’t be Hoodwinked into dropping the incapacitation action by piecemeal solutions which are not sustainable”.
The majority of teachers that were interviewed by this publication bemoaned the Government’s segregatory tendencies which has seen it prioritising the security sector ahead of the teachers.Many have showed no trace if fear of dismissal as they equated their current situation as far worse than that of the unemployed in the streets.
Investigations by The Change Radio have revealed that most teachers are now eking out a decent living from vending,fish mongering or by engaging in illegal mining activities.
The announcement by the Public Service Commission Secretary Ambassador J Wutawunashe unearthed the Government’s hypocrisy and monumental deception.The Government has not increased the civil servants salaries but has infact converted the workers’ existing Covid19 allowance into RTGS and will pay this allowance on the pay day.
The PTUZ President Dr Takavafira Zhou summed it up by sadly noting that the Government is “urinating on teachers and has not moved an inch to make thing better for both the pupils and the teachers”.
The teacher Unions are now calling on parents to withdraw their pupils from school as they are roaming freely without anyone to monitor them.
Efforts to get a comment from the Public Service Commission were fruitless.Other Teacher Unions had not responded to this publication by time of going to press.
Furore As Family Members Clash Over Goblins
AMID witchcraft allegations and death threats, a Zimunya couple has done the unthinkable.
They have told their relatives to maintain a 250-metre distance from them at all times.
The couple, Stanford and Eunice Mutambanengwe, are being accused of possessing goblins that are allegedly sexually abusing their male and female relatives in Dambakurimwa Village.
After receiving death threats from their relatives, the Mutambanengwes have now dragged their five cousins to Mutare Civil Court to seek protection.
Stanford’s cousins — Hardwork, Dontworry, Oncemore, Forget and Betty Mutambanengwe — last week appeared before Mutare magistrate, Ms Notebulgar Muchineripi.
Stanford begged the court to order his cousins to keep a distance of at least 250 metres from his family. He said his cousins are in the habit of visiting his homestead armed with axes, bows and arrows; threatening to kill his family.
“They want to kill us. They always threaten to wipe out my family. They have made several attempts on my family’s lives and we are now living in fear. They accuse us of being sorcerers and having a hand in the death of other family members,” said Stanford.
He described the five as very dangerous people who are capable of inflicting harm on his family.
“They should not visit my home anymore. I do not want to see them at all. They claim that they are being terrorised at night by my goblins, yet I do not possess any. I am a God fearing person,” said the man.
In response, the five said they have no problem staying away from Stanford’s family.
They, however, begged for a reduction of the distance to be maintained between them, arguing that some local paths pass close the couple’s homestead.-Manica Post
There Was A Prison Inside Me Before I Was In Prison: Ngadziore
By A Correspondent| ZINASU President Takudzwa Ngadziore has warned government that they should respect the existence of students failure of which they will face resistance.
Addressing the press following his release from Chikurubi Maximum prison, Ngadziore said he was in prison before his arrest, something he said solidified him resolve to fight for the emancipation of students.
“There was a prison inside me before I was in prison. That should be noted, if they fail to respect our existence, then they should be assured of our resistance.” he said.
Man Kills Brother After Drinking Binge
In a murder case that has left villagers near Shavambiri Business Centre shell-shocked, a Marange man fatally assaulted his younger brother after a beer binge.
The siblings — Nyashadzashe (35) and Mundawashe Chinamira (25) — fought for several hours before the former overpowered the latter and fatally struck him with an iron bar.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa, confirmed the case and said Nyashadzashe has since been charged with murder as defined in Section 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23. Insp Kakohwa said on October 6, Nyashadzashe and the now late Mundawashe spent the whole day drinking an illicit brew at the business centre.
Later that night, the heavily intoxicated brothers had a fierce brawl.
At around 10pm, their uncle — Mr Tatenda Musoni — offered to accommodate them in his barbershop for the night.
The brothers were left sleeping in the barbershop while Mr Musoni went home.
However, Mr Musoni locked the screen door from outside as his nephews were drunk.
At around midnight, Mr Patrick Mutimbanyoka, a security guard at the business centre, heard some noise coming from the barbershop and went to investigate.
“He peeped through the screen door and saw the brothers fighting. Nyashadzashe threw an empty beer bottle at Mr Mutimbanyoka but missed him. The security guard ran for his life.
“When Mr Mutimbanyoka came back after about 30 minutes in the company of a Mr Tinashe Kangorongo, the two brothers were still fighting. The due tried to stop the brothers from fighting but they couldn’t do much since the screen door was still locked.
“Nyashadzashe attempted to strike Mr Mutimbanyoka with an iron bar so Messrs Mutimbanyoka and Kangorongo decided to leave,” said Inspector Kakohwa.
At around 5am the following morning, Mr Musoni came back to unlock the door. He found the two brothers lying on the floor.
However, there was blood all over the floor. Mundawashe had deep cuts on his head and was writhing in pain.
Mr Musoni quickly alerted other villagers.
Mundawashe was ferried to the nearby Bakorenhema Clinic for treatment.
He died around 7.30am.
Inspector Kakohwa said Nyashadzashe admitted that he committed the offence, claiming that his younger sibling had threatened to cut off his head for ritual purposes.-Manica Post
Local Soccer Returns To Action
By Jane Mlambo| The Sports and Recreation Commission has informed the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) that football activities have been cleared to resume on the 16th of October.
According to SRC, the initial stage will see the resumption of Premier Soccer League, Women’s Soccer League and National Soccer teams.
This will come as a major relief to soccer crazy fans who have been starved of football since March when government declared a total lockdown to fight the spread of COVID-19.
Gavin Hunt Hails Billiat
Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt says the club’s fans must see the best of Khama Billiat in the upcoming season and there is need to play according to his strengths.
The four-time Premiership winner took over at Naturena in October after the club parted ways with German mentor Ernst Middendorp, under whom Billiat failed to spark, with the pint-sized winger managing just three goals the entire season.
Speaking on South African radio SAFM last night, Hunt said it is more than necessary for the Zimbabwean to get back to his best.
“Look, what is gone is gone. I have known him (Billiat) from a young boy from Zimbabwe before he went to Ajax and Sundowns. We need to get the best out of him but to do that, you need to play him according to his strengths,” said the coach.
Hunt takes charge of the Soweto giants for the first time when they take on Maritzburg United in the MTN 8 this weekend.-Soccer 24
Chiwenga Bid To Ban Elections Hits Snag
THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has poured cold water on government’s recent decision to suspend byelections citing COVID-19 fears, saying elections could safely be held during pandemics as long as “proper measures are in place”.
Addressing a virtual Press conference on Wednesday, WHO executive director for health emergencies programme Michael Ryan said there was nothing to stop elections from taking place as they were an “essential part” of people’s lives.
He also said the world health body was ready to offer advice to countries going into elections to minimise risks of spreading the pandemic.
“It is possible to hold safe elections if the proper measures are put in place. Elections do many things. They are an essential part of our lives, and they are absolutely central to how many societies live, survive, and thrive,” Ryan said.
The utterances came as government has been taken to court for suspending parliamentary and council by-elections which were due in December this year, citing COVID-19 fears.
Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, who also doubles as Health minister, last week gazetted Statutory Instrument 225A of 2020 which indefinitely suspended the holding of by-elections to replace 15 MDC Alliance legislators and over 80 councillors who were recently recalled by the Thokozani Khupe-led MDCT party.
Khupe recalled 32 MPs.
Some of the recalled MPs are party list legislators, and her party has since taken over the 15 slots, while she has landed the post of opposition leader in the House.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission also endorsed government’s decision to suspend the by-elections, but the move was widely condemned by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and other non-governmental organisations which felt the move violated the Constitution.
“They (elections) are very important parts of the cycle of life. However, they do tend to bring people together. We’ve seen many examples over the last nine months where elections have actually been held very safely and with appropriate measures and have been straightforward enough to manage and implement,” the WHO boss added.
“We do offer them advice on how to reduce those risks if inperson elections are the way forward. In fact, we are working right now and finalising specific guidance for countries that choose in-person elections, learning from the last eight, nine months as to what has worked in those circumstances. We will be issuing that guidance in the coming days.”
Malawi recently held its elections despite COVID-19 fears and other countries such as the United States, Ivory Coast and Tanzania are set to go to the polls soon.
“It takes effort. We have worked very closely in the past in the same way we have done for all types of mass gatherings. We have worked on a risk management approach. You cannot reduce the risk to zero, but what you can do is identify and manage those risks, especially where in-person voting is the choice of the country. We don’t specify to any country what the proper choice is for the type of election they need to run, that is based on their own risk assessment.”
Early this week, nine disgruntled Zimbabwean voters approached the High Court challenging government decision to suspend the by-elections.
The court application came at a time constitutional experts and human rights defenders accused the Harare administration of trampling on citizens’ rights under the guise of enforcing COVID-19 containment measures.
The matter spilled into Parliament yesterday with Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda being quizzed by Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya (MDC Alliance) over the legality of statutory instruments (SIs) that did not pass through Parliament.
Mudenda admitted that SIs could only become law after being endorsed by the Parliamentary Legal Committee (PLC).
Chikwinya said: “I rise to seek clarity on the statement by the Speaker that the SIs do not necessarily become law unless they have passed through the PLC, but Mr Speaker, the majority of SIs that are promulgated by the ministers have a direct effect to the citizens and their contents are directly impacting on our citizens before Parliament has had a look at them. Is it in order for us to pass amendments to the provision so that SIs are first scrutinised by Parliament before they become effective to the citizenry?”
In response, Mudenda said: “Yes, in terms of the Standing Order numbers 20 and 28 that should be the position that they are scrutinised first by the PLC for their constitutionality so that nobody asks on them before Parliament has gone through them. So your point is noted.”
Chikwinya later said the SIs including the one that postponed the by-election, therefore, had no “force or effect”.
Source – NewsDay
Kazembe Tells G40 Come Back Clear Your Names
Home Affairs Minister Kazemve Kazembe yesterday threatened to get G40 ministers deported.
Speaking during his press conference, Kazembe said authorities were also seized with securing the return of fugitives from justice that were scattered in various parts of the globe.
Wanted fugitives include @Hon_Kasukuwere @waltermzembi and others. Come back and clear your names": Kazembe Kazembe #Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/eNzOYb21xM
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) October 16, 2020
“As law enforcement agencies, our role is to bring suspects to justice, then the normal procedures take effect. We urge the suspects to do themselves a favour by voluntarily returning to clear their names if they are innocent.”
“The abuse of social media and the scourge of fake reportage, which are often motivated by subversive intentions, will remain closely monitored to protect peace and stability in the country. They are trying to subvert our economic revival efforts,” said Minister Kazembe.
He said peace and stability were needed in the country’s quest to attain an upper middle income society by 2030.
“The peace and stability in Zimbabwe is what guarantees and secures the path to the attainment of Vision 2030, which we must all rally behind.”
“I call upon all peace-loving citizens to play their part in this journey and help fight violent crime, corruption and subversion spearheaded by malcontents whose only mission is to try to grab power unconstitutionally and violently for their own personal greed purposes and against the dictates of our democracy and constitutionalism.”
Woman Hits Hubby With Bedroom Sanctions
A daring woman has barred her husband from being intimate with her until he settles Lobola arrears, it has emerged.
For men sex can cause a blow to their ego and for that reason a man from Gokwe approached a traditional court lamenting how his wife was using sex as a bargaining chip, by barring him from having sexual intercourse with her until he paid the balance on the bride price.
It is reported that Eunice Chitangu from Marumisa village under Chief Nemangwe decided to punish her husband Nesbert Chitondo by denying him sex as punishment for allegedly demanding sex all the time even when she was not in the mood.
It was revealed to B-Metro that in January this year, Chitangu who felt her husband should not continue enjoying her affection without giving her parents their dues as an appreciation for raising a woman who bore him four children solemnly told him the comfort, he had enjoyed was equivalent to the lobola he had so far paid.
Irked by his wife’s “sufficient reason” to deny him his conjugal rights, Chitondo then approached Chief Nemangwe’s traditional court complaining that his wife was holding him at ransom by allegedly denying him sex on grounds that he had not yet finished paying lobola for her.
According to a source who claimed to have intimate details of the incident, Chitondo was now accusing his wife of having a boyfriend arguing that same boyfriend must be the one who has been issuing instructions to his wife so that he doesn’t get his conjugal rights.
“In his case which is yet to be heard before Chief Nemangwe, Chitondo is complaining about his wife saying since January this year, he has not had sex with her because every time he tries to stimulate her sexual desires, she would refuse saying he should pay the outstanding lobola.
“Despite the fact he wanted the chief to restore the conjugal rights, Chitondo was complaining that he was also fed up of living with a stingy and disrespectful wife,” the source said.
The source further said Chitondo tried his best to make his wife happy and he even preached to her on the dangers of leaving him sexually starved, but to no avail.
B-Metro also gathered that central to the dispute is the fact that Chitondo was constantly demanding sex to an extent that he would even set his alarm clock an extra 30-40 minutes early so that he could fit in some of his lovemaking sessions with his seemingly restive wife.
Contacted for comment Chief Nemangwe could neither confirm nor deny the incident.
“I am not at liberty to comment on that case now because I have a lot of cases before me, which accumulated after we suspended hearings in March as part of Government’s efforts to reduce the spread of the deadly Covid-19. I will however, only be able to do so after I have presided over it,” said Chief Nemangwe.B-Metro
Mthuli Says Zim Economy Booming Next Year
The modest reduction in Zimbabwe’s gross domestic product this year of minus 4,5 percent due to Covid-19, will be counterbalanced by growth of 7,5 percent next year as the Zimbabwean and global economies cope with the pandemic, the Treasury has predicted.
“In 2021, the economy is predicted to recover from a projected contraction of -4,5 percent in 2020 to a growth of 7,4 percent, driven by consumption (2,6 percent) and investment (5,8 percent) improvements,” said Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube yesterday.
Launching the 2021 Budget Strategy Paper in Harare, a document expected to guide wider consultations on the upcoming 2021 National Budget, the Minister said: “The recovery in consumption is mainly anchored on expected stabilisation of inflation through ongoing policy interventions which should aid restoration of purchasing power of consumers.
“Employers including Government will continue to review wages and salaries in line with inflation developments and budget capacity to restore eroded incomes as the economy recovers.”
The 2021 Budget Strategy Paper marks the transition from the Transitional Stabilisation Programme, which is coming to an end this December, paving way for the longer term National Development Strategy from 2021-2025.
The stabilisation programme was designed to sort out the major structural fiscal and monetary problems inherited by the Second Republic, with success now seen in stable market-driven exchange rates and resulting low monthly inflation.
With the fundamentals fixed and distortions removed, the Government can now switch to rapid economic growth based on real increases in production.
The 2021 Budget Strategy Paper is themed “Building Resilience and Economic Recovery Post Covid-19”.
“Government is launching the 2021 Budget Strategy Paper (BSP) in line with the New Dispensation’s commitment of ensuring broader stakeholder involvement in policy formulation processes, that way generating effective public participation in policy and programmes implementation,” said the Minister.
“Accordingly, the 2021 Budget Strategy Paper (BSP) constitutes a valuable tool, meant to guide consultative discussions and sharing of ideas on national priority policies, programmes and projects for the forthcoming 2021 National Budget,” reads part of the document.
“Under the theme “Building Resilience and Economic Recovery Post-Covid-19”, the Budget Strategy Paper focusses on strengthening the economy to withstand any potential climatic (drought, cyclones, floods, pests) and macro-economic shocks, as we focus on attaining inclusive and sustainable growth towards Vision 2030.”
Monthly inflation is now falling to almost trivial levels and this will be seen in revised annual inflation predictions with the 12-month rate by year-end now expected to be 134 percent, down from the initial prediction of 300 percent.
This is a result of the high monthly inflation recorded in the last five months of last year fall out of the calculation to be replaced by trivial monthly rates already seen and predicted for the rest of this year.
Annual inflation measures the rise in the cost of living over the previous 12 months. With monthly inflation rising steadily from February last year until July this year, when it peaked at 35 percent, the running 12-month figure also rose in line with the monthly rates to a peak of around 837 percent.
But since the introduction of the foreign currency auction system, which has brought about macro-economic stability, high monthly figures from August and September last year have already been replaced by very low figures from the same two months this year, which in turn has seen the resulting annual inflation figures falling to almost 660 percent.
Even the 134 percent now predicted by year-end will be largely due to the rising monthly figures between February and July this year, after an anomalous very low January figure.
“The slowdown in inflation will be attributed to deepening of the foreign currency auction market which is expected to sustain exchange rate stability,” said the Minister.
“Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is also expected to continue to curtail growth in money supply, which is one of the major drivers of inflation.”
Prof Ncube said economic prospects for the coming year will be underpinned by “macro stability characterised by currency stability, declining annual inflation averaging 134 percent, and fiscal stability.”
The foreign currency auction system has brought about price stability as a good number of retailers and service providers are now utilising market-based pricing, and this is being reflected in recent inflation trends.
The stability has been predicated on the fiscal discipline of the Second Republic with Government living within its means, that is what it collects in taxes, instead of wild borrowing and then printing, in later years printing digitally, extra money and thus driving up money supply without corresponding increases in production.
The month-on-month inflation rate in September 2020 was 3,83 percent, reinforcing the dramatic fall seen in August, when it had fallen to 8,44 percent. -Herald
Citizens Shall Win -President Chamisa
Farai Dziva|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s desperate attempt to use guns to disrupt the people’s struggle literally confirms that he is an illegitimate leader who is afraid of the power of the citizens, President Nelson Chamisa has said.
President Chamisa also took a swipe at the jittery Zanu PF leader for using “excessive force and coercion against hapless citizens.”
“The incumbent’s illegitimacy is confirmed by the excessive use of force and coercion against citizens.
Faith in brute force often mislead unpopular rulers to mistakenly rely on guns, imprisonment, teargas and terror to subjugate and muzzle citizens.
Ultimately,citizens will always win,” President Chamisa said in a statement.
Guns Cannot Stop People’s Struggle -President Chamisa
Farai Dziva|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s desperate attempt to use guns to disrupt the people’s struggle literally confirms that he is an illegitimate leader who is afraid of the power of the citizens, President Nelson Chamisa has said.
President Chamisa also took a swipe at the jittery Zanu PF leader for using “excessive force and coercion against hapless citizens.”
“The incumbent’s illegitimacy is confirmed by the excessive use of force and coercion against citizens.
Faith in brute force often mislead unpopular rulers to mistakenly rely on guns, imprisonment, teargas and terror to subjugate and muzzle citizens.
Ultimately,citizens will always win,” President Chamisa said in a statement.
President Chamisa Pays Tribute To Veteran MDC Activist
Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has described the death of the Movement for Democratic Change founding organising secretary, Esaph Mdlongwa as a terrible blow to the popular opposition party.
Said President Chamisa :
” Saddened..The passing on of the MDC founding National Organising Sec, Umdala Esaph Mdlongwa is a blow to us.
A man of integrity, courage and honour all wrapped in humility and simplicity.
We worked with him as we formed and built the great party that we have become. RIP Big man!”
Coronavirus Daily Update
Ministry of Health and Child Care Coronavirus Update :15 October 2020
New cases: 20
Locals: 17
Returnees: 3 (from South Africa)
Deaths: 0
Recoveries: 29
PCR Tests Done: 818
National Recovery Rate: 95%
Active Cases: 175
Total Cumulative Cases: 8075
Total Recoveries: 7669
Total Deaths: 231
Jilted Man Threatens To Kill Wife With Lightning
WHILE many people are happy that the rainy season is upon us, a woman from Ntabazinduna is living in fear of losing her life after her estranged husband threatened to kill her by lightning while in her house.
Rhoda Dlodlo from Madlelenyoni Line claimed her ex-husband Elias Zondo from Dobha Line in ward 5, also in Ntabazinduna, threatened that he had the power to send lightning to kill her as punishment for deserting him. In a desperate bid to stop Zondo from carrying out his chilling threats, a fearful Dlodlo approached the Bulawayo Civil Court and sought a protection order against him.
“I want a protection order to be granted against my ex-husband Elias Zondo. We parted ways because he was an irresponsible man. He was failing to financially support me. He is a drunkard and would drink beer from morning till late at night.
“He would come home very drunk and start insulting me with vulgar language. On 17 September he followed me to my sister’s house where I’m now staying. He came armed with an axe and knobkerrie and was threatening to harm me.
“He also threatened to bewitch me saying he was going to send lightning to kill me together with those I’m staying with. He is also coming late at night at our home and lies in wait in the yard. He is a very dangerous man and I now feel insecure that he can harm me together with those people I’m staying with,” said Dlodlo.
Zondo didn’t, however, refute his ex-wife’s accusations. He said he carried out the threats in a bid to force Dlodlo to reconcile with him.
“Yes, I followed her to where she is now staying because I wanted her to come back home so that we can stay together. I was hurt that she deserted me so that is why I followed her to her place of residence. This is also because I didn’t expect her to leave me just like that,” protested Zondo.
His efforts to reconcile with Dlodlo seemed to have been dampened after the presiding magistrate Nkosinomusa Ncube sternly ordered him that for the next six months he should not to go to her house without her consent or to behave in a violent manner towards her.-B-Metro
WATCH: Taku Ngadziore Vows: A Month in Prison Will Never Break Me #JUSTICEFORTAWANDAMUCHEHIWA
Below an excerpt of the brief speech by the ZINASU President Takudzswa Ngadziore as he walked out of Harare Remand Prison:
Tawanda Muchehiwa … is just but a mere incident of the victim but the victim at large is not the students at MSU, but the students around the continent, around the world. What was abducted is all the mothers across the globe, across the continent, because he is born from a mother, from a woman. What was abducted is not Tawanda Muchehiwa, what was abducted is the labour movement, because his father is a worker, is a member of the proletariat, what was abducted is a religion because there is no religion without a worshipper and himself is a worshipper, thus a month in prison will never break me. There was a prison inside me before I was in prison. That should be noted, if they fail to respect our existence, then they should be assured of our resistance. They should know, the regime should know the khakistocracy of Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa…should know that the barometres of class consciousness stand resolved staunch on the position that justice for Tawanda Muchehiwa should be served. Impala Car Rental should be informed and should know that it should release information of those who abducted of Tawanda Muchehiwa, because there are several abduction cases that are known in Zimbabwe. We have an abduction case of Itai Dzamara. Where is Itai Dzamra right now? Impala might be willing to answer this question if it fails to provide information of those who abducted Tawanda Muchehiwa. I am very clear on this as the president of the students movement but however I am not alone. The movement at large includes the movement, the youth are included and on this I stand guided that we will never kneel down, we will never, we will never. One ZINASU, one union. We will kneel down to the tyranny of the khakistocracy
Imbiber Axed In Beer Brawl
IMBIBERS scurried for cover when their drinking partner axed a man on the head after a heated argument over beer.
The attempted murder incident happened in Cowdray Park suburb last week on Sunday at a shebeen.
Speaking to B-Metro, Kelvin Manyathela said the whole fracas happened fast as they were taking wise waters at a shebeen in the suburb.
Manyathela said it started with usual shebeen talk but it suddenly took a u- turn when Thabani Nyathi accused him of showing off to the ladies.
“He accused me of refusing to buy him alcohol and showing off money by buying ladies beer. As a result we had a fierce argument. While we were arguing he reached for his axe in his pocket. He then axed me in the head declaring that he would kill me,” he said.
He added : “ As I was trying to stop the blood gushing from my head Thabani tried to flee as residents were baying for his blood. They pursued him and caught up with him and meted out instant justice on him.”
A source close to investigations said Thabani was escorted to a police station as residents had a free-for-all in battering him for almost killing Kelvin. They handed him over to the police leading to his arrest.
Kelvin was rushed to Mpilo hospital for treatment. He has been discharged and is recovering at home.-B-Metro
Wiwa Thanks Zimbabweans For Standing With Him
By Dorothy Moyo | The Zengeza MP Job Sikhala has thanked Zimbabweans for standing with him during times of tribulation.
Sikhala was violently arrested in August when he was charged for allegedly inciting violence.
He would later stay in maximum prison for nearly 6 weeks.
Writing on Friday evening, Hon Sikhala said
“True friends are seen standing with you throughout in good and bad times.
“The foundation of love given touches the nerves of under torment.
“Zimbabweans are loving people.
“The way they stood with me throughout my fight for social justice is unprecedented. I love you Zimbabweans.”
South Africans March Demanding Govt To Deport All Zimbabweans Working In That Country
Some South Africans staged a peaceful protest in the country today urging the government to cancel special permits for Zimbabweans, Mozambicans and other foreigners.
The protesters carrying banners inscribed with the words ‘Put South Africa First’, demanded the cancellation of over 250,000 special dispensation given to some foreigners, the immediate termination of all contracts of foreign workers in the hospitality, building and other sectors.
They also demanded the placing of all refugees and asylum seekers in camps, saying they were setting up makeshift houses that were an eyesore.
The leader of the protesters, Mario Khumalo, said there are a lot of bad things being done by foreigners in South Africa.
“These foreigners are evil. They are raping our kids. They are killing our kids. They are grabbing our jobs. They don’t respect us. Some of them are border jumpers as they don’t have proper documents. So, we are asking them to leave today. The people that are supposed to come here are those that respect other human beings and not what we are facing right now.”
Embarrassing Video Of Mnangagwa Ordering that All MDC Councils Must Be Run Down, And Killed At Harvest House.
Government Carrot Too Little:Teachers
15 October 2020
By
Mandava Blessing
Teachers and teacher Unions have blasted the Government for being an insincere and uncaring employer which is not concerned about the workers’ plight or welfare whatsoever.
The government in a dramatic u-turn has made a major climb down from it’s vitriolic attacks on teachers and threats which saw the President Mr ED Munangagwa attacking and threatening teachers in his address in Mutare recently.Not to be left out in the attack were some high ranking Government Officials such as Nick Mangwana who threatened the unarmed teachers with war for allegedly arm twisting the Government to consider their welfare seriously.
Speaking to the Change Radio in Hurungwe,a senior teacher who requested anonymity accused the government of politicising the teachers’ welfare demands.Mr Bernad Of Masvingo noted that there is no political will by the Government to remunerate the teachers well or to improve their conditions of service.
Speaking to the Change Radio the Secretary for Mobilisation in the Professional Educators Union Of Zimbabwe Mr Maltin Mukusha described the move by the Public Service Commission to convert the teachers’ Covid19 allowance to RTGS as “nonsensical and a lack of seriousness by the Government”.He angrily retorted that,”teachers are not morons who can be taken for a ride”.The PEUZ President Mr Wilson Makanyaire simply noted the PSC deception as a circus.
The PTUZ responding to the Public Service Commission on its Twitter handle said,”The announcement is actually Hot air.The deception won’t work.Our members remain incapacitated”.
The Zimbabwe Rural Teachers Union in a communique issued by its Secretary General Mr Fambai Fambai echoed the PTUZ stance and noted that ,”teachers won’t be Hoodwinked into dropping the incapacitation action by piecemeal solutions which are not sustainable”.
The majority of teachers that were interviewed by this publication bemoaned the Government’s segregatory tendencies which has seen it prioritising the security sector ahead of the teachers.Many have showed no trace if fear of dismissal as they equated their current situation as far worse than that of the unemployed in the streets.
Investigations by The Change Radio have revealed that most teachers are now eking out a decent living from vending,fish mongering or by engaging in illegal mining activities.
The announcement by the Public Service Commission Secretary Ambassador J Wutawunashe unearthed the Government’s hypocrisy and monumental deception.The Government has not increased the civil servants salaries but has infact converted the workers’ existing Covid19 allowance into RTGS and will pay this allowance on the pay day.
The PTUZ President Dr Takavafira Zhou summed it up by sadly noting that the Government is “urinating on teachers and has not moved an inch to make thing better for both the pupils and the teachers”.
The teacher Unions are now calling on parents to withdraw their pupils from school as they are roaming freely without anyone to monitor them.
Efforts to get a comment from the Public Service Commission were fruitless.Other Teacher Unions had not responded to this publication by time of going to press.
Khupe,Mwonzora et Al subverting the Supreme Court Judgement: Abednego Bhebhe
16 October 2020
By
Mandava Blessing
The 2014 MDC-T Organising Secretary Hon Abednego Bhebhe attacked Thokozani Khupe and the judicially constructed MDC-T Presidium for unconstitutional and irregular conduct.
Bhebhe made the remarks in his Court affidavit after the MDC-T Acting President Thokozani khupe,Mr Komichi and Bhebhe were taken to court by National Executive Member Gilbert Kagodora and Naison Mamuse.
In his Court Affidavit,he exposed how the Khupe cabal are using fake 2014 MDC-T structures to undertake the business of the 2014 MDC-T party.He queried Khalipani Phugeni’s role in the 2014 MDC-T structures.
He further exposes the high level of unconstitutionalism and unilateralism which has seen the Thokozani khupe and Mwonzora making personal decisions without consulting the National Council.
Hon Bhebhe’s remarks comes in the wake of Provincial Assemblies of the 2014 MDC-T structures who are now coalescing to finish the unfinished business of the MDC-T as directed by the Supreme Court Judgement.He demanding a constitutional EOC with bonafide delegates not manufactured ones.
Investigations by The Change Radio revealed that the court resurrected MDC-T has never met its 2014 membership or party organs since the delivery of the Supreme Court Judgement in May.However,the Khupe led MDC-T has proceeded to make decisions on behalf of the MDC-T without the 2014 National Council’s blessings.The Party’s Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora has even threatened to bar bonafide EOC delegates perceived as Advocate Chamisa supporters from attending the EOC.
ZCTU Calls On Govt To Close Schools Until Teachers Return For Duty
ZCTU has urged the government to close down schools till striking teachers return to work because of reports of students being involved in undesirable activities in schools and there is no one to chastise them because there are no teachers to control them.
This was after a video of a nasty fight in a school where students are seen fighting each other with chairs in a classroom circulated.
ZCTU in a tweet said:
ShutdownSchools @edmnangagwa @nickmangwana @OMpslsw@InfoMinZW
Close schools until teachers are back after resolving their legitimate grievances. We are going to witness fatalities in these schools without teachers. Parents why are you sending children to school?
Teachers have been on strike since schools opened on 28 September.
BREAKING:Taku Ngadziore Finally Released from Prison
BREAKING: ZINASU leader, Taku Ngadziore has finally been released from prison.
BREAKING: @ngadziore has finally been released from prison. He is walking out of Newlands Remand Prison right now. More details on https://t.co/RMz9FsvEJW pic.twitter.com/liaSGcS3NN
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) October 16, 2020
Netsai And ZINASU Waiting To Receive Taku Ngadziore- PICTURES
“They Performed Their Duty improperly,” Matanga On Police Officers Who Fired Teargas Into A Bus
POLICE Commissioner General Godwin Matanga has admitted his subordinates messed up when they threw teargas cannisters into a bus full of passengers at a bus stop near the Harare showgrounds early this week.
Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe also reaffirmed authorities’ commitment to bring to account the seven police operatives.
The two were addressing a joint press briefing in Harare Friday on the increase in gun crime in the country currently.
Zimbabweans were outraged to see video recorded images of panicking passengers jumping off through windows of a stationary bus on social media.
Kazembe said the concerned police details were still being investigated.
“Investigations are on-going to understand what exactly transpired but no one is above the law,” said the minister.
“If there was an excessive force that was applied when it was not supposed to be applied, I can tell you those police officers have been arrested to explain that conduct.”
Matanga also said his seven subordinates were still being investigated.
“We have arrested seven officers. We are going to charge them under Police Act and what then happens, the officers who are carrying out investigations are the ones who are going to pick the appropriate charge from the Police Act and definitely charge them,” Matanga said.
“But as far as I am concerned right now, I can generally say they performed their duty improperly. So, don’t worry everything is being handled properly.”
Zimbabwe Peace Project director Jestina Mukoko said “it was inhuman for the responsible police details to subject people on the bus to such treatment.”
She added, “We had hoped to have known the identities of the responsible details but up to now it seems it is not clear what they will be charged with.
“They have not even made an appearance in court. By the way it is the lives of citizens that was put at risk on the bus and an even more serious risk when people were rushing to get off through the windows.”
TOUCHING PICTURES: Taku Ngadziore About To Be Released From Prison.
Statement of solidarity at university for Booker Prize nominee arrested in Zimbabwe
Tsitsi Dangarembga, who was recently announced as the University of East Anglia’s (UEA) inaugural International Chair of Creative Writing, is awaiting a decision by the Zimbabwean justice system after being arrested at the end of July.
In the same week she was long listed for the 2020 Booker Prize she was charged with inciting public violence and has been freed on bail ahead of an appearance in court on October 22.
Students and staff of UEA’s Creative Writing programme have called for her acquittal, citing her right to peaceful protest, right of assembly and free expression of her views, under the law of Zimbabwe and international law.
A statement of support said: We write out of concern for and in solidarity with Tsitsi Dangarembga and the right to peacefully protest. Peaceful protest is a human right and a freedom, one of expression, and one that we as creative writers on the MA course at UEA enjoy. The Literature, Drama, and Creative Writing School, and UEA as a whole, benefit from Ms. Dangarembga’s position as International Chair for Creative Writing and this right to free expression.
“We stand behind and beside Ms. Dangarembga during this challenge to her right to free expression and hope for a favourable resolution to her case so that she may continue to raise and express her creative voice in a peaceful manner.”
UEA announced the author’s appointment on October 1 as part of the creative school’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
The role was set up to encourage new writing from the African continent, and to head up its Global Voices scholarship programme, which will fund 10 places over five years for students from African countries to study at UEA.
Professor Jean McNeil commended the students for taking action.
“It’s been an ordeal for her, August, September and now it is October and there have been several statements of support, her publishers, the Booker Prize and English PEN, we are one more voice,” she said.
“The students haven’t met her, they do not know her and they might not meet her because she is coming next year in 2021 and they have said we would like to say something.”
SRC Clears Football To Resume
The Sports and Recreation Commission has green lighted football to return after months of inactivity due to the Coronavirus outbreak that paralysed sporting activities on a global scale.
The approval is in line with provisions of Statutory Instrument 200 of 2020.
In a letter to Zifa secretary-general Joseph Mamutse, SRC director-general Prince Mupazviriho said football training had been okayed with effect from yesterday, while competition proper will be conducted in a bubble format, just like what happened across the Limpopo in South Africa.
“The Sports and Recreation Commission hereby gives you notice, following your application that the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation approved the gradual and phased resumption of football activities effective 16th of October in line with the provisions of Statutory Instrument 200 of 2020,” reads the statement by Mupazviriho.
He said the approval was for the Premier Soccer League, Women’s Soccer League and all national teams.
He emphasised that the resumption will take the format of a mini-league using the bubble concept.
“The resumption of football activities shall take the format of the mini-league using the bubble concept adopted by yourselves. The football activities in addition to the requirements specified by World Health Organisation (WHO) for safe resumption of sport, Statutory Instrument 200 of 2020, your submitted protocols, other legislation and policy directives relating to the prevention and containment of Covid-19, be subject to the following conditions; strict adherence to the bubble concept, implementation of Standard Operating Procedures and Zifa and its affiliates to provide resources and finances to undertake those activities,” said the SRC.
It said resumption of the game was a phased approach and assessments will be done during the initial stage on whether or not all provisions are in place and adherence to set protocols in order to inform the complete resumption of all football activities.
“Please note that all protocols for the resumption and containment of Covid-19 must be observed at all times and SRC expect strict and full compliance by all your members,” said the Commission.Bv
There was, however, no clarity on whether fans will be allowed into the stadia during friendly and official matches.
Nick Mangwana Has Another Supreme Court Ruling Saying MDC Alliance Was Launched In 1990?
Tell us about the money for Kunzvi Dam works donated in 1990 which works were supposed to be finished by 1996. Has another Supreme Court ruling pushed back the MDC party's existence to 1990 when the Kunzvi Dam works money disappeared Nick?
— Simba Chikanza (@schikanza) October 16, 2020
…..
https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1317123316268806144?s=19
Mnangagwa: All MDC Council Work Must Be Killed…
Misheck Sibanda Caught In Corruption Scandal
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Chief of Staff, Misheck Sibanda has been fingered in a corruption scandal in which he allegedly influenced Mines minister Winston Chitando to give a special grant to a former workmate Cynthia Maadza.
Maadza is allegedly trying to use her political influence to grab a mine through an offer letter granted by the Ministry of Land for agricultural purposes in 2015 and later applied for a special grant.
Below is the letter in question:
LIVE: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson On Coronavirus Update
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume Laments Govt Interference In The Smooth Running Of Local Authorities
By A Correspondent- The Harare Mayor Advocate Jacob Mafume has said interference from the national government is crippling local councils.
This was after Infomation Ministry Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana had said cities that are run by the opposition particularly the MDC have been run down.
Mangwana tweeted:
Our Cities have been totally run-down. What’s interesting is that in 20 years(1980-2000) we had great services. One wonders what has happened in the last 20(2000-2020) for us to be in this mess. Those who can’t run smaller things can’t surely run things at a National Scale.
In response the Harare Mayor said no one can run the city on a part-time basis because of government interference:
You cant run big cities on part time basis. The powers & interference from national gvt is crippling. Budgets& staff are not approved. Rates forgivenby Gvt. Land is invaded by your cooperatives, zupco pretends to transport people. It’s bad taste this crude attack by a perm sec
The government delayed approving the City Of Harare’s 2020 budget which saw the city fathers charging ratepayers rates that were in some instances equivalent to US $2 per month during hyperinflation.
The government has always blamed the city fathers for poor service delivery.-twitter
New Kaizer Chiefs Coach Praises Billiat
Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt says the club’s fans must see the best of Khama Billiat in the upcoming season and there is need to play according to his strengths.
The four-time Premiership winner took over at Naturena in October after the club parted ways with German mentor Ernst Middendorp, under whom Billiat failed to spark, with the pint-sized winger managing just three goals the entire season.
Speaking on South African radio SAFM last night, Hunt said it is more than necessary for the Zimbabwean to get back to his best.
“Look, what is gone is gone. I have known him (Billiat) from a young boy from Zimbabwe before he went to Ajax and Sundowns. We need to get the best out of him but to do that, you need to play him according to his strengths,” said the coach.
Hunt takes charge of the Soweto giants for the first time when they take on Maritzburg United in the MTN 8 this weekend.-Soccer 24
“7 Police Officers Who Teargased A Bus Full Of Passengers To Be Charged”: Police Boss
By A Correspondent- Addressing the media Friday afternoon, a senior police official revealed that 7 police details who teargased a Rimbi bus full of passengers last week at a pick up point near Harare Agricultural show have been arrested and will be charged under the Police Act.
Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga however refused to disclose the names of the police details saying that the law would take its course.
“No- one is above the law…..They will be charged under the Police Act.”
Watch the video loading below……
Prince Dube Simply Unstoppable!
Warriors striker
Prince Dube‘s impressive form in front of goal continues after he netted again in Azam’s 3-0 win over Mwadui FC in the Tanzanian Premier League on Thursday.
The 23-year-old has been in scintillating form for Azam in the early stage of the season and had scored five goals in five league matches prior to today’s game.
The former Highlanders gunslinger scored Azam’s second goal of the game on the hour mark, taking his tally for the season to six, with three assists as well.-Soccer 24
TTM Boss Speaks On Mapeza Departure
TTM chairman Lawrence Mulaudzi has explained their side of the story on why Norman Mapeza refused to sign a contract with the club.
The Zimbabwean gaffer spent a few days with the team but did not take charge of any training session at the SA Premier Soccer League newcomers.
Mapeza said he turned down the contract offer after realising that it was impossible to fine-tune the team to the standard and level of his liking before the season gets underway.
Speaking at a presser on Thursday, Mulaudzi explained their side and said that he tried to persuade the coach to stay and iron out their differences, but he refused.
“Mr Mapeza was in the forefront,” the chairman said, as cited by KickOff.com. “What then happened is that we invited Mr Mapeza to come and join the team.
“Before he came, we sent him the contract after agreeing on the terms and conditions. We sent him the contract when he was still in the neighbouring country.
“We were hoping for Mr Mapeza to hand us the contract on his arrival. So the contract was not forthcoming for quite some time. I then followed up with the CEO [Sello Chokoe] to say, ‘Where is the contract for the coach? We need [work] permits for the coach, we don’t have time.’
“And one of the conditions to appoint him was that he fulfils all the conditions, including a working permit. So the working permit was not coming forth. Apparently, I sent another team to support the CEO or further the investigation of what is really going on.”
Mulaudzi said Mapeza left his hotel without notice, and he tried to convince him to stay at his house in Jo’burg, but the Zimbabwean refused.
The boss added: “The next thing I was surprised when I got a call that Mr Mapeza’s hotel rooms were locked. The management then took a resolution that they are not going to keep Mr Mapeza in these circumstances. I then said, ‘That’s fine, I respect your decision as the manager of the club.’
“I phoned Mr Mapeza. Mr Mapeza was on his way from Tshwane to Johannesburg. I said to Mr Mapeza, ‘What’s going on? Can we try to sit down and resolve this matter?’ Mr Mapeza was going to his sister-in-law in Johannesburg. I said, ‘Mr Mapeza, go and stay in my house somewhere in Joburg, I will deal with this matter the next day.’
“Mr Mapeza he said he’s fine he will go back to his sister-in-law. Then I followed up with Mr Mapeza, and he told me that he was in Zimbabwe. Then I rest my case.
After noting Mapeza will not return, TTM then appointed Joel Masutha as their head coach.
“The answer is that Mr Mapeza is no longer with us. Mr Mapeza, he won’t be with us anytime soon. And Mr Mapeza is history to us. Joel Masutha, one of our own, will take the baton and move forward. I thank you,” Mulaudzi said.-Soccer 24
You Can’t Rely On Guns Forever, President Chamisa Tells Mnangagwa
Farai Dziva|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s desperate attempt to use guns to disrupt the people’s struggle literally confirms that he is an illegitimate leader who is afraid of the power of the citizens, President Nelson Chamisa has said.
President Chamisa also took a swipe at the jittery Zanu PF leader for using “excessive force and coercion against hapless citizens.”
“The incumbent’s illegitimacy is confirmed by the excessive use of force and coercion against citizens.
Faith in brute force often mislead unpopular rulers to mistakenly rely on guns, imprisonment, teargas and terror to subjugate and muzzle citizens.
Ultimately,citizens will always win,” President Chamisa said in a statement.
Kaitano Tembo Reveals Plans For New Season
Kaitano Tembo says he is seeing progress in his SuperSport United team and has set new targets for the 2020/21 season.
The Zimbabwean gaffer guided Matsantsantsa a Pitori to the MTN8 triumph in the last term before ending the league campaign on number 5.
Speaking ahead of the season opener in the MTN8 semifinal clash against TTM this weekend, Tembo said he wants to finish with better records this time.
“What’s important for me is progress. When I took over the club, as a caretaker coach, we were 14th and two points above relegation, but we ended up finishing seventh,” he said.
“In the following term, when I was appointed as a full-time coach, we lost the MTN8 final on penalties to Cape Town City and finished sixth.
“In the past season, we won the MTN8 Cup and finished fifth. So, for me, I see progress and building.”-Soccer 24
WHO Intensifies Efforts To Combat Tuberculosis
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries were making steady progress in tackling tuberculosis (TB), with a 9% reduction in incidence seen between 2015 and 2019 and a 14% drop in deaths in the same period. High-level political commitments at global and national levels were delivering results. However, a new report from WHO shows that access to TB services remains a challenge, and that global targets for prevention and treatment will likely be missed without urgent action and investments.
Approximately 1.4 million people died from TB-related illnesses in 2019. Of the estimated 10 million people who developed TB that year, some 3 million were not diagnosed with the disease, or were not officially reported to national authorities.
The situation is even more acute for people with drug-resistant TB. About 465 000 people were newly diagnosed with drug-resistant TB in 2019 and, of these, less than 40% were able to access treatment. There has also been limited progress in scaling up access to treatment to prevent TB.
“Equitable access to quality and timely diagnosis, prevention, treatment and care remains a challenge,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. “Accelerated action is urgently needed worldwide if we are to meet our targets by 2022.”
About 14 million people were treated for TB in the period 2018-2019, just over one-third of the way towards the 5-year target (2018-2022) of 40 million, according to the report. Some 6.3 million people started TB preventive treatment in 2018-2019, about one-fifth of the way towards the 5-year target of 30 million.
Funding is a major issue. In 2020, funding for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care reached
US$ 6.5 billion, representing only half of the US$ 13 billion target agreed by world leaders in the UN Political Declaration on TB.
The COVID-19 pandemic and TB
Disruptions in services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have led to further setbacks. In many countries, human, financial and other resources have been reallocated from TB to the COVID-19 response. Data collection and reporting systems have also been negatively impacted.
According to the new report, data collated from over 200 countries has shown significant reductions in TB case notifications, with 25-30% drops reported in 3 high burden countries – India, Indonesia, the Philippines – between January and June 2020 compared to the same 6-month period in 2019. These reductions in case notifications could lead to a dramatic increase in additional TB deaths, according to WHO modelling.
However, in line with WHO guidance, countries have taken measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on essential TB services, including by strengthening infection control. A total of 108 countries – including 21 countries with a high TB burden – have expanded the use of digital technologies to provide remote advice and support. To reduce the need for visits to health facilities, many countries are encouraging home-based treatment, all-oral treatments for people with drug-resistant TB, provision of TB preventive treatment, and ensuring people with TB maintain an adequate supply of drugs.
“In the face of the pandemic, countries, civil society and other partners have joined forces to ensure that essential services for both TB and COVID-19 are maintained for those in need,” said Dr Tereza Kaseva, Director of WHO’s Global TB Programme. “These efforts are vital to strengthen health systems, ensure health for all, and save lives.”
A recent progress report from the UN Secretary General outlines 10 priority actions for Member States and other stakeholders to close gaps in TB care, financing and research, as well as advance multisectoral action and accountability, including in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Note for the editors
Global targets
In 2014 and 2015, all Member States of WHO and the UN adopted the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and WHO’s End TB Strategy. The SDGs and End TB Strategy both include targets and milestones for large reductions in TB incidence, TB deaths and costs faced by TB patients and their households.
TB is included under Goal 3 Target 3.3 of the SDGs which aims to “end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases” by the year 2030.
The WHO End TB Strategy aims for a 90 per cent reduction in TB deaths and an 80 per cent reduction in the TB incidence rate by 2030, compared to the 2015 baseline. Milestones for 2020 include a 20% reduction in the TB incidence rate and a 35% reduction in TB deaths.
Efforts to step up political commitment in the fight against TB intensified in 2017 and 2018 culminating, in September 2018, in the first-ever high-level meeting on TB at the UN General Assembly. The outcome was a political declaration in which commitments to the SDGs and End TB Strategy were reaffirmed. The UN Political Declaration on TB also included 4 new targets for the period 2018-2022:
Treat 40 million people for TB diseaseReach at least 30 million people with TB preventive treatment for a latent TB infectionMobilize at least US$13 billion annually for universal access to TB diagnosis, treatment and careMobilize at least US$2 billion annually for TB research…
Source :World Health Organization
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Salaries Scam Rocks VP Chiwenga’s “Backyard”
ByA Correspondent- The profligate President Emmerson Mnangagwa administration is spending millions of dollars per month on double salaries and allowances for senior officials in the Ministry of Health and Child Care despite a cleanup operation promised by Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga. Chiwenga also oversees the operations of the health sector.
Investigations by the Zimbabwe Independent show that directors who were sent on forced leave to pave way for corruption investigations over three months ago are still receiving their full salaries, while at the same time those who were elevated to act in their positions are enjoying similar perks.
Chiwenga has been superintending over the extensive restructuring process since last month when he was appointed Health minister after Obadiah Moyo was sacked from the position on July 7, at a time Zimbabwe is battling to contain the novel coronavirus.
Moyo’s sacking from cabinet arose from allegations that he unprocedurally awarded a shadowy company called Drax
International a US$60 million contract for the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the fight against Covid-19. Mnangagwa’s sons, Emmerson Jr and Collins were linked to the multi-milliondollar scandal through Drax International local representative Delish Nguwaya.
In the wake of the scandal, now commonly referred to as Draxgate, seven senior officials at national drug supplier, NatPharm, were fired.
The ongoing costly restructuring initiative, which is meant to “achieve greater efficiency as envisaged in the National Health Strategy”, has so far seen 27 directors and deputy directors placed on indefinite paid leave, as Chiwenga reshuffles the scandalridden portfolio. Most of the staffers put on paid leave served during Moyo’s tenure.
A recent Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) dossier seen by this newspaper, reveals that during the course of the restructuring exercise, Health Deputy minister John Mangwiro potentially violated public procurement procedures by directing the NatPharm acting general manager and the adjudicating committee to award an undeserving entity Young Health Care a US$6 million contract to procure Covid-19 consumables.
Members of the adjudicating team that arbitrated in favour of Young Health Care comprise of the newly elevated staff. The contract, through which the country could have been prejudiced US$2 million, has since been re-tendered.
In an interview with this newspaper, Mangwiro denied any wrongdoing and advised the Zimbabwe Independent to get answers from Zacc.
He said: “Handiti Zacc ndiyo irikutitonga? Handina kana chandinombotaura neveZacc ivava. Ngavarambe vachikupayi news muchinzwa kuti ndakaita seyi.” (Is it not Zacc which is judging us? Zacc must continue giving you news so that you know what I’m supposed to have done in this matter).
The ongoing reorganisation exercise and the US$6 million controversial contract awarded to Young Health Care reportedly at the behest of Mangwiro has cast light on the pillaging of Covid-19 funds by top government officials and the apparent raging battle pitting Mnangagwa and Chiwenga for control of the levers of state power.
The investigation reveals that shortly before Chiwenga assumed the reins at the influential portfolio, Mangwiro, through the Health Services Board (HSB) rolled out far reaching changes which saw 27 directors and deputies, among other personnel sent on indefinite paid leave. Mangwiro is Chiwenga’s personal doctor.
Subsequently, new personnel were elevated to act in the positions of those sent on paid leave. The paid leave, according to documents seen by the Independent is indefinite.
Staffers on paid leave include director and deputy director laboratory services, director and deputy director pharmacy services, director procurement and procurement officer, director finance and administration services, deputy director administration and logistics and chief scientist Microbiology Laboratory. The human resources director, deputy human resources director, chief engineer and Hospital management services directors are also on paid leave.
Operations directors and procurement officers at the country’s Central hospitals were also sent on paid leave when the indefinite restructuring process commenced.
A salary schedule within the ministry seen by this newspaper shows that the monthly net salary of a medical director currently stands at ZW$25 000 while that of a non-medical director varies between ZW$16 000 and ZW$18 000. Both receive a weekly 40 litres fuel allocation.
Monthly salaries for a medical deputy director ranges between ZW$12 000 and ZW$13 000 while a non-medical deputy director earns ZW$7 000.Both medical and non-medical deputy directors receive 20 litres of fuel every week.
“Please be advised that the Ministry of Health and Child Care is undertaking a restructuring exercise aimed at refocussing its operations in order to achieve greater efficiency as envisaged in the National Health Strategy. Your function has been identified as one that needs realignment,” a letter to one of the affected directors sent on paid leave seen by this newspaper reads.
“This letter serves to inform you that effective July 10, you are hereby put on indefinite leave to facilitate the restructuring exercise. You will not be required to report for duty unless called back to office.”
The letter, undersigned by HSB executive chairman Paulinas Sikosana was dated July 10. Staffers assigned to assume the positions of the 27 directors and deputy directors among other public health workers sent on paid leave in an acting capacity have since been accommodated at a three-star hotel (name supplied) in the capital since July.
A suite at the luxurious hotel costs US$200 per night or the equivalent using the official weekly auction exchange rate. Staffers are staying at the hotel on full board, meaning that government is footing the cost of their meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
A source close to the extensive restructuring exercise told the Independent that government’s bill at the hotel, where the fresh personnel roped in by Mangwiro to preside over influential positions within the ministry has since shot to ZW$5 million, with the amount set to balloon as they continue to lodge there.
The source said: “When Moyo was fired, Mangwiro immediately instituted a restructuring exercise which resulted in 27 directors and their deputies ordered to go on paid leave. In their place, staffers were
appointed to take their positions in an acting capacity. Those on paid leave have been receiving their full salaries, the US$75 Covid allowance awarded to civil servants and fuel allocations, among other benefits. Similarly, the staffers in an acting capacity have been staying at a hotel in the city on full board while they now enjoy improved salaries and benefits in line with their new appointments.”
Health and Child Care secretary Jasper Chimedza told the Independent to get comprehensive answers on the nature of the restructuring exercise from the ministry’s public relations manager Donald Mujiri.
In an interview, Mujiri committed to respond to questions posed by this newspaper after consultation with Chiwenga, who is overseeing the far-reaching restructuring exercise. However, at the time of going to print, he had not responded.
Among the questions posed, the Independent sought to understand the cost of the restructuring exercise, the duration of the restructuring exercise, the number of staffers sent on paid leave and the quantum of the bill picked by government at the hotel.
HSB communications manager Tryfine Dzukutu requested for questions in writing but did not respond.
Sources told this newspaper in separate briefings that the restructuring process, apart from draining limited resources from the fiscus, could trigger a fresh headache for government as it potentially violated labour laws by placing individuals on paid leave indefinitely.
In the case of the affected, as documents seen by the Independent indicate, staffers sent on paid leave have not been accused of any wrong doing.
A source within the Health ministry said AttorneyGeneral Prince Machaya advised that the manner in which the restructuring process was being handled, particularly relating to indefinitely keeping staffers on paid leave, presented grave legal ramifications, if the matter spilled into court.
“The Attorney-General clearly warned that keeping workers on paid leave indefinitely was both costly to government and could backfire if the matter went to court,” a source close to the restructuring exercise said.
In 2019, Chiwenga arbitrarily fired nurses and doctors at public health institutions who had downed tools in protest over poor remuneration.-ZimIndependent
President Chamisa Mourns Veteran MDC Activist
Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has described the death of the Movement for Democratic Change founding organising secretary, Esaph Mdlongwa as a terrible blow to the popular opposition party.
Said President Chamisa :
” Saddened..The passing on of the MDC founding National Organising Sec, Umdala Esaph Mdlongwa is a blow to us.
A man of integrity, courage and honour all wrapped in humility and simplicity.
We worked with him as we formed and built the great party that we have become. RIP Big man!”
“Tear Gas Can’t Stop Change”
Farai Dziva|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s desperate attempt to use guns to disrupt the people’s struggle literally confirms that he is an illegitimate leader who is afraid of the power of the citizens, President Nelson Chamisa has said.
President Chamisa also took a swipe at the jittery Zanu PF leader for using “excessive force and coercion against hapless citizens.”
“The incumbent’s illegitimacy is confirmed by the excessive use of force and coercion against citizens.
Faith in brute force often mislead unpopular rulers to mistakenly rely on guns, imprisonment, teargas and terror to subjugate and muzzle citizens.
Ultimately,citizens will always win,” President Chamisa said in a statement.
Minister Grilled Over Recruitment Of State Security Agents
By A Correspondent- Labour minister Paul Mavima was on Wednesday grilled by MPs over continued recruitment of State security agents at a time the country is not at war, thus raising fears that government might be preparing to quash dissenting voices.
The thorny issue was discussed during the question-and-answer session in the National Assembly, with Kadoma Central MP Muchineripi Chinyanganya (MDC Alliance) taking Mavima to task over the recruitment of more security agents at a time other civil service posts were frozen.
“My question is directed to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. What is government policy on the recruitment of critical staff such as medical personnel vis-a-vis those in the police force and the defence forces? I thank you?” the Kadoma MP asked.
At first, Mavima tried to evade the question, saying it should be directed to a different ministry.
“That question should be directed differently. The ministry that I superintend over deals with issues of civil servants. The remuneration of the security forces falls under commissions that are not under my ministry. So that is a question that I am not able to answer,” he said.
However, Chinyanganya could not be deterred and he further asked Mavima to explain the freeze of critical nursing and teaching posts.
“When it comes to the police and army, the recruitment timetable never ceases and there is money to pay the new recruits, yet there is no money to pay new teachers and nurses although we are at peace in this country,” the MP said.
Mavima also tried to downplay the issue of prioritising the State security sector.
“Hon Speaker, I think just today in this House, the Hon Minister of Primary and Secondary Education was indicating that they just recruited 5 300 teachers and they have plans to recruit more teachers, especially given the need for social distancing in schools. This is a matter that has been discussed in the COVID-19 taskforce and it is a matter that even His Excellency has indicated should be dealt with in terms of recruitment of teachers. Like I said, I cannot do the comparisons because the other sectors he is referring to are not under my purview,” Mavima said.
On the salary impasse with teachers, Mavima said negotiations were still ongoing with the Apex Council.
“They should give negotiations a chance while they are attending to their duties,” Mavima said.
MDC Alliance Transparency A Reflection Of Ability To Turn Around Country’s Economy
Farai Dziva|The transparency indicated by the MDC Alliance audit results proves that the party has the potential to turn around the country’s economy.
This was said by MDC Alliance Namibia in a statement on the party’s audit results.
Read full statement below:
MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA IMPRESSED BY THE HIGH LEVEL OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE POLITICAL BEHEMOTH, MDC ALLIANCE
As an external district in the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC-A), we can’t conceal our wild excitement after witnessing a historic financial audit of party funds implemented as one of the May 2019 Congress resolutions. Mdc Alliance Namibia district is jovial since it is the initial time the party has conducted an audit of this nature and it is the first time any political outfit in Zimbabwe has ever subjected itself to such an audit. We applaud the people’s party’s treasury department for the professional manner that resembles openness bereft of the insatiable appetite to rob the taxpayers’ monies through looting and misappropriation of funds.
We continue to congratulate Senator David Coltart on the audited financials.
It indisputable that the gesture from the alternative government (Mdc-A) emanated from the 2019 Congress resolutions against the satanic attempts by overambitious sectors of the media houses who had claimed that huge amounts of money were not accounted for in the Mdc Alliance party.
The futile exercise to assassinate the quality characters of our political mountain, President Advocate Nelson Chamisa and Secretary General Charlton Hwende did not come to fruition.
After the thorough financial audit undertaken by Auditax International, it has come clear that no money was abused by the Mdc Alliance from the period of the opposition’s Gweru Congress up until December last year.
Moreso, the audit report by the international firm gave our great Mdc Alliance party’s coffers a fresh leaf and clean bill of health. The financial statement mirrors a true and fair view of the financial position of the Mdc Alliance as at 31st December 2019, and the repercussions of its operations as well as its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards, read a comment by the company. This unravels the extraordinary commitment and dedication of our leaders to ensure that there are smart governance policies that enhance transparency and accountability. These are core values in social democracy. The effort by some wayward elements to label the financial audit as some kind of witch- hunt into an alleged theft could not suffice.
Moreover, Mdc Alliance Namibia supposes that all political parties should emulate the identical manner in the interests of transparency and accountability because these are taxpayers’ funds received by political parties under the Political Parties Finances Act.
This will go a long way in combating corruption, greedy and graft in our political parties and government. We are jocund that the party has implemented adequate systems that party funds are used in a transparent and professional manner for the good of the party.
Mdc Alliance Namibia encourages the party to soldier on the distinct path of participatory democracy, listening to the voice of the party and respecting Congress resolutions.
Furthermore, Mdc Alliance Namibia district understands that the cutting off of government funding(a complete abuse of constitutional democracy) from a party with a membership support base running into millions and transferring it to a captured party that has at best 45 000 supporters had a critical, a detrimental effect obviously on our cash flow. It is now imperative to sponsor our own national democratic revolution through donations and subscriptions. According to our vibrant Treasurer General, David Coltart, the delay in publishing the report was marred by the absence of funding after our money was illegally surrendered to Zanupf surrogates.
This was a sadist measure to decimate a genuine political alternative siding with the judicially-sponsored Mdc-Thokozani but it dismally failed because the freedom train could not allow derailment.
Despite all Zanupf shenanigans, the Treasurer General thanked supporters and members worldwide who raised sufficient funds to pay the firm of accountants. We want to commit ourselves to the struggle for socio-economic transformation therefore we shall emancipate the citizenry going deeper into our pockets to fund our independence from Zanupf terrorists.
In a nutshell, Mdc Alliance Namibia would like to salute the leadership of President Nelson Chamisa for walking the talk.
Transparency and accountability become very key in public institutions. Let it continue our Treasurer General, we salute you for your smart financial management. We are pretty sure that our finances are safe and we are keen to give more.
Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya
FreeTakudzwaNgadziore
ZimbabweanLivesMatter
FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners
ZanupfMustGo
LootersMustGo
freemadzorere
freeTerrence
freeMaengahama
Blow For Khupe, Mwonzora, As Bhebhe Distances Self From Party Squabbles
By A Correspondent- MDC-T 2014 national organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe has distanced himself from the political dynamics in the party saying the interim leader and chairperson, in that order, Thokozani Khupe and Morgen Komichi were responsible.
He made the revelations in his court affidavit after interim Khupe, Komichi and himself were taken to court by disgruntled party members – Gilbert Kagodora and Nason Mamuse – for hiding critical information regarding the congress.
Bhebhe said the applicants’ concerns were justified as the party leaders were not being faithful in their handling of congress details. He said:
I am not surprised, in light of the foregoing, that first and second applicants are before this honourable court. Second and third respondents (Khupe and Komichi) have failed, neglected, omitted or one way or the other have not been able to convene both the national executive and/or the national council meetings.
Bhebhe accused Khupe and Komichi of openly disregarding the MDC-T constitution and abusing the national standing committee by pushing through committee decisions that are under the purview of the national executive and/or the national council meeting.
Kagodora and Mamuse approached the courts after interim secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora had indicated that MDC Alliance legislators and councillors that were recently recalled by MDC-T were not eligible to contest at the congress despite being in the party’s 2014 structures.
MDC-T is expected to hold the Supreme Court sanctioned Extraordinary Congress in December to elect the successor to the party’s founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai who succumbed to cancer in 2018.-Newsday
Tuberculosis: A Silent Yet Menacing Global Catastrophe
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries were making steady progress in tackling tuberculosis (TB), with a 9% reduction in incidence seen between 2015 and 2019 and a 14% drop in deaths in the same period. High-level political commitments at global and national levels were delivering results. However, a new report from WHO shows that access to TB services remains a challenge, and that global targets for prevention and treatment will likely be missed without urgent action and investments.
Approximately 1.4 million people died from TB-related illnesses in 2019. Of the estimated 10 million people who developed TB that year, some 3 million were not diagnosed with the disease, or were not officially reported to national authorities.
The situation is even more acute for people with drug-resistant TB. About 465 000 people were newly diagnosed with drug-resistant TB in 2019 and, of these, less than 40% were able to access treatment. There has also been limited progress in scaling up access to treatment to prevent TB.
“Equitable access to quality and timely diagnosis, prevention, treatment and care remains a challenge,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. “Accelerated action is urgently needed worldwide if we are to meet our targets by 2022.”
About 14 million people were treated for TB in the period 2018-2019, just over one-third of the way towards the 5-year target (2018-2022) of 40 million, according to the report. Some 6.3 million people started TB preventive treatment in 2018-2019, about one-fifth of the way towards the 5-year target of 30 million.
Funding is a major issue. In 2020, funding for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care reached
US$ 6.5 billion, representing only half of the US$ 13 billion target agreed by world leaders in the UN Political Declaration on TB.
The COVID-19 pandemic and TB
Disruptions in services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have led to further setbacks. In many countries, human, financial and other resources have been reallocated from TB to the COVID-19 response. Data collection and reporting systems have also been negatively impacted.
According to the new report, data collated from over 200 countries has shown significant reductions in TB case notifications, with 25-30% drops reported in 3 high burden countries – India, Indonesia, the Philippines – between January and June 2020 compared to the same 6-month period in 2019. These reductions in case notifications could lead to a dramatic increase in additional TB deaths, according to WHO modelling.
However, in line with WHO guidance, countries have taken measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on essential TB services, including by strengthening infection control. A total of 108 countries – including 21 countries with a high TB burden – have expanded the use of digital technologies to provide remote advice and support. To reduce the need for visits to health facilities, many countries are encouraging home-based treatment, all-oral treatments for people with drug-resistant TB, provision of TB preventive treatment, and ensuring people with TB maintain an adequate supply of drugs.
“In the face of the pandemic, countries, civil society and other partners have joined forces to ensure that essential services for both TB and COVID-19 are maintained for those in need,” said Dr Tereza Kaseva, Director of WHO’s Global TB Programme. “These efforts are vital to strengthen health systems, ensure health for all, and save lives.”
A recent progress report from the UN Secretary General outlines 10 priority actions for Member States and other stakeholders to close gaps in TB care, financing and research, as well as advance multisectoral action and accountability, including in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Global targets
In 2014 and 2015, all Member States of WHO and the UN adopted the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and WHO’s End TB Strategy. The SDGs and End TB Strategy both include targets and milestones for large reductions in TB incidence, TB deaths and costs faced by TB patients and their households.
TB is included under Goal 3 Target 3.3 of the SDGs which aims to “end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases” by the year 2030.
The WHO End TB Strategy aims for a 90 per cent reduction in TB deaths and an 80 per cent reduction in the TB incidence rate by 2030, compared to the 2015 baseline. Milestones for 2020 include a 20% reduction in the TB incidence rate and a 35% reduction in TB deaths.
Efforts to step up political commitment in the fight against TB intensified in 2017 and 2018 culminating, in September 2018, in the first-ever high-level meeting on TB at the UN General Assembly. The outcome was a political declaration in which commitments to the SDGs and End TB Strategy were reaffirmed. The UN Political Declaration on TB also included 4 new targets for the period 2018-2022:
Treat 40 million people for TB diseaseReach at least 30 million people with TB preventive treatment for a latent TB infectionMobilize at least US$13 billion annually for universal access to TB diagnosis, treatment and careMobilize at least US$2 billion annually for TB research…
Source :World Health Organization
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Accountability Is The Key To Economic Growth -MDC Alliance
Farai Dziva|The transparency indicated by the MDC Alliance audit results proves that the party has the potential to turn around the country’s economy.
This was said by MDC Alliance Namibia in a statement on the party’s audit results.
Read full statement below:
MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA IMPRESSED BY THE HIGH LEVEL OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE POLITICAL BEHEMOTH, MDC ALLIANCE
As an external district in the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC-A), we can’t conceal our wild excitement after witnessing a historic financial audit of party funds implemented as one of the May 2019 Congress resolutions. Mdc Alliance Namibia district is jovial since it is the initial time the party has conducted an audit of this nature and it is the first time any political outfit in Zimbabwe has ever subjected itself to such an audit. We applaud the people’s party’s treasury department for the professional manner that resembles openness bereft of the insatiable appetite to rob the taxpayers’ monies through looting and misappropriation of funds.
We continue to congratulate Senator David Coltart on the audited financials.
It indisputable that the gesture from the alternative government (Mdc-A) emanated from the 2019 Congress resolutions against the satanic attempts by overambitious sectors of the media houses who had claimed that huge amounts of money were not accounted for in the Mdc Alliance party.
The futile exercise to assassinate the quality characters of our political mountain, President Advocate Nelson Chamisa and Secretary General Charlton Hwende did not come to fruition.
After the thorough financial audit undertaken by Auditax International, it has come clear that no money was abused by the Mdc Alliance from the period of the opposition’s Gweru Congress up until December last year.
Moreso, the audit report by the international firm gave our great Mdc Alliance party’s coffers a fresh leaf and clean bill of health. The financial statement mirrors a true and fair view of the financial position of the Mdc Alliance as at 31st December 2019, and the repercussions of its operations as well as its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards, read a comment by the company. This unravels the extraordinary commitment and dedication of our leaders to ensure that there are smart governance policies that enhance transparency and accountability. These are core values in social democracy. The effort by some wayward elements to label the financial audit as some kind of witch- hunt into an alleged theft could not suffice.
Moreover, Mdc Alliance Namibia supposes that all political parties should emulate the identical manner in the interests of transparency and accountability because these are taxpayers’ funds received by political parties under the Political Parties Finances Act.
This will go a long way in combating corruption, greedy and graft in our political parties and government. We are jocund that the party has implemented adequate systems that party funds are used in a transparent and professional manner for the good of the party.
Mdc Alliance Namibia encourages the party to soldier on the distinct path of participatory democracy, listening to the voice of the party and respecting Congress resolutions.
Furthermore, Mdc Alliance Namibia district understands that the cutting off of government funding(a complete abuse of constitutional democracy) from a party with a membership support base running into millions and transferring it to a captured party that has at best 45 000 supporters had a critical, a detrimental effect obviously on our cash flow. It is now imperative to sponsor our own national democratic revolution through donations and subscriptions. According to our vibrant Treasurer General, David Coltart, the delay in publishing the report was marred by the absence of funding after our money was illegally surrendered to Zanupf surrogates.
This was a sadist measure to decimate a genuine political alternative siding with the judicially-sponsored Mdc-Thokozani but it dismally failed because the freedom train could not allow derailment.
Despite all Zanupf shenanigans, the Treasurer General thanked supporters and members worldwide who raised sufficient funds to pay the firm of accountants. We want to commit ourselves to the struggle for socio-economic transformation therefore we shall emancipate the citizenry going deeper into our pockets to fund our independence from Zanupf terrorists.
In a nutshell, Mdc Alliance Namibia would like to salute the leadership of President Nelson Chamisa for walking the talk.
Transparency and accountability become very key in public institutions. Let it continue our Treasurer General, we salute you for your smart financial management. We are pretty sure that our finances are safe and we are keen to give more.
Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya
FreeTakudzwaNgadziore
ZimbabweanLivesMatter
FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners
ZanupfMustGo
LootersMustGo
freemadzorere
freeTerrence
freeMaengahama
Zanu Pf Tears Into Western Countries Over Slavery
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF has told Western countries, especially Britain and United States, “to shut up” and stop pontificating about democracy and human rights, adding that Britain and the US’s hands were historically dirty.
Party acting spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa said Western countries could not lecture Zimbabwe on democracy when they were responsible for denying the people of Zimbabwe their freedom.
“Zanu-PF takes strong exception to being lectured on issues of human rights by citizens of countries which perpetrated the brutalities accompanying the Atlantic African Slave Trade and colonial conquest of Africa, and who refuse to render apologies or pay reparations,” Chinamasa said.
Zimbabwe is under international spotlight over human rights violations, closing of the democratic space and clamping down on opposition political parties, resulting in the imposition of sanctions against top government figures.
Chinamasa said this was a form of slavery and bullying by the Western powers, which were also yet to come clean on their role on slavery.
“As a consequence of seeking to redress the brutalities that occurred in the colonisation of Zimbabwe, accompanied by dispossession of our land and brutal confiscation of livestock by colonialists, the country has suffered 20 years of naked bullying, economic isolation and severe sanctions regime by the former colonial powers now acting in concert as economic and political powers in support of what they allege are rights of 4 500 white former farmers,” he said.
The British have since dismissed the letter brandished by Chinamasa at his Press conference as fake photoshop replete with errors, but Zanu-PF insists it was genuine.
Zanu-PF also demanded that all Western countries which were involved in colonialism and slavery should pay compensation and offer apologies to those that they wronged.
Chinamasa said instead the British found it worthwhile to compensate the slave owners instead of the slaves.
“That at the time of abolition of the Atlantic African slave trade the British through the British Parliament approved and paid 20 million pounds to slave owners already rich through the labour of the slaves,” he said.
Despite Chinamasa’s utterances, the Zanu-PF-led government is pursuing re-engagement with the West after being left in the cold over alleged human rights violation.
Chinamasa said sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe were unjustified and should be removed because there were an extension of slavery and colonialism.-Newsday
Chiwenga Humiliated As WHO Declares COVID-19 Cannot Stop Elections
THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has poured cold water on government’s recent decision to suspend byelections citing COVID-19 fears, saying elections could safely be held during pandemics as long as “proper measures are in place”.
Addressing a virtual Press conference on Wednesday, WHO executive director for health emergencies programme Michael Ryan said there was nothing to stop elections from taking place as they were an “essential part” of people’s lives.
He also said the world health body was ready to offer advice to countries going into elections to minimise risks of spreading the pandemic.
“It is possible to hold safe elections if the proper measures are put in place. Elections do many things. They are an essential part of our lives, and they are absolutely central to how many societies live, survive, and thrive,” Ryan said.
The utterances came as government has been taken to court for suspending parliamentary and council by-elections which were due in December this year, citing COVID-19 fears.
Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, who also doubles as Health minister, last week gazetted Statutory Instrument 225A of 2020 which indefinitely suspended the holding of by-elections to replace 15 MDC Alliance legislators and over 80 councillors who were recently recalled by the Thokozani Khupe-led MDCT party.
Khupe recalled 32 MPs.
Some of the recalled MPs are party list legislators, and her party has since taken over the 15 slots, while she has landed the post of opposition leader in the House.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission also endorsed government’s decision to suspend the by-elections, but the move was widely condemned by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and other non-governmental organisations which felt the move violated the Constitution.
“They (elections) are very important parts of the cycle of life. However, they do tend to bring people together. We’ve seen many examples over the last nine months where elections have actually been held very safely and with appropriate measures and have been straightforward enough to manage and implement,” the WHO boss added.
“We do offer them advice on how to reduce those risks if inperson elections are the way forward. In fact, we are working right now and finalising specific guidance for countries that choose in-person elections, learning from the last eight, nine months as to what has worked in those circumstances. We will be issuing that guidance in the coming days.”
Malawi recently held its elections despite COVID-19 fears and other countries such as the United States, Ivory Coast and Tanzania are set to go to the polls soon.
“It takes effort. We have worked very closely in the past in the same way we have done for all types of mass gatherings. We have worked on a risk management approach. You cannot reduce the risk to zero, but what you can do is identify and manage those risks, especially where in-person voting is the choice of the country. We don’t specify to any country what the proper choice is for the type of election they need to run, that is based on their own risk assessment.”
Early this week, nine disgruntled Zimbabwean voters approached the High Court challenging government decision to suspend the by-elections.
The court application came at a time constitutional experts and human rights defenders accused the Harare administration of trampling on citizens’ rights under the guise of enforcing COVID-19 containment measures.
The matter spilled into Parliament yesterday with Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda being quizzed by Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya (MDC Alliance) over the legality of statutory instruments (SIs) that did not pass through Parliament.
Mudenda admitted that SIs could only become law after being endorsed by the Parliamentary Legal Committee (PLC).
Chikwinya said: “I rise to seek clarity on the statement by the Speaker that the SIs do not necessarily become law unless they have passed through the PLC, but Mr Speaker, the majority of SIs that are promulgated by the ministers have a direct effect to the citizens and their contents are directly impacting on our citizens before Parliament has had a look at them. Is it in order for us to pass amendments to the provision so that SIs are first scrutinised by Parliament before they become effective to the citizenry?”
In response, Mudenda said: “Yes, in terms of the Standing Order numbers 20 and 28 that should be the position that they are scrutinised first by the PLC for their constitutionality so that nobody asks on them before Parliament has gone through them. So your point is noted.”
Chikwinya later said the SIs including the one that postponed the by-election, therefore, had no “force or effect”.
Source – NewsDay
No Lobola, No S*x -Woman Slaps Hubby With Bedroom “Sanctions”
Farai Dziva|A daring woman has barred her husband from being intimate with her until he settles Lobola arrears, it has emerged.
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SEX is arguably one of the most intimate expressions of love for married couples. So, what happens when one partner constantly says no to sex?
For men it can cause a blow to their ego and for that reason a man from Gokwe approached a traditional court lamenting how his wife was using sex as a bargaining chip, by barring him from having sexual intercourse with her until he paid the balance on the bride price.
It is reported that Eunice Chitangu from Marumisa village under Chief Nemangwe decided to punish her husband Nesbert Chitondo by denying him sex as punishment for allegedly demanding sex all the time even when she was not in the mood.
It was revealed to B-Metro that in January this year, Chitangu who felt her husband should not continue enjoying her affection without giving her parents their dues as an appreciation for raising a woman who bore him four children solemnly told him the comfort, he had enjoyed was equivalent to the lobola he had so far paid.
Irked by his wife’s “sufficient reason” to deny him his conjugal rights, Chitondo then approached Chief Nemangwe’s traditional court complaining that his wife was holding him at ransom by allegedly denying him sex on grounds that he had not yet finished paying lobola for her.
According to a source who claimed to have intimate details of the incident, Chitondo was now accusing his wife of having a boyfriend arguing that same boyfriend must be the one who has been issuing instructions to his wife so that he doesn’t get his conjugal rights.
“In his case which is yet to be heard before Chief Nemangwe, Chitondo is complaining about his wife saying since January this year, he has not had sex with her because every time he tries to stimulate her sexual desires, she would refuse saying he should pay the outstanding lobola.
“Despite the fact he wanted the chief to restore the conjugal rights, Chitondo was complaining that he was also fed up of living with a stingy and disrespectful wife,” the source said.
The source further said Chitondo tried his best to make his wife happy and he even preached to her on the dangers of leaving him sexually starved, but to no avail.
B-Metro also gathered that central to the dispute is the fact that Chitondo was constantly demanding sex to an extent that he would even set his alarm clock an extra 30-40 minutes early so that he could fit in some of his lovemaking sessions with his seemingly restive wife.
Contacted for comment Chief Nemangwe could neither confirm nor deny the incident.
“I am not at liberty to comment on that case now because I have a lot of cases before me, which accumulated after we suspended hearings in March as part of Government’s efforts to reduce the spread of the deadly Covid-19. I will however, only be able to do so after I have presided over it,” said Chief Nemangwe.B-Metro
Former Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe’s Court Record “Vanishes”
By A Correspondent- The tribunal record containing proceedings and a determination which absolved former chief magistrate, Mishrod Guvamombe on a charge of criminal abuse of office has gone missing, Justice Felistas Chatukuta heard yesterday as the trial of the former top magistrate continued at the High Court.
Guvamombe is facing charges of criminal abuse of office, and/or alternatively defeating the course of justice during his tenure as the country’s top magistrate.
Proceedings were adjourned on three occasions yesterday as the State and the defence tried to find common ground on the way forward after it emerged that the full record of tribunal proceedings conducted by Justice Herbert Mandeya, was missing with only a few pages made available by the State.
Guvamombe’s lawyer Jonathan Samukange then applied for the trial to focus on the second count which was also marred by controversy as the State sought to seek admission of a bundle of documents purportedly supplied by the defence. But Samukange again challenged their production.
Justice Chatukuta, however, expressed concern over the manner in which the matter had been handled, highlighting that the court was not pleased with the delays.
The State called its first witness, regional magistrate Elijah Singano to testify on what transpired regarding the attachments of former Cabinet ministers Saviour Kasukuwere and Supa Mandiwanzira who were law students with the University of Zimbabwe (UZ).
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Singano said he was the provincial magistrate for Harare province when Mandiwanzira and Kasukuwere were deployed for attachment by the UZ, adding that since both were facing criminal charges, they were posted to the civil courts where they were later withdrawn after concerns had been raised about them.
He said there was no anomaly in accepting them, adding the two were part of over 40 students who had been referred by the university for attachment.
He further said there was nothing barring the duo from being attached to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) as students because the Constitution said they were presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
The second witness to testify was the deputy secretary for the JSC Thembinkosi Msipa who told the court that students from universities apply for attachment in various departments and the secretary then decides if there was capacity for them to be taken on board.
Msipa said when Guvamombe received a letter from UZ for student attachment, he should have referred the matter to the JSC for consideration, but he failed to do so.
The trial continues today.-Newsday
Coronavirus Daily Update
Ministry of Health and Child Care Coronavirus Update :15 October 2020
New cases: 20
Locals: 17
Returnees: 3 (from South Africa)
Deaths: 0
Recoveries: 29
PCR Tests Done: 818
National Recovery Rate: 95%
Active Cases: 175
Total Cumulative Cases: 8075
Total Recoveries: 7669
Total Deaths: 231
Killer Rooster Owner At It Again
By A Correspondent- The owner of a rooster that recently attacked a Chigodora woman is at it again.
This time, Zvikomborero Takarinda is being accused of stealing two solar panels from a Chigodora farmer.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa, confirmed the incident that happened last week in Cloudlands, Vumba.
“The incident happened at Mr Graham Wilson’s place in Cloudlands, Vumba. He allegedly stole two solar panels after sneaking into the yard through the fence. He was arrested and the solar panels were recovered,” said Inspector Kakohwa.-
Takarinda is also set to appear before Chief Zimunya’s court to shed more light on the mysterious incident that led to the death of Chandapiwa Makaza, nee Bushu.
Acting Chief Zimunya said he would soon summon Zvikomborero to his court to explain how his rooster allegedly caused Makaza’s death .
“We could not hold our usual court sessions due to the Covid-19 lockdown, but business is slowly getting back to normal.
“We want to get to the bottom of this issue. Many people thought the matter had died a natural death, but we will probe it further and hear the case in full. What happened is taboo, an abomination. Justice should prevail,” said Acting Chief Zimunya.-statemedia
Murdered Murehwa Boy’s Missing Head- N’anga Arrested
By A Correspondent- Police have picked up a traditional healer for questioning over the missing head of the seven-year-old Murehwa boy, Tapiwa Makore, suspected to have been murdered for ritual purposes.
Body parts taken in a ritual murder which occurred at Makore Village under Chief Mangwende, would have to be processed in particular ways, the superstitious believe, so that they bring good fortune and riches.
Police started hunting for the traditional healer they believed was implicated in this killing soon after they arrested the two men they suspect were the actual killers. Only a torso and legs were recovered from the dismembered body, but the head is still missing.
In their investigations, police recovered the head of another child, a 12-year-old, in the same village, but think it may have been exhumed from a grave.
Although the police did not disclose the name of the traditional healer, they confirmed he was being questioned.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police have established that they had been given a lot of misleading information on the death of the boy and people were hiding crucial information.
“We have realised that some people are not telling the truth and they are hiding crucial information. But we will surely get to the bottom of the matter and the truth will come out,” said Asst-Comm Nyathi.
Tapiwa was allegedly murdered for ritual purposes by his uncle Tapiwa Makore (Senior) who used his own domestic worker, Tafadzwa Shamba (40). The boy was kidnapped in the family garden in the village.
Shamba, a herdsman, and the boy’s uncle have since been arrested and taken to court facing murder charges.
They now await trial while in remand prison. They were remanded in custody to October 26 in absentia yesterday, as they are still assisting police with investigations.
Meanwhile, police have taken the head of a 12-year-old child recently found in the same village for forensic analysis.
There has been no report of another missing child in that age group, creating room for suspicion that the head could have been exhumed from a grave.
“The other head found in Makore village is now subject to forensic analysis. So far no report of a missing person falling in that category has been received by the police. We are still investigating that matter,” said Asst-Comm Nyathi.
During investigations, Shamba recently told detectives he killed the boy by cutting off the head with a knife in the dead of the night, while the boy’s uncle was holding a torch.
Shamba said after the alleged murder, he carried a black plastic bag containing the head and the dismembered body while his employer, who is the boy’s uncle, carried another bag containing the arms and legs.
He led the team of detectives to the uncle’s homestead where he said he fed the boy, drugged him with kachasu and locked him up in a room for hours.
Shamba said he met the boy’s uncle around midnight and took the boy to a nearby mountain, where they allegedly killed him.
“Around midnight, we opened the door and I carried the boy, who was still in deep slumber to a mountain in the village. Mr Makore carried the knives and the plastic bags. While here (in the mountain), I pressed the boy to the ground and cut off his head with a sharp knife, while his uncle was holding a torch for lighting.
“I also cut off the hands and legs, but we packed the parts in different plastic bags. I carried the one with the torso and the head while Mr Makore carried another one containing the legs and hands,” he said.
At the scene, investigators saw human waste, believed to have been excreted by the boy during the murder.
Shamba told detectives that he cleaned the scene of the blood and set the grass on fire to destroy evidence.
He said while walking back to Makore’s homestead, he felt the load was becoming heavier before dumping the torso near Mr Summer Murwira’s homestead.
While at Makore’s homestead, Shamba said he was instructed to put the head in one of the rooms, which he did.
The following day, Shamba said he dumped the arms and legs at a nearby grave as police investigations were intensifying. -Herald
7 Officers Who Teargassed Bus At Harare Showground to Be Charged
The seven police officers who teargased a bus full of passengers have been charged under the Police Act, Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga has said.
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Another Top Civil Servant Contests Zanu PF DCC Post
By A Correspondent| Following social media noise after Gweru Magistrates Court Prosecutor Namatai Chipere won in the Zanu PF DCC elections, yet another top civil servant who is Mash West Provincial Education Director Gabriel Mhuwa has thrown his hat into the party ring raising another outcry over state party conflation.
Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services later confirmed that Chipere had resigned from her post but will have to address Mhuwa’s issue.
Below is Mhuwa’s campaign poster;
Mwonzora Falling Off A Hut Picture Breaks The Internet
#BREAKING- ZINASU Leader Finally Granted Bail
By A Correspondent| ZINASU President Takudzwa Ngadziore has finally been granted ZWL$5000 bail by High Court judge, Justice Davison Foroma.
The youthful ZINASU leader was languishing behind bars since September 18 and had ieen denied bail by the regional Harare magistrates court.
The High Court told Ngadziore to stay 500 metres away from Impala Car Rental, surrender his passport and report once every week at Harare Central Police Law and Order.
He was also ordered not to attend any political gathering until his matter has been concluded.
Ngadziore was arrested while addressing a press conference near Impala Car Rental.
He was assaulted by plain clothed assailants who later handed him over to the police.
Harare City Council Defies High Court Order To Re-open Clinics
By A Correspondent- Despite the fact that Harare City Council has been ordered by the High Court of Zimbabwe under Chief Justice Mushore on the 7th of October 2020 to open all its forty- two council polyclinics within seven days, it has not yet complied.
Acting Health Director, Doctor Masunda, had this to say, “As council we still have only eight clinics which are operational and we being affected by industrial action by council nurses and some of them are resigning”
A snap survey done by the CHRA Information Department indicates that Mbare Matapi, Mbare Hostels, Marlborough, Warren Park and Sunningdale clinics are completely closed and a few namely Tafara, Mabvuku, Mufakose and Highfields and Dzivarasekwa clinics are open but not operational.
“The council clinic gates are opening but there is no one to attend to patients, we are stuck and we do not know where to go to access medication”, said CHRA Welfare Chairperson Ms. Fatima Madamombe in Dzivarasekwa.
CHRA condemns the excuses given by Harare City Council as it is its duty to motivate its employees and provide them with a satisfactory remuneration.
CHRA calls for Harare City Council to comply with the High Court order failure to do so CHRA will not hesitate to approach the courts on contempt of court within seven days
Zim’s Gold Production Falls
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s gold deliveries in September fell by 73% to close at 1.36 tonnes from 2.8 tonnes in the comparative period in prior year.
The decline is attributed to a number of variables chief among them smuggling and the coronavirus pandemic which affected production.
Fidelity Printers and Refiners (FPR)’s general manager, Fradreck Kunaka, blamed Covid-19 pandemic as the major contributor to decline in gold deliveries and the late payments to gold producers. Kunaka Kunaka told Business Times:
Gold deliveries have gone down 73% to reach 1.36 tonnes during September 2020 from 2.8 tonnes last year due to restrictions imposed by Covid-19 pandemic which hampered operations as it restricted the movement of mining raw materials and people especially the small scale miners.
Gold Miners Association of Zimbabwe chief executive Irvine Chinyenze suggested that miners were not delivering gold to FPR due to late payment and unattractive prices. Chinyenze said: We can’t deny the effects of Covid-19 as it delayed the shipping in of raw materials from China and other countries but the major reason for the fall in gold deliveries was that FPR continues with some talk shows telling people that their money will be paid, the way to go is just look for the US dollars then clear the backlogs and begin paying on spot.
As long as small scale miners do not get paid instantly the country will lose a great deal of minerals and revenue as miners search for alternative markets for their precious minerals.
This comes after Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube and Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe have concurred that Zimbabwe was losing more than US$100m worth of gold due to smuggling.
Gold is one of Zimbabwe’s largest foreign currency earners and the decline spells a huge economic crisis.-MiningZimbabwe
Arrested Nurses Set Free
By A Correspondent- Eleven (11) nurses who were arrested in June this year for violating coronavirus lockdown regulations after they demonstrated over poor salaries and working conditions have been set free.
The development was announced by the Zimbabwe Lawyers For Human Rights (ZLHR) on its social media pages.
The association said:
Eleven (11) arrested nurses who had been on trial following a protest over poor salaries and working conditions at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, on July 6, 2020, were yesterday acquitted by the Mbare Magistrate Shelly Zvenyika.
The nurses were accused of participating in an illegal demonstration which contravened section 5(3)(a) of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020 Public Health (COVID 19 Prevention, Containment, and Treatment Regulations National Lockdown) Order, 2020.
The magistrate acquitted the nurses at the close of the prosecution case after their lawyers Rudo Bere and Tinashe Chinopfukutwa of @ZLHRLawyers applied for them to be discharged arguing that the nurses had not committed an offense warranting them to be prosecuted.
Over a thousand people including MDC Alliance trio, Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova have been arrested since the initial imposition of the lockdown in March.
Some observers say the government is now using the lockdown as a political tool to crack down on critics including opposition members, journalists and human rights defenders.-ZLHR
“Doom And Gloom For Zim Economy”: IMF Predicts
By A Correspondent- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that the Zimbabwean economy will this year contract by 10,4%, much higher than its earlier prediction of 7,4%.
The international financial institution also expects the annual inflation rate to close the year at 495% and predicts an economic rebound of 4,6% in 2021.
In its new World Economic Outlook titled A Long and Difficult Ascent released during the current Annual Spring Meetings in the United States, the Bretton Woods institution said:
In 2019 Zimbabwe authorities introduced the Real-Time Gross Settlement dollar, later renamed the Zimbabwe dollar, and are in the process of re-denominating their national accounts statistics. Current data are subject to revision.
This comes as Zimbabwe’s statistics agency, Zimstat has reported that the country’s year on year continued on a downward trend in September.
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube has however dismissed IMF’s projections as mere opinion.
He, however, admitted that the country was in the negative, like “all the economies around the world” citing the coronavirus pandemic as the causal factor.
In response to questions by Zimbabwe Independent at a cabinet event on Wednesday, Ncube suggested that a recent “assessment shows that the situation is not as bad as initially thought.”
He added:
We had projected a growth of -4,5%. Our teams are busy on the ground again trying to further analyse that growth.
We also have our own numbers. We have got our own batch of statistics — we have got the central bank and Treasury who look after these numbers. These numbers are not imposed on countries by the way. It’s an opinion by just one institution out there, albeit, an important institution.
He added that there were other institutions which were also providing varying statistics which suggests that there is no projection which is 100 percent accurate.
Zimbabwe’s economy has been on a downward trajectory for the past 24 months following the government’s adoption of austerity measures which were meant to kickstart the economy.-ZimIndependent