Information Ministry Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana has sensationally claimed that less people died in Zimbabwe during the Covid-19 period compared to the number who died last year without the Coronavirus scourge.
Mangwana attributed the decline in the number of deaths to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Covid-19 restrictions.
It remains a mystery where he got his figures from.
A comparative analysys of number deaths in 2019 compared to 2020, makes it clear the timely interventions taken by President @edmnangagwa, such as declaring a National Disaster when there was not even a single infection and a Lockdown when there were only 7 infections saved lives pic.twitter.com/wiEJ7CUlTc
MDC Alliance national youth organiser, Godfrey Kurauone is set to appear at the Masvingo Magistrate’s Court today charged with undermining President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s authority.
Kurauone, is also Masvingo Urban Ward Four councillor.
Kurauone, a councillor for seven years, was arrested for breaking Covid-19 lockdown rules after he mobilised and fed homeless people in Masvingo on June 15, 2020, the day Mnangagwa called for a national day of fasting.
Kurauone is being represented by Advocate Martin Mureri.
At least 87 percent of imported goods have not been checked for quality, while more than 61 percent of imported second-hand vehicles are rusty and had exceeded their lifespan, as there was no mechanism that ensured pre-shipment inspection of mechanical and structural conditions, an audit has shown.
The failure to check the quality of imported goods increased the risk of substandard goods in the country, while the failure by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to inspect second-hand vehicles at source endangered people’s lives and was costly in terms of insurance premiums as a result of accident rates.
This is contained in the 2019 audit report titled “Monitoring of the Quality of Goods Being Imported into the Country” that was produced by Auditor-General, Mrs Mildred Chiri.
On imported goods, Mrs Chiri said her audit showed that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce had shortcomings in monitoring the quality of the goods, inadequate monitoring of goods in transit, absence of destination inspection and lack of market surveillance, among other issues.
“The results of the audit showed that programmes implemented by the ministry were not adequately curbing the importation of substandard goods,” said Mrs Chiri in her report. “The consignment based conformity assessment programme did not have critical provisions that could help in combating influx of substandard goods.
“For example, the programme did not cover destination inspection and market surveillance. In addition, the audit noted that the ministry did not have regulations governing the quality assessment of 87,5 percent of imported products. The fact that most of the goods were not being checked for quality increased the risk of substandard goods finding their way into the country.”
In its response to the audit observations, Ministry of Industry and Commerce officials acknowledged the findings and indicated they were in the process of developing the national quality programme to curb the import and local manufacturing of substandard products.
On the import of second-hand vehicles, Mrs Chiri said there was need for inspection of mechanical and structural form at source so that vehicles that failed to meet set standards were not allowed into the country.
She said the motor industry development policy guiding the sector did not have in place monitoring of imported second-hand vehicles, which should guide car dealers and holders of franchises.
“If used vehicles are not checked for quality, the country could be flooded with sub-standard vehicles which could be costly in terms of insurance premiums as a result of a higher incidence of accidents and may endanger people’s lives,” said Mrs Chiri.
“Further expansion of the local motor industry may be greatly affected as people go for second-hand vehicles.”
Her audit at Chirundu Border Post showed that an average of 658 vehicles entered the country per month in 2016, 534 in 2017 and 832 in 2018, while at Kazungula Border Post there was an average of 320 a month.
“The imported vehicle register for 2017 revealed that 61 percent of the second-hand vehicles were rusty and had exceeded their lifespan,” said Mrs Chiri.
The ministry admitted that the country might be importing used motor vehicles with defects, hence the need for pre-shipment inspection.
“The ministry, through Standards Association of Zimbabwe, is now developing the standard of used motor vehicles that will be referenced into a mandatory standard called technical regulation,” said the ministry. “Those vehicles with mechanical and structural defects are repaired prior to shipping or repaired upon arrival at the port of entry depending on the adopted model.”
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday refused to guarantee that he will transfer power if he loses the November election, earning scorn from his Democratic challenger Joe Biden and even from within his own party.
“Well, we’re going to have to see what happens,” Trump said. “You know that I’ve been complaining very strongly about the ballots, and the ballots are a disaster.”
Pressed further, Trump said: “We’ll want to have — get rid of the ballots and you’ll have a very — we’ll have a very peaceful — there won’t be a transfer, frankly. There’ll be a continuation.”
Watch video downloading below.
Reporter: "Win, lose or draw in this election, will you commit here today for a peaceful transferal of power after the election?"
President Mnangagwa, who is scheduled to address the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) today, has thanked South African counterpart President Cyril Ramaphosa for using the Assembly platform to call for the removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe.
President Ramaphosa made the call in his address at the opening of the 75th session on Tuesday in his capacity as AU chairperson.
Posting on his Twitter account, President Mnangagwa said: “Thank you to @CyrilRamaphosa for once again calling for an end to the debilitating sanctions that have injured the people of Zimbabwe for almost two decades.”
Zimbabwe could have lost up to US$7 billion to corruption and other illicit activities between 2009 and 2017, Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda said yesterday.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between the African Parliamentary Network Against Corruption (Zimbabwe Chapter), the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) and Transparency International Zimbabwe, Adv Mudenda said Parliament had a constitutional mandate to ensure there was accountability and transparency in the management of public resources.
“The RBZ estimated a loss of US$3 billion between 2015 and 2017, while research by Afrodad (African Forum and Network on Debt and Development) estimates that US$2,7 billion was lost from the mining sector between 2009 and 2013,” he said.
“The RBZ further posited that an estimated US$684 million was remitted outside or externalised under dubious and unwarranted circumstances in 2015. Financial Integrity Data shows that Zimbabwe lost an estimated US$670 million through trade mis-invoicing in 2015.”
Adv Mudenda said transparency and accountability were the building blocks of the country’s development and urged the three parties to the agreement to explore new ways of fighting corruption.
Zacc chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo said corruption was a major challenge to the achievement of the Government’s vision of achieving an upper middle income economy by 2030. “Accordingly, preventing and combating corruption in all its forms should be a priority,” she said.
TIZ director Ms Muchaneta Mundopa said there was need to coordinate all stakeholders in fighting corruption.
APNAC chairperson Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga said as parliamentarians, they were open to suggestions on enacting legislation that combat corruption.
The public prosecutor handling the matter in which MDC Alliance legislator Joana Mamombe and party members, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri are facing charges of faking their abduction in May this year, has said he has no personal vendetta against them or any of their defence team.
Mr Michael Reza made the remarks in court yesterday when Mamombe separately appeared to respond to the State’s application to have her mentally examined by two Government doctors.
The State made an application under the Mental Health Act after Mamombe told the court she was suffering from anxiety disorder and could not comprehend trial proceedings.
Mamombe’s lawyer Mr Alec Muchadehama yesterday demanded an explanation on why the State went ahead with the application on Tuesday despite an agreed position that the matter be postponed to another day to allow him to attend to another matter in Gweru.
“We seek an explanation as to why he changed from the undertaking he had made,” said Mr Muchadehama.
“Also, I want to know whether or not the State is a super litigant who determines when the matter will be heard. He has a duty to act fairly. We want to know whether he has something against me or accused.”
Mr Muchadehama said Mr Reza called him at night informing him that he was continuing with the matter.
In his response, Mr Reza said: “This is not a court of drama, but of law. I spoke to Mr (Jeremiah) Bamu and not Muchadehama. I told him to tell Mr Muchadehama that I would oppose their application.
“He is not denying it. I have absolutely nothing against Mr Muchadehama and the accused. I just do my work and I am prosecutor.”
Harare regional magistrate Mrs Bianca Makwande advised both Mr Muchadehama and Mr Reza to act in the best interest of justice.
Mr Bamu, who is part of the trio’s legal team, told the court the State had failed to satisfy the requirements of Mental Health Act in its application. He said there was no justification of having Mamombe examined by other doctors since she had already undergone treatment.
“No justification exists for that order to be made because when the accused person realised that she was not feeling well, she consulted a medical practitioner and the court heard Dr Fungi Mazhandu, who said she was examined by a general doctor who referred her to a specialist,” said Mr Bamu.
“What the State seeks to achieve has already been done.”
Mrs Makwande is today expected to make a ruling on the State’s application.
Former liberation stalwart and former war veterans leader, Rugare Gumbo has said for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to solve Zimbabwe’s problems, he must unite all people and be open to speaking to members of the opposition.
Speaking to the publication, Gumbo said:
The situation on the ground doesn’t seem to allow the continuation of the crises because people are now tired of all this. There must be a change in the attitude of those who are in power.
They must unite the people, as any failure to do that will mean that they will be digging their own political graves,He (Mnangagwa) must absolutely make sure that he unites Zimbabweans as he is the president. He has the power to sit down with all Zimbabweans.
Gumbo spoke at length about the need for oneness and even cited fellow liberation war hero Simon Muzenda and his quest for unity:
He must be able to contact his rivals and talk with them so that they can solve the current problems I was watching vaMuzenda’s (the late former Vice President Simon Muzenda’s) video, where he was encouraging unity among Zimbabweans.
Without unity, the future of Zimbabwe is bleak. It is going to be problematic for the ruling party to go into 2023 without uniting Zimbabweans. They are digging their own grave if they fail to talk to all political parties and unite all people to solve the country’s current crises,
He (Mnangagwa) must seriously rethink the future of the country and … the young generation. He must not think about himself and power, but the young generation that we have.What are they going to inherit? Are they going to inherit the violence and divided country? These are the kind of things the president must think about.
Gumbo also condemned people who prioritise power only and said the ruling party must either shape up or ship out:
If you think of power only without thinking about the life of the ordinary person you have a problem. The ruling party must shape up or ship out. Mnangagwa must be man enough and accept the challenges facing the country. If there is no unity, there will always be external and internal threats. You don’t need that. You need … to unite even with people who oppose your views so that you can bring stability in the country.
The ruling party must know that one doesn’t know what lies in the future. Change does occur and for anybody to think that he will remain in power for ever is not good. In Shona they say chinobhururuka chinomhara.
Hakuna chisingaperi (everything ends) and we say let’s not do that. Everyone is a Zimbabwean. There is no Zimbabwe for Zanu PF or MDC … Zimbabwe is for everybody.
Meanwhile, another Zanu PF stalwart and a member of the politburo Tshinga Dube over the weekend echoed Rugare Gumbo’s sentiments and said the leaders have to first accept that they need help for the ANC to intervene and mediate in Zimbabwe. -Daily News
Terrence Dzvukamanja, a Zimbabwean born footballer based in neighbouring South African has joined SA’s top flight league club Orlando Pirates on a 3 year contract, KickOff.com reports. Terrence will Join the club from Bidvest Vits and he was signed together with Collins Makgaka.
This was revealed in a statement by Orlando Pirates which in a statement stated that:
Following the announcement of the signing of Thulani Hlatshwayo and Deon Hotto Kavendji on Monday, the club is pleased to announce two more additions ahead of the start of the 2020/21 season.”
Terrence Dzvukamanja and Collins Makgaka have joined the club. Dzvukamanja has put pen to paper having agreed to a three-year deal with the Buccaneers.
Meanwhile, Makgaka joins the club from Baroka FC. The 24-year-old is an exciting attacking midfielder who spent five seasons with Bakgaga.
According to the same publication, ABSA premiership title winner, Mamelodi Sundowns was planning to sign Terrence Dzvukamanja and Orlando Pirates beat them to it. Orlando Pirates is reportedly doing whatever it can to afford their coach Josef Zinnbauer a strong squad for the 2020/21 season according to the publication.
26 year old Terrence used to play for FC Platinum before he joined BIdvest Vits in 2018.-Kick Off
A FILABUSI man fell to his death off a moving vehicle while a man from Gwanda died after a vehicle he was travelling in overturned in two separate incidences.
Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the two incidents.
She said in the first incident which occurred on Sunday, Nkosiyapha Nyoni (39) was seated in the loading box of a pick-up truck when he stood up to talk to the driver while the vehicle was in motion.
“I can confirm that we recorded two fatal road accidents. The first one occurred in Dekezi Business Centre in Filabusi. Mr Danisa Nyoni was driving a pick-up truck along the Filabusi-Avoca Road with nine passengers on board. When he got to Dekezi Business Centre one of the passengers who was in the loading box Nkosiyapha Nyoni stood up intending to talk to the driver.
“He fell off the vehicle and he was run over by the right rear wheel and he died on the spot after sustaining head injuries. The matter was reported to the police who attended the scene and Nyoni’s body was ferried to Filabusi District Hospital Mortuary,” she said.
Insp Mangena said in the second incident one person died while five others sustained injuries after a vehicle, they were travelling in overturned at Manama Business Centre-Chronicle
GOVERNMENT has given commuter omnibuses the nod to start operating but they have to register with relevant authorities and also strictly comply with Covid-19 health guidelines.
The kombis among other public transporters excluding pirate taxis, can approach the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development for licences to start operating.
Kombis had been banned from operating since the start of the national lockdown at the end of March except for those operating under Zupco.
Addressing journalists during a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Defence and War Veterans Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who is also the chairperson of the Ad Hoc Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on the Covid-19 said once kombis regularise their operations they will be allowed to start operating.
She said Cabinet took the decision after considering that Covid-19 cases were relatively declining in the country.
“Originally, every private operator who wanted to operate had to register with Zupco but we realise that Zupco also has some challenges. There are now new players in the economy hence the need to open up the transport sector especially the inter-city transport,” she said.
“Those that are legal including kombis, will be required to register with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development and comply with the rules and regulations.”
Minister Kashiri said some kombis were not roadworthy and as such could not regularise their operations.
She said Government is prepared to listen to genuine kombi operators but will not tolerate pirate taxis commonly known as mshikashika.
Kombi operators in Bulawayo welcomed the Government’s decision to allow them to resume operations.-Chronicle
Former liberation stalwart and former war veterans leader, Rugare Gumbo has said for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to solve Zimbabwe’s problems, he must unite all people and be open to speaking to members of the opposition.
Speaking to the publication, Gumbo said:
The situation on the ground doesn’t seem to allow the continuation of the crises because people are now tired of all this. There must be a change in the attitude of those who are in power.
They must unite the people, as any failure to do that will mean that they will be digging their own political graves,He (Mnangagwa) must absolutely make sure that he unites Zimbabweans as he is the president. He has the power to sit down with all Zimbabweans.
Gumbo spoke at length about the need for oneness and even cited fellow liberation war hero Simon Muzenda and his quest for unity:
He must be able to contact his rivals and talk with them so that they can solve the current problems I was watching vaMuzenda’s (the late former Vice President Simon Muzenda’s) video, where he was encouraging unity among Zimbabweans.
Without unity, the future of Zimbabwe is bleak. It is going to be problematic for the ruling party to go into 2023 without uniting Zimbabweans. They are digging their own grave if they fail to talk to all political parties and unite all people to solve the country’s current crises,
He (Mnangagwa) must seriously rethink the future of the country and … the young generation. He must not think about himself and power, but the young generation that we have.What are they going to inherit? Are they going to inherit the violence and divided country? These are the kind of things the president must think about.
Gumbo also condemned people who prioritise power only and said the ruling party must either shape up or ship out:
If you think of power only without thinking about the life of the ordinary person you have a problem. The ruling party must shape up or ship out. Mnangagwa must be man enough and accept the challenges facing the country. If there is no unity, there will always be external and internal threats. You don’t need that. You need … to unite even with people who oppose your views so that you can bring stability in the country.
The ruling party must know that one doesn’t know what lies in the future. Change does occur and for anybody to think that he will remain in power for ever is not good. In Shona they say chinobhururuka chinomhara.
Hakuna chisingaperi (everything ends) and we say let’s not do that. Everyone is a Zimbabwean. There is no Zimbabwe for Zanu PF or MDC … Zimbabwe is for everybody.
Meanwhile, another Zanu PF stalwart and a member of the politburo Tshinga Dube over the weekend echoed Rugare Gumbo’s sentiments and said the leaders have to first accept that they need help for the ANC to intervene and mediate in Zimbabwe. -Daily News
Farai Dziva|Senior MDC Alliance official Stanley Manguma has revealed how Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is using Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora to “pull down” President Nelson Chamisa.
According to Manguma, Mr Mnangagwa is keen to exorcize the illegitimacy ghost through elevating Khupe to the corridors of power.
Below is part of Manguma’s argument :
After realizing MDC-T is just a name without followers, they have changed to MDC Alliance, name of another party, our party.
They are fighting a Mnangagwa battle, they are ED puppets.
Make no mistake about that. This stupidity will be allowed to take effect because our laws only exist on paper.
Where the law is applied, it is applied selectively, to the advantage of ED and disadvantage of Pres. Nelson Chamisa.
We have a captured Judiciary that receives orders from Mnangagwa.
Everything Khupe Mwozora do, including recalls, remains illegal, after expiry of terms of Supreme Court judgement.
They are banking on Mnangagwa and crooked Judiciary for a lifeline.
Above all, the illegitimacy ghost is haunting Mr Mnangagwa.
Farai Dziva|Senior MDC Alliance official Stanley Manguma has revealed how Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is using Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora to “pull down” President Nelson Chamisa.
According to Manguma, Mr Mnangagwa is keen to exorcize the illegitimacy ghost through elevating Khupe to the corridors of power.
Below is part of Manguma’s argument :
After realizing MDC-T is just a name without followers, they have changed to MDC Alliance, name of another party, our party.
They are fighting a Mnangagwa battle, they are ED puppets.
Make no mistake about that. This stupidity will be allowed to take effect because our laws only exist on paper.
Where the law is applied, it is applied selectively, to the advantage of ED and disadvantage of Pres. Nelson Chamisa.
We have a captured Judiciary that receives orders from Mnangagwa.
Everything Khupe Mwozora do, including recalls, remains illegal, after expiry of terms of Supreme Court judgement.
They are banking on Mnangagwa and crooked Judiciary for a lifeline.
Above all, the illegitimacy ghost is haunting Mr Mnangagwa.
A GWANDA man has been arrested after he bit a police officer who tried to apprehend his for assaulting his wife.
Barbson Pande (40) from Jacaranda Suburb pleaded not guilty to charges of physical abuse and assaulting or resisting a peace officer but was convicted by Gwanda magistrate, Miss Lerato Nyathi due to overwhelming evidence against him.
He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment but six months were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years. The remaining six months were further suspended on condition that he performs 210 hours of community service at Gwanda Magistrate’s Court.
Prosecuting, Miss Glenda Nare said Pande assaulted his wife, Miss Farai Matekenya on July 9 and when she reported him to the police he went on to bite the lip of Constable Artwell Chokera who attended the scene.
”On 9 July at around 6PM Pande was at home with his family when he started accusing his wife of making noise for him together with their children. Pande threatened to kill his wife who went on to the call the police and reported the incident.
”Two police officers attended the scene and when Pande saw them he further insulted his wife, grabbed her by the neck and dragged her on the floor. The cops tried to apprehend Pande but instead he bit Constable Artwell Chokera on the upper lip before fleeing the scene,” she said.
In his defence Pande denied assaulting his wife. He said he only reprimanded her.
He said he resisted arrest as the police wanted to apprehend him for an offence that he did not commit.
Pande said the cops only wanted to apprehend him for their personal gain as one of them was having an affair with his wife.-Chronicle
A case has been reported to Police against the Minister of State for Manicaland, Ellen Gwaradzimba after she withdrew a 206 hectare farm in Chipinge from a senior Zanu PF official and gave it to her biological son, Remembrance Mbudzana.
…..
Ellen Gwaradzimba
Gwaradzimba confirmed the development in an interview with Chipinge Times this morning.
Chipinge Times gathered that Gwaradzimba who is not new to land issue controversies went to Deelfointein Farm in Ward 12, Chipinge East and parceled it out to her son who got 206 hectares and gave 60 other hectares to two Zanu PF youth, Bernard Mhlanga and Ashirai Mawere who each got 30 hectares.
The farm belongs to Big Chitima, a lecturer at Hebert Chitepo School of Ideology and Zanu PF’s district coordinating committee secretary for Harare.
Chipinge Times is in possession of an offer letter to Chitima which was signed by the then Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Perrance Shiri on October 18, 2019. The letter gives him subdivision R/E of Deelfointein Estate A for agricultural purposes and the farm measures 250 hectares.
Big Chitima’s sister, Dorothy Mabika who is also Zanu PF vice chairperson for Manicaland and manages the farm confirmed the development but declined to comment further.
The matter was reported to Chipinge Police Station. Gwaradzimba said the reallocation of the farm to her son and two Zanu PF youth was approved by Cabinet. She said that according to records there is no one who has been allocated that farm.
“This place I am talking about is between Mai Mabika’s farm and Provincial Development Co-ordinator Edgars Sevenza’s farm. There is no one in this place and this is according to records and information from the technical team. There is a farm that belonged to Chitima’s late mother near the same place and I will not be foolish to take that one because I know she had children,” said Gwaradzimba.
She said that her son has been without a farm for too long after he failed to get Farfell Farm in Chipinge. His allocation of Farfell was reversed following an outcry.
Mawere confirmed that he was allocated a farm by Gwaradzimba but Mhlanga however, dismissed the allegations. Mhlanga said he last got a farm a few years back. Chitima could not be reached on his phone.
Although Mhlanga refuted the allegations, there is a WhatsApp message supposedly posted by him in which he brags about getting a farm direct from Aunty Gwa (Gwaradzimba is popularly referred to as Aunty Gwa).
“Zvinofadza sei kutsikirwa pamunda nemukuru we Province, Aunty Gwa,” reads the message. -Masvingo Mirror
By Mari Matutu | I listened to the Morgen Komichi’s interview by Costa Nkomo. While Costa Nkomo’s idea was 100% right, he lacked a lot of research in the whole matter. It is very dangerous to hold interviews with sensitive issues and have no confirmed facts. You end up helping the lier to go own.
I wish Costa Nkomo had invited me on the same panel, I would have helped make straight the following points that are abused
1)The SC Judgement
i) Morgan Komichi must be reminded that in SC he was found not properly before court as the rightful representative of MDC. His status as a representative of MDC was questionable as to where he draws the authority. It looks he has not changed.
ii) The SC cites MDC as a political party with capacity to sue or to be sued. How this MDC becomes MDC T and what the T stands for is not explained. Costa Nkomo did not ask this important question as to the relationship between MDC and MDC T, especial when there is no real official from MDC.
iii) There was also debate on the constitution presented in court. The court was clear that it was going to use the presented one ONLY for the purpose of that case. This is clear that should a real representative come foreard they can present another constitution for MDC
iv) While Costa also believed and repeated the like that SC said MDC must go to EOC and it must use 2014 structures. Here is what Costa Nkomo should have done- download the Judgement, read paragraph 2 of SC. It reads: “The judgement of the court a quo be and is hereby confirmed, save save for the deletion of paragraphs 4 and 5 of of the operative order”
This order look innocent and people enjoyed the first part and forgot to check what the SC deleted in paragraph 4 of court a quo(HC). That is why even Costa Knomo was repeating the lies of Komichi as if it is true.
Let us see what order 4 of HC wss saying before it was deleted
” 4 The 1st Respondent be and is hereby ordered to hold an Extra Ordinary Congress after the lapse of at least one month after date of this order”. Here goes the SC delete order 4 as a whole. No amendment or variation of the order. Be reminded the 1st respondent referred here is MDC which is a party with capacity to sue or be sued. If MDC had mouth of her own and not use stinking mouth like Komichi’s and you meet her coming from SC would she say SC ordered her to hold any EOC? Very clear SC did not order MDC to hold an EOC in stead it relieved her from the order to hold congress. Clear clear. Where does 2014 structure come in? What will that structute coming to do? MDC is a person separate to its members. So Costa Nkomo do us a favour and correct that. The judgement is there for you. Page 42. MDC was never ordered to hold an EOC.
v) The next point you never asked this bully is paragraph 3 of HC operation order which was confirmed by SC. It reads ” 3 All appointments and/or reassignements and actions of 2nd Respondant (Chamisa) in his purpoted capacities as Deputy/Acting or incumbent president were unconstitutional and therefore null and void”. It is an order that pleases Komichi when he says it but there is one thing Costa Nkomo failed to ask. After death of Tsvangirai as the case was before the court, Chamisa acted as Principal of MDCT. He assigned people in Alliance Nomination Committee of MDC A. As Principal he sat in meetings of Coalition Principals Forum if we believe their version of pact. All the people who went to ZEC and register as office bearers did it after being assigned by Chamisa to the Committee of Alliance. Now if SC decared them as null and void in the eyes and capacity of MDC T. Simple terms is MDC T did not do it. It does not mean it never happened. The point is it happened but not on behalf MDC T. How then does Komichi in his lack of wisdom come and claim right of a null and void decision as MDC T right. As the people boasting of a win you were the best people to shun those seats, that whole process presided by him does not belong to MDC T by SC ruling because those are the assignments, actions and appointments Chamisa did on behalf of MDC T and later declared null and void in eyes of MDC T. All what it means is these were personal decisions of Chamisa. If there is benefit it is his and if loss it is his not MDC T.
vi) By Confirming that Khupe was rightful Acting president it means all decision she carried on behalf as MDC T president are valid and binding on MDC T. By SC we can safely say MDC T did field candidates and contested against MDC A members all against the agreement. Why does she want to claim from MDC T which she did not belong? Who is MDC T then? Because where she was president there were candidates who contested as MDC T, who is that MDC T who was fielding candidates while she was not there on behalf of MDC T? Is it Komichi or Mwonzora who are MDC T?
Costa Nkomo you missed to ask these question as they relate to the SC. You also missed an important thing. The Members of Senate are created by s120 of Costitution and House Assembly is created by s124. They make it clear that elections of these members MUST be held only in accordance with electoral law. The Electoral act establishes an Electoral Court in s161 of act. This is the only clourt with jurisdiction of electoral disputes. SC never sat as electoral court. Nothing in that court says Chamisa was a wrong candidate or his election was against any electoral law
2) Alliance Agreement
Coasta Nkomo again while you had good intention but you also did not research anything from the Alliance agreement.
It must be noted it is MDC T that brought this agreement to court to prove that the ALLIANCE was for 7 political parties when in other point MDC A was saying they formed their own party.
The onus of proving how the Alliance agreement as presented was the one that was used and how it was used rested on MDC T and prove how they implemented it and who actually implemented it. I will go down the agreement and ask questions of what Costa Nkomo should ask the fraudster of Chairman.
i) In the agreement you presented there is 7 political parties like Komichi say. Of interest is MDC T as represented on that day by Tsvangirai and an MDC as represented by Welshman Ncube. We also saw in SC there was a party known as MDC without a T. We also saw that while all were fighting for succeeding Tsvangirai but no one came with full authority to say he or she was rightfully standing for that MDC. Now question is did Tsvangirai left MDC or he left MDC T? If agreement you present is relied on and you insist these were 7 political parties then agree with me that MDC belong to Welshman Ncube because Tsvangirai left a signature that confirms that and he also confirmed the same. So MDC T must not change and say its also MDC and claim the constitution of MDC is its constitution. The number 7 confirms Tsvangirai had a party MDC T as its principal. In terms of MDC constitution by standing up as president of a political party other than MDC Tsvangirai had expelled himself from MDC. His signature is evidence of who he was.
ii) Going in the dispute. The MDC T presented a raw 2017 agreement to prove an agreement of forming an alliance. While the agreement was between political parties through principals. How MDC T want to put it to candidates. Did they form Alliance? There is difference between MDC T and its members. What ever MDC T agreed to do with six other parties does not bind members. They have their right to make political choices as individuals or as a group. They have freedom of association. That MDC T signed agreement with other parties does not stop them from leaving MDC T and form their own party or join other parties and seek nomination under what ever name.
iii) While the agreement was signed in 2017 there is one thing that does not need court to rule on that. That is Morgan Tsvangirai died on 14 February 2018. After his death surely one has to explain how the agreement of 2017 was implemented as it is in 2018 July 31.
Of first note is article 3.1.1 state that Morgan Tsvangirai of MDC T was the alliance presidential candidate. By his death it means Alliance has to replace a candidate and MDC T had to replace a principal. It is misplaced to present the agreement as it was in October 2017 as if this never happened. Again Costa Nkomo listened to lies. For now we now all know that Tsvangiai’s role as Principal of MDC T was the one that was dealt by SC and we have shown that by SC ruling the actions by Chamisa were nullified in eyes of MDC T.
I will deal with his role as presidential candidate.
iv) The agreement they presented has article 3.0.(i) reads “In the event of a vacancy occuring for the presidency for what ever reason before the election the alliance partners shall select another candidate bssed onthe criteria in clause 3(b)…”
We read the clause 3(b) of agreement.” The presidential candidate must be selected from amongst parties on the basis of the best individual who can win election against the incumbent based on popular support”
Now Costa Nkomo, did Tsvangirai died? Yes. Did he die before election? Yes. Did he have to be replaced ? Yes. Was there a written down criteria of replacing him? Yes. This is where you should corrected that thinking mouth Komichi and show him that the agreement had a criteria of selecting the presidential candidate and it says “individual” not president of MDC T as you lie to the people. Right in front of camera you should shame him. Its in black and white.
I forgive you if you say you did not have but next time get a copy.
vi) Now Costa Nkomo you know that Chamisa was selected as individual by alliance partners and not by MDC T to stand as presidential candidate. Khupe did not like it. She wanted to be the candidate. The next condition that would take with being a presidential candidate is being part of MDC A symbol. Chamisa by being selected by 3.0(i) using criteria in 3.0(b) his facial image became the symbol of MDC A. Again this did not please Khupe. But if ever someone holds the agreement he cannot remove Chamisa’s face on the Alliance symbol and still want to implement the the agreement. It must also be stated that the SC never ruled on the ALLIANCE and its Symbol. Neither the role Chamisa played as MDCA presidential candidate was in capacity as MDC T president but as individual. Oooo Costa Nkoma you missed this blood kick on his ass. The symbol cannot be changed and mantain other articles.
vii) The next lie that is given is the candidates that were nominated as MDC A in 2018 belong to MDC T or PDP or MDC or ZimPF.
Here is the wording of the agreement which this stinking mouth lier should explain.
Article 3.0.(g) reads ” Each alliance partner candidate shall seek nomination at the nomination court under its name but using Alliance symbol” Straight forward to read at October 2017. But now Costa Nkomo we are in 2020 and 2 years after 2018 election. Why , why Costa did you not ask Komichi the lier simple things here. The agreement shows that they knew that a candidate has seek nomination at nomination court. They also knew that you seek nomination under a name and a symbol. In the case of what agreement had said each part that was in the alliance had to have their candidates go to nomination court and each state that he or she is MDC T or MDC or ZimPF or TZ on the nomination paper then put a common Alliance symbol. Did MDC T candidates went to nomination and do as the agreement say? Did TZ candidates went , MdC,PDP? The answer is non of the candidates went and sort nomination under any of those names. What can be seen is MDC T went and sort nomination at court and used their own symbol. Fortunately Komichi knows of conflict of identity. He want us to believe there were MDC T candidstes who sot nomination as MDC A and some who sort nomination as MDC T and there is no conflict of identity. Was there a written agreement that candidated could ever seek nomination under MDC A? The proof is there that there was no such agreement, neither was MDCA a name to be nominated under. What is in agreement is these parties were going to use a common symbol that had the face of presidential candidate surounded by party logo of the partners. No candidate ever such symbol.
Someone then has to explain how they implemented the agreement and how they can positively say a person who never sort nomination as stated in their agreement is theirs by agreement?
Is it not correct that by electoral act for MDC A to appear on your ballot it must be a party name? How can one still argue that it was not a party name when it is clear in their agreement the name you are nominated under is called party name. How can they miss that it is the candidate who should SEEK nomination under those party names. The names are not imposed on them. They seek to be under those names. What if they do not seek nomination under that name are they forced to be under those names? Is it on the agreement too? Come on Costa Nkomo. You betrayed the nation by not exposing this stinking mouth.
viii) The agreement in article 7 which I shall not copy but say in brief state that only writen parts of agreement are binding. Any other thing that is not written is not binding.
Come on Costa Nkomo. If you have read this article and noted that Tsvangirai died and no party ever used their name to seek nomination and no one used a logo with logos of 7political parties around face of presidential candidate how does Komichi bind people with things that are not written any where in the agreement. How does he force a person to be MDC T by agreement when he never sort the nomination as MDC T by agreement. Is it not clear he abandoned the agreement at nomination. Why is it hard to see that these people registered their political party in terms of s38A of Act which is a name that was never agreed to be a name of nomination and was not owned by anyone by ZEC records. Is it also not clear that they created their own symbol that did not include names or logos of parties in alliance.
Is it also not clear that of all political parties MDC T and its logo are the ones that breached the same agreement yet they come to cllaim right over it. Was it in the agreement that parties were independent of each other. Whom did MDC T put as it principal to implement the agreement. Only a president could be a principal of MDC T. Now that court ruled that Chamisa was not Principal. Who then does MDC T acted as principal and fulfill the agreement and explain why his MDC T candidates ended up MDC A.
ix) Article 9.0 of agreement state clear that the laws of Zimbabwe shall govern the agreement. Come on Costa Nkomo. Did you not see that this stinking mouth was tell Zimbabweans that “their agreement shall govern the laws of Zimbabwe”. While the wrote all what they intended to do nothing in the agreement was implemented. They never sort nomination as MDC T, They never used the MDC A common symbol as per their agreement, they do not accept they chose Chamisa as candidate and say he was not the rightful candidate. Now they take a raw agreement they never implement and come to challenge the s46(1)(c) nomination choices made in terms of electoral law. They challenge a declaration done in terms of s66 of electoral act and say a person who was elected under a name which is not theirs is actually their because the agreement of 2017 had said candidates were going to seek nomination under MDC T. The whole prescribed form is now a useless. The declaration under oath that they are MDC A and not MDC T is rubbish. The s38A registered office bearers also declared under oath that they represent MDC A a political party . The Nomination officer believed that these office bearers had signed on behalf of MDC A and not MDC T, he put in a gazettee for whole nation that these candidates have sort Nomination under a name and symbol that will appear on ballot paper. The ballot comes with MDC A on one slot and MDC T on another but the MDC A is a fraud of a party that hides behind wrong name and wrong candidate. The voters were given chance to object the candidature or the use of name or symbol as the act directs. In stead we as a nation must listen to an agreement writen in 2017 but never implemented by those who made it. Our speaker of parliament or president of senate must now be governed and be directed by this agreement.
x) Costa I thought as a Zimbabwe you should have reminded what their agreement mean in article 9.0 by saying the agreement shall be governed by laws of Zimbabwe. It looks like Komichi knows non.
I will help him in next
3) Zimbabwe Electoral laws
Zimbabwe has constitution which bind us all not these MDC constitution and agreements. This is what the article 9.0 of their agreement meant
i) The position of member of senate is brought to being by section 120 of constitution and House of Assembly by 124. These state it as a MUST not option that Election are held in accordance will electoral law. Like it or not only electoral laws must be used for electing MPs. Spare us your agreements they are not electoral laws. For a full Speaker of parliament to hold an agreement of a political party and decide with what party an MP belong is unconstitutional and fraud.
ii) s157 of constitution explain how an act of parliament must be enacted and what not to miss. I want these goons see this part ,Costa Nkomo, s157(3) tells that the nomination process shall be in brief as follows-: the election date is published 14 days before nomination date and the nomination is at least 30 days from election date. These are important time frames.
iii) s38A of electoral act state that parties who wish to contest election may submit names of office bearer on any of the days from 4th day after publication of election date ending two days from nomination date. It very important to note elements of s38A that relate to this
a) A political party that wish to contest must show by presenting itself. If you do not present yourself on the this day they you are not contesting.
b) You must present yourself and wish on a stated period as set. Not 2017 agreements that are not presented.
c) The parties submit names and signatures to be used by nomination officer for scrutinising candidates forms. Well before nomination court. If MDC T wanted to contest, MDC , ZANU NDONGA, TZ wanted to contest election they would have come and submit those office bearers names under their parties names on the stipulated period by constitution and act. It does not save to present now an agreement that was never presented or parties that never showed interest to contest.
d) This section gives right to those parties to accept candidates to choose them. If a party never presented it self on the stipulated period it could not accept candidates. So as it stand no PDP, MDC, TZ and other went to register for accepting candidates.
iv) s45B make crucial interpretations. Constituency candidate, constituency member, party list candidate, party list seat. They show you that one first become a party constituency candidate first then after winning you become a party constituency member. It will help us on relalling.
v) s46(1)(c) state that candidate wishing to stand for election must state this fact on a prescribed form and choose the party abreviation and party symbol as he or she wish to appear on ballot paper. This is where we are fed lies by these goods. The law does not provide for seconding of candidates. In fact right to stand for election is given by s67(3)(b) of constitution. You do not need Komichi to approve you to contest. You choose if you want to go independent like Jessie Majome or Choose MDC T or Zanu or MDC A. After choosing to stand for the party you seek authority of the party. Not a party that did not present itself in period. The party that has registered office bearers. The office bearer accept or reject your choice. They sign on behalf of party MDC A. Then the prescribed form goes before nomination. You become a party candidate.
The names are published in a Gazette and ballots are printed and voters vote. A winner is declared by s66 of act. This declaration cannot be altered unless by an order of an ELECTORAL COURT not SC after a petition. A electoral court is established by s161 of act and has sole jurisdiction on matters of electoral law and act not SC judgement on corporate organisation dispute.
s2 of Electoral act also state that the whole act is for elections not for settling power disputes in parties.
vi) Should the MP who was estsblished by constitution in a process that follow electoral laws cease to belong to something it means he is ceasing on what the Zimbabwe electoral law first established and registered.
vii) s129(1)(k) talks of a member of Parliament established by [s120 ors124], you cease to belong to a party that showed interest to contest and accept nomination[s38A] then got chosen by candidate as interpreted by [s45B] and accept the candidate by way of soleminized declaration on a prescribed form[ s46(2)] This party become concerned party by this declaration. Without proof of such declaration under oath the concern and interest of that party cannot just emerge on ceasing before being presented. It has also been proved that the time before election in terms of electoral laws is from day of nomination which is 14 days after date of election is published and date of election which must be at least 30 days before election date [s157(3)of constitution]. The party one belongs during this stipulated period is the party one belongs before election. Not October 2017 agreement to determine period of belonging to a party. That period is not prescribed to be a period before election. Other wise its a period for recalls of previous parliament. The act shows there is a period to join parties and belong for purpose of election. This is what the law of Zimbabwe govern elections. If you never presented yourself or got candidates choosing you do not violet our institution by your greedy and corruption
Please Costa Nkomo in future invite me ooo. I want to expose these greedy money monkers.
Now they know they messed up they want to change names.
Joint statement by Teacher Unions in Zimbabwe Concerning Re-opening of Schools.
Realising that the gvt has since announced the dates for re-opening of schools for exam classes and commencement of exams, Irked that this announcement was not a product of widespread consultations and meaningful engagement with teacher unions but a ‘diktat’ by gvt,
Perturbed that gvt has totally ignored the welfare of teachers as evidenced by salaries that were received by teachers in September,Aware that the Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL) for a family of five is now above ZW$ 17 244 as given by Zimstat,Surprised by the continued salary discrepancies between teachers and the other civil servants, especially the uniformed forces,United in our diversity by our common desire for the entrenchment of a credible quality public education system in Zimbabwe,Acknowledging the worthlessness of current infinite negotiations under NJNC and lack of seriousless and urgency in such negotiations
Reaffirming the position that the economy has fully redollarised, with prices of most goods and services pegged in US Dollars, including those offered by gvt itself,Noting that there are still Covid 19 active cases, most of them being local,Adequately informed that most boarding schools have increased fees to between $20 000 and $40 000 while the teacher’s salaries have remained stagnant in a volatile economic environment,Emphasizing that well paid teachers in safe schools is a must for quality public education.
Aware that all teachers are financially crippled and have no capacity to report at their respective schools on 28 September
We, the undersigned Teacher Unions in Zimbabwe, now therefore, urge the government to:
Urgently expedite consultations with all teachers’ unions with a view to sharing ideas on the way forward before the opening of schools. This is informed by the fact that teachers’unions are a key stakeholder in the education sector and represent the very people who are implementers of gvt policies;
Restore the purchasing power parity of teachers’ salaries pegged at USD500 to USD550.Implement meaningful education sector-specific allowances that commensurate with teachers responsibilities and status.Pay a Covid allowance that is a product of negotiations or agreement between employer and teachers rather than the current benevolence gesture dubbed presidential prerogative. If schools reopen during this Covid period, it entails that teachers will be frontline workers who deserve a meaningful covid allowance;Pay salaries that resonate with workers’ qualifications, experience, responsibilities and promotion rather than the current scenario where physical fitness has become more rewarding.
Establish an Inclusive Covid 19 Task Force to assess the level of preparedness of schools before re-opening.Ensure that schools are safe to receive the learners and teachers and their health, safety and welfare are highly prioritised. The $600 million set aside by gvt should reflect on the ground, in schools not in the media only or end in higher offices without reaching the intended beneficiaries.
Currently, there is almost nothing in public schools because the school coffers are dry since there hasn’t been any collection of fees after closure in March 2020.
Give teachers and learners enough time to cover syllabi and prepare for exams. The period of two months between 28 September 2020 and 1 December 2020 (the proposed date for commencement of exams) does not adequately compensate for the lost time of six months since schools closed.Listen to professional advice and provide a broad blue print that covers all learners than being restricted only to exam classes.
Indeed, there is nothing as dangerous as having under-paid, undernourished, under-resourced and demotivated teachers in the classrooms because teachers are in essence role models of their communities and society and help to shape the future of individuals, society and the country. It is only well-paid, healthy, motivated, innovative and dynamic teachers that can fulfill this vital cog of sustainable development.
Joint statement by Teacher Unions in Zimbabwe Concerning Re-opening of Schools.
Realising that the gvt has since announced the dates for re-opening of schools for exam classes and commencement of exams, Irked that this announcement was not a product of widespread consultations and meaningful engagement with teacher unions but a ‘diktat’ by gvt,
Perturbed that gvt has totally ignored the welfare of teachers as evidenced by salaries that were received by teachers in September,Aware that the Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL) for a family of five is now above ZW$ 17 244 as given by Zimstat,Surprised by the continued salary discrepancies between teachers and the other civil servants, especially the uniformed forces,United in our diversity by our common desire for the entrenchment of a credible quality public education system in Zimbabwe,Acknowledging the worthlessness of current infinite negotiations under NJNC and lack of seriousless and urgency in such negotiations
Reaffirming the position that the economy has fully redollarised, with prices of most goods and services pegged in US Dollars, including those offered by gvt itself,Noting that there are still Covid 19 active cases, most of them being local,Adequately informed that most boarding schools have increased fees to between $20 000 and $40 000 while the teacher’s salaries have remained stagnant in a volatile economic environment,Emphasizing that well paid teachers in safe schools is a must for quality public education.
Aware that all teachers are financially crippled and have no capacity to report at their respective schools on 28 September
We, the undersigned Teacher Unions in Zimbabwe, now therefore, urge the government to:
Urgently expedite consultations with all teachers’ unions with a view to sharing ideas on the way forward before the opening of schools. This is informed by the fact that teachers’unions are a key stakeholder in the education sector and represent the very people who are implementers of gvt policies;
Restore the purchasing power parity of teachers’ salaries pegged at USD500 to USD550.Implement meaningful education sector-specific allowances that commensurate with teachers responsibilities and status.Pay a Covid allowance that is a product of negotiations or agreement between employer and teachers rather than the current benevolence gesture dubbed presidential prerogative. If schools reopen during this Covid period, it entails that teachers will be frontline workers who deserve a meaningful covid allowance;Pay salaries that resonate with workers’ qualifications, experience, responsibilities and promotion rather than the current scenario where physical fitness has become more rewarding.
Establish an Inclusive Covid 19 Task Force to assess the level of preparedness of schools before re-opening.Ensure that schools are safe to receive the learners and teachers and their health, safety and welfare are highly prioritised. The $600 million set aside by gvt should reflect on the ground, in schools not in the media only or end in higher offices without reaching the intended beneficiaries.
Currently, there is almost nothing in public schools because the school coffers are dry since there hasn’t been any collection of fees after closure in March 2020.
Give teachers and learners enough time to cover syllabi and prepare for exams. The period of two months between 28 September 2020 and 1 December 2020 (the proposed date for commencement of exams) does not adequately compensate for the lost time of six months since schools closed.Listen to professional advice and provide a broad blue print that covers all learners than being restricted only to exam classes.
Indeed, there is nothing as dangerous as having under-paid, undernourished, under-resourced and demotivated teachers in the classrooms because teachers are in essence role models of their communities and society and help to shape the future of individuals, society and the country. It is only well-paid, healthy, motivated, innovative and dynamic teachers that can fulfill this vital cog of sustainable development.
A GWANDA man has been arrested after he bit a police officer who tried to apprehend him for assaulting his wife.
Barbson Pande (40) from Jacaranda Suburb pleaded not guilty to charges of physical abuse and assaulting or resisting a peace officer but was convicted by Gwanda magistrate, Miss Lerato Nyathi due to overwhelming evidence against him.
He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment but six months were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years. The remaining six months were further suspended on condition that he performs 210 hours of community service at Gwanda Magistrate’s Court.
Prosecuting, Miss Glenda Nare said Pande assaulted his wife, Miss Farai Matekenya on July 9 and when she reported him to the police he went on to bite the lip of Constable Artwell Chokera who attended the scene.
”On 9 July at around 6PM Pande was at home with his family when he started accusing his wife of making noise for him together with their children. Pande threatened to kill his wife who went on to the call the police and reported the incident.
”Two police officers attended the scene and when Pande saw them he further insulted his wife, grabbed her by the neck and dragged her on the floor. The cops tried to apprehend Pande but instead he bit Constable Artwell Chokera on the upper lip before fleeing the scene,” she said.
In his defence Pande denied assaulting his wife. He said he only reprimanded her.
He said he resisted arrest as the police wanted to apprehend him for an offence that he did not commit.
Pande said the cops only wanted to apprehend him for their personal gain as one of them was having an affair with his wife.-Chronicle
By A Correspondent- As parliamentarians remembered Perrance Shiri who passed on on 29 July 2020 in parly yesterday, Zanu PF MP for Bindura North Kenneth Musanhi while speaking about Shiri broke down as he recounted fond memories about the late retired Air Marshall, The Herald reports.
Musanhi could not finish his contibution as emotion overcame him while he outlined how he had worked with Shiri who he said helped him fight a tough Tyson (Savior Kasukuwere). Musanhi said;
We fought together against G40. Tyson was a tough guy. Cde Shiri would just give me advice from the background saying he ought not to be seen.
Another Zanu PF legislator, Chikomba Central’s Felex Mhona (Zanu PF) described him as a meek and humble person:
His meekness and humility was a marvel to the people of Njanja, Chikomba Central.
While Pupurai Togarepi said Shiri helped him during the time he was going through a tough time politically:
At one point in my political life I faced challenges. He would give me confidence when chips were down
Meanhwile Norton Legislator Temba Mliswa urged parliamentarians to stop associating Shiri with the Gukurahundi Masscres even after details of his alleged involvement in the masceres evolved.
By A Correspondent- The Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Matabeleland South province deputy director Mr Elfas Siziba (58) allegedly hanged himself in a bushy area near his house in Gwanda town following a misunderstanding with his first wife.
Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident which happened near Nssa Complex in the Central Business District.
Insp Makonese said the late Mr Siziba was last seen by his family on Saturday at around 10PM and he was found hanging from a tree by a passerby on Sunday at around 9AM.
“I can confirm that we recorded a case of sudden death by hanging near Nssa Complex in Gwanda. Elfas Siziba was last seen by his family on Saturday at around 10PM as he retired to bed. He was found hanging from a tree at around 9AM. The matter was reported to the police who attended the scene and his body was taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital mortuary,” she said.
Insp Mangena said investigations were underway. A source said the late Mr Siziba left a suicide note indicating that he had a misunderstanding with his first wife.
By A Correspondent- The trial of Prisca Mupfumira in which she stands accused of siphoning public funds amounting to US $95 Million from National Social Security Authority (NSSA) will kick off on 19 October.
According to the publication, the state which will be led by George Manokore has notified magistrate Trynos Utawashe that they are ready to proceed:
Prosecutor George Manokore yesterday told magistrate Trynos Utawashe that the State was now ready for trial after several false starts, with Priscilla Mupfumira’s lawyer Advocate Silvester Hashiti threatening to file for refusal of further remand in protest over the delays.
risca Mupfumira is facing 7 counts of frauds as the state alleges that she siphoned $95 million from NSSA and bought properties in Asia, Europe and South Africa.
Mupfumira who was publicly arrest last year in July and was in remand for close to a month before being released on bail has denied the allegations levelled against her that she used pensioners’ money to buy properties in Dubai, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
President Mnangagwa fired Prisca Mupfumira from her job as a cabinet minister after she was released from prison and her case could not commence at some point as she was said to be suffering from mental instability.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- Residents Associations are calling for the immediate amendment of the constitution which gives powers to political parties to recall councilors without consulting citizens.
Speaking at a radio program recently in Harare, Harare Metropolitan Residents Forum (HAMREF) Chairperson Mr Marvellous Kumalo said:
As residents we are going to lobby for the amendment of the constitution, these forms of recalls should go through a referendum of that particular constituency.”
CHRA Director Mrs. Loreen Mupasiri Sani highlighted that, the political contestations of the opposition parties has resulted in the wild recalls of councilors and left the electorate on the periphery of the local governance.
“Councilors are the bridge between the residents and the council officials”, said the CHRA Director.
The Secretary for Local Governance for MDC Alliance, Sesel Zvidzai lamented that the recalls were not procedural. “If recalls were to be made there are processes and procedures to be followed not just a mere letter,” said Zvidzai.
Zvidzai added that:
“Councilors were being recalled because they were refusing to be raped politically.”
Mr Morgan Komichi the National Chairperson for the MDCT defended the recalls and highlighted that there were a necessity.
“These recalls are informed by Supreme Court ruling which regard Thokozani Kuphe as the president of MDC Alliance and Councilors recalls is a process of dealing with indiscipline among councilors ,issues of service delivery will be dealt with later”, said Komichi.
So far twenty one (21) Councilors out of forty-six (46) have been recalled to a situation that has crippled council committees and operations.
The recalls come at a time when Council was in an important political process of budget formulation.
CHRA calls for the fighting political parties to prioritize residents and service delivery; they are crippling as these recalls are affecting representative democracy and quality service delivery.
A week after his departure from Absa Premiership side Highlands Park, former Highlanders and national team skipper Tapuwa Kapini has found a new home at GladAfrica Championship side Sekhukhune United.
The National First Division outfit, previously known as African All Stars before buying the franchise of Tshakhuma Tsha Madzhivhandila and later changing the name to Sekhukhune, is coached by Johnny Ferreira.
Kapini was offloaded by Highlands Park last week after the club’s new owners informed him they had no plans for his services.
With many of his fans thinking the eccentric goalie would call time on his football career that has seen him wearing gloves for two decades now, the 36-year-old instead told Chronicle Sport in an interview from South Africa that he wasn’t retiring, at least for now.
He said he would retreat to his workshop and await offers and seemed confident something was brewing.
Kapini took to the microblogging site Twitter to reveal his new employers.
“Thank you for the prayers and words of encouragement. Proud to call Sekhukhune United my new home,” wrote Kapini.
He, however, did not reveal the finer details of the contract, but it is believed he penned a two-year deal that will take him to 2022.
Kapini joined a then star-studded Highlanders side in 2001 where he went on to command a first team jersey and won three championship medals before packing his bags for South Africa to join the now defunct Platinum Stars in 2006.
He was part of the inaugural Warriors squad that competed in the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia and was also in the travelling party when Zimbabwe made their second consecutive appearance at the finals in the 2006 Afcon tournament in Egypt.
From Platinum Stars he moved to Amazulu, but his services were terminated with six months of his contract remaining due to a frosty relationship with the coach.
It did not take long for him to find a new club in Highlands Park where he spent five years until his departure last week.
Kapini holds the rare record of captaining all, but club that he has played for in his illustrious career, which, based on his age, is surely now coming to an end.
ZIMBABWE international Terrence Dzvukamanja has moved to a new club after signing a three-year deal with South Africa football giants Orlando Pirates.
The 26-year-old was unveiled on Wednesday afternoon along with midfielder Collins Makgaka, who joined the club from Baroka.
Dzvukamanja was part of the Bidvest Wits family for the past two seasons but decided to leave after the club was sold to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila ahead of next season.
“Following the announcement of the signing of Thulani Hlatshwayo and Deon Hotto Kavendji on Monday, the club is pleased to announce two more additions ahead of the start of the 2020/21 season.
“Terrence Dzvukamanja and Collins Makgaka have joined the club. Dzvukamanja has put pen to paper having agreed to a three-year deal with the Buccaneers,” announced Pirates on their website.
Electricity tariffs have shot up by at least 50% in some instances. Domestic consumers who were paying less than $200 for the first 200 units available for the first purchase of the month will be paying $324 for the same 200 units with effect from today, 23 September 2020.
This was revealed in a communique by ZESA on a pamphlet brought to ZimEye.com’s attention.
The comparison in the tariff prices as compiled by Techzim are as follows:
THE head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control has praised African states for managing to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Africa has seen about 1.4 million cases, and 34,000 deaths since March.
These figures are far lower than those in Europe, Asia or the Americas, with reported cases continuing to decline.
Early interventions played a crucial role in curbing the virus’ spread, John Nkengasong told the BBC’s Newsday programme.
The continent of more than one billion people accounts for just under 5% of cases globally and 3.6% of deaths.
Dr Nkengasong described as “false” suggestions that cases and deaths in Africa were significantly under-reported.
“We may not have been picking up all the cases, just like in other parts of the world… but we are not seeing people around the continent falling dead on the streets or mass burials going on,” Dr Nkengasong said.
All African states introduced a series of measures to tackle the virus as soon as the first cases were reported in March. Many, including South Africa, introduced nationwide lockdowns, but others such as Ethiopia opted for less strict measures.
Dr Nkengasong, however, attributed the low number to a “joint continental effort”, which focused on “scaling up testing and following up contact tracing and very importantly masking”, or the wearing of face masks.
“In many countries, including Ethiopia where I live, if you go to the streets of Addis Ababa you will see there is almost 100% masking,” he added.
What other reasons did he give?
Africa’s relatively young population also contributed to the low number of cases, Dr Nkengasong said.
Furthermore, the emphasis on community-driven initiatives, and experience in contact-tracing from fighting diseases like Ebola, had helped countries to tackle the virus, he said.
“This virus is in the community, and without a strong community response and strong community engagement there is no chance we can fight it,” Dr Nkengasong added.
Joint statement by Teacher Unions in Zimbabwe Concerning Re-opening of Schools.
Realising that the gvt has since announced the dates for re-opening of schools for exam classes and commencement of exams, Irked that this announcement was not a product of widespread consultations and meaningful engagement with teacher unions but a ‘diktat’ by gvt,
Perturbed that gvt has totally ignored the welfare of teachers as evidenced by salaries that were received by teachers in September,Aware that the Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL) for a family of five is now above ZW$ 17 244 as given by Zimstat,Surprised by the continued salary discrepancies between teachers and the other civil servants, especially the uniformed forces,United in our diversity by our common desire for the entrenchment of a credible quality public education system in Zimbabwe,Acknowledging the worthlessness of current infinite negotiations under NJNC and lack of seriousless and urgency in such negotiations
Reaffirming the position that the economy has fully redollarised, with prices of most goods and services pegged in US Dollars, including those offered by gvt itself,Noting that there are still Covid 19 active cases, most of them being local,Adequately informed that most boarding schools have increased fees to between $20 000 and $40 000 while the teacher’s salaries have remained stagnant in a volatile economic environment,Emphasizing that well paid teachers in safe schools is a must for quality public education.
Aware that all teachers are financially crippled and have no capacity to report at their respective schools on 28 September
We, the undersigned Teacher Unions in Zimbabwe, now therefore, urge the government to:
Urgently expedite consultations with all teachers’ unions with a view to sharing ideas on the way forward before the opening of schools. This is informed by the fact that teachers’unions are a key stakeholder in the education sector and represent the very people who are implementers of gvt policies;
Restore the purchasing power parity of teachers’ salaries pegged at USD500 to USD550.Implement meaningful education sector-specific allowances that commensurate with teachers responsibilities and status.Pay a Covid allowance that is a product of negotiations or agreement between employer and teachers rather than the current benevolence gesture dubbed presidential prerogative. If schools reopen during this Covid period, it entails that teachers will be frontline workers who deserve a meaningful covid allowance;Pay salaries that resonate with workers’ qualifications, experience, responsibilities and promotion rather than the current scenario where physical fitness has become more rewarding.
Establish an Inclusive Covid 19 Task Force to assess the level of preparedness of schools before re-opening.Ensure that schools are safe to receive the learners and teachers and their health, safety and welfare are highly prioritised. The $600 million set aside by gvt should reflect on the ground, in schools not in the media only or end in higher offices without reaching the intended beneficiaries.
Currently, there is almost nothing in public schools because the school coffers are dry since there hasn’t been any collection of fees after closure in March 2020.
Give teachers and learners enough time to cover syllabi and prepare for exams. The period of two months between 28 September 2020 and 1 December 2020 (the proposed date for commencement of exams) does not adequately compensate for the lost time of six months since schools closed.Listen to professional advice and provide a broad blue print that covers all learners than being restricted only to exam classes.
Indeed, there is nothing as dangerous as having under-paid, undernourished, under-resourced and demotivated teachers in the classrooms because teachers are in essence role models of their communities and society and help to shape the future of individuals, society and the country. It is only well-paid, healthy, motivated, innovative and dynamic teachers that can fulfill this vital cog of sustainable development.
Harare West legislator Joana Mamombe’s lawyer Aleck Muchadehama today clashed with state prosecutor Michael Reza, accusing of him of pursuing a personal vendetta against his client.
This followed Reza’s refusal to have Mamombe’s matter postponed to 26 September despite being advised by the actual prosecutor handling the matter, Garudzo Ziyadhuma to do so.
Muchadehama had asked for postponement saying that he was committed to other matter in Gweru.
Muchadehama pleaded with the court to question Reza if he had conflict of interest with the matter which Mamombe is standing accused of.
“We seek an extra notion on Reza on why he is being so much interested in this matter to an extent that he refused to postpone the matter even after the actual prosecutor who is doing this matter, Garudzo Ziyadhuma advised him to postponed to 26 September,” he told magistrate Bianca Makwande.
He also asked if Reza had personal interest or issues with him and Mamombe.
“We want to know if the state is super litigate that it can say whatever it wants and it happens?” queried Muchadehama.
However, Reza shot back and denied the allegations saying that he is doing his job as a public prosecutor.
“I am nothing but just a public prosecutor who is just doing his job.
“It is so wrong for the defence to say I have something holding against him and also all the allegations are hear-say evidence, I have never spoken with him personally,” he said.
He however did not deny that he spoke to Ziyadhuma about postponement and said he told lawyer Jeremiah Bhamu that he will oppose the postponement application.
Magistrate Makwande however did not make a ruling on this matter saying the utterances were made outside court.
This happened after the state has applied that Mamombe should be detained and examined by government doctors.
The defence is opposing to the application saying the state is not looking closely to the law but using personal issues towards the case.
The court moved the matter to 24 September for a ruling.
WORKERS in the agricultural sector have had their salaries reviewed, with lowest paid employee receiving a minimum wage of $4 600.
Previously, it was agreed that the lowest paid worker in this sector should get $2 960.
A statement by the National Employment Council for the Agricultural Sector in Zimbabwe indicates that the highest paid grade in this sector will see workers getting $9 085, up from $5 826.
The new wage adjustment agreement, which was signed on September 18, became effective on 1 September.
The agreement was reached by labour unions in the sector, among them the Zimbabwe Agricultural Employers Organisation (ZAEO), the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZFCU), Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU), Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) and agro employer representatives on the employer’s side and the General Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union of Zimbabwe (GAPWUZ).
The Horticulture, General Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union of Zimbabwe represented the employees in that sector in the negotiations.
Part of the agreement, however, states that an employer may apply to the National Employment Council for an exemption or review from paying the increased wages, stating the reasons.
By A Correspondent | A Great Zimbabwe University lecturer, who featured on ZimEye a few days ago has had a successful first operation for colon cancer.
Dr Farai Maunganidze’s organising team tells ZimEye’s Simba Chikanza, of the 41 year old lecturer who is being treated in Harare, the first operation has been successful.
“Thanking you Mkoma, the first Operation was successful and Dr Maunganidze is keeping well, I’m forever thankful for your assistance ?????? “, Mr Robert Gaza writes through.
The development has confirmed what the UK based Cancer Support Network advised the late activist Patson Dzamara, when he was panicking to fly out of the country as they told him he could easily be treated in Zimbabwe and the procedure is affordable. Mr Dzamara was at the time being advised by other people to go ahead with foreign travel plans, while being misled by some colleagues who made him believe a false allegation that the Cancer Support Network are herbalists. ZimEye battled to help Mr Dzamara against the Twitter activists and the human rights hero would unfortunately realise at the last minute only to apologise (audio recording). By that time however time had run out, and he passed on.
The Cancer Support Network was founded by healthcare professionals in Oncology who have deep insight and passion to serve the people of Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile scores of Zimbabweans have so far donated to Mr Maunganidze including the Ladies Of The UK organisation led by Flossy Kandodo.
He is now headed for the 2nd procedure. Those who wish to donate to his fund can do so on the following link…
THE spread of the Covid-19 epidemic is coming under control in Zimbabwe, with the number of infections falling below initial expectations, Government has said.
As at 22 September, Zimbabwe has recorded 7 711 confirmed Covid-19 cases, including 5 979 recoveries and 226 deaths.
Yesterday five new cases, all local infections, were recorded while there were no deaths noted. Overall, the epidemic has so far taken 226 lives and the country’s recovery rate still stands at 78 percent.
In a post Cabinet meeting briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa noted that while the country appeared to have avoided the worst so far, citizens needed to remain vigilant as the virus was still a present threat.
“Cabinet was informed that the Experts Advisory Committee conducted a modeling exercise on current local and international Covid-19 data and noted that the Zimbabwe epidemic has not peaked as previously predicted due to the control measures that have been put in place.
“The Committee also concluded that the decreasing number of new infections is an indication of an epidemic coming under control. Cabinet, however, emphasizes that the public should continue being vigilant in adhering to Covid-19 containment measures as the effects of Covid-19 will continue to be felt until a vaccine is found,” she said.
Despite social media reports to the contrary, Minister Mutsvangwa said that the number of deaths in the country had decreased.
“Cabinet assures members of the public that there has not been increase in the death rate in Zimbabwe as alleged by some unsubstantiated social media reports. The Law and Order Sub-Committee compiled and compared data from the Central Registry on the country’s recorded deaths for the period January to August 2019 against the same period this year (2020). The data revealed that more people (45 256) died in 2019 than in 2020 (33 818) notwithstanding the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.
2/…distractions. It is not easy for a professional to speak out about their challenges. When you find a grown woman lamenting and crying then we all know that all is not well. Special thanks to our candidate Trywell Magura who donated bus fare to the nurses. #TogetherWeCanpic.twitter.com/8NCUurfO8a
THE Government stands ready to engage with private commuter omnibus operators, as there is a need to include other players in the transport sector now that the country continues to gradually open up its economy, but it will not entertain any proposals from pirate taxis owners, a Cabinet minister has said.
Privately-run kombis have been banned since the lockdown was effected on 30 March, with only those that are a part of the Zupco fleet allowed to operate.
Speaking at a post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday, Defence and War Veteran Affairs Minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who also chairs the Ad Hoc Inter-Ministerial Task Force on Covid-19, said Government was willing to allow private transport to come on board as infections decreased and the country’s economy opened up.
“As we have been observing the number of infections coming under control and also the opening of quite a number of sectors, now we see a need to bring in other players. Originally, every private operator who wanted to operate had to register with Zupco but we realise that Zupco also has some challenges. There are now new players in the economy and therefore the need that we open up, especially inter-city transport,” she said.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said Government was open to engagement with kombi operators should they follow the proper channels. The door however, remained closed pirate (mushika-shika) operators.
“Those that are legal whether Kombis, will be required to register with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development and we do hope that with that window those kombis will have to approach the relevant ministry and comply with the rules and regulations.
“They’re not being barred but only if they’re illegal because we see a lot of them that are not roadworthy. Some are not registered and always avoid to go through the official points. So we are ready to engage but not mushikashika, that one is a no, it’s still a nuisance. But for the kombis there’s an opportunity where they can approach the relevant authorities,” she said.
Zengeza West legislator, Job Sikhala has insinuated that the MDC Alliance government will close down Chikurubi maximum prison and turn it into a museum once it is elected into office.
Sikhala who was granted ZWL$50 000 bail by the High Court yesterday made the remarks after his release at Chikurubi maximum prison Wednesday afternoon.
“The new order is going to close down this horrible, inhabitable infrastructure called Chikurubi maximum prison, we are going to make sure that Chikurubi maximum prison is going to be museum, it doesn’t worthy human habitation, people there are surviving from food that does not even deserve to be served to dogs,” said Sikhala
He added that the conditions Zimbabweans are living in the country are similar to the ones being experienced inside Chikurubi maximum prison.
Three MDC-Alliance parliamentarians contesting their recall from Parliament do not want High Court judge Justice Pisirai Kwenda hearing their case since he has already ruled against 14 other MPs who made a similar application last month.
Lilian Timveos, Prosper Mutseyami and Thabita Khumalo were recalled from Parliament by the MDC-T for sympathising with the MDC-Alliance.
The basis of the recall is that the Supreme Court found in a civil suit that under party rules Thokozani Khupe was acting leader of the MDC-T and that the MDC-T is legally entitled to recall any legislators placed on the MDC-A list through a MDC-T nomination.
Through their lawyer, Mr Tendai Biti, the trio first wrote to Judge President George Chiweshe asking for the matter to be placed before another judge on the basis that Justice Kwenda had already decided on the main issues raised in the present application in his previous ruling against Basilia Majaya and others.
However, the Judge President advised Justice Kwenda that once he had allocated a matter, as he had done, his administrative functions had ended.
This entails that the issue of recusal was now a substantive issue before a concerned judge.
In the application for recusal, Mr Biti argued that Justice Kwenda has already made his decision on the matter and should not sit as to what amounted as a court of appeal on his own judgment.
In this regard, Timveos, Mutseyami and Khumalo were entitled to equal protection and benefit of the law in terms of the Constitution.
Mr Biti said equal protection and benefit of the law and due process required that another judge who had not pronounced judgment on the same issue, be allocated the case.
Justice Kwenda threw out two urgent chamber applications by 14 other MDC-A legislators on a similar case in August.
He upheld the recalls in a finding that the 14 failed to prove that their recalls were unlawful. His judgment was based on his interpretation of the Supreme Court ruling and other undisputed evidence placed before the court.
By A Correspondent- Equatorial Guinea Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Simeon Oyono today paid a courtesy call on President Mnangagwa at State House to deliver a special message from President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
Mr Oyono is leading a high-powered 10-member delegation from Malabo, which includes the Minister of Finance, Mr Cesar Mba and the Minister of Mines Mr Gabriel Obiang Lima.
The officials are in the country for wide ranging discussions with their local counterparts.
In brief remarks after meeting President Mnangagwa, Mr Oyono said his team had been deployed to seek ways of strengthening already existing bilateral ties.
“We are all part of the African Union and the United Nations and we already have excellent bi-lateral relations. We are here to look at areas where we can strengthen the ties and particular focus will be on tourism, mining and agriculture,” said Mr Oyono.
The delegation then went into closed door consultations with Zimbabwean officials led by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo.
The Zimbabwean officials included the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Professor Mthuli Ncube and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mangudya.
The two countries have had excellent ties since 2004 when Zimbabwean authorities helped foil a planned coup against President Nguema Mbasogo.
The abortive coup was aimed at installing Spain-based opposition politician, Mr Severo Moto, as the country’s new leader.
President Nguema Mbasogo has visited Zimbabwe several times, the last being in 2018 when he pledged to continue working with President Mnangagwa’s administration.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) on Monday started marking the June 2020 Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations.
The process started after markers who tested negative to Covid-19 were cleared and checked in on Sunday.
The makers and supporting staff underwent Covid-19 testing between September 8 and 11 in Harare and results came in last week.
The examiners will be following strict World Health Organisation (WHO) Covid-19 rules and regulations which involve wearing of face masks, maintaining social distance and sanitisation.
The results are expected before the commencement of the November 2020 Ordinary and Advanced Level exanimations.
Zimsec public relations manager Ms Nicky Dlamini said markers had settled in and started work.
“Covid-19 testing for markers was done from September 8 to 11 and last week the results came and those cleared started checking in on Sunday. Today (Monday), marking started in earnest and we are making progress,” she said.
Last week, Zimsec board chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje said they had extended the registration period for November 2020 Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations to cater for pupils and schools that failed to do so due to different reasons related to the Covid-19-induced lockdown.
“The registration will start on the September 28 once they open schools and then it will close on October 2,” he said.
This was the second time that Zimsec has extended the registration process.
He said the examinations are going ahead with the council having already completed the printing of Grade 7 examination material.
Prof Mwenje said no late registration fees will be charged to candidates and centres.
The provision, he said is in accordance with Government’s announcement that all candidates will access the 2020 examinations.-statemedia
Peter Muduhwa’s proposed move to Sudan has fallen through in the last minute after football agents Gibson Mahachi and George Deda clashed over the player.
The Highlanders defender was supposed to fly out to North Africa this week where he would join an unnamed top club. Deda was facilitating the deal and started working on it three months ago.
According to the Chronicle, the football agent, who has also worked on the transfer of Prince Dube to Azam, and Last Jesi and Silas Songani’s moves to Al Hilal, was notified on Monday morning that Muduhwa actually belongs to Mahachi.
The player had misrepresented himself and indicated that he did not have an agent when the deal was still in its infancy.
And Deda felt “robbed” as this was the same scenario he faced when he was facilitating Prince Dube’s move to Tanzania.
An unnamed source explained the situation to the newspaper: “Muduhwa’s move to Sudan has collapsed. The guys who were organising the deal are the same who facilitated Prince’s move to Azam.-Soccer 24
Barcelona have seen another player leaving the club this summer as the La Liga side continues with its overhaul ahead of the new season.
EPL team, Wolves, has completed the signing of Portuguese right-back Nelson Semedo from the Catalans in a £37m deal for three years.
“It’s isn’t often that we have the opportunity to sign a world-class player from a world-class club. Nelson’s signing shows we will never stop progressing and we are still hungry and humble in our heart,” Wolves executive chairman Jeff Shi said.
Semedo, 26, becomes the latest departure at Camp Nou after Arturo Vidal joined Inter Milan on a €1m transfer on Tuesday.
Ivan Rakitic, Arthur, Carles Perez and Marc Cucurella have also left the club while Luis Suarez is set to follow suit with links to Atletico Madrid.-Soccer 24
Farai Dziva|Senior MDC Alliance official Stanley Manguma has revealed how Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is using Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora to “pull down” President Nelson Chamisa.
According to Manguma, Mr Mnangagwa is keen to exorcize the illegitimacy ghost through elevating Khupe to the corridors of power.
Below is part of Manguma’s argument :
After realizing MDC-T is just a name without followers, they have changed to MDC Alliance, name of another party, our party.
They are fighting a Mnangagwa battle, they are ED puppets.
Make no mistake about that. This stupidity will be allowed to take effect because our laws only exist on paper.
Where the law is applied, it is applied selectively, to the advantage of ED and disadvantage of Pres. Nelson Chamisa.
We have a captured Judiciary that receives orders from Mnangagwa.
Everything Khupe Mwozora do, including recalls, remains illegal, after expiry of terms of Supreme Court judgement.
They are banking on Mnangagwa and crooked Judiciary for a lifeline.
Above all, the illegitimacy ghost is haunting Mr Mnangagwa.
Gareth Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnet has lashed out at Real Madrid, describing the manner in which the Spanish giants handled his client as ‘disrespectful.’
Bale rejoined Tottenham Hotspur on a season long loan last week after a season in the Spanish capital characterized by a frosty relationship with coach Zinedine Zidane.
Speaking for the first time since the Welshman was confirmed as a Spurs player, Barnet castigated the ‘mistreatment’ of the player by Los Blancos.
“He’s probably the most successful footballer Britain has ever produced, and there’s lots of things he still wants to do with his life, so we’ll have to wait and see,” he told TalkSport.
“For somebody who has done as well as he has for Real Madrid, he didn’t get the respect he deserved and that was a big problem.
“What he’s achieved for Real Madrid, they should be kissing the floor that he walks on,” Barnet added.-Soccer 24
You will need: 2 bunches of black jack leaves, one large chopped tomato and 1 medium chopped onions ,250 ml of boiling water, oil and salt to taste.
Boil the black jack leaves for 5 minutes before starting to cook
1.Add oil to the pan.
2.When the oil is hot, add the onions and after one minute add tomatoes. Let them simmer until the tomatoes make soup. Add salt.
3.Add the boiled black jack leaves and the 250 ml of boiled water to the pot and let it simmer until the soup is nearly over.
Note: Do not cook the hooks and flowers of the black jack.
Health Benefits Of Black Jacks
1.It is very effective in preventing and aiding in treating diabetes because of its numerous nutrients such as fibres and antioxidants. These nutrients help in regulating blood sugar levels in the body. Antioxidants improves the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels
2.It is known for its richness in anti-cancer properties to nearly every type of cancers.They help in preventing ,stopping and killing of cancer cells. Its nutrients help in stopping growth of cancer cells, strengthening the immune system and allows the body to detect and kill cancer cells faster.
3.Black Jacks help in improving the digestive system health because of its richness in fiber. These helps in preventing constipation, acid reflux, bloating, indigestion, diarrhoea and many other digestive orders. By preventing these digestive disorders, it prevents development of cancers in the digestive system.
4.It also prevents gastrointestinal illnesses.
5.It also helps in improving the body’s cardiovascular health. Its nutrients help in preventing heart diseases such as strokes and heart attacks. It is known for its efficiency in low blood cholesterol levels which prevents many chronic diseases.
6.It also helps in curing respiratory infections
7.Black jacks helps in controlling blood pressure in the body
8.It helps in the healing of wounds.
It acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
From Opera News Hub
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
Farai Dziva|Senior MDC Alliance official Stanley Manguma has revealed how Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is using Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora to “pull down” President Nelson Chamisa.
According to Manguma, Mr Mnangagwa is keen to exorcize the illegitimacy ghost through elevating Khupe to the corridors of power.
Below is part of Manguma’s argument :
After realizing MDC-T is just a name without followers, they have changed to MDC Alliance, name of another party, our party.
They are fighting a Mnangagwa battle, they are ED puppets.
Make no mistake about that. This stupidity will be allowed to take effect because our laws only exist on paper.
Where the law is applied, it is applied selectively, to the advantage of ED and disadvantage of Pres. Nelson Chamisa.
We have a captured Judiciary that receives orders from Mnangagwa.
Everything Khupe Mwozora do, including recalls, remains illegal, after expiry of terms of Supreme Court judgement.
They are banking on Mnangagwa and crooked Judiciary for a lifeline.
Above all, the illegitimacy ghost is haunting Mr Mnangagwa.
Joint statement by Teacher Unions in Zimbabwe Concerning Re-opening of Schools.
Realising that the gvt has since announced the dates for re-opening of schools for exam classes and commencement of exams, Irked that this announcement was not a product of widespread consultations and meaningful engagement with teacher unions but a ‘diktat’ by gvt,
Perturbed that gvt has totally ignored the welfare of teachers as evidenced by salaries that were received by teachers in September,Aware that the Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL) for a family of five is now above ZW$ 17 244 as given by Zimstat,Surprised by the continued salary discrepancies between teachers and the other civil servants, especially the uniformed forces,United in our diversity by our common desire for the entrenchment of a credible quality public education system in Zimbabwe,Acknowledging the worthlessness of current infinite negotiations under NJNC and lack of seriousless and urgency in such negotiations
Reaffirming the position that the economy has fully redollarised, with prices of most goods and services pegged in US Dollars, including those offered by gvt itself,Noting that there are still Covid 19 active cases, most of them being local,Adequately informed that most boarding schools have increased fees to between $20 000 and $40 000 while the teacher’s salaries have remained stagnant in a volatile economic environment,Emphasizing that well paid teachers in safe schools is a must for quality public education.
Aware that all teachers are financially crippled and have no capacity to report at their respective schools on 28 September
We, the undersigned Teacher Unions in Zimbabwe, now therefore, urge the government to:
Urgently expedite consultations with all teachers’ unions with a view to sharing ideas on the way forward before the opening of schools. This is informed by the fact that teachers’unions are a key stakeholder in the education sector and represent the very people who are implementers of gvt policies;
Restore the purchasing power parity of teachers’ salaries pegged at USD500 to USD550.Implement meaningful education sector-specific allowances that commensurate with teachers responsibilities and status.Pay a Covid allowance that is a product of negotiations or agreement between employer and teachers rather than the current benevolence gesture dubbed presidential prerogative. If schools reopen during this Covid period, it entails that teachers will be frontline workers who deserve a meaningful covid allowance;Pay salaries that resonate with workers’ qualifications, experience, responsibilities and promotion rather than the current scenario where physical fitness has become more rewarding.
Establish an Inclusive Covid 19 Task Force to assess the level of preparedness of schools before re-opening.Ensure that schools are safe to receive the learners and teachers and their health, safety and welfare are highly prioritised. The $600 million set aside by gvt should reflect on the ground, in schools not in the media only or end in higher offices without reaching the intended beneficiaries.
Currently, there is almost nothing in public schools because the school coffers are dry since there hasn’t been any collection of fees after closure in March 2020.
Give teachers and learners enough time to cover syllabi and prepare for exams. The period of two months between 28 September 2020 and 1 December 2020 (the proposed date for commencement of exams) does not adequately compensate for the lost time of six months since schools closed.Listen to professional advice and provide a broad blue print that covers all learners than being restricted only to exam classes.
Indeed, there is nothing as dangerous as having under-paid, undernourished, under-resourced and demotivated teachers in the classrooms because teachers are in essence role models of their communities and society and help to shape the future of individuals, society and the country. It is only well-paid, healthy, motivated, innovative and dynamic teachers that can fulfill this vital cog of sustainable development.
A GWANDA man has been arrested after he bit a police officer who tried to apprehend his for assaulting his wife.
Barbson Pande (40) from Jacaranda Suburb pleaded not guilty to charges of physical abuse and assaulting or resisting a peace officer but was convicted by Gwanda magistrate, Miss Lerato Nyathi due to overwhelming evidence against him.
He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment but six months were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years. The remaining six months were further suspended on condition that he performs 210 hours of community service at Gwanda Magistrate’s Court.
Prosecuting, Miss Glenda Nare said Pande assaulted his wife, Miss Farai Matekenya on July 9 and when she reported him to the police he went on to bite the lip of Constable Artwell Chokera who attended the scene.
”On 9 July at around 6PM Pande was at home with his family when he started accusing his wife of making noise for him together with their children. Pande threatened to kill his wife who went on to the call the police and reported the incident.
”Two police officers attended the scene and when Pande saw them he further insulted his wife, grabbed her by the neck and dragged her on the floor. The cops tried to apprehend Pande but instead he bit Constable Artwell Chokera on the upper lip before fleeing the scene,” she said.
In his defence Pande denied assaulting his wife. He said he only reprimanded her.
He said he resisted arrest as the police wanted to apprehend him for an offence that he did not commit.
Pande said the cops only wanted to apprehend him for their personal gain as one of them was having an affair with his wife.-Chronicle
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwean government has expressed interest in engaging private commuter omnibus operators (Kombis) amid concerns of transport woes in the country.
Commuter omnibuses were barred from roads in March when the country initially announced the coronavirus induced lockdown.
Addressing members of the media following this week’s Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Defence and War Veteran Affairs Minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said:
As we have been observing the number of infections coming under control and also the opening of quite a number of sectors, now we see a need to bring in other players. Originally, every private operator who wanted to operate had to register with Zupco but we realise that Zupco also has some challenges. There are now new players in the economy and therefore the need that we open up, especially inter-city transport.
She added that the private commuter omnibuses have to be registered with relevant authorities and also have to be roadworthy.
Unregistered kombis operating without route permits, at undesignated picking points known as Mushikashika, have in the past caused headaches for local authorities who intended to collect taxes.
The government parastatal, the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) is failing to quench the high demand which rose when the country reopened the economy.-statemedia
You will need: 2 bunches of black jack leaves, one large chopped tomato and 1 medium chopped onions ,250 ml of boiling water, oil and salt to taste.
Boil the black jack leaves for 5 minutes before starting to cook
1.Add oil to the pan.
2.When the oil is hot, add the onions and after one minute add tomatoes. Let them simmer until the tomatoes make soup. Add salt.
3.Add the boiled black jack leaves and the 250 ml of boiled water to the pot and let it simmer until the soup is nearly over.
Note: Do not cook the hooks and flowers of the black jack.
Health Benefits Of Black Jacks
1.It is very effective in preventing and aiding in treating diabetes because of its numerous nutrients such as fibres and antioxidants. These nutrients help in regulating blood sugar levels in the body. Antioxidants improves the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels
2.It is known for its richness in anti-cancer properties to nearly every type of cancers.They help in preventing ,stopping and killing of cancer cells. Its nutrients help in stopping growth of cancer cells, strengthening the immune system and allows the body to detect and kill cancer cells faster.
3.Black Jacks help in improving the digestive system health because of its richness in fiber. These helps in preventing constipation, acid reflux, bloating, indigestion, diarrhoea and many other digestive orders. By preventing these digestive disorders, it prevents development of cancers in the digestive system.
4.It also prevents gastrointestinal illnesses.
5.It also helps in improving the body’s cardiovascular health. Its nutrients help in preventing heart diseases such as strokes and heart attacks. It is known for its efficiency in low blood cholesterol levels which prevents many chronic diseases.
6.It also helps in curing respiratory infections
7.Black jacks helps in controlling blood pressure in the body
8.It helps in the healing of wounds.
It acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
From Opera News Hub
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCOZ) has called upon the government to provide safety nets to cushion the citizenry from effects of the coronavirus-induced lockdown. We present its statement below.
21 September 2020
176 days of COVID-19 lockdown In Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, as at 20 September 2020, the total number of COVID-19 cases Increased to 7 683. Active cases went up to 1 534, following the record of 11 new cases and 10 recoveries. The total number of recoveries stands at 5 924. The death toll now stands at 225.
We highlight the concern raised by the WHO that the despite the 14% drop in COVI13-19cases across Africa, the picture of pandemic Is difficult to ascertain with certainty due to the inconsistencies in testing strategies on the Continent hence African countries should remain vigilant. It is against this background we are concerned of the resumption of movement across the North-South trade corridor to which Zimbabwe is part of the land liked trade route. These countries are continuing to see rises In cases amidst reports that Indicate relaxation of adherence to mask-wearing, social distancing and frequent sanitization In countries across the corridor. We remain concerned at Imported cases and also spread of Infections domestically.
We commend the resumption of operations for the Central Registry, particularly the issuing of birth certificates. We highlight the plight of mothers who recently gave birth during the lockdown, and may still continue to face challenges in accessing the Centra/ Registry despite Its resumption of operations. We, therefore, recommend to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, setting up of mobile Registry clinics In communities to ensure easy access to documentation such as birth certificates. • We urge the retro – fining of process and public spaces of the central registry to ensure that the traditional congestion of these spaces to do not tum the re-opening of offices Into super spreader events • We continue to call for devolved issuance of birth certificates at community clinics and health centres on the day of birth and not to place new mother under the burden of going to central government office.
Critical Emerging Issues
1. Hunger & Delay In Implementing social protection measures
We highlight the World Food Program, (WFP) report that indicates that 75% of Zimbabwe Urban Workers have been rendered Jobless by the COVID-19 pandemic related restrictions.
We highlight the scourge of exacerbated social vulnerabilities related to such a grave circumstance and the need for widespread aggressive rebuilding agenda to ensure that lives and saved in the pursuit of non-consultative economic restructuring that has a high risk to create jobless, rootless growth. Whilst we continue to note that Government Is yet to avail funds for the COV1D.19 relief pay-out, we continue to remain dismayed by the lack urgency by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to provide real tangible social safety nets. This has raised a general sense of discontent and disgruntlement by the communities over the delays in the Implementation of social protection measures by Government.
• We query policy measures put In place by Government to ensure that citizens access basic commodities in the time of COVID-19.
• We further call the State to order, particularly on Its duty to ensure that citizens enjoy the progressive realisation of their fundamental right to food and water.
• We, therefore, call upon the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to expedite the implementation of social protection programs to alleviate economic shocks upon vulnerable households.
• We recommend an increase In the COV1D-19 relief payouts, and an expedited implementation of social protection programs for all vulnerable households.
Outstanding Issue
1. Relaxation on adherence to public health guidelines In the wake of gradual easing of the lockdown measures. Our monitoring of the COVID49 situation reveals a continuing general trend, throughout Communities, businesses and public spaces, indicating a relaxation in observing social distancing, use of face masks and sanitizers.
Concerned that failure to adequately observe social and physical distancing may erode all the gains recorded so far in the COVID-19 battle.
• We remind the general populace on the need to fortify their efforts in maintaining both social and physical distancing. in every environment which may include work, public transport or supermarkets.
By A Correspondent- War veterans and labour activists have urged government to channel part of the US$3,5 billion meant to compensate white former commercial farmers towards ex-farm workers who lost their sources of livelihood and property during the chaotic land reform programme.
A recent United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report states that at least one million people lost their livelihoods and homes as a result of the controversial farm seizures which started in 2000.
The report stated that an estimated 320 000 workers or about 25% of the country’s labour force were employed on commercial farms before government seized the farms and redistributed them to landless indigenous farmers.
“In the aftermath of the land invasions, over 200 000 farm workers and their families an estimated one million people lost their livelihoods and homes, as well as access to farm schools and other social amenities,” read the UNDP report.
The late former President Robert Mugabe, ex-combatants and the ruling Zanu-PF party defended the land reform programme as necessary to correct colonial land ownership imbalances between blacks and whites.
Government recently signed a US$3,5 billion compensation deal with white former commercial farmers for improvements on their seized land, but former workers were left out of the deal.
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions western region chairperson Ambrose Sibindi said: “This is another clear-cut decision by the government, which proves that we have a government that is not pro-workers but is there just for their own benefit in terms of profits.
“Yes, obviously if the farmers are to be compensated to the tune of US$3,5 billion, it goes without saying that the farm workers who lost their jobs definitely need to be considered. We are looking forward to the government also announcing and putting up a clear budget on how they will be compensated. Mind you it’s not only compensating them in terms of salaries or wages, we also know that some workers stayed in compounds and their properties were destroyed. As a labour movement, we are looking forward to those workers needing to be compensated, that is our position.”
Ex-Zipra veteran Maxwell Vuma Mkandla said the former farm workers also deserved to be compensated.
“When the land invasion started, most of them lost their property and their jobs and since then, some of them have not even recovered from the effects of the process because some had no rural homes and they lived in farm compounds.”
Human rights activist effie Ncube said the former farm workers were left out because the Zanu-PF government did not care about workers.
“It is not surprising that the former farm workers were not included in the rehabilitation of the former white farmers. Government of Zanu-PF has never cared about the workers, it does not care about Zimbabweans, it only cares about them to the extent that they can feed into electoral victory by Zanu-PF. When it looks at citizens, it does not see them as people who are rights holders,” Ncube said.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- Independent legislator for Norton, Temba Mliswa Tuesday urged other legislators to speak good about the late former Agriculture Minister Perrance Shiri as it was inhuman to talk evil of someone who cannot defend themselves.
Shiri, who once served as an army commander during the Gukurahundi atrocities, died on 29 July due to Covid-19 complications.
His name features prominently when ever there is talk on the subject of killings on over 20 000 people during the Matabeleland and Midlands massacres by the Zimbabwe military in the early 1980s.
However, Mliswa described Shiri as a liberation struggle icon and urged other MPs to speak glowingly about the late politician.
“Mr. Speaker Sir, may this be an opportunity for my colleagues Honourable Members of Parliament to talk about the good that this man did. It will be totally inhuman to talk about what a man did when he cannot defend himself when he is no more,” said Mliswa Tuesday.
“I hasten to say do not associate him with Gukurahundi. He was just a commander when there were other commanders. If we decide to talk about people being killed let us bring every soldier who has been to war before the courts and ask them why they killed. He was never the commander of the army and he was never part of the commander of the Air Force (of Zimbabwe),” Mliswa said.
“There is a commander-in-chief who they take instructions from. So, he must never be tainted with something which other people gave orders to. Unfortunately, the true story of Gukurahundi will never come out because the commander-in-chief at the time was the former late President R. G. Mugabe. He was there and nobody had the chance to ask him and when you are in that position, no one else can speak for you but yourself.”
Mliswa said parliament failed to exercise its oversight role and invite Mugabe to give his side of the story.
“We invited him (Mugabe) to come because we wanted to understand. The various committees had an opportunity to invite him to also find out about Gukurahundi since he was the commander-in-chief and he was the President at the time.
“For us to talk about who was in charge of Gukurahundi when the principal is no more, I think you are opening old wounds; may the souls of those people who passed away rest in peace. May we never again have such an experience as a people. May we have a leadership which forgives and asks for forgiveness,” said Mliswa.
He continued, “In that spirit, we are able to move as one nation and we are able to safeguard the pain, joy, and interest of the people who sacrificed for this country, the late Joshua Nkomo, the late Josiah Tongogara, the late Nikita Mangena, the late Herbert Chitepo, the late Ziyapapa (Moyo) all those that we know about can only be happy when we are in unity and we are tolerant of each other.
“They could tolerate the white men at the time when the white men had an agenda to totally kill people, but today why can we not be tolerant of each other? May we learn the tolerance of Gudoguru the late retired Air Chief Marshall Shiri in that he could talk to anyone because he was Zimbabwean and he put Zimbabwe first?”
By A Correspondent- Zanu Pf yesterday reacted angrily to South Africa’s persistent calls for the party to come clean on the crisis in Zimbabwe and receive assistance in resolving the problems, arguing that there was no need for the neighbouring country to offer help.
On Sunday, South Africa’s International Relations minister Naledi Pandor said the influx of Zimbabwean economic refugees was a clear indicator that the country was in a serious crisis.
Zanu-PF denies the existence of a crisis, and accuses the opposition, civic society and Western diplomats of spreading “malicious” allegations to tarnish the image of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government as part of a regime change agenda.
Speaking on public broadcaster SABC, Pandor said Zimbabwe should admit there is a crisis and receive assistance to resolve the issues it is facing.
“I am sure you are aware that the government of Zimbabwe and its governing party (Zanu-PF) are saying there are no problems in their country and we are arguing that actually there are difficulties because we have hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Zimbabweans in South Africa.
“Many of them indicate that they are here because the situation on economic progress is dire in their country and so we do think there is a basis for us to have a collaboration to see how we might assist Zimbabwe to achieve economic recovery and a level of stability that will allow the people of Zimbabwe to feel they are able to return to their country and contribute to its development.”
“But that can only happen when the government of Zimbabwe openly says to South Africa that we do think we should have a conversation about development,” Pandor said, insisting it was up to Zimbabwe to acknowledge the crisis.
She said South Africa was not avoiding direct intervention, but urged Harare to first admit that there is a crisis and seek help.
“When we have sought help, we have opened up and said we have a problem in this area, could we talk to country X or organisation B to see how we resolve our problems and when only we get to that level of openness and admission that we begin to address problems that confront us,” Pandor said.
“We are ready to have a discussion through which we will provide any assistance required, but when a leader says there are no problems, who am I, a mere Minister of International Relations, to say well, Mr President, I know there are problems. It’s just not done, it’s not diplomacy.”
But Zanu-PF information director Tafadzwa Mugwadi yesterday said South Africa had never helped Zimbabwe in any way and should just “shut up”.
“What help does South Africa give Zimbabwe? Zimbabwe has never received any cent from South Africa and you have to be aware of that. They are lying to the world and if they say they will help Zimbabwe, you would think there is money stashed somewhere to be given us, yet they have never given us anything. They must just shut up, we don’t need their help,” Mugwadi said.
“They must stop giving us a headache. They must just stop it. Who are South Africans and who do they think they are?”
Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF party and its South African counterpart, the African National Congress, have been trading blows over the crisis in Zimbabwe, with officials in Harare vehemently insisting there is nothing like that in the country.
“Where and when was that said? I did not hear or see that,” Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said when asked to comment on Pandor’s comments.
South Africa has been active in trying to intervene in the Zimbabwean political and economic crises and has twice dispatched special envoys as part of efforts to resolve the crisis, which have hitherto come to naught.-Newsday
THE trial of former Public Service minister Prisca Mupfumira, on charges of defrauding the National Social Security Authority by diverting US$95 million from its coffers, kicks off on October 19.
Prosecutor George Manokore yesterday told magistrate Trynos Utawashe that the State was now ready for trial after several false starts, with Mupfumira’s lawyer Advocate Silvester Hashiti threatening to file for refusal of further remand in protest over the delays.
Mupfumira faces seven counts of criminal abuse of office involving US$95 million amid reports that she had allegedly used some of the money to acquire properties in South Africa, Dubai and the United Kingdom, a charge she denies.
By A Correspondent- Norton independent MP Temba Mliswa Tuesday urged other legislators to speak good about the late former Agriculture Minister Perrance Shiri as it was inhuman to talk evil of someone who cannot defend themselves.
Shiri, who once served as an army commander during the Gukurahundi atrocities, died on 29 July due to Covid-19 complications.
His name features prominently when ever there is talk on the subject of killings on over 20 000 people during the Matabeleland and Midlands massacres by the Zimbabwe military in the early 1980s.
However, Mliswa described Shiri as a liberation struggle icon and urged other MPs to speak glowingly about the late politician.
“Mr. Speaker Sir, may this be an opportunity for my colleagues Honourable Members of Parliament to talk about the good that this man did. It will be totally inhuman to talk about what a man did when he cannot defend himself when he is no more,” said Mliswa Tuesday.
“I hasten to say do not associate him with Gukurahundi. He was just a commander when there were other commanders. If we decide to talk about people being killed let us bring every soldier who has been to war before the courts and ask them why they killed. He was never the commander of the army and he was never part of the commander of the Air Force (of Zimbabwe),” Mliswa said.
“There is a commander-in-chief who they take instructions from. So, he must never be tainted with something which other people gave orders to. Unfortunately, the true story of Gukurahundi will never come out because the commander-in-chief at the time was the former late President R. G. Mugabe. He was there and nobody had the chance to ask him and when you are in that position, no one else can speak for you but yourself.”
Mliswa said parliament failed to exercise its oversight role and invite Mugabe to give his side of the story.
“We invited him (Mugabe) to come because we wanted to understand. The various committees had an opportunity to invite him to also find out about Gukurahundi since he was the commander-in-chief and he was the President at the time.
“For us to talk about who was in charge of Gukurahundi when the principal is no more, I think you are opening old wounds; may the souls of those people who passed away rest in peace. May we never again have such an experience as a people. May we have a leadership which forgives and asks for forgiveness,” said Mliswa.
He continued, “In that spirit, we are able to move as one nation and we are able to safeguard the pain, joy, and interest of the people who sacrificed for this country, the late Joshua Nkomo, the late Josiah Tongogara, the late Nikita Mangena, the late Herbert Chitepo, the late Ziyapapa (Moyo) all those that we know about can only be happy when we are in unity and we are tolerant of each other.
“They could tolerate the white men at the time when the white men had an agenda to totally kill people, but today why can we not be tolerant of each other? May we learn the tolerance of Gudoguru the late retired Air Chief Marshall Shiri in that he could talk to anyone because he was Zimbabwean and he put Zimbabwe first?”
Once you see the bigmouth trio of George Charamba aka Jamwanda, Presidential Spokesman, Victor Matemadanda aka Taximan, Deputy Minister of Defence and Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Information, spewing unprintable obscenities and insulting former President of Botswana, Ian Khama, journalists, Catholic Bishops and everyone who speaks the truth about Zimbabwe’s failing economy and politics, you know that there is a big crisis in the looter’s paradise called Zimbabwe.
ZANU PF Acting Spokesman, Patrick Chinamasa, has been posted permanently at ZANUPF headquarters wherefrom he is spiting venom at anyone who dares to mention the word crisis in the same sentence with Zimbabwe. This, he does through a misplaced press conference that he holds weekly.
Suddenly but not surprising ‘crisis’ has become the most feared word in ZANUPF circles. The fear and fury exibited by the leaders is evidence that Zanupf headquarters is shaken to the core.
The honey moon is over for the coup plotters. Gone are the days when Zanupf leaders enjoyed a political massage from African leaders for all wrong doing. Rightly so, African leaders are now calling a spade a spade.
We commend the ANC Leadership for not only speaking out on the political crisis in Zimbabwe but for using their time and resources to go to Zimbabwe in an effort to find a permanent solution to Zimbabwe’s crisis which by its nature, is very huge.
We also applaud former President of Botswana Ian Khama for speaking out against gross human rights abuse in Zimbabwe. The former President spoke well when he said that in the last 40 years the only change experienced in Zimbabwe is the name change.
Yes we have seen less development but more slaughtering and tribal marginalisation and oppression of minorities particularly Matabele people. More looting and plundering of state resources. More political persecutions, assassinations and attempted assassinations. More beatings, torture and abductions of those who speak against the terrorist government of Zimbabwe. More empty promises and mismanagement of the economy. This forms the basis of Zimbabwe crisis.
You have subjected yourselves to unwarranted insults and humiliation for the good cause of Ubuntu and humanity.
A good neighbour is one who knocks at the door and asks if everything is alright on hearing continuous screaming of the children and wife coming from their neighbour.
Guilt cautious ZANUPF does not like it as they have come out guns blazing attacking you, but over 5 million ordinary Matabeles and 10 million Zimbabweans who are suffering appreciate your efforts.
In the 1980s our neighbours and the world ignored the cries of agony from Matabeleland and the moment they opened their eyes, more than 40 000 innocent Matabeles including defenceless born and unborn children, women and old people, had been slaughtered by the Zimbabwe government through Zimbabwe National Army 5th Brigade.
That was genocide and ethnic cleansing done with British complicity. Therefore it is a recommendable thing to keep such a murderous government in check.
ZANU PF is like a skunk. When you deal with it you cannot escape its
unpleasant smell. The clueless, heartless and useless bunch of terrorists and genocidists value diplomacy and sovereignty more than the lives of human beings under their rule.
The political dynamics in Zimbabwe are so dramatic and cruel such that one does not know whether to laugh or cry.
In 2017 the incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa who is now denying that there is a crisis in Zimbabwe, illegally crossed the South African border to seek refuge and assistance. But now he is chasing away and humiliating the same people who helped him.
Guess who has run to South Africa this time to seek refuge, and to some extent, intervention? Yes it is Saviour Kasukuwere, Patrick Zhuwao and Walter Mzembi. The very guys who were pouring scorn on Mnangagwa saying he was a border jumper.
Who will be the next border jumper? As long as Shona tribal battles continue do not be surprised to see Mnangagwa and his lapdogs like Victor Matemadanda, Chinamasa and others running back to South Africa to seek refugee. It is a Shona political circus !
Politics of tribe has finally caught up with Shonas, they are now fighting each other.
Like hyenas fighting for a carcass, the Shonas are fighting for political power. The Shona tribe that holds the levers of power stands in a good position to loot which is every Shona’s dream. It is because of this that no Shona tribe will allow itself to be ruled by another and the crisis will go on and on.
The factions in ZANUPF have given themselves battle names like G40 (Zezuru unconquerable), Lacoste (Chinu Chetu/ our thing) and the Weevils.
The opposition MDC will always cry foul. Forever using the issue of illegitimacy and vote rigging which has become an over used and tired tactic of theirs.
The subtle British engagement in trying to influence Shona political dynamics has created serious crisis within the Shona people. The British stand to lose big time and would be greatly disappointed after pouring millions and millions to influence the outcome they want.
What they conveniently forget is that the Shona people have never had any respected central authority in their culture. It is for this reason why you find a small country with over 100 presidential candidates and over 500 political parties.
Robert Mugabe was the only leader who managed to keep the disparate Shona groups together. Due to the military coup that removed him, he cursed his fellow Shona people and now they will never produce a leader to unite them for the next 1000 years. They should have asked Dr Staar L. Jameson and Cecil J. Rhodes .
This is why Cecil J. Rhodes ended up dealing with Matebele monarchy to secure his fraudulent Rudd Concession to obtain the coveted charter to colonize the two separate territories. The Shona people are now through natural instinct, retreating to their reset mode thus creating instabilities in all their political parties ie Zanupf, MDC MDC-99, MDC T, MDC -M, MDC A, MDC Chinja/Guqula, MDC- and et al.
This is the opportunity which the people of Matabeleland have been waiting for. These divisions are Shona supremacist Achilles’s heel. When your enemy is divided you can sleep in their camp. But for us, this is not time to sleep. Let us wake up and fight for our freedom!
MLO has launched a massive mobilizing campaign calling upon all Matabele people to come out in their numbers and join hands with us in the fight for Matabeleland independence and sovereignty.
Stand up and be counted!
Let us not behave like certain fools that we know. They want to be paid to liberate themselves, worse more they believe that the world owes them and that someone from somewhere must come and fight on their behalf while they enjoy a peaceful sleep in their bedrooms.
By A Correspondent- Three MDC Alliance legislators who are challenging their recall from Parliament have applied to have High Court judge Justice Pisirai Kwenda removed from hearing their case.
The trio argued through their lawyer Tendai Biti that Justice Kwenda has already ruled against 14 other MPs who made a similar application in August.
Biti said equal protection and benefit of the law and due process required that another judge who had not pronounced judgment on the same issue, be allocated the case.
The trio, Lilian Timveos, Prosper Mutseyami and Thabita Khumalo were recalled from Parliament by the MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe for allegiance to MDC-Alliance which is led by Nelson Chamisa.
The three are among more than a dozen more legislators and councillors that have so far been recalled by the reinstated MDC-T leadership.
Some observers view the recallings as a direct jab at the will of the people who voted for those individuals who are being recalled.
MDC-T leadership argues that it is allowed by local laws to recall members who would have ceased to belong to the party – they belonged to at the election.-Statemedia
By Lloyd Mupfudze- Local government in Zimbabwe is recognised in the national constitution. The constitution explicitly requires local government to respect human rights. Section 194 on Basic values and principles governing public administration sates that “Public administration in all tiers of government, including institutions and agencies of the State and government-controlled entities and other public enterprises, must be governed by the democratic values and principles enshrined in this Constitution”.
Section 266 also stipulates that employees of provincial and metropolitan councils and local authorities must act in accordance with the Constitution and the law and no employee of a provincial or metropolitan council or a local authority may, in the exercise of their functions violate the fundamental rights or freedoms of any person.
The powers of local governments must be exercised in accordance with the law, which means that they are obliged to observe human rights guaranteed by the law. The duty of local government to observe human rights is expressed in principles such as securing the public welfare and ensure the fair and equitable representation of people within their areas of jurisdiction.
It is important to have an explicit legal provision which obliges local government to promote and protect human rights. Local authorities are thus informed of their human rights responsibilities, understanding that any failure to comply with these responsibilities will entail their liability under national law as well as international responsibility of the State as a whole.
The provision will impose a clear obligation on local authorities to apply a human rights-based approach to delivering public services within their defined mandate. Consequently, it may well encourage rights holders to claim their rights vis-à-vis local authorities.
Local authorities are close to citizens’ every day needs and deal with human rights on daily basis. Therefore, the nexus between human rights and local government can never be underestimated. Local councils take decisions relating in particular to housing, education, environment, law and order.
These are fundamental and directly linked to the implementation and realisation of human rights. If the local authorities fail in their mandate to provide the essential services the possibilities of citizens to enjoy their human rights is diminished. Therefore, there is need to integrate a human rights dimension in local government initiatives.
Council officials are responsible for a wide range of human rights issues in their work. However, it is unfortunate that the officials and the general public do not perceive council functions as human rights implementation or programming. Consequently, human rights are not included in policy analysis and practice at the local government level.
Human rights duties of local government follow the classical tripartite typology of States’ human rights obligations, namely, the duty to respect, the duty to protect and the duty to fulfil. The duty to respect means that local authorities must not violate human rights through their own actions.
It requires local government to refrain from interfering with the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms of all persons within its jurisdiction beyond the permissible limitations. The duty to protect requires measures to ensure that third parties do not violate the rights and freedoms of the individual citizens.
For example, local authorities are required to take action to ensure that children are not prevented by others from attending school. The duty to protect can necessitate creating safer urban environments that reduce the risk of violence, for example against women. The duty to fulfil means that local government must take positive action to facilitate the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms.
Further, local councils should promote the understanding of and respect for human rights of all individuals within their jurisdiction through education and training. In particular, local authorities should organize, on a systematic basis, human rights training for their elected representatives and staff and the dissemination of relevant information among citizens about their rights. By promoting human rights, local authorities can help build a culture of human rights in the community.
By A Correspondent- MDC-T’s Marondera Ward 2 councillor Simbarashe Nyahuye has won the mayorship after beating MDC Alliance’s Bornface Tagwireyi 4-3.
The election was to replace Mayor Chengetai Murowa who was part of the five (5) councillors ousted in last week’s recall by the Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T.
Marondera had 12 councillors before the recall with MDC Alliance claiming the majority. After the recall, MDC Alliance and MDC-T had 3 each while ZANU PF had 1.
ZANU PF councillor, Joel Mujaranji of Ward 12 voted for MDC-T’s Nyahuye who eventually won the mayoral race 4-3 against the MDC Alliance candidate.
This is happening when the recently inaugurated Harare Mayor, Jacob Mafume was also recalled which means elections to replace him may be called soon.
MDC Alliance which is led by Nelson Chamisa accuses MDC-T of working with the governing ZANU PF to weaken Chamisa who is regarded the face of opposition in the country.
The leadership crisis in the opposition MDC has been on the rise since the appointment of Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri as vice presidents in the party.
The crisis worsened with the demise of former Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai who succumbed to cancer in 2018 as Khupe and Chamisa wrangled to succeed the late veteran leader.-ZimLive
By A Correspondent- MDC-T’s Marondera Ward 2 councillor Simbarashe Nyahuye has won the mayorship after beating MDC Alliance’s Bornface Tagwireyi 4-3.
The election was to replace Mayor Chengetai Murowa who was part of the five (5) councillors ousted in last week’s recall by the Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T.
Marondera had 12 councillors before the recall with MDC Alliance claiming the majority. After the recall, MDC Alliance and MDC-T had 3 each while ZANU PF had 1.
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ZANU PF councillor, Joel Mujaranji of Ward 12 voted for MDC-T’s Nyahuye who eventually won the mayoral race 4-3 against the MDC Alliance candidate.
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This is happening when the recently inaugurated Harare Mayor, Jacob Mafume was also recalled which means elections to replace him may be called soon.
MDC Alliance which is led by Nelson Chamisa accuses MDC-T of working with the governing ZANU PF to weaken Chamisa who is regarded the face of opposition in the country.
The leadership crisis in the opposition MDC has been on the rise since the appointment of Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri as vice presidents in the party.
The crisis worsened with the demise of former Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai who succumbed to cancer in 2018 as Khupe and Chamisa wrangled to succeed the late veteran leader.-ZimLive
By A Correspondent- MDC-T’s Marondera Ward 2 councillor Simbarashe Nyahuye has won the mayorship after beating MDC Alliance’s Bornface Tagwireyi 4-3.
The election was to replace Mayor Chengetai Murowa who was part of the five (5) councillors ousted in last week’s recall by the Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T.
Marondera had 12 councillors before the recall with MDC Alliance claiming the majority. After the recall, MDC Alliance and MDC-T had 3 each while ZANU PF had 1.
ZANU PF councillor, Joel Mujaranji of Ward 12 voted for MDC-T’s Nyahuye who eventually won the mayoral race 4-3 against the MDC Alliance candidate.
This is happening when the recently inaugurated Harare Mayor, Jacob Mafume was also recalled which means elections to replace him may be called soon.
MDC Alliance which is led by Nelson Chamisa accuses MDC-T of working with the governing ZANU PF to weaken Chamisa who is regarded the face of opposition in the country.
The leadership crisis in the opposition MDC has been on the rise since the appointment of Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri as vice presidents in the party.
The crisis worsened with the demise of former Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai who succumbed to cancer in 2018 as Khupe and Chamisa wrangled to succeed the late veteran leader.
Zimbabwean freelance journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has expressed concern over the deplorable state of local prisons revealing that over 500 inmates are sharing 2 toilets.
Chin’ono who was arrested and spent over a month in prison for inciting public violence after he used social media to support anti-corruption protests that were being organised by Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume for 31 July exposed the inhuman treatment of prisoners incarcerated in Zimbabwean prisons.
The award-winning journalist and filmmaker criticised the justice system in the country saying individuals who would not have been convicted of any crime should not be sent to Chikurubi Maximum prison where he, Job Sikhala and Ngarivhume were housed.
Speaking on Sikhala who was still in prison when he wrote the article, the CNN Africa Journalist of the year said:
His prison cell is meant to house ONLY 16 prison inmates, but like all other prison cells at Chikuribi prison, it is packed with 42 prisoners, and it only has one toilet with NO running water for those 42 men.
At times the prison cell can have more prisoners, I know so because I shared the same cell with Job Sikhala.
At one point the prison officials wanted to bring more inmates with mental disorders so that we would end up around 75 for that night in a cell designed for only 16 prisoners!
He also said prisoners are kept in cells for 17 hours daily, starting from 1500 hours, adding that “if you fall sick during those 17 hours, you won’t get any practical medical help at all.”
Other points he raised:
Sub-standard meals (cooked Sadza and boiled beans; badly cooked Sadza with boiled cabbages).
Toilets are are not enough (only 2 for 500 inmates).
Risk of contracting Coronavirus is high (no soap, no running water)
Chikurubi is meant to house 1360 prisoners, today it houses over 2500 prisoners.
He was imprisoned at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison without trial after exposing massive Covid-19 looting scandals that included President Mnangagwa’s allies.
The corruption exposures resulted in the former health minister Obadiah Moyo being fired.
Chin’ono is a Harvard University Nieman Journalism Fellow and a University of Oxford Africa Leadership Fellow.-NehandaRadio
By A Correspondent | MDC-T leader, Thokhozani Khupe’s top ally and former Harare Mayor, Eng. Elias Mudzuri is reportedly failing to pay for his medical bill.
His “friends” Monday posted on social media appealing for donations to foot the politician’s medical bills.
According to the posts Mudzuri is battling with Covid-19.
Below is the text which Mudzuri’s “friends” posted.
Attention Relatives and friends
We are friends of Engineer Elias Mudzuri who is currently battling Covid 19.
Realizing that the huge medical bills continue to accrue by each day, we decided to raise funds to assist him.
Those who wish to contribute towards this noble cause can either deposit RTGS or ecocash into the following accounts
Name: Everesto Mudzuri
Bank: CABS Savings
Account No.
1002131847
Branch: CABS Centre
By A Correspondent- Senator Morgen Komichi, who defected to the Thokozani Khupe faction led MDC T has advised MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa to form his own political party arguing that it was disrespectful of him to claim being leader of the MDC Alliance.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with ZimEye, Komichi advised Chamisa to become the founding father of his own political party which bore no semblence to MDC- T or MDC Alliance.
Said Komichi:
“You know what happened in March our story the MDC -T story after Tsvangirai’s death, our issue went to the courts and we got a ruling from the courts in Zimbabwe.
It came out where the Supreme Court ruling that what you did after Tsvangirai’s death where you elected his replacement, it was not above board so go back to extra ordinary congress which is the right way to go when a leader of your party dies.
So after that we did not agree with other party cadres but I insisted that we should follow the law….
Tsvangirai’s place is still vacant. It has not yet been filled to date.. meaning that Madam Khupe is the leader of MDC T and she is automatically the leader of MDC Alliance.
So Nelson Chamisa cannot say MDC Alliance is his party… he has no party because it was an alliance. This is why we are using it.
If he says MDC Alliance is his party, its disrespect to Constitutionalism. Those who are in parliament as MDC Alliance MPs and councillors, they belong to us as MDC T.
MDC T has the right to discipline its MPs in parliament. We have a right to discipline our Senators.
We won at court.. and we cannot be forced to change our names towards elections. If we go as MDC T, there will be conflict of identity. Our MPs cannot be labelled MDC T and MDC Alliance at the same time. So starting December, for the by elections we will be using that name.
We are serious about this. But we have advice to our friends..(Nelson Chamisa), sit down and form your own party. we want to work together and we need to find each other so that we resolve the Zimbabwean crisis.
We are wasting time fighting each other. violating our Constitutions….my advice to our erstwhile friends is that they should focus.
Chamisa has not yet announced the name of his party. Chamisa and his grouping are expected to come up with their own political party which does not confuse us the (MDC T).
My advice to him is that he should form his own party. They could be a big party in the future, who knows. Maybe it’s God’s plan. God has his own plans of doing things. It could be that he may be the founding father of his own political party, who knows.
….and such is life, who knows. We may converge in the future, who knows. Who knows the future. We may meet again and become best friends and go on with our lives.”
Watch Morgen Komichi speaking…. (please be patient as the video uploads)
By A Correspondent- Liberation stalwart Rugare Gumbo says that Zanu-PF’s future is bleak without national harmony as he renewed his calls for dialogue both within and outside Zanu-PF.
Gumbo said President Mnangagwa needed to unite Zanu-PF if it was to survive much longer.
Meanwhile, Zanu-PF yesterday reacted angrily to South Africa’s persistent calls for the party to come clean on the crisis in Zimbabwe and receive assistance in resolving the problems, arguing that there was no need for the neighbouring country to offer help.
On Sunday, South Africa’s International Relations minister Naledi Pandor said the influx of Zimbabwean economic refugees was a clear indicator that the country was in a serious crisis.-online
By A Correspondent- The government has announced a staggered plan for reopening schools for other classes that are not going back to school on Monday next week.
The government said classes in phase 2 will start school on 26 October while those in phase 3 will start school on 9 November.
This was reviewed in a tweet by the Infomation Ministry which tweeted that:
#PostCabinetBriefing Schools reopening :
~Phase 1 will open on September 28 (Grade 7, Forms 4 & 6)
Phase 2 will open on 26 October 2020 (Grade 6, Form 3 and 5)
~Phase 3 will open on 9 November 2020 (rest of the learners which covers ECD A and B, Grade 1,2,3,4,5, Form 1 and 2)
This announcement comes at a time teachers have declared their incapacitation and said they will not be able to report for duty on Monday due to the incapacitation.
Earlier this month, private schools applauded the government’s move to reopen schools.-twitter
By A Correspondent- The state on Tuesday made an application to have Joana Mamombe, opposition MDC Alliance legislator, admitted to a government psychiatric hospital.
Mamombe’s lawyers had argued that their client was not fit for trial as she is experiencing some mental disorders. Dr Fungisai Mazhandu testified before the court supporting the claim.
Representing the state, Prosecutor Mr Michael Reza told Harare regional magistrate Mrs Bianca Makwande that in terms of Section 26 of the Mental Health Act, Mamombe has to be assessed by two Government doctors.
He added: The accused has been brought to court several times with excuses of mental disorder hence the need to detain her in a facility for mental assessment.
Mamombe needs treatment and the court needs assistance from Government experts to determine a time frame when she will be fit for trial.
Reza also said that Dr Mazhandu brought no proof to support that Mamombe had mental disorders hence the need for government experts to determine when Mamombe can be fit for trial.
The Harare West legislator is jointly charged with Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova for allegedly staging their abduction in May this year.
The state has however not yet managed to explain how the trio managed to escape from police custody on the night in question if they actually faked their kidnapping.-statemedia/Zimeye
I pick a blend of issues in the painful drama playing out in our MDC “family” – in its former context and content.
1. The very source of our problems was the appointment of the 2 Vice Presidents followed by Morgan Tsvangirai’s death.
2. Then the eventual succession, after his sad demise, was not handled to the satisfaction of (certainly) some of the aspirants and also many observers
3. The struggle for change had/has taken too long to the frustration of voters
4. These succession concerns and also the frustration seem to have hit the leadership even harder.
5. Subsequent fallout from and among the following ( Khupe, Chamisa, Mudzuri, Mwonzora and Komichi) all stemmed from personal political interests and NOT public political interests.
6. The behaviour of all these leaders in varying degrees was bent on defending personal political interests first and foremost.
There is evidence of insincerity and inconsistent behaviours and utterances in how each and every one of them handled this matter of threatened personal designs and desires.
7. That background was fertile for ZanuPF to take advantage of.
The MDC family made sure that dialogue and reconciliation were not priority early enough.
Now it is way too late for that route.
If you want to see an MDC person fight fiercest just give him an internal enemy to fight.
Within the party the glaring absence of grey-haired ELDERS and custodians of the common good who have nothing to gain has been so noticeable.
No internal remedies are on record.
8. ZanuPF has taken advantage of the internal fights to mount a bigger brutal external campaign.
This shameless involvement has been the decider.
9. ZanuPF’s hand is very visible in the worsening crisis.
MDC has crafty people and brutal people but not so many criminally brutal people to have orchestrated what has been unfolding.
Only the broader ZanuPF ie including state institutions has that capacity.
10. What we have seen the last few months is a shrewd HIGHLY TECHNICAL operation fully funded by the State in all material respects.
11. The abuse of the State institutions to torpedo democracy particularly the police and the courts reached unprecedented levels.
12. Most of the splinter factions are operating what I would call “Project Shaisano” – a fatal scorched earth policy which has attacked and overturned democratic outcomes and put the party on life-support.
13. Accusations of leadership cluelessness from the terraces are not entirely unexpected.
Our people play their bare minimum parts but prefer to watch, observe and make comments.
14. Our people have very little time for detailed analysis and critical performance attribution.
They hardly interrogate what is there to achieve what with in the conclusions.
Most markedly our population is third party the political issues are not theirs.
They don’t belong to politics.
They view and comment from a distance.
Because of this they demand that MDC must outsmart the ZanuPF apparatus which includes police, judiciary, CIO, army, ZEC, and most Gvt offices etc.
90% of ZanuPF work and costs are on the account of the taxpayer while MDC depends on the poor membership and the voters
15. Is the people’s party leadership in denial? NO !
They know what has SINCE hit us.
Is the party in a position to respond to this ZanuPF-enabled tsunami?
A 63-year-old Chitungwiza man died on Saturday afternoon after he was assaulted by three touts along High Glen Road in Harare.
The touts allegedly wanted to force him to board their unregistered commuter omnibus. Mr Anias Chiyangwa of Zengeza 1 was pronounced dead at Parktown Clinic in Waterfalls where he was taken by his relatives.
Mr Chiyangwa was walking near Mashwede service station when he was approached by the touts who were travelling in an unregistered Nissan Caravan.
The touts tried to force him to board their vehicle, but he resisted and they started assaulting him until he became unconscious.
According to a witness, one of the touts kicked him several times on the head and another on the chest, until some members of the public intervened.
The touts jumped into their vehicle and sped off.
Members of the public searched Chiyangwa’s pockets and found his mobile phone, which they used to inform one of his relatives who attended the scene.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and appealed for information leading to the arrest of the suspects.
He expressed concern over unregistered vehicles on the country’s roads, saying many of them were being used to commit crimes.
In September 2017, a Harare man died after he was manhandled by touts near Roadport Bus Terminus along Robert Mugabe Road as he and his family waited for transport to Mutare.
Meanwhile, police have so far impounded 2 115 unregistered vehicles countrywide during the ongoing blitz launched last week.
According to the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act, vehicles should be registered and always display their registration marks and numbers.
Asst Comm Nyathi warned the public that it was an offence to drive unregistered vehicles on the roads.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police wishes to clarify that it is in the interest of motorists and road safety that all vehicles moving on the road should have permanent registration number plates,” he said.
“Motorists should take note that vehicles with no permanent registration number plates cannot be licensed or insured.
“The Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act, Chapter 13:14 clearly specifies that an acquired vehicle should have change of ownership effected within two weeks and licensed thereof.”
The crackdown on unregistered vehicles comes in the wake of a spate of armed robberies countrywide as criminals are using such vehicles to avoid detection.
Seventy-five years ago the United Nations was established to introduce a new world order to achieve peace in the world.
It was the dawn of a new era of global cooperation, forged in the
aftermath of one of the darkest periods in the history of humankind.
In 1945 the world was in crisis.
It was counting the devastation wrought by war, devastation and plunder.
Today, we are in the throes of another crisis – the coronavirus pandemic.
The pandemic has cost nearly a million lives. It has deepened human suffering and uprooted communities, destroyed livelihoods and plunged economies into turmoil.
But just as the founders of the UN once stood united for the greater good, so too do we stand together to confront this grave threat.
In this crisis, people across the world have extended the hand of solidarity to people in other nations.
From the North to the South, humanity has been galvanised into action.
We have formed international partnerships to ensure there is equitable access to medical equipment and supplies.
Many nations have set up extensive social support systems to protect citizens whose jobs, businesses and livelihoods have been threatened.
Our response to the COVID pandemic has demonstrated the heights that can be attained when we work in the spirit of friendship and solidarity.
If we are to build a common and inclusive future in the aftermath of COVID-19, it is this solidarity that must endure.
In the words of Nelson Mandela:
“It is human solidarity, the concern for the other, that must be at the centre of the values by which we all live.”
As the African continent, our response to coronavirus has been swift and effective.
We have a continental strategy to fight the pandemic being driven by the regional economic communities.
The African Union has established a COVID-19 Response Fund and launched a ground-breaking African Medical Supplies Platform to ensure all countries have access to the necessary equipment and supplies.
Nonetheless, the pandemic will inevitably set back our developmental aspirations.
The resources we have had to redirect to fighting the pandemic has set back our efforts to provide housing, health care, water and sanitation and education to our people.
When the Secretary-General António Guterres delivered the 18th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in July 2020, he called on the nations of the world to forge a New Social Contract and a New Global Deal.
He said we must create equal opportunities for all, that we must advance a more inclusive and balanced multilateral trading system, that debt architecture must be reformed, and that there should be greater access to affordable credit for developing countries.
It is a call we as South Africa wholly endorse.
It is in the spirit of this New Global Deal, that we call on the international community and our international partners to support the rollout of a comprehensive stimulus package for African countries.
This will enable African countries to not only mitigate the health impacts of COVID-19 but to aid us in the immense task of rebuilding our shattered economies.
To ensure that no country is left behind we reiterate our position as the African Union that economic sanctions against Zimbabwe and Sudan should be lifted to allow their governments to respond adequately to the pandemic.
We also call for the suspension of interest payments on Africa’s external and public debt.
As the African Union we are encouraged by the collaboration of the G20, the IMF, the World Bank and the UN towards finding solutions to debt sustainability in developing countries.
This pandemic has highlighted the urgency with which we must strive to meet all the Sustainable Development Goals, but more importantly Goal 1 – to end poverty in all its forms everywhere.
For until we eradicate global poverty, we will always fall short of realising the vision of the founders of the United Nations.
We must expand economic opportunities to all people around the world, but most especially to the young, to women and to the vulnerable people in the world.
We must boldly pursue avenues of redistribution and redress as a means of advancing shared prosperity.
We must deal decisively with the rot of corruption that is robbing our people of the opportunities and services that are their right.
Together, we must raise our level of ambition to ensure that every man, every woman and every child has an equal chance at a better future.
It is a future free of hunger, disease, insecurity and war.
It is a world that affirms the dignity and worth of all, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation or social circumstances.
The year 2020 will be remembered for the massive groundswell to push back the frontiers of racism under the umbrella of the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
As a country that has known too well the anguish of institutionalised racism, South Africa supports the demands for swift action against racism, whether committed by individuals, companies, officials or a state.
South Africa calls on the United Nations to spare no effort to end prejudice and intolerance in all its forms and wherever it may be found.
In the words of Dr Martin Luther King Jnr:
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
As we mark the 25th Anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action, we must intensify our efforts to empower women and girls.
It is the right of women and girls to be full and equal participants in the workplace, in political life and decision-making, in the economy, in obtaining an education and in society as a whole.
South Africa is proud to be a member of the UN’s Generation Equality campaign and has prioritised the eradication of gender-based violence and femicide.
At a continental level, we are working to finalise and adopt an AU Convention on Violence against Women during the course of this year.
AU member states are engaging on measures to promote financial inclusion, preferential procurement and preferential trade agreements for women.
As African countries we continue with our effort to ‘silence the guns’ once and for all through conflict resolution and peace-building.
Cooperation between the UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council has contributed to improved peace and security in the Darfur region of Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Mali and the Central African Republic.
It is imperative that this collaboration is institutionalised and that the financing of AU peacekeeping operations is addressed and resolved.
South Africa is currently serving its second year as an elected non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
We have used our tenure to promote international peace and security by advocating for the peaceful settlement of disputes and inclusive dialogue.
The current composition of the Security Council does not reflect the world in which we live.
On the 75th anniversary of the UN we repeat our call for greater representation of African countries on the Security Council, and that this be taken up with urgency at the Intergovernmental Negotiations.
It is only through a reformed and inclusive UN Security Council that we will be able to collectively resolve some of the world’s most protracted conflicts.
As we celebrate the founding of an organisation dedicated to freedom and equality, the people of Palestine and Western Sahara continue to live under occupation.
We repeat our call for an end to the illegal occupation of Western Sahara and for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
We further call for the lifting of the economic embargo and blockade of Cuba.
Your Excellencies,
We have no choice but to work together to address the climate change crisis.
As we rebuild in the aftermath of this pandemic we have an opportunity to place the global economy on a low-carbon, climate resilient developmental path.
We must advance the principles of the green and circular economies, not just for the sake of environmental sustainability but because of the opportunities for job creation and economic growth.
The global recovery effort must place climate change adaptation, mitigation and support at its centre – in line with the Paris Agreement and other multilateral environmental commitments.
As the founders of the UN stood at a crossroads in 1945, so do we 75 years later.
They answered history’s call to craft a new order for a world in crisis.
Today we battle the fires of a deadly pandemic, of racism and prejudice, of violence, war and extremism and, above all, of poverty and inequality.
The order we seek to build must be rooted in solidarity, equality and unity of purpose.
The coronavirus pandemic has presented us with a choice.
It is a choice between the global cooperation envisaged in the UN Charter or the pursuit of narrow self-interest and unilateralism.
It is a choice between tolerance or prejudice.
It is also a choice between economic justice or growing inequality.
The path we choose now will determine our collective destiny.
Though we face the most daunting of prospects, we have at our disposal the most potent force.
It is the solidarity and friendship upon which the United Nations was founded.
When history faithfully records the global response to the worst health emergency of this century, let it be said that we stood and acted as one, that we provided leadership, and that we gave the peoples of all nations hope and courage.
The best, and most fitting, legacy of this 75th Session will be that through our actions we gave true meaning to the term ‘United Nations’.
South Africa reaffirms its commitment to the ideals and the spirit of the UN Charter, and to sparing no effort to bring about a more just, peaceful and equitable world.
May our cooperation deepen and may our solidarity endure.
Let us make sure that all our efforts leave no woman, no child and no man behind, and that no nation is left behind.
Funsho honored for his work with Rotary International to eradicate wild polio in Africa.
LAGOS, Nigeria, September 23, 2020/ — TIME named Nigerian physician Dr. Tunji Funsho to the 2020 TIME100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. The full list and related tributes are available now at time.com/time100, and Dr. Funsho’s TIME100 profile is available here (https://bit.ly/3ky8pZg).
The list, now in its seventeenth year, recognizes the activism, innovation and achievement of the world’s most influential individuals.
Dr. Funsho, a cardiologist based in Lagos, Nigeria, is the first Rotary member to receive this honor for the organization’s work to eradicate polio, having played an essential role in ensuring Africa’s certification as wild polio-free in August of 2020.
“I’m honored to be recognized by TIME for my part in ensuring that no child in Africa will ever again be paralyzed by wild polio, a disease that once disabled 75,000 African children every single year,” said Dr. Funsho. “Eradicating the wild poliovirus in Africa was a team effort that required the cooperation and dedication of governments, partners, Rotary members, hundreds of thousands of health workers, and countless parents who chose to have their children vaccinated against polio.”
As the leader of Rotary’s Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee, Funsho has worked alongside Rotary members throughout the country to raise awareness about the importance of polio immunization, encouraged governments and public figures to support polio eradication, and served as a vocal leader and advocate for Rotary’s fight to end polio in Africa.
Dr. Funsho works closely with Rotary’s partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI): the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. As a member of Nigeria’s Presidential Task Force on Polio, he has coordinated immunization and advocacy campaigns with the Minister of State for Health and the Inter-Agency Coordination Committee for Polio Eradication. He has also worked closely with the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, the Dangote Foundation, the Traditional Leaders Council and the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria.
In August 2019, Nigeria reached three years without a case of wild poliovirus. Nigeria’s progress, led by Rotary, its GPEI partners and local and national governments, was the result of decades of sustained efforts, including domestic and international financing, the commitment of hundreds of thousands of health workers, and innovative strategies to immunize children who previously couldn’t be reached due to insecurity in the country’s northern states.
On 25 August, the African region was certified wild polio-free. This historic announcement means that five of the WHO’s six regions, representing more than 90 percent of the world’s population, are now free of the wild poliovirus. The virus is now endemic in just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Rotary’s nearly 32,000 members in Africa have played a critical role in helping the region achieve its wild polio-free status by holding events to raise funds and awareness for polio, and working with world governments and national and local leaders to secure funding and support for polio eradication.
CONTROVERSIAL Norton independent MP Temba Mliswa Tuesday on Monday shocked all and sundry when he called on the nation to stop associating late former Agriculture Minister Perrance Shiri to Gukurahudi as “it was inhuman to talk evil of someone who cannot defend themselves.”
Mliswa was speaking in parliament in a debate as parliament gave condolences on the passing on of the former Minister.
Shiri served as the commander of the soldiers during the Gukurahundi atrocities who killed over 20 000 people in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces.
Shiri died on 29 July due to Covid-19 complications.
Mliswa described Shiri as a liberation struggle icon and urged other MPs to speak glowingly about the late politician.
“Mr. Speaker Sir, may this be an opportunity for my colleagues Honourable Members of Parliament to talk about the good that this man did. It will be totally inhuman to talk about what a man did when he cannot defend himself when he is no more,” said Mliswa Tuesday.
“I hasten to say do not associate him with Gukurahundi. He was just a commander when there were other commanders. If we decide to talk about people being killed let us bring every soldier who has been to war before the courts and ask them why they killed. He was never the commander of the army and he was never part of the commander of the Air Force (of Zimbabwe),” Mliswa said.
“There is a commander-in-chief who they take instructions from. So, he must never be tainted with something which other people gave orders to. Unfortunately, the true story of Gukurahundi will never come out because the commander-in-chief at the time was the former late President R. G. Mugabe. He was there and nobody had the chance to ask him and when you are in that position, no one else can speak for you but yourself.”
Mliswa said parliament failed to exercise its oversight role and invite Mugabe to give his side of the story.
“We invited him (Mugabe) to come because we wanted to understand. The various committees had an opportunity to invite him to also find out about Gukurahundi since he was the commander-in-chief and he was the President at the time.
“For us to talk about who was in charge of Gukurahundi when the principal is no more, I think you are opening old wounds; may the souls of those people who passed away rest in peace. May we never again have such an experience as a people. May we have a leadership which forgives and asks for forgiveness,” said Mliswa.
He continued, “In that spirit, we are able to move as one nation and we are able to safeguard the pain, joy, and interest of the people who sacrificed for this country, the late Joshua Nkomo, the late Josiah Tongogara, the late Nikita Mangena, the late Herbert Chitepo, the late Ziyapapa (Moyo) all those that we know about can only be happy when we are in unity and we are tolerant of each other.
“They could tolerate the white men at the time when the white men had an agenda to totally kill people, but today why can we not be tolerant of each other? May we learn the tolerance of Gudoguru the late retired Air Chief Marshall Shiri in that he could talk to anyone because he was Zimbabwean and he put Zimbabwe first?”
THE stability of the local currency against the united states dollar continues according to this Tuesday’s Reserve bank of Zimbabwe foreign Currency Auction results with the local unit marginally gaining from last week’s 81.69 to 81.50.
A total of US$31 million was fully allotted against the corresponding bids speaking volume of the central bank’s capacity to meet forex demands for the country.
This shows the increase in the amount of foreign currency being accessed on the auction system which points to exchange rate stability.
The foreign currency auction system was launched in June this year as a way of countering the parallel market rate which was going up on a daily basis. With the local currency firming against US$, it shows that government is on track getting the economic fundamentals right for a stable economy.
Herald entertainment editor Godwin Muzari, who died last week, was buried at Glen Forest Memorial Park in Harare yesterday.
Muzari died in a case of suspected suicide at his Waterfalls home.
Mourners, including prominent figures in the arts industry, came to pay their last respects to the award-winning arts writer.
Colleagues described his demise as a loss to the journalism profession.
Speaking on behalf of The Herald Editor Hatred Zenenga at the funeral service held at the Muzari family home in Glen Norah A yesterday, his deputy Lovemore Mataire said although he had worked with Muzari for a short period, he was a talented journalist with an inimitable style of writing.
“We used to call him ‘Godfather’ because of his exceptional journalistic competence. I remember he wrote an article on Leonard Dembo’s mother, which resulted in the outpouring of sympathy and material contributions towards the welfare of the late musician’s mother. This was Goddy, his articles connected with readers. His heart was always compassionate for the downtrodden,” Mataire said.
He described the late Muzari as a jovial and ever-smiling individual.
“We are shocked and pained by Godwin’s death as we least anticipated his departure. However, we feel that the Muzari family can be consoled by the fact that Godwin was no longer just a member of the Muzari family, but was now also part of the Zimpapers family and the nation. What he wrote impacted the whole country. No one is going to write in the manner Muzari used to write. We are going to dearly miss his writing and its impact on our readers,” added Mataire.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe director Nicholas Moyo said there is still disbelief in the arts industry over Muzari’s death.
“Godwin was a prolific arts writer and made a difference in our industry. He even won a NJAMA award for his contribution to the arts industry, this shows he was well versed in arts reporting,” said Mr Moyo.
“As the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe some few years later we gave him a NAMA award which is the most premier award in this country which is for appreciating hard work. Muzari was not afraid of covering controversial issues, but remained ethical in his execution of duty.”
The State yesterday made an application for MDC Alliance legislator for Harare West, Joanna Mamombe, to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital for mental examination.
Mamombe is jointly charged with Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova for allegedly faking their abduction in May this year.
Prosecutor Mr Michael Reza told Harare regional magistrate Mrs Bianca Makwande that Mamombe has to be assessed by two Government doctors in terms of Section 26 of the Mental Health Act.
“The accused has been brought to court several times with excuses of mental disorder hence the need to detain her in a facility for mental assessment.
“Mamombe needs treatment and the court needs assistance from Government experts to determine a time frame when she will be fit for trial,” he said.
“Dr Fungisai Mazhandu, who testified before the court, brought no proof whatsoever that she was a psychiatrist. She failed to determine for how long Mamombe needs treatment hence the court needs assistance from Government experts to determine the time Mamombe needs to be certified fit for trial,” he said.
Mr Jeremiah Bamu, who is part of Mamombe’s legal team, requested that the application be postponed to another date as the lead counsel Mr Alec Muchadehama was in Gweru on another matter.
Mr Bamu told the court that the prosecutor handling the Gweru case had asked Mr Reza to postpone the matter to Friday. Mr Reza confirmed this, but said that he informed Mr Bamu that he would oppose the postponement as there was no need for Mr Muchadehama to wait for the sentencing of his client in Gweru.
Mrs Makwande ruled that Mamombe had a right to a fair hearing by choosing a legal counsel of her choice despite Mr Bamu assisting Mr Muchadehama.
She allowed the State to make its application in terms of section 26 (2)(b) of the Mental Health Act and gave Mr Muchadehama the chance to respond when he avails himself today.
