VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Own Correspondent|The gunman who allegedly shot two soldiers in Chivhu was not happy with the Zanu PF administration, according to his posts on Facebook.

Elliot Chihambakwe and Ephraim Jani were killed by security forces after attempting to flee with two assault rifles they grabbed from soldiers in Chivhu.

Chihambakwe is believed to be the man who opened fire at two soldiers in Chivhu, killing one of them while the other one sustained serious injuries.

Chihambakwe wrote on Facebook :

” Kusvika rini mazimbabwe muchidya nhoko dzezvironda upfumi hwenyika huchidyiwa navashoma.kusvika rini hama vadiwa muchigara munyika dzeutorwa kwamuriikoko asi nyika munayo wakeup gadzirira vana vedu ramangwana.”

” Nenyaya yeumbwende kutya tinofa tichitambura kunge tirivatorwa munyika yemadzibaba edu.”

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance MP for Glen Norah, Hon Chikombo donated 1000 bags of mealie-meal to the needy in the constituency on Sunday.

“On Sunday MDC Alliance MP Hon Chikombo of Glen Norah distributed 1000 bags of 10kg mealie -meal to assist the vulnerable who’ve received no COVID-19 safety nets from the State.

While others focus on the petty politics of grabbing power fraudulently, we remain focused on the people.
#ZimbabweanLivesMatter,” MDC Alliance said in a statement.

Own Correspondent|The gunman who allegedly shot two soldiers in Chivhu was not happy with the Zanu PF administration, according to his posts on Facebook.

Elliot Chihambakwe and Ephraim Jani were killed by security forces after attempting to flee with two assault rifles they grabbed from soldiers in Chivhu.

Chihambakwe is believed to be the man who opened fire at two soldiers in Chivhu, killing one of them while the other one sustained serious injuries.

Chihambakwe wrote on Facebook :

” Kusvika rini mazimbabwe muchidya nhoko dzezvironda upfumi hwenyika huchidyiwa navashoma.kusvika rini hama vadiwa muchigara munyika dzeutorwa kwamuriikoko asi nyika munayo wakeup gadzirira vana vedu ramangwana.”

” Nenyaya yeumbwende kutya tinofa tichitambura kunge tirivatorwa munyika yemadzibaba edu.”

See posts below :

This circular conveys the ZIMTA National Executive decision of 20 September 2020 on declaration of incapacitation of teachers with regards to opening of schools on the 28^th of September 2020

Teachers have been hard hit by economic decline since the adoption of RTGS as an official currency. As a result the living conditions of teachers are now unparalleled to anything human. Worsening the plight of teachers is the COVID-19 environment.

The ZIMTA National Executive declaration of incapacitation cites the following concerns.

Concerned that the economy has self-dollarized and transport fares are now charged in United States dollars and Rands in most routes

Worried that the teachers’ salaries have been eroded to an equivalent of between US$30- US$35

Appalled by the wide and unjustified disparities in basic salaries between teachers and other public servants,

Concerned on the continued rise in the cost of living,

Concerned that schools, rentals, medical insurance, funeral insurance and clothing are now out of reach for the educators,

Disturbed by the unilateral pronouncement of opening of schools dates without consultation of other stakeholders, and

Concerned for the safety of teachers since most schools lack COVID-19 preparedness.

POSITION ADOPTED

After a wide consultation of all our forty two thousand (42 000) members across all ten of the country’s provinces, the ZIMTA National Executive hereby declares that all educators will not be able to report for duty on the 28^th of September 2020 for opening of schools as they are INCAPACITATED.

The following conditions must be met;

Implementation of World Health Organisation guidelines against COVID-19

Restoration of the purchasing power parity of teachers’ salaries to US$520

Implementation of meaningful sector specific allowances which consider teachers status and responsibilities

Payment of COVID-19 allowances that are results of a negotiation process instead of through the benevolence of His Excellency, The President.

Unless the above conditions are met, educators remain incapacitated and hence willing but unable to report for duty.

A Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Zimbabwe-sanctioned survey has found the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) as the most open institution in Zimbabwe while Chitungwiza Municipality was cited as the most secretive local authority.

The media lobby group has since 2009 been conducting surveys to check on how easily citizens could access information relating to various organisations’ operations.

“EMA was assessed as the most open institution for being active on social media and maintaining a ‘partially’ up-to-date website. Although the institution was unable to provide information that had been requested, it explained its reasons,” the report said.

According to the survey, Chitungwiza Municipality did not respond to requests for information on its operations.

“A senior official stated that they did not receive the request and recommended that the requests be resubmitted through email,” the report noted.

Other organisations that were surveyed were Chipinge Rural District Council, Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe, Primary and Secondary Education ministry, Women Affairs ministry, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development ministry, Mutare City Council and Zimbabwe School Examinations Council.

Some of the organisations which had been initially targeted for the survey were left out due to COVID-19 restrictions and time limitations.

The study is also part of commemorations for the International Day for Universal Access to Information which is marked every year on September 28.

It is also based on the findings of assessments on whether public institutions proactively make relevant information available online in the form of websites or social media accounts.

The study further evaluates to what degree information is made available to citizens upon request.

Similar studies were conducted in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania and Zambia.

-Newsday

Human rights lawyer Doug Coltart has condemned the denial of bail to ZINASU President Takudzwa Ngadziore saying the basis used to incarcerate him does not make sense as he is the one who was attacked.

Ngadziore’s bail application was dismissed with the Harare Magistrates court saying his release will threaten peace of public order.

But Coltart said peacefully holding a press conference demanding accountability cannot be a basis for denying Ngadziore his freedom.

“It’s tragically ironic that @ngadziore has been denied bail on the basis that releasing him will “undermine the peace” when he is the one who was attacked. Why? For peacefully holding a press conference demanding accountability for abductions,” said Coltart.

Ngadziore was severely assaulted by unknown assailants who besieged a press conference he was holding near Impala car rental demanding accountability for Tawanda Muchehiwa abductors.

Journalists were also assaulted and had their gadgets confiscated during the melee.

ZINASU President Takudzwa Ngadziore who was arrested on Friday at Impala car rental has been denied bail by the Harare Magistrates Court.

Magistrate Judith Taruvinga ruled that Ngadziore is not a suitable candidate for bail saying that realising him will undermine the peace of public order.

More to follow….

Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) which is the biggest teachers union in Zimbabwe has declared that its members are incapacitated to report for duty on the 28th of September, the day schools are set to resume lessons for examination classes.

In a circular to its members, ZIMTA said educators will not report for duty on 28 September due to incapacitation.

“After a wide consultation of all our forty two thousand (42 000) members across all ten of the country’s provinces, the ZIMTA National Executive hereby declares that all educators will not be able to report for duty on the 28^th of September 2020 for opening of schools as they are INCAPACITATED.”

ZIMTA highlighted a number of grievances which it said should be met by government before they are able to report for duty.

“Teachers have been hard hit by economic decline since the adoption of RTGS as an official currency. As a result the living conditions of teachers are now unparalleled to anything human. Worsening the plight of teachers is the COVID-19 environment,” the association said.

Must MDC Alliance change its name?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 20, 2020

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission refused to register a new political party led by Joice Mujuru following a complaint over a mere party slogan that was similar to to her proposed organisation name. this happened in the run-up to the 2018 elections and on interview is the leader of the progressive people’s party Barbara Nyagomo who won against Mujuru.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

ZimLive

One of the Chivhu gunmen who shot dead a soldier was a Democratic Republic of Congo war veteran who often spoke of “freeing Zimbabwe”, according to friends and family.

Elliot Chihambakwe, of Gutu, also used his Facebook page to write a manifesto of change, demanding that Zimbabweans grow courage and “fix tomorrow for our children.”

Chihambakwe, 45, and his 20-year-old neighbour Ephain Jani were shot dead on September 6, just hours after the killing of Lance Corporal Lorance Mupanganyama and wounding of Corporal Peter Zvirevo inside a small police cabin in Chivhu town.

The motive for the attack remains unknown.

Chihambakwe and Jani were buried in Mukandatsama Village under Chief Mazuru on September 10 after being shot by a joint army and police team in a bush about 20km out of Chivhu town.

Friends and family have told ZimLive that Chihambakwe quit the army in 2008 at the height of a major economic crisis in Zimbabwe, and spent at least two years in Cape Town, South Africa, working as a security guard.

They say the married father-of-two harboured deep anger over the mismanagement of Zimbabwe by the Zanu PF government.

“He always told us that he would one day free Zimbabwe and cause an uprising,” a friend who lived with Chihambakwe in Cape Town said, asking not to be named.

On Facebook, Chihambakwe often wrote about his struggles fending for his young family. The posts began in 2012, when he joined Facebook, and then stopped suddenly in November 2017 – just days before a military coup that ousted the late former leader Robert Mugabe.

“Thanks to our cowardice, fear, we will die in suffering like strangers in the land of our fathers,” he wrote in November 2013.

“Until when will the people of Zimbabwe eat the scabs of their wounds while the nation’s wealth is enjoyed by a few? Until when dear friends will you live in those foreign countries where you are when you have your own country? Let’s fix tomorrow for our children,” he said in a November 2012 post.

Chihambakwe also said it was “better to die fighting for prosperity than to die in poverty.”

It remains unclear if his anger over the economic conditions in Zimbabwe led to the fateful September 5 incident, which would end with him and his young neighbour dead before their bodies were publicly paraded in Chivhu on the back of an open top police truck.

According to police, the two soldiers Zvirevo and Mupanganyama patrolled the streets of Chivhu starting at 8AM in the company of four police officers in a joint operation enforcing coronavirus lockdown regulations. The two soldiers were armed with AK47 rifles.

They then returned to a police base near a Chicken Inn fast food outlet – a small one-room cabin.

While at the police base, police said a man wearing a green face mask, a black bomber jacket, tattered blue jean trousers and black safety shoes approached and signalled Mupanganyama to meet him outside.

Mupanganyama, according to the police, had assumed that the man summoning him was his superior, and was furious when the man introduced himself as a former soldier. He stormed off and went back inside the police base.

“The purported ex-member followed the deceased into the police base talking to the deceased on top of his voice. All of a sudden, the other accused approached at the entrance of the police base and without saying anything he produced a corked pistol and started firing directly at the two army members,” a police report of the incident said.

Chihambakwe and Jani reportedly took away the two AK47 rifles and four fully-charged magazines loaded with 30 rounds each before walking out of the police base while pointing the rifles in the air.

“People started running in different directions for their safety. The accused persons ran away to a nearby bush east of the police base and disappeared,” police said.

Mupanganyama was shot three times. The fatal shot was on the nose with the bullet going through his head.

Zvirevo, who remains hospitalised in a critical condition, was shot six times – twice on the left hand, once in the abdomen and he also had three gunshot wounds to the back.

Trophies … The two Chivhu gunmen were paraded to Chivhu residents on back of police struck after they were shot and killed
The two gunmen were tracked down by police and soldiers and located in the bush on September 6. Police said in an exchange of gunfire, the Chihambakwe and Jani shot a soldier in the leg before they were outgunned and killed.

A relative of Chihambakwe, speaking by phone, said the former soldier lived at the village in Gutu with his wife and children.

He said it remains unclear how he and Jani ended up in Chivhu. He dismissed suggestions that the two were panning for gold in the area.

Police had not given the family details of the altercation at the police base, which some reports claimed may have been over a woman. – Zimlive.com

State Media

GOVERNMENT has been inundated by inquiries from regional and international airlines who are eager to fly into Zimbabwe following the reopening of the skies.

Vice-President, Constantino Chiwenga, said this during a tour of Victoria Falls International Airport on Saturday. He was accompanied by Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu on a tour of the country’s international airports, which included Victoria Falls, Joshua Mqabuko in Bulawayo and Robert Gabriel Mugabe in Harare. The facilities are ready to receive airlines and travellers after putting in place necessary Covid-19 preventive measures.

“There were quite a number of calls from other players and airlines besides Air Zimbabwe and Fastjet, which are here and have been grounded. Added to that, we have other international airlines like Emirates, Kenyan, Ethiopian and others from the Americas who wanted to come and were asking when we are opening.

“Our international airports are now Covid-19 compliant and ports health ready to screen travellers using international standards,” said VP Chiwenga, who is also Minister of Health and Child Care.

“We have inspected RG Mugabe in Harare and JM Nkomo in Bulawayo. The reopening of international airports is part of a phased approach to the reopening of all airports.

“Our major areas of focus have been availability and provision of personal protective equipment for frontline workers at airports, evacuation strategy for ill patients, installation of infra-red scanners, banner and footbaths because we need to ensure that our airports are compliant with World Health Organisation guidelines.”

Airlines that flew into Zimbabwe, particularly Victoria Falls prior to Covid-19 included British Airways (ComAir), Ethiopian Airlines, Kenyan Airlines, Air Namibia, South African Airlines, SA Airlink, Air Zimbabwe and FastJet.

There has been interest from other world class airlines to fly into Victoria Falls following renovation of the facility a few years ago. The airport can now handle wide-bodied aircraft after expansion of its runway and terminal.

The country recently launched the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy whose thrust is to harness every tourism opportunity among other aims, towards growth of the sector. VP Chiwenga said Zimbabwe has managed to control the Covid-19 pandemic hence the country found it necessary to reopen the economy.

In his opening remarks during the 113th Ordinary Session of Zanu PF’s Central Committee in Harare on Friday, President Emmerson Mnangagwasaid the so-called crisis in Zimbabwe only existed in the minds of the opposition.

President Mnangagwa said the Central Committee meeting was taking place at a time of failed machinations by Zanu PF’s detractors on social media to reverse and destabilise the unity, peace, security and development milestones that the ruling party had achieved.

“I applaud the people of Zimbabwe and the leadership of the party for remaining resolute in defiance of the opposition’s regime change agenda and worrying levels of self-hate through a sustained call to make our country ungovernable saying there was a crisis in Zimbabwe,” he said.

“The crisis exists in their minds, the crisis exists in their parties, the crisis exists in their bedrooms but not in the country. We have challenges like any other country in the region has and we are resolved to face these challenges head on. We will not seek outside mediation to deal with challenges which they themselves have.”

He said the solidarity existing between Zanu PF and other leaders of sister liberation movement parties in the region like the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa remained strong and would not be shaken by social media.

“We have elements peddling falsehoods that there is misunderstanding between Zanu PF and the ANC. Hakuna (there is nothing like that),” he said.

The President said he was in constant communication with his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, and other leaders of sister political parties.

He urged Zimbabweans not to be side-tracked by elements bent on causing disharmony in the country but focus on the development agenda being pursued by Government.

“We must therefore maintain total control of our party’s legacy ideals mounted on the struggle for broad-based economic emancipation, patriotism, loyalty, discipline and forever be masters of our own destiny,” President Mnangagwa said.

The Country recorded 11 new coronavirus cases on Sunday and 10 recoveries resulting in the number of active cases increasing by one to 1 534.

There were no deaths confirmed.

The total number of cases rose to 7 683 and that of recoveries to 5 924.

All the recoveries were from Bulawayo and the number of active cases in the city dropped to 109. Harare now has 1 100 active cases and Matebeleland South 164.

The number of cases across the globe now stands at 31.2 million and includes 963 900 deaths, 22.8 million recoveries and 7.4 million active

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has indicated that NGOs should be allowed to distribute food aid to concerned communities without the involvement of Zanu PF functionaries.

The MDC Alliance also accused Zanu PF of looting donations meant for the needy.

Read full statement below:

Communique Following MDC Alliance NEC Meeting

SEPTEMBER 19, 2020

NOTING the extent of the national crisis, the suffering of the masses, increased poverty, economic instability, hyperinflation, economic disequilibrium;

CONCERNED by the crisis of legitimacy, the closure of political space, attack on civil liberties and human rights, persecution and arrests of activists, the torture and violence against the citizens:

FURTHER NOTING the humanitarian crisis in respect of which 8 million Zimbabweans are food insecure and 5 million people have to be provided with humanitarian assistance and concerned by the massive leakages and looting of humanitarian aid …

TAKING COGNISANCE of the COVID19 pandemic and the gross mismanagement of the pandemic through the lack of financial resources, mass testing and provision of PPEs, drugs, isolation and quarantine centres:

DISTURBED by ZANU PF-driven threats to the people’s political party – the MDC Alliance, the unlawful arrests of our leaders and members, the unlawful recalls of elected people’s representatives and the abuse in the interpretation of the Supreme Court judgment:

1. The party expresses concern over Zimbabwe’s multi-faceted governance, economic and social crisis which has manifested in mass starvation, poverty, joblessness, wage erosion, poor earnings by civil servants, the remuneration crisis in the education sector, grand corruption and a deepening crisis in the health sector including inadequate remuneration and PPEs for health workers and insufficient isolation facilities. We call for NGOs to give aid directly to communities to avoid abuse by ZANU PF.

We condemn corruption in COVID19 procurement and the use of COVID19 as an excuse to clampdown on human rights.

2. The party condemns the closure of democratic space, human rights abuses, violence, wanton arrests and demands the immediate release of all political prisoners and an immediate cessation of all malicious prosecutions, particularly of Job Sikhala, Joanna Mamombe, Cecillia Chimbiri, Chalton Hwende, Tsitsi Dangarembwa, Netsai Marova, Hopewell Chin’ono, Jacob Ngarivhume and Godfrey Kurzone.

3. The party notes the efforts of South Africa and the ANC in facilitating the resolution of the national crisis. The party restates its commitment to dialogue centred on comprehensive reforms, national healing and the return to legitimacy and democracy. The party supports the efforts of the ANC and calls for the involvement and scaffolding of the process by the international community, in particular SADC and the African Union.

4. The party affirms the democratic right of citizens to protest peacefully as enshrined in section 59 of the Constitution and places all citizens on notice with regard to the need for a broad front to challenge ZANU PF and mass mobilization because Zimbabwean Lives Matter and the March is not Ended.

5. The party restates that it is the MDC Alliance party. It contested the 2018 election as the MDC Alliance. As the alternative, it has MPs in Parliament and councillors in local authorities. It has been victimized as the MDC Alliance and will win as the MDC Alliance. It will remain the MDC Alliance.

6. The party demands comprehensive electoral and political reforms as set out in our RELOAD and PRICE policy documents. The party considers participation in free, fair and credible elections as a necessary zone of struggle.

7. As a people-driven party, the NEC mandated the leadership at various levels to consult stakeholders, opinion leaders, grassroots structures and party organs countrywide on the multiple options that are available to it.

Fadzayi Mahere

National Spokesperson

Farai Dziva|Senior MDC Alliance official Jameson Timba has said Thokozani Khupe is desperate to score political marks to the extent that she can even change her name to Nelson Chamisa.

On Saturday Morgen Komichi surprised all and sundry when he announced the Khupe led political formation would use the name MDC Alliance in future elections.

“Now MDCT are saying they are us. Those whom the Lord wants to destroy maketh mad first. Very soon their Acting President Thoko will be calling herself Nelly Chamisa,” argued Timba.

In a statement, MDC Alliance spokesperson, Advocate Fadzai Mahere said:

The party restates that it is the MDC Alliance party. It contested the 2018 election as the MDC Alliance. As the alternative, it has MPs in Parliament and councillors in local authorities.

It has been victimized as the MDC Alliance and will win as the MDC Alliance. It will remain the MDC Alliance.

Farai Dziva|Senior MDC Alliance official Jameson Timba has said Thokozani Khupe is desperate to score political marks to the extent that she can even change her name to Nelson Chamisa.

On Saturday Morgen Komichi surprised all and sundry when he announced the Khupe led political formation would use the name MDC Alliance in future elections.

“Now MDCT are saying they are us. Those whom the Lord wants to destroy maketh mad first. Very soon their Acting President Thoko will be calling herself Nelly Chamisa,” argued Timba.

In a statement, MDC Alliance spokesperson, Advocate Fadzai Mahere said:

The party restates that it is the MDC Alliance party. It contested the 2018 election as the MDC Alliance. As the alternative, it has MPs in Parliament and councillors in local authorities.

It has been victimized as the MDC Alliance and will win as the MDC Alliance. It will remain the MDC Alliance.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has declared that nobody can stop the people’s struggle.

In his message below, President Chamisa stresses the fact that MDC Alliance carries the seed of new beginnings:

We represent the NEW and COMING.

We carry the seed of new beginnings. Not even the angel of death can prevent its sprouting.

We sympathize with those who attempt to stand in the way or are opposed to us. It’s game on! Sunday greetings

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has declared that nobody can stop the people’s struggle.

In his message below, President Chamisa stresses the fact that MDC Alliance carries the seed of new beginnings:

We represent the NEW and COMING.

We carry the seed of new beginnings. Not even the angel of death can prevent its sprouting.

We sympathize with those who attempt to stand in the way or are opposed to us. It’s game on! Sunday greetings

Most schools want to peg fees and levies in foreign currency, with some boarding schools proposing US$350 or the equivalent in Zimbabwe dollars, while day schools are proposing US$100.

This follows an appeal by the National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to allow schools to charge levies and fees in foreign currency.

The schools say suppliers of educational consumables were charging them in United States dollars and it makes sense that they also collect fees in foreign currency. NASH president, Arthur Maphosa said:

NASH recommends that schools be authorised to budget in US dollars on the grounds that suppliers are charging goods and services in foreign currency.

The purchase of examination material for science and technical practicals will be a tall order unless Government allows schools to receive fees in foreign currency.

Suppliers are refusing to take the local currency and school heads will collapse at work because of this.

Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s spokesperson, Taungana Ndoro told The Manica Post this week that there are procedures which schools should follow before they raise fees.

Ndoro said the Ministry will look at the applications by schools individually before new fees structures are approved and that as of now, no new fees regime has been approved.

However, some schools have already started sending circulars informing parents of the new fees structure.-Manica Post

A MUTARE man (20) fatally assaulted his live-in girlfriend, locked up the corpse and vanished with her household property.

Allen Zaka of Buwerimwe Village in Zimunya took the property to his father’s homestead and lied to him that he had bought the items using the proceeds he had earned from illegal gold mining in Odzi.

Two days later, he was tracked down and arrested by Mutare homicide detectives. The police subsequently recovered the stolen property.

Zaka recently appeared before senior High Court judge, Justice Hlekani Mwayera, charged with murder as defined in Section 47 (1)(a) or (b) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, Chapter 9:23.Senior public prosecutor, Mr Marlvern Musarurwa said the offence was committed last year in Dangamvura’s Destiny section. It is alleged that on the fateful day, Mashayamombe and Zaka came home at around 7pm. They had supper with Zaka’s three children aged five, seven and 11. After retiring to bed, a misunderstanding ensued between the lovebirds, thereby resulting in a fracas.

Mr Musarurwa said Zaka fatally assaulted Mashayamombe with an unknown object on her head.

Mashayamombe died on the spot due to the serious head injuries she had sustained.

“After committing the offence, the suspect stole a 12-volt battery, converter, Plasma television set, solar panel and Mashayamombe’s cellphone. He covered the corpse in a mosquito net and locked the door from outside before disappearing from the scene.

“The door to the room was knocked down the following day after Mashayamombe’s niece, Enniah Mwashita, got suspicious and alerted the police,” said Mr Musarurwa.-Manica Post

THERE was drama in Mutare’s Sakubva high-density suburb on Tuesday morning after a daring local man was caught pants down with a married woman in the latter’s matrimonial home.

The cheating woman, only identified as Faith, hid her boyfriend Livingstone Gwandura under the bed after her husband Ishmael Madhochi unexpectedly came back home from Harare around 3am.

Neighbours and relatives interviewed said Ishmael came back home in Devonshire after he received a tip off that Faith was having an extra-marital affair with Gwandura.

Consistent with scenes of this nature, some members of the public started singing derogatory songs while some threatened to give the cheats a thorough hiding.

Both Faith and Livingstone refused to entertain The Weekender and tried to evade the long lens of the camera.

“It was around 3am when we heard about the incident. My brother alerted us saying he caught his wife with a boyfriend.

“We are worried because our brother is a caring and loving husband. We are shocked that this woman had to do this. My brother had actually brought some shawarma for her only to catch the boyfriend hidden under the bed,” said Ishmael’s sister.

“This is disgraceful. Our daughter-in-law (Faith) is a disgrace to the family. We were shocked by the incident and we are now about to deliberate on the way forward. We are glad that at least our son Ishmael did not injure the boyfriend or do anything that he would regret later.

Ishmael came back home after a tip-off and we are glad that it came to light,” said Ishmael’s uncle, Poso Madhochi.-The Weekender

By A Correspondent- OK Zimbabwe was forced by the courts to release video footage of Harare West MP Joana Mamombe doing her shopping amid concerns the authorities violated the young legislator’s privacy, it has emerged.

Harare magistrate Bianca Makwande last week blocked attempts by prosecutors to use the footage in a case where they wanted the MP punished for failing to appear in court.
Mamombe could not appear in court with two other MDC Alliance members – Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova – on charges that they faked their abduction and torture in May because she was hospitalised.

The legislator is said to have suffered a mental breakdown.

CCTV footage allegedly of her at a Bon Marche supermarket was then posted on social media by people that included senior government officials, who used it to mock her.
Bon Marche is owned by OK Zimbabwe.

Angry social media users started a campaign to boycott businesses that have been releasing footage to the authorities, which is then used to vilify victims of alleged state-sponsored abuse such as in the Mamombe case.

Alex Siyavora, the OK Zimbabwe CEO, however, told The Standard yesterday that the CCTV footage was released to the authorities following a court order compelling every outlet at the shopping centre to release their recordings.

“There was a court order,” Siyavora said. “Everyone at the complex was given an order to release the CCTV footages of a specific time.”

Mobile phone operator Econet this year successfully challenged attempts by police to force it to hand over information about its customers that used the Ecocash platform in what was described as a victory in the fight to protect citizens’ rights to privacy.

High Court Judge Justice Clement Phiri declared the search-and seizure warrant issued by Harare provincial magistrate Richard Ramaboa as unlawful.

But Siyavora said their situation was different from that of Econet.

“There is a difference, at our shops, a person just gets in and buys and leaves, at Econet, they record details of the subscribers before issuing them with lines,” he said.

“Our main concern is security, to detect people who steal from us and it is different from Econet.”

State broadcaster ZBC recently flighted footage obtained from outlets in Harare’s Belgravia shopping centre as the authoritie sought to to prove that the MDC Alliance trio faked their abduction.

Police initially confirmed that they arrested Mamombe, Chimbiri and Marova after they took part in a demonstration against hunger.

The police later recanted their statements after it emerged that the trio had been abducted and brutally tortured.

After they were found in bad shape near Bindura, the police charged the women with allegedly faking their abduction.

They have become targets of Zanu-PF aligned youths on social media, who accuse them of staging the abductions to soil the image of the country.

By A Correspondent- Zanu Pf members have been called upon to take the process of electing District Coordinating Committee (DCC) members seriously and ensure that they choose people who will further push the party to prosperity ahead of the 2023 elections.

Speaking at a Matabeleland North Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting in Lupane yesterday to receive Curriculum Vitaes for contesting members, the party’s Secretary for Health, Child Care and the Elderly, Dr David Parirenyatwa, said President Mnangagwa has made it clear on the importance of the exercise.

He said the party should avoid mistakes that were made post-2012 when DCCs had to be abolished as they were modelling themselves as the centres of power.

“This is an important exercise to the President, which is why he sent the party’s National Political Commissar, Victor Matemedanda to come and lead this process. First, they were successfully held in Harare and Bulawayo, today we are here to complete the process in the remaining provinces, where we will collect CVs for those who will contest for further vetting.

“However, I must call on those that will be elected to know the party’s constitution, know their roles and avoid a situation where they misguide themselves like what we had when we had to ban DCCs in 2012,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

He called on party members not to be power hungry noting that the process was meant to ensure the ruling party’s success.

“It raises a lot of questions when we have someone who is in a high organ in the party wanting to hold a position in the DCC, what we have said is that anyone who holds a higher position and wants to hold a DCC position they should resign their other position.

“We have to further strategically elect members into these positions knowing that this has a huge bearing towards the success of the party. We can’t have someone who joined the party yesterday suddenly rising to these positions. Let’s analyse members’ commitment to party business before we elect them,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

Meanwhile, Dr Parirenyatwa called on the party to continue being vigilant in the wake of Covid-19 saying there was a need for members to continue heeding the Government’s call on social distancing and sanitisation to contain the spread of the disease.

“We have to have it in mind that this pandemic has given us a new normal therefore we must continue practicing the guidelines given to us by the World Health Organisation and the Government.

“As party members we must know that this pandemic is within us and can affect the party directly. Yes our national infection figures are going down but let’s not be ignorant,” he said.

Dr Parirenyatwa was accompanied by Mashonaland Central Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution Monica Mavhunga, where they received CVs for candidates in the seven districts in the province.-online

An article in The Standard written by Jonathan Maphenduka details horrific stories of the late Rtd Air Marshall Perrance Shiri and how he executed the infamous Gukurahundi Massacre that killed over 20 000 Ndebele people from Matabeleland and Midlands.

Shiri reportedly wore a black robe that was written Black Jesus and these are some of the executions that were carried out while he looked on or in his presence according to the publication:

1. In the Gukurahundi terror campaign those who worked under him looked up to him, driven by fear. A young man who met him at Balagwe in Matobo district had an interesting story to tell. Balagwe became a notorious operational base for the district in April 1984 when units of 5 Brigade arrived in the district. The young man was accused of (like all people of Matabeleland) being a “dissident” who faced death for that reason. There were six pregnant women who faced death for the reason of carrying the blood of “dissident” husbands in their wombs. One of the women managed to pass her identity card to the young man unseen. She knew her fate had been decided and hoped against hope that the ID would somehow find its way to her relatives and the world would know how her life ended. This was a desperate and hopeless situation but fate has its own ways of revealing secrets. That in the realm of power in which Shiri presided was a mystery. The women’s arms were tied behind their backs. But there was a problem. An executioner must be found. Shooting them was wasteful and did not provide the pleasure to those who watched the horror of how the foetus of a “dissident” comes rolling out of its mother’s womb, like the entrails of a slaughtered animal in a butcher’s shop. The difference in this case was simply that the objects of this bloody horror were six innocent women. The mantle to do the job fell on the young “dissident”. Shiri was accompanied by a woman officer and it was decided that she had a role to play in the ritual. The young man was ordered to lie down on his back with his mouth open. The female officer ambled up, positioned herself above the face of the young man, pulled her pant down and peed into the young man’s open mouth. With the preliminary ritual done, he was ordered to get up and a razor sharp knife was thrown at him. “Do you want to save your own life? Rip them up”, he was told. Darkness was approaching and the spectators were ordered to throw the bodies, the foetuses and other entrails on to a waiting truck to be carried to a near-by disused mineshaft.
2. Outside Donkwedonkwe High School Kezi Police Station, a huge crowd of villagers sat in the blazing April sun, denouncing Zapu dissidents and Joshua Nkomo. The rally was called to demonstrate that the operatives we were wilful killers. “Siyaburara” (we kill), they said as if the villagers didn’t know the fact. Perrance Shiri was there, watching the proceedings in silence. Then 10 men were ordered out of the gathering and stood waiting for the order to shoot. Among the 10 villagers was the local chief Pilisi Sithole of the Bakwayi clan, and a man I grew up with as a schoolmate and we spent time together as herd boys. When all was done he was among three men who miraculously escaped with their life in the melee that followed the massacre.
3. From Siphoso School in Tsholotsho reports said six teachers had been forced to jump into a latrine full of human excreta and stood there for hours before they were shot dead. The female teachers had been gang-raped, Perrance Shiri taking the choicest among the victims. Male teachers had been flogged until they became a pulpy mess before they were dragged and pushed into the latrine and shot to make sure they did not crawl of the latrine. Villagers were then ordered to fill the latrine up. Reports said six teachers were buried alive in a school latrine at Siphoso School in Tsholotsho West. Three female teachers had been gang-raped while their male colleagues were beaten with sticks until their bodies became a bloody mess with broken limbs.

The article details many horror stories that occurred during the massacre. Though they are not directly linked to the late Agriculture Minister who succumbed to COVID-19 In July.-Standard

By A Correspondent- 4 members of the same family in Zimunya in Mutare died this past month as speculation about the cause of their death has been attributed to spirits avenging the murder that was committed by their father who reportedly took his secrets to the grace, The Manica Post reports.

The matter reportedly came to light at Mutare Civil Court where one Simon Muchabveyo was seeking a protection order against Samuel Kapfuka and his sons Lewis, Simbarashe and Francis who are reportedly demanding to know the name of the man Muchabveyo’s father killed.

Muchabveyo claims the quartet was disturbing his peace in court and said:

However, his cousin who has reportedly brought his mentally challenged son to court remained adamant that Muchabveyo knows the identity of the mand and said Muchabveyo should reveal his identity:

He should tell us the name of the murdered man and his place of origin so that we can engage the family and find a lasting solution to this problem. We need to appease the avenging spirit.

We are not accusing him of killing the man but Muchabveyo was close to his late father, we are sure his father confided in him before his death

Kapfuka’s son denied assaulting their uncle and said they just needed some information from him:

While his (Muchabveyo) father was still alive, we heard that they cast the spirit of the murdered man on a 10-cent coin and escorted the spirit to its ‘home’. That is the place we want him to disclose to us.

We do not know who is next on the avenging spirit’s death list. We need to avenge this spirit as soon as possible before it wipes all of us out.

According to the publication, four of Kapfuka’s children died mysteriously last month and the other one developed a mental illness, and the avenging spirits has reportedly claimed 15 members of the Muchabveyo and Kapfuka families which includes all of Muchabveyo’s children.

The magistrate granted the protection order and urged Kapfuka from disturbing Muchabveyo.

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance Manicaland province has vowed to support its leader Nelson Chamisa despite the current turbulence which has left the biggest opposition movement facing an identity crisis with structures and supporters alike caught in the confusion.

The MDC has been torn between the Chamisa led Alliance and the Thokozani Khupe ‘T’ which has been endorsed by the Supreme Court as the legitimate party.

Khupe has managed to get support from former Chamisa allies among them Douglas Mwonzora, Morgan Komichi and Elias Mudzuri.

Khupe, through Mwonzora, has declared war on all Chamisa allies with some being send to the guillotine for refusing to recognize Khupe as the legitimate leader.

MDC Alliance Manicaland provincial chairperson and former chief whip Prosper Mutseyami, who was recalled from Parliament by Khupe in May, said that his province stands fully behind Chamisa and his executive is implementing programmes to strengthen the party in the province.

“Manicaland is fully behind president Chamisa. We will not waver on our resolve. We have been betrayed but we will not look back. We are moving forward with the people’s movement.

“We have been doing programmes with our grass root structures and our people believe it is only Chamisa who has the ability to move the country forward.

“There are some people who decided to be bought and betray the people’s struggle but we will not be forced to work with them.

“We are rallying our people to get ready for 2023. We are very clear on our position. Chamisa is our president and no court can ever impose a leader on us,” said Mutseyami.

He said Mwonzora will not get any support from Manicaland even though it is his home province.

“Every leader should be proud to be supported by people from his home but if you do not have that then u are as good as lost. Mwonzora is from here but we will not support him because he is lost. We do not follow a blind person.

“They may have recalled us from Parliament for supporting our president but in the end the people’s voices can never be silenced,” said Mutseyami.-DailyNews

State Media

TWO minors were hit and killed by a speeding bulk water delivery vehicle driver in Borrowdale recently.

The two children aged 14 and 13 were reportedly cycling at an intersection of Crowhill Road and Firstly Drive carrying each other on the bicycle when they were hit by the truck.

The 14-year-old boy died on the spot, while the 13-year-old died upon admission at Parirenyatwa Hospital.

Police national spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident and encouraged road users to be extremely cautious driving in residential areas.

“We are saddened by an accident that took the lives of two children, one aged 14 and the other 13,” he said. “The accident took place on the intersection of Crowhill Road and Firstly Drive in Borrowdale.

“It is said that a bulk water supplier truck was speeding along Crowhill and wanted to turn into Firstly Drive and hit a bicycle that was being ridden by the boys. The 14-year-old boy died on the spot while the other died a Parirenyatwa Hospital upon admission.

“It is very saddening and we would like to urge drivers to be cautious looking out on all sides of the road and knowing that the roads are also used by cyclists and pedestrians.”

The residents are lobbying for the trucks to be banned in their community.

“The trucks are known for speeding as they compete to be first in queue to get water,” said a concerned resident. “Surely, we need to stop bulk water selling in residential areas.”

“We are aware of the Water Act that does not allow water to be sold in residential areas. We feel something should be done and this is our plea,” another resident said.

“We have engaged the responsible authorities in this regard. We hope the authorities will be able to assist,” he added.

State Media

THE Bulawayo City Council is headed on a collision course with Government after council rejected a directive to have senior Government officials attend full council and committee meetings.

Last month, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works sent a circular to all councils directing that all full council and committee meetings will be held in the presence of the Provincial Development Coordinator (PDC) or District Development Coordinator (DDC) or their designated officials. The Ministry noted that this was necessitated by a series of corruption cases in local authorities that had seen the arrest of councillors and council technocrats.

It was further said the move was meant to safeguard national interests as technocrats in local authorities were allegedly deliberately starving councillors of adequate information leading to them making ill-informed decisions on national matters.

However, according to a council confidential report, BCC officials said it was impossible to implement the directive as it was against the Urban Councils Act. In a note for consideration by the city’s Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube argued that according to the law only himself and the Chamber Secretary, Mrs Sikhangele Zhou could attend council committee meetings.

“It is clear (from the Urban Councils Act) that generally only the Chamber Secretary and Town Clerk can attend every meeting of a committee. However, a Town Clerk normally needs the expertise of certain departmental heads, hence their invitation to committees where their expertise is needed. The Mayor therefore is not legally mandated to make a standing invitation to anyone, only chairpersons can invite someone for a particular matter, and not as a standing invitation…The circular therefore is difficult to implement without flouting the law,” reads the report.

The Town Clerk cited the audit council committee where he revealed that the Mayor was not permitted to attend the meeting as it was only open to the committee members and the external auditor.

“Chapter 14 Section 265 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe- membership of councils- states that this is confined to the elected representatives- the councillors. However, the coordination between Central Government and local levels must be provided for in an Act of Parliament. Currently, the only Act of Parliament is the Urban Councils Act. This Act has not been aligned with the constitution and its provisions remain valid to the extent that they are not ultra vires the constitution, the circular in question contradicts the Urban Councils Act,” said Mr Dube.

Meanwhile, the Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) has written to the Ministry seeking clarification on the directive. The association called for dialogue on the matter noting there was a need for the Ministry to state the full reasons of issuing the directive.

“The association noted that the directive was of a general nature, with no intention of council specific incidences of non-compliance to the constitution, Statute law, Government policy and circulars. Notwithstanding the legality of this directive, the association has advised its members to seek clarification on the nature and extent of the non-compliance with a view to take corrective measures.

Happening now Nelson Masiyiwa arrested for alleged extortion, had demanded $300 from a businessman so that he withholds a story which he intended to publish on his website. He was caught with the notes allegedly paid to him by the businessman. pic.twitter.com/iz9Pwa3sbK

— Dhara Blessed Mhlanga HSTV (@bbmhlanga) September 18, 2020

Ndiye here uyu? pic.twitter.com/AxL7LjoGMT

— Pedro Z (@Mseyamwa) September 19, 2020

State Of The Nation Reporter- Harare City Council is alleged to have awarded a multi-million dollar tender to Businessman Albert Dabambi to supply Covid 19 material without following due processes, with reports saying the former handpicked the latter’s company to supply the material while it is outside the government’s list of approved companies that supply Covid 19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to state institutions.

State of the Nation understands that sometime in April, the government created a framework of companies that were designated to supply Covid 19 PPE to state institutions for it to work with legitimate suppliers in the country.

Sources told this publication that state institutions are not allowed to get supplies from companies outside the framework because it was created on merit after a lot of companies were screened.

Highly placed sources told this publication that the local authority awarded Dabambi’s company, Eqstra Hardware a tender to supply 15 000 Tyvek suits to the local authority while it is not on government’s framework list.

Information we received from sources reveals that the deal involved Dr Abel Dzuke who is the Complience Officer at the local authority’s procurement department, who is alleged to have connived with Dabambi to lower the prices of his materials with a few cents to give council the justification to pick his company.

Although the publication failed to get details of the prices of the suits, information we obtained reveals that Dr Dzuke picked Dabambi’s company ahead of those that are in the framework. This saw Chief Albert securing the Usd$44 million dollar tender.

“Dr Dzuke picked Albert Dabambi’s company ahead of companies that are in the government’s framework list to supply Tyvek suits. This is against the due process because all government institutions are supposed to procure PPE from companies that are in the government’s framework. If due possesses were followed, Dabambi would not have secured that tender. But because he connived with Dr Dzuke, he got it fraudulently” said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“We also heard reports that after securing the tender, Dabambi went on to re-evaluate the cost of the material he supplied which raised his payment from around Usd$44 million to about Usd$75 million. Council ended up taking funds from its service delivery account to foot for the gigantic cost and the payment was made in full to Dabambi” the source said.

When contacted for a comment, Dr Abel Dzuke neither confirmed nor denied the reports, but referred the reporter to City of Harare Supply Chain Manager Never Murerwa who was not answering his mobile phone by the time of publishing.

Albert Ndabambi was also contacted for a comment and told the reporter that he does not own Eqstra Hardware, hence he could not respond to allegations involving a company that is not his.

“I do not own Eqstra Hardwares. Given that scenario, do you think I am qualified to speak on the company’s dealings with any other third party? I’m sure the owners and directors of the company will not take that lightly,” said Ndabambi.

He also told the reporter that he will issue a statement to set the record straight on his relationship with the company in question.

Investigations which were carried out by the reporter reveal that Eqstra Hardware is registered under the name “Eqstra Trading” on the company’s CR 14 document.

The document gleened by the reporter shows that the company is owned by two individuals, Gretwin Chitauro who stays in Highfield and Samson Shingirirai Kunyarimwe who stay in Manyame Airbase in Harare.

It is alleged that these individuals are proxies that he used to create the company to supply materials to the local authorities after his company, Furbank Tranding was blacklisted by Harare City Council after failing to deliver cars to the local authority on a tender he previously won.

Information we have gathered reveal that Harare City Council has a pending court case against Furbank Trading over the matter, which was placed before the judge.

It is alleged that the matter was reported to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission. In a comment, ZACC spokesperson John Makamure said if the matter was reported, the commission would investigate it as part of its wide probe into several reports of corruption in local authorities.

“We are currently seized with a wide probe into several reports of corrupt activities in our local authorities across the country. So if such a matter was reported, I can confirm that it would be investigated”, said Makamure.

Ndabambi recently went viral on social media after announcing that he brought 2 brand new Range Rovers for his wife on her birthday. Sources said the money he used to buy the 2 expensive luxurious cars was from the proceeds he got from the tender.

Its been a busy weekend here in MashWest as the PEOPLES party's coordinating committees met for scheduled meetings. Here is Magunje Kadoma Norton & Kariba today. We organize & build from below. We own the game & our ? are fixated on the ball. We got this @nelsonchamisa @hwendec pic.twitter.com/PZs7mdLlSW

— CCC Mash West (@cccmashwest) September 20, 2020

@WellenceMujuru how come the General Manager of Impala involved in concealing the abduction of Tawanda is “Chirata” and this victim is Chirata ?
Just to add: Mai Mujuru was also the Zanu PF MP for Mt Darwin and she also come from Mt Darwin ????@Hon_Kasukuwere @tongaikas pic.twitter.com/cherqWbLH7

— Nzekete AG (@AMakuyana) September 20, 2020

Do you have any links to Impala? The way you love them is very fascinating.

— Julian G. Chidzidzi (@ChidzidziG) September 20, 2020

https://twitter.com/Nyasha_Mu/status/1307615978172317697?s=20

Wellence this is criminal, influence doesnt mean unotiitisa. i can double up whatever they gave you, i can even reimburse the amount you invested in impala in exchange you drop this tweet bra. #PasiNeZanupf

— LI?️N (@FoxLion2028) September 20, 2020

Haa muchinda iwe dai mai mujuru vachiri muzanu dai uri kumhanya nemusangano uri nick mangwana wechidiki

— Mr Prez ?? (@ishemagos) September 20, 2020

Are you for real that you continue doing PR for impala with all that has gone with abductions. Munorara sei nhai mukoma Wellence

— Chombo ChaNoah (@CChanoah) September 20, 2020

Respect us.
No amount of donations can undo what happened to Tawanda Muchehiwa.
You should be ashamed of yourself for defending a crime against humanity,
A crime against all of us.
We need a revolution. #ZanupfMustGo

— Thandekile Moyo (@Mamoxn) September 20, 2020

https://twitter.com/GeraldMaho/status/1307611609133723648?s=20

@WellenceMujuru how come the General Manager of Impala involved in concealing the abduction of Tawanda is “Chirata” and this victim is Chirata ?
Just to add: Mai Mujuru was also the Zanu PF MP for Mt Darwin and she also come from Mt Darwin ????@Hon_Kasukuwere @tongaikas pic.twitter.com/cherqWbLH7

— Nzekete AG (@AMakuyana) September 20, 2020

Farai Dziva|Senior MDC Alliance official Jameson Timba has said Thokozani Khupe is desperate to score political marks to the extent that she can even change her name to Nelson Chamisa.

On Saturday Morgen Komichi surprised all and sundry when he announced the Khupe led political formation would use the name MDC Alliance in future elections.

“Now MDCT are saying they are us. Those whom the Lord wants to destroy maketh mad first. Very soon their Acting President Thoko will be calling herself Nelly Chamisa,” argued Timba.

In a statement, MDC Alliance spokesperson, Advocate Fadzai Mahere said:

The party restates that it is the MDC Alliance party. It contested the 2018 election as the MDC Alliance. As the alternative, it has MPs in Parliament and councillors in local authorities.

It has been victimized as the MDC Alliance and will win as the MDC Alliance. It will remain the MDC Alliance.

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has indicated that NGOs should be allowed to distribute food aid to concerned communities without the involvement of Zanu PF functionaries.

The MDC Alliance also accused Zanu PF of looting donations meant for the needy.

Read full statement below:

Communique Following MDC Alliance NEC Meeting

SEPTEMBER 19, 2020

NOTING the extent of the national crisis, the suffering of the masses, increased poverty, economic instability, hyperinflation, economic disequilibrium;

CONCERNED by the crisis of legitimacy, the closure of political space, attack on civil liberties and human rights, persecution and arrests of activists, the torture and violence against the citizens:

FURTHER NOTING the humanitarian crisis in respect of which 8 million Zimbabweans are food insecure and 5 million people have to be provided with humanitarian assistance and concerned by the massive leakages and looting of humanitarian aid …

TAKING COGNISANCE of the COVID19 pandemic and the gross mismanagement of the pandemic through the lack of financial resources, mass testing and provision of PPEs, drugs, isolation and quarantine centres:

DISTURBED by ZANU PF-driven threats to the people’s political party – the MDC Alliance, the unlawful arrests of our leaders and members, the unlawful recalls of elected people’s representatives and the abuse in the interpretation of the Supreme Court judgment:

1. The party expresses concern over Zimbabwe’s multi-faceted governance, economic and social crisis which has manifested in mass starvation, poverty, joblessness, wage erosion, poor earnings by civil servants, the remuneration crisis in the education sector, grand corruption and a deepening crisis in the health sector including inadequate remuneration and PPEs for health workers and insufficient isolation facilities. We call for NGOs to give aid directly to communities to avoid abuse by ZANU PF.

We condemn corruption in COVID19 procurement and the use of COVID19 as an excuse to clampdown on human rights.

2. The party condemns the closure of democratic space, human rights abuses, violence, wanton arrests and demands the immediate release of all political prisoners and an immediate cessation of all malicious prosecutions, particularly of Job Sikhala, Joanna Mamombe, Cecillia Chimbiri, Chalton Hwende, Tsitsi Dangarembwa, Netsai Marova, Hopewell Chin’ono, Jacob Ngarivhume and Godfrey Kurzone.

3. The party notes the efforts of South Africa and the ANC in facilitating the resolution of the national crisis. The party restates its commitment to dialogue centred on comprehensive reforms, national healing and the return to legitimacy and democracy. The party supports the efforts of the ANC and calls for the involvement and scaffolding of the process by the international community, in particular SADC and the African Union.

4. The party affirms the democratic right of citizens to protest peacefully as enshrined in section 59 of the Constitution and places all citizens on notice with regard to the need for a broad front to challenge ZANU PF and mass mobilization because Zimbabwean Lives Matter and the March is not Ended.

5. The party restates that it is the MDC Alliance party. It contested the 2018 election as the MDC Alliance. As the alternative, it has MPs in Parliament and councillors in local authorities. It has been victimized as the MDC Alliance and will win as the MDC Alliance. It will remain the MDC Alliance.

6. The party demands comprehensive electoral and political reforms as set out in our RELOAD and PRICE policy documents. The party considers participation in free, fair and credible elections as a necessary zone of struggle.

7. As a people-driven party, the NEC mandated the leadership at various levels to consult stakeholders, opinion leaders, grassroots structures and party organs countrywide on the multiple options that are available to it.

Fadzayi Mahere

National Spokesperson

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has declared that nobody can stop the people’s struggle.

In his message below, President Chamisa stresses the fact that MDC Alliance carries the seed of new beginnings:

We represent the NEW and COMING.

We carry the seed of new beginnings. Not even the angel of death can prevent its sprouting.

We sympathize with those who attempt to stand in the way or are opposed to us. It’s game on! Sunday greetings

The attack of journalists and the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) President, Takudzwa Ngadziore by suspected state security agents while addressing the media near Impala Car Rental on September 18, 2020, has been roundly condemned.

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) said it was appalled by the continued crackdown on dissent by the Zimbabwean government.

“We implore the government to uphold citizens’ fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution including the right to life, the right to protest peacefully as well as freedom of assembly and association,” CiZC said in a statement.

The journalists reportedly physically assaulted include Bernard Mpofu, James Jemwa, Godwin Mangudya, Thomas Madhuku, and Munashe Chokodza amid reports that their equipment was confiscated and destroyed.

“One of the assailants attacked me and took my phone that I was using to record the ZINASU press conference near Impala Car Rental. Journalism should never be a crime,” one of the victims, said.

Toneo Rutsito, the President of the Zimbabwe Online Content Creators weighed in by registering his disappointment over the attack of journalists and students.

“I am very disappointed with the latest attacks, not only against my journalist, Rumbidzai Chizarura but also the other journalists assaulted while covering demonstrations and the press conference. We have a Constitutional mandate to cover any story,” Rutsito said.

Tabani Moyo, the Director of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe also roundly condemned the attacks on journalists and said his organisation will engage the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Ministry of Information over the matter.

By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) chairman, Christopher Mutsvangwa has said reports he called “social media shananigans” that there is bad blood between the ANC and Zanu PF are just treacherous work of Zanu PF opposers and they are not true because the bond between Zanu PF and the ANC is strong.

Speaking to the publication, Mutsvangwa said:

The MDC and G40-Gamatox are trying to forge a shot-gun marriage with the ANC. This is a forlorn and stillbirth adventure. It is riding on inclinations of treachery and bribery by dark forces that have a history and habit of plundering Africa’s bountiful resources. The two sister liberation movements — ANC and ZANU PF are not novices to these shenanigans.

The unflinching self-sacrifice for the just cause of the majority has ensured that they both remain loyal and principled to the cause.

The bonds forged, tried and tested in the trenches of the armed struggle against racist and apartheid settler minority regimes bind us to political eternity

It is now more than two decades that they have been in power after defeating apartheid. Zimbabwe has repeatedly been shielded from the depredations of the time-proven enemies of African freedom and progress.”

By Own Correspondent| The MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe has said it was now participating in regional and international engagements on behalf of Zimbabwe.

Douglas Mwonzora, the party’s Secretary General said this at the party’s 21st celebrations.

He revealed that his party had reached out regionally and internationally.

He said;

We are happy to inform the nation and the party we are going to be lawfully participating in the programmes of the African Union as the official opposition party in Zimbabwe.

Our first engagement is a workshop that is going to be held by the continental body on 29 September 2020.

We are happy to advise that we have been meeting both African and non-African diplomats in the country.

So far, we have engaged diplomats from United States, Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Botswana, Malawi and South Africa briefing them on what is happening in this country. We are glad that these engagements were very fruitful and a huge success. Our party is slowly on the rise.

State Media

SENIOR Government officials reportedly connived with private suppliers to siphon US$3 million from Treasury by inflating prices for Covid-19 consumables, it has been learnt.

The matter is being investigated by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) after the lid was lifted by a whistle-blower.

ZACC spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure said arrests of Government officials were imminent as the anti-graft body was seized with the matter.

“The names of the Government officials and private suppliers cannot be released now as investigations are still underway,” he said.

Recently, Comm Makamure said a ZACC compliance and systems review unit descended on Government offices to probe a multi-million-dollar tender as allegations were raised that Covid-19 materials had been inflated to bleed Treasury.

The investigation resulted in the tender being cancelled, saving US$3 million.

“Even if the tender was cancelled, an act of corruption was committed, hence the ongoing investigations,” he said.

This comes a few months after former Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo was arrested in connection with a US$60 million procurement scandal involving Drax International.

Dr Moyo is out on bail.

Said Comm Makamure: “In the past couple of weeks, ZACC’s compliance and systems review unit managed to save the country over US$3 million that could have been siphoned to line the pockets of corrupt elements within our midst. These individuals imposed proxy companies which did not comply with provisions of the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) Circular 1 of 2020 for emergency procurement of Covid-19 materials.

“The individuals went on to demand payments of goods at an extremely inflated cost. The ZACC compliance team’s intervention, after having been informed of the unavailability of the said materials, subsequently resulted in the cancellation of the tender, saving State funds in the process. The matter is now under investigation to bring those behind this scam to book.”

He said there was a worrying trend of wanton violation of PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020 for emergency procurement of Covid-19 materials, which was promulgated to allow for the expeditious purchase of medical equipment and drugs as the nation fights Covid-19.

Those in charge of buying the Covid-19 materials, Comm Makamure added, should be transparent and accountable or risk going to jail.

“Because Covid-19 is a global pandemic, the response is naturally of an emergency. In taking such emergency measures, countries have necessarily relaxed safeguards by trading compliance, oversight and accountability for speed of response and achievement of rapid impact, thus leading to the creation of significant opportunities for corruption to thrive,” he said.

“The commission has lived up to its warnings by maintaining constant vigilance on how the Covid-19 resources are being used. Teams from investigations and compliance departments were deployed to specifically look into the procurement, distribution and use of the resources.”

ZACC chair Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo recently warned ministers against interfering with procurement processes in parastatals under their purview.

Comm Makamure lauded Government for allowing ZACC to fight corruption and enhance transparency in the procurement of Covid-19 materials.

“The commission will leave no stone unturned to uproot corruption and complement Government efforts to restore sanity in the health delivery sector,” he said.

“We would like to emulate other countries that have successfully curbed corruption in the management of resources earmarked to fight the pandemic. Critically, resources earmarked for social and economic stimulus must reach the intended beneficiaries.

“These resources are for preventing economic catastrophe and providing financial, medical and social support to the poor, the elderly, women and youth, people with disabilities, the unemployed, small and medium enterprises and those lacking access to social and public services. They must never be looted to benefit the already well-to-do members of society.”

President Mnangagwa has continuously reiterated that corruption allegations will be thoroughly investigated and those found on the wrong side of the law will face the music.

He also ordered an audit into the purchase of the Covid-19 materials, which is still underway and is being done by the Auditor-General’s Office.

State Media

ZANU PF is the only party that can take Zimbabwe in the right direction and the revolutionary party will continue to welcome defectors who repent and commit to return to its structures — Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said.

Speaking at the Provincial Coordinating Committee extraordinary meeting in Mutare yesterday, Minister Mutsvangwa, who is also ZANU PF Secretary for Administration (Women Affairs) said the revolutionary party will continue to have the wow factor.

She said ZANU PF leaders have a huge role to play in mobilising the people.

“We have to embrace even those people who had defected and bring them back to the party. Of course, they will not just come back and get a leadership position but we have to scrutinise their intentions for coming back to see if they have accepted that ZANU PF is the only party that can lead Zimbabwe forward,” she said.

During the meeting, ZANU PF Manicaland province yesterday received 510 applications from candidates wishing to take positions in the District Coordinating Committees.

Makoni district received the highest number of applications at 130 while Mutare received 70, Mutasa (63) Chimanimani (60), Nyanga (59), Chipinge (57), Buhera (43) and Zimunya/Marange received 28.

Guest speaker and ZANU PF Politburo member Richard Ndlovu urged all candidates to conduct themselves in a manner that befits the revolutionary party.

“I will not be happy if tomorrow I am followed by candidates who are disgruntled at the way this was done. We want this process to be as free and democratic as possible so that we win the next election,” he said.

Ndlovu expressed hope that Mutare district had selected candidates who would help the party to take all council seats from the opposition party.

“Out of the 19 councillors in Mutare we do not have even one so may we please make sure we take Mutare back. We will all become political commissars in order to win Mutare back,” he said.

Secretary for Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Douglas Mahiya said war veterans were keen on producing cadres that were politically conscious.

“We want to put in place a structure that will churn out the intended product for 2023. War veterans will mould party cadres who have values, who do not look for material things but those whose minds have been programmed according to ZANU PF values and will vote based on political consciousness,” he said.

A dispute has erupted between the late prominent businessman Jonathan Kadzura’s family and an estate executor, Mr Clever Mandizvidza, who is being accused of looting assets valued at US$250 000.

Family spokesman Mr Gregory Kadzura claims the executor sold a plot in Marange, poultry equipment, tractors, and commercial and private vehicles. The money allegedly did not reach its intended beneficiaries.

Gregory is the deceased’s son.

However, Mr Mandizvidza said “the allegations are baseless”.

“More so, there is one Gregory Kadzura who was claiming 50 percent shares of the estate. I defended the estate at the Supreme Court and he lost. He is fighting to tarnish the image of my profession,” he said.

The Kadzura family insists that Mr Mandizvidza has been dishonest as he allegedly disposed of assets without their consent.

Mr Kadzura narrated: “This (assets sale) was done without the family’s consent and we never received the money. On December 15, 2016, Mr Clever Mandizvidza of Zimbabwe Inheritance Services was appointed executor dative of the estate of the late J.K. Kadzura. This was after the family entrusted the Master of the High Court to appoint a neutral executor with an accounting background.

“Mr Mandizvidza, as executor dative, then disposed assets such as poultry equipment, tractors, commercial and private vehicles in excess of US$250 000, diminishing the company’s financial integrity.”

Some of the Kadzura business entities, whose interests straddled the farming and hospitality sectors, include Goodstorm Services and Rural Industrial Development.

Mr Kadzura said Mr Mandizvidza was initially given the greenlight to sell asbestos sheets and poultry equipment to raise money for school fees. The executor, however, reportedly did not surrender the money after the sale, resulting in the minors being barred from school.

“The minors were dumped by the executor and were forced to seek alternative methods to sustain and pay school fees. This means that the State was prejudiced of Master of High Court’s fees and taxes,” said Mr Kadzura.

The Kadzuras said they have made numerous trips to the Master of High Court’s office with no joy.

“Outside of the company assets, Mr Mandizvidza disposed of other properties without the family nor the Master’s consent, such as the Marange Plot and supermarket where the late J.K. Kadzura started his business empire, with the plot having been bequeathed in his lifetime to one of his older sons, Enock Kadzura,” he said.

The Kadzura family — made up of two spouses (Petronella and Joan Kudakwashe) as well as children Enock, Karen, Gregory, Marilyn, Christopher, Penelope and William Kadzura — has resolved to seek justice against the executor.

Marilyn told The Sunday Mail that Mr Mandizvidza has stripped the estate for his personal gain.

In response, the executor said he had evidence to prove that his dealings were above board.

“Indeed, the money reached the intended beneficiaries. The estate has minor children who require monthly maintenance. The funds went towards payment of estate obligations and maintenance. I will share contact details of the children who received the maintenance,” said Mr Mandizvidza.

“The estate is not liquid and I have had no option but to assist them out of my personal funds. However, I intend to claim same once the estate is liquid. However, if it fails to pay, I will consider it a donation.”

He said he has been paying a monthly maintenance of US$40 per month for several months to Marilyn and Joan Kadzura.

However, Marilyn denied ever receiving money from Mr Mandizvidza.

The executor added that some of the Kadzura family members were in the dark about plans to remove him as the executor as they did not attend a family meeting held on September 5, 2020.

He said the other family members’ lawyers wrote to him on September 11, 2020 raising objections to his planned removal.

https://twitter.com/mdczimbabwe/status/1307612597567528961?s=20

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF is the only party that can take Zimbabwe in the right direction and the revolutionary party will continue to welcome defectors who repent and commit to return to its structures – Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said.

Speaking at the Provincial Coordinating Committee extraordinary meeting in Mutare yesterday, Minister Mutsvangwa, who is also ZANU-PF Secretary for Administration (Women Affairs) said the revolutionary party will continue to have the wow factor.

She said ZANU-PF leaders have a huge role to play in mobilising the people.

“We have to embrace even those people who had defected and bring them back to the party. Of course, they will not just come back and get a leadership position but we have to scrutinise their intentions for coming back to see if they have accepted that ZANU-PF is the only party that can lead Zimbabwe forward,” she said.

During the meeting, ZANU-PF Manicaland province yesterday received 510 applications from candidates wishing to take positions in the District Coordinating Committees.

Makoni district received the highest number of applications at 130 while Mutare received 70, Mutasa (63) Chimanimani (60), Nyanga (59), Chipinge (57), Buhera (43) and Zimunya/Marange received 28.

Guest speaker and ZANU-PF Politburo member Richard Ndlovu urged all candidates to conduct themselves in a manner that befits the revolutionary party.

“I will not be happy if tomorrow I am followed by candidates who are disgruntled at the way this was done. We want this process to be as free and democratic as possible so that we win the next election,” he said.

Ndlovu expressed hope that Mutare district had selected candidates who would help the party to take all council seats from the opposition party.

“Out of the 19 councillors in Mutare we do not have even one so may we please make sure we take Mutare back. We will all become political commissars in order to win Mutare back,” he said.

Secretary for Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Douglas Mahiya said war veterans were keen on producing cadres that were politically conscious.

“We want to put in place a structure that will churn out the intended product for 2023. War veterans will mould party cadres who have values, who do not look for material things but those whose minds have been programmed according to ZANU-PF values and will vote based on political.

By A Correspondent- MDC-T acting President Thokozani Khupe has pleaded with state President Emmerson Mnangagwa to relieve suffering Zimbabweans of their poverty nightmare and taking them to the promised land.

Khupe said there was nothing that could stop the national leader from doing what was once achieved during the now defunct Government of National Unity between 2009 and 2013.

Addressing party supporters during belated MDC-T 21st anniversary commemorations at the Morgan Tsvangirai House Saturday, Khupe said it was time Zimbabweans’ miserable lives turned for the better.

“Zimbabwe is a very rich country, so there is absolutely nothing to show that we are a rich country because when I look at all of us right now, I am supposed to be seeing gold and diamonds glittering all in our eyes,” she told a cheering party faithful.

“But what is it that I am seeing right? Now I am seeing hunger and poverty glittering all in our eyes.

“This is the time for the government to move the children of Zimbabwe from the land of hunger to the promised land.

“I would like to call upon President Mnangagwa to say, the people of Zimbabwe are saying can you please take them back to the good old days where they had a better life.

“I want to call upon President Mnangagwa to say the people of Zimbabwe are yearning, they are crying, can you please listen to the cries of the people of Zimbabwe.

Watch the live videoloading below……

By A Correspondent- Dr ThokozaniKhupe spokesperson Khaliphani Phugenihas revealed why the party recalled Gwanda Mayor Jastone Mazhale.

In an interview with the state media, Phugeni dismissed claims that they wanted to cripple operations of local authorities saying they were only targeting corrupt individuals and those that had publicly declared that they had ceased being members of the MDC-T.

He said:

“I will give you the example of the Gwanda Mayor, Jastone Mazhale we had to recall him after he declared that after we met with them as councillors he had just come in to listen but did not recognise us, honestly how then do you keep a councillor who makes such declarations. Even the former Deputy Mayor of Bulawayo, Tinashe Kambarami, he came out in the media declaring that he recognises the MDC Alliance as his parent party not the MDC-T clearly he rendered himself not part of the party hence we had no choice but to recall him.”

By A Correspondent- Councillor Albert Chirau, Ward 11 Councillor in Gweru has come under fire after he reportedly parcelled out stands to his children aged 5 and 13.

Chirau has reportedly confirmed he bought stands number 6835 Senga Infill and 6841 Senga for his two children and he has said he is not the one who bought the stands but his children and went on to name other people he sid had done the same:

My children did buy those stands. If the law does not allow juveniles to purchase stands the council must not have accepted the money. It is not my fault, it is the fault of the people who receipted the money. I am not the only one who did so.

According to Urban Councills Procedures, council advertises stands, people on the housing waiting list are given first priority and it is not possible to have under-aged children on the waiting list. This makes the purchase of the stands by councillors and managers for their children unprocedural.

The government has in response to this written to Gweru Mayor Councillor Josiah Makombe and accused him of condoning corruption by allowing councillors to acquire land at paltry prices prejudicing council of potential revenue.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Family members of the gold panners trapped underground at Task Mine have expressed their disappointment in how the rescue operations are progressing 12 days after the shaft collapsed, Mining Zimbabwe reports.

According to the publication, the family members said they heard reports that Mines Authorities were plotting to seal off the site and declare rescue impossible 12 days after the shaft collapsed. A family member that spoke to the publication said:

The Minister came and addressed us but did not give us a chance to express ourselves as we are the ones in pain. When he left there wasn’t any mention of how the situation was going to be handled. There hasn’t been any help or a single cent from the Ministry.

The guys conducting the rescue operation lack motivation (monetory) as they also need to support their families. Its only one shift working and with the way they are doing it out of the 12 days our children have been trapped underground only an equivalent of four days work has been put-in

Another family member a sister to one trapped miner Constantino Dzinoreva said:

I am very disappointed and I am finding it difficult to comprehend. We hear they want to seal off the site and declare rescue is impossible after only 12 days. The rescue guys are still willing to go down to retrieve Constantino and his friends why are they even suggesting such. We have heard of miners in other countries getting rescued after much longer.

According to the Task Mine manager, Mr Mudavanhu, they need more manpower as they have dug over 110m and are almost directly below the opening of the collapsed shaft, but they are in need of more manpower:

We have managed to dig over 110metres going down and we are almost directly below the opening of the collapsed shaft. The job is overwhelming, if we could get more manpower the process will be much faster.

By A Correspondent- The Thokozani Khupe led MDC T (now MDC Alliance) has said they are monitoring operations in councils and recalling anyone who is involved in corrupt activities.

This was revealed by the party’s spokesperson Khlaipani Phugeni who spoke to the publication and said they had put together a team that was monitoring activities at various councils.

Said Phugeni:

I am part of the local government cluster where we have started looking closely at the operations of our councillors since 2018, we are focusing on issues to do with service delivery taking for example housing delivery where we discovered that some residents have been on the housing waiting list since the 1980s. We are serious about this exercise that we are even targeting our members who have left council, where if we find them to have engaged in corrupt activities during their time in office, we will surely be descending on them

The MDC T has so far recalled over 80 councillors countrywide and the recalls have virtually paralysed Harare and Beitbridge Councils.-statemedia

By Ryan Chiwara- Gutu based human rights activist Wilson Run’anga is recovering at Gutu Mission Hospital after he sustained serious injuries due to physical attacks by suspected soldiers.

Wilson Run’anga a member of Gutu United Residents and Ratepayers Association (GURRA) together with his two other colleagues were subjected to brutal assaults by alleged soldiers on Thursday night. The incident took place at Mandebvu shops.

“I was with two other colleagues when six people who claimed to be soldiers arrived at Mandebvu store and insisted that no one was supposed to go outside as the president was about to pass through going to Masvingo.

“When we objected, they started to accuse us of possessing guns and alleging that we want kill them. They assaulted us using iron bars and wooden sticks until we escaped,” said Run’anga.

After Run’anga escaped from his attackers he drove home and upon arrival he passed out due to excessive bleeding. He was then taken to hospital.

Run’anga is receiving treatment at Gutu Mission Hospital as he suffered head injuries and a broken hand.

“I am currently receiving treatment as I have suffered some head injuries and a broken hand. l am experiencing general body pains as a result of the beatings,”.

“I am lucky to be alive those people really wanted to kill me and it appears everything was pre-arranged because they had attacking weapons already stashed outside the shop,” added Run’anga.

In July several Gutu residents were severely injured when soldiers indiscriminately attacked the citizens claiming to be enforcing COVID-19 regulations.

The Government and private commuter omnibus (kombi) operators are expected to hold crunch talks this week, as the latter angle for a sensational return to intra-city operations after a six-month hiatus.

The discussions follow the continued relaxation of lockdown measures, which has increased both vehicular and passenger traffic. In order to smoothen liaison with authorities and better regulate the sector, commuter omnibus operators also plan to create an umbrella association.

Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo told our Harare Bureau that Government was crafting a public transport plan.

“We remain committed to the urban transport system and for now we want to remain with one transport system. We have a transport plan for urban commuters that we will soon unveil.”

Greater Harare Association of Commuter Operators secretary-general Ngoni Katsvairo said engagement with Government was necessary as transport shortages continue to plague commuters.

“We wrote a letter in June to Zupco and Local Government (and Public Works). However, we were advised to wait until lockdown regulations had been relaxed.

“We have written again to the authorities for engagement and we are hoping to meet next week (this week) for talks. Government has allowed resumption of inter-city travel and the measures are only favourable to those with big companies, and not kombis.

“The meeting will be about how kombis can ply in urban areas as well as inter-city going forward. The meeting will also look at how kombis can be allowed to join associations of their choice going forward.”

Kombis have been barred from operating since the lockdown started on March 30. Only those contracted under the Zupco franchise are allowed to operate.

However, the relaxation of some lockdown regulations has seen most parts of the economy opening up, causing a marked increase in the number of daily commuters. Zupco is currently operating with 507 conventional buses and 500 commuter omnibuses, and is trying to conscript additional kombis.

Passengers Association of Zimbabwe president Mr Tafadzwa Goliati said with the opening up of various economic sectors, passengers have increased, thus the need to increase buses.
– Sunday News

THE MDC-T has vowed to monitor operations of their candidates who were deployed to local authorities in the country, vowing to recall those who are involved in corrupt activities.

This comes after the party last week recalled a number of councillors in different councils in the country including eight from Bulawayo. In an interview on Friday, MDC-T national spokesperson Mr Khaliphani Phugeni said the party had since convened a local governance cluster which was looking at the activities of councillors from their party since they came to office in 2018.

Mr Phugeni said they were not on a witch hunt but they just wanted to weed out corruption and ensure that their councillors offer the best possible service delivery to residents.

“I am part of the local government cluster where we have started looking closely at the operations of our councillors since 2018, we are focusing on issues to do with service delivery taking for example housing delivery where we discovered that some residents have been on the housing waiting list since the 1980s. We are serious about this exercise that we are even targeting our members who have left council, where if we find them to have engaged in corrupt activities during their time in office, we will surely be descending on them,” warned Mr Phugeni.

He, however, expressed confidence that most of their councillors were aware of their mandate revealing that the party had recently engaged Bulawayo City Council councillors on the Luveve water contamination matter with the hope of bringing a solution to the crisis that had resulted in the death of 13 people in the suburb with close to 2 000 residents being infected.

“When that outbreak occurred I was part of a delegation from the party that convened a meeting with Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni and his councillors with the hope of having a better understanding of the issues and also encouraging them to find a solution to the problem, and you will note that after that meeting the councillors worked hard to push council workers, now the problem has been largely addressed,” said the party’s spokesperson.

Regarding the recent recalls, Mr Phugeni dismissed claims that they wanted to cripple operations of local authorities saying they were only targeting corrupt individuals and those that had publicly declared that they had ceased being members of the MDC-T.

“I will give you the example of the Gwanda Mayor, Jastone Mazhale we had to recall him after he declared that after we met with them as councillors he had just come in to listen but did not recognise us, honestly how then do you keep a councillor who makes such declarations. Even the former Deputy Mayor of Bulawayo, Tinashe Kambarami, he came out in the media declaring that he recognises the MDC Alliance as his parent party not the MDC-T clearly he rendered himself not part of the party hence we had no choice but to recall him,” said Mr Phugeni.

Questioned on whether those councillors who were not recalled had recognised the Supreme Court ruling which put Dr Thokozani Khupe at the helm of the MDC-T, Mr Phugeni could neither confirm nor deny but only stated that they were being guided by the provincial executives who were in contact with the councillors on the ground.

-state media