Yesterday, Residents Associations from across the country converged to discuss the ongoing recalls of councillors; a situation that has disoriented many urban local authorities in Zimbabwe.

The Residents’ leaders slammed the on-going recall of Councillors by the MDC-T as factional fights escalate between the Chamisa and Khupe camps.

The two political parties have gone all out to expedite their political power without giving any consideration to voters. Participants to the meeting pointed out that the recalls will have a negative impact on service delivery and will further push residents to the periphery of decision-making processes as they will be left without representation.

“The recalls are not beneficiary to the voter”, said a representative from Zimbabwe Election Support Network. He went on further to highlight that the declaration of vacant Wards by the Minister when the legality of the recalls is still under contestation was problematic and cause for concern.

The recalls will see a dent into the national budget as the government is going to spend US18 Million on by-elections earmarked for December this year. However, the availability of the US$18 million for the by -elections when the nation is failing in the health sector amid the COVID-19 pandemic raised a stink among Residents Associations.

Residents Associations resolved to call for an immediate halt of the “recalls” through engagement of the warring MDC factions amid revelations that next week the MDC-T Khupe faction will ratchet another wave of recalls that have a potential to incapacitate most MDC controlled local authorities.

“This is high time that Residents Associations engage ZANU PF, MDC Alliance and MDC-T as these recalls have a potential to plunge the country into a crisis, in fact it’s a national crisis”, said Mr Mfundo Mlilo former CHRA Director and Independent Local Government expert.

Residents Associations lamented over the abuse of the powers of recall by political parties and called for an urgent reform to the powers of recall given to political parties in the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

The Residents Association agreed that recalling of elected representatives be done through a referendum in order to restore the citizen’s voice in the removal of elected officials.

Twenty-one Residents Association representatives from all the ten provinces of Zimbabwe attended the meeting.

By A Correspondent- The High Court has ruled that private schools, unlike Government schools, can expel pupils for non-payment of fees and no one has a constitutional right to attend any private school.

An Advanced Level student at St Georges College and his father, had sued the school after the learning institution rejected the learner’s exam fees because of unpaid school fees.

Justice Phildah Muzofa threw out the application by Elvis Makomborero Chikiwa and his father Elvis Caleb Chikiwa saying it could not interfere with the school’s decision after his parents breached their contractual obligations.

What the second applicant (the boy’s father) wants is for this court to turn a blind eye to his conduct and come to his aid.

It is trite that a court cannot assist one who breached his contractual obligations.

… If the second applicant desired so much to remain part of the respondent’s school, he should have complied with the terms of an agreement between parties.

Justice Muzofa stated that by declining to accept the examination fees the college had technically expelled the boy.

Chikiwa was was due to write his Advanced Level Cambridge International Examinations in November this year.

By A Correspondent- High Court judge Philda Muzofa has dismissed a lawsuit filed against Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry by Robert Zhuwao, nephew to late former president Robert Mugabe.

Zhuwao was accusing the minister of snatching part of his Cockington Farm in Zvimba.

In June this year, Justice Tawanda Chitapi  granted Coventry full rights in Subdivision 4 of Cockington farm following an application for a spoliation order that had been filed by Zhuwao seeking to dispose of her.

Zhuwao had cited Coventry, her husband Tyrone Seward and Lands and Agriculture minister Anxious Masuka as respondents seeking a spoliation order to be restored full possession of Subdivision 1 which the sports minister has allegedly encroached into but this backfired after he was slapped with costs.

He claimed he had been in possession, control and occupation of Subdivision 1 of Cockington Farm, Zvimba since 2004.

However, Coventry disputed the facts in her notice of opposition and argued that the piece of land in question was actually occupied by another party and not Zhuwao.

“After reading documents filed of record and hearing counsel, it is ordered that the application is dismissed with costs on a higher scale,” reads an order passed by Justice Philda Muzofa on September 4.

Coventry argued that Zhuwao had connived with workers from neighbouring farms who had taken the fictitious role of farm manager and were corroborating the false narrative of spoliation.

It was her argument that Zhuwao was never in fact in occupation of the piece of land.

“The reality of the matter is that the applicant is not in occupation. He has never been in occupation and has forced his chickens on the farm so that he can have leverage against the government in respect of the offer letter whose withdrawal he is challenging,” said the minister.

According to court papers, on April 26 last year the ministry issued Zhuwao a notice of intention to withdraw the land offer because he had abandoned the plot since 2011.

Zhuwao responded to the intention to withdraw on April 30 but on October 16, without responding to his letter, the ministry notified him of the immediate withdrawal of the land offer.

In January this year, Zhuwao then challenged the withdrawal and the matter is still pending at the High Court.

In June, Coventry also claimed rights to the farm prompting Zhuwao to seek a spoliation order which was subsequently struck off on a preliminary point by the High Court.

However, Zhuwao claimed Coventry continues to interfere with his possession and sent two unidentified individuals to measure all buildings intending to undertake renovations and clear the farmyard.

Zhuwao’s lawyers then engaged Coventry and Seward to confine their activities to Subdivision 4 of Cockington Farm which they are entitled to, but no response came.

The court heard on August 20, some security guards blocked Zhuwao’s employees access to the farm saying they were complying with Coventry’s directive.

The following day, one of Zhuwao’s guards Clive Phiri was blocked from delivering 2 037 chicks at the farm and had to use another entrance and they suffered mortalities because of the delays.-wires

By Jane Mlambo| Exiled former cabinet minister Professor Jonathan Moyo has wished good luck to his colleagues from the G40 faction who are keen to rejoin the ruling Zanu PF saying he also tried to reform the party both from inside and outside without success.

This followed a statement from Saviour Kasukuwere who said he remains a card carrying Zanu PF member.

Kasukuwere and another exiled former cabinet minister Walter Mzembi are believed to have met South Africa’s ANC pleading to rejoin Zanu PF.

But Professor Moyo appeared unmoved by their actions which he believes will not yield results as he equally tried to reclaim the movement without success, to the point of almost losing his life as well as that of his family.

“I wish my erstwhile G40 colleagues all the best in their quest to reclaim & reform #ZanuPF. I tried reforming ZanuPF from within & not only failed but almost got killed with my family. Good luck @Hon_Kasukuwere,” said Professor Moyo.

Paul Nyathi

Information just received indicates that Justice Erica Ndewere has indicated that she will make a ruling on the 29th of September in the case in which MDC Alliance deputy national chairperson, Job Sikhala, is applying for bail on charges of inciting public violence.

Sikhala, who is represented by Advocate Eric Matinenga, approached the High Court appealing against the magistrates’ court decision to deny him bail recently.

Justice Ndewere reserved judgment after both the defence and prosecution counsel made their submissions.

She said she needed time to make an informed decision on the matter.

In his submissions, Adv Matinenga rapped the magistrate’s decision arguing that he erred and misdirected himself in denying him bail in a case in which the State failed to establish compelling reasons.

He said the lower court’s finding that Sikhala went into hiding for some time before he could be arrested was inconsistent with established evidence in that no evidence was led by the State of any effort to contact his client to surrender himself to the police at any stage.

No evidence was even led by the prosecution that Sikhala was wanted in connection with any offence, argued Adv Matinenga.

It was also the lawyer’s contention that there was no legal obligation for Sikhala to surrender himself to the police merely on account of being labelled an activist by the police.

Appearing for the State, Mr Austin Muzivi said the lower court exercised its discretion judiciously and there were no irregularities to warrant the High Court tointerfere.

He argued that Sikhala’s conduct of running away from his house in Chitungwiza to seek refuge at a certain house in Tynwald in a ceiling for that matter, strengthened the State case that he was a flight risk and not suitable for bail.

In denying him bail, the magistrates’ court ruled that Sikhala’s behaviour before his arrest suggested that if granted bail, he was likely to abscond.

Sikhala, who was arrested last month, is being accused of mobilising the public through social media posts, to take part in protests that had been planned for July 31 despite a Government ban.

State Media

Private schools, unlike Government schools, can expel pupils for non-payment of fees and no one has a constitutional right to attend any private school, the High Court has ruled, stating that the fees agreement at such schools was a formal enforceable contract.

A pupil at St Georges College, whose parents owed fees and consequently had his exam fee payment rejected, sued the school, but the High Court threw out his application saying it could not interfere with the school’s decision after his parents breached their contractual obligations.

Elvis Makomborero Chikiwa was due to write his Advanced Level Cambridge International Examinations in November this year, but the college refused to accept his examination fees since his parents owed money for school fees.

Elvis, along with his father Mr Elvis Caleb Chikiwa, sued the private college, arguing that its conduct was in violation of their right to education and the Education Act.

The pupil’s father conceded there is outstanding school fees, but instead of fulfilling his contractual obligations, he sought the High Court’s intervention to force the college to accept his examination fees. But Justice Phildah Muzofa could not allow the application, saying the boy’s parents breached the contract between the parties.

“What the second applicant (the boy’s father) wants is for this court to turn a blind eye to his conduct and come to his aid,” she said. “It is trite that a court cannot assist one who breached his contractual obligations.”

She noted that by signing a contract with the college, Mr Chikiwa , through his wife, also gave St Georges College headmaster the power to use his discretion to expel their child where sufficient cause existed.

By declining to accept the examination fees, Justice Muzofa said, the college had technically expelled the boy.

“If the second applicant desired so much to remain part of the respondent’s school, he should have complied with the terms of agreement between parties,” she said. It was also the court’s finding that Chikiwa junior had no vested right to education in a private school in terms of the Constitution.

Justice Muzofa said what existed between the parties was a private contractual relationship. The contract between the boy’s parents and the college set out the conditions regulating the parties’ conduct. Mr Knowledge Maeresera of Chizengeya, Maeresera and Chikumba represented the Chikiwas while Mr Hebert Mutasa of Gill, Godlonton and Gerrans acted for St Georges College.

State Media

Long distance public bus operators met Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development officials to thrash out modalities of resuming inter-city passenger travel with operators hoping long distance buses will resume operations soon.

Government early this week approved the resumption of intercity travel following the re-opening of schools for examination classes and the resumption of domestic tourism.

But the announcement of the latest easing of the lockdown stressed that operators would have to re-register, that there would be public health regulations to be followed, and that buses may have to be rechecked mechanically.

Long distance public transport operators parked their buses when Government suspended intercity travel as the country effected a national lockdown in March.

On Tuesday, Government said transport operators are now required to first register with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development to ensure that they strictly comply with the standard operating procedures for their sector in line with WHO guidelines.

Operators met Transport officials yesterday to discuss the proposed guidelines for resuming services.

In an interview, Coach and Bus Operators Association chief executive Mr Aleck Kautsiro said operators were happy to resume operations.

“Approval by Cabinet is just the beginning of a process to get buses back on the road. We had a meeting where most members were represented. We went through standard operating procedures and requirements proposed by Government and everyone is happy as implementing them will not be a challenge,” he said.

Mr Kautsiro said operators whose permits and licences were in order may start operating as soon as they meet Government requirements.

“It may not be immediate, but gradually people will start coming back. Some may start this weekend if their permits are still valid and they get registered in line with the required Covid-19 protocols as stated by Government. Government has said it wants operators to operate viably hence everyone is excited,” said Mr Kautsiro.

Extra City Coaches, which services many routes including Harare-Bulawayo and routes to Victoria Falls hopes to resume operations this weekend.

“We have made plans like putting necessary Covid-19 prevention equipment at all loading points as we try to meet WHO guidelines as demanded for by Government. People are likely to see action this weekend and we will start with a few buses as we assess the environment,” said Extra City managing director Mr David Masimira.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza confirmed that some operators had started approaching Government seeking to register to resume servicing their routes.

“Some have started coming. We appreciate that they have been out of business for a long time, but they should register to start operating because the position remains that if you don’t comply you won’t operate,” said Minister Matiza.

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) chairperson Priscilla Chigumba has responded to a letter from MDC Alliance (MDC-A) secretary-general Chalton Hwende dated 31 August 2020, in which the opposition party demanded to know why ZEC was filling Senate and Proportional Representative seats won by the MDC-A with members of the Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T.

Chigumba said ZEC was simply following the law. In her response to the Nelson Chamisa-led party on 2 September, Chigumba wrote:

“The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) would like to state that the filling of vacant seats following recalls by the MDC-T was not a result of instructions from that party as you allege but merely a result of a peremptory process triggered by Parliament notices given to ZEC.

“The Commission is thus simply complying with legal provisions that guide it when implementing resultant proceedings as outlined in its mandate.

“Please kindly note that the Commission wrote to all stakeholders, including you, explaining how it intended to fill the vacant seats under discussion in the spirit of engaging with its varied stakeholders and not as a gesture of acknowledging anything more than stakeholder engagement.”

The judicially reconstructed MDC-T has recalled 21 MDC Alliance MPs and has since sent to ZEC its candidates to replace the 15 Senate and PR legislators.

Despite getting only 45 000 votes in the 2018 presidential elections, Khupe has nominated herself and her chief aide, Khaliphani Phugeni, as parliamentary candidates.

Pindula

By A Correspondent | The MDC-T leader, Thokozani Khupe unwittingly leaked the term: “Unconstitutionally” to describe how the courts have dealt with her nemesis, Nelson Chamisa.

Khupe became loose with her tongue when she said the courts have used unconstitutional rationale in ruling over Chamisa’s takeover from Morgan Tsvangirai.

This was in her latest interview with ZimEye.com when she was commenting on the MDC-T leadership wrangle.

Earlier this year on March 31, 2020, the Supreme Court delivered a unanimous ruling in the seemingly interminable battle over leadership of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). In the case of MDC and Others vs Elias Mashavira and Others SC 56/20, the Supreme Court confirmed the ruling of the High Court against Nelson Chamisa, casting further doubt over the future of the main opposition.

Responding on this matter Khupe said, “the courts have dealt with that, unconstitutionally.”

A brief excerpt of the interview is below:

Qn. What would happen there; are you going to inherit Nelson Chamisa is challenge against Emmerson Mnangagwa?

Khupe: How? How?

Qn. Because in this case you’re taking a post which Nelson Chamisa has occupied since Morgan Tsvangirai died, as you say.

Khupe: unconstitutionally.

Qn: Some….

Khupe: And the courts have dealt with that, unconstitutionally.

And the courts have said.

Qn. Some have asked also on you why have you not challenged yourself, Emmerson Mnangagwa directly, concerning the rigging in 2018, the killing of people the using of the army, which Nelson Chamisa is still standing on, and challenging Emmerson Mnangagwa legally right now?

Khupe: Why would I challenge when I do not have evidence? He challenged and he was asked to produce evidence because you can only challenge something if you have evidence, saying this is the evidence that I have but if I don’t have evidence why should I waste my time?

Qn. We do have broadcast evidence from the zbc, the state broadcaster that shows the deployment of the military to change election results and I can give you references, they are also online, the videos are still there online, 15th December 2017; we have numerous incidents that have been broadcast over the time up to the 2018 elections. We also have the Motlanthe hearings in which this evidence was also brought up, which clearly shows that Emmerson Mnangagwa clearly used the army to change election results to Nelson Chamisa’s prejudice. We also have Emmerson Mnangagwa admitting in March 2018 that he did deploy the army and I am wondering there, are you saying you are ignoring simply because the court case said so, the hearings or what?

Khupe: Unfortunately I cannot understand where your question is going because as far as I’m concerned…

Qn. I am saying there is evidence here to show…

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Khupe Says The Courts “Unconstitutionally” Ruled Against @nelsonchamisa https://t.co/kJ08oAp7Km via @zimeye pic.twitter.com/DcmuEOPoog

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 18, 2020

Khupe: as far as I understand, and as far as I know there was a court challenge …. INTERVIEW CONTINUES

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba has burst out against environmentalists who forced government to withdraw two Chinese companies’ licences permitting them to mine for coal in Hwange National Park.

In an unprecedented Twitter rant, Charamba said national parks were not “God ordained”.

Wrote Charamba:

“This pseudo-scholarship which seeks the respectability of law wants to convince us some parts of Zimbabwe, or any nation on this earth for that matter, is God-designated as a Game Park, as an inviolate haven for wildlife. What frothing idiocy!!!! Hwange, then Wankie National Park was from as far back as 1928 designated a Game Park by HUMANS, not by GOD!!” said Charamba.

“And ofcourse when human needs come second-rate to needs of wildlife, humans will find ways – including destructive ones – to restore EQUILIBRIUM, muchida musingadi!!!! One way of doing that is simply to remove the competitor for land, in this case WILDLIFE!!!

“SOCIETIES do determine LAND USES at every stage in the EVOLUTION of those SOCIETIES!! Some part of land goes towards agricultural uses; host water bodies, are dedicated to urban conurbation creating concrete jungles, are assigned to mining, to game, etc, etc!!!! Time was when the whole of England teemed with bisons. Today, hunting in England has shrunk to FOXES!!! They ate their animals to extinction, turned their lands into great cities and towns, and carbon-spewing industrial contraptions.

“Know that it was the WHITEMAN’S GUN, not the AFRICAN SPEAR, which spelt doom for wildlife in the whole of Southern Africa and beyond. But all this is to wander off my angry point, which is: GAME PARKS ARE NOT GOD-ORDAINED, although the good Lord might have created all creatures, great or small!! GAME PARKS are a creation of HUMAN POLICY INTERVENTIONS, guided by availability of land for human use and exploitation.”

Paul Nyathi

THREE MDC-Alliance young supporters who were arrested over three weeks ago at the Harare Magistrate’s court while demanding the release of the opposition party’s national vice chairperson Job Sikhala, have remained in custody.

Terrence Manjengwa, Blessed Changara and Barnabas Gura were remanded in custody when they appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Barbra Mateko charged with possession of offensive weapons and contravening the Covid-19 national lockdown regulations.

They were not asked to plead.

Prosecutor Mr Lancelot Mutsokota opposed bail saying the three had other pending cases before the courts and were likely to commit other offences if they are freed.

“Chances are high that the accused persons can commit similar offences as Job Sikhala, whom they were in solidarity with seeking his freedom before the courts, is still held in custody and as such if granted bail they are likely to commit similar offences,” said Mr Mutsokoti.

The three were arrested when they teamed up with other MDC-A members and gathered at Harare magistrate’s court where Sikhala was appearing for his bail hearing on charges of inciting public violence by urging people to participate during the flopped July 31 planned protests.

Police had deployed the district reaction group at the courts to maintain law and order. The group heard the three were at the courts in an unregistered commuter omnibus and in possession of weapons.

Police approached the three and allegedly found them with catapults, stones, bolts and nuts and three empty beer bottles.

Upon their apprehension, the police are said to have discovered that they had no exemption letters that allowed them to travel during the lockdown.

The world must know that 3 young people, Barnabas Gura, Terrence Manjengwa & Blessed Changara have been languishing in prison for over 3 weeks now. They were arrested at Rotten Row court where they were in solidarity with Hon. Sikhala. Their crime is solidarity. #FreeTheThree pic.twitter.com/7hQE7HP9Yf

— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) September 18, 2020

Business Times

Government is considering appointing commissions to run the affairs of local authorities following the recall of councillors by MDC-T for insubordination and failing to recognise the leadership of Thokozani Khupe.

The recall has seen 84 councillors in Harare, Bulawayo, Marondera, Gwanda, Beitbridge and Victoria Falls affected. Mayors Chengetai Murowa (Marondera), Jastone Mazhale (Gwanda) and Herbert Gomba (Harare) were recalled.

The recalls have paralysed local authorities amid fears that the government would appoint commissions to ensure the continued operations of the affected local authorities.

Local Government minister July Moyo told Business Times the recalls will affect the operations of the councils and said the ministry would sit with the affected authorities on how “best as government we can help”.

“We are yet to reach a decision of appointing commissioners as we need to study the situation on the ground in the affected councils.

We know that some of the councillors are challenging their recall in courts and we have to consider that as well,” Moyo said.

This comes as recalled councillors from Harare are appealing against the decision.

Recalled Harare deputy mayor Enock Mupamawonde together with 10 councillors have engaged their lawyers to challenge the decision by MDC-T to recall them.

“We as councillors who were elected by the people in our respective wards have approached our team of lawyers to take up the matter in the courts.

“This is part of political victimisation by Khupe and her party because we did not vote for her preferred candidate in the recent elections to choose a new mayor,” Mupamawonde said.

“We hope that we are going to be restored back to our seats as councillors through the courts.

This is a political war which we are going to be fighting legally in courts and politically in our wards.”

MDC-T is using the Supreme Court ruling which recognised Khupe as the acting president of the party pending the holding of an extraordinary congress.

The ruling also restored the party’s 2014 structures.

Her party has also recalled MDC Alliance legislators.

State Media

MDC Alliance vice chairman Job Sikhala yesterday notified the State that he will apply for refusal of further remand if he is not given a trial date and that he is in any case going to reapply for bail, so far refused, because he argues there are new circumstances.

Sikhala, who was being represented by lawyers Messrs Jeremiah Bamu and Harrison Nkomo, made the notification when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Ngoni Nduna. He is being charged with inciting public violence.

Sikhala was denied bail at the magistrates court before he appealed to the High Court where a ruling was reserved.

Circumstances leading to Sikhala’s arrest are that between March 1 and August 21 this year, he originated and posted videos on social media platforms with intent to incite public violence.

In the videos, he is alleged to have said: “People from the Zambezi to Limpopo and Forbes Border Post to Victoria Falls, 31 July 2020 should be your day. This is the kind of war that we have. If we do not fight this war, nothing will come out until we die. These men have oppressed people for a long time.”

The State alleges that Sikhala used his social media accounts to incite Zimbabweans living in the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa to attack Zimbabwean embassies.

State Media

ALL unregistered vehicles are with immediate effect not allowed to pass through tollgates as the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) launches a blitz to ensure motorists heed the law.

So far, ZRP has impounded 11 917 pirate taxis and unregistered vehicles countrywide.

According to the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act, vehicles should be registered and always display their registration marks and numbers.

In a statement, the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) public relations manager Mr Tendai Mugabe advised the public that it was an offence to drive unregistered vehicles on the roads.

“The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development in partnership with the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) and Zimbabwe Republic Police, would like to advise the motoring public that it is illegal to drive a vehicle without registration number plates on the country’s roads.

“As such, all vehicles without registration number plates will not be allowed to pass through our tollgates countrywide and members of the ZRP are going to impound such vehicle. The Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) has enough stocks of registration number plates and motorists without the registration number plates are advised to visit CVR for assistance,” said Mr Mugabe.

The crackdown on unregistered vehicles comes in the wake of a spate of armed robberies countrywide as criminals are using such vehicles to evade tracing detection.

Police said they would release the vehicles impounded for lack of registration plates once the owners have registered them.

In February last year, Government said importers of vehicles who had been unable to register them owing to a shortage of number plates should obtain temporary identification cards for indefinite use.

Temporary registration number plates normally have a 14-day lifespan, just enough time to get the vehicle home and secure permanent registration.

State Media

All boarding schools used as quarantine centres have been disinfected and are safe, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa told Senate yesterday during the Question and Answer session.

Government disinfected all schools and learning centres, she said in reply to Harare Senator Omega Hungwe (Zanu PF) who sought to know if boarding schools that were used as quarantine centres were safe for learners.

“All the schools were disinfected because as Government we are equally concerned with the safety of children. To that end, Government has mobilised $600 million for the procurement of personal protective equipment for pupils ahead of opening of schools. The lives of our pupils are very important and no one should be exposed to the disease hence we took those measures,” said Minister Mutsvangwa, who is also the new leader of Government business in Senate. She said it was prudent for Government to reopen schools after the success of several measures taken to contain Covid-19.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education engaged in extensive consultations with all stakeholders before the decision to reopen was made.

Responding to another question, Minister Mutsvangwa said the vetting of war collaborators and ex-detainees was set to start following the signing into law by President Mnangagwa of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act.

Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Coronavirus daily update: 17 September 2020:

New cases: 35
Locals – 32

Returnees – 3

Deaths: 0
Recoveries: 18

PCR Tests Done: 1011

National Recovery Rate: 77%

Active Cases: 1 558
Total Cumulative Cases: 7 633

Total Recoveries: 5 841

Total Deaths: 224

A man who allegedly raped a woman at a cemetery was severely thrashed with sticks and later died at a hospital.

It is said on 11 September at around 4.30 pm a 23-year-old woman was fetching firewood near a cemetery at Babcock compound in Kwekwe, Midlands province.

A source close to investigations said Darlington Munyaradzi Maphosa reportedly spotted her before ambushing her near a cemetery.

The source said when she was passing by a cemetery Darlington grabbed her hand and dragged her into the bush

“He violently pushed her to the ground before he quickly undressed her and raped her once,” said the source.

After the act he freed her and she went home, and narrated the ordeal to her brother. Seething with anger the brother, the source said, teamed up with his four friends and went to Darlington’s homestead.

“They caught up with Darlington at his homestead. They took turns to assault him with sticks all over the body. After they were satisfied that they had meted out instant justice to the victim, they took him to a police base,” said the source.

The source said Darlington sustained bruises around the neck and swollen hands.-B-Metro

A TOP cop who was recently acquitted on charges of allegedly stealing guns, more than 180 live bullets and an assortment of related weaponry from the police armoury has taken his boss, Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga to court challenging an imminent disciplinary hearing.

David Fugao (age not given), the officer-in-charge of the ZRP provincial armoury in Matabeleland North, was jointly accused with Wonder Tawanda Karamba (33) and Francis Chaterera (39), of theft and criminal abuse of duty as public officers.

They were arrested last year in March after detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department homicide section received information that there were suspicious movements of firearms at the armoury.

The detectives through investigations found out that some police officers were allegedly removing firearms that are subject to a handover-takeover from the armoury to a backyard room.

This was discovered following the arrest of Fugao after he was implicated by a suspected armed robber, Ame Mpala, who was arrested with an AK-47 rifle along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road.

Fugao, through his lawyers VJ Mpofu and Associates, filed an application for review at the Bulawayo High Court citing Comm-Gen Matanga and Hwange magistrate Ms Barbara Phiri as respondents. In his founding affidavit, Fugao said Comm-Gen Matanga’s decision to convene a suitability board was irrational and malicious given that he was acquitted of the charges of theft and criminal abuse of duty.

“On August 31, 2020, I was informed by the officer commanding district in Hwange that a suitability board was to be convened in order to determine whether I was suitable to remain in the police or not. In the circumstances, I found the decisions marred by malice, bias and procedural irregularities,” he said.

Fugao argued that the imminent disciplinary hearing comes at a time when he was acquitted by Ms Phiri.

He said upon his acquittal, he was shocked when Ms Phiri warned him that he should in future record rifles in the occurrence book yet he was not convicted.He said the magistrate erred by issuing that warning, which his boss is now using as a basis to convene a board of suitability.-Chronicle

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance will soon unroll a series of programmes meant to enhance the party’s visibility in Chiredzi District.

Chiredzi District consists of Zanu PF strongholds- mainly as a result of vote buying and intimidation of villagers.

Speaking at a party meeting on Sunday, Chiredzi West MDC Alliance district chairperson James Kampota said:

“Chiredzi West district members fully support President Chamisa and the MDC Alliance party.”

“We have rejected the MDC T led by Khupe, Mudzuri, Komichi and Mwonzora.

It is our view, that MDC T led by Khupe is a Zanu PF proxy. They want to destroy the MDC Alliance.

Senator Misheck Marava said : “Thank you for coming in your numbers. We are here to inform you that MDC Alliance party led by our charismatic President Chamisa is intact.”

Hon Mugidho, the MDC Alliance National Women’s Assembly acting chairlady also said :

“MDC T led by Khupe has been rejected in Chiredzi West.

Yes, the MDC T Mudzuri faction leaders are always in Chiredzi West trying to recruit 2014 structures to vote for Mudzuri as president at their extraordinary congress.

However, the 2014 structures have rejected them.”

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance will soon unroll a series of programmes meant to enhance the party’s visibility in Chiredzi District.

Chiredzi District consists of Zanu PF strongholds- mainly as a result of vote buying and intimidation of villagers.

Speaking at a party meeting on Sunday, Chiredzi West MDC Alliance district chairperson James Kampota said:

“Chiredzi West district members fully support President Chamisa and the MDC Alliance party.”

“We have rejected the MDC T led by Khupe, Mudzuri, Komichi and Mwonzora.

It is our view, that MDC T led by Khupe is a Zanu PF proxy. They want to destroy the MDC Alliance.

Senator Misheck Marava said : “Thank you for coming in your numbers. We are here to inform you that MDC Alliance party led by our charismatic President Chamisa is intact.”

Hon Mugidho, the MDC Alliance National Women’s Assembly acting chairlady also said :

“MDC T led by Khupe has been rejected in Chiredzi West.

Yes, the MDC T Mudzuri faction leaders are always in Chiredzi West trying to recruit 2014 structures to vote for Mudzuri as president at their extraordinary congress.

However, the 2014 structures have rejected them.”

Farai Dziva|EU has expressed concern at the violation of human rights by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

Read full statement below:

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union

The situation has significantly deteriorated in Zimbabwe, with multiple reports of arbitrary detention and harassment, torture and inhuman treatment, including towards members of the opposition, restrictions on access to justice, and targeting of journalists and others investigating or speaking out against corruption.

The reported detention of untried prisoners in a maximum security prison together with convicted criminals suggests a serious violation of the principle of presumption of innocence.

Public declarations inciting disrespect, hatred or violence towards various parties including churches, civil society actors and representatives of diplomatic missions have also contributed to increased tensions and risks to individuals enjoyment of human rights.

The COVID-19 pandemic should not be used as an excuse to limit the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms of citizens in Zimbabwe, such as the freedom of expression, press freedom and freedom of assembly.

The EU reiterates our ambition to support Zimbabwe in implementing concrete political and economic reforms, but for these reforms to stand the test of time they require an environment ensuring an inclusive national dialogue, through which citizens can exercise all their human rights, including their freedoms of assembly, association and expression.

E.U Ambassador to Zimbabwe

Farai Dziva|Saviour Kasukuwere has responded to claims that he is desperate to rejoin Zanu PF.

Acting Zanu PF Spokesperson, Patrick Chinamasa on Wednesday claimed Kasukuwere was desperate to rejoin the party.

Kasukuwere argued :
Response to Chinamasa’s Statement: Chinamasa is dishonest and it’s unfortunate. Three Cdes, myself, Mzembi and Zhuwao met
@MYANC
and whose deliberations and discussions remain privileged until the process is over.

The assault on the young generation must come to an end where political contestation is free, fair and credible. We must remove fear, hate, favour and patronage.

Politics must always lead the gun. Vision, ideology and direction must be central to our total emancipation.

I remain a card carrying member of the party until due process is carried out in line with the party’s constitution.

I remain committed to the unity of the party which is key to sustainable national development.

Farai Dziva|Saviour Kasukuwere has responded to claims that he is desperate to rejoin Zanu PF.

Acting Zanu PF Spokesperson, Patrick Chinamasa on Wednesday claimed Kasukuwere was desperate to rejoin the party.

Kasukuwere argued :
Response to Chinamasa’s Statement: Chinamasa is dishonest and it’s unfortunate. Three Cdes, myself, Mzembi and Zhuwao met
@MYANC
and whose deliberations and discussions remain privileged until the process is over.

The assault on the young generation must come to an end where political contestation is free, fair and credible. We must remove fear, hate, favour and patronage.

Politics must always lead the gun. Vision, ideology and direction must be central to our total emancipation.

I remain a card carrying member of the party until due process is carried out in line with the party’s constitution.

I remain committed to the unity of the party which is key to sustainable national development.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has said the reappointment of Sydney Gata to the troubled government-controlled ZESA Holdings board is shocking and unacceptable.

Hon Biti also hailed ZINASU president Takudzwa Ngadziore for challenging the wicked Zanu PF regime.

“After one week in unlawful detention it was a delight to listen to ⁦
@Zinasuzim
⁩ President The fight against impunity & regime enablers such as Impala Car Hire & Innscor must continue .

We are proud of you Takudzwa. With the youth , the country is safe…

The re- appointment of Sydney Gata to the illegally created post of #ZESA Executuve Chairman by Emmerson is shocking .

Gata is one of the most incompetent & most corrupt CEOs of any time.

Reappointing him confirms patronage and cronyism .

It confirms his total contempt for decency.

A country cannot be run by one so driven by the desire for self enrichment and aggrandizement.

Zimbabwe is not a commodity and surely policy making should not be about extraction and self enrichment.Emmerson has taken us to new lows Uncharted territories for looting and plunder .This must stop,” argued Hon Biti.

Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Coronavirus update- 16 September 2020:

New cases: 22

Locals – 21

Returnees – 1

Deaths: 0

Recoveries: 40

PCR Tests Done: 647

National Recovery Rate: 77%

Active Cases: 1 551

Total Cumulative Cases: 7 598

Total Recoveries: 5 823

Total Deaths: 224

President Mnangagwa yesterday challenged Zanu PF and its organs to lead the way in telling the Zimbabwean success stories to counter anti-Zimbabwe sentiments being peddled by the country’s detractors.

Addressing the 344th session of the Zanu PF Politburo meeting at the party headquarters in Harare yesterday, the President set the record straight on the recent visit by an African National Congress delegation from South Africa that came and engaged Zanu PF as sister parties, at an indaba that debunked the crisis narrative which fugitives and opposition functionaries would like to foist on Zimbabwe.

“Our people must be updated and made aware. The trend, whereby our detractors use popular culture and arts to attack and undermine our nation, unity, peace and value systems cannot be allowed to continue.

“Patriotic artists from across the country must be nurtured and appropriately empowered to facilitate the preservation of our national heritage, identity and pride,” he said.

Last week, the ANC sent a delegation led by its secretary-general, Cde Ace Magashule, which met Zanu PF following blatant misrepresentations on social media propagated by criminal G40 elements in South Africa and other parts of the continent.

The ANC delegation’s visit came after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa sent envoys to deliver a message, between Heads of State and Government, to his counterpart President Mnangagwa.

President Mnangagwa said ANC and Zanu PF continue to share experiences and strategies in view of the ongoing onslaught by detractors.

“As you are aware, the party received a delegation from our sister party, the ANC. We continue as former liberation movements to share experiences and other strategies in view of the ongoing onslaught by our detractors and neo-colonialists. Such solidarity and exchanges must be strengthened across all the leagues of our parties,” said President Mnangagwa.

He scoffed at some opposition parties, some churches and civic society organisations coveting to meeting the ANC delegation saying such attempts were futile and mere dreams.

“Presidential envoys remain Presidential envoys from one President to another. Party envoys remain party envoys from one party to another. Those who dream otherwise are allowed in democracy to dream,” said President Mnangagwa.

Zanu PF has said that “the party-to-party meeting” comes against a “backdrop of false claims that Zimbabwe is a nation in crisis”.-The Herald

BBC

Seven out of 219 prisoners who escaped from a jail in north-eastern Uganda have been recaptured, officials say.

Some of the fugitives reportedly took off their distinctive yellow prison uniforms and fled naked into the hills to avoid detection.

The escapees are thought to be trying to use mountain routes to cross the border into Kenya.

The inmates killed a soldier after they broke out of the facility in Moroto on Wednesday.

An army spokesperson said two inmates escapees had also been killed.

The army and prison officials are pursuing the escapees, who reportedly made off with 15 guns and ammunition.

The prison facility, which usually has a population of more than 600 inmates, is built on the foothills of Mount Moroto, on the edge of the town.

The site has been put under lockdown as investigations into how the jailbreak happened get under way.

Local reports on Wednesday said the shoot-out brought business in Moroto to a standstill.

Moroto is the biggest town in Karamoja, a semi-arid pastoralist region with a history of cattle rustling and gun violence, the BBC’s Patience Atuhaire reports from Kampala.

A government disarmament programme in the early 2000s took most of the guns out of the hands of civilians, but sporadic clashes between different communities continue, our correspondent notes.

Zimbabwe today had no coronavirus death for the sixth day in a row but it had 35 new cases and 18 recoveries.

The total number of cases rose to 7 633 while the number of recoveries went up to 5 841 but the number of active cases which had been dropping went slightly up to 1 568.

Thirteen of the people that recovered today were from Bulawayo but the city had 5 new cases so the number of active cases dropped slightly to 117.

Five people from Matebeleland South also recovered bringing the number of cases down to 176.

The number of active cases in Harare, however, rose to 1 093.

Deaths remained at 224.

THE tax free threshold has been reviewed upwards to 5000 Zimbabwe dollars per month, while mining companies have been directed to pay royalties in foreign currency.

This was revealed by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube as The Finance Bill underwent its second reading during Wednesday’s Senate seating with the move being aimed at cushioning workers from Covid-19 induced challenges.

” In view of the Covid-19 triggered financial meltdown, employees earning less than five thousand dollars per month will not pay taxes starting from the month of August until the end of the year,” he said.

According to Minister Ncube, the move is set to increase foreign currency inflows into government coffers, while also paving way for charging mining royalties in foreign currency.

“One of the provisions of the finance bill is to allow mining companies to pay royalties in foreign currency unless requirements do not apply where they will continue paying in local currency,” he added.

Professor Ncube also indicated that, as an incentive, investors on the soon to be launched Victoria Falls Stock Exchange will not be liable to paying taxes.

” All investors will not pay taxes for accruals and receipts on the VFEX to ensure to incentivise more global investors to come and invest on this stock market,” said Ncube.

Minister Ncube also revealed that extra measures to broaden safety nets and harness economic growth will be announced in the 2021 National budget to be presented in two months time.

ZBC

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa’s son, Emmerson Tanaka Mnangagwa, reportedly lost US$1 500 to a bogus wedding garments supplier whom he had contracted to supply suits ahead of his wedding last year.

Samson Mavhunga (31) of Hillside, Harare, promised to deliver five men’s suits from Italy two weeks before the wedding.

He charged US$3 500 and Mnangagwa paid US$1 500 deposit, but nothing was delivered.

Mavhunga yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Judith Taruvinga charged with fraud and was remanded out of custody to May 7 on $1 000 bail.

As part of his bail conditions, Mavhunga was ordered to report once a week to the police and to surrender his passport.

Prosecutor Mr Tatenda Mukatera alleged that sometime in May last year, Mnangagwa met Mavhunga who indicated that he specialised in making and supplying wedding suits.

Mnangagwa expressed interest since he was preparing for his wedding, which was scheduled for August 25 of the same year.

Mnangagwa then gave Mavhunga an order to supply five bridegroom’s suits which he was supposed to order from Italy.

He was charged US$3 500 and paid a deposit of US$1 500. The balance was to be paid upon delivery of the suits on an agreed date.

It later came to light that Mavhunga had lied to Mnangagwa that he had capacity to supply the said suits.

Mnangagwa asked for a refund after nothing materialised and made a police report when he failed to get his money back.

State Media

A total of 22 new Covid-19 cases were recorded in Zimbabwe yesterday which brings the total number of people who have tested positive to 7 598.

Since the outbreak of Covid-19 on March 21, 224 people have succumbed to the virus.

According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care daily Covid-19 report, no death was recorded in the last 24 hours.

“There were 22 new cases and no death reported in the last 24 hours and the seven-day rolling average goes down to 24 from 27. About 647 PCR tests done today and the positivity rate for the day stands at 3,4 percent., “read the report.

The Ministry said 21 of the new cases are locals and one is returnee from South Africa.

“We also recorded 40 new recoveries and the national recovery rate stands at 77 percent. Active cases go down to 551 today. As of September 16 2020, Zimbabwe has now recorded 7 598 cases 5 823 recoveries and 224 deaths.”

From the outbreak of the global disease, Bulawayo has recorded 1 376 cases, 42 deaths and 1 209 recoveries while Matabeleland South has recorded 757 cases, seven deaths and 181 recoveries.

Matabeleland North province on the other hand has recorded 124 cases, three deaths and 107 recoveries.

National carrier Air Zimbabwe said on Wednesday it will next week resume domestic and regional flights after a six month hiatus caused by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The development follows the announcement by the government of the re-opening of the skies to domestic flights under strict health guidelines as the country gradually opens up to the world in the aftermath of the Covid-19 outbreak.

“Air Zimbabwe wishes to announce the resumption of domestic and regional flight operations with effect from 23 September 2020 and 3 October 2020, respectively,” the airline said in a statement.

“The domestic flight schedule features HRE/BUQ/VFA/HRE morning schedule and HRE/VFA/ABUQ/HRE evening schedule every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The regional HRE/DAR/HRE schedule shall initially operate every Tuesday and Saturday with an additional frequency towards the end of the year,” it said.

It added: “The airline still awaits confirmation of the opening of South African airspace and airports, whereinafter dates for resumption of flights into Johannesburg shall be announced.”

The airline said it would publish guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the World Health Organisation and the International Air Transport Association for air travel from time to time.

Like most countries, Zimbabwe closed its borders and skies to international passenger flights except those flying returning citizens and cargo planes from the beginning of April this year as it sought to curb the spread of Covid-19, which has to date killed 224 people and infected 7 576 others as at September 15.

Most of the infections recorded in the early stages of the outbreak in the country were imported.

State Media

The Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs, Senator Larry Mavima has expressed concern over the increase in the number mine related deaths involving artisanal miners and small scale miners in the province.

Sen Mavima said the province recorded 61 mining related deaths in the small-scale mining sector since February this year.

He said his office was engaging the Ministry of Mines and Mining development to map the way forward and improve safety in mines especially those that artisanal miners are working in.

“The Midlands is the mining hub of the country and the sector continues to attract the majority of people. However lack of effective organisation, administrative monitoring and safety precautions remain a problem. We have recorded a total of 61 mine related deaths since

February and we continue to record deaths on a monthly basis, which is very bad,” said Sen Mavima.

He said his office was engaging the relevant ministry and other stakeholders to make sure the working environment around mines was safe.

“We have engaged the relevant ministry so that they work on enforcing safety measures so that we avoid the loss of life at our small scale mining areas. What we want is production while reduce accidents,” he said.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) spokesperson, Mr Dosman Mangisi said the mining related deaths statistics in the Midlands province involving artisanal miner were worrying.

He said the organisation will soon conduct workshops to educate artisanal miners on safety issues.

“We had our first annual meeting with small-scale and artisanal miners last year where we invited President Mnangagwa and one of the issues discussed in that meeting was the issue of safety.

“The irony of it is that the annual meeting was conducted in the Midlands province where we are having disturbing statistics in terms deaths,” he said.

Mr Mangisi said the organisation will conduct more workshops to educate artisanal miners on safety issues.

“There is also need to engage other stakeholders like the Environmental Management Agency so that they enforce the rules at the mines,” he said.

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has said Zimbabwe’s economy is now stabilising due to direct interventions by the government.

Addressing the ruling Zanu PF party’s politburo meeting in Harare Wednesday, President Mnangagwa said more than 200,000 jobs have been created despite the challenges of sanctions, droughts and the Covid-19 global pandemic.

WATCH the video below;

Correspondent

The Supreme Court is yet to rule on an appeal by the “winning” Chegutu West MP, the MDC Alliance’s Gift Konjana, against the Electoral Court judgement which dismissed his electoral challenge after a mistake was made by electoral officials.

Konjana polled 10 948 against his closest challenger, ZANU PF’s Dexter Nduna, who garnered 10 932 votes during the 2018 parliamentary elections.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) admitted that it had made an error in declaring Nduna the winner but informed Konjana to seek redress through the courts as it had no powers to reverse the announced results.

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In October 2018, the Electoral Court judge, Justice Mary Zimba-Dube dismissed Konjana’s election petition on the basis that it was defective.

Konjana appealed against the Electoral Court judgment at the Supreme Court and a ruling is yet to be made.

GUKURAHUNDI REBURIAL PROCESS MUST ADDRESS HISTORICAL INJUSTICES

We note with concern plans by the State to fast-track exhumations and reburials of Gukurahundi victims before there has been any accountability for the massacres and without the consultative participation of all stakeholders, particularly survivors and victims.

Over 20 000 people were killed during Gukurahundi in Matabeleland and the Midlands between 1983 and 1987. Most of the victims were buried in shallow graves.

However, over three decades later, there has been no formal acknowledgement or apology from the State for the commission of this genocide and the grave atrocities that took place.

The perpetrators have never been brought to book. The proposed reburials constitute the first indirect, official acknowledgement of the atrocities.

While the reburial of the victims is important, the surviving relatives and other key stakeholders must be heard and consulted on how the process should be carried out.

The communities that were affected must play a central role in the reburials through their traditional leaders and churches.

Truth-telling and justice must accompany any redress for survivors. The evidence associated with the atrocities must be carefully managed.

This is the only way we can ensure that there is full closure on this important national issue.

We call for a transparent, comprehensive, inclusive, gender-sensitive and consultative transitional justice process for the victims and survivors of Gukurahundi.

The process should be victim-centred and must involve representatives of all stakeholders including the traditional leaders, the surviving victims, rights-based groups, the Church and civic society. Reburials must be a part of this comprehensive process, not a standalone initiative.

The MDC Alliance stands for restorative justice, rehabilitative justice and, in appropriate cases, restitutive justice.

Reburying the victims without healing, justice, truth-telling and reparations will undoubtedly result in the wounds resurfacing in the future to the detriment of nation-building, lasting peace and reconciliation.

Hon Blessing Chebundo

Secretary for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration

Tension is escalating within the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) as the organisation holds elections to choose its board of governors.

ZRCS has been conducting elections to usher in a new board starting from the districts and provinces across the country.

The exercise, which started on June 22 and characterised by mudslinging, backbiting and bickering, is set to end by November 30 when the organisation holds the national elections.

The run-up to the national polls has been so nasty that last Wednesday, Edson Mlambo, the incumbent national president, was hauled before the courts to answer to abuse of office charges.

Charges against Mlambo emanate from one of the two internal anonymous reports on the organisation’s operations, compiled by the factions within the ZRCS family.

One of the reports with allegations of nepotism and corruption within the organisation’s ranks is said to have been leaked to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc).

However, Zacc spokesperson John Makamure yesterday could not be reached to confirm if the anti-graft body had received the whistleblowers’ reports from ZRCS.

The Standard established that during the past seven months the ferocity of the divisions within the organisation, which is an auxiliary arm of the government, had been so intense it put the reputation of the organisation at stake.

“It is dog eat dog when it comes to elections at the Zimbabwe Red Cross,” said one volunteer at the organisation.

“There is a lot of political bickering and it is all about counter-accusations. “Surprisingly, those who accuse others would be having a lot to hide. Some are using their connections to elbow others out.”

Some directors and several managers have since been suspended while secretary general Maxwell Phiri resigned in May.

ZRCS acting secretary-general Elias Hwenga described the suspension and termination of contracts for some people in the top echelons as part of the organisation’s disciplinary processes.

“In order to bring sanity to the organisation, we undertook a formal, independent investigation of this matter,” Hwenga said.

Hwenga was evasive on the “crisis” at ZRCS, but confirmed that the organisation was having elections this year.

“We started this exercise, which is part of our constitution, on June 22. We started from our structures at the branch, district levels, we move on to the provinces before we hold the national elections,” he said.

“The exercise is going on smoothly and we hope to end it by November 30. It is unfortunate we had to move the dates because of restrictions brought by the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic early this year.

“It’s common that during elections results might not come in your favour, which might cause a lot of problems.”

Hwenga said there was no crisis at ZRCS, but what was happening was expected of any election environment.

However, he is optimistic that the situation will normalise at the organisation after the elections.

ZRCS is an auxiliary to government as mandated through the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society Act of Parliament No 30 of 1981, also known as Chapter 17:08.

The Standard

Paul Nyathi

Zimbabwe’s poverty datum line (PDL)increased nearly 11 percent in August to $17 244, the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) said on Thursday.

The agency pointed this to the continued rise in prices of goods and services despite recent exchange rate stability.

The PDL measures the monthly requirement for a family of five for food and other basic needs and services.

In July, the poverty line stood at $15 573.

“The Total Consumption Poverty Line for one person stood at $3 449 in
August 2020 while that for an average of five persons per household during the same period stood at $17 244,” the statistics agency said.

For food alone, one person required $1 442 while a family of five
needed about $7 211.

Inflation during the same month fell to 761.02 percent from 837.53 in July.

With the bulk of employees in the country earning less than $7 000,
which translates to about US$85 using the official exchange rate, it means most formally employed workers are struggling to make ends meet.

While the International Labour Organisation recommends that PDL should be used as a benchmark in determining minimum wages, most local companies are unable to meet this in the prevailing Covid-19 trading environment where business activity has slowed down.

Some have been forced to actually slash the salaries to remain afloat.

By A Correspondent- Mourners visiting cemeteries for burials have to be extra vigilant to avoid double grief as thieves are now targeting funeral-goers by stealing from their parked cars while attending their loved ones’ final farewell.

The warning comes after two men from North End were on Monday afternoon brutally assaulted by a mob of angry mourners after they caught them red-handed stealing from their cars while they were attending a relative’s burial service at Athlone Extension Cemetery.

The unidentified thieves who were apprehended before they could make good their escape had stolen purses, cellphones and groceries from the mourners’ parked cars.

Investigations by B-Metro after the incident revealed that there was a drastic increase in burglaries at city cemeteries where thieves were wreaking havoc stealing items from parked cars.

Bulawayo City Council (BCC) recently raised concern at the increasing crime at cemeteries during burials, with thieves said to be targeting parked vehicles.

Speaking during a council meeting, Ward 7 councillor Shadreck Sibanda said he had noted an increase in theft during burials.

“I have noted that there has been an increase in theft from cars, especially at cemeteries. I want to know if the chair has heard those issues and what can be done to stop such cases,” said Clr Sibanda.

Ward 9 councillor Donaldson Mabutho supported him while arguing that there was a need by the local authority to deploy council security officers to guard mourners’ cars at cemeteries.

A North End resident Elton Mashamba expressed dismay that such things could happen before describing thieves who steal from grieving families as the “lowest of the low people”.

“These thieves are really heartless as they have no respect for the dead and their relatives. After being caught these lowest of the low people should be severely punished. Just imagine they are stealing from people who are already under sad emotional circumstances.

“I think security should also be tight at these cemeteries whereby municipal security officers will be watching for suspicious people,” suggested Mashamba.

A victim, Agnes Ndlovu (52), from Sauerstown said she lost cash, two cellphones, door keys to her house and bank debit cards which were in her purse which was stolen from her car last month while burying a family member at Athlone Cemetery.

“It’s so hard. Last month thieves broke into my car while attending the burial service of a relative at Athlone Extension and disappeared with my purse containing cash amounting to US$80, two cellphones, door keys to my house, bank debit cards and other essentials which were inside,” she said.

Nicole Mhlanga from Mzilikazi suburb said thefts at city cemeteries were now causing people to feel too insecure to mourn in peace.

“A cemetery is a sacred place where people should feel protected but these cruel thieves who are breaking into mourners’ cars are discounting the serene atmosphere which is supposed to be enjoyed at these final resting places,” she said.

A Bulawayo City Council security officer who preferred anonymity citing bureaucracy confirmed that a number of mourners had contacted him and his colleagues in relation to anti-social behaviour at the Athlone Cemetery.

“Every time we conduct our routine checks we notice that mourners, many of them being women, leave their purses in their cars. In most cases people don’t lock their cars, so purses are an easy grab. Mourners always think no one is going to steal since it’s a cemetery.

“We always advise them to take their purses with them. This is because while everyone is occupied, thieves exploit the opportunity and break into parked cars.

“Although it is our duty as municipal security officers to take the safety and security of cemeteries very seriously, the problem is that during normal business hours cemeteries are open to the public and that’s why it is also difficult to apprehend these criminals,” said the security officer.

The security officer, however, insisted that the problem could be easily avoided if people attending burials locked their vehicles.-bmetro

By A Correspondent- Ten years ago, Moses Qathe Moyo from Hlababomvu Village under Chief Bidi in Kezi, Matabeleland South province left many people shell-shocked when he dug his own grave — and his lone wish to be laid to rest at a place of his own choice was unanimously granted when his family buried him in it on Thursday this week.

For Moyo, who died on Sunday aged 60 and after a long illness, the act of digging his own grave in advance seemed a logical thing to do as he preferred his own form of final disposal.

The grave was covered with a heavy cement slab that reportedly took about 12 “muscular” men to remove it during his burial.

Moyo whose strange desire created a total nightmare to everyone who followed the story reportedly suffered a stroke twice after digging the grave.

A relative who declined to be named claiming they were not authorised to speak on behalf of the family said when the story first emerged in 2010 Moyo explained his reason for digging his grave in advance.

“Moses dug his own grave sometime in 2010 claiming that he had received a vision from God instructing him to do so. Death seemed not to worry him as he said it was already done for him so he wanted everything ready for his burial. He also said when he died, he didn’t want people grappling with a myriad of choices in the midst of sadness. So when he dug his own grave he argued that he was eliminating such pressure usually experienced when burying a loved one,” said the relative. He added that before he breathed his last, Moyo reminded them that burying him in his own grave was one big thing that they would have to do without fail.

He also reportedly wanted to dig another one for his wife but she vehemently refused.

The relative adds: “Before he dug it, he threw a lavish party and a beast was slaughtered. As a family we celebrated although other villagers thought it was uncharacteristic of Moses to do something like that.

“On the day of the burial the only work which was left was just a matter of removing the few inches of soil on top and taking the cement slab off and later putting it back.”

Moyo was reportedly spending a good part of his time looking after his grave.

“As a family we needed a little convincing when he first told us of his plan to dig his own grave. He defended his actions saying digging his own grave was akin to one writing a will or having a funeral policy,” added the relative.

One traditional leader from the area said: “It was indeed strange. At a time when people want to live more and instantly consult traditional healers, prophets and even flying out of the country to seek better treatment so as to extend their lives a little bit, digging your grave is out of the ordinary.”

Meanwhile, in African culture it is taboo for a person to dig his own grave while they are still alive.

Renowned traditionalist and culturalist Richard Ndebele said it was uncultural for one to dig his or her own grave.

“It is totally against our culture. If one does that, he or she would be unknowingly courting death in the family. There is danger that someone who falls sick in the family would die because the spirit of death would be hovering over the family as that grave would need to be filled. That may also cause the ancestors to turn against the family,” he said.

He added: “What I know is that in our culture at times an elderly person identifies a site where he prefers to be laid to rest.”

Deputy President of the Chief’s Council Chief Mtshane Khumalo buttressed Ndebele’s opinion saying: “I have never heard of that. What I know is that if an elderly person identifies the grave site where he or she prefers to be buried, the family has to respect that.”

Meanwhile, Chief Bidi whose jurisdiction, Moyo’s area falls under believes there is nothing wrong with one “booking” his or her own grave while waiting for death.

“I don’t think there is any problem with that and if it was his wish it’s okay. I cannot comment further because I have insufficient information regarding that subject,” he said.-statemedia

The acting president of the Supreme Court-created MDC-T, Thokozani Khupe, has been barred from attending Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) meetings until she gets a fresh mandate from the party’s congress.

The party’s acting deputy national chairperson Morgen Komichi told the Daily News that Khupe cannot continue with POLAD because the party which initially seconded her to the negotiations is different from the one she is now leading. Said Komichi:

For now, she cannot continue with POLAD because we have agreed that the decision on who we engage with politically should be subjected to party structures, preferably congress.

However, responding to Komichi’s assertion, Khupe’s spokesperson, Khaliphani Phugeni, who also doubles as the party’s information secretary said Khupe could not attend recent POLAD meetings as she is preoccupied with preparations for the extra-ordinary congress directed by the Supreme Court.

An MDC-T national standing committee member told the Daily News that some officials who are eyeing the party’s presidency came up with the idea for Khupe to cease participation in POLAD. The official is quoted as having said:

Remember Komichi, (Douglas) Mwonzora and (Elias) Mudzuri all want to be president and they do not want to be labelled Zanu PF like what is happening to Khupe.

They want to be seen as genuine opposition leaders who are not tied to Mnangagwa’s apron strings so they are the people who came up with the idea.-dailynews

https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1306574709866328065?s=20

By A Correspondent| A Harare Magistrate has ordered Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga to pay more than RTGS$50 000 to a Mazowe man as compensation for damages to his vehicle, which was burnt to ashes in 2019 by some law enforcement agents, who were evicting illegal miners at Jumbo Mine in Mazowe, in Mashonaland Central province.

Philemon Jijita, who runs a tuckshop at Masasa Farm in Mazowe sued Matanga and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe in December 2019 for payment of damages to his property after some ZRP members burnt down his immobile Nissan Hi-Rider vehicle in May 2019, which was parked at the farm as it had some flat tyres.

Jijita’s vehicle caught fire when ZRP members burnt some housing structures, cabins and some grass structures that were close to his car.

His pleas to restrain the police officers fell on deaf ears as the law enforcement agents ordered him to move away.

With the assistance of Tinashe Chinopfukutwa of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Jijita sued Matanga and Kazembe demanding compensation for the damage caused to his vehicle.

During trial before Magistrate Dhliwayo, Chinopfukutwa argued that Jijita suffered severe shock and trauma at witnessing his vehicle being wantonly burnt down by ZRP officers without reasonable justification.

This resulted in Magistrate Dhliwayo ordering Matanga and Kazembe to pay RTGS$56 640 as compensation for special damages to Jijita’s property.

Through instituting such anti-impunity claims against state actors who include police officers, who often violate human rights of other people under the guise of acting within the realm of the law, ZLHR does so to deter and discourage such violations.

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance will soon unroll a series of programmes meant to enhance the party’s visibility in Chiredzi District.

Chiredzi District consists of Zanu PF strongholds- mainly as a result of vote buying and intimidation of villagers.

Speaking at a party meeting on Sunday, Chiredzi West MDC Alliance district chairperson James Kampota said:

“Chiredzi West district members fully support President Chamisa and the MDC Alliance party.”

“We have rejected the MDC T led by Khupe, Mudzuri, Komichi and Mwonzora.

It is our view, that MDC T led by Khupe is a Zanu PF proxy. They want to destroy the MDC Alliance.

Senator Misheck Marava said : “Thank you for coming in your numbers. We are here to inform you that MDC Alliance party led by our charismatic President Chamisa is intact.”

Hon Mugidho, the MDC Alliance National Women’s Assembly acting chairlady also said :

“MDC T led by Khupe has been rejected in Chiredzi West.

Yes, the MDC T Mudzuri faction leaders are always in Chiredzi West trying to recruit 2014 structures to vote for Mudzuri as president at their extraordinary congress.

However, the 2014 structures have rejected them.”

By A Correspondent- A Harare Magistrate has ordered Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga to pay more than RTGS$50 000 to a Mazowe man as compensation for damages to his vehicle, which was burnt to ashes in 2019 by some law enforcement agents, who were evicting illegal miners at Jumbo Mine in Mazowe, in Mashonaland Central province.

Philemon Jijita, who runs a tuckshop at Masasa Farm in Mazowe sued Matanga and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe in December 2019 for payment of damages to his property after some ZRP members burnt down his immobile Nissan Hi-Rider vehicle in May 2019, which was parked at the farm as it had some flat tyres.

Jijita’s vehicle caught fire when ZRP members burnt some housing structures, cabins and some grass structures that were close to his car.

His pleas to restrain the police officers fell on deaf ears as the law enforcement agents ordered him to move away.

With the assistance of Tinashe Chinopfukutwa of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Jijita sued Matanga and Kazembe demanding compensation for the damage caused to his vehicle.

During trial before Magistrate Dhliwayo, Chinopfukutwa argued that Jijita suffered severe shock and trauma at witnessing his vehicle being wantonly burnt down by ZRP officers without reasonable justification.

This resulted in Magistrate Dhliwayo ordering Matanga and Kazembe to pay RTGS$56 640 as compensation for special damages to Jijita’s property.

Through instituting such anti-impunity claims against state actors who include police officers, who often violate human rights of other people under the guise of acting within the realm of the law, ZLHR does so to deter and discourage such violations.

-zlhr

Farai Dziva|EU has expressed concern at the violation of human rights by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

Read full statement below:

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union

The situation has significantly deteriorated in Zimbabwe, with multiple reports of arbitrary detention and harassment, torture and inhuman treatment, including towards members of the opposition, restrictions on access to justice, and targeting of journalists and others investigating or speaking out against corruption.

The reported detention of untried prisoners in a maximum security prison together with convicted criminals suggests a serious violation of the principle of presumption of innocence.

Public declarations inciting disrespect, hatred or violence towards various parties including churches, civil society actors and representatives of diplomatic missions have also contributed to increased tensions and risks to individuals enjoyment of human rights.

The COVID-19 pandemic should not be used as an excuse to limit the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms of citizens in Zimbabwe, such as the freedom of expression, press freedom and freedom of assembly.

The EU reiterates our ambition to support Zimbabwe in implementing concrete political and economic reforms, but for these reforms to stand the test of time they require an environment ensuring an inclusive national dialogue, through which citizens can exercise all their human rights, including their freedoms of assembly, association and expression.

E.U Ambassador to Zimbabwe

1/Response to Chinamasa’s Statement.
Chinamasa is dishonest and it’s unfortunate. Three Cdes, myself, Mzembi and Zhuwao met @MYANC and whose deliberations and discussions remain privileged until the process is over.

2/ Attempts to personalize and malign will be ignored. The crisis is national in nature and cannot be reduced to individuals or factions. I am clear about how we should fix the legitimacy issues all round and will keep my eye on the ball. This is the main cause of our crisis.

3/ The cause of our national crisis is to deal with lack of constitutionalism at a party level and has manifested itself at a national level. Once constitutionality within the party is fixed it will cascade to the national level.

4/ The assault on the young generation must come to an end where political contestation is free, fair and credible. We must remove fear, hate, favour and patronage. Politics must always lead the gun. Vision, ideology and direction must be central to our total emancipation.

5/ I remain a card carrying member of the party until due process in carried in line with the party’s constitution. I remain committed to the unity of the party which is key to sustainable national development.

Farai Dziva|Saviour Kasukuwere has responded to claims that he is desperate to rejoin Zanu PF.

Acting Zanu PF Spokesperson, Patrick Chinamasa on Wednesday claimed Kasukuwere was desperate to rejoin the party.

Kasukuwere argued :
Response to Chinamasa’s Statement: Chinamasa is dishonest and it’s unfortunate. Three Cdes, myself, Mzembi and Zhuwao met
@MYANC
and whose deliberations and discussions remain privileged until the process is over.

The assault on the young generation must come to an end where political contestation is free, fair and credible. We must remove fear, hate, favour and patronage.

Politics must always lead the gun. Vision, ideology and direction must be central to our total emancipation.

I remain a card carrying member of the party until due process is carried out in line with the party’s constitution.

I remain committed to the unity of the party which is key to sustainable national development.

By A Correspondent- Leading claimant to the Ndebele throne Bulelani Lobengula KaMzilikazi has hit back at President Emmerson Mnangagwa over his statements that he will never allow the revival of the Ndebele Kingdom.

Bulelani’s spokesperson Bornman Khumalo told the media that Mnangagwa has no power to stop the revival of the Kingdom because Bulelani was appointed King and his role is to lead the promotion of the Ndebele culture.

Listen to the audio below:

Addressing a Zanu PF Midlands Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting in Gweru over the weekend, Mnangagwa said, “Zimbabwe is a republic, there are people who wanted to revive the Ndelebe Kingdom in Matabeleland, and we said no, we cannot have a kingdom in a republic.

“Zimbabwe is a republic, there can only be chiefs not kings, senior and junior, different levels but there are chiefs.

“I got a letter on Wednesday from the grandson of King Lobengula saying thank you President for recognising Matshobana Khumalo, my great, great uncle. That’s what is done.

“He did not write a letter saying he wants to be king. No, he wrote a letter appreciating how we have recognised a general of my grandfather Lobengula or Mzilikazi, that’s what is done.”

By A Correspondent- Government is considering appointing commissions to run the affairs of local authorities following the recall of councillors by MDC-T for insubordination and failing to recognise the leadership of Thokozani Khupe.

The recall has seen 84 councillors in Harare, Bulawayo, Marondera, Gwanda, Beitbridge and Victoria Falls affected.

The recalls have paralysed local authorities amid fears that the government would appoint commissions to ensure the continued operations of the affected local authorities.

Local Government minister July Moyo told said the recalls will affect the operations of the councils and said the ministry would sit with the affected authorities on how Government can assist. -businesstimes

President Mnangagwa yesterday challenged Zanu PF and its organs to lead the way in telling the Zimbabwean success stories to counter anti-Zimbabwe sentiments being peddled by the country’s detractors.

Addressing the 344th session of the Zanu PF Politburo meeting at the party headquarters in Harare yesterday, the President set the record straight on the recent visit by an African National Congress delegation from South Africa that came and engaged Zanu PF as sister parties, at an indaba that debunked the crisis narrative which fugitives and opposition functionaries would like to foist on Zimbabwe.

“Our people must be updated and made aware. The trend, whereby our detractors use popular culture and arts to attack and undermine our nation, unity, peace and value systems cannot be allowed to continue.

“Patriotic artists from across the country must be nurtured and appropriately empowered to facilitate the preservation of our national heritage, identity and pride,” he said.

Last week, the ANC sent a delegation led by its secretary-general, Cde Ace Magashule, which met Zanu PF following blatant misrepresentations on social media propagated by criminal G40 elements in South Africa and other parts of the continent.

The ANC delegation’s visit came after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa sent envoys to deliver a message, between Heads of State and Government, to his counterpart President Mnangagwa.

President Mnangagwa said ANC and Zanu PF continue to share experiences and strategies in view of the ongoing onslaught by detractors.

“As you are aware, the party received a delegation from our sister party, the ANC. We continue as former liberation movements to share experiences and other strategies in view of the ongoing onslaught by our detractors and neo-colonialists. Such solidarity and exchanges must be strengthened across all the leagues of our parties,” said President Mnangagwa.

He scoffed at some opposition parties, some churches and civic society organisations coveting to meeting the ANC delegation saying such attempts were futile and mere dreams.

“Presidential envoys remain Presidential envoys from one President to another. Party envoys remain party envoys from one party to another. Those who dream otherwise are allowed in democracy to dream,” said President Mnangagwa.

Zanu PF has said that “the party-to-party meeting” comes against a “backdrop of false claims that Zimbabwe is a nation in crisis”.-The Herald

MDC Alliance senior leader and former Midlands Senator, Lilian Timveos has visited the ailing Joana Mamombe at Borrowdale Halfway House where she is admitted.

A visibly sick Mamombe was dragged from her hospital bed to appear in court after a warrant of arrest was issued against her for absconding trial on Tuesday.

Posting on social media after visiting her, Timveos said Mamombe was in good spirits.

“Just coming from visiting Hon Mamombe from the Private Hospital she is in, happy to say she is in good spirits. We thank her for all the sacrifices and everything she has gone through for the Peoples Project.

“The Terrorist, Mafia Govt has tried their best to use all their dirty tricks, abducting, torturing, arresting, false accusations, making cooked up videos and every evil deed you can think of, but Alas The Peoples Mp remains resolute. Vanongoti Chamisa chete chete for President,” said Timveos.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa is fighting Nelson Chamisa because he is in dire need to prove his legitimacy, a soldier, whose audio targeting opposition MDC Alliance has claimed.

The unnamed soldier advices the opposition leader of what Mnangagwa is plotting in the forthcoming by- elections.

Click on the link below for the full message to Chamisa:

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s ex-wife, Marry Mubaiwa was dragged before the High Court after failing to settle US$6000 due to a local water delivery company.

The plaintiff is Hesno Holdings Private Limited trading as Water To You.

“Plaintiff and defendant entered into an agreement of sale in terms of which the plaintiff would supply water and the defendant would pay for the water supplied,” read court papers.

“The plaintiff is in possession of two detailed invoices of the quantity of water supplied and the total amount which is overdue.”

According to the summons, the invoices also indicate the dates the water was supplied, the quantity supplied as well as the amounts for each quantity supplied.

The company claims it is entitled to US$6 055 being the outstanding balance for the water supplied to the embattled former model.

The company says “despite several demands, defendant has failed, refused and or neglected to make payments”.

“Wherefore, plaintiff prays for payment in the sum of US$6 055 being outstanding balance for the water supplied, an order for interest on the said sum at the prescribed rate per annum from the date of issue of summons to date of final payment,” reads the summons.

By A Correspondent- Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has been appointed the leader of Government business in the Senate by President Mnangagwa.

She replaces national hero and former Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri who died in June.

The announcement of her appointment was made by Senate President Mable Chinomona before start of business yesterday.

According to Parliament’s website the authority of the Leader of Government Business is incorporated in the Standing Orders, which are rules governing the procedures of Parliament.

“The leader arranges the business of the house and also protects and defines the position of the Government. The Leader of Government Business in either case obtains approval from the President of the Senate or Speaker of the House of Assembly for any Minister who may wish to make a Ministerial Statement” reads part of a statement.

The Leaders of Government Business have a huge voice in the entire legislative process and they help determine the scope and content of the legislative programme for the session as well as the business of the week.

Meanwhile, Senators yesterday commended Government’s ongoing efforts to re-align the country’s laws with the new Constitution.

Senators said this during the Second Reading debate of the Attorney-General’s Amendment Bill that was eventually passed and now awaits the President’s signature.

Apart from that Bill, the Senate also passed the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Bill and the Finance Bill which also now await the President’s assent.

Contributing to the debate, MDC-T Senator Morgan Komichi thanked Government for re-aligning the laws.

“I want to thank the minister for his efforts in alignment of the laws and it was our wish that more laws should be brought to Parliament for alignment to the Constitution in line with what the people said in the process of producing it,” he said.

Senator Tichinani Mavetera said the alignment of the laws was also a fulfilment of what President Mnangagwa proposed during the official opening of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament last year.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- A Harare based water delivery company Hesno Holdings Private Limited trading as Water To You has hauled VP Chiwenga’s wife Marry, to court over failure to settle a $6000 bill.

According to the company, Marry has not paid her invoices despite promising to do so.

Said the company in its court application:

Plaintiff and defendant entered into an agreement of sale in terms of which the plaintiff would supply water and the defendant would pay for the water supplied. The plaintiff is in possession of two detailed invoices of the quantity of water supplied and the total amount which is overdue.

Despite several demands, defendant has failed, refused and or neglected to make payments. Wherefore, plaintiff prays for payment in the sum of US$6 055 being outstanding balance for the water supplied, an order for interest on the said sum at the prescribed rate per annum from the date of issue of summons to date of final payment.

The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA), Community Water Alliance (CWA) and the Member of Parliament Rusty Markham represented by Zimbabwe Human Rights Lawyer Honorable Tendai Biti, won the High Court Case on Devolution yesterday presided by Chief Justice Edith Mushore.

The order which was being sought by the applicants was that;

• The Ministry of Local Government to enact the laws envisaged in Chapter 14 of the Constitution and Section 301 of the Constitution actualizing and bringing in devolution.
• The Ministry of Local Government gazetted the Bill or Bills necessary to give effect to provisions of Chapter 14 of the Constitution and Section 301 of the Constitution.
• The High Court declared the actions by the  Minister of Local Government, July Moyo, of allocating ZW$400 million in 2019 and ZW$6 billion in 2020 using a formula only known to himself for different local authorities in Zimbabwe to be declared unlawful and in breach of the Constitution.
• The allocations done by The Minister of Local Government, July Moyo were declared a nullity because they were done in the absence of a legal framework to set up devolution and in the absence of metropolitan and provincial councils.

In October 2019 and November 2019 CHRA engaged the Ministry of Local Government requesting information on the policy framework that was guiding the allocations of the devolution funds but to no avail.

After failing to get a response from the Ministry of Local Government CHRA, HAMREF and Norton Residents Alliance petitioned Parliament calling for the enactment of laws governing revenue allocations and recommended shelving of the allocation of “devolution funds” until supporting legislation was put in place.

CHRA welcomes the Court Judgement as it provides an opportunity for residents to input to the legislation that will guide devolution and restoration of the rule of law in our local governance system.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son, Emmerson Tanaka, was allegedly duped of US$1 000 by a Harare man who promised to deliver suits for his wedding on August 25 last year.

Samson Mavhunga (31), who is charged with fraud, appeared before magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti yesterday and was remanded to September 22 for trial.

The court heard that sometime in May 2019, Mnangagwa met Mavhunga who indicated that he specialised in designing and supplying wedding suits.

Mnangagwa developed an interest since he was preparing for his wedding which was scheduled for August 25, 2019. The two exchanged phone numbers for communication purposes.

In June last year, Mnangagwa allegedly gave Mavhunga an order to supply five Italian-designed suits.

Mavhunga allegedly charged Mnangagwa US$3 500 for the five suits before he was paid $1 000 deposit, with the balance of US$2 500 to be paid upon delivery.

It is alleged Mavhunga promised to deliver the suits two weeks before the wedding day, but later became evasive, leading to his arrest.

Caroline Mutimusakwa appeared for the State.

-Newsday