By A Correspondent| There was pandemonium in Harare on Friday as Zanu PF hooligans violently disrupted a ZINASU media briefing on the Impala Car Rental rigmarole.

The marauding Zanu PF youths severely bashed ZINASU leaders as police officers watched.

The rowdy youths also attacked journalists covering the event and reportedly seized mobile phones and cameras belonging to some of the reporters.

They chased after a female reporter from Techmag TV as she sought cover inside her car, they took her car keys and handbag among other valuables which have not been recovered to date.

“The Zanu PF hooligans violently disrupted the ZINASU media briefing and they also attacked journalists covering the event,” a source told ZimEye.com.

The police did not act but kept protecting Impala Car rental premises.

Asked by one of the reporters who lost his gadgets on why they did not act or arrest the attackers, one of the police officers who was commanding the operation said they had no jurisdiction over the area as it fell under Rhodesville.

FOOTBALLER Kudzai Nyamupfukudza is at the centre of a domestic violence storm after his wife accused him of violent behaviour.

Pauline Nyamizinga is nursing injuries after he was reportedly attacked by the footballerfor confronting him over a series of cheating allegations last week.

Pauline told H-Metro on Thursday that the defensive midfielder , who belongs to CAPS United but currently on loan at Mambas, has been ‘playing’ hard on her.

“This has been happening for a long time, besides this recent incident. I tolerated it for so long but I have reached a point that I am now afraid that he can hurt me more or kill me.  People should now know how we have been living,” said Pauline.

Contacted for comment, Nyamupfukudza acknowledged that Pauline is his wife and that they have a dispute.

He, however, declined to comment saying he will give comment later, which he failed to do.

“Oh okay. Yes, I know her. But I need to think of what to respond to that issue.

“Can you call me later or I will come back to you,” he said.

Narrating her ordeal, Pauline said a misunderstanding ensued when she saw WhatsApp chats of Nyamupfukudza and his alleged girlfriends.

“What happened is I went to our rural area and when I came back our child was playing with Kudzai’s phone.

“So I took the phone like any other wife would do and I encountered his messages with some girls and started taking pictures of the chats while he was asleep.

“I then went to his brother’s place that same night since I was very angry but his brother insisted on us going back to our house for counselling.

When we arrived home, he didn’t want all of that. So I decided to find somewhere to go with my child to avoid unnecessary disputes,” said Pauline.

Pauline alleged that Nyamupfukudza punched her and knocked her to the ground when she decided to leave the house during the night.

“So I decided to take keys since he had an option of just locking from inside sleep. So he followed me and demanded the keys and started assaulting me.

“He knocked me to the ground and took the keys. I then phoned his brother who took me to their relative’s place,” she said.

The fed-up woman accused the footballer of being a serial cheater and that he reportedly turns violent when confronted.

“He is used to harass and assault me whenever I confront him about his cheating habits. We have a home together, we have a kid, he is loving and caring to his child but the fact that after cheating me he then assaults me, ndiri kutsva kumusana nepadumbu.

“I have been in pain for so many days now. My love for him will leave me crippled.

“I am afraid that he can infect me with STIs and I am now at a point that people out there should know his habit.-H-Metro

THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has quizzed Bulawayo City Council managers and the Mayor Councillor Solomon Mguni as it probes alleged corruption in the sale of stands as well as in procurement processes.

The investigating team arrived in Bulawayo on Wednesday to start the investigations.

The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) raised a red flag in what it believed was undue distribution of land to council officials.

Among others, the residents pressure group queried how the mayor was offered a plot in Rangemore and questioned the proposed allocation of a stand to Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube, under his conditions of service, ahead of the renewal of his contract.

The anti-graft team met with residents associations among other civil society organisations to kick-start the investigations.

The Zacc team is said to have started questioning council officials on Thursday and continued yesterday.

The investigators are said to have asked for some paperwork on council resolutions.

Cllr Mguni has been in the spotlight after council offered him a plot in Rangemore at a time when some urban councils elsewhere across the country are accused of illegal parcelling of land among other corruption activities.

Cllr Mguni said the Zacc team was not just investigating what residents perceived as irregular allocation of land but the investigation was all encompassing.

“It was basically about prevention of corruption by checking systems compliance to combat corruption. They touched on a number of issues that affect service delivery such as land sales, housing, procurement, health and water provision which affect the image of the city,” said Cllr Mguni.

He said the council was happy to receive the anti-graft commission in the city.

“We have now been given audience unlike before where people were relying on social media. Now we have an independent arm of Government coming in to get first hand information, to gather facts and not to conclude on speculations from social media users and outsiders. Whatever decision is going to be made is from an informed position and we also have been given an opportunity to give our side of the story,” he said.

Mr Dube said: “I can’t comment on Zacc investigations and outcomes of such investigations. May you kindly seek a comment from Zacc, it has its communication protocols and I can’t be seen to be talking on their behalf.”

Zacc spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure said it was too early to comment on the outcomes of the investigations.

“Investigations continue. The commission cannot share findings when investigations are yet to be completed,” said Comm Makamure.

Sources within council said the Zacc team interviewed not just the mayor and town clerk but others as well.

“They engaged all the heads of departments and senior managers in their investigations. It was not a witch hunt but they were professional in their investigations. We hope to hear the outcomes of their investigations soon,” said the source.

BPRA coordinator Mr Emmanuel Ndlovu said council’s bid to offer the Town Clerk another stand in the upmarket Selbourne Park suburb was unreasonable and ridiculous.

Mr Dube’s four-year contract is set to expire on September 30 but council has renewed it by another four years.

“As residents we are worried about the terms and conditions of renewal of the Town Clerk’s contract. Council was proposing to offer him 2,4 hectares at Selbourne Park adjacent to another property that he got from the same suburb when his contract commenced. We are saying this is a ridiculous endeavour and it is not reasonable to make those demands as part of his conditions of service,” said Mr Ndlovu.

“However, when Zacc went to investigate they discovered that the council has since reversed it.”

According to an extract of the council minutes dated August 7, 2020, the proposed conditions of service for the Town Clerk, in his renewed contract of employment effective October 1, 2020, were deliberated on by the General Purposes committees at its meeting held on July 29.

The committee resolved to recommend to council that the Town Clerk be offered a commercial stand, specifically Stand No. 14661 measuring 2,4407 hectares in Selbourne Park. The value of the stand was not stated.

The piece of land is adjacent to Stand No. 14662 which Mr Dube was offered as part of conditions of service in his initial contract, which is set to expire on September 30.

It was also resolved that the Town Clerk should be offered to buy his official vehicle at 25 percent of the netbook value at the end of his contract or termination through mutual agreement or for any other reason before it naturally comes to an end.

“However, because of the prevailing adverse economic conditions, which may make it difficult for council to buy another car for him, the Town Clerk proposed that he be offered one of the Bulawayo Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (BWSSIP) project vehicles, an Isuzu twin cab truck at 25 percent netbook value considering that the project would have been completed by end of 2021,” read the council minutes.

The committee resolved that the report on the conditions of service proposed by the Town Clerk be deferred to a later date to allow councillors to have time to digest the matter.

Mr Ndlovu, on behalf of BPRA, recently wrote a letter to the BCC’s Town Lands and Planning Committee venting his organisation’s anger at the council’s decision to offer Mr Dube the commercial stand, arguing that he already had one, which he was offered in his initial contract.

“We are very disturbed and concerned with this growing trend of council officials being given land when more than 121 000 residents remain on the council housing waiting list with no prospects of getting any land. To us, this comes across as criminal abuse of office as defined in section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act,” he said.

“We are of the view that there has been a noticeable trend between the Town Clerk and the Mayor doing each other favours at least reciprocal, one after the other.”
Mr Ndlovu said residents felt there was a need for the Town Clerk and the Mayor to declare what they already own in line with the Declaration of Assets and Interests Policy adopted by BCC and Section 198 of the Constitution.

-State Media

Following Friday’s attack on journalists and members of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) by plain clothed security personnel near Impala Car rental, Pachedu has unmasked one of the vehicles used by the thugs in their evil deeds.

The Toyota Noah, according to Pachedu was first spotted outside Impala Car rental at 1037hours before the students arrived to hold their press conference.

There were other vehicles including two Nissan Navara, a Land Cruiser that were milling around the Impala car rental premises ahead of the press conference.

“The Toyota Noah used by State thugs to abduct ZINASU President Takudzwa Ngadziore was first spotted outside Impala Car rental at 10:37am before the student activists were on the premises.

“More than 15 armed Police officers were also later dropped off,” said Pachedu.

ZIMBABWE has gone for seven consecutive days without recording any Covid-19 deaths amid reports that 35 new cases were recorded on Thursday.

Statistics from the Ministry of Health and Child Care show that the last two Covid-19 deaths were recorded on September 11 bringing the total number of deaths to 224.

Since the outbreak of the disease locally on March 21, 7 633 people have been infected and by Thursday, 77 percent of them had recovered.

The first Covid-19 death in Zimbabwe was recorded on March 21 after 30-year-old Zororo Makamba succumbed to the virus at Wilkins Hospital in Harare.

Harare remains the hardest hit province, accounting for 120 of the total deaths recorded in Zimbabwe and 3 219 of the confirmed cases.

Bulawayo on the other hand is the second most affected with 1 381 cases, 1 222 recoveries and 42 deaths followed by Matabeleland South with 757 cases, seven deaths and 574 recoveries.

Matabeleland North has the least confirmed cases in the country with 126 cases, three deaths and 107 recoveries followed by Mashonaland Central which has 181 cases, four deaths and 171 recoveries.

“No death was recorded in the last 24 hours and the 7-day average for the new cases goes up from 24 to 26.

A total of 35 new cases were recorded in the last 24 hours and two of them are returnees, one from Namibia and the other from South Africa,” read the statement from the Ministry.-Chronicle

ZION Christian Church leader Nehemiah Mutendi, one of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s closest allies, yesterday warned that the high levels of hunger in the country could trigger mass uprisings, hence the need for government to urgently address the issue.

Mutendi told Mnangagwa during a tour of Mbungo Estate in Masvingo that it was too risky for the nation to depend on donor food handouts, adding “a hungry man is ungovernable”.
“A hungry man is ungovernable. How can the nation depend on donations when we have our land?” he asked.

Besides high levels of poverty characterised by food shortages, job losses, currency volatility, Mnangagwa’s tenure has also been rocked by allegations of gross human rights abuses which have triggered recurrent opposition-led protests against his government.

Mutendi’s warning came at a time the World Food Programme has raised the red flag over food security in the country, once regarded as the breadbasket of southern Africa.
The United Nations agency has launched a campaign to raise more than US$250 million in emergency aid for starving Zimbabweans.

In a joint report released in April, the European Union, the Food and Agricultural Organisation, United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Unicef, United States Agency for International Development and World Food Programme said over seven millions Zimbabweans were food insecure.

Mutendi, who once told Mnangagwa that he should work with opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa to keep him under check, said there was urgent need to address the food situation in the country.

He, however, said some of the food shortages were engineered by Zanu PF rivals to incite anti-government protests.“It is a ploy by enemies to make people hungry and angry,” Mutendi said.

“This is no time to wait to be given a job by someone. You say there are no jobs when you have land. Why wait when you have land? Even on your small yard, plant something,” he added.

In his brief address, Mnangagwa, who denies that the country is in a crisis, accused the opposition of criticising him without proffering solutions to the problems facing the country.

“We have people in this country who just shout from morning to dusk talking of human rights.

They do not have time to see the good in their country. They look for the negatives.

We have organisations that do not preach peace, but violence,” he said.
“Before criticising others, look at yourself, introspect.”-NewsDay

Farai Dziva|There was pandemonium in Harare on Friday as Zanu PF hooligans violently disrupted a ZINASU media briefing on the Impala Car Rental rigmarole.

The marauding Zanu PF youths severely bashed ZINASU leaders as police officers watched.

The rowdy youths also attacked journalists covering the event and reportedly seized a mobile phone belonging to one of the reporters.

“The Zanu PF hooligans violently disrupted the ZINASU media briefing and they also attacked journalists covering the event,” a source told ZimEye.com.

Farai Dziva|Expelled Zanu PF official, Killer Zivhu has urged President Nelson Chamisa to form a new political entity in time for the 2023 polls.

According to Zivhu, President Chamisa has the political charisma and people will follow him wherever he goes.

Zivhu also blasted Thokazani Khuphe arguing her political establishment will melt like ice cream in the blazing sun.

Below is Zivhu’s analysis of political events in the country:

My brother Advocate Chamisa wezhira daidza MPs and Councillors vako wotanga new party ,yo supporters will always follow u.

Zvokudzingwa nomunhu wakarambiwa vevanhu hazvishandi.

MDC-T yakafanana nomunhu anoyeva ice cream kuchipisa ichingonyunguduka yatopera party iyo..”

Zivhu added:
“Nhaimi seyi kunyepera Government hanzi ndiyo inotipa nhamo.

Vamwe kubva panguva ya Smith usina kana chirugu chekuhu saka ED unopindira papi ipapo moda azobika sadza kumba kwenyu.Muchinyarawo vana nevamwe pedza nhamo yako woga.Chero pakatonga baba vako usina plan unongofa nenhamo

MDC-T leader mbuya Khuphe navamwe vavo vanoziva here nhamo ine vanhu munyika.

Why wasting money on by-elections when people are suffering like this, Kana munhu achipedzera shungu dzokusadiwa nevanhu pakudzinga elected councilors .Vose vanomusekerera hamupindi denga munevutsinye.”

Farai Dziva|Expelled Zanu PF official, Killer Zivhu has urged President Nelson Chamisa to form a new political entity in time for the 2023 polls.

According to Zivhu, President Chamisa has the political charisma and people will follow him wherever he goes.

Zivhu also blasted Thokazani Khuphe arguing her political establishment will melt like ice cream in the blazing sun.

Below is Zivhu’s analysis of political events in the country:

My brother Advocate Chamisa wezhira daidza MPs and Councillors vako wotanga new party ,yo supporters will always follow u.

Zvokudzingwa nomunhu wakarambiwa vevanhu hazvishandi.

MDC-T yakafanana nomunhu anoyeva ice cream kuchipisa ichingonyunguduka yatopera party iyo..”

Zivhu added:
“Nhaimi seyi kunyepera Government hanzi ndiyo inotipa nhamo.

Vamwe kubva panguva ya Smith usina kana chirugu chekuhu saka ED unopindira papi ipapo moda azobika sadza kumba kwenyu.Muchinyarawo vana nevamwe pedza nhamo yako woga.Chero pakatonga baba vako usina plan unongofa nenhamo

MDC-T leader mbuya Khuphe navamwe vavo vanoziva here nhamo ine vanhu munyika.

Why wasting money on by-elections when people are suffering like this, Kana munhu achipedzera shungu dzokusadiwa nevanhu pakudzinga elected councilors .Vose vanomusekerera hamupindi denga munevutsinye.”

Farai Dziva|There was pandemonium in Harare on Friday as Zanu PF hooligans violently disrupted a ZINASU media briefing on the Impala Car Rental rigmarole.

The marauding Zanu PF youths severely bashed ZINASU leaders as police officers watched.

The rowdy youths also attacked journalists covering the event and reportedly seized a mobile phone belonging to one of the reporters.

“The Zanu PF hooligans violently disrupted the ZINASU media briefing and they also attacked journalists covering the event,” a source told ZimEye.com.

Farai Dziva|There was pandemonium in Harare on Friday as Zanu PF hooligans violently disrupted a ZINASU media briefing on the Impala Car Rental rigmarole.

The marauding Zanu PF youths severely bashed ZINASU leaders as police officers watched.

The rowdy youths also attacked journalists covering the event and reportedly seized a mobile phone belonging to one of the reporters.

“The Zanu PF hooligans violently disrupted the ZINASU media briefing and they also attacked journalists covering the event,” a source told ZimEye.com.

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

It is sad that a friend journalist and elder Godwin Muzari took his own life. We all have our lows in life. But it’s no reason to die. @HStvNews we care. pic.twitter.com/Zo3iUvYxn7

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

Godfather.

To whom shall I send my Lifestyle copy? On Thursday afternoons, slightly after deadline.

Thank you for writing.

For teaching me and allowing me to express myself.

You were a peerless journalist, unassuming too.

Fambai zvakanaka Elder @GodwinMuzari. pic.twitter.com/VQBB5NFpV8

— Digital Mbizi (@leedzenga) September 18, 2020

Devastated to hear that journalist Godwin Muzari is no more. Not only one of our best music writers, but one with a big heart. This is him with Gogo Dembo in 2017, when our Leonard Dembo Fan Club visited her after a touching story he’d written on her. RIP Goddie ?? pic.twitter.com/mqXmeJtjmJ

— Ranga.?? (@RangaMberi) September 18, 2020

Was there something I could have said or done?
My brother #GodwinMuzari clearly masked a troubled soul. I tried to be a professional, moral and spiritual pillar. Real tragedy is that newsrooms and some families are ill-equiped to deal with mental health issues. #RIP, Godfather. pic.twitter.com/l2DHWiN6Ff

— Review & Mail News (@ReviewandMail) September 18, 2020

https://twitter.com/caesarzvayi/status/1306984767783661571?s=20

Farai Dziva|Expelled Zanu PF official, Killer Zivhu has urged President Nelson Chamisa to form a new political entity in time for the 2023 polls.

According to Zivhu, President Chamisa has the political charisma and people will follow him wherever he goes.

Zivhu also blasted Thokazani Khuphe arguing her political establishment will melt like ice cream in the blazing sun.

Below is Zivhu’s analysis of political events in the country:

My brother Advocate Chamisa wezhira daidza MPs and Councillors vako wotanga new party ,yo supporters will always follow u.

Zvokudzingwa nomunhu wakarambiwa vevanhu hazvishandi.

MDC-T yakafanana nomunhu anoyeva ice cream kuchipisa ichingonyunguduka yatopera party iyo..”

Zivhu added:
“Nhaimi seyi kunyepera Government hanzi ndiyo inotipa nhamo.

Vamwe kubva panguva ya Smith usina kana chirugu chekuhu saka ED unopindira papi ipapo moda azobika sadza kumba kwenyu.Muchinyarawo vana nevamwe pedza nhamo yako woga.Chero pakatonga baba vako usina plan unongofa nenhamo

MDC-T leader mbuya Khuphe navamwe vavo vanoziva here nhamo ine vanhu munyika.

Why wasting money on by-elections when people are suffering like this, Kana munhu achipedzera shungu dzokusadiwa nevanhu pakudzinga elected councilors .Vose vanomusekerera hamupindi denga munevutsinye.”

Farai Dziva|Expelled Zanu PF official, Killer Zivhu has urged President Nelson Chamisa to form a new political entity in time for the 2023 polls.

According to Zivhu, President Chamisa has the political charisma and people will follow him wherever he goes.

Zivhu also blasted Thokazani Khuphe arguing her political establishment will melt like ice cream in the blazing sun.

Below is Zivhu’s analysis of political events in the country:

My brother Advocate Chamisa wezhira daidza MPs and Councillors vako wotanga new party ,yo supporters will always follow u.

Zvokudzingwa nomunhu wakarambiwa vevanhu hazvishandi.

MDC-T yakafanana nomunhu anoyeva ice cream kuchipisa ichingonyunguduka yatopera party iyo..”

Zivhu added:
“Nhaimi seyi kunyepera Government hanzi ndiyo inotipa nhamo.

Vamwe kubva panguva ya Smith usina kana chirugu chekuhu saka ED unopindira papi ipapo moda azobika sadza kumba kwenyu.Muchinyarawo vana nevamwe pedza nhamo yako woga.Chero pakatonga baba vako usina plan unongofa nenhamo

MDC-T leader mbuya Khuphe navamwe vavo vanoziva here nhamo ine vanhu munyika.

Why wasting money on by-elections when people are suffering like this, Kana munhu achipedzera shungu dzokusadiwa nevanhu pakudzinga elected councilors .Vose vanomusekerera hamupindi denga munevutsinye.”

Farai Dziva|Rowdy Zanu PF youths seized a mobile phone from a Harare journalist as they violently disrupted a ZINASU media briefing on Friday.

Journalists covering the event were also assaulted by the Zanu PF youths.

The Zanu PF hooligans violently disrupted the media briefing on the Impala Car Rental rigmarole.

The marauding Zanu PF youths severely bashed ZINASU leaders as police officers watched.

The rowdy youths also attacked journalists covering the event and reportedly seized a mobile phone belonging to one of the reporters.

“The Zanu PF hooligans violently disrupted the ZINASU media briefing and they also attacked journalists covering the event,” a source told ZimEye.com.

 

Farai Dziva|There was pandemonium in Harare on Friday as Zanu PF hooligans violently disrupted a ZINASU media briefing on the Impala Car Rental rigmarole.

The marauding Zanu PF youths severely bashed ZINASU leaders as police officers watched.

The rowdy youths also attacked journalists covering the event and reportedly seized a mobile phone belonging to one of the reporters.

“The Zanu PF hooligans violently disrupted the ZINASU media briefing and they also attacked journalists covering the event,” a source told ZimEye.com.Also watch video below :

 

Paul Nyathi 

This is the man who led the attacks on ZimEye.com cameraman at the ZINASU President press conference at Impala Car Rental on Friday. Would you know who he is?

Paul Nyathi

A ZimEye.com cameraman and several other media personnel have been attacked and heavily beaten by ZANU PF Youth League members while filming a live press conference of Takudzwa Ngadziore the ZINASU President outside Impala Car Rental premises in Harare.

Watch the extremely disturbing incident in full in the video downloading below. Please be patient as the video downloads.

WATCH VIDEO- Anti riot Police deployed to protect #ImpalaCarRentals premises #TawandaMuchehiwa #Zimbabwe #Abduction @MakomboreroH @ngadziore @DrNyashaForMP @DMagombeyi pic.twitter.com/idc3J9UZCp

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 18, 2020

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.