Paul Nyathi

 Residents of Bulawayo have on recent months seen their children indulging in a highly intoxicating brew known as “Commander In Chief” and wondering where the brew is coming from.

Online media, Zim Morning Post has reported that Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Raj Modi is the person behind the manufacturing of illicit brew.

According to the media, Modi is making brisk business through the production of the illicit brew.

The brew is known as musombodhiya in street lingo and is composed of ethanol or methanol.

Musombodiya has caused several deaths especially in high density suburbs.

“Modi is behind the illicit brew manufacturing. He runs a plant where he produces a brew called Commander In Chief and he supplies the high density areas in Bulawayo. The beer costs US$1 and each case has 30 units,” said a highly placed source to the media.

Modi’s case comes after the tenant of cabinet minister Joram Gumbo, was arrested and police recovered five drums of ethanol and empty bottles labelled “Two Keys”.

Anadolu Agency

After casting his vote two years ago for Zimbabwe’s Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC), now Benard Mhere has grown bitter, accusing the ruling party of trying to destroy the MDC.

Mhere, 31, says openly that he feels betrayed.

Opposition being gradually decapitated

A resident of Glenview in the capital Harare, a constituency once dominated by the country’s opposition MDC party over the years, Mhere said he faces confusion as his party is gradually being elbowed out by what he calls “plots” by the country’s ruling Zimbabwe Africa National Union Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) “to get rid of the biggest opposition”.

“Soon, we will be left with no genuine opposition party in our country,” Mhere told Anadolu Agency.

In 2018, soon after the death of the opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, Nelson Chamisa moved in to assert himself as heir, a move that displeased Thokozani Khupe, once deputy president of the country’s biggest opposition party.

In 2019, Chamisa and his MDC Alliance held an elective congress where he was officially elected the party chair, battling to fend off the legitimacy crisis he faced after seizing the reins of power following the death of Tsvangirai from colon cancer.

Chamisa, who contested for presidency in the 2018 elections, did not accept the outcome of the elections which saw Emmerson Mnangagwa declaring victory.

Even as Chamisa approached the country’s Constitutional Court challenging the elections outcome, Mnangagwa was still declared winner by the same court, yet Chamisa and his MDC Alliance have remained adamant Mnangagwa stole the elections.

Zimbabwean president controls opposition

Apparently desperate for recognition as the man on the seat of power in this Southern African nation, Mnangagwa last year in May launched the Political Actors’ Dialogue (POLAD), comprising of political leaders drawn from the country’s opposition political parties.

Ostensibly, POLAD was meant to have opposition leaders proffer ideas on how Zimbabwe may address its economic woes, but with the country’s biggest opposition party, the MDC Alliance out of the arrangement, analysts have hugely dismissed POLAD as a ploy to destroy the opposition.

Yet, for ordinary MDC Alliance backers like Mhere, holder of a university degree in Information Technology, disgruntlement has become the order of the day as he witnesses the party he supports “facing a ruthless Zanu-PF”.

“Zanu-PF only wants to make sure MDC Alliance accedes to its leadership, which means the party by doing so would cease being an opposition, which MDC Alliance has refused to do,” said Mhere.

Zimbabwe’s leader for 1-party state

In fact, Zimbabwe’s pro-democracy activists like Claris Madhuku strongly believe “Mnangagwa is moving towards establishing a one-party State.”

Although Chamisa contested the 2018 polls under the MDC-Alliance, Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court ruling this year effectively stripped the top opposition leader of his claim over the country’s main faction of the MDC giving the reins to his nemesis, Thokozani Khupe.

Khupe had however participated in the polls under another faction of the MDC, and lost hugely after she managed to get only 45000 of the votes.

Opposition opposes opposition

Based on the Supreme Court ruling, Khupe who is a POLAD member formed by Mnangagwa then went on to fire MDC-Alliance parliamentarians and councilors who refused to accede to her leadership.

Now, to this, Alex Magaisa, a United Kingdom-based Zimbabwean academic and lecturer of law at the Kent Law School of the University of Kent, said ‘Mnangagwa’s strategic goal is not just a threat to the MDC Alliance as an institution, but to the very idea of political pluralism and serious opposition politics in Zimbabwe.’

“Mnangagwa’s dictatorial streak has been most evident in his tireless scheming to annihilate and take control of the main opposition political party, the MDC Alliance,” said Magaisa.

In June this year, Zimbabwe’s military and police helped Khupe to seize the MDC Alliance Headquarters in Harare, a move pro-democracy activist Owen Dhliwayo here said “unmasked Khupe as Mnangagwa’s ally in trying to destroy the genuine opposition.”

Ruling party in charge of opposition

In the face of Mnangagwa’s alleged maneuvers to swallow Zimbabwe’s main opposition considered to be the only serious threat to his power, Magaisa said that “dictators prefer to rule without opposition. If there is any opposition, they would like to control it.”

“For Mnangagwa, the strategic goal is very simple: to weaken the MDC Alliance by taking control of it through his surrogates,” said Magaisa.

To Zimbabwe’s opposition leaders like Wurayai Zembe, the head of the opposition Democratic Party, “one-party state has always been the governance agenda of Zanu-PF and its leaders since formation in 1963.”

But, Farai Gwenhure, an independent political analyst and law student at the University of South Africa, said Zimbabwe’s President Mnangagwa has no capacity to forge a one-party state.

“He [Mnangagwa] has no capacity to think that far; he is just a vindictive person who is revenging the humiliation of being called illegitimate by Chamisa; he is therefore going after him,” Gwenhuresaid, adding: “He is scared of a possible collaboration between the MDC Alliance and a disgruntled faction of his party [Zanu-PF].”

As such, said Gwenhure, to dismantle the possibility of the equation, the easier side to attack is the MDC Alliance because it is the one with no guns.

“A one-party state is not possible in Zimbabwe, you will have to butcher millions of people to achieve it,” added Gwenhure.

Ruling party always envisioned 1-party state

Yet, Rashweat Mukundu, the Africa adviser of Denmark-based NGO International Media Support, said: “Zanu-PF never abandoned its one-party state dream and Mnangagwa has embraced this with much energy.”

With the MDC Alliance facing extinction through Mnangagwa’s machinations, Mukundu also said: “Organized opposition maybe in disarray because of state repression, but anger and opposition by ordinary people has risen exponentially and Mnangagwa’s government faces the risk of protests by unorganized groups without anyone to negotiate with.”

For Zanu PF diehard backers like Taurai Kandishaya, the head of the Zimbabwe Citizens Forum — a civil society organization with links to Zanu-PF — the idea of a one-party state here is unfounded.

“There is no dream of a one-party state in a country with more than 100 opposition parties. Unless you are monopolizing opposition space to only Nelson Chamisa whose career died out of his own mistakes,” Kandishaya told Anadolu Agency.

Paul Nyathi

President Mnangagwa has wished a speedy recovery to the United States of America President Donald Trump who tested positive of Covid-19 together with his wife Melania recently.

Trump announced on Friday that he had tested positive of the virus whose global confirmed infections stand at 34 million.

President Mnangagwa wrote the message on his Twitter account @edmnangagwa.

“My best wishes to President Trump @realdonaldtrump and the First Lady @FLOTUS as they make a full recovery from COVID-19,” President Mnangagwa said.

The US has so far recorded 7,3 million Covid-19 cases and 208 000 deaths.

President Trump is the latest head of state to test positive to Covid 19.

Brazi’s President Jair Bolsonaro and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also caught the virus and have fully recovered.

By A Correspondent | A Mabelreign man was found dead last Thursday in Rusape.

The 33 year old, Michael Devere, an OK Zimbabwe employee’s death comes after he vanished in Harare’s Greencroft area on Monday.

He was an employee of OK Zimbabwe Greencroft branch where he was a supervisor.

He wanted to buy something he had seen on social media, so had left home Monday morning for the nearby shops while wearing blue jeans, a striped t-shirt and brown shoes. Soon after that he became unreachable, a source said.

An SOS for his whereabouts was later posted on Tuesday morning after his workmates had phoned his home to inquire on reasons for his failure to turn up for work.

His brother, Petros later announced on Wednesday, on social networking website, Facebook, as follows:

Mike was found dead in Rusape. His body [some words redacted], a family friend, Chrison Brighton, told ZimEye.

ZimEye is making a follow up investigation.

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State Media

Makore Villagers are still shocked at the efforts the murder accused uncle to a seven year old murdered boy had put in the search of the boy once he had been declared missing. He had been leading in the search and was a pillar of strength to his young brother constantly assuring him that they will find the boy alive.

He even had the temerity to chastise his young brother’s wife for being careless in Tapiwa’s disappearance. But alas! After playing a leading role in the search the elder brother to the boy’s father turned out to be one of the chief murder suspect.

Blood-stained clothes were found in one of his rooms.

Tapiwa Makore (senior), had earlier commendably assisted at the funeral. At one point, he reportedly got emotional, accusing the boy’s mother Ms Munyori of being irresponsible as mystery on the whereabouts of the boy deepened.

As fate would have it, his luck ran out.Some relatives assigned to clean his house stumbled upon a pair of trousers and a shirt stained with blood. They immediately tipped off detectives who were all over the village investigating the boy’s murder.

Circumstantial evidence pointed to him as the architect of the crime who had instructed Shamba to kill the boy.

In an interview, the boy’s mother broke down narrating how her brother-in-law had harassed her threatening to beat her up at the funeral for failing to account for the boy.

“He once threatened to beat me up, accusing me of being irresponsible and failing to account for my missing son. You can even ask my husband and other relatives who heard him threatening me, but to my surprise he is the one who was picked up by the police for murder,” she said sobbing.

Equally at a loss of words, was the boy’s father Mr Munyaradzi Makore. He said his brother had been a pillar of strength during the search and he remained optimistic that the boy would be found alive.

“It’s difficult to believe that my own brother who had been with me throughout the search and funeral, turned out to be a suspect in the murder case. We were together on Thursday night (September 24) searching for my son. He would strengthen me, with words of hope that the boy could be alive somewhere,” he said.

When asked what could have led to his brother allegedly killing his nephew, Tapiwa’s father was at a loss of words. He too was surprised because there was no bad blood between the two families as they enjoyed cordial relations as evidenced by naming the boy Tapiwa after his elder brother.

On burial arrangements, Mr Makore (junior) said DNA samples had been taken from the boy’s mother and they were initially told to wait between two and three weeks for the results.

“We have paid US$330 and we hope to pay the balance on collection of the results. The results will determine the burial date.

“If the torso is indeed his, then we may proceed to bury the available parts of the body, but it is strange. Burying a headless body?” the boy’s father said shaking his head.

A villager Mr Summer Murwira was the first to discover the torso that was being dragged by his dog at his homestead last Friday morning.

“Early Friday morning, I was brushing my teeth outside the house when a female relative came telling me that Tapiwa was missing. Just after she left, I saw our black puppy dragging a torso, but we could not easily tell whose it was. However, I could tell that it was indeed a mutilated human body. I called other villagers and we resolved to send a message to the Makore family who were searching for their missing child.

“When the relatives came, the trail left by the puppy led us to the spot where the torso had been dropped. We then noticed blood spots and immediately reported the matter to the police,” said Mr Murwira.

But what kind of boy was Tapiwa and how did he relate to his peers in the area?

Tafadzwa Shamba narrates how he entered a kitchen hut at Tapiwa Makore’s (senior) homestead to collect food for the boy

The Herald visited Nyamutumbu Primary School where he was a Grade One pupil. Staff at the school described him as a well-behaved, intelligent and highly promising pupil who had a bright future. They just could not understand how his life had been cut short and for what reason as he was an exemplary pupil

“Tapiwa was a promising young boy, dedicated to school work, well-behaved and respectful. It’s sad that he passed on at such a young age. His attendance at school was excellent considering that most children in these rural communities absent themselves for no good reason.

“He was very social and he would interact well others here at school,” said one of his teachers.

Sources at the school said the headmaster had since written to the district education offices seeking authority to end lessons early to allow pupils to walk home before sunset.

“We have some pupils who walk long distances for up to three hours to get home. I understand our headmaster has since written to the district office requesting to be allowed to end lessons at 3pm daily.

“This arrangement will ensure all children get home early for security reasons,” said a source.

The Herald also tracked down the alleged murderer’s relatives, the Shamba family.

In an interview at Chinyani Village in Murehwa, Mr Gaylord Shamba, younger brother to Tafadzwa’s late father, said the family was engaging the Makore family.

“We engaged the Makore family through our councillor and they welcomed us. They understood the fact that one deviant person cannot spoil the whole clan. We attended the funeral and provided loads of firewood and some maize meal. That is not enough, we intend to continue assisting until burial,” he said.

Mr Shamba said the family was ready to compensate the Makore family.

Paul Nyathi

Driving to Makore Village under Chief Mangwende in Murehwa, children no longer talk to strangers no matter any amount of cajoling. The message has sunk, don’t talk to strangers lest you meet Tapiwa’s fate.

The recent ritual murder of Tapiwa Makore, has instilled fear among the young and elderly villagers alike who have since strongly warned their children against entertaining strangers, especially motorists.

In the same week, another human head was also found in the village and the identity is yet to be established.

The Herald struggled to get to the Makore homestead as most people, especially children, coming from school were reluctant to assist with directions.

Luckily a visibly drunk man came to the rescue and offered to lead The Herald team to the homestead.

On arrival at the homestead, most villagers were angry, emotional and debating as to the possible reasons of the murder. This was complete abomination to them. They were aghast at the manner in which the remains of the boy had been discovered after he had gone missing.

A torso believed to be his was found being dragged by a neighbour’s dog. The head and other parts of the body were missing. Arms and legs were later found following a spoor.

That was not all. The dogs had also dragged a human head, which, according to medical practitioners, belongs to a person who should be around 12 years old.

The boy’s uncle Tapiwa Makore (senior) and his employee Tafadzwa Shamba have been arrested in connection with the murder.

Extracted From State Media

Paul Nyathi

Government has indefinitely suspended by-elections to fill vacancies in Parliament and local authorities as the country is still to weather the Covid-19 pandemic storm, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the Minister of Health and Child Care, has announced.

This was published in the Government Gazette published on October 2 under Statutory Instrument (SI) 225A of 2020.

In the SI 225A of 2020, the Minister of Health and Child Care VP Chiwenga said the suspension will stand during the period of the declaration of Covid-19 as a formidable epidemic disease.

“Pursuant to the subsection (2), the holding of any by-election to fill a casual vacancy in Parliament or in a local authority is, for the duration of the period of the declaration of Covid-19 as a formidable epidemic disease, suspended, and if such vacancy occurred while such declaration is in force, no part of the period from the date of such vacancy to the date of the end of declaration shall be counted for the purposes of Section 158(3) of the Constitution” read the SI.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission recently announced that there were 15 vacancies in Parliament that needed to be filled through by-elections following National Assembly recalls by the MDC-T.

Besides the suspension of the by elections, the ruling ZANU PF is this weekend going ahead holding primary elections to choose candidates to contest both the local goverment and House of Assembly elections for the party.

THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) had set December 5 this year as the day for the holding of all by-elections for seats that fell vacant as a result of the recall of mostly opposition MDC Alliance MPs and councillors.

The other vacant seats are for deceased MPs and councillors from Zanu PF, the MDC Alliance and one from the National Patriotic Front.

Another vacant seat is that of expelled Zanu PF Chivi South MP, Killer Zivhu.

ZEC chairperson Priscilla Chigumba confirmed the dates.

“Activities shall resume on 7 October with the proposed nomination court set to sit on 9 October to fill vacancies of the recalled Members of Parliament and councillors and ZEC looking to hold all by-elections on 5 December,” she said last week.

Paul Nyathi

MDC-T leader Dr Thokozani Khupe has bounce back in Parliament after her name was part of 15 others the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) gazetted yesterday as people seconded by her party to fill in seats in the National Assembly and Senate that fell vacant after the recall of some legislators.

Khupe and her MDC-T collegues were approved into the two houses by ZEC chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba besides massive objections from members of the public.

Chigumba had invited voters with objections to lodge them with her office before the nominations were confirmed.

Over 000 voters responded to the call to send in objections .

Zec chief elections officer Utloile Silaigwana confirmed to media last week that the electoral body had received the objections and was in the process of verifying if they complied with the terms of the Electoral Act.

“We have received the volumes of objections, but as you might be aware, the closing date for their receipt was yesterday (Friday last week), so we have not gone through them as yet. We have to verify to see if they were submitted in terms of the electoral law. If they are valid, there is a provision to disqualify someone from occupying the seat,” Silaigwana said.

According to the Electoral Act, as soon as possible after the last day for the lodging of objections, if no objection to the party-list candidate has been received or, having considered every objection received, it finds that there are no valid grounds for objecting to the candidature, Zec must notify the public by notice in the Government Gazette that the person nominated to fill the vacancy has been appointed as a Senator or member of the National Assembly.

It provides that “having considered every objection received, and having found that there are valid grounds for objecting to the candidature, afford the political party concerned to make representations on the matter”.

“If, having considered any representations of the political party received in terms of subsection (7)(b), the Commission is still of the view that there are valid grounds for objecting to the candidature, the Commission shall proceed in accordance with subsection (4)(a), and subsections (5), (6) and (7) shall thereafter apply until a qualified person is identified to fill the vacancy concerned,” the Act reads.

On Friday, Chigumba, announced, in the extraordinary gazette, the appointment of seven proportional representation parliamentarians, including Khupe to Parliament.

Other proportional representative MPs who were appointed are Musarurwa Yvonne, Moyo Lindani, Sawuke January, Munochinzwa Memory, Sibanda Lwazi, Mokone Sipho, and senators Tamani Moyo, Piniel Denga, Kalpani Pugeni, Gertrude Moyo, Chief Ndlovu, Nomalanga Khumalo and Teti Chisorochengwe.

By A Correspondent| Zanu PF youth leader Tendai Chirau has declared war on the CFI guards who allegedly killed their member for trespassing yesterday.

Posting on Twitter, Chirau said they are going to CFI to get answers on the incident which happened yesterday afternoon.

“Cde auraya one wedu auraya tose… the guard and the guarded have a lot to explain. CFI we are paying a visit to you. We need answers,” said Chirau.

ZIMBABWE has the 13th highest suicide rate in the world amid reports that cases have been on the rise, making suicide the 14th leading cause of death in the country.

According to a mental wellness organisation- Create Zim, in the last five years more men have resorted to suicide compared to women.

Defined as the act of intentionally causing one’s own death by ingesting pesticide, hanging or using firearms; suicide is a result of mental disorders including depression, psychosis and substance use disorder.

Some of the causes include feelings of hopelessness for better outcomes.

Medical experts say serious depression can be effectively controlled with modern drugs and other medical techniques, but it is necessary that those who are drifting into suicidal depression are identified and referred to competent medical practitioners or psychiatry specialists as early as possible.

“CreateZim endeavours to provide the rare opportunity to have necessary conversations, while simultaneously creating safe spaces both through location-based sessions run by the enterprise as well as an interactive online platform. Based on our suicide rate, Zimbabwe is ranked the 13th in the world and the scourge is the 14th leading cause of death in Zimbabwe,” read a statement from the organisation.

Acting Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said suicide cases in the city were alarming and called on members of the public to consider counselling before taking their own lives.

She said teenagers had also contributed a lot of the reported cases which was reflection of a social disintegration.

“Cases of suicide in Bulawayo are at an alarming rate and the scourge is even common in teenagers. The sad part is most of them who commit suicide do not leave written account of what would have caused the suicide,” said Asst Insp Msebele.

“Some people believe their problems cannot be solved and ending their lives is the best solution.

“Problems which normally drive people to take their lives include economic hardships, sexual offences which may land one in jail and other social problems that people struggle to accept.”

According to Asst Insp Msebele, community leaders, church leaders and non-government organisations are ever willing to offer support and counselling for anyone in need of the services.

“We also encourage parents, guardians and school teachers to monitor the behaviour of those under their care, to question suspicious behaviour and try to control the situation before it reaches another level. As police we are also there to offer help because we cannot continue losing lives unnecessarily.”

-State Media

MDC-T leader Dr Thokozani Khupe was yesterday declared a Member of Parliament following the conclusion of nominations and expiry of objections period, according to yesterday’s government gazette.

Khupe appointment also coincided with the gazetting of SI 225 of 2020 which indefinitely suspended the holding of by-elections until the Covid-19 pandemic is over.

Commenting on the Khupe appointment,Piers Pigou had this to say;

“With no sense of shame, Khupe and her gang usurp parliamentary seats without having secured the votes for them. Zimbabwe ‘democracy’ stinks further into the cesspool.”

By Jane Mlambo| Yesterday, government gazetted a new Statutory Instrument 225 of 2020 which suspends the holding of by-elections during the period of the pandemic Covid-19.

According to the gazetted SI 225 of 2020, Chiwenga invoked the Public Health Act to block by-elections which had earlier been earmarked for the 5th of December.

“Pursuant to subsection (2), the holding of any by-elections to fill a casual vacancy in parliament or in a local authority is for the duration of the period of the declaration of COVID-19 as a formidable epidemic, suspended, and if such a vacancy occurred while such declaration is in force, no part of the period from the date of such vacancy to the date of the end of the declaration shall be counted for the purposes of section 158(3) of the constitution,” reads SI 225 of 2020.

However political analysts have accused government of abusing Covid-19 pandemic to close the democratic space.

“Critics warned that COVID19 would present an opportunity for dictators to mount an assault on democracy. Statutory Instrument 225A effectively banning by-elections in Zimbabwe is living proof of it. Mnangagwa is lifting restrictions in other areas, but not in elections,” said Dr Alex Magaisa, a political commentator.

Electoral lobby group, Elections Resouce Centre said the independence of ZEC had been tempered with something they said was worrying.

The Minister of Health has suspended by-elections in Zimbabwe for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The independence of the @ZECzim has been cast into doubt with the Minister of Health now regulating electoral activities,” the organisation said.

Driving to Makore Village under Chief Mangwende in Murehwa, children no longer talk to strangers no matter any amount of cajoling. The message has sunk, don’t talk to strangers lest you meet Tapiwa’s fate.

The recent ritual murder of Tapiwa Makore, has instilled fear among the young and elderly villagers alike who have since strongly warned their children against entertaining strangers, especially motorists.

In the same week, another human head was also found in the village and the identity is yet to be established.

A torso believed to be his was found being dragged by a neighbour’s dog. The head and other parts of the body were missing. Arms and legs were later found following a spoor.

That was not all. The dogs had also dragged a human head, which, according to medical practitioners, belongs to a person who should be around 12 years old.

Detectives questions Tafadzwa Shamba over a pair of blood-stained trousers found at his employer’s homestead during investigations

The boy’s uncle Tapiwa Makore (senior) and his employee Tafadzwa Shamba have been arrested in connection with the murder.

What surprised the community was the efforts the uncle had put in the search of the boy once he had been declared missing. He had been leading in the search and was a pillar of strength to his young brother constantly assuring him that they will find the boy alive.

He even had the temerity to chastise his young brother’s wife for being careless in Tapiwa’s disappearance. But alas! After playing a leading role in the search the elder brother to the boy’s father turned out to be one of the chief murder suspect.
Blood-stained clothes were found in one of his rooms.

Tapiwa Makore (senior), had earlier commendably assisted at the funeral. At one point, he reportedly got emotional, accusing the boy’s mother Ms Munyori of being irresponsible as mystery on the whereabouts of the boy deepened.

As fate would have it, his luck ran out.

Some relatives assigned to clean his house stumbled upon a pair of trousers and a shirt stained with blood. They immediately tipped off detectives who were all over the village investigating the boy’s murder.

Circumstantial evidence pointed to him as the architect of the crime who had instructed Shamba to kill the boy.
In an interview, the boy’s mother broke down narrating how her brother-in-law had harassed her threatening to beat her up at the funeral for failing to account for the boy.

“He once threatened to beat me up, accusing me of being irresponsible and failing to account for my missing son. You can even ask my husband and other relatives who heard him threatening me, but to my surprise he is the one who was picked up by the police for murder,” she said sobbing.

Equally at a loss of words, was the boy’s father Mr Munyaradzi Makore. He said his brother had been a pillar of strength during the search and he remained optimistic that the boy would be found alive.

“It’s difficult to believe that my own brother who had been with me throughout the search and funeral, turned out to be a suspect in the murder case.

We were together on Thursday night (September 24) searching for my son. He would strengthen me, with words of hope that the boy could be alive somewhere,” he said.

When asked what could have led to his brother allegedly killing his nephew, Tapiwa’s father was at a loss of words. He too was surprised because there was no bad blood between the two families as they enjoyed cordial relations as evidenced by naming the boy Tapiwa after his elder brother.

On burial arrangements, Mr Makore (junior) said DNA samples had been taken from the boy’s mother and they were initially told to wait between two and three weeks for the results.

“We have paid US$330 and we hope to pay the balance on collection of the results. The results will determine the burial date.

“If the torso is indeed his, then we may proceed to bury the available parts of the body, but it is strange. Burying a headless body?” the boy’s father said shaking his head.

A villager Mr Summer Murwira was the first to discover the torso that was being dragged by his dog at his homestead last Friday morning.

“Early Friday morning, I was brushing my teeth outside the house when a female relative came telling me that Tapiwa was missing. Just after she left, I saw our black puppy dragging a torso, but we could not easily tell whose it was. However, I could tell that it was indeed a mutilated human body. I called other villagers and we resolved to send a message to the Makore family who were searching for their missing child.

“When the relatives came, the trail left by the puppy led us to the spot where the torso had been dropped. We then noticed blood spots and immediately reported the matter to the police,” said Mr Murwira.

But what kind of boy was Tapiwa and how did he relate to his peers in area.

The Herald visited Nyamutumbu Primary School where he was a Grade One pupil. Staff at the school described him as a well-behaved, intelligent and highly promising pupil who had a bright future.

They just could not understand how his life had been cut short and for what reason as he was an exemplary pupil
“Tapiwa was a promising young boy, dedicated to school work, well-behaved and respectful. It’s sad that he passed on at such a young age.

His attendance at school was excellent considering that most children in these rural communities absent themselves for no good reason.

“He was very social and he would interact well others here at school,” said one of his teachers.

Sources at the school said the headmaster had since written to the district education offices seeking authority to end lessons early to allow pupils to walk home before sunset.
“We have some pupils who walk long distances for up to three hours to get home. I understand our headmaster has since written to the district office requesting to be allowed to end lessons at 3pm daily.

“This arrangement will ensure all children get home early for security reasons,” said a source.

The Herald also tracked down the alleged murderer’s relatives, the Shamba family.
In an interview at Chinyani Village in Murehwa, Mr Gaylord Shamba, younger brother to Tafadzwa’s late father, said the family was engaging the Makore family.

“We engaged the Makore family through our councillor and they welcomed us. They understood the fact that one deviant person cannot spoil the whole clan. We attended the funeral and provided loads of firewood and some maize meal. That is not enough, we intend to continue assisting until burial,” he said.
Mr Shamba said the family was ready to compensate the Makore family.

-Herald

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has penalized a Chinese brick manufacturing firm after it failed to submit weekly cash sales and deposits in line with measures to stem money laundering. In June, the Financial Intelligence Unit—an arm of RBZ— served Silver Dragon with an order in which it had to make disclosures in line with Section 11 of the Bank Use Promotions Act.

The disclosure order was personally served by Emmanuel Dengedze to the director of Silver Dragon Bricks who acknowledged receipt of the order by signing. But the Chinese firm failed to adhere to the disclosure order which required it to submit to the Bank Use and Suppression of Money Laundering Unit of the RBZ on a weekly basis, cash sales and deposits and of each previous week business transactions.

Silver Dragon is in the business of retailing and selling its products on a cash basis to the public. There are, however, indications that from June 30 to September 1, 2020, the brick firm did not submit such returns to the RBZ for 42 days after subtracting Sundays and public holidays.

“We were fined and we are in the process of communicating with the RBZ on the disclosure issues,” Silver Dragon Bricks director Miaoqi Liu told Business Times.

RBZ also recently launched a blitz on errant retail pharmaceutical companies that have been resisting its directive on disclosures issued beginning of July this year.

The latest blitz saw various pharmaceutical bosses being dragged before the courts. Other companies that have since been brought before the courts over failure to adhere to the disclosure issue include JT Hardware, Manhattan Interiors, Farm Distributors and popular wholesaler Zapalala.

The central bank is putting in place stringent measures aimed at plucking out externalization of funds, which has seen close to US$1bn being siphoned out of the country since the dollarisation of the country’s economy.

In 2018, the government published a list of more than 1 800 companies and individuals alleged to have externalized more than US$800m.

The penalty on Silver Dragon will bring the spotlight on Chinese firms that have long been accused of doing business on a cash basis and not banking the money.

Several Chinese firms stand accused of unfair labor practices contrary to their “all-weather friend” tag. Beijing, however, sees Zimbabwe as an equal partner and plans to rescue the Southern African nation from the socio-economic crisis.

-Harare Live

A SOMBRE atmosphere engulfed the Masvosva area on the outskirts of Rusape after a vicious gang of eight armed robbers stormed Mr Boars Mamutse’s homestead and axed him to death over lobola and burial society money.

The gang members appeared to have inside information on the Mamutse family of Gweremwezhe Village under Headman Masvosva.

The gangsters demanded a share of the lobola money that had been paid to the family in August.

They also demanded that Mr Mamutse (60), who was the Masvosva Village Burial Society’s treasurer, surrenders all the monthly subscriptions he had collected.

Rusape District police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Muzondiwa Clean confirmed the incident that occurred on Sunday.

He appealed for information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects.

It is alleged that Mr Mamutse and his wife, Ms Thandiwe Makuyana, were in the kitchen hut, while their two daughters — Caroline and Tarisai — were preparing supper in another room when the killer gang pounced on them.

The gangsters had their faces covered with balaclavas while they were armed with knives, machetes and logs.

Upon storming the kitchen, one of them manhandled Mr Mamutse, ordering him to surrender all the money he had.

Mr Mamutse told them that he had no money in the house, but the gang viciously attacked him and his wife.

“Two members of the gang force-marched Ms Makuyana to the other room where her daughters were preparing supper. The criminals tied the three’s hands at their backs using a rope.

“The other gang members continued assaulting Mr Mamutse and demanding money,” said Assistant Inspector Clean.

Mr Mamutse tried to wrestle one of the assailants but was overpowered and struck with an axe once on the nose.

“Mr Mamutse collapsed and the gang dragged him to his bedroom. They continued assaulting him on the head.

The gang then stole US$7 that was in Mr Mamutse’s suitcase and an unknown figure of Zimbabwean dollars,” said Assistant Inspector Clean.-Manica Post

One Zanu PF Youth League member died on the spot while nine others were injured with two battling for life at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital after they were shot by guards manning offices at a housing scheme in Ushewokunze suburb, Harare South, on Thursday for allegedly trespassing.

The youths were reportedly coming from the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport where they had gone to bid farewell to Malawian President Dr Lazarus Chakwera at the end of his two-day State visit.

When the youths arrived at a housing project, which is being developed by CFI Holdings, they were informed that one of their colleagues, identified as Tonderai Marongwe, had been arrested by guards manning the property in Ushewokunze.

It is said when they went to the CFI offices to inquire about their fellow Youth League member’s arrest, they were chased away by armed guards who fired shots.

Ten youths were resultantly hit by gunfire and one of them died on the spot while nine others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the shooting, saying two security guards had since been arrested.

Investigations into the matter are in progress. “We confirm that one person was shot and died while other people were injured.

“Two guards have been picked by police in connection with the incident. It seems there was a dispute between some youths and some cooperative members which resulted in the shooting incident.

“Two guards are currently in police custody and investigations are in progress. Reports are that these guards are contracted by CFI. Nine suspects were arrested for criminal trespass, but what is clear is that there are land disputes in that area,” he said.

When The Herald arrived at the scene yesterday, Zanu PF youths were gathered outside the CFI offices singing revolutionary songs. They said the shootings were unfair as they did nothing wrong.

Zanu PF District Coordinating Committee (DCC) secretary for economic affairs Zone 6, Cde Victor Mhazi Zindonda, narrated the circumstances.

Cde Zindonda alleged that the deceased was arrested for trespassing on CFI property after returning from the airport.

After being informed of the arrest of the deceased, the youths went to the CFI offices for inquiries where an altercation ensued with the guards.

“The youths came to me and told me that Tonderai Marongwe had been arrested by the guards at Cresta. We then went with other comrades to inquire on what had happened.

“We were not armed and I told my fellow comrades not to be violent. When we arrived we asked why they had arrested Tonderai and they refused to talk to us. They told us to wait while they made a phone call and to our surprise they opened fire,” he said.

Cde Zindonda said they were shocked by the guards’ actions as they had gone to the offices in peace.

Zanu PF acting national spokesperson Cde Patrick Chinamasa said he was not aware of the shootings.

“I do not have the facts yet. Whoever shot them has committed a criminal offence and must face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

When reached for comment, CFI company secretary Mr Panganayi Hare asked for written questions, but did not respond and was not reachable. -Herald

ELISE Glahdill High School’s headmaster, Andrew Mvere, escaped death by a whisker after gunshots were fired at him as he was poaching game at a Headlands farm.

Mvere (56) was arrested together with Samuel Chimbo and Million Sanyamakomba.

The trio recently appeared before Rusape magistrate, Ms Rufaro Mangwiro, and they were granted $3 000 bail each.

The trial has been set for 16 November.

The three were represented by Mr Walter Mangwende of Chiwanza and Partners Legal Practitioners.

It is alleged that on September 8, the three drove to Mezzi Estate at night.

When the trio came across a security guard identified as Edison Bvumba, Chimbo fired a single shot in the air. He ordered Bvumba not to alert the farm owners, Messers Craig and Eric Coleman.

Prosecuting, Ms Theresa Mangwende said, “The three then drove off to continue with their mission. Bvumba then called the farm owners. Craig teamed up with Eric to track the trio. When the accused persons saw Craig’s vehicle lights, they drove towards another farm, but the farm owners gave chase.

“Craig fired a warning shot but the trio did not stop. The second shot hit the vehicle’s loading box but the poachers continued driving. When Eric fired another shot, the trio finally stopped,” said Ms Mangwende.

Headlands police were alerted, thereby leading to the arrest of the accused persons-Manica Post

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance Secretary General, Hon Charlton Hwende has sternly warned Mr Douglas Mwonzora against working with Zanu PF to thwart the struggle for democracy.

Hon Hwende also literally ruled out the possibility of talks with Mr Mwonzora and Thokozani Khupe.

“There will be no talks between democrats and those working with Zanu-PF to slow down the Democratic Agenda in this Country.

We are happy that we have flushed out spies, CIOs and Collaborators from the opposition.

The Continued onslaught on our MPs and Councillors which has resulted in 10 MPs being illegally recalled by Douglas Mwonzora acting unilaterally and in connivance with
@edmnangagwa
@ZANUPF_Official
will have serious financial and political consequences on Mwonzora as a person,” Hon Hwende wrote on Twitter.

Farai Dziva|Marondera Central MP Hon Caston Matewu has said he will not be distracted by the recall from Parliament.

In his statement, Hon Matewu accused Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora of betraying the people’s struggle.

See statement below :

STATEMENT ON THE RECALLING FROM PARLIAMENT

Good Afternoon Marondera

Today as expected I have been recalled from Parliament by ThokoZANU Khupe.

The announcement was done by the Speaker of Parliament Adv Jacob Mudenda.

Firstly allow me to pay gratitude to the people of Marondera for the hope and trust you bestowed in me to represent your interests in the Parliament of Zimbabwe; it has been an absolute privilege.

Cdes and Friends, the crisis in Zimbabwe is not about person political or personal benefit; it is about the economic emancipation of the people of our great country and Marondera Central is no exception. In Parliament I have debated and taught on many issues that concern us as a town and indeed the Country. I will continue to fight for these issues as long as ZANU Pf continues to drive this country into the doldrums of extreme poverty.

Marondera!! It has never been about me personally but about us as a community. We desire a government that will listen to the needs of its people; a government that will adequately protect and pay its civil servants from teachers, police, soliders and the whole fraternity. It would have been easy to submit to Khupe and remain in Parliament; BUT make no mistake, it was never about me but about you the good and gracious people of Marondera Central.

I was elected under the able leadership of President Nelson Chamisa who I wholeheartedly believe will deliver this country to the land of milk and honey that we beseech. I remain and stand by President Nelson Chamisa.

Marondera Central; our very voice that you proclaimed in 2018 has been beaten BUT it will never be silenced. In the two years I have had a lot happen to me including the merciless shooting at my house. I have never shaken and I will continue to be that voice. They may remove me from the Parliament building but they can never remove me from the hearts and people of Marondera.

Cdes and friends, we live to fight another day.

Aluta Continua

Chamisa Chete Chete

God bless Zimbabwe
God bless Marondera

I thank you

Hon C Matewu
The People’s MP
Marondera Central

Two Victoria Falls men were shot dead outside the resort town after they allegedly tried to disarm two anti-smuggling soldiers deployed to man the Zambezi River.

Police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the shooting incident which took place on Wednesday evening. He said:

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating the circumstances in which two suspects tried to disarm members of the security services who were on anti-smuggling deployments in Victoria Falls on 30 September 2020 resulting in a shooting incident and deaths of two suspects. As the security services team was at Chisuma Business Centre, at 7:30 pm monitoring anti-smuggling activities and dispersing people who had gathered in contravention of Covid-19 regulations, one of the suspects assaulted a security service member and then tried to disarm him resulting in the scuffle.

This comes a few weeks after two gunmen shot and killed a soldier in Chivhu and critically injured another. The duo was later hunted down and killed in a shootout with soldiers.-Chronicle

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has described Education Minister Cain Mathema’s attempt to use bully-boy tactics to silence teachers as unfortunate and redundant.

See full statement below :

02 OCTOBER 2020

MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA DISTRICT IS IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE THREATENED POVERTY-STRICKEN AND INCAPACITATED TEACHERS IN ZIMBABWE.

Mdc Alliance Namibia is heart-broken by the indifferent and cynical approach from the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, instead of addressing the plight of learners and teachers, he threatened the innocent teachers who sympthathised with the clueless Zanupf regime for a long time now.

Mr Cain Mathema has threatened to fire incapacitated and replace them with 10 000 unemployed teachers without making effort to upgrade the pathetic lives of our teachers who are struggling to pay fees for their own children. We challenge teachers to remain resolute in confronting the insensitive government that subscribes to repression.

The incapacitation action commenced on a high note and has since escalated to extreme levels since the 28th of September when teachers picked up their national consciousness and resolved to unite against Zanupf stomach politicians.

As Mdc Alliance Namibia, we salute teachers’ unions in Zimbabwe for Unity and Solidarity in fighting suicidal policies in the education sector. It has been difficult for unions to share from the same plate of opinion but on the 22nd of September key stakeholders converged, cross-pollinated revolutionary dreams and aspirations before they pronounced a resolute statement about the poverty-stricken teachers and the trajectory to be embraced by the politically inept government in order to put our education system on a sounder footing.

Moreso, we are quite exhilarated as social democrats to witness more than 100 000 grieved teachers committing and dedicating themselves to the struggle for their liberation from Zanupf’s incompetent governance in the eduction sector.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union (Artuz) President Obert Masaraure said “teachers should be paid a living wage and we still demand 520US$ per month.

We will continue on this path until the value of our salaries is restored but on the World Teachers’ Day( 05 October 2020), we are going to radicalise our struggle. We are going to take to the streets”. We pray that our teachers soldier on in unity against Zanupf induced poverty through stinking corruption and daylight looting of state resources.

Moreover, besides incapacitation, our teachers and learners are also vulnerable to the Covid-19 infections. The Progressive Teachers’Union also said about 95% of its members failed to report for duty.

He further exposed that the 600 million dollars availed by the government for Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) procurement has not been received by the schools. The majority of headmasters have truthfully reported that they do not have a single mask let alone thermometers, he further echoed.

This is a clear reflection of Zanupf’s dismal failure to secure sound and quality education to our dear children. It’s really unfortunate that the children of these fat cows in Zanupf school abroad where education is a priority.

The fees that have been drastically increased from $25 000 to $60 000 are beyond the reach of our maltreated teachers who are now grabbing a paltry of $2 600 after funeral deductions of over $1000 every month. It is imperative that teachers vividly speak their poverty and misery manifesting in their undoubted incapacitation.

As Mdc Alliance Namibia, we demand that the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Education engages Teachers’ Unions once again because we have reached the zenith , we can’t afford to give a cold soldier to the need to engage with the view to finding durable solutions. Teachers must continue to organise , mobilise ,recruit and activate for a broader, effective Incapacitation Action to enhance their emancipation from Zanupf misrule.

Furthermore, we appeal to all conscious citizenry in Zimbabwe and in the diaspora, churches , parliamentarians, school children and social democrats around the globe to offer support to our suffering teachers and learners. The future of our children is in their education.

Teachers must embrace dangerous freedom against peaceful slavery by desisting from the clock in-sit-in / walk out style because it is very detrimental and a very serious offence. Unions expect teachers to demonstrate their incapacitation by staying at their homes so that it will be easy to defend their members basing on the inability of the member to report for duty.

Regardless of Cain Mathema’s empty threats to our diligent and patriotic teachers , defiant teachers continue to gang up against the corrupt and authoritarian regime demanding a living wage to replace meagre unsalted peanuts insufficient to feed the families.

Teachers must resist to be intimidated , following threats that those incapacitated shall be replaced in the identical way the nurses were illegally fired sometime. We still urge the government to engage teachers so that nomalcy can be restored in our schools.

It is compulsory for various teachers organisations to avoid the traditional loophole of selling out the teachers’ struggle for 3 pieces of silver. United we win , divided we lose and the oppressor will satirise us gnashing our teeth in poverty.

In a nutshell, Mdc Alliance Namibia is cognisant of the real source of this pronounced decomposition of the education sector which is the political bankruptcy in Zanupf government. The President’s deliberate silence on the critical matter is quite horrible. We call the government to fulfill their mandate to provide basic education to our innocent and expecting children.

Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya

teacherscan’tbreathtoo

liberateourtrsfrompoverty

freeJoana

freeTakudzwa

freeLast

freeMadzorere

zanupfmustgo

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has described Education Minister Cain Mathema’s attempt to use bully-boy tactics to silence teachers as unfortunate and redundant.

See full statement below :

02 OCTOBER 2020

MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA DISTRICT IS IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE THREATENED POVERTY-STRICKEN AND INCAPACITATED TEACHERS IN ZIMBABWE.

Mdc Alliance Namibia is heart-broken by the indifferent and cynical approach from the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, instead of addressing the plight of learners and teachers, he threatened the innocent teachers who sympthathised with the clueless Zanupf regime for a long time now.

Mr Cain Mathema has threatened to fire incapacitated and replace them with 10 000 unemployed teachers without making effort to upgrade the pathetic lives of our teachers who are struggling to pay fees for their own children. We challenge teachers to remain resolute in confronting the insensitive government that subscribes to repression.

The incapacitation action commenced on a high note and has since escalated to extreme levels since the 28th of September when teachers picked up their national consciousness and resolved to unite against Zanupf stomach politicians.

As Mdc Alliance Namibia, we salute teachers’ unions in Zimbabwe for Unity and Solidarity in fighting suicidal policies in the education sector. It has been difficult for unions to share from the same plate of opinion but on the 22nd of September key stakeholders converged, cross-pollinated revolutionary dreams and aspirations before they pronounced a resolute statement about the poverty-stricken teachers and the trajectory to be embraced by the politically inept government in order to put our education system on a sounder footing.

Moreso, we are quite exhilarated as social democrats to witness more than 100 000 grieved teachers committing and dedicating themselves to the struggle for their liberation from Zanupf’s incompetent governance in the eduction sector.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union (Artuz) President Obert Masaraure said “teachers should be paid a living wage and we still demand 520US$ per month.

We will continue on this path until the value of our salaries is restored but on the World Teachers’ Day( 05 October 2020), we are going to radicalise our struggle. We are going to take to the streets”. We pray that our teachers soldier on in unity against Zanupf induced poverty through stinking corruption and daylight looting of state resources.

Moreover, besides incapacitation, our teachers and learners are also vulnerable to the Covid-19 infections. The Progressive Teachers’Union also said about 95% of its members failed to report for duty.

He further exposed that the 600 million dollars availed by the government for Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) procurement has not been received by the schools. The majority of headmasters have truthfully reported that they do not have a single mask let alone thermometers, he further echoed.

This is a clear reflection of Zanupf’s dismal failure to secure sound and quality education to our dear children. It’s really unfortunate that the children of these fat cows in Zanupf school abroad where education is a priority.

The fees that have been drastically increased from $25 000 to $60 000 are beyond the reach of our maltreated teachers who are now grabbing a paltry of $2 600 after funeral deductions of over $1000 every month. It is imperative that teachers vividly speak their poverty and misery manifesting in their undoubted incapacitation.

As Mdc Alliance Namibia, we demand that the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Education engages Teachers’ Unions once again because we have reached the zenith , we can’t afford to give a cold soldier to the need to engage with the view to finding durable solutions. Teachers must continue to organise , mobilise ,recruit and activate for a broader, effective Incapacitation Action to enhance their emancipation from Zanupf misrule.

Furthermore, we appeal to all conscious citizenry in Zimbabwe and in the diaspora, churches , parliamentarians, school children and social democrats around the globe to offer support to our suffering teachers and learners. The future of our children is in their education.

Teachers must embrace dangerous freedom against peaceful slavery by desisting from the clock in-sit-in / walk out style because it is very detrimental and a very serious offence. Unions expect teachers to demonstrate their incapacitation by staying at their homes so that it will be easy to defend their members basing on the inability of the member to report for duty.

Regardless of Cain Mathema’s empty threats to our diligent and patriotic teachers , defiant teachers continue to gang up against the corrupt and authoritarian regime demanding a living wage to replace meagre unsalted peanuts insufficient to feed the families.

Teachers must resist to be intimidated , following threats that those incapacitated shall be replaced in the identical way the nurses were illegally fired sometime. We still urge the government to engage teachers so that nomalcy can be restored in our schools.

It is compulsory for various teachers organisations to avoid the traditional loophole of selling out the teachers’ struggle for 3 pieces of silver. United we win , divided we lose and the oppressor will satirise us gnashing our teeth in poverty.

In a nutshell, Mdc Alliance Namibia is cognisant of the real source of this pronounced decomposition of the education sector which is the political bankruptcy in Zanupf government. The President’s deliberate silence on the critical matter is quite horrible. We call the government to fulfill their mandate to provide basic education to our innocent and expecting children.

Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya

teacherscan’tbreathtoo

liberateourtrsfrompoverty

freeJoana

freeTakudzwa

freeLast

freeMadzorere

zanupfmustgo

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance Secretary General, Hon Charlton Hwende has sternly warned Mr Douglas Mwonzora against working with Zanu PF to thwart the struggle for democracy.

Hon Hwende also literally ruled out the possibility of talks with Mr Mwonzora and Thokozani Khupe.

“There will be no talks between democrats and those working with Zanu-PF to slow down the Democratic Agenda in this Country.

We are happy that we have flushed out spies, CIOs and Collaborators from the opposition.

The Continued onslaught on our MPs and Councillors which has resulted in 10 MPs being illegally recalled by Douglas Mwonzora acting unilaterally and in connivance with
@edmnangagwa
@ZANUPF_Official
will have serious financial and political consequences on Mwonzora as a person,” Hon Hwende wrote on Twitter.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance Secretary General, Hon Charlton Hwende has sternly warned Mr Douglas Mwonzora against working with Zanu PF to thwart the struggle for democracy.

Hon Hwende also literally ruled out the possibility of talks with Mr Mwonzora and Thokozani Khupe.

“There will be no talks between democrats and those working with Zanu-PF to slow down the Democratic Agenda in this Country.

We are happy that we have flushed out spies, CIOs and Collaborators from the opposition.

The Continued onslaught on our MPs and Councillors which has resulted in 10 MPs being illegally recalled by Douglas Mwonzora acting unilaterally and in connivance with
@edmnangagwa
@ZANUPF_Official
will have serious financial and political consequences on Mwonzora as a person,” Hon Hwende wrote on Twitter.

Video loading below…

Gibson Mhaka
BUT if anyone does not provide for his children, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever!

This Biblical advice about responsibility to children seems to have no meaning for a priest with the Anglican Church in Bulawayo who has been caught behind enemy lines after his ex-wife sued him for neglecting his three children.

Manda Chimbaza who is reportedly leader of the Anglican Church at St Columba’s Parish in Makokoba and employed by Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) was taken to the Civil Court by his ex-wife Ruramai Madava demanding an increase in maintenance arguing that for the past 10 months, the man of the cloth had failed or neglected to provide reasonable support for his children aged nine, 11 and 18.

Madava, who was demanding that maintenance be reviewed from $380 to $10 000 per month, told Bulawayo provincial magistrate in charge of Bulawayo Metropolitan province Enias Magate, that the $380 that the priest was even failing to pay was no longer enough to cater for the children’s needs due to the cost of living which has gone up.

“I am applying for an upward variation from $380 to $10 000 in respect of the three children aged nine, 11 and 18. This is because the cost of living has gone up so the money, he was asked to pay in 2014 is no longer enough. I haven’t received the money since November last year and the arrears have since accumulated to $3 800,” said Madava.

Madava insisted that Chimbaza was failing to contribute money towards his children’s upkeep yet he was employed by the body responsible for collecting taxes for the government.

Responding to the claims, Chimbaza who said he was being paid $20 000 per month turned down his ex-wife’s demand saying “it was too high”. He however, offered to pay $6 000 as monthly maintenance saying he was also of ill-health.

“Since the start of national lockdown, I had been sending her $503 via Ecocash each time my children told me that they have no food. I am a good father and I wanted to be one. I, however, have other three children I am taking care of, a minor, a 19-year-old who is doing Advanced Level and another one who is at Gwanda State University. I am also taking care of the major ones’ needs regardless of their ages,” he said.

He also pleaded with the court to allow him to pay the amount in question saying his monthly expenses combined exceed $40 000.

“May the court also consider that I am also paying $2 800 towards a housing stand. I’m also diabetic and per month I use about $10 000 towards my medication. She (Madava) recently lost her father and I had to borrow money to help with burial expenses. I am also doing two courses, a degree at Catholic University and a diploma all in an effort to upgrade myself. My expenses combined exceed $42 000 per month and that is why I say I can afford $6 000 per month,” said Chimbaza.

In his ruling the magistrate discharged the upkeep of the one who recently turned 18 and asked him to pay $8 500 for the two minor children with effect from the end of this month.-B-Metro

SHOW no mercy by pouncing on his weak point…

This advice that women can use to ward off potential rapists comes on the back of a would-be rapist and gold panner Godknows Ncube (20) from Inyathi who had his evil move thwarted when a quick-thinking 23-year-old woman violently grabbed and squeezed his testicles to avoid being raped in front of her son and twin sisters aged 10.

Ncube from Nkomo Village under Chief Khumalo learnt a terrible lesson that not all women are easy targets when the victim from Hambakahle Farm in Bubi grabbed his jewels and squeezed them very hard.

B-Metro gathered that on 8 September at around 10 am the complainant and her son and twin sisters aged 10 were fetching firewood in a bush near Hambakahle Farm in Bubi when they met the accused who was wielding an iron bar.

He greeted the complainant who responded and he passed them.

The accused reportedly walked a few metres and suddenly made a U-turn and struck the complainant with an iron bar once on the head.

After being attacked the victim fell down and Ncube choked her while pressing her down.

He then tore her skin tight and underwear. After tearing the woman’s pant and skin tight, Ncube is alleged to have pulled down his pair of trousers and went on top of her while threatening to hurt her if she screamed for help.

When he violently persisted to force himself on the woman, the latter continued to resist and struggled against him before eventually pouncing on his weak point. From her position, she grabbed his balls and squeezed as hard as she could.

In the ensuing struggle and after crushing his balls, the woman pushed away the powerless Ncube before she stood up and ran away.

After a few minutes, the alleged rapist followed the woman who was now running away and struck her again on the head and left leg with an iron bar before making good his escape.

As a result of the attack, the woman suffered deep cuts on the head and her left leg and was referred to Mpilo Central Hospital for treatment.

The matter was reported to the police and investigations later led to Ncube’s arrest and his subsequent appearance in court facing a charge of attempted rape. He is in remand prison awaiting his trial.-B-Metro

Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  As the nation is now aware, Government made the decision to re-open schools for the 2020 examination classes on 14^th September, 2020 for schools writing Cambridge examinations and on 28^th September, 2020 for schools writing Zimsec examinations.  

The decision was made following the expert assessment of the improving situation with respect to the national efforts to combat Covid 19.  May I take this opportunity to thank His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde. E.D. Mnangagwa for leading the national efforts with foresight, courage and determination. 

May I also commend Hon. Members for your contribution in the fight against this deadly pandemic as well as the education sector which has also made a significant contribution.  

We are all aware that almost all countries went into lockdown in various valiant efforts to eradicate the Coronavirus pandemic.  Nations have gradually started to ease restrictions.  It is true that no nation can remain in lockdown forever.  

While we are witnessing some improvement in COVID 19 pandemic situation in Zimbabwe, I would like to hasten to add that the situation of low risk does not mean no risk.  We all need to maintain utmost vigilance in order to protect each other.  We remain most conscious that we need to do everything possible as a nation to protect our leaders, teachers and school communities. 

As you are no doubt aware Hon. Members, schools offering Cambridge and Zimsec examinations re-opened for the 2020 examination classes on 14^th September, 2020 and 28^th September, 2020 respectively.  Prior to the re-opening, Government and the Ministry made sure that safe and secure an environment as possible was created in the schools.  Among the measures undertaken include the following:

         i.            The development and distribution of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which clearly guide the school management, learners and school parents assemblies on the dos and don’ts with respect to efforts to combat the Coronavirus; 

      ii.            The development and distribution of the Secretary’s Circular Number 10 of 2020 which articulates the SOPs, as well as key inputs and processes that must obtain at each school on a daily basis;

   iii.            Procurement by Government of Personal Protective Equipment for 8500 schools out of 9625 schools.  Those supported are Government schools, council schools and not for profit mission schools;

   iv.            The setting up of social distance markers at each school covering all areas where learners gather;

      v.            The training of all teachers before they can begin teaching and learning.  This was done in collaboration with the Minister of Health and Child Care.  Training was interrupted by the lockdown but it went through;

   vi.            The training of all learners on the first day at school so that they appreciate how they should conduct themselves in the new norm;

vii.            The setting up at each school of temporary holding bays for learners who fall sick; and

viii.            The deployment of information, education and communication materials on COVID 19 among others.

Mr. Speaker Sir, any school that has some essential PPEs outstanding was required to defer opening until all the essentials were in place.  As you are also aware, the re-opening of schools is not a subject that has received 100% consensus, either here in Zimbabwe or globally but for any nation to wait for a perfect situation when the virus is completely eradicated may mean waiting forever.  

We are learning and we will establish the accurate figures when all learners return to school.  Some of our learners have since fallen pregnant, while others have joined various economic activities during the period of the lockdown. 

Studies have shown that the longer the learners stay out of school, the more the chances that a significant number will be lost to education.  From a few experiences of the past two days, even among those who returned to school, a significant number have lost some of the education gains that they had achieved.  Such regression has the danger of exacerbating should the learners continue to miss school for too long a period. 

Attendance on the opening day for the schools offering Cambridge examinations was high for both teachers and learners.  The situation for the re-opening of schools on Monday, 28^th September, 2020 was characterised by a high turnout for learners and a low turnout for teachers.  

The situation improved slightly on the second day and we are hoping that teachers will return to work while any grievances that they may have get addressed through the right channels.  We understand some teachers have cited incapacitation but a teacher cannot have received his or her salary and be unable to report to work even on the first day.  

Where will be the rationale for Government to continue paying an employee who is giving no service at all?  I would like to urge teachers to reflect and ensure that we find each other. Currently, there are over 20 000 qualified teachers who are looking for work and hundreds of thousands of learners who are looking for teachers. 

 Government may have no alternative other than to ensure that the learners are supported with teachers so that they are ready for examinations whose dates have now been determined, that is the first of December 2020 to the 26^th January 2021. 

          In conclusion, I recognise that while education is a key foundation for the lives of our children, our first responsibility is to save life and we therefore, all need to work together to ensure that we protect our children, teachers and communities from this Coronavirus.  I thank you.

By A Correspondent- Grade seven candidates will be the first to sit for the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) public exams in December, with results set to be published in the same month to allow them enough time to look for Form One places.

The exams are set to begin on the 1st of December.

Advanced Level exams will also be written in the same month, while exams for Ordinary Level candidates are expected to spill into January 2021.

About 1,2 million learners will be sitting for their exams this year.

Preparations have already begun following an announcement of the schools reopening date by the government.

Schools are set to reopen on September 28 for Zimsec exam classes only.

Cambridge classes will reopen on September 14, with exams beginning on October 1.

Speaking to The Sunday Mail Zimsec board chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje said after the timetables have been drafted, there would be extensive consultations with various stakeholders, after which they will be shared with the candidates.

“Examinations will start on December 1, with Grade Seven candidates being the first to sit for the exams. This will enable their answer scripts to be marked and the results to be published in December so that parents have enough time to look for Form One places.

“Advanced Level candidates will also write and complete their examinations in December, while the Ordinary Level classes will be the ones that will have their examinations spill into January.

Zimsec is now seized with the drafting of the timetables, which will be shared with stakeholders before they are released to the students.”

Prof Mwenje said the printing of Grade Seven examination papers has since been completed.

The exams management body said it is now printing exam papers for Ordinary and Advanced Level candidates.

An assessment of centres across the country for suitability to hold exams is also currently underway-Statemedia

By A Corresponent- Primary and Secondary education minister Cain Mathema has said government has not yet approved any school fees increases adding that all schools that had effected fees increases had done so illegally.

He was responding to questions from legislators soon after presenting his ministerial statement Thursday.

Said Mathema:

“……. With regards to school fees as it has been asked by many Hon. Members, up to now the Ministry has not yet approved any school fees increases at all.  

So, those schools that have increased school fees without my authority, it is illegal and action will be taken against them. 

          All schools in Zimbabwe can only increase school fees after the approval by the permanent secretary, that is by the Ministry.  I also urge parents to participate in these decisions made by some schools.  

There are some school boards or some school SDCs who do not consult parents and guardians.  No school fees should be increased without approval from the Permanent Secretary.  If Hon. Members are aware of any school that has done that, my doors are open, let me have that school.”

MUSINA – Zimbabwean street vendor Memory Chauke did not get very far when she hopped over a fence into neighbouring South Africa on the first day its borders reopened after a six-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

South African patrol guards had anticipated that Zimbabweans would resume illegal crossings into the country to buy goods as soon as travel restrictions were lifted.

Hundreds were arrested as they tried to smuggle groceries back to impoverished Zimbabwe, where an economic downturn and rampant hyperinflation have destroyed livelihoods.

Chauke was caught on the way back to her village, on a gravel road around 500 metres away from the official Beitbridge border post.

She looked sombre and exhausted as she sat under a large thorn tree, surrounded by grocery bags.

Chauke said it was the first time she had been arrested during crossing.

“I always run,” she told AFP. “Today, I didn’t manage.

The 45-year-old mother of five had just walked more than 20 kilometres to South Africa’s northernmost town of Musina and bought goods she planned to resell in Zimbabwe for a profit.

“Where we stay there is no food, there is not enough food so we are hungry,” she said. “We come to nearby shops and buy cheaper food, then go back to Zimbabwe.”

Others sat on the ground alongside her, clutching recently purchased pots, maize meal, fuel and even sofas and a bed as they awaited their fate.

Many Zimbabweans rely on goods bought from richer South Africa for basic supplies, and informal cross-border trade is a lucrative business.

Some traders go as far as risking the treacherous crocodile-infested Limpopo river which divides the two countries to reach more affordably-priced South African stores.

“It’s so dangerous but there is nothing I can do,” said Chauke, who had not dared to venture across the border since South Africa locked down on March 27.

She hoped to beg for forgiveness and “go back to my kids”.

‘A hungry stomach’

South Africa, the continent’s hardest-hit country by COVID-19, reopened some land borders as well as its three main airports on October 1.

Zimbabwean authorities had also planned to resume international travel on the same day.

But the Beitbridge border post, one of Africa’s busiest crossings, has remained shut on the Zimbabwean side.

Private vehicles were stopped at the gate and told to turn back.

Only commercial trucks, which were already exempt from travel restrictions, were allowed through.

“We haven’t opened the Beitbridge border as yet,” Zimbabwe’s Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe told local media on Thursday, without giving a reason for the delay.

South African border patrols said they still intercepted many Zimbabweans jumping the fence on Thursday.

“There was a slight increase in numbers but for most of them it was with regard to the groceries,” military official David Mathetsha told AFP.

“A hungry stomach is capable of doing anything,” he explained, adding that officers had confiscated a variety of goods and bulk purchases.

Mathetsha said that thousands of Zimbabweans crossed into South Africa each day before the pandemic.

“At some stage you would arrest one person more than 20 times,” he recalled.

The fence separating South Africa and Zimbabwe has been notoriously porous since its de-electrification in 1994.

A multi-million rand renewal project was put on hold earlier this year after South Africa’s parliament deemed a new stretch of fencing inadequate and overpriced.

AFP

THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. MATHEMA): Thank you Hon. Speaker.  I would like to thank the Hon. Members for the questions that have been put forward to me.  

Yes, Hon. Chikwinya, most teachers have not reported to work as we expected them and this question has been raised by most of the Hon. Members, which is something to do with the remuneration, that is why the teachers have decided not to come to work.  

The issues have to do with their salaries, their conditions and that responsibility belongs to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare but that does not mean that Government does not know that teachers indeed want salary increment and better working conditions.  

Both the Ministry of Public Service as well as Public Service Commission are aware of that.  As Minister responsible for Primary and Secondary Education, I am aware that this is what teachers have requested for.  

Indeed, they are into Trade Unions; about 10 Teacher Trade Unions exist.  I would not, Madam Speaker go into detail because the relevant Ministry is there.  

That issue is being handled by the relevant authorities, both the Ministry and Public Service Commission. They are handling that issue with the Trade Unions.

Indeed, the National Joint Tripartite Meetings are taking place. So I would not want to go much into that, but as the Minister responsible for Primary and Secondary Education,

I am aware that this is what teachers have requested for. Indeed, they have a right to go on strike because after all, they are into trade unions.

We have around 10 teacher trade unions in Zimbabwe. So that issue, I would not want to go into detail because the relevant Ministry is handling that.

          We are interfacing with them. I am part of the team – in a way, and we are very much aware as a Ministry that indeed teachers have made these requests. As for PPEs, let us remember that the 28^th was only on Monday.

I am still monitoring the situation to find out exactly what is happening. I was in Masvingo, Mwenezi and Chivi and all the schools that I visited have the PPEs for the teachers.

The Deputy Minister was out there as well, right across the country and other officials. Where there is a lack..

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions has told workers to prepare for scheduled “general strikes” amid poor salaries and working conditions concerns.

The call comes barely hours after the announcement that the government has announced a 40% cost of living adjustment, which workers say is still insignificant.

Posting on social media, ZCTU said:

Get ready for a #GeneralStrike

Do not allow the Government to destroy our Education sector It is our kids who will not access #education Every worker is demanding USD SALARIES So join the ZCTU every Monday #SocialJusticeStruggleDay Either we #OrganiseOrStarve

Meanwhile, teachers in government schools are already on industrial action since the resumption of classes on the 28th of September.

They are vowing to boycott classes for as long as the government has not restored their October 2018 salaries.

On average, government workers are earning an equivalent of US$35, before deductions, which is way below the poverty datum line which stood at ZWL$11 333 (USD133) as of August.

More: ZCTU Zimbabwe Twitter

Paul Nyathi

https://twitter.com/EDzinemunhenzva/status/1312078593170837504?s=19

https://fb.watch/T5FFf5L1z/

@DMwonzora @DrThoko_Khupe lose party office in Marondera to MDC T youths who constituted 2014 structures @MdcMasvingo @mdcmashwest @mdczimbabwe @mdcya_dptspokes @MakomboreroH @hwendec pic.twitter.com/V0gQuvUxVZ

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) October 2, 2020

The youths occupied the Marondera office after a faction affiliated to @DMwonzora @DrThoko_Khupe took over the offices 5 months ago with the aid of the police. @MakomboreroH @Cde_Ostallos @hwendec @advocatemahere pic.twitter.com/5CXatc3yjH

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) October 2, 2020

Paul Nyathi

Government has officially Gazetted Thokozani Khupe as a member of parliament for women proportional representation for Bulawayo province replacing MDC Alliance National chairperson Thabita Khumalo.

Below is the goverment Gazette proclaiming her confirmation.

watch the live video loading below……. (please be patient as it uploads)

https://fb.watch/T5FFf5L1z/

https://fb.watch/T5FFf5L1z/

https://fb.watch/T5FFf5L1z/

Southern Eye

ELECTIONS for Gwanda mayor were yesterday deferred to next week amid reports that rival groups from Zanu PF and MDC Alliance had mutually agreed that they needed more time to campaign, Southern Eye can reveal.

The post fell vacant recently after Thokozani Khupe’s MDC-T’s recalled councillor Jastone Mazhale for declaring his support for MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa.

Mazhale had been Gwanda’s mayor since 2018 and elections to replace him had been set for yesterday.

Chamber secretary Hlupo Mhlanga told Southern Eye that the polls would be held next week.

“According to the notice we have issued, the elections for mayor will be held on Monday at 10am at the council chambers,” he said.

While Mhlanga could not be drawn into giving reasons for the postponement, sources revealed that there was bickering over the elections which are likely to be tightly contested as both Zanu PF and opposition MDC formations are eager to control the town.

“However, both camps asked for more time to prepare. Zanu PF wants the position of mayor. MDC Alliance also wants to control the town as before while Khupe’s MDC-T also wants its candidate to win.

“On Sunday, Douglas Mwonzora (MDC-T acting secretary-general) and KP (Khaliphani Phugeni, acting spokesperson) will be coming down here to campaign for their candidate. So, a compromise to defer the polls was made by all the

parties.”

MDC Alliance has five councillors, while Zanu PF has four.

The MDC-T is fielding ward 5 councillor Gilbert Dube, while Zanu PF is backing ward 3 councillor Knowledge Ndlovu.

Chamisa’s party is yet to announce its candidate, possibly opting to announce on the eve of the polls so that the candidate will not be recalled by Khupe before the polls.

Correspondent

VICE PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the Health Minister, Friday amended the 2020 Public Health Regulations and suspended all by-elections the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) had scheduled for 5 December citing the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last month, ZEC chairperson, Justice Priscilla Chigumba announced by-elections were to be conducted in December.

However, Chiwenga as the Health Minister announced Friday all by-elections had been suspended.

“It is hereby notified by the Minister of Health in terms of section 68 of the Public Health Act (Chapter 15:17) made the following regulations – 1).

“These regulations maybe cited as the Public Health (Covid-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment (Amendment) Regulation pursuant to subsection (2), the holding of any by-election to fill a casual vacancy in Parliament or in local authority is for the duration of the period of the declaration of Covid-19 as a formidable epidemic disease, suspended, and if such vacancy occurred while such declaration is in force, no part of the period from the date of such vacancy to the date of the end of declaration she be counted for the purpose of section (158 (3) of the Constitution,” Statutory Instrument 225A of 2020 reads.

However, the Elections Resource Centre (ERC) said the suspension affected the independence of (ZEC)

“By-elections in Zimbabwe suspended indefinitely. The Minister of Health has suspended by-elections in Zimbabwe for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic. The independence of ZEC has been cast in doubt with the Minister of Health now regulating electoral activities,” it said in a statement.

Video loading below…

https://youtu.be/_JOloPAP9dg

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has described Education Minister Cain Mathema’s attempt to use bully-boy tactics to silence teachers as unfortunate and redundant.

See full statement below :

02 OCTOBER 2020

MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA DISTRICT IS IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE THREATENED POVERTY-STRICKEN AND INCAPACITATED TEACHERS IN ZIMBABWE.

Mdc Alliance Namibia is heart-broken by the indifferent and cynical approach from the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, instead of addressing the plight of learners and teachers, he threatened the innocent teachers who sympthathised with the clueless Zanupf regime for a long time now.

Mr Cain Mathema has threatened to fire incapacitated and replace them with 10 000 unemployed teachers without making effort to upgrade the pathetic lives of our teachers who are struggling to pay fees for their own children. We challenge teachers to remain resolute in confronting the insensitive government that subscribes to repression.

The incapacitation action commenced on a high note and has since escalated to extreme levels since the 28th of September when teachers picked up their national consciousness and resolved to unite against Zanupf stomach politicians.

As Mdc Alliance Namibia, we salute teachers’ unions in Zimbabwe for Unity and Solidarity in fighting suicidal policies in the education sector. It has been difficult for unions to share from the same plate of opinion but on the 22nd of September key stakeholders converged, cross-pollinated revolutionary dreams and aspirations before they pronounced a resolute statement about the poverty-stricken teachers and the trajectory to be embraced by the politically inept government in order to put our education system on a sounder footing.

Moreso, we are quite exhilarated as social democrats to witness more than 100 000 grieved teachers committing and dedicating themselves to the struggle for their liberation from Zanupf’s incompetent governance in the eduction sector.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union (Artuz) President Obert Masaraure said “teachers should be paid a living wage and we still demand 520US$ per month.

We will continue on this path until the value of our salaries is restored but on the World Teachers’ Day( 05 October 2020), we are going to radicalise our struggle. We are going to take to the streets”. We pray that our teachers soldier on in unity against Zanupf induced poverty through stinking corruption and daylight looting of state resources.

Moreover, besides incapacitation, our teachers and learners are also vulnerable to the Covid-19 infections. The Progressive Teachers’Union also said about 95% of its members failed to report for duty.

He further exposed that the 600 million dollars availed by the government for Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) procurement has not been received by the schools. The majority of headmasters have truthfully reported that they do not have a single mask let alone thermometers, he further echoed.

This is a clear reflection of Zanupf’s dismal failure to secure sound and quality education to our dear children. It’s really unfortunate that the children of these fat cows in Zanupf school abroad where education is a priority.

The fees that have been drastically increased from $25 000 to $60 000 are beyond the reach of our maltreated teachers who are now grabbing a paltry of $2 600 after funeral deductions of over $1000 every month. It is imperative that teachers vividly speak their poverty and misery manifesting in their undoubted incapacitation.

As Mdc Alliance Namibia, we demand that the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Education engages Teachers’ Unions once again because we have reached the zenith , we can’t afford to give a cold soldier to the need to engage with the view to finding durable solutions. Teachers must continue to organise , mobilise ,recruit and activate for a broader, effective Incapacitation Action to enhance their emancipation from Zanupf misrule.

Furthermore, we appeal to all conscious citizenry in Zimbabwe and in the diaspora, churches , parliamentarians, school children and social democrats around the globe to offer support to our suffering teachers and learners. The future of our children is in their education.

Teachers must embrace dangerous freedom against peaceful slavery by desisting from the clock in-sit-in / walk out style because it is very detrimental and a very serious offence. Unions expect teachers to demonstrate their incapacitation by staying at their homes so that it will be easy to defend their members basing on the inability of the member to report for duty.

Regardless of Cain Mathema’s empty threats to our diligent and patriotic teachers , defiant teachers continue to gang up against the corrupt and authoritarian regime demanding a living wage to replace meagre unsalted peanuts insufficient to feed the families.

Teachers must resist to be intimidated , following threats that those incapacitated shall be replaced in the identical way the nurses were illegally fired sometime. We still urge the government to engage teachers so that nomalcy can be restored in our schools.

It is compulsory for various teachers organisations to avoid the traditional loophole of selling out the teachers’ struggle for 3 pieces of silver. United we win , divided we lose and the oppressor will satirise us gnashing our teeth in poverty.

In a nutshell, Mdc Alliance Namibia is cognisant of the real source of this pronounced decomposition of the education sector which is the political bankruptcy in Zanupf government. The President’s deliberate silence on the critical matter is quite horrible. We call the government to fulfill their mandate to provide basic education to our innocent and expecting children.

Mdc Alliance Namibia
Rundu Branch Spokesperson
Robson Ruhanya

teacherscan’tbreathtoo

liberateourtrsfrompoverty

freeJoana

freeTakudzwa

freeLast

freeMadzorere

zanupfmustgo

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Farai Dziva|Marondera Central MP Hon Caston Matewu has said he will not be distracted by the recall from Parliament.

In his statement, Hon Matewu accused Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora of betraying the people’s struggle.

See statement below :

STATEMENT ON THE RECALLING FROM PARLIAMENT

Good Afternoon Marondera

Today as expected I have been recalled from Parliament by ThokoZANU Khupe.

The announcement was done by the Speaker of Parliament Adv Jacob Mudenda.

Firstly allow me to pay gratitude to the people of Marondera for the hope and trust you bestowed in me to represent your interests in the Parliament of Zimbabwe; it has been an absolute privilege.

Cdes and Friends, the crisis in Zimbabwe is not about person political or personal benefit; it is about the economic emancipation of the people of our great country and Marondera Central is no exception. In Parliament I have debated and taught on many issues that concern us as a town and indeed the Country. I will continue to fight for these issues as long as ZANU Pf continues to drive this country into the doldrums of extreme poverty.

Marondera!! It has never been about me personally but about us as a community. We desire a government that will listen to the needs of its people; a government that will adequately protect and pay its civil servants from teachers, police, soliders and the whole fraternity. It would have been easy to submit to Khupe and remain in Parliament; BUT make no mistake, it was never about me but about you the good and gracious people of Marondera Central.

I was elected under the able leadership of President Nelson Chamisa who I wholeheartedly believe will deliver this country to the land of milk and honey that we beseech. I remain and stand by President Nelson Chamisa.

Marondera Central; our very voice that you proclaimed in 2018 has been beaten BUT it will never be silenced. In the two years I have had a lot happen to me including the merciless shooting at my house. I have never shaken and I will continue to be that voice. They may remove me from the Parliament building but they can never remove me from the hearts and people of Marondera.

Cdes and friends, we live to fight another day.

Aluta Continua

Chamisa Chete Chete

God bless Zimbabwe
God bless Marondera

I thank you

Hon C Matewu
The People’s MP
Marondera Central

By Jane Mlambo| Minister of Health and Child Care Constantino Chiwenga has indefinitely suspended by-elections to fill vacant parliamentary and council seats created by the recall of MDC Alliance legislators and Killer Zivhu by Zanu PF citing the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic for the move.

According to the gazetted SI 225 of 2020, Chiwenga invoked the Public Health Act to block by-elections which had earlier been earmarked for the 5th of December.

“Pursuant to subsection (2), the holding of any by-elections to fill a casual vacancy in parliament or in a local authority is for the duration of the period of the declaration of COVID-19 as a formidable epidemic, suspended, and if such a vacancy occurred while such declaration is in force, no part of the period from the date of such vacancy to the date of the end of the declaration shall be counted for the purposes of section 158(3) of the constitution,” reads SI 225 of 2020.

Infightings within the opposition MDC-T has resulted in the recall of more than 40 legislators and councillors by a rival faction led by Dr Thokozani Khupe.

The recalled legislators and councillors were hoping to bounce back soon but it appears they have to wait longer to return to parliament and council.

By A Correspondent- The Supreme Court has granted opposition MDC-T interim leadership a further extension up to November 30 to hold an extraordinary congress.

The court had in March ordered that the party holds the congress not later than the 31st of July this year but the party currently led by Thokozani Khupe argued that the coronavirus lockdown made it impossible for them to comply with the ruling.

The congress is meant to elect the successor to MDC’s founding leader the late Morgan Tsvangirai who succumbed to cancer in 2018.

His demise has left a power vacuum that has created a prolonged gruesome leadership crisis which has since spilt into courts.

Thokozani Khupe accuses her nemesis, Nelson Chamisa of MDC Alliance of usurping power in the runup to the 2018 elections.

Meanwhile, Chamisa and his allies accuse Khupe of being a ZANU PF mole created to destabilise the biggest opposition in the country.

Government has said it will continue working with international financial institutions (IFIs), including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after its aborted Staff-Monitored Programme (SMP) with the Bretton Woods institution.

In a wide-ranging interview, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube said it will work with IFIs to enable it to come up with the right policy mix for the country.

“Government continues to work to address economic challenges to promote stability using homegrown solutions wherever possible,” Ncube said.

“We are also working closely with development partners, including the IMF, WB (World Bank), AfDB (African Development Bank), amongst others, for provision of technical assistance and guidance on international best practices which enable us to come up with the optimal policy mix for the country.”

The IMF revealed in a report on its 2020 Article IV Consultation with Zimbabwe, following its board meeting in Washington earlier this year, that the SMP, which was adopted in May last year, is now “off track” after government’s failure to meet set targets.

“The government that came into office following the 2018 elections adopted an agenda focussed on macro-economic stabilisation and reforms. This was supported by a Staff-Monitored Programme from the IMF, adopted in May 2019, but is now off track as policy implementation is mixed,” the Bretton Woods institution noted.

Ncube revealed that government will continue to work towards the repayment of its debts to IFIs. The country has an external debt of just over US$8 billion.

“Government is continuing with token payments to settle the country’s foreign debt obligations,” Ncube said.

He pointed out that reforms of state owned enterprises and parastatals (SOEs) are being accelerated as outlined in the 2020 National Budget.

“Having approved the implementation framework for 43 SOEs and parastatals in 2018, government has targeted five public enterprises, namely TelOne, NetOne, Telecel, Zimpost and POSB for immediate reforms and work is already underway to identify transaction advisors. Projections are that government will realise at least US$350 million from this initial process,” Ncube revealed.

“In addition, turnaround strategies for at least 20 public enterprises are being supported by various development partners. The SOEs reform process will, therefore, ensure that parastatals and their restructuring are fully accountable, transparent, efficient, effective, and viable, complementing Government efforts in promoting economic growth and improved service delivery to the general public.”

The Finance minister said now that inflation is stable and rapidly declining, government will work gradually to adjust civil servant’s wages towards real wages, including non-monetary benefits which will increase their buying power.

Civil servants have become restive as a result of the decimation of their wages paid in local currency due to inflation, which stood at 761% for August. Health workers downed their tools recently in protest in a strike that lasted more than two months with teachers also going on strike this week.

Ncube revealed that the US$75 Covid-19 allowance Treasury is paying civil servants is derived from taxes it receives in forex.

“The country’s tax laws require tax payers to remit taxes on transactions in the currency of trade. Government therefore receives its foreign currency revenues from the taxes, duty, levies, royalties and part of these proceeds are being used to pay for civil servants’ Covid-19 allowances, which have been benchmarked in US dollars,” he said.

As government winds up the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), Ncube said the programme was conceived as the first step of a 12-year economic development plan which leads to the achievement of Vision 2030. The plan was broken into the TSP (two years 2018-2020), National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) (five years, 2021 2025) and NDS2 (five years, 2026-2030).

“The TSP was launched against a background of rising inflation, unemployment, high fiscal and trade deficits, low foreign currency reserves etc and in this regard, there was need for a stabilisation plan. The major objectives of the TSP are to stabilise the macro-economic environment, inclusive of the financial sector by introducing necessary policy and institutional reforms for transformation towards a more private sector led economy, addressing utility and infrastructure shortfalls, and launching quick-win initiatives to stimulate growth,” he said.

“Reforms implemented under TSP included fiscal consolidation, restoration of monetary policy, liberalisation of the foreign exchange markets, the undertaking of governance reforms, entrenched re-engagement with the international community, facilitation of investment, and infrastructure development.”

Ncube added that: “Having now realised stability under the TSP, government now moves under the National Development Strategy (NDS1) to leverage on the successes registered to grow the economy and to reinstate the country on a sustainable growth trajectory.”

Source – the independent

By A Correspondent- Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera has said he did not rebuke his Zimbabwean counterpart President Emerson Mnangagwa, whose Government has come under international spotlight for human rights abuses, saying there were proper processes that need to be followed in tackling such issues.

Two civil society organisations, Youth and Society and Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation- on Tuesday wrote Chakwera, asking him to use his two-day official visit in Harare to discuss with Presidemt Mnangagwa on the need for his regime to stop attacking human rights defenders and respect human rights.

Speaking on Thursday on arrival at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe said he has had fruitful bilateral talks with Zimbabwean President but did not censure him on human rights abuses.

He, however, said the topic on human rights came up during the discussions.

“You know that there is a process that takes place. I am a new kid on the block. I am learning in order to know what is going on with our neighbours.”

President Mnangagwa himself last night responded to some of the issues,” Chakwera said.

He, however, could not divulge more, only adding that he had “lengthy discussions” in private as well as in the presence of others “particularly to do with human development and prosperity in the region. Integrating trade, making sure that our people relate well and issues to do with security in our region.”

President Chakwera, who will assume the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Chairmanship next year, also had discussions with SADC ambassadors based in Zimbabwe.

Malawi and Zimbabwe share historical ties and before, both countries gained independence from Britain, they were under what was referred to as the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

During his arrival, Chakwera was welcomed by the country’s second-in-command Saulos Chilima and supporters of the Tonse Alliance led government from MCP, UTM Party and People’s Party

-NyasaTimes

By A Correspondent- Police are seeking information leading to the arrest of three touts who kicked a 63-year-old Chitungwiza man to death along High Glen Road in Harare after he refused to board their unregistered kombi.

Mr Anias Chiyangwa of Zengeza 1 was pronounced dead at Parktown Clinic in Waterfalls where he had been taken by his relatives.

He was walking near Mashwede Service Station when he was approached by the touts who were travelling in an unregistered Nissan Caravan.

They tried to force him to board their vehicle, but he resisted and they started kicking him until some passers-by intervened. The touts jumped into their vehicle and sped off, leaving Mr Chiyangwa unconscious.

His rescuers searched his pockets and found his mobile phone, which they used to contact one of his relatives who attended the scene.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday said investigations on the case were still continuing and they were still appealing for information.

Taponeswa Mavunga has been appointed Director of Africa at Sony Music UK, a newly created position that will expand the company’s scope within African music.

She will report directly to Jason Iley, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK & Ireland.

Mavunga will be responsible for amplifying UK signed artists across Africa, as well as supporting artists within Africa to develop relationships, identify opportunities and increase visibility within the UK.

She will work in close alignment with Mark Collen (EVP of UK International), the Sony Music UK labels and Sony Music Africa on artist strategy and will be the UK gateway for identifying local talent and opportunities within the region.

Mavunga joined Sony Music as Head of Publicity for Columbia UK in 2015, where she oversaw press strategy across the label’s roster and spearheaded campaigns for artists including Childish Gambino, Koffee, Wizkid, Davido and Rosalia.

Previously based in Johannesburg, Mavunga was Head of Talent and Music for Viacom Africa working on MTV Base, BET Africa and Nickelodeon channels.

She also worked on the 2015 edition of the of the Mamas (MTV Africa Music Awards) hosted in Durban.

-Music Business Worldwide

“She has incredible relationships with artists and there is no one more suited to represent Sony Music UK in Africa’s accelerating market.

“Tapi’s first-hand experience of working in African music and entertainment and her enthusiasm to connect artists locally and globally is unmatched.”

“TAPI UNDERSTANDS WHY BRIDGES BETWEEN OUR MARKETS ARE KEY TO GROWING THE BUSINESS, WHETHER PROMOTING AFRICAN ARTISTS OUTSIDE OF THE CONTINENT OR HELPING GLOBAL ARTISTS FIND NEW GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES IN AFRICA.”

SEAN WATSON, SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT AFRICA

Sean Watson (Managing Director, Sony Music Entertainment Africa) said: “Tapi has long been one of the most passionate champions in the UK of our African artists, so to have her working more closely and formally with the African team at Sony Music is fantastic!

“Tapi understands why bridges between our markets are key to growing the business, whether promoting African artists outside of the continent or helping global artists find new growth opportunities in Africa.”

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) has urged Zimbabweans to prepare for a general strike to force government to pay its workers in United States Dollars.

Posting on Twitter, ZCTU said government should not be allowed to destroy the education by refusing to adequately pay teachers.

Teachers have declared incapacitation despite schools re-opening.

Get ready for a #GeneralStrike

Do not allow the Government to destroy our Education sector

It is our kids who will not access #education

Every worker is demanding USD SALARIES

So join the ZCTU every Monday #SocialJusticeStruggleDay

Either we #OrganiseOrStarve pic.twitter.com/4Vfz6vBFud

— ZCTU – Zimbabwe (@ZctuZimbabwe) October 2, 2020

By A Correspondent- The Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU) has authorised the police to investigate and arrest a top magistrate in connection with corruption.

The magistrate, Morgan Nemadire, raised concerns when he ordered a Venezuelan national, Delcy Daymar Rodriguez Guererro, to pay a ZWL$700 fine after he was convicted of possessing over 5kg of cocaine worth US$500,000 (ZWL$40m).

Speaking to Business Times this week, SACU head Tabani Mpofu (not Nelson Chamisa’s lawyer) said there has been a strong case of corruption.

Mpofu said:

We have since instructed the Police to look into the matter and effect arrest as we believe there is a strong case of corruption there.

There have been delays but an arrest has to be made.

Mpofu earlier wrote to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Deputy Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba saying the ruling by the magistrate “amounts to an act of corruption.”

He also said that the sentence had “grave implications on the integrity of our entire criminal justice system and the well-being of the economy”.

Observers viewed the sentence as not commensurate with the crime committed and also as light compared to three years sentences handed to some convicts in the past for possession of drugs worth less than $10.-BusinessTimes

By Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has extended his best wishes to US President Donald Trump and his wife Mellanie Trump as they recover from COVID-19.

Trump broke the news that he had tested positive to COVID-19 together with his wife.

“My best wishes to President Trump @realDonaldTrump and the First Lady @FLOTUS as they make a full recovery from COVID-19,” said Mnangagwa.

By A Correspondent- Education minister Cain Mathema has warned teachers that they risk being replaced over failure to report for duty.

Presenting a ministerial statement before parliament, Mathema said schools opening was characterised by low teachers turn out, adding that government may be forced to employ the over 20 000 qualified but unemployed teachers to cater for the learners’ needs.

Below is the full ministerial statement by Mathema:

Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.  As the nation is now aware, Government made the decision to re-open schools for the 2020 examination classes on 14^th September, 2020 for schools writing Cambridge examinations and on 28^th September, 2020 for schools writing Zimsec examinations.  The decision was made following the expert assessment of the improving situation with respect to the national efforts to combat Covid 19.  

May I take this opportunity to thank His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde. E.D. Mnangagwa for leading the national efforts with foresight, courage and determination. 

May I also commend Hon. Members for your contribution in the fight against this deadly pandemic as well as the education sector which has also made a significant contribution.  

We are all aware that almost all countries went into lockdown in various valiant efforts to eradicate the Coronavirus pandemic.  Nations have gradually started to ease restrictions.  It is true that no nation can remain in lockdown forever.  

While we are witnessing some improvement in COVID 19 pandemic situation in Zimbabwe, I would like to hasten to add that the situation of low risk does not mean no risk.  We all need to maintain utmost vigilance in order to protect each other.  We remain most conscious that we need to do everything possible as a nation to protect our leaders, teachers and school communities. 

As you are no doubt aware Hon. Members, schools offering Cambridge and Zimsec examinations re-opened for the 2020 examination classes on 14^th September, 2020 and 28^th September, 2020 respectively. 

 Prior to the re-opening, Government and the Ministry made sure that safe and secure an environment as possible was created in the schools.  Among the measures undertaken include the following:

         i.            The development and distribution of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which clearly guide the school management, learners and school parents assemblies on the dos and don’ts with respect to efforts to combat the Coronavirus; 

      ii.            The development and distribution of the Secretary’s Circular Number 10 of 2020 which articulates the SOPs, as well as key inputs and processes that must obtain at each school on a daily basis;

   iii.            Procurement by Government of Personal Protective Equipment for 8500 schools out of 9625 schools.  Those supported are Government schools, council schools and not for profit mission schools;

   iv.            The setting up of social distance markers at each school covering all areas where learners gather;

      v.            The training of all teachers before they can begin teaching and learning.  This was done in collaboration with the Minister of Health and Child Care.  Training was interrupted by the lockdown but it went through;

   vi.            The training of all learners on the first day at school so that they appreciate how they should conduct themselves in the new norm;

vii.            The setting up at each school of temporary holding bays for learners who fall sick; and

viii.            The deployment of information, education and communication materials on COVID 19 among others.

Mr. Speaker Sir, any school that has some essential PPEs outstanding was required to defer opening until all the essentials were in place.  As you are also aware, the re-opening of schools is not a subject that has received 100% consensus, either here in Zimbabwe or globally but for any nation to wait for a perfect situation when the virus is completely eradicated may mean waiting forever. 

 We are learning and we will establish the accurate figures when all learners return to school.  Some of our learners have since fallen pregnant, while others have joined various economic activities during the period of the lockdown. 

Studies have shown that the longer the learners stay out of school, the more the chances that a significant number will be lost to education.  From a few experiences of the past two days, even among those who returned to school, a significant number have lost some of the education gains that they had achieved.  

Such regression has the danger of exacerbating should the learners continue to miss school for too long a period. 

Attendance on the opening day for the schools offering Cambridge examinations was high for both teachers and learners.  The situation for the re-opening of schools on Monday, 28^th September, 2020 was characterised by a high turnout for learners and a low turnout for teachers.  

The situation improved slightly on the second day and we are hoping that teachers will return to work while any grievances that they may have get addressed through the right channels.  We understand some teachers have cited incapacitation but a teacher cannot have received his or her salary and be unable to report to work even on the first day. 

 Where will be the rationale for Government to continue paying an employee who is giving no service at all?  I would like to urge teachers to reflect and ensure that we find each other. Currently, there are over 20 000 qualified teachers who are looking for work and hundreds of thousands of learners who are looking for teachers.  Government may have no alternative other than to ensure that the learners are supported with teachers so that they are ready for examinations whose dates have now been determined, that is the first of December 2020 to the 26^th January 2021. 

          In conclusion, I recognise that while education is a key foundation for the lives of our children, our first responsibility is to save life and we therefore, all need to work together to ensure that we protect our children, teachers and communities from this Coronavirus.  I thank you.

The Supreme Court has granted MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe a further extension up to November 30 to hold an extraordinary congress to elect new leadership. She was previously given 3 months in March, but she argued saying the coronavirus lockdown caused failure to comply.

More to follow…

By Wilbert Mukori| Let’s face it, the Tuesday 29 September 2020 Trump vs Biden USA presidential debate, first with two more to come, was a melee, chaotic and a total waste of time and disgrace. Democracy itself was on the ropes and the pugnacious culprit hell bend on delivering the knock-out punch President Trump – the President of the United States of America, the undisputed leader of the free and democratic world!

The Greeks, the nation that bequeathed democracy to the world 2 500 years ago, accepted that for democracy to work the people must be educated and hence the reason they promoted freedom of expression and freedom of association. No doubt the USA presidential debates were meant to help educate the American electorate so they will make an informed choice of the man/woman to hold the highest office in the land for the next four years. The one thing the Tuesday debacle was not was informative. 

Within a few minutes of the 90 minutes debate, it was clear President Trump’s agenda was not be as disruptive as he could. He constantly interrupted Joe Biden. The listeners wanted to know what each candidate was going to do not end the corona virus in America and in follow up question why their opponent’s plan would not work, for example. 

Chris Wallace, of “Fox News Sunday” who was anchor and  moderator of the debate was forced to intervene. “Please don’t interrupt!”  then “Please obey the rules!” and finally “This isn’t serving the country well!” in sheer exasperation. 

President Trump did not only undermine the very essence of democracy by interrupting the debate but worse still by raising doubt in the validity of the election process itself! Should he lose the election, he has repeatedly refused to accept the results; implying that could only happen because the elections were rigged.

“As you know today, there was a big problem,” said Mr. Trump during Tuesday’s debate. “In Philadelphia, they went in to watch, they were called poll watchers, a very safe, very nice thing. They were thrown out, they weren’t allowed to watch. You know why? Because bad things happen in Philadelphia, bad things.”

As usual, he did not elaborate or provide any evidence. It is all innuendo and suppositions! 

On this occasion, it turns out the officials in Philadelphia were enforcing an existing law designed to stop poll watchers, from all the political parties, observing voter registration activities for fear of “intimidating the voters”.

The Proud Boys, a white supremacist group and ardent Trump supporters, have been involved in disruptive and intimidating activities. When President Trump was asked to publicly denounce the group, all he could master was “stand back and stand by”.

No doubt President Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF cronies have watched the Tuesday US debate with renewed interest and will be thrilled to bits to see President Trump back in White House. They will expect him to tear up Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZDERA) and lift the sanctions imposed on Zanu PF leaders. It would be very hypocritical of President Trump to do otherwise when, to win the US elections, he borrowed heavily from Zanu PF’s own vote rigging manual! 

“I’ve been involved in a certain amount of soul-searching.” concluded Mr Wallace. “I’m just disappointed with the results. For me, but much more importantly, I’m disappointed for the country, because it could have been a much more useful evening than it turned out to be.” 

The Commission on Presidential Debates, the body overseeing the conduct of the presidential debates is “considering changes to the format of this year’s remaining debate, a clear sign of its frustration with the results of Tuesday evening”, reported the New York Times.

SOURCE: zimbabwelight.blogspot.com

By Hon Job Sikhala- Let the world be informed that junior prison officers at Chikurubi Maximum Prison are under siege for allegations that they were treating me nicely and not adhering to the instructions of their bosses.

I have received unusual visits both at home and at my office from several prison officers who have been victimized for showing alleged favoritism to me. They were called to some kangaroo courts at the Prisons Headquarters and accused of failure to execute instructions, some of them bizzare.

They are accused of having failed to control journalists at the High Court after i was granted bail by Justice Ndewere. They are accused of allowing journalists to film me and allowing me to talk to friends and relatives who had come to give me solidarity.

The other allegation is that they allowed Hopewell Chin’ono to visit me in the holding cell at the High Court and took some pictures of me looking tormented which Hopewell splashed to the world.

In addition it is allegedly that I was allowed to humiliate the State when I asked to be unchained for me to be able to climb the back stairs of the prison magumedhe. They are accused of allowing my wife to bring me food when I was supposed to eat prison food.

Part of the plot to inject us with a lethal substance is a subject for another day. I can’t reveal the details today. Some of the officers have been defrothed of their duties as intelligence and security personnel and have been transferred to Mazowe.

One has been downgraded to be a guard at the prison medical stores. Another one is going to be transferred to Binga. I will not mention the names of these officers under siege at this moment but if the persecution continues I will be left with no option but to reveal them.

I witnessed it one day when one officer Sergent Chitsa was called into the office of Superitendent Mlambo and insulted left, right and centre. He was accused of being an MDC stalwart and told to produce his MDC party card for allowing me to properly climb into the prison truck.

He was accused of allowing me to move slowly under leg irons. This is a very old woman, who has long reached retirement time and is renewing her contract annually but should rather be playing with grandchildren in the village.

She humiliated and insulted an adult, a father of many children, for not practicing enough cruelty on my person. Chitsa came back in the magumedhe tears rolling, only for us to be told by those who overhead the abuse telling us what happened.

The one who is selling false information to prison authorities is one person I can’t mention by name at the present moment but is nicknamed Long and Short sleeves by his colleagues behind his back for the massacre of MDC supporters in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe during the one man 2008 presidential run off which saw Robert Mugabe contest alone.

His single star rank is said to have been obtained after he begged it from the former Commissioner General of Prisons and Correctional Services for faithfully saving the party through his sellout role. He is so well known of it.

He got the job after being the most cruel Border Gezi Training College graduate.

To my brothers, I have heard your cries. I will not hesitate to approach the Courts if you gather enoughcourage if the persecution persists.

I thank you….

Zimbabwe’s energy regulator has allowed the state power company to increase tariffs by 50% from Thursday while another hike by the same margin would come into effect next month.

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) had already raised tariffs by 50% on Sept. 23 to bring its rates in line with inflation running above 700%.

The increase would hit residents whose salaries have lagged inflation, while businesses could pass on the cost to consumers.

Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) said in a letter to ZETDC that the government had okayed the “outstanding tariff adjustments.”

ZERA chief executive Edington Mazambani confirmed the increases.

Last year in October, the power company hiked the average electricity tariff by 320% in a bid to ramp up production and improve supplies.

Zimbabwe has managed to keep the lights on since March after businesses were either shut or cut production after a government imposed lockdown to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reuters

Paul Nyathi

The MDC T led by Dr Thokozani Khupe on Thursday recalled 10 more MDC Alliance legislators including opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s deputy Lynette Karenyi Kore.

The announcement was made by speaker of parliament Jacob Mudenda while issuing notices to legislators.

The move comes as a time when the MDC-T interim leader Thokozani Khupe held a hastily arranged meeting of the party’s standing committee early this week which officials said was meant to clear the ground for reunification talks with Nelson Chamisa.

MDC-T youth assembly chairman for Harare, Paul Gorekore said that the youths were determined to push for dialogue.

Meanwhile, MDC youths appeared fed up with the factional wars in the main opposition after they seized the iconic Harvest House before vowing to force dialogue between Thokozani Khupe and Nelson Chamisa.

The youths said the action was meant to save the party from collapse as its leaders’ bloodletting escalates.

Below is a list of the recalled MPs:

Eric Murai (Highfield East),

Wellington Chikombo (Glen Norah),

Etheridge Kureva (Epworth),

Dorcas Sibanda (Proportional Representation Bulawayo),

Caston Matewu (Marondera),

Lynette Karenyi Kore (Proportional Representation Manicaland)

Concilia Chinanzvavana (Proportional Represntation Mashonaland West),

Susan Matsunga (Mufakose),

Prince Dubeko Sibanda (Binga North) and

Vunganai Tarusenga (St Mary’s)

Eric Murai (Highfield East), Wellington Chikombo (GlenNorah), Etheridge Kureva (Epworth), Dorcas Sibanda (PR Byo), Caston Matewu (Marondera), Lynette Karenyi Kore (PR Manicalanda) were recalled @MdcMasvingo #ZimbabweanLivesMatter @MakomboreroH

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) October 1, 2020

Concilia Chinanzvavana (PR Mash West), Susan Matsonga (Mufakose), Prince Dubeko Sibanda (Binga N),Vunganai Tarusenga (St Mary's) were recalled by @DrThoko_Khupe #ZimbabweanLivesMatter @schikanza

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) October 1, 2020