BREAKING- Police mobilised, currently waiting to effect the arrest of sick @JoanaMamombe at Borrowdale Half House in Harare. This follows an arrest warrant issued this morning at the Harare magistrates court over her failure to appear at court. #Zimbabwe #ZimbabweanslivesMatter pic.twitter.com/l6FcT2k9Qy

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 15, 2020

Watch the video loading below and hear Joana Mamombe’s lawyer Joana Mamombe speaking to ZimEye….

BREAKING- @DrThoko_Khupe Khupe fires five marondera councillors including Mayor #Zimbabwe @MdcMasvingo @mdczimbabwe @mdcmashwest @MDCAustralia @MdcRundu @advocatemahere @MakomboreroH pic.twitter.com/tDhfhzoYOt

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 15, 2020

BREAKING- NEWLY ELECTED HARARE MAYOR HIS WORSHIP COUNCILLOR JACOB MAFUME RECALLED? @MakomboreroH @DrThoko_Khupe @lilomatic @JMafume @GutuObert @nelsonchamisa @BitiTendai pic.twitter.com/zGyZ9AacP8

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 15, 2020

By A Correspondent- The newly elected MDC Alliance Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has been recalled, it has emerged.

Sources privy to the development alleged that Mafume was recalled by his party PDP.

It was however further revealed that the new Harare Mayor was recalled by a faction of the PDP led by Lucia Matibenga.

Matibenga broke ranks with the Tendai Biti-led faction in 2017 following differences over joining the MDC Alliance ahead of the 2018 polls. At the time, Matibenga was party chairperson.

In an interview with ZimEye, Mafume however dismissed the report and said he knew nothing about the recall.

Said Mafume:

“Ask her (Matibenga) please. I have no idea what you are talking about.”

Matibenga was not picking up calls at the time of publishing.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates.

By A Correspondent- MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora says the level of intolerance being displayed by Nelson Chamisa was not only shocking but totally repugnant of modern dictates of common decency in leadership.

This follows attacks on him by the MDC Alliance leader at the burial of a party official over the weekend.

“I learnt with dismay the unprovoked utterances against my person attributed to Advocate Chamisa at the recent funeral service of the late Hon Miriam Mushayi,” Mwonzora said.

“The unfortunate diatribe against my person, characterised by the unsavoury name calling was not only unfortunate but regrettable given that this was coming from a man calling himself the people’s president.

“The level of intolerance displayed by the president of the Alliance party is not only shocking but totally repugnant of modern dictates of common decency in leadership.

“It is an affront to the progressive democratic tenets of modern politics.”

Addressing mourners during the late Mushayi’s church service, Chamisa described his former ally, ‘as a sell-out who was fighting an unwinnable petty agenda’.

For close to six months, Mwonzora, has been on a warpath, frustrating the operations of the MDC Alliance through recalls on MPs and councillors claiming they had ceased to be MDC-T members.

“I am really disappointed with his level of selfishness and that Mwonzora has sunk so low. He is claiming to defend the legacy of the late Morgan Tsvangirai by destroying what he (Tsvangirai) built. You claim you want to defend his legacy when you do not even know the origins of Tsvangirai,” Chamisa told mourners.

In response, Mwonzora said by choosing a funeral platform to spew hate, Chamisa was not only abusive of the grieving family but this was testimony of a man hurting from inside and in need of help.

“This behaviour, inimical of the late Robert Mugabe is not helpful to a society desperate for a new breeze of politics, free from hate and intolerance,” Mwonzora said.

“Zimbabwe yearns for a new political culture where rational disputation thrive and people can respectfully disagree without animosity against one another.

“The bitterness displayed by Advocate Chamisa does not promote the new society we envisage. It can only perpetuate acrimony and violence which has characterised our toxic political landscape since independence in 1980.

“This politics is not only retrogressive but archaic and unproductive. We must as political leaders free the new generation of Zimbabwe from this kind of politics.”

Mwonzora added, “Zimbabwe deserves a better leadership which focuses on issues than personalities.

“It is my wish to advance a developmental political agenda which will extricate our people from poverty and hunger.

“Together as Zimbabwe, we can achieve this in our lifetime. I call on my brother Nelson Chamisa to emulate this new political trajectory and make a difference to many a young man out there who look up to him for real change.”

The two former allies broke ranks on the day the Supreme Court ruled Chamisa was not the legitimate leader of the opposition MDC-T.

Mwonzora quickly jumped ship and joined Thokozani Khupe who was declared interim president of the party.

By A Correspondent- Former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko’s trial continued yesterday in camera at the Harare Magistrates Court.

Mphoko is facing criminal abuse of office charges after he allegedly instructed some police officers to release former Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) acting chief executive Moses Juma from police cells.

Prosecutor Mr Lovett Masuku successfully applied to have the trial be heard in camera citing need to protect State’s secrets.

In his application Mr Masuku told Harare regional magistrate Mr Trynois Utahwashe that he agreed with Mphoko’s lawyers to have the proceedings heard in camera.

Said Mr Masuku: “The State is of the view that proceedings should be heard in camera, the basis for the application is that the evidence likely to be adduced will not be good in terms of State security.”-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Divisions have rocked the ruling Zanu-PF party over its impending district co-ordinating committee (DCC) elections amid reports of plots by party bigwigs to impose candidates as internal succession wars thicken.

The party disbanded the DCCs in 2012 after it emerged that they had become favourite hunting grounds for then Vice-President Joice Mujuru and Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa who were jostling to succeed the now late former President Robert Mugabe.

After romping to power through a military-assisted coup in November 2017, Mnangagwa immediately reinstated the DCCs, with elections for the lower tier of the Zanu-PF power structures scheduled to start soon.

However, fierce fights over control of the structures have re-emerged amid reports that faction leaders were back in the trenches trying to sway votes in favour of candidates deemed loyal to either Mnangagwa or his deputy Constantino Chiwenga who is said to be angling to take over as party leader.

On Saturday, party commissar Victor Matemadanda singled out Mashonaland West, Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Midlands provinces as trouble spots.

“All the people who sat down and did shortlisting of candidates, those (candidates) are going to be disqualified. What makes you want to have your own sub-structure? The structure must be one which reports to the President. Why do you think you must have a structure that is loyal to you?” he asked rhetorically.

“I heard that in Mashonaland West, around Patchway area, there was a caucus meeting to shortlist candidates for DCC and say so and so will be chairperson, secretary etc… that is nonsense. There is nothing like that. We are going to do proper elections there.”

“In Chipinge, I heard that is what was happening also. In Mashonaland East, I heard there was a district which was doing that again. Let me tell them that they will achieve nothing. We want to have a structure of the party not of an individual. Here in Midlands, the same problem had started, but I shall not mention names,” an irate Matemadanda said.

According to the Zanu-PF constitution, there are 60 rural DCCs that must be constituted and 29 in urban areas.

When fully constituted, the DCCs form part of the Zanu-PF congress, which is the supreme decision-making body mandated to elect the party president.

Accordingly, whoever controls DCCs has greater potential of sustaining power in Zanu-PF.-online

By A Correspondent- The 9 students who were arrested by the ZRP while protesting outside Harare Magistrate Courts following the arrest of Takudzwa Ngadziore the ZINASU president are set to appear before the courts today.

ZimEye will be covering proceedings at the court.

The police reportedly rounded up Nancy Njenge, Donald Marevanhema, Talent Jinga, Arnold Mazonde, Mitchell Lieto, Zvikomborero Mumbirimi, Takudzwa Gwaze and John Ncobo and reports say they were driven away in the back of a police vehicle.

Their lawyer Obey Shava told the media Monday, the group would sleep in police custody and they will appear in court today. The students are facing public disorder charges.

Harare City Council will have just 25 functioning councillors following the recall of another 11, including the deputy mayor, by MDC-T yesterday.

This takes the number of vacancies to 21, a development that may trigger the temporary appointment of commissioners until by-elections are held.

While a council meeting requires just 17 councillors present to form a quorum, much of the work of the council is done in committees and depending on the distribution of the vacancies, there may be swathes of suburbs without representation until by-elections are held.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is hoping the Covid-19 pandemic will be sufficiently reduced, or other health measures can be put in place, to allow Parliamentary and council by-elections by December.

Normally, outside a public health emergency, these would take place in a matter of weeks after the vacancies.

Under the Urban Councils Act the Minister of Local Government and Public Works can appoint one or more commissioners for a maximum of six months, or until the vacancies are filled in a by-election, when “there are no councillors for a council area or all the councillors for a council area have been suspended or imprisoned or are otherwise unable to exercise all or some of their functions as councillors.”

Where there are some councillors still available to exercise some of their functions, any commission must consult these councillors before making any decisions.

A commission is essentially intended as a holding operation since the commission needs ministerial approval to collect rates and fees or sell council land and in the case of Harare, where there are still sitting councillors, any commission would in effect be checking and validating any decisions reached by that group as part of the consultation process.

There have been legal changes since the last commissions ran the city council, when a minister could remove a council and replace it by a commission.

Under the new law, the commission is just there to keep the city running until a new council is in place. If the Minister of Local Government feels that a council is falling down on the job, then the minister can issue policy directions and take other action to ensure the council is doing its job.

MDC-T has been targeting those MPs, senators and councillors who were its nominees in the MDC-Alliance single list in the last harmonised election.

Those coming from other parties in the alliance cannot be recalled by MDC-T, but that party was the largest component of the MDC-A and had the largest number of nominees.

The 11 latest recalled councillors include deputy mayor Enoch Mupamawonde, Lovemore Makuwerere (Ward 24), Gilbert Hadebe (Ward 39), Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi (Ward 19), Simon Mapanzure (Ward 34), Charles Chidhagu (Ward 30), Keith Charumbira (Ward 8), Steven Dhliwayo (Ward 40), Barnabas Ndira (Ward 21), Chihoma Runyowa (Ward 29) and Charles Nyatsuro (Ward 6).

The first batch of four councillors to be recalled in July are Denford Ngadziore (Ward 16), Girisoti Mandere (Ward 44), Jaison Kautsa (Ward 37), Tonderai Chakeredza (Ward 31).

Six councillors recalled in August are former mayor Hebert Gomba (Ward 27), Hammy Madzingira (Ward 10), Kudzai Kadzombe (Ward 41), Gaudencia Marere (Ward 32), Costa Mande (Ward 24), Happymore Gotora (Ward 7).

A communique from Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo, addressed to the office of the Harare town clerk, informed council about the latest recalls.

“I wish to inform you that l am in receipt of a letter from the Movement of Democratic Change (T) stating that the following councillors have been expelled from that party,” reads the letter.

The letter further declared wards 24, 39, 19, 34, 30, 8, 40, 21, 29, 6 and 35 are now vacant, in terms of the Constitution. Minister Moyo said in terms of section 121 of the Electoral Act, council should inform the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of the vacant seats.

Sources from the MDC-T said the recalls were part of the ongoing intra-party fights for the control of the party.

“The councillors are said to have humiliated Dr Khupe last week during the mayoral election in which they voted a Peoples’ Democratic Party candidate, Jacob Mafume, for the top civic job in the city. This was against the wishes of Dr Khupe and company who wanted Luckson Mukunguma to be the mayor,” said the source.

Harare City Council has been sitting on a major set of corruption allegations involving the sale of council land and the rezoning of public open space before that land is then sold, sometimes under contested circumstances.

The creation of new housing stands for alleged personal gain, plus alleged cover ups and allegations of favouritism in manipulation of housing waiting lists or agreements of sale without prior advertising have seen senior officials, up to Town Clerk Eng Hosiah Chisango, and some councillors, including ex-mayor Gomba, arrested and taken to court.

While the powers of a commission are limited in time and extent, there are many who support the appointment to help sort out major problems.

By A Correspondent- EFF leader Julius Malema has said the ANC was irresponsible in using a government jet to come for a crunch meeting with Zanu PF. Malema further said the secretary of defence must invoice the ANC and the ANC must pay for hitching a ride in a government jet on ANC business.sample invoice template

According to SABC:

EFF leader Julius Malema says the ANC must pay for using a government jet to travel to Zimbabwe. The Red Berets say the Secretary of Defence must invoice Luthuli House. Malema supports the ANC mission to Zimbabwe though, saying it’s urgent and necessary to resolve the political and economic challenges in our neighboring country.

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Ndlovu, the Nkayi Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer was reportedly suspended last week for alleged abuse of office.

Mr Ndlovu who was also suspended on the same charges in March and had recently returned to work was suspended after a full council meeting discussing his issue was held.

A letter from Nkayi RDC chairman Mr Jameson Mnethwa to Ndlovu outlining the reasons for his suspension seen by the publication reads in part:

a) changing the tender recommendations by the procurement committee to a company with a bad record and that did not complete the job as earlier indicated,

b) entering into a contract with Zenzele Logistics without a council resolution on 6 July 2018 and only presented this to council on 27 March 2020. c) Utilising US$1 055 for the Sweden trip without council authority. d) Changing council lawyers in the Lawrence Mudimba case without a council resolution

You are requested to return all council assets (council vehicle AEN3413, office keys, laptop and password and any other assets) that you are using to the council chairperson

When asked for comment deputy local governance minister Marian Chombo said she is aware of the matter and she doesn’t want to interfere with council process.-statemedia

State Media

Former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko’s trial continued yesterday in camera at the Harare Magistrates Court.

Mphoko is facing criminal abuse of office charges after he allegedly instructed some police officers to release former Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) acting chief executive Moses Juma from police cells.

Prosecutor Mr Lovett Masuku successfully applied to have the trial be heard in camera citing need to protect State’s secrets.

In his application Mr Masuku told Harare regional magistrate Mr Trynois Utahwashe that he agreed with Mphoko’s lawyers to have the proceedings heard in camera.

Said Mr Masuku: “The State is of the view that proceedings should be heard in camera, the basis for the application is that the evidence likely to be adduced will not be good in terms of State security.”

Responding to the State’s application, Mphoko’s lawyer Advocate Thembinkosi Magwaliba insisted that the accused person’s immediate family should be present during the trial saying he cannot be cut off from his family members.

State Media

THE occupation of Buena Vista Farm in Goromonzi by new farmer Ms Ivy Rupandi is aboveboard following a long-running court process which culminated in Mr Martin Grobbler losing the farm.

Ms Rupandi was allocated the land in 2003 at the height of the Land Reform Programme, but faced resistance from Mr Grobbler.

The farm had been acquired by the State and gazetted for redistribution under the Land Reform Programme.

The battle for control of the farm spilled into the courts with Ms Rupandi on the strength of an offer letter from Government, seeking eviction of the Grobbler family.

On his part, Mr Grobbler filed numerous court applications in a bid to block Ms Rupandi from occupying the farm.

However, Ms Rupandi won her case and Mr Grobbler was evicted on the strength of a High Court order.

Dissatisfied with the court’s decision allowing his eviction, Mr Grobbler took the matter to the Supreme Court on appeal.

He lost the appeal, setting the stage for Ms Rupandi to execute the eviction order against Mr Grobbler.

Ms Rupandi’s notice of eviction was filed at the High Court on November 28, 2017 under case number HC 10633/17, but Grobbler continued to contest eviction when he applied for a stay of execution. But his appeal in the Supreme Court, under a SC 246/20 was thrown out after Justice Lavender Makoni on July 22, upheld the eviction order.

State Media

Police officers recently arrested on allegations of abuse of office and bribery over their handling of the investigation into the illegal sale of stands in Kuwadzana in a US$1 million scam have been reassigned to the reserve pool.

The pool is a convenient place to post officers who cannot hold any specific function, or who have to be kept away from active duties pending disciplinary proceedings.

The four are deputy director for the police CID commercial crimes unit Assistant Commissioner Obeylaw Moyo (47), Detective Assistant Inspector Claudious Majonga (37), Detective Constable Aaron Karuru (32), and a fourth officer on the run.

The Herald has it on good authority that Asst Comm Moyo and Superintendent Naboth Nyachega, who are also on remand over Harare land issues, were transferred from the CID to Police General Headquarters (PGHQ) reserve along with Chief Supt H Dube who was transferred from PGHQ Transport and Logistics.

Five other senior officers were transferred to various departments within the police force as part of the restructuring, although many of those transfers are normal reassignments for duty police officers who rarely spend more than a few years in a particular post or even the same unit.

The transfers are with effective from last Wednesday.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said there was nothing unusual about transfers within the police services.

“There is nothing sinister about transfers. Transfers are part of the police work and there is need to rotate officers. The Commissioner-General of Police has a prerogative to make transfers,” he said.

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) recently arrested chief public prosecutor Clement Chimbare, who was implicated in the matter, together with some of the police officers and it was alleged that they were paid off with housing stands for not arresting or not charging suspected kingpins in the scam.

There is evidence that they were allocated stands in Westlea, the new middle-income suburb of Harare, using waiting list numbers already given to others.

Another senior police officer, Supt Nyachega, and two Harare City Council officials — human resources director and former housing director, Matthew Marara, and housing assistant Aaron Taerera — were also arrested over the case.

State Media

Harare City Council will have just 25 functioning councillors following the recall of another 11, including the deputy mayor, by MDC-T yesterday.

This takes the number of vacancies to 21, a development that may trigger the temporary appointment of commissioners until by-elections are held.

While a council meeting requires just 17 councillors present to form a quorum, much of the work of the council is done in committees and depending on the distribution of the vacancies, there may be swathes of suburbs without representation until by-elections are held.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is hoping the Covid-19 pandemic will be sufficiently reduced, or other health measures can be put in place, to allow Parliamentary and council by-elections by December.

Normally, outside a public health emergency, these would take place in a matter of weeks after the vacancies.

Under the Urban Councils Act the Minister of Local Government and Public Works can appoint one or more commissioners for a maximum of six months, or until the vacancies are filled in a by-election, when “there are no councillors for a council area or all the councillors for a council area have been suspended or imprisoned or are otherwise unable to exercise all or some of their functions as councillors.”

Where there are some councillors still available to exercise some of their functions, any commission must consult these councillors before making any decisions.

A commission is essentially intended as a holding operation since the commission needs ministerial approval to collect rates and fees or sell council land and in the case of Harare, where there are still sitting councillors, any commission would in effect be checking and validating any decisions reached by that group as part of the consultation process.

There have been legal changes since the last commissions ran the city council, when a minister could remove a council and replace it by a commission.

Under the new law, the commission is just there to keep the city running until a new council is in place. If the Minister of Local Government feels that a council is falling down on the job, then the minister can issue policy directions and take other action to ensure the council is doing its job.

MDC-T has been targeting those MPs, senators and councillors who were its nominees in the MDC-Alliance single list in the last harmonised election.

Those coming from other parties in the alliance cannot be recalled by MDC-T, but that party was the largest component of the MDC-A and had the largest number of nominees.

The 11 latest recalled councillors include deputy mayor Enoch Mupamawonde, Lovemore Makuwerere (Ward 24), Gilbert Hadebe (Ward 39), Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi (Ward 19), Simon Mapanzure (Ward 34), Charles Chidhagu (Ward 30), Keith Charumbira (Ward 8), Steven Dhliwayo (Ward 40), Barnabas Ndira (Ward 21), Chihoma Runyowa (Ward 29) and Charles Nyatsuro (Ward 6).

The first batch of four councillors to be recalled in July are Denford Ngadziore (Ward 16), Girisoti Mandere (Ward 44), Jaison Kautsa (Ward 37), Tonderai Chakeredza (Ward 31).

Six councillors recalled in August are former mayor Hebert Gomba (Ward 27), Hammy Madzingira (Ward 10), Kudzai Kadzombe (Ward 41), Gaudencia Marere (Ward 32), Costa Mande (Ward 24), Happymore Gotora (Ward 7).

A communique from Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo, addressed to the office of the Harare town clerk, informed council about the latest recalls.

“I wish to inform you that l am in receipt of a letter from the Movement of Democratic Change (T) stating that the following councillors have been expelled from that party,” reads the letter.

The letter further declared wards 24, 39, 19, 34, 30, 8, 40, 21, 29, 6 and 35 are now vacant, in terms of the Constitution. Minister Moyo said in terms of section 121 of the Electoral Act, council should inform the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of the vacant seats.

Sources from the MDC-T said the recalls were part of the ongoing intra-party fights for the control of the party.

“The councillors are said to have humiliated Dr Khupe last week during the mayoral election in which they voted a Peoples’ Democratic Party candidate, Jacob Mafume, for the top civic job in the city. This was against the wishes of Dr Khupe and company who wanted Luckson Mukunguma to be the mayor,” said the source.

Harare City Council has been sitting on a major set of corruption allegations involving the sale of council land and the rezoning of public open space before that land is then sold, sometimes under contested circumstances.

The creation of new housing stands for alleged personal gain, plus alleged cover ups and allegations of favouritism in manipulation of housing waiting lists or agreements of sale without prior advertising have seen senior officials, up to Town Clerk Eng Hosiah Chisango, and some councillors, including ex-mayor Gomba, arrested and taken to court.

While the powers of a commission are limited in time and extent, there are many who support the appointment to help sort out major problems.

Paul Nyathi

The trial of MDC Alliance legislator Joana Mamombe and two other party activists — Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova — who are facing charges of communicating false statements prejudicial to the State after alleging abduction and torture by suspected security agents, is expected to start today at the Harare Magistrates Courts.

The three, who are out on bail, are shockingly accused of making false claims of having been abducted, tortured and sexually abused as punishment for staging an anti-Government protest.

The three opposition women were tortured and sexually abused by their abductors, whom they said took them from a police station in May, after they had been arrested for organizing an anti-government protest. Their abductors were unidentified, but because they took the women from police custody, it appears they were some kind of state agents.

The young women were missing for nearly 48 hours before being released by their abuctors. While they were being treated in a hospital for injuries inflicted during their captivity, prosecutors charged them with contravening lockdown regulations for participating in the protest.

The State is expected to lead evidence showing that the trio lied about the abductions to advance a political agenda aimed at discrediting and eventually overthrowing the Government.

The accused are however seeking postponement of the trial on various grounds deemed to be delaying tactics which include claims of suffering temporary insanity.

Lawyers representing Mamombe had asked for a temporary suspension of her bail reporting conditions claiming she was not feeling well and was under the care of a psychiatrist.

Mamombe’s lawyer Alec Muchadehama told the court that “she had been taken ill and currently under the care of a psychiatrist because of her unstable condition . . . the doctor had recommended a further two weeks to manage . . .”

According to the State, Mamombe and her accomplices were captured on CCTV at Belgravia Shopping Centre in Harare at a time they were claiming to have been in the hands of their abductors.

On May 13 at around 12.30pm, the three gathered at Choppies Supermarket in Warren Park 1 with other MDC Alliance youths and staged a demonstration against the recall of their MPs from Parliament and the alleged misuse of funds for the Covid-19 pandemic.

On the same day they were arrested at a roadblock near the Exhibition Park and were taken to Harare Central Police Station.

Upon receiving the communication, their lawyer Mr Jeremiah Bamu reportedly went to the police CID Law and Order.

Mr Bamu is alleged to have approached a senior officer, saying the accused had been arrested and taken to Harare Central Police Station. According to the State, checks were made and it was established that they were not arrested. On the same day, social media platforms and local newspapers were awash with news that the three had been arrested, it is alleged.

Two days later, on May 15 at around 1am, Mr Bamu advised the police that the three were at Muchapondwa Business Centre in Bindura.

The police and Mr Bamu went to the business centre, collected them and took them to a hospital in Waterfalls, Harare, since they had been tortured.

The State will seek to prove that all the claims made by the defendants are false.

State Media

THE Government has extended permitted businesses to operate any time between 6.30am to 6.30pm as part of a delicate process to balance the economy and respond to the Covid-19 threat, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa announced last night.

Most businesses do not operate 12 hours a day, but the change allows those that want to close later than 4.30pm to do so and also allows those that want to open earlier than 8am to do so.

Despite the continued easing of restrictions, the Ad-hoc Inter Ministerial Taskforce on Covid-19 insisted that Zimbabwe was not out of the woods as yet in its fight against the pandemic which has so far infected 7 531 people and killed 224 as yesterday.

“As part of gradually opening the economy, Government has extended operation hours for the retail, wholesale and service businesses from 8am to 4.30pm to 6.30am – 6.30pm,” said Minister Mutsvangwa in her media brief after the Ad-hoc Inter Ministerial Taskforce on Covid-19 meeting.

“As we gradually open the economy, we need to remember that we are doing this, while taking all necessary precautions to fight the invisible enemy, Covid-19. The easing of lockdown restrictions is not an indication that we have defeated this pandemic, but we are a nation seeking to balance between our economic interests and the protection of life,” she said.

With the continued progress in reopening of the economy, which includes schools and the tourism sector, Minister Mutsvangwa said the Government was putting in place measures to contain the pandemic in the event that the infection curve rises.

The Government would continue to make preparations of health facilities so as to be able to cope with any potential spike in infections, she said.

Local businesses have responded to the Covid-19 contagion by rolling out production of locally-manufactured personal protection equipment and drugs. The University of Zimbabwe (UZ) and a local company have begun manufacturing swabs required for collecting Covid-19 samples. The swabs have been submitted to the Ministry of Health and Child Care and to Natpharm for quality assurance tests.

Minister Mutsvangwa said the Government was working on resumption of operations at Victoria Falls International Airport with staff training.

“The readiness of other ports of entry is under assessment and the nation will be advised,” she said.

Meanwhile, chief coordinator of the National Response to Covid-19 Dr Agnes Mahomva explained that a person can be declared negative if they are asymptomatic for two-weeks, and they do not necessarily need another test.

“When one is positive today, they do not necessarily need to get another test and another third test to be declared recovered if you are not symptomatic for 10 days, in our case its two weeks. If the two weeks are up without symptoms, you can go back and resume your work without testing.”

“As long as we have new cases, it is clear that we are not out of the woods yet. I am delighted that in the last Cabinet meeting, they specifically adopted a team of experts for guidance,” said Dr Mahomva.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers Association president Mr Denford Mutashu commended the Government for extending operating hours, saying as business they would continue adhering to WHO guidelines of operating in a safe environment.

“Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers applauds the President, Cabinet and entire Government for proving that it is indeed a listening Government.Our application for extension of operating hours and reopening of alcoholic beverages outlets was listened to. As business we will also continue to put in place measures that we operate in accordance to WHO guidelines and continue promoting the safety of our customers.”

Mr Mutashu said the extension of operating hours would go a long way in helping to revive the economy, buoyed by the forex auction system that has stabilised the exchange rate and restored confidence on pricing and productivity.

I am alarmed by the rumours, speculative prophesies and conjectures circulated by our detractors to confuse our members. We must of necessity urgently organize and hold our EOC to stem any further haemorrhage that will weaken our great party.

— Elias Mudzuri (@EngMudzuri) September 14, 2020

Exiled former Foreign Affairs minister Walter Mzembi says the ZANU PF intra-party dispute between the G40 faction and Team Lacoste is not over yet.

Mzembi accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa of using the military in 2017 to decide the outcome of the factional battles within the ruling party hence the dispute remains unresolved.

Mzembi, who is in self-imposed exile in South Africa, was responding to threats by Mnangagwa to have him extradited from the neighbouring country for prosecution.

Said Mzembi:

It is not a secret that there were two factions contesting for power in Zanu PF. Now identifying G40 leadership for prosecution on distant things that do not even border on criminality is a good example of the weaponisation of prosecutions.

He used the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to arbitrate in an intra-party dispute between two factions, G40 and Lacoste, and that dispute, because it was summarily resolved by force, stands to this day.

The battle for the soul and minds of Zanu PF continues, with him as hanging on the military thread, imposing himself, while the legitimate party is in exile.

Mzembi said, through his statements, Mnangagwa made himself the judge, jury and prosecutor of his opponents.

He accused Mugabe’s protege of weaponising criminal prosecution against political opponents.-NewsDay

An 18-year-old female Advanced Level student from Chivhu says she has turned to prostitution to raise school fees for her final term and money for university.

Mercy (not real name), told Health Times that she completed her Ordinary Level studies in 2018 in Chivhu and passed 10 subjects including Mathematics, English, and science subjects.

When coronavirus forced the closure of schools in March, Mercy came to Harare to live with her unemployed sister.

Mercy thought she could raise fees and enrol for extra lessons since she will be writing her final ‘A’ Level exams later this year.

However, her mother lost her reliable source of livelihood – vending – after the government imposed an indefinite lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Said Mercy:

I am from Chivhu but these days I live with my sister here in Harare. My mother’s vending business has been bad, she can no longer afford to pay for my fees. Even food, she can’t afford to feed us.

I was left with no option, I wanted money for food, school fees and to raise money for University as well.

The only easy option I found was to get into sex work since almost every other avenue seem to have been closed by the coronavirus.

I will be writing my final examinations this year and I am optimistic that I am going to pass.

I also want to go for extra lessons since I am towards writing my final examinations this year and unfortunately, I have no one to assist me financially at the moment.

Mercy is afraid that she may contract HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in the process as some of her clients demand unsafe sex.

She is planning to return to Chivhu on September 16.

She said her first term fees were pegged at ZWL$1 210 but the new fees structure for the final term has not been shared as yet.-Health Times

A GWANDA man has been arrested for allegedly ganging up with two accomplices who are still at large to beat up a man to death in a dispute over a woman.

Alfred Moyo (21) from Guyu area was not asked to plead when he appeared before Gwanda magistrate, Ms Lerato Nyathi. He was remanded in custody to September 18.

Prosecuting, Ms Ethel Mahachi said on August 10 Moyo met Ntuthuko Nyoni at Guyu Business Centre and accused him of snatching his girlfriend.

“Nyoni dismissed the allegations and threatened to stab Moyo with a knife if he continued making them.

Moyo later left the business centre and went home. He later returned to the business centre at around 8PM and teamed up with his two friends who are still at large.

“They assaulted Nyoni several times with a knobkerrie and axe handle and further stabbed him with a spear in the head. Nyoni sustained serious injuries and died on the following day while admitted to Mpilo Hospital,” she said.

In another incident a Bulilima man has been arrested after he allegedly struck his cousin with an axe in a dispute over gum poles.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred on Saturday at around 2PM in Goba area. He said Nkosilathi Nondo (56) attacked his cousin Mr Zwelithini Hondo (53) for confronting him over gum poles that he had cut from his field.

“I can confirm that we recorded an attempted murder case which occurred in Goba farming lands in Bulilima.

Nkosilathi Nondo went to his cousin Mr Zwelithini Hondo’s field and cut down gum poles in the morning. In the afternoon Mr Hondo saw the gum poles at his cousin’s homestead and realised that they belonged to him. Mr Hondo took a scotch cart and loaded the gum poles with an intention to take them to his homestead.-Chronicle

Farai Dziva|Respected Pan-Afticanist Professor Patrick Lumumba has described the persecution of ZINASU president Takudzwa Ngadziore as unfortunate.

Ngadziore appeared in court today and he was granted RTGS $ 2000 Bail.

Ngadziore was arrested last week for participating in a demonstration against Impala Car Rental

The Kenyan Professor tweeted :
“President E.D. Mnangagwa we hear the young TAKUDZWE NGADZIORE may be in custody.

We beseech you to order his immediate release…”

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has challenged Patrick Chinamasa to retract defamatory remarks against party leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa and his deputy, Tendai Biti.

Chinamasa also accused the opposition party of plotting acts of banditry.

MDC Alliance spokesperson, Advocate Fadzai Mahere, quoted by Zimlive, said:

It’s a matter of regret that Chinamasa has resorted to a false, malicious and reckless attack on the MDC Alliance.

Instead of addressing the multifaceted socio-economic and governance crisis that plagues Zimbabwe currently, he has fabricated unfounded claims against our movement.

His unrestrained remarks betray the desperation and incompetence of Zanu PF which has failed to address the national crisis and has resorted to threats, intimidation and propaganda to mask its incompetence.

We demand an urgent retraction of the defamatory allegations against our president, vice president and indeed our party to the effect that we are training youths in Moldova and Serbia.

The MDC Alliance is a party committed to non-violence and peaceful resolution of the national crisis.

Chinamasa’s aggressive and unrestrained remarks and tone are unconstitutional and a threat to our right to challenge the government and hold it to account without the threat of reprisals.

Moreover, we reaffirm that without sincere dialogue and a political settlement, the nation will continue to suffer from the harmful effects of the legitimacy deficit that plagues Mr Mnangagwa’s regime flowing from the disputed election of 2018.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti has described the detention of party vice chairperson, Job Sikhala as unlawful.

“It is now a month since the unlawful arrest and detention of Job Sikhala.

As with Hope, Jacob and Kura,the State has weaponized pre-trial detention procedures to punish an accused .Job is innocent.

His only crime is to resist autocracy and Emmerson #freejobsikhala #ZimbabweanLivesMatter,” tweeted Hon Biti.

He also described Paul Madzore as a veteran of the struggle for democracy.

“Paul Madzore has been the sound trek to our struggle .

A talented artist whose music has deftly knitted the threads of our struggle s up s & downs .His music has reflected our mood &lifted us in times of doubt .A true comrade, the throat of our struggle #ZimbabweanLivesMatter.”

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa accompanied Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume to Waterfalls Police Station for the latter’s routine reporting.

Ngarivhume was arrested for convening peaceful protests against corruption.

“President Nelson Chamisa accompanied Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume to Waterfalls Police Station.

This is an act of bravery and solidarity.We commend President Chamisa’s solidarity with those who are being persecuted by the Zanu PF regime,” a source told ZimEye.com.

Harare Mayor Cllr Jacob Mafume has appointed Dr Prosper Chonzi as acting Town Clerk.

Mafume made the announcement in a public notice on Monday.

Chonzi’s appointment is with effect from the 14th of September to the 30th of September 2020.

The statement reads:
His Worship the Mayor Cllr Jacob Mafume has appointed Dr Prosper Chonzi to act in the position of Town Clerk with effect from today 14 September to 30 September 2020.-City of Harare

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance councillor, Godfrey Kurauone has revealed that the conditions in the country’s prisons are atrocious.

Kurauone is also the MDC Alliance youth assembly organizing secretary.

According to Councillor Kurauone, prisoners are not tested for Coronavirus, leaving them exposed to the deadly pandemic.

Watch video below:

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance councillor, Godfrey Kurauone has revealed that the conditions in the country’s prisons are atrocious.

Kurauone is also the MDC Alliance youth assembly organizing secretary.

According to Councillor Kurauone, prisoners are not tested for Coronavirus, leaving them exposed to the deadly pandemic.

Watch video below:

Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) coronavirus situation report as of 14 September 2020:

• New cases: 5
• Locals – 5
• Returnees – 0
• Deaths: 0
• Recoveries: 12
• PCR Tests Done: 349
• National Recovery Rate: 76%
• Active Cases: 1 617
• Total Cumulative Cases: 7 531
• Total Recoveries: 5 690
• Total Deaths: 224

Parliament has resolved to work late when necessary to speed up debate on Bills and other Government-related business as it races to conclude outstanding work ahead of the end of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament next week.

On Thursday, the National Assembly resolved to suspend several standing orders and procedural requirements including a rule that provides for automatic adjournment of sitting by 6.55pm.

This means the National Assembly can sit until late, beyond the legally prescribed time.

The National Assembly also resolved to suspend the rule requiring referral to Portfolio Committees and observation of stages of Bills, among other issues, in a bid to create ample time to consider Government business.

The motion was moved by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi.

Matabeleland South Proportionate Representative MP, Dr Ruth Labode (MDC-T), sought to understand what Minister Ziyambi sought to achieve in simple terms.

“Let me try to explain the procedure in the House. When we start sittings at a 1415 hours, we cannot go beyond 1855 hours. That is the automatic adjournment time at which business will then have to stop, regardless of whether we have finished what we are doing or not.

“What we want to do is to consider Government business on the Order Paper that we can dispose of before the beginning of the Third Session. In order to do that, we need to suspend the adjournment time to enable us to go beyond 7pm and consider whatever we can until we conclude, then we can adjourn at any time, even tomorrow morning,” said Minister Ziyambi.

The National Assembly went on to consider the Finance Bill, which seeks to give legal effect to several measures announced by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube in his mid-term statement.

The Bill sailed through with amendments and now awaits transmission to Senate next Tuesday.

Other Bills that are outstanding include the Constitution Amendment Bill (Number 2), the Zimbabwe Media Commission Bill, the Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill and the Marriages Amendment Bill.

There is also the much-talked about Mines and Mining Amendment Bill.

An 18-year-old female Advanced Level student from Chivhu says she has turned to prostitution to raise school fees for her final term and money for university.

Mercy (not real name), told Health Times that she completed her Ordinary Level studies in 2018 in Chivhu and passed 10 subjects including Mathematics, English, and science subjects.

When coronavirus forced the closure of schools in March, Mercy came to Harare to live with her unemployed sister.

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Mercy thought she could raise fees and enrol for extra lessons since she will be writing her final ‘A’ Level exams later this year.

However, her mother lost her reliable source of livelihood – vending – after the government imposed an indefinite lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Said Mercy:

I am from Chivhu but these days I live with my sister here in Harare. My mother’s vending business has been bad, she can no longer afford to pay for my fees. Even food, she can’t afford to feed us.

I was left with no option, I wanted money for food, school fees and to raise money for University as well.

The only easy option I found was to get into sex work since almost every other avenue seem to have been closed by the coronavirus.

I will be writing my final examinations this year and I am optimistic that I am going to pass.

I also want to go for extra lessons since I am towards writing my final examinations this year and unfortunately, I have no one to assist me financially at the moment.

Mercy is afraid that she may contract HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in the process as some of her clients demand unsafe sex.

She is planning to return to Chivhu on September 16. She said her first term fees were pegged at ZWL$1 210 but the new fees structure for the final term has not been shared as yet.

More: Health Times

Nehanda Radio

High Court Judge Justice Erica Ndewere has reserved judgement on the bail appeal by incarcerated opposition MDC Alliance Vice Chairman Job Sikhala.

Ndewere said the Clerk of Court will advise defence lawyers and law officers when her ruling will be ready to be handed down.

Sikhala was arrested last month and charged with inciting violence in connection with July 31st protests against corruption.

One of his lawyers Harrison Nkomo said they were happy that the High Court had given the chance to argue over Sikhala bail hearing against the State.

He however, said his client was unhealthy.

“I’m glad to announce that consistent with our wish, today the High Court has granted us an opportunity to argue a bail appeal in respect of his case against the State.

“We argued before Justice Ndewere who apparently has reserved Judgement to consider the cases that she was referred to and the submissions.

“Once she is ready, she indicates that she will advise us. He still has challenges with his health. He has swollen feet and sadly his private doctor hasn’t had access to see him in prison,” Nkomo said.

In an interview with Nehanda Radio, when Sikhala arrived at the High Court earlier in the morning, the Zengeza West MP said he was being persecuted at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.

“They are terrorising me every day and the abuse has even extended to some officials,” Sikhala said.

The arrest of Sikhala came a month after the arrest of journalist Hopewell Chin’ono who recently exposed alleged government corruption involving President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son, Collins and his wife Auxilia in massive allegations of corruption, the US $60m Drax Covidgate scandal.

But Chin’ono was also arrested together with opposition Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume.

They were also charged for inciting violence in connection with 31st July protests against corruption. They spent 45 days at Chikurubi before being granted bail two weeks ago.

Paul Nyathi 

The Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T has recalled the youthful Mayor of Beitbridge Councillor Morgan Ncube. Ncube is also the MDC Alliance Deputy organisation Secretary known for his vibrant dances with his boss Amos Chibaya.

Also recalled are Granger Nyoni of ward 5 and Tore Angeline of Ward 6 in the Beitbridge Municipality.

The Minister of Local Government July Moyo has instructed the town clerk to inform the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission that there are vacancies that have arisen in those wards.

SI 216 of 2020 allows for consumption of alcohol on the following Liquor licensed premises between 0800 and 1630;
-Airport
– Hotel
-Houseboat
-Restaurant
-Members Clubs

— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) September 14, 2020

Today I visited a Cde & brother in the faith, Jacob Ngarivhume at his home. We had a revolutionary and comradely exchange.I also accompanied Prez Ngarivhume to the local police station for his routine bail conditions reporting.The March is not ended.#ZimbabaweanLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/eSgW6z0K0z

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) September 14, 2020

Paul Nyathi 

Information Ministry Permanent Secretary, Nick Mangwana, has announced that as from Tuesday, tomorrow, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s birthday,  businesses will have their lockdown business hours extended from 16:30 to 18:30.

The announcement was made by Nick Mangwana in a Tweeter post without explaining the rational behind the extension nor the relationship with Mnangagwa’s birthday.

From tomorrow, 15 September 2020 (President @edmnangagwa's birthday), shops and supermarkets will now be closing at 1830 hours.

— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) September 14, 2020

Paul Nyathi 

ZANU PF Secretary for Administration Obert Moses Mpofu has invited Zimbabweans to join the party in doing the Jerusalem Dance Challenge at the ZANU PF Headquarters.

The dance challenge which has taken the world by storm is a semi official Coronavirus world solidarity.

Posting on Twitter, Mpofu said,

I am getting calls that we should take up the Jerusalema Challenge at the @ZANUPF_Official H.Q. Who wants to join us? #JerusalemaDanceChallenge

— Dr. Obert M. Mpofu (@DrObertMpofu) September 14, 2020

By A Correspondent- Harare Mayor, His Worship Cllr Jacob Mafume has appointed Dr Prosper Chonzi as Town Clerk in an acting capacity.

In a public notice this Monday, Harare City Council said Chonzi’s appointment is with immediate effect from the 14th of September to the 30th of September 2020.

The statement read:

His Worship the Mayor Cllr Jacob Mafume has appointed Dr Prosper Chonzi to act in the position of Town Clerk with effect from today 14 September to 30 September 2020.

Dr Chonzi is the Harare City Council Director Health Services and his temporary appointment as the town clerk follows the recent arrest of  Hosiah Chisango, who held the position.

Chisango was arrested on September 10th in Gweru where he was attending a town clerks’ forum, just two days after he sent the formal letter suspending director of works Zvenyika Chawatama.

Chisango was arrested in connection with the continued unravelling of alleged illegal land deals that have rocked the city.

Lawyers representing journalist Hopewell Chin’ono on 14 September 2020 requested the State to provide the trial date for the journalist when he appears again in court on 19 October 2020.

Advocate Taona Nyamakura, who is representing Chin’ono, made the request when the journalist made his first out of custody appearance at the Magistrates Court in Harare today. Magistrate Utahwashe further remanded the journalist to 19 October 2020.

Chin’ono who had been in custody following his arrest on 20 July 2020, was finally granted bail by High Court judge, Justice Tawanda Chitapi, on 2 September 2020.

He is being charged with incitement to participate in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of peace or bigotry or alternatively incitement to commit public violence.

Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) president Takudzwa Ngadziore was on Monday granted ZWL$2 000 bail by a Harare magistrate.

Apart from the bail money, Ngadziore was ordered to reside at the given address and to stay 100 metres away from a car rental company – Impala Car Rental Premises – in Harare.

Ngadziore was arrested last Thursday following protests outside the car rental firm’s premises and spent the weekend in prison after his bail hearing was postponed to Monday, September 14.

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Harare magistrate Barbra Mateko on Friday last week said she was overwhelmed with work as she ordered the further detention of Ngadziore.

The 21-year-old Great Zimbabwe University Bachelor of Science in Politics and Administration student is accused of participating in a demonstration with intent to promote public violence, breach of peace or bigotry.

He is represented by Webster Jiti of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).

Meanwhile, ten of Ngadziore’s fellow student activists were arrested on Monday outside the court while peacefully demonstrating for his release.

Paul Nyathi

The MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe has recalled from council the Mayor of Gwanda Councillor Jastone Mazhale.

Party spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni confirmed to ZimEye.com that Mazhale was recalled on Monday after he recorded statements last week indicating that his allegiance is with Nelson Chamisa of the MDC Alliance.

Mazhale was a fortnight ago paraded with five other councillors as having defected from the MDC Alliance to join Khupe in the MDC-T. Two days later he appeared on media disclaiming the information that he had dumped Chamisa for Khupe.

According to Phugeni the rest of the councillors have not been recalled because they officially communicated to the party that they are still loyal to Khupe despite statements by the MDC Alliance that they were loyal to Chamisa.

“We have officially recalled the Mayor of Gwanda because he has openly declared his allegiance to another political party,” said Phugeni.

Speaking in the same interview, Phugeni dismissed media claims that his party leader Dr Thokozani Khupe is set to be sworn in as official leader of the opposition by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“There is absolutely nothing like that,” Phugeni said.

On the mass recall of the councillors in Harare which has left the City at a risk of being taken over by a goverment appointed commission, Phugeni said the MDC-T was conscience of the developments in the capital and will guard against the appointment of the commission.

Phugeni also dismissed information that the MDC-T which now enjoys a majority in the capital city chambers will pass a vote of no confidence on newly elected MDC Alliance Mayor Jacob Mafume.

“We really wish His Worship, Mayor Jacob Mafume success and will give him all the support he needs,” said Phugeni.

Paul Nyathi

The Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T party on Monday recalled 11 more Harare councillors, including deputy mayor Enoch Mupamawonde.

The latest recall brings to 21 the number of MDC-T councillors removed from the local authority.

Other recalls saw former Harare mayor Herbert Gomba lose his post as councillor for 27 in Glen View high density suburb.

In a letter addressed to the Harare Town Clerk, Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo said he received a letter from the MDC-T stating that the 11 councillors had been expelled from that party.

The councillors include Lovemore Makuwerere, Gilbert Hadebe, Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi, Simon Mapanzure, Charles Chidhagu, Keith Charumbira, Steven Dhliwayo, Barnabas Ndira, Chihma Runyowa, Charles Nyatsuro and Enoch Mupamawonde.

Harare City Council is now left with 27 councillors as other seven were also recalled last month.

“In terms of section 278 (1) of the constitution of Zimbabwe, as read with section 129 (1) (k), wards 24, 39, 19, 34, 30, 8, 40, 21, 29, 6 and 39 are now vacant,” said Moyo.

By A Correspondent- Police in Beitbridge are hunting for a woman who gave birth to a baby and set her on fire.

The police revealed that they have launched a manhunt for the yet to be identified new mother who dumped her baby girl in a cardboard box which she set on fire.

Said the ZRP:

“The baby was heard crying on 13/9/20 and she sustained slight burns on the buttocks.

She was taken to Beitbridge District Hospital where she is admitted and is in a stable condition.”

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti has described the detention of party vice chairperson, Job Sikhala as unlawful.

“It is now a month since the unlawful arrest and detention of Job Sikhala.

As with Hope, Jacob and Kura,the State has weaponized pre-trial detention procedures to punish an accused .Job is innocent.

His only crime is to resist autocracy and Emmerson #freejobsikhala #ZimbabweanLivesMatter,” tweeted Hon Biti.

He also described Paul Madzore as a veteran of the struggle for democracy.

“Paul Madzore has been the sound trek to our struggle .

A talented artist whose music has deftly knitted the threads of our struggle s up s & downs .His music has reflected our mood &lifted us in times of doubt .A true comrade, the throat of our struggle #ZimbabweanLivesMatter.”

Wrote one doctor Monday afternoon:

“A WHOLE DOCTOR BEING GIVEN SUCH A PALTRY FIGURE AS SALARY. At today’s rate that’s about USD80 or R1 360. How do we even survive til the next ‘pay’ day?? Leaving this country is inevitable.”

The development comes following a plea by the new Health minister on August 20 2020 where he called on health professionals to be patient as authorities find solutions to their problems.

Said VP Chiwenga:

“While we are addressing your grievances, we cannot expect a solution overnight. These challenges have been accumulating over a long period and will also take a little bit of time to be addressed.

“We are one family, one people and we need to unite and help each other. We have launched the Pfumvudza programme, which is aimed at boosting agricultural productivity. But people cannot work if they are not in good health.”

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti has described the detention of party vice chairperson, Job Sikhala as unlawful.

“It is now a month since the unlawful arrest and detention of Job Sikhala.

As with Hope, Jacob and Kura,the State has weaponized pre-trial detention procedures to punish an accused .Job is innocent.

His only crime is to resist autocracy and Emmerson #freejobsikhala #ZimbabweanLivesMatter,” tweeted Hon Biti.

He also described Paul Madzore as a veteran of the struggle for democracy.

“Paul Madzore has been the sound trek to our struggle .

A talented artist whose music has deftly knitted the threads of our struggle s up s & downs .His music has reflected our mood &lifted us in times of doubt .A true comrade, the throat of our struggle #ZimbabweanLivesMatter.”

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa accompanied Jacob Ngarivhume to Waterfalls Police Station for the latter’s routine reporting.

Ngarivhume was arrested for convening peaceful protests against corruption.

“President Nelson Chamisa accompanied Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume to Waterfalls Police Station.

This is an act of bravery and solidarity.We commend President Chamisa’s solidarity with those who are being persecuted by the Zanu PF regime,” a source told ZimEye.com.

JUST IN: Thokozani Khupe has expelled 11 city councillors in Harare. Local Government minister July Moyo has instructed the town clerk to inform the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission that the wards are now vacant. pic.twitter.com/5jri5Ovw4f

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 14, 2020

Watch the live video loading below…..

Watch the live video loading below…. (Please be patient as the video uploads)

49 prisoners were today forced into a 10 person truck. THERE WERE MORE STILL COMING OUT OF THE TRUCK AFTER @ngadziore . FULL VIDEO ON https://t.co/eY98GsdO0a pic.twitter.com/JgY1PwGwCp

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 14, 2020

2/2 The five were working at their 110 metre deep mine when the incident occurred. Efforts to extricate them from the mine are still in progress.

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) September 14, 2020

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has confirmed that there is a plot from within the ruling Zanu-PF party to unseat him, but dared his detractors to dream on.

Addressing a Midlands provincial co-ordinating committee meeting in Gweru on Saturday, Mnangagwa said he was aware that some members from his faction-torn party were burning the midnight oil plotting to dethrone him, but warned that their machinations would be crushed as he was firmly in control of both the ruling party and government.

“Go on and mislead each other. You can even ask your wife to chant your slogan saying forward with my husband. But when you go out of the house, you begin to say forward with Zanu-PF, forward with central committee of Zanu PE Forget about those ambitions,” said Mnangagwa, who rose to power after toppling his long time boss, the late Robert Mugabe, through a 2017 military coup.

By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa says his party is now more than ready to march to State House to wrestle power after 21 years of “a rough and difficult” journey littered with betrayal and deception.

Speaking during the burial of one of the party’s founding members, Kuwadzana MP Miriam Mushayi at Maumbe in Magunje on Saturday, Chamisa said they were now determined to reach their political destination.

“Yes, there are tribulations when one embarks on a journey. Here and there, one staggers along the way. Here and there, one meets devouring animals in these African political journeys,” he said.

“We have encountered so many problems even up to this day, but the good part is that whenever one embarks on a journey and continues in the face of all the difficulties one is assured to reach the destination.

“Our final destination is the State House and the State House is within our reach. We will get there because we have been in the struggle for too long.”

Chamisa attacked the Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T for betraying the people’s struggle, saying during any democratic struggle, some faint-hearted fall by the wayside while others decided to sell-out the struggle for the love of money.

“But some, when they got weary, they sold out because of the love of money and that (money) they got it from Madam Kwaramba’s party,” he said in apparent reference to Zanu-PF MP Goodluck Kwaramba (proportional representation) who was among the mourners.

Chamisa added: “That is the problem with all revolutions. If it takes time, some will sell-out. It’s not new, but some of us we will soldier on in this struggle. It is not about mercenaries, but about missionaries.”

Mushayi, who died on Monday, left behind a husband and two children who live in the United Kingdom.

By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC deputy chairman Job Sikhala’s health continues to deteriorate in remand prison after he was barred from accessing a private doctor, his lawyers have revealed.

Sikhala’s lawyer Harrison Nkomo said that his client’s legs were swollen.

However, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service spokesperson Meya Khanyenzi said Sikhala had not requested for medical attention.

Sikhala’s bail appeal at the High Court is expected to be heard today before Justice Erica Ndewere.

More details to follow.

WATCH VIDEO- ARRESTED ZINASU MEMBERS AT HARARE MAGISTRATES COURT #Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/mELfNotFsM

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 14, 2020

https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1305416210943823872?s=20

Sources say about 9 Zinasu members have been arrested at Rotten Row Court at the Bail Hearing of Zinasu President Takudzwa Ngadziore. More details to follow. pic.twitter.com/aCNmWfjgdk

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 14, 2020

https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1305416210943823872?s=20

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

Paul Nyathi

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has dismissed aspirations by the Ndebele and Rozvi clans to have their traditional Kings restored into the governance of the country.

Addressing the ZANU PF Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting in Gweru on Saturday, President Mnangagwa said kast week he received a letter from someone from Hwedza area who said he wanted to revive the Rozvi Kingdom and he threw the letter away.

“I received a letter from someone from Hwedza, he said he wanted to revive the Rozvi Kingdom, I placed the letter in my drawer. There is no kingdom here, it’s a Republic, we can only have chiefs. So Chief (Ngungumbane who was in the meeting) when you hold your meetings, you speak about chiefs and not kings or kingdoms,” said President Mnangagwa.

He said Zimbabwe is a Republic and therefore there are no kingdoms.

“There are those who wanted to revive a king in Matabeleland region and we said no, you can’t have a kingdom in a Republic. That’s why they say the Kingdom of Lesotho, Kingdom of Eswatini, those are kingdoms, they are not republics. Zimbabwe is a Republic and there cannot be a king. There can only be chiefs,” said the President.

The Ndebele people from Matabeleland have been in the forefront for years demanding the restoration of King Lobengula’s heir. The proponents have been challenging the Zimbabwean goverment to follow the South African traditional leaders system which sees the republic running with kingdoms in its set-up.

South Africa has 10 kings and one queen, as well as thousands of lesser traditional leaders, including chiefs and headmen. In rural areas they play important roles in mediating local disputes.

During the apartheid years, traditional leadership was entrenched, with the white minority government propping up compliant rulers.

Customary law is recognized under South Africa’s progressive post-apartheid constitution, and the government provides traditional leaders with financial support.

Paul Nyathi

Lawyers representing President Emmerson in a case involving a Gukurahundi survivor, Charles Thomas, Zapu and Ibhetshu Likazulu who are jointly seeking an interdict to bar government from exhuming victims of the state-sponsored massacres have made a shock revelation that Mnangagwa never pronounced the exhumation exercise.

Two weeks ago, the litigants filed an urgent application at the High Court calling for a High Court urgent interdiction stopping Mnangagwa from his planned exhumation exercise.

The litigants cited President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe, Jenni Williams and Matabeleland Collective as respondents.

The litigants also cited as respondents, the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) chairperson Sello Nare and the NPRC.

Mnangagwa and Kazembe’s lawyer Rejoice Hove from the Attorney General’s office argued the court should not grant the interdict as the government never announced that it was planning to conduct Gukurahundi victims’ reburials.

Hove said Thomas and the other litigants should have waited for government to embark on the said reburials.

But the applicants’ lawyer, Nqobani Sithole said the government plan to exhume and rebury the Gukurahundi victims were true as this was publicised in government-owned press.

Sithole said Gukurahundi was an emotive issue, which should be handled carefully using all channels provided for under the national constitution.

He added the exhumation of Gukurahundi victims without consulting various stakeholders was a violation of the Constitution particularly the Inquest Act.

However, the presiding judge in the matter, Justice Martin Makonese asked Sithole if his clients had made efforts to engage the NPRC over the issue before rushing to court.

The lawyer told the court that his clients hastily approached the High Court because they were convinced the government was going ahead with the reburials without consulting anyone.

However, Justice Makonese reserved judgment in the matter.

By A Correspondent- Zimbabweans have launched a campaign on Twitter branded #BoycottChickenIn #ChickenInnMustFall after a video that was played by ZBC that says a Chicken Inn manager told the investigators that he/she saw the 3 MDC Alliance who were abducted on the day in question during the time they were already reported missing.

Twimbos said Chicken Inn has a case to answer after it emerged their CCTV footage and name were used in the documentary that aired on ZBC TV. Here is what Zimbabweans on Twitter said about Chicken Inn:

Thabani Mpofu

The problem with Chicken Inn is not that it released CCTV footage, rather; that it availed it’s name and facilities in aid of a fraudulent effort. This immoral, unethical & completely senseless gesture is what has appalled right thinking people. Search your conscience Chicken Inn. You raise an issue with Chicken Inn and attract the ire of varakashi. Muridzi weChipopi tirikumuona zvedu. We are many things but foolish is not one of them

MDC Alliance Harare

BOYCOTT CHICKEN INN They are colluding with the régime in the abduction and torture of innocent citizens. STOP BUYING FROM THEM #ZimbabweanLivesMatter

Chalton Hwende

Let’s boycott these two brands that are being used to facilitate torture of innocent citizens
@ChickenInnZW and @impalacarrental

Makomborero Haruzivishe
We are simply appealing to your conscience & humanity to stop supporting those who are enabling abductions. Chicken Inn did not release any information,but they are enabling gross human rights abuses by their attempt to validate ZanuPf fake propaganda. #PeoplePower #FreeTakuNow

Dhara Blessed Mhlanga
It’s not a drive thru yet the@ChickenInnZW manager was kind enough to serve people from their car. How was he called to the car, why did he provide that special dispensation. I am keen to know.

Fadzayi Mahere
Good day @nickmangwana On 2 May,@edmnangagwa announced lockdown measures that meant ALL businesses closed at 3pm. Why does your fake CCTV footage lie that the #MDCTrio bought Chicken Inn at 1659hrs on 13 May? Stop lying. Stop making fake videos. Stop abducting citizens!

Majaira Jairosi
It’s very sad that entities like@ChickenInnZW are used by ZanuPF & chubby faced louts like
@TafadzwaMugwadi to cover up abductions & to advance Zanu PF’s murder escapades. Like
@impalacarrental, Chicken Inn must also be condemned especially its manager who gave a false testimony.

A few other individuals tried to defend Chicken Inn but Twimbos said they should have released a statement distancing themselves from the footage

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has confirmed that there is a plot from within the ruling Zanu-PF party to unseat him, but dared his detractors to dream on.

Addressing a Midlands provincial co-ordinating committee meeting in Gweru on Saturday, Mnangagwa said he was aware that some members from his faction-torn party were burning the midnight oil plotting to dethrone him, but warned that their machinations would be crushed as he was firmly in control of both the ruling party and government.

“Go on and mislead each other. You can even ask your wife to chant your slogan say-ing forward with my husband. But when you go out of the house, you begin to say forward with Zanu-PF, forward with central committee of Zanu PE Forget about those ambitions,” said Mnangagwa, who rose to power after toppling his long time boss, the late Robert Mugabe, through a 2017 military coup.

This came amid reports that a faction within the ruling party was plotting to replace him with his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga.

Chiwenga has, however, denied harbouring ambitions to topple his principal. The startling revelations by Mnangagwa came barely a week after exiled former Cabinet minister Jonathan Moyo tweeted that some Zanu-PF top officials secretly met in Harare to plot his ouster.

Mnangagwa’s government is facing a lot of challenges that include a deepening economic and political crisis that has forced South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to dispatch two sets of African National Congress envoys to Harare within a month to try to douse the flames.

But Zanu-PF has insisted that the country is not in a crisis.

In his Saturday address, the Zanu-PF leader urged party commissar Victor Matemadanda to publicly chastise party members harbouring ambitions to take over power from him. “Commissar, tell people that if you dream being leader of the country, you have had a nightmare,” Mnangagwa said.

“As soon as you wake up, brew some traditional beer and pay rites to your ancestors. Tell your ancestors that you have had a bad omen and ask them why they allow such bad dreams in your life.

“We got this teaching (of not plotting against a sitting leader) from (the late Zanla commander Josiah Magama Tongagara) Tongo long back, but we have not forgotten it.

“Zanu-PF should never, never shy away from doing that which is in the interest of the majority. We must never be swayed by individuals who pursue personal or sectional interests,” he added.

“We must know that the strength of the party is in the mobilisation of masses. The power of the party is in the people, not in Mnangagwa, not in the commissar. The power of the chairman is in the people. If people tell him to go, can he refuse?” Mnangagwa asked rhetorically.

“As a revolutionary party, we should never deviate from our revolutionary past. The revolution is our DNA … Do not let go your membership of Zanu-PF when it is night then claim it is during daylight.”

–NewsDay