Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has saluted millions of Zimbabweans for their resilience in the wake of widespread persecution and harassment.

President Chamisa also urged the people of Zimbabwe to remain optimistic in spite of attempts by the Zanu PF regime to thwart the struggle for freedom.

President Chamisa wrote on Twitter :
“21 years after the movement was born & #TheMarchIsNotEnded.

2020 has been a tough year but today I am reminded that the hope for the future lies in our hands.

We remain humbled by your support and loyalty to the ideal of a better Zimbabwe for all in our lifetime.Happy Sabbath!!”

Farai Dziva|
Kezembe Kazembe (Home Affairs Minister) has been sued by a student who was brutally assaulted by ZRP cops.

Kazembe was given an ultimatum by a Harare magistrate who ordered him to either compensate the Gweru based student who was brutalised by police officers in 2018 with $199 500 – in a fortnight or spend 60 days in jail.

See Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights post below :

Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe has been given a two-week ultimatum by Harare Magistrate Mazhande to pay RTGS$199 500 to Simon Mandoza, a student based in Gweru as compensation for damages he suffered when he was assaulted by some Zimbabwe Republic Police members in 2018.

Magistrate Mazhande ruled that if Minister Kazembe Kazembe failed to pay compensation to Mandoza within 14 days, he will be sentenced to serve 60 days in prison.

Through her lawyer Fiona Iliff and Obey Shava of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Mandoza sued Kazembe Kazembe and ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga after some police officers arrested the college student on 20 September 2018 while he was standing outside a fast food outlet in Harare’s CBD, waiting for his brother to pick him up.

Unbeknown to him ZRP members were carrying out an operation against alleged informal traders in the CBD at that time.

Mandoza was assaulted by ZRP members with an open palm and then forced to get into the back of a police vehicle.

While in the vehicle, ZRP members poked Mandoza a truncheon on his shoulder and at the back of his head, threatening him with further assault. Mandoza was finally taken to Harare Central Police Station, where he was finally released without a charge being preferred against him.

The ruling ZANU PF says it will not allow members of South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) to come to Zimbabwe and meet with opposition parties as that move would be the first of its kind.

ZANU PF secretary for External Affairs, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, on Friday told journalists that there is no crisis in Zimbabwe, therefore, the ANC’s mediation is not needed.

Said Mumbengegwi:
The question of a sister party coming to the country of another sister party to establish bilateral relations with the opposition party is unheard of (as) that can only happen in the context of mediation and mediation can only occur with the consent of the conflicting parties.

But where there is no crisis, there is no real need for mediation and therefore no purpose will be served by trying to play a mediatory role, where there is no crisis and where there is no conflict and more importantly, where there is no consent of the parties involved.

Mumbengegwi said they were surprised to hear a member of the ANC delegation, Lindiwe Zulu, telling reporters on landing in South Africa that there was a crisis in Zimbabwe. He added:

I know why you are asking, my counterpart (Lindiwe Zulu), on landing in South Africa held a media briefing where she riveted back to the original position that there was a crisis in Zimbabwe and therefore they needed to come back to Zimbabwe to resolve that crisis, but surely how can you unilaterally reverse a common position that the two delegations agreed on.

I want to assure you that it is not normal for a former liberation party to impose itself on another and therefore we only hope that the views expressed were individual views and we would be very surprised if there is the common position of the ANC.

… There is no way an ANC delegation will come to Zimbabwe to interfere in our domestic affairs.-The Herald

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has dismissed the “ridiculous claims” by Zanu PF that the opposition party has something to do with the Chivhu shooting incident.

MDC Alliance spokesperson, Advocate Fadzai Mahere has described the attempt by Zanu PF to blame the popular opposition party for the Chivhu shooting incident as regrettable.

Two soldiers were shot(one of them fatally) in Chivhu last Saturday by two assailants who were reportedly shot dead by security agents within 24 hours.

In a tweet, Advocate Mahere said :
Neither the MDC Alliance, President
@nelsonchamisa
nor VP
@BitiTendai
had anything to do with the Chivhu shooting incident involving soldiers.

The attempt by Chinamasa to blame the MDC Alliance for the incident is desperate, regrettable and unsubstantiated. These lies must stop.”

“When a whole spokesperson resorts to ad hominem attacks and insults, you know the nation is in crisis.

Dialogue isn’t about being told what you want to hear. It’s about the facts and evidence. The crisis in Zim speaks for itself.

This denialist defensiveness won’t help us. Reform.”

BULAWAYO – A court has ordered a car rental company to turn over vehicle tracking data and all other information it holds on a customer who is the main suspect in the abduction and torture of university student Tawanda Muchehiwa by state security agents.

Muchehiwa, the nephew of ZimLive editor Mduduzi Mathuthu, was stalked and then abducted in Bulawayo by men driving in at least five vehicles on July 30, the eve of planned anti-government protests.

He was driven out of town and badly tortured while being accused of planning the overthrow of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The 22-year-old journalism student was dumped near his home three days later after the High Court gave police a 72-hour deadline to produce him.

An investigation into the abduction by ZimLive established that police knew the abductors. In the same raid, two of Mathuthu’s nephews were taken to the main police station together with an official of the MDC Alliance who was in their vehicle.

CCTV footage of the abduction obtained by this website also revealed the number plate of a Ford Ranger vehicle, which led our investigation to Impala Car Rental in Harare.

Police have shown little appetite of investigating Muchehiwa’s abduction, and his lawyers are reportedly considering private prosecutions and other actions in international courts.

Under the order granted by Justice Evangelista Kabasa on September 3 at the behest of Muchehiwa’s lawyer Nqobani Sithole, the Sheriff was directed to “recover from Impala Car Rental all documentation and information relating to the hire of a Ford Ranger motor vehicle registration numbers AES 2483 over the period between July 26, 2020, and August 6, 2020.”

The information to be handed over includes “a route map indicating the places and distances travelled by such vehicle over the period aforestated as recorded by Impala Car Rental’s automated vehicle tracker system.”

Sithole, speaking on Friday, said they were being frustrated by the Sheriff in Harare who was served with the judgement on Tuesday, September 8, but said he would only have executed it on Tuesday, September 15.

Impala owner Thompson Dondo previously insisted that he would only hand over the information to the police, resisting social media calls to publicly release the information.

Outraged human rights campaigners and concerned Zimbabweans have popularised the hashtag #ImpalaMustFall on Twitter, and the company’s Facebook and Google ratings have suffered as questions remain over how much the company knew about how its vehicles were being used.

On Tuesday, over a dozen rights activists camped outside Impala’s Harare office holding placards denouncing the company as an enabler of abductions and torture, while demanding justice for Muchehiwa.

Zimbabwe National Students Union leader Takudzwa Ngadziore was arrested on Thursday accused of participating in an illegal protest. A magistrate on Friday said she was overwhelmed with work as she postponed his bail hearing to Monday.

-ZimLive

Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) on Friday exposed illegal forex dealings being carried out by nurses at council clinics.  Apparently, a handful of nurses at council clinics have reportedly turned into “illegal money changers” as they prioritize patients with USD compared to those with bond notes or RTGS dollars.

This revelation came out during a Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) meeting, with residents accusing nurses at Highfields Polyclinic of engaging in forex deals. A woman present at the meeting who spoke on condition of anonymity said:

“Our nurses are not receipting United States dollars we give them.

“Instead they are taking the money and use their eco cash to pay for us and give us receipt written in bond note (ZWL)”,  she said.

In addition to that, residents further lamented how even after paying the consultation fees, they are not given medication but instead instructed to purchase the same medication at private pharm

CHRA residents revealed that it is surprising how nurses tell patients that there is no medication at clinics yet by night, they will be bustling selling narcotic drugs and medication outside the premises of the clinic in United States Dollars.

“Despite the fact that there is no medication at the clinic nurses are selling medical drugs and medication in United States Dollars outside the clinic”.

“It is disappointing that the health personnel are selling drugs while we are told that there is no medication at the clinics, these drugs are sold at night after working hours”,  said another resident.

Earlier this week nurses returned to work after being on strike since June the 18th. The Health Minister stated that the ministry is currently working on restructuring the health sector.

It is all Christmas in the middle of the year for Wedza South residents as ZINARA board chairperson Michael Madanha’s vehicle was spotted distributing cellphones, groceries and money.

Madanha’s driver alleged that the freebies came from Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.

This followed a Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting held in Marondera to announce the return of the District Coordinating Committees.

Madanha according to a source dispatched, through his driver known as Mutete, products which upon distribution were alleged to have been coming from Chiwenga.

This generosity started with the distribution of 20 cellphones two weeks ago which were said to be aimed at increased communication when the need arises.

Mutete delivered some groceries in Goneso ward 13 and when people asked where the groceries and 75 humpers were coming from, he warned they were coming from VP Chiwenga and Cde Madanha shall communicate to them later.

Madanha has been trying to consolidate power in vain in Wedza District to prove he can lead as a Provincial Chairman.

Since his landing on the Vice Chairperson post in Mash East Zanu PF structures, Madanha has been having sleepless nights scheming on how he can use every single opportunity to pursue his ambitions to be the defacto Chairman.

Asked if he is aware of this program, the Wedza South Legislator Hon Tinoda Machakaire said its all news to him and would enquire from Madanha about the existence of such a program.

Madanha’s mobile phone was not reachable when the news reached us.

But sources are pointing that Madanha saw a golden opportunity to create a DCC that complements his ambitious project for God knows why!

-Online

Despite claiming to have clarified issues in a no holds barred meeting held in Harare on Wednesday, Zanu PF and ANC continues to issue conflicting statements, revelations that the announcements could have been stage-managed.

Addressing journalists on Friday, Zanu PF said the ANC will not be allowed to be a big brother to Zimbabwe while claiming that South Africa has never supported its neighbor financially since independence in 1980.

The top Zanu PF officials also said Zimbabwe and South Africa are two independent countries with sovereign rights.

This comes as some South African officials, who include Lindiwe Zulu and Tony Yengeni, who were part of an ANC delegation that met Zanu PF officials on Wednesday, in a no-holds barred indaba between the two former liberation war movements, continued to claim there was a crisis in Zimbabwe and the South African ruling party would return to meet the opposition in the country.

The abrasive attitude from some members of the South African delegation flies in the face of the head of the ANC delegation Cde Ace Magashule’s utterances to the effect that there was no crisis in the country and that as a sovereign State, Zimbabwe had the capacity to tackle its challenges, that were a common feature across the continent.

Responding to questions from journalists at a Press conference held at Zanu PF Headquarters yesterday, the ruling party’s secretary for External Affairs, Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, said fraternal parties could only help each other on invitation.

“Friendly and sisterly organisations only come to the help of each other on invitation. We help each other on invitation, we enjoy sovereign equality, both as political parties as well as nations, therefore, no party, especially a sister party can employ this on another sister party.

“It is common knowledge that some individuals in our sister party the ANC had been made to believe that there was a crisis in Zimbabwe. We are not sure how they became convinced with that, but some of them came here with that notion, however, in our meeting the notion of a crisis in Zimbabwe was quickly dismissed,” Cde Mumbengegwi said.

He said the meeting, which lasted for more than six hours focused on the challenges bedevilling the region and how they can best be resolved and pooh-poohed notions of a crisis that have been concocted by G40 fugitives residing in South Africa.

“The question of a sister party coming to the country of another sister party to establish bilateral relations with the opposition party is unheard of (as) that can only happen in the context of mediation and mediation can only occur with the consent of the conflicting parties. But where there is no crisis, there is no real need for mediation and therefore no purpose will be served by trying to play a mediatory role, where there is no crisis and where there is no conflict and more importantly, where there is no consent of the parties involved,” said Cde Mumbengegwi.

Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU), Midlands State University Chapter, is demanding for the immediate release of Takudzwa Ngadziore, the president of the students’ representative body who arrested by Zimbabwe Republic police yesterday.

ZINASU president Takudzwa Ngadziore was arrested and is currently detained at Harare Central Police Station for protesting at Impala car rental offices.

The 21-year student activist was demanding that the company provide answers concerning its alleged role in the use of its vehicles in the abduction of Tawanda Muchehiwa, a second-year journalism student at MSU who was abducted and tortured by some unidentified individuals in Bulawayo in the month of July.

ZINASU MSU Chapter on Thursday released a statement demanding for his immediate release from police custody. They condemned Ngadziore’s arrest by police in Harare which they said clearly shows the State’s undemocratic tendencies.

“Midlands State University ZINASU Chapter stands impenetrable and solidified with President Takudzwa Ngadziore whose arrest explicitly exhibits the demise and contamination of democratic space in this country.”

“The right to freedom of expression is enshrined and consecrated in the constitution of Zimbabwe. Away with students’ leadership harassment and torture.’

“Our president is not a criminal, we stand in firm solidarity with him and demand his immediate release,” reads the statement.

Despite scores of people threatening to boycott Impala car rentals –  Impala car rentals still haven’t released the name of the person who hired their vehicle. Moreover, the police seem to be stalling in their investigation as they still haven’t arrested anyone as of yet in connection with his abduction.

-Online

Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) on Friday exposed illegal forex dealings being carried out by nurses at council clinics.  Apparently, a handful of nurses at council clinics have reportedly turned into “illegal money changers” as they prioritize patients with USD compared to those with bond notes or RTGS dollars.

This revelation came out during a Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) meeting, with residents accusing nurses at Highfields Polyclinic of engaging in forex deals. A woman present at the meeting who spoke on condition of anonymity said:

“Our nurses are not receipting United States dollars we give them.

“Instead they are taking the money and use their eco cash to pay for us and give us receipt written in bond note (ZWL)”,  she said.

In addition to that, residents further lamented how even after paying the consultation fees, they are not given medication but instead instructed to purchase the same medication at private pharm

CHRA residents revealed that it is surprising how nurses tell patients that there is no medication at clinics yet by night, they will be bustling selling narcotic drugs and medication outside the premises of the clinic in United States Dollars.

“Despite the fact that there is no medication at the clinic nurses are selling medical drugs and medication in United States Dollars outside the clinic”.

“It is disappointing that the health personnel are selling drugs while we are told that there is no medication at the clinics, these drugs are sold at night after working hours”,  said another resident.

Earlier this week nurses returned to work after being on strike since June the 18th. The Health Minister stated that the ministry is currently working on restructuring the health sector.

-Online

By A Correspondent| The opposition, civil society organisations and clerics have hailed the visit by the ANC bigwigs saying it was good news for the country.

In an interview with a local daily, civic leaders said the coming of the ANC to Zimbabwe was in itself a confirmation that there was a crisis in the country though Zanu PF tried to avoid using the exact word.

The convener of the Citizens Manifesto, Briggs Bomba, said the most welcome thing about the Zanu-PF and ANC meeting was the admission by both parties that Zimbabwe was facing significant challenges – “even though semantics were deployed to avoid using the word crisis”.

“In political terms, the word crisis simply means that the current status quo lacks the capacity to solve the most pressing problems of the day, and hence the need for an alternative formulation.

“We appreciate the role that the ANC and other regional players are playing in bringing the awareness that an inclusive national dialogue is the only viable way out.

“We are eagerly waiting for the opportunity for citizens, through formations such as the Church, civil society, labour and business, to be heard as well,” Bomba told the Daily News.

“We have always emphasised that the country needs an urgent dialogue towards a national comprehensive settlement.

“We are confident that if such a genuine process is implemented everyone in Zimbabwe will be the happier for it,” he added.

On its part, the MDC Alliance said the visit by the ANC’s heavyweights was a sign that South Africa was concerned by Zimbabwe’s ongoing problems.

“We appreciate the revolutionary stance by the ANC that it has to engage with all parties. However, we note that Zanu-PF is using its old tricks of delaying and running away from issues that matter most.

“A Sadc intervention that is guaranteed by the African Union will lead to the resolution of the crisis in Zimbabwe, and we continue to engage our regional counterparts to help solve it once and for all,” Lovemore Chinoputsa, the alliance’s deputy secretary for international relations, said.

The Church also said it welcomed South Africa’s attempts to bring Zanu-PF and other key stakeholders together, to settle their differences for the good of the country.

The secretary-general of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), Blessing Makwara, said the visit by the ANC’s top brass was important in terms of laying the foundation for national dialogue.

“We have been calling for inclusive broad dialogue and this feedback that there is that green light to engage other stakeholders is welcome. We hope we will be able to engage constructively as we go forward.

“We are still praying and believing that the Lord is going to give us that which brings healing and restoration to the people of Zimbabwe because it is the time for us to arise and have a Zimbabwe that God wants.

“We are so excited about what God has begun to do and it is consistent with what we have been saying, that it is important for people from all walks of life to be together and dream together,” Makwara said.

However, the secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Kenneth Mtata, said a lasting solution to Zimbabwe’s challenges should be locally constructed, with neighbours giving solidarity.

“Zimbabweans must, collectively, find consensus on problem-definition, possible solutions and mutually acceptable processes towards realising those solutions.

“Neighbours, including South Africa, can only provide much-needed regional, continental and global solidarity. Solidarity doesn’t replace agency.

“Always remember that the one who liberates you will seek to have a stake over your freedom. We must be our own liberators and it starts with the mind,” Mtata said.

The meeting between Zanu-PF and the ANC came as the calls for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to hold national talks with all key stakeholders have now reached a crescendo – in the wake of Zimbabwe’s deepening political and economic crises.

This comes as more details of the meeting between the two parties allege that Zanu-PF had produced a 27-page security document to dispel the allegations of human rights abuses by the government.

On Wednesday, other sources said the talks between Zanu-PF and the ANC had been very candid and robust, with all the niggling issues put on the table.

Addressing the media after their arrival in South Africa yesterday, Magashule said they were determined to “bring the Zimbabwean people together”.

“In terms of meeting with other stakeholders and other political parties, because of time, we agreed that we will go back or they will come to us.

“Give us two to three weeks because we have communicated to them that we are definitely going to meet them.

“We have communicated such an interaction with all of them and we have informed Zanu-PF and they have no problem with that,” Magashule said.

He said the meeting with Zanu-PF was “a very candid, frank and honest discussion”.

“They have not blocked us from seeing anyone. We have agreed that we will go back and arrange for the meeting.
“The meeting is not arranged by Zanu-PF. So, we are going to bring together the people of Zimbabwe, recognising they came from a recent election and we need peace and stability in that province,” Magashule said further.

South Africa and its leaders – including former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma – have in the past successfully mediated Zimbabwe’s political crises.

A decade ago, both Mbeki and Zuma helped to broker the stability-inducing 2008 government of national unity between opposition giant Morgan Tsvangirai and former president Robert Mugabe – who are both late – following the hotly disputed 2008 presidential election.

Zuma also assisted in minimising Zimbabwe’s chaotic approach to the equally disputed 2013 national elections.

Solusi University international students are up in arms with the university’s management for increasing fees saying they have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The university reportedly increased fees for its international students by US$150.

Speaking to CITE, the students said the fee hike was unjustified.

“We are made to pay an extra US$150 which is said to be the international fee when tuition fee is US$350, so they mean to tell us the international fee is almost half tuition fee,” said one student.

“When you look at the breakdown of fees for last semester that figure was not factored in. So now when we are in our own countries using our data, we are charged an international fee”.

Another student added that many families have been affected by the global pandemic especially those who were in the informal sector.

“Many if not all families were affected by the pandemic in so many ways. Those in the informal sector lost their niches while those in the formal sector, the working hours have been reduced by the lockdown regulations therefore salaries have been cut,” said the student.

The students argued that since universities have resorted to online classes, some of the costs should have been reduced.

“Since last semester, we have been made to pay WIFI fee, lab fee and accommodation fee which we are clearly not going to use for this semester, our fees should have at least dropped by a significant amount.”

Contacted for a comment, Solusi University Vice-Chancellor Professor Ephraim Gwebu said the additional fee for International students has been adjusted in all universities by the government.

“Solusi University is chartered by the government, so the government tells us what to do for example Africa University in Mutare is also charging this additional US$150,” said Gwebu.

“Solusi University is not the only one charging that money.”

He added that there were many costs that the university factored in when processing applications for international students.

“There is a lot that is happening for those students when they come to learn here for example permits and immigration issues, we take care of all that.

“If a student gets sick, we take them to hospital, the fee covers that as well, so that is why the government is saying we should charge that,” said Gwebu.

He said the registration period has since been extended up to the end of September.

-CITE

Madanha Michael’s vehicle spotted distributing cellphones, groceries and money. The driver alleges they have come from VP Chiwenga.

It is all Christmas in Wedza South Constituency as the battle to control DCC Candidates rocks the Constituency and has brought fortunes to masses.

Soon after the PCC held in Marondera to announce the return of the DCCs, Cde Michael Madanha dispatched, through his driver known as Mutete, products which upon distribution, are alleged to be coming from VP Chiwenga. This generosity started by distribution of 20 cellphones the last 2 weeks, which were said to be aimed at increased communication when the need arises.

Today, Mr Mutete delivered some groceries in Goneso ward 13 and when people asked where the groceries and 75 humpers were coming from, he warned they were coming from VP Chiwenga and Cde Madanha shall communicate to them later.

Madanha has been trying to consolidate power in vain in Wedza District to prove he can lead as a Provincial Chairman. Since his landing on the VC post in Mash East Zanu PF structures, Madanha had sleepless nights scheming on how he can use every single opportunity to pursue his ambitions to be the defacto Chairman.

Asked if he is aware of this program, the Wedza South Legislator Hon Tinoda Machakaire said its all news to him and would enquire from Cde Madanha about the existence of such a program.

Cde Madanha’s mobile phone was not reachable when the news reached us. But sources are pointing that Madanha saw a golden opportunity to create a DCC that complements his ambitious project for God knows why!

BY Taurai Justin Munyaradzi

Its Mashonaland west, Zimbabwe 1999, the national economy is evidently on a downfall, political tensions are high, there is widespread political violence and victimization in cities and towns, farms and rural areas, its either you join ZANU PF or you perish. Robert Mugabe and the JOC are practically utilizing their ‘degrees in violence’ on innocent citizens.

However, the winds of change are blowing across the country, the people’s project, the people’s party christened Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has hit the ground running. Intensive mass mobilization and setting up of steering committees in Mash-West Province is underway.

Led by dedicated cadres, men and women of courage and determination. Heroes and heroines who were clear and unmoved by the dreaded CIO and ZANU PF militia’s victimization.

One such heroine was Hon. Amai Miriam Mushayi (MHDSRIEP).
Pen and paper cannot satisfactorily capture the life of such a heroine. Fearless, clear and loyal to the democratization agenda.

As risky as it was then, especially for women, alongside fellow heroines Mai Kanopepereka, Loveness Chaka, Hilda Musendami and Madam Ldr. Kadaira, just to mention but a few, Hon. Amai Miriam Mushayi fought viciously for a better Zimbabwe.

From Golden Kopje Mine workers Union, ZCTU, NCA (as it was back then), to the Secretary General’s post in the MDC Mash-West Main Wing which was chaired by Ldr. Silas Matamisa (MHDSRIEP). Hon. Amai Mushayi was a natural leader, articulate and dedicated to the highest level. Over time she rose through the ranks to the MDC National women’s Assembly and other positions before being appointed into the Standing Committee.

A fierce orator and yet charming at the same time, a bundle of positive energy, an inspiration that woken the political spirit in many who had the privilege to listen to her speeches. From ZCTU Labor Forums, Constitutional Reform Presentations to MDC rallies in Robert Mugabe’s rural Zvimba, Hurungwe, Mhangura, she was all over Mash-West mobilizing and sowing the seeds of change in Party Building activities.

Thanks to Hon. Amai Mushayi and the MDC Provincial Leadership at that critical time, Gladman Mhlambeni (MHDSRIEP), Lawrence Mlambo and youth leaders Raymond Matonga, Tichafa Mpukuta (MHDSRIEP) and Charles Mashonganyika the people’s project grew, winning the Chegutu and Kariba Mayoral Elections in 2001.

Thanks to Hon. Mai Mushayi’s fundraising efforts and coordination of the Support Group, MDC Mashonaland West was one of the well-resourced provinces in the MDC.

Thanks to Hon. Amai Mushayi the first fliers, posters and T-shirts were printed by her company, Hoopstad Stationers where current Chinhoyi Mayor Clr Dyke Makumbi was in charge of distribution within the province.

Tears may dry, but memories of your selfless leadership will never fade. Your legacy, Hon. Amai Mushayi will live on. You were and still are a pillar of democracy as the fight against tyranny in the form ZANU PF is still on.

You are gone too soon Hon. Amai Mushayi. Yes, it’s too soon, the people’s project is under attack from ZANU funded functionaries. Individuals who are supping with the devil’s incarnate ZANU PF to destroy the big tent created by the Iconic MDC President Tsvangirai (MHDSRIEP). Rest in Power daughter of the soil, heroine par excellence, the MDC family will miss you lots. You fought a good fight and your efforts will not go in vain. Change is near, the seeds you sowed will be sure to complete the last my Mile under the able leadership of President Advocate Chamisa as you wished.

Go well our Heroine, go well Amai, and go well our Leader, our MP, till we meet…….

#NehandaNyakasikanaDiaries
#GodIsInIt…..
#GenerationalConsensus
#ZimbweanLivesMatters
#ZikomoTwalumba

Open Council Harare

Harare City Council has been rocked by land scandals that have resulted in the arrest of many officials.

Together with the political dynamics where MDC-T has recalled some Councilors, this jas led to fears of government installing a Commission.

Again, situation has raised questions whether there is anyone innocent at Town House.

List of Arrested Officials
Below is a list of the arrested and suspended Council officials currently.

Harare Mayor Herbert Gomba, arrested.

Councilor Lovemore Makuwere, arrested

Councilor Costa Mande, arrested

Councilor Hammy Madzingira, arrested

Councilor Tonderai Chakeredza, arrested

Councilor Anthony Shingadeya, arrested

Town Clerk Hosiah Chisango, arrested

Director of Works Zvenyika Chawatama, arrested.

Director Housing Addmore Nhekairo, arrested.

Human Resources Director Matthew Marara, arrested

Principal Housing Director Edgar Dzehonye, arrested.

Aaron Tayerera, Acting chief clerical officer, arrested.

City town planner Samuel Nyabeze arrested

Surveyor Munyaradzi Bhowa, arrested

Charles Sigauke, senior clerical officer, Wanted.

City valuer and estate manager Emmanuel Mutambirwa, arrested.

Warren Park district officer Tutsi Kanonjerea, arrested.

Paul Nyathi

Government has shockingly expressed ignorance on the invasion on Friday of a white-owned farm in Ruwa.

The farm in question is Protea Farm owned by Martin Grobler.

Reports indicate that an official from the agriculture ministry, Ivy Rupindi and one Chuma arrived at the farm’s compound on Friday morning in the company of a truck-load of police officers and a sheriff of the court.

Rupindi reportedly told Grobler that she was now the new owner of the farm before ordering him and his family to move out immediately.

The Information Ministry, in a statement late on Friday, said the government was establishing facts at the farm;

We have been made aware of a video depicting an eviction of a farmer and his family. Govt is trying to establish the facts behind this matter. What is known so far is that there is a legacy legal issue between the parties and the matter is being dealt with by the courts.

— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) September 11, 2020

State Media

Efforts to rescue five Task Mine Syndicate workers trapped underground when a shaft collapsed on Tuesday night, are continuing with rescuers still hopeful of finding them alive.

The mine is close to Chegutu and the shaft falls under the block assigned to Dallaglio Investments (Pvt) Limited.

Dallagio owns Peerless Pickstone mine in the same district and Eureka Gold Mine in Guruve.

Mashonaland West police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Ian Kohwera said the rescue mission was in progress while an official, who did not want to be named, with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development from the province said they had started timbering the shafts to avoid further collapse.

While the ministry teams were committed to rescuing the trapped workers they were not going endanger any more lives.

Chegutu district coordinator and Civil Protection Unit chairperson, Mr Tariro Tomu on Wednesday said the accident occurred around 4 pm when the five were extracting ore in level four, which is about 110 metres underground. Reports from mine inspectors showed that there were still chances that the miners would be found alive.

Efforts to get comments from the mine’s owner, Mr Temson Musonza were futile.

State Media

Restaurants can now serve sitting customers during their licensed hours, and serve alcohol to diners if they have a restaurant licence up to 4.30pm, while hotel bars can serve alcohol to customers during licensed hours and bottle stores can reopen, but must close daily at 4.30pm.

Zupco buses should be given a clear dedicated lane at road blocks, but operators of illegal public transport can have their vehicles held as court exhibits the second time they are caught breaching the lockdown rules.

In an amendment to the lockdown order gazetted yesterday, which gives legal effect to the relaxations approved by Cabinet this week, Minister of Health and Child Care Vice President Constantino Chiwenga gives the conditions and authority for domestic passenger air services to resume immediately and for international flights to resume from October 1. But passengers have to show a PCR Covid-19 certificate issued within 72 hours of boarding.

Returning residents can now self-quarantine at home if they show the PCR Covid-19 testing certificate issued within 48 hours of their arrival; otherwise they have to be in approved quarantine for 14 days.

Restaurants can now seat diners during their normal hours, but can only operate at half normal capacity, must be disinfected, must enforce social distancing and even enforce mask wearing except where customers are actually eating or drinking. Staff have to wear masks and gloves and be tested every fortnight.

Liquor can only be served between 8am or 4.30pm, but if the opening hours in the licence are later and the closing hours are earlier, then the tighter restriction applies.

National Parks facilities, safari operations and commercial water transport can now resume normal tourism operations, and the restaurants associated with these can reopen, although liquor sales remain limited to the 8am or 4.30pm times. Hotel bars can be open during normal licensed hours, but all other bars, casinos, nightclubs, beer halls and theatre bars remain shut.

The Vice President also added to the rules provisions for road blocks. Where possible the police have to leave a clear lane for approved public transport, to minimise delays, and can hold as an exhibit under relevant legislation a vehicle used for illegal public transport the second time that vehicle is caught.

The amendment now makes ZimStat staff essential workers, which allows preparation for the census to continue, lays down testing schedules for more people in contact with the public and relaxes the cleaning and disinfection of buses to twice daily.

Paul Nyathi

ZANU PF Acting Spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa has blasted neighbouring South Africa for what he described as a big brother attitude towards Zimbabwe.

Speaking at a ZANU PF press conference on Friday in response to claims by South African leaders that they are monitoring the situation in Zimbabwe, ostensibly to bring some form of help, Chinamasa, a former Finance Minister, said from 1980 to present date, Zimbabwe’s neighbour across the Limpopo River has not extended any dime.

“Let me put it on record, I am talking as a former Minister of Finance, Zimbabwe has not received any assistance of whatever nature from South Africa, other than us selling and importing from South Africa, if that is the assistance, well maybe, but direct assistance, Zimbabwe has not received a cent,” he said. Instead, Cde Chinamasa said Zimbabwe bore the brunt of South Africa apartheid system by way of collateral damage that was inflicted by the racists white former rulers, who still covertly call the shots in that country, as well as the reputational burden of being a neighbour to a country at war.

“We have not received a cent as Zimbabwe, from the apartheid economy or from the post-apartheid economy, that I can tell you without any prevarication. The assistance which is now being touted about, if it is true, clearly, if they had not stood by us economically in the past 20 years when sanctions were imposed on us, how can anyone seek to stand by us economically when we are almost out of the woods,” said Chinamasa.

Chinamasa said Zimbabwe which is now on the verge of economic transformation, does not need assistance from countries that have for the most part offered only moral support, all the while making Zimbabwe a warehouse of their produce.

He added that in 2008, South Africa, through its former President Thabo Mbeki, was invited to mediate between Zanu PF and the MDC, and that came at the invitation of Zimbabwe.

“Mbeki did not impose himself on us, we requested him in order to defend the gains of our liberation which were being threatened by the British who were threatening military invasion of Zimbabwe. The British and Western governments will never agree or forgive for taking the land and giving it to our people,” he said.

Zimbabwe, has been the pacesetter in empowering its people whereas in the region citizens in countries that supposedly gained their independence live on the economic fringes while the erstwhile colonisers call the shots.

“We are the first country to do what we are doing, which is what we pointed to the ANC delegation, we have taken our land, you need us if you have to empower your people, we need each other. They have to empower their people; in the same way we have empowered our people. It’s a revolutionary obligation for the revolutionary parties to fulfil the gains of our liberation struggle, whether it is here, in South Africa, Namibia or Mozambique,” said Chinamasa.

Watch Chinamasa’s press conference in the video downloading below.

Paul Nyathi

A top official of the African National Congress of South Africa has got ZANU PF on its toes after she declared that there is indeed a crisis in Zimbabwe.

Social development minister Lindiwe Zulu, who also heads the ANC NEC’s international relations subcommittee told this to South African news agents on arrival back home from a fact finding mission in Zimbabwe last week.

Publicly Zulu – who as a diplomat led South Africa’s intervention to try to ensure free and fair elections in Zimbabwe in 2013 – has also been the most outspoken member of the government and ANC about Zimbabwe.

In the run up to the 2013 elections in Zimbabwe, Zulu got former President Robert Mugabe nearly pulling the country out of SADC after she called for postponement of the elections claiming ZANU PF was not presenting a level playing field for the elections.

Mugabe burst out describing Zulu as a “stupid idiotic woman” and a “little streetwalker.” He also warned that Zimbabwe was in SADC voluntarily and if it did “stupid things” it could move out.

Zulu who was part of the ANC delegation that met Zanu PF officials on Wednesday, in a no-holds barred indaba between the two former liberation war movements, continued to claim that there was a crisis in Zimbabwe and the South African ruling party would return to meet the opposition in the country.

Zulu’s stance comes flies in the face of the head of the ANC delegation Ace Magashule’s utterances to the effect that there was no crisis in the country and that as a sovereign State, Zimbabwe had the capacity to tackle its challenges, that were a common feature across the continent.

Magashule said: “Maybe we use the word ‘crisis’ but I think we agreed there are challenges facing the entire globe, the continent and our respective countries. And therefore when there are challenges in South Africa and Zimbabwe, as liberation movements, such challenges must be addressed for as long as they affect our people. And that’s why we are here.”

Responding to questions from journalists at a Press conference on Friday, ZANU PF secretary for External Affairs, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi dismissed zulu’s sentiments on the crisis and need for the ANC delegation to return to Zimbabwe to meet opposition parties. Mbengegwi said fraternal parties could only help each other on invitation.

“Friendly and sisterly organisations only come to the help of each other on invitation. We help each other on invitation, we enjoy sovereign equality, both as political parties as well as nations, therefore, no party, especially a sister party can employ this on another sister party.

“It is common knowledge that some individuals in our sister party the ANC had been made to believe that there was a crisis in Zimbabwe. We are not sure how they became convinced with that, but some of them came here with that notion, however, in our meeting the notion of a crisis in Zimbabwe was quickly dismissed,” Mumbengegwi said.

He said the meeting, which lasted for more than six hours focused on the challenges bedevilling the region and how they can best be resolved and pooh-poohed notions of a crisis that have been concocted by G40 fugitives residing in South Africa.

“The question of a sister party coming to the country of another sister party to establish bilateral relations with the opposition party is unheard of (as) that can only happen in the context of mediation and mediation can only occur with the consent of the conflicting parties. But where there is no crisis, there is no real need for mediation and therefore no purpose will be served by trying to play a mediatory role, where there is no crisis and where there is no conflict and more importantly, where there is no consent of the parties involved,” said Mumbengegwi.

During the Wednesday meeting, the two heads of the delegation, Zanu PF Secretary for Administration Obert Mpofu and ANC secretary-general Magashule made it clear from the onset that there was no crisis in Zimbabwe.

“I know why you are asking, my counterpart (Lindiwe Zulu), on landing in South Africa held a media briefing where she riveted back to the original position that there was a crisis in Zimbabwe and therefore they needed to come back to Zimbabwe to resolve that crisis, but surely how can you unilaterally reverse a common position that the two delegations agreed on. I want to assure you that it is not normal for a former liberation party to impose itself on another and therefore we only hope that the views expressed were individual views and we would be very surprised if there are the common position of the ANC,” said Mumbengegwi.

With some within the ANC still playing to the gallery, Patrick Chinamasa said the ruling party will get in touch with the South African ruling party to establish whether its leadership shares the same sentiments.

“That is outside the agreement that we reached in the meeting on Wednesday. I have not followed what they said when they arrived in South Africa. But what I can categorically say is the meeting was very frank and candid. We agreed that Zimbabwe and South Africa are equal sovereign States and that on the basis of being sovereign States, there is no need for interventionist approach. There is no way an ANC delegation will come to Zimbabwe to interfere in our domestic affairs”.

Chinamasa said the brutal meeting between the two former liberation war movements started with the two parties clearing misconceptions of a crisis in Zimbabwe.

He said the two parties agreed that Zimbabwe, just like the rest of the region, is grappling with the effects of draughts and natural disasters such as Cyclone Idai as well as the added albatross rock of illegal economic sanctions that were imposed by western nations.

Chinamasa said the two parties, that agreed to meet regularly and also to disregard social media attempts to set the agenda, will meet regularly to ensure that detractors are kept at bay.

“The two revolutionary sister parties were able to find each other during that meeting. We re-discovered each other and I think we got our bearing correct. As we go into the future, I think we have set our compass in the right direction. First we agreed that Zimbabwe and South Africa are equal sovereign States. Zimbabwe is not a province of South Africa that we agreed very clearly.

“In the contest of international relations, South Africa is not a big brother to Zimbabwe. It has no overseer role to play in Zimbabwe or in the region. It has no mediatory role to play in South Africa, in Zimbabwe or in other countries and not being a province of South Africa, it follows that there is no interventionist approach to the way that South Africa would relay to us.

“The challenges that the region is facing do not need any outside interference, what Zimbabwe needs is access to capital, which because of sanctions we are unable to have, Zimbabwe has only one option, to lift itself up by way, which we have been doing for the past 20 years,” he said.

Additional reporting State Media

Two people died of coronavirus on Friday raising the death toll to 224 but 25 people recovered bringing down the number of active cases to 1 595 as there were only 26 new cases.

There are now 7 479 cases and 5 660 recoveries.

More than 1 000 of the active cases are in Harare.

Paul Nyathi

One of the most respected travel and tourism operators in Zimbabwe, Gordon Addams, has died.

Gordon died in the Eastern Highlands city of Mutare after suffering a heart attack. He was 60.

Born and educated in Mutare, his family was prominent for farming in Odzi. His father, popularly known as ‘Doomps,’ was killed in the war of liberation in 1974 and his mother, Veryann, died in 2009.

Both are buried outside the picturesque church of St Francis of Assisi near Odzi.

Gordon leaves behind two sisters and a brother, all living abroad.

After school, Gordon studied hospitality management at the famed Hotel School at Bulawayo Polytechnic and graduated in 1982. He undertook in-service training around Zimbabwe, as well as at Selsdon Park in the United Kingdom and in 1983 joined the Cresta Hotels group, where he rose to become general manager of Cresta Jameson.

He left Cresta in 1991 to establish his own hotel group, Inns of Zimbabwe, centred in the Eastern Highlands and on routes into the area. At one point Inns of Zimbabwe operated country hotels in Nyanga (Inn on Rupurara and Pine Tree Inn), outside Mutare (Inn on the Vumba), near Chipinge (KIledo Lodge), close to Great Zimbabwe (Inn on Great Zimbabwe), in the Save Conservancy (Mukwazi Safari Lodge) and in northern South Africa (Inn on Louis Trichardt).

After downsizing and then dissolving this operation, he realised a lifelong ambition in 2017, opening his own boutique bed and breakfast venue in a converted 1900s suburban house in Mutare, creating a popular and successful nine-suite unit.

Gordon was active in travel and tourism leadership, serving as vice president of the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe, as well as Eastern Highlands chairman of the Zimbabwe Council for Tourism, now Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe. He was also a highly regarded mentor, with hundreds of industry professionals receiving his guidance in his almost 40 years in the travel and tourism sector.

He created Best of Zimbabwe, an informal marketing and promotional grouping of more than 30 establishments across Zimbabwe, and liked to others in neighbouring countries through his innovative InnSider Card discount scheme.

Gordon, his staff and his establishments won many local, regional and international accolades over the years, and in 2015 he was presented with a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the TBCZ in its Tourism Achievers’ Awards that year. His greatest passion was Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands, which he promoted with vigour and creativity for almost 30 years.

Tributes have been flowing in from all over the world, with particular commendation for his professional style, exceptionally high operational standards and his commitment to Zimbabwe and its travel and tourism sector.

Said Paul Matamisa, chief executive of the TBCZ and long-time personal friend of Gordon: “His passing is the end of an era and he was a legend on our industry. He will be greatly missed.”

Source: State Media

ZANU PF Acting Spokesperson has warned MDC Alliance leaders Nelson Chamisa and Tendai Biti to stop ‘playing with fire’ saying it will be very dangerous for them.

Chinamasa was speaking to the media during their weekly press briefing.

Watching the video below…

By Jane Mlambo| Zanu PF is adamant that South Africa has no overseer role to play on Zimbabwe or any other country in the region.

Addressing its weekly press briefing yesterday, Acting Zanu PF Spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa said their meeting with ANC was able to clarify that South Africa and Zimbabwe are equal sovereign states and that Zimbabwe is not a province of South Africa.

“The two revolutionary sister parties were able to find each other during that meeting. We re-discovered each other and I think we got our bearing correct. As we go into the future, I think we have set our compass in the right direction. First we agreed that Zimbabwe and South Africa are equal sovereign States. Zimbabwe is not a province of South Africa that we agreed very clearly.

“In the contest of international relations, South Africa is not a big brother to Zimbabwe. It has no overseer role to play in Zimbabwe or in the region. It has no mediatory role to play in South Africa, in Zimbabwe or in other countries and not being a province of South Africa, it follows that there is no interventionist approach to the way that South Africa would relay to us,” said Chinamasa.

Zanu PF has dismissed reports by the African National Congress that they will come back and meet the opposition and other stakeholders saying it can only happen when they have been invited to be a mediator.

ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule said they had requests for meetings from MDC Alliance, ZAPU, Transform Zimbabwe and US Ambassador to Zimbabwe among other stakeholders which they said they will return to meet.

Speaking during a Zanu PF weekly press briefing, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said there was no need for ANC to meet the opposition as the country was not in crisis as claimed.

“The question of a sister party coming to the country of another sister party to establish bilateral relations with the opposition party is unheard of (as) that can only happen in the context of mediation and mediation can only occur with the consent of the conflicting parties. But where there is no crisis, there is no real need for mediation and therefore no purpose will be served by trying to play a mediatory role, where there is no crisis and where there is no conflict and more importantly, where there is no consent of the parties involved,” said Mumbengegwi.

MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere has dismissed as false a report by The Herald claiming that three political activists – Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova – recently visited an apostolic sect prophetess, Madzimai Memory of Hatfield, Harare, to have the State’s case against them fall.

The report claims that the MDC trio visited the shrine located behind the Catholic University of Zimbabwe between Joshua Nkomo Road and St Martins suburb on September 1 in a bid to have allegations of having faked abductions dismissed by the courts.

Responding to journalist, Happi Zengeni who had commented on the story by The Herald, asking why the apostolic members allegedly violated “client confidentiality” by divulging the purpose of the MDC trio’s visit to the shrine, Mahere said:

This is fake news. The State has launched a smear campaign against the MDCT trio. The video is fake and so is this mapostori story.

It’s all calculated to convict them in the eyes of the public ahead of their trial. The perpetrators of their abduction are yet to be brought to book.

According to the report, the three arrived at the shrine in an unregistered Toyota Fortuner, that was being driven by Mamombe, the Member of Parliament for Harare West.

An unnamed congregant who was within earshot of the trio’s conversation with the prophet is quoted as having said:

The prophet said that the women were vigilant, especially Mamombe whom he singled out as courageous.

He also told the three activists that they lusted for material things and he described them as promiscuous, attributes that he said were bringing them misfortune.

The prophet reportedly assured the MDC trio that their misfortunes would disappear if they committed to attending regular intercessions at the shrine.

-Online

By Jane Mlambo| With by-elections date set to fill the vacant seats that followed the recall of legislators and councillors by a rival camp, MDC Alliance is excited that an opportunity has been presented before them to settle scores with former allies Douglas Mwonzora and Thokozani Khupe.

Though the MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa is worried about resources being put to waste after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission said it requires USD18 million to administer the by-election, the generality of party members have kind of set an expiry date for the duo and their colleagues including Morgan Komichi, Elias Mudzuri among others.

With the majority of party supporters still in favour of Chamisa, the holding of these by-elections are expected to be a contestation between Zanu PF and MDC Alliance with the MDC-T being a distant third and unlikely to get a single seat.

The MDC Alliance will also be hoping to harvest from anger against Mwonzora and Khupe for openly fighting Chamisa following  the Supreme Court ruling that reversed leadership changes that followed the death of party founding President Morgan Tsvangirai in February 2018.

The by-elections will definitely return most if not all of the recalled legislators and councillors with former Harare Mayor the only loser as there is already a New Mayor elected to replace him meaning he will have to content with being a councillor only.

Home Affairs Minister Kezembe Kazembe has been given an ultimatum by a Harare magistrate who ordered him to either pay a Gweru based student who was brutalised by police officers in 2018 $199 500 in a fortnight or spend 60 days in jail.

This was revealed by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights in a Facebook post that further explains the case. ZLHR tweeted:

Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe has been given a two-week ultimatum by Harare Magistrate Mazhande to pay RTGS$199 500 to Simon Mandoza, a student based in Gweru as compensation for damages he suffered when he was assaulted by some Zimbabwe Republic Police members in 2018.

Magistrate Mazhande ruled that if Minister Kazembe Kazembe failed to pay compensation to Mandoza within 14 days, he will be sentenced to serve 60 days in prison.

Through her lawyer Fiona Iliff and Obey Shava of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Mandoza sued Kazembe Kazembe and ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga after some police officers arrested the college student on 20 September 2018 while he was standing outside a fast food outlet in Harare’s CBD, waiting for his brother to pick him up.

Unbeknown to him ZRP members were carrying out an operation against alleged informal traders in the CBD at that time.

Mandoza was assaulted by ZRP members with an open palm and then forced to get into the back of a police vehicle.

While in the vehicle, ZRP members poked Mandoza a truncheon on his shoulder and at the back of his head, threatening him with further assault. Mandoza was finally taken to Harare Central Police Station, where he was finally released without a charge being preferred against him.-ZLHR

TO impress his girlfriend, a Hwange man broke into a Catholic priest’s home and stole US$1 500 before showering the woman with gifts while on a spending spree in Victoria Falls.

Admire Gwenzi (34) of 651 Bagdad in Empumalanga suburb used US$400 to buy an iPhone, two other cellphone handsets and some clothes.
He pampered his girlfriend with US$900.

It emerged that this was not the first time Gwenzi had stolen from Fr Zamberlain Bruno who is the administrator of Don Bosco Technical College in Hwange.

He once stole some money from the priest but was not taken to court after the priest forgave him and withdrew the charges when he returned the money.

In the latest incident, only US$200 was recovered from Gwenzi on his arrest.

He pleaded guilty to aggravated unlawful entry into premises when he appeared before Hwange magistrate Ms Rangarirai Gakanje who slapped him with 24 months in jail.

The magistrate suspended six months for five years on condition of good behaviour and suspended a further nine months on condition that Gwenzi restitutes US$1 300 to Fr Bruno on or before September 30.
Gwenzi will serve an effective nine months in jail.

Prosecuting Mr John Mutyakaviri said Gwenzi broke into Fr Bruno’s bedroom when the priest had gone for evening prayers on August 26.

“On the 26th of August at around 8pm, the accused proceeded to Don Bosco Technical College and unlawfully entered into the complainant’s room through an unlocked door. While inside he took US$1 500 which was in the complainant’s wardrobe drawer and went away,” said Mr Mutyakaviri.

The court was told that the money had been brought from Bulawayo on the same day and was meant for workers’ salaries and buying of building material at Don Bosco.
Fr Bruno discovered the theft when he wanted to use the money.

He reported the matter to the police who arrested Gwenzi after investigations and recovered US$200 only from him.

Gwenzi revealed to police that he had used the money to buy an iPhone, two other cellphones and clothes worth a combined US$400.

He said he took the remaining US$900 to Victoria Falls where he spent it with his girlfriend who stays there.
— Chronicle

WHAT started as a merry-making traditional beer binge last Friday ended tragically when a 22-year-old Buhera man was allegedly killed by two villagers over unknown reasons.

Konerai Ndiuraye died after sustaining serious injuries all over his body.
He was allegedly attacked by Last Magaya and Kelvin Chapwanya until he breathed his last.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the incident and said it happened in Munyati Village under Chief Chitauro.

“Magaya, Ndiuraye and Chapwanya were having a binge at Agnes Toro’s homestead when a neighbour, Leopold Munyati, heard them arguing,” said Inspector Kakohwa.

“The argument degenerated into a fight and Munyati later saw Magaya bolting from the scene.

“Munyati realised that Ndiuraye had passed away and alerted village head Rodrick Tichaona about the incident.

Headman Tichaona went on to inform the police.”
When the police attended the scene, they saw blood stains two metres away from the scene.

“Magaya and Chapwanya were arrested as they were the last two people who had been at the crime scene.

Their clothes matched the description made by the witness and also had blood stains,” said Inspector Kakohwa.-Manica Post

Farai Dziva|Movement for Democratic Change members have been hardened by two decades of persecution, harassment and intimidation, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

In his message on the Movement for Democratic Change’s 21st anniversary, President Chamisa saluted party members and ordinary Zimbabweans for withstanding relentless persecution, torture and violence – orchestrated by Zanu PF agents.

President Chamisa in a statement:

“This 11th September in 1999, the MDC was launched.

Thank you Zimbabwe for believing and standing with us.

They have tried every trick to divide and break us but they have hardened us in the 21yrs of struggle for real change & true freedom.

Many have lost property, jobs and opportunities.

Many have been killed. We have been abused, incarcerated and terrorized. We refuse to be compromised or swallowed. We stand firm.

We are the Alliance!We’re emerging stronger & rebranded!Hatipedzeke uye hatigoneke..Tinovapedzera maSports ..kusvika vati eke! Happy 21st anniversary maChinja! #Godisinit

Zanu PF boasts of empowering the people of Zimbabwe.

Watch video below :

Farai Dziva|Controversial Masvingo cleric Isaac Makomichi has been attacked on Twitter for “using black magic.”

Makomichi reportedly sent a dove to a small house to bring back the husband of a disgruntled woman.

Irked by the report, Zimbabwean woman Charity Mupetwa took to twitter and accused the cleric of using black magic.

“What love? After what you did to Tsitsi kutumira shiri kunoti dzosa murume wangu,ichiri love potion here or magic? What if kana akanyeperwa kuti handina mukadzi?Everyone is saying its magic not miracle. SHAME,” tweeted Mupetwa.

Makomichi refused to comment on the matter.

Farai Dziva|South Africa’s ANC has admitted Zimbabwe is facing serious challenges.

The head of ANC’s peace and stability committee, Toni Yengeni, who was one of the delegates during the visit to Zimbabwe told journalists in Pretoria that: “the situation in Zimbabwe cannot be allowed to continue as it is.”

“There are problems in Zimbabwe, major challenges both of social, economic and to some extent of a political nature.”

The head of the delegation, ANC’s secretary-general Ace Magashule, quoted by NewsDay said :

“We have agreed that there were challenges in Zimbabwe that must be confronted. As liberation movements, we should respect human rights. We respect freedom of association and freedom of speech.”

Farai Dziva|South Africa’s ANC has admitted Zimbabwe is facing serious challenges.

The head of ANC’s peace and stability committee, Toni Yengeni, who was one of the delegates during the visit to Zimbabwe told journalists in Pretoria that: “the situation in Zimbabwe cannot be allowed to continue as it is.”

“There are problems in Zimbabwe, major challenges both of social, economic and to some extent of a political nature.”

The head of the delegation, ANC’s secretary-general Ace Magashule, quoted by NewsDay said :

“We have agreed that there were challenges in Zimbabwe that must be confronted. As liberation movements, we should respect human rights. We respect freedom of association and freedom of speech.”

Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has challenged Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to stop wasting money on by-elections at a time the country’s health sector is facing critical challenges.

“The $18m gobbled by by-elections could have alleviated hunger and poverty, improved our health care system or enhanced access to clean water.

The state-led illegal recalls are a direct attack on voters.

It is careless, costly and criminal to subvert the people’s will.#ZimbaweanLivesMatter,” said President Chamisa.

Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has challenged Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to stop wasting money on by-elections at a time the country’s health sector is facing critical challenges.

“The $18m gobbled by by-elections could have alleviated hunger and poverty, improved our health care system or enhanced access to clean water.

The state-led illegal recalls are a direct attack on voters.

It is careless, costly and criminal to subvert the people’s will.#ZimbaweanLivesMatter,” said President Chamisa.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“These thieves are really heartless as they have no respect for the dead and their relatives.

After being caught these lowest of the low people should be severely punished. Just imagine they are stealing from people who are already under sad emotional circumstances.

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

A BULAWAYO teacher has taken her late husband and her four step-children to court challenging her exclusion from a will purportedly left by the deceased.

Ms Violer Van Eyssen, who is the surviving spouse of the late Kenneth Gilbert Eyssen, is challenging the validity of the will, which stipulates that she can only inherit cutlery from the matrimonial property.

She had been living with Kenneth for 29 years and they had been married since January 2007 in terms of Section 5:11 of the Marriages Act. The husband died last year in April.

Ms Eyssen is unhappy that her stepchildren inherited the house in Trenance including her matrimonial bed and blankets which she shared with her late husband.

Through her lawyer Mr Bruce Masamvu of Mutatu, Masamvu and Da Silva-Gustavo Law Chambers, Ms Eyssen filed an application in terms of the Administration of Estates Act at the Bulawayo High Court, citing the late Kenneth Gilbert Eyssen’s estate, her stepchildren Lorrain Gerlach (nee Eyssen), Sharon, Rodney, Belinda, and the Deputy Master of the High Court as respondents.

In her founding affidavit, Ms Eyssen said the last will and testament of the late Kenneth Gilbert Eyssen contained clauses which disinherited her of their matrimonial home and assets including the bed and blankets, which she shared with her late husband.

“This is an application for an order declaring the last will attested to by the late Kenneth Gilbert Eyssen invalid and that his estate be registered and finalised intestate.

The last will and testament of the late Kenneth Gilbert Eyssen contained clauses which disinherited me of the matrimonial home and assets including the matrimonial bed and all the blankets my husband and I shared,” she said.

“The validity of the last will and testament, therefore, comes into question when the assets of the late Kenneth Gilbert Eyssen, which rightfully according to the laws of Zimbabwe are to be awarded to me, being the deceased’s surviving spouse, are given to someone else.”

Ms Eyssen wants an order declaring the will left by her husband null and void, arguing that it contradicts natural justice principles.

She said the Deputy Master of the High Court has no authority to determine the validity of the will.

Ms Eyssen said if the estate is to be allowed to proceed as per the last will, it would effectively render her a destitute.

“I would lose my matrimonial home which I have stayed in since 1991.

I will also suffer irreparable prejudice as I was the only one working as a teacher in the family and taking care of the deceased and our matrimonial home for years until my husband died,” she said.

Ms Eyssen wants the will accepted by the Deputy Master of the High Court on July 27 set aside.

“Wherefore, I believe I have laid down a good case warranting the nullification of the will.

I therefore pray for an order declaring the will null and void,” she said.-Chronicle

Paul Nyathi

Under fire United States ambassador to Zimbawe Brian Nichols on Friday met with Foreign Affairs Ministers Sibusiso Moyo and came out of the meeting “a changed man” speaking very soft of the Zimbabwean government he has been criticising heavily in recent weeks.

Zanu PF acting spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa last week accused Brian Nichols of sponsoring violent demonstrations aimed at overthrowing President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his administration threatening to get him kicked out of the country.

“The US ambassador who I’m told is African American, he must be totally ashamed of himself. He continues to engage in acts of undermining this Republic, mobilising and funding disturbances, coordinating violence and training insurgency.

“Our leadership will not hesitate to give him marching orders. Diplomats should not behave like thugs. Brian Nichols is a thug,” Chinamasa said.

“We remind him that he is not a super diplomat in this country. There are several diplomats that are seconded to this republic from the African Union member countries and the world over. They have never masqueraded and pretended to be our prefects as Mr Nichols is doing,” Chinamasa added.

The attacks came after Nichols told South Africa media that there was a huge human rights crisis in Zimbabwe.

The impasse forced Minister Moyo to summon Nichols to his office where he emerged a different man.

The United States embassy said the discussions were “constructive”.

“Constructive and wide-ranging discussion with Foreign Minister Moyo. I welcomed progress in court cases involving Godfrey Kurauone, Frank Chikowore, Samuel Takawira. Stressed importance of continued efforts to improve respect for human rights,” Nichols tweeted referring to an MDC activist and two journalists who were recently acquitted.

Constructive and wide-ranging discussion with Foreign Minister Moyo. I welcomed progress in court cases involving Godfrey Kurauone, Frank Chikowore, Samuel Takawira. Stressed importance of continued efforts to improve respect for human rights. pic.twitter.com/xmXxb3pLZX

— U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe (@USEmbZim) September 11, 2020

Sources close to the meeting indicated that the Zimbabwean foreign affairs Minister told Nichols to stop being antagonistic towards the government and use diplomatic channels to air any grievances he might have.

Minister Sibusiso Moyo tweeted after meeting Nichols: “We resolved to address our differences diplomatically and not to antagonise each other.”

Moyo described his meeting with Nichols as fruitful.

“We agreed to forge close cooperation between our two countries we have a lot in common that should bring us together than dividing us.”

Using its tweeter handle, the Ministry said the discussions between the two were open and positive.

“They discussed bilateral cooperation in all sectors of the economy and agreed to improve their relations. It was a frank discussion focused on uniting the two countries,” the ministry said.

President @nelsonchamisa at Hon. @Mimmmie burial pic.twitter.com/XxOH58hpNx

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 11, 2020

Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe has been given a two-week ultimatum by Harare Magistrate Mazhande to pay RTGS$199 500 to Simon Mandoza, a student based in Gweru as compensation for damages he suffered when he was assaulted by some Zimbabwe Republic Police members in 2018.

Magistrate Mazhande ruled that if Minister Kazembe Kazembe failed to pay compensation to Mandoza within 14 days, he will be sentenced to serve 60 days in prison.

Through her lawyer Fiona Iliff and Obey Shava of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Mandoza sued Kazembe Kazembe and ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga after some police officers arrested the college student on 20 September 2018 while he was standing outside a fast food outlet in Harare’s CBD, waiting for his brother to pick him up.

Unbeknown to him ZRP members were carrying out an operation against alleged informal traders in the CBD at that time. Mandoza was assaulted by ZRP members with an open palm and then forced to get into the back of a police vehicle. While in the vehicle, ZRP members poked Mandoza a truncheon on his shoulder and at the back of his head, threatening him with further assault.

Mandoza was finally taken to Harare Central Police Station, where he was released without a charge being preferred against him.

ZLHR

Paul Nyathi

Top Zimbabwean hotelier, Gordon Addams, has died.

Gordon died in on Friday in Mutare after suffering a heart attack. He was 60.

In a condolence mwssage, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) expressed shock over the death of Inns of Zimbabwe founder and owner.

“The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority board, management and staff would like to express their deepest condolences on the passing on of one dedicated and passionate hotelier, Mr Gordon Addams.”

The tourism authority said Mr Addams’ brand has been in existence for more than 25 years.

He was also the brains behind the “Best of Zimbabwe” initiative where he worked with a number of tourism players in the Eastern Highlands and across the country to promote the sector.

“Mr Addams developed a new concept in Mutare, The Gordon’s on 125 First Street, a boutique hotel created with the intention of providing a welcoming and comfortable upmarket accommodation environment,” said ZTA.

President @nelsonchamisa at Hon. @Mimmmie burial pic.twitter.com/XxOH58hpNx

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 11, 2020

Dear Editor. These are ZNA soldiers and ZRP at Women's University in Africa, their aim is to put more fear to the students, who want to demonstrate today over their school fees issue pic.twitter.com/MqOuAOCDaU

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 11, 2020

Zanu-PF Marondera East legislator Patrick Chidakwa has died.

Family representative Richard Mavhunga said the legislator died in a South African hospital.

Mr Mavhunga said the legislator was diabetic and had a heart ailment.

Zanu-PF provincial administrator Tonderai Kwaramba said Marondera district has been robbed a hard worker.

“A dark cloud has fallen over Marondera district. We have been robbed of someone special,” he said.

State Media

The High Court on Friday postponed to Monday ,the bail appeal hearing of MDC Alliance deputy national chairperson Job Sikhala who faces charges of inciting public violence.

Sikhala was denied bail by the Harare Magistrate Court last week.
In denying him bail, the Magistrates Court ruled that Sikhala’s behavior before his arrest suggested that if granted bail he was likely to abscond.

Sikhala then approached the High Court to appeal against the decision by the Harare Magistrate court to deny him bail.

His lawyer Harrison Nkomo confirmed the development.

“State only filed its responses to our appeal today. So come Monday all parties have agreed that the matter be held then,” he said.

Sikhala who was arrested last month , stands accused of mobilizing the public, through social media posts, to take part in protests that had been planned for July 31st in spite of a government ban.

The protests were ostensibly intended to register public displeasure over the government’s handling of the economy, but the authorities, citing intelligence indicating foreign involvement, saw them as cover for yet another opposition attempt to unseat constitutional order in the country.

Happening now! Fresh farm eviction at Protea Farm in Ruwa outside Harare. Farmer Martin Grobler being evicted to make way for Ministry of lands official Ivy Rupindi. This happening after government announced it will compensate farmers who lost land during the 2000 land reform. pic.twitter.com/WQqNsBprYR

— Privilege Musvanhiri ?? (@Musvanhiri) September 11, 2020

Correspondent

ZIMBABWE National Students Union (ZINASU) president Takudzwa Godfrey Ngadziore (22) was Friday remanded in custody to Monday for the continuation of his bail hearing by Harare magistrate Barbra Mateko.

Ngadziore was arrested on Thursday, facing charges of participating in a public gathering with intent to promote public violence, breach of peace, or bigotry.

Tstate accusing Ngadziore of staging a demonstration at Impala Car Rental in Harare demanding answers after one of the company’s vehicles was used in the abduction of trainee journalist Tawanda Muchehiwa.

Muchehiwa was abducted in Bulawayo on 30 July by suspected state agents before he was brutally tortured at an unknown location before he released after three days.

“On September 8, 2020, the accused who was in the company of about 20 people who are still at large, proceeded to Impala Car Rental located at Number 40 Chiremba Road, Hillside in Harare driving in four vehicles including a Honda Fit registration number ABU 7652, Honda Fit AES 9911 silver in colour, a Toyota Hiace registration AEF 2744 and Honda Airwave without number plates,” the state’s charge sheet reads.

“Upon arrival at Impala Car Rental’s main entrance, the demonstrators disembarked from the vehicles and produced placards which they displayed above their heads for members of the public to see.

“The placards were written, #PeoplePower; Impala Stop Enabling Abductions; Justice, Justice, Justice; No to abductions; #Sabotage Impala; #ZimbabweLivesMatter.”

The court heard on the day, the demonstrators chanted slogans using a loud hailer while whistling and filming themselves.

“The accused in his own words indicated in the video clip that he wanted all political parties, civic society organisations, and pressure groups to start making noise and sabotage Impala Car Rental operations and cause the company’s collapse,” said Prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti.

“He further indicated that his Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa must know that they are coming for him,” added the prosecutor.

The state said Ngadziore and his accomplices took turns in using the loud hailer to call all civic society and pressure groups to come together and act against alleged state abductions.

As a result, Mutsokoti told the court, the accused’s actions forced Impala Car Rental employees to fear for their lives and remained in their offices as they could not freely perform their duties.

By A Correspondent- Zanu Pf’s Patrick Chinamasa has revealed that his party was reporting back to the electorate regards progress made by the ruling party in fulfilling its election manifesto.

Said Chinamasa at the party headquarters Friday afternoon:

“Over the past weekend, the party held Provincila coordinating committees meetings in all 10 provinces.

Politburo members took time to report to the progress we are making in the fulfilling the manifesto and COVID 19.”

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Constructive and wide-ranging discussion with Foreign Minister Moyo. I welcomed progress in court cases involving Godfrey Kurauone, Frank Chikowore, Samuel Takawira. Stressed importance of continued efforts to improve respect for human rights. pic.twitter.com/xmXxb3pLZX

— U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe (@USEmbZim) September 11, 2020

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Farai Dziva|Movement for Democratic Change members have been hardened by two decades of persecution, harassment and intimidation, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

In his message on the Movement for Democratic Change’s 21st anniversary, President Chamisa saluted party members and ordinary Zimbabweans for withstanding relentless persecution, torture and violence – orchestrated by Zanu PF agents.

President Chamisa in a statement:

“This 11th September in 1999, the MDC was launched.

Thank you Zimbabwe for believing and standing with us.

They have tried every trick to divide and break us but they have hardened us in the 21yrs of struggle for real change & true freedom.

Many have lost property, jobs and opportunities.

Many have been killed. We have been abused, incarcerated and terrorized. We refuse to be compromised or swallowed. We stand firm.

We are the Alliance!We’re emerging stronger & rebranded!Hatipedzeke uye hatigoneke..Tinovapedzera maSports ..kusvika vati eke! Happy 21st anniversary maChinja! #Godisinit

By A Correspondent- Finance minister Mthuli Ncube yesterday said government had now resolved to review civil servants’ salaries after every three months to hedge against runaway inflation rate.

Ncube announced the policy shift in the National Assembly during debate on the Second Reading Stage of the Finance 2020 Bill hewed from the mid-term budget review statement he presented in Parliament recently.

Yesterday’s sitting also marked the last day of sitting for the National Assembly as President Emmerson Mnangagwa is now expected to issue a State of the Nation Address (SONA) and a statement for the official opening of a new Third Session of the Ninth Parliament.

“We are also reviewing salaries as I speak now, we reviewed civil servants salaries and gave them US$75 allowance and US$30 for pensioners and there is a newspaper article today which I will not comment on, but our policy is, we will review salaries after every three months,” Ncube said.

“We are re-considering risk allowances to restore purchasing power of civil servants’ salaries to ensure their income is not eroded and to stabilise the purchasing power.”

His comments came after Harare East MP Tendai Biti and Hatfield MP Tapiwa Mashakada (both from the MDC Alliance) castigated the overtaxing of poor people by Ncube and erosion of salaries by the dual pricing system and inconsistent monetary and fiscal policies.

Mashakada said: “The $5 000 tax free threshold should now be $25 000 because of inflation. There is need to periodically review non-tax income rather than wait for the midterm budget review or annual review.”

Biti said that since Ncube took over the Finance ministry in September 2018, he had intoxicated people with a plethora of taxes that are harmful, spreading inequalities, and placing a burden on the taxpayers through the 2% transaction tax.

“If you impose 2% to Ziyambi Ziyambi (Justice minister) who stays in Borrowdale and to my mother in Dotito the two are not equal. My appeal is, move away from unprogressive taxes.

“On Statutory Instrument 133 of 2019 which de-dollarised the economy what happened is that the minister devalued civil servants’ salaries, including salaries of MPs which cannot buy a full tank and yet in the community you are an MP but you are dishonourable,” Biti said.

He said the dual pricing structure was promoting inflated prices and choking consumers, adding that there were policy inconsistencies where there are proposals by Ncube through Statutory Instrument 29 for motorists to pay vehicle licenses in US$ and carbon tax to be paid in US$ when on the other hand he refuses to dollarise the economy.

Biti said the foreign currency auction system was a fraud as there was only one player the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe auctioning, while other big companies were selling money illegally on the streets, and the country was losing a lot of revenue through grey imports brought by buses from South Africa at Road Port.

Zanu-PF chief whip Pupurai Togarepi praised Ncube saying that, “we cannot increase income beyond what we are able to finance. If we play around with taxes, we increase disposable income and low income people will benefit from this tax regime.”

Ncube refused to dollarise the economy saying: “I suggest that we have more Zimbabwean dollars in your pockets than foreign currency.”

Meanwhile, teachers have expressed anger over government’s position to extend the US$75 cushioning allowances until December saying the only way forward must be complete dollarisation of their salaries.

The government position was arrived at early this week after a meeting with the Apex Council.

However Takavafira Zhou, the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president yesterday insisted that the educators would continue demanding nothing short of US$520 salaries.

“The so-called NJNC between government and Apex Council on September 9 was a high sounding nothing.

“We are sure teachers still remember the February 2020 Victoria Falls romance betrayal and futile promises that negotiations would continue. Yet as we highlighted then, there has not been any negotiation since February, “Zhou said.

“Now that government wants to open schools prematurely, it has conveniently called for its usual firefighting antics with Apex Council. Worse still, Apex Council’s term of office has long lapsed and the Alexander-Dzatsunga-led team has no locus standi, let alone traction.”

Zhou slammed the Apex Council for agreeing on the extension of the cushioning allowances instead of forex-indexed salaries.

The PTUZ leader urged teachers to confront government for better salaries.newsday