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.

By A Correspondent| The persecuted Zengeza MP Job Sikhala went missing Friday morning in an incident that got his family sore worried.

Sikhala was due for his hearing at the High Court in the morning but past mid day his whereabouts could not be established.

Sources close to the respected MP told ZimEye they were in a panic. This went on for several hours.

At around 1.30pm his lawyer Harrison Nkomo told ZimEye authorities had finally produced him.

“I have been told he is now at court and I am now going there to see what is happening,” he said.

At the time of writing it could not be established what had happened. The identity of the people who took him from prison could neither be obtained at the time of printing,

According to procedure, the investigating officer of an accused person is the only one allowed to take them out of prison and only for indications provided they are on remand specifically for further investigations. A court order is sought by the investigating officer to take a prisoner for indications and the prisoner has a right to demand that they can only go for indications in the presence of their lawyer; otherwise remand prisoners only leave prison to go to court with prison guards and not even the police.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY – REFRESH THIS PAGE FOR THE UPDATES…

UPDATE: Just been told a min ago, by Job Sikhala's lawyer, he has finally arrived at court. Lawyer now on his way back there to find out what is happening.

— Simba Chikanza (@schikanza) September 11, 2020

By A Correspondent- The MDC Alliance (MDC-A) has not yet completed investigations in the alleged involvement of Tendai Masotsha, the Bulawayo Women’s Assembly Chair, in the events surrounding the abduction and subsequent torture of Tawanda Muchehiwa by suspected State agents.

On 30 August, the party issued a statement apologising for its perceived delay in revealing its findings, saying they had to proceed cautiously in order to avoid inadvertently re-victimising Masotsha, who herself had been victimised in the run-up to the 31 July protests.

In a statement posted on its social media pages this Friday, the MDC-A said the National Organising Committee was currently seized with recommendations submitted to it for consideration by Bulawayo Province.

The statement read:

“The investigations against Ms Tendai Masotsha is ongoing. Recommendations have been made by Bulawayo province that has been tabled for consideration to the national organising committee in terms of the Constitution. The organising committee is currently seized with the matter.”

Muchehiwa said Masotsha had asked to meet him to hand over some posters for distribution and the abduction occurred soon after they met, leading to speculation that Masotsha had “delivered” the MSU student to the abductors.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU) and the President’s family friend, Delish Nguwaya have been accused of visiting a Harare businessman in remand prison to try to extort him.

This came to light in a letter to Prosecutor-General, Kumbirai Hodzi by Norton MP Temba Mliswa highlighting the irregular conduct of Nguwaya and officials from SACU.

The letter dated August 25, 2020 was copied to Mnangagwa, his deputies Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi and Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri.

Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander Philip Valerio Sibanda, Zimbabwe National Army commander Edzai Chimonyo, Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and Prison Services Commissioner-General Paradzai Zimondi were also copied.

Mliswa raised concern over the visit of SACU officers in the company of Nguwaya “to extort” businessman Felix Munyaradzi at the Harare Remand Prison.

The motor-mouth MP demanded that the State should investigate the “unlawful visit” by Nguwaya, who is the complainant in the matter that has resulted in Munyaradzi’s arrest.

“In my capacity as a Member of Parliament and mandated in my role of legislation, representation and oversight in both constituency and national interests and indeed as a concerned citizen of Zimbabwe, I hereby raise my extreme consternation over a visit made by a one, Delish Nguwaya to a Felix Munyaradzi who is currently on remand in custody at Harare Remand Prison,” Mliswa wrote.

“My concern arises from the fact that Munyaradzi is the accused person in a matter where he is alleged to have duped Nguwaya and others of money for land.

“Nguwaya is alleged to be covertly visiting Munyaradzi for the purposes of extorting Munyaradzi to enable his release from prison.The Norton legislator said Nguwaya visited Munyaradzi on two different occasions in the company of a certain individual from SACU in the absence of the investigating officer.

“Nguwaya has made two such nefarious visits in the company of certain individuals from the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU) in the President’s Office without the presence of the investigating officer. Is this standard practice?” Mliswa queried.

“It goes beyond any ethical or lawful explanation to understand how Mr Nguwaya may be granted such access given the circumstances,” added Mliswa.

“These unlawful visits have the propensity to compromise the case and promote evidence tampering. Suffice to say, the illicit, unrecorded visits to solicit bribes are in itself criminal.

“I, therefore, urgently request for an immediate investigation to be conducted into the alleged visits by Nguyawa and for justice to prevail accordingly.”

Mliswa said his belief was that the unit should report directly to Hodzi as the Prosecutor-General, not to Mnangagwa, which unfortunately, “has the propensity to promote abuse of office and foster the unsavoury practices of indiscriminate arrests and opportunity for extortion in the false name of the President.”

Contacted for comment, SACU head Tabani Mpofu said: “I don’t participate in rumour mongering and nuisance. I am sure your letter, was it not addressed to Hodzi? Find out from Hodzi.”

Hodzi was dropping calls claiming the line was not clear.

Nguwaya said he did not know anything about the purported visits, claiming there was a smear campaign against him.

“How can I extort from someone who stole from me?”-Newsday

BREAKING- MARONDERA EAST MP PATRICK CHIDHAKWA DIES pic.twitter.com/NejIHjAZy4

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 11, 2020

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has condemned a State-owned daily publication for alleged invasion of privacy and right to worship of three MDC Alliance (MDC-A) activists, Joanna Mamombe, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri over its report claiming that the trio visited an Apostolic Sect shrine on 1 September this year.

In a statement posted on its social media channels, ZPP on Friday said the pictures used in the story by The Herald date back to 2016.

ZPP said:

ZPP notes with great exception the sustained invasion of privacy [and] right to worship of 3 [MDC Alliance] leaders. ZPP has established the images used by [The Herald] to claim [Joana Mamombe], [Netsai Marova] and [Cecilia Chimbiri] were at an apostolic shrine recently, date back to 2016.

https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1304183257592889344?s=20

WATCH- HUGE SNAKE LIVING INSIDE A GRAVE IN RUJEKO CEMETERY, MASVINGO pic.twitter.com/GyOPkZGVRU

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 11, 2020

In an effort to encourage more people to screen for Covid-19, The Avenues Clinic has discounted Rapid Diagnostic Testing (RDT) to US$15.
RDT is an antibody test that looks for antibodies that are made by your immune system in response to a threat, such as a specific virus. pic.twitter.com/DzA388J41v

— The Avenues Clinic (@AvenuesClinic) September 11, 2020

By A Correspondent- At a CHRA community meeting held by CHRA yesterday at Zimbabwe Hall residents revealed that at Highfields Polyclinic nurses have turned into money changers as they are prioritizing patients with United States Dollars and pay for them using their ecocash and bank accounts.

“Our nurses are not receipting United States dollars we give them, instead they are taking the money and use their ecocash to pay for us and give us receipt written in bond note (ZWL)”, said an angry old woman at the meeting.”

Residents lamented that after paying the consultation fees there are not given medication but told to buy medication at private pharmacies.

Residents alleged that 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 premises.

Another women who attended the dialogue meeting identified as Mai Tawanda said:

“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 by night after working hours.”

Currently 8 out of forty- two clinics are operational in Harare a situation that has seen people with chronic diseases failing to get medication while pregnant women have resorted to untrained mid-wives to give birth even though they would have paid maternal fees.

The residents who are attended the meeting resolved to petition parliament on the violation of the right to health and vowed to drag Harare City Council over the closure of other clinics.

My fellow Zimbabweans, today our great movement turns 21 years. For all these years we have travelled on a road with all its hazards.

We have been beaten and we fell down, but we managed to stand up, dust up and we continued walking hence why we have remained standing to this day.

Our destination is a New Zimbabwe with milk and honey. Our destination is a Zimbabwe where every citizen has a Better Life.

I would like to pay tribute to our great men and women who spearheaded the formation of the Movement for Democratic Change from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) in 1999.

These great men and women are, the late Gibson Sibanda who was President of ZCTU, the late Issac Matongo who was Vice President, the late Dr Morgan Tsvangirai who was Secretary-General, the late Nicholas Mudzengerere who was Deputy Secretary-General, the late Remius Makuwaza who was a General Council Member, Hon. Gift Chimanikire who was the President of the Post and Telecommunications Union and is currently the National Deputy Organising.

Secretary of MDC-T, Hon. Paurina Mpariwa who was the Chairperson of the ZCTU Women’s Advisory Council and a General Council Member, she is currently the Deputy Secretary-General of MDC-T and yours truly Dr Thokozani Khupe who was the Secretary of the ZCTU Women’s Advisory Council and a General council member. Currently, she is the Acting President of MDCT.

These 8 Women and Men then united with other groups that include but not limited to the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Women’s Clubs, Students movement and the Church and met at a Working People’s Convention in February 1999, in Harare where various issues pertaining to Zimbabwe were discussed.

After unanimously noting the failure and inability of the Mugabe’s administration to govern the country in a just, transparent, honest, fair and equitable manner, the Convention noted the need and desire for the formation of a political movement.

On the 11th of September 1999, the Movement for Democratic Change was then formed which would advance and promote human rights and the setting up of a government based on the principles of freedom and good governance.

The MDC is a social-democratic party whose core values are solidarity, justice, equality, liberty, freedom, transparency, humble and obedient leadership and accountability.

One of its objectives is to pursue social liberation policies aimed at completing the unfinished business of the Liberation Struggle.

The character and culture of the party are that of being a pro-poor and people-centred, non- racial and non-sexist movement that strongly believes in gender parity and the 50-50 gender representation principle.

It is a movement that was built on a foundation of constitutionalism, democracy, non-discrimination and non-violence.

The MDC is against the use of violence as a means of attaining political power. It supports the emancipation of women and its leadership shall be accountable to the people and the leadership shall be at all material times be a Transformative leadership who will always move away from advancing their personal interests and move towards
working for the common good.

The MDC started participating in elections in 2000 when it was nine months old and it performed extremely well winning 57 seats out of 120 seats.

In 2008 the MDC-T made history and beat Zanu PF for the first time since 1980 with 100 seats against Zanu PF 99 seats and MDC Ncube 10 seats and one Independent, this lead to the formation of an Inclusive Government, with Dr Morgan Tsvangirai being the Prime Minister and yours truly Dr Thokozani Khupe being the Deputy Prime Minister.

The lives of many Zimbabweans changed during this period, hospitals that had closed, schools that had closed and shops that had closed opened.

However, a dark cloud befell us on the 14th of February 2018 when our founding President Dr Morgan Tsvangirai passed on.

Hell broke loose after his demise as our erstwhile colleagues decided to take over power through unconstitutional and violent means.

Some of the leadership were beaten and almost burnt in a hut in Buhera at the former President’s burial. After the matter was taken to court the Supreme court ruled that the MDC’s constitution be followed through, which clearly states under article 9.2.1.1 which says “in the event of the death or resignation of the President, the Deputy President assumes the role of Acting President, pending the holding of an Extra-Ordinary Congress that shall be held to elect a new President which Extra-Ordinary Congress to be held no later than a year from the death or resignation of the former President”.

This is where the party is at the moment and had it not been for Covid-19 the Extra-ordinary Congress (E.O.C) would have been conducted on the 31st July 2020.

The party has since approached the Supreme Court for a variation and the matter will be heard on the 1st of October 2020.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank MDC-T members for remaining resolute and firm under these difficult circumstances. Let me also thank Zimbabweans in a special way for observing the National Lockdown measures during these difficult times of COVID-19.

We stood united as a nation during the fight to save lives for it is the only way we could overcome and defeat the pandemic.

We stayed at home, embraced social distancing measures which are a new normal. We shall continue to fight until we arrive at our destination where every Zimbabwean has a Better Life. Forward Ever, Backwards Never.

We shall continue to fight using the spaces that we have which include Parliament and Local authorities we control. We shall continue to question government and hold them to account for their actions to the people, we shall challenge government policies and proffer solutions and we will continue to be the eyes and ears of the citizens regarding their concerns and challenge government to act and satisfy the needs of the people.

Let us unite as citizens and hold hands because one hand cannot move a mountain but many hands can do so.

Let us unite and move the mountain of Poverty,

Let us unite and move the mountain of Hunger,

Let us unite and move the mountain of Corruption,

Let us unite and move the mountain of disunity,

Happy 21st Anniversary MDC-T, Happy 21st Anniversary MDC-T

Guqula Izenzo, Chinja Maitiro ….

God Bless you All, God Bless the MDC T Family, God Bless Zimbabwe.!

I Thank You

Dr Thokozani Khupe

Acting President, MDC T

By A Correspondent- A Kwekwe Councillor, Future Titora, was on Tuesday blocked by from addressing mourners at a funeral wake by youths belonging to the MDC-Alliance (MDC-A) led by Nelson Chamisa.

MDC Alliance youth chairman Nhamo Zvenyika said Titora, who is Ward 2 Councillor, could not address the mourners because she had become a sellout by defecting to the judicially-created MDC-T despite her election on an MDC Alliance ticket in 2018.

Titora confirmed the development, saying she had to leave the funeral wake after the youths threatened her with unspecified action. She said:

I am still a councillor and I am supposed to carry out my duties without any hindrance. They should wait for their time to be elected so that they can do the job.

Titora said she filed a report at Mbizo Police Station.

Reports indicate that in Kwekwe, three councillors have dumped the Chamisa-led MDC-A to join the MDC-T.

Besides Clr Titora, other councillors believed to have crossed the floor are Joshua Tinago and Mercy Ranga.

Meanwhile, Kwekwe mayor Angeline Kasipo has vowed to support Chamisa even though she faces the risk of being recalled by the vengeful judicially-created MDC-T.-statemedia

My fellow Zimbabweans, today our great movement turns 21 years. For all these years we have travelled on a road with all its hazards.

We have been beaten and we fell down, but we managed to stand up, dust up and we continued walking hence why we have remained standing to this day.

Our destination is a New Zimbabwe with milk and honey. Our destination is a Zimbabwe where every citizen has a Better Life.

During our journey for the Democratization of our Country, we have had Trials, Tribulations as well as Triumphs.

I would like to pay tribute to our great men and women who spearheaded the formation of the Movement for Democratic Change from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) in 1999.

These great men and women are, the late Gibson Sibanda who was President of ZCTU, the late Issac Matongo who was Vice President, the late Dr Morgan Tsvangirai who was Secretary-General, the late Nicholas Mudzengerere who was Deputy Secretary-General, the late Remius Makuwaza who was a General Council Member, Hon. Gift Chimanikire who was the President of the Post and Telecommunications Union and is currently the National Deputy Organising

Secretary of MDC-T, Hon. Paurina Mpariwa who was the Chairperson of the ZCTU Women’s Advisory Council and a General Council Member, she is currently the Deputy Secretary-General of MDC-T and yours truly Dr Thokozani Khupe who was the Secretary of the ZCTU Women’s Advisory Council and a General council member. Currently, she is the Acting President of MDCT.

These 8 Women and Men then united with other groups that include but not limited to the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Women’s Clubs, Students movement and the Church and met at a Working People’s Convention in February 1999, in Harare where various issues pertaining to Zimbabwe were discussed.

After unanimously noting the failure and inability of the Mugabe’s administration to govern the country in a just, transparent, honest, fair and equitable manner, the Convention noted the need and desire for the formation of a political movement.

On the 11th of September 1999, the Movement for Democratic Change was then formed which would advance and promote human rights and the setting up of a government based on the principles of freedom and good governance.

The MDC is a social-democratic party whose core values are solidarity, justice, equality, liberty, freedom, transparency, humble and obedient leadership and accountability.

One of its objectives is to pursue social liberation policies aimed at completing the unfinished business of the Liberation Struggle.

The character and culture of the party are that of being a pro-poor and people-centred, non- racial and non-sexist movement that strongly believes in gender parity and the 50-50 gender representation principle.

It is a movement that was built on a foundation of constitutionalism, democracy, non-discrimination and non-violence.

The MDC is against the use of violence as a means of attaining political power. It supports the emancipation of women and its leadership shall be accountable to the people and the leadership shall be at all material times be a Transformative leadership who will always move away from advancing their personal interests and move towards working for the common good.

The MDC started participating in elections in 2000 when it was nine months old and it performed extremely well winning 57 seats out of 120 seats.

In 2008 the MDC-T made history and beat Zanu PF for the first time since 1980 with 100 seats against Zanu PF 99 seats and MDC Ncube 10 seats and one Independent, this lead to the formation of an Inclusive Government, with Dr Morgan Tsvangirai being the Prime Minister and yours truly Dr Thokozani Khupe being the Deputy Prime Minister.

The lives of many Zimbabweans changed during this period, hospitals that had closed, schools that had closed and shops that had closed opened.

However, a dark cloud befell us on the 14th of February 2018 when our founding President Dr Morgan Tsvangirai passed on.

Hell broke loose after his demise as our erstwhile colleagues decided to take over power through unconstitutional and violent means.

Some of the leadership were beaten and almost burnt in a hut in Buhera at the former President’s burial. After the matter was taken to court the Supreme court ruled that the MDC’s constitution be followed through, which clearly states under article 9.2.1.1 which says “in the event of the death or resignation of the President, the Deputy President assumes the role of Acting President, pending the holding of an Extra-Ordinary Congress that shall be held to elect a new President which Extra-Ordinary Congress to be held no later than a year from the death or resignation of the former President”.

This is where the party is at the moment and had it not been for Covid-19 the Extra-ordinary Congress (E.O.C) would have been conducted on the 31st July 2020.

The party has since approached the Supreme Court for a variation and the matter will be heard on the 1st of October 2020.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank MDC-T members for remaining resolute and firm under these difficult circumstances. Let me also thank Zimbabweans in a special way for observing the National Lockdown measures during these difficult times of COVID-19.

We stood united as a nation during the fight to save lives for it is the only way we could overcome and defeat the pandemic.

We stayed at home, embraced social distancing measures which are a new normal. We shall continue to fight until we arrive at our destination where every Zimbabwean has a Better Life. Forward Ever, Backwards Never.

We shall continue to fight using the spaces that we have which include Parliament and Local authorities we control. We shall continue to question government and hold them to account for their actions to the people, we shall challenge government policies and proffer solutions and we will continue to be the eyes and ears of the citizens regarding their concerns and challenge government to act and satisfy the needs of the people.

Let us unite as citizens and hold hands because one hand cannot move a mountain but many hands can do so.

Let us unite and move the mountain of Poverty,

Let us unite and move the mountain of Hunger,

Let us unite and move the mountain of Corruption,

Let us unite and move the mountain of disunity,

Happy 21st Anniversary MDC-T, Happy 21st Anniversary MDC-T

Guqula Izenzo, Chinja Maitiro ….

God Bless you All, God Bless the MDC T Family, God Bless Zimbabwe.!

I Thank You

Dr Thokozani Khupe

Acting President, MDC T

State run Herald Newspaper has come up with a claim that the MDC Alliance trio of Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova visited a Harare based Vapostori Sect for a “cleansing ceremony” in order to survive their up coming court trial where they are accused of faking their abduction in April.

The opposition party has since dismissed the claims by the State Media as fake.

Party spokesperson Fadzai Mahere tweeted:

Freedom of worship means that there's nothing wrong with going to Mapostori if you so choose. But there's everything wrong with fabricating stories, images & videos of the #MDCTrio in order to convict them in the minds of the public & cover up their state-sponsored abduction. pic.twitter.com/sVKL1Q0JlH

— Fadzayi Mahere?? (@advocatemahere) September 11, 2020

Below is the State Media rendition of the claims.

MDC-Alliance activists who faked abduction in May this year have now turned to apostolic prophets in what appears to be a desperate bid, wrapped in superstition and mythology, to have the State’s case against them crumble, The Herald can reveal.

Some of Madzimai Memory’s ardent followers were convinced that the trio had found a sanctuary from where all their troubles would peel off, while the sceptics questioned why people who were enmeshed in sinful practices were seeking divine intervention before they had repented.

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.

In a Tweet on Friday morning Mahere dismissed the state media story as fake altogether.

Freedom of worship means that there's nothing wrong with going to Mapostori if you so choose. But there's everything wrong with fabricating stories, images & videos of the #MDCTrio in order to convict them in the minds of the public & cover up their state-sponsored abduction. pic.twitter.com/sVKL1Q0JlH

— Fadzayi Mahere?? (@advocatemahere) September 11, 2020

Responding to 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.

WATCH- HUGE SNAKE LIVING INSIDE A GRAVE IN RUJEKO CEMETERY, MASVINGO pic.twitter.com/GyOPkZGVRU

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 11, 2020

Today marks 21 years since MDC-T was founded. I would like to thank all of our members for remaining resolute and firm in the fight for a better life for all. Happy 21st anniversary pic.twitter.com/HANqEf7gBe

— Dr Thokozani Khupe (@DrThoko_Khupe) September 10, 2020

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.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

https://youtu.be/S11ez0rEgvg

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

SIKHALA MAKES FREEDOM BID AT HIGH COURT

ZENGEZA West constituency legislator Hon. Job Sikhala has asked the High Court to end his incarceration by releasing him on bail after he was arrested and detained in August for allegedly inciting people to commit public violence through participating in anti-government protests aimed at registering concern over mismanagement by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.

Hon. Sikhala petitioned the High Court on Friday 4 September 2020 appealing against the decision of Harare Magistrate Lazini Ncube, who denied him bail on Thursday 3 September 2020 on the basis that he was not a good candidate to be set free before the commencement of his trial as he allegedly went into hiding for sometime before he was arrested.

In his bail appeal filed by Jeremiah Bamu of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Hon. Sikhala argued that Magistrate Ncube seriously erred and misdirected himself when he denied him bail and his ruling should be set aside.

The opposition legislator has asked the High Court to release him on bail on conditions which include depositing RTGS$15 000 bail and being ordered to continue residing at his given residential address.

Hon. Sikhala’s bail appeal will be heard on Friday 11 September 2020 after the High Court ordered the record of proceedings in which Magistrate Ncube denied him bail to be availed in court so as to assess the lower court’s reasoning and make a determination on the legislator’s fresh freedom bid.

Hon. Sikhala was arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) members in Harare, who charged him with incitement to commit public violence as defined in section 187(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act as read with section 36(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

ZRP officers also pressed an alternative charge against Hon. Sikhala of incitement to commit public violence as defined in section 187(1)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act as read with section 36(1)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act or alternatively incitement to participate in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of peace or bigotry as defined in section 187(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act as read with section 37(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Prosecutors alleged that the Zengeza West constituency legislator incited people between May 2020 and 20 July 2020 to participate in public demonstrations that would cause public violence and breach of peace among people in Zimbabwe on 31 July 2020 by posting video clips with inciting messages.

Prosecutors said some of the inciting messages allegedly shared by Hon. Sikhala reads; “People of Zimbabwe l am here with my brother Jacob Ngarivhume, he is representing the citizens of Zimbabwe in the current situation in our country.

I would like to tell everybody from Zimbabwe to Limpopo, from Forbes border to Victoria Falls that on the 31st of July 2020 it is your day to speak out. We have all agreed that we cannot accept corruption in our country.

We are in total support of the actions that have been called on the 31st of July 2020. I am in arms with my brother here and we are going to make sure that on the 31st of July 2020 people of Zimbabwe will speak out”.

Hon. Sikhala is also alleged to have circulated a video clip in which he showed gratitude to some people for bringing him food and urging people both in Zimbabwe and outside the country to participate in the demonstration which was scheduled for 31 July 2020, which ZRP members suppressed and arrested several people who staged protests across the country on the day.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights

State Media

The decision to search all trucks entering Zimbabwe in the last three months has netted the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (zimra) an extra $19,6 million in customs fees and penalties from 1 256 trucks between June 1 and September 7, whose cargoes were not accurately described on their entry papers.

Almost all the offending trucks are operated by cross-border transporters commonly known as Omalayitsha.

These combine small cargoes into a single load, often the groceries and other goods being sent home to families by Zimbabweans working in South Africa.

As a result of the search policy over the last few days, trucks used by the Omalayitsha have been piling up at Beitbridge after zimra tightened screws further on smuggling.

The cross-border transporters were allowed to operate after zimra activated an imports relief facility to help Zimbabweans based in South Africa send goods home when lockdown rules in both countries halted the old practice of these goods being carried physically across the border as accompanied baggage.

zimras Head Corporate Communications, Mr Francis Chimanda said yesterday that the authority was concerned with the rampant increase in cases of under-declaration by those shipping goods under the consolidated cargo facility.

“It is correct that every consolidated truck (Omalayitsha) is searched because all their declarations are incorrect insofar as the quantities and values are concerned,” he said.

“The risk management system in use in Customs provides for customs intervention in shipments that provide the most risk. We have noted that almost all, if not all, shipments under this consolidated category have false declarations in terms of quantity and values.”

Mr Chimanda said zimra were clearing an average of 16 rigid trucks carrying mostly groceries — cooking oil, bath soaps, washing powder and flour — and at times furniture, among other assorted goods daily. Although all cargoes are supposed to be cleared in advance with the new facility of pre-clearance and pre-payment, the Omalayitsha are not playing by the rules.

It only takes one of those filling a truck to cheat for the whole shipment to be incomplete.

Mr Chimanda said before the lockdown in March, Omalayitsha contributed very little to the fiscus since the small pick-ups and huge trailers commonly used to haul the goods made searches and duty payments difficult.

The use of the travellers rebate muddied waters and gave rebates on duty.

Under the new systems, it is easy to see what is supposed to be in the truck and a quick search finds out what is actually in the truck and as there are no people crossing the border, there are no travellers rebates, so calculations are simple.

“The current scenario makes it mandatory for every Omalayitsha to make a declaration and pay duty before they cross the border,” said Mr Chimanda. “There is no false claim to rebate as these goods are unaccompanied by their real owners.”

zimra had noted that most importers were making false declarations believing that because they would have paid a small amount of duty, they will not be subjected to further compliance checks.

The revenue authority had also discovered an increase in the number of commercial consignments which are disguised as consolidated private imports.

Such goods, said Mr Chimanda, required submission of a bill of entry and this then delayed finalisation of the processes.

“Most of those who used light vehicles for shipments used the false claim of travellers’ rebate using people in and around Beitbridge,” he said. “Presently, it is no longer possible since no private persons are crossing the border due to the lockdown regulations in both countries.”

THE Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) is set to hold an elective congress this year in Matabeleland North.

Association secretary-general Victor Matemadanda confirmed the development.

The association chaired by Chris Mutsvangwa is waiting for the green light from Health authorities to hold the congress.

“The national executive members have agreed to have elections this year, but the elections will be done in consultation with our patron, President Mnangagwa. We are expecting to have an elective congress this year.”

He said members are behind Mutsvangwa. “There is an indication that war veterans are comfortable with Cde Mutsvangwa and his deputy.”

The $18m gobbled by by-elections could have alleviated hunger & poverty, improved our health care system or enhanced access to clean water.The state-led illegal recalls is an attack on voters. It is careless, costly & criminal to subvert the people’s will.#ZimbaweanLivesMatter

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) September 11, 2020

Herald turns to Mapositori lies about the MDC trio. The girls are not at all attending any Mapositori church and this is what we now get in a state newspaper. pic.twitter.com/wvH4xvU9hJ

— Simba Chikanza (@schikanza) September 11, 2020

Paul Nyathi

A no holds barred voice note sent to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s twin sons Shaun and Collins by Norton MP Temba Mliswa is doing big rounds on social media.

In the voice note, Mliswa claims that Collins and Shaun issued Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga with orders to arrest him because they were “upset because I exposed your corrupt, criminal relationship with Delish Nguwaya.”

Below is a full transcript of voices voice note:

“Hi my sons Collins and Shaun. I speak to you with a heavy heart knowing very well that you have been unfortunately working with Delish Nguwaya to try and get me arrested because you are not happy that I have exposed your relationship with him. A relationship which is criminal of nature, a relationship which is corrupt and a relationship which you don’t need.

This voice note I have sent it to certain people in my life who matter. If anything happens to my life, you are responsible with Delish Nguwaya. You have crossed the line. You have crossed the line.”

NEWS 24

Lobby group AfriForum has written to Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, asking her to investigate the ANC’s use of a military jet in its trip to Harare, Zimbabwe.

In a letter to Mkhwebane, AfriForum’s Willie Spies said she should investigate whether Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula had consulted with Finance Minister Tito Mboweni before undertaking the journey; whether this delegation was authorised and accredited by the Department of International Relations and Cooperative Governance; and what was a suitable sanction or corrective action if and when deemed necessary.

This comes after News24 reported that the ANC had been accused of abusing state resources because it used a government-sponsored jet to conduct party business.

The ANC was seen arriving in Harare on a South African Air Force jet for a planned meeting with Zanu-PF.

At the meeting, it was agreed that there was no “crisis” plaguing Zimbabwe, but that the country faced “challenges”.On Thursday, ministry spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said the ANC meeting had coincided with the official work of Minister Mapisa-Nqakula.”The meeting of the ANC in Zimbabwe coincided with the meeting of the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, who was travelling to Zimbabwe to meet her counterpart in preparation for a SADC Troika meeting and the UN reconfiguration of the Force Intervention, which comprises troops from the SADC region,” he said.

AfriForum also launched its own investigation on Thursday over what it said was alleged misappropriation of Air Force assets by high-level members of the ANC.

Spies said the lobby group’s legal representatives had also written to International Relations and Cooperative Government Minister Naledi Pandor, as well as to Mapisa-Ngakula, requesting them to explain whether the Air Force plane had been used lawfully.

“First, the use thereof must be in the public’s interest. Second, the Minister of Defence must approve the use of the assets in consultation with the Minister of Finance,” AfriForum’s Monique Taute said.

AfriForum said it wanted to ascertain whether the correct channels were followed and whether the use of state assets had been authorised.

She added that the country could not allow members of the ruling “elite” to misappropriate state assets as if it was their own property. “We will take the matter further if it seems that politicians violated legislation,” Taute said.

State Media

Zesa Holdings wants to raise its tariffs, saying the present tariffs were now sub-economic.

Acting managing director for Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) Mr Lovemore Chinaka said this before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Energy and Power Development.

He said the existing rate was approximately 2.3 US cents per kilowatt hour instead of 10 US cents per kWh, which will allow the power utility to break-even. Movements in the exchange rate since the last increase had made electricity prices sub-economic and threatened Zesa viability.

“The long-term impact would be that we will be unable to fix the grid from a maintenance point if we have natural failures of transformers or lines that are down due to age. You find that our capacity to respond quickly has been eroded,” said Mr Chinaka.

Turning to vandalism, Mr Chinaka said Zesa has been denied an opportunity to electrify 75 000 households in the past five due to rampant vandalism and thefts resulting in resources being re-directed to replace stolen equipment.

In 2017, Zesa registered 736 cases of thefts and vandalism, but this rose in 2018 to 766 and last year shot up to 1 178 cases. As of July this year, 498 cases had been recorded.

Mr Chinaka said the cases were high at the beginning of the year, but dropped during the initial phases of lockdown that was introduced in March.

State Media

Harare town clerk Hosiah Chisango was arrested yesterday in connection with the continued unravelling of alleged illegal land deals that have rocked the city, while director of works Zvenyika Chawatama was suspended without pay as allegations of potential disciplinary offences are investigated.

Chisango was arrested yesterday afternoon in Gweru where he was attending a town clerks’ forum and late yesterday was detained at Gweru Central Police station, just two days after he sent the formal letter suspending Chawatama.

Special Anti-Corruption Unit head, Mr Thabani Mpofu, confirmed the arrest.

“Yes, l can confirm that Chisango has been arrested in connection with land scams, but finer details will be availed later,” he said.

However, it is understood that Chisango is being accused, along with suspended director of housing and community services Addmore Nhekairo, who is already on remand, of being implicated in the illegal creation and allocation of stands on an open space in Kuwadzana 3 in July last year without going through the legal process of changing land use.

Bluffhope Investments, through a letter to managing director, a Mrs Dumba, was allegedly allocated 14 of these stands and asked to pay by Chisango $1,771 million to the city, plus an extra $100 000 to GlenRoy (Private) Limited as a fee to justify the unprocedural allocation plus another $100 000 by Nhekairo into a CBZ account held by someone called Kennedy Teerec.

Chisango’s arrest follows that of other top council officials and a number of councillors, including former Harare mayor Herbert Gomba.

President Mnangagwa has declared zero tolerance to corruption and indicated that both “big and small fish” will be arrested without fear or favour, and directed authorities to stop the “catch and release syndrome”.

Two months ago, 14 other Harare municipal officials, including two directors, were suspended for allegedly corrupt land deals, which have prejudiced council of millions of US dollars.

The letter sent to Chawatama on Tuesday suspending him without pay or benefits was, ironically, signed by Chisango.

The letter details the legal authority used to order the suspension.

Chawatama was suspended for 14 working days, during which period the council is hoping to have completed a probe into the allegations against him.

The suspension also seeks to ensure that he would not interfere with the probe.

After investigations, disciplinary hearings may be conducted against Chawatama if the alleged acts of misconduct are found to be true.

The allegations are generally of disciplinary offences, rather than criminal offences.

Some of the allegations are that he allegedly instructed a land surveyor to undertake a survey in respect of stands No. 11119-11648, which are described as being in Mufakose Township of Lot 2 of Subdivision B of Subdivision A of Willowvale, without verifying ownership of the land.

He is also alleged to have delayed the use of Zinara funds, sent to Harare to build and maintain roads, leading to loss of value to council.

An audit report alleges he was abusing council fuel.

There is a general allegation that he is slow in implementation of projects and objectives set for his department.

Finally, he is alleged to have been sending “unwarranted and in some instance, highly confidential WhatsApp messages on formal WhatsApp business platforms, which are meant to cause unnecessary alarm and despondency”.

He was ordered to surrender all council property in his possession, including vehicles, during the period of his suspension.

Two months ago, Harare City also came down hard on 14 staff, including human resources director and former housing director Matthew Marara, to allow investigations into corruption allegations that could have prejudiced council of US$1,1 million in a dubious land deal in Kuwadzana.

Marara and his colleagues have already appeared for remand before the Harare Magistrates courts.

A number of councillors are in court facing charges of corruption after parcelling out land, sometimes working with city workers.

All councillors in Harare were elected on the MDC-A platform.

Civil service salaries are being reviewed to cushion them against the rise in prices of goods and services since the last rise.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube told Parliament yesterday that basic salaries and allowances would be reviewed together with policies of how they should be paid.

While there had been media speculation about the possible retention of the temporary Covid-19 tax-free allowances of US$75 for civil servants and US$30 for Government pensioners, the Government would make the necessary announcement once it was through with consultations.

Prof Ncube was briefing the National Assembly during debate on the Finance Bill, which seeks to give legal effect to measures that he announced during his Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Review.

“We are also reviewing the salary of civil servants. We want to review their basic salary and allowances. We are also reviewing the policy in terms of how they should be paid,” said Prof Ncube.

Earlier on, MP Dr Tapiwa Mashakada (MDC Hatfield) had said Treasury should come up with a formula of automatic adjustments for the tax-free threshold so that it would not be eroded by inflationary pressures while waiting for legal changes.

He also wanted higher taxes on mining firms to reflect Government’s declaration that the sector was the engine for economic growth.

Replying, Prof Ncube said it was not prudent to impose huge taxes on firms that were equally affected by challenges, some of which were being caused by Covid-19, and that there was no need for a supplementary budget; any gaps would be addressed during the 2021 national budget that he will present towards the end of the year.

A MAN from Pumula South suburb who was caught stealing will regret his bad habit after he was thrashed until he soiled himself at a house in Makokoba.

Joel Dube, a source said, furtively entered a house in Makokoba suburb where he regularly plays pool and gained entry through a window and took pool sticks.

But the owner Admski Mbewe spotted him making off with the stolen items.

He fled but Mbewe caught up with him and soon after residents joined in.

“They took turns to hit him all over the body. He bled profusely from the mouth,” said a source close to investigations.

While the he was lying on the ground, the source said, they noticed that he had already soiled himself and the marauding crowd was stopped from battering him.

A report was made at Mzilikazi Police Station leading to his arrest.

Joel was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital where he was treated and discharged.

He appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Shepherd Munjanja facing a charge of unlawful entry and theft. He pleaded guilty and was remanded out of custody to Monday next week for sentencing.

Nathan Marime represented the State.-B-Metro

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

Farai Dziva|The visit to Zimbabwe by the ANC delegation proves beyond doubt that there is a crisis in Zimbabwe, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

According to President Chamisa, Zanu PF has totally abandoned the fundamental values of the liberation struggle.

“Thank you ANC for a frank and principled engagement!

Any liberation history or relationship that negates human rights, people’s fundamental freedoms, holding of credible elections and respecting of the WILL of the people is hollow & counter-revolutionary.Zimbabwe is burning!

That the ANC has had to visit and be in Zimbabwe and not Namibia or Zambia or Mozambique or any other country in the region is a confirmation that there is a crisis in Zimbabwe and that ZimbabweanLivesMatter. #Godisinit,” President Chamisa said in a brief statement.

Farai Dziva|The visit to Zimbabwe by the ANC delegation proves beyond doubt that there is a crisis in Zimbabwe, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

According to President Chamisa, Zanu PF has totally abandoned the fundamental values of the liberation struggle.

“Thank you ANC for a frank and principled engagement!

Any liberation history or relationship that negates human rights, people’s fundamental freedoms, holding of credible elections and respecting of the WILL of the people is hollow & counter-revolutionary.Zimbabwe is burning!

That the ANC has had to visit and be in Zimbabwe and not Namibia or Zambia or Mozambique or any other country in the region is a confirmation that there is a crisis in Zimbabwe and that ZimbabweanLivesMatter. #Godisinit,” President Chamisa said in a brief statement.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance youth assembly national organising secretary Godfrey Kurauone has been acquitted after spending nearly two months in remand prison.

In the video footage below, Kurauone’s lawyer, Martin Mureri speaks:

@godfreykurauone acquitted, lawyer speaks. @nelsonchamisa @DrNkuSibanda https://t.co/RoApTc9Ynl pic.twitter.com/kpwXZrgRQ2

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 10, 2020

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance youth assembly national organising secretary Godfrey Kurauone has been acquitted after spending nearly two months in remand prison.

In the video footage below, Kurauone’s lawyer, Martin Mureri speaks:

Hon Miriam Mushayi Burial Set For Tomorrow https://t.co/7VC2E7s6dK

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 10, 2020

Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) coronavirus daily update as of 09 September 2020:

New cases: 41
Locals – 23
Returnees – 18
Deaths: 4
Recoveries: 65
PCR Tests Done : 1 053

National Recovery Rate: 75%
Active Cases: 1 665
Total Cumulative Cases: 7 429
Total Recoveries: 5 542
Total Deaths: 222

Police will impound vehicles without registration plates.

National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, yesterday said:

“Any vehicle seen on the road without displaying number plates will be impounded by police on roadblocks and check points.

“In this regard, all vehicle owners who are displaying temporary number plates for 2019 and backwards are implored to visit the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) offices and acquire permanent number plates with immediate effect.”

Asst Comm Nyathi said CVR had enough permanent plates and they cost US$80.-The Herald

CHAOTIC scenes were witnessed at Bulawayo City Council (BCC)’s Magwegwe reservoir as scores of thirsty residents stampeded to fetch treated water which gushed out of the 140-megalitre overnight storage tank for about four hours.

Although residents claimed that there was excess water being pumped into the reservoir resulting in excessive pressure on the pipes, BCC attributed the leakage to vandalism by local communities desperately in need of water.

As Bulawayo’s water woes continue to mount, with most suburbs going for weeks without running tap water, some residents are now resorting to unhygienic water sources in swampy areas, oblivious to the dangers of contracting water-borne diseases. High lying areas have gone for months without water.

This comes at a time the country is battling Covid-19, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and infected millions across the globe.

The city is on a 144-hour shedding schedule but the gruelling timetable has been suspended for almost all Western suburbs supplied by Magwegwe and Criterion reservoirs due to water supply challenges.

News broke out at around 9AM that water was gushing from the reservoir.-Chronicle

Guardian

THE UN has redeployed soldiers to protect a Nobel prize-winning doctor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after being warned that he was at risk of assassination.

The Guardian reported on Monday that Denis Mukwege, who shared a Nobel prize in 2018 for his work with victims of sexual violence, had been left without protection despite receiving death threats in recent weeks.

The threats are thought to have been prompted by Mukwege’s continued campaign for the perpetrators of possible war crimes in eastern DRC to face justice.

His comments appear to have angered influential figures in Rwanda, whose troops and proxies have been accused of involvement in some of the worst of the violence described in a 2010 UN report that Mukwege, 65, has repeatedly highlighted.

The UN investigation covered the two major wars in DRC from 1996 to 2003, which killed millions and left a legacy of conflict.

Mukwege had been guarded by UN peacekeepers almost continually since unidentified gunmen shot dead a member of his domestic staff in 2012. But the UN withdrew protection of the doctor and his hospital in May after a Covid-19 outbreak among the troops guarding the compound in the town where he lives and works.

The decision to redeploy the peacekeepers was made on Wednesday. “They will be there as long as necessary,” said Mathias Gillmann, a spokesman for the UN mission in DRC.

The UN is now working on finding a new security arrangement with national police, as the peacekeeping force in DRC is to be reduced. This will concern supporters of Mukwege as the police are known to be unreliable, poorly trained and often corrupt.

Last week hundreds rallied in the capital, Kinshasa, to ask the DRC government to protect Mukwege, while others demonstrated in the doctor’s home town of Bukavu.

Mukwege thanked the UN peacekeepers for returning to his hospital “to assure the security of the patients and personnel”.

The analysis that Mukwege has highlighted, the UN’s 2010 Mapping Report, documented 617 serious violent incidents during the wars between 1993 and 2003, saying they could amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide if investigated and tried in a competent court.

The conflicts involved regular troops from Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and other countries, as well as dozens of armed groups.

Mukwege has advocated for many years for the implementation of the report’s recommendations, including in his Nobel speech in Oslo and at the UN general assembly.

In his Nobel speech in 2018, Mukwege said it was necessary to reveal the “names of the perpetrators of the crimes against humanity to prevent them from continuing to plague the region”.

In late July he tweeted about a new massacre in eastern Congo, saying that as long as the UN mapping report was “ignored”, such killings would continue.

Rwanda’s president, Paul Kagame, in a nationally televised interview on Sunday, described the UN report as “nonsense”.

Rwanda’s state-run newspaper, the New Times, published an unsigned commentary on Sunday criticising Mukwege and dismissing suggestions that Rwandan officials were behind the death threats as “unfounded allegations”.

Watch the live video loading below….

Watch the live video loading below….

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

By A Correspondent- The officer-in-charge of Hwange Police Station Chief Inspector Samuel Tadzaushe, who is set to go on retirement this Friday, has approached the High Court challenging the decision by Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga to turn down this application for extension of service.

Chief Insp Tadzaushe, who has reached pensionable age, said the rejection of his application for extension of service lacked merit and accuses his immediate boss, the officer commanding ZRP Matabeleland North, Assistant Commissioner Frederick Mbengwa of abuse of power and begrudging the success he has achieved in the police force as a hardworking cop.

Chief Insp Tadzaushe said Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga’s decision followed malicious recommendations by Ass Comm Mbengwa.

He said in arriving at the decision to retire him, his bosses failed to take into consideration his personal socio-economic circumstances in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chief Insp Tadzaushe, through his lawyers Hove and Associates Legal Practitioners, filed an application for review at the Bulawayo High Court citing Comm-Gen Matanga, Chief Staff Officer in charge of human resources and administration, Patson Nyabadza and Asst Comm Mbengwa as respondents.

He wants an order nullifying Comm-Gen Matanga’s decision to reject his application for extension of service.

In his founding affidavit, Chief Insp Tadzaushe said in the absence of personal hatred, he meets all the qualifications warranting extension of service.

“I feel that my superiors should have considered and approved my application for extension of service because I have always been rated above average at annual inspections as an officer-in-charge at various stations. The fact that I do not have any conviction in terms of the Police Act Code of Discipline and that I have never been convicted of any criminal offence should have been considered,” he said.

“The fact that we are in serious situation of Covid-19 pandemic which has social and economic hardships should also have been considered. I have not reached the age of 55 years which under normal circumstances is the required age for a member not to be considered for extension of service.”

Chief Insp Tadzaushe wants Comm-Gen Matanga to be directed to reinstate him with full salary and benefits.

Last year, Chief Insp Tadzaushe who was then of­fi­cer-in-charge of Tsholot­sho Po­lice Sta­tion, made headline on allegations of ex­tor­tion, tak­ing bribes, abuse of of­fice and also ha­rass­ment of sub­or­di­nates among a num­ber of com­plaints by the sub­or­di­nates.

He was also ac­cused of be­ing part of a car­tel that an­tag­o­nised a Chi­nese in­vestor who in­tended to set up a sawmill in the dis­trict un­til they gave up.

Chief Insp Tadzaushe was also al­leged to be sell­ing fuel on the black mar­ket, where he forced ju­nior of­fi­cers to sell the com­mod­ity on his be­half. He was also al­leged to have ha­rassed fe­male of­fi­cers by at­tending pa­rade wear­ing shorts.

The respondents are yet to respond.-DailyNews

State Media

Seven people renting Zimasco houses in Shurugwi were arrested when they tried to resist eviction.

The seven spent the night at Shurugwi Police Station and were released yesterday after paying a fine of $500 each.

One of those arrested, Mr Tinago Nguluve, said they resisted eviction because they felt that what the company had done was not procedural.

“We did not receive any notice or letters of demand but we only saw the police coming to take our property out saying we had been evicted,” he said.

Mr Nguluve said the majority of the evicted former Zimasco tenants were now stranded.

“We are still living in the open and some have erected temporary shelter outside the houses they used to occupy. We were not prepared for this and we don’t know what to do,” he said.

Mrs Loveness Chirinda said she has been sleeping in the open with her family including a three months old baby.

“It is a difficult situation we are in. It is actually shocking because I have been paying my rent every month and I have been acknowledging my arrears with the company,” she said.

Zimasco general manager, Mr Reason Mandimika confirmed the evictions.

“The evictions are in accordance with the law and as a company, we have issued a detailed press statement, which was published in the media today (yesterday),” he said.

In the statement, Zimasco said it had been facing challenges with rental payments with the tenants who were being evicted.

“Over the past several years, Zimasco has experienced problems with certain tenants who have refused to regularise their stay through the signing of lease agreements and also refused to pay the required lease fees,” read part of the statement by Zimasco.

Shurugwi Councillor, Cde Freddy Ncube however condemned the evictions saying the company should have given the tenants some time to look for alternative accommodation.

“The move is inhumane because there was no notice, people saw lawyers coming with the police and started effecting the evictions,” he said.

The ferrochrome producer, which is leasing the majority of its housing in Shurugwi town caught many of its tenants by surprise when it started evicting them on Tuesday morning with the help of the police.

State Media

Harare City Council town clerk Engineer Hosiah Chisango has been arrested this afternoon in Gweru over alleged land scams.

Chisango, who was arrested while attending a town clerks’ forum in Gweru is currently detained at Gweru Central Police station.

Special Anti-Corruption Unit Head Tabani Mpofu confirmed the arrest.

“Yes, l can confirm that Chisango has been arrested in connection with land scams, but finer details will be availed later,” he said.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) wants President Cyril Ramaphosa to explain why the African National Congress (ANC) used a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) aircraft to travel to Zimbabwe for strictly party business.

A delegation, led by ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule arrived in the capital Harare on Tuesday, 8 September 2020, to engage the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) over a number of issues affection the neighbouring country.

Magashule was joined by other ANC members including Nomvula Mokonyane, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and Tony Yengeni. The group arrived back in the country on Wednesday, 9 September 2020, and were then asked by SABC journalist Samkele Maseko whether they viewed it as an abuse of state resources, to which Magashule responded “No.”

This was the second visit by the ANC as Ramaphosa deployed Baleka Mbete and Sydney Mufamadi in early August, to engage his counterpart, Emmerson Mnangagwa – a decision which drew criticism from the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party, after they were not included in talks.

“The delegation led by ANC Secretary-General, Ace Magashule, who holds no official government position, met with officials from ZANU-PF. This was not a meeting between the officials of the South African and Zimbabwean governments, but a meeting between the two political parties,” said DA MP Kobus Marais.

Marais: ‘ANC must pay back money spent on trip’

Marais said they were disgusted as a party by the ANC’s flagrant abuse of the State machinery and what he called the deliberate muddying of State and party lines.

“Not only do we call on President Ramaphosa to clarify this brazen corruption by his party, but the DA also calls on the ANC to immediately payback the money that SANDF spent on transporting its party delegation to Zimbabwe.”

The party has labelled it as theft and said that it compromises the integrity and safety of the country, given the enormous budget constraints on the SANDF.

“President Ramaphosa incessantly meanders on and on about corruption and maladministration, yet he continues to turn a blind eye at his own party’s complete disregard for the rule of law and the separation of powers.”

Marais said they needed to draw a line in the sand when it comes to the ANC’s relentless abuse of state resources.

“The State cannot continue to be milked dry in pursuit of the ANC’s political ends,” he added.

News Of The South

GWERU City Council has started charging rates and levies in both local and foreign currency.

The accounting system has been configured to accommodate those paying using forex.

In Midlands Province, the local authourity joins Kwekwe City Council which also introduced dual pricing at the beginning of the month.

Government urged businesses to display both US dollars and Zimbabwe dollars prices for goods and services offered.

A resolution to adopt dual pricing in Gweru was adopted by a full council last Friday and the local authority will start sending bills in local and foreign currency.

In an interview, GCC spokesperson, Ms Vimbai Chingwaramusee said the local authority has resolved to adopt dual pricing with effect from September.

She said bills will be issued to residents and companies in both foreign currency and the Zimbabwean dollar and the onus will be upon the ratepayer to choose which currency they prefer using as stipulated in Statutory Instrument 185 of 2020.

Ms Chingwaramusee said the motion was approved by a full council sitting on Friday at town house.

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union in Zimbabwe, ARTUZ managed to compile the “Education in Crisis Report” for a research that we carried out engaging education stakeholders concerning the preparedness and safe opening of schools ahead of the dates set by the government, that’s on 14 and 28 for Cambridge and Zimsec classes respectively.

The report is going to be published on Monday 14 September after we postponed it today as we are currently sharing it with the government and other stakeholders in the education sector to give us their feedback.

The report highlights on:

Curriculum Expectations and learning gaps
Teacher Preparedness for schools opening
Learner Preparedness
State of supporting pillars
Government’s response strategy
The response from teachers clearly shows that they’re not ready to go back to work before the salary dispute is fairly resolved. A USD520 monthly is the only incentive to attract teachers back to their working stations.

The supporting pillars such as parents, health professionals and public transporters also highlighted the need for government to close the existing gaps to ensure the safety of learners in schools, safe and smooth daily commuting of learners and teachers to and from schools particularly in urban areas.

Learners recommended the pushing forward of examination dates from the 1st of December set by the government to allow them the required standard time to prepare for examinations.

The government should first address all these existing gaps. As a union that represents the genuine grievances of teachers, we are now declaring that no teacher will report for duty until the government restores back a teacher monthly salary of USD520. We are now mobilising for no opening of schools until the government respects the value and services offered by teachers.

Source: Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ)

State Media

Five employees of Task Mine Syndicate just outside Chegutu town, were on Tuesday night trapped underground after the shaft they were working in collapsed.

Chegutu district co-ordinator and Civil Protection Unit head, Mr Tariro Tomu, who visited the mine yesterday said the accident occurred around 4.30 pm when the five were extracting ore in level four, which is about 110 metres underground. Inspectors from the Ministry of Mines’ Chinhoyi office rushed to the mine that evening to assess the situation.

“Rescue efforts were put on hold on Tuesday since it was dark and underground plans for the mine were not available making it risky and dangerous.”

But the reports from mine inspectors showed that there were chances that the five miners would survive.

“Officials from various departments including Air Force of Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Republic Police and artisanal mines that have knowledge of the area, are now taking turns to go underground to rescue the five under the supervision of Ministry of Mines and Mining Development inspectors,” he said.

As of yesterday all artisanal miners working in other shafts in the area were asked to stop working.

MDC Alliance Councillor for Masvingo urban Godfrey Kurauone, who was kept in prison without bail for 42 days has been acquitted on flimsy charges of obstructing the free movement of traffic and participating in an illegal demonstration.

Masvingo magistrate Patience Madondo said prosecutors had failed to prove their case and acquitted Kurauone.

He was arrested and accused of taking part in an illegal demonstration in Mashaba, about 20km away. Prosecutors said he was part of a group of protesters that blocked roads with stones and boulders.

He insisted that he was never in Mashaba on the day, and a doctor who examined him on July 24 and after his arrest on July 31 said he was medically not fit to have been involved in such a physically exerting activity.

“I would be surprised and would not agree that my patient blocked 500 meters of road using stones. I would put some question marks because he was complaining of abdominal pains and I don’t think that he was in a position to carry out that task,” said Dr Calvin Maimba.

Madondo said evidence by two State witnesses was inconsistent, with one of them failing to assert categorically the colour of the jacket that he claimed he had seen Kurauone wearing at the alleged crime scene.

The magistrate said the police investigation was also incompetent because investigators neglected to check at Kurauone’s house in Masvingo the moment they supposedly saw him in Mashaba to help dispel any possibility of mistaken identity.

By A Correspondent- Lawyers representing MDC Alliance MP Joanna Mamombe have asked for a temporary suspension of her bail reporting conditions because she is not feeling well and is actually under the care of a psychiatrist.

Mamombe’s Lawyer Alec Muchadehama told the court that Mamombe who is facing charges of faking her abduction is unstable:

The accused has 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 her and proposed the suspension till September 25.

The state did not oppose Muchadehama’s application and the magistrate granted the application.

Mamombe and 2 other MDC activists were arrested and abducted after staging a protest in Warren Park. They were tortured before they were dumped near Bindura.

The government has accused the ladies of faking their abduction.-DailyNews

By A Correspondent- ZRP has reportedly arrested Takudzwa Ngadziore who is the Zimbabwe National Students Association President for protesting at Impala Car rental.

The arrest came after Takudzwa reportedly staged a demo at Impala Car Rental in Harare following the abduction of 22-year-old MSU journalism student Tawanda Muchehiwa.

Muchehiwa was abducted on 30 July and an Impala Car rental vehicle was used to abduct the ZimLive Editor’s nephew who was subsequently tortured following the abduction.

The development was posted on Facebook by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human rights in a post that said:

Farai Dziva|The visit to Zimbabwe by the ANC delegation proves beyond doubt that there is a crisis in Zimbabwe, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

According to President Chamisa, Zanu PF has totally abandoned the fundamental values of the liberation struggle.

“Thank you ANC for a frank and principled engagement!

Any liberation history or relationship that negates human rights, people’s fundamental freedoms, holding of credible elections and respecting of the WILL of the people is hollow & counter-revolutionary.Zimbabwe is burning!

That the ANC has had to visit and be in Zimbabwe and not Namibia or Zambia or Mozambique or any other country in the region is a confirmation that there is a crisis in Zimbabwe and that ZimbabweanLivesMatter. #Godisinit,” President Chamisa said in a brief statement.

By A Correspondent-A ZuPCO bus driver in Chivhu was yesterday convicted for siphoning 40 litres of diesel worth $3 600 from a company bus.

Nyarai Makuku (35) of hatfield in harare was convicted on his own plea by magistrate Sam Chitumwa.

Makuku was ordered to pay $5 000 or spend one month in prison for the offence.

Prosecutor Mike Choto told the court that on September 6 2020, Makuku drove to Nyikavanhu. While at Nyikavanhu around 6 pm, he siphoned 40 litres of diesel
from the bus.

The following day at around 6am, he drove back to Chivhu.

At the Chivhu bus terminus, he handed over the stolen diesel to Sherpherd Gunda, a tout, for safekeeping.

He was, however, seen by one resident who informed the police about the matter, leading to his arrest.-newsday

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO forum has filed a court application to the High Court of Harare to grant leave to sue the President of Zimbabwe on behalf of the Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association(ZWLA) and the Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE).

The women groups intend to seek a declaratory order from the High Court of Harare declaring that the President violated sections 17(1) (b) (ii), 90(1) and 104(4) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe when he appointed his cabinet in November 2019.

The President is among other things, required to ensure that women constitute at least half the membership of all elective and appointed governmental bodies established by or under the Constitution or any other Act of Parliament.