Goverment has announced the dates for reopening of schools for this year’s examination students.

Cambridge exam students will open schools on 14 September 2020 while ZIMSEC students will resume school on 28 September 2020.

ZIMSEC exams will commence on 1 December 2020.

More details to follow…

Own Correspondent

A Zimbabwe court has ordered an investigation into death threats made against a jailed opposition MDC MP, allegedly by a prison boss.

Job Sikhala has been arrested on charges of inciting public violence amid protests in the country against corruption and human rights abuses.

Sikhala has been in prison for over a week now.

He is facing the same charges as journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and opposition activist Jacob Ngarivhume – that of inciting public violence.

All are in Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison and, the trio feels unsafe.

Sikhala’s legal representative Harrison Nkomo said, “what we placed before the courts is that Mr Sikhala is afraid for his life because there were death threats that were made to him whilst in prison. Secondly, the issue of COVID-19 in the cells and the court has directed that prison must investigate and report to the honourable court within 48 hours”

Watch video downloading below.

Paul Nyathi 

The combined SMEs and Main Foreign Exchange Auction has concluded. This week the local currency made a marginal gain with weighted average sitting at ZWL$83.3209. Last week weighted average and effectively the rate sat at ZWL$83.3994 which is a very small uptick of ZWL$0.0785.

This is the first time that there has been a bounceback of the local currency since the inception of the auction.

The full results to follow.

After spending six weeks in remand prison applying for bail a record three times, incarcerated journalist Hopewell Chin’ono on Tuesday was captured in pictures at the Harare magistrates Court looking very sick and needing medical attention than being in court.

His lawyer Doug Coltart on Monday visited Chin’ono, who is on remand at the Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, where condemned hardcore criminals are kept.

Coltart said, “Hopewell has been visited and examined by his own doctor and the symptoms of headache and fever are all consistent with Covid-19.

“Swabs have been taken and [we are] now awaiting test results after which the legal team would want Hopewell Chin’ono to be admitted at a hospital soonest. He has been given medication for the meantime.

Contrary to doctors reports, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) which has its own medical team says he is well and being treated like any other prisoner.

ZPCS spokesperson Superintendent Meya Khanyezi said just like any other prisoner, Chin’ono was allowed to be attended by a doctor of his choice even after he had been attended to by resident prison doctors.

“As far as we are concerned, he is well, but to our surprise, social media is awash with unconfirmed reports that he is not well. However, as the ZPCS we have allowed his personal doctor to go and see him,” she said.

Chinono was arrested on 20 July, as was Transform Zimbabwe opposition leader Jacob Ngarivhume. The two are charged with “incitement to participate in a gathering with intent to promote public violence”.

This is not the Hopewell I know. Why are the authorities risking the life of a human being like this. Thought at this moment the place Hopewell should be is a hospital not the Harare Magistrates Court @Sophie_Mokoena, @peterndoro pic.twitter.com/Z2i4Pvojx8

— Pedzisai Ruhanya (@PedzisaiRuhanya) September 1, 2020

Paul Nyathi

Money changers in the country are finding the going tough following the ban on mobile money agent lines and the introduction of daily transaction limits.

The Reserve of Zimbabwe recently banned mobile money agent lines as well as set $5 000 as the cap for daily transactions for individuals.

The central bank also introduced a policy that limits mobile wallet users to only one account per individual.

Agent lines were being used across the country to cash-in and cash-out as well as for sales transactions.

The RBZ suspected that some of the lines were being used to fuel the black market causing a spike in foreign currency rates.

Government in June this year ordered the suspension of mobile transactions to allow for investigations in the parallel market.

“Agent wallets are no longer serving any legitimate purpose and were now being used primarily for illegal foreign exchange transactions. Agents’ mobile money wallets are therefore abolished, with immediate effect,” the RBZ said recently in its Mid-term monetary policy statement.

When Ecocash was first introduced agent lines were used for cash-in purposes at a low level.

However some unscrupulous individuals took advantage of cash shortages that the country is facing to fleece members of the public, charging almost 100 percent to cash out.

The RBZ said agents who currently had funds in their accounts would transfer them into their bank accounts after providing sources of the money.

“Agents currently holding value in suspended and frozen wallets shall be allowed to liquidate the funds to their bank accounts, upon the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) having satisfied itself of the legitimacy of the source of the funds.”

When the RBZ suspended and froze agent and bulk-payer wallets in June, mobile money operators allowed illegal foreign currency dealers to use multiple individual wallets as a means to bypass the transaction limits and continue with their illicit transactions.

“Mobile money operators shall, with immediate effect, close all multiple wallets, and allow just one wallet per individual,” directed the RBZ.

Following the recent daily and monthly limits pronouncement by the central bank, foreign currency dealers had resorted to multiple accounts to sustain their operations.

The RBZ in June this year introduced the foreign currency auction system to determine the Zimbabwe dollar exchange rate.

Since the weekly auctions were introduced, the foreign exchange rate has stabilised and the black market rate has been tamed.

PRESS RELEASE 01/09/20

MDC TSVANGIRAI NOMINATES CLLR LUCKSON MUKUNGUMA FOR MAYOR OF HARARE

MDC-T Harare Province today after due democratic processes, nominated Ward 25 councillor Luckson Mukunguma to take-over from the beleaguered Hebert Gomba who was recently recalled after having been implicated in corrupt land scandals. Harare Province is confident that its mayoral candidate shall win the election resoundingly.

In his acceptance speech, Cllr Mukunguma bemoaned corrupt activities of the former Alliance Mayor Gomba and his cabal of 10 other councilors .

He disclosed that previous recall letters to this cabal took almost two months to be implemented after they had offered USD80 000 to thwart the process.

He promised servant leadership by prioritizing tangible service delivery, shunning corruption, separating personal business from council business and pledged his allegiance to the party for having honored him thus far.

In furtherance of justice Cllr Mukunguma was tasked upon assumption of mayoral duties to ensure that all unprocedurally allocated council land through corruption be repossessed by Harare City Council and it be reallocated as per council policy, and defrauded individuals be refunded from those corruption proceeds.

The MDC T concillors were further directed to perform an audit of all Covid-19 lockdown period.
Mayor Mukunguma’s nomination was received with song, dance and jubilation by councillors as well as provincial leaders.

Harare Province promised its councilors all the political and moral support to ensure their service delivery success at Town House.

MDC T HARARE PROVINCE INFORMATION DESK

Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services has said they were surprised to learn that journalist Hopewell Chin’ono is sick on social media because as far as they are concerned he is well, The Herald reports.

This was revealed by ZPCS spokesperson Superintendent Meya Khanyezi  who spoke to the publication and said:

As far as we are concerned, he is well, but to our surprise, social media is awash with unconfirmed reports that he is not well. However, as the ZPCS we have allowed his personal doctor to go and see him.

ZPCS reportedly further claimed that it has a team of medical personnel who attended to Hopewell and he is not sick according to their prognosis. However, they allowed his own personal doctor to attend to him.

Chin’ono who according to lawyer Douglas Coltart had a fever, body aches and a headache was tested for COVID-19. This follows reports that 6 people in Jacob Ngarivhume’s prison cell tested positive for COVID-19.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance deputy president Hon Tendai Biti has pointed out that Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is the biggest threat to the country’s peace and stability.

Read Hon Biti’s argument below:

The latest betrayal confirms Emmerson as the biggest threat to the stability, freedom and prosperity of Zim.

A dangerous ,ideologically vacuous element now busy uprooting the constitution , rule of law and gains of the liberation struggle.Chitepo,Nkomo et al are puking in their graves

Chikurubi Maximum Prison is not fit for human habitation and should have been closed at Independence.Incarcerating any one there amounts to torture, cruel and degrading treatment.Pre-Trial incarceration of Hope ,Job and Jacob at diseases infested Chikurubi is malicious and unconstitutional.

Abuse of pretrial detention procedures by Emmerson’s regime has reached an unprecedented level.

Re-writing bail precedents and weaponizing courts of law is proof of state decomposition.Hope,Job, Jacob and Kura are not criminals They just happen to stand for truth and justice #ZimbabweanLivesMatter

By Own Correspondent| Manicaland-based musician Hosiah Chipanga said President Emmerson Mnangagwa is surrounded by crooks and liars who are misleading him all the time and blocking ordinary citizens from meeting him.

Chipanga told a local publication that when he was Defence Minister, Mnangagwa was down to earth and approachable but now too much bureaucracy has made him distant.

-ZimMorningPost

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance deputy president Hon Tendai Biti has pointed out that Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is the biggest threat to the country’s peace and stability.

Read Hon Biti’s argument below:

The latest betrayal confirms Emmerson as the biggest threat to the stability, freedom and prosperity of Zim.

A dangerous ,ideologically vacuous element now busy uprooting the constitution , rule of law and gains of the liberation struggle.Chitepo,Nkomo et al are puking in their graves

Chikurubi Maximum Prison is not fit for human habitation and should have been closed at Independence.Incarcerating any one there amounts to torture, cruel and degrading treatment.Pre-Trial incarceration of Hope ,Job and Jacob at diseases infested Chikurubi is malicious and unconstitutional.

Abuse of pretrial detention procedures by Emmerson’s regime has reached an unprecedented level.

Re-writing bail precedents and weaponizing courts of law is proof of state decomposition.Hope,Job, Jacob and Kura are not criminals They just happen to stand for truth and justice #ZimbabweanLivesMatter

Police have arrested 15 Murehwa vendors who happily greeted MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa on Friday as he was returning from Patson Dzamara‘ s funeral.

The vendors have been taken to Murehwa Police Station and their charges remain unclear.

Nelson Chamisa was on his way from Mutoko for the burial of Patson Dzamara when he stopped and the vendors greeted him saying, “President.”

“You know the crime that you committed on Friday,” a police officer reportedly told the vendors.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights(ZLHR) has been informed about the matter.Source:Savanna News

The National Executive Council of South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) has resolved that the envoys sent by President Cyril Ramaphosa to Zimbabwe must meet all stakeholders to assist in resolving the crisis bedeviling the country.

The envoys came to Zimbabwe last month but were turned back after meeting President Emmerson Mnangagwa and their scheduled meetings with the MDC led by Nelson Chamisa and the small MDC led by Thokozani Khupe were canceled.

Read an extract from the ANC NEC resolution below:

It also notes work being done to continue to silence the guns in Mali and Libya, and to ensure stability in Mozambique, Sudan and Zimbabwe.

The NEC welcomed government efforts to engage the situation in Zimbabwe, in particular the deployment of special envoys. It emphasised the importance of the envoys engaging with all stakeholders in the country to assist in addressing the current situation. ANC and government processes must complement each other.

By A Correspondent- Chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe Teachers Association, Sifiso Ndlovu says the Government has failed to mobilise resources and to improve infrastructure at schools to enable a safe return to classes.

He said the 2020 academic year is now lost and the Government must stop the fallacy that learners can sit examinations because they were learning online.

He also said there was inadequate personal protective equipment for teachers and not enough furniture at schools to enforce social distancing for learners.-dailynews

Thread- 1/10 Job Sikhala Bail Proceedings- The defence team has started presenting its case @MakomboreroH @mdczimbabwe @MdcMasvingo pic.twitter.com/RvQIYenn3J

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 1, 2020

2/10 Job Sikhala Bail Proceedings- Beatrice Mtetwa called to the witness stand. The defence team includes Mr Harrison Nkomo,Jeremiah Bhamu and Advocate Eric Matinenga, among others pic.twitter.com/FzD6plNsxn

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 1, 2020

The journalists were arrested in June at Parktown Hospital & charged with failing to comply with Zim COVID-19 lockdown orders when they allegedly intended to conduct interviews with @JoanaMamombe @ceechimbiri2 & @MarovaNetsai who are victims of abduction of torture.

— ZLHR (@ZLHRLawyers) September 1, 2020

By A Correspondent- 2 Harare men have been arrested after they allegedly stole a cow from a ZRP Farm in Marondera, Newsday reports. Wilson Madzudzu (35) and Fanuel Munatsi (25), from Epworth in Harare, were arrested by ZRP officers after they stole, skinned and ferried away from the meat from the carcass of the beast they had stolen from ZRP. Police officers reportedly found them hiding in a nearby gumtree plantation.

The arrests were confirmed by Mashonaland East Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza who said:

I confirm the arrest of the suspects from Epworth, who have since implicated their colleague who lives near the police farm. Stock thieves are a menace, whose conduct deserves harsh punishment because they are bent on derailing economic gains. As police, we will always be ready to assist and arrest stock thieves and make them meet their fate in the courts.

On August 25 at around 6pm, a herdboy at ZRP Mashonaland East Police Farm penned the cattle with a cow missing.The following morning, an informer, only identified as Mandaza, discovered a carcass which had been slaughtered with some parts missing. Mandaza informed the police, who swiftly responded and tracked the spoor with dogs and apprehended the two suspects who were hiding in a gumtree plantation in the farm.

Police recovered two sacks with hind legs. It is reported that upon being quizzed, the duo implicated Tichaona Matudza (32), who lives at a neighbouring farm as their accomplice.Matudza was later arrested and charged together with his accomplices. The value of the stolen cow was pegged at $24 600.

https://twitter.com/Jamwanda2/status/1300701491179773953?s=20

https://twitter.com/Jamwanda2/status/1300714699764400130?s=20

By A Correspondent- The country is reportedly running out of material like chemicals and containers to put specimen used when testing for COVID-19, the Chronicle reports.

This was revealed in the Ministry of Health and Child Care weekly Covid-19 report which states that the country needs 15 000 viral transport media and 15 000 PCR reagents every month but only 10 % of stocks is available at the moment.

The Ministry’s report shows that there is a low supply of GeneXpert cartridges which will not last for a month. Part of the report that speaks about the decline in testing due to the shortages reads:

The country in the period between 22 to 28 August recorded an average of 81 cases per day, and many of them are according to the Ministry local transmissions and some of them have unknown sources of infection.

By A Correspondent- State Universities reportedly failed to meet the government’s deadline to complete the 2019/2020 deadline by the 31st of August due to a spike in COVID-19 infections in July 2020.

This was after the Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Ministry gave universities a deadline to complete the academic year by 31 August but face to face lectures were suspended due to a spike in COVID-19 cases that started in the last week of July.

Speaking about the development, Tertiary Education Minister Professor Amon Murwira said:

Most of the students are done anyway, we are left with some first-year students here and there and some Masters students here and there. But we are going to finish, some universities are already preparing for the next wave of examinations. But medical students never got away because they are on practice at hospitals. We believe everything will be okay given the circumstances but we are not going to meet the 31st August which we had prepared.

Many Universities are still to conduct final examinations for the previous semester as many factors like the price and availability of data to write the exams online are hindering them from conducting the exams online. Meanwhile, the Primary and Secondary Education will announce the dates for reopening of schools.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- The Parliament Of Zimbabwe will today resume sitting after an 8 weeks break which came after 5 legislators tested positive for COVID-19, Newsday reports. 2 legislators have so far succumbed to the virus.

This came after Parliament announced that they will start testing all legislators as they prepare to resume parliamentary sittings.

Kennedy Chokuda announced that:

There will be compulsory testing of MPs and staff before resumption of sittings, adding that Parliament was also working towards going virtual in order to minimise COVID-19 infection

Last week, only a handful of legislators from the capital attended the National Assembly 20 minutes sitting.-newsday

https://twitter.com/Jamwanda2/status/1300701491179773953?s=20

https://twitter.com/Jamwanda2/status/1300714699764400130?s=20

WATCH- BusStop TV satire "Pese Pese Masoja" https://t.co/zq7RtVT9ED

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 1, 2020

Foreign white farmers settled in Zimbabwe whose land was seized under Robert Mugabe can apply to get it back and will be offered land elsewhere if restitution proves impractical, the government said on Monday.

Last month, Zimbabwe agreed to pay $3.5 billion in compensation to local white farmers whose land was forcibly taken by the government to resettle Black families, moving a step closer to resolving one the most divisive policies of the Robert Mugabe era.

Under Zimbabwean laws passed during a short period of opposition government but ignored by Mugabe, foreign white farmers protected by treaties between their governments and Zimbabwe should be compensated for both land and other assets.

In that regard, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube and Lands and Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka said in a joint statement that these farmers should apply for their land back.

That means, in some instances the government would “revoke the offer letters of resettled (Black) farmers currently occupying those pieces of land and offer them alternative land elsewhere,” the ministers said.

But removing the Black beneficiaries from the land could prove practically and politically difficult.

“Where the situation presently obtaining on the ground makes it impractical to restore land in this category to its former owners, government will offer the former farm owners alternative land elsewhere as restitution where such land is available,” the statement said.

The ministers said other white farmers whose land had been earmarked for acquisition by the government but were still on the properties, can apply to lease the land for 99 years, just like their Black counterparts.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the land reform could not be reversed but paying of compensation was key to mending ties with the West.

The programme still divides public opinion in Zimbabwe, where the number of white farmers has dropped to just over 200 from 4,500 when land reforms began 20 years ago, according to the predominantly white commercial farmers union.

Opponents see the reforms as a partisan process that left the country struggling to feed itself, but its supporters say it has empowered landless Black people.

State Media

ZIMBABWE is running low on Covid-19 testing commodities amid reports that the country records about 81 cases daily.

These commodities include chemicals needed to run tests and containers to put specimens used when conducting and processing Covid-19 test and results.

There are three types of tests available globally and used in Zimbabwe for Covid-19 which include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), antigen, and antibody (serology) testing.

PCR and antigen tests detect whether a person is currently infected, and serology detects whether a person had an infection in the past.

According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care weekly Covid-19 report, the country needed 15 000 viral transport media and and an equal number of PCR reagents per month. At the moment there is only 10 percent of stocks.

The report shows that there is a low supply of GeneXpert cartridges which will not last for a month. Zimbabwe recorded the first case of Covid-19 on March 21.

“Testing was decentralised to improve on the turnaround time but frequent shortages of testing kits and reagents have slowed down the progress made. The number of PCR tests done decreased with average tests for the week standing at 1 240 as compared to 1 946 from the previous week. We also reported a decrease in the positives this week (890) as compared from the previous week (2 280),” read the report.

However, the ministry said at the moment there is no back log across all testing labs in Zimbabwe as all people who tested have received their results.

“During the period August 22 to 28, an average of 81 cases was recorded per day,” read the report.

Statistics show that more males (62 percent) have died due to Covid-19 than females.

Most deaths have been recorded in the age range 41 to 50 years.

“Age groups within the range 21 to 64 years of age are the most affected. These age groups are highly mobile and also represent mostly the population that is economically active. In this range the relatively young population is the most affected, those between 25 and 44 years of age and 51 percent of all the cases are females.”

A total of 573 new confirmed Covid-19 cases and 43 deaths were reported between the 22 and 28 August 2020 giving a cumulative of 6 388 cases and 195 deaths.

“All the cases were put under isolation and are monitored periodically. Manicaland (5.2 percent) has the highest Case fatality rate followed by Mashonaland West (5.0 percent) and Harare (4.3 percent). The CFR has increased from 2.6 percent to 3.1 percent during the period 22nd to 28th of August 2020.”

In the past seven days, the country recorded 58 imported cases, of these 40 were from South Africa and 18 from Botswana.

About 19 countries contribute to the tally of imported cases with South Africa contributing 82.3 percent of the cases.

“South Africa continues to contribute significantly to the number of imported cases.

The implementation of the cabinet directive on the 18th of August that permits immigrants who have negative PCR test upon arrival to be quarantined at home under the supervision of the local Rapid Response Team will be fully implemented once testing capacity at points of entry have been optimised.”

The report also reads: “Matabeleland South and Masvingo provinces are the only provinces that have reported more imported cases than local cases. Matabeleland South has two borders namely Beitbridge and Plumtree where most returnees proceeding to other parts of the country have been diagnosed of Covid-19.”

According to the Ministry, as of 28 August 2020, local cases constituted 80.7 percent of the total Covid-19 cases reported in the country.

“Local cases have been reported in most parts of the country. The figures shows that there is a significant number of cases that are of unknown source of infection and more of these cases are in Harare and Bulawayo provinces. The country is now in community transmission,” said the Ministry.

According to the weekly report, there are 20 people in Covid-19 isolation treatment centres countrywide.

“Two patients were in ICU and a total of 20 cases were admitted in Treatment facilities while the rest were put on home isolation with continued monitoring. Data from Harare City, Bulawayo City and UBH was not available by the time of production of the report.”

Bulawayo (145) and Midlands (128) provinces continue accounting for a greater proportion of frontline workers infected.

“Health worker account for 84 percent of the frontline workers reported to date. Investigations are underway to determine if the working environment for health workers has contributed, in any way, to these infections.”

State Media

MDC-Alliance national vice chairperson Job Sikhala has two other pending cases under investigation at St Mary’s Police Station, for assault and for contravening the Urban Council’s Act, Harare Magistrates Court heard yesterday during a bail application.

Sikhala is facing charges of inciting public violence on July 31 and is seeking bail. The investigating officer, Detective Assistant Inspector Victor Mukohwa, giving evidence for the State as to why Sikhala was not a proper candidate to be granted bail, brought up the other two complaints.

During cross examination Sikhala’s defence questioned Det Asst Insp Mukohwa on whether the current incitement case before the courts was more serious than a previous charge on which he was acquitted at the Masvingo High Court. The defence submitted that Sikhala was then granted bail by the Masvingo High Court on a charge with a potential sentence of 20-years imprisonment compared to the current charge where the maximum sentence is 10-years.

Det Asst Insp Mukohwa replied that each case must be treated on its own merits. In the present case, the trial would centre on whether or not the words that were uttered by Sikhala constituted an offence.

Harare magistrate Mr Lazini Ncube adjourned the bail hearing to today.

Sikhala’s lawyer, Mr Eric Matinenga challenged his placement on remand arguing that every person had a right to demonstrate and right of freedom of association and expression.

Two video clips were last Friday played in court showing Sikhala boasting that he was aware police were looking for him but would not surrender easily, equating himself to a freedom fighter.

JAILED journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has reportedly developed Covid-19 symptoms.

This was revealed by sources close to him after he was examined by a private doctor on Monday.

.@DougColtart, who visited Hopewell Chin’ono in jail, says the journalist is unwell and his symptoms include a fever, headache & distorted taste. “The symptoms are consistent with COVID-19 … but of course are not conclusive at this stage. We are still awaiting test results.”

— CPJ Africa (@CPJAfrica) August 31, 2020

Chin’ono has been unwell since Sunday and was hastily attended to by a private doctor at the prison onMonday afternoon.

Further to my earlier tweet concerning Hopewell Chin’ono. I’m advised that the symptoms he is exhibiting include a fever, muscle aches, headache & distorted taste. I’m advised that a swab was taken & relevant tests are being conducted #ZimbabweanLivesMatter #FreeHopewell pic.twitter.com/CraGNutTEz

— Alex T Magaisa ?? (@Wamagaisa) August 31, 2020

The doctor confirmed to Chin’ono’s lawyers that the investigative journalist and film maker was exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms.

He has since been tested for Covid-19 but his results are pending.

There is a general myth that electricity is cheapest when bought on the first day of each month and this contributes to the huge scramble that causes the ZESA system to crash during the first few days of the month.

The ZESA portal is already down as at the time of this article. This is the fourth or fifth month end this has happened.

The first day of the month scramble to buy ZESA results in ystems like Ecocash get overwhelmed and in turn the ZESA backend that processes these tokens crumbles and sometimes goes offline leaving people stranded.

One thing to bear in mind is this: unless you have run out of electricity units or are about to run out there is really no need to buy electricity tokens today or during the first few days of the month!

The ZESA discount is that the first units of electricity you buy are cheaper no matter when you buy them as long as they are the first you are buying during that particular calendar month.

The first units of electricity you buy for a given meter during any month are the cheapest. It doesn’t matter when you buy them so long as these are the first units you are buying for that meter.

One thing to note is that subsidies are tied to the meter and not individuals so only the first units bought for a meter are cheaper. If there are say two of you and your collegue/partner buys the first 300 units those are the cheapest units and even if you go on to buy for the same meter you will be charged a tariff of $4.61/unit. It doesn’t matter that it’s your first purchase as an individual.

Where to buy ZESA tokens
Usually when the ZESA system is down online methods of buying tokens don’t work very well in this case you should buy using offline methods. This is usually the case during the first few days of the month when everyone wants to buy a token.

Offline methods:
ZESA offices this is the safest and most foolproof method but be prepared to wait in line although the lines are pretty short
ZimPost offices again one of the oldest ways, Supermarket tills. Most supermarkets process ZESA payments, ZESA agents.

Online methods:
Topup.co.zw
Magetsi.co.zw
cs.ownai.co.zw
Telpay.co.zw
Mobile Banking
Mobile money wallets:
Ecocash
Telecash
OneMoney

Remember two thinks if methods 2-3 don’t work:

You don’t have to make the purchase today unless you have to, buying today will not save you more money than buying tomorrow would
You can always try the offline methods. These are guaranteed to work.

Source: Zim Price Checker

State Media

SOUTHERN Region Division One League side Ajax Hotspurs’ former player and juniors’ coach Zibusiso Sitsha died on Sunday morning after being crushed by a boulder at his sister’s mine in Hope Fountain.

He was 33.

Siphambaniso Dube, the Ajax Hotspurs founder and director, confirmed his coach’s tragic death yesterday and said Sitsha was with a fellow worker at the mine when disaster struck. His colleague survived and is now battling for his life at a Bulawayo hospital.

“Sad news for Ajax Hotspurs Football Club as we have lost a former player and current juniors coach Zibusiso Zingo Sitsha. He passed on after boulders fell on him and a fellow worker at his sister’s mine in Hope Fountain. Chrispen Machisi broke the sad news to me after I had just arrived from Nkayi,” said Dube.

Zibusiso was one of three Sitsha brothers that donned the Ajax Hotspurs jersey with Qinisani Moeti, who was a goalkeeper and now the goalkeepers’ coach, as well as Langelihle Mangenje.

Dube said mourners are gathered at Block 26 in Mpopoma suburb, adding that funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

Sitsha becomes the third lower tier league footballer to die in an accident in less than a week after two players from Victoria Falls-based team Elson Mathe and Thamsanqa Ncube drowned in the Zambezi River on Friday.

Their bodies were recovered on Sunday after a two-day search.

State Media

POLICE are investigating a case in which a 12-year-old girl fatally struck her friend on the head with an iron bar while playing near their homes in Hopley, Harare, recently.

The victim, also aged 12, died a few hours after being admitted at Sally Mugabe Hospital, apparently from the serious head injuries she sustained.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident, saying investigations were in progress.

“The ZRP urges members of the public to monitor their children when they are playing outdoors.

“This follows a sad incident which occurred on August 21, 2020 in Hopley, Harare, where a 12-year-old girl struck another female minor aged 12, with an iron bar on the head. The victim was rushed to Sally Mugabe Hospital where she later died,” he said.

Meanwhile, two men and a 13-year-old boy have also been arrested for stock theft and cultivating dagga at Mutema Village under Chief Benhura in Mhondoro.

They were arrested after they stole two beasts which they were found skinning in their garden. Police also recovered 162 plants of dagga.

Several minors have this year been implicated in criminal activities countrywide.

In January, a 14-year-old boy was among nine suspects who were arrested in connection with the hacking to death, of a policeman by a machete gang at Good Hope Mine in Battlefields.

Some of the suspects were arrested in Gweru after exchanging gunfire with the police.

According to the law, minors are normally interviewed in the presence of parents, guardians, a probation officer or a lawyer.

Legal experts say minors above the age of seven are considered capable of committing an offence and can be arrested and tried but in camera.

Police are expected to follow the due processes in terms of the law, when dealing with the minors.

Paul Nyathi

The Zimbabwe Government yesterday yet again clashed with the United States ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Brian Nichols claiming that he is violating the Vienna Convention which governs diplomatic missions accusing him of dabbling in local politics through pushing an opposition agenda.

Nichols at the weekend told a South African publication, Sunday Times, that Zimbabwe was facing a multi-pronged political, economic and health crisis, hence the need for urgency in addressing the challenges.

“I think there is a crisis in Zimbabwe,” Nichols said, citing lack of democracy and human rights violations.

“We have seen those rights are systematically being ignored by the government and that is very worrisome and if you look at statements that have been put out by the (Catholic) Bishops’ Conference, Zimbabwe Council of Churches, various human rights organisations, various civic organisations, lawyers here, there is a widespread concern about where Zimbabwe is headed in all of those areas and that is something that people who are legitimate friends of the Zimbabwean people are deeply worried about.”

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade said Mr Nichols was engaging in “megaphone diplomacy” through making baseless statements in the media so as to cast aspersions on the Second Republic and its efforts towards achieving Vision 2030.

“The Zimbabwe Government once again expresses its utter dismay at the actions by the United States Ambassador Mr Brian Nichols in continuing to make disparaging public comments and attacks on the Zimbabwe Government’s political and economic programmes in clear violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which governs the rules for the exchange and treatment of envoys between States, as well as their behaviour.

“This is despite a reminder from the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Affairs in October 2019 that such activities were at variance with the obligations placed on a diplomatic mission, representative or agent of a foreign government by the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations to respect the rules of diplomatic conduct,” the statement from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade reads.

“Furthermore, diplomatic channels for communication of any concerns to the Zimbabwe Government do exist and Ambassador Nichols is encouraged to make use of these, instead of engaging in the megaphone diplomacy of casting aspersions on the Zimbabwe Government and dabbling in local politics including pushing an agenda meant to prop up the fortunes of an opposition which is trying to sell a dummy to the world, that there is a political crisis in Zimbabwe. The truth of the matter is that there simply is no such crisis in Zimbabwe.”

The ministry said allegations by Ambassador Nichols of a country in turmoil were without grounding, adding that a forum for national dialogue already existed and it was up to those who remain outside to join it.

“Ambassador Nichols’ actions are objectionable and stand in contravention of Diplomatic Missions’ obligations under the Vienna Convention. The Ambassador has a responsibility to carry out his legitimate functions without unduly attacking the Zimbabwe Government. He is therefore urged to cease forthwith any actions which result in not only further harming relations between Zimbabwe and the United States, but are also a flagrant violation of protocol, etiquette and the basic tenets of the Vienna Convention,” said the ministry.

The Government said Zimbabwe, like most countries, is grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic, effects of Cyclone Idai, droughts and the debilitating effects of the illegal sanctions that have bled the country of millions.

“Contrary to claims by Ambassador Nichols that Zimbabwe lacked democracy and that the Government ignored human rights, Zimbabwe actually has a vibrant democracy which is buttressed by a free Press and an independent judiciary and the Government respects the rights of Zimbabweans.”

The ministry said as a local diplomat Ambassador Nichols should be able to focus on several developments the Government has embarked upon to improve the economy.

The ministry said Zimbabwe was currently undertaking a re-engagement drive with Western countries including the US as evidenced by President Mnangagwa’s meeting last year in Mozambique with United States Assistant Secretary of State Ambassador Tibor Naggy with whom he held very cordial and frank discussions regarding bilateral cooperation and developments in Zimbabwe.

State Media

Zimbabwe’s Covid-19 death toll passed the 200 mark yesterday to reach 202 after the report of the latest six deaths, three in Bulawayo, two in Matabeleland South and one in Midlands.

There were 85 new confirmed cases, taking the cumulative total to 6 497, but the Ministry of Health and Child Care noted that the rolling seven-day average of new cases dropped to 63.

The number of confirmed recoveries rose by 160 to 5 221, meaning that 80,3 percent of all infected people are now completely cured with just 1 074 counted as active cases.

The recent spike in Peruvian cases saw South Africa fall back into sixth worst-hit state globally, but the death toll there went over 14 000 to 14 028 out of 625 056 confirmed cases.

With 538 604 recoveries, the number of active cases in South Africa continues to fall to just over 72 000, the lowest for some time as South Africa continues to lower infection rates.

Paul Nyathi

Contrary to reports by lawyers that journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, who is remanded in custody on charges of inciting public violence is sick, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS says he is well and being treated like any other prisoner.

ZPCS spokesperson Superintendent Meya Khanyezi said just like any other prisoner, Chin’ono will be allowed to be attended by a doctor of his choice even after he had been attended to by resident prison doctors.

“As far as we are concerned, he is well, but to our surprise, social media is awash with unconfirmed reports that he is not well. However, as the ZPCS we have allowed his personal doctor to go and see him,” she said.

The ZPCS has its team of medical personnel who include doctors and nurses. However, in respect to the rights and wishes of prisoners, a request by Chin’ono’s lawyers to have him attended by his personal doctor was granted after one of his lawyers Douglas Coltart visited him and confirmed that he was ill.

I have just visited Hopewell Chin’ono at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison and can confirm that he is unwell. We have alerted his private doctor who will be attending to him immediately and we will act accordingly based on the medical assessment and advice. #ZimbabweanLivesMatter

— Doug Coltart ✊??? (@DougColtart) August 31, 2020

Coltart’s assertions were confirmed by Alex Magaisa confirmed the illness.

Further to my earlier tweet concerning Hopewell Chin’ono. I’m advised that the symptoms he is exhibiting include a fever, muscle aches, headache & distorted taste. I’m advised that a swab was taken & relevant tests are being conducted #ZimbabweanLivesMatter #FreeHopewell pic.twitter.com/CraGNutTEz

— Alex T Magaisa ?? (@Wamagaisa) August 31, 2020

Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, that has forced Government to close essentials such as schools, and limit travelling, ZPCS has also stopped in-person visiting of prisoners for the safety of staff, prisoners and the public, however Chin’ono’s lawyers cried foul when this was applied even as it did not spare any other prisoner.

Source: State Media

PARLIAMENT resumes sitting today after a two-month COVID-19-induced break which came about after five legislators tested positive to the virus.

Yesterday, Parliament kickstarted its compulsory COVID-19 tests for MPs and staff as it prepared for resumption of sittings today.

Clerk of Parliament, Kennedy Chokuda, recently announced that there will be compulsory testing of MPs and staff before resumption of sittings, adding that Parliament was also working towards going virtual in order to minimise COVID-19 infections.

The coronavirus has severely affected the sittings of both National Assembly and Senate, with civic society organisations raising concern that there were several laws that needed to be crafted, while others were at different stages of being crafted, but had been disrupted by the long break.

Last week, only a handful of MPs from Harare attended the National Assembly sitting, which lasted for less than 20 minutes.

Some of the important committee sittings that were ongoing before Parliament abruptly adjourned due to the COVID-19 threat included an investigation on the Zesa Holdings forensic audit by the Public Accounts Committee.

The Health Parliamentary Portfolio Committee was also seized with oral evidence on COVID-19 issues, with other parliamentary committees also gathering oral evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on different sectors of the economy.

Senate adjourned while it was in the process of passing the Marriages Bill, which has been very topical in the country as it covers issues of property rights, women and child rights, among several other issues.

In the National Assembly, some of the important laws that were derailed by COVID-19 included the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 2) Bill, the Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill, and the Zimbabwe Media Commission Bill, among others.

Legal think-tank, Veritas recently observed that: “The backlog shows that the Executive and Parliament have not been industrious when it comes to amending or crafting laws; and partly due to the COVID-19 scare.”

The Second Session of the Ninth Parliament is expected to end soon with very little progress in terms of crafting laws.

NewsDay

Zimbabwe’s Covid-19 death toll passed the 200 mark yesterday to reach 202 after the report of the latest six deaths, three in Bulawayo, two in Matabeleland South and one in Midlands.

There were 85 new confirmed cases, taking the cumulative total to 6 497, but the Ministry of Health and Child Care noted that the rolling seven-day average of new cases dropped to 63.

The number of confirmed recoveries rose by 160 to 5 221, meaning that 80,3 percent of all infected people are now completely cured with just 1 074 counted as active cases.

The recent spike in Peruvian cases saw South Africa fall back into sixth worst-hit state globally, but the death toll there went over 14 000 to 14 028 out of 625 056 confirmed cases.

With 538 604 recoveries, the number of active cases in South Africa continues to fall to just over 72 000, the lowest for some time as South Africa continues to lower infection rates.-The Herald

Former War Veterans leader Rugare Gumbo has made sensational claims that the President is being sabotaged by people within the ruling party.

Speaking to the Daily News, the former cabinet minister said the country is for everyone and dialogue is the only way to go:

He (Mnangagwa) must be aware of being sabotaged from within, and I think this is now clearly happening in Zanu PF.

In politics, those things happen. But the president must be a visionary leader with good strategies to be able to deal with all these problems.

As I also always say, dialogue is the only way forward for this country. The 2023 elections are very far because people are suffering. You cannot solve these problems through propaganda.

The country is for everyone, from trade unions to churches and other stakeholders. People just need to sit down and talk.

We went to war to make sure that all Zimbabweans have a good life and that they are happy all the time. It is important for Zanu PF to implement political and economic reforms.

They must do this not for themselves, but for the good of the country. The future of the party will not be good if they fail to implement the much needed reforms.

Gumbo’s sentiments were echoed by Godfrey Tsenengamu who said President Mnangagwa was surrounded by people who cant tell him the truth:
He is being sabotaged by his own comrades who are bitter for various reasons and also from remnants of the old dispensation.

But his biggest challenge has been that of surrounding himself with people who have no appreciation of his vision. He picked people from nowhere and entrusted them with key positions, and these people are letting him down.

The other challenge is that he surrounded himself with people who can’t tell him the truth, and this is working against him.

The majority of the people who rushed to surround him are nothing but mere opportunists and extortionists who are busy lining their pockets and doing everything possible to tarnish his name,” Tsenengamu also let rip.

It is important that the president lays the foundation for a better society in which he will be able to live even after his time as president. In whatever he is doing today, he must think about tomorrow.-Daily News

Hwange Coal Gasification Company (Pvt) Ltd (Hwange) has taken the Minister of Mines and Mining Development Winston Chitando to court in a bid to compel the latter to issue the former with a coke exporting license.

The company wants the court to issue the license according to the publication.
It is the applicant (Hwange)’s case that:

Hwange has been renewing its export permit with the ministry annually. This year they began the process on July 6 since the licence was due to expire on July 25.

The application for renewal was submitted to the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) Harare office which approved it on July 13.

Following the approval by MMCZ, the metallurgy department also sanctioned the application after which Hwange Coal Gasification Company was given an invoice for the annual permit renewal valued $200 000.

The application was then forwarded to the Mines ministry which advised the company to come back on July 20.

After making several visits to the ministry’s offices, Hwange was informed on July 29 that the only thing holding back the issuance of the coke export licence was the minister’s signature since all other functionaries had already approved it.

A follow up visit was made at Chitando’s offices on August 3 where Hwange was told that there was an error in their application, which ought to be changed, but they were never adequately briefed about the anomaly. Since then the Mines minister has not acted on Hwange’s application.

Court papers submitted by the applicant seen by the publication pertaining to the case reads in part:

The respondent continues to trade in a veil of secrecy and the applicant remains in the dark as to why it is being denied the annual export permit and especially after complying with all the laid down procedures for renewing an annual export permit.

I contend that the respondent has failed to discharge his duties as contemplated in the Act in a fair, justifiable and within a reasonable time.

The respondent’s actions are clearly not supported at law and ought to be condemned with the contempt it deserves.

The Minister and his office are yet to respond to the allegations levelled against them by Hwange.-Daily News

Police have arrested 15 Murehwa vendors who happily greeted MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa on Friday as he was returning from Patson Dzamara‘ s funeral.

The vendors have been taken to Murehwa Police Station and their charges remain unclear.

Nelson Chamisa was on his way from Mutoko for the burial of Patson Dzamara when he stopped and the vendors greeted him saying, “President.”

“You know the crime that you committed on Friday,” a police officer reportedly told the vendors.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights(ZLHR) has been informed about the matter.Source:Savanna News

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has challenged Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa to stop the abduction and torture of innocent citizens with immediate effect.

Speaking to ZimEye.com MDC Alliance Secretary for Welfare, Maureen Kademaunga said heinous violations of human rights should stop forthwith.

“Enforced disappearances are a heinous violation of rights and an international crime.

Zimbabwe must
1. Ratify and domesticate the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearances.

2. Account for Itai Dzamara and other disappeared persons.

3. Stop the culture of abductions and torture.

The MDC Alliance welfare did a video marathon featuring multiple Zimbabwean voices calling for the government to account for disappeared people like Itai Dzamara.There is a footage in which Patson Dzamara challenges government to account for his missing brother
,” said Kademaunga.

#15 #ZimbabweanLivesMatter @ChenayiM "Bring Back Itai Dzamara. Stop human rights violations"#ZimbabweanLivesMatter #VideoMarathon pic.twitter.com/wY3SKsHC4l

— Citizens Coalition for Change Social Welfare (@cccwelfare) August 30, 2020

Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has said there is no room for “vampire politics” in democratic societies.

President Chamisa also blamed the Zanu PF administration for the disappearance of prominent journalist and human rights activist Itai Dzamara.

“Remembering Itai Dzamara and all those who have gone unaccounted for, including their families who are losers in all this.

I believe there are more civil ways of managing dissenting voices.

Under our administration, there is no room for savage and vampire politics.”

MDC Alliance Secretary for Welfare, Maureen Kademaunga also said :
Itai Dzamara disappeared on 9/03/15.

His whereabouts remain unknown. Still no answers.

Still no justice. He has not disappeared from the hearts of his loved ones.

They have a right to truth. The State must account! #InternationalDayoftheDisappeared. #ZimbabweanLivesMatter.”

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has challenged Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa to stop the abduction and torture of innocent citizens with immediate effect.

Speaking to ZimEye.com MDC Alliance Secretary for Welfare, Maureen Kademaunga said heinous violations of human rights should stop forthwith.

“Enforced disappearances are a heinous violation of rights and an international crime.

Zimbabwe must
1. Ratify and domesticate the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearances.

2. Account for Itai Dzamara and other disappeared persons.

3. Stop the culture of abductions and torture.

The MDC Alliance welfare did a video marathon featuring multiple Zimbabwean voices calling for the government to account for disappeared people like Itai Dzamara.There is a footage in which Patson Dzamara challenges government to account for his missing brother
,” said Kademaunga.

#15 #ZimbabweanLivesMatter @ChenayiM "Bring Back Itai Dzamara. Stop human rights violations"#ZimbabweanLivesMatter #VideoMarathon pic.twitter.com/wY3SKsHC4l

— Citizens Coalition for Change Social Welfare (@cccwelfare) August 30, 2020

Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has said there is no room for “vampire politics” in democratic societies.

President Chamisa also blamed the Zanu PF administration for the disappearance of prominent journalist and human rights activist Itai Dzamara.

“Remembering Itai Dzamara and all those who have gone unaccounted for, including their families who are losers in all this.

I believe there are more civil ways of managing dissenting voices.

Under our administration, there is no room for savage and vampire politics.”

MDC Alliance Secretary for Welfare, Maureen Kademaunga also said :
Itai Dzamara disappeared on 9/03/15.

His whereabouts remain unknown. Still no answers.

Still no justice. He has not disappeared from the hearts of his loved ones.

They have a right to truth. The State must account! #InternationalDayoftheDisappeared. #ZimbabweanLivesMatter.”

Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has said there is no room for “vampire politics” in democratic societies.

President Chamisa also blamed the Zanu PF administration for the disappearance of prominent journalist and human rights activist Itai Dzamara.

“Remembering Itai Dzamara and all those who have gone unaccounted for, including their families who are losers in all this.

I believe there are more civil ways of managing dissenting voices.

Under our administration, there is no room for savage and vampire politics.”

MDC Alliance Secretary for Welfare, Maureen Kademaunga also said :
Itai Dzamara disappeared on 9/03/15.

His whereabouts remain unknown. Still no answers.

Still no justice. He has not disappeared from the hearts of his loved ones.

They have a right to truth. The State must account! #InternationalDayoftheDisappeared. #ZimbabweanLivesMatter.”

Farai Dziva|President Nelson Chamisa has urged the nation to pray for political prisoners in the country.

Several opposition members and human rights activists have been arrested for allegedly plotting to overthrow Mr Mnangagwa’s administration.

“Let us all remember our fellow cdes and citizens in jail on trumped up charges.

Our God (El Shaddai)overrides all natural laws & worldly systems to fulfil HIS promises & establish HIS purposes.

The Almighty is a way maker, strength-giver &provider of the needs of His people.

#ZimbabweanLivesMatter.
#FreePoliticalPrisoners, President Chamisa wrote on Facebook.

A meeting of Harare City councillors called by Senator Mwonzora at Harvest House on Sunday flopped dismally after only 6 out of 45 councillors turned up. Only councillors Clifton Zumba, Tichaona Mhetu, Eugenia Chipfiwa, Midia Mudariki, Brian Matione and Tendai Matafi showed up. pic.twitter.com/pnMvDks7Mu

— CCC Harare Province (@CCCHarare) August 31, 2020

By A Correspondent- There was drama at Guruve magistrates courts on Friday after a 40-year-old Mvurwi landlord told a local magistrate that he bedded his tenant’s 15-year-old daughter as a way of comforting her.

Silos Jawo of Forester E, Mvurwi appeared before magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa.

“Your Worship, I bedded her once, I wanted to comfort her since she had confided in me that she was pregnant and her stepmother was always harassing her, chasing away potential suitors and blocking employment opportunities. I was however unaware that she was a minor,” he lamented.

However the minor was adamant that the accused was aware of her age on as he had wished her a happy fifteenth birthday weeks before the sexual intercourse.

Prosecutor Carson Kundiona alleged sometime in July the complainant was seen coming out of Jawo’s bedroom by his daughter and quizzed on her move she spilt the bean leading to the arrest of Jawo

The case continues on September 9

Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) coronavirus situation report as of 31 August 2020:

• New cases: 85
• Locals – 80
• Returnees – 5
• Deaths: 6
• Recoveries: 160
• National Recovery Rate: 80.3%
• Active Cases – 1074
• Total Cumulative Cases: 6 497
• Total Recoveries: 5 221
• Total Deaths: 202covid-19 latest

By A Correspondent- Vice President Kembo Mohadi has been sucked into a fraud case involving Bulawayo Zanu-PF youth leader Blessed Mushandu, who is accused of swindling a Chinese businessman with interests in mining of over US$100 000.

Mushandu claimed to be a secretary in the vice president’s office and that Mohadi would facilitate him to conduct mining in the country.

The court heard that sometime in 2018, the complainant was introduced to Mushandu by his former business partner.

It is alleged that Mushandu introduced himself as the ruling party’s youth leader for Bulawayo and a secretary in Mohadi’s office stationed in Zimbabwe’s second largest city.

Harare magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti-Guuriro further heard that Mushandu and his accomplice misrepresented to the complainant during a meeting at a Harare hotel that all rivers in the country were administered and managed in the office of the vice president.

The Bulawayo Zanu-PF youth leader also allegedly claimed that Mohadi’s office had the power to authorise alluvial gold mining.

Mushandu and his colleague, it is alleged, then demanded US$20 000 facilitation fee, which was paid.

The court heard that the complainant was then invited to the office of the vice president in Harare where he was introduced as an investor from China.

After the meeting, it is alleged that Mushandu demanded US$5 000 after claiming that Mohadi had sent them to collect his wife at the airport and to take her to his farm.

It is  also alleged that between January and March 2019, Mushandu and his accomplice concocted different invoices in the name of Umguza Rural District Council, ministry of Mines, Zimbabwe National Water Authority and Environment Management Authority demanding US$5 000, US$47 000, US$20 000 and US$10 900 for purported levies.

The court also heard that sometime in March 2019, Mushandu demanded another $100 000 meant for mining levies which was transferred into his bank account.

Mushandu, who told magistrate Muchuchuti-Guuriro that he was brutally treated by the police, was not asked to plead to the allegations of fraud. He was remanded in custody to today for continuation of his bail application.

Prosecutor Sabastian Mutizirwa is appearing for the State.

By  A Correspondent- Mr Given Mapukute and his wife Ruramai Nhakuzah are suing a Silobela woman Ms Loice Siziba of Canaan Village under Chief Gobo for allegedly posting a defamatory post about them on popular social media site Facebook, The Herald reports.

The couple is reportedly seeking damages amounting to $45 million:

• Defamation in the sum of $5million,
• Actual loss of business in the sum of $25 million and
• Loss of future business $15 million plus costs of suit.

It it alleged that Siziba first sent a threatening message to the couple which reportedly owes her between $3000 and $4000 earlier this year and claimed she was going to go to a witch doctor as a way to sort them out for not repaying the debt. Siziba reportedly sent the following message to the couple:

She reportedly went on to expose the couple using a Facebook Group titled: Verified 11 Exposing Zim shurugwis all over the world.

The couple is alleging that the Facebook post which is still available on Facebook, made them lose business because it is in the public domain, according to the publication:

It is argued that as a result of the said defamatory statement being made on such a public platform, Mr Mapukute lost a tender worth an equivalent value of the sum of $25 million, after the procurement committee of the tender, during an assessment of suitability and investigation on him came across the public post.

Further to that, couple claim that also risk losing future business. “This is because, each time any person searches for couple’s names on Facebook, the post is the first post that pops up on the Facebook newsfeed,” said the couple.

“As a result of the defamation, the plaintiffs’ have also suffered psychological trauma, stress, and anxiety for the loss of the tender and the risk of future business loss”

The $45 million lawsuit was filed last week and Siziba is yet to respond to the claims.-statemedia

State Media

Parliament has withdrawn diplomatic passports for all Members of Parliament who were recalled recently from Parliament after they ceased to represent their political parties in the August House.

Clerk of Parliament, Mr Kennedy Chokuda has today written to all legislators that were recalled directing them to surrender their diplomatic passports and revert to ordinary travelling documents.

“Following your recall from Parliament in accordance with Section 129 (1)(k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe you are therefore kindly requested to submit the diplomatic passport to the Registrar General ‘s Office and retrieve your ordinary passport in accordance with the attendant conditions attached to the issuance of the document,” read a letter from Mr Chokuda.

One of the affected former legislator, Mr Charlton Hwende from the MDC-T confirmed receiving the letter withdrawing his diplomatic passport.

In an interview, Mr Chokuda confirmed the development saying withdrawing of diplomatic passport to a person who would have ceased to be a legislator was normal.

“It is not victimisation. The issue is the purpose for which it was issued has fallen away, they are no longer MPs,” said Mr Chokuda.

The MDC-T recalled at least 21 MPs while Zanu-PF recalled one legislator after they ceased representing them in Parliament.

On 24 November 2017, Zimbabweans United for Democracy (ZUNDE) issued a press statement in which we welcomed the fall of President Robert Mugabe and congratulated the incoming administration. We genuinely and sincerely wished them well. In doing so, we articulated ten priority areas for the new President, Emmerson Mnangagwa. Priority number one was establishment of good governance and the rule of law.

Regrettably, current developments on the Zimbabwean political scene involving government, certain political activists and their lawyers have raised voices of concern in Zimbabwe and around the world. A number of political activists from opposition parties and independent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono have been denied bail on several occasions and are in prison on remand awaiting trial.

In contrast, during recent months, we have witnessed arrests of several public officials including government ministers facing allegations of corruption involving millions of US dollars. Without exception they have been granted bail while awaiting trial. In yet another bizarre incident, we have witnessed an unusual drama in court that has resulted in a magistrate barring senior lead lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa from representing her clients including Hopewell Chin’ono. These incidents have quite rightly incurred the wrath, condemnation and ire of international jurists, civil society, other political activists, and the international community.

When justice is selectively applied and a pattern emerges whereby people of one political persuasion are treated favourably in comparison to others, justice is not being done. The rule of law is an essential pillar of democracy and if it is not respected, democracy suffers. When ZUNDE called upon the Mnangagwa government to establish good governance and rule of law, we did so knowing that this was critical for the future of a free, democratic, inclusive and prosperous Zimbabwe which we thought was unfolding.

ZUNDE is dismayed and shocked by the way that the Government of Zimbabwe is ignoring, violating, disregarding and disrespecting the rule of law as is evidenced by current events.

One of ZUNDE’s founding principles, in line with international ideals, is that all people are entitled to be and must be treated equally before the law regardless of their origin, creed, race, political affiliation, or other factors. This means that, from the time they are arrested to the time they complete their sentences, they must be dealt with according to the law in equal measure and treated the same. The rules of natural justice that relate to people’s entrenched rights to be represented by a lawyer of their own choice must be seen to be applied equally to every litigant. Government cannot and must not determine who should have access to a lawyer and who should not. It is also grossly improper for government, directly or indirectly, to cause the incarceration of citizens without trial. The entire country looks like some kind of a political prison. This, we condemn!

ZUNDE stands side by side with all those people and organisations that condemn the Zimbabwe government’s treatment of the dissenting voices who have been brutalised and denied their legal rights. We are concerned that those opposed to the current status quo, members of opposition political groups and journalist Chin’ono, have been hunted, arrested and incarcerated without bail for exercising their constitutional rights and freedom of expression in circumstances that can only be described as repressive and a violation of their individual rights to protection from the law. Lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa representing some of them, most notably journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, has been publicly humiliated and denied the right to practice her profession. This must not and cannot happen in a democratic environment – ever!

ZUNDE strongly calls for respect for the right of all citizens to be treated equally before the law.

The Government of Zimbabwe must take responsibility for its failure to enforce the rule of law and for the present political, economic and social crises in Zimbabwe. Pointing the finger at other nations is a tired and worn out tactic devoid of any credibility. Instead of dwelling on phantom enemies of the state, the government must look at itself in the mirror and do some serious introspection. An opportunity is just about to be lost as the international community is certainly watching, listening and wondering whether Zimbabwe is steadily sliding back into the Mugabe era.

Every citizen has a right to be protected by the law — this is not negotiable.

This statement has been endorsed by Justice Benjamian Paradza
exiled Judge of the High Court of Zimbabwe and President of ZUNDE.

TelOne has increased the prices for their internet packages. This is, of course, following on ZOL’s price adjustment last week. TelOne prices, however, look to have taken a massive leap from the last price increase late last month.

The new prices are as follows:

These prices take effect from the 6th of September 2020

TelOne Residential Broadband Packages
Package Download Cap US$ RTGS
Home Basic 10 GB 12.00 1 082.00
Home Basic Night 20 GB 16.00 1 407.00
Home Extra 15 GB 14.00 1 190.00
Home Plus 30 GB 22.00 1 840.00
Home Plus Night 60 GB 28.00 2 381.00
Home Premier 60 GB 37.00 3 139.00
Home Premier Night 120 GB 48.00 4 004.00
Home Boost 200 GB 54.00 4 545.00
Infinity Pro 500 GB 79.00 6 602.00
Intense Uncapped (FUP) 107.00 8 983.00
TelOne
SME Broadband Packages
Package Download Speed Download Cap US$ ZWL$
Infinity Supreme 20 Mbps Uncapped* (FUP) 134.00 11 255.00
Intense Extra 50 Mbps Uncapped* (FUP) 180.00 15 043.00
TelOne
Blaze LTE Packages
Package Download Cap US$ ZWL$
Blaze Lite 8GB 11.00 974.00
Blaze Xtra 15GB 18.00 1,515.00
Blaze Boost 20GB 18.00 1,948.00
Blaze Ultra 40GB 29.00 3,129.00
Blaze Trailblazer 100GB 44.00 4,762.00
Blaze Supernova Uncapped* (FUP) 87.00 9,416.00
TelOne
Public Wifi
Package US$ ZWL$
1GB 1.00 108.00
2.5GB 2.00 216.00
6GB 3.00 325.00
Internet Cafe 1.00 108.00
TelOne

By A Correspondent- Murehwa vendors who last week mobbed and happily greeted MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa have been arrested.

The vendors, whose video circulated on social media after they chanted “President” when opposition leader Chamisa briefly stopped at Murehwa turn-off while on his way to the funeral of activist Patson Dzamara in Mutoko were arrested and taken to Murehwa police station.

The 15 vendors’ charges are not yet clear.

Refresh this page for latest details. More to follow…..

The Ministry of Finance and The Agriculture Ministry has released the following joint statement on the global compensation of commercial farmer who were affected by the land reform program in the early 2000s.

JOINT STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, WATER AND RURAL RESETTLEMENT AND THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE WAKE OF THE CONCLUSION ON 29 JULY 2020 OF THE GLOBAL COMPENSATION DEED BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE AND THE FORMER FARM OWNERS

BACKGROUND
1. The signing of the Global Compensation Deed on 29 July 2020 represents a major milestone in the restoration of trust and cooperation between the former farm owners and the Government of Zimbabwe. The agreement was also done in the context of moving the Vision 2030 agenda forward and therefore to ensure its timely realisation through increased agricultural productivity, among other initiatives.

2. Going forward, Government’s highest priority in Agriculture is to increase production and productivity through the collaborative efforts of all Zimbabweans. This includes skills transfer from former farm owners to the resettled farmers and the provision of an attractive land tenure system that will be supportive of increased levels of investment on agricultural land.

3. In the light of the foregoing overarching objectives, it has become necessary to issue this statement to clarify the following issues:

3.1 Tenure status of land which was compulsorily acquired for resettlement but the former farm owners have continued farming operations, with or without tenure documents.

3.2 Compensation of former farm owners whose land was compulsorily acquired for resettlement and are entitled, in terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, to compensation as provided for under Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreements (BIPPAs) or Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs).

3.3 Farm downsizing priorities.

3.4 Illegal occupation of farmland on which Government has issued offer letters to incumbent farmers.

SECURITY OF TENURE FOR FORMER FARM OWNERS STILL FARMING

4. Former farm owners on compulsorily acquired land should urgently regularise their tenure through designated Government institutions in the first instance, before consideration can be made for the issuance of 99-Year Leases. Former farm owners who already hold Offer Letters may proceed to apply for 99- Year Leases.

ENTITLEMENT TO COMPENSATION FOR BOTH LAND AND IMPROVEMENTS

5. Those former farm owners who are indigenous Zimbabweans or citizens of countries which had ratified Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreements or Bilateral Investment Treaties with Zimbabwe at the time their land was compulsorily acquired for resettlement are entitled to compensation for both land and improvements, in terms of subsections (1) and (2) of Section 295 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. This category of former farm owners is not eligible for payment of compensation under the Global Compensation.

6. Where the situation presently obtaining on the ground makes it impractical to restore land in this category to its former owners, Government will offer the former farm owners alternative land elsewhere as restitution where such land is available.

7. Where a former farm owner under this category regains possession of the land that was previously acquired from them or accepts an offer by Government of land as restitution, this shall be in full and final settlement, or to the extent that may be mutually agreed with Government, of any claims for compensation from the State that the former farm owner may have.

8. Where it is not possible or desirable for the State to restore the acquired land to its former owner or offer alternative land, Government shall offer compensation to the former farm owner based on the same valuation methodology as was applied under the Global Compensation Deed.

FARM DOWNSIZING PRIORITIES

9. Consistent with the Second Republic’s thrust to increase production and productivity in the agricultural sector and in order to anchor the attainment of an upper middle income economy by 2030, Government has taken a deliberate policy position to initially exempt fully utilized productive farms from downsizing until agricultural land under multiple farm ownership, derelict and/or under-utilized has been brought into production. Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Provincial Lands Committees shall ensure strict adherence to this policy.

PROHIBITION OF ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF PRODUCTIVE FARMS

10. Government has received numerous reports regarding the resurgence of illegal land occupations, particularly on highly productive farms thereby disrupting production. This comes at a time when the focus should be on increasing utilisation and productivity on agricultural land. These illegal farm occupations are taking place in complete disregard of offer letters which Government has issued to the affected farmers. Such disorderly behaviour among our citizens is indiscipline of the highest level which Government does not condone or tolerate. It should stop forthwith.

The Zimbabwean government will soon be on the market seeking financial advisors to assist in finding ways to mobilise the US3.5 billion required to compensate white former farmers for improvements they made on land that it compulsorily acquired for redistribution, a Cabinet Minister said on Monday.

At the turn of the century Zimbabwe implemented agrarian reforms that saw minority white farmers lose vast tracts of prime agricultural land which were re-distributed to over 400 000 landless blacks.

And the government, after years of negotiations, agreed to compensate the white former commercial farmers for improvements they made on the land but not for the land, which remains the property of the state.

In line with the agreement, a Global Compensation Deed worth US$3.5 billion was signed with representatives of the white former farmers on July 29 this year.

Finance and Economic Development Minister, Mthuli Ncube said moves were already underway to recruit financial advisors who will assist in mobilising the funding.

“We will soon be issuing an expression of interest statement locally nd internationally for any potential advisors out there to express their interest and then we move to the short-listing stage and then eventually appoint an advisor to help us raise this funding from both the domestic market and international market,” Professor Ncube told the media.

The government has a one year deadline to raise at least US$1.75 billion for the exercise.

A 30-year debt instrument and possible listing on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange are among proposals so far on the table to mobilise the funds.

Meanwhile, Ncube said white former farmers were free to apply for 99 year leases so that they continue staying on the farms and producing.

“Former farm owners on compulsorily acquired land should urgently regularise their tenure through designated Government institutions in the first instance, before consideration can be made for the issuance of 99-year Leases. Former farm owners who already hold Offer Letters may proceed to apply for 99-Year Leases,” he said.

Recently appointed Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Dr Anxious Masuka said the settlement “allows us to move into production and productivity to ensure that Zimbabwe moves out of its food insecurity situation to a more assured and insured food security for the nation which we desperately need.”

A representative of the white former farmers, Nick Swanepoel said they were ready and were committed to produce food for the country.

“I do not think any of us as farmers are proud that we have to import food into this country from South Africa or anywhere else. We have to get agriculture back to what it was so we can be proud of it,” he said.

– New Ziana

Former War Veterans leader Rugare Gumbo has made sensational claims that the President is being sabotaged by people within the ruling party, the Daily News reports.

Speaking to the Daily News, the former cabinet minister said the country is for everyone and dialogue is the only way to go:

He (Mnangagwa) must be aware of being sabotaged from within, and I think this is now clearly happening in Zanu PF. In politics, those things happen. But the president must be a visionary leader with good strategies to be able to deal with all these problems.

As I also always say, dialogue is the only way forward for this country. The 2023 elections are very far because people are suffering. You cannot solve these problems through propaganda.

The country is for everyone, from trade unions to churches and other stakeholders. People just need to sit down and talk.We went to war to make sure that all Zimbabweans have a good life and that they are happy all the time. It is important for Zanu PF to implement political and economic reforms.

They must do this not for themselves, but for the good of the country. The future of the party will not be good if they fail to implement the much needed reforms.

Gumbo’s sentiments were echoed by Godfrey Tsenengamu who said President Mnangagwa was surrounded by people who cant tell him the truth:

He is being sabotaged by his own comrades who are bitter for various reasons and also from remnants of the old dispensation. But his biggest challenge has been that of surrounding himself with people who have no appreciation of his vision. He picked people from nowhere and entrusted them with key positions, and these people are letting him down. The other challenge is that he surrounded himself with people who can’t tell him the truth, and this is working against him.

The majority of the people who rushed to surround him are nothing but mere opportunists and extortionists who are busy lining their pockets and doing everything possible to tarnish his name,” Tsenengamu also let rip. It is important that the president lays the foundation for a better society in which he will be able to live even after his time as president. In whatever he is doing today, he must think about tomorrow.

The duo’s sentiments come amid a dire economic meltdown that has seen inflation soaring to over 830%.

Source: Daily News/Pindula

Own Correspondent 

One of  Hopewell Chinono’s lawyers, Douglas Coltart thad to rush to Chikurubi Maximum Prison on Monday after receiving a tip-off from MDC Alliance deputy chair Job Sikhala that the journalist was sick in prison.

Sikhala is also on remand in the same prison facing similar charges.

Coltart Tweeted:

I have just visited Hopewell Chin’ono at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison and can confirm that he is unwell. We have alerted his private doctor who will be attending to him immediately and we will act accordingly based on the medical assessment and advice. #ZimbabweanLivesMatter

— Doug Coltart ✊??? (@DougColtart) August 31, 2020

At least three councillors from the Nelson Chamisa led MDC Alliance in Kwekwe have defected to the MDC-T party led by Thokozani Khupe.

Both the MDC Alliance and MDC-T confirmed the development, which is happening in other towns and cities where some legislators and councilors are being recalled by the Khupe faction.

MDC-T secretary for women’s assembly in Mbizo district, Rita Munyorovi-Svova confirmed that three councilors from Ward 2, 11 and 12 in Kwekwe crossed the floor from MDC Alliance.

“They all belong to MDC-T. In fact they must not make the mistake of following an individual (Nelson Chamisa) but should follow the party (MDC-T),” she said.

“People should read and understand the constitution of the MDC-T,” she added.

MDC-A Midlands secretary for information Dr Takavafira Zhou said as a democratic party, they were not moved by the defection of councilors and legislators to the MDC-T and were ready to field candidates in the event of by-elections.

“In politics there is freedom of association and disassociation. We don’t have any problem about them, in fact we wish them good luck. But we foresee them coming back. As MDC-A led by Nelson Chamisa, we will soldier on,” he said.

The MDC-T has so far recalled at least 21 legislators from both the National Assembly and Senate as well as several councilors.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) suspended all electoral activities in March when the country recorded its first case of Covid-19 as a precautionary measure to protect its employees and the general public from infection.

ZEC has since said by-elections for vacant constituencies and wards would be held after the government has relaxed lockdown restrictions.

Meanwhile, ZEC recently said it was proceeding to fill the proportional representative seats in Parliament which arose from recalls by the opposition MDC-T, since the process does not require holding of by-elections.

The MDC-T wrote to Parliament recalling the legislators arguing that they no longer represented its interests.

Labour, Economists and African Democrats (LEAD) party founder, Linda Masarira lashed out at her former boss and political rival Thokozani Khupe to stick to one position.

In a twitter thread, Masarira questioned if Khupe wants to be President or a Member of Parliament ?

“It is quite disturbing to hear that you have put your name in the ring for Bulawayo PR (Proportional Representative) MP. PR /Senate vacant posts can only be replaced by those who contested in the previous elections as PR candidates after successfully going through nomination court processes representing the constituencies or provinces

“You sailed through the 2018 nomination court as a Presidential Candidate not a PR MP candidate. I have always known you as a principled person and this move is below the belt,” said Masarira

She added “To lower down your ambition, simply because there is a vacant PR seat is a sign of lack of discipline & principles. This move can easily be spelt as fraud. WHY? because the PR candidates from both the MDC- T then and MDC-A lists are still existing and valid.”

She argued that those who were initially nominated are the people with the mandate to represent their respective constituencies should a vacancy arise.

“Why would a presidential candidate grab such a position? You can’t be everything. Slow down, take a deep breath & re strategize. Don’t let power cloud your judgement,” said Masarira.

Masarira’s rant at her former boss comes in the wake of reports that Khupe is set to lead a group legislators and senators to replace those recalled from Parliament. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has since issued a public notice advising on the proposed replacements.

State Media

GARBAGE is piling up in many parts of Harare, posing the risk of disease outbreaks with the city council attributing the situation to fuel shortages and the raging fire at Pomona dumpsite.

Council last week said it was working round the clock to extinguish the fire which is causing air pollution.

“We apologise to our valued customers for the incapacity to remove the garbage. We appeal for understanding and tolerance while we attend to the fire.

“Council is grateful to all stakeholders, individuals and companies that are assisting with material resources and moral support,” the local authority said in a statement.

Residents said the Pomona fire started when council was already struggling to collect garbage from communities, citing diesel shortages and the breakdown of refuse collection vehicles.

Last month, some typhoid cases were reported in Sunningdale and residents fear that if the garbage situation is not addressed, more cases of diseases could be recorded.

Harare Residents Trust director, Mr Precious Shumba, said most communities had piles of uncollected garbage.

“The car park and bus terminus at Warren Park 2 shops are filled with uncollected garbage. This is the same situation in most communities and is a major challenge.

“The city council is not collecting garbage from households and the unhealthy environment is a possible cause of disease outbreaks,” said Mr Shumba.

“The result is that most residents lose confidence and trust in the local authority and will not be motivated to pay their monthly bills, thus revenue inflows decline to dangerous levels.”

Mr Shumba said recycling garbage was the most viable option and urged residents to sort out garbage at household level. Council was supposed to stick to refuse collection schedules and inform residents when it was unable to collect the garbage.

MDC Alliance Secretary General Chalton Hwende has been asked to surrender his diplomatic passport after MDC T recalled him from parliament.

The following letter was sent to Hwende from the parliament clerk:

Dear Mr Hwende

Clerk Of Parliament