Drama As Married Woman Is Caught With Boyfriend

NATIONAL, BUSINESS, BREAKING

THERE was drama in Mutare’s Sakubva high-density suburb on Tuesday morning after a daring local man was caught pants down with a married woman in the latter’s matrimonial home.

The cheating woman, only identified as Faith, hid her boyfriend Livingstone Gwandura under the bed after her husband Ishmael Madhochi unexpectedly came back home from Harare around 3am.

Neighbours and relatives interviewed said Ishmael came back home in Devonshire after he received a tip off that Faith was having an extra-marital affair with Gwandura.

Consistent with scenes of this nature, some members of the public started singing derogatory songs while some threatened to give the cheats a thorough hiding.

Both Faith and Livingstone refused to entertain The Weekender and tried to evade the long lens of the camera.

“It was around 3am when we heard about the incident. My brother alerted us saying he caught his wife with a boyfriend.

“We are worried because our brother is a caring and loving husband. We are shocked that this woman had to do this. My brother had actually brought some shawarma for her only to catch the boyfriend hidden under the bed,” said Ishmael’s sister.

“This is disgraceful. Our daughter-in-law (Faith) is a disgrace to the family. We were shocked by the incident and we are now about to deliberate on the way forward. We are glad that at least our son Ishmael did not injure the boyfriend or do anything that he would regret later.

Ishmael came back home after a tip-off and we are glad that it came to light,” said Ishmael’s uncle, Poso Madhochi.-The Weekender

Mthwakazi Taunts Govt Over Marginalisation

By A Correspondent-  Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) claims Ingutsheni Hospital in Bulawayo recently employed 11 general hands from outside Matabeleland, a move it says is tantamount to marginalisation of people from the region.

In a petition addressed to the hospital, Health ministry, Office of the President and Bulawayo Metropolitan Provincial minister Judith Ncube, the party said the employment of the general hands was discriminatory.

“At all times the state and all institutions of government at every level must ensure that appropriate and adequate measures are undertaken to create employment for all Zimbabweans, especially women and youths,” reads the petition.

MRP said the constitution stipulates fair regional representation.

“Mr President- Hard Talk Builds Nations”

By Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo-  In 1994, I was doing my primary education at Nyazura Primary school, a boarding primary school in Manicaland Province.
It was the norm back then that you would buy an envelope and get a postage stamp at the school tuckshop. We used to write letters to our parents and guardians. My grandmother was an avid English teacher at a nearby school.
One day I wrote a letter thanking her for the sacrifice she had done to make my life better at the school.  Little did I know that when she received the letter, she would start correcting and marking it out of 10. During the holiday, she handed over the letter back to me with a grade on it. I had scored extremely low marks.
It was a strange experience that burnt me with a mixture of shocked disbelief as I battled to rationalize how a thank-you letter became an English composition. My loving and caring grandmother noticed poorly constructed sentences and grammatical errors in my thanksgiving epistle.
I looked at her thinking she would notice my facial expression which read, “Gogo, I sacrificed to buy a stamp and an envelope to write you a letter but you are seeing errors in my letter instead of appreciating my effort”.
She asked me to make corrections. I thanked my grandmother later.
 The then Minister of Finance Patrick Chinamasa heaped praises on Mugabe and his wife Grace, calling the wife an iron lady just few days before Mugabe’s ouster.  He went on to describe the veteran leader as a humble and servant leader.
The same Chinamasa was at the Zimbabwe grounds in Highfields for an anti-Mugabe rally and surprisingly took to the podium to attack Mugabe describing him as the nastiest leader and unwanted bugbear. Chinamasa somersault was legendary and a full demonstration of deceit of unimaginable egregiousness.
He unashamedly began to sing for his supper and his bootlicking ability will take eternity to surpass. Mnangagwa had suddenly become a Messiah and Mugabe an incorrigible devil.
Mr. President, you need to be careful with such kind of people who lie and fawn at politicians when they don’t mean it. In Shona we say ‘’Vakafanana nehoto dzinoenda kunoenda mhepo’. They stand with you when their feeding trough is safe and desert you when you are in trouble and switch to the new camp. They are selfish.
See no evil speak no evil characters like Tafadzwa Mugwadi and Nick Mangwana will never build your presidency but will irreparably damage your reputation. They need to tell you the truth. The critic voice plays a key role in building you and acts as an eye opener as well as helping you to make corrections. Mr. President, criticism will give you a new perspective thereby giving you the opportunity for improvement. You need to see things in a different light.
I vividly remember Kudzai Chipanga’s interesting press conference few days before the military coup in November 2017. He said they were ready to die for Mugabe and they were not going to fold hands to allow a creature of the constitution to subvert the very constitution which establishes it. Was Chipanga indeed prepared to die for Mugabe? Why did they fold their hands when the military coup took place? Why were they caught-napping when they appeared to be well prepared during the press conference?
 Chipanga was nowhere to be seen only to resurface in the dead of the night on ZBCTV apologizing copiously to Chiwenga and the military hierarchy for his ill-advised attack on them.
 In 2013, I met the former Harare Mayor Ben Manyenyeni at a local function and we became friends. He would invite me to various functions. He was very frank and each time we met he would offer me some advice including how to dress well for functions.  I used to mismatch my dressing but Manyeneyeni would candidly tell me to dress like a professional and encouraged me to be early for the meetings.
When I started writing academic articles I used to send him to proofread and he would return my work with many corrections and interesting comments. His criticism helped me to consider certain things that I used to overlook and it greatly improved me. I remember the other day when he invited me to join him at a golf course in Borrowdale.  He asked me why I came late and the rationale behind the ‘anti-golf’ attire I was putting on.  I leant a lot from Manyenyeni and today I understand the significance of criticism.
Mr. President, you need a Ben Manyenyeni around you to improve in many aspects.
In 2012, the then Local Government Minister, Ignatius Chombo shocked the entire country when he crawled in front of Mugabe during a Zanu PF function in Mash West.  The sight of a whole cabinet minister kneeling before the president was described as a “culture shock”.
The kneeling gesture became rampant during the rise of Grace Mugabe where prominent personalities and ministers in Mugabe’s cabinet embarked on a “kneeling spree” to show obedience to Mugabe and his wife.
They never told Mugabe to fix the economy and the truth about his grievous leadership. Webster Shamu also stunned the people when he likened Mugabe to Cremora and descried the late dictator as a liberator of unparalleled proportions.
Mr. President, your supporters are not telling you the truth. They don’t love you. Remember the events of November 2017 where Mugabe appeared to have no sympathizers in the country. Where were those mammoth Mugabe crowds and the Chinamasas?  The truth is you are surrounded by hypocrites.
Few weeks ago, we witnessed award winning Journalist and filmmaker Hopewell Chin’ono being detained at Chikurubi Maximum prison after he exposed stinking corruption involving the ‘BIG MEN’, the untouchables, and he spent weeks in the remand prison for fighting corruption. If I were you Mr. President Mnangagwa, I would put more resources towards investigative journalism to show sincerity in fighting corruption.
Mr. President, we need more Hopewell Chin’onos if we are serious about fighting corruption.
In neighboring South Africa, a Government Minister was suspended for partying during lockdown after her photo was shared on social media but in Zimbabwe Ministers who abuse funds for Covid-19 are promoted.
Recently, I saw Nick Mangwana, the Permanent Secretary of Information and Publicity making revelations that between 2017 and 2020, you have created at least 200 000 jobs. Which sector? You need to be careful with some of the people you have deployed in key Government positions. These are the very same people who will celebrate your downfall. You need to get rid of these Chinamasas in your party that easily switch from one camp to another within a week.
 Mr. President you need someone  Criticism is important and it helps you to improve your leadership. Don’t be misled by apologists and praise singers like the Mugwadis and Mangwanas of this world, you need to know the truth.  Government critics are not regime change agents but they build and strengthen our institutions. You definitely need someone like my grandmother and get rid of the Chinamasas around you.
Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo is the Head of Zimbabwe Institute of Strategic Thinking – ZIST, and he can be contacted at executivedirectorzist@gmail.com

Ok Zimbabwe Under Fire Over Joana Mamombe CCTV Footage

By A Correspondent- OK Zimbabwe was forced by the courts to release video footage of Harare West MP Joana Mamombe doing her shopping amid concerns the authorities violated the young legislator’s privacy, it has emerged.

Harare magistrate Bianca Makwande last week blocked attempts by prosecutors to use the footage in a case where they wanted the MP punished for failing to appear in court.
Mamombe could not appear in court with two other MDC Alliance members – Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova – on charges that they faked their abduction and torture in May because she was hospitalised.

The legislator is said to have suffered a mental breakdown.

CCTV footage allegedly of her at a Bon Marche supermarket was then posted on social media by people that included senior government officials, who used it to mock her.
Bon Marche is owned by OK Zimbabwe.

Angry social media users started a campaign to boycott businesses that have been releasing footage to the authorities, which is then used to vilify victims of alleged state-sponsored abuse such as in the Mamombe case.

Alex Siyavora, the OK Zimbabwe CEO, however, told The Standard yesterday that the CCTV footage was released to the authorities following a court order compelling every outlet at the shopping centre to release their recordings.

“There was a court order,” Siyavora said. “Everyone at the complex was given an order to release the CCTV footages of a specific time.”

Mobile phone operator Econet this year successfully challenged attempts by police to force it to hand over information about its customers that used the Ecocash platform in what was described as a victory in the fight to protect citizens’ rights to privacy.

High Court Judge Justice Clement Phiri declared the search-and seizure warrant issued by Harare provincial magistrate Richard Ramaboa as unlawful.

But Siyavora said their situation was different from that of Econet.

“There is a difference, at our shops, a person just gets in and buys and leaves, at Econet, they record details of the subscribers before issuing them with lines,” he said.

“Our main concern is security, to detect people who steal from us and it is different from Econet.”

State broadcaster ZBC recently flighted footage obtained from outlets in Harare’s Belgravia shopping centre as the authoritie sought to to prove that the MDC Alliance trio faked their abduction.

Police initially confirmed that they arrested Mamombe, Chimbiri and Marova after they took part in a demonstration against hunger.

The police later recanted their statements after it emerged that the trio had been abducted and brutally tortured.

After they were found in bad shape near Bindura, the police charged the women with allegedly faking their abduction.

They have become targets of Zanu-PF aligned youths on social media, who accuse them of staging the abductions to soil the image of the country.

Zanu Pf Calls For CVs For DCC Posts

By A Correspondent- Zanu Pf members have been called upon to take the process of electing District Coordinating Committee (DCC) members seriously and ensure that they choose people who will further push the party to prosperity ahead of the 2023 elections.

Speaking at a Matabeleland North Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting in Lupane yesterday to receive Curriculum Vitaes for contesting members, the party’s Secretary for Health, Child Care and the Elderly, Dr David Parirenyatwa, said President Mnangagwa has made it clear on the importance of the exercise.

He said the party should avoid mistakes that were made post-2012 when DCCs had to be abolished as they were modelling themselves as the centres of power.

“This is an important exercise to the President, which is why he sent the party’s National Political Commissar, Victor Matemedanda to come and lead this process. First, they were successfully held in Harare and Bulawayo, today we are here to complete the process in the remaining provinces, where we will collect CVs for those who will contest for further vetting.

“However, I must call on those that will be elected to know the party’s constitution, know their roles and avoid a situation where they misguide themselves like what we had when we had to ban DCCs in 2012,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

He called on party members not to be power hungry noting that the process was meant to ensure the ruling party’s success.

“It raises a lot of questions when we have someone who is in a high organ in the party wanting to hold a position in the DCC, what we have said is that anyone who holds a higher position and wants to hold a DCC position they should resign their other position.

“We have to further strategically elect members into these positions knowing that this has a huge bearing towards the success of the party. We can’t have someone who joined the party yesterday suddenly rising to these positions. Let’s analyse members’ commitment to party business before we elect them,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

Meanwhile, Dr Parirenyatwa called on the party to continue being vigilant in the wake of Covid-19 saying there was a need for members to continue heeding the Government’s call on social distancing and sanitisation to contain the spread of the disease.

“We have to have it in mind that this pandemic has given us a new normal therefore we must continue practicing the guidelines given to us by the World Health Organisation and the Government.

“As party members we must know that this pandemic is within us and can affect the party directly. Yes our national infection figures are going down but let’s not be ignorant,” he said.

Dr Parirenyatwa was accompanied by Mashonaland Central Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution Monica Mavhunga, where they received CVs for candidates in the seven districts in the province.-online

Horrific Tales Of Gukurahundi Follow The Late Perrance Shiri To The Grave

An article in The Standard written by Jonathan Maphenduka details horrific stories of the late Rtd Air Marshall Perrance Shiri and how he executed the infamous Gukurahundi Massacre that killed over 20 000 Ndebele people from Matabeleland and Midlands.

Shiri reportedly wore a black robe that was written Black Jesus and these are some of the executions that were carried out while he looked on or in his presence according to the publication:

  1. In the Gukurahundi terror campaign those who worked under him looked up to him, driven by fear. A young man who met him at Balagwe in Matobo district had an interesting story to tell. Balagwe became a notorious operational base for the district in April 1984 when units of 5 Brigade arrived in the district. The young man was accused of (like all people of Matabeleland) being a “dissident” who faced death for that reason. There were six pregnant women who faced death for the reason of carrying the blood of “dissident” husbands in their wombs. One of the women managed to pass her identity card to the young man unseen. She knew her fate had been decided and hoped against hope that the ID would somehow find its way to her relatives and the world would know how her life ended. This was a desperate and hopeless situation but fate has its own ways of revealing secrets. That in the realm of power in which Shiri presided was a mystery. The women’s arms were tied behind their backs. But there was a problem. An executioner must be found. Shooting them was wasteful and did not provide the pleasure to those who watched the horror of how the foetus of a “dissident” comes rolling out of its mother’s womb, like the entrails of a slaughtered animal in a butcher’s shop. The difference in this case was simply that the objects of this bloody horror were six innocent women. The mantle to do the job fell on the young “dissident”. Shiri was accompanied by a woman officer and it was decided that she had a role to play in the ritual. The young man was ordered to lie down on his back with his mouth open. The female officer ambled up, positioned herself above the face of the young man, pulled her pant down and peed into the young man’s open mouth. With the preliminary ritual done, he was ordered to get up and a razor sharp knife was thrown at him. “Do you want to save your own life? Rip them up”, he was told. Darkness was approaching and the spectators were ordered to throw the bodies, the foetuses and other entrails on to a waiting truck to be carried to a near-by disused mineshaft.
  2. Outside Donkwedonkwe High School Kezi Police Station, a huge crowd of villagers sat in the blazing April sun, denouncing Zapu dissidents and Joshua Nkomo. The rally was called to demonstrate that the operatives we were wilful killers. “Siyaburara” (we kill), they said as if the villagers didn’t know the fact. Perrance Shiri was there, watching the proceedings in silence. Then 10 men were ordered out of the gathering and stood waiting for the order to shoot. Among the 10 villagers was the local chief Pilisi Sithole of the Bakwayi clan, and a man I grew up with as a schoolmate and we spent time together as herd boys. When all was done he was among three men who miraculously escaped with their life in the melee that followed the massacre.
  3. From Siphoso School in Tsholotsho reports said six teachers had been forced to jump into a latrine full of human excreta and stood there for hours before they were shot dead. The female teachers had been gang-raped, Perrance Shiri taking the choicest among the victims. Male teachers had been flogged until they became a pulpy mess before they were dragged and pushed into the latrine and shot to make sure they did not crawl of the latrine. Villagers were then ordered to fill the latrine up. Reports said six teachers were buried alive in a school latrine at Siphoso School in Tsholotsho West. Three female teachers had been gang-raped while their male colleagues were beaten with sticks until their bodies became a bloody mess with broken limbs.

The article details many horror stories that occurred during the massacre. Though they are not directly linked to the late Agriculture Minister who succumbed to COVID-19 In July.-Standard

Avenging Spirits Haunt Zimunya Family

By A Correspondent- 4 members of the same family in Zimunya in Mutare died this past month as speculation about the cause of their death has been attributed to spirits avenging the murder that was committed by their father who reportedly took his secrets to the grace, The Manica Post reports.

The matter reportedly came to light at Mutare Civil Court where one Simon Muchabveyo was seeking a protection order against Samuel Kapfuka and his sons Lewis, Simbarashe and Francis who are reportedly demanding to know the name of the man Muchabveyo’s father killed.

Muchabveyo claims the quartet was disturbing his peace in court and said:

My father killed someone and we only got to know about it after his death when we consulted traditional healers and prophets. Apparently the avenging spirit killed all my children. I also need help, but my cousin and his sons are accusing me of not playing ball. They need me to tell them the name of the person who was killed by my father but I was not there when it happened. How am l expected to know the identity of that person

However, his cousin who has reportedly brought his mentally challenged son to court remained adamant that Muchabveyo knows the identity of the mand and said Muchabveyo should reveal his identity:

He should tell us the name of the murdered man and his place of origin so that we can engage the family and find a lasting solution to this problem. We need to appease the avenging spirit.

We are not accusing him of killing the man but Muchabveyo was close to his late father, we are sure his father confided in him before his death

Kapfuka’s son denied assaulting their uncle and said they just needed some information from him:

While his (Muchabveyo) father was still alive, we heard that they cast the spirit of the murdered man on a 10-cent coin and escorted the spirit to its ‘home’. That is the place we want him to disclose to us.

We do not know who is next on the avenging spirit’s death list. We need to avenge this spirit as soon as possible before it wipes all of us out.

According to the publication, four of Kapfuka’s children died mysteriously last month and the other one developed a mental illness, and the avenging spirits has reportedly claimed 15 members of the Muchabveyo and Kapfuka families which includes all of Muchabveyo’s children.

The magistrate granted the protection order and urged Kapfuka from disturbing Muchabveyo.

“Mwonzora Dumped By Own Province”

Douglas Mwonzora

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance Manicaland province has vowed to support its leader Nelson Chamisa despite the current turbulence which has left the biggest opposition movement facing an identity crisis with structures and supporters alike caught in the confusion.

The MDC has been torn between the Chamisa led Alliance and the Thokozani Khupe ‘T’ which has been endorsed by the Supreme Court as the legitimate party.

Khupe has managed to get support from former Chamisa allies among them Douglas Mwonzora, Morgan Komichi and Elias Mudzuri.

Khupe, through Mwonzora, has declared war on all Chamisa allies with some being send to the guillotine for refusing to recognize Khupe as the legitimate leader.

MDC Alliance Manicaland provincial chairperson and former chief whip Prosper Mutseyami, who was recalled from Parliament by Khupe in May, said that his province stands fully behind Chamisa and his executive is implementing programmes to strengthen the party in the province.

“Manicaland is fully behind president Chamisa. We will not waver on our resolve. We have been betrayed but we will not look back. We are moving forward with the people’s movement.

“We have been doing programmes with our grass root structures and our people believe it is only Chamisa who has the ability to move the country forward.

“There are some people who decided to be bought and betray the people’s struggle but we will not be forced to work with them.

“We are rallying our people to get ready for 2023. We are very clear on our position. Chamisa is our president and no court can ever impose a leader on us,” said Mutseyami.

He said Mwonzora will not get any support from Manicaland even though it is his home province.

“Every leader should be proud to be supported by people from his home but if you do not have that then u are as good as lost. Mwonzora is from here but we will not support him because he is lost. We do not follow a blind person.

“They may have recalled us from Parliament for supporting our president but in the end the people’s voices can never be silenced,” said Mutseyami.-DailyNews

Water Delivery Truck Runs Over Two Cycling Children

State Media

TWO minors were hit and killed by a speeding bulk water delivery vehicle driver in Borrowdale recently.

The two children aged 14 and 13 were reportedly cycling at an intersection of Crowhill Road and Firstly Drive carrying each other on the bicycle when they were hit by the truck.

The 14-year-old boy died on the spot, while the 13-year-old died upon admission at Parirenyatwa Hospital.

Police national spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident and encouraged road users to be extremely cautious driving in residential areas.

“We are saddened by an accident that took the lives of two children, one aged 14 and the other 13,” he said. “The accident took place on the intersection of Crowhill Road and Firstly Drive in Borrowdale.

“It is said that a bulk water supplier truck was speeding along Crowhill and wanted to turn into Firstly Drive and hit a bicycle that was being ridden by the boys. The 14-year-old boy died on the spot while the other died a Parirenyatwa Hospital upon admission.

“It is very saddening and we would like to urge drivers to be cautious looking out on all sides of the road and knowing that the roads are also used by cyclists and pedestrians.”

The residents are lobbying for the trucks to be banned in their community.

“The trucks are known for speeding as they compete to be first in queue to get water,” said a concerned resident. “Surely, we need to stop bulk water selling in residential areas.”

“We are aware of the Water Act that does not allow water to be sold in residential areas. We feel something should be done and this is our plea,” another resident said.

“We have engaged the responsible authorities in this regard. We hope the authorities will be able to assist,” he added.

Zim Editors Forum Engages SADC After ZANU PF Youth Attack Journalist

The Zimbabwe National Editors Forum is calling on SADC and the AU to intervene in the country’s political crisis.

The call comes after an attack on journalists at a student union media briefing.

Human rights activists believe the attackers are part of the state’s militia.

Eight journalists were in Harare to cover claims by a student union that the Impala Car Rental Agency is complicit in kidnapping and torture.

Midway through the briefing, a group of men entered the venue, attacking journalists and thrashing equipment.

“I lost my phone as I was hit on the head twice by these guys, the other guys lost camera phones and other valuables. ”

“We had nowhere to run, so as always in other cases when we cover these demonstrations so on. Usually, the police don’t attack journalists, they focus on people who would have organised the event. This time we thought they will leave us to do our work but then they attacked everyone including journalists,” attacked journalist Thomas Madhuku said.

Some had to be treated in hospital.

The Editors Forum says police stood by doing nothing, it’s now demanding that regional bodies intervene urgently.

Source eNCA

Byo City Council Defies Directive To Allow Govt Spies Into Council Meetings

State Media

THE Bulawayo City Council is headed on a collision course with Government after council rejected a directive to have senior Government officials attend full council and committee meetings.

Last month, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works sent a circular to all councils directing that all full council and committee meetings will be held in the presence of the Provincial Development Coordinator (PDC) or District Development Coordinator (DDC) or their designated officials. The Ministry noted that this was necessitated by a series of corruption cases in local authorities that had seen the arrest of councillors and council technocrats.

It was further said the move was meant to safeguard national interests as technocrats in local authorities were allegedly deliberately starving councillors of adequate information leading to them making ill-informed decisions on national matters.

However, according to a council confidential report, BCC officials said it was impossible to implement the directive as it was against the Urban Councils Act. In a note for consideration by the city’s Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube argued that according to the law only himself and the Chamber Secretary, Mrs Sikhangele Zhou could attend council committee meetings.

“It is clear (from the Urban Councils Act) that generally only the Chamber Secretary and Town Clerk can attend every meeting of a committee. However, a Town Clerk normally needs the expertise of certain departmental heads, hence their invitation to committees where their expertise is needed. The Mayor therefore is not legally mandated to make a standing invitation to anyone, only chairpersons can invite someone for a particular matter, and not as a standing invitation…The circular therefore is difficult to implement without flouting the law,” reads the report.

The Town Clerk cited the audit council committee where he revealed that the Mayor was not permitted to attend the meeting as it was only open to the committee members and the external auditor.

“Chapter 14 Section 265 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe- membership of councils- states that this is confined to the elected representatives- the councillors. However, the coordination between Central Government and local levels must be provided for in an Act of Parliament. Currently, the only Act of Parliament is the Urban Councils Act. This Act has not been aligned with the constitution and its provisions remain valid to the extent that they are not ultra vires the constitution, the circular in question contradicts the Urban Councils Act,” said Mr Dube.

Meanwhile, the Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) has written to the Ministry seeking clarification on the directive. The association called for dialogue on the matter noting there was a need for the Ministry to state the full reasons of issuing the directive.

“The association noted that the directive was of a general nature, with no intention of council specific incidences of non-compliance to the constitution, Statute law, Government policy and circulars. Notwithstanding the legality of this directive, the association has advised its members to seek clarification on the nature and extent of the non-compliance with a view to take corrective measures.

Opening Of Beitbridge Border, Ball Now On Zim’s Side

State Media

THE Government is still deliberating on whether to re-open its land borders especially Beitbridge Border Post to international travellers following an announcement by South Africa that it will re-open its ports of entry on 1 October.

South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa last week announced that his country will open its borders from 1 October for international travel as the neighbouring country moves to the lowest level of its five-step coronavirus lockdown-Level 1.

The neighbouring country said it will open three of its airports and one land border post– Beitbridge– which were already operational during the lockdown. The border was only operational to allow cargo movement and returning citizens from both countries. Before lockdown, border authorities estimated that an average of 25 000 travellers and 4 000 light cars were cleared to pass the through the border daily.

Following the announcement by South Africa, there was a general assumption among locals that Zimbabwe would follow suit. However, Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Cde Kazembe Kazembe told Sunday News yesterday that the announcement by South Africa did not mean Zimbabwe will follow suit without prior consultations.

“I cannot say yes or no-a definite answer, but it (opening of Beitbridge border) is an issue that is under consideration, the National Taskforce on Covid-19 has to sit and deliberate, then we do consultations with the President then we will have a position soon. There is that possibility that we will re-open but it is under discussion,” he said.

Although Zimbabwe is still to announce its official position on the border, cross border traders said they were itching to get back to business and were working to ensure that they have requisite papers. President Ramaphosa announced that travellers to his country would need to present a negative Covid-19 test result not older than 72 hours from time of departure or face a mandatory quarantine at their own cost upon arrival in South Africa. The cost to do the polymerise chain reaction (PCR) test in Zimbabwe starts from US$60 at private laboratories.

“The cost does not matter. It is now like we are back to life because for the past few months we have felt like we have died. People were not making any money and our members were really struggling. So many could not even afford to buy food or anything else that they might need in their households. While we acknowledge that the tests are expensive, we can’t get away from the fact that it needs to be done. If you ask any vendor right now, they will tell you that they would prefer to pay for that test rather than sit at home and do nothing which has been the case in recent months,” president of the Cross-Border Traders Association Mr Killer Zivhu told Sunday News yesterday.

Mr Zivhu said after all tests are done to safeguard the health of people including vendors.

“There are two countries that as vendors we are heavily reliant on and that is China and South Africa. If we are being blocked from those two countries then we have a real problem on our hands. So, I’m glad that at least one of those countries is now opening up its borders to us.”

Although the country has been opening up the economy, experts warned that it has not yet crossed the line in the fight against Covid-19.

Chief Coordinator National Response to Covid-19 Pandemic Dr Agnes Mahomva said while numbers of new cases and deaths were going down, the county still needed to be vigilant. On Friday, 14 new cases were recorded and there were no deaths from Covid-19 in seven days.

“The numbers seem to be going down, that is true, but when there is a pandemic like this, one day numbers go up and another day they go down in a jigsaw kind of fashion. When we see this we have to be very cautious. As long as we make new cases which we do in our case, they might be fewer yes, but as long as you are dealing with a very infectious disease like Covid-19 then the chances of it rapidly going up are still there,” she said.

Dr Mahomva said it was too early to celebrate reduction in new cases in the country. “We are not very interested in celebrating the reduced numbers of infections because new cases are still there every day. We must keep reminding ourselves of what happened in Europe. When they saw their numbers going down, they celebrated and they started relaxing, as we are speaking, their numbers are shooting up again and we don’t want to be in that position,” she said.

Dr Mahomva said measures set to prevent the spread of the virus still remain effective and must continue to be respected despite the relaxation of some measures put earlier.

“Things remain the same, people need to remain cautious, we are getting into a new normal; in other words we introduced all these new measures but people should not drop them even if we have zero new infections, people should still continue social distancing, washing their hands, not getting into crowds when looking for transport and keeping masks on properly covering the mouth and nose. Don’t wear it as a fashion statement, it is so critical as it saves lives,” she said. On the possible opening of borders, Dr Mahomva said the there was still a risk of infection and all necessary measures must be implemented.

Yesterday, the country recorded 25 new cases and one death from Bulawayo. The death came after seven days with no one lost to Covid-19. There were 31 new recoveries. Cumulatively, the country has recorded 7672 cases, 5914 recoveries and 225 deaths, according to statistics from the Ministry of Health.

Confirmed : Gareth Bale Returns To Tottenham Hotspur

Gareth Bale

Tottenham Hotspur have announced that Gareth Bale has joined them.

The  Welshman returns to the North London club seven years after leaving them for Real Madrid, for a then world record fee of  €100 million.

He joins them for a season long loan.

“We are delighted to announce the return of @GarethBale11 to the Club on a season-long loan from Real Madrid!,” announced the club on  their Twitter page.

The 31-year-old was one of the most sought-after players in world football prior to his move to the Spanish capital, where he won four Champions League and two LaLiga titles scoring 105 goals but his frosty relationship with current coach Zinedine Zidane prompted the move.-Soccer 24

The Story Which Got Nelson Masiyiwa “Arrested” For Extortion?

State Of The Nation Reporter- Harare City Council is alleged to have awarded a multi-million dollar tender to Businessman Albert Dabambi to supply Covid 19 material without following due processes, with reports saying the former handpicked the latter’s company to supply the material while it is outside the government’s list of approved companies that supply Covid 19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to state institutions.

State of the Nation understands that sometime in April, the government created a framework of companies that were designated to supply Covid 19 PPE to state institutions for it to work with legitimate suppliers in the country.

Sources told this publication that state institutions are not allowed to get supplies from companies outside the framework because it was created on merit after a lot of companies were screened.

Highly placed sources told this publication that the local authority awarded Dabambi’s company, Eqstra Hardware a tender to supply 15 000 Tyvek suits to the local authority while it is not on government’s framework list.

Information we received from sources reveals that the deal involved Dr Abel Dzuke who is the Complience Officer at the local authority’s procurement department, who is alleged to have connived with Dabambi to lower the prices of his materials with a few cents to give council the justification to pick his company.

Although the publication failed to get details of the prices of the suits, information we obtained reveals that Dr Dzuke picked Dabambi’s company ahead of those that are in the framework. This saw Chief Albert securing the Usd$44 million dollar tender.

“Dr Dzuke picked Albert Dabambi’s company ahead of companies that are in the government’s framework list to supply Tyvek suits. This is against the due process because all government institutions are supposed to procure PPE from companies that are in the government’s framework. If due possesses were followed, Dabambi would not have secured that tender. But because he connived with Dr Dzuke, he got it fraudulently” said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“We also heard reports that after securing the tender, Dabambi went on to re-evaluate the cost of the material he supplied which raised his payment from around Usd$44 million to about Usd$75 million. Council ended up taking funds from its service delivery account to foot for the gigantic cost and the payment was made in full to Dabambi” the source said.

When contacted for a comment, Dr Abel Dzuke neither confirmed nor denied the reports, but referred the reporter to City of Harare Supply Chain Manager Never Murerwa who was not answering his mobile phone by the time of publishing.

Albert Ndabambi was also contacted for a comment and told the reporter that he does not own Eqstra Hardware, hence he could not respond to allegations involving a company that is not his.

“I do not own Eqstra Hardwares. Given that scenario, do you think I am qualified to speak on the company’s dealings with any other third party? I’m sure the owners and directors of the company will not take that lightly,” said Ndabambi.

He also told the reporter that he will issue a statement to set the record straight on his relationship with the company in question.

Investigations which were carried out by the reporter reveal that Eqstra Hardware is registered under the name “Eqstra Trading” on the company’s CR 14 document.

The document gleened by the reporter shows that the company is owned by two individuals, Gretwin Chitauro who stays in Highfield and Samson Shingirirai Kunyarimwe who stay in Manyame Airbase in Harare.

It is alleged that these individuals are proxies that he used to create the company to supply materials to the local authorities after his company, Furbank Tranding was blacklisted by Harare City Council after failing to deliver cars to the local authority on a tender he previously won.

Information we have gathered reveal that Harare City Council has a pending court case against Furbank Trading over the matter, which was placed before the judge.

It is alleged that the matter was reported to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission. In a comment, ZACC spokesperson John Makamure said if the matter was reported, the commission would investigate it as part of its wide probe into several reports of corruption in local authorities.

“We are currently seized with a wide probe into several reports of corrupt activities in our local authorities across the country. So if such a matter was reported, I can confirm that it would be investigated”, said Makamure.

Ndabambi recently went viral on social media after announcing that he brought 2 brand new Range Rovers for his wife on her birthday. Sources said the money he used to buy the 2 expensive luxurious cars was from the proceeds he got from the tender.

PR Stunt Gone Wrong For Impala Car Rental?

https://twitter.com/Nyasha_Mu/status/1307615978172317697?s=20

https://twitter.com/GeraldMaho/status/1307611609133723648?s=20

La Liga Blocks Barcelona Bid To Sign New Players

Stadium

Barcelona will not be able to sign Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldium and Lyon forward Memphis Depay in this transfer window.

The Spanish giants’ new coach Ronald Koeman had made the pair his priority transfer targets as both stars are getting into the final year of their contracts at respective clubs.

According to UK newspaper, the Mirror, the signing of the duo and any other players this summer will not happen after La Liga blocked the transfers due to salary restrictions.

The league has given every club in the top division a limit of how much they can spend on transfers and staff based on their financial results in the past five years.

And with Barca churning out a £510m ($660m) per year in wages, the club can only make transfers after they raise the money with player sales first.

La Liga’s director of communications, Joris Evers, confirmed the developments to the publication, saying: “We have a financial system, which goes beyond UEFA’s Financial Fair Play.

“At UEFA they look at figures when a season is finished, we set the standards before the season starts.

“If Barcelona try to do a deal behind the scenes, our analysts will notice this immediately.

“The clubs agreed on this system as a reaction on a period when they were struggling to pay the wages of the players, because they’d overspent time and time again. Nobody wants to go back to that situation.”-Soccer 24 Zimbabwe

“Very Soon Thoko Will Change Name To Nelson Chamisa

Desperate measures. ..Thokozani Khupe keen to score political marks

Farai Dziva|Senior MDC Alliance official Jameson Timba has said Thokozani Khupe is desperate to score political marks to the extent that she can even change her name to Nelson Chamisa.

On Saturday Morgen Komichi surprised all and sundry when he announced the Khupe led political formation would use the name MDC Alliance in future elections.

“Now MDCT are saying they are us. Those whom the Lord wants to destroy maketh mad first. Very soon their Acting President Thoko will be calling herself Nelly Chamisa,” argued Timba.

In a statement, MDC Alliance spokesperson, Advocate Fadzai Mahere said:

The party restates that it is the MDC Alliance party. It contested the 2018 election as the MDC Alliance. As the alternative, it has MPs in Parliament and councillors in local authorities.

It has been victimized as the MDC Alliance and will win as the MDC Alliance. It will remain the MDC Alliance.

MDC Alliance Implores NGOs To Distribute Aid To Communities Without Involving Zanu PF Functionaries

Advocate Mahere

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has indicated that NGOs should be allowed to distribute food aid to concerned communities without the involvement of Zanu PF functionaries.

The MDC Alliance also accused Zanu PF of looting donations meant for the needy.

Read full statement below:

Communique Following MDC Alliance NEC Meeting

SEPTEMBER 19, 2020

NOTING the extent of the national crisis, the suffering of the masses, increased poverty, economic instability, hyperinflation, economic disequilibrium;

CONCERNED by the crisis of legitimacy, the closure of political space, attack on civil liberties and human rights, persecution and arrests of activists, the torture and violence against the citizens:

FURTHER NOTING the humanitarian crisis in respect of which 8 million Zimbabweans are food insecure and 5 million people have to be provided with humanitarian assistance and concerned by the massive leakages and looting of humanitarian aid …

TAKING COGNISANCE of the COVID19 pandemic and the gross mismanagement of the pandemic through the lack of financial resources, mass testing and provision of PPEs, drugs, isolation and quarantine centres:

DISTURBED by ZANU PF-driven threats to the people’s political party – the MDC Alliance, the unlawful arrests of our leaders and members, the unlawful recalls of elected people’s representatives and the abuse in the interpretation of the Supreme Court judgment:

1. The party expresses concern over Zimbabwe’s multi-faceted governance, economic and social crisis which has manifested in mass starvation, poverty, joblessness, wage erosion, poor earnings by civil servants, the remuneration crisis in the education sector, grand corruption and a deepening crisis in the health sector including inadequate remuneration and PPEs for health workers and insufficient isolation facilities. We call for NGOs to give aid directly to communities to avoid abuse by ZANU PF.

We condemn corruption in COVID19 procurement and the use of COVID19 as an excuse to clampdown on human rights.

2. The party condemns the closure of democratic space, human rights abuses, violence, wanton arrests and demands the immediate release of all political prisoners and an immediate cessation of all malicious prosecutions, particularly of Job Sikhala, Joanna Mamombe, Cecillia Chimbiri, Chalton Hwende, Tsitsi Dangarembwa, Netsai Marova, Hopewell Chin’ono, Jacob Ngarivhume and Godfrey Kurzone.

3. The party notes the efforts of South Africa and the ANC in facilitating the resolution of the national crisis. The party restates its commitment to dialogue centred on comprehensive reforms, national healing and the return to legitimacy and democracy. The party supports the efforts of the ANC and calls for the involvement and scaffolding of the process by the international community, in particular SADC and the African Union.

4. The party affirms the democratic right of citizens to protest peacefully as enshrined in section 59 of the Constitution and places all citizens on notice with regard to the need for a broad front to challenge ZANU PF and mass mobilization because Zimbabwean Lives Matter and the March is not Ended.

5. The party restates that it is the MDC Alliance party. It contested the 2018 election as the MDC Alliance. As the alternative, it has MPs in Parliament and councillors in local authorities. It has been victimized as the MDC Alliance and will win as the MDC Alliance. It will remain the MDC Alliance.

6. The party demands comprehensive electoral and political reforms as set out in our RELOAD and PRICE policy documents. The party considers participation in free, fair and credible elections as a necessary zone of struggle.

7. As a people-driven party, the NEC mandated the leadership at various levels to consult stakeholders, opinion leaders, grassroots structures and party organs countrywide on the multiple options that are available to it.

Fadzayi Mahere

National Spokesperson

Special Tribute To Health Workers During COVID -19 Outbreak

coronavirus

The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on governments and health care leaders to address persistent threats to the health and safety of health workers and patients.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded all of us of the vital role health workers play to relieve suffering and save lives,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “No country, hospital or clinic can keep its patients safe unless it keeps its health workers safe. WHO’s Health Worker Safety Charter is a step towards ensuring that health workers have the safe working conditions, the training, the pay and the respect they deserve.”

The pandemic has also highlighted the extent to which protecting health workers is key to ensuring a functioning health system and a functioning society.

The Charter, released today for World Patient Safety Day, calls on governments and those running health services at local levels to take five actions to better protect health workers.

These include steps to protect health workers from violence; to improve their mental health; to protect them from physical and biological hazards; to advance national programmes for health worker safety, and to connect health worker safety policies to existing patient safety policies.

Mounting reports of infections, illness and attacks among health workers fighting COVID-19

COVID-19 has exposed health workers and their families to unprecedented levels of risk. Although not representative, data from many countries across WHO regions indicate that COVID-19 infections among health workers are far greater than those in the general population.

While health workers represent less than 3% of the population in the large majority of countries and less than 2% in almost all low- and middle-income countries, around 14% of COVID-19 cases reported to WHO are among health workers. In some countries, the proportion can be as high as 35%.

However, data availability and quality are limited, and it is not possible to establish whether health workers were infected in the work place or in community settings.

Thousands of health workers infected with COVID-19 have lost their lives worldwide.

In addition to physical risks, the pandemic has placed extraordinary levels of psychological stress on health workers exposed to high-demand settings for long hours, living in constant fear of disease exposure while separated from family and facing social stigmatization.

Before COVID-19 hit, medical professionals were already at higher risk of suicide in all parts of the world.

A recent review of health care professionals found one in four reported depression and anxiety, and one in three suffered insomnia during COVID-19.

WHO recently highlighted an alarming rise in reports of verbal harassment, discrimination and physical violence among health workers in the wake of COVID-19.

Credit:WHO

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Mayor Mafume Seeks To End City Of Harare’s Perennial Problems

Jacob Mafume

The new Mayor of Harare Councilor Jacob Mafume has hit the ground running at Town House .

Last week , Advocate Mafume met stakeholders ranging from the church, the informal sector , civil society and other critical stakeholders as he navigates the waters of service delivery in an environment of deteriorating economic conditions.

He still has to deliver superior services in the face of rampaging inflation, incapacitated ratepayers and a central government whose penchant for control and interference is unparalleled.

As if that is not enough there are our erstwhile colleagues, Douglas Mwonzora and Thokozani Khupe who continue to breathe destructive fire on democratically elected MDC Alliance councilors.

Oblivious of the dirty games, Advocate Mafume, is the real epitome of the adage “ dynamite comes in small packs” He has hastened to rearrange his committees, banking on the past few years experience and has deployed the best combinations to give new energy to the teams at townhouse. Indeed, the people’s agenda for better services should not be derailed by the vindictive Khupe and Mwonzora , whose actions are despicable to say the very least.

Advocate Mafume has sounded a loud and clear message , though unspoken , but acted by the way he has built his committees. Corruption, inefficiency and a sluggish approach to business will be dealt with in a fashion that demands a stubborn mission focus by both functionaries and elected officials at townhouse.

Indeed is true that no number of side shows should distract council from its focus to deliver superior services participatively, sculpting innovative plans and programs for the benefit of all. Yes, this team will shrug off the inhibitors standing in the way of effective services and deliver happiness to the stakeholders of the Sunshine City, Harare

Congratulations to the new committees and your your new Chairperson. There is no limit , not even the sky is the limit to what you can do.

Sesel Zvidzai

Nobody Can Stop The People’s Struggle, Declares President Chamisa

President Chamisa

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has declared that nobody can stop the people’s struggle.

In his message below, President Chamisa stresses the fact that MDC Alliance carries the seed of new beginnings:

We represent the NEW and COMING.

We carry the seed of new beginnings. Not even the angel of death can prevent its sprouting.

We sympathize with those who attempt to stand in the way or are opposed to us. It’s game on! Sunday greetings

Poverty Stricken Teachers Resort To Gold Panning

By Own Correspondent| Poor teachers have resorted to illegal gold panning also know as chikorokoza in a bid to put food on their tables.
The matter came to light when Zimbabwe Teachers Association Bulawayo chair, Wilson Mangena, while he was addressing an education Indaba in Bulawayo when he said:

Attack On ZINASU Members, Journalists Condemned

The attack of journalists and the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) President, Takudzwa Ngadziore by suspected state security agents while addressing the media near Impala Car Rental on September 18, 2020, has been roundly condemned.

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) said it was appalled by the continued crackdown on dissent by the Zimbabwean government.

“We implore the government to uphold citizens’ fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution including the right to life, the right to protest peacefully as well as freedom of assembly and association,” CiZC said in a statement.

The journalists reportedly physically assaulted include Bernard Mpofu, James Jemwa, Godwin Mangudya, Thomas Madhuku, and Munashe Chokodza amid reports that their equipment was confiscated and destroyed.

“One of the assailants attacked me and took my phone that I was using to record the ZINASU press conference near Impala Car Rental. Journalism should never be a crime,” one of the victims, said.

Toneo Rutsito, the President of the Zimbabwe Online Content Creators weighed in by registering his disappointment over the attack of journalists and students.

“I am very disappointed with the latest attacks, not only against my journalist, Rumbidzai Chizarura but also the other journalists assaulted while covering demonstrations and the press conference. We have a Constitutional mandate to cover any story,” Rutsito said.

Tabani Moyo, the Director of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe also roundly condemned the attacks on journalists and said his organisation will engage the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Ministry of Information over the matter.

“Zanu Pf, ANC Bond Unbreakable”: Mutsvangwa

By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) chairman, Christopher Mutsvangwa has said reports he called “social media shananigans” that there is bad blood between the ANC and Zanu PF are just treacherous work of Zanu PF opposers and they are not true because the bond between Zanu PF and the ANC is strong.

Speaking to the publication, Mutsvangwa said:

The MDC and G40-Gamatox are trying to forge a shot-gun marriage with the ANC. This is a forlorn and stillbirth adventure. It is riding on inclinations of treachery and bribery by dark forces that have a history and habit of plundering Africa’s bountiful resources. The two sister liberation movements — ANC and ZANU PF are not novices to these shenanigans.

The unflinching self-sacrifice for the just cause of the majority has ensured that they both remain loyal and principled to the cause.

The bonds forged, tried and tested in the trenches of the armed struggle against racist and apartheid settler minority regimes bind us to political eternity

It is now more than two decades that they have been in power after defeating apartheid. Zimbabwe has repeatedly been shielded from the depredations of the time-proven enemies of African freedom and progress.”

“We Are Now An Official Opposition Party”: Mwonzora

By Own Correspondent| The MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe has said it was now participating in regional and international engagements on behalf of Zimbabwe.

Douglas Mwonzora, the party’s Secretary General said this at the party’s 21st celebrations.

He revealed that his party had reached out regionally and internationally.

He said;

We are happy to inform the nation and the party we are going to be lawfully participating in the programmes of the African Union as the official opposition party in Zimbabwe.

Our first engagement is a workshop that is going to be held by the continental body on 29 September 2020.

We are happy to advise that we have been meeting both African and non-African diplomats in the country.

So far, we have engaged diplomats from United States, Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Botswana, Malawi and South Africa briefing them on what is happening in this country. We are glad that these engagements were very fruitful and a huge success. Our party is slowly on the rise.

ZACC Unearths US$3m Theft On Covid-19 Consumables By Senior Govt Officials

State Media

SENIOR Government officials reportedly connived with private suppliers to siphon US$3 million from Treasury by inflating prices for Covid-19 consumables, it has been learnt.

The matter is being investigated by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) after the lid was lifted by a whistle-blower.

ZACC spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure said arrests of Government officials were imminent as the anti-graft body was seized with the matter.

“The names of the Government officials and private suppliers cannot be released now as investigations are still underway,” he said.

Recently, Comm Makamure said a ZACC compliance and systems review unit descended on Government offices to probe a multi-million-dollar tender as allegations were raised that Covid-19 materials had been inflated to bleed Treasury.

The investigation resulted in the tender being cancelled, saving US$3 million.

“Even if the tender was cancelled, an act of corruption was committed, hence the ongoing investigations,” he said.

This comes a few months after former Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo was arrested in connection with a US$60 million procurement scandal involving Drax International.

Dr Moyo is out on bail.

Said Comm Makamure: “In the past couple of weeks, ZACC’s compliance and systems review unit managed to save the country over US$3 million that could have been siphoned to line the pockets of corrupt elements within our midst. These individuals imposed proxy companies which did not comply with provisions of the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) Circular 1 of 2020 for emergency procurement of Covid-19 materials.

“The individuals went on to demand payments of goods at an extremely inflated cost. The ZACC compliance team’s intervention, after having been informed of the unavailability of the said materials, subsequently resulted in the cancellation of the tender, saving State funds in the process. The matter is now under investigation to bring those behind this scam to book.”

He said there was a worrying trend of wanton violation of PRAZ Circular 1 of 2020 for emergency procurement of Covid-19 materials, which was promulgated to allow for the expeditious purchase of medical equipment and drugs as the nation fights Covid-19.

Those in charge of buying the Covid-19 materials, Comm Makamure added, should be transparent and accountable or risk going to jail.

“Because Covid-19 is a global pandemic, the response is naturally of an emergency. In taking such emergency measures, countries have necessarily relaxed safeguards by trading compliance, oversight and accountability for speed of response and achievement of rapid impact, thus leading to the creation of significant opportunities for corruption to thrive,” he said.

“The commission has lived up to its warnings by maintaining constant vigilance on how the Covid-19 resources are being used. Teams from investigations and compliance departments were deployed to specifically look into the procurement, distribution and use of the resources.”

ZACC chair Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo recently warned ministers against interfering with procurement processes in parastatals under their purview.

Comm Makamure lauded Government for allowing ZACC to fight corruption and enhance transparency in the procurement of Covid-19 materials.

“The commission will leave no stone unturned to uproot corruption and complement Government efforts to restore sanity in the health delivery sector,” he said.

“We would like to emulate other countries that have successfully curbed corruption in the management of resources earmarked to fight the pandemic. Critically, resources earmarked for social and economic stimulus must reach the intended beneficiaries.

“These resources are for preventing economic catastrophe and providing financial, medical and social support to the poor, the elderly, women and youth, people with disabilities, the unemployed, small and medium enterprises and those lacking access to social and public services. They must never be looted to benefit the already well-to-do members of society.”

President Mnangagwa has continuously reiterated that corruption allegations will be thoroughly investigated and those found on the wrong side of the law will face the music.

He also ordered an audit into the purchase of the Covid-19 materials, which is still underway and is being done by the Auditor-General’s Office.

“ZANU PF Is The Only Party That Can Take Zimbabwe Forward,” Monica Mutsvangwa.

State Media

ZANU PF is the only party that can take Zimbabwe in the right direction and the revolutionary party will continue to welcome defectors who repent and commit to return to its structures — Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said.

Speaking at the Provincial Coordinating Committee extraordinary meeting in Mutare yesterday, Minister Mutsvangwa, who is also ZANU PF Secretary for Administration (Women Affairs) said the revolutionary party will continue to have the wow factor.

She said ZANU PF leaders have a huge role to play in mobilising the people.

“We have to embrace even those people who had defected and bring them back to the party. Of course, they will not just come back and get a leadership position but we have to scrutinise their intentions for coming back to see if they have accepted that ZANU PF is the only party that can lead Zimbabwe forward,” she said.

During the meeting, ZANU PF Manicaland province yesterday received 510 applications from candidates wishing to take positions in the District Coordinating Committees.

Makoni district received the highest number of applications at 130 while Mutare received 70, Mutasa (63) Chimanimani (60), Nyanga (59), Chipinge (57), Buhera (43) and Zimunya/Marange received 28.

Guest speaker and ZANU PF Politburo member Richard Ndlovu urged all candidates to conduct themselves in a manner that befits the revolutionary party.

“I will not be happy if tomorrow I am followed by candidates who are disgruntled at the way this was done. We want this process to be as free and democratic as possible so that we win the next election,” he said.

Ndlovu expressed hope that Mutare district had selected candidates who would help the party to take all council seats from the opposition party.

“Out of the 19 councillors in Mutare we do not have even one so may we please make sure we take Mutare back. We will all become political commissars in order to win Mutare back,” he said.

Secretary for Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Douglas Mahiya said war veterans were keen on producing cadres that were politically conscious.

“We want to put in place a structure that will churn out the intended product for 2023. War veterans will mould party cadres who have values, who do not look for material things but those whose minds have been programmed according to ZANU PF values and will vote based on political consciousness,” he said.

Must MDC Alliance Change It’s Name?

Kadzura’s Family Claims That Executor Looted Funds From Their Estate

A dispute has erupted between the late prominent businessman Jonathan Kadzura’s family and an estate executor, Mr Clever Mandizvidza, who is being accused of looting assets valued at US$250 000.

Family spokesman Mr Gregory Kadzura claims the executor sold a plot in Marange, poultry equipment, tractors, and commercial and private vehicles. The money allegedly did not reach its intended beneficiaries.

Gregory is the deceased’s son.

However, Mr Mandizvidza said “the allegations are baseless”.

“More so, there is one Gregory Kadzura who was claiming 50 percent shares of the estate. I defended the estate at the Supreme Court and he lost. He is fighting to tarnish the image of my profession,” he said.

The Kadzura family insists that Mr Mandizvidza has been dishonest as he allegedly disposed of assets without their consent.

Mr Kadzura narrated: “This (assets sale) was done without the family’s consent and we never received the money. On December 15, 2016, Mr Clever Mandizvidza of Zimbabwe Inheritance Services was appointed executor dative of the estate of the late J.K. Kadzura. This was after the family entrusted the Master of the High Court to appoint a neutral executor with an accounting background.

“Mr Mandizvidza, as executor dative, then disposed assets such as poultry equipment, tractors, commercial and private vehicles in excess of US$250 000, diminishing the company’s financial integrity.”

Some of the Kadzura business entities, whose interests straddled the farming and hospitality sectors, include Goodstorm Services and Rural Industrial Development.

Mr Kadzura said Mr Mandizvidza was initially given the greenlight to sell asbestos sheets and poultry equipment to raise money for school fees. The executor, however, reportedly did not surrender the money after the sale, resulting in the minors being barred from school.

“The minors were dumped by the executor and were forced to seek alternative methods to sustain and pay school fees. This means that the State was prejudiced of Master of High Court’s fees and taxes,” said Mr Kadzura.

The Kadzuras said they have made numerous trips to the Master of High Court’s office with no joy.

“Outside of the company assets, Mr Mandizvidza disposed of other properties without the family nor the Master’s consent, such as the Marange Plot and supermarket where the late J.K. Kadzura started his business empire, with the plot having been bequeathed in his lifetime to one of his older sons, Enock Kadzura,” he said.

The Kadzura family — made up of two spouses (Petronella and Joan Kudakwashe) as well as children Enock, Karen, Gregory, Marilyn, Christopher, Penelope and William Kadzura — has resolved to seek justice against the executor.

Marilyn told The Sunday Mail that Mr Mandizvidza has stripped the estate for his personal gain.

In response, the executor said he had evidence to prove that his dealings were above board.

“Indeed, the money reached the intended beneficiaries. The estate has minor children who require monthly maintenance. The funds went towards payment of estate obligations and maintenance. I will share contact details of the children who received the maintenance,” said Mr Mandizvidza.

“The estate is not liquid and I have had no option but to assist them out of my personal funds. However, I intend to claim same once the estate is liquid. However, if it fails to pay, I will consider it a donation.”

He said he has been paying a monthly maintenance of US$40 per month for several months to Marilyn and Joan Kadzura.

However, Marilyn denied ever receiving money from Mr Mandizvidza.

The executor added that some of the Kadzura family members were in the dark about plans to remove him as the executor as they did not attend a family meeting held on September 5, 2020.

He said the other family members’ lawyers wrote to him on September 11, 2020 raising objections to his planned removal.

“There Is A Crisis In Zim”: Former RBZ Governor Gideon Gono

By A Correspondent- Former reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor Gideon Gono says there is no need to deny that the country is in a crisis as the problems were self-evident.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the ruling Zanu-PF have on several occasions taken offence with people that say there is a crisis in the country that requires outside intervention.

Gono (GG), who retired in 2013, told Alpha media Holdings chairman Trevor Ncube (TN) on the online talk show In Conversation with Trevor, that leading political parties needed each other to stabilise the country.

Below are excerpts from the second part of the interview.

TN: Gideon, you have written this book and you are writing two more; this covers the first five years of your term of office. You have called it Zimbabwe’s Casino Economy, Extraordinary Measures For Extraordinary Challenges. Describe to me what are the core attributes of the casino economy.

GG: The casino economy was informed by my experiences of a number of factors that make the life of a governor very difficult. Issues to do with discipline. Discipline is key in any financial institution, the key to any monetary system.

We had indiscipline of the order that has never been experienced anywhere in the world.
It was compounded by the political involvement that showed its face there.
You tried to bring an institution to order, the next thing you get a call from a minister, you get threats from a faceless character which you knew very well has got some powers to harm you.

You had corruption taking different forms and manner going unpunished, you had a situation where outside forces were also conspiring against the bank, in other words, the sanctions, against any order that you could bring.
It was a casino economy predominantly driven by politics as opposed to economics.

TN: Are we ever going to get out of this casino economy?

GG: We can if we cure the elephant in the room in the form of legislative instruments.
One of the effects of a plethora of those is, and we need to cure them.
The day you are going to create a nation run on statutory instruments, know that there is something very wrong.

I was faced with a situation where if I had done nothing about it, I would have had zero inflation but the result of that would have been, today people die in Muzarabani or Buhera, tomorrow 20, next day 30. What sort of inflation in terms of dead bodies is that? I had to do whatever I could to save lives.

TN: During your tenure, a number of black banks went under.
Did you not overreact to this financial indiscipline within the financial sector? Could things be done differently to stop the indiscipline and preserve the black banks that had emerged, what’s your response to that?

GG: We never looked at the actions we took in terms of the colour of the owner of the institutions – the background of individuals never came in. The role of the Reserve Bank was not to be a crèche to baby-sit and nurture people. They were dealing with depositors’ funds. There were nine processes one had to take before closing a bank, but many overlooked that.

I wouldn’t say we over reacted because the one thing that has happened is, there has been a onesided accusation and today, if I’m to tell you the extent of indiscipline that some of the guys going around and making those accusations exhibited, people would lynch them.
People must go to jail for abusing depositors’ funds.

I did the right thing. In fact, if you were to get a governor who would have been more compassionate than me, I would give you the world.

TN: You actually brokered a deal between the former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, The Elders and (late) president Robert Mugabe, briefly what were the highlights of that deal?

GG: When in November 2007 The Elders wanted Zimbabwe to go under an investigation, they were blocked. No one in their right senses can deny a secretary-general [an ear].
As governor, I knew the negative impact of that kind of a political decision. I had to get in touch with Kofi Annan.

I persuaded him, asking for conditions for us to meet so that he wouldn’t go to the Security Council. He said he was going to smuggle me out of Zimbabwe to Geneva. I negotiated with Kofi Annan, under the guise of some foundation, we had really messed up. One of the conditions I took there was that they were never going to criticise RG (Mugabe). That was why you never heard him criticising him.

TN: You intervened for peace between the former first lady and President (Emmerson) Mnangagwa, am I right, at the funeral?

GG: The history of nations and development and progress is premeditated within historical events. The unfortunate death of RG presented this nation with a tremendous opportunity to unite. I was one of the closest sahwiras of RG and I was given a role to contact the former first lady to bring RG back home. [In] my interactions with the former first lady there was that agreement that we should not antagonise or hold anybody to ransom over his death.

RG was a unifier, he forgave people, we needed to bury the weaknesses of RG, the bad things he actually did or is accused to have done, to say to the world, to say to nations, political parties that if at all we need to blame anybody, here is an opportunity, let’s blame it on RG. Many people have sought to look at the negative or bad side of RG.

I said let’s satisfy ourselves, let’s pick the biblical stone, let us all blame it on him and then say to the nation, having done that, we open a new chapter. A lot of emotions took over, but one thing that I know which is a fact is that, I was taken out of the role and later on, unfairly accused of working with ED (Mnangagwa) [and],working against the wishes of RG.

TN: You have suggested that let’s approach (Rwandan) President Paul Kagame to be the honest peace broker. Talk to me about what made you make that suggestion, have you had any response from anybody?

GG: We are a nation in crisis, let’s not deny that. I am an economist, I have read many books on turnaround [strategies], and I know exactly the signals and signs of nations in a crisis. I have seen the need for us to get help. I have also reconciled with myself why it should be an outsider because prophets have no honour in their backyard.

I have also recognised the potential compromises that could be perceived or happen with anyone in Sadc coming to help us. We are insignificant in the scheme of things when it comes to reality. I also looked at the nature of the challenges that we are facing.

We need our economy to turn around, we need international goodwill. What is it that is common between us and Rwanda? Rwanda’s journey to where it is now is painful.
None of us has gone through that, who is better to understand the pain than a country that has gone through that?

There are also other things that bind us; it is an example of an economy that is ticking.
Paul Kagame comes from a military background- that speaks about the discipline in him.
We have Zanu-PF, their ideology is founded from the big tent, no wonder we are copying them on other issues.

He (Kagame) comes across as a very sincere person, with principles, grounded on peace, reconciliation and nation-building. It is in the context of that, that one was looking at him for that.

TN: Have you had any encouraging responses to that?

GG: It is tricky to say that. If you are going to heal each other you need to accept you have wronged each other, [but] at this stage, we are in denial. In what capacity will I go and talk to them? I don’t want to go to Chikurubi [Maximum Security Prison].On elections, one of the realities we must accept as a nation is that the political parties need each other to run the country. We need each other for a while, while we cool down.

“In Conversation With Trevor” is a weekly show broadcast on YouTube.com// InConversationWithTrevor. Please get your free YouTube subscription to this channel. The conversations are sponsored by Titan Law.

Govt Mulls Opening Of Beitbridge Border Post To International Travellers

By A Correspondent- The Government is still deliberating on whether to re-open its land borders especially Beitbridge Border Post to international travellers following an announcement by South Africa that it will re-open its ports of entry on 1 October.

South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa last week announced that his country will open its borders from 1 October for international travel as the neighbouring country moves to the lowest level of its five-step coronavirus lockdown-Level 1.

The neighbouring country said it will open three of its airports and one land border post- Beitbridge- which were already operational during the lockdown. The border was only operational to allow cargo movement and returning citizens from both countries. Before lockdown, border authorities estimated that an average of 25 000 travellers and 4 000 light cars were cleared to pass the through the border daily.

Following the announcement by South Africa, there was a general assumption among locals that Zimbabwe would follow suit. However, Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Kazembe Kazembe told Sunday News yesterday that the announcement by South Africa did not mean Zimbabwe will follow suit without prior consultations.

“I cannot say yes or no-a definite answer, but it (opening of Beitbridge border) is an issue that is under consideration, the National Taskforce on Covid-19 has to sit and deliberate, then we do consultations with the President then we will have a position soon. There is that possibility that we will re-open but it is under discussion,” he said.

Although Zimbabwe is still to announce its official position on the border, cross border traders said they were itching to get back to business and were working to ensure that they have requisite papers. President Ramaphosa announced that travellers to his country would need to present a negative Covid-19 test result not older than 72 hours from time of departure or face a mandatory quarantine at their own cost upon arrival in South Africa. The cost to do the polymerise chain reaction (PCR) test in Zimbabwe starts from US$60 at private laboratories.

“The cost does not matter. It is now like we are back to life because for the past few months we have felt like we have died. People were not making any money and our members were really struggling. So many could not even afford to buy food or anything else that they might need in their households.

While we acknowledge that the tests are expensive, we can’t get away from the fact that it needs to be done. If you ask any vendor right now, they will tell you that they would prefer to pay for that test rather than sit at home and do nothing which has been the case in recent months,” president of the Cross-Border Traders Association Mr Killer Zivhu told Sunday News yesterday.

Mr Zivhu said after all tests are done to safeguard the health of people including vendors.

“We Have That Wow Factor”: Boasts Mutsvangwa

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF is the only party that can take Zimbabwe in the right direction and the revolutionary party will continue to welcome defectors who repent and commit to return to its structures – Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said.

Speaking at the Provincial Coordinating Committee extraordinary meeting in Mutare yesterday, Minister Mutsvangwa, who is also ZANU-PF Secretary for Administration (Women Affairs) said the revolutionary party will continue to have the wow factor.

She said ZANU-PF leaders have a huge role to play in mobilising the people.

“We have to embrace even those people who had defected and bring them back to the party. Of course, they will not just come back and get a leadership position but we have to scrutinise their intentions for coming back to see if they have accepted that ZANU-PF is the only party that can lead Zimbabwe forward,” she said.

During the meeting, ZANU-PF Manicaland province yesterday received 510 applications from candidates wishing to take positions in the District Coordinating Committees.

Makoni district received the highest number of applications at 130 while Mutare received 70, Mutasa (63) Chimanimani (60), Nyanga (59), Chipinge (57), Buhera (43) and Zimunya/Marange received 28.

Guest speaker and ZANU-PF Politburo member Richard Ndlovu urged all candidates to conduct themselves in a manner that befits the revolutionary party.

“I will not be happy if tomorrow I am followed by candidates who are disgruntled at the way this was done. We want this process to be as free and democratic as possible so that we win the next election,” he said.

Ndlovu expressed hope that Mutare district had selected candidates who would help the party to take all council seats from the opposition party.

“Out of the 19 councillors in Mutare we do not have even one so may we please make sure we take Mutare back. We will all become political commissars in order to win Mutare back,” he said.

Secretary for Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Douglas Mahiya said war veterans were keen on producing cadres that were politically conscious.

“We want to put in place a structure that will churn out the intended product for 2023. War veterans will mould party cadres who have values, who do not look for material things but those whose minds have been programmed according to ZANU-PF values and will vote based on political.

“Take Us To The Promised Land”: Khupe Pleads With ED

By A Correspondent- MDC-T acting President Thokozani Khupe has pleaded with state President Emmerson Mnangagwa to relieve suffering Zimbabweans of their poverty nightmare and taking them to the promised land.

Khupe said there was nothing that could stop the national leader from doing what was once achieved during the now defunct Government of National Unity between 2009 and 2013.

Addressing party supporters during belated MDC-T 21st anniversary commemorations at the Morgan Tsvangirai House Saturday, Khupe said it was time Zimbabweans’ miserable lives turned for the better.

“Zimbabwe is a very rich country, so there is absolutely nothing to show that we are a rich country because when I look at all of us right now, I am supposed to be seeing gold and diamonds glittering all in our eyes,” she told a cheering party faithful.

“But what is it that I am seeing right? Now I am seeing hunger and poverty glittering all in our eyes.

“This is the time for the government to move the children of Zimbabwe from the land of hunger to the promised land.

“I would like to call upon President Mnangagwa to say, the people of Zimbabwe are saying can you please take them back to the good old days where they had a better life.

“I want to call upon President Mnangagwa to say the people of Zimbabwe are yearning, they are crying, can you please listen to the cries of the people of Zimbabwe.

Khupe Reveals Why The Party Recalled Gwanda Mayor

By A Correspondent- Dr ThokozaniKhupe spokesperson Khaliphani Phugenihas revealed why the party recalled Gwanda Mayor Jastone Mazhale.

In an interview with the state media, Phugeni dismissed claims that they wanted to cripple operations of local authorities saying they were only targeting corrupt individuals and those that had publicly declared that they had ceased being members of the MDC-T.

He said:

“I will give you the example of the Gwanda Mayor, Jastone Mazhale we had to recall him after he declared that after we met with them as councillors he had just come in to listen but did not recognise us, honestly how then do you keep a councillor who makes such declarations. Even the former Deputy Mayor of Bulawayo, Tinashe Kambarami, he came out in the media declaring that he recognises the MDC Alliance as his parent party not the MDC-T clearly he rendered himself not part of the party hence we had no choice but to recall him.”

Councillor In Soup For “Buying” Stands For His Underage Children

By A Correspondent- Councillor Albert Chirau, Ward 11 Councillor in Gweru has come under fire after he reportedly parcelled out stands to his children aged 5 and 13.

Chirau has reportedly confirmed he bought stands number 6835 Senga Infill and 6841 Senga for his two children and he has said he is not the one who bought the stands but his children and went on to name other people he sid had done the same:

My children did buy those stands. If the law does not allow juveniles to purchase stands the council must not have accepted the money. It is not my fault, it is the fault of the people who receipted the money. I am not the only one who did so.

For instance, one of the stands I bought for my children is 6835 in Senga and number 6832 was bought by (former Housing Director) Mrs Unity Jaji’s child who is also underage, (former Town Clerk) Daniel Matawu also gave stands to his children. So it is not only me.

According to Urban Councills Procedures, council advertises stands, people on the housing waiting list are given first priority and it is not possible to have under-aged children on the waiting list. This makes the purchase of the stands by councillors and managers for their children unprocedural.

The government has in response to this written to Gweru Mayor Councillor Josiah Makombe and accused him of condoning corruption by allowing councillors to acquire land at paltry prices prejudicing council of potential revenue.-statemedia

FULL TEXT: Taku Ngadziore’s Lawyer’s Comment At Court Yesterday.

Well the state was opposing bail they strongly opposed Bill and they argued their case they are saying that this person is facing a serious offence and is likely to flee Zimbabwe if allowed or if admitted to bail, so basically, that’s it and we will of course dispute those allegations. So after hearing submissions from both parties the magistrate remanded Mr Takudzwa Ngadziore to Monday at 11:15 for determination on whether he is an appropriate candidate for bail or not.

QN: How is his condition?

Lawyer: Well, Mr Ngadziore is in pain. Police details for the first time for the first time dealing with this human rights matter even yesterday conceded that he was in pain and they took him to hospital.

He was heavily assaulted and it was first of its kind where police, date firs all allowed is medical practitioner to attend to him, in the afternoon then later because the condition his condition had not improved they then allowed, they took him to Harare central hospital where he was also examined by a government medical practitioner.

So it is not in dispute that he was heavily assaulted it is not in dispute that he is in pain. So I am sure that.

QN: So who actually assaulted him?

Lawyer: I do not know I was not today but I am told some of the police officers who arrested him. we will actually raise that issue with the court to investigate that matter where in the arresting details also assaulted him and he also alleges that some people with face masks and it is very surprising a mask is for covered not to conceal identity and then violate human rights, it’s unheard; let’s just restrict mask protection to protection against COVID

Hope Fades For Trapped Task Mine Gold Panners

By A Correspondent- Family members of the gold panners trapped underground at Task Mine have expressed their disappointment in how the rescue operations are progressing 12 days after the shaft collapsed, Mining Zimbabwe reports.

According to the publication, the family members said they heard reports that Mines Authorities were plotting to seal off the site and declare rescue impossible 12 days after the shaft collapsed. A family member that spoke to the publication said:

The Minister came and addressed us but did not give us a chance to express ourselves as we are the ones in pain. When he left there wasn’t any mention of how the situation was going to be handled. There hasn’t been any help or a single cent from the Ministry.

We heard that the rescue operation can only be done manually because using machinery leads to further collapse

The guys conducting the rescue operation lack motivation (monetory) as they also need to support their families. Its only one shift working and with the way they are doing it out of the 12 days our children have been trapped underground only an equivalent of four days work has been put-in

Another family member a sister to one trapped miner Constantino Dzinoreva said:

I am very disappointed and I am finding it difficult to comprehend. We hear they want to seal off the site and declare rescue is impossible after only 12 days. The rescue guys are still willing to go down to retrieve Constantino and his friends why are they even suggesting such. We have heard of miners in other countries getting rescued after much longer.

According to the Task Mine manager, Mr Mudavanhu, they need more manpower as they have dug over 110m and are almost directly below the opening of the collapsed shaft, but they are in need of more manpower:

We have managed to dig over 110metres going down and we are almost directly below the opening of the collapsed shaft. The job is overwhelming, if we could get more manpower the process will be much faster.

Khupe Threatens To Recall All Corrupt MDC Alliance Councillors

By A Correspondent- The Thokozani Khupe led MDC T (now MDC Alliance) has said they are monitoring operations in councils and recalling anyone who is involved in corrupt activities.

This was revealed by the party’s spokesperson Khlaipani Phugeni who spoke to the publication and said they had put together a team that was monitoring activities at various councils.

Said Phugeni:

I am part of the local government cluster where we have started looking closely at the operations of our councillors since 2018, we are focusing on issues to do with service delivery taking for example housing delivery where we discovered that some residents have been on the housing waiting list since the 1980s. We are serious about this exercise that we are even targeting our members who have left council, where if we find them to have engaged in corrupt activities during their time in office, we will surely be descending on them

This came after reports claiming otherwise said they were going to recall councillors and paralyse especially Harare City council after their Harare Mayoral Candidate Luckson Mkunguma lost to MDC Alliance’s Jacob Mafume.

The MDC T has so far recalled over 80 councillors countrywide and the recalls have virtually paralysed Harare and Beitbridge Councils.-statemedia

Human Rights Activists Brutalised In Gutu

By Ryan Chiwara- Gutu based human rights activist Wilson Run’anga is recovering at Gutu Mission Hospital after he sustained serious injuries due to physical attacks by suspected soldiers.

Wilson Run’anga a member of Gutu United Residents and Ratepayers Association (GURRA) together with his two other colleagues were subjected to brutal assaults by alleged soldiers on Thursday night. The incident took place at Mandebvu shops.

“I was with two other colleagues when six people who claimed to be soldiers arrived at Mandebvu store and insisted that no one was supposed to go outside as the president was about to pass through going to Masvingo.

“When we objected, they started to accuse us of possessing guns and alleging that we want kill them. They assaulted us using iron bars and wooden sticks until we escaped,” said Run’anga.

After Run’anga escaped from his attackers he drove home and upon arrival he passed out due to excessive bleeding. He was then taken to hospital.

Run’anga is receiving treatment at Gutu Mission Hospital as he suffered head injuries and a broken hand.

“I am currently receiving treatment as I have suffered some head injuries and a broken hand. l am experiencing general body pains as a result of the beatings,”.

“I am lucky to be alive those people really wanted to kill me and it appears everything was pre-arranged because they had attacking weapons already stashed outside the shop,” added Run’anga.

In July several Gutu residents were severely injured when soldiers indiscriminately attacked the citizens claiming to be enforcing COVID-19 regulations.

 

Mayor Mafume Hits The Ground Running

Jacob Mafume

The new Mayor of Harare Councilor Jacob Mafume has hit the ground running at Town House .

Last week , Advocate Mafume met stakeholders ranging from the church, the informal sector , civil society and other critical stakeholders as he navigates the waters of service delivery in an environment of deteriorating economic conditions.

He still has to deliver superior services in the face of rampaging inflation, incapacitated ratepayers and a central government whose penchant for control and interference is unparalleled.

As if that is not enough there are our erstwhile colleagues, Douglas Mwonzora and Thokozani Khupe who continue to breathe destructive fire on democratically elected MDC Alliance councilors.

Oblivious of the dirty games, Advocate Mafume, is the real epitome of the adage “ dynamite comes in small packs” He has hastened to rearrange his committees, banking on the past few years experience and has deployed the best combinations to give new energy to the teams at townhouse. Indeed, the people’s agenda for better services should not be derailed by the vindictive Khupe and Mwonzora , whose actions are despicable to say the very least.

Advocate Mafume has sounded a loud and clear message , though unspoken , but acted by the way he has built his committees. Corruption, inefficiency and a sluggish approach to business will be dealt with in a fashion that demands a stubborn mission focus by both functionaries and elected officials at townhouse.

Indeed is true that no number of side shows should distract council from its focus to deliver superior services participatively, sculpting innovative plans and programs for the benefit of all. Yes, this team will shrug off the inhibitors standing in the way of effective services and deliver happiness to the stakeholders of the Sunshine City, Harare

Congratulations to the new committees and your your new Chairperson. There is no limit , not even the sky is the limit to what you can do with your public’s

Sesel Zvidzai

Drama In Guruve As Old Man Throws Bucket Full OfManure On Girlfriend’s Bed

THERE was drama at Guruve court on Friday when a senior citizen appeared before Guruve resident magistrate facing theft charges.

Nixon Muzemi (60) of Holland farm pleaded not guilty to the charge before Rumbidzai Mugwagwa saying he was fighting his girlfriend after she cheated and then cooked up stories on him.

“I did not steal the blankets as alleged. Instead, my girlfriend was using her friend’s room for sex services with another man hence when l picked a bucket of manure and threw it on them, they cooked a theft charge for me.”

The state-led by Carson Kundiona alleged on September 5 around 12 am, the accused unlawfully entered into Poshia Chinhengo’s (28) room and stole two blankets.

After 4 minutes he came back to steal a mattress and when the complainant saw him through the window she shouted for help. The senior citizen picked a bucket of manure and threw it on the complainant who was in the company of her friend.

He tried to run away but villagers chased after him and meted instant justice on him before surrendering to Mvurwi police.

-Newsday

Borders: Mnangagwa Falls Behind Ramaphosa.

The Government is still deliberating on whether to re-open its land borders especially Beitbridge Border Post to international travellers following an announcement by South Africa that it will re-open its ports of entry on 1 October.

South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa last week announced that his country will open its borders from 1 October for international travel as the neighbouring country moves to the lowest level of its five-step coronavirus lockdown-Level 1.

The neighbouring country said it will open three of its airports and one land border post– Beitbridge– which were already operational during the lockdown. The border was only operational to allow cargo movement and returning citizens from both countries. Before lockdown, border authorities estimated that an average of 25 000 travellers and 4 000 light cars were cleared to pass the through the border daily.

Following the announcement by South Africa, there was a general assumption among locals that Zimbabwe would follow suit. However, Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Cde Kazembe Kazembe told Sunday News yesterday that the announcement by South Africa did not mean Zimbabwe will follow suit without prior consultations.

“I cannot say yes or no-a definite answer, but it (opening of Beitbridge border) is an issue that is under consideration, the National Taskforce on Covid-19 has to sit and deliberate, then we do consultations with the President then we will have a position soon. There is that possibility that we will re-open but it is under discussion,” he said.

Although Zimbabwe is still to announce its official position on the border, cross border traders said they were itching to get back to business and were working to ensure that they have requisite papers. President Ramaphosa announced that travellers to his country would need to present a negative Covid-19 test result not older than 72 hours from time of departure or face a mandatory quarantine at their own cost upon arrival in South Africa. The cost to do the polymerise chain reaction (PCR) test in Zimbabwe starts from US$60 at private laboratories.

“The cost does not matter. It is now like we are back to life because for the past few months we have felt like we have died. People were not making any money and our members were really struggling. So many could not even afford to buy food or anything else that they might need in their households. While we acknowledge that the tests are expensive, we can’t get away from the fact that it needs to be done. If you ask any vendor right now, they will tell you that they would prefer to pay for that test rather than sit at home and do nothing which has been the case in recent months,” president of the Cross-Border Traders Association Mr Killer Zivhu told Sunday News yesterday.

Mr Zivhu said after all tests are done to safeguard the health of people including vendors.

“There are two countries that as vendors we are heavily reliant on and that is China and South Africa. If we are being blocked from those two countries then we have a real problem on our hands. So, I’m glad that at least one of those countries is now opening up its borders to us.”

Although the country has been opening up the economy, experts warned that it has not yet crossed the line in the fight against Covid-19.

Chief Coordinator National Response to Covid-19 Pandemic Dr Agnes Mahomva said while numbers of new cases and deaths were going down, the county still needed to be vigilant. On Friday, 14 new cases were recorded and there were no deaths from Covid-19 in seven days.

“The numbers seem to be going down, that is true, but when there is a pandemic like this, one day numbers go up and another day they go down in a jigsaw kind of fashion. When we see this we have to be very cautious. As long as we make new cases which we do in our case, they might be fewer yes, but as long as you are dealing with a very infectious disease like Covid-19 then the chances of it rapidly going up are still there,” she said.

Dr Mahomva said it was too early to celebrate reduction in new cases in the country. “We are not very interested in celebrating the reduced numbers of infections because new cases are still there every day. We must keep reminding ourselves of what happened in Europe. When they saw their numbers going down, they celebrated and they started relaxing, as we are speaking, their numbers are shooting up again and we don’t want to be in that position,” she said.

Dr Mahomva said measures set to prevent the spread of the virus still remain effective and must continue to be respected despite the relaxation of some measures put earlier.

“Things remain the same, people need to remain cautious, we are getting into a new normal; in other words we introduced all these new measures but people should not drop them even if we have zero new infections, people should still continue social distancing, washing their hands, not getting into crowds when looking for transport and keeping masks on properly covering the mouth and nose. Don’t wear it as a fashion statement, it is so critical as it saves lives,” she said. On the possible opening of borders, Dr Mahomva said the there was still a risk of infection and all necessary measures must be implemented.

Yesterday, the country recorded 25 new cases and one death from Bulawayo. The death came after seven days with no one lost to Covid-19. There were 31 new recoveries. Cumulatively, the country has recorded 7672 cases, 5914 recoveries and 225 deaths, according to statistics from the Ministry of Health. -Sunday News

Private Kombis Angling For Sensational Return On The Road

The Government and private commuter omnibus (kombi) operators are expected to hold crunch talks this week, as the latter angle for a sensational return to intra-city operations after a six-month hiatus.

The discussions follow the continued relaxation of lockdown measures, which has increased both vehicular and passenger traffic. In order to smoothen liaison with authorities and better regulate the sector, commuter omnibus operators also plan to create an umbrella association.

Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo told our Harare Bureau that Government was crafting a public transport plan.

“We remain committed to the urban transport system and for now we want to remain with one transport system. We have a transport plan for urban commuters that we will soon unveil.”

Greater Harare Association of Commuter Operators secretary-general Ngoni Katsvairo said engagement with Government was necessary as transport shortages continue to plague commuters.

“We wrote a letter in June to Zupco and Local Government (and Public Works). However, we were advised to wait until lockdown regulations had been relaxed.

“We have written again to the authorities for engagement and we are hoping to meet next week (this week) for talks. Government has allowed resumption of inter-city travel and the measures are only favourable to those with big companies, and not kombis.

“The meeting will be about how kombis can ply in urban areas as well as inter-city going forward. The meeting will also look at how kombis can be allowed to join associations of their choice going forward.”

Kombis have been barred from operating since the lockdown started on March 30. Only those contracted under the Zupco franchise are allowed to operate.

However, the relaxation of some lockdown regulations has seen most parts of the economy opening up, causing a marked increase in the number of daily commuters. Zupco is currently operating with 507 conventional buses and 500 commuter omnibuses, and is trying to conscript additional kombis.

Passengers Association of Zimbabwe president Mr Tafadzwa Goliati said with the opening up of various economic sectors, passengers have increased, thus the need to increase buses.
– Sunday News

Battle For The Name MDC Alliance Intensifies

MDC Alliance

*The battle to use MDC Alliance name intensifies*

As MDC Alliance National spokesperson Advocate Mahere sets the record straight: *We are MDC Alliance*

20 September 2020

*Wezhira Munya and Tariro Kimberely Mamhende*

Yesterday, MDC Alliance National Executive Council members met in Harare. MDC Alliance National spokesperson advocate Fadzai Mahere released a press statement, point number 5 addressed the issue of party name:

*The party restates that it is the MDC Alliance party. It contested the 2018 election as the MDC Alliance. As the alternative, it has MPs in Parliament and councillors in local authorities. It has been victimized as MDC Alliance and will win as the MDC Alliance. It will remain MDC Alliance.*

This was a response to shocking news yesterday when MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe said it has adopted the MDC Alliance brand with immediate effect and will use the name when nominating candidates for by-elections on 9 October 2020 and elections on the 5th December 2020.

This was revealed by the MDC-T acting chairman Morgen Komichi yesterday at the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House to mark the 21st anniversary of the original MDC.

To many political scholars and analysts this development did not come as a surprise as George Charamba, who is the Deputy Chief Secretary to the Zanu PF President and Cabinet (Presidential Communications), on 20th July 2020 hinted that the Khupe-led party will take over the MDC Alliance name.

Charamba made the stunning revelations on during an exchange with MDC Alliance secretary for elections Jacob Mafume.

Mafume had mocked ZANU PF and its leaders for allegedly trying to create a coalition government with Khupe’s MDC-T.

Charamba retorted:

“Except you have no party while pretending to be in organized opposition!!! Khupe amhanya nechinhu!! (she is now in the driving seat). Very soon you will be interdicted from using MDC-Anything!!! Watch the space!!!”

The above statement by George Charamba which was yesterday confirmed by MDC T chairperson Mr Komichi confirms the narrative that, “MDC T is a Zanu PF proxy. MDC T takes orders and is being assisted by ZANU PF to destroy MDC Alliance party led by President Nelson Chamisa.” said, Kimberely Tariro Mamhende political analyst.

What is astonishing is that, MDC T led by Khupe has been recalling MDC Alliance councillors and member of parliament because they have joined another party “MDC Alliance.” Now the question is, “Why is MDC T now want to contest by-elections as MDC Alliance. ”

Commenting on yesternight’s studio 7 news , MDC Alliance deputy national spokesperson Mr Clifford Htywayo said, “MDC T is foolish to use our MDC Alliance name.”

This year, MDC T led by Khupe took over Morgan Tsvangirai House from MDC Alliance during the night through the assistance of Zimbabwe Republic Police and Zimbabwe Army.

In addition, political analyst Magaisa said, “MDC T led by Khupe received political finance from the Government through the assistance of ZANU PF minister Ziyambi Ziyambi.”

The perception that MDC T led by Khupe is getting favours from Zanu PF as a reward for being in POLAD is enhanced “by the fast paced recalls of MDC Alliance councillors and member of parliament by ZANU PF led Minister of local government and speaker of parliament.” said, Kingsley Sibanda.

One of the supporters of Mr Komichi as president at the forthcoming MDC T Extraordinary Congress said, “MDC T name has bad omen after it was used by Khupe during 2018, harmonised elections. Khupe garnered only 45 000 votes nationally and has two mps. This dismal performance in the past elections makes Mr Komichi and others to discard MDC T in the forth by-elections.”

Advocate Tongai Matutu of MDC Alliance led by President Nelson Chamisa said, “President Nelson Chamisa and MDC Alliance party are brands. President Nelson Chamisa got 2.6 million votes, has majority of councillors and controls all urban councils and has significant number of parliamentarians. MDC Alliance is an official opposition party in Zimbabweanpolitical space.”

As a result, MDC T strategies being assisted by Zanu PF think that, “To win in the fortcoming by-elections MDC T must use MDC Alliance name to confuse the electorate.” observed Advocate Tongai Matutu.

MDC Alliance National acting women assembly chairlady honourable Mugidho said, “Zimbabweans will vote for President Nelson Chamisa and MDC Alliance party candidates. The by-elections slated for 5th December 2020, will show that President Nelson Chamisa and MDC Alliance are popular and loved by Zimbabweans.”

Will MDC T approach the courts to give them “lifeline” to use MDC Alliance party name in the fortcoming by elections?

Khupe Party Defends Recall of Byo Councillors

THE MDC-T has vowed to monitor operations of their candidates who were deployed to local authorities in the country, vowing to recall those who are involved in corrupt activities.

This comes after the party last week recalled a number of councillors in different councils in the country including eight from Bulawayo. In an interview on Friday, MDC-T national spokesperson Mr Khaliphani Phugeni said the party had since convened a local governance cluster which was looking at the activities of councillors from their party since they came to office in 2018.

Mr Phugeni said they were not on a witch hunt but they just wanted to weed out corruption and ensure that their councillors offer the best possible service delivery to residents.

“I am part of the local government cluster where we have started looking closely at the operations of our councillors since 2018, we are focusing on issues to do with service delivery taking for example housing delivery where we discovered that some residents have been on the housing waiting list since the 1980s. We are serious about this exercise that we are even targeting our members who have left council, where if we find them to have engaged in corrupt activities during their time in office, we will surely be descending on them,” warned Mr Phugeni.

He, however, expressed confidence that most of their councillors were aware of their mandate revealing that the party had recently engaged Bulawayo City Council councillors on the Luveve water contamination matter with the hope of bringing a solution to the crisis that had resulted in the death of 13 people in the suburb with close to 2 000 residents being infected.

“When that outbreak occurred I was part of a delegation from the party that convened a meeting with Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni and his councillors with the hope of having a better understanding of the issues and also encouraging them to find a solution to the problem, and you will note that after that meeting the councillors worked hard to push council workers, now the problem has been largely addressed,” said the party’s spokesperson.

Regarding the recent recalls, Mr Phugeni dismissed claims that they wanted to cripple operations of local authorities saying they were only targeting corrupt individuals and those that had publicly declared that they had ceased being members of the MDC-T.

“I will give you the example of the Gwanda Mayor, Jastone Mazhale we had to recall him after he declared that after we met with them as councillors he had just come in to listen but did not recognise us, honestly how then do you keep a councillor who makes such declarations. Even the former Deputy Mayor of Bulawayo, Tinashe Kambarami, he came out in the media declaring that he recognises the MDC Alliance as his parent party not the MDC-T clearly he rendered himself not part of the party hence we had no choice but to recall him,” said Mr Phugeni.

Questioned on whether those councillors who were not recalled had recognised the Supreme Court ruling which put Dr Thokozani Khupe at the helm of the MDC-T, Mr Phugeni could neither confirm nor deny but only stated that they were being guided by the provincial executives who were in contact with the councillors on the ground.

-state media

Kombis To Return, Govt

The Government and private commuter omnibus (kombi) operators are expected to hold crunch talks this week, as the latter angle for a sensational return to intra-city operations after a six-month hiatus.

The discussions follow the continued relaxation of lockdown measures, which has increased both vehicular and passenger traffic. In order to smoothen liaison with authorities and better regulate the sector, commuter omnibus operators also plan to create an umbrella association.

Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo told our Harare Bureau that Government was crafting a public transport plan.

“We remain committed to the urban transport system and for now we want to remain with one transport system. We have a transport plan for urban commuters that we will soon unveil.”

Greater Harare Association of Commuter Operators secretary-general Ngoni Katsvairo said engagement with Government was necessary as transport shortages continue to plague commuters.

“We wrote a letter in June to Zupco and Local Government (and Public Works). However, we were advised to wait until lockdown regulations had been relaxed.

“We have written again to the authorities for engagement and we are hoping to meet next week (this week) for talks. Government has allowed resumption of inter-city travel and the measures are only favourable to those with big companies, and not kombis.

“The meeting will be about how kombis can ply in urban areas as well as inter-city going forward. The meeting will also look at how kombis can be allowed to join associations of their choice going forward.”

Kombis have been barred from operating since the lockdown started on March 30. Only those contracted under the Zupco franchise are allowed to operate.

However, the relaxation of some lockdown regulations has seen most parts of the economy opening up, causing a marked increase in the number of daily commuters. Zupco is currently operating with 507 conventional buses and 500 commuter omnibuses, and is trying to conscript additional kombis.

Passengers Association of Zimbabwe president Mr Tafadzwa Goliati said with the opening up of various economic sectors, passengers have increased, thus the need to increase buses.
– Sunday News

Chiwenga Visits Byo, Vic Falls to See Sanitization Booths Ahead of Airports Re-opening

VICE- President Costantino Chiwenga has given thumbs up to the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo and the Victoria Falls International Airport to start receiving domestic and international travellers as airlines start flights tomorrow.

The VP, who is also the Minister of Health and Child Care toured the facilities yesterday to get a feel on how the airports will receive travellers. In Bulawayo, he was accompanied by Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Cde Mangaliso Ndlovu, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Air Commodore Jasper Chimedza, the Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Judith Ncube among other dignitaries. After the tour, VP Chiwenga said he was impressed with the progress done and said the country was ready to see the planes back in the sky.

“The facilities are good and I am impressed by what I have been briefed by port authorities here, they are now prepared for the re-opening of ports for domestic and international travellers. There are one or two things which we have advised them to put in place and are not really an issue,” he said.

VP Chiwenga said airports must ensure that they observe strict guidelines on Covid-19 to deal with both domestic and international travellers.

“I would like all airports to have the same set up so that we don’t have any problems with our domestic travellers and tourists who will be coming or leaving Zimbabwe. We must make sure that they are well looked after and all our health facilities are in place,” he said.

JM Nkomo International Airport manager Mr Passmore Dewa said the airport was expecting domestic flights from tomorrow while international flights will start on 1 October.

“I am impressed by the visit to assess our preparedness for the resumption of our scheduled operations from tomorrow for domestic flights and the 1st of October for international flights. We have taken on board comments by the VP and we will close certain gaps that are a bit glaring. We will be finalising some of the recommendations by the VP from Monday,” he said.

Mr Dewa said passengers must ensure they have their Covid-19 results and Lancet Laboratories will be on the ground tomorrow (Monday) when flights resume to assess those that will have been suspected to have Covid-19 symptoms by port health officials.

“Lancet Laboratories will immediately come in and test the affected passengers,” he added.

In Victoria Falls, VP Chiwenga also said he was satisfied with preparations at the airport. He, however, warned against laxity in following Covid-19 guidelines prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Government as the pandemic is not yet defeated.
“We are quite satisfied and impressed by the work which has been done by all departments which operate here. Looking at our situation

where we had controlled Covid-19, we found it necessary to open but that doesn’t mean that Covid-19 is over and a vaccine has been found. We are still with Covid-19 and we will still follow the script given by health officials. Those instructions remain in force and from time to time you will be guided,” said VP Chiwenga.

He said the re-opening of airports follows vigorous preparatory work which was preceded by a visit to the resort town by the inter-Ministerial team and launch of the National Tourism and Growth Strategy by President Mnangagwa at the Rainforest in Victoria Falls last month.

“The re-opening of the tourism industry does not signify that the war against Covid-19 has been won. We should continue to strictly adhere to Covid-19 regulations by WHO and our own Government directions. The purpose is to re-open the industry where employment and everything that goes on here is hospitality industry related. We have a lot of workers who need to be at work and also to reopen the economy.

“While we receive tourists, we must make sure they are in good health and detected here before they mingle with people. We don’t want people to go and complain in their countries that they came in good health and contracted the virus in Zimbabwe,” he said.

He said Government had to visit the country’s top three international ports of entry during a weekend because “there is no more time” as the airlines will be starting to fly this week. He said all staff at ports of entry should be equipped with personal protective equipment (PPEs).

As part of preparations for Covid-19, the Victoria Falls Airport port health desk is furnished with screening equipment and eight staffers. The airport also has an in-house detention centre to be used in the event of a Covid-19 case before the patient is taken to isolation centres in Victoria Falls. There is also a sanitisation booth at the international terminal which the VP said should, together with the port health desk, be also put on the domestic side.

-State Media

Zim Govt Undecided On Re-Opening Of Borders

THE Government is still deliberating on whether to re-open its land borders especially Beitbridge Border Post to international travellers following an announcement by South Africa that it will re-open its ports of entry on 1 October.

South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa last week announced that his country will open its borders from 1 October for international travel as the neighbouring country moves to the lowest level of its five-step coronavirus lockdown-Level 1.

The neighbouring country said it will open three of its airports and one land border post– Beitbridge– which were already operational during the lockdown. The border was only operational to allow cargo movement and returning citizens from both countries. Before lockdown, border authorities estimated that an average of 25 000 travellers and 4 000 light cars were cleared to pass the through the border daily.

Following the announcement by South Africa, there was a general assumption among locals that Zimbabwe would follow suit. However, Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Cde Kazembe Kazembe told Sunday News yesterday that the announcement by South Africa did not mean Zimbabwe will follow suit without prior consultations.

“I cannot say yes or no-a definite answer, but it (opening of Beitbridge border) is an issue that is under consideration, the National Taskforce on Covid-19 has to sit and deliberate, then we do consultations with the President then we will have a position soon. There is that possibility that we will re-open but it is under discussion,” he said.

Although Zimbabwe is still to announce its official position on the border, cross border traders said they were itching to get back to business and were working to ensure that they have requisite papers. President Ramaphosa announced that travellers to his country would need to present a negative Covid-19 test result not older than 72 hours from time of departure or face a mandatory quarantine at their own cost upon arrival in South Africa. The cost to do the polymerise chain reaction (PCR) test in Zimbabwe starts from US$60 at private laboratories.

“The cost does not matter. It is now like we are back to life because for the past few months we have felt like we have died. People were not making any money and our members were really struggling. So many could not even afford to buy food or anything else that they might need in their households. While we acknowledge that the tests are expensive, we can’t get away from the fact that it needs to be done. If you ask any vendor right now, they will tell you that they would prefer to pay for that test rather than sit at home and do nothing which has been the case in recent months,” president of the Cross-Border Traders Association Mr Killer Zivhu told Sunday News yesterday.

Mr Zivhu said after all tests are done to safeguard the health of people including vendors.

“There are two countries that as vendors we are heavily reliant on and that is China and South Africa. If we are being blocked from those two countries then we have a real problem on our hands. So, I’m glad that at least one of those countries is now opening up its borders to us.”

Although the country has been opening up the economy, experts warned that it has not yet crossed the line in the fight against Covid-19.

Chief Coordinator National Response to Covid-19 Pandemic Dr Agnes Mahomva said while numbers of new cases and deaths were going down, the county still needed to be vigilant. On Friday, 14 new cases were recorded and there were no deaths from Covid-19 in seven days.

“The numbers seem to be going down, that is true, but when there is a pandemic like this, one day numbers go up and another day they go down in a jigsaw kind of fashion. When we see this we have to be very cautious. As long as we make new cases which we do in our case, they might be fewer yes, but as long as you are dealing with a very infectious disease like Covid-19 then the chances of it rapidly going up are still there,” she said.

Dr Mahomva said it was too early to celebrate reduction in new cases in the country. “We are not very interested in celebrating the reduced numbers of infections because new cases are still there every day. We must keep reminding ourselves of what happened in Europe. When they saw their numbers going down, they celebrated and they started relaxing, as we are speaking, their numbers are shooting up again and we don’t want to be in that position,” she said.

Dr Mahomva said measures set to prevent the spread of the virus still remain effective and must continue to be respected despite the relaxation of some measures put earlier.

“Things remain the same, people need to remain cautious, we are getting into a new normal; in other words we introduced all these new measures but people should not drop them even if we have zero new infections, people should still continue social distancing, washing their hands, not getting into crowds when looking for transport and keeping masks on properly covering the mouth and nose. Don’t wear it as a fashion statement, it is so critical as it saves lives,” she said. On the possible opening of borders, Dr Mahomva said the there was still a risk of infection and all necessary measures must be implemented.

Yesterday, the country recorded 25 new cases and one death from Bulawayo. The death came after seven days with no one lost to Covid-19. There were 31 new recoveries. Cumulatively, the country has recorded 7672 cases, 5914 recoveries and 225 deaths, according to statistics from the Ministry of Health.

-State Media

Drama As Man Is Caught Having S*x With Married Woman

THERE was drama in Mutare’s Sakubva high-density suburb on Tuesday morning after a daring local man was caught pants down with a married woman in the latter’s matrimonial home.

The cheating woman, only identified as Faith, hid her boyfriend Livingstone Gwandura under the bed after her husband Ishmael Madhochi unexpectedly came back home from Harare around 3am.

Neighbours and relatives interviewed said Ishmael came back home in Devonshire after he received a tip off that Faith was having an extra-marital affair with Gwandura.

Consistent with scenes of this nature, some members of the public started singing derogatory songs while some threatened to give the cheats a thorough hiding.

Both Faith and Livingstone refused to entertain The Weekender and tried to evade the long lens of the camera.

“It was around 3am when we heard about the incident. My brother alerted us saying he caught his wife with a boyfriend.

“We are worried because our brother is a caring and loving husband. We are shocked that this woman had to do this. My brother had actually brought some shawarma for her only to catch the boyfriend hidden under the bed,” said Ishmael’s sister.

“This is disgraceful. Our daughter-in-law (Faith) is a disgrace to the family. We were shocked by the incident and we are now about to deliberate on the way forward. We are glad that at least our son Ishmael did not injure the boyfriend or do anything that he would regret later.

Ishmael came back home after a tip-off and we are glad that it came to light,” said Ishmael’s uncle, Poso Madhochi.-The Weekender

Schools Demand Fees In Forex

Classroom

Most schools want to peg fees and levies in foreign currency, with some boarding schools proposing US$350 or the equivalent in Zimbabwe dollars, while day schools are proposing US$100.

This follows an appeal by the National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to allow schools to charge levies and fees in foreign currency.

The schools say suppliers of educational consumables were charging them in United States dollars and it makes sense that they also collect fees in foreign currency. NASH president, Arthur Maphosa said:

NASH recommends that schools be authorised to budget in US dollars on the grounds that suppliers are charging goods and services in foreign currency.

The purchase of examination material for science and technical practicals will be a tall order unless Government allows schools to receive fees in foreign currency.

Suppliers are refusing to take the local currency and school heads will collapse at work because of this.

Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s spokesperson, Taungana Ndoro told The Manica Post this week that there are procedures which schools should follow before they raise fees.

Ndoro said the Ministry will look at the applications by schools individually before new fees structures are approved and that as of now, no new fees regime has been approved.

However, some schools have already started sending circulars informing parents of the new fees structure.-Manica Post

Latest On Resumption Of Football Action In Zim

PSL

THE Sports and Recreation Commission is seized with the Premier Soccer League sports medicine committee’s proposals for the safe return of football, which has been on ice since March due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown regulations.

Proposals by the highly experienced team of medical professionals led by Dr Edward Chagonda were received by the SRC on September 1.

Indications are that an official position will be announced by early next week signalling the start of preparations for resumption of football competitions.

There have also been suggestions of a bio-bubble being setup just like what happened in South Africa.

The PSL medical committee has set very stringent conditions that include regular testing, social distancing, sanitisation and disinfection before the game can be allowed to return.

Funds for testing and sanitisation will come from part of the US$1.8 million that Zifa received from Fifa as Covid-19 relief funds. SRC director-general Prince Mupazviriho said they were “studying the document to make sure it meets all the requirements”.

Premier Soccer League chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said they were ready to get back to action once they get the green light from the government.

“We are itching to resume the game, but what we want to emphasise is that it’s not going to be an event as some people have been suggesting. There first has to be consent from the health and other key authorities then once that is achieved, testing comes up. After that medical experts will then tell us how long it will take for the players to achieve expected physical conditions to start playing competitive football, but as PSL we are ready to begin that journey that will lead us to competitive games,” said Ndebele.

Mupazviriho said: “We are studying the document and, of course, we are the sportspeople and receive such documents with both arms. We will consider it based on that because that is our job to try and assist whatever comes to us.

If you have a proposal and you are seriously considering that proposal, you have to consider every detail to make sure that you understand it correctly and it enables you to meet the intended objective.

Remember these things go through committees; it’s not an individual decision.”-The Sunday News

Government Probes Elephant Deaths

Elephants

OVERPOPULATION of elephants in the country’s national parks could have also contributed to the death of 25 jumbos in the Pandamasue Forests in Hwange, an official has said.

Investigations into the death have so far ruled out poaching or cyanide poisoning. In an interview, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority director general, Mr Fulton Mangwanya said investigations to ascertain the cause of death were underway and samples have been sent to international laboratories.

“So far we have registered 25 fatalities and investigations are still underway with the local labs but we have also enlisted the services of some foreign labs. I think we will get positive responses which will also going to assist us to find out whether the case we have here is similar to the one that occurred in Botswana and if so then the way forward,” said Mr Mangwanya

He however, said his organisation suspected overpopulation could have played a part in the cause of the deaths.-The Sunday News

CAF Matches To Start In November

The CAF Emergency Committee has approved the resumption date for qualifiers of the Total Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021 and the group stage of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

A busy schedule awaits the participating teams with double-headers from November 2020 through to November 2021 in the battle for spots to the final tournament of the two competitions.

The schedules for the two competitions have had to be revised in light of the COVID-19 outbreak which halted many sporting activities across the continent and beyond for some time.

For Cameroon 2021, the qualifiers resume on 9-17 November 2020 with the Day 3 & 4 matches whilst the penultimate and ultimate matches take place on 22-30 March 2021.

The 40 teams in contention for the five slots for Qatar 2022 will commence the journey between 31 May and 15 June 2021 with the Day 1 & 2 matches. From 30 August till 7 September, the Day 3 and 4 matches are expected to take place with Day 5 & 6 matches fixed for 4-12 October 2021.

The Playoff matches have been scheduled for 8-16 November 2021. Meanwhile, CAF is monitoring the situation closely and working with the relevant authorities with regards to hosting of the matches, and will make pronouncements accordingly in the event of developments that will affect playing a match at the designated venue.

– Cafonline

MDC Alliance Students Council Statement On Persecution Of Ngadziore

 

The MDC ALLIANCE STUDENTS COUNCIL and the broader student’s movement is deeply agitated by the continued persecution of Zimbabweans by the ZANU PF regime.

Hither Mpambwa

The full glare of Zanu’s thuggery and violence was laid bare yesterday when Takudzwa Ngadziore, the ZINASU president was abducted, butchered and left for dead by State security agents. Ngadziore is being persecuted for merely asking for justice for Tatenda Muchehiwa another student who was abducted and severely tortured by state security agents with the brazen assistance of Impala Car Rentals. His only crime was to demand answers from Impala Car Rental on the abduction of Tatenda Muchehiwa.

The abominable ways of silencing the people which Zanu pf is using will always be abortive as it is the great crisis in the country that actuates the people to rise and speak. Therefore we warn ZANU PF that its evil tactics to instill fear in people through abducting, torturing, unlawful arrests of members of the opposition and civic organizations will not stop the people’s revolution.

The utterances by the illegitimate government that there is no crisis in Zimbabwe is just but nonsense. The level of human rights violations is reaching its peak, people are living in abject poverty as the economy continues shrinking and falling into an abyss, accelerated by ZANU PF’s excessive looting.

A nation’s leadership that is only adept at brutalizing its people clearly indicates that it is not from the people but self imposed. In Zimbabwe, we are as good as without a leader. Our security forces know nothing about patriotism but act on a partisan basis.

Surely if we do not liberate ourselves, no one else shall!

#Ed and ZANU must go
#Zimbabweanlives matter
#AriseStudents arise
#ZimbabweSimuka

*MDCA students council SG*
*Hither Mpambwa*

President Chamisa Denounces Harassment Of Ngadziore

President Chamisa

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has strongly condemned the harassment of ZINASU president Takudzwa Ngadziore by Zanu PF hooligans.

Zanu PF youths assaulted ZINASU leaders and journalists during a media briefing in Harare on Friday.

President Chamisa described the level of lawlessness in the country as shocking.

“Repression in Zimbabwe hits a new low as a young student leader
@ngadziore
@Zinasuzim
is subjected to thuggery and violence for protesting and holding a mere press conference.

There is a crisis in Zimbabwe.This barbarism must be stopped!The march is not ended. #ZimbabweanLivesMatter,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

Kirsty Coventry In Embarrassing Gaffe

Kirsty Coventry

Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry’s seriousness on the stadia ban might be questioned after she said that the CAF has not announced dates for the resumption of AFCON qualifiers.

The football authorities are racing against time to ensure that the Zimbabwe’s Group G qualifier against Algeria, slated for November, is staged on home soil as all stadiums in the country are currently banned from hosting international matches due their failure to meet set standards.

Coventry is however not even aware that the  continental governing body has already set dates for the resumption of AFCON and Champions League games, putting her seriousness into question.

“Confederation of African Football (Caf) has not spoken or sent any reference to any of the stakeholders that the resumption of play will be within this year. So, we are at this point in time, very positive that we will be approved for our games to go on,” the Minister said on Thursday while responding to questions by the senate.

“If at any point in the next few weeks we see that Caf is not going to be positive with the upgrade that has been done, we could then start to look at other things, but until we have confirmation as to when these games will take off, there is no reason for us not to be confident in the upgrade that we have done to pass CAF inspections.”-Soccer 24 Zimbabwe

Repressive Regime Shall Crumble, President Chamisa Assures Zimbabweans

President Chamisa

Farai Dziva|In his message of encouragement to the nation, MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has pointed out that the “repressive regime will soon crumble.”

President Chamisa speaks at a time Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is torturing, abducting and harassing citizens at an alarming pace.

On Saturday President Chamisa wrote :

The power of dictatorships comes from the willing obedience of the PEOPLE they govern and if the PEOPLE can develop techniques of withholding their consent, a repressive regime will soon crumble.

Happy Sabbath to you dear friends!!

We Appointed Chiwenga To Health To Deal With Striking Nurses-Mnangagwa

Mr Mnangagwa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the appointment of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, a retired army general, as Health Minister was meant to put an end to a crippling nurses’ strike.

Addressing a Zanu PF central committee meeting in Harare on Friday, Mnangagwa boasted that since Chiwenga’s appointment, doctors and nurses are now back at work.

He said:
We realised that year after year, we would not go for four or five months without a strike in the health sector.

I realised we needed a soldier there. We had to second a soldier there and now they are back at work.

Chiwenga was the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander during the 2017 military coup that toppled the late former President Robert Mugabe in November 2017.

He was appointed Health Minister to replace Obediah Moyo who was fired for his alleged involvement in the looting of Coronavirus funds.-NewsDay

Mnangagwa “Praises” Chiwenga

Constantino Chiwenga Minister of Health and Child Care

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the appointment of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, a retired army general, as Health Minister was meant to put an end to a crippling nurses’ strike.

Addressing a Zanu PF central committee meeting in Harare on Friday, Mnangagwa boasted that since Chiwenga’s appointment, doctors and nurses are now back at work.

He said:
We realised that year after year, we would not go for four or five months without a strike in the health sector.

I realised we needed a soldier there. We had to second a soldier there and now they are back at work.

Chiwenga was the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander during the 2017 military coup that toppled the late former President Robert Mugabe in November 2017.

He was appointed Health Minister to replace Obediah Moyo who was fired for his alleged involvement in the looting of Coronavirus funds.-NewsDay

Soccer Star “Bashes” Wife

Kudzai Nyamupfukudza

FOOTBALLER Kudzai Nyamupfukudza is at the centre of a domestic violence storm after his wife accused him of violent behaviour.

Pauline Nyamizinga is nursing injuries after he was reportedly attacked by the footballerfor confronting him over a series of cheating allegations last week.

Pauline told H-Metro on Thursday that the defensive midfielder , who belongs to CAPS United but currently on loan at Mambas, has been ‘playing’ hard on her.

“This has been happening for a long time, besides this recent incident. I tolerated it for so long but I have reached a point that I am now afraid that he can hurt me more or kill me.  People should now know how we have been living,” said Pauline.

Contacted for comment, Nyamupfukudza acknowledged that Pauline is his wife and that they have a dispute.

He, however, declined to comment saying he will give comment later, which he failed to do.

“Oh okay. Yes, I know her. But I need to think of what to respond to that issue.

“Can you call me later or I will come back to you,” he said.

Narrating her ordeal, Pauline said a misunderstanding ensued when she saw WhatsApp chats of Nyamupfukudza and his alleged girlfriends.

“What happened is I went to our rural area and when I came back our child was playing with Kudzai’s phone.

“So I took the phone like any other wife would do and I encountered his messages with some girls and started taking pictures of the chats while he was asleep.

“I then went to his brother’s place that same night since I was very angry but his brother insisted on us going back to our house for counselling.

When we arrived home, he didn’t want all of that. So I decided to find somewhere to go with my child to avoid unnecessary disputes,” said Pauline.

Pauline alleged that Nyamupfukudza punched her and knocked her to the ground when she decided to leave the house during the night.

“So I decided to take keys since he had an option of just locking from inside sleep. So he followed me and demanded the keys and started assaulting me.

“He knocked me to the ground and took the keys. I then phoned his brother who took me to their relative’s place,” she said.

The fed-up woman accused the footballer of being a serial cheater and that he reportedly turns violent when confronted.

“He is used to harass and assault me whenever I confront him about his cheating habits. We have a home together, we have a kid, he is loving and caring to his child but the fact that after cheating me he then assaults me, ndiri kutsva kumusana nepadumbu.

“I have been in pain for so many days now. My love for him will leave me crippled.

“I am afraid that he can infect me with STIs and I am now at a point that people out there should know his habit.

Couple’s Bedroom Insults Spills Into The Court

By A Correspondent- A woman whose husband presumably no longer feels the tightness of her ‘nether region’ complained that she was deeply hurt by her husband who was regularly insulting her with her ‘lady part’ saying it was now too loose.

Sekai Shoko from Bulawayo’s Emganwini suburb claimed her husband Tinago Shoko (52), together with his second wife, were mercilessly teasing her in an attempt to get a reaction from her.

Their bedroom quarrels spilled into the public domain after Sekai took her husband to Bulawayo Civil Court praying for redress.

In her papers for a protection order she stated that the worst was when her husband and his second wife occasionally insult her with her private parts and silly names that are intended to anger her.

“Tinago Shoko is my husband and we got married in 1997. Last year he however, married another wife whom he is now staying with at our rural home. He is now teaming with his second wife to insult me with vulgar language while also labelling me a prostitute. He regularly insults me and my private parts saying they are now too loose,” complained Sekai.

She said her husband was also accusing her of being a goblin’s wife.

“Besides insulting and labelling me an old woman with loose private parts, he is also threatening to kill me saying I will leave our matrimonial home in a coffin,” she said.

In response Tinago didn’t dispute his wife’s accusations. He said she too used hurtful words whenever they argued.

“We will be insulting each other. Sometimes if I ask her, she doesn’t respond and when she does, she also uses vulgar language. She also labelled my second wife an old woman with loose private parts caused by having a lot of sex with other men,” said Tinago.

He, however, insisted that he still loved his wife so much despite exchanging hurtful words whenever their tempers flared.

For the purpose of maintaining peace between the two feuding parties the presiding magistrate Adelaide Mbeure granted a binding order which compels both parties to keep peace by not insulting and threatening each other.-bmetro

Mob Justice For Cemetery Rapist

By A Correspondent- A man who allegedly raped a woman at a cemetery was severely thrashed with sticks and later died at a hospital.

It is said on 11 September at around 4.30 pm a 23-year-old woman was fetching firewood near a cemetery at Babcock compound in Kwekwe, Midlands province.

A source close to investigations said Darlington Munyaradzi Maphosa reportedly spotted her before ambushing her near a cemetery.

The source said when she was passing by a cemetery Darlington grabbed her hand and dragged her into the bush.

“He violently pushed her to the ground before he quickly undressed her and raped her once,” said the source.

After the act he freed her and she went home, and narrated the ordeal to her brother. Seething with anger the brother, the source said, teamed up with his four friends and went to Darlington’s homestead.

“They caught up with Darlington at his homestead. They took turns to assault him with sticks all over the body. After they were satisfied that they had meted out instant justice to the victim, they took him to a police base,” said the source.

The source said Darlington sustained bruises around the neck and swollen hands.

“He also suffered a cut on the toes and injuries on the left ear and he complained of dizziness. He was rushed to Kwekwe General Hospital. Sadly, he died upon arrival,” said the source.

A report was made to the police leading to the arrest of the accused.

Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the incident.

“We are handling a case where a man was murdered after he allegedly raped a woman. As police we would like to urge community members not to take the law into their hands. If a person has committed a crime the community members should hand him to the police,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jothan Chidende from a village under Chief Nhema, Shurugwi allegedly lured a 37- year-old mentally challenged woman to his homestead. The woman in question went to his homestead and upon arrival, he enticed her to get into his room where he raped her once.

But his luck ran out after the sister of the rape victim noticed blood stains on her skirt.

“That worried her sister who then asked her about the blood and she revealed that she was raped by Chidende. She reported the matter to the police and the victim was referred to Shurugwi district hospital,” said the source.

However, Chidende was on the run, said the source.-bmetro

“Gutu People Dominate ED’s Ministerial Appointments?”

By Ryan Chiwara- The following ministers appointed by president Emmerson Mnangagwa are all from Gutu district in Masvingo province raising public speculation that the president is seeking to counter MDC Alliance president Advocate Nelson Chamisa’s influence in his home district.

The ministers in Mnangagwa’ government who come from Gutu are Minister of Mines and Mining development, Winston Chitando, Minister of Agriculture, Water and land resettlement Dr Anxious Masuka, Minister of State for  Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Masvingo Province, Ezra Chadzamira, Minister of Higher and tertiary education, Professor Amon Murwira, Deputy Minister of National housing and social amenities, Yeukai Simbanegavi and Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Lovemore Matuke.

MDC Alliance secretary for communications in Gutu central Langton Guvava said:

“Mnangagwa is already preparing for 2023 presidential election hence appointing so many ministers from Gutu the home district of his arch rival Movement for Democratic Change Alliance President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.

“I think Mnangagwa is already preparing for 2023 election and is trying to counter Chamisa’s influence in the district because he knows that Chamisa comes from Gutu,” said Guvava.

MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa comes from Gutu in Chidyamakuni village under chief Chiwara. He also did his secondary education at Alheit secondary school in Gutu.

 

 

“The Zim Crisis Exists In Your Minds”: ED Scoffs At “Critics”

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday claimed that regional leaders were laughing off claims that there was a crisis in the country.

Addressing a Zanu-PF central committee meeting in Harare yesterday, Mnangagwa said he chats with regional leaders regularly and that they laugh off at insinuations on social media that there was a crisis in the country.

“I can assure you almost on a weekly basis, currently almost on any other day, I discuss with my brother (South African President Cyril) Ramaphosa, I discuss with my brother (Botswana President Mokgweetsi) Masisi (and) with Hage Geingob (Namibian President), we chat and laugh at your social media insinuations,” Mnangagwa said.

“So you are wasting your time.

“This meeting (central committee) comes after another crushing failure of machinations by our detractors on social media to reverse and destabilise the unity peace, security milestones.”

He added: “I applaud the party and the people of Zimbabwe and leadership of the party for remaining resolute in the wake of the opposition’s regime change agenda and worrying levels of self-hate through a sustained call to make our country ungovernable saying there is a crisis in Zimbabwe.”

Mnangagwa also dismissed claims that there was bad blood between the South African ruling party, African National Congress (ANC), and his Zanu-PF party following weeks of exchanges between the two liberation parties over the crisis in the country.

“The crisis exists in their minds, it exists in their parties. The crisis exists in their bedrooms, not in Zimbabwe,” he said.

Ramaphosa has dispatched two delegations to Harare to have an appreciation of the situation following reports of gross human rights violations head of the foiled July 31 protests.

Although Zanu-PF has insisted there was no crisis in the country, the ANC delegation led by Ace Magashule, the secretary-general of the South African ruling party, has maintained that the country was a “mess” following reports of abductions, politically-motivated arrests and torture of perceived opponents, including journalists and lawyers, ahead of the July 31 protests.

Mnangagwa, whose regime has hogged international media for the human rights abuses, closed the door on external mediation to end the crisis.
We will not seek outside mediation to deal with challenges which they themselves have,” Mnangagwa said, in apparent reference to the ANC intervention, but insisted there was no bad blood between the two liberation movements.

“The solidarity existing between our party Zanu-PF and other sister revolutionary parties like the ANC of South Africa can never be shaken by social media. We have elements peddling falsehoods that there is misunderstanding between ANC and Zanu-PF, there is nothing (like that),” he said.

On churches, Mnangagwa said the Zion Christian Church, whose farming programmes he officiated on Thursday, must focus on productivity and stop wasting their time complaining about the human rights situation in the country.

His call was a not so subtle attempt to silence vocal church groups, including Catholic bishops, who have condemned his administration on human rights violations.

“I call upon churches in our country and the nation as a whole to shift our mind set and reorient our discourse towards economic productivity not to have malicious claims of ‘human rights, human rights’. We need productivity. The development of a country is productivity based,” he said.

“No country develops out of demonstrations. Let us shun divisive and evil concoctions by merchants of doom and their handlers who are bent on keeping our country stuck in a cycle of disunity and confusion. Let us continue to preach unity, peace, love and harmony so that we develop our nation.”-newsday

“Zanu Pf Youths Assault Detectives”

By A Correspondent- The invasion of a drug peddler’s base in Kwekwe Mbizo 17 and his arrest caused violence and commotion reportedly perpetrated by Zanu PF youths yesterday.

Two detectives arrested a Kwekwe drug dealer only known as Selassie and recovered dagga and bronclear at his house which was full of youths taking drugs.

Sources close to a local publication revealed that the detectives were getting the dealer to the nearest police station when two Zanu PF youths Brian Shava and Widzo followed and stopped them.

The youths assaulted the detectives in front of onlookers.

Investigations carried out indicate that the youths at Selassie’s are the ones who contacted their superiors who allegedly defeated the course of justice and took away the accused and exhibits from the vehicle.

The victims did not report the matter for fear of victimization from Zanu PF.

Daring Thief Steals Officer’s Uniform

By A Correspondent- A police officer based in Bulawayo was left clutching thin air after a thief opened his car and stole his uniform.

The incident happened last week on Thursday at corner Fort Street and 8th Avenue.

The unfortunate cop, Noar Munongowera, is stationed at DHQ Suburban.

A source who is close to investigations said on the day in question Constable Munongowera was travelling along Fort Street when his car developed a fault. He parked his car, a Honda CRV at corner Fort Street and 8th Avenue.

“He opened the bonnet of his car and checked what could have been the problem. While he was still fixing his car thieves pounced on his car and stole a satchel containing riot trousers, webbing belt and a grey shirt,” said a source.

The source said the accused person then ran to a Corolla registration number AHE 7235 which was parked a few metres away from his car.

“He got inside the Corolla and they sped off with the satchel,” said the source close to investigations

Schools Mull Fees Payment In Forex

By A Correspondent- Most schools want to peg fees and levies in foreign currency, with some boarding schools proposing US$350 or the equivalent in Zimbabwe dollars, while day schools are proposing US$100.

This follows an appeal by the National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to allow schools to charge levies and fees in foreign currency.

The schools say suppliers of educational consumables were charging them in United States dollars and it makes sense that they also collect fees in foreign currency. NASH president, Arthur Maphosa said:

Nash recommends that schools be authorised to budget in US dollars on the grounds that suppliers are charging goods and services in foreign currency.

The purchase of examination material for science and technical practicals will be a tall order unless Government allows schools to receive fees in foreign currency.

Suppliers are refusing to take the local currency and school heads will collapse at work because of this.

Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s spokesperson, Taungana Ndoro told The Manica Post this week that there are procedures which schools should follow before they raise fees.

Ndoro said the Ministry will look at the applications by schools individually before new fees structures are approved and that as of now, no new fees regime has been approved.

However, some schools have already started sending circulars informing parents of the new fees structure.

Prophetess “Defrauds” Congregant Of A Wife

By A Correspondent- A self-styled Bindura prophetess was on Friday sentenced to two months in jail by a magistrate following her conviction on fraud charges.

Spiwe Gwashure (40) of Grace in Abundance Ministries was also was ordered to pay the US$320 within two months to the complaint by Bindura provincial magistrate Tinashe Ndokera.

Sometime in April 2018, Gwashure reportedly “prophesied” to one of her congregants, Abina Maliwo (46), that she will find him a wife to marry.

In July 2019, the prophetess then requested Maliwo to give her US$320 which, which he raised in two.  She said the money was for bride price, claiming that she had found a wife for Maliwo in Guruve.

Maliwo was also instructed to buy a cellphone for his “wife” but later realised that the wife she was speaking to over the phone was Gwashure.

That was he realised that he had been duped and he proceeded to file a police report leading to Gwashure’s arrest.-newsday

“We Remain MDC Alliance”: President Chamisa

NOTING the extent of the national crisis, the suffering of the masses, increased poverty, economic instability, hyperinflation, economic disequilibrium;

CONCERNED by the crisis of legitimacy, the closure of political space, attack on civil liberties and human rights, persecution and arrests of activists, the torture and violence against the citizens:

FURTHER NOTING the humanitarian crisis in respect of which 8 million Zimbabweans are food insecure and 5 million people have to be provided with humanitarian assistance and concerned by the massive leakages and looting of humanitarian aid and assistance;

TAKING COGNISANCE of the COVID19 pandemic and the gross mismanagement of the pandemic through the lack of financial resources, mass testing and provision of PPEs, drugs, isolation and quarantine centres:

DISTURBED by ZANU PF-driven threats to the people’s political party – the MDC Alliance, the unlawful arrests of our leaders and members, the unlawful recalls of elected people’s representatives and the abuse in the interpretation of the Supreme Court judgment:

1. The party expresses concern over Zimbabwe’s multi-faceted governance, economic and social crisis which has manifested in mass starvation, poverty, joblessness, wage erosion, poor earnings by civil servants, the remuneration crisis in the education sector, grand corruption and a deepening crisis in the health sector including inadequate remuneration and PPEs for health workers and insufficient isolation facilities. We call for NGOs to give aid directly to communities to avoid abuse by ZANU PF. We condemn corruption in COVID19 procurement and the use of COVID19 as an excuse to clampdown on human rights.

2. The party condemns the closure of democratic space, human rights abuses, violence, wanton arrests and demands the immediate release of all political prisoners and an immediate cessation of all malicious prosecutions, particularly of Job Sikhala, Joanna Mamombe, Cecillia Chimbiri, Chalton Hwende, Tsitsi Dangarembwa, Netsai Marova, Hopewell Chin’ono, Jacob Ngarivhume and Godfrey Kurzone.

3. The party notes the efforts of South Africa and the ANC in facilitating the resolution of the national crisis. The party restates its commitment to dialogue centred on comprehensive reforms, national healing and the return to legitimacy and democracy. The party supports the efforts of the ANC and calls for the involvement and scaffolding of the process by the international community, in particular SADC and the African Union.

4. The party affirms the democratic right of citizens to protest peacefully as enshrined in section 59 of the Constitution and places all citizens on notice with regard to the need for a broad front to challenge ZANU PF and mass mobilization because Zimbabwean Lives Matter and the March is not Ended.

5. The party restates that it is the MDC Alliance party. It contested the 2018 election as the MDC Alliance. As the alternative, it has MPs in Parliament and councillors in local authorities. It has been victimized as the MDC Alliance and will win as the MDC Alliance. It will remain the MDC Alliance.

6. The party demands comprehensive electoral and political reforms as set out in our RELOAD and PRICE policy documents. The party considers participation in free, fair and credible elections as a necessary zone of struggle.

7. As a people-driven party, the NEC mandated the leadership at various levels to consult stakeholders, opinion leaders, grassroots structures and party organs countrywide on the multiple options that are available to it.

Fadzayi Mahere
National Spokesperson

Mnangagwa Adamant That There Is No Crisis In Zimbabwe

State Media

President Mnangagwa has shot down claims of a prevailing crisis in the country and thanked Zimbabweans for remaining resolute in defiance of machinations by opposition elements to foment instability in the country.

The President said this in his opening remarks during the 113 Ordinary Session of Zanu PF’s Central Committee on Friday.

Central Committee members dance before the start of the 113 Ordinary Session of Zanu PF’s Central Committee

He said the so-called crisis that was being peddled by the opposition and their allies were a creation of the imaginations that was being spread through false social media narratives.

President Mnangagwa called on Zimbabweans not be side-tracked by such claims aimed at causing disharmony in the country but focus on the development agenda being pursued by Government.

The President also dispelled notions that Zanu PF had a strained relationship with South Africa’s ruling party ANC saying the ties remained cordial and was in constant communication with his counterpart President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Kirsty Coventry Embarrassed

Kirsty Coventry

Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry’s seriousness on the stadia ban might be questioned after she said that the CAF has not announced dates for the resumption of AFCON qualifiers.

The football authorities are racing against time to ensure that the Zimbabwe’s Group G qualifier against Algeria, slated for November, is staged on home soil as all stadiums in the country are currently banned from hosting international matches due their failure to meet set standards.

Coventry is however not even aware that the  continental governing body has already set dates for the resumption of AFCON and Champions League games, putting her seriousness into question.

“Confederation of African Football (Caf) has not spoken or sent any reference to any of the stakeholders that the resumption of play will be within this year. So, we are at this point in time, very positive that we will be approved for our games to go on,” the Minister said on Thursday while responding to questions by the senate.

“If at any point in the next few weeks we see that Caf is not going to be positive with the upgrade that has been done, we could then start to look at other things, but until we have confirmation as to when these games will take off, there is no reason for us not to be confident in the upgrade that we have done to pass CAF inspections.”-Soccer 24 Zimbabwe

Rushed Return To The Zimdollar Our Biggest Mistake – Opinion

THE Zimbabwean government recently gazetted the Finance Bill (HB 4 of 2020) which validates the fiscal changes that were tabled in the Mid-Term Budget Review in July.

The Bill amends the Gains Tax Act (Chapter 23:01), the Finance Act (Chapter 23:04) and the Income Tax Act (Chapter 23:06). The Bill also carries changes to various tax heads such as mining royalties, income tax, value-added tax, customs and excise duties. Of significance is the fact that the government is reverting back to the taxation model of the Finance Act of 2009, which allows it to collect taxes in foreign currency from corporates and individuals that earn their income in foreign currency.

The individual income tax-free threshold has been raised from ZW$5 000 to ZW$25 000 (US$302) and aligns to the foreign currency tax free threshold of US$350. The individual income tax bands will be as follows: From US$351 to US$1 500 (20%), US$1 501 to US$5 000 (25%), US$5 001 to US$10 000 (30%), US$10 001 to US$15 000 (35%) and above US$15 000 (40%). The changes are with effect from August 1, 2020.

Zimbabwe officially dollarised on April 9, 2009, and adopted a basket of multiple currencies led by the United States dollar and South African rand. The market had rejected the Zimbabwean dollar and started using foreign currencies after record hyperinflation eclipsed 250 million percent (officially) in July 2008.

However, the Zimdollar was hurriedly re-introduced in February last year to thwart pressure from civil servants, who were demanding to be paid in US dollars. Statutory Instrument (SI) 142 of 2019 was then gazetted in June 2019 to ban the use of multiple currencies and enforce the use of a mono-currency regime in the economy.

However, the local currency experienced a record free-fall, losing 90% of its value in 2019. Annual inflation increased from 59% in February 2019 to 838% in July 2020.

In July 2020, a dual pricing regulation (SI 185 of 2020) directed all sellers of various goods and services to display and quote prices in both the Zimdollar and US dollar using the auction rate. This paved the way for the government to follow businesses and labour with new US dollar tax proposals.

The economy is now heavily skewed towards official dollarisation again, with the government now amending its taxation arsenal and partially remunerating in US dollar. Most businesses have also moved to charge in foreign currency and will be more than happy to trade in a stable currency for planning purposes.

Impact on tax revenues
The revenue performance for 2019 looked rosy on face value despite regressing in real terms. The country’s tax and non-tax revenue jumped to ZW$22,971 billion (US$2,691 billion using monthly interbank rates).

In spite of surpassing gross and net revenue targets every month, tax revenues fell below the 2013 total net-of-refunds collections of US$3,430 billion. This means that the Zimdollar depreciation and the subsequent general economic contraction have seriously hit government pockets, thereby adversely impacting public service delivery and infrastructure spending.

Service delivery in hospitals, education, housing, social welfare and policing have been seriously affected due to compensation related industrial action and limited budget allocations.

Inflation still poses the greatest risk to revenue collection, utilisation of allocated budgets and service delivery in various government departments.

ZSE, pension funds losses
In December 2013, the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) market capitalisation reached US$4,2 billion. As of September 14, 2020 the combined market capitalisation was ZW$217,44 billion (less than US$2,630 billion). After pouring millions of capital into new production lines and ramping up production, all counters on the ZSE have seen their values eroded by more than 50% as a result of exchange rate losses.

The same can be said of the pensions and insurance sector where pension and investment values were severely battered. The value of pension and insurance assets has plummeted from a value of US$4,358 billion in December 2013 to about US$2,013 billion in December 2019. There has been an increase in product termination of policies as premiums, contributions and benefits can no longer keep pace with the rate of inflation. For the second time in a decade, pensioners have lost their life savings due currency changes and most are struggling to make ends meet.

Increase in poverty levels
Poverty levels in Zimbabwe spiked in 2019 as access to food, basic education, health care, decent housing, electricity, power, transport, safe drinking water and other insurance became elusive to many Zimbabweans as a result of loss of income.

Salaries and wages in both the private and public sector are not being adjusted in line with changes in inflation rate or consumer price indices. Civil servants are currently getting a Covid-19 allowance of US$75 plus a basic salary of ZW$3 000 for the least-paid worker (below the Zimstat Poverty Datum Line of ZW$11 334 for June 2020).

The same can be said for the private sector where salaries average just below that amount for the least-paid worker. This means that the Zimdollar has decimated incomes for labour and most are now living in extreme poverty if compared to 2010 to 2018 income levels or World Bank standards on poverty.

The impact is being felt on decline in consumer confidence and spending in the economy. According to the World Bank, extreme poverty reached 40% of the population in 2019, up from 33,4% in 2017, with urban poverty rising faster (from 4% to 10%) than rural poverty.

Corporate sector losses
Zimbabwe’s corporate sector has been hard hit by the rushed introduction of the local currency. Businesses have lost billions through erosion of asset value, exchange rate losses, foreign debt overhang and decline in revenue as a result diminished consumer spending.

British American Tobacco (BAT) Zimbabwe posted a loss of ZW$27,69 million in 2019. Financial behemoth, Old Mutual Zimbabwe suffered a massive loss of ZW$2,61 billion, while telecoms giant Econet Wireless Zimbabwe posted a heavy loss of ZW$1,28 billion in 2019.

Listed entities such as Simbisa Brands, Nampak, Pretoria Portland Cement, National Foods, Delta Beverages and RioZim experienced their worst trading period in 2019 characterised by production stoppages and failure to meet foreign obligations.

The business sector has blamed their losses on currency depreciation, foreign exchange losses and decline in consumer disposable incomes. After introducing the Zimdollar, the government took over foreign debts amounting to about US$2 billion. Most of the debt has not yet been paid and this has had a negative impact on local businesses in terms of importing raw materials, getting new credit lines, outsourcing critical foreign services, debt-to-equity ratio, cash flow management and business stability.

The country’s de-dollarisation plan was doomed from the onset as the country did not meet the basic fundamentals required to bring stability to a mono-currency. The country was not actively implementing any macro-economic stabilisation plan that would lead to low inflation or have an efficient foreign exchange market to talk of.

Further, the country has no foreign currency reserves or external facilities to back the stability of the domestic currency, an acceptable sovereign debt repayment plan or the governance discipline required to curb rampant money supply growth. The rushed introduction of the Zimdollar has not only left labour, business and the economy nursing wounds of inflation, but it has also battered the government in terms of tax revenue collections and service delivery.

The government is now covertly undoing the mono-currency legislation and exchange controls, but economic output lost due to the ill-timed currency changes can never be recovered.

Undeniably, every country needs a domestic currency to push its export and economic growth agenda. However, that currency borrows its stability for a stable economic and political climate. The currency changes were reactionary, mistimed and lacked alignment to other economic policies and reforms.

Victor Bhoroma is an economic analyst. He holds an MBA from the University of Zimbabwe. — [email protected] or Twitter: @VictorBhoroma1.

Extracted from The Independent

MDC Alliance Post NEC Meeting Update

NOTING the extent of the national crisis, the suffering of the masses, increased poverty, economic instability, hyperinflation, economic disequilibrium;

CONCERNED by the crisis of legitimacy, the closure of political space, attack on civil liberties and human rights, persecution and arrests of activists, the torture and violence against the citizens:

FURTHER NOTING the humanitarian crisis in respect of which 8 million Zimbabweans are food insecure and 5 million people have to be provided with humanitarian assistance and concerned by the massive leakages and looting of humanitarian aid and assistance;

TAKING COGNISANCE of the COVID19 pandemic and the gross mismanagement of the pandemic through the lack of financial resources, mass testing and provision of PPEs, drugs, isolation and quarantine centres:

DISTURBED by ZANU PF-driven threats to the people’s political party – the MDC Alliance, the unlawful arrests of our leaders and members, the unlawful recalls of elected people’s representatives and the abuse in the interpretation of the Supreme Court judgment:

1. The party expresses concern over Zimbabwe’s multi-faceted governance, economic and social crisis which has manifested in mass starvation, poverty, joblessness, wage erosion, poor earnings by civil servants, the remuneration crisis in the education sector, grand corruption and a deepening crisis in the health sector including inadequate remuneration and PPEs for health workers and insufficient isolation facilities. We call for NGOs to give aid directly to communities to avoid abuse by ZANU PF. We condemn corruption in COVID19 procurement and the use of COVID19 as an excuse to clampdown on human rights.

2. The party condemns the closure of democratic space, human rights abuses, violence, wanton arrests and demands the immediate release of all political prisoners and an immediate cessation of all malicious prosecutions, particularly of Job Sikhala, Joanna Mamombe, Cecillia Chimbiri, Chalton Hwende, Tsitsi Dangarembwa, Netsai Marova, Hopewell Chin’ono, Jacob Ngarivhume and Godfrey Kurzone.

3. The party notes the efforts of South Africa and the ANC in facilitating the resolution of the national crisis. The party restates its commitment to dialogue centred on comprehensive reforms, national healing and the return to legitimacy and democracy. The party supports the efforts of the ANC and calls for the involvement and scaffolding of the process by the international community, in particular SADC and the African Union.

4. The party affirms the democratic right of citizens to protest peacefully as enshrined in section 59 of the Constitution and places all citizens on notice with regard to the need for a broad front to challenge ZANU PF and mass mobilization because Zimbabwean Lives Matter and the March is not Ended.

5. The party restates that it is the MDC Alliance party. It contested the 2018 election as the MDC Alliance. As the alternative, it has MPs in Parliament and councillors in local authorities. It has been victimized as the MDC Alliance and will win as the MDC Alliance. It will remain the MDC Alliance.

6. The party demands comprehensive electoral and political reforms as set out in our RELOAD and PRICE policy documents. The party considers participation in free, fair and credible elections as a necessary zone of struggle.

7. As a people-driven party, the NEC mandated the leadership at various levels to consult stakeholders, opinion leaders, grassroots structures and party organs countrywide on the multiple options that are available to it.

Fadzayi Mahere

National Spokesperson

CIO Agent Nabbed For Smuggling

A MEMBER of the President’s Office based in the border town of Chirundu is wanted by detectives who yesterday swooped in on a daring syndicate that smuggled goods from Zambia and stored them in a disused common room of ZRP Chirundu Mess., Zimbabwe Voice can reveal.

According to an internal police memo, detectives from CID Chirundu together with officers from the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), President’s Office (the CIO) and ZIMRA officials discovered 35 sacks loaded with goods ranging from clothes to hardware.

The incident took place yesterday (Friday) at about 0830 hours when CID Chirundu received information through a phone call from ZIMRA Chirundu Bonds Manager, one Mrs Kudzunga, that there were suspected smuggled goods in a disused common room of ZRP Chirundu Mess.

“Detectives identified witnesses at the scene leading to the arrest of Charles Mainoti (38), a resident of Southlea Park in Harare who works for Kabor Bus Services.

Part of internal memo originated by CID Chirundu that Zimbabwe Voice is in possession of.
Part of the internal memo originated by CID Chirundu that Zimbabwe Voice is in possession of.
“The accused was interviewed and he indicated that he engaged one Denga, a member of the President’s Office based at Chirundu who together with Cliff NFPK transported the goods from Zambia to Zimbabwe via the entry gate of the border.

“The accused further indicated US$ 350-00 to Zimra Officials, US$430 -00 to members of ZNA and CIO who all facilitated entrance of the smuggled goods into the country. Detective Constable Karimakwenda of CID MFFU Chirundu also witnessed the payments,” reads the memo in part.

It further says that nn unregistered Kombi, white in colour and belonging to one Cliff was used to smuggle the goods from Zambian Border into the country during the night of 17 September 2020 and the goods were taken to the disused Police Mess for safekeeping waiting for them to be transported to various destinations.

“The goods were smuggled via the Border’s entry gate and the accused made payments to Officials manning the gate to be allowed to pass.

“A Toyota Dyna unregistered, engine number nil, chassis number XZU338-100139 being driven by Shingirai Derrick Nyadore, aged 38 Years, NR 26-133580 P 50 was found parked about 50 meters away from the scene.

“The driver was located and indicated that he had been hired by the accused to transport some goods but was not aware of the nature of goods. The vehicle was taken to ZIMRA Chirundu for seizure.

“The recovered goods were to ZIMRA for counting and seizure,” reads the memo, which the Zimbabwe Voice is in possession of.

Detectives in Chirundu say they are seeking the whereabouts of Denga, the CIO officer, and Cliff who is being implicated and are keen to interview the duo.

CID also wants to recover the Kombi that was used to smuggle the goods as well as identify ZIMRA authorities namely Magaya and Mutasa who were manning the Border’s entry gate so they can jointly charge them.

Meanwhile, Mainoti is expected to appear in court soon.

“Hapana Anoraramira Hupenyu Hweumwe,” Mnangagwa Speaks On New Life Under Covid-19.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has all but given up on the Coronavirus declaring the “each man for himself” stance on the Coronavirus scourge.

Mnangagwa said this stating that the Government of Zimbabwe will ease Zimbabwe’s national COVID-19 lockdown regulations as has done neighbouring South Africa.

Addressing the Zanu PF Central Committee on Friday, Mnangagwa said Government will be easing the country’s COVID-19 lockdown measures in the coming week.

He said:

“Hapana anoraramira hupenyu hweumwe. Mumwe nemumwe anofa pachake kana kurarama pachake. Isu ndima yedu yekuudza vanhu kuti kune chirwere ichi taifambisa, taisunda ndima iyoyo. Kwatavakuenda uku, tichionazve kuti vazhinji vakunzwisisa, takutsudzunura zvishoma nezvishoma. Tichange tichitsidzunura zvimwe svondo rinouya iri. Saka ndati ndinyatsokutsanagura apa kuitira kuti tese tive nerimwe kana totaura. (No one lives on behalf of another. An individual will die or live alone. We have done our part as Government to inform the public on Covid-19. We will be relaxing regulations this coming week. I have told you this so that we are on the same page.)”

Earlier this week, Government announced that business hours for exempted businesses not defined as essential, along with most of the retail end of most essential sectors had been extended to 6.30 am to 6.30 pm.

This period is outside the curfew which the government clarified remains in place despite the extension of business hours.

The Deputy Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Covid-19, Professor Amon Murwira told The Herald that the 10-hour curfew remains in place despite the extension of business hours permitted for exempted non-essential businesses.

The government instituted an 8 pm to 6 am curfew to restrict night activities as part of measures to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Schools are resuming examination classes, under new rules, restrictions in domestic tourism have been eased and intercity bus travel has been allowed with the new rules for that sector.

Chiwenga Was Appointed Health Minister To Give Soldier Mentality Into The Sector

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday told a Zanu PF central committee meeting in Harare that he appointed Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga to head the Health portfolio to sort out striking doctors and nurses with a “soldier mentality”.

Chiwenga was appointed to the portfolio last month following the ouster of Obadiah Moyo, who is facing abuse of office charges that also involve associates of Mnangagwa’s Family.

The former Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander, who traded the military fatigue for political office after a military coup that ousted the late former President Robert Mugabe in November 2017, came into the health portfolio amid a crippling job action by nurses demanding a living wage.

“We realised that year after year, we would not go for four or five months without a strike in the health sector. I realised we needed a soldier there. We had to second a soldier there and now they are back at work,” Mnangagwa said in apparent reference to Chiwenga.

In August, armed police were deployed to beat up striking nurses at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare, while others were also deployed in Bulawayo and other cities.

Nurses were also arrested for downing tools during that period.

Chiwenga, soon after his appointment, pleaded with the health workers to return to work and pledged to end the culture of looting by those politically connected.

He came in when the health workers had declared war on their employers, insisting they would not go back to work before their concerns were raised.

Their concerns included United States dollar-pegged salaries, personal protective equipment, among other essentials, and the government had failed to convince them to go back to work.

There were reports soon after his appointment that Chiwenga was targeting some members of Mnangagwa’s family who were fingered in the COVID-19 looting scandals that involved alleged abuse of millions of dollars.

Several people, including Moyo and one Delish Nguwaya, a close associate of the Mnangagwa family, have since been arrested over the scandals, while journalists who exposed the said rot have either been arrested or are in hiding.

NewsDay

‘Komichi Says He’s Taking Over Auxillia From Today’ …

By Mari Matutu | Admit Morgen Komichi is a traitor but one thing for sure he has is balls, big enough to take over Auxillia from Emmerson. It’s happened. Sad.

I know some will be quick to say bad words. I do not mind. Yesterday he announced that his party MDC-T is now called MDC-Alliance.

In 2013 he came in front and declared NIKUV has used a ballot that change votes. No matter what you say he set an agenda for Zimbabwe and explanation for MDC T. On 15 February 2018 He stood up and declared that Nelson Chamisa is the president of the party MDC T and it set the record. Khupe lost. At election result 2018 he grabbed the mike and said the elections are fake.

Komichi at congress set record that Mwonzora or Mudzuri cannot contest Chamisa and it happened.
When he lost post of VP he became a sellout yes but he took his talent.

At the door steps of the Supreme Court, he declared saying Chamisa is illegitimate. For 6 months now it’s as he declared. Today he has announced he is MDC A. It looks like the obvious will happen.

If you do not have a person brave to stand up declare things and stand your ground you might as well help the nation and stop politics.

We voted you as MDC-A. The constitution is clear that elections are done in accordance with electoral laws. SC: MDC A or MDC T are not electoral laws.

s129(1)(k) does not provide for recall of member for ceasing to belong to party A which is a member of party B.

The wording of election results declaration are not changed by anyone beside an electoral court order after petition.

S4 of Act say MDC A is a political party and the party registered office bearers in terms of s38A. The candidates chose MDC A on prescribed form and were accepted by MDC A. As candidates who sot authority of office bearers from a party they are not bound by agreements of the party with any other person.

Right to stand for election is in terms of s67 (3)(b) given to citizens not political parties who then exercise s67(1)(b) political choice of who to contest in conjunction with. They made choice. No one can give them party to belong. MDC T is yet to prove how these members ever belonged to them in terms of electoral law.

Seats are not vacant we wait for you ZEC in terms of s233(f) to remedy the injustice and direct Parliament to cancel their declaration vacancies because ZEC has duty to see constitutionalism is observed and ZEC has to secure the observance of values and principles democracy are observed.

The only seats we shall contest are those vacant by death and recalls by other parties.

Should ZEC accept the directive of parliament and MDC T then let the world know that the will of the people is stolen and there is no independent electoral body. The world must know that the electoral body has subjected itself to a political agreement and constitution of a party and disputes are which civil matters and not electoral disputes.

Bayern Munich Star Joins Liverpool

Klopp

Liverpool have announced the signing of Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich for for £27m ($35).

Thiago’s arrival follows the team’s first summer signing of Greece left-back Kostas Tsimikas.

Speaking in his first Anfield interview, the Spain international said:

“I think this club describes what I am as well; I want to achieve all of the goals, win as many trophies as possible. It also [has] this kind of family [feeling] that I need because we [like to] have a very close relationship with the club.”

Thiago is reported to have signed a four-year contract at Anfield and joins the Premier League champions having just won the treble in Germany. He will wear Jersey No 6.-Soccer 24 Zimbabwe

President Chamisa Denounces Violence Against ZINASU’s Ngadziore

President Chamisa

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has strongly condemned the harassment of ZINASU president Takudzwa Ngadziore by Zanu PF hooligans.

Zanu PF youths assaulted ZINASU leaders and journalists during a media briefing in Harare on Friday.

President Chamisa described the level of lawlessness in the country as shocking.

“Repression in Zimbabwe hits a new low as a young student leader
@ngadziore
@Zinasuzim
is subjected to thuggery and violence for protesting and holding a mere press conference.

There is a crisis in Zimbabwe.This barbarism must be stopped!The march is not ended. #ZimbabweanLivesMatter,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

MDC Alliance Students’ Council Condemns Abduction, Harassment Of Ngadziore

MDC Alliance

MDC SC STATEMENT ON NGADZIORE’S ABDUCTION

The MDC ALLIANCE STUDENTS COUNCIL is deeply agitated by the continued persecution of Zimbabweans by the ZANU PF regime.

Takudzwa Ngadziore, ZINASU president who was recently arrested for merely asking for justice for Tatenda Muchehiwa was yesterday abducted by suspected state agents, butchered and left for dead.

His only crime was to demand answers from the impala car rental on the abduction of a fellow student Tatenda Muchehiwa.

The abominable ways of silencing the people which Zanu pf is using will always be abortive as it is the great crisis in the country that actuates the people to rise and speak.

Therefore we assure ZANU PF that its evil tactics to instill fear in people through abducting, torturing, unlawful arrests of members of the opposition and civic organizations will not stop the people’s revolution.

Surely the utterances by the illegitimate government that there is no crisis in Zimbabwe is just but nonsense.

The level of human rights violations is reaching its peak, people are living in abject poverty as the economy continues shrinking and falling into an abyss, accelerated by ZANU PF’s excessive looting.

A nation’s leadership that is only adept at brutalizing its people clearly indicates that it is not from the people but self imposed itself.

In Zimbabwe we are as good as leadershipless.

Our security forces know nothing about patriotism but act on a partisan basis.

Surely if we do not liberate ourselves, no one else shall!

#Ed and ZANU must go
#Zimbabweans lives matter
#Arise Students arise
#Zimbabwe simuka

MDCA students council SG
Hither Mpambwa

Impact Of COVID-19 On Health Workers Worldwide

coronavirus

The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on governments and health care leaders to address persistent threats to the health and safety of health workers and patients.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded all of us of the vital role health workers play to relieve suffering and save lives,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “No country, hospital or clinic can keep its patients safe unless it keeps its health workers safe. WHO’s Health Worker Safety Charter is a step towards ensuring that health workers have the safe working conditions, the training, the pay and the respect they deserve.”

The pandemic has also highlighted the extent to which protecting health workers is key to ensuring a functioning health system and a functioning society.

The Charter, released today for World Patient Safety Day, calls on governments and those running health services at local levels to take five actions to better protect health workers.

These include steps to protect health workers from violence; to improve their mental health; to protect them from physical and biological hazards; to advance national programmes for health worker safety, and to connect health worker safety policies to existing patient safety policies.

Mounting reports of infections, illness and attacks among health workers fighting COVID-19

COVID-19 has exposed health workers and their families to unprecedented levels of risk. Although not representative, data from many countries across WHO regions indicate that COVID-19 infections among health workers are far greater than those in the general population.

While health workers represent less than 3% of the population in the large majority of countries and less than 2% in almost all low- and middle-income countries, around 14% of COVID-19 cases reported to WHO are among health workers. In some countries, the proportion can be as high as 35%.

However, data availability and quality are limited, and it is not possible to establish whether health workers were infected in the work place or in community settings.

Thousands of health workers infected with COVID-19 have lost their lives worldwide.

In addition to physical risks, the pandemic has placed extraordinary levels of psychological stress on health workers exposed to high-demand settings for long hours, living in constant fear of disease exposure while separated from family and facing social stigmatization.

Before COVID-19 hit, medical professionals were already at higher risk of suicide in all parts of the world.

A recent review of health care professionals found one in four reported depression and anxiety, and one in three suffered insomnia during COVID-19.

WHO recently highlighted an alarming rise in reports of verbal harassment, discrimination and physical violence among health workers in the wake of COVID-19.

Credit:WHO

Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre

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Repressive Regime Will Soon Crumble -President Chamisa

President Chamisa

Farai Dziva|In his message of encouragement to the nation, MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has pointed out that the “repressive regime will soon crumble.”

President Chamisa speaks at a time Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is torturing, abducting and harassing citizens at an alarming pace.

On Saturday President Chamisa wrote :

The power of dictatorships comes from the willing obedience of the PEOPLE they govern and if the PEOPLE can develop techniques of withholding their consent, a repressive regime will soon crumble.

Happy Sabbath to you dear friends!!

Mnangagwa Reveals Why He Appointed Chiwenga To Health Ministry

Constantino Chiwenga

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the appointment of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, a retired army general, as Health Minister was meant to put an end to a crippling nurses’ strike.

Addressing a Zanu PF central committee meeting in Harare on Friday, Mnangagwa boasted that since Chiwenga’s appointment, doctors and nurses are now back at work.

He said:
We realised that year after year, we would not go for four or five months without a strike in the health sector.

I realised we needed a soldier there. We had to second a soldier there and now they are back at work.

Chiwenga was the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander during the 2017 military coup that toppled the late former President Robert Mugabe in November 2017.

He was appointed Health Minister to replace Obediah Moyo who was fired for his alleged involvement in the looting of Coronavirus funds.-NewsDay

Chamisa, Mnangagwa Should Relate The Same Way They Did During GNU

In 2009, former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai appointed the then MDC National Organizing Secretary, Nelson Chamisa to be in charge of Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and served as a cabinet minister until the expiry of the Global Political Agreement (GPA). His tenure as a cabinet minister exuded virtuosity and he won several minister of the year awards. The former President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe once described him as a supersonic minister following Chamisa’s successful computerization initiative back then.

Chamisa also served as Member of Assembly for Kuwadzana East and he also did excellent work to develop his constituency which includes successful feedback mechanism in the constituency, the MP scholarship fund for the girl child, computerization and internet connection for Kuwadzana schools and construction of state of the art Kuwadzana library.

Whilst Advocate Chamisa was serving as a cabinet Minister in the Government of National Unity, he shared the same cabinet boardroom at Munhumutapa offices with Emmerson Mnangagwa then Justice Minister before the latter switched to Defense Ministry.

The two used to share some lighter moments in Parliament and they were believed to be only political opponents and not enemies. Videos and images in which the two were joking and laughing together are awash on the internet.

When Mnangagwa and Chamisa took over as leaders of ZANU PF and MDC Alliance respectively, many people hoped the two’s affability could push them to engage in serious talks for the betterment of the ailing nation. Moreover Nelson Chamisa’s lawyer Thabani Mpofu also ‘legitimized’ the November 2017 military coup by representing two applicants at the High Court arguing that the army’s intervention was necessary on the basis that Mugabe could no longer be in a position to make independent decisions and was now acting under his wife Grace’s influence. He won the case. We all thought dialogue between Chamisa and Mnangagwa was inevitable and it seemed people were ready to work together.

My questions which linger unanswered are; what has changed, apart from one being the Head of State, and the other being the main opposition leader in Zimbabwe? Do these two gentlemen need a South African delegation appointed by Cyril Ramaphosa for them to meet in their own country? Does it have to take Thabo Mbeki or Olusegun Obasanjo to come and mediate for them to dialogue?

Mnangagwa argues that Chamisa must recognize him as the legitimate head of state for him to consider him on the negotiating table. On the other hand, Chamisa says the legitimacy issue should form the basis of the dialogue between the two.

Advocate Chamisa and President Mnangagwa need to understand the fact that in a dialogue you have to sacrifice something. No one should expect to win everything in a dialogue hence the need for the two to swallow their pride and negotiate purposefully.

Let me close by saying we need the two leaders right on the same table, and if it means people have to flood the streets, let them do so as this might be the only sagacious protest worthy overwhelming national participation. Prayer warriors on the other hand should go onto the mountains to pray for peace in our country.

On March 9, 2018 Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta and the leader of the main opposition Raila Odinga publicly shook hands and agreed to work together. It did not take the two foreign conciliators to achieve such a commendable milestone. Now there is political stability in Kenya and their economy is growing rapidly and the environment is conducive for investors. Recently Ramaphosa and Julius Malema held a joint press conference calling for unity amongst citizens in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic, an indication they put people first.

I therefore call upon Chamisa and Mnangagwa to start talking to each other. Mnangagwa as the president of the country should put people first and understand that Chamisa is a vital cog in every development of this country and dialogue without Chamisa is a façade.

The two are legal minds and we believe they speak the same language. They must understand they are all Zimbabweans hence their actions should be pro-people. Before the two became the leaders of their respective political parties, they made some remarkable achievements as both government ministers and political leaders.

We want sincere talks between the two political giants and home-grown solutions to scaffold the country for growth and stability. The country is in the middle of an enervating political crisis which can only be resolved through a candid dialogue.

Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo is the Head of Zimbabwe Institute of Strategic Thinking – ZIST and he can be contacted at [email protected]

“We cannot impose ourselves on Zimbabwe” says SA – yet no qualms imposing illegitimate Zanu PF

By Patrick Guramatunhu| South African International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor says South Africa’s intervention in Zimbabwe can only happen at the request of the Government of Zimbabwe.

There is real very little point in talking endlessly about the hows, whens, whys, etc. of South Africa’s intervention in Zimbabwe until we have dealt with the question of what SA’s intervention can realistically achieve.

If we agree that the root cause of Zimbabwe’s seemingly never ending economic and political crisis is the country’s failure to hold free, fair and credible elections. Zimbabwe is a Banana Republic, a pariah state, ruled by incompetent, corrupt, vote rigging and murderous thugs. 40 years and counting of gross mismanagement, rampant corruption and rank lawlessness have taken a heavy toll on the economy and the nation at large.

The solution to ending Zimbabwe’s crisis is self-evident – the country must implement the democratic reforms designed to end the curse of rigged elections and bad governance. Since this Zanu PF government, on its own or in a GNU, cannot be trusted to implement the democratic reforms; the 2008 to 2013 Zanu PF and MDC GNU failed to implement even one reform; Zanu PF must step down to allow the appointment of a body that will implement all the reforms.

It should be remember at this point that Zanu PF blatantly rigged the July 2018 elections, just as the party has rigged other elections in the past. The regime failed to produce something as basic as a verified voters’ roll, for Pete’s sake.

“The final results as announced by the Electoral Commission contained numerous errors and lacked adequate traceability, transparency and verifiability,” stated the EU Observer Mission final report.

“As such, many aspects of the 2018 elections in Zimbabwe failed to meet international standards.”

The July 2018 elections were flawed and illegal and therefore failed to produce a legitimate result and government. This Zanu PF is illegitimate and must step down.

The question then arises; Can President Ramaphosa, SA, SADC and AU get Zanu PF to step dow?

The realistic answer to that question has to be a no. President Ramaphosa said the July 2018 elections “Went well!” and as far as Zanu PF is concerned that was a resounding endorsement of the election as free, fair and credible and of Zanu PF’s legitimacy. SADC and AU gave a more guarded endorsement. The bottom line is SA, SADC and AU cannot withdraw their legitimacy endorsement now!

Zanu PF rigged the July 2018 elections. Of course, it was very foolish of President Cyril Ramaphosa to blindly endorsed the rigged elections. But such are the realities we are having to deal with here.

The best solution SA, SADC and AU can impose on Zimbabwe is to ask Zanu PF to form a new GNU and, fingers crossed, hope the arrangement will implement some reforms, at least. After 40 years of appeasing Zanu PF and with the nation’s very survival now at stake; no one in his/her right mind would ever accept another time wasting gimmick.

The solution to Zimbabwe’s crisis is for Zanu PF to step down so the nation can appoint a body that will implement the democratic reforms. Since SA, SADC and AU cannot ask Zanu PF to step down they must ask the UN to step in.

If President Cyril Ramaphosa, SADC and AU had joined the EU, USA, the Commonwealth and many other nations and international organisation in condemning Zimbabwe’s rigged July 2018 elections then Zanu PF’s illegitimacy would have been settled there and then.

“We cannot impose ourselves. When we have openly sort out and openly gone out and said look we have a problem in this area. Could we talk. Only when you reach that level of openness and admission that you begin to address the challenges that confront you,” explained Minister Naledi Pandor.

Yeah right! Did Minister Naledi Pandor have an open and candid discussion with President Cyril Ramaphosa before or after the latter so foolishly endorsed the rigged July 2018 Zimbabwe elections?

Indeed, Minister Pandor and President Ramaphosa must now take a generous doze of the advice they are giving and admit endorsing Zanu PF’s rigged elections was a very foolish and is at the very heart of the crisis in Zimbabwe.

The UN is the one organisation best placed to help end this crisis. President Ramaphosa, as the neighbour of Zimbabwe and current chairman of AU, is best place to ask the UN to assist. The UN will not impose itself on SA, SADC and AU particularly given the “African solutions to African problems!” mentality in some quarters.

“We cannot impose ourselves!” SA imposed Zanu PF on Zimbabwe by endorsing the rigged elections. All we are now asking SA to do is admit the folly and ask the UN to assist; that is not asking for too much!

SOURCE: zimbabwelight.blogspot.com

LIVE- BREAKING: Impala Based Youth Who Called For Thugs To Arrest Taku Ngadziore – INTERVIEW.

 

BREAKING- Khupe’s MDC T Changes It’s Name To MDC Alliance

….Dr Thokozani Khupe’s MDC T changes it’s name to MDC Alliance.

19 September 2020

By Kimberley Tariro Mamhende| MDC-T chairman Morgen Komichi has just declared that “from today we are the MDC Alliance” – signalling intention to use name of the party led by Nelson Chamisa when nominating candidates for by-elections on Oct 9. He was speaking at MDC-T 21st anniversary at party Headquarters- Morgan Tsvangirai House.

MDC-T led by Khupe recalled MDC Alliance Members of parliament and councillors saying they belong to another Party Called MDC Alliance.

Today, MDC T are calling themselves MDC Alliance.

Is MDC T following supreme court judgement?

What is the next move of MDC Alliance led by President Chamisa? Will MDC Alliance led by President Chamisa *rebrand*

BREAKING- “Khupe’s MDC T To Contest Elections As MDC Alliance”

….Dr Thokozani Khupe’s MDC T changes it’s name to MDC Alliance.

19 September 2020

By Kimberley Tariro Mamhende| MDC-T chairman Morgen Komichi has just declared that “from today we are the MDC Alliance” – signalling intention to use name of the party led by Nelson Chamisa when nominating candidates for by-elections on Oct 9. He was speaking at MDC-T 21st anniversary at party Headquarters- Morgan Tsvangirai House.

MDC-T led by Khupe recalled MDC Alliance Members of parliament and councillors saying they belong to another Party Called MDC Alliance.

Today, MDC T are calling themselves MDC Alliance.

Is MDC T following supreme court judgement?

What is the next move of MDC Alliance led by President Chamisa? Will MDC Alliance led by President Chamisa *rebrand*

Harare Model Ra_ped By “Facebook Friend”

By Own Correspondent| A 19 year old Harare model was raped on Thursday by a man she had befriended on social media site, Facebook.

According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) statement, the young woman who resides in Waterfalls was invited for modelling auditions by the man.

When the woman went for the auditions, she was raped her Facebook friend. The man was arrested and is yet to appear in court to face rape charges.

Police said in a statement:

Members of the public are warned against trusting people they meet online. This warning follows the rape of a 19-year-old woman in Waterfalls on 17/9/20 after she was purportedly invited for modelling auditions by a man she befriended on Facebook.

The man has since been arrested and will appear in court soon.

MDC Alliance Students Council Statement On Abduction, Harassment Of Ngadziore

*MDC SC STATEMENT ON NGADZIORE’S ABDUCTION*

The MDC ALLIANCE STUDENTS COUNCIL and the broader student’s movement is deeply agitated by the continued persecution of Zimbabweans by the ZANU PF regime. The full glare of Zanu’s thuggery and violence was laid bare yesterday when Takudzwa Ngadziore, the ZINASU president was abducted, butchered and left for dead by State security agents. Ngadziore is being persecuted for merely asking for justice for Tatenda Muchehiwa another student who was abducted and severely tortured by state security agents with the brazen assistance of Impala Car Rentals. His only crime was to demand answers from Impala Car Rental on the abduction of Tatenda Muchehiwa.

The abominable ways of silencing the people which Zanu pf is using will always be abortive as it is the great crisis in the country that actuates the people to rise and speak. Therefore we warn ZANU PF that its evil tactics to instill fear in people through abducting, torturing, unlawful arrests of members of the opposition and civic organizations will not stop the people’s revolution.

The utterances by the illegitimate government that there is no crisis in Zimbabwe is just but nonsense. The level of human rights violations is reaching its peak, people are living in abject poverty as the economy continues shrinking and falling into an abyss, accelerated by ZANU PF’s excessive looting.

A nation’s leadership that is only adept at brutalizing its people clearly indicates that it is not from the people but self imposed. In Zimbabwe, we are as good as without a leader. Our security forces know nothing about patriotism but act on a partisan basis.

Surely if we do not liberate ourselves, no one else shall!

ZINASU leader

#Ed and ZANU must go
#Zimbabweanlives matter
#AriseStudents arise
#ZimbabweSimuka

*MDCA students council SG*
*Hither Mpambwa*