Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Organizer and ward 4, Masvingo Urban Councillor Godfrey Kurauone was on Thursday morning denied bail by High Court Judge Justice Neville Wamambo.

Kurauone is facing three charges- undermining the authority of the President, Criminal Nuisance and Obstruction of Traffic.

Kurauone is unwell and he is being denied access to medication.

Kurauone was denied bail on the basis that he would “continue to commit similar offences.”

His lawyer, Advocate Martin Mureri said the charges have been “cooked up by political rivals in a bid to nail the youthful councillor.”

“The whole thing has been crafted by political foes who are determined to nail the young man.

For instance, Kurauone has not been feeling well for some time and above all he never went to Mashava where the State alleges he incited protests against the government,” said Advocate Mureri.

Health workers have demanded a meeting with the newly appointed Health minister and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to resolve the wage dispute which has paralysed the sector amid a rise in Covid-19 positive cases.

Health professionals have been on strike since June protesting against the absence of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and low salaries that have been eroded by inflation.

Aaron Masara, secretary general of the Senior Hospital Doctors’ Association, said the senior doctors wanted the new minister Chiwenga, his deputy John Mangwiro and new permanent secretary Jasper Chimedza to be fully briefed on what has been happening and resolve the impasse that has affected the sector.

Last week, President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed Chiwenga and Chimedza as minister and permanent secretary respectively.

The ministry has been operating without a minister and permanent secretary.

Obediah Moyo was last month fired as Health minister for “conduct inappropriate for a government minister” following his arrest in June on corruption allegations involving the procurement of Covid-19 PPEs.

-Business Times

By A Correspondent- A granny has opened up narrating how she unearthed that her 4year old grand daughter was raped by her uncle and how the mother of the minor tried to conceal the rape.

A 4 year girl was raped and made to drink sperm, proven by a medical examination in case RRB 4051834 Chitungwiza and yet @PoliceZimbabwe has closed the file. Can you explain why you have failed to effect an arrest ZRP, @nickmangwana @Jamwanda2 ; @MuzvareBetty

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 12, 2020

Below is the full text of the revelation:

It was in July 2019 I had my 4 year old grand daughter on my back, and she suddenly became frightened then quickly told me, “Alvin made me lick his thing.”

Then I asked her, “Did you say “a thing”?

Then after that Alvin was passing by the roadside and as soon as she saw him she screamed at him saying, “Alvin you made me lick your thing inside your spare bedroom”.

Then Alvin replied saying,”You will get me in trouble, you will get me beaten up”. And then my granddaughter replied insisting: “Yes you made me lick your thing”.

And then I told her, “Calm down my daughter you will tell your mother when she returns.”

The mother then arrived to collect the baby with a vehicle from the crèche because her (my grand daughter’s) mother works at the crèche.

In the evening, I asked her if she had communicated with her mother and she said her mother did not say anything. So now I had to turn to my own son. I told him what his daughter had said to me in the morning and he said let me wait for my wife to come back.

Then when the child’s mother returned, she said let me talk to my mother who is also Alvin’s mother.

It is reported that he apologised saying sorry mama. So now after that I said let me take my granddaughter to be seen by a doctor because my fear was that she could have been forced to drink sperm fluids.

At that time, I didn’t think that she had been raped.

At that point the mother refused to go to the doctor. I said since the mother had refused to go to the doctor, let us go to the police.

At the police station, they asked us to bring the child so that she could be medically examined by the doctor. They told us to bring her because she could have suffered more than what we knew. They said maybe it was not just the sucking ordeal because she could have been raped.

We then told the mother and she went with the child to the police station and she was given a letter to take to the doctor and she was told that the results would be obtained from the police.

The mother went to the police on her own. She did not go with the husband. She was given the results and returned and they communicated between themselves. The child’s father asked for the report and the mother said that nothing had happened to the child.

The father updated us, so after that I went to the police, and the police told me, “Gogo, we wanted to tell you that your  grand- daughter was not only made to suck someone’s thing, she was gored into, she was literally raped”.

This really shook me. I want to tell you my family I cried and cried, a 4-year old child being literally raped, and then the mother refuses to speak.

They asked me to stop crying and said the following morning they were going to the social welfare office. The child’s mother and the boy’s mum got frightened when she discovered that we now knew the truth.

They said that at the social welfare we would be told when to go to court. Then after that the case was delayed and I returned to the police station. A police officer there then told me that the cop who was handling my granddaughter’s case was on annual leave.

So I was told that I would be updated the following week. When he returned the following week, I was told that he had walked out of the office and it was not clear where he had gone.

The case finally went into court but they said my 4 year old grand daughter had failed to narrate what really happened to her. They said that they expected her to testify and narrate everything that happened to her.

Some of the words that she was expected to say are not known to her.. She is still a minor who cannot explicitly pronounce the name of a male organ hence she said “thing”.

They said when she attended court in the victim friendly unit, that is when she said what happened to her, she told them what had transpired. But when they asked her again she refused to speak… i am not sure why but she is just but a minor, 4 years.

At court, you could see that something was happening. I think they connived to throw the case out.

Please help me to get justice for my granddaughter who was violated. I am hurting inside. The boy who raped my grand daughter is walking outside scot free. The other challenge is that this child is still staying at that same house with the rapist. I fear for her safety. Please help me what should I do to get justice.”

Watch the live video loading below….

PICTURES- Truck full of Anti riot police "camp" outside @BeatriceMtetwa's offices. #ZimbabweansLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/fFY3QUoSJM

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 13, 2020

JUST IN- Another @SurfaceWilmar victim dies. The minor girl is one of the many victims who have died after being severely burnt after stepping on hot ash dunes deposited by @SurfaceWilmar at a dumping site in Chitungwiza. @chitungwizamun #ZimbabweanLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/MZjjWNfj8g

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 13, 2020

This is a developing story. More details to follow.

That is a fake story Hon Sikhala and the entire Youth Assembly National Executive who are being sought by the Police have the full support of the MDC Alliance because they are being persecuted for being Leaders of our Party they did not commit any crime

— Chalton Hwende MP Chairperson Public Accounts (@hwendec) August 13, 2020

2. This application is now being heard in open court. The testimony of Hopewell in camera is yet to commence. Co-counsel Gift Mtisi now giving evidence on developments on the application by the Prosecutor.

— ZLHR (@ZLHRLawyers) August 13, 2020

Chimonyo said she is possessed by the spirit of Ambuya Nehanda which instructed her to write such a message on the banner & move around Harare. Magistrate Mateko on Wednesday ordered that Chimonyo be medically examined by two doctors.

— ZLHR (@ZLHRLawyers) August 13, 2020

Prosecutor Mabhaudhi makes an application asking magistrate Nduna not to give Beatrice Mtetwa audience in the case of Hopewell Chin'ono. Mabhaudhi says Beatrice is posting comments on the Facebook page, Beatrice Mtetwa and the Rule of Law.

— ZLHR (@ZLHRLawyers) August 13, 2020

By A Correspondent- Two ZANU PF Youth League officials, Pupurai Togarepi and Lewis Matutu have completed their rehabilitation at the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology.

The duo was suspended together with the former Youth League political commissar, Godfrey Tsenengamu for violation of the party’s code of conduct after they convened an anti-corruption presser targeting party officials and some senior government officials.

ZANU PF Political commissar, Victor Matemadanda told Daily News on Wednesday that he was not sure whether Togarepi and Matutu, in that order, would keep their positions as youth league’s secretary and deputy secretary.

He said:

In Harare, Police arrested 36 year-old Lillian Chimonyo and charged her with criminal nuisance after she staged a protest in the CBD holding a banner written “President ED Mnangagwa ndipei musoro wangu ndizorore”.

Chimonyo said she is possessed by the spirit of Ambuya Nehanda which instructed her to write such a message on the banner and move around Harare.

Magistrate Mateko on Wednesday ordered that Chimonyo be medically examined by two doctors.

More to follow…

By A Correspondent- A Harare gogo has opened up narrating how she unearthed that her 4year old grand daughter was raped by her uncle and how the mother of the minor tried to conceal the rape.

Below is the full text of the revelation:

It was in July 2019 I had my 4 year old grand daughter on my back, and she suddenly became frightened then quickly told me, “Alvin made me lick his thing.”

Then I asked her, “Did you say “a thing”?

Then after that Alvin was passing by the roadside and as soon as she saw him she screamed at him saying, “Alvin you made me lick your thing inside your spare bedroom”.

Then Alvin replied saying,”You will get me in trouble, you will get me beaten up”. And then my granddaughter replied insisting: “Yes you made me lick your thing”.

And then I told her, “Calm down my daughter you will tell your mother when she returns.”

The mother then arrived to collect the baby with a vehicle from the crèche because her (my grand daughter’s) mother works at the crèche.

In the evening, I asked her if she had communicated with her mother and she said her mother did not say anything. So now I had to turn to my own son. I told him what his daughter had said to me in the morning and he said let me wait for my wife to come back.

Then when the child’s mother returned, she said let me talk to my mother who is also Alvin’s mother.

It is reported that he apologised saying sorry mama. So now after that I said let me take my granddaughter to be seen by a doctor because my fear was that she could have been forced to drink sperm fluids.

At that time, I didn’t think that she had been raped.

At that point the mother refused to go to the doctor. I said since the mother had refused to go to the doctor, let us go to the police.

At the police station, they asked us to bring the child so that she could be medically examined by the doctor. They told us to bring her because she could have suffered more than what we knew. They said maybe it was not just the sucking ordeal because she could have been raped.

We then told the mother and she went with the child to the police station and she was given a letter to take to the doctor and she was told that the results would be obtained from the police.

The mother went to the police on her own. She did not go with the husband. She was given the results and returned and they communicated between themselves. The child’s father asked for the report and the mother said that nothing had happened to the child.

The father updated us, so after that I went to the police, and the police told me, “Gogo, we wanted to tell you that your  grand- daughter was not only made to suck someone’s thing, she was gored into, she was literally raped”.

This really shook me. I want to tell you my family I cried and cried, a 4-year old child being literally raped, and then the mother refuses to speak.

They asked me to stop crying and said the following morning they were going to the social welfare office. The child’s mother and the boy’s mum got frightened when she discovered that we now knew the truth.

They said that at the social welfare we would be told when to go to court. Then after that the case was delayed and I returned to the police station. A police officer there then told me that the cop who was handling my granddaughter’s case was on annual leave.

So I was told that I would be updated the following week. When he returned the following week, I was told that he had walked out of the office and it was not clear where he had gone.

The case finally went into court but they said my 4 year old grand daughter had failed to narrate what really happened to her. They said that they expected her to testify and narrate everything that happened to her.

Some of the words that she was expected to say are not known to her.. She is still a minor who cannot explicitly pronounce the name of a male organ hence she said “thing”.

They said when she attended court in the victim friendly unit, that is when she said what happened to her, she told them what had transpired. But when they asked her again she refused to speak… i am not sure why but she is just but a minor, 4 years.

At court, you could see that something was happening. I think they connived to throw the case out.

Please help me to get justice for my granddaughter who was violated. I am hurting inside. The boy who raped my grand daughter is walking outside scot free. The other challenge is that this child is still staying at that same house with the rapist. I fear for her safety. Please help me what should I do to get justice.”

Watch the live video loading below….

By A Correspondent| MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Organizer and ward 4, Masvingo Urban councillor, Godfrey Kurauone has been denied bail by High Court Judge Justice Neville Wamambo.

Kurauone allegedly posted a video of a song in which he is calling for immediate removal of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Commenting on the issue, MDC Alliance vice President Tendai Biti said principles of bail are basic and should not rewritten to suit authoritarian cult.

“The Masvingo High Court has denied Godfrey Kuraone bail Bail is a constitutional right .The principles of bail are basic and elementary. They can’t be rewritten to suit the dictates of a deranged authoritarian cult . Constitution must be upheld,” said Biti.

More to follow….

By A Correspondent| The fresh bid for bail by journalist Hopewell Chin’ono will be heard in camera on 13 August 2020 at the Harare Magistrates Court following an application to that effect by the State.

The matter, had on 7 August 2020, been adjourned to 12 August 2020 after Beatrice Mtetwa, the lawyer representing Chin’ono, said she intended to make a fresh application for bail based on changed circumstances.

However, proceedings for the new application did not proceed accordingly when the journalist appeared in court on remand today. This followed an application by the State for the bail proceedings to be conducted in camera, that is, in the absence of members of the public and the media.

The Magistrate ruled in favour of the State and indicated that allowing the bail application proceedings in open court, would jeopardise prison security. The bail application will, therefore, be made on Thursday, 13 August 2020.

Chin’ono, in custody since 20 July 2020, is being charged with incitement to participate in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of peace or bigotry or alternatively incitement to commit public violence.

By A Correspondent- South African ruling party chairperson for international relations committee Lindiwe, Zulu ANC, Lindiwe Zulu, who on Tuesday insisted Zimbabwe was in a crisis, has been accused by Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba of breaching protocol.

“Cde Lindiwe Zulu, chairperson of the ANC’s international relations committee, is quoted in today’s press as calling for ‘honest and frank’ discussion on the situation in Zimbabwe,” Charamba said.

“I will ignore her breach of protocol by pronouncing herself on the situation in Zimbabwe ahead of report back by special envoys of the two Heads of State, odd even though that is, so we engage on substantive issues on the situation in Zimbabwe.

“Cde Lindiwe Zulu has been long enough in government to know the provenance of Zimbabwe’s woes, namely related to western illegal sanctions against Zimbabwe over land reforms.

“I am sure she knows that those sanctions, far from being dismantled, are in fact being tightened yearly. Sadc has taken a position against those sanctions, a position which now has been adopted by the African Union.”

Charamba said the special envoys sent by Ramaphosa were not in Zimbabwe to meet other “stakeholders” but the President.

“Clearing confusion over purpose and mandate of presidential special envoys, presidential special envoys are deputations between two heads of State. Theirs is to deliver a message from one head of State to another and, to take back the response to sending Head of State,” Charamba said.

He said people have been, under the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter hashtag campaign, sending old pictures and videos to portray Zimbabwe as a country on fire and all that was exposed to the envoys.

“All that fraud was exposed to the envoys, including the use of images of victims of Ian Smith,” Charamba said.

Two ZANU PF Youth League officials, Pupurai Togarepi and Lewis Matutu have completed their rehabilitation at the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology.

The duo was suspended together with the former Youth League political commissar, Godfrey Tsenengamu for violation of the party’s code of conduct after they convened an anti-corruption presser targeting party officials and some senior government officials.

ZANU PF Political commissar, Victor Matemadanda told Daily News on Wednesday that he was not sure whether Togarepi and Matutu, in that order, would keep their positions as youth league’s secretary and deputy secretary. He said:

Those are politburo positions so it is not for me to say what will happen to them in terms of whether they will retain their positions or not. You could ask the director at the school of ideology Munyaradzi Machacha regarding their course, but as to what will happen to them, it is up to the politburo.
Tsenengamu refused to participate in the rehabilitation programme and was subsequently expelled from the party.

Some of the individuals the youth league named and shamed are RBZ governor John Mangudya, former Mines Minister Obert Mpofu, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa and speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda.

More: Daily News

State Media

COVID-19 has negatively impacted on university students on attachment as most of them had their internships cut short as companies scaled down operations.

Most companies have been operating with skeletal staff to decongest the workplace to mitigate against the spread of the deadly virus.

Interns are among the worst affected as some could not complete industrial training.

Industrial training is a prerequisite before students graduate in various degree programmes in the country.

Some of the students who were supposed to have completed their industrial training at the end of this month did not even commence training.

The students expressed concern that this could result in them deferring studies indefinitely.

National University of Science and Technology (Nust) chemical engineering student Mr Ryan Katayi said the Covid-19-induced lockdown will impact on the quality of graduates’ universities will produce in the next year or so.

Already, there is a concern that some of the graduates being produced by institutions are failing to cope with industry demands.

Mr Katayi said most students were supposed to have commenced their industrial training last year in August but got places between January and February this year.

“Due to the prevailing climate most students got their attachment in January or February of which lockdown was effected at the end of March. This resulted in many companies laying off many workers starting with the interns. From my class, I think 60 percent were laid off which meant that some of them had two months of exposure in the workplace before being laid off,” said Mr Katai.

“So, they didn’t get the overview of learning. My course is a five-year degree and the fourth year is very essential because it generally puts everything that you have been learning for the past three years and that you are going to learn in the final year into perspective. It also directs the kind of final year project that you are going to put up. So, not having gotten that hands-on experience will affect our overall training.”

Lupane State University development studies student Mr Mbongeni Mpofu said he failed to start attachment due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I had been given a place to conduct my internship at a local non-governmental organisation in April. But due to Covid-19, I could not commence my work-related training, as they scaled down operations. Even my colleagues who were already on attachment had their internship stopped while others were told that they would be working from home. But working from home defeats the whole purpose of industrial attachment as there would be no proper supervision,” he said.

Mr Mpofu said while the students have been affected by the pandemic, the institution has not communicated on how they will proceed with their academic training.

Nust student representative council president Mr Innocent Dombo said while students have been affected by Covid-19 measures, Nust has been very flexible in assisting them.

Mr Dombo said as opposed to demanding that students undergo a mandatory eight-month training programme, the university was addressing individual cases as they came.

“I think our departments at Nust have been very flexible in dealing with students on attachment who were affected at their place of training. Some organisations have been flexible enough to introduce working from home so students have had different experiences altogether,” said Mr Dombo.

Nust acting marketing and communications director Mr Thabani Mpofu said he could only provide a detailed response today, although revealing that he knew that the university had taken a position on students on attachment regarding the Covid-19 pandemic impact.

LSU director of marketing and communication Mr Zwelithini Dlamini could not be reached for comment as his cellphone rang unanswered.

Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira said universities are expected to handle challenges affecting students in their studies.

He said policy allows for the disruption of normal programming during a disaster and this will be considered if students face challenges in getting industrial training.

“The issue is basically that if it is impossible to get attachment because of Covid-19 situation that we are in, we invoke a regulation that would be used to the students’ advantage. Or we expose them to a practical that is not attached to a company,” said Prof Murwira.

“The way we coin regulations in universities, we coin them in such as a way that they take care of those situations. There is what we call suspension of regulations. Its an emergency regulation that we apply because every regulation has to be to the advantage of the student.”

The trial of three female MDC Alliance activists, Joana Mamombe, Netsai Marova and Cecelia Chimbiri is set to continue today at Rotten Row in Harare.

The trio is charged with violating lockdown restrictions after they participated in a hunger protest in Warren Park in May. MDC Alliance posted on Twitter demanding justice for the trio saying:

Today, the trial of #MDCTrio Joanna Mamombe, Cecillia Chimbiri, & Netsai Marova continues at Rotten Row where they’re charged with participating in a protest against hunger. The perpetrators of their abduction & sexual assault are yet to be brought to book.

The activists were abducted from police custody on the night they were arrested and were subjected to inhumane treatment all the night only to be dumped in Bindura in the morning.

Although the identity of the alleged kidnappers is not yet known, the opposition party suspects that the trio was abducted by state security saying no other person could have taken them from police custody.

Government authorities, however, say the alleged abduction was staged to dirt the image of the government.

State Media

Zimbabwe’s health delivery system is being reformed and restructured, new Health and Child Care Minister Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said yesterday, promising a new era in healthcare.

The Vice President was recently mandated by President Mnangagwa the additional task of taking charge of the Health Ministry, currently under the spotlight because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking for the first time following his appointment to head the ministry, Vice President Chiwenga, who was speaking at Hippo Valley estates during a tour of winter maize being grown on newly cleared and irrigated land, said a new era had dawned.

“Things will never be the same again. We are restructuring and reforming our health delivery system. We want to rebuild the structures from village to referral level. Things will never be the same again, but we must work together.”

The clean-up of the country’s health sector was being done together with the Health Services Board and other ministries such as Finance and Economic Development.

“We have already identified the problems and we do not want a repeat of what was happening before,” he said.

Turning to Covid-19 cases that continue to rise in the country, he urged Zimbabweans to adhere to what health experts say and was concerned that infections continued to spike in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and Mutare, the country’s biggest cities.

“I am the Minister of Health (and Child Care) and we are faced with a pandemic. We are getting daily updates on Covid-19 and Mr Covid-19 kills. The current state of affairs should not remain like this.”

Community and political leaders, including Parliamentarians, had to take the lead in the fight against Covid-19 in their areas if the battle against it was to be won.

President Mnangagwa appointed Vice President Chiwenga as new Health Minister after firing Dr Obadiah Moyo after he was arrested on allegations of involvement in a dubious procurement deal now cancelled.

News24

The Johannesburg Society of Advocates (JSA) has expressed its disapproval of the conduct attributed to the Zimbabwean government which has taken advantage of lockdown regulations to crack down on any form of dissent.

“Reports of unlawful arrests of persons as leverage for others in hiding to be given up, of the arrest of opposition political party members, of journalists and other outspoken people, and the arrest, abduction, torture and sexual assault of women in Zimbabwean society are the very hallmarks of gross human rights abuses by governments that do not respect the rule of law,” the JSA said in a statement on Wednesday.

This amid growing reports of alleged human rights violations in the country against anybody who is critical of the Zanu-PF-led government.

Several Zimbabwean journalists and activists have been arrested, allegedly abducted or beaten in recent weeks after they either spoke out against alleged corruption, or were critical of the government.

Among those targeted is prominent Zimbabwean investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, 49, who is still in police custody after his recent arrest in Harare on 20 July.

He was accused of inciting Zimbabweans to join a planned anti-government protest during the coronavirus outbreak, News24 previously reported.

The JSA stated the right to not be arrested arbitrarily and without proper cause, the right to the sanctity and security of one’s own home, the rights to dignity and bodily integrity were all complimentary to the right of freedom of speech and expression.

“These rights are enshrined in the Zimbabwean Constitution and international law. They should be respected by all people and upheld by every government,” it added.

The JSA said what was more disturbing was that those who were supposed to ensure these rights were upheld were victimised themselves by their own government.

It noted the recent treatment of several lawyers – Patrick Tererai, Lawman Chimiuriwo, Tapiwa Makanza, Choice Damiso, Joshua Chirambwe, Dumisani Dube, Doug Coltart and advocate Thabani Mpofu – at the hands of law enforcement authorities.

“[They] have been arrested over the past few months while representing clients seeking to exercise their fundamental human rights such as freedom of expression.

“Such conduct by the government is in breach of the principles of international law and the pronouncements of respected organisations such as the International Bar Association,” the statement read.

The JSA said it stood in solidarity with its legal colleagues in Zimbabwe and saluted their courage in pursuing the highest standards and traditions of the profession without fear, favour or prejudice.

“The JSA strongly condemns the reported violations and the suppression of Zimbabweans’ fundamental human rights, which should be protected, upheld and fostered by the rule of law in every nation and in every situation.”

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga who was recently appointed as the Minister of Health specifically to work on reducing the scourge of the Coronavirus In the country appears set for a mammoth task.

Eighteen more deaths due to Covid-19 have been recorded between Thursday last week and Tuesday this week after tests during post-mortems, taking the total death toll to 122.

In its daily report yesterday, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said the patients died in the community and on admission to the casualty ward at Parirenyatwa Hospital and other hospitals. Almost all the deaths — 10 men and six women — were in Harare with one man each from Manicaland and Midlands. Mutare and Gweru have been seen as the epicentres of the pandemic in these two provinces.

Yesterday, 75 new infections were confirmed, all local except a single returning resident from South Africa, taking the total to 4 893 confirmed cases with 3 740 of these being infected within Zimbabwe.

Of the local infections, Harare accounts for 1 595 with 71 deaths, Bulawayo for 1 103 with 23 deaths, Midlands for 334 with six deaths and Manicaland for 195 with 10 deaths. Mashonaland East, which includes a belt of settlements, such as Ruwa, right on Harare’s eastern border, now has 197 local cases and one death.

There have been 1 620 confirmed recoveries but with the Harare total on just 76 there is still a large group of people who are now well but who have yet to enter the official statistics as cured.

President Mnangagwa appointed Vice President Chiwenga as new Health Minister after firing Dr Obadiah Moyo after he was arrested on allegations of involvement in a dubious procurement deal now cancelled.

The opposition MDC Alliance has said the whereabouts of Tamuka Denhere, pictured,  who is the party’s Secretary for Security and Defence for Mkoba District are still unknown.

The party initially reported about his missing on Wednesday saying he had been abducted by state security agents. MDC Alliance posted on Twitter:

MDC Alliance Mkoba District Secretary for Security and Defence, Tamuka Denhere has just been abducted by state agents .His whereabouts are currently unknown. Please RETWEET for awareness.

— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) August 12, 2020

In an update posted Thursday morning, the party indicated that Denhere was not yet found. Reads the update:

#UPDATE

We are still unable to establish the whereabouts of Tamuka Denhere who was abducted by suspected state agents yesterday in Mkoba. We demand his immediate release. Security of person and freedom of torture are Constitutional rights. #FreeTamuka https://t.co/TgMTNWi1ts pic.twitter.com/spUTsi9wCs

— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) August 13, 2020

Former commercial farmers’ representatives, Mr Harry Orphanides said before the former commercial farmers and Government came to an agreement over the compensation figure, there were several discussions which led to a referendum where the majority voted in support of the Government’s offer.

“The $US3,5 billion was an offer the Government put on the table. The global position agreed to between ourselves and Government value agents was $US5,2 billion.

“At first we did not agree on the figure as they had excluded biological assets. We later went into the negotiation period of the compensation and at the end of the day the Government put on the table a figure of US$3,5 billion and we took it to our members. Some 3 000 farmers voted in the referendum and about 94 percent accepted. We have a majority of farmers accepting that proposal,” he said.

Speaking about the 6 percent that voted against the compensation deal, Mr Orphanides said they will also benefit from the programme.

“As long as they are on the database, they still have the opportunity of partaking in the compensation. Government is obliged to pay for the assets and not the land. We have no say on that matter, it’s a constitutional issue and we have to abide by that,” he said.

State Media

SEVEN activists who were arrested upon return from the Maldives where they allegedly attended a workshop on subverting a constitutionally-elected Government were yesterday removed from remand.

George Makoni, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Gamuchirai Mukura, Nyasha Mpahlo, Farirai Gumbonzvanda, Sithabile Dewa and Rita Nyamupinga were freed by Harare magistrate Mrs Babra Mateko.

Mrs Mateko told the State led by Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti to proceed by way of summons if it needed the accused persons back in court.

The State failed on numerous occasions to furnish the accused persons with a trial date hence the decision by the magistrate.

On the last remand date, Prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa said investigations had been completed into the matter paving way for the resumption of their trial.

He said the docket for the matter was with the Prosecutor-General, Mr Kumbirai Hodzi, for indictment and assessment.

Allegations against the seven, who are members of civic society organisations, are that on May 13 last year, they travelled to the Maldives where they took part in a training workshop organised by a Serbian NGO called Centre for Applied Non-Violent Action and Strategies, with the intention to subvert a constitutionally-elected Government.

They were arrested upon return at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.

Their notes, laptops and cellphones which contained the allegedly subversive materials were recovered and were sent to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) for extraction of evidence.

The seven were being represented by Ms Jessie Majome and Mr Jeremiah Bamu

A 59-YEAR-OLD Hwange man has been arrested for rape and indecent assault after he allegedly inserted fingers into his 14-year-old daughter’s privates before raping her claiming he was checking her virginity.

Virginity testing is a cultural practice done by some ethnic groups around the world including Zimbabwe, to determine whether a girl or woman has had sexual intercourse before.

Gender and human rights activists have called for elimination of the practice saying it is a violation of girls and women rights.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the girl, allegedly committed the crimes between July 18 and July 23 when the two were alone in the absence of the girl’s mother who was out of town.

He told his daughter that it was his duty as a parent to check if she was still a virgin or not.

The man allegedly inserted fingers and raped the girl on July 18 before touching privates and caressing her for three consecutive nights between July 20 and July 23 after forcing her to share a bed with him in his bedroom.

The man allegedly threatened his daughter with death if she left the house or told anyone about the abuse.

The girl confided in her visiting grandmother who advised her to write her experiences in a book which they showed the victim’s mother on her return leading to the arrest of the abusive father.

He was charged with three counts of indecent assault, one of aggravated indecent assault and another of rape after a medical report showed that the girl had been sexually violated.

He was not asked plead to the charges when he appeared before Hwange magistrate Ms Barbara Phiri who remanded him in custody to Thursday next week.

Prosecuting, Mr John Chisango Mutyakaviri said the man threatened his daughter with death if she revealed the abuse.

“On 18 July at around 10pm the complainant was sitting on a sofa watching TV when her father told her that he wanted to check if she was still a virgin.

The complainant refused and told him to take her to her grandmother for virginity testing. The accused insisted that he had powers to check her daughter’s virginity,” said the prosecutor.

The man allegedly ordered the girl to remove her panties and pull her skirt upwards.

“The accused then knelt down in front of the complainant and pulled her legs apart.

He inserted his forefinger and the middle finger into the girl’s privates telling her he was checking if she was still a virgin,” said the prosecutor.

The court was told that after removing his fingers, he ordered his daughter to lie on the sofa facing upwards before forcibly pulling her legs apart while threatening to kill her if she made noise.

The girl complied out of fear and he allegedly raped her once. During the forced sex, she complained to her father that he was hurting her.

After raping his daughter, the man allegedly ordered her to go and sleep.-Chronicle

State Media

SOUTH African envoys who came to Zimbabwe early this week and delivered a message to President Mnangagwa from his counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa had no obligation to meet opposition parties and civic society as that would have been a breach of diplomatic protocol, the Government has said.

Zimbabwean opposition parties confirmed that meetings had been scheduled between them and the three South African envoys, former South African Minister of Safety and Security Dr Sydney Mufamadi, who was leading the team, former Speaker of Parliament Baleka Mbete and former South African Minister of Public Service and Administration Advocate Ngoako Ramatlhodi.

Experts said that would have been an abnormal set-up.

According to diplomatic etiquette and the established Sadc and African Union (AU) protocol on engagement, envoys are usually despatched by either a Head of State or a regional or international organisation to undertake a specific and clearly defined mission.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Permanent Secretary Ambassador James Manzou said in diplomatic practice, a message sent through envoys can be despatched from one Head of State to another and not through other avenues.

“There are many diplomatic ways in which Heads of State communicate between themselves. One way is through special envoys. A Head of State can send a special envoy to his colleague Head of State. Normally the envoys are given a message by the sending Head of State.

“The task of the special envoy is to faithfully deliver the message to the receiving Head of State and none other. Upon delivery of the message, the envoy listens attentively to the response of the receiving Head of State. After which the envoy returns to his Head of State to faithfully deliver the response he would have received.

“Upon delivery he may or may not get further instructions depending on the issue. Just to emphasise that such matters are between the Heads of State and none other. This is the diplomatic etiquette or protocol followed during the important bilateral visit to Zimbabwe by special envoys of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, head of a neighbour and sisterly country,” said the Ambassador.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana said the South African envoys had a specific mandate.

“The envoys were President Ramaphosa envoys to President Mnangagwa. If there was a crisis matter it would have been dealt with at institutional level by the Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, but this was a bilateral engagement between two leaders.

“President Ramaphosa was not engaging President Mnangagwa as the chairperson of the African Union, because under the AU regional bodies deal with matters that arise in their regions. And because there is no crisis in Zimbabwe, the issue has not been raised.

“What happened is a bilateral conversation between two leaders. The envoys came to Zimbabwe and met the President. They gave him a letter from their President. No nation can just interfere in the affairs of another nation with envoys coming to see the opposition, churches and other groups. Sadc hasn’t said there is a crisis in Zimbabwe,” he said.

Zanu PF Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu said elements in the MDC-A had a preconceived idea of the purpose of the South African emissaries mission, but their lofty expectations came to naught because diplomatic engagements do not follow their wishful thinking.

“Those in the MDC Alliance had a pre-conceived agenda they wanted to be addressed and it is expected of them to be throwing tantrums seeing that their trivial interests were not incorporated into the envoys’ mission.

“In fact, the envoys had no obligation to meet them. Instead, this was a state-to-state interaction that was only guided by due protocols which were adhered to. As it stands, the legitimacy of the MDC Alliance is a judiciary predetermined matter.

“The only opposition political parties which can be engaged on similar matters in the future are those within the POLAD framework and those opposition parties whose existence is not legally contested, as is the case with brief-case political parties such as the Chamisa-led MDC-T splinter group,” he said.

Political analyst and former MDC-A spokesperson Mr Obert Gutu also stressed that an envoy reports to their appointing authority and it is the appointing authority who retains the power to instruct the envoy on how to execute the mandate given to them.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa’s envoys to Zimbabwe must, and indeed should, be viewed in this context. These envoys are not political negotiators sent to structure some kind of a deal between the Zanu PF Government and opposition political, religious and civil society activists. I am absolutely bamboozled that some people are already lambasting these envoys before they have even reported back to their appointing authority” said Mr Gutu.

State Media

Rogue police officers have been putting up illegal roadblocks and conducting patrols countrywide to extract bribes from the public, but the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is urging those who suspect they are victims to make reports to police hotlines as soon as possible so immediate action can be taken to track down and arrest the gangs.

The reports have besides illegal road blocks, people in police uniforms driving unmarked vehicles and stopping motorists, and after threatening them with fake charges and warning them that they face automatic jail terms then suggest and accept bribes.

Even fake foot patrols have been reported, again with the intention to threaten and then extract bribes.

In an interview yesterday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged the public to report suspicious behaviour immediately.

“Such people will be brought to book. This is especially for those in street corners and other certain points. The public should notify the police commanders so that action will be taken immediately,” he said.

He added: “Remember the country is currently under national lockdown and there are teams manning roadblocks. There are combined operations being conducted with the police and other security forces.”

This means that in most cases police officers are not conducting roadblocks alone except in a few cases where they would be checking for violations of traffic offences. In such cases, Asst Comm Nyathi said such officers should identify themselves and inform motorists of the purpose of the task they will be carrying out while also patrolling.

“Currently members of the public are aware of all places where roadblocks are being manned countrywide by security forces,” he said.

Members of the public are therefore urged to report any illegal criminal activities or people mounting illegal roadblocks on hotlines (024) 2748836 or 2703631 or the nearest police station.

During the past few years, some dismissed police officers and others who get hold of or make police uniforms were reported to be in the habit of mounting illegal roadblocks and even using spikes to get cash from unsuspecting people.

There are at least three different types of roadblocks in Zimbabwe.

The common is a standard roadblock where police are required to set-up visible security barriers such as drums that are painted with visible colours and reflectors and usually supporting booms. There is the “Police Ahead” sign about 80m before the roadblock.

Everything should be there including the blue lights because some of these can stretch into the night. And that roadblock, the standard one, should be manned by more than four traffic officers.

The other one involves spot checks, where police will profile an area where there is always or suspected criminal activities. Police would be in these areas to check whether there are any crimes happening or just showing their visibility.

The third is the highway patrol. The highway patrol usually has cars that will be driving along the highways and detecting the driving trends on the roads. They will be checking defective cars and can stop drivers who will be misbehaving.

The highway patrol officers would also be on the lookout for criminals and even trucks with suspicious cargo.

South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) says there is a political crisis in Zimbabwe, which needs to be resolved by Africans through various processes, including attempts by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who recently sent envoys to the neighboring nation to assess “difficulties” faced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government accused of human rights abuses.

In an interview, ANC’s International Relations Committee chairperson Lindiwe Zulu said there is urgent need to resolve the political crisis in Zimbabwe.

“We have already said it from an ANC point of view that there is a crisis in Zimbabwe that needs us from a party political angle as the liberation movement ANC plus Zanu PF liberation movement. It’s important for us to engage each other and go back to what has been happening in the past and how we got to where we are right now and then be honest and frank about what we need to do to help the situation. Zimbabwe is our neighbor, we cannot close our ears and eyes to that … What we think should be done is for both parties to be frank with each other about what is happening in Zimbabwe and we take it from there.”

Zulu said it is possible to resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe without the help of “outsiders”

“… There can be never be a situation without a solution … This is Africa and we have always said as ANC that as Africans we must always find solutions to African problems and as a political party it’s our responsibility to continuously engage until we are comfortable with the situation there and feel that we are proud of what is happening, we are comfortable with what is happening. So, engagement is almost synonymous with that as South Africa. We have been there, we have gone through that, we are where we are today because we engaged until we got where we are, the same thing will happen about Zimbabwe. From the party political angle, we will engage but at the same time as we said so, we will respect the other processes of engagement by President Cyril Ramaphosa. He sent envoys there, the envoys will come back and report to him. We will leave that to the president to deal with when the envoys come back.”

She said the Southern African Development Community and African Union are expected to play a key role in tackling the conflict in Zimbabwe.

“This is our continent, we will sort out out things as Africans and I do believe that as Africans we have the capacity to be able to deal with our issues. Like any other, conflicts are dealt with in different ways even in the African continent we deal with conflicts in different ways and remember here that it’s not just about South Africa when it comes to such issues. It’s about SADC, it’s about the African continent, and you know that the AU issued its own statement with regard to what is happening, so I’m confident that a solution will be found because we have nowhere to go, because this is our continent. We have to work together and make sure that the people of Africa in general are proud of us as the leadership … They have mandated us and we just have to do the work.”

On suggestions that Ramaphosa’s envoys only engaged Mnangagwa when they arrived in Zimbabwe and snubbed other stakeholders, Zulu said Baleka Mbete and Sydney Mufamadi’s terms of reference were coined by the South African president and as a result they will report back to him accordingly.

She noted that Ramaphosa and Mnangagwa are widely expected to map the way forward for Zimbabwe. “I’m sure they will engage each other and help us through to the next level.”

She dismissed suggestions that the ANC can’t deliver an outcome favorable to the opposition and others in Zimbabwe following the formation of a Government of National Unity in 2009, which the opposition MDC-T claimed mostly benefited the ruling Zanu PF party.

“Our engagement with Zanu PF did not start yesterday. There is a history to where we are today and how we got to where we are today and so when we talk about sister parties we really mean it because we belong and decided we are sister parties of liberation movements whethere it’s Mozambique, Angola we have to talk to each other and find solutions to our challenges …”

Zulu said she is not disturbed by acting Zanu PF spokesperson, Patrick Chinamasa, who attacked her in public for criticizing Zimbabwe’s ruling party.

“Quite frankly right now we have to a situation that needs us all to work and resolve, that’s the bottomline.”

President Mnangagwa has already said the current crackdown on dissent in Zimbabwe is directed at misguided people, who want to unconstitutionally remove him from office.

Independent human rights groups claim that at least 60 people have been arrested following an anti-corruption protest that was thwarted by state security agents on July 31.

Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU PF party insists that there is no crisis of any nature in the country.

Watch the SABC News discussion on the issue.

Eighteen Zimbabweans died of Covid-19 on Wednesday after the deaths had scaled down with the country going for three days without recording a death case pushing the national tally to 122.

There were 75 new cases and 76 recoveries.

Zimbabwe now has 4 893 cases of which 3 151 are active and 1 620 have recovered.

MPILO Central Hospital is struggling to cope with the number of pregnant women flocking to the public institution following the decision to set aside United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for Covid-19 cases.

This arrangement is valid until designated health centres which are all undergoing renovations are ready to admit Covid-19 patients.

Both Mpilo and UBH are the major referral hospitals that service Bulawayo, Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland North and South provinces.

This has led to an increase in the number of women going to Mpilo to deliver, a situation which has been worsened by the ongoing nationwide nurses strike.

On normal days before the lockdown, Mpilo would help 25 women deliver vaginally and through the Caesarean section daily.

Of late, normal deliveries have risen to 42, with 10 C-sections daily and authorities have raised concern of possible consequences as there are at most two qualified nurses at any given time to monitor the women who are even sleeping on the floor due to overcrowding-Chronicle

A GWERU man allegedly hanged himself with a rope from a roof truss at his lodgings after fatally axing his estranged wife once on the neck following a dispute over suspected infidelity.

The woman had allegedly received a love message on her cell phone which angered her husband leading to a misunderstanding.

Even after a third party spent over two hours trying to counsel the couple that was on separation, Pride Hove (30), police said went on to allegedly axing Patience Matura (22) once on the neck before taking his own life.

Midlands Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the deaths of Hove and his estranged wife Matura who were on separation.

Insp Goko said on Monday at around 2AM, Hove’s landlord, Mr Swedi Phiri who was also his uncle was in Masvingo when he called his neighbour Mr Tobias Mavhunduka (64) of house number 697 Hertfordshire Suburb in Gweru asking him to go and check on the council since he heard that they were having a domestic dispute.
“Mr Mavhunduka allegedly proceeded to the house to try to solve the dispute.

The dispute was started when Pride Hove allegedly saw some text messages in Patience Matura’s phone and suspected that she was having an affair with someone,” said Insp Goko.

He said Mr Mavhunduka allegedly returned to his place of residence after two hours of trying to counsel the couple
On the same day at around 2PM, Insp Goko said Mr Phiri arrived in Gweru from Masvingo and proceeded home.

“Upon arrival, he saw Hove’s body hanging from the roof truss through the window of the dining room and immediately proceeded to Gweru Central Police to make a report. He didn’t enter the house since all doors were locked.

Police officers attended the scene,” said Insp Goko.

He said when the police allegedly entered the house they found the body hanging
Insp Goko said the police officers proceeded to one of the bedrooms and found Matura lying dead on the floor in a pool of blood with an axe on her neck.

“The scene was attended by CID details. It is suspected Pride Phiri allegedly struck his wife once on the neck with an axe and she died on the spot before he committed suicide by hanging self on the roof trusses,” he said.

Insp Goko said the bodies were taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital where they were certified dead.

“Both bodies were ferried to GPH mortuary waiting post-mortem,” said Insp Goko.-Chronicle

A 59-YEAR-OLD Hwange man has been arrested for rape and indecent assault after he allegedly inserted fingers into his 14-year-old daughter’s privates before raping her claiming he was checking her virginity.

Virginity testing is a cultural practice done by some ethnic groups around the world including Zimbabwe, to determine whether a girl or woman has had sexual intercourse before.

Gender and human rights activists have called for elimination of the practice saying it is a violation of girls and women rights.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the girl, allegedly committed the crimes between July 18 and July 23 when the two were alone in the absence of the girl’s mother who was out of town.

He told his daughter that it was his duty as a parent to check if she was still a virgin or not.

The man allegedly inserted fingers and raped the girl on July 18 before touching privates and caressing her for three consecutive nights between July 20 and July 23 after forcing her to share a bed with him in his bedroom.

The man allegedly threatened his daughter with death if she left the house or told anyone about the abuse.

The girl confided in her visiting grandmother who advised her to write her experiences in a book which they showed the victim’s mother on her return leading to the arrest of the abusive father.

He was charged with three counts of indecent assault, one of aggravated indecent assault and another of rape after a medical report showed that the girl had been sexually violated.

He was not asked plead to the charges when he appeared before Hwange magistrate Ms Barbara Phiri who remanded him in custody to Thursday next week.

Prosecuting, Mr John Chisango Mutyakaviri said the man threatened his daughter with death if she revealed the abuse.

“On 18 July at around 10pm the complainant was sitting on a sofa watching TV when her father told her that he wanted to check if she was still a virgin.

The complainant refused and told him to take her to her grandmother for virginity testing. The accused insisted that he had powers to check her daughter’s virginity,” said the prosecutor.

The man allegedly ordered the girl to remove her panties and pull her skirt upwards.

“The accused then knelt down in front of the complainant and pulled her legs apart.

He inserted his forefinger and the middle finger into the girl’s privates telling her he was checking if she was still a virgin,” said the prosecutor.

The court was told that after removing his fingers, he ordered his daughter to lie on the sofa facing upwards before forcibly pulling her legs apart while threatening to kill her if she made noise.

The girl complied out of fear and he allegedly raped her once. During the forced sex, she complained to her father that he was hurting her.

After raping his daughter, the man allegedly ordered her to go and sleep.-Chronicle

A MAN from Nkayi in Matabeleland North was on Monday found lying dead along the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo road in Nyamandlovu, shortly after he was discharged from Mpilo Central Hospital where he was admitted for an undisclosed ailment, police said yesterday.

The man, identified as Gift Sibanda (24) from Somthanyelo village under Chief Sikhobokhobo area was discovered by a police officer at around 9:25 AM.

Police spokesperson for Matabeleland North Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese confirmed the incident yesterday, saying they suspected no foul play.

She said a police officer stumbled upon the deceased and notified his counterparts at Nyamandlovu Police Station.

“One of our police officers came across the deceased lying facing upwards along the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo road at a 32 kg peg in Nyamandlovu area. When he got closer to investigate that is when he discovered that he was dead,” she said.

The police officer searched the deceased’s clothes and discovered a hospital medical card, which indicated that the man had just been discharged from Mpilo Central Hospital.

“The medical card indicated that the deceased had previously gone to seek medical treatment on Wednesday last week at St Luke’s Hospital in Lupane. He was then referred to Mpilo Central Hospital the following day and card showed that he had visited the hospital at around 8 am before being discharged,” said Chief Insp Makonese.

The police officer notified Nyamandlovu Police Station who attended to the scene.

Chief Insp Makonese said they suspected no foul play and the case is being treated as sudden death due to illness.
She, however, did not disclose the ailment.

The body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) mortuary.-Chronicle

By Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala
31st July Movement
Spokesperson

12 August 2020

Enquiries are being made about my whereabouts and safety by concerned people of good faith, embassies, friends and relatives.

I want to just advise everyone that God is in Charge. In him I trust.

My present situation is exactly the society that Zimbabwe has become, where citizens live like animals; hunted and abused by the very same people who should be protecting citizens and their rights.

This is the society that Eddison Zvobgo rejected. It is the society that Joshua Nkomo, Alfred Nikita Mangena, Nelson Mandela and it is the unacceptable society rejected by the luminary cohort of Africa’s founding nationalists and revolutionaries.

The 31st July Movement is a Convergence Initiative of Citzens on critical and urgent issues of national concern affecting the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Zimbabweans.

The 31st July Movement has broad based constituencies of all citizens, across the political divide, including those in ZANU PF who are not happy with the deplorable state of affairs pervading our country. It is wrong and crass for anyone to associate my position in the MDC ALLIANCE with my role in this all-inclusive and broad based movement of citizens.

I am not playing my role on the instructions of my party position but the role allocated to me by the stakeholders driving the 31st July Movement.

Therefore when I speak, I am speaking on behalf of the broad citizens not on behalf of any political party.

This is because citizen interests cut across the political divide. That is the objective of the 31st July Movement: to unite all our citizens.

Zimbabwe needs unity today beyond political colour than at any given time.

# ZimbabweUnity
#FreeHopewellChin’ono
#FreeJacobNgarivhume
#Free Godfree Kurauone
NO to Corruption
NO to Looting
NO to Abductions
NO to Torture
NO to All Forms of Human Rights Abuse
#ZimbabweanLivesMatter.

Farai Dziva|Another international group, Oxford University Community has urged Emmerson Mnangagwa to respect human rights.

Mnangagwa is using State agents and the courts to silence dissenting voices.

See statement below:

We, the undersigned students, staff, affiliates and alumni of the University of Oxford, condemn the violent suppression of political expression and peaceful protest in Zimbabwe, the arrests of citizens engaging in safe and peaceful protest and the abduction, harassment and torture of Zimbabweans.

We call on the Government of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the security services to end the de facto state of emergency that is restricting movement in the urban centres of Zimbabwe. It is clear that this action is designed primarily to suppress criticism of the government rather than to address Covid-19.
We are concerned about the growing number of people who have been arrested or abducted for criticising the government.

This includes journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono, and opposition political leader, Jacob Ngarivhume, who are still in custody after being arrested for calling for peaceful protests against corruption on social media and denied bail.

Chin’ono had been instrumental in exposing corruption relating to the procurement of Covid-19 supplies.

We are alarmed at the arrests on 31 July of many Zimbabweans, including award-winning novelist Tsitsi Dangarembga, several opposition political leaders including spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere, disability rights activists such as Henry Chivhanga, as well as many more ordinary citizens for doing nothing more than stepping onto the street holding the national flag or placards, peacefully and in small, socially distanced demonstrations.

This is in flagrant violation of section 59 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which guarantees the right to demonstrate peacefully, and of Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Zimbabwe is a party.

While some of these people have been released on bail, others are still in custody and all are facing criminal charges simply for exercising their constitutional rights.

These arrests follow the spate of recent arrests of teachers, nurses, trade unionists, students, human rights lawyers, constitutionalism activists and others, on charges that arise from nothing more than demanding decent work conditions and publicly speaking out against corruption.

The arrests and detentions are happening at a time when Covid-19 cases are on the rise in Zimbabwe and these actions expose those detained to a high risk of contracting the disease in detention.

We demand that all political prisoners are released immediately and the baseless charges against them are dropped.

We are particularly alarmed at the abductions and torture of Zimbabweans, most recently Tawanda Muchehiwa, who was abducted by state agents in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police during the 31 July protests and tortured, following several similar instances recently.

We strongly condemn these practices and call for immediate investigations and prosecution of the perpetrators.

We call on the Southern African Development Community and the African Union to discharge their responsibilities to issue statements condemning the arrests, abductions and harassment of citizens and activists in Zimbabwe and to take action against Zimbabwe.

We call on the United Nations and its special mechanisms to actively monitor the situation in Zimbabwe, condemn human rights violations and take appropriate action against the Government of Zimbabwe.

We call on the international community as a whole – governments, civil society and the people of the world – to stand in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe and to speak out against the violations of human rights and suppression of democracy in Zimbabwe.-Oxford University Community

Farai Dziva|Another international group, Oxford University Community has urged Emmerson Mnangagwa to respect human rights.

Mnangagwa is using State agents and the courts to silence dissenting voices.

See statement below:

We, the undersigned students, staff, affiliates and alumni of the University of Oxford, condemn the violent suppression of political expression and peaceful protest in Zimbabwe, the arrests of citizens engaging in safe and peaceful protest and the abduction, harassment and torture of Zimbabweans.

We call on the Government of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the security services to end the de facto state of emergency that is restricting movement in the urban centres of Zimbabwe. It is clear that this action is designed primarily to suppress criticism of the government rather than to address Covid-19.
We are concerned about the growing number of people who have been arrested or abducted for criticising the government.

This includes journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono, and opposition political leader, Jacob Ngarivhume, who are still in custody after being arrested for calling for peaceful protests against corruption on social media and denied bail.

Chin’ono had been instrumental in exposing corruption relating to the procurement of Covid-19 supplies.

We are alarmed at the arrests on 31 July of many Zimbabweans, including award-winning novelist Tsitsi Dangarembga, several opposition political leaders including spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere, disability rights activists such as Henry Chivhanga, as well as many more ordinary citizens for doing nothing more than stepping onto the street holding the national flag or placards, peacefully and in small, socially distanced demonstrations.

This is in flagrant violation of section 59 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which guarantees the right to demonstrate peacefully, and of Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Zimbabwe is a party.

While some of these people have been released on bail, others are still in custody and all are facing criminal charges simply for exercising their constitutional rights.

These arrests follow the spate of recent arrests of teachers, nurses, trade unionists, students, human rights lawyers, constitutionalism activists and others, on charges that arise from nothing more than demanding decent work conditions and publicly speaking out against corruption.

The arrests and detentions are happening at a time when Covid-19 cases are on the rise in Zimbabwe and these actions expose those detained to a high risk of contracting the disease in detention.

We demand that all political prisoners are released immediately and the baseless charges against them are dropped.

We are particularly alarmed at the abductions and torture of Zimbabweans, most recently Tawanda Muchehiwa, who was abducted by state agents in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police during the 31 July protests and tortured, following several similar instances recently.

We strongly condemn these practices and call for immediate investigations and prosecution of the perpetrators.

We call on the Southern African Development Community and the African Union to discharge their responsibilities to issue statements condemning the arrests, abductions and harassment of citizens and activists in Zimbabwe and to take action against Zimbabwe.

We call on the United Nations and its special mechanisms to actively monitor the situation in Zimbabwe, condemn human rights violations and take appropriate action against the Government of Zimbabwe.

We call on the international community as a whole – governments, civil society and the people of the world – to stand in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe and to speak out against the violations of human rights and suppression of democracy in Zimbabwe.-Oxford University Community

The ZRP dismisses the social media post by Professor Jonathan Moyo in connection with alleged defying of instructions at ZRP Plumtree by police officers.

The post is false and should be dismissed with contempt which it deserves.

The public is urged to be careful of the misleading posts which are circulating on social media as they do not portray the true picture on the ground. “No to falsehoods”.

The ZRP is now conducting investigations to flush out rogue elements who are giving false information in order to cause alarm and despondency in the country-ZRP

The ZRP dismisses the social media post by Professor Jonathan Moyo in connection with alleged defying of instructions at ZRP Plumtree by police officers.

The post is false and should be dismissed with contempt which it deserves.

The public is urged to be careful of the misleading posts which are circulating on social media as they do not portray the true picture on the ground. “No to falsehoods”.

The ZRP is now conducting investigations to flush out rogue elements who are giving false information in order to cause alarm and despondency in the country-ZRP

A GWANDA man has been arrested after he fatally stabbed his friend with an okapi knife in a dispute over a R10 debt.

Farai Moyo (28) of Spitzkop North Suburb was not asked to plead when he appeared before Gwanda magistrate, Ms Lerato Nyathi facing a murder charge. He was remanded in custody to August 21.

Prosecuting, Miss Ethel Mahachi said Moyo met the now deceased Moses Sibanda at Red Cross Business Centre in Gwanda when they had a misunderstanding over a R10 debt which the deceased owed him.

“On 26 February Farai Moyo and Moses Sibanda met at Red Cross Business Centre for a beer drink together with their peers. Moyo later confronted Sibanda and demanded back a R10 debt which he owed him.
Sibanda denied knowledge of the debt and insisted that he had given back Moyo his money which resulted in a misunderstanding.

“The two started fighting and Moyo drew an okapi knife and stabbed Sibanda twice on the stomach before fleeing the scene. Sibanda was rushed to the Gwanda Provincial Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival,” he said.

Miss Mahachi said the matter was reported to the police who conducted investigations leading to Moyo’s arrest.-Chronicle

A GWANDA man has been arrested after he fatally stabbed his friend with an okapi knife in a dispute over a R10 debt.

Farai Moyo (28) of Spitzkop North Suburb was not asked to plead when he appeared before Gwanda magistrate, Ms Lerato Nyathi facing a murder charge. He was remanded in custody to August 21.

Prosecuting, Miss Ethel Mahachi said Moyo met the now deceased Moses Sibanda at Red Cross Business Centre in Gwanda when they had a misunderstanding over a R10 debt which the deceased owed him.

“On 26 February Farai Moyo and Moses Sibanda met at Red Cross Business Centre for a beer drink together with their peers. Moyo later confronted Sibanda and demanded back a R10 debt which he owed him.
Sibanda denied knowledge of the debt and insisted that he had given back Moyo his money which resulted in a misunderstanding.

“The two started fighting and Moyo drew an okapi knife and stabbed Sibanda twice on the stomach before fleeing the scene. Sibanda was rushed to the Gwanda Provincial Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival,” he said.

Miss Mahachi said the matter was reported to the police who conducted investigations leading to Moyo’s arrest.-Chronicle

As reports surface suggesting Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is the one who fired Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cousin, Obadiah Moyo, Mnangagwa’s daughter was reportedly detained at Mazowe police station after it emerged that she was part of the rampant illegal mining.

The development comes as Chiwenga today took charge over several ministry portfolios including that of Agriculture.

The below article was published by the Bulawayo24 website and it says:

VP Chiwenga speaking authoritatively today o pic.twitter.com/WrO1nVfWo7

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 12, 2020

Chido Mnangagwa who is one of Mnangagwa’s children is being sucked in corrupt mining deals and is reported to have been nabbed for riverbed mining with highly placed sources saying the call was made by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga though the case was later swept under the carpet.

According to the source, the arrest of Chido came a few days after Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe and Mines Minister Winston Chitando toured the Mazowe River area to assess the state of illegal mining activities by the Chinese.

“Chido who is ED’s daughter was arrested earlier this week (Monday) for her involvement in riverbed mining activities together with one of ED’s motorcade bikers.

The directive is said to have been made by VP Chiwenga,” the source said

“The arrest came a few days after Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe, minister of mines Winston Chitando and police Commissioner Mahoya paid a visit to Mazowe to assess illegal mining activities in the area.

The arrest which was more of a warning has since been shrouded and swept under the carpet,” added the source.

Efforts to get a comment from both Mnangagwa’s daughter and the police were futile.

However, Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has since directed the closure of about four mines in the province due to illegal mining activities.

This is not the first time that Mnangagwa’s children have been accused of illegal mining since Collins Mnangagwa is alleged to be closely connected to the corrupt Jumbo Mine.-Byo24news

MDC Vice president Tendai Biti while speaking to eNCA News said President Emmerson Mnangagwa is not yet ready to resolve the national crisis. Biti was basing his claims on the fact that his party and other opposition parties were snubbed by the SA Envoys sent by Ramaphosa to speak to Zimbabwe and he blamed the snub on the government as he said the president reportedly threw tantrums and said there was no need for an intervention in Zimbabwe at the meeting yesterday. Watch Biti’s interview with eNCA below.

Transform Zimbabwe leader, Jacob Ngarivhume will spend another week behind bars after the Harare Magistrates Court delayed his bail hearing to next week Monday on the grounds that the designated magistrate was not available to preside over the matter.

Ngarivhume who was the convener of the failed 31 July demonstration, was arrested together with journalist Hopewell Chin’ono on charges of inciting public violence.

Updating journalists outside the Harare Magistrates Court, Ngarivhume’s lawyer Moses Nkomo said they will have to explore other avenues to seek justice for his client.

Nkomo said he had notified the state of his intention to apply for bail on changed circumstances today, which they accepted only for the Magistrates court to set Monday next week as the hearing date.

“We have just been shocked to be advised that the application cannot be heard today because the magistrate who is specifically assigned to deal with these kind of cases is not available, this is despite the fact that bail applications by their nature are urgent and should be treated as urgent. So unfortunately we have to wait until Monday that’s when we were advised that the magistrate specifically assigned to deal with Jacob’s matter will be available. So its quite unfortunate we have to explore other avenues to seek justice for Jacob,” said Nkomo.

ZIMBABWE has recorded 70 new Covid-19 cases, bringing the total number of cases to 4 818.

According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, all the reported cases were from local transmissions and no imported cases from returning residents were reported.

No new deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, and the death toll remains at 104.

Bulawayo recorded 22 new Covid-19 cases bringing the total number of cases in the province to 1 133.

Harare recorded 28 new cases bringing the number of cases in the capital to 1 844, while 17 new cases were recorded in Mashonaland East, bringing the cumulative figure to 237.

Matabeleland North province recorded three new cases, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 91.

No new cases were reported in Matabeleland South, Midlands, Manicaland, Mashonaland West, Masvingo and Mashonaland Central provinces.

A total of 1 544 people have so far recovered from the virus, after 20 new recoveries were reported yesterday.

Active Covid-19 have since gone up to 3 170.

Freelance journalist Hopewell Chino’no seen in the video below btalking to his lawyers at bail hearing on Wednesday, has been sent back to prison and will be back at the Magistrates court on Thursday for continuation of his bail hearing.

#Abduction Alert

MDC Alliance reports that the party’s Mkoba District Secretary for Security and Defence, Tamuka Denhere has just been abducted by state agents. His whereabouts are currently unknown.

This alert has been posted by the party in its official social media sites.

More details to follow….

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) says it will conduct investigations to flush out “rogue elements” who are allegedly giving out “false” information to cause alarm and despondency in the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said it is not true that police officers at ZRP Plumtree are defying instructions as alleged by former Cabinet Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo.

Nyathi blamed bad apples and dark forces within the police force of feeding Prof Moyo with false information.

He said:

The ZRP dismisses the social media post by Professor Jonathan Moyo in connection with alleged defying of instructions at ZRP Plumtree by police officers.

The post is false and should be dismissed with contempt which it deserves. The public is urged to be careful of the misleading posts which are circulating on social media as they do not portray the true picture on the ground. “No to falsehoods”.

The ZRP is now conducting investigations to flush out rogue elements who are giving false information in order to cause alarm and despondency in the country.

Prison authorities have reportedly barred journalist Hopewell Chin’ono from receiving food from home and he is said to be surviving on biscuits and water in prison.

This was revealed by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Lawyers who are updating the nation on his bail application hearing which is being held in private after the state made an application for the hearing to be conducted in private.

ZLHR Tweeted:

Beatrice Mtetwa says Hopewell Chin'ono is surviving on biscuits & water in prison as authorities are not allowing him to receive home-made food. pic.twitter.com/T1F6Rt0TVY

— ZLHR (@ZLHRLawyers) August 12, 2020

AFP

Zimbabwe’s government spokesman Nick Mangwana on Tuesday denied the country was in crisis despite a recent clampdown on dissent that sparked international outrage and shed light on long-standing social and economic woes.

In a telephone interview with AFP, Mangwana defended the arrests of around 20 activists and opposition figures for peacefully protesting against the government on July 31.

The demonstrations — de-facto banned by anti-coronavirus measures — had been called to denounce alleged state corruption and ongoing economic hardship two years into President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s first term.

“The broken window theory indicates that if you let small crimes take place then bigger crimes will happen,” Mangwana said.

“You have to make sure that a broken window is repaired and that the person who broke that window is arrested,” he added, noting that the detainees were “high-profile” but not numerous.

Among the demonstrators snatched from the street were top Zimbabwean writer Tsitsi Dangarembga and Fadzayi Mahere, a lawyer and spokeswoman for the main opposition party Movement for Democratic Change Alliance.

Both were charged with inciting public violence and released on bail.

Mangwana said justice was “blind” to a person’s social position and that laws applied to everyone.

He rejected all notions of “crisis” in Zimbabwe, claiming it was invented by political opponents seeking to “come into power”.

“Somebody lost an election in 2018 and refused to accept that loss,” Mangwana explained. “For there to be a case for international intervention, what they constantly do is say there is a crisis.”- ‘Economic interventions’ –

Zimbabwe is still reeling from 37 years of economic mismanagement under former president Robert Mugabe, whose iron-fisted rule was ended by a military coup in 2017.

Many Zimbabweans complain that the situation has grown worse since Mnangagwa took power.

The president has struggled to redress galloping inflation that has wiped out savings and rendered basic goods unaffordable to most.

Inflation was over 737 percent in June, one of the highest in the world.

This year, economic hardship has been exacerbated by drought and the coronavirus pandemic.

Nearly two-thirds of Zimbabwe’s 14.4 million inhabitants are predicted to face hunger by the end of 2020, according to the UN’s World Food Programme.

Mangwana admitted Zimbabwe was struggling with hyperinflation but said “certain economic interventions” had helped stabilise prices and address fuel shortages.

He denied reports of food insecurity, pointing out that supermarket “shelves are full”, and blamed economic downturn on lockdown measures to stem the spread of coronavirus.

“Every country is experiencing that, including South Africa,” Mangwana said. “So I don’t know why the COVID-19 attributable challenges would be considered a crisis in Zimbabwe and not a crisis elsewhere.”

The southern African country has seen coronavirus cases surge in recent weeks, with over 4,600 infections and at least 104 deaths recorded to date.

– ‘Propaganda’ –

Critics say Mnangagwa is using coronavirus as a cover to thwart protests and hush his detractors.

Last week, the president vowed to “flush out” what he called “bad apples” and “detractors” that “weaken our systems”.

Rights groups say close to 100 Zimbabwean activists and opposition figures have been abducted and brutalised by suspected state agents operating under Mnangagwa.

“People are faking abductions,” his spokesman rebutted. “When you want to demonise a government you accuse it of all the worst kind of atrocities… it causes all sorts of outrage, and that it exactly the type of negative propaganda Zimbabwe is grappling with at the moment.”

The latest wave of arrests have sparked outrage on social media with the hashtag #ZimbabweanLivesMatter trending worldwide.

The United Nations recently expressed concern about the “clampdown on fundamental freedoms”, while the African Union has urged authorities to “protect human rights”.

Last week, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed two special envoys to “assist Zimbabwe”.

The veteran politicians met with Mnangagwa on Monday but did not engage with opposition parties, sparking anger in both countries.

Mangwana said “wires got crossed” as “these types of missions” only spoke to heads of state.

THE local football fraternity is mourning once again following the death of Warriors striker Tino Kadewere’s brother Prince, who passed away Wednesday morning.

Popularly known as Coach Pipi, Prince is said to have been complaining of chest pains since the weekend.

Prince is a former coach at Division One side Beta XI.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba has declared that Zimbabwe is better than most SADC countries and will soon be better than South Africa.

Charamba was responding through a Twitter post to Lindiwe Zulu, Chairperson of the ANC’s international relations committee who said that there is a major crisis in Zimbabwe.

Charamba attacked Zulu saying she was not the best person to comment on the developments in Zimbabwe, a country he said has the capacity to be developed better than every SADC country, were it not for sanctions.

“Relatively speaking, Zimbabwe is a lot better by way of the level of industrialization in relation to other SADC, countries. And with projects which are underway, very soon Zimbabwe should be able to peep at South Africa as an alternative industrial hub.

“The western world is aware of this and is doing its damndest to stop that from happening. Of course, they will fail. What Zimbabwe will not countenance are career politicians from elsewhere who seek to use Zimbabwe and her sanctions-related challenges to build personal profiles and names for international appointments. That would be blatantly cynical and very unfriendly.

Charamba poured cold water on rumours of a government of national unity, GNU” which many believe could take the country ou out of the political and economic mess it is in.

He said the discussion must be had by all SADC countries, not the ANC government.

“Again, I am not sure the ANC govt can do anything about that (mediation of a GNU). Or to imagine that creating a GNU in Zimbabwe a very foolish proposition which is entertained by some elements in the ANC will change that structural deformity. Not even an ouster of Zanu-PF would change that,” he said.

Zimbabwe’s main opposition says the cancellation of its meeting with the South African envoys is an indication that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is not ready to resolve the national crisis. eNCA’s Duduzile Ramela spoke to MDC Alliance Vice President Tendai Biti.

263chat

MDC Alliance vice president Tendai Biti has blasted President Emmerson Mnangagwa after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s envoys failed to meet with members of the opposition despite an earlier commitment to seek their views on the current political situation in the country.

Speaking following the ‘snub’, Biti said they were disappointed but not surprised by the developments despite a formal communication that they were going to meet the delegation.

“The actions and tantrums of Emmerson Mnangagwa are not acceptable. We were clearly disappointed because you cannot make an entire delegation, a team of 8 people sit the entire day doing nothing. We are not surprised by the actions Of Emmerson Mnangagwa,” said Biti

He said since Mnangagwa took over from late President Robert Mugabe the country took a nosedive into unparalleled economic collapse.

“It is now three years since the departure of Robert Mugabe but Emmerson Mnangagwa has taken our country to unprecedented levels of failure, of collapse and fragility. He is clearly presiding over the worst government in the history of governments. His actions and activities do not surprise us at all,” he said

On whether there was a possibility of a Transitional Government, Biti said there was no hope under President Mnangagwa.

“Under Emmerson Mnangagwa we don’t have hope. I think the man lives in a deluded world. He suffers from a reality distorted status quo. But beyond Mnangagwa they should be possible to establish dialogue presided over by SADC, AU in respect of which a political settlement can be reached with establishing a National Transitional Authority.” said Biti

Special envoys from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the country on Monday and met with President Mnangagwa much to the disappointment of the country’s opposition who had anticipated a meeting after they were formally told they would meet the envoys.

WATCH- BEATRICE MTETWA SPEAKS ON HOPEWELL CHIN'ONO BAIL HEARING #ZimbabweanLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/LyFNUDfNh6

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 12, 2020

Dear Editor Zimeye:

David Muchinguri brother to Oppah Muchinguri sold my house in Greendale Harare.

The house is straight down Mutare Road, just before Jaggers Msasa traffic cycle, Greendale.

The man has declared himself untouchable in Zimbabwe.

The house was sold to Kusangaya family and they confirm to paying David Muchinguri cash. Our house was our life saving and only investment.

Our predicament is that we don’t have money to sue him to recover our house and we know the court will not help add they will work on his favour.

On top of the house, David and his son David Junior also took my car a BMW and a lot of valuables that we left at our home and never paid us.

I’m truely humbled by the work you do for us as a community.

I am extremely hurting from what David Muchinguri has put my family through. I have sold everything we had just to survive while he took full payment for house and never gave us a cent of it.

I’m a motor mechanic and I have had to sell my car to pay rent. This has made my situation very difficult whenever I have a breakdown to attend to. I have to use an Uber to get my job done.

What is left for me now is to even sell my tools and car diagnostic machines to feed the family.

Our plan was to sell the house and invest the money to buy a tow truck and workshop equipment for business to sustain us as a family.

The court hearing journalist Hopewell Chinono’s bail application barred members of the public and media from attending court session claiming that evidence will jeopardise prison security.

Chin’ono’s lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa had submitted that the hearing be held in an open court but the court ruled that it be held in camera.

Chinono is charged with inciting public violence for supporting anti-government demonstrations that were planned for July 31.

Farai Dziva|The lawyer representing Councillor Godfrey Kurauone, Advocate Martin Mureri has said the bail application ruling for the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Organising Secretary has been postponed to Thursday.

According to Mureri, the State requested the postponement.

Read full report below:

Wezhira Munya

12 August 2020

MDC Alliance National youth organiser and Masvingo urban ward 4 Councillor Godfrey Kuraone’s bail application hearing has been postponed to Thursday.

Zimbabwe Human Rights lawyer Advocate Martin Mureri said Masvingo High Court Judge Justice WaMambo postponed the bail ruling to tomorrow (Thursday).

The prosecutor requested the postponement.

Councillor Godfrey Kurauone denies two charges against him.

Two weeks ago Masvingo Magistrate Patience Mandondo refused to grant Councillor Kurauone bail

MDC Alliance Member Ms Alaika Time said: “We hope that Councillor Kuraone will be granted bail tomorrow. “