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. “

Harare Magistrates Court has acquitted seven pro-democracy campaigners arrested and charged with subversion upon arrival at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.

The seven have endured 15 months of stringent bail conditions including surrendering their passports and residing at given addresses among other things.

A Prison truck carrying inmates from Chikurubi maximum prison shocked expecting journalists who were waiting to capture incarcerated journalist Hopewell Chin’ono’s arrival for bail hearing today after driving right inside the court yard.

Watch video of the truck arriving at Harare Magistrates Court….

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…..

Prison Van Hides Hopewell Chin’ono From Journalists pic.twitter.com/YFl345PwmI

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 12, 2020

By Jane Mlambo| Self exiled former cabinet minister Professor Jonathan Moyo and his once surbodinate George Charamba have put to rest the contentious issue of special envoys dispatched by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Zimbabwe on a fact finding mission, saying their mandate was only between heads of state and no other person as widely thought.

The opposition MDC Alliance on Monday cried foul after they were ‘snubbed’ by Dr Sydney Mufamadi and Baleka Mbete who were send by Ramaphosa to Zimbabwe following a deafening social media outcry by Zimbabweans against human rights abuses perpetrated by suspected state agents.

Posting on Twitter at different intervals, Charamba and Moyo debunked misconceptions that the two envoys were supposed to meet other stakeholders before being denied a chance by the government.

Moyo posted definitions of special envoy, facilitator and mediator to clarify the mandate of the Mufamadi led team.

“SPECIAL ENVOY: a diplomatic messenger who carries a message from A to B, and vice versa. A FACILITATOR: a go-between who eases or lessens tensions between parties. MEDIATOR: a go-between who brokers a deal or agreement between parties,” said Moyo on Twitter.

Charamba also posted a thread titled 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.

“They may not re-interpret their mission or purpose to do any other businesss without undermining their status as special envoys. There is thus no sensible reason to have expected the Mufamadi-led Special Envoys to have branched out of their strict mandate defined by the two interacting Heads of State and Govt by meeting other groups inside the country.

“Simply, that is not the role of Presidential Special Envoys. Second confusion is to imagine this is a sub-regional intervention. It is not. It is merely a BILATERAL interaction between two close Heads of State representing two close sister republics.

“If Sadc has to get involved – and there has to be very good grounds for that outside adulterated images circulated by the hashtag nonsense – that will happen through appropriate mechanism, namely Sadc Organ,” said Charamba under his Twitter name Jamwanda2.

By A Correspondent- Imprisoned MDC Alliance youth organising secretary Godfrey Kurauone will appear at the Masvingo High Court for a bail hearing this Wednesday.

Kurauone was denied freedom at the magistrates’ court last week in a case where he is accused of inciting citizens to push for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ouster.

The State alleges that on June 20 this year, Kurauone, a Masvingo councillor, circulated a video song on social media urging people to revolt.

He is also accused of participating in the failed July 31 anti-corruption protests in which he allegedly blocked free movement of vehicles in Masvingo on the day.

Kurauone is denying both charges.

MDC Alliance youth spokesperson Stephen Chuma on Tuesday said Kurauone, who is incarcerated at Masvingo Remand Prison, is being denied access to proper medication and healthy food in contravention of the Prisons Act.

Chuma said President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has resorted to persecuting Kurauone just as the racist Ian Smith regime used detention as a tool to silence critics.

He cited the cases of Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume who are languishing at Chikurubi Maximum Prison for speaking out against corruption.

-Newsday

A Zimbabwean father in Chelmsford who was arrested by British Police after attacking back a gang of Caucasian males who jumped the fence to assault his son, has been saved by CCTV footage after sleeping in the police cells last night.

Mr (real name withheld for his protection), together with his son, slept in police cells as his wife and neighbours were left struggling for clues on how to deal with the police action.

Both CCTV and common footage show how a group of police officers arrived to arrest the man while in the act of self defence for both him and his son yesterday afternoon.

A social worker and a lawyer spent the night assisting the wife as she also said was afraid of going back him.

At 7.30am, Wednesday ZimEye was informed that the father and son have since been released following the attack.

ZimEye interviews the wife

ARRESTED ZIMBABWEAN FATHER SAVED BY CCTV FOOTAGE https://t.co/N9tLRpXIbE

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 12, 2020

State Media

THE defence team of suspended Supreme Court Judge Justice Francis Bere walked out of the inquiry last week protesting over the rejection of a request to have one of the tribunal members to recuse himself from the matter because of his alleged connection to the key witness.

The lawyers were also not content with a further six months extension of the tribunal, following the expiry of the given four months..

Justice Bere appeared before the tribunal set up to inquire into his fitness to hold office on Thursday after the High Court ruled last week on Tuesday that the Judicial Service Commission’s advice to President Mnangagwa to initiate the tribunal was in line with the dictates of the law.

Lead defence counsel Advocate Firoz Girach, Advocate Lewis Uriri and Prof Lovemore Madhuku walked out of the hearing protesting over what they claimed to be a “violation of legal procedure”.

The drama started when the tribunal convened for the reading of the allegations of misconduct against Justice Bere.

The defence team requested for recusal of Advocate Takawira Nzombe on the basis that he was known to key witness Mr Itayi Ndudzo, who is at the centre of the judge’s misconduct allegations.

But the tribunal tossed out the request for lack of merit as it did not establish the degree of apprehension of bias that could not warrant a member of the tribunal to recuse himself.

Earlier on the defence had unsuccessfully challenged the lifespan of the tribunal, to hear evidence. It was noted that “paragraph d” of the Proclamation 1 of 2020 contradicted “paragraph f” of the same as it was apparent on the face of the Proclamation that there was a typographical error which, has since been corrected by General Notice 2090 0f 2020.

However, at the commencement of the hearing on Wednesday of last week, Justice Bere’s legal team walked out of the proceedings of the of the tribunal, citing that the correction of the error “is null and void” because it was done out of time, which the JSC argued is incorrect.

Prof Madhuku confirmed the development protesting over the manner, the tribunal was handling the matter.

“We cannot allow the tribunal to violate legal procedures,” said Prof Madhuku without defining their next move.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Permanent Secretary Mrs Virginia Mabhiza confirmed the development.

“It would appear lawyers for the judge are determined to avoid the hearing at any cost making one application after another in both the High Court and before the Tribunal,” she said.

“The tribunal has seen it fit and proper to continue with investigations in the absence of Justice Bere.”

The President set up the tribunal inquiry into the fitness of the Supreme Court judge to hold office after a lawyer accused him of interference in a civil case.

Justice Bere was serving on both the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court benches when he was suspended in March this year.

Justice Bere is accused of meddling in a civil case involving the Zimbabwe National Road Administration and his relatives. Justice Bere allegedly telephoned Mr Ndudzo, who was representing Zinara, asking him to consider settling a civil dispute pitting Zinara and Fremus Enterprise.

An August 1, 2018 victim tells that they still have a bullet from police shooting in the body after two years.

Watch video downloading below. Please be patient while the video downloads.

SABC

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has called on government to take a firm stance against Zimbabwe’s leaders, following recent allegations of human rights violations.

Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF party has received widespread criticism after videos and pictures, circulated on social media, showed state security agents abusing citizens.

At the weekend, South African envoys met with President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House – without engaging the opposition MDC-Alliance.

Saftu General-Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi says South Africa needs to put pressure on the Zimbabwean government to make changes.

“Until the South African government stands firmly for the democratisation of that country, for the opening of the political space, the freedom of the media and ordinary people to lead a normal life and to organise themselves, we will go nowhere.”

He adds: “The SA government has been treating the regime with friendliness, but it is time for the President to pick up the phone and say to Mnangagwa – we will not allow your Ministers to come here and get treatment when you have destroyed your health system there, and when Zimbabweans are trapped in a situation where the hospitals have no doctors or nurses.”

Special envoys

Special envoys to Zimbabwe, Baleka Mbete and Syndey Mufamadi, were appointed by President Cyril Rampahosa last week after calls for South Africa to assess recent incidents of alleged human rights violations.

However, the Zimbabwean opposition party, the MDC Alliance, claims it has been snubbed by them.

All Africa

A DISHEARTENED ordinary member of the Methodist Church has called upon the church’s leadership to revoke President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s membership from the religious grouping.

The church member, Cleopas Sanangura said Mnangagwa’s membership was not in good standing and if it is not withdrawn, he (Sanangura) will himself pull out of the church.

Sanangura also accuses the church of failing to protect weak and ordinary members of the fellowship adding that he no longer felt safe to be associated with Mnangagwa in the same church.

“I am writing this open email to you as a member of the Methodist Church. The reason for this letter is the situation in our country where the church has failed to protect the weak and the vulnerable,” reads part of Sanangura’s letter addressed to the Methodist Church leadership.

“We see the brutality happening in the country and the leader of this brutality is a member of the Methodist church in ED Mnangagwa.

“I have found it very difficult since he went into office why I should be associated with him in our church. I have family members that have since been killed by him but the church has remained silent about this.

“I see him and his wife wearing church uniform and I take it by association we are murderers as well. The President took oath to defend, protect the people and the Constitution of Zimbabwe yet he has become the enemy of the country.”

Sanangura continued; “Corruption is at its highest and people can’t afford a meal. I, therefore, would like to request that the church revoke his membership because he is not a member in good standing.

“The suffering of our people cannot be associated with the Methodist Church. If the church cannot do this, I, therefore, will withdraw my membership as I cannot be part of making the suffering of Zimbabweans.

“I have prayed about this and the only thing the church can do is to withdraw his membership to the church.”

It could not be established if the Methodist Church had responded to Sanangura’s request.

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.

ZBC

COMMANDER Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Philip Valerio Sibanda says Zimbabweans should guard against being misled by divisive elements who use social media to peddle lies about the country’s security sector.

He was speaking in an interview with ZBC News ahead of this Tuesday’s commemorations to mark Defence Forces Day.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, will today lead the nation in celebrating the Defence Forces Day, a day set aside to pay tribute to the country’s security forces.

The celebrations of the Defence Forces come a day after the country celebrated the National Heroes Day, in a virtual ceremony in response to the Covid-19 lockdown limiting public gatherings.

“We are forever grateful to our security service sector, which continues to protect our independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.
Usually, thousands throng the National Sports Stadium on this day, but because of the Covid-19 pandemic, this year celebrations will be different after authorities took preventative measures to curb the spread of the pandemic that has killed more than 100 people in Zimbabwe.

In an interview to mark the day, Commander Defence Forces General Philip Valerio Sibanda said the commemorations gave the nation an opportunity to reflect on the historical formation of the ZDF.
“The day is important because the commemorations give the nation an opportunity to reflect on the historical formation of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in 1980.

“The ZDF were formed from the formerly warring forces of ZANLA and ZIPRA on one hand and the Rhodesian forces on the other.
“It is pleasing to note that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces has since its formation transformed into a formidable, loyal and disciplined force.

“The country should take this opportunity to pay tribute to members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. These are men and women who have dedicated their lives to safeguard the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The celebrations are also a statement of intent that members of the ZDF are ready to pay the supreme sacrifice in defence of the country,” he said.

The Zimbabwe Defence Forces plays a key role not only in protecting the country’s territorial integrity and the upholding of peace, but also carries various community programmes across the country as part of its civil relations with the people.

In 2019 and 2020, the ZDF carried out community programmes, which included the construction of classrooms blocks, teachers’ accommodation and also intervened in communities that were hit by the Cyclone Idai disaster.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has announced 70 new coronavirus cases and zero deaths in its daily update for 11 August 2020. All 70 cases are local cases.

Actives cases have increased to 3 170 while 20 new recoveries were recorded. The cumulative number of recorded cases is now 4 818 and COVID-19 deaths remain at 104.

State Media

Envoys sent by African Union (AU) chairperson, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa to assess the political situation in Zimbabwe flew back to Pretoria yesterday where they are expected to report to their principal.

The three-member delegation returned a day after meeting President Mnangagwa where they were ordered back home without meeting with opposition parties, civil society and churches as was originally scheduled.

Former South African Minister of Safety and Security Dr Sydney Mufamadi was leading the team which comprised former Speaker of Parliament Baleka Mbete and former South Africa’s Minister of Public Service and Administration Advocate Ngoako Ramatlhodi.

In an interview yesterday, South African Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Mphakama Mbete said the trio left for Pretoria to brief President Ramaphosa.

“They have just left. They are now going to brief their principal, His Excellency President Ramaphosa. This is after they met His Excellency President Mnangagwa in Harare on Monday,” said Mr Mbete.

He said it was up to President Ramaphosa to decide on the next course of action.

“The envoys were here at the instigation of their principal, who is President Ramaphosa. At the moment I cannot tell what is going to happen because it depends on President Ramaphosa who sent them here.

“It is him who will decide what course of action depending on what he would have been told, but they returned today after their meeting with President Mnangagwa,” said Mr Mbete.

The three came to Zimbabwe to assess the political situation in Zimbabwe after a sustained social media onslaught against the Harare administration.

Briefing journalists on Monday after meeting President Mnangagwa, Dr Mufamadi said they are in the country as envoys of the President of South Africa.

He said they had exchanged views with President Mnangagwa on the situation in the country.

“We exchanged views with his counterpart President Mnangagwa. In other words, we were listening to the state of the situation, what is being done or the intentions to do extra things and so on,” he said.

Dr Mufamadi said the outcome of the meeting will only be made public by President Ramaphosa after getting the views from all parties.

“We are not going to respond for our President through the media. We will be reporting to the President first, who will then interact with the public in due course,” said Dr Mufamadi.

Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana last week said Zimbabwe has nothing to hide, as the so-called crisis was merely a creation of the nation’s detractors.

The three are coming to understand “the difficulties that Zimbabwe is facing”, following a wave of sustained attacks by opposition politicians, civic society activists and exiled G40 fugitives — Saviour Kasukuwere, Walter Mzembi, Jonathan Moyo and Patrick Zhuwao.

The anti-Zimbabwe crusade follows the flop of the protests that had been planned for July 31, which had been heavily-funded by Western embassies aimed at toppling President Mnangagwa and his Government.

Mr Mangwana said Zimbabwe and South Africa maintain cordial relations since they share a similar history of fighting and winning the war against ruthless colonial regimes.

State Media

Deputy Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu has been promoted to Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) with effect from 1 November.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi yesterday confirmed the promotion by President Mnangagwa.

His promotion follows the retirement of Retired Major-General Paradzai Zimondi, who is now on pre-retirement leave, after 22 years at the helm.

Dep Comm-Gen Chihobvu has been Acting Commissioner-General since Rtd Maj-Gen Zimondi went on three months of pre-retirement leave and his promotion as substantive head of the service will take effect on November 1 after Comm-Gen Zimondi formally retires.

Dep Comm-Gen Chihobvu was seconded to ZPCS from the Zimbabwe National Army in 1999 and appointed personal staff officer to the commissioner of prisons.

He has risen through the senior ranks of the service and in his rise has served as Chief Staff Officer Security and Protocol, Assistant Commissioner Security and Protocol, Senior Assistant Commissioner Rehabilitation and Officer Commanding Manicaland Region, before becoming Deputy Commissioner-General with responsibility of correctional services.

Minister Ziyambi said he had passed on the good news.

“With the instruction from the President, I have since advised Deputy Commissioner-General Chihobvu on his new appointment,” said Minister Ziyambi.

He brings a wealth of experience to his position, a holder of a Master of Science in Strategic Management and a BSC (Hon) degree in Management and Entrepreneurial Studies among several other qualifications.

Dep Comm-Gen Chihobvu is a liberation war veteran who joined the struggle in December 1977 and did a platoon commander’s course in Sarajevo in the former Yugoslavia.

He was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army at independence and held various positions and, participated in the Mozambique Campaign and in peacekeeping in Angola with Unavem III.

Dep Comm-Gen Chihobvu is also a holder of a Diploma in Combined Strategic Intelligence from the United States.

VOA

Facebook announced new regulations Tuesday that prevent U.S. publishers with demonstrated ties to political groups from running advertisements that look like news reports on the social networking site.

Facebook has been under pressure to manage disinformation appearing on its pages during the coronavirus pandemic and as the country prepares to vote for president in November.

The rules announced Tuesday permit publishers with political connections to register with the site, but they will be excluded from using Facebook’s “news” page for their messages.

“The news pages with these affiliations will not be eligible for inclusion in Facebook News,” the social media giant said.

Previously, such organizations were labeled “news exempt,” meaning that their content was not labeled as political.

Facebook defines a “political entity” as “an organization, company, or other group whose predominant purpose is to influence politics and elections,” such as political action groups and organizations designated as social welfare organizations by the Internal Revenue Service.

A “political person” includes candidates for public office, those whose positions are subject to legislative confirmation, such as Supreme Court justices and others, who possess the authority to enforce political power.

The Columbia Journalism Review published a report Tuesday outlining “new networks of shadowy, politically backed ‘local news websites,’” distributing domestic and internationally-sourced disinformation surrounding the U.S. election.

Several tech companies have cracked down on political exploitation of their platforms in recent weeks. Google recently told media company Axios it was planning to implement a similar ban in September, and Twitter temporarily suspended the account of the president’s son, Donald Trump, Jr., in July after he promoted the drug hydroxychloriquine as a treatment for coronavirus. Hydroxychloriquine’s efficacy in treating COVID-19 has been dismissed by medical experts after several clinical trials.

Members of Parliament; Members of Zimbabwe Defence Forces; Ladies and Gentlemen; Comrades and Friends;

It is my singular honour and privilege to address the nation on this special day which marks the 40th Anniversary of our Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF).

The attainment of independence in 1980 signalled the advent of majority rule and the formation of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF). The bringing together of ZANLA, ZIPRA forces on one side and the Rhodesian Forces on the other was a daunting and challenging exercise.

I was privileged to chair the Joint Command for the integration of the three forces. Having fought for a united Zimbabwe, the formation of a unified defence force with a single purpose of defending our territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence was indeed gratifying accomplishment.

Today, we celebrate the numerous achievements scored over the last 40 years since the formation of the ZDF.

This occasion is happening on the backdrop of successive accomplishments by our Defence Forces to defend our motherland Zimbabwe from detractors, divisive elements and enemies.

The commemorations which we are holding this year under the theme, “ZDF: Celebrating 40 Years of Excellent Service to the People”, are taking place under yet another wave of aggression manifesting through illegal sanctions, hostile anti-Zimbabwe propaganda, mounted on social media platforms, and other forms of asymmetrical warfare meant to break the unity within our forces.

This has been coupled with the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Sadly, the virus has claimed some decorated members of the ZDF family in the name of Air Chief Marshal (Rtd) Perrance Shiri, who was a long time Commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe and Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement and the ZDF Director of Public Relations, Colonel Overson Mugwisi, among others.

May their souls rest in eternal peace.

Fellow Zimbabweans;

In executing its constitutional mandate, the ZDF has since its formation acquitted itself with distinction and high professionalism and for this they deserve a big compliment. Zimbabwe has continued to enjoy peace largely attributable to the ZDF’s vigilance, loyalty, commitment and dedication to their constitutional obligation of defending the country and its people.

The resultant peace and tranquillity has provided a great stimulus for socio-economic development over the years.

Whilst maintaining peace in the country, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces continue to participate in regional and international peace keeping missions under the auspices of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN).

Our officers, men and women of the ZDF perform their duties with excellence and unparalleled dedication, as they contribute towards enhancing regional and continental integration.

In September 2019, the ZDF participated in the Ligwalagwala Air Show in Eswatini while preparations for participation in the Russian International Military Games and Special Forces Exercise CHOMELA to be held in the Republic of Botswana are at advanced stages. Their involvement in these international activities exposes our forces to the use of modern military equipment as well as strengthening ties between our forces and allies.

Additionally, memories of Cyclone Idai in 2019 bring to mind the Defence Forces’ significant role in search and rescue operations as well as provision of food and medical assistance to flood victims. They have also helped in restoring the damaged infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools and clinics.

All these activities demonstrate the commitment of the Defence Forces to serve the nation and the close relationship that exists between them and the generality of the Zimbabwean population. This rich history of assisting communities is commendable and must continue to be the hallmark of our Defence Forces.

I commend the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for embracing my Government’s Vision of attaining an Upper Middle Income Economy by 2030.

In that regard, the ZDF engineers and artisans are engaged in various construction projects to precipitate development of our communities throughout the country.

Comrades and friends; the National Mine Clearance Unit of the Zimbabwe National Army Engineer Corps is also making significant progress in clearing anti-personnel landmines laid by the Rhodesian Regime during the liberation struggle. These include areas along the Sango Border Post to Crooks Corner Minefield. Government is committed to clearing all landmines across the country to give full meaning to independence, freedom and development for the affected communities.

Co-operating partners, Hazardous Life Support Organisation (HALO) Trust, Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) are also progressing well in similar demining operations. Let me take this opportunity to express my Government’s sincere appreciation for the assistance we are getting from these organisations.

I am aware of the sacrificial nature and service ethos of the Defence Forces, however, my administration remains determined to improve the salaries and conditions of service for our forces. Housing, transport and medical facilities among other requirements are being improved in recognition of the role and sacrifices made by our Defence Forces in the conduct of their duties.

Mobility, requisite training equipment and Research and Development needs will be equally funded to ensure the modernisation and improvement of our national defence capabilities.

With regard to the War Veterans Affairs, my Government has resuscitated the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Bill which has now gone past the second reading stage in Parliament. The passing of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Bill into Law will repeal the War Veterans Act and the Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees Act and take on board the previously excluded categories of the veterans. I am confident that upon its enactment, most of the welfare issues of veterans of the liberation struggle will be resolved.

Recognising the immense contribution made by veterans of our liberation struggle, I urge them to build on this rich legacy by taking full advantage of the empowerment opportunities availed in all sectors of the economy and the implementation of the devolution policy.

Fellow Zimbabweans; Our battle with Covid-19 pandemic requires discipline, bravery and unity which are embodied in the personalities we are celebrating today. We must be united and fight this invisible enemy together. It is our collective responsibility to protect our nation, our families and our beloved ones.

As responsible citizens, let us all co-operate with our security services, assisted by the ZDF as they enforce our national laws. We commend the ZDF for continuing to be a people’s army, a reputation it has built over the years.

In conclusion, I want to thank you all for joining the entire Zimbabwe Defence Forces family in commemorating this special day, the ZDF 40th Anniversary. Thank you, once again for remaining calm and peaceful in the wake of some misguided calls for violent protests and demonstrations by the opposition elements with support from foreign and civil society supporters and backers.

You have shown your patriotism and love for peace and tranquillity.

To the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, as a nation we take pride in you and we thank you for continuously defending our sovereignty and territorial integrity from all contemporary threats.

Happy 40th Anniversary!

God bless you all.

God bless Zimbabwe.

I thank you.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has gazetted the appointment of Esther Nyathi as Matabeleland South Proportional Representative Member of the House of Assembly after Zanu PF nominated her to replace Alice Ndlovu who died in December last year.

The announcement was made by ZEC chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba in a Government Gazette published last week.

“ZEC has gazetted the appointment of Esther Nyathi, the nominee put forward by ZANU PF, as a party list/proportional representation (women’s quota) member of the National Assembly. The appointment is in terms of section 39(7)(a) of the Electoral Act and with effect from the 31st July 2020,” reads the notice.

Justice Chigumba said Nyoni was a registered voter in Matabeleland South Province and fulfilled the requirement of the Electoral Act.

“It is hereby notified, in terms of section 39(7)(a) of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13), that Esther Nyathi a registered voter in Ward 11 of Insiza Rural District Council of Ntute Primary School, P.O Box 113, Filabusi, Insiza, Matabeleland South Province, who was nominated by Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) party to fill the vacancy in the National Assembly Party list that occurred following the death of Alice Ndlovu, has been appointed as Party list member of the National Assembly, with effect from the date of publication of the notice.”

Ndlovu, who was elected as MP during the 2018 harmonised elections died in December last year after succumbing to kidney failure.

She was 63.

The appointment of Nyathi come as ZEC has also declared 15 seats in the National Assembly and Senate vacant after the MDC-T recalled some of its legislators.

In a gazetted notice recently, Justice Chigumba said ZEC had been formally notified by Parliament of the 15 vacancies.

Senators elected on the party lists and the extra women Members in the National Assembly elected by proportional representation are chosen by political parties in proportion to the votes received by their candidates in the constituency elections to the National Assembly.

If one of these seats falls vacant the original party nominates the successor.

State Media

Investigative Jornalist Hopewell Chinono is today expected to make a fresh bail application on changed circumstances on charges of inciting public to stage violent demonstrations on the July 31.

Chin’ono, through his lawyer Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, wanted to make the application last week but Harare regional magistrate Mr Ngoni Nduna ordered him to return to court today for his fresh bail bid.

The State led by Mr Michael Reza had indicated that it was ready to hear his application and respond on a later date.

The High Court threw out his appeal for bail after noting that the trial magistrate’s decision was properly arrived at when he initially dismissed his at the lower court.

In denying him bail Mr Nduna noted that he had shown some defiance in the face of the State which was calling for banning the protests.

Also Justice Tawanda Chitapi in his decision to deny Chin’ono bail said: “In disposing of the matter, I determine that the appellant (Chin’ono) has failed to demonstrate any misdirection of fact, law or both made by the learned magistrate in the court a quo (lower court) as would justify interference with his judgment.

“In consequence therefore, the order I make is as follows . . .The appeal be and it is hereby dismissed.”

Justice Chitapi said releasing Chin’ono might enable him to continue with his campaign as there was no condition discernible capable of restraining him if he granted bail.

“The attitude of the appellant was therefore one of defiance of State authority on the basis of a claim of right. In such circumstances the learned magistrate cannot be faulted in his reasoning,” said justice Chitapi.

Deputy Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu has been promoted to Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) with effect from 1 November.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi yesterday confirmed the promotion by President Mnangagwa.

His promotion follows the retirement of Retired Major-General Paradzai Zimondi, who is now on pre-retirement leave, after 22 years at the helm.

Dep Comm-Gen Chihobvu has been Acting Commissioner-General since Rtd Maj-Gen Zimondi went on three months of pre-retirement leave and his promotion as substantive head of the service will take effect on November 1 after Comm-Gen Zimondi formally retires.

Dep Comm-Gen Chihobvu was seconded to ZPCS from the Zimbabwe National Army in 1999 and appointed personal staff officer to the commissioner of prisons.

He has risen through the senior ranks of the service and in his rise has served as Chief Staff Officer Security and Protocol, Assistant Commissioner Security and Protocol, Senior Assistant Commissioner Rehabilitation and Officer Commanding Manicaland Region, before becoming Deputy Commissioner-General with responsibility of correctional services.

“With the instruction from the President, I have since advised Deputy Commissioner-General Chihobvu on his new appointment,” said Minister Ziyambi.

He brings a wealth of experience to his position, a holder of a Master of Science in Strategic Management and a BSC (Hon) degree in Management and Entrepreneurial Studies among several other qualifications.

Dep Comm-Gen Chihobvu is a liberation war veteran who joined the struggle in December 1977 and did a platoon commander’s course in Sarajevo in the former Yugoslavia.

He was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army at independence and held various positions and, participated in the Mozambique Campaign and in peacekeeping in Angola with Unavem III.

Dep Comm-Gen Chihobvu is also a holder of a Diploma in Combined Strategic Intelligence from the United States.-The Herald

Over 6 000 kombis and pirate taxis have been impounded countrywide for violating Covid-19 regulations, as police reiterated that inter-city travel remained banned unless the traveller has exceptional circumstances that allow exemption.

At the inception of the Covid-19 lockdown in March, Government suspended inter-city travel and banned all long-distance buses to minimise the spread of Covid-19.

Only commercial vehicles ferrying and distributing goods were permitted to travel from one city to another, and beyond borders.

National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi on Friday warned anyone breaching the inter-city travel rules would be arrested and vehicles found transporting people would be impounded.

“People should take note that the country is still under national lockdown and as such, inter-city movements remain banned, he said. We reiterate that we don’t expect any unnecessary movements and that people should abide by the laws.

“People should put their safety and health first and should also assist in the maintenance of law and order.
“We also don’t expect any increase in the volumes of traffic on the roads.”

Recently, Government announced a curfew running from 6pm to 6am, during which time no movements are allowed except for essential service providers, as a way of containing the spread of Covid-19.

Asst Comm Nyathi said they received information that some pirate taxis and kombi owners were operating at night, putting themselves and passengers at risk.

Such operators risk being arrested, along with any members of the security teams that could be conniving with truckers and kombi operators in the ferrying of people illegally.

Covid-19 Inter-Ministerial Taskforce spokesperson Minister Monica Mutsvangwa recently called for behaviour change among Zimbabweans and reminded the nation that Covid-19 was real.

“People should not just wait to be seen by a police officer to wear a mask, she said.

People should not get into trucks where you know there is no social distance, no hygiene and when you actually know you should not be travelling.”-The Herald

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

11-08-2020

Reports from Masvingo Remand Prison indicate that jailed MDC Alliance Youth Organizer Clr Godfrey Kurauone is in a very unstable health condition.

Our Organizer is being denied access to proper medication and healthy food in contravention of the Prisons Act.

Clr Kurauone was arrested by the police when he went to report as per his bail conditions.

He is part of the long list of individuals whom the police say are wanted for ‘interviews’ in connection with 31 July protests against looting and corruption.

Kurauone was denied bail at Masvingo Magistrates Courts and his bail hearing appeal is set for Wednesday at Masvingo High Court.

It is very clear that Kurauone is a target of persecution by the state because he refused to yield to Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call for command fasting and went on a campaign to feed the underprivileged.

Just like Ian Smith regime, ED’s government now uses detention as a tool to silence critics as we have witnessed in the case of Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume who are also languishing at Chikurubi Maximum Prison for speaking out against corruption.

We want to make it clear that we are not going to be cowed into submission but will continue to raise our voices against societal ills like corruption.

We shall never relent!

*#ZimbabweanLivesMatters!*

*#KushingaMberi!*

*Stephen Sarkozy Chuma*
_MDC_ _Alliance_ _Youth_ _Assembly_ _National_ _Spokesperson_

Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance has accused Emmerson Mnangagwa of deliberately scuttling talks involving his administration, envoys from South Africa and the opposition.

This, the MDC Alliance argues is a deliberate plan to stifle genuine dialogue.

See statement below:

STATEMENT ON CANCELLATION OF MEETING BY SPECIAL ENVOYS APPOINTED BY CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

The MDC Alliance was formally requested to be available for a meeting today(yesterday), the 10 of August 2020, with the special envoys that were deployed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to Zimbabwe.

A delegation remained on standby from 10am this morning only to be advised at the end of the day that the special envoys would be returning to South Africa without meeting the MDC Alliance delegation in order to brief President Ramaphosa on the outcomes of their meeting with Mr Mnangagwa.

We can only assume that the failure to meet the MDC Alliance delegation was as a result of demands made by the Zanu PF delegation.

We reiterate that Zimbabwe is in a state of crisis that has been characterized by a de facto gate of emergency a crackdown on citizens, abductions arbitrary arrests of government critics and the political persecution of journalists. The Govemment in Harare is incapable of resolving these challenges because it lacks legitimacy.

We are of the firm view that any solution to the ongoing socio-economic challenges lies in resolving the political crisis and answering the outstanding legitimacy question.

It is clear that Mr Mnanangagwa is not ready to resolve the national crisis through genuine dialogue.

However, the deteriorating plight of the Zimbabwean people means that a political settlement is more urgent than before.

We will continue to mount pressure on Mnangagwa to engage in sincere dialogue untill national crisis is resolved.

Fadzayi Mahere
National Spokeperson
Change That Delivers

Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has inherited a colonial legacy in terms of silencing political opponents.

According to the MDC Alliance, just like Ian Douglas Smith, Mnangagwa is using detention as a tool to silence political foes.

See statement below:

11-08-2020

Reports from Masvingo Remand Prison indicate that jailed MDC Alliance Youth Organizer Clr Godfrey Kurauone is in a very unstable health condition.

Our Organizer is being denied access to proper medication and healthy food in contravention of the Prisons Act.

Clr Kurauone was arrested by the police when he went to report as per his bail conditions.

He is part of the long list of individuals whom the police say are wanted for ‘interviews’ in connection with 31 July protests against looting and corruption.

Kurauone was denied bail at Masvingo Magistrates Courts and his bail hearing appeal is set for tomorrow at Masvingo High Court.

It is very clear that Kurauone is a target of persecution by the state because he refused to yield to Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call for command fasting and went on a campaign to feed the underprivileged.

Just like Ian Smith regime, ED’s government now uses detention as a tool to silence critics as we have witnessed in the case of Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume who are also languishing at Chikurubi Maximum Prison for speaking out against corruption.

We want to make it clear that we are not going to be cowed into submission but will continue to raise our voices against societal ills like corruption.

We shall never relent!

*#ZimbabweanLivesMatters!*

*#KushingaMberi!*

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
_MDC_ _Alliance_ _Youth_ _Assembly_ _National_ _Spokesperson_

Farai Dziva|The country’s main opposition party MDC Alliance has implored the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to protect the citizens of the country instead of being used used by politicians to suppress the will of the people.

See the MDC Alliance’s Defence Forces Day statement below:

Today, the MDC Alliance joins the nation in commemorating our Defence Forces.

It is 40 years since the Zimbabwe Defence Forces came into being through the integration of the ZIPRA and ZANLA liberation armies and the Rhodesian colonial forces in 1980.

This year’s commemoration of four decades of service presents an opportunity to reflect on the history and direction of our Defence Forces.

There would be no independent Zimbabwe were it not for ZIPRA and ZANLA, whose liberation war feats helped force the uncooperative colonial Rhodesian government to the 1979 Independence talks at Lancaster House.

We owe a great debt to the two liberation armies.
The constitutionally defined roles of the Defence Forces are to protect Zimbabwe’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, to partake in the design of shared regional security architecture, to play a role in the preservation of international stability and peace, and to offer military assistance to civil authority in times of need.

Our Defence Forces have distinguished themselves in many of their constitutionally defined roles.

For 40 years they have safeguarded Zimbabwe’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Our Defence Forces have played an active part in SADC’s security architecture. We take pride in their sterling performances in various peacekeeping missions in Africa and in the role they continue to play in aiding civil authority to save lives, deliver humanitarian aid and spearhead emergency reconstruction as they did in 2019 in the wake of Cyclone Idai.

However, the Defence Forces’ 40 years of existence have not been unblemished.

We note with particular sadness the politicisation of the Defence Forces for domestic repression and the continued militarisation of the civic space.

On this day of commemoration, we call on the Defence Forces to remember their constitutional mandate to the people of Zimbabwe.
We ask that they act in a manner that better serves the interests of all Zimbabweans, by fully complying with their constitutional obligation to respect the lives and dignity of the people in the execution of their duties.

In the new Zimbabwe, weapons and arms of war will never be deployed to support a political party’s partisan interests or impede the people’s right to demonstrate peacefully but instead support collective national interests taking due cognisance of the fundamental rights and diversity of the citizenry.

Perhaps, the most significant commemoration we can give to our Defence Forces on this day is to collectively call for the improvement of the conditions of service for rank and file soldiers as well as plead with each and every member of the Defence Forces to remember that the people of Zimbabwe are not their enemies, instead, we ask that they work to protect.
Happy Defence Forces’ Day.

Fadzayi Mahere
National Spokesperson

All eyes are on ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa after thirty employees at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Authority (ZBC) tested positive for Covid-19.

ZBC employees usually frequent Mnangagwa’s offices for broadcasting services.

The COVID-19 is an infectious disease similar to the cold and travels in droplets when one coughs or sneezes. It also travels in other body fluids. Not only people who are infected with coronavirus are the carriers; Asymptomatic carriers don’t have any symptoms but pass on COVID-19.

The development follows last month’s incident where the public broadcaster had to suspend normal programming after one employee tested positive for the killer virus.

ZBC confirmed the latest development yesterday through a statement posted on microblogging site Twitter.

“The ZBC wishes to advise that 30 members of staff have tested positive for Covid-19. All 30 are currently isolating at home. The corporation continues to follow Government and World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines with periodic testing, premises disinfection and personal protective equipment provision,” tweeted the public broadcaster.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Mr Nick Mangwana, wished the infected staff a speedy recovery, while asserting that the media sector is part of the frontline workers.

He said five of the employees had mild symptoms while the rest were asymptomatic.

“We wish all ZBC staff members who tested positive a quick recovery. We are comforted in that of the 30 who are positive, only five are showing mild symptoms and the rest are asymptomatic. We have always said media staff are frontline workers. These results attest to that,” he said.

Frontline workers are among the worst affected by Covid-19 largely due to the nature of their jobs that puts them at high risk of contracting the virus.

Young Journalists Association (Yoja) last month lobbied the Government to minimise Press conferences among other face to face gatherings as they could increase the risk of journalists contracting Covid-19.

The association also encouraged media houses to equip journalists with tools to enable them to work from home.

The workplace continues to be one of the country’s Covid-19 hotspots as cases continue to rise.

On Monday the country had recorded 4 748 Covid-19 positive cases including 1 524 recoveries and 104 deaths.

Organisations such as Cimas, United Refineries, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe (CBZ) have had to temporarily shut down their premises after employees tested positive for Covid-19 to allow for disinfection of the affected areas. -Chronicle/state media

Farai Dziva|The country’s main opposition party MDC Alliance has implored the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to protect the citizens of the country instead of being used used by politicians to suppress the will of the people.

See the MDC Alliance’s Defence Forces Day statement below:

Today, the MDC Alliance joins the nation in commemorating our Defence Forces.

It is 40 years since the Zimbabwe Defence Forces came into being through the integration of the ZIPRA and ZANLA liberation armies and the Rhodesian colonial forces in 1980.

This year’s commemoration of four decades of service presents an opportunity to reflect on the history and direction of our Defence Forces.

There would be no independent Zimbabwe were it not for ZIPRA and ZANLA, whose liberation war feats helped force the uncooperative colonial Rhodesian government to the 1979 Independence talks at Lancaster House.

We owe a great debt to the two liberation armies.
The constitutionally defined roles of the Defence Forces are to protect Zimbabwe’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, to partake in the design of shared regional security architecture, to play a role in the preservation of international stability and peace, and to offer military assistance to civil authority in times of need.

Our Defence Forces have distinguished themselves in many of their constitutionally defined roles.

For 40 years they have safeguarded Zimbabwe’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Our Defence Forces have played an active part in SADC’s security architecture. We take pride in their sterling performances in various peacekeeping missions in Africa and in the role they continue to play in aiding civil authority to save lives, deliver humanitarian aid and spearhead emergency reconstruction as they did in 2019 in the wake of Cyclone Idai.

However, the Defence Forces’ 40 years of existence have not been unblemished.

We note with particular sadness the politicisation of the Defence Forces for domestic repression and the continued militarisation of the civic space.

On this day of commemoration, we call on the Defence Forces to remember their constitutional mandate to the people of Zimbabwe.
We ask that they act in a manner that better serves the interests of all Zimbabweans, by fully complying with their constitutional obligation to respect the lives and dignity of the people in the execution of their duties.

In the new Zimbabwe, weapons and arms of war will never be deployed to support a political party’s partisan interests or impede the people’s right to demonstrate peacefully but instead support collective national interests taking due cognisance of the fundamental rights and diversity of the citizenry.

Perhaps, the most significant commemoration we can give to our Defence Forces on this day is to collectively call for the improvement of the conditions of service for rank and file soldiers as well as plead with each and every member of the Defence Forces to remember that the people of Zimbabwe are not their enemies, instead, we ask that they work to protect.
Happy Defence Forces’ Day.

Fadzayi Mahere
National Spokesperson

Zimbabwe recorded 99 new coronavirus cases and zero deaths on Monday, 10 August 2020.

Out of the 99 new cases, 68 are local and 31 are returnees from South Africa.

Active cases have increased to 3 120 while 87 new recoveries were reported.

The cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases were 4 748 while deaths remained at 104.-Ministry of Health and Child Care