BBC

Could a social media hashtag – tapping into the energy and anger of the global #BlackLivesMatter phenomenon – help achieve in Zimbabwe what years of street protests, strikes and political campaigns have so clearly failed to do?

Over the last few days, in response to a particularly brutal, public, widespread, and on-going clampdown by security forces, the hashtag #ZimbabweanLivesMatter has gone viral, globally.

Celebrities like rappers Ice Cube , AKA and Lecrae and actresses Thandie Newton and Pearl Thusi have expressed support for – or at least interest in – what appears to be an exploding grassroots campaign against the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the man who took over from former leader Robert Mugabe.

“It captured the imagination of the population. Citizens coming together. I think this is what the whole world felt,” said the novelist Tsitsi Dangarembga of the hashtag and the non-political movement behind it.

She was arrested by troops last Friday, and later charged and released, after taking part in a planned street protest which the government described as an attempted “insurrection” by “terrorists”.

"I am just grateful the world has taken the message seriously. Things seem to be coming to such a head now that it is impossible to look away"", Source: Tsitsi Dangarembga, Source description: Writer and Booker Prize nominee, Image: Tsitsi Dangarembga

“I was in the holding cells with two men who had been tortured. One has severe kidney damage,” said Ms Dangarembga, who was recently longlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize.

“I am just grateful the world has taken the [#ZimbabweanLivesMatter] message seriously. Things seem to be coming to such a head now that it is impossible to look away.”

In hiding: ‘I’m in my bunker’
Zimbabwe has gone through years of profound economic hardship, hyperinflation, a coup, disputed elections, mysterious abductions, growing hunger, the recent arrival of Covid-19, and repeated, violent security crackdowns.

Much of the growing global social media focus has, it seems certain, been fuelled – as elsewhere – by the spread of mobile phone technology which has enabled activists and citizens to film and broadcast footage of assaults, injuries and other abuses almost in real time.

“The ferocity and broad appeal of the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter campaign has unnerved the regime,” said the prominent journalist Mduduzi Mathuthu, during a phone interview from his hiding place in Zimbabwe. “I’m in my bunker,” he commented dryly.

Mathuthu’s investigative reports have exposed alleged corruption by senior government officials.

Last Thursday he fled from his home, fearing for his life, after being alerted about an imminent police raid.

Mathuthu’s nephew was later abducted – allegedly by security agents – and then dumped, badly injured, on the roadside three days later.

A doctor’s report, seen by the BBC, confirmed the 22-year-old “had extensive bruising, huge subcutaneous tissue damage… acute kidney injuries, and post-traumatic stress disorder”.

"Hashtags come and go, but Zanu-PF endures beyond the 'trending'"", Source: Obert Mpofu, Source description: Former cabinet minister, Image: Obert Mpofu
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“Instead of listening to the legitimate concerns raised by so many Zimbabweans, President Mnangagwa has… discarded the last veneer of a reformist,” Mathuthu said.

“His shock troops have their marching orders and we should brace for a brutal campaign against those demanding change,” he warned.

Indeed, in a televised address on Tuesday, President Mnangagwa made it clear that his security forces would continue to crush dissent .

Portraying the anti-corruption movement as the work of “a few rogue Zimbabweans acting in league with foreign detractors”, he vowed to “defend the motherland from any form of attack”, and warned of “dark forces” and “machinations by destructive terrorist opposition groupings”.

A senior figure in the ruling Zanu-PF party also took to Twitter to push back against the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter hashtag.

“Hashtags come and go, but Zanu-PF endures beyond the ‘trending’,” wrote the former cabinet minister Obert Mpofu .

He has a point.

“It’s hard to know what will come of this,” conceded Doug Coltart, a human rights lawyer who is representing two men allegedly tortured by police over the weekend.

“The fact that it is doctors, lawyers, students, journalists who are being persecuted and attacked by this regime in some ways makes it an easier cause to get behind, perhaps, than when it’s political activists.

“But we need to see grassroots organising on a more sophisticated level for a real mass movement to emerge,” Mr Coltart said, citing the relatively short-lived 2016 #ThisFlag campaign .

Significantly, perhaps, the new hashtag has attracted vigorous support from opposition parties in neighbouring South Africa, with Economic Freedom Fighters’ Julius Malema and Msumi Maimane , formerly of the Democratic Alliance, tweeting their backing:

This is in sharp contrast with the governing African National Congress (ANC) which – like many former liberation movements on the continent – has remained reluctant to criticise Zanu-PF.

So where now for Zimbabwe?

“We’re on a precipice, a tipping point. We are [in] the place we were a couple of days before Mugabe left. The people are angry. Leadership is needed,” warned Trevor Ncube, a prominent publisher who sits on the President’s Advisory Council set up last year.

‘Hashtags do come and go’
The military, who led the coup that ousted Mugabe in November 2017, seem likely to play an ever more prominent role in government – as indicated by Tuesday’s appointment of a former army chief to the post of health minister.

“Mnangagwa cannot be safe. It would be insane for him to think he’s safe. There’s no doubt he has lost the confidence and support of the military,” said Jonathan Moyo, an exiled former minister in Mugabe’s government.

“This is now a clueless, corrupt, incompetent government. The economic meltdown is deepening. There’s no coherent approach. People are on their own,” he said.

“Mugabe had his own problems, but people never felt there was no government. With Mugabe gone, we now see in action the real forces behind his [Mr Mnangagwa’s] reign – the machinery of violence, the military,” said Mr Moyo, arguing Mugabe was a “restraining” force, and that the current government had quickly squandered all international goodwill.

In the midst of all this, the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter could yet prove to be a powerful rallying point, a force for change, harnessing popular frustrations.

Or it could be a minor distraction – a spasm of popular anger that is quickly supressed by a brutally authoritarian government seemingly preoccupied by looting public resources during the pandemic, and by its own vicious internal feuds.

“Hashtags do come and go. The clampdown still exists. But now it’s up to us to find ways forward… to sustain this momentum,” said Dangarembga.

“This is a launching pad, a platform from which to begin.”

State Media

THE Muslim community in Zimbabwe has closed all mosques countrywide as it implements Covid-19 prevention measures.

The decision to close all mosques is informed by religious beliefs contained in the Koran.

Covid-19 cases are on the rise in the country as more than 4 000 have been infected while 102 had by Saturday succumbed to the virus.

Government limited religious gatherings to 50 and congregants have to meet between 8AM and 3PM.

Some religious organisations have been defying Government regulations to prevent the spread of the virus.

However, the Muslim community which lost one of its members to Covid-19 at the end of last month has suspended all religious gatherings.

Sheikh Isaac Ali, said their religion compels them to implement measures to contain a disease outbreak.

“On the 27th of July we lost one of our elders to Covid-19. He was a Sheikh here in Bulawayo and he was a first Covid-19 death in the Muslim community. Even though Government says it’s allowed to have religious gatherings with that, all Muslims have said this thing is among us and to stop the spread all the mosques have now been closed across the country to prevent the spread of Covid-19,” said Sheikh Ali.

“There is an injunction in the Koran and here in Barham Green (where he leads the mosque) before Government came up with restrictions on religious gatherings, we had made a ruling, minimise gatherings.”

He said worldwide, several mosques have been closed including the two biggest in the Muslim community, the equivalent to the Vatican in the Catholic Church that are located in Saudi Arabia.

“When there is an outbreak of a disease, Islam says do not go to that town where there is that disease and when you are in that town, do not leave that town because if you do, you will be spreading the disease. So, when we realised that Covid-19 was now here in Zimbabwe we decide to close the mosques,” said Sheikh Ali.

State Media

Two university students allegedly duped Isomaster (Pvt) Limited, which operates as Lopdale Energy of Mutare, of nearly US$40 000 after taking the money a gold mining company in Mutoko had paid for a delivery of 40 000 litres of fuel.

The students, Batanai Joseph Matiza (22) and Tanaka Dave Mhaka (21) have since been arrested and appeared in court charged with theft of trust property.

Matiza is studying towards a degree in architecture at London Metropolitan University, while Mhaka is pursuing an engineering degree at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

Matiza and Mhaka were not asked to plead to the charge when they appeared before magistrate, Mrs Barbra Mateko, who remanded them to November 30 for routine remand on $5 000 bail each.

Prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti told the court that in January this year, Lopdale director Mr Carlton Seke was introduced to Matiza by his business partner Brendon Thom, after Matiza said he had a contract to supply fuel to Kunyu Mine in Mutoko.

It is said that Seke arranged with Mhaka to supply 35 000 litres of diesel to Kunyu Mine and after Mhaka was paid he paid Lopdale after deducting his commission.

On February 11 this year, Seke clinched a second deal to supply 40 000 litres of diesel to Kunyu Mine and engaged Matiza.

Prosecutor Mutsokoti alleges that Matiza then sent Mhaka to collect the money from the mine, where he was given US$39 590 by the mining firm’s manager, Mr Yu Yan, who is based in Harare.

It is alleged that Matiza and Mhaka connived with a friend, Mathew Pasipamire, who according to the State is still at large, to convert the money into their own use.

Mr Seke failed to track down the three, prompting him to lodge a complaint with the police leading to the arrest of Mhaka and Matiza.

State Media

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor Dr John Mangudya, insists there is no going back on the process of de-dollarising the economy despite the growing use of the US dollar in most transactions, more so in the informal sector.

Despite allowing some transactions to be in foreign currency, Government insists de-dollarisation is on course, although the market has seen increased use of the United States dollar.

A fortnight ago Government said everyone providing goods or services in Zimbabwe must now quote prices in both Zimbabwe dollars and US dollars, but using the standard exchange rate set each week as the weighted average in the Tuesday weekly foreign currency auctions.

The legal instrument giving effect to this was gazetted on July 24, 2020 by President Mnangagwa, as an addition to the Exchange Control (Exclusive Use of Zimbabwe Dollar for Domestic Transactions) Regulations.

Government’s stance comes after the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) said in a research note on June 2020 inflation that the market remained skeptical about the sustainability of the forex auction market given the lingering uncertainty over the currency direction.

The manufacturing industry lobby group is worried that redollarisation was taking root again in light of the fact the Government itself was also now paying its workers US dollar allowances while collecting some levies, taxes and fees in foreign currency.

CZI also noted widespread use of the US dollar for transactions in the informal sector, fuel sector, payment of wages and salaries by private sector, pricing by large supermarkets and provision of most private medical and educational services.

But Dr Mangudya said Zimbabwe was not relapsing into redollarisation given the bulk of transactions remained in local currency while an economy, technically, is considered dollarised if the volume of US dollar transactions exceeded 30 percent.

“The RBZ has no intention of changing current arrangements regarding free forex funds in the economy.

“Exceptions on the use of free funds in the economy, duty payments as well as some commodity purchases should not be construed as re-dollarisation,” he said.

Several businesses are reportedly offering to pay for goods and services in foreign currency, which might be a result of either tight monetary targeting by the central bank or wide spread charging of products in foreign currency.

As such, CZI suggested that the central and local Government should levy taxes and fees in local currency in order to create demand for the Zimbabwe dollar. It said tax revenue constituted 97 percent of total revenue to Treasury.

CZI said levying value added tax (VAT), pay as you earn (PAYE) and income taxes in local currency should go a long way in creating demand for the local currency as taxes contribute significantly to State revenue.

There is also belief from industry players that payment of Government services in local currency will force holders of the greenback to offload it on the foreign currency auction trading system.

The auction system, which has been in use for at least 7 times, has traded more than US$100 million, but the bulk of forex is coming from the central bank.

Exporters, whose forex holdings are estimated to be above US$1,1 billion continue to shun the market, opting instead to trade outside the system.

Some like mine houses are, however, calling on Government to allow them to pay for local expenses in the Zimbabwe dollar.

In a recent note to Government, the Chamber of Mines Zimbabwe appealed to be granted “an option for mining houses to pay local expenses such as electricity and taxes in local.”

South African opposition leader Julius Malema on Sunday blasted President Emmerson Mnangagwa for violating rights of women in Zimbabwe describing him as a pig that is eating its own children.

Malema also challenged Zimbabwean youths to take decisive steps to end President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s increasingly autocratic rule, warning that social media activism alone will never bring change in the country.

He was speaking at a Women’s Day event close to the grave of anti-apartheid icon Winnie Mandela.

“We are here at Mama’s grave to talk about the rights of women, yet just next door in Zimbabwe the rights of the people are being violated, worse the rights of women,” Malema said.

“They abduct children from the streets, particularly girl children, rape them in the bush. Police and soldiers have become a law onto themselves. Mnangagwa has become a pig and is eating his own children in Zimbabwe.”

“Zimbabweans are not cowards. Zimbabweans have fought before. Why is the youth of Zimbabwe fighting through (social media) hashtags? Why is the youth of Zimbabwe fighting from South Africa and London? Why are they not occupying the borders of Zimbabwe there in Musina and we will support them and say no car goes into Zimbabwe and no car comes out of Zimbabwe until the rights of our people are restored? Why is the youth of Zimbabwe not rising in Zimbabwe and face death because they are already dead?”

“To live with a mother who can be raped at any time by the state with no consequences; to live with a sister who can be raped at any time with no consequences? Our own comrades should stop the hashtag revolution and engage in the real revolution,” Malema said.

“The most practical thing for South Africa to do, if Ramaphosa respects human rights as he claims to have drafted this constitution that they say is the best constitution in the world, he must withdraw the South African embassy from Zimbabwe and chase away the Zimbabwean embassy from South Africa until human rights are restored,” Malema said.

Ramaphosa last week announced he was sending two envoys to Zimbabwe after the military and police were used to crush planned anti-government protests on July 31. Rights groups say dozens of people including opposition politicians and journalists were arrested, abducted or tortured while others were forced to flee their homes.

Watch video downloading below:

The ruling ZANU PF party has literally captured the commemorations of the nation’s heroes into yet another ZANU PF day.

In a statement yesterday, the ruling Zanu PF party said it joins President Mnangagwa and Zimbabweans in celebrating Heroes Day, a day during which the nation reflects on the historic, gallant and heroic sacrifices of determined sons and daughters who braved and fought with valour to bring independence to their motherland.

“On this day, we reflect on the arduous, tiresome and excruciatingly painful journey which our founding fathers and mothers travelled in bringing about the fall of the racist colonial empire,” said Zanu PF ignoring the fact that there are several other heroes who did not take part in the liberation struggle.

The ruling party called on the people to unite and commit themselves to sacrifice, hard work and determination towards achieving an upper middle income economy and double their efforts in engaging in productive activities in line with President Mnangagwa’s clarion call for productivity.

It also called upon nations that have imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe to unconditionally lift them in the spirit of engagement and re-engagement, and allow citizens to chart their owndestiny.

Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veteran’s Association (ZNLWVA) secretary general Victor Matemadanda said today, citizens should remember the sons and daughters who sacrificed to liberate the country and restore human dignity that had been taken away by colonisers.

Matemadanda said various people such as war collaborators and ordinary citizens, played different roles to free Zimbabwe from the shackles of colonialism, hence the importance of today’s celebrations.

After independence, the country needed some who would protect it, and that is the role that is being played by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF).

“We are proud of our Zimbabwe Defence Forces as they are doing us proud and it is an excellent force that needs the support of the people. Because of the sacrifices and commitment that the ZDF is doing, a day was also set up to commemorate.

“They have done us proud even in foreign missions they have been called upon to undertake,” he said.

Newly appointed Health and Child Care Minister Constantino Chiwenga is faced with a critical challenge as over 480 healthcare workers have contracted Covid-19 in Zimbabwe.

The figure constitutes about 11 percent of the total number of cases that have been recorded so far.

As of Saturday, 102 deaths had been recorded from a total of 4 575 positive cases.

The affected health workers include nurses, student nurses, doctors, matrons, laboratory scientists, nurse aides, general hands and pharmacists.

Healthcare workers have been greatly exposed to Covid-19 due to the shortage of personal protective equipment in the country.

Nurses, the greatly affected group which account for 37 percent of the total Covid-19 confirmed cases among heathcare workers globally are on strike which enters day 52 today.

More than 100 nurses at Mpilo Central and United Bulawayo Hospitals have contracted the virus, forcing them into quarantine, thereby reducing the number of workers who are manning the public institutions.

According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care Covid-19 Zimbabwe Situation Report, Harare and Bulawayo have reported the highest number of local cases.

“A significant number of health workers have been infected with Covid-19 and as of the July 29, 2020, 11 percent of the cases were among health care workers with the majority being from the nursing profession,” read the report.

“Nurses and student nurses account for 35,8 percent and 15,7 percent of the total cases respectively while doctors account for 5,2 percent.”

The ministry said Matabeleland South province had reported a significant number of imported cases compared to other provinces.

To date there are 1 104 imported cases and Matabeleland South has recorded 323 cases.

The ministry also said the Covid-19 psychosocial support response team has developed mental health resources which will be launched in the coming weeks.

“These resources are in the form of sensitisation videos and material made for by Zimbabweans, some in local languages. These self-help materials are available online and will be circulated through various social media platforms. A WhatsApp chatbot and mobile app are under development to make services more accessible by affected members of the public,” it said.

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association has raised concern over stigmatisation and discrimination across the country, a development that has seen some of them being evicted from their lodgings as landlords and fellow tenants fear that they are carriers of the virus.

In some instances, according to Zina nurses are shunned by family and friends and face discrimination when using public transport and when they are shopping in supermarkets.

Zina president Mr Enock Dongo on Friday said some healthcare workers were being shunned by community members owing to stigma or fear.

“It happens everywhere but mostly in Bulawayo and Harare. It’s unfortunate that the nurses don’t want us to divulge their names but they have informed us that they are being evicted simply because they are health workers and the landlords suspect that they are carriers of Covid-19,” he said.

Professor Jonathan Moyo on Sunday evening posted a Tweet warning MDC-T Vice Chairman Job that state security agents were on their way to pick him out of the Dema village;but was this even necessary in the first place?

We analyse professor Moyo’s utterances in the video below. Please be patient while the video downloads.

Anyone with access to Hon Job Sikhala, please tell him to leave the Dema area now & carefully, if he's anywhere around there. Mnangwagwa's Ferret Force is descending into the area, looking for him with a vengeance in a door to door operation, after picking up his fone signal!

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) August 9, 2020

https://youtu.be/j9ooJtTwB9M

State Media

President Mnangagwa is today expected to lead the nation in commemorating Heroes Day by making a virtual address as opposed to the traditional physical gathering of multitudes at the National Heroes Acre.

Heroes Day is a day set aside to commemorate the country’s heroes of all spheres.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, urged the nation to follow the President’s live national address.

“As directed by Cabinet, we are not going to have any public events for the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays. The celebrations will instead be held virtually, with the main event being the addresses on both days by His Excellency, the President, to the nation,” she said.

“We urge all citizens of and indeed all Zimbabweans living outside the country to watch or listen to the President’s messages that will touch on a number of issues, including the significance of these days to our nation.”

Minister Mutsvangwa said the Government had made a conscious decision to set aside public events in light of the rocketing Covid-19 cases.

“We decided that we need to take maximum precaution to contain the spread of the virus. The rate of local transmission is a cause for concern and as Government we cannot take any chances. We are mindful that these holidays cannot be postponed that is why in addition to the President’s address, there will be a lot of activities on the national broadcaster, ZBC, to honour our heroes and defence forces,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

THE Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has taken advantage of the Covid-19 scourge to block visits to arrested journalist Hopewell Chinono and opposition leader Jacob Ngarivhume.

The duo’s lawyers over the weekend claimed that their clients were being discriminated as they await trial on charges of inciting public violence.

Ms Beatrice Mtetwa and the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) claimed that their clients are being discriminated on to an extent that they could be poisoned while in prison.

ZPCS spokesperson Supt Meya Khanyezi said the Commissioner General of Prisons, is allowed under the country’s laws to transfer or make standing orders without consulting legal representatives of inmates.

“The Commissioner General is empowered to make standing orders and it is in terms of these standing orders that certain categories of prisoners can only have visitors within sight and hearing of prison officers. Transfer of inmates from one prison to another is entirely an administrative issue. ZPCS is not obligated to inform an inmate’s lawyers,” he said.

According to the Commissioner General Standing Order, Part VII Visits and Communication Section 140 (6), “Unless specifically authorised by the Commissioner General, all visits by a legal practitioner shall be in the presence and hearing of an officer who understands the language used and it shall be a condition of the visit that the legal practitioner may only discuss matters arising from his employment as legal representative of the detainee.

In view of the spiking cases of the Covid-19 pandemic and the portent threat it poses in prisons where maintaining social distance is difficult, the ZPCS has also taken measures to minimise contact between inmates and the outside world.

“The decision to suspend the visits was taken with the interest of offenders at heart. It is not a punitive measure but a temporary preventive action meant to ensure that the incarcerated are protected from the Covid-19 pandemic that has affected and killed a number of people worldwide. Although we have recorded cases in Beitbridge, Plumtree, Masvingo, Whawha and Bulawayo we have since put measures to curb the continuous spread of the disease in our prisons.

“This was not a decision we arrived at lightly, as we understand and recognise the importance of family contact with the prison population. Our primary concern has to be public safety and reducing the number of people who enter our facilities is a key factor in limiting the potential spread of this illness into our prisoner population. The department will continue to monitor the situation to determine when visits will be restored,” said Supt Khanyezi.

He said since convicted prisoners and persons on remand are held in a high-risk environment as facilities are not adapted to face large-scale epidemics, it is important to minimize visits.

“As ZPCS we also ensure that during the Covid-19 pandemic the human rights of all those who remain in detention are upheld while taking the specific needs of the most vulnerable detainees, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and juvenile detainees into account. Any restrictions imposed on detainees should be non-discriminatory, necessary, proportionate, time-limited and transparent”.

Both Ngarivhume and Chin’ono are being treated just as any other intimates, the prisons spokesperson said.

ZimEye gives a full update on the Zengeza MP Job Sikhala, his passion,  mission, vision, and thedthe of a conspiracy flung at the weekend. Joining in is analyst Wilbert Mukori. VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9ooJtTwB9M

Manicaland recorded two new Covid-19 deaths over the weekend, taking the death toll to 104 as the country had 198 new infections confirmed over two days.

This brings the cumulative total 4 649 total confirmed cases with 3 528 being people infected within Zimbabwe and 1 121 being infections reported from quarantine centres among returning residents.

Of the new cases 119 on Saturday and 57 yesterday were within the community with 66 of the weekend local total of 176 being in Harare, 10 in Bulawayo, 36 in Manicaland and 47 in Midlands, reports the Ministry of Health and Child Care in its latest daily reports.

It is possible that greater adherence by people of the Covid-19 advice, and greater enforcement of the lockdown regulations, may have helped reduce infection rates over the last week, or this could just be a statistical blip.

The two deaths reported yesterday, after a zero death report on Saturday, were a 59-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman, both in Manicaland.

Of the 104 deaths, 55 have been in Harare, 23 in Bulawayo, nine in Manicaland, five each in Midlands and Mashonaland West, three in Matabeleland North, two in Matabeleland South, one each in Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East, and zero in Masvingo.

South Africa now has reported 10 210 deaths from 553 188 cases, but has been seeing a slow-down in infection rates in the two hot spots of Gauteng and Western Cape.

Worldwide, the death toll has now reached 728 176 from 19 711 213 confirmed cases, although it is assumed significantly more people have been infected than have been tested as positive.

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa is today expected to address the nation as Zimbabweans commemorate Heroes’ Day at home due to the threat of Covid-19.

Over the years, commemorations were punctuated by spectacular military parades, parachute jumps, gun drills and combat fitness marches among other activities which will not be done this year.

President Mnangagwa will deliver a speech which will be televised live on national television.

Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said although there won’t be any gatherings due to Covid-19, Zimbabweans must observe the day as it is a special day dedicated to the country’s heroes and heroines, both living and departed.

“There will be no gatherings at the national, provincial and district heroes’ acres to mark Heroes Day due to the Covid-19 lockdown regulations.

However, it is important to note that this is an important day as we remember our heroes and heroines and the President will deliver a speech on national television and radio,” he said.

“I urge all Zimbabweans wherever we are to listen and watch the President as he addresses the nation on this special day.

There will be documentaries and other programmes on national television depicting the lives of our heroes.”

Minister Kazembe said the new development is in line with Ministry of Health and Child Care guidelines.

“We are all aware of the Covid-19 pandemic hence we can’t gather as we usually do.

It is important to save lives, but that should not dampen our spirits of celebrating our heroes and heroines at our homes,” he said-The Herald

A 28-YEAR-OLD Filabusi man has been jailed for 18 years for raping a 72-year-old woman after breaking into her home.

Lyton Mlilo of Phikelela Village in Theleka area pleaded not guilty to rape when he appeared before Gwanda regional magistrate, Mrs Sibonginkosi Mkandla but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence against him.
He was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment.

Three years were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.

Prosecuting, Mr Khumbulani Nyoni said Mlilo raped the old woman on February 25 at around 2AM.

“On 25 February at around 2AM the complainant was sleeping alone in her bedroom hut when she was awakened by the noise of someone opening her door. She quickly switched on her torch and saw that it was the accused person.

Mlilo approached the complainant and ordered her to switch off the torch and demanded to have sexual intercourse with her. The complainant ordered Mlilo to leave but he refused and went on to rape her,” he said.

“The complainant tried to scream for help but Milo strangled her in order to stop her from making noise. After he had raped her the complainant managed to push the accused person aside and she escaped and called out for help. Mlilo fled from the scene.”

Mr Nyoni said two neighbours arrived at the complainant’s homestead and they tried to track the accused person but did not find him. The matter was reported to the police resulting in Mlilo’s arrest.

In his defence, Mlilo said he never went to the complainant’s homestead.

He said he was forcefully arrested by the police who further assaulted him and forced him to admit to have committed the offence.
Mlilo said he did not rape the complainant as alleged.

“I was surprised when the police confronted me and accused me of raping the complainant.

When I told them that I didn’t know what they were talking about they assaulted me and forced me to admit,” he said-Chronicle

The MDC Alliance welcomes the efforts by the region to intervene in the deepening governance and human rights crisis in Zimbabwe, particularly by His Excellency, Cyril Ramaphosa, who is the current Chairperson of the African Union.

The crisis in Zimbabwe has been characterized by a de facto state of emergency, a crackdown on citizens, abductions, arbitrary arrests of government critics and the political persecution of journalists.

The region must take note of the collapse of the public health system characterised by an ongoing doctors’ and nurses’ strike amidst the Covidl9 pandemic, the economic crisis which has seen hyperinflation exceed 786% and a hunger crisis that has left 7,7 million Zimbabweans food insecure.

The Government 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 lies in resolving the political crisis and answering the outstanding legitimacy question. The deteriorating plight of the Zimbabwean people means that a political settlement is more urgent than before.

We acknowledge the special envoy that has been deployed by President Cyril Ramaphosa and we will continuously assess the sincerity of all the actors in the process.

MDC -Alliance

By Dorrothy Moyo | The ZPCS spokesperson Supt Meya Khanyezi has denied ill-treating journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and activist Jacob Ngarivhume. The two were arrested over allegations connected to the July 31 demo.

Yesterday lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa complained over how they have been suddenly transferred to the COVID fested Chikurubi maximum and afterwards denied food from outside, as also their re;stoves and friends are blocked from seeing them. There are fears that the two will be poisoned.

Khanyezi said the Commissioner General of Prisons is allowed under the country’s laws to transfer or make standing orders without consulting legal representatives of inmates.

“The Commissioner General is empowered to make standing orders and it is in terms of these standing orders that certain categories of prisoners can only have visitors within sight and hearing of prison officers. Transfer of inmates from one prison to another is entirely an administrative issue. ZPCS is not obligated to inform an inmate’s lawyers,” he said.

The state owned Herald quoted the so called Commissioner General Standing Order, Part VII Visits and Communication Section 140 (6), which says “Unless specifically authorised by the Commissioner General, all visits by a legal practitioner shall be in the presence and hearing of an officer who understands the language used and it shall be a condition of the visit that the legal practitioner may only discuss matters arising from his employment as legal representative of the detainee.

The ZPCS has been blocking relatives and friends from accessing Chinono and Ngarivhume.

“The decision to suspend the visits was taken with the interest of offenders at heart. It is not a punitive measure but a temporary preventive action meant to ensure that the incarcerated are protected from the Covid-19 pandemic that has affected and killed a number of people worldwide. Although we have recorded cases in Beitbridge, Plumtree, Masvingo, Whawha and Bulawayo we have since put measures to curb the continuous spread of the disease in our prisons.

“This was not a decision we arrived at lightly, as we understand and recognise the importance of family contact with the prison population. Our primary concern has to be public safety and reducing the number of people who enter our facilities is a key factor in limiting the potential spread of this illness into our prisoner population. The department will continue to monitor the situation to determine when visits will be restored,” said Supt Khanyezi.

He said since convicted prisoners and persons on remand are held in a high-risk environment as facilities are not adapted to face large-scale epidemics, it is important to minimize visits.

“As ZPCS we also ensure that during the Covid-19 pandemic the human rights of all those who remain in detention are upheld while taking the specific needs of the most vulnerable detainees, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and juvenile detainees into account. Any restrictions imposed on detainees should be non-discriminatory, necessary, proportionate, time-limited and transparent”.

Nelson Chamisa who leads the opposition MDC Alliance has criticised the government for the imprisonment of anti-corruption crusaders.

Speaking for the first time after the death of his mother Gogo Alice Chamisa last month and after visiting some of the victims of abductions by alleged state security agents last week, Chamisa said:

It is not proper to have people in a supposedly free Zimbabwe who are not sleeping in their homes peacefully and are wanted not for anything criminal, but for demanding accountability and end to corruption.

We have brutality of innocent citizens by State agents and it is sad. But we will smile soon.

I sense victory, our sorrows will turn into joy, celebrations are not far away, and change is coming.

He speaks when tensions are rising in the country over latest reports of human rights violations and the deepening economic and humanitarian crisis in the country.

The opposition is accusing the governing ZANU PF of presiding over a failed economy and diminishing the citizenry’s living standards- NewsDay

Nelson Chamisa who leads the opposition MDC Alliance has criticised the government for the imprisonment of anti-corruption crusaders.

Speaking for the first time after the death of his mother Gogo Alice Chamisa last month and after visiting some of the victims of abductions by alleged state security agents last week, Chamisa said:

It is not proper to have people in a supposedly free Zimbabwe who are not sleeping in their homes peacefully and are wanted not for anything criminal, but for demanding accountability and end to corruption.

We have brutality of innocent citizens by State agents and it is sad. But we will smile soon.

I sense victory, our sorrows will turn into joy, celebrations are not far away, and change is coming.

He speaks when tensions are rising in the country over latest reports of human rights violations and the deepening economic and humanitarian crisis in the country.

The opposition is accusing the governing ZANU PF of presiding over a failed economy and diminishing the citizenry’s living standards- NewsDay

ZLHR CONCERNED ABOUT TREATMENT OF CHIN’ONO AND NGARIVHUME IN PRISON
ZIMBABWE

Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) is concerned about the treatment of freelance journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume, the leader of Transform Zimbabwe political party, who are currently detained at Chikurubi Maximum Prison.

On Saturday 8 August 2020, ZLHR lawyers Roselyn Hanzi, Beatrice Mtetwa and Moses Nkomo visited their clients, Chin’ono and Ngarivhume at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, where they were moved to from Harare Remand Prison on Friday 7 August 2020 by Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officials.

Chin’ono and Ngarivhume’s lawyers only came to know of the transfer of their clients late on Friday 7 August 2020 after they learnt from independent sources that the duo had been strip-searched, shackled in leg irons and eventually moved at night to Chikurubi Maximum Prison.

This transfer had not been communicated formally to Chin’ono and Ngarivhume’s legal practitioners beforehand.
The Officer in Charge of Harare Remand Prison confirmed to the legal practitioners that he had received instructions from “above” pertaining to the transfer.

When Chin’ono and Ngarivhume’s lawyers visited their clients on Saturday 8 August 2020, they were denied access to consult the two prisoners in private with ZPCS insisting that they be present during any consultations or be within earshot of the discussions involving the two detainees.

The ZPCS officials could not entertain arguments by lawyers that they had previously visited other clients and had been allowed that privacy because, in terms of the law, communication between a lawyer and client is privileged and confidential.

But the prison officers advised Chin’ono and Ngarivhume’s lawyers that they had direct orders not to allow lawyers to consult with clients if they could not hear the discussions and that section 140(6) of the Commissioner-General’s Standing Order Part VII Visits and Communication did not allow this.

The Commissioner-General’s Standing Orders are in direct violation of section 50(5)(b) of the Constitution, which provides that “any person who is detained, including a sentenced prisoner, has the right at their own expense, to consult in private with a legal practitioner of their choice, and to be informed of this right promptly.”

ZLHR also learnt that Chin’ono and Ngarivhume were not provided with jerseys while in detention as prison officers advised that they did not have any more jerseys in stock. Although the two prisoners’ lawyers sought permission to bring in warm clothes as ZPCS has no jerseys, this request was turned down with prison officers insisting that only the red and white prison jersey is allowed and that lawyers have to source the jerseys for the clients.

It took a lot of haggling between the lawyers and prison officers for them to allow Chin’ono and Ngarivhume to have access to food which had been brought by their lawyers as their ZPCS kitchen had closed with the ZPCS officials insisting that home-prepared food was not permitted because of the outbreak of coronavirus.

Of concern to ZLHR is the welfare of Chin’ono and Ngarivhume who have been left with no access to food as the two do not eat sadza for medical reasons but they were advised that ZPCS only serves sadza in prison.

Because both Chin’ono and Ngarivhume are on medication, they would need access to a balanced diet while in prison.

The blatant and malicious stripping away of the two prisoners’ basic rights including the right to give instructions to lawyers of their choice in private is unconstitutional.

The harsh treatment of Chin’ono and Ngarivhume undermines the presumption of innocence.

Of great concern to ZLHR too, is the undermining and obstruction of legal practitioners who are merely attempting to protect their clients’ fundamental rights and perform their professional duties.

ZLHR urges ZPCS authorities to uphold constitutional provisions which guarantee fundamental rights of arrested and detained persons including Zimbabwe’s regional and international obligations on rights of detainees, which include the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights

ZLHR CONCERNED ABOUT TREATMENT OF CHIN’ONO AND NGARIVHUME IN PRISON
ZIMBABWE

Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) is concerned about the treatment of freelance journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume, the leader of Transform Zimbabwe political party, who are currently detained at Chikurubi Maximum Prison.

On Saturday 8 August 2020, ZLHR lawyers Roselyn Hanzi, Beatrice Mtetwa and Moses Nkomo visited their clients, Chin’ono and Ngarivhume at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, where they were moved to from Harare Remand Prison on Friday 7 August 2020 by Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officials.

Chin’ono and Ngarivhume’s lawyers only came to know of the transfer of their clients late on Friday 7 August 2020 after they learnt from independent sources that the duo had been strip-searched, shackled in leg irons and eventually moved at night to Chikurubi Maximum Prison.

This transfer had not been communicated formally to Chin’ono and Ngarivhume’s legal practitioners beforehand.
The Officer in Charge of Harare Remand Prison confirmed to the legal practitioners that he had received instructions from “above” pertaining to the transfer.

When Chin’ono and Ngarivhume’s lawyers visited their clients on Saturday 8 August 2020, they were denied access to consult the two prisoners in private with ZPCS insisting that they be present during any consultations or be within earshot of the discussions involving the two detainees.

The ZPCS officials could not entertain arguments by lawyers that they had previously visited other clients and had been allowed that privacy because, in terms of the law, communication between a lawyer and client is privileged and confidential.

But the prison officers advised Chin’ono and Ngarivhume’s lawyers that they had direct orders not to allow lawyers to consult with clients if they could not hear the discussions and that section 140(6) of the Commissioner-General’s Standing Order Part VII Visits and Communication did not allow this.

The Commissioner-General’s Standing Orders are in direct violation of section 50(5)(b) of the Constitution, which provides that “any person who is detained, including a sentenced prisoner, has the right at their own expense, to consult in private with a legal practitioner of their choice, and to be informed of this right promptly.”

ZLHR also learnt that Chin’ono and Ngarivhume were not provided with jerseys while in detention as prison officers advised that they did not have any more jerseys in stock. Although the two prisoners’ lawyers sought permission to bring in warm clothes as ZPCS has no jerseys, this request was turned down with prison officers insisting that only the red and white prison jersey is allowed and that lawyers have to source the jerseys for the clients.

It took a lot of haggling between the lawyers and prison officers for them to allow Chin’ono and Ngarivhume to have access to food which had been brought by their lawyers as their ZPCS kitchen had closed with the ZPCS officials insisting that home-prepared food was not permitted because of the outbreak of coronavirus.

Of concern to ZLHR is the welfare of Chin’ono and Ngarivhume who have been left with no access to food as the two do not eat sadza for medical reasons but they were advised that ZPCS only serves sadza in prison.

Because both Chin’ono and Ngarivhume are on medication, they would need access to a balanced diet while in prison.

The blatant and malicious stripping away of the two prisoners’ basic rights including the right to give instructions to lawyers of their choice in private is unconstitutional.

The harsh treatment of Chin’ono and Ngarivhume undermines the presumption of innocence.

Of great concern to ZLHR too, is the undermining and obstruction of legal practitioners who are merely attempting to protect their clients’ fundamental rights and perform their professional duties.

ZLHR urges ZPCS authorities to uphold constitutional provisions which guarantee fundamental rights of arrested and detained persons including Zimbabwe’s regional and international obligations on rights of detainees, which include the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights

Jailed investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono’s lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa said that they are concerned he could be poisoned after authorities at Chikurubi Maximum Security Remand Prison restricted his access to food from outside.

Chin’ono was taken to the facility in leg irons on Thursday after High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi had denied him bail.

Speaking after visiting Chin’ono at Chikurubi on Saturday, Mtetwa said her client is now being treated as a maximum security prisoner.

Said Mtetwa:
I struggled to see Chin’ono and when I managed to see him, he was in leg irons and is being treated like a maximum security prisoner like the most dangerous prisoners.

He is not allowed food from outside even if they have special dietary requirements.

They say the only food that can be allowed is dry food bought online and delivered at the prison.

Of course, you know that will be delivered to the prison officer, but you want to see that the food is delivered to the person directly, meaning that the tasting requirement falls away thereby exposing the prisoner to poisoning.

Mtetwa revealed that Chin’ono was not being allowed to have visitors except lawyers.

She said what was more intriguing was that prison officers told them they were carrying out orders from above to deny him food from outside and keep him in leg irons.

Chin’ono was arrested in July alongside Transform Zimbabwe (TZ) leader Jacob Ngarivhume on charges of inciting violence ahead of the planned July 31 demonstrations that never happened- The Standard

By A Correspondent- Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor John Panonetsa Mangudya recently told bakers and millers that they will not be allowed to raise the price of bread.

Mangudya said this during an online meeting hosted by the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ), last week.

The meeting was also attended by the National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe, including Bakers Inn, Lobels Bread and Proton, as well as millers such as National Foods, Blue Ribbon Foods and Edurate Milling. Mangudya said:

We want to assure bakers and millers that going forward they will now be prioritised for foreign currency allocation during the weekly forex auction.

Bakers have no reason to justify any bread price increase because when the price of bread was $79, it was based on a speculative black market rate of between $100 and $120 per US$1.

We expect bread prices to go down given the fact that bakers are now accessing forex at the auction at a much lower rate of $80 against US$1.

Millers and bakers wanted to increase the price of a standard loaf of bread to $80 from an average $60, citing rising productions costs.

Mangudya pledged to avail at least US$2 million weekly to millers and bakers, though they need a total of US$12 million per month.

-statemedia

Jailed investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono’s lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa said that they are concerned he could be poisoned after authorities at Chikurubi Maximum Security Remand Prison restricted his access to food from outside.

Chin’ono was taken to the facility in leg irons on Thursday after High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi had denied him bail.

Speaking after visiting Chin’ono at Chikurubi on Saturday, Mtetwa said her client is now being treated as a maximum security prisoner.

Said Mtetwa:
I struggled to see Chin’ono and when I managed to see him, he was in leg irons and is being treated like a maximum security prisoner like the most dangerous prisoners.

He is not allowed food from outside even if they have special dietary requirements.

They say the only food that can be allowed is dry food bought online and delivered at the prison.

Of course, you know that will be delivered to the prison officer, but you want to see that the food is delivered to the person directly, meaning that the tasting requirement falls away thereby exposing the prisoner to poisoning.

Mtetwa revealed that Chin’ono was not being allowed to have visitors except lawyers.

She said what was more intriguing was that prison officers told them they were carrying out orders from above to deny him food from outside and keep him in leg irons.

Chin’ono was arrested in July alongside Transform Zimbabwe (TZ) leader Jacob Ngarivhume on charges of inciting violence ahead of the planned July 31 demonstrations that never happened- The Standard

By A Correspondent- The Public Service Commission (PSC) has directed ministries to reduce the number of workers reporting for duty to just 15% of the total workforce to curb the spread of coronavirus at workplaces.

This entails that only 15 per cent of staff, except for units providing essential services who will have higher percentages of staff on duty, will be at work while the rest will remain at home.

Those who will remain at home have been ordered to be on standby, remain in the towns and cities they are employed and be ready to be called in to provide help if the 15 per cent of staff on duty is overwhelmed.

PSC Secretary Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe said:

We want 15 per cent of the public service to be at their respective workplaces. We want to decongest the workplaces.

Others will be on call and might be told to report for duty if those at work are overwhelmed or need to rest.

It is not every ministry where it is possible, where there are essential services that you cannot manage with 15 per cent but those are exceptions.

The PSC employs approximately 300 000 people, so about 45 000 civil servants have been recommended to report for work.

We have been inundated with complaints by passengers, who have experienced abuse on the hands of soldiers and police. In Mabvuku, for instance people who were coming from work were beaten, whilst coming from work.

Due to the fact that there is massive transport challenges and ZUPCO lacks the capacity, they had arrived after the curfew time and they were collectively affected together with vendors.

On the 30th and 31st of July there was daylight victimization and physical beating of people at bus ranks in Harare CBD and other places within the city and other cities.

At the same time, there are many private vehicles owners’ who seek to assist stranded commuters end up being made to suffer and adjudged to be on the wrong side of the law, mostly by malfeasent law officers seeking after corrupt gains.

Passengers are struggling to get home on time. ZUPCO must consistently provide buses and they must regularly fumigate their buses, check temperatures and sanitise.

PASSENGERS ASSOCIATION OF ZIMBABWE PRESIDENT
HOTLINE:+263 712 334 330

Who is making these Face Masks? I want to buy 500 masks for my friends in Mbare, Sakubva, Rimuka, Amaveni, and Makokoba. pic.twitter.com/pxEElOxmGL

— Thabisa Sibanda (@SibandaSibbs) August 9, 2020

By A Correspondent- Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor John Panonetsa Mangudya recently told bakers and millers that they will not be allowed to raise the price of bread.

Mangudya said this during an online meeting hosted by the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ), last week.

The meeting was also attended by the National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe, including Bakers Inn, Lobels Bread and Proton, as well as millers such as National Foods, Blue Ribbon Foods and Edurate Milling. Mangudya said:

We want to assure bakers and millers that going forward they will now be prioritised for foreign currency allocation during the weekly forex auction.

Bakers have no reason to justify any bread price increase because when the price of bread was $79, it was based on a speculative black market rate of between $100 and $120 per US$1.

We expect bread prices to go down given the fact that bakers are now accessing forex at the auction at a much lower rate of $80 against US$1.

Millers and bakers wanted to increase the price of a standard loaf of bread to $80 from an average $60, citing rising productions costs.

Mangudya pledged to avail at least US$2 million weekly to millers and bakers, though they need a total of US$12 million per month.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Thirty members of the opposition MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa have reportedly fled from their homes in fear of harassment by state security forces.

The claims were made by the party’s Bulawayo provincial spokesperson Swithern Chirowodza while speaking to the Daily News on Saturday. Chirowodza said: We have so far drawn a list of about 30 cadres who are no longer living at their homes for fear of being abducted, tortured or detained. Some are contemplating moving their children to safer places, while others are bogged down with repairs to damaged premises. As suchthe provincila administration committee will meet soon to set the agenda of the next Bulawayo provincila executive meeting. Tis is going to be one item on the agenda meeting so i cannot disclose or pre-empt anything.

He speaks at the backdrop of widespread reports of kidnapping and torture of government critics including journalists, human rights defenders and members of the opposition.

The reports have attracted condemnation from the international community while the African Union chair, Cyril Ramaphosa the president of South Africa has sent envoys to investigate the matter.

-DailyNews

By A Correspondent- ZimLive editor, Mduduzi Mathuthu has said CID Law and Order detectives went to his house this Sunday saying they wanted to pick his two nephews for investigations about the alleged abduction of his other nephew Tawanda Muchehiwa.

Muchehiwa was reportedly abducted by suspected state security agents who wanted to know Mathuthu’s whereabouts. He was missing for three days, was later found dumped and was arrested.

Nick Mangwana, secretary for Information told SABC News that family members of wanted people who do not disclose the whereabouts of their relatives are arrested for obstructing justice.

https://twitter.com/Mathuthu/status/1292484835022376960?s=20

Mathuthu is reportedly in hiding as he is also being sought by authorities. He went into hiding after other anti-corruption crusaders – Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume were imprisoned recently for encouraging the citizenry to participate in the anti-corruption protests of 31 July.

BREAKING: Dema Area Residents beware of door to door searches & beatings tonight , Security swooping of area as they search for @JobSikhala1 after hotspot tips, please be alert, we don't want any further bloodshed of Zimbabweans ! #ZimbabaweanLivesMatter https://t.co/8L3eK8waRk

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 9, 2020

By A Correspondent- A Mabvuku man, David Mutendera, was reportedly assaulted by soldiers on 5 August after arriving home around 7 pm in violation of the dusk-to-dawn COVID-19 curfew the government imposed on the country.

Former Zimpapers editor, Edmund Kudzayi posted on Twitter suggesting that the man arrived home late after failing to find transport in time.

He said:

On August 5, a father failed get transport out of town. He only managed to get back to Mabvuku at 7pm after 6PM curfew and was brutally assaulted by soldiers. His name is David Mutendera. He could be your father or mine. Is this a free Zimbabwe governed by the rule of law? pic.twitter.com/mDrHOvvO0n

— Edmund Kudzayi (@EdmundKudzayi) August 9, 2020

It's one thing to deny Hopewell and Jacob their freedom, it's another to deny them food from home, access to their lawyers & to cuff their hands & feet as though they are hard criminals. This is now torture. #FreeHopewell #FreeJacob #ZimbabaweanLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/WhhFH40bJb

— Fadzayi Mahere?? (@advocatemahere) August 9, 2020

By A Correspondent- Dewa Mavhinga, the Human Rights Watch Director for Southern Africa has opined that the persecution of journalists in Zimbabwe is a strategy to get to their sources who helped in the exposure of grand corruption by some government officials and departments.

Mavhinga who investigates human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, South Africa, eSwatini & Malawi speaks when journalists Hopewell Chin’ono and Mduduzi Mathuthu have been targeted by the state after they exposed corruption in the country.

Posting on social media on Saturday, Mavhinga said:

Persecution/ harrassment of prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Mathuthu and their families is for the Zimbabwean authorities to get to their sources who helped expose high level PPE corruption.

Chin’ono was arrested on 20 July and charged with inciting public violence after rallying the citizenry to participate in anti-corruption protests that had been scheduled for 31 July.

Meanwhile, Mathuthu has gone into hiding but his family is being harassed by state security personnel. His nephew Tawanda Muchehiwa was recently abducted, tortured and detained by police who wanted him to reveal Mathuthu’s whereabouts.

Speaking to SABC News last night, the Secretary for Information, Nick Mangwana said relatives of wanted individuals who do not reveal the whereabouts of their relatives are being arrested for “obstructing justice.”

PRESS STATEMENT: RAMPART ABUSE OF PASSENGERS BY STATE SECURITY OFFICERS MUST DESIST

We have been inundated with complaints by passengers, who have experienced abuse on the hands of soldiers and police. In Mabvuku, for instance people who were coming from work were beaten, whilst coming from work. Due to the fact that there is massive transport challenges and ZUPCO lacks the capacity, they had arrived after the curfew time and they were collectively affected together with vendors.

On the 30th and 31st of July there was daylight victimization and physical beating of people at bus ranks in Harare CBD and other places within the city and other cities.

At the same time, there are many private vehicles owners’ who seek to assist stranded commuters end up being made to suffer and adjudged to be on the wrong side of the law, mostly by malfeasent law officers seeking after corrupt gains.

Passengers are struggling to get home on time. ZUPCO must consistently provide buses and they must regularly fumigate their buses, check temperatures and sanitise.

PASSENGERS ASSOCIATION OF ZIMBABWE PRESIDENT
WHATSAPP:+263 773 239 688 ,HOTLINE:+263 712 334 330

ZimLive editor, Mduduzi Mathuthu has said CID Law and Order detectives went to his house this Sunday saying they wanted to pick his two nephews for investigations about the alleged abduction of his other nephew Tawanda Muchehiwa.

Muchehiwa was reportedly abducted by suspected state security agents who wanted to know Mathuthu’s whereabouts. He was missing for three days, was later found dumped and was arrested.

Nick Mangwana, secretary for Information told SABC News that family members of wanted people who do not disclose the whereabouts of their relatives are arrested for obstructing justice.

Posting on Twitter, Mathuthu said:

CID Law and Order detectives today drove up to our house. They said they are there to pick up my 2 nephews to give a statement on Tawanda Muchehiwa’s abduction. Either there’s a serious investigation going on into the incident, or they just want to check how much nephews remember.

Mathuthu has been part of the anti-corruption crusade that exposed grand corruption within President Mnangagwa’s circle.

He is reportedly in hiding as he is also being sought by authorities. Mathuthu went into hiding after other anti-corruption crusaders – Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume were imprisoned recently for encouraging the citizenry to participate in the anti-corruption protests of 31 July.

#EFFWomensDayRally Malema: Mnangagwa has become a pig and he is eating his own children in Zimbabwe. He is no different to Ramaphosa. When they came in we had hope for change, but things have become worse.

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) August 9, 2020

We are nolonger safe and I might be abducted and @realnigelndlovu might be abducted & @muz_lillian might be taken & get raped ..Tell the world we are not safe and yesterday i showed you the people who are sent to follow us .. @ZimEye @LynneStactia
@efie41209591

— Dr Nyasha William Gwazemba PhD (@DrNyashaForMP) August 9, 2020

ZLHR CONCERNED ABOUT TREATMENT OF CHIN’ONO AND NGARIVHUME IN PRISON

ZIMBABWE Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) is concerned about the treatment of freelance journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume, the leader of Transform Zimbabwe political party, who are currently detained at Chikurubi Maximum Prison.

On Saturday 8 August 2020, ZLHR lawyers Roselyn Hanzi, Beatrice Mtetwa and Moses Nkomo visited their clients, Chin’ono and Ngarivhume at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, where they were moved to from Harare Remand Prison on Friday 7 August 2020 by Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officials.

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Chin’ono and Ngarivhume’s lawyers only came to know of the transfer of their clients late on Friday 7 August 2020 after they learnt from independent sources that the duo had been strip-searched, shackled in leg irons and eventually moved at night to Chikurubi Maximum Prison. This transfer had not been communicated formally to Chin’ono and Ngarivhume’s legal practitioners beforehand.

The Officer in Charge of Harare Remand Prison confirmed to the legal practitioners that he had received instructions from “above” pertaining to the transfer.

When Chin’ono and Ngarivhume’s lawyers visited their clients on Saturday 8 August 2020, they were denied access to consult the two prisoners in private with ZPCS insisting that they be present during any consultations or be within earshot of the discussions involving the two detainees.

The ZPCS officials could not entertain arguments by lawyers that they had previously visited other clients and had been allowed that privacy because, in terms of the law, communication between a lawyer and client is privileged and confidential.

But the prison officers advised Chin’ono and Ngarivhume’s lawyers that they had direct orders not to allow lawyers to consult with clients if they could not hear the discussions and that section 140(6) of the Commissioner-General’s Standing Order Part VII Visits and Communication did not allow this.

The Commissioner-General’s Standing Orders are in direct violation of section 50(5)(b) of the Constitution, which provides that “any person who is detained, including a sentenced prisoner, has the right at their own expense, to consult in private with a legal practitioner of their choice, and to be informed of this right promptly.”

ZLHR also learnt that Chin’ono and Ngarivhume were not provided with jerseys while in detention as prison officers advised that they did not have any more jerseys in stock. Although the two prisoners’ lawyers sought permission to bring in warm clothes as ZPCS has no jerseys, this request was turned down with prison officers insisting that only the red and white prison jersey is allowed and that lawyers have to source the jerseys for the clients.

It took a lot of haggling between the lawyers and prison officers for them to allow Chin’ono and Ngarivhume to have access to food which had been brought by their lawyers as their ZPCS kitchen had closed with the ZPCS officials insisting that home-prepared food was not permitted because of the outbreak of coronavirus.

Of concern to ZLHR is the welfare of Chin’ono and Ngarivhume who have been left with no access to food as the two do not eat sadza for medical reasons but they were advised that ZPCS only serves sadza in prison. Because both Chin’ono and Ngarivhume are on medication, they would need access to a balanced diet while in prison.

The blatant and malicious stripping away of the two prisoners’ basic rights including the right to give instructions to lawyers of their choice in private is unconstitutional. The harsh treatment of Chin’ono and Ngarivhume undermines the presumption of innocence.

Of great concern to ZLHR too, is the undermining and obstruction of legal practitioners who are merely attempting to protect their clients’ fundamental rights and perform their professional duties.

ZLHR urges ZPCS authorities to uphold constitutional provisions which guarantee fundamental rights of arrested and detained persons including Zimbabwe’s regional and international obligations on rights of detainees, which include the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights

Former Botswana President Seretse Ian Khama has called upon Zimbabweans to make personal sacrifices to free themselves from the repressive ZANU PF-led government.

Speaking in a recent interview on Botswana’s Duma FM, Khama noted that Zimbabweans can act in such a way that they will force neighbouring countries to pay attention to their sufferings.

He said:
Time has come for Zimbabweans to do something much more. Even if it means a personal sacrifice, withdrawal of labour crossing the borders to make neighbouring states pay attention to what is happening in Zimbabwe.

Khama revealed that he now regrets his decision to attend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s inauguration when he was still Botswana president.

He said he had hoped that Mnangagwa’s ascension to power was an opportunity for Zimbabwe to move forward but alas, the opportunity was missed.

He said:
I was really happy to share the words he (Mnangagwa) expressed at that inauguration about how he planned to take the nation of Zimbabwe forward.

Coming away from that event, I thought to myself that this is great news and I wished him all the best.

I saw this as an opportunity for Zimbabwe to break from the past ways of doing things as there were indications that the country will be on the path to prosperity again.

Sadly, that part of the letter which hoped that there would be a new dispensation, unfortunately, has not happened and Zimbabweans are saying their situation is now worse than it was under Mugabe.

Khama did not see eye-to-eye with the late former president Robert Mugabe, who was also accused of gross human rights violations- Duma FM

PRESS STATEMENT: RAMPART ABUSE OF PASSENGERS BY STATE SECURITY OFFICERS MUST DESIST

We have been inundated with complaints by passengers, who have experienced abuse on the hands of soldiers and police. In Mabvuku, for instance people who were coming from work were beaten, whilst coming from work. Due to the fact that there is massive transport challenges and ZUPCO lacks the capacity, they had arrived after the curfew time and they were collectively affected together with vendors.

On the 30th and 31st of July there was daylight victimization and physical beating of people at bus ranks in Harare CBD and other places within the city and other cities.

At the same time, there are many private vehicles owners’ who seek to assist stranded commuters end up being made to suffer and adjudged to be on the wrong side of the law, mostly by malfeasent law officers seeking after corrupt gains.

Passengers are struggling to get home on time. ZUPCO must consistently provide buses and they must regularly fumigate their buses, check temperatures and sanitise.

PASSENGERS ASSOCIATION OF ZIMBABWE PRESIDENT
WHATSAPP:+263 773 239 688 ,HOTLINE:+263 712 334 330

Thirty members of the opposition MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa have reportedly fled from their homes in fear of harassment by state security forces.

The claims were made by the party’s Bulawayo provincial spokesperson Swithern Chirowodza while speaking to the Daily News on Saturday. Chirowodza said:

We have so far drawn a list of about 30 cadres who are no longer living at their homes for fear of being abducted, tortured or detained. Some are contemplating moving their children to safer places, while others are bogged down with repairs to damaged premises.

As such the provincial administration committee will meet soon to set the agenda of the next Bulawayo provincial executive meeting. This is going to be one item on the agenda meeting so I cannot disclose or pre-empt anything.

He speaks at the backdrop of widespread reports of kidnapping and torture of government critics including journalists, human rights defenders and members of the opposition.

The reports have attracted condemnation from the international community while the African Union chair, Cyril Ramaphosa the president of South Africa has sent envoys to investigate the matter.

Daily News

08-08-2020

The response by South Africa government to send a special envoy to assess the Zimbabwean crisis is a step in the right direction but credibility of any envoy matters.

While we appreciate that President Cyril Ramaphosa has been captured by the current Zimbabwean crisis, it important that he must not treat the current crisis as an inter party dispute.

What we need is a credible special envoy comprising of people with unquestionable mediatory credentials and moral probity.

Of course when your house is on fire you do not necessarily choose who comes to douse the flames but it is equally important to be very cautious of some knavish characters who would add petrol to the blazing house.

It is in that regard that we want to bring to the attention of Mr Ramaphosa the following:

1. Mr Sydney Mafumadi is a compromised character who is benefiting from the current corrupt system where he is a beneficiary of mining syndicates at the expense of suffering Zimbabwean citizens.

2. Miss Baleka Mbete is the very same character who hero worshipped Emmerson Mnangagwa by sanitizing the coup hence her impartiality and integrity is a cause for concern.

3. ANC envoy alone belittles the Zimbabwean crisis as an inter party dispute.

4. We suggest we better have a credible SADC and/or AU member delegation that is not compromised.

*#ZimbabweanLivesMatter!*

*Stephen Sarkozy Chuma*
_MDC_ _Alliance_ _Youth_ _Assembly_ _National_ _Spokesperson_

ZLHR CONCERNED ABOUT TREATMENT OF CHIN’ONO AND NGARIVHUME IN PRISON
ZIMBABWE

Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) is concerned about the treatment of freelance journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume, the leader of Transform Zimbabwe political party, who are currently detained at Chikurubi Maximum Prison.

On Saturday 8 August 2020, ZLHR lawyers Roselyn Hanzi, Beatrice Mtetwa and Moses Nkomo visited their clients, Chin’ono and Ngarivhume at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, where they were moved to from Harare Remand Prison on Friday 7 August 2020 by Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officials.

Chin’ono and Ngarivhume’s lawyers only came to know of the transfer of their clients late on Friday 7 August 2020 after they learnt from independent sources that the duo had been strip-searched, shackled in leg irons and eventually moved at night to Chikurubi Maximum Prison.

This transfer had not been communicated formally to Chin’ono and Ngarivhume’s legal practitioners beforehand.
The Officer in Charge of Harare Remand Prison confirmed to the legal practitioners that he had received instructions from “above” pertaining to the transfer.

When Chin’ono and Ngarivhume’s lawyers visited their clients on Saturday 8 August 2020, they were denied access to consult the two prisoners in private with ZPCS insisting that they be present during any consultations or be within earshot of the discussions involving the two detainees.

The ZPCS officials could not entertain arguments by lawyers that they had previously visited other clients and had been allowed that privacy because, in terms of the law, communication between a lawyer and client is privileged and confidential.

But the prison officers advised Chin’ono and Ngarivhume’s lawyers that they had direct orders not to allow lawyers to consult with clients if they could not hear the discussions and that section 140(6) of the Commissioner-General’s Standing Order Part VII Visits and Communication did not allow this.

The Commissioner-General’s Standing Orders are in direct violation of section 50(5)(b) of the Constitution, which provides that “any person who is detained, including a sentenced prisoner, has the right at their own expense, to consult in private with a legal practitioner of their choice, and to be informed of this right promptly.”

ZLHR also learnt that Chin’ono and Ngarivhume were not provided with jerseys while in detention as prison officers advised that they did not have any more jerseys in stock. Although the two prisoners’ lawyers sought permission to bring in warm clothes as ZPCS has no jerseys, this request was turned down with prison officers insisting that only the red and white prison jersey is allowed and that lawyers have to source the jerseys for the clients.

It took a lot of haggling between the lawyers and prison officers for them to allow Chin’ono and Ngarivhume to have access to food which had been brought by their lawyers as their ZPCS kitchen had closed with the ZPCS officials insisting that home-prepared food was not permitted because of the outbreak of coronavirus.

Of concern to ZLHR is the welfare of Chin’ono and Ngarivhume who have been left with no access to food as the two do not eat sadza for medical reasons but they were advised that ZPCS only serves sadza in prison.

Because both Chin’ono and Ngarivhume are on medication, they would need access to a balanced diet while in prison.

The blatant and malicious stripping away of the two prisoners’ basic rights including the right to give instructions to lawyers of their choice in private is unconstitutional.

The harsh treatment of Chin’ono and Ngarivhume undermines the presumption of innocence.

Of great concern to ZLHR too, is the undermining and obstruction of legal practitioners who are merely attempting to protect their clients’ fundamental rights and perform their professional duties.

ZLHR urges ZPCS authorities to uphold constitutional provisions which guarantee fundamental rights of arrested and detained persons including Zimbabwe’s regional and international obligations on rights of detainees, which include the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights

Jailed investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono’s lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa said that they are concerned he could be poisoned after authorities at Chikurubi Maximum Security Remand Prison restricted his access to food from outside.

Chin’ono was taken to the facility in leg irons on Thursday after High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi had denied him bail.

Speaking after visiting Chin’ono at Chikurubi on Saturday, Mtetwa said her client is now being treated as a maximum security prisoner.

Said Mtetwa:
I struggled to see Chin’ono and when I managed to see him, he was in leg irons and is being treated like a maximum security prisoner like the most dangerous prisoners.

He is not allowed food from outside even if they have special dietary requirements.

They say the only food that can be allowed is dry food bought online and delivered at the prison.

Of course, you know that will be delivered to the prison officer, but you want to see that the food is delivered to the person directly, meaning that the tasting requirement falls away thereby exposing the prisoner to poisoning.

Mtetwa revealed that Chin’ono was not being allowed to have visitors except lawyers.

She said what was more intriguing was that prison officers told them they were carrying out orders from above to deny him food from outside and keep him in leg irons.

Chin’ono was arrested in July alongside Transform Zimbabwe (TZ) leader Jacob Ngarivhume on charges of inciting violence ahead of the planned July 31 demonstrations that never happened- The Standard

-EdmundKudzai

VIDEO LOADING BELOW… 

https://youtu.be/huvVqZnCzZQ

Shiri Assassination Claim Whistleblower Announces Anything Can Happen Anytime From Now | ARE THEY TELLING THE TRUTH?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 9, 2020

Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) spokesperson Colonel Overson Mugwisi died last week allegedly due to COVID-19 complications.

A member of the Mugwisi family, captured on an audio,  has however disputed that the long serving soldier died of Covid-19 but claims he was murdered together with his former boss, Perence Shiri.

Mugwisi reportedly died at an army hospital at the Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks, formerly KGV1 Barracks in Harare.

The family member speaks in the video downloading below, while also claiming that something major is about to happen in this country. Please be patient while the video downloads.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

…….

By Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala| We will never accept elite political pacts for the benefit of few politicians. Any attempt to seek another GNU will be resisted by the citizens. Citizens want their grievances to be attended to, short of it, the season of people’s action is upon us. No one will buy into a pact *yokudya* . Politicians have a tendency of looking at their immediate stomach interests.

Zimbabwe needs institutional and democratic reforms. The 2009 to 2013 GNU taught us a big lesson. It’s only the elite who will be hobnobbing among themselves when we all suffer. Everyone needs happiness, opportunities and a society of equality among all. STOP salivating greedy politicians. It is the season of citizens. Theirs is not a selfish agenda. They want a Zimbabwe of today and tomorrow that will guarantee an irreversible future for generations to come.

The 2009 to 2013, did not solve the problems of the citizens. We could have all been happy today but we are still in the struggle to fight for the good of our nation. Even the constitution which is being talked about is being shred into pieces. Zimbabwe needs a permanent solution. A permanent solution is to keep the eye on the ball. Hope it’s understood.

FREE Hopewell Chin’ono
FREE Jacob Ngarivhume
NO to Corruption
NO to Looting
NO to Abductions
NO to Torture
NO to all Forms of Gross Human Rights Abuses
#ZimbabweanLivesMatter.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julias Malema has urged Zimbabwean youths to occupy Musina border and fight the President Emmerson Mnangagwa administration, while discouraging what he termed fighting through hashtags.

Addressing an event in South Africa today, Malema said Zimbabweans were not cowards as they have a history of fighting.

“Zimbabweans are not cowards, Zimbabweans have fought before. Why is the Youth of Zimbabwe fighting through hashtags? Why is the youth of Zimbabwe fighting from South Africa and London? Why are they not occupying borders in Musina? We will support them,” said Malema.

Malema was referring to the trending #Zimbabweanlivesmatter which has seen influential global leaders speaking out against human rights abuses in the country including abductions and detention of government critics.

9 August 2020.

NCA Statement on the appointment of new Minister of Health and Child Care.

●NCA party learnt with shock the recent awkward appointment of Vice President Chiwenga to be in charge of the most important Ministry of Health and Child Care.

●The strange appointment comes at a critical moment when the country is under threat from COVID 19 virus.

●As NCA Party we are saddened that the appointment is without merit and it’s foundation is baseless and a display of reckless abandon.

●Despite obvious lack of expertise in the field of Health,the Vice President is already busy with his other duties that he has not necessarily managed as expected.

●In 2015 the NCA Party went to the Constitutional Court challenging the then appointments of vice President Mr Mnangagwa who was appointed to be in charge of Ministry of Justice and Mr Mphoko who led the Reconciliation Ministry.The Constitutional Court made a determination that these appointments were in accordance with the Constitution.

●It is therefore clear that as NCA party we have always been against the appointment of Vice Presidents to lead Ministry besides that we still believe that Zimbabwe is a small country that does not need the luxury of having two vice Presidents.

●NCA party is aware that this appointment is Constitutional but at the same time it is unreasonable and undemocratic.

●The current Constitution is undemocratic as it is the one that allows the appointments of Vice Presidents to be in charge with Ministries.

●As a matter of principle ,the NCA party is unreservedly condemning the reckless appointment of Vice President Chiwenga as the new Minister in charge of Ministry of Health and Child Care.

●The appointment of Vice President Chiwenga to be in charge of the Ministry of Health is an insult to the intergrity of the Ministry in respect of the overwhelming mandate of the Ministry to provide essential health care.

Issued By
Madock chivasa
(NCA National Spokesperson)
+263 772 904 492/ +263 775 614 471
Email – [email protected].

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance deputy chairman Job Wiwa Sikhala has said Zimbabweans’ political consciousness as a people cannot be taken for granted by those blinded with oppressive power but in the mind of every pained citizen, they know what should be done and what is happening.

He said all those waffling about the invincibility of Zimbabwe’s tyrannical and oppressive system are the beneficiaries of the crumbs from the system.

Said Sikhala:

“They enjoy our national resources on the tears and sorrows of our people. They are people whom everyone must totally ignore and focus on the future of the generation of today and our kids. 90% of the citizens will remain suffer continua because criminals and thieves presiding over our public affairs are looting our resources.

There is no difference between the struggle of the generation of today and that of the nationalists movement of the 1960s. Grievances of 1960 persist to the present day. During the colonial era the minority enjoyed on the behest of the majority. So is today. A tiny coterie of criminals are eating whilst all of us suffer. Not only that, they apply colonial methods to shut our mouths shut. Colonialists used the Special Branch to shut anyone who spoke about the injustices of the time. Gross human rights were committed against our people as happening today.

We have been silent on the face of unprecedented gross human rights abuses since 1980. From Gukurahundi thousands were murdered, abducted, tortured and abused. This intolerable political culture continued to the present day. All opponents of the state have been living horrible lives since 1980 and the mistake we did as citizens was to politicize issues of national concern. There are issues that do not need partisanship. Issues of citizens concerns.”

Sikhala said Zimbabweans have gone on the overdrive informing the world that #ZimbabweansLivesMatter.

“This is driven from the observations of what happened since time immemorial in our society. On the aftermath of 31st July, thousands of our citizens are being abused throughout the country. This is an uncivilized operation to silence citizens so that those who have been looting continue looting unabated. Gross human rights abuses can not continue on our faces. Abductions need to stop and it is only us as citizens who can stop it. Violence against citizens must stop. Our people are being brutalized daily in their homes for no apparent reason, an act which started since 1980. There are times when we say enough is enough. There is nothing without an end.

Last night the Mayor of Chitungwiza was violently attacked by persons in military uniform. He was parking his car at the public car park next to his house. The savage attack on the Mayor Lovemore Maiko shows that no one is safe. Brutalisation has been taking place everywhere. Besides our campaign against looting and corruption, lets speak as citizens against TORTURE, ABDUCTIONS AND GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES.”

He said as stated we resolved that, the week of 10th August to the 15th is a week of speaking out against the vices in our state. Until when should we allow it to continue as a people.

“Speak Zimbabwe Speak
NO to Corruption
NO to Looting
NO to Abductions
NO to Torture
NO to Gross Human Rights Abuses”

WATCH VIDEO- "Occupy the borders"Malema tells Zimbabwean youths #ZimbabweanLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/gjzThw6zO4

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 9, 2020

Lawyer Obey Shava: " …the main worry which we highlighted to the court is that this attendance, today's attendance was not necessary. It exposes our clients to risks, we know what happened on the 31st July when we appeared, we were detained illegally by the security forces pic.twitter.com/aR2ug96r6i

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 5, 2020

By A Correspondent- Vice President Constantino Chiwenga opted to take over the Health and Child Care portfolio following differences with President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the sacked Obadiah Moyo’s successor, it has emerged.

Mnangagwa last week announced that he had appointed Chiwenga the new Health minister, sparking speculation on the motives behind the surprise move that has been described as unconstitutional by some legal experts.

Lawyers say a VP is not allowed to double up as a minister in terms of the constitution.

Insiders told The Standard that Chiwenga wanted Health and Child Care deputy minister John Mangwiro, who is his personal doctor, to take over the ministry, but Mnangagwa did not agree.

After the haggling, the VP is said to have volunteered to take over the portfolio.

Chiwenga is said be among a section in government that were said to be unhappy with the scandals that have rocked the Health ministry related to the procurement of medical equipment to fight Covid-19.

Moyo is on $50 000 bail over abuse of office charges after he was accused of single-handedly awarding a tender to Delish Nguwaya, a close friend of Mnangagwa’s children.
Nguwaya was arrested over a US$60 million drugs procurement scandal.

He was also freed on $50 000 bail by High Court judge, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda, who said the businessman cannot be blamed for approvals made by government officials.

According to sources, Chiwenga pushed for Moyo’s sacking following his arrest.

Chiwenga, according to sources, feels the corruption in the Health ministry will dent the party’s performance in the 2023 general elections.

Mnangagwa also appointed Air Commodore Jasper Chimedza as Health permanent secretary, replacing Agnes Mahomva, who was moved to the new position of chief coordinator for the country’s response to Covid-19 in May.

“Chiwenga’s first task is to get doctors and nurses back to work and I am sure he is going to do that this coming week,” a well-placed source said.

“He will try to make things work in the Health ministry and all hospitals to function and save lives, reinventing his legacy in the process.”

It was, however, not immediately clear how Chiwenga would get the health workers back at work, but the source said negotiations for government to pay them United States dollar-based salaries were already in progress.

Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba refused to comment on Chiwenga’s appointment, saying: “I am too serious for those kind of conversations.”

A fortnight ago there were reports that Mnangagwa and Chiwenga clashed over an alleged plot against the president in the ruling Zanu-PF.

She suspects the posters were planted by her enemies in the party.

Some of Chiwenga’s loyalists were accused of being involved in the organisation of the July 31 protests and this led to the suspension of politburo member Cleveria Chizema after posters publicising the demonstrations were allegedly found in her house. Cleveria Chizema has denied being involved in the plot and says she suspects the posters were planted by her enemies in the party.

-standard

By A Correspondent- Vice President Constantino Chiwenga opted to take over the Health and Child Care portfolio following differences with President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the sacked Obadiah Moyo’s successor, it has emerged.

Mnangagwa last week announced that he had appointed Chiwenga the new Health minister, sparking speculation on the motives behind the surprise move that has been described as unconstitutional by some legal experts.

Lawyers say a VP is not allowed to double up as a minister in terms of the constitution.

Insiders told The Standard that Chiwenga wanted Health and Child Care deputy minister John Mangwiro, who is his personal doctor, to take over the ministry, but Mnangagwa did not agree.

After the haggling, the VP is said to have volunteered to take over the portfolio.

Chiwenga is said be among a section in government that were said to be unhappy with the scandals that have rocked the Health ministry related to the procurement of medical equipment to fight Covid-19.

Moyo is on $50 000 bail over abuse of office charges after he was accused of single-handedly awarding a tender to Delish Nguwaya, a close friend of Mnangagwa’s children.
Nguwaya was arrested over a US$60 million drugs procurement scandal.

He was also freed on $50 000 bail by High Court judge, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda, who said the businessman cannot be blamed for approvals made by government officials.

According to sources, Chiwenga pushed for Moyo’s sacking following his arrest.

Chiwenga, according to sources, feels the corruption in the Health ministry will dent the party’s performance in the 2023 general elections.

Mnangagwa also appointed Air Commodore Jasper Chimedza as Health permanent secretary, replacing Agnes Mahomva, who was moved to the new position of chief coordinator for the country’s response to Covid-19 in May.

“Chiwenga’s first task is to get doctors and nurses back to work and I am sure he is going to do that this coming week,” a well-placed source said.

“He will try to make things work in the Health ministry and all hospitals to function and save lives, reinventing his legacy in the process.”

It was, however, not immediately clear how Chiwenga would get the health workers back at work, but the source said negotiations for government to pay them United States dollar-based salaries were already in progress.

Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba refused to comment on Chiwenga’s appointment, saying: “I am too serious for those kind of conversations.”

A fortnight ago there were reports that Mnangagwa and Chiwenga clashed over an alleged plot against the president in the ruling Zanu-PF.

She suspects the posters were planted by her enemies in the party.

Some of Chiwenga’s loyalists were accused of being involved in the organisation of the July 31 protests and this led to the suspension of politburo member Cleveria Chizema after posters publicising the demonstrations were allegedly found in her house. Cleveria Chizema has denied being involved in the plot and says she suspects the posters were planted by her enemies in the party.

-standard

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa says the government is trying to provoke opposition and civic society leaders into engaging in violence by pushing them into a corner through a crackdown by law enforcement agents.

Several activists, including MDC Alliance vice-chairperson Job Sikhala, were forced into hiding after police released a list of people they said were wanted in connection with the July 31 protests.

Chamisa, who returned to work on Friday following the death of his mother last month, told SABC News on Friday night that scores of Members of Parliament from his party and some top leaders had been forced to go underground after harassment by state security agents.

“Yes, there is the temptation to be violent because we are being invited to be violent, because we are being treated violently,” Chamisa said.

“But we have said ours is a democratic movement, we should never be tempted to go on the low road of violence.

“Ours is a high road of peace, democracy and make sure we democratically achieve democracy in Zimbabwe.”

Chamisa said those subjected to harassment by the state included lawyers, journalists, activists and even professionals who all “cannot breathe”.

“What we have seen for the past few weeks by way of abductions, detentions, illegal and unlawful arrests, the increase in abuses of citizens, abuse of our journalists, abuse of our lawyers and generally all the citizens in the country, it is an escalation of the problems that have been there, which are essentially a problem of governance, a problem of legitimacy, around the disputed elections in 2018,” he said.

“The legitimacy crisis is what is showing all these.

“This is basically an indication of a fragile state, of a banana republic where citizens have been relegated.

“So, we are seeing that the democratic space has been eroded; citizens are not being allowed to freely express themselves in terms of the constitution of our country.”

Chamisa last week visited incarcerated journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume, who were arrested last month ahead of the July 31 protests.

The duo was denied bail by a Harare magistrate and on Friday High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi threw out their appeals.

“What you have seen is the attack against journalists, symbolised by Hopewell, an attack on lawyers, an attack against churches and an attack of the leadership of the opposition particularly the MDC Alliance Members of Parliament being incarcerated,” Chamisa said.

“As we speak right now, we have MPs, members of the leadership who are on the run, who are on the wanted list by the police not for any crime, but just for being targeted for belonging to the MDC.

“Nobody can breathe in Zimbabwe including journalists, professionals and the church.

“So, when I met Hopewell and Ngarivhume in prison, they indicated they were determined and they want the solidarity of all of us to make sure we express ourselves.

“Going forward, we have to be strong, to be committed and provide leadership in an appropriate manner, so we are ready to provide that leadership so that we are able to express ourselves peacefully.”

The government denies accusations that it is targeting government critics for persecution.

-Standard

By A Correspondent- Lawyers representing journalist Hopewell Chin’ono on 7 August 2020 said they will be making a fresh application for bail following denial of his appeal for bail by High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi.

Beatrice Mtetwa, who is representing Chin’ono, said they intend to make a fresh application for bail based on changed circumstances following the journalist’s appearance before Magistrate Ngoni Nduna in Harare on 7 August 2020 on remand.

He was further remanded in custody and will appear in court on 12 August 2020 during which the fresh application for bail will be made.

On 6 August 2020 Justice Chitapi dismissed the appeal for bail saying Chin’ono had failed to prove any misdirection of fact, law or both by the magistrate that had earlier denied him bail. The appeal for bail had been filed with the High Court after Chino’ono was denied bail by Magistrate Nduna.

He 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 and has been in custody since the 20 July 2020.

MISAZimbabwe

By A Correspondent- Jailed investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono’s lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa said that they are concerned he could be poisoned after authorities at Chikurubi Maximum Security Remand Prison restricted his access to food from outside.

Chin’ono was taken to the facility in leg irons on Thursday after High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi had denied him bail.

Speaking after visiting Chin’ono at Chikurubi on Saturday, Mtetwa said her client is now being treated as a maximum security prisoner.

Said Mtetwa:

I struggled to see him and when i manged to see him, he was in leg irons and is being treated like a mximum security prisoners like the most dangerous prisoners.

He is not allowed food from outside even if they have special dietary requirements.

They say the only food that can be allowed is dry food bought online and delivered at the prison.

Of course, you know that will be delivered to the prison officer, but you want to see that the food is delivered to the person directly, meaning that the tasting requirement falls away thereby exposing the prisoner to poisoning.

Mtetwa revealed that Chin’ono was not being allowed to have visitors except lawyers.

She said what was more intriguing was that prison officers told them they were carrying out orders from above to deny him food from outside and keep him in leg irons.

Chin’ono was arrested in July alongside Transform Zimbabwe (TZ) leader Jacob Ngarivhume on charges of inciting violence ahead of the planned July 31 demonstrations that never happened.

-standard

https://twitter.com/BitiTendai/status/1292420731519864832?s=20

Charity Maodza is a male spokesperson of the ZANU PF gov. If that wannabe is a lady as he lies, challenge him to go live on their ZBC-TV. She will not do that because he is man #ZimbabweanLivesMatter

— Pedzisai Ruhanya (@PedzisaiRuhanya) August 9, 2020

By Wilbert Mukori- South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has reportedly appointed former South African Security minister Sydney and ex-Vice-President Baleka Mbete to “engage the Zanu PF regime and other relevant stakeholders” in a desperate effort to end the worsening economic, political human rights violations in Zimbabwe.

“Crisis! What crisis?” the then SA President Thambo Mbeki asked, rhetorically, in 2008 when Zimbabwe facing the same violent economic and political convulsions we see today. As we now know, President Mbeki and his 2008 to 2013 GNU failed to solve Zimbabwe’s, seemingly, intractable  political and economic crisis. Frankly, President Ramaphosa will not do any better; he has shot himself in the foot already!

The international community, including SADC and the AU, condemned Zimbabwe’s 2008 elections, following Zanu PF’s blatant cheating and use of wanton violence. SADC leaders used this as leverage to force Mugabe and his Zanu PF cronies to agree to implementation of a raft of democratic reforms designed to stop a repeat of the cheating and violence of 2008. The Government of National Unity comprising Mugabe and Zanu PF and Morgan Tsvangirai and the two MDC factions, with SADC as the guarantor, was tasked to implement the reforms.

As we already know, Mugabe bribed Tsvangirai and company and not even one token reforms was ever implemented in five years of the 2008 to 2013 GNU. Not a sausage and hence the reason Zanu PF was able to blatantly rig the July 2018 elections and the 2013 elections before it.

SADC leaders did try to have the 2013 elections postponed until the reforms were implemented but both Zanu PF and MDC ignored their warning. The biggest mistake SADC leaders make was to abandon the principled and logical position of demanding the implementation of the reform before the 2018 elections. The second mistake was to endorse the 2018 elections as acceptable. The elections “went well!” remarked President Cyril Ramaphosa.

If Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC opportunists had not sold-out and faithfully implemented the reforms Zimbabwe would have ended the curse of rigged elections and bad governance. We are where we are, what must we do now?

We have to revisit the 2008 reforms and appoint a body that can be trusted to finally implement the reforms. A Zanu PF and MDC led GNU cannot be trusted to implement the reforms for the obvious reason that they failed to get even one reform implemented in the 2008 GNU.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and SADC will not talk Mnangagwa and Zanu PF to step down since they have already endorsed the Zanu PF regime as legitimate. Once again, we are where we are, what can be done to move forward?

SA and SADC must swallow their pride and acknowledge the 2008 to 2013 GNU failed to deliver the desired democratic reforms and to stop Zanu PF rigging elections. They must also acknowledge that their endorsement of Zanu PF as the winner of the July 2018 has left them with no political leverage to force Mnangagwa to step down, a pre-requisite for getting the reforms finally implemented.

President Ramaphosa and SADC must approach the UN or some such other nation that is not compromised to chart a roadmap to get Zanu PF to step down and then appoint a competent body to implement the reforms.

The old adage of “An African solution for an African problem!” must now be ditched. SADC’s sponsored 2008 to 2013 GNU was the African solution to the Zimbabwe crisis and it failed to end the crisis. There is no shame in SA and SADC admitting it.

The root cause of Zimbabwe’s 40 year old political and economic crisis is the failure to hold free, fair and credible elections. The solution is to implement the democratic reforms designed to stop the cheating and violence.

Both the incompetent, corrupt and tyrannical Zanu PF and the equally corrupt and incompetent opposition entourage, all 130 political parties at the last count, have played a part in landing the nation in this mess and keeping us there. We, the people of Zimbabwe, know exactly why we are here and what must be done to escape out of this man-made hell-on-earth.

All we are asking of SA, SADC and the world at large is the political support in confronting Zimbabwe’s ruling elite.

Of course, Mnangagwa and Zanu PF are holding the nation to ransom. The regime rigged the July 2018 elections. It has no mandate to govern and must step down.

We are asking of SA, SADC and the world at large to stand by the long suffering people of Zimbabwe who are demanding that Zanu PF must take-off its oppressive big boot off the neck of the nation and allow the people to breath! We are demanding free, fair and credible elections; surely, that is not too much to ask!

Baleka Mbete and Sydney Mufamadi’s visit was overshadowed on the first day by a public spat between the ANC and Zimbabwe’s ruling ZanuPF party over ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule’s reference to the Zimbabwe government’s recent “brutality”.

Ramaphosa announced on Thursday that he had appointed former cabinet minister Sydney Mufamadi and former speaker of parliament Baleka Mbete as his special envoys to “engage the Government of Zimbabwe and relevant stakeholders to identify possible ways in which South Africa can assist Zimbabwe.”

His move took many close observers of SA-Zimbabwe relations by surprise. There had been tentative discussions in the government about how to enable dialogue among the Zimbabwean rivals but these had not crystallised.

One analyst said he believed Ramaphosa had acted on the spur of the moment in response to the mounting local and international criticism of South Africa’s failure to take a stand.

This criticism had become louder as Pretoria has remained largely silent over a recent surge of arrests, assaults and other human rights abuses against opponents and journalists. These have mainly been perpetrated ahead of the planned nationwide protests against ZanuPF which were scheduled for last Friday, July 31, but which the government stifled with a massive security blockade of cities and towns.

Both ZanuPF and the main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC-A), have welcomed Ramaphosa’s initiative, though not without reservations. Nkululeko Sibanda, spokesperson for MDC-A leader Nelson Chamisa said “we certainly welcome the effort by South Africa, including SADC and the African Union, which President Ramaphosa currently chairs.”

He said Ramaphosa’s decision was an acknowledgment that there was a crisis in Zimbabwe.

Chamisa hoped the South African intervention would end the Zimbabwe government’s crackdown on its opponents and also end the persecution of journalists:

“We want them to go back to work,” he said, referring to the imprisonment of journalists like Hopewell Chin’ono, who was again denied bail on Friday and was expected to be transferred to Harare’s notorious Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison on Friday evening, along with opposition leader Jacob Ngarivhume. MDC-A Senator David Coltart tweeted that the two had been clamped in leg irons at the remand prison and put in a truck to be taken to Chikurubi.

Zanu PF also eventually welcomed Ramaphosa’s decision to send special envoys – but only after a serious wobble.

Earlier on Friday Zanu PF spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa “castigated” the ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule for accusing the ZANU PF government of human rights abuse.

These accusations were “baseless considering that his sources are self-exiled Saviour Kasukuwere and friends,” Zanu PF said on its website. Kasukuwere was a minister in the cabinet of former President Robert Mugabe who was ousted in November 2017 by current President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the military.

Kasukuwere and his associates in the so-called “G40” faction within ZanuPF, which is bitterly opposed to Mnangagwa, recently visited the ANC headquarters at the Luthuli House to meet Magashule and other ANC officials. The Mnangagwa’s Zanu PF now clearly believes the ANC, or at least its secretary-general, has aligned itself with the G40 dissidents.

Veteran Zimbabwean analyst Ibbo Mandaza also welcomed Ramaphosa’s decision “after the deafening silence by South Africa over the past three years, including South Africa being complicit in the November 2017 coup.”

In his remarks to ENCA, Magashule said Ramaphosa was talking to Mnangagwa because he was worried about what was happening in that country, which would have a spillover effect on South Africa.

“And so we will assist the Zimbabweans to stabilize their country, their economy,” Magashule said, adding that the ANC had talked to exiled Zimbabweans and was interacting with Zanu PF to raise the concerns these exiles had raised about what was happening in Zimbabwe.

He agreed with the ENCA that this included “brutality” and that police assaults on helpless women could not be condoned:

“We said Black Lives Matter. Lives of human being matters. Zimbabwean lives matter of course. What we see on television there, we say is uncalled for.“

In his statement, Chinama said Zanu PF “takes strong exception” to Magashule’s statements “which were completely out of order. “ Magashule appeared to have been “ hoodwinked by those seeking to destabilize Zimbabwe through peddling social media falsehoods.”

“As a revolutionary sister, it has never been in our tradition to censure a fellow revolutionary movement or leaders using megaphone approaches, more so when such utterances are misinformed and baseless to say the least,” Chinamasa said. “…There is no brutality of whatsoever form happening in Zimbabwe but enforcement of Lock Down regulations in line with recommendations by the World Health Organisation and our Ministry of Health and Child Care and what has become common practice on #Covid19.”

However, later Zanu PF welcomed Ramaphosa’s “wise and informed” decision to send envoys to Zimbabwe “in the light of spurious allegations of human rights violations and starvation being peddled by agents of fake news on social media.”

The party said it believed the special envoys would engage with Mnangagwa, his government and Zanu PF and that this would “set the record straight about the reality of the situation in Zimbabwe.”

Veteran Zimbabwean analyst Ibbo Mandaza also welcomed Ramaphosa’s decision “after the deafening silence by South Africa over the past three years, including South Africa being complicit in the November 2017 coup.”

But he hoped that Ramaphosa’s move was not a token gesture. He said the envoys would have to seriously engage all stakeholders – including civil society – to fully understand the nature of Zimbabwe’s problem and address it.

According to Mandaza, the problem was that Zimbabwe was a military state and that Mnangagwa was a “hostage to the military, bereft of any basis of legitimacy and isolated.”

If Ramaphosa’s mission was to legitimise Mnangagwa’s regime, it would fail, he said. What Zimbabwe needed was a transitional authority to figure out how to return the country to constitutional government and recover the failed economy.

Clearly Mufamadi and Mbete have a chasm to bridge in meeting such hugely divergent expectations and their prospects of success must be considered modest.

Daily Maverick

The Standard

VICE-PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga opted to take over the Health and Child Care portfolio following differences with President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the sacked Obadiah Moyo’s successor, it has emerged.

Mnangagwa last week announced that he had appointed Chiwenga the new Health minister, sparking speculation on the motives behind the surprise move that has been described as unconstitutional by some legal experts.

Lawyers say a VP is not allowed to double up as a minister in terms of the constitution.

Insiders told The Standard that Chiwenga wanted Health and Child Care deputy minister John Mangwiro, who is his personal doctor, to take over the ministry, but Mnangagwa did not agree.

After the haggling, the VP is said to have volunteered to take over the portfolio.

Chiwenga is said be among a section in government that were said to be unhappy with the scandals that have rocked the Health ministry related to the procurement of medical equipment to fight Covid-19.

Moyo is on $50 000 bail over abuse of office charges after he was accused of single-handedly awarding a tender to Delish Nguwaya, a close friend of Mnangagwa’s children.

Nguwaya was arrested over a US$60 million drugs procurement scandal.

He was also freed on $50 000 bail by High Court judge, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda, who said the businessman cannot be blamedfor approvals made by government officials.

According to sources, Chiwenga pushed for Moyo’s sacking following his arrest.

Chiwenga, according to sources, feels the corruption in the Health ministry will dent the party’s performance in the 2023 general elections.

Mnangagwa also appointed Air Commodore Jasper Chimedza as Health permanent secretary, replacing Agnes Mahomva, who was moved to the new position of chief coordinator for the country’s response to Covid-19 in May.

“Chiwenga’s first task is to get doctors and nurses back to work and I am sure he is going to do that this coming week,” a well-placed source said.

“He will try to make things work in the Health ministry and all hospitals to function and save lives, reinventing his legacy in the process.”

It was, however, not immediately clear how Chiwenga would get the health workers back at work, but the source said negotiations for government to pay them United States dollar-based salaries were already in progress.

Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba refused to comment on Chiwenga’s appointment, saying: “I am too serious for those kind of conversations.”

A fortnight ago there were reports that Mnangagwa and Chiwenga clashed over an alleged plot against the president in the ruling Zanu PF.

Some of Chiwenga’s loyalists were accused of being involved in the organisation of the July 31 protests and this led to the suspension of politburo member Cleveria Chizema after posters publicising the demonstrations were allegedly found in her house.

Chizema has denied being involved in the plot and says she suspects the posters were planted by her enemies in the party.

One hundred and twenty-four people tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday, 8 August 2020, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has announced.

The majority of the cases (118), were local transmissions while (6) were returnees from South Africa. The Ministry said:

One hundred and twenty-four (124) cases tested positive for COVID 19 today. These include 118 local cases and returnees from South Africa.

New recoveries were reported by the following provinces; Midlands (35) Manicaland 22 Bulawayo (7) and Matabeleland North (7).

Today 213 ROT screening tests and 1212 PCR diagnostic tests were done. The cumulative number of tests done to date is 148 451 (78 136 RDT and 70 315 PCR).

Since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak on 20 March 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 4 575, recovered 1416, active cases 3 057 and 102 deaths.

Correspondent

Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) director of public relations, Colonel Overson Mugwisi, who allegedly succumbed to Covid-19 on Friday and was buried at Glen Forest Memorial Park in Harare on Saturday.

He was declared a liberation war hero.

His family has since disputed that he died of Covid-19 claiming that he was instead poisoned together with Perence Shiri by people within the army.

Addressing mourners in the low key burial, Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan province Oliver Chidawu said he was a hardworker and remained loyal to the liberation war before and after independence.

“The ZDF shall forever cherish the late Colonel Mugwisi’s selfless service to the people of Zimbabwe before and after Independence.”

Col Mugwisi was first appointed the official spokesperson of the Zimbabwe National Army in 2009, when he was Lieutenant Colonel, taking over from Lieutenant Colonel Simon Tsatsi.

He then rose to become ZDF spokesperson. Born in 1956 in Masvingo, Col Mugwisi attended Torwood Primary School, Drake and Amaveni secondary schools in Kwekwe, Midlands province.

He then crossed into Mozambique to join the liberation struggle in September 1976.

In his military career dating back to Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, Col Mugwisi held various senior posts, among them Adjutant Zimbabwe Military Academy (ZMA), Officer Commanding Cadet Division ZMA, and Staff Officer responsible for Administration Plans at Army Headquarters.

He was also Staff Officer responsible for research at the Zimbabwe Staff College and Directing Staff Joint Command and Staff Courses at the Zimbabwe Staff College before he went into public relations.

Over the years, Col Mugwisi attended most career courses offered by the army during the Junior Staff Course, the Company Group Commanders Course and the Command and Staff Course.

He is survived by four children.

State Media

Government claims it has blocked bakers from increasing the price of a standard loaf of bread to $80 from an average $60 and assured them of more than US$2 million every week from the foreign currency auction.

Authorities believe that the current price already reflects the cost of production.

Bread makers wanted the price to be pegged to the weekly official exchange rate of US$1.

However, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Dr John Mangudya argued that bakers had already pegged the price of bread based on illegal foreign currency exchange rates of between $100 and $120 to US$1 before the introduction of the auction system on June 23.
A check with most retail outlets in the townships shows that most shops are already selling bread for between $100 and $130.

Responding to the position by bakers during an online meeting hosted by the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) last week, Dr Mangudya said the latest proposal to hike bread prices would not be entertained.

The National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe, including Bakers Inn, Lobels Bread and Proton, as well as millers such as National Foods, Blue Ribbon Foods and Edurate Milling took part in the meeting.

Dr Mangudya said: “We want to assure bakers and millers that going forward they will now be prioritised for foreign currency allocation during the weekly forex auction.

“Bakers have no reason to justify any bread price increase because when the price of bread was $79, it was based on a speculative black market rate of between $100 and $120 per US$1.

“We expect bread prices to go down given the fact that bakers are now accessing forex at the auction at a much lower rate of $80 against US$1.”

He assured millers and bakers of at least US$2 million weekly. Millers and bakers need a total of US$12 million per month to produce flour and bread, respectively.

The two sectors have been struggling to raise foreign currency to import wheat and other ingredients used in the bread production.

Millers argue that the price of bread flour — pegged at US$20,4 or $2 140 per 50kg bag — was no longer viable.

They want it to be adjusted to US$26,82 or $2 815 per 50kg bag.

State Media

THE reopening of schools this year hangs in the balance as officials continue to monitor the rising Covid-19 caseload.

Last month, the Government deferred reopening schools to a later date from the initial July 28 owing to rising cases of local coronavirus transmissions.

There have been 1 244 cases of local transmission of the virus out of the cumulative 1 282 cases recorded in the first seven days of this month.

Thirty five (35) people have succumbed to the respiratory disease in the period.

Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Edgar Moyo said it was premature to announce new dates for the schools calendar.

Government, however, is currently mobilising the required personal protective equipment (PPE) for public learning institutions.

“We are presently monitoring trends, particularly Covid-19 local infections. If they continue escalating, as they are doing now, we will have to defer re-opening further mainly as a means of protecting our learners and teachers,” he said.

“As a ministry, we have continued readying ourselves for the eventual re-opening through the purchasing of PPE and perfecting our (education) modules.

“We have been fine-tuning our radio lessons as well.

“For communities that do not get radio signals, we are in the process of producing physical modules related to the radio lessons.

“For June examinations, most of those writing were private candidates, but for the November examination, we mainly have school candidates, hence (the need) for them to be ready to sit for the exams.

“They need adequate learning time so that they are able to complete the syllabus.

“At the moment, the only time we can talk of November examinations is when we have a set date for the re-opening of schools.”

Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje continues to emphasise that examinations will only be written when students have completed the syllabus and when it is safe to do so.

Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) secretary-general Cde Victor Matemadanda says Julius Malema and former Botswana President Seretse Ian Khama have no grounds to interfere in Zimbabwe’s internal matters while giving a heads up to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for appointing a special envoy to investigate issues happening in Zimbabwe.

Malema, who is the leader of South Africa’s opposition party, Economic Freedom Front, and Khama, who is now an opposition activist in his country, have been making statements in support of calls for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stop human rights abuses in the country.

Addressing journalists in Harare on Saturday,Matemadanda said President Ramaphosa had done the right thing by dispatching emissaries before commenting on the situation in Zimbabwe.

“We have a very good camaraderie with the ANC. In terms of the South African Government, we appreciate that they set up a fact finding mission that is going to put the record straight,” he said.

“They want to appreciate and understand what is going on before they comment. As Zimbabwe, we know that we have nothing to hide.

“We expect that if it is found that these people are lying, action must be taken against them so that we bring sanity to the region.”

He said in commenting about Zimbabwe without facts, Mr Malema has exposed his naivety as a politician.

Matemadanda said Malema was closely associated with members of the G40 faction who are hiding in South Africa and are behind the recent anti-Zimbabwe campaign in the neighbouring country.

“We know where Malema’s bread is buttered. South Africa has complained to the New Dispensation that Malema was given funding by some Zimbabweans to form EFF. So his comments are based on myopic thinking,” he said.

Matemadanda pulled no punches in attacking Khama who has been posting social media messages denigrating Mnangagwa.

“All this hype about failed former Botswana leader Khama, the one who has even failed to get a wife for himself, thinks he can pronounce himself on Zimbabwe. He failed as a President thinking that the Batswana were foolish and now he wants to be involved in Zimbabwean politics. Zimbabwe cannot be dictated to by outsiders who choose to entertain fellow sell-outs, no we cannot accept that.”

Matemadanda said Zimbabwe respects the sovereignty of other States and no one has the right to interfere in the country’s internal affairs.

He blasted the US Embassy in Harare.

“#ZimbabweanLivesMatter is being funded by people that created havoc in Iraq. America is very good at lying and they sponsor anarchy,” said Cde Matemadanda.

“The world was made to believe that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The hype just died a natural death after they (US) killed a State President.

“They went scot free. They created the same lie in Libya to kill Muammar Gaddafi. America is not a peace making nation, it is concerned and worried only about its own interests.

“We go for elections after every five years in Zimbabwe and no party has been denied a right to contest.

“The people choose the party that they want. We know of an election in America that was decided by five judges. One wonders what could have happened.”

Source: State Media