Pictures: Presidential appreciation to the frontline workers in Zim pic.twitter.com/vXhw9uHDKB
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) July 23, 2020
“ED Appreciates Frontline Workers”
High Court Judges React To Malaba’s Memo
PICTURES: Fake Police Officer Busted In Harare Hired For 31 July “Military Crackdown”
He is No Longer Saro Wiwa but Osama binLaden:
He is no longer Saro Wiwa but Osama binLaden:
By Togarepi Nyambuya
Three days ago he was said to be in Zambia where rumour says he went to see a Pastor friend for prayers as he is determined to fight on until something happens in Zimbabwe. It is said he is so angry over the arrest of his friends Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume as they have been planning this together for a longtime. They agreed to launch Jacob Ngarivhume on the forefront first while he remains on the wings to disguise the State. He will pop up later as supporting the cause. Several planning and strategy meetings were held at Hopewell Chin’ono’s Chisipiti home since December last year that the time is up to deal with the looting in the country.
It all started with a flier of Ngarivhume early last month looking enigmatic and people should have raised eyebrows on the graphic design of the flier. Ngarivhume came out on the flier as the bull roaring for a fight and it ignited the nation into frenzy. Job Wiwa Sikhala was silent and nowhere to be seen.
They tasked each other roles. Wiwa underground mobilization, Hopewell to lobby other significant political players in the country such as Dr. Nkosana Moyo, Dr Noah Manyika and to approach Nelson Chamisa for endorsement. Jacob Ngarivhume to approach civic society organizations, ZCTU and ZINASU, Churches, youths and women organizations, vendor organizations and other important personalities such as Shingi Munyeza, Tsenengamu and every important stakeholder in the country. Sikhala activated his political cells and approached some of his friends such as Obert Masaraure for the wayforward. Wiwa helped Obert Masaraure to launch his Poverty Liberation Movement converging some civic society organizations under it. So this thing was organised over a period of a longtime than anyone would imagine. Wiwa was the master strategist of everything.
Wiwa went into brief confusion after the arrest of his buddies. He weighed options whether it was the right time for him to come out. After visiting his Zambia pastor friend for prayers the cat bolted out of the bag. He vowed to take charge in the absence of his colleagues. He held a one hour program with ZimEye which had an audience of over 19 000. He was bold and assertive. Clearly giving the country the wayforward on the 31st July plot.
Those who underestimate Wiwa are doing it at their own peril. He is a man so organised on strategy and planning. He lays back while he is the danger behind. He always emphasises on planning. His famous statement always in meetings is “a good planner dont go wrong”. His advantage is his knowledge of intelligence. He can predict correctly the reaction of his enemies step by step. There is no plot against him which he would not know in advance. He is a master on those things.
They miss him at the Zambian border and like Osama bin Laden launches an attack from an unknown place. Knowing him well he will be elusive until the day he will surrender himself to the police. I don’t think even his wife knows where he is. He keeps it to himself. Will the police whom he heard wants to raid his house today either in the morning or evening get him? Lets wait and see. The new Osama bin Laden.
Winky D Openly Joins Call To Free Hopewell Chinono
Winky D Controversial musician WINKY D, has spoken out openly against the arrest of journalist Hopewell Chin’ono.
Winky D wrote on his Twitter page “Say no to violation against human rights. Don’t kill the dreams of the next generation by losing hope now and choose to be silent. God help us.”
He ended his tweet with a #freehopewell.
BREAKING: Judges Reject Luke Malaba’s Unlawful Orders | FULL PRINT.
DIRECTIVE ON HANDING DOWN AND DISTRIBUTION OF
JUDGMENTS AND ORDERS
1 Reference is made to the Memorandum from the Hon Chief Justice dated 16 July 2020, and the subsequent amendment dated 17 July 2020.
2 The Memorandum gives directives on the procedure to be followed by Judges of the High Court and the Labour Court in the handing down of judgments or orders in certain situations. The substance of the directive is that a judgment that has been handed down cannot afterwards be withdrawn for any reason and that once issued it must be accessible to both the parties and members of the public
3 All the Judges of the High Court identity and agree with the substance of the Memorandum. In fact, it was a subject about which they had been previously consulted arid had aired their own views, including on the issue of to !earpore judgments, addressed in Paragraph 2 (vii) of the Memorandum. In their input, the Judges had expressed their strong support for those positions. This was then communicated to the Hon Chief Justice_
4 However, when the directive was issued in the form of the above Memorandum. It contained completely new issues in Paragraph 2 (iv) and (v) to the effect that.
• before a judgment or an order of the High Court or Labour Court is issued or handed down, it should be ‘seen and approved’ by the head of court or division, and that
• Judges should forthwith desist from the practice of issuing orders with the undertaking to give reasons later, the only exception being in relation to orders on points in & nine.
5 The subsequent amendment removed the word “approved in Paragraph 2 (iv) to
read.
‘Before a judgment or an order of the High Court Of Labour Court is issued or handed down, it should be seen by the head of court /docb,on.’
6 Quite apart from the impracticality of the directive that the head of court or the heads of divisions should ‘see’ every judgment or order before they are handed down (presumably including those made in motion court proceedings, or in bail applications), Judges of the High Court, at all the stations, wish to bring it to the attention of the Hon Chief Justice that. Paragraph 2 (iv) and (v) of the directive, even as amended, is highly objectionable and completely unacceptable for a number of reasons, not least.
• by some administrative fiat, it ;s effectively sought to impugn and seriously undermine the independence of a Judge who, in terms of the Constitution, is appointed as an individual to exercise, without fear or favour, such of the functions as are reposed by law;
• in the exercise of his or her judicial functions, such as making decisions and handing them down, a Judge does not operate under any other Judge or person or body.
• the directive to have the head of court or division ‘see’ a judgment or order before they are handed down lacks precision as to what this means practically, and what the ‘seer’ ought to do after ‘seeing’_
MDC Alliance Trio Denied Entry At Court For Wearing “ZANU PF MUST GO” Branded Masks
MDC Alliance MP Joanah Mamombe and fellow party activists Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova were denied access to the Harare Magistrates court on Friday because they were wearing facemasks with the MDC Alliance logo.
The trio had gone to attend the bail hearing for journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume among others.
Watch video downloading below.
Chinono’s Arrest Evident That Nothing Changed From Mugabe To Mnangagwa, Ruhanya Tells SABC – Watch
Pedzisai RuhanyaPolitical commentator Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya gives his analysis to the SABC on the Hopewell Chin’ono case immediately after Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa denied the government was targeting him and politician Jacob Ngarivhume for their anti-corruption stance.
Watch video downloading below
Coronavirus Deaths Toll Going Up
Zimbabwe has recorded 138 new coronavirus cases including 128 local cases and 10 returnees from South Africa who are isolated.
The new cases also include 2 institutional deaths from Bulawayo and Mashonaland Central provinces.
The Southern African country now has 2434 known cases while coronavirus related fatalities are now at 34.
Football Great Xavi Hernandez Tests Positive For Coronavirus
Al-Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez, the former Barcelona and Spain midfielder, said on Saturday he had tested positive for COVID-19 but was asymptomatic.
The 40-year-old, who renewed his contract with the Qatari club on July 5, said he will self-isolate as his team prepare for their first match on Saturday after the Qatar Stars League (QSL) was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Today I won’t be able to join my team on their comeback to the official competition,” Xavi said in a statement.
“David Prats will be there on my behalf as head of the technical staff – coach to the Al-Sadd reserves.
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“A few days ago, following the QSL protocol, I tested positive in the last COVID-19 test. Fortunately, I’m feeling ok, but I will be isolated until I am given the all-clear.
“When the health services allow it, I will be very eager to return to my daily routine and to work.”
The QSL resumed on Friday after being suspended since March due to the new coronavirus pandemic.
Third-place Al-Sadd announced on its website that Xavi would not be joining the rest of the team for its league game against Al-Khor later on Saturday.
Qatar has recorded 109,036 positive cases and attributed 164 deaths to the virus, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES
Widows In Cameroon Fed Up With Medieval Ancestral Laws, Go On Protest
At least 250 widows from across western Cameroon are staging protests to call for an end to cleansing rituals and other cultural practices they say they have been forced to undergo following their husbands’ deaths. The widows gathered to demonstrate in the western town of Bafoussam.
Forty-seven-year-old Amede Djoulde is a member of the Association of Widows, based in the nearby town of Foumban. She says the demonstrations began when a mother of five children was chased from her marital home after her husband died recently.
She says widows are suffering enormously in their community. Women are always accused of killing their husbands and no one seems to consider the pain they go through after losing their life partners.
Amina Nji says her family home is now illegally occupied by her late husband’s older brother.
She says she should be the owner of their matrimonial home because she constructed it with her husband. She says her in-laws did not take into consideration that she and her five children need a home. She says she now lives in her oldest daughter’s house but wants to return to her home.
The women say they oppose practices that include the ritual of being forced to drink water used to bathe their late husband’s body as a sign they did not kill their spouse. The women also say the practice of having to stay with their in-laws for about a year after their husbands die is cruel.
Njingum Ngemnye, a public figure in the village of Koutoupit, says the practices are to cleanse the women of evil spirits brought about by the death of their spouses.
He says tradition gives authority to particular notables to cleanse a woman by shaving her head immediately after the burial of her husband. He says the female siblings of the late husband must accompany the widow to her farm, fetch water and watch over her by accompanying her everywhere she goes.
Seidou Tonta, also a notable (public figure) in Koutoupit, says he is surprised that the women want to abandon traditions intended to protect them.
He says their tradition states that a widow, for her safety and fear of being cursed by her late husband, must avoid having sexual relations and wear only black dresses for up to a year after her husband dies. He says he is upset that many people are now believing in the doctrine of Christian churches that says God is against such practices. He says their traditions must also be respected by people who preach Christianity.
Ernestine Essah, the highest ranking official in Noun, an administrative unit where Foumban is located, says the government has been educating communities in order to avoid such practices.
She says the most disturbing issue she has observed in western Cameroon is the inhumane way women are treated when they lose their husbands. She says she has organized several talks and conferences to propagate the rights of women. She says she has asked those who still practice harmful widowhood rights to stop it because it is against the dignity of women and the government forbids such rites.
The government of Cameroon says its western region still has some of the worst forms of cultural practices that undermine the rights of women.
3300 Zimbabweans Apply For Food Aid In South Africa
Zimbabweans-in-South-africa - fileZIMBABWEANS who missed the submission deadline on 19 July to apply for food assistance cannot get an extension, Zimbabwean consul general in Johannesburg Melody Chaurura told GroundUp last Wednesday.
“There is no room for extension at this point because submitted details are already being processed,” said Chaurura.
The embassy had put out a call for Zimbabweans in SA in need of food assistance because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic to apply for help by 19 July. The assistance would come in the form of a once-off voucher from the International Organisation for Migration, which had asked the embassy to submit a list of Zimbabweans for inclusion.
Chaurura said about 3 300 Zimbabweans had successfully registered for food assistance. Priority would be given to expecting mothers, unemployed youth and women-headed households.
In May, Zimbabwe ambassador David Hamadziripi told GroundUp that the Zimbabwean embassy had received over 4 000 requests for food assistance. The embassy had sent lists of struggling Zimbabweans to Non-Governmental Organisation partners and agencies of the United Nations.
Many immigrants earn an income through informal trading and menial jobs, which have evaporated during the pandemic, and initially no assistance was forthcoming for them from the South African government.
Then Pretoria high court judge Selby Baqwa ruled on 19 June that the R350 Special Covid-19 social relief grant be extended to asylum seekers and special permit holders from Lesotho, Angola and Zimbabwe.
Spokesperson for South Africa Social Security Agency (Sassa) Mr Kgomoco Diseko, in an e-mail said that the department was aware of the court order. Sassa has been working to adjust its system to be able to accommodate asylum seekers and special permit holders. He said the application process will still be electronic but requires a completely separate portal, as asylum seeker visas and special permit numbers are constructed differently to the one used for the applications by citizens and permanent residents.
“It must be kept in mind that the court ruling made provision for very specific categories of people to apply — asylum seekers and holders of special permits from Zimbabwe, Angola and Lesotho only, not all immigrants to this country.”
— TimesLive
Govt Says It Is Failing To Deal With Coronavirus
Agnes Mahomva Agnes Mahomva, the chief coordinator for the national response to Covid-19 in the Office of the President and Cabinet, says Zimbabwe is yet to reach a peak in the number of infections and the country has to brace for the worst.
Mahomva told Alpha Media Holdings chairman Trevor Ncube on the online talk show In Conversation with Trevor that government’s modelling had shown that cases would start going up rapidly this month-end.
Zimbabwe’s cases breached the 2 000 mark last week with 2 296 confirmed cases as of Friday, including 514 recoveries and 32 deaths.
Mahomva said Zimbabwe was not testing enough people to manage the pandemic.
“We are not flattening the curve, unfortunately. Transmission control is not quite where we want it. We continue to have large numbers of returning residents.
“Recently we were having increased local transmissions. We don’t have it under control yet, but we are making progress. But we are still not where we want, but we need to be more concerned.”
“The biggest concern is testing. We need to know what the pandemic is like in our communities. We really should be testing more. I am also concerned with the community response, it appears everybody is relaxing.
“We are saying prevention is the utmost of this pandemic. Prevention is the cornerstone. We can talk of preparing Wilkins for ICU, but by the time you get there is a tiny percentage will need ICU. It is so important for us all to prevent.
Just In:Heavily Armed State Agents Break Into Clr Batirai Dube’s House
26-07-2020
Four heavily armed suspected state agents besieged MDC Alliance Bulawayo Councillor for Ward 24, Anorld Batirai Dube’s homestead last night.
The four, asked about Clr Dube’s whereabouts before getting away with valuables like laptop, 2 cellphones and money.
The break in comes hotly after another failed attempt just few days ago.
A shaken Mrs Batirai narrated her harrowing ordeal at the hands of the four who threatened to blow off her head demanding to know Clr Dube’s whereabouts.
Clr Batirai Dube is MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Deputy National Secretary for Local Governance.
As an Assembly, we believe Clr Batirai Dube is a victim of a panic stricken regime that is keen to foil the impending 31 July protests through a Night of Long Knives on opposition supporters.
We shall not be intimidated nor relent!
#KushingaMberi!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
It Won’t Be Easy Passing Through Police Check Points
Police say they will only allow people with exemption letters signed by senior executives to pass through checkpoints as the government continues to tighten lockdown restrictions.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew as part of measures to slow down the spread of the novel coronavirus and issued fresh stay-at-home orders.
Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the police spokesperson, yesterday said all health workers in uniform should carry their work identification cards while those in civilian attire should have a letter from the hospital medical superintendent or CEO stating the place, dates and times of reporting on and off duty.
Nyathi said workers from other companies and organisations should present letters from their CEOs or general managers with contact details of their bosses.
He said government and parastatal workers should have exemption letters from their directors and provincial heads.
A1 and A2 farmers should present their offer letters or lease agreements and an exemption certificate from a local officer in charge of a police station while their communal farmer counterparts need to get a supporting letter from a headman or village head stating the business to be done, the date, time and place.
Workers for food retailers have to present certified copies of a shop licence and an exemption letter from the police.
Nyathi said to get medical supplies, one has to produce the medical cards or prescription and contact details of a doctor.
He said for the attendance of funerals, concerned relatives have to produce a copy of burial order to the local police station and need to be issued with exemption letters showing destination and dates of movement to those who intend to bury relatives in other areas.
“In addition, members of the public are implored to do their shopping within a five-kilometre radius of their residence to acquire basic necessities like food, gas and medicine,” Nyathi said.
The government has been accused of using the Covid-19 pandemic to restrict citizens’ rights to freedom of assembly for political reasons.
South African Minister Of Trade Ebrahim Patel Tests Positive For Coronavirus
South African Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim PatelSouth African Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel is the latest member of the executive to test positive for the deadly Covid-19.
Patel received his results on Saturday.
It was his second test since the outbreak of the virus.
“Minister Patel is in good spirits and is in self-quarantine, and will continue to work from home. Those that have been in contact with the minister are also in self-isolation and have been encouraged to get tested.”
On Friday, Patel participated in the virtual parliamentary budget vote debate on the revised budget for the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC).
“As part of his budget debate speech yesterday (Friday), the minister announced that every directorate of the DTIC and every agency within its mandate will prioritise saving firms and jobs during this period.”
Cabinet wished Patel a speedy recovery, and extended the same well wishes to the thousands of South Africans and their families who are also battling coronavirus.
The latest number of confirmed cases in South Africa, which has the highest numbers of diagnosed infections in Africa, is 434 200, with 6 655 deaths recorded.
There have been 263 054 recoveries. So far, just over 2.6 million tests have been conducted.
“To defeat this virus, we must all continue playing our part in observing all health protocols of washing our hands regularly, properly wearing a mask when in public, and practicing physical distancing. Together, we can beat the coronavirus.”
Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi and Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe have been hospitalised due to Covid-19 symptoms.
Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula also tested positive for Covid-19 and has since recovered.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura and his Western Cape counterpart Alan Winde also contracted the virus, while North West Premier Job Mokgoro is all clear and has returned home after seeking treatment at a healthcare facility in Gauteng.
News24
Byo Industries Tell Mthuli Ncube To The Face That They Don’t Want The Zim Dollar Anymore, Want The S.A. Rand
State Media
Mthuli Ncube CAPTAINS of industry in Bulawayo have openly told the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube, that business in the city can only be functional through a wide use of the South African rand saying the dominance of the United States dollar is curtailing market performance.
Presenting their views to the minister at a no-holds-barred engagement on Friday, various captains of industry said the trading regime offered by the local currency and the US dollar presents a myriad of challenges such as the unavailability of change, price distortions and speculations.
Local businesses argue that the rand will help provide for denominations that can be used as change, a situation that will present well with consumers. Consumers at retail shops and bulk traders are saddened by being ripped off when they do US dollar transactions and fail to get change. They end up being forced to take sweets or settle to buy what they had not initially planned.
Business leaders have also argued that they are feeling the biting chill of dual and unstable exchange rates that disrupt business transactions. They said if the rand was largely used, then such problems will be addressed as the currency can be used as a readily available change for any US dollar buy.
Apart from change, business leaders said the rand would also present them better deals when trading with South African companies.
The rand is widely used in the southern part of the country, owing to diaspora remittances from South Africa. The currency trades freely in Bulawayo and most southern parts of the country. Shops and industry heavily rely on import from South Africa and Botswana.
Although the rand was widespread, its dominance had failed to filter into the mainstream market that only looks at the Zim dollar and US dollar exchange. Industry pleaded with Prof Ncube to look into the issue, to which the minister assured businesses that he will forward the
concern to Government but reaffirmed that both industry and consumers have to put confidence in the strength of the local currency.
“It is an issue that we are seized with and will definitely look into that,” said Prof Ncube.
Business leaders also advised that the Government should maintain smooth trading at the foreign currency auction market.
Economic analysts have maintained that the Government needs to seriously consider basing the economy on the South Africa rand to ease the distortions and anxiety.
Information gathered from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) indicates that the country exported goods worth US$218,4 million to South Africa in January this year against imports of US$165,6 million, giving a trade surplus of US$52,8 million.
MDC Alliance Out To Recover All The Loses Made To Thokozani Khupe
David Coltart The MDC Alliance says it has embarked on a massive membership and fundraising campaign to shore up its finances following recent setbacks that saw it lose its party headquarters, several legislators and $7,4 million in state funding to the rival faction led by Thokozani Khupe.
David Coltart, the MDC Alliance treasurer general, told The Standard that the MDC Alliance had set a target to mobilise one million members as part of an ambitious campaign.
The party lost $7 492 500 under the Political Parties (Finance) Act, its headquarters, some legislators and councillors to Khupe, but said it expects to recover “soon”.
Coltart said they had set an ambitious target to recruit one million paid-up supporters.
“It is not so much how much we hope to raise, but rather how many members we hope will join and subscribe,” he said.
“That will provide us with the most secure support base going forward. We have set an ambitious target of one million members.
“We have had a very good response so far, but we are a long way off our target.”
At least 21 legislators from the Nelson Chamisa-led party have been recalled from Parliament. Last week the legislators were ordered to pay for their official vehicles at once or return them to Parliament.
“The call by Parliament for the return of vehicles by the MDC Alliance MPs who were unlawfully recalled by (Douglas) Mwonzora is political mischief by Jacob Mudenda.
“It is common knowledge that MPs were not given cars by Parliament, but loans to buy cars.
“So what they owe Parliament is those loans and Parliament can through normal legal processes take steps to recover the loans, not the cars whose loans they have been servicing until their recall.
“In any event, all the unlawfully recalled MPs have cases pending before the High Court to determine the legality of those recalls. If the determination is made in their favour, then the said outstanding loan balances are not due until the end of their term of office.
“Politically, Mwonzora is working with the Zanu PF speaker of the National Assembly to use the pressure of the return of cars to whip our MPs to support their charade.”
He added: “This will not work because our MPs are not mercenaries, but true people’s representatives.
“As a party, we will take the necessary steps to protect our MPs from this new onslaught by Mudenda and Mwonzora.”
Khupe Desperate For Votes, Presenting Herself To Chamisa As A Better Enemy Than Mwonzora
State Media
Thokozani Khupe with Nelson Chamisa MDC-T interim president Dr Thokozani Khupe has reportedly sent emissaries to senior members of the MDC-Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa to seek support in a bid to ward off pressure from secretary-general Mr Douglas Mwonzora for the top-most position in the party.
Dr K0hupe who is likely to face off with Mwonzora for the position of party president is reportedly making inroads into Mr Chamisa’s close allies especially in Bulawayo with the hope of convincing them to attend the pending extraordinary congress and fend off the party’s secretary-general’s attempt to wrestle power.
Two weeks ago it was reported that some councillors and MPs in Bulawayo, fearing a recall by Dr Khupe, were advocating for a settlement between Dr Khupe and Chamisa, failure to which they would join the former Deputy Prime Minister.
Party insiders have revealed that a number of councillors and MPs in the province and senior members of the MDC-Alliance provincial structures have already committed themselves to attending the extraordinary congress.
However, Dr Khupe’s spokesperson, Mr Khaliphani Pugeni refuted the allegations claiming the party leader had more class than to nicodemously approach Mr Chamisa while knowing the true party position regarding him.
“There is no basis at all to those reports, as you might know after the Supreme Court judgement and the actions by Mr Chamisa thereafter, the party wrote a letter expelling him, a letter that was signed by Dr Khupe.
“Therefore, it cannot work for Dr Khupe to then go against the party position to nicodemously approach Mr Chamisa. In actual fact, I believe Dr Khupe has more class to do such an act, people chose the path they took after the Supreme Court ruling,” said Mr Pugeni.
He said the party was now focused on holding its extraordinary congress and would not be distracted by people who only wanted to cause confusion within its ranks. Sources close to the developments, however, revealed that Dr Khupe had approached the party leadership in Matabeleland who had pressured her into approaching the Chamisa faction so as to counter the rise of Mr Mwonzora.
It is further alleged that Mr Chamisa’s allies are now becoming sceptical noting the number of court cases that they continue to lose to Dr Khupe’s MDC-T. Supreme Court judge Justice Bharat Patel, sitting with Justices Paddington Garwe and Antonia Guvava, early this year ruled that Mr Chamisa was not the legitimate MDC leader in terms of the party’s constitution and subsequently ordered the convening of an extraordinary congress within three months to elect a new president.
The decision by the superior court settled the acrimonious MDC leadership wrangle pitting Mr Chamisa and Dr Khupe. This followed an appeal by MDC-Alliance leaders Messrs Chamisa and Morgan Komichi challenging last year’s ruling by Harare High Court judge Justice Edith Mushore declaring that Mr Chamisa illegitimately acted as the party leader. Reports have also surfaced where Mr Mwonzora has reportedly started canvassing for support with Harare Province having already nominated him for the presidency.
International Body Of Journalists Demands Mnangagwa To Free Hopewell Immediately As Charges Against Him Are Baseless
Own Correspondent
CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Angela QuintalZimbabwean authorities should immediately release independent investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and drop the incitement charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists has said.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services released a statement on Saturday, which CPJ reviewed, announcing that authorities had charged Chin’ono with “incitement to participate in public violence.”
“The detention of investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono is yet another example of Zimbabwe’s increasing intolerance toward the press and those who expose corruption allegations about the country’s ruling elite,” said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Angela Quintal. “Instead of detaining those responsible for stealing public funds, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s security forces would rather employ strong-arm tactics to silence the messenger. Hopewell Chin’ono must be released immediately and allowed to work freely.”
Chin’ono, an award-winning journalist who writes for local and international publications, has covered alleged corruption by the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa in his reporting and on social media.
Chin’ono’s reporting on alleged COVID-19 procurement fraud within the country’s Ministry of Health led to the arrest and sacking of Health Minister Obadiah Moyo earlier this month.
Watch Angela Quintal speak to the SABC in the video downloading below:
Mnangagwa In Sixes And Sevens As July 31 Fast Approaches
Emmerson Mnangagwa PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has lashed out at foreign powers after attempts to clamp down on organisers of the proposed July 31 protests were met with global condemnation.
Mnangagwa was accused of using the Covid-19 pandemic to suppress fundamental freedoms following the arrest of Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume, who is mobilising the planned protests against alleged corruption.
Police also arrested prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono on allegations of mobilising for the protests, which the police say will turn violent.
The duo was denied bail with a Harare magistrate ruling on Friday that Chin’ono “is a danger to the public because he has not yet completed his mission of inciting people to demonstrate on July 31”.
A broad alliance of opposition parties, civic society groups and churches has emerged in recent weeks to push for the protests, much to the chagrin of the government, which now says the demonstrations must be stopped because they will turn violent.
Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa told journalists in Harare yesterday that the reaction to the arrests by Western countries, including the United States, showed they were behind Ngarivhume and Chin’ono’s activities.
Mutsvangwa used strong terms to describe the US and her allies whom she described as “evil and doom-mongers”.
“Chin’ono and Ngarivhume belong to that camp of evil wishers,” she charged.
She claimed Western countries were sponsoring the looming protests as a way of gaining access to Zimbabwe’s resources.
“It’s cruel self-enrichment from our resources that they seek,” Mutsvangwa bellowed.’
“Please why can’t you give Africa a break? As Zimbabwe we are saying: ‘We can’t breathe.
“The role of foreign powers in this plot to instigate an illegal regime change in Zimbabwe is made apparent by a set of events and statements that followed the police operation,” Mutsvangwa said, arguing that US embassy officials were, within minutes of police arrival at Chin’ono’s house, tweeting to bring pressure on police not to act.
“President Mnangagwa and his government are fully apprised on this evil agenda and devilish machinations.”
Chin’ono’s lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa described Mutsvangwa’s claims as “nonsense”.
She said government’s attempts to portray the proposed protests as engineered by the West were a tired trick that was overplayed by the late Robert Mugabe and failed.
“I can say it here and now that this is the kind of nonsense we have been listening to for the past 40 years,” Mtetwa fumed.
“Any Zimbabwean who wants to assert their rights is being presented as someone who is working for some foreign agencies.
“It is not Americans that are being messed up by this government, it’s not Americans who are dying because they have no hospitals to go to, it is not Americans who cannot send their children to school, it is not Americans who are hungry.
“So why would Zimbabweans wait for Americans to tell them that they are suffering when they are experiencing it every day?”
She said Zimbabweans were sold a dummy by the new administration that claimed Mnangagwa would be a “listening president” when he was propelled into power by the military in 2017.
“They came in saying they were different from the previous regime, but actually they are turning out to be worse,” Mtetwa added.
“As far as I am concerned, there is absolutely nothing new in what Mutsvangwa said.
“It is always the same old excuse. It’s sanctions, sanctions, sanctions or regime change agenda.
“The constitution actually allows regime change.
“For Mrs Mutsvangwa to be where she is, they changed the previous regime.
“Other Zimbabweans are entitled to do exactly the same thing when they perceive them to be doing what Robert Mugabe’s regime was doing.”
Gladys Hlatywayo, the MDC Alliance secretary for international affairs, said Mnangagwa administration was“deluded” if it believed pressure to end corruption was coming from external forces.
“It is very unfortunate that the Mnangagwa regime has consistently aimed at foreign countries as a way to deflect attention from its misrule. Zimbabweans do not need anyone to tell them that Zanu PF has failed and must go,” Hlatywayo said.
“To suggest that the current agitation is foreign-engineered is not only baseless and a serious indictment on the so-called re-engagement thrust by the regime, but an insult to the intelligence of Zimbabweans who have suffered from decades of corruption, patronage, human rights abuses and bad governance under Zanu PF.
“On the other hand, the international community cannot watch whilst a rogue regime goes berserk.
“International law clearly gives the international community a responsibility to protect and this is why you see international players calling the Mnangagwa regime out.”
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition director Blessing Vava said the allegations against embassies, civic society and other actors by the regime were baseless.
“Those are baseless allegations by a desperate regime, which is out of touch with reality,” Vava said.
“It doesn’t need any outside influence to tell that Mnangagwa and his government have failed and they must go.”
US embassy officials were not immediately available, but the US assistant secretary of State for African Affairs Tibor Nagy on Friday was scathing about Chin’ono and Ngarivhume’s treatment.
“The Zimbabwean government has denied Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume their freedom while the corrupt remain free,” Nagy tweeted.
“When will the government uphold the people’s constitutional rights to freedom of political expression and freedom of the press?”
Other international bodies that condemned Mnangagwa’s administration included the United Nations Human Rights Commission, which on Friday said the government must stop using the Covid-19 pandemic to suppress human rights in the country.
Josep Borrel Fontelles, the high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy, expressed concern over the developments in Zimbabwe.
“Recent developments in Zimbabwe are deeply worrying,” Fontelles said.
“The work of human rights defenders, journalists and civil society organisations is essential to support reforms that stand the test of time.
“Upholding constitutional rights is a principle which cannot be compromised.”
Mnangagwa has come under the spotlight for his clampdown on dissent with critics saying his government became more authoritarian after he imposed a lockdown to slow down the spread of the novel coronavirus in March.
Full Text: Govt Speaks On The Arrest Of Hopewell Chin’ono, Jacob Ngarivhume
Government would like to set the record straight on the arrest of Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume and their subsequent appearance in court. We have noted with dismay, a well coordinated local and international misinformation and disinformation media campaign where the duo are said to have been arrested for supposedly exposing alleged corruption cases in Government.
For the avoidance of doubt, Hopewell Chin’ono was not abducted. He was lawfully arrested by the Zimbabwe Republic Police. And he was not arrested for exposing corruption. He was arrested for using his social media accounts to incite Zimbabweans to violently overthrow the Government.
Even though Hopewell Chin’ono writes about corruption he is not unique in this regard. All the Newspapers in Zimbabwe, including independent publications have written extensively about corruption in Government and private sector. None of the Journalists who have written about the subject of corruption have been arrested for publishing the same. This is because the Government and the President of Zimbabwe acknowledge and appreciates the role the media plays in the investigation and exposition of corruption.
The Standard and the Zimbabwe Independent newspapers together with the State media, reported on the NSSA scandal that resulted in the arrest of Minister Prisca Mupfumira. None of the journalists from these newspapers were arrested or censured for reporting in this case. In addition, the President appointed Trevor Ncube the proprietor of Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) which is the biggest independent newspaper stable in Zimbabwe, to his Presidential Advisory Council (PAC)
Such claims are deliberately calculated to mislead and manufacture a false narrative which brings into question His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s sincerity in fighting corruption both in Government and private sector. Since coming into office as leader of the New Dispensation, His Excellency President Mnangagwa has provided a favourable working environment for media practitioners to conduct their business unfettered.
The Zimbabwe Independent from AMH publishes articles accusing Government Officials of corruption on a weekly basis without fail but this has not attracted any arrest of the journalists concerned.
The Second Republic through Parliament has repealed AIPPA which in the past was used against journalists and replaced it with a raft of legislation aimed at protecting the rights of journalist to practice their profession freely and the rights of citizens to information concerning the areas of interests and concern.
President Mnangagwa ordered an investigation into the Drax Affair before Hopewell Chin’ono started tweeting about it. As a result of those investigations several arrests were made. The most prominent of those arrested was the former Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Obadiah Moyo who was charged and relieved of his duties as Minister of Health and Child Care. It is therefore false to state that no action has been taken against the corrupt individuals fingered by Hopewell’s expose
The President has consistently shown his unflinching commitment to fighting corruption by setting up a robust legal infrastructure to fight this economic scourge. He has also spearheaded the funding of the Zimbabwe Anticorruption Commission (ZACC) as a way of capacitating it to deliver on its constitutional mandate.
This has seen an unprecedented arresting and summary dismissal of two serving Cabinet Ministers in a short space of time.
The conviction and jailing of high profile individuals such as former Minister Samuel Undege, Mr Douglas Tapfumaneyi and Simon Taranhike and many more is also indicative of this Zero Tolerance to Corruption Policy.
The arrest of these two individuals clearly, has nothing to do with their anticorruption stance which finds convergence with President Mnangagwa’s own position but their ploy to violently destabilize the country and unconstitutionally seize power (by any means necessary) putting Zimbabwean lives and property at risk.
The role of foreign powers in this plot to instigate an illegal regime change in Zimbabwe is made apparent by a set of events and statements that followed the police operation.
1- Within minutes of the arrival of the police at Mr. Chin’ono’s home, the US embassy was already all over this issue which is between a sovereign country and its citizen, by tweeting and trying to bring pressure to bear on the Zimbabwean Government, so it would not enforce the law of the land. Its particular interest in this one person is curious in the least.
2- Other Western Embassies who usually take the USA’s lead joined in this irregular interference by tweeting and releasing statements which were calculated to obstruct the course of justice in a hosting country.
3- Even after Zimbabwe’s Independent Judiciary had issued its verdict on the duo’s bail application, a senior member of the US Administration issued a very derogatory and undiplomatic statement against the Government of Zimbabwe, showing condescending disrespect to a sovereign country.
Zimbabwe is keen to engage with all members of the community of nations but will not surrender its sovereignty as a trade-off for this. All what Zimbabwe seeks is mutual respect and non-interference in its internal affairs.
Going forward, Government will not compromise on Zimbabwe’s national security and expects all foreign embassies hosted here to behave with propriety as set out in the Vienna Convention.
All the aforesaid is happening in the context of Zimbabwe’s fight against COVID 19 pandemic
At this moment Zimbabwe like the whole world faces the threat of the pandemic. The Zimbabwe Government has done reasonably and surprisingly well to date. Indeed it has confounded detractors and doom mongers.
Hopewell and Ngarivhume belong to that camp of evil wishers. The begging question is why call for a violent uprising in the midst of a raging and ravaging Covid 19?
The ongoing USA elections are a big exercise in democratic expression. Even President Trump has had to cancel the Convention of the Republican Party in Jacksonville for fear of Covid 19. Why can’t the detractors and doom mongers equally copy this act of noble political restraint?
And why can’t the American and Western embassies provide counsel to their regime change charges that this is not the hour to play dice with the lives of Zimbabweans?
This is the season of Black Lives Matter after the choking to death of George Floyd by a cruel white police officer in Minneapolis.
We have travelled and suffered from their past depredations. It’s not democracy they want. After all we paid a heavy price to attain it from the conquering colonials. They did not give up Zimbabwe on a platter. It’s cruel self enrichment from our resources that they seek.
Please why can’t you give Africa a break? As Zimbabwe we are saying: WE CAN’T BREATHE.
SPROUTING SHOOTS
Their actions are premised on the fear that President Mnangagwa and his deep seamed economic and financial reforms have taken root. That they are beginning to pay off in reviving the economy and rekindling hope.
Blood sucking money launderers and other dirty players in our fiscal and financial players are being squeezed by the succeeding Weekly Auction of Foreign Exchange.
The mobile money platforms are being husbanded into the central bank..
The all important energy sector is now full of promise from huge investments in Matebeleland North as can be seen from the recent visit by President Mnangagwa to the region.
The mortal fear of Africa by the West is the economic success of a self sustainable African Nation. Zimbabwe now offers that prospect after braving through devastating sanctions by the West for two decades.
No wonder the pandemonium being engendered by the fear of a good example.
President Mnangagwa and his government are fully appraised on this evil agenda and devilish machinations.
We will keep the course of re engagement while safeguarding the nation from a slide to chaos.
Picture:ZRP Cops Chase Vendors In Central Bulawayo
Komichi Fumes As Mwonzora Bag Harare Province
CHAOS and fierce factional fights continue to rock the Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T faction after a camp sympathetic to acting secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora nominated him to take over as party leader ahead of the planned extra-ordinary congress.
The development reportedly irked acting party chairperson Morgen Komichi, who on Thursday threatened disciplinary action against officials who organised the meeting that nominated Mwonzora.
“That was an illegal process that was not authorised by the leadership,” Komichi said.
“People should not do things without instructions from national leadership and things that are unconstitutional. I don’t know why they are doing that and who gave them the instruction to cause unnecessary problems. That is indiscipline and we don’t like that kind of behaviour. That was a bogus nomination not authorised by anyone.
“People were secretly called to that meeting and we were not even present as leadership. It was just a small team of stubborn people and we don’t know who gave them that instruction and we will investigate.”
“The meeting was reportedly attended by 38 people and chaired by Simon Hove.
“The ground rules of the party shall be set and a neutral electoral board appointed and tasked to run all processes leading up to the extra-ordinary congress,” Komichi said.
Mwonzora could not be reached for comment.
— NewsDay
Parirenyatwa Hospital Speaks On COVID-19 Situation At The Facility
Sandra Ndebele Opens Up On Trending Pictures
By A Correspondent| Bulawayo based songstress and dancer Sandra Ndebele has opened up on her recent mouth-watering images making rounds on social media saying it was her way of showcasing African beauty while motivating full figured women to appreciate themselves.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Sandy as she is affectionately known said she was shocked after noticing that her pictures had rattled the nation.
“This is one happy accidental social media takeover. We did the photoshoot just to express a feel-good modern woman at the same time embracing African beauty,” explains Sandra.
“To be honest, I did not see this coming. I was pleasantly surprised to see people celebrating my photographs.”
Her PR team, who recognised the social capital she had created, jumped on to the wave that has seen corporate endorsements coming through.
The project was born out of the need to make the most of the current lockdown.
“Most working mums can tell you how difficult it is to get back to that original body.
“I have been on a very strict programme, eating traditional foods and working out twice daily for the last three months. And I am extremely grateful for the results,” said Sandra.
And she has a word or two for both plus-sized women and her audience.
“To my fellow sisters or thick madams as people call us, we are beautiful within our bodies and let us celebrate our African curves. And to the men, I thank you for appreciating us full-figured women.”
Byo Businesses Demand Use Of Rand Over USD
CAPTAINS of industry in Bulawayo have pleaded with the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube, to promote the wide use of the South African rand to complement the multi-foreign currency regime, saying the dominance of the United States dollar is curtailing market performance.
Presenting their views to the minister at a no-holds-barred engagement on Friday, various captains of industry said the trading regime offered by the local currency and the US dollar presents a myriad of challenges such as the unavailability of change, price distortions and speculations. South Africa is Zimbabwe’s biggest trading partner.
Local businesses argue that the rand will help provide for denominations that can be used as change, a situation that will present well with consumers. Consumers at retail shops and bulk traders are saddened by being ripped off when they do US dollar transactions and fail to get change. They end up being forced to take sweets or settle to buy what they had not initially planned.
Business leaders have also argued that they are feeling the biting chill of dual and unstable exchange rates that disrupt business transactions. They said if the rand was largely used, then such problems will be addressed as the currency can be used as a readily available change for any US dollar buy.
Apart from change, business leaders said the rand would also present them better deals when trading with South African companies.The rand is widely used in the southern part of the country, owing to diaspora remittances from South Africa. The currency trades freely in Bulawayo and most southern parts of the country. Shops and industry heavily rely on import from South Africa and Botswana.
Although the rand was widespread, its dominance had failed to filter into the mainstream market that only looks at the Zim dollar and US dollar exchange. Industry pleaded with Prof Ncube to look into the issue, to which the minister assured businesses that he will forward the
concern to Government but reaffirmed that both industry and consumers have to put confidence in the strength of the local currency.
“It is an issue that we are seized with and will definitely look into that,” said Prof Ncube.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) national vice-president Mr Walter Chigwada raised the concern and said the US dollar, Zim dollar regime presented a challenge in pricing.
“We encourage the wider use of the rand so that it trades hand in hand with other currencies such as the US dollar. As of now referencing is done using the US dollar and that creates a competitive challenge on pricing. We are using replacement pricing. We might be pricing using the Zim dollar but backed by the US dollar,” said Mr Chigwada.
Confederation of Retail Industries of Zimbabwe vice-president Mr Zak Hawa, said the use of the rand is widely accepted by most shops.
“Some retailers refuse to accept the rand because it has not been officially mentioned as one of the trading currencies. But due to the unavailability of change, the rand is the solution,” he said.
Business leaders also advised that the Government should maintain smooth trading at the foreign currency auction market.
Mr Chigwada who is also Mealie Brand managing director said while they appreciate the efforts to stabilise trading, there has to be an assurance that it is sustainable.
“As of now we are not sure of the stability brought by the foreign currency auction trade. What can we do as stakeholders to make sure this is sustainable? The system seems temporary. It’s something that we need confidence on,” he said.
Economic analysts have maintained that the Government needs to seriously consider basing the economy on the South Africa rand to ease the distortions and anxiety. Information gathered from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) indicates that the country exported goods worth US$218,4 million to South Africa in January this year against imports of US$165,6 million, giving a trade surplus of US$52,8 million.
ZimStat presented data that showed exports to South Africa included scrap metal, agricultural produce, beef, minerals as well as wines. Local industry imports from South Africa included vehicles, mealie-meal, fish, sausage casings, biscuits, electricity, electrical gadgets, chemicals, disposable napkins, incontinence pads, and wooden furniture.
-State Media
South African Man Weds Late Fiance Before Burial
A 48-year-old South African primary school teacher, who died after setting herself on fire as a result of Covid-19 depression and the stigma attached to it, was yesterday wedded by her husband in an extraordinary symbolic wedding ahead of her official burial tomorrow.
The private traditional ceremony took place yesterday at the couple’s Crystal Park home in Benoni on the East Rand., South Africa.
The woman succumbed to severe burn injuries last Thursday after being in the intensive care unit of a local hospital for a month.
Before she died, the harrowing details of the teacher’s attempted suicide were exclusively reported in Sowetan last month when the woman’s husband told of how he planned to embark on a community education campaign aimed at de-stigmatising people infected by the virus.
The husband, a high school principal, has subsequently tested positive too.
Speaking to Sowetan yesterday, he said he was on day eight of self-isolation. He revealed that he tested positive after going back to work on July 8 following the incident of his wife’s attempt to take her own life.
He further told Sowetan that a total of seven people have tested positive at his school and he was one of them “even though I had tested negative when my wife was tested positive”.
He said as an “advocating campaigner”, he has been able to calm his fellow colleagues who tested positive and their families as well.
The 51-year-old, whose name is being withheld to protect their children, had previously told this newspaper how he battled to save his wife from the flames engulfing her isolation room in their home.
He was wearing full personal protective gear (equipment) during the private wedding which was attended by family and friends at the family home late yesterday.
He again recalled that fateful day on June 6 after his wife had been in quarantine at home for 11 days. He had not noticed that his wife “was losing it after all the support we had offered to her”.
He recalled how his wife woke up that morning at around 4am when everybody was still asleep.
He and their 17-year-old son also woke up and checked if she was fine before they went back to bed.
“After a while we realised there was something burning. I ran to her isolation room. It was locked.
“I broke the door open and found her in flames. I immediately took a blanket and tried to put out the fire until my brave eight-year-old child ran to fetch a bucket of water which she emptied on her mom in an attempt to rescue her,” the man told Sowetan at the time.
The man again recalled how he was not aware that his wife was “depressed from receiving messages on social media from friends and colleagues”.
He said she had complained about being sent messages that made her feel like she was dying. She also complained about gossip that came from colleagues and friends.
He yesterday told of how his wife was always looking forward to her big traditional wedding that was put on hold when the national lockdown was announced in March. They had been planning their wedding since last year.
“She was excited to be going to wear her isiSwati wedding gown. We are still going to honour that wish because she will now be buried wearing it.”
The father of two met his wife in 1991 while he was travelling in a taxi in Daveyton.
“I jumped out at the wrong stop just to go and talk to her because she caught my attention. She was with her two friends.”
He said his wife was a mother to many children besides her own. She taught him how to love all children unconditionally. Many of those children who are now working “come to our home from time to time to thank her for the role she played in their education.”
Death impacts heavily on culture
A family elder said in their culture as Swati people when wedding preparations had been done, there’s no going back even if one partner dies.
“In this regard the family will find a sister of the deceased bride to represent her in the ceremony because her body will be in the mortuary. Then the groom will take his stand and marry the bride and both families will exchange gifts,” he said.
The elder said the bride’s corpse will then be washed with herbs and put in the coffin and a ritual, joining the two, will be performed a day before her body is brought home from the morgue.
He said when the body arrives home, the groom will then enter with her in the house with elders announcing to ancestors that she is now part of the other family and can be laid to rest as a part of her husband’s family.
The man will then go into a mourning period after the burial and will be cleansed after several months.
An emotional Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said “this sad passing of our educator, colleague and sister who happened to be a wife to our fellow colleague and a principal in one of our schools really touched and devastated me dearly”.
He said: “Covid-19 hit us where it matters most and robbed us, our most valuable resource in the education sector.
“It is difficult to even try to understand the horrible incident which led to the death of our colleague.
“We would like to convey our sincere condolences to the family and the school community. We are hopeful that, the psycho-social support that was dispatched by the department will play a significant role in assisting the family to heal from this traumatic death.”
The deceased’s funeral service will take place tomorrow.
Zanu PF Youth League Threatens To Stop July 31 Demo
THE Zanu PF Youth League has urged law enforcement agents to deal with the planned violent demonstrations being organised by opposition activists and all those involved.
In separate statements yesterday, Zanu PF Youth League provincial structures said the planned demonstrations are meant to further an illegal regime change agenda.
Zanu PF Mashonaland West Youth League chairperson Vengai Musengi said holding a demonstration during a pandemic poses a danger to public health.
“Opposition elements are keen to cause violence at the end of this month,” said Musengi.
“Such acts pose a serious threat to the safety of members of the public and seriously undermine social order. They warrant society’s most severe condemnation.”
He said the organisers of the demonstrations were using social media to promote attacks on State institutions and private property.
The police, Musengi said, must use appropriate force to disrupt the planned demonstrations and arrest those involved.
Youth League chairperson for Matabeleland North Province, Tamuka Nyoni, said opposition elements were trying to destabilise the country through demonstrations.
“The provincial league, as much as other progressive forces in our country, is saddened and disheartened by news circulating in the electronic and print media regarding the 31st of July so called ‘mass protests’ by regime change agenda advocates,” said Nyoni.
“They are trying by all means to polarise the peaceful environment enjoyed by the citizenry, which is trying to come to terms with the reality of this global pandemic which is making lives unbearable.”
He said the organisers are criminal elements who intend to overthrow a constitutionally-elected Government which has a mandate that runs until 2023.
“We, therefore, call upon the citizenry to fight these forces in order to maintain the peace that we enjoy in the midst of this pandemic.
The Mat North Youth league appeals to like-minded and progressive formations who share our vision, to shun these calls and exercise maximum unity.”-The Sunday Mail
July 31 Demo: Tajamuka Breathes Fire
Farai Dziva|Tajamuka leader Promise Mkwananzi has said the July 31 protests are about sacrifices meant to emancipate the people of Zimbabwe from poverty and corruption.
In a strong warning to the Zanu PF regime, the former MDC Youth Assembly Secretary General said no form of ammunition would stop the protests.
“This is the time for the people of Zimbabwe to unite and fight for total emancipation.The demo is not about political parties, rather it is about the people of Zimbabwe.
Nobody is supposed to go to work, for once let us unite as Zimbabweans.
We know they want to suppress the protests but our message to them is clear- no form of ammunition will stop us from fighting for freedom.
Those who want to buy food please do so in time because this is not a joke.Nobody should be left out of the programme.We are going to confront the regime without fear,” said Mkwananzi.
“We are saying enough is enough , Zimbabweans have suffered for too long as result of Zanu PF misrule.”
In Your View, What’s this Man’s Real Job?
VIDEO: Ruhanya Speaks On Hopewell Bail Denial
3000 Zimbabweans In SA Face Critical Shortage Of Food
ZIMBABWEANS who missed the submission deadline on 19 July to apply for food assistance cannot get an extension, Zimbabwean consul general in Johannesburg Melody Chaurura told GroundUp last Wednesday.
“There is no room for extension at this point because submitted details are already being processed,” said Chaurura.
The embassy had put out a call for Zimbabweans in SA in need of food assistance because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic to apply for help by 19 July.
The assistance would come in the form of a once-off voucher from the International Organisation for Migration, which had asked the embassy to submit a list of Zimbabweans for inclusion.
Chaurura said about 3 300 Zimbabweans had successfully registered for food assistance.
Priority would be given to expecting mothers, unemployed youth and women-headed households.
In May, Zimbabwe ambassador David Hamadziripi told GroundUp that the Zimbabwean embassy had received over 4 000 requests for food assistance.
The embassy had sent lists of struggling Zimbabweans to Non-Governmental Organisation partners and agencies of the United Nations.
Many immigrants earn an income through informal trading and menial jobs, which have evaporated during the pandemic, and initially no assistance was forthcoming for them from the South African government.
Then Pretoria high court judge Selby Baqwa ruled on 19 June that the R350 Special Covid-19 social relief grant be extended to asylum seekers and special permit holders from Lesotho, Angola and Zimbabwe.
Spokesperson for South Africa Social Security Agency (Sassa) Mr Kgomoco Diseko, in an e-mail said that the department was aware of the court order.
Sassa has been working to adjust its system to be able to accommodate asylum seekers and special permit holders.
He said the application process will still be electronic but requires a completely separate portal, as asylum seeker visas and special permit numbers are constructed differently to the one used for the applications by citizens and permanent residents.
“It must be kept in mind that the court ruling made provision for very specific categories of people to apply — asylum seekers and holders of special permits from Zimbabwe, Angola and Lesotho only, not all immigrants to this country.” — GroupUP/
Kwekwe City Council Boss Accused Of Murder Granted Bail
KWEKWE City Council Director of Housing Edson Chiyangwa who is facing a murder charge after allegedly shooting a gold panner at his mine in Zhombe, has been granted bail.
Chiyangwa (51) escaped unhurt after an alleged marauding machete-wielding gang besieged his Forever Mine in Zhombe on Wednesday night.
His colleague and gold buyer Mr Cornelius Dube is battling for life at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare after he was attacked by the gang.
Chiyangwa fired three shots, using his pistol, one of them which reportedly killed one of the gang members on the spot. Magistrate Miss Samkelisiwe Gumbo granted bail after the State had consented.
His lawyer, Mr Valentine Mutatu of Mutatu and Partners Legal Practitioners confirmed that Chiyangwa was granted bail.
“I can confirm that my client was granted $2 000 bail. As part of bail conditions, he was ordered to surrender travelling documents at the Kwekwe Magistrate Clerk of Court, not interfere with State witnesses, to continue residing at his known address and to report at Kwekwe Central Police Station every Friday,” said Mr Mutatu.
Allegations are that on 21 July at about 11pm, Chiyangwa was at his Forever Mine in Zhombe with Mr Dube where they were overseeing their mining operations. While they were conducting mining operations, a gang armed with machetes and axes allegedly attacked the pair and their employees.
While Mr Dube escaped and hid himself in a car, Chiyangwa, the court heard, tripped and fell and the gang continued advancing intending to attack him with machetes. He then produced a 357 Taurus Pistol and fired a warning shot in the air.
The gang, however, continued advancing leading to Chiyangwa firing another shot towards the gang, killing one of them instantly.
The gang left him and charged towards the Toyota D4D Hilux where Mr Dube had locked himself in.
The gang hit the vehicle with machetes and forced open the vehicle, dragged Mr Dube outside where they attacked him all over the body with machetes leaving him for dead and in a pool of blood.
Sensing danger, Chiyangwa vanished from the scene and made a report to the police-The Sunday News
Obert Mpofu Speaking Inside Quarantine
State Media – The Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration, Dr Obert Mpofu, says he is doing most of the chores his wife does, among other many things, since he has been quarantined alone at his Nyamandlovu home as part of Covid-19 preventive measures.
Dr Mpofu went into self-quarantine after attending a conference for global political parties in Tanzania recently. His wife, Mrs Sikhanyisiwe Mpofu is in Bulawayo.
“I have been very busy actually with chores at my farm here, doing things that do not require contact with people. I have been tending to my crops a lot, seeing that all is in order and ensuring produce is of good quality. I have also been occupied with writing my book, so there is a lot of reading, writing and editing that I am doing and it has kept me busy this whole time. I am also doing some chores my wife would ordinarily do but I will be returning to office soon,” he said in a telephone interview.
Dr Mpofu said self-quarantine is a must despite social and political standing if one has been to a place where they could have been exposed to Covid-19. In addition, the country has a 21-day mandatory quarantine for returning residents and visitors, with testing supposed to be done on Day One, Day Eight and Day 21.
“This is a preventative measure which everyone regardless of stature should go through if we are to fully adhere to the World Health Organisation (WHO) requirements as well as the directive from Government and the President against Covid-19. I was in Tanzania attending a conference which went on for four days and I had a stopover in Ethiopia and spent some time there. So, on my return I went into quarantine,” he said.
Dr Mpofu said he consulted medical experts and took all necessary steps before leaving the country.
“Before I left, I reported to the Ministry of Health and Child Care about my trip and asked them what I must do before I left in view of the pandemic. The ministry was very swift in sending its doctors to do tests on me. Initially I was scared but I needed to have that process done. They came and tested me, the tests seemed scary at first but it’s quite comfortable. I did a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and it was done by professionals and didn’t take seconds.
“I had to go through that and the tests were rushed to the laboratories and I was told not to travel until the results were out. I was given the results in time for me to travel to Tanzania. I took sanitisers and masks following the doctor’s advice on how to conduct myself while I was there and I did just that.”
He raised fears of Tanzania’s stance on not wearing masks.
“I flew in a small aircraft with people without masks and attended a conference with people without masks, just a few of us had masks, the Chinese delegation and a few others had them. We stuck to our regulations and stayed safe.
“To them, they have strong reasons why they are not using masks, but besides that fact we stuck to our regulations from Zimbabwe. That served a purpose. I even said to myself if I didn’t contract the virus under those circumstances in Tanzania then it would be difficult for me to contract it at home where we have strict regulations,” said Dr Mpofu.
He said he followed protocols on self-quarantine on his return home and was given an all clear by officials.
“On our return we were put in quarantine for eight days initially, then we wanted to get further tests and the doctors said we should wait for further four days, which we have done and the days have expired and according to them, with the development of the virus we could be safe. I am now free to move around after the 12 days in quarantine,” he said.
Dr Mpofu said being in quarantine was necessary but an unusual experience.
“It is unusual in one’s life because as a politician and parent you need to have your family around and people around you, but this time around my wife also stayed away from me. She has been in town (Bulawayo) and I am in Nyamandlovu (Matabeleland North province), it’s quite strange yes, but necessary as you cannot expose people to this virus which you know will affect their lives to the extent of losing them,” he said.
Dr Mpofu added that the position taken by Zimbabwe and President Mnangagwa through expert advice was the best to save lives.
“I urge colleagues to prevent themselves from contracting this virus either at home or when they travel in and around the country. If you look at what is happening in other countries, it’s frightening that people are dying, including in our neighbouring countries. Zimbabwe has done its best to avoid massive deaths, it’s a pity we have people that always go against rules and instructions, they do not wear masks or keep social distances and are mingling in crowds. Common sense should tell you to do what the experts say you must do.
“It may be difficult for them to understand how transmission of the virus goes. It was very easy with HIV because people understood the type of contact that would lead one to be infected but this one is unknown, it could be from surfaces, the air and so on. So, it is an enemy attacking whose description we do not know. We must be careful.”
Dr Mpofu said he was grateful that Dr (David) Parirenyatwa (former Minister of Health and Child Care), Dr (John) Mangwiro Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care and Dr Prosper Chonzi the Director of Health Services at Harare City Council who have been in touch with him every day checking on his well-being.
“I am still very careful even after my return and quarantine period. I still feel I should continue with that protective attitude,” he said. – Sunday News
“Cornered” Khupe Seeks To Consolidate Power
MDC-T interim president Dr Thokozani Khupe has reportedly sent emissaries to senior members of the MDC-Alliance led by Mr Nelson Chamisa to seek support in a bid to ward off pressure from secretary-general Mr Douglas Mwonzora for the top-most position in the party.
Dr Khupe who is likely to face off with Mr Mwonzora for the position of party president is reportedly making inroads into Mr Chamisa’s close allies especially in Bulawayo with the hope of convincing them to attend the pending extraordinary congress and fend off the party’s secretary-general’s attempt to wrestle power.
Two weeks ago it was reported that some councillors and MPs in Bulawayo, fearing a recall by Dr Khupe, were advocating for a settlement between Dr Khupe and Mr Chamisa, failure to which they would join the former Deputy Prime Minister.
Party insiders have revealed that a number of councillors and MPs in the province and senior members of the MDC-Alliance provincial structures have already committed themselves to attending the extraordinary congress.
However, Dr Khupe’s spokesperson, Mr Khaliphani Pugeni refuted the allegations claiming the party leader had more class than to nicodemously approach Mr Chamisa while knowing the true party position regarding him.
“There is no basis at all to those reports, as you might know after the Supreme Court judgement and the actions by Mr Chamisa thereafter, the party wrote a letter expelling him, a letter that was signed by Dr Khupe.
“Therefore, it cannot work for Dr Khupe to then go against the party position to nicodemously approach Mr Chamisa.
In actual fact, I believe Dr Khupe has more class to do such an act, people chose the path they took after the Supreme Court ruling,” said Mr Pugeni-The Sunday News
Khupe, Mwonzora Power Struggles Escalate?
MDC-T interim president Dr Thokozani Khupe has reportedly sent emissaries to senior members of the MDC-Alliance led by Mr Nelson Chamisa to seek support in a bid to ward off pressure from secretary-general Mr Douglas Mwonzora for the top-most position in the party.
Dr Khupe who is likely to face off with Mr Mwonzora for the position of party president is reportedly making inroads into Mr Chamisa’s close allies especially in Bulawayo with the hope of convincing them to attend the pending extraordinary congress and fend off the party’s secretary-general’s attempt to wrestle power.
Two weeks ago it was reported that some councillors and MPs in Bulawayo, fearing a recall by Dr Khupe, were advocating for a settlement between Dr Khupe and Mr Chamisa, failure to which they would join the former Deputy Prime Minister.
Party insiders have revealed that a number of councillors and MPs in the province and senior members of the MDC-Alliance provincial structures have already committed themselves to attending the extraordinary congress.
However, Dr Khupe’s spokesperson, Mr Khaliphani Pugeni refuted the allegations claiming the party leader had more class than to nicodemously approach Mr Chamisa while knowing the true party position regarding him.
“There is no basis at all to those reports, as you might know after the Supreme Court judgement and the actions by Mr Chamisa thereafter, the party wrote a letter expelling him, a letter that was signed by Dr Khupe.
“Therefore, it cannot work for Dr Khupe to then go against the party position to nicodemously approach Mr Chamisa.
In actual fact, I believe Dr Khupe has more class to do such an act, people chose the path they took after the Supreme Court ruling,” said Mr Pugeni-The Sunday News
UN Wary Of Gross Violation Of Human Rights In Zimbabwe
Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Liz Throssell
Location: Geneva
Date: 24 July 2020
Subject:Zimbabwe
We are concerned at allegations in Zimbabwe, which suggest that the authorities may be using the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext to clamp down on freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
Among the latest incidents, investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was arrested on 20 July and charged with inciting public violence, after he tweeted his support for nationwide protests against government corruption and worsening economic conditions.
Jacob Ngarivhume, an opposition leader who has been calling for the protests on 31 July, was also detained and similarly charged.
Merely calling for a peaceful protest or participating in a peaceful protest are an exercise of recognized human rights.
We are concerned at reports of police using force to disperse and arrest nurses and health workers for infringing lockdown restrictions as they were trying to protest for better salaries and conditions of work.
This pattern of intimidation echoes the events in May when three members of the main opposition party were arbitrarily arrested and detained for taking part in a protest.
The women – Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova – alleged that state agents abducted them from the police station, tortured and sexually assaulted them.
The women were then formally arrested in June, charged with participating in the protests and faking their abduction. They were recently released on bail.
It is clear that COVID-19 has added greatly to the challenges Zimbabwe faces amid a deteriorating economy and placed a further burden on an already struggling health sector.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa – highlighting an increase of 600 COVID-19 cases in a week to a total of 1,713 – on Tuesday announced a series of measures that he said were necessary to curb the spread of the disease, including a dusk to dawn curfew and the curtailment and suspension of freedoms that, as he put it, Zimbabweans “have always enjoyed”.
While recognizing the Government’s efforts to contain the pandemic, it is important to remind the authorities that any lockdown measures and restrictions should be necessary, proportionate and time-limited, and enforced humanely without resorting to unnecessary or excessive force.
We encourage the Government to engage with civil society and other stakeholders to find sustainable solutions to grievances while ensuring that people’s rights and freedoms are protected in accordance with Zimbabwe’s human rights obligations.
These include the responsibility of the State to guarantee economic, social and cultural rights.
Tajamuka Speaks On July 31 Demo
Farai Dziva|Tajamuka leader Promise Mkwananzi has said the July 31 protests are about sacrifices meant to emancipate the people of Zimbabwe from poverty and corruption.
In a strong warning to the Zanu PF regime, the former MDC Youth Assembly Secretary General said no form of ammunition would stop the protests.
“This is the time for the people of Zimbabwe to unite and fight for total emancipation.The demo is not about political parties, rather it is about the people of Zimbabwe.
Nobody is supposed to go to work, for once let us unite as Zimbabweans.
We know they want to suppress the protests but our message to them is clear- no form of ammunition will stop us from fighting for freedom.
Those who want to buy food please do so in time because this is not a joke.Nobody should be left out of the programme.We are going to confront the regime without fear,” said Mkwananzi.
“We are saying enough is enough , Zimbabweans have suffered for too long as result of Zanu PF misrule.”
1 Hour With Job Sikhala On Saturday
We Are Not Moved By Arrests -MDC Alliance
By Lynette Karenyi-Kore MDC Alliance Vice President
At the Harare Magistrate Courts Rotten Row today(Friday) with Vp Tendai Biti,
DSG David Chimhini, Sec for International Relations Gladys Hlatywayo ,Deputy Sec for International Relations Lovemore Chinoputsa and Vongai Tome Sec for Mobilisation [ WA]
We are not moved by the Arrests.
These Arrests Must Stop.
Aluta Continua.
No turning Back
ChamisaIsMyPresident.
The People’s President kusvika tapinda Canaan.
“Arrests Must Stop”
By Lynette Karenyi-Kore MDC Alliance Vice President
At the Harare Magistrate Courts Rotten Row today(Friday) with Vp Tendai Biti,
DSG David Chimhini, Sec for International Relations Gladys Hlatywayo ,Deputy Sec for International Relations Lovemore Chinoputsa and Vongai Tome Sec for Mobilisation [ WA]
We are not moved by the Arrests.
These Arrests Must Stop.
Aluta Continua.
No turning Back
ChamisaIsMyPresident.
The People’s President kusvika tapinda Canaan.
AUDIO: After 40 Years You Suddenly Find Out You Were Bewitched By Bob
VIDEO LOADING BELOW- PLEASE BE PATIENT
Revealed : How Avenues Clinic Nurse Contracted Coronavirus
A nurse at Avenues Clinic in Harare recently tested positive for COVID-19 after she attended to a patient who had been admitted in the casualty section and later tested positive for the disease.
The Avenues Clinic Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Searchmore Chaparadza said the nurse tested positive after taking a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
He said:
Management would like to advise stakeholders of a COVID-19 incident that occurred within the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Avenues Clinic. One of our nursing staff members tested positive for COVID-19 after taking a PCR test.
The staff member, whose results were received on 22 July 2020, whilst on self-quarantine, was exposed to the virus after attending to a patient who later tested positive for COVID-19.
In the meantime, the hospital has traced all contacts for quarantine and tracing.
Chaparadza added that the hospital continues to enforce various measures to ensure the safety of all stakeholders- Health Times
Confirmed: Avenues Clinic Nurse Tests Positive For Coronavirus
A nurse at Avenues Clinic in Harare recently tested positive for COVID-19 after she attended to a patient who had been admitted in the casualty section and later tested positive for the disease.
The Avenues Clinic Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Searchmore Chaparadza said the nurse tested positive after taking a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
He said:
Management would like to advise stakeholders of a COVID-19 incident that occurred within the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Avenues Clinic. One of our nursing staff members tested positive for COVID-19 after taking a PCR test.
The staff member, whose results were received on 22 July 2020, whilst on self-quarantine, was exposed to the virus after attending to a patient who later tested positive for COVID-19.
In the meantime, the hospital has traced all contacts for quarantine and tracing.
Chaparadza added that the hospital continues to enforce various measures to ensure the safety of all stakeholders- Health Times
WATCH- “IT’S A DESPERATE CLAIM THAT JULY 31 IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL”: JOB SIKHALA
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6 People Perish In Banket Accident
By A Correspondent- 2 Chinhoyi University Students perished in a horrific car crash in Banket yesterday together with 4 other people including a mother and her infant baby.
The accident which occurred when the Nissan Sulphy the 6 were travelling in tried to overtake another vehicle in front of oncoming traffic rammed into a haulage truck killing all passengers in the car, was confirmed by Mashonaland West Province police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Ian Kohwera.
CUT’s director of communications and marketing, Dr Musekiwa Tapera also confirmed the accident and said:
The 4.1 students (name provided) were on vacation and they decided to drive to Chinhoyi to collect their belongings where they used to lodge last semester after hearing that universities are no longer opening. One of the students was driving and they are believed to have picked passengers at Greencroft.
ZRP National Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they were still investigating the accident when he was contacted for comment.
-statemedia
Govt Gazettes Law To Impound Vehicles That Breach Lockdown Rules
The government yesterday gazetted Statutory Instrument 186 Of 2020 which authorised law enforcement officers to impound public transport vehicles being used to breach lockdown restrictions.
Part of the SI which speaks about the seizure of the vehicles contravening lockdown restrictions reads:
Where any public transport vehicle or other vehicle used for the transport of passengers for gain, is used in connection with any offence unde r this Order (prohibiting the operation of such transport) an enforcement officer, if such vehicle is used again after the driver or owner thereof has been warned or charged for such offence, shall have the power to seize such vehicle as an exhibit in connection with the prosecution of such owner or driver for such offence in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act [Chapter 9:07].
The government last week also said law enforcement officers were going to impound all vehicles moving without number plates to try and curb robbery cases in the country.
13 People Test COVID-19+ Posthumously
Parirenyatwa Group Of Hospitals has revealed that 13 bodies that were brought to the hospital between 9 June and 25 July for postmortem tested positive for the virus.
This was contained in a statement that was released by the Hospital on Twitter which reads in part:
We have recorded 8 deaths out of the 60 patients who were admitted in the red zone. Of the bodies that were brought in dead, 13 tested positive for Covid-19.
Posthumous COVID-19 cases have increased over the last few weeks with reports circulating that ZANU PF politician and businessman Keith Guzhah is one of the cases that tested positive for the virus posthumously.
The government tried to explain these posthumous cases and said they are being discovered during routine postmortem because it is standard procedure to test for COVID-19 during postmortem.
This means at least 13 out of Zimbabwe’s 32 COVID-19 deaths tested positive for COVID-19 posthumously.
LIVE- “INTROSPECT”: JOB SIKHALA
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WATCH- Thandekile Speaks Ahead Of July 31
watch the live video loading below……
“America Riles Confrontational Politics In Zimbabwe” Says Charamba – How So, By Insisting On Free Elections
By Patrick Guramatunhu- Zimbabweans have a knack for blaming everyone else but themselves for their problems, trials and tribulations.
“The US Embassy in Harare whose govt has always rooted for Tendai Biti as safe bet for American interests here, had hoped to use Ngarivhume and his pseudo-leadership of July 31 disturbances to re-launch Tendai Biti as the new leader of MDC-Alliance, with the impulsive Jobho Sikhala as the TONG for handling hot pieces. Both men are America’s centurions, Biti designated to play the Philosopher-King, while Sikhala is the Hotspur of the equation,” reported Bulawayo 24, quoting George Charamba.
“The choice of Ngarivhume – another of America’s men whose roots are in Chipinge – was the right face for that operation which would have consigned Nelson Chamisa to the dustbin.
Previous to Ngarivhume, Americans had hoped for the Malawian cleric, Shingi Munyeza, who was later dropped for being inorganic and tainted after hopes of washing him clean by goading ED to fire him from PAC failed.”
This is just nonsense and the suggestion that the Americans are behind all this makes it all idiotic nonsense. The Americans, the EU and the west in general have rooted for the implementation of the democratic reforms to ensure the July 2018 elections were free, fair and credible. Of course, they were disappointed that Zanu PF failed to implement any reforms and dismissed the whole election as a farce.
The west was disgusted by the sheer naivety of Zimbabwe’s opposition camp, not even one of them had the common sense to demand even something as basic for democratic elections as a verified voters’ roll.
Everyone knows the principle reason the MDC leaders and the rest of the crowded opposition camp have continued to participate in elections even when it was clear Zanu PF was rigging the elections, was greed. Ever since the 2008 GNU Zanu PF has seen to it that it allowed the opposition to win a few gravy-train seats, bait which that latter has found totally irresistible. Still, there are some things a human being is expected to resist and not follow one’s primeval instinct like a mouse enticed into a trap by the smell of peanut butter!
By failing to implement the reforms even when they had the golden opportunity to do so during the 2008 GNU and then participating in flawed elections again and again thereafter MDC leaders have shown they have no common sense.
Having participated in the flawed and illegal July 2018 elections all the opposition parties and candidates have since endorsed the rigged July 2018 elections as free and fair, contrary to the damning reports from the west.
All except Nelson Chamisa who has elected to challenge Mnangagwa’s electoral victory not on the basis of something as substantive as the failure to produce a verified voters’ roll. How could he; since he knew the was no verified voters’ roll and decided to participate regardless.
Chamisa challenge Mnangagwa’s victory on the grounds ZEC failed to produce all the V11 forms, summary of all the votes tally at each Polling Station. ZEC only produced 10 987 V11 forms, 10% were missing. Some western observers reported of ZEC officials, with no other witnesses, completing V11 forms 24 hours after this was supposed to be done and dusted.
Chamisa not only wanted the Constitutional Court to dismiss Mnangagwa as the dully elected but declare him as the winner. He claimed to have polled 2.6 million vote which is more that ZEC’s 2.4 million votes for Mnangagwa. Needless to say; Chamisa too failed to produce the V11 forms to support his claim.
The very fact that Chamisa and his fellow MDC Alliance leaders like Tendai Biti, David Coltart, Welshman Ncube, etc. expect anyone including the west to endorse Chamisa’s claim as the winner goes to show just how naïve and stupid the MDC leaders are.
Who in their right mind would ever want to be involves with such naïve and stupid with a knack to shoot from the hip, hence the reason they have failed to achieve anything of substance in all MDC’s 20 years in politics.
The way out of Zimbabwe’s economic and political crisis, which has dogged this nation for the last 40 years, is for the country to the hold of free, fair and credible election. This is obvious to everyone with common sense and it is therefore no surprise that the Americans have been arguing the implementation of the reforms to ensure free and fair elections. To therefore suggest that the Americans are behind the chaos and stupidity of MDC politics is laughable!
“The young man (Chamisa) doesn’t want risks, which is what riles Americans whose wish is confrontational politics in Zimbabwe,” maintains Charamba. Why then did the Americans want the reforms implemented before the elections, if they wanted confrontation politics?
After 40 years of blundering from pillar to post, Zimbabweans must now carefully reflect on what next because this disastrous path of thoughtless folly and greed has dragged us deeper and deeper into this hell-on-earth we now find ourselves stuck in.
The longer we have stayed, the deeper we have sunk and the harder it has become to escape. If this Zanu PF and MDC chaos and madness are allowed to continue unchecked, this nation will be pushed beyond the point of no return, if it has not gone past already!
We have allowed Zanu PF and MDC chaos and madness to rule the roost for 40 years. The responsibility to ensure we have free, fair and credible elections is our responsibility and we have failed no one else but ourselves in this!
“I Don’t Enjoy Reading Recall Letters”: Mudenda
By A Correspondent- Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda has said he does not enjoy recalling legislators, but was mandated to follow the Constitution to the letter.
He made the remarks in Mutare on Thursday at the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines Mining Development meeting to review legislation and policies governing the mining industry in Zimbabwe.
“I don’t enjoy reading recall letters in Parliament. It is not within me to read that, but I am just following the Constitution, I think you get me,” he said.
“Ok, I am failing to read this word, honourable Settlement Chikwinya has bewitched me, but it’s very unfortunate I am schooled, I know what I am doing,” he said jokingly.
Mudenda has been accused by the Nelson Chamisaled party of working in cahoots with MDC-T interim leader Thokozani Khupe to dismantle the MDC Alliance through recalling its MPs.
Mudenda, however, said the committee faced a difficult task in assisting the Mines ministry achieve its targets.
“The Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development has a tall order in assisting the Mines ministry to achieve its laudable targets, particularly the US$12 billion economy target by 2023,” he said.
“It is also important for the committee and ministry to come up with a strategy on how to export and market our products during this COVID-19 period. A way has to be found … that is why we have the brains and we need to apply them.”
-newsday
PICTURES- Man Collapses Dies In Byo CBD
By A Correspondent- A yet to be identified man collapsed and died in Bulawayo Saturday afternoon.
The man died along Fort Street in the central business district.
Speculation was rife as to the cause of death.
The man was later ferried to the nearby hospital.
This is a developing story. More details to follow.
Man Kills Brother Over Domestic Dispute
By A Correspondent- Police in Mashonaland Central arrested a Centenary man who bashed his brother to death in a domestic dispute on Tuesday.
Deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Fidelis Dhewu confirmed the case.
“I can confirm a murder case in Centenary where of Madzinga village, Macksen Bvumbe (32) Chief Chiweshe assaulted his brother Stephen (34) with open hands and he subsquently died due to excessive bleeding the following day upon arrival at a hospital,” Dhewu said.
Allegations are that the now deceased Stephen came home from a beer drink and started insulting his aunt Enita Bvumbe (57) accusing her of chasing him and his family away from his father’s homestead.
This did not auger well with the suspect who assaulted his brother with open hands.
The deceased started bleeding profusely from nose, eyes and ears and did not receive any medical treatment.
His health continued to deteriorate and his wife Lilian Kamangira ferried him to St Alberts mission hospital where he died upon admission.
Police warned people to desist from violence but instead they should solve their problems amicably.
-online
WATCH- Job Sikhala Live Interview On Saturday
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Govt Gazettes New Law Authorising Impounding Vehicles Caught Up In Lockdown Violations
Pindula
The government yesterday gazetted Statutory Instrument 186 Of 2020 which authorised law enforcement officers to impound public transport vehicles being used to breach lockdown restrictions.
Part of the SI which speaks about the seizure of the vehicles contravening lockdown restrictions reads:
Where any public transport vehicle or other vehicle used for the transport of passengers for gain, is used in connection with any offence unde r this Order (prohibiting the operation of such transport) an enforcement officer, if such vehicle is used again after the driver or owner thereof has been warned or charged for such offence, shall have the power to seize such vehicle as an exhibit in connection with the prosecution of such owner or driver for such offence in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act [Chapter 9:07].
The government last week also said law enforcement officers were going to impound all vehicles moving without number plates to try and curb robbery cases in the country.
Factional Fights In Khupe’s Backyard
By A Correspondent- Chaos and fierce factional fights have rocked the Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T after a camp sympathetic to acting secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora nominated him to take over as party leader ahead of the planned extra-ordinary congress.
The development reportedly irked acting party chairperson Morgen Komichi, who on Thursday threatened disciplinary action against officials who organised the meeting that nominated Mwonzora.
“That was an illegal process that was not authorised by the leadership,” Komichi said.
“People should not do things without instructions from national leadership and things that are unconstitutional. I don’t know why they are doing that and who gave them the instruction to cause unnecessary problems. That is indiscipline and we don’t like that kind of behaviour. That was a bogus nomination not authorised by anyone.
“People were secretly called to that meeting and we were not even present as leadership. It was just a small team of stubborn people and we don’t know who gave them that instruction and we will investigate.”
The meeting was reportedly attended by 38 people and chaired by Simon Hove.
“The ground rules of the party shall be set and a neutral electoral board appointed and tasked to run all processes leading up to the extra-ordinary congress,” Komichi said.
Mwonzora could not be reached for comment.
-newsday
Watch Job Sikhala Live Exclusive Interview From Zambia
Job Sikhala Watch ZimEye.com’s Simba Chikanza in a no holds barred discussion with MDC-T National Vice Chairperson Job Sikhala who is definitely the ZANU PF regime’s next target for arrest.
Watch video downloading below.
Two Final Year Students At Chinhoyi University Killed In Horrific Accident
State Media
The wreckage of the vehicle after the accidentSix people including two Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) fourth year students died on the spot when the vehicle they were travelling in rammed into a haulage truck near Banket along the Harare-Chirundu highway on Friday afternoon.
Details of the accident remain sketchy but it is understood the driver of the vehicle, a Nissan Sylphy, was trying to overtake in front of an oncoming vehicle.
Mashonaland West Province police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Ian Kohwera, confirmed the incident.
However, he referred further questions to national spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
Asst Comm Nyathi said they were “investigating an accident that killed six people in Banket yesterday”.
CUT officials said they lost two male students in horrific accident.
The deceased were on their way from Harare to Chinhoyi.
“The 4.1 students (name provided) were on vacation and they decided to drive to Chinhoyi to collect their belongings where they used to lodge last semester after hearing that universities are no longer opening.
“One of the students was driving and they are believed to have picked passengers at Greencroft,” said the CUT’s director of communications and marketing, Dr Musekiwa Tapera.
A mother and child also died in the crash.
Banket police attended the scene.
Bodies were taken to Banket Hospital mortuary.
I Paid Back The Money, No One Should Put Up Useless Defences For Looting. – Kasukuwere
Pindula
Saviour Kasukuwere Exiled former cabinet minister and opposition party leader Savior Kasukuwere has said he paid back the loan he received from the RBZ in the infamous Farm Mechanisation Scheme that has rocked the nation and caused a media frenzy this past week.
Kasukuwere disclosed this information on Twitter where he even went ahead and asked for the RBZ to invoice those who paid back the loans. Kasukuwere was responding to one Royal Manala who had urged those who benefited from the scheme to pay back the money and said:
Those who benefited from the mechanization USD fat cheques,please you dont need to be invoiced officially to pay back, and you dont need to pay RBZ, you need to find citizens who need financial support to kick start projects and extent a helping hand by giving them soft loans
Kasukuwere responded and said he paid for the tractors he got from the scheme and said:
“I think the RBZ should invoice and collect the money. These are public funds and no one should put up useless defences for looting. I paid for the two tractors I got and I am happy to receive an invoice from the RBZ if I owe them anything.”
The ruling party officials have released a statement saying they will not be repaying the debts, former RBZ governor Gideon Gono also said the loans were not supposed to be repaid contrary to what he had said almost decade ago when the loans were being issued by the central bank.
Source: Twitter
Police Outline Requirements To Pass Through The Covid-19 Lockdown Enforcement Roadblocks
Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi The Zimbabwe Republic Police has issued a statement outlining requirements for citizens to pass through their Covid-19 restrictions enforcement roadblocks.
25Th JULY 2020
ZIMBABWE REPUBLIC POLICE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT CHECKPOINTS AND ROADBLOCKS
The Zimbabwe Republic Police wishes to advise that the COVID-19 national lockdown measures announced His Excellency, President E.D. Mnangagwa on 21 July 2020 and the subsequent promulgation of Statutory Instrument 174/2020, members of the public should take note of the following to ensure their passage through roadblocks and without hassles:-
Service Provider Health
Uniform and health ID cards
Those in civilian attire, a letter from Medical Superintendent or Chief Executive Officer (CEO) stating the place, dates and times of reporting on and off duty. The contact details of Chief Executive Officer to be indicated on the letter.
Companies/ Organisations
Letters from Company Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or General Manager (GM) stating the place, days and times of reporting on and off duty. The contact details of Chief Executive Officer to be indicated on the letter.
Ministries/ Parastatals HQ and Provincial Levels
At National level, an exemption letter from Directors and above stating the duty, place, days and times of reporting.
At Provincial level, an exemption letter from the Provincial Heads stating the duty, place, days and times of reporting. The letter to indicate contact details of the responsible person.
Commercial, A2 and A1 Farmers
An offer letter/lease agreement and an exemption certificate from local Officer In Charge station.
Communal Farmers
Supporting letter from the Headman/Village Head stating the business to be done, the date, time, place and an exemption letter from OIC Station. The contact details of headman or village head to be indicated.
Food retailers
Certified photocopies of a Shop Licence and an exemption letter from local Officer In Charge Station
Sole Traders
Shop licence accompanied by an exemption letter from local Officer it Charge station
Private Security Services
Uniform, company ID and letter from services the management stating dates and time of reporting on and off duty. Letter to indicate contact details of Chief Executive Officer or responsible person
Medical resupplies
Medical cards/prescription and contact details of Doctor where possible
Attendance of funerals
Concerned relatives to produce copy of burial order to local Police station. • Officer In Charge Station, Officer Commanding District and Officer Commanding Province to issue exemption letters showing destination and dates of movement to those who intend to bury relatives in other towns, rural areas, etc.
In addition, members of the public are implored to do their shopping within a five-kilometre radius from their residence to acquire basic necessities like food, gas and medicine. The public should also make prior arrangements to obtain assistance for themselves or someone to whom they are related or have a duty to care for. This includes an ill person whom they are related to or care for purposes of rendering medical assistance.
The Police are once again reminding the public to conduct permitted activities between the hours of 0600 hours and 1800 hours of each day.
The observance of the national lockdown measures will promote the effective maintenance of law and order by police and other services.
NYATHI. P Assistant Commissioner
Parirenyatwa Hospital Shuts Down Only Attending To Dire Emergencies.
Parirenyatwa Hospital Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals which has recorded seventy Covid-19 positive cases amongst its staff members since the start of the Coronavirus era has all but shut down.
The hospital has announced that it will no longer be attending to general patients but will be attending only dire emergencies only as a way to curb spreading the novel coronavirus.
The move comes in the sudden upsurge in COVID-19 cases in Zimbabwe in recent weeks.
Read the hospital’s full statement on the matter below:
NOTICE ON MEASURES TO RESPOND TO THE CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS REGARDING THE RISE IN COVID-19 CASES
Having noted the increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases in the community and among Health Care Workers and the lack of personnel due to the ongoing industrial action, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals is taking the following steps with immediate effect:
- All staff members, patients and visitors should have a temperature screen on entry into the hospital.
- Only dire emergencies will be admitted.
- All new and current in-patients will have PCR tests done.
- All patients and staff will be assumed COVID positive unless tested and confirmed otherwise.
- Dire surgical emergencies which can’t wait for PCR results before intervention will be swabbed but operated on with all relevant IPC measures being taken with the assumption of them being pos-itive until proven otherwise. The anesthetic, surgical, theatre and ward staff should all agree on the necessity of proceeding in those circumstances.
- All staff should at least have a baseline PCR test before 31 July 2020 and subsequently be tested as per national guidelines.
- Isolation of staff will be guided by the National and WHO guidelines.
- All areas will have regular disinfection or fumigation in addition to standard guidelines when a positive case is picked.
- All other protocols and SOPs should be adhered to, for example, movement of patients to the red zone and handling of suspect cases.
Zimbabwe as of last night has recorded 2295 COVID-19 cases including 32 deaths.
13 Bodies Delivered At Parirenyatwa Hospital For Postmortem Test Positive For Coronavirus
Parirenyatwa Group Of Hospitals has revealed that 13 bodies that were brought to the hospital between 9 June and 25 July for postmortem tested positive for Covid-19.
This was contained in a statement that was released by the Hospital which we publish below.
Live: Corrupt Individuals Are Being Treated Like Kings In Zimbabwe – Sikhala
Honourable Job Sikhala breaks silence. ..
In the video footage below he says corrupt individuals are being treated like kings in Zimbabwe.
Watch video loading below:
Monica Mutsvangwa Speaks A Mouthful On Ngarivhume And Chinono Arrest
Monica Mutsvangwa Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa says that Opposition Transform Zimbabwe leader, Jacob Ngarivhume and journalist Hopewell Chin’ono were not arrested for speaking out against corruption, but for trying to incite the nation into toppling a constitutionally elected government.
The duo was arrested on Tuesday, and appeared in court mid-week, charged for allegedly inciting the public to engage in violence.
They were both denied bail by the Harare magistrates court, and remanded in court to next month for trial.
Addressing the media, Mutsvangwa said government had noted with dismay a misinformation campaign where the duo are said to have been arrested for exposing alleged corruption in government.
She said on the contrary, government welcomed media exposure of corruption in any place as this was in tandem with President Mnangagwa’s stance on the vice.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Hopewell Chin’ono was not abducted. He was lawfully arrested by the Zimbabwe Republic Police. And he was not arrested for exposing corruption.
“He was arrested for using his social media accounts to incite Zimbabweans to violently overthrow the Government,” said Mutsvangwa.
She said all media houses in Zimbabwe openly report on corruption both in the public and private sector, but their journalists have never been persecuted.
Said Mutsvangwa; “Even though Hopewell Chin’ono writes about corruption he is not unique in this regard. All the Newspapers in Zimbabwe, including independent publications have written extensively about corruption in Government and private sector. None of the Journalists who have written about the subject of corruption have been arrested for publishing the same”.
“President Mnangagwa ordered an investigation into the Drax Affair before Hopewell Chin’ono started tweeting about it. As a result of those investigations several arrests were made. The most prominent of those arrested was the former Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Moyo who was charged and relieved of his duties as Minister of Health and Child Care,” Mutsvangwa said.
Ngarivhume and Chinono are accused of playing key roles in mobilising support for citizens protests planned for next week, ostensibly to press the government to tackle prevailing economic hardships.
The government has taken refuge from sanctioning the demonstration allegedly because of the dangers posed in spreading Covid-19.
The country, like all others around the world, is in Covid-19 lockdown.
Mutsvangwa said local and international opponents of the government were disappointed the pandemic had not affected Zimbabwe as terribly as wished for, to provide them ammunition to attack it.
“Hopewell and Ngarivhume belong to that camp of evil wishers. The begging question is why call for a violent uprising in the midst of a raging and ravaging Covid 19? She asked.
“The ongoing USA elections are a big exercise in democratic expression. Even President Trump has had to cancel the Convention of the Republican Party in Jacksonville for fear of Covid 19. Why can’t the detractors and doom mongers equally copy this act of noble political restraint?
“And why can’t the American and Western embassies provide counsel to their regime change charges that this is not the hour to play dice with the lives of Zimbabweans?”
Mutsvangwa said the land reforms laid the foundation for Africa’s eventual economic freedom from the West, hence its hostility towards Zimbabwe.
“The mortal fear of Africa by the West is the economic success of a self sustainable African Nation. Zimbabwe now offers that prospect after braving through devastating sanctions by the West for two decades.
“No wonder the pandemonium being engendered by the fear of a good example.
“President Mnangagwa and his government are fully appraised on this evil agenda and devilish machinations.
“We will keep the course of re- engagement while safeguarding the nation from a slide to chaos,” she said.
Live: Honourable Sikhala Speaks
Honourable Job Sikhala breaks silence. ..
2020/21 English Premier Soccer League Season To Commence In September
The English Premier League has revealed the 2020/21 season will start on September 12 and run until May 23, 2021.
The decision was made at a shareholders’ meeting held on Friday.
A statement from the League read: “Premier League shareholders today agreed to start the 2020-21 Premier League season on September 12, 2020.
“The final match round of the campaign will take place on May 23, 2021. The Premier League will continue to consult the FA and EFL regarding the scheduling of all domestic competitions.”
The current season ends on Sunday meaning there will a six week break until the start of the new campaign-Soccer 24
Klopp Speaks On Altercation With Lampard
Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has responded to criticism from his Chelsea counterpart – Frank Lampard – following a confrontation during a Premier League meeting between the two clubs at Anfield on Wednesday.
Lampard was involved in a heated exchange with the home team’s bench after Mateo Kovacic fouled Sadio Mane just outside the box and Trent Alexander-Arnold curled in the free-kick to double the lead in the first half.
The Blues gaffer told Klopp to “f*** off” when he tried to calm him down and later continued the row in his post-match interview, saying that Liverpool should not get “too arrogant”.
Responding to the claims, Klopp told reporters on Friday ahead of the final round clash at Newcastle on Sunday:
“You cannot hit me and my bench with something like that because we are not arrogant.
“Frank was obviously in a competitive mood and I respect that a lot. From my point of view in this sort of situation, you can say pretty much what you want. For me, after the game, it is completely over.
“I said a lot in the past because it is pure emotion. He came here to win the game or get a point, to make Champions League qualification, and I respect that a lot. But what he has to learn is to finish it with the final whistle and he didn’t do that.
“Speaking afterwards about it like this, that’s not okay, Frank has to learn this, and he has a lot of time to learn as he is a young coach, but that is what he has to learn.
“During the game, the words used were no problem at all but after the final whistle? No.
“We are not arrogant, we are pretty much the opposite. But in a moment like this in an argument, you want to say something to hurt the other person. I have no problem with that but at the final whistle close the book. He didn’t do that and that is what I don’t like.
“And by the way, the reason I speak now about it – because otherwise there would be no words from me – but because he spoke after about it, I feel the need to explain!”-Soccer 24
July 31 Demo: Tajamuka Breathes Fire
Farai Dziva|Tajamuka leader Promise Mkwananzi has said the July 31 protests are about sacrifices meant to emancipate the people of Zimbabwe from poverty and corruption.
In a strong warning to the Zanu PF regime, the former MDC Youth Assembly Secretary General said no form of ammunition would stop the protests.
“This is the time for the people of Zimbabwe to unite and fight for total emancipation.The demo is not about political parties, rather it is about the people of Zimbabwe.
Nobody is supposed to go to work, for once let us unite as Zimbabweans.
We know they want to suppress the protests but our message to them is clear- no form of ammunition will stop us from fighting for freedom.
Those who want to buy food please do so in time because this is not a joke.Nobody should be left out of the programme.We are going to confront the regime without fear,” said Mkwananzi.
“We are saying enough is enough , Zimbabweans have suffered for too long as result of Zanu PF misrule.”
WATCH: Sikhala Finally Located, Comes LIVE At 7.30pm Joburg Time.
UN Wary Of Gross Violation Of Human Rights In Zimbabwe
Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Liz Throssell
Location: Geneva
Date: 24 July 2020
Subject:Zimbabwe
We are concerned at allegations in Zimbabwe, which suggest that the authorities may be using the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext to clamp down on freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
Among the latest incidents, investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was arrested on 20 July and charged with inciting public violence, after he tweeted his support for nationwide protests against government corruption and worsening economic conditions.
Jacob Ngarivhume, an opposition leader who has been calling for the protests on 31 July, was also detained and similarly charged.
Merely calling for a peaceful protest or participating in a peaceful protest are an exercise of recognized human rights.
We are concerned at reports of police using force to disperse and arrest nurses and health workers for infringing lockdown restrictions as they were trying to protest for better salaries and conditions of work.
This pattern of intimidation echoes the events in May when three members of the main opposition party were arbitrarily arrested and detained for taking part in a protest.
The women – Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova – alleged that state agents abducted them from the police station, tortured and sexually assaulted them.
The women were then formally arrested in June, charged with participating in the protests and faking their abduction. They were recently released on bail.
It is clear that COVID-19 has added greatly to the challenges Zimbabwe faces amid a deteriorating economy and placed a further burden on an already struggling health sector.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa – highlighting an increase of 600 COVID-19 cases in a week to a total of 1,713 – on Tuesday announced a series of measures that he said were necessary to curb the spread of the disease, including a dusk to dawn curfew and the curtailment and suspension of freedoms that, as he put it, Zimbabweans “have always enjoyed”.
While recognizing the Government’s efforts to contain the pandemic, it is important to remind the authorities that any lockdown measures and restrictions should be necessary, proportionate and time-limited, and enforced humanely without resorting to unnecessary or excessive force.
We encourage the Government to engage with civil society and other stakeholders to find sustainable solutions to grievances while ensuring that people’s rights and freedoms are protected in accordance with Zimbabwe’s human rights obligations.
These include the responsibility of the State to guarantee economic, social and cultural rights.
How To Take Care Of Kids During COVID-19 Outbreak
Home with the kids? Try taking 20 minutes a day doing something that they choose – play a game or read with them.
Quality time will make them feel safe and loved.
Praise is powerful. Try praising your child or teenager for something they have done well. They may not show their appreciation, but you’ll see them doing that good thing again.
Routine up! A structured day helps kids feel secure and makes it easier to manage them.
Try making a timetable, with schoolwork, games, free time, exercise, and handwashing.
Kids at home driving you crazy? Feeling like you are going to scream? Give yourself a 1-minute pause. Breathe in and out five times. Then respond.
Crowded house? Stressed out? Share your feelings. Take a break. Looking after kids 24-7 during COVID-19 isn’t easy. Remind yourself of what you did well today. Think about the good moments.
Take care of yourself so you can take care of your children.
Credit:WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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Sikhala Missing
By A Correspondent | Mystery surrounds the whereabouts of Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala, after he was reportedly spotted near the Zambian border in Vic Falls today.
Sikhala who is currently on the run, has vowed that the state must not be allowed to abuse civilians’ rights. He says people have inalienable freedoms that are sacred and should not be breached as they make a call for a corruption free nation.
Sikhala is the famous MP who at the young age of 25, personally moved to broker a proposed deal with the Zimbabwe Defence Forces top generals, so that they accept Morgan Tsvangirai’s Presidency in 2002. He was at the time, the secretary for Defence Intelligence And Security.
The development comes after state agents descended onto his house earlier this week when journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was arrested together with Transform Zimbabwe leader, Jacob Ngarivhume, incidents that happened on the same day.
Three days later, Hon Sikhala briefly appeared on ZimEye to encourage Zimbabweans on their resolve against corruption. The whole program, part of a series, lasted an hour.
A second program scheduled for Friday night was cancelled.
In the latest development, and as Zimbabweans expect him to appear on his Saturday night program, Sikhala has been reported missing.
A senior spokesperson for the MDC Alliance, Stephen Chuma announced early Saturday morning saying:
“Job Sikhala just seen in Victoria Falls; He was detected by State security agencies when he was the first to check into Zimbabwe today early in the morning at 6am from Livingstone in Zambia.
“He walked into Zimbabwe and was intercepted by 3 vehicles soon after the bridge into Zimbabwe.
“The vehicles took off at high speed. These were a brand new Toyota Fortuner 2.8 litre, an lsuzu double cab with Zimbabwe registration number and a Mercedes Benz ML.
“The vehicles were seen taking the Binga Rd.”
- MORE TO FOLLOW
“We Are Not Moved By Arrests: Karenyi-Kore
By Lynette Karenyi-Kore MDC Alliance Vice President
At the Harare Magistrate Courts Rotten Row today(Friday) with Vp Tendai Biti,
DSG David Chimhini, Sec for International Relations Gladys Hlatywayo ,Deputy Sec for International Relations Lovemore Chinoputsa and Vongai Tome Sec for Mobilisation [ WA]
We are not moved by the Arrests.
These Arrests Must Stop.
Aluta Continua.
No turning Back
ChamisaIsMyPresident.
The People’s President kusvika tapinda Canaan.
Avenues Clinic Nurse Tests Positive For Coronavirus
A nurse at Avenues Clinic in Harare recently tested positive for COVID-19 after she attended to a patient who had been admitted in the casualty section and later tested positive for the disease.
The Avenues Clinic Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Searchmore Chaparadza said the nurse tested positive after taking a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
He said:
Management would like to advise stakeholders of a COVID-19 incident that occurred within the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Avenues Clinic. One of our nursing staff members tested positive for COVID-19 after taking a PCR test.
The staff member, whose results were received on 22 July 2020, whilst on self-quarantine, was exposed to the virus after attending to a patient who later tested positive for COVID-19.
In the meantime, the hospital has traced all contacts for quarantine and tracing.
Chaparadza added that the hospital continues to enforce various measures to ensure the safety of all stakeholders- Health Times
Khupe Youths Guarding Harvest House Hit By Hunger
THE MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe is failing to feed party youths who are guarding its Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House headquarters amid further complaints that they are also working without protection against coronavirus (Covid-19).
This comes as the interim leadership of the party has been thrown into fresh turmoil after the youths assaulted Khupe’s aide and some party workers in Harare on Monday.
The over 40 hungry youths, who are allegedly aligned to MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora’s camp, vented their anger with their leadership by attacking one of Khupe’s aides, Fungai Masaiti, a day after they had also assaulted cleaners who had been sent to tidy the party leader’s office.
Insiders told the Daily News yesterday that when the youths were quizzed over the violence by the party leadership after the matter was brought up in the national standing committee meeting held on Tuesday, they complained that they were hungry.
“The violence issue was mentioned in the standing committee in passing. We then asked the youths what their issue was because we felt they could not have acted in that manner without being sponsored by someone.
“They told us that they were hungry because they are guarding the party headquarters for 24 hours. They complained that they were being fed on bread alone and that at one point they spent three days without food. The youths also complained that they had no sanitisers and that they risked Covid-19 infections,” a standing committee member said.
MDC-T acting spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni told the Daily News yesterday that the food for the youths could only have been stolen as Khupe had made all efforts to ensure they were well fed.
“The president donated a whole beast for them as well as buying mealie-meal, while other leaders have also chipped in with other supplies. So, I don’t understand why they should be complaining about hunger.
“However, the fact that a beast was donated does not mean that it was given directly to them because there are distribution channels and it is that process that could possibly have cracks.
“I will have to check with the head office,” Phugeni said.
The youths are maintaining a 24-hour vigil after Khupe took over the iconic headquarters from her bitter rival Nelson Chamisa recently as the senseless bloodletting that erupted soon after the death of the MDC founding president Morgan Tsvangirai in February 2018 continued.
Since then, the MDC has continued to reel from the mortal combat in which Khupe and Chamisa are involved in a hammer and tongs tussle for the control of the party.
It also comes as Khupe has postponed the MDC’s planned and court-directed extra-ordinary congress indefinitely – which was set to be held on Friday next week, citing the ongoing national coronavirus lockdown.
Masaiti was allegedly assaulted by some party youths on Monday at MRT House headquarters.
Earlier on Sunday, the youths had also beaten up some cleaners who had been asked to tidy Khupe’s office.
The youths are allegedly harassing officials suspected to be backing other candidates in the race for the leadership of the party.
“Team Mwonzora is blocking all party members who have shown their support for other leaders from entering Harvest House (MRT).
“On Monday, they attacked a presidential aide, Fatso. On Sunday, they also assaulted some party members who had been sent to clean the president’s (Khupe’s) office.
“This is being done by the youths who took over the national offices from the MDC Alliance,” one of the insiders claimed.
Phugeni admitted that the MDC was grappling with its ongoing internal challenges.
“Violence is a problem we are facing and it is condemned in the strongest terms. I will have to find out about the incidents you are referring to.
“It could have been brought up in the standing committee during the time I was addressing a press conference (on Tuesday),” Phugeni said.
The MDC’s acting chairperson, Morgen Komichi, said the matter would be investigated.
“The matter will be thoroughly investigated and if it is found to be true, those behind the assaults will be brought to book because we want to build a party anchored on constitutionalism and tolerance. We cannot condone violence,” he said.
This comes as the cracks within Khupe’s interim leadership are said to be widening.
All this comes as Khupe and Chamisa have been involved in an ugly brawl for the control of the party ever since the death of Tsvangirai from colon cancer in February 2018.
The fights took a turn for the worse after the Supreme Court upheld an earlier High Court ruling in March, which nullified Chamisa’s hotly-disputed ascendancy to the helm of the MDC following Tsvangirai’s death.
In addition, Khupe has also recalled 21 MPs and senators from Parliament, as she has flexed her muscles in the mindless infighting.
– DailyNews
Monica Mutsvangwa Labels Chin’ono, Ngarivhume Evil Wishers
By Jane Mlambo|Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa has labelled incarcerated duo of Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume as evil wishers.
Addressing the media in Harare today, Mutsvangwa said the arrest of Chin’ono and Ngarivhume had nothing to do with corruption but interests of the west.
“The role of foreign powers in this plot to instigate an illegal regime change in Zimbabwe is made apparent by a set of events and statements that followed the police operation,” said Mutsvangwa.
She accused the duo of being evil wishers for rallying Zimbabweans to protest during the COVID-19.
“Hopewell and Ngarivhume belong to that camp of evil wishers. The begging question is why call for a violent uprising in the midst of a raging and ravaging Covid 19?” said Mutsvangwa.
Government was forced to issue a statement on the arrest of Ngarivhume and Chin’ono following wide condemnation from the international community including UK, USA and the United Nations Committee on Human Rights.
United Kingdom Relaxes Visa Conditions For Nurses, Doctors
By Farai D Hove | Zimbabwean healthcare workers seeking to leave the country have won a massive reprieve following an announcement by the British government that they are now taking in foreign professionals through a fast track visa program.
The development will see a return to the glories of the 1990s when nurses and doctors used to call England, “Harare North.”
The Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care last week announced the new Health and Care Visa will be launched this Summer, creating a new fast-track visa route for eligible health and care professionals and delivering on a key manifesto commitment.
They also announced further details on how the exemption to the Immigration Health Surcharge will work for health and care staff, who will now be permanently exempt from this charge.
A statement on the British government website reads saying:
The Home Secretary and Health and Social Care Secretary have together developed the Health and Care Visa to demonstrate the government’s commitment to deliver for the NHS and wider health and care sector. It is designed to make it easier and quicker for the best global health professionals to work in the NHS, for NHS commissioned service providers, and in eligible occupations in the social care sector.
The legislation needed to open this new route will be laid in Parliament today and health professionals will be able to apply from August.
The new Health and Care Visa will come with a reduced visa application fee compared to that paid by other skilled workers, including exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge. Health and care professionals applying on this route can also expect a decision on whether they can work in the UK within just three weeks, following biometric enrolment. Those working in health and social care who do not qualify for the Health and Care Visa will still be able to claim a reimbursement from the Immigration Health Surcharge if they have paid this on or after 31 March.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said:
We are indebted to overseas health and care professionals for their tremendous contributions, not just in saving thousands of lives throughout this crisis, but for the vital role they play year-round.
This new visa is part of our new immigration system making it quicker, cheaper and easier for the best and brightest health and care professionals from around the globe to work in our brilliant NHS.
Health and care professionals from all over the world have played a vital role in hospitals and care homes across the country fighting coronavirus. The introduction of the Health and Care Visa follows a number of unprecedented measures to show the UK’s gratitude to health workers from overseas.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock said:
Our health and care system has always had a proud tradition of welcoming overseas staff to work, train and live in the UK, and I’m proud that the NHS is a destination of choice for talented people from around the world.
The unwavering commitment, skill and compassion staff have shown during the fight against this deadly virus is nothing short of phenomenal, and the reimbursement of the immigration health surcharge recognises the enormous contribution of those who have come to the UK to work in health and social care.
I’m incredibly proud of our health and care workforce and look forward to welcoming new professionals from across the globe to continue the fantastic work to ensure our health system remains the best in the world.
Right across the immigration system the Home Office is already supporting frontline healthcare staff through initiatives such as visa extensions and the creation of the bereavement scheme.
The Prime Minister has previously announced that health and social care workers will be permanently exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge going forward, and Immigration Health Surcharge payments made since 31 March will also be refunded.
As part of the launch of the Health and Care Visa, those who apply via the visa and their dependants will be exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. The government has already began refunding Immigration Health Surcharge payments for any healthcare professionals on Tier 2 visas who have paid since 31 March 2020, and this process will continue. More information will be published on the Immigration Health Surcharge GOV.UK pages for customers to contact us directly if they believe they are due a refund. The Department of Health and Social Care is currently working with the sector to set up operational arrangements for reimbursing health and social care staff outside the scope of the Health and Care visa. These arrangements will commence from 1 October in 6 month reimbursements.
The new Health and Care Visa will apply to eligible roles within the health and care sector. The events of recent months have illustrated just what a crucial role the care sector plays in UK society. The government is working closely with the sector to support and recognise the contributions of care workers. This includes a widespread focus on training and introducing a proper career structure to provide opportunities for those in the sector and makes it an attractive profession for prospective carers.
The independent Migration Advisory Committee has been very clear that immigration is not the answer to the challenges in the social care sector and, as we implement the new immigration system, we want employers to focus on investing in our domestic workforce.
“COVID-19 Used To Clamp Down On Citizens’ Rights”: UN Human Rights Commission Tells Mnangagwa
By A Correspondent- The United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHCR) has reacted angrily to increasing cases of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe under the cover of the COVID-19 lockdown.
In a statement yesterday, UNHCR spokesperson Liz Throssell said citizens should not be persecuted for protesting peacefully.
This came as several international media and human rights groups came together on Thursday and jointly petitioned South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene and rein in his counterpart President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Global rights defenders and UN agencies have in the past few weeks raised concern over government’s abuse of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions to shrink democratic space and crackdown on dissenting voices.
This has seen the arrest of journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume and dozens of opposition activists on allegations of inciting public violence, pro-testing and breaching the lockdown regulations.
“We are concerned at allegations in Zimbabwe, which suggest that the authorities may be using the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext to clamp down on freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly and association,” Throssell said.
“Merely calling for a peaceful protest or participating in a peaceful protest are an exercise of recognised human rights.”
The commission also condemned the use of force by police to disperse and arrest nurses and health workers for picketing at government hospitals demanding better salaries and conditions of work. Also condemned were the arrests, physical and sexual assault of MDC Alliance activists Joanah Mamombe (Harare West MP), Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova in May.
“It is clear that COVID-19 has add-ed greatly to the challenges Zimbabwe faces amid a deteriorating economy and placed a further burden on an al-ready struggling health sector.”
On Thursday, various global media and human rights groups petitioned Ramaphosa as current African Union chair to urgently intervene in the Zimbabwean crisis.
“We, the undersigned Press freedom and human rights organisations, call on you as chair of the African Union, and as the President of the Republic of South Africa to use all available mechanisms to help secure the immediate release of jailed Zimbabwean investigative journalist Hopewell Chinbno, and to ensure that journalists across the continent are respected as essential workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and are not jailed for their work,” the petition read.
“It would appear, however, that Mr Chin’no was arrested for his reporting on corruption and wrongdoing. Such appalling behaviour by the Zimbabwean authorities cannot be countenanced. In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the importance of media being allowed to do their jobs cannot be underestimated.”
The Media Monitoring Africa, Committee to Protect Journalists, South Af-rican National Editors Forum, Freedom of Expression Institute, Southern African Editors Forum, SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition, Civicus, Institute for the Advancement of Journalism and Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University are some of the organisations that signed the petition.
Mnangagwa on Tuesday announced a raft of new safety measures he said were meant to curb the spread of COV-ID-19. These include a dusk to dawn cur-few, but observers have dismissed some of the measures as meant to curtail citizens’ rights, especially in light of pro-tests set to be held on July 31.
Added UNHCR, “While recognising the government’s efforts to contain the pandemic, it is important to remind the authorities that any lock-down measures and restrictions should be necessary, proportionate and time-limited, and enforced humanely with-out resorting to unnecessary or excessive force.
“We encourage the government to engage with civil society and other stakeholders to find sustainable solutions to grievances while ensuring that people’s rights and freedoms are protected in accordance with Zimbabwe’s human rights obligations. These include the responsibility of the State to guarantee economic, social and cultural rights.”
Government and the ruling Zanu-PF party have threatened to crush the planned protests, describing them as meant to effect regime change, but the organisers insist the march is meant to red flag endemic corruption and the depreciating economic situation in the country. Speaking to NewsDay Weekender yesterday, Zanu-PF acting youth leader Tendai Chirau labelled the protest organisers as “terrorists.”
“As Zanu-PF youth league, we believe that one life lost (due to COVID-19) is one too many. A life lost can never be resurrected. We also consider any manipulation of the COVID-19 situation for personal, sectarian, and political gain at the expense of national safety as a cold-blooded, immoral and heartless act of aggression,” he said.
“In essence, any unscrupulous gain during this period is a blood gain. True heroes are those who put the health of the nation first in times like these. It cannot be over emphasised in this regard that the COVID-19 regulations are a safety measure for all of us and that those who disregard these regulations in pursuit of political gain are terrorists.”
Meanwhile, police and the army yesterday intensified the lockdown in major cities, including blocking thousands of commuters from entering the city centre.
In Harare, several people were turned back home despite producing documents to prove they were essential service providers and going to work.
In Gweru, some retail shops were ordered to close and their employees made to pay $500 admission of fines for entering the city centre. Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Un-ions secretary-general Japhet Moyo said government should have consulted widely before enforcing the curfew.
“They need to sit down and discover how and why the numbers of trans-missions are increasing, instead of en-forcing curfews as if the virus moves in the evening.”
-Newsday
Mystery Surrounds The Whereabouts Of MDC Alliance MP, Job Sikhala
By A Correspondent | Mystery surrounds the whereabouts of Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala, after he was reportedly spotted near the Zambian border in Vic Falls today.
Sikhala who is currently on the run, has vowed that the state must not be allowed to abuse civilians’ rights. He says people have inalienable freedoms that are sacred and should not be breached as they make a call for a corruption free nation.
The development comes after state agents descended onto his house earlier this week when journalist Hopewell Chino was arrested together with Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume, incidents that happened on the same day.
Three days later, Hon Sikhala briefly appeared on ZimEye to encourage Zimbabweans on their resolve against corruption. The whole program, part of a series, lasted an hour.
watch the live video loading below…
A second program scheduled for Friday night was cancelled.
In the latest development, and as Zimbabweans expect him to appear on his Saturday night program, Sikhala has been reported missing.
A senior spokesperson for the MDC Alliance, Stephen Chuma announced early Saturday morning saying:
“Job Sikhala just seen in Victoria Falls; He was detected by State security agencies when he was the first to check into Zimbabwe today early in the morning at 6am from Livingstone in Zambia.
“He walked into Zimbabwe and was intercepted by 3 vehicles soon after the bridge into Zimbabwe.
“The vehicles took off at high speed. These were a brand new Toyota Fortuner 2.8 litre, an lsuzu double cab with Zimbabwe registration number and a Mercedes Benz ML.
“The vehicles were seen taking the Binga Rd.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for more details.
“I Do Not Enjoy Recalling MDC Alliance MPs”: Jacob Mudenda
By A Correspondent- Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda (pictured) has said he does not enjoy recalling legislators, but was mandated to follow the Constitution to the letter.
He made the remarks in Mutare on Thursday at the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines Mining Development meeting to review legislation and policies governing the mining industry in Zimbabwe.
“I don’t enjoy reading recall letters in Parliament. It is not within me to read that, but I am just following the Constitution, I think you get me,” he said.
“Ok, I am failing to read this word, honourable Settlement Chikwinya has bewitched me, but it’s very unfortunate I am schooled, I know what I am doing,” he said jokingly.
Mudenda has been accused by the Nelson Chamisaled party of working in cahoots with MDC-T interim leader Thokozani Khupe to dismantle the MDC Alliance through recalling its MPs.
Mudenda, however, said the committee faced a difficult task in assisting the Mines ministry achieve its targets.
“The Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development has a tall order in assisting the Mines ministry to achieve its laudable targets, particularly the US$12 billion economy target by 2023,” he said.
“It is also important for the committee and ministry to come up with a strategy on how to export and market our products during this COVID-19 period. A way has to be found … that is why we have the brains and we need to apply them.”
-newsday
Prophet R_apes Client During Cleansing Ritual
By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo self-proclaimed prophet, allegedly applied some substance on his female client’s private parts and inserted one of his fingers into her genitals before raping her under the guise of conducting cleansing rituals.
Soul Ndonga (30) of Mzilikazi suburb allegedly raped the victim (18) under the pretext that he was exorcising evil spirits that were affecting her love life.
Ndonga appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Tinashe Tashaya on Wednesday facing rape charges. He was remanded in custody to August 6 pending trial at the regional court.
Prosecuting, Mr Leonard Chile said on June 27 at around 2pm, the complainant went to the accused person’s home in the company of her two cousins for a prayer session.
Upon arrival at Ndonga’s house, the accused told the trio that he wanted to pray for them separately.
“After the accused person had finished praying for the complainant’s cousins, he ordered the two women to leave the room so that he could pray for the complainant. The accused prayed for the victim and told her that she was being tormented by evil spirits which were affecting her love relationship,” said Mr Chile.
The court heard that Ndonga told the complainant that he wanted to exorcise the evil spirits and asked her to remove her undergarments. The girl refused, but the accused person assured her that it was part of the process of conducting the rituals and she complied.
“The accused person ordered the complainant to sit on the bed before he lifted her skirt and rubbed some strange substance on her private parts and stomach,” said Mr Chile.
Ndonga then inserted his fingers into the complainant’s private parts and smeared the substance before he pushed her to the bed and raped her once. After committing the offence, Ndonga ordered the girl not to tell anyone about what had transpired.
The complainant informed her two cousins and the matter was reported to the police leading to Ndonga’s arrest.
-statemedia
ZINEF Statement On Chin’ono Arrest
By A Correspondent- Zinef has issued a statement castigating arresting of investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono as targeting at silencing the voice of reason in exposing deep-rooted corruption.
Below is the full press release.
Statement on journalist Hopewell Chin’ono’s arrest- Zinef
The Zimbabwe National Editors’ Forum condemns the arrest by police, detention and charging of local investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono on spurious allegations of inciting public violence.
While journalists are not above the law and should be to held to account for their crimes in terms of the constitution and the law, the way the police stormed and broke into his house speaks to a malicious political agenda and calculated intimidation behind their move.
Indeed, Chin’ono’s arrest was preceded by political threats against him coming from the ruling Zanu PF purporting to be acting on behalf of and to protect President Emmerson Mnangagwa from public attacks by journalists and critics, as if that was a crime.
Chin’ono has of late been exposing through social media mounting acts of governance failures and corruption by the Mnangagwa regime.
He has also been criticising the government for worsening economic mismanagement and failure to reform to fix the country’s political, economic and social crisis which has taken a new dimension since Mnangagwa came into power in 2017.
Given the clearly vindictive and intimidatory nature of Chin’ono’s arrest, Zimbabwean authorities must immediately release him and drop the crude, politically motivated incitement charges against him.
And government should also stop its ongoing crackdown on political, civic and labour activists ahead of the planned July 31 protests against growing mismanagement and corruption in public affairs.
We have noted with grave concern the recent arrests of political activists, including female opposition activists who were abducted and abused, then maliciously arrested and detained after that, crackdown on lawyers and other dissenters as political repression fiercely resurfaces amid government’s mounting insecurities due to mismanagement, corruption and incompetence, among other things, fuelling political and social discontent.
The way Chin’ono was arrested indicates political harassment and intimidation at play.
At about 11am yesterday, police stormed Chin’ono’s house, prompting him to post two short messages on his Twitter account, which are no longer available after his account was later deactivated.
At the material time, Chin’ono said police and security agents were harassing workers on his property and breaking into his home in Harare.
In a livestream on Facebook, he recorded the police entering his home.
In a video shared on Twitter, Chin’ono’s lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, said that police had “abducted” her client without a warrant.
Yesterday afternoon, Police spoeksman Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Nyathi said Chin’ono had been charged with “incitement to participate in public violence.”
What is clear is that the arrest and detention of Chin’ono is yet another example of Zimbabwe’s increasing authoritarian intolerance and repression toward the media and critics, especially those who expose misrule and corruption by the country’s leaders and their cronies.
Indeed, it shows government is scared of peaceful protests and the people.
In other words, government is scared of democracy and accountability.
Peaceful demonstrations are part of entrenched rights and therefore protected by the constitution. People have a right to freedom of assembly, expression, and indeed have political and civil liberties that cannot just be arbitrarily suspended, breached or withdrawn by anyone.
Instead of investigating and detaining corrupt elements engaged in brazen looting and primitive accumulation, Mnangagwa’s regime wants to silence the messenger, which makes it complicit in corruption and looting of public resources.
Chin’ono, an award-winning journalist who writes for local and international publications, has been part of journalists who have been covering the alleged corruption by Mnangagwa’s government officials and cronies on Covid-19 procurement fraud within the Ministry of Health which led to the arrest and sacking of Health Minister Obadiah Moyo earlier this month, and detention of one of the main suspects Delish Nguwaya who is linked to the President’s family, especially one of the sons.
Information Ministry spokesperson Nick Mangwana’s claim that government’s interest is only to enforce law and order is thus disingenuous and dishonest.
We know why government is cracking down on dissenters, especially now: to silence them in general, but also particularly ahead of the planned protests.
That is why authorities also charged Jacob Ngarivhume, a leader of the opposition Transform Zimbabwe party, with alleged incitement of public violence, the same crime.
Ngarivhume has been organising the planned mass protests against corruption, working with some political, civic and labour activists, which is not a crime.
So this is clearly not about law and order, or public violence; it’s about political repression and silencing government critics and intimidating citizens who openly speak out against governance failures to protect the public interest and common good.
That is why Chin’ono must be released unconditionally, and this ongoing crackdown must stop forthwith.
FULL TEXT: “Protect Citizens’ Human Rights”: UN High Commissioner Tells ED
We are concerned at allegations in Zimbabwe, which suggest that the authorities may be using the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext to clamp down on freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
Among the latest incidents, investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was arrested on 20 July and charged with inciting public violence, after he tweeted his support for nationwide protests against government corruption and worsening economic conditions. Jacob Ngarivhume, an opposition leader who has been calling for the protests on 31 July, was also detained and similarly charged.
Merely calling for a peaceful protest or participating in a peaceful protest are an exercise of recognized human rights.
We are concerned at reports of police using force to disperse and arrest nurses and health workers for infringing lockdown restrictions as they were trying to protest for better salaries and conditions of work.
This pattern of intimidation echoes the events in May when three members of the main opposition party were arbitrarily arrested and detained for taking part in a protest. The women – Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova – alleged that state agents abducted them from the police station, tortured and sexually assaulted them. The women were then formally arrested in June, charged with participating in the protests and faking their abduction. They were recently released on bail.
It is clear that COVID-19 has added greatly to the challenges Zimbabwe faces amid a deteriorating economy and placed a further burden on an already struggling health sector.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa – highlighting an increase of 600 COVID-19 cases in a week to a total of 1,713 – on Tuesday announced a series of measures that he said were necessary to curb the spread of the disease, including a dusk to dawn curfew and the curtailment and suspension of freedoms that, as he put it, Zimbabweans “have always enjoyed”.
While recognizing the Government’s efforts to contain the pandemic, it is important to remind the authorities that any lockdown measures and restrictions should be necessary, proportionate and time-limited, and enforced humanely without resorting to unnecessary or excessive force.
We encourage the Government to engage with civil society and other stakeholders to find sustainable solutions to grievances while ensuring that people’s rights and freedoms are protected in accordance with Zimbabwe’s human rights obligations. These include the responsibility of the State to guarantee economic, social and cultural rights.
ZRP Issues List Of Documents Required For Movement Exemptions
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has specified the documents required for members of the public to pass through roadblocks and checkpoints in line with the COVID19 national measures announced by President Mnangagwa on Tuesday.
The documents considered for movement exemptions are clustered as follows:
a) Health sector are required to be in uniform, health ID cards. Those in civilian attire, a letter from Medical Superintendent or Chief Executive Officer (CEO) stating the place, dates, and times for reporting on and off duty.
b)Companies/Organisations- letters from the Chief Executive Officer or General Manager stating the place, days and times of reporting on and off duty.
c) Ministries/Parastals HQ and Provincial levels- National level,an exemption letter from Directors and above stating the duty,place, days, and times of reporting.
Provincial level-an exemption letter from the Provincial Heads stating the duty, days, and times of reporting.
(d) Commercial A2 and A1 farmers- an offer letter or lease agreement and exemption certificate from local Officer In Charge station.
All the documents must indicate the details of the person who issued them.
Police Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the police once again remind the public to conduct permitted activities between the hours of 0600hrs and 1800hrs of each day.
“The observance of the national lockdown measures will promote the effective maintenance of law and order by police and other security services” he added
Transport Ministry Boasts Of Reconstructing Patch Of Beitbridge Highway, But …
“Pay Back The Money”: Kasukuwere On Farm Mechanisation Looting
By A Correspondent- Exiled former cabinet minister and opposition party leader Savior Kasukuwere has said he paid back the loan he received from the RBZ in the infamous Farm Mechanisation Scheme that has rocked the nation and caused a media frenzy this past week.
Kasukuwere disclosed this information on Twitter where he even went ahead and asked for the RBZ to invoice those who paid back the loans. Kasukuwere was responding to one Royal Manala who had urged those who benefited from the scheme to pay back the money and said:
Those who benefited from the mechanization USD fat cheques,please you dont need to be invoiced officially to pay back, and you dont need to pay RBZ, you need to find citizens who need financial support to kick start projects and extent a helping hand by giving them soft loans
Kasukuwere responded and said he paid for the tractors he got from the scheme and said:
I think the RBZ should invoice and collect the money. These are public funds and no one should put up useless defences for looting. I paid for the two tractors I got and I am happy to receive an invoice from the RBZ if I owe them anything.
The ruling party officials have released a statement saying they will not be repaying the debts, former RBZ governor Gideon Gono also said the loans were not supposed to be repaid contrary to what he had said almost decade ago when the loans were being issued by the central bank.
Massive Reprieve For Zim Doctors, Nurses Fleeing Country: UK Launches Fast Track Work-Visa.
By Farai D Hove | Zimbabwean healthcare workers seeking to leave the country have won a massive reprieve following an announcement by the British government that they are now taking in foreign professionals through a fast track visa program.
The development will see a return to the glories of the 1990s when nurses and doctors used to call England, “Harare North.”
The Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care last week announced the new Health and Care Visa will be launched this Summer, creating a new fast-track visa route for eligible health and care professionals and delivering on a key manifesto commitment.
They also announced further details on how the exemption to the Immigration Health Surcharge will work for health and care staff, who will now be permanently exempt from this charge.
A statement on the British government website reads saying:
The Home Secretary and Health and Social Care Secretary have together developed the Health and Care Visa to demonstrate the government’s commitment to deliver for the NHS and wider health and care sector. It is designed to make it easier and quicker for the best global health professionals to work in the NHS, for NHS commissioned service providers, and in eligible occupations in the social care sector.
The legislation needed to open this new route will be laid in Parliament today and health professionals will be able to apply from August.
The new Health and Care Visa will come with a reduced visa application fee compared to that paid by other skilled workers, including exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge. Health and care professionals applying on this route can also expect a decision on whether they can work in the UK within just three weeks, following biometric enrolment. Those working in health and social care who do not qualify for the Health and Care Visa will still be able to claim a reimbursement from the Immigration Health Surcharge if they have paid this on or after 31 March.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said:
We are indebted to overseas health and care professionals for their tremendous contributions, not just in saving thousands of lives throughout this crisis, but for the vital role they play year-round.
This new visa is part of our new immigration system making it quicker, cheaper and easier for the best and brightest health and care professionals from around the globe to work in our brilliant NHS.
Health and care professionals from all over the world have played a vital role in hospitals and care homes across the country fighting coronavirus. The introduction of the Health and Care Visa follows a number of unprecedented measures to show the UK’s gratitude to health workers from overseas.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock said:
Our health and care system has always had a proud tradition of welcoming overseas staff to work, train and live in the UK, and I’m proud that the NHS is a destination of choice for talented people from around the world.
The unwavering commitment, skill and compassion staff have shown during the fight against this deadly virus is nothing short of phenomenal, and the reimbursement of the immigration health surcharge recognises the enormous contribution of those who have come to the UK to work in health and social care.
I’m incredibly proud of our health and care workforce and look forward to welcoming new professionals from across the globe to continue the fantastic work to ensure our health system remains the best in the world.
Right across the immigration system the Home Office is already supporting frontline healthcare staff through initiatives such as visa extensions and the creation of the bereavement scheme.
The Prime Minister has previously announced that health and social care workers will be permanently exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge going forward, and Immigration Health Surcharge payments made since 31 March will also be refunded.
As part of the launch of the Health and Care Visa, those who apply via the visa and their dependants will be exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. The government has already began refunding Immigration Health Surcharge payments for any healthcare professionals on Tier 2 visas who have paid since 31 March 2020, and this process will continue. More information will be published on the Immigration Health Surcharge GOV.UK pages for customers to contact us directly if they believe they are due a refund. The Department of Health and Social Care is currently working with the sector to set up operational arrangements for reimbursing health and social care staff outside the scope of the Health and Care visa. These arrangements will commence from 1 October in 6 month reimbursements.
The new Health and Care Visa will apply to eligible roles within the health and care sector. The events of recent months have illustrated just what a crucial role the care sector plays in UK society. The government is working closely with the sector to support and recognise the contributions of care workers. This includes a widespread focus on training and introducing a proper career structure to provide opportunities for those in the sector and makes it an attractive profession for prospective carers.
The independent Migration Advisory Committee has been very clear that immigration is not the answer to the challenges in the social care sector and, as we implement the new immigration system, we want employers to focus on investing in our domestic workforce.
“You Will Foot The Bills For Any Losses”: Millers Tell July 31 Organisers
By A Correspondent- Members of the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) have raised concern over the much hyped 31 July mass demonstrations registering fears of loss of property which will have adverse effects on their businesses.
During a GMAZ National Executive Council meeting held on Thursday in Harare, millers highlighted that previous demonstrations have left them with massive financial losses which resulted in job cuts and some closing shop.
In January 2019 Zimbabwe witnessed violent and sporadic demonstrations which saw some shops being looted and property destroyed. Insurance companies refused to foot the costs of replacing the damaged properties and looted goods.
GMAZ sources who spoke to this reporter said the members indicated that they wanted the association to seek a binding legal judgement which will hold the organisers of the 31 July demonstrations personally liable for any loss of property, life and limb.
The Millers are said to have noted that the decision would be naturally opposed by the opposition parties and activists calling for the demonstrations. However, there were other members who raised concern that such legal action would also attract scorn and ridicule from some political players within government.
The Millers gave the US$27 million wheat facility as an example of how they created structures to rescue the nation from wheat shortages and were later persecuted over the action.
Millers blamed the US$27 million witch-hunt on political forces who had an agenda to break up the Millers Association. Millers supply a number of items such as maize meal, rice, flour, beans, salt and other products to retailers on account and consignment.
Some Millers argued that they have bank loans which need to be serviced and any losses incurred would also affect their ability to service the loans.
Commenting on the matter, Political Analyst Nicholas Ncube said:
“It is given that law abiding citizens will abide by lockdown regulations and those who are defiant are likely to come out and demonstrate, there are no limits to what the defiant will or won’t do as they express their frustration over the situation in the country.
“Millers and all business and property owners have rights too which must be protected. On the other hand demonstrators also have a right to express themselves. Therefore it is only fair and prudent that liability for loss of life, limb and property should fall on the organisers of the demo.”
Ncube added that the organisers of the demo will take credit for the demo’s success and they should equally foot the bill should there be any losses incurred.
Picture- “New Dispensation Makes Surprise Visit At Obert Masaraure’s Home”
Parirenyatwa’s New Measures In The Face Of Rising COVID-19 Cases
BREAKING: Mystery Surrounds Sikhala’s Whereabouts After Being Prowled By CIOs Near Zambian Border…….
By A Correspondent | Mystery surrounds the whereabouts of Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala, after he was reportedly spotted near the Zambian border in Vic Falls today.
Sikhala who is currently on the run, has vowed that the state must not be allowed to abuse civilians’ rights. He says people have inalienable freedoms that are sacred and should not be breached as they make a call for a corruption free nation.
Sikhala is the famous MP who at the young age of 25, personally moved to broker a proposed deal with the Zimbabwe Defence Forces top generals, so that they accept Morgan Tsvangirai’s Presidency in 2002. He was at the time, the secretary for Defence Intelligence And Security.
The development comes after state agents descended onto his house earlier this week when journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was arrested together with Transform Zimbabwe leader, Jacob Ngarivhume, incidents that happened on the same day.
Three days later, Hon Sikhala briefly appeared on ZimEye to encourage Zimbabweans on their resolve against corruption. The whole program, part of a series, lasted an hour.
A second program scheduled for Friday night was cancelled.
In the latest development, and as Zimbabweans expect him to appear on his Saturday night program, Sikhala has been reported missing.
A senior spokesperson for the MDC Alliance, Stephen Chuma announced early Saturday morning saying:
“Job Sikhala just seen in Victoria Falls; He was detected by State security agencies when he was the first to check into Zimbabwe today early in the morning at 6am from Livingstone in Zambia.
“He walked into Zimbabwe and was intercepted by 3 vehicles soon after the bridge into Zimbabwe.
“The vehicles took off at high speed. These were a brand new Toyota Fortuner 2.8 litre, an lsuzu double cab with Zimbabwe registration number and a Mercedes Benz ML.
“The vehicles were seen taking the Binga Rd.”
- MORE TO FOLLOW
Byo Residents Challenge Renaming Of Streets
BULAWAYO RESIDENTS CHALLENGE RENAMING OF STREETS
THE Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) on Thursday 23
July 2020 filed an application at the High Court seeking an order to
set aside government’s decision to rename some streets in the
country’s second largest city as this was illegal.
Government through Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo on 17 July 2020 purportedly approved the issuance of Statutory Instrument 167/20, called Names (Alteration) (Amendment of Schedule) Notice whose purpose was to alter the names of some streets or roads in Bulawayo.
The Statutory Instrument stated in its preamble that in exercising his
powers under section 4(1) of the Alteration of Names Act (Chapter
10:14), Moyo had issued a Notice altering the names of certain streets
by amending Part VII of the Act by the repeal of certain names of
roads and substituting them with new ones.
But in an urgent chamber application filed by BPRA represented by Job
Sibanda of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, BPRA argued that Moyo’s
actions in passing Statutory Instrument 167/20 runs counter the clear
provisions of the Alteration of Names Act, are illegal and go against
the grain of what is accepted in a normal society.
BPRA said Moyo did not consider the provisions of section 4(2) of the
Alteration of Names Act, before coming up with the raft of names that
he sought to impose on Bulawayo City Council (BCC), which was also
cited as a respondent to the application and the residents of
Bulawayo.
BPRA argued that Section 4(2) of the Alteration of Names Act states
that Moyo should not alter any names in terms of subsection (1) unless
he has consulted the owner of the land where the alteration is to take
place of which BCC owns the land that forms the basis of the
alteration.
BPRA protested that Moyo ignored some proposals made by BCC some time
ago on street name changes and came up with a list of names that are
totally different from the ones the local authority had suggested to
the Minister.
BPRA wants Moyo’s actions and Statutory Instrument 167/20 to be
nullified and to be declared to be of no legal effect whatsoever for
violating section 4(2) of the Alteration of Names Act.
The residents association also wants Statutory Instrument 167/20 to be
set aside.
Hindu Temple In Harare Shut Down Again Due To COVID-19 Pandemic
By Own Correspondent- Ridgeview Shree Omkar Mandir in Harare (Zimbabwe), which re-opened on June 26 after over three months closure due to COVID-19, has been shut down again for the same reason.
Executive Committee of The Hindoo Society Harare (HSH), which runs the temple, in an email on July 24 to its members, stated that all “events, meetings, gatherings and visits of any nature, are to cease and are hereby either cancelled or postponed”…“The Society Priest, alone, will continue to perform the daily Aarti”.
“Infection from and the transmission of the Covid-19 virus can no longer be considered, a remote or distant threat. It is, metaphorically, at our doorstep”, the email added.
Other HSH run Cameron Street Shree Omkar Mandir also reportedly continues to be shut. Both the temples were shut down “until further notice” due to coronavirus outbreak in an email directive on March 24. Schools run by the HSH—Westridge High School, Westridge Primary School, Gujarati School—were also reportedly closed. But the Ridgeview Shree Omkar Mandir had a “limited opening” from June 26.
Cameron Street Shree Omkar Mandir celebrated 90th anniversary in February 2019, while 25th anniversary of Ridgeview Shree Omkar Mandir was observed in 2017. HSH “intends to publish a written record” of the hundred years of “community’s existence in Zimbabwe”.
Commending HSH for attempting necessary precautions and actions to combat deadly coronavirus and educating the community, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, urged Hindus to draw closer to God through prayer during COVID-19.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, suggested Hindus to pray at least twice daily in their home shrines with total devotion and pure heart. These prayers might include making offerings to ista-devata, chanting mantras, reading sacred texts, performing aarti and bhajans, doing puja, etc.
Hindus are God’s people, full of courage and generosity. Petition God for the common good of all the local and world communities during these times of confusion and suffering, Rajan Zed says.
In the pre-COVID-19 times, HSH reportedly had been conducting various bhajan events, twice-weekly yoga classes, Hindi lessons, cultural/social activities; organized daily aarti at both the temples with Havan on Sundays; and offered funeral assistance for bereaved families; etc.; besides running Mahila Mandal, Shishu Mandal and Yuvak Mandal.
FULL TEXT- “Arrested Journalists Released Without Charge”: MISAZIMBABWE
Soldiers, Police Extorting Money From Civilians As “Toll Fees”
Dear Editor
Soldiers are occupying Theological college boomgate collecting 50 rtgs per person to pass and corner Meadow Crescent in Hatfield.
At Domboramwari ZRP is also extorting money as “toll fees”. Even if you want to go to the shops they will say $US1 for two.
They are abusing residents of Park meadowlands.
Please help us expose this rot.
Let’s fight corruption.
Parkmeadowlands resident
WATCH VIDEO- Zimbos Nabbed For Illegally Crossing Into S.A
Empower Bank – A Disintegrating Bus Without A Driver
Dear Editor
Empower bank is one institution that expressed assurances to engage the Youth and distressed SMEs through financial inclusion.
Unfortunately, the bank has been riddled with missteps since it opened its doors to the general public.
Besides poor corporate governance, employees on the one hand have their self esteem suffocating at every tick of a second. They literally can’t breathe. Working conditions are extremely horrendous and it’s an inconceivable nightmare.
Mhembere, the bank’s acting CEO and one very arrogant Shuro, command fellow employees with no dignity and respect. They find it hard to draw parallels between Empower bank operations and their privately owned businesses.
A good number of employees so far ,have prematurely terminated their contracts citing absence of teamwork, very unfriendly, abusive and toxic working environment.
Unprofessionalism is the order of the day. Employees are constantly harassed by these bosses. The real cause for human resource flight is frustrations. It is a lamentable state of affairs.
Heavy losses were incurred under the duo’s watch(+/-ZWD7MILLION) in the previous financial year as evidenced in one of the publications. These losses were either through spending or misplaced priorities, pilferage, corruption or otherwise. The duo seem unmoved by this development. They tried to avoid the bank’s financials published, but RBZ turned down their plea for a waiver.
Lack of confidence and inability to make sound corporate decisions is evidential by their cluelessness to steerthe bank out of its current self induced abyss.
Productive hours are spent running errands for their privately owned businesses abusing the bank’s resources, a gross abuse of authority.
A break-in that occurred not long ago at the bank’s offices, #60 West Road-Strathaven, revealed various items having gone missing that included clients’security documents. Suspicion pointed to an inside job and envisaged highly ‘RISKY’.
It is suspected the motive was to conceal evidence of dubiously loaned funds to blacklisted clients against security documents in the bank’s possession from an imminent Audit or one that was already underway.
The premises had just been secured with a theft proof security system when the burglars pounced. It remains unclear whe the rit was through instinct for the burglars to pinpoint exactly where to disarm the security system when they gained access?
Coincidentally the burglars mysteriously spotted location of every item they were targeting amongst them a safe that contained valuable security documents and an undisclosed amount of US dollars.
They also managed to locate car keys for the bank vehicle which they used to ferry the stolen goods.How that vehicle was later found abandoned in Msasa area by one of the staff member’s spouse early that morning still remains a mystery.
It raised red flags as the top most bosses never paid much attention to the horrifying incident.
At their Bulawayo branch, a member of staff made off with an undisclosed amount of loan funds destined for the bank’s clients. The culprit was never brought to book, instinctively heresigned and nothingwas recovered.
It is imperative for Superintendents of this institution (The Youth Ministry) to keep their eyes peeled and curb further losses under these bosses.
It’s baffling and incomprehensible to determine where the bank’s allocation from Treasury is diverted to when there little to show for it.
Government Officials recently toured the bank’s HQ offices and all provincial branches across the country. It is of note that from their assessment of things prevailing, they bemoaned lack of noticeable progress on the ground.
In light of the aforementioned, it would be suicidal for Authorities to entertain any excuses from these bosses currently at the helm of the institution. An urgent redress is only prudent.
-Concerned citizen
FULL TEXT- ZIM GOVT STATEMENT ON ARREST OF HOPEWELL CHIN’ONO, JACOB NGARIVHUME
The Office of the Minister
Reference:
Telegram: SECINFO MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, PUBLICITY AND
BROADCASTING SERVICES
P. O Box CY 1276
CAUSEWAY
HARARE
ZIMBABWE
25 July 2020
PRESS RELEASE
THE ARREST OF MESSRS HOPEWELL CHIN’ONO AND JACOB NGARIVHUME
Government would like to set the record straight on the arrest of Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume and their subsequent appearance in court. We have noted with dismay, a well coordinated local and international misinformation and disinformation media campaign where the duo are said to have been arrested for supposedly exposing alleged corruption cases in Government.
For the avoidance of doubt, Hopewell Chin’ono was not abducted. He was lawfully arrested by the Zimbabwe Republic Police. And he was not arrested for exposing corruption. He was arrested for using his social media accounts to incite Zimbabweans to violently overthrow the Government.
Even though Hopewell Chin’ono writes about corruption he is not unique in this regard. All the Newspapers in Zimbabwe, including independent publications have written extensively about corruption in Government and private sector. None of the Journalists who have written about the subject of corruption have been arrested for publishing the same.
This is because the Government and the President of Zimbabwe acknowledge and appreciates the role the media plays in the investigation and exposition of corruption. The Standard and the Zimbabwe Independent newspapers together with the State media, reported on the NSSA scandal that resulted in the arrest of Minister Prisca Mupfumira.
None of the journalists from these newspapers were arrested or censured for reporting in this case. In addition, the President appointed Trevor Ncube the proprietor of Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) which is the biggest independent newspaper stable in Zimbabwe, to his Presidential Advisory Council (PAC)
Such claims are deliberately calculated to mislead and manufacture a false narrative which brings into question His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s sincerity in fighting corruption both in Government and private sector. Since coming into office as leader of the New Dispensation, His Excellency President Mnangagwa has provided a favourable working environment for media practitioners to conduct their business unfettered.
The Zimbabwe Independent from AMH publishes articles accusing Government Officials of corruption on a weekly basis without fail but this has not attracted any arrest of the journalists concerned.
The Second Republic through Parliament has repealed AIPPA which in the past was used against journalists and replaced it with a raft of legislation aimed at protecting the rights of journalist to practice their profession freely and the rights of citizens to information concerning the areas of interests and concern.
President Mnangagwa ordered an investigation into the Drax Affair before Hopewell Chin’ono started tweeting about it. As a result of those investigations several arrests were made. The most prominent of those arrested was the former Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Obadiah Moyo who was charged and relieved of his duties as Minister of Health and Child Care. It is therefore false to state that no action has been taken against the corrupt individuals fingered by Hopewell’s expose
The President has consistently shown his unflinching commitment to fighting corruption by setting up a robust legal infrastructure to fight this economic scourge. He has also spearheaded the funding of the Zimbabwe Anticorruption Commission (ZACC) as a way of capacitating it to deliver on its constitutional mandate.
This has seen an unprecedented arresting and summary dismissal of two serving Cabinet Ministers in a short space of time. The conviction and jailing of high profile individuals such as former Minister Samuel Undege, Mr Douglas Tapfumaneyi and Simon Taranhike and many more is also indicative of this Zero Tolerance to Corruption Policy.
The arrest of these two individuals clearly, has nothing to do with their anticorruption stance which finds convergence with President Mnangagwa’s own position but their ploy to violently destabilize the country and unconstitutionally seize power (by any means necessary) putting Zimbabwean lives and property at risk.
The role of foreign powers in this plot to instigate an illegal regime change in Zimbabwe is made apparent by a set of events and statements that followed the police operation.
1- Within minutes of the arrival of the police at Mr. Chin’ono’s home, the US embassy was already all over this issue which is between a sovereign country and its citizen, by tweeting and trying to bring pressure to bear on the Zimbabwean Government, so it would not enforce the law of the land. Its particular interest in this one person is curious in the least.
2- Other Western Embassies who usually take the USA’s lead joined in this irregular interference by tweeting and releasing statements which were calculated to obstruct the course of justice in a hosting country.
3- Even after Zimbabwe’s Independent Judiciary had issued its verdict on the duo’s bail application, a senior member of the US Administration issued a very derogatory and undiplomatic statement against the Government of Zimbabwe, showing condescending disrespect to a sovereign country.
Zimbabwe is keen to engage with all members of the community of nations but will not surrender its sovereignty as a trade-off for this. All what Zimbabwe seeks is mutual respect and non-interference in its internal affairs.
Going forward, Government will not compromise on Zimbabwe’s national security and expects all foreign embassies hosted here to behave with propriety as set out in the Vienna Convention.
All the aforesaid is happening in the context of Zimbabwe’s fight against COVID 19 pandemic
At this moment Zimbabwe like the whole world faces the threat of the pandemic. The Zimbabwe Government has done reasonably and surprisingly well to date. Indeed it has confounded detractors and doom mongers.
Hopewell and Ngarivhume belong to that camp of evil wishers. The begging question is why call for a violent uprising in the midst of a raging and ravaging Covid 19?
The ongoing USA elections are a big exercise in democratic expression. Even President Trump has had to cancel the Convention of the Republican Party in Jacksonville for fear of Covid 19. Why can’t the detractors and doom mongers equally copy this act of noble political restraint?
And why can’t the American and Western embassies provide counsel to their regime change charges that this is not the hour to play dice with the lives of Zimbabweans?
This is the season of Black Lives Matter after the choking to death of George Floyd by a cruel white police officer in Minneapolis.
We have travelled and suffered from their past depredations. It’s not democracy they want. After all we paid a heavy price to attain it from the conquering colonials. They did not give up Zimbabwe on a platter. It’s cruel self enrichment from our resources that they seek.
Please why can’t you give Africa a break? As Zimbabwe we are saying: WE CAN’T BREATHE.
SPROUTING SHOOTS
Their actions are premised on the fear that President Mnangagwa and his deep seamed economic and financial reforms have taken root. That they are beginning to pay off in reviving the economy and rekindling hope.
Blood sucking money launderers and other dirty players in our fiscal and financial players are being squeezed by the succeeding Weekly Auction of Foreign Exchange.
The mobile money platforms are being husbanded into the central bank..
The all important energy sector is now full of promise from huge investments in Matebeleland North as can be seen from the recent visit by President Mnangagwa to the region.
The mortal fear of Africa by the West is the economic success of a self sustainable African Nation. Zimbabwe now offers that prospect after braving through devastating sanctions by the West for two decades.
No wonder the pandemonium being engendered by the fear of a good example.
President Mnangagwa and his government are fully appraised on this evil agenda and devilish machinations.
We will keep the course of re engagement while safeguarding the nation from a slide to chaos.
Issued by
Hon Monica Mutsvangwa (Senator)
Minister of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting Services.