AUGUST 3, 2020

EFF CALLS ON ZIMBABWEAN GOVERNMENT TO FOCUS ON PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS AND END STATE-SANCTIONED VIOLENCE AGAINST CITIZENS

Monday, 3 August 2020

The Economic Freedom Fighters has noted the empty condemnation against CIC Julius Malema by a paranoid and misguided ZANU-PF Embassy and party leadership.

This comes after the EFF issued a statement questioning the political and economic logic of compensating white former land-owners for land acquired through the Fast-Track Land Reform Program.

Instead of providing logic for this regression on land-reform, ZANU-PF party leaders have gone on a tirade that simply confirms that the decision comes as a result of succumbing to political pressure and a lack of understanding of the revolutionary history of Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwean government, which is currently engaged in the torture, incarceration, sexual assault and victimisation of protesters, has no moral authority or standing to claim to speak on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe.

This government, which is compensating land thieves for land which was acquired through a revolutionary process, has declared the people of Zimbabwe as enemies, through the deployment of the military to suppress genuine protest.

Journalists are targeted, and it is not the first time, as the Mnangagwa regime has a history of suppressing information, switching of social networks in order to hide the brutalisations of the people of Zimbabwe.

The EFF, therefore, as a movement committed to Pan-African unity, peace and stability in the continent, speaks with authority when it condemns the regression on revolutionary gains that have defined post-colonial Africa.

The fleeting paranoia of ZANU-PF around factions of their organisation does not concern us, and we must never be confused as a part of a faction of ZANU-PF.

The EFF does not owe ZANU-PF any allegiance, and we have now identified them as part of a long-line of oppressive regimes and failing liberation movements which no longer have a vision for the continent.

We are therefore not fazed by the utterances of ZANU-PF officials and reiterate that compensating white former land-owners is a reactionary move that Zimbabwe cannot afford, and these funds should rather be directed in uplifting the livelihoods of ordinary poor Zimbabweans and developing Zimbabwe.

Furthermore, we find it condescending that a diplomat, deployed to the Zimbabwean Embassy in South Africa has taken it upon himself to descend into the political arena with the EFF.

As much as the EFF encourages engagement of its policy positions, it is not the duty of an ambassador who is here to sustain relations between two sovereign governments to engage in a political tussle with domestic opposition parties.

We condemn this in the strongest terms as partisan and undiplomatic behaviour, and it will set a bad precedence for the future.

The ZANU-PF government and particularly the Zimbabwean embassy in South Africa must focus on putting an end to the violence in Zimbabwe instead of frivolous paranoia around G40 factions and the EFF.

We call on the African Union, and all governments in the SADC region to make an intervention in the crimes against humanity being committed by the Mnangagwa-regime against the people of Zimbabwe.

These interventions must be tangible, and we, therefore, call for the removal of the Zimbabwean Embassy in South Africa until human rights are restored in the country, and the lives of people are not taken by a repressive government.

Failure to do this will result in direct action by the EFF to prevent any official of the Zimbabwean government from participating in meeting in South Africa while they wage war on ordinary people in Zimbabwe.

Quiet diplomacy by SADC towards human rights violations in Zimbabwe has never worked, and it will not start working now.

There must be an end to the arrest without trial and victimisation of activists, and all progressive forces must condemn the ZANU-PF government for the brutality it is practising on the people of Zimbabwe.

We cannot keep quiet while a military regime wages war on people in Zimbabwe.

ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS Vuyani Pambo (National Spokesperson)

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema on Monday demanded the closure of the Zimbabwean embassy in South Africa until President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime “restores human rights”.

The EFF, South Africa’s third largest political party, warned that it could prevent Zimbabwean government officials from undertaking any official business in South Africa, the continent’s most industrialised economy.

“We call for the removal of the Zimbabwean embassy in South Africa until they restore human rights in that country,” Malema wrote on Twitter.

“Failure to do so, we will prevent any official from the Zimbabwean government from participating in any gathering in SA until they respect ordinary Zimbabweans.”

Malema’s intervention came after a global movement under the hashtag #ZimbabweanLivesMatter which swept social media on Monday, with celebrities joining Zimbabweans in demanding respect for human rights.

The campaign came after a military-led crackdown on civil liberties by Mnangagwa over the last two weeks, including abductions, torture and arrests of opposition politicians and journalists. Scores of opposition leaders and unionists are in hiding.

Mnangagwa’s opponents say his government is resorting to the authoritarian streak of the Robert Mugabe era of banning protests, and abducting and arresting critics.

Popular anger has risen over an economic crisis marked by inflation running above 700 percent which has eroded salaries, shortages of foreign currency and public hospitals crippled by strikes and a lack of medicine.

Prominent South Africans including former Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane, celebrities AKA, Casper Nyovest, Master KG, Pearl Tusi and DJ Fresh were among those who used the #ZimbabweLivesMatter hashtag.

Zimbabwe-born American star Tinashe, rugby legend Tendai Mtawarira, singer Sir Carlaz, radio star MisRed and the former Zimbabwe cricket captain Brendan Taylor were among a host of Zimbabwean celebrities who joined the campaign, with nearly 500,000 tweets by 8PM which made it a trending hashtag in many countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.

“The Grace Mugabe case is an example”

Watch the live video loading below………

ACTING Midlands Provincial Deputy Registrar, Mr Andrew Mpambo succumbed to Covid-19 and was buried yesterday in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

Mr Mpambo becomes the fourth Covid-19 victim in the Midlands province.

On Tuesday, Government declared Gweru, the Midlands Provincial capital as a Covid-19 hotspot together with Bulawayo and Harare as local transmissions surge.

Government said the Covid-19 hotspots will be analysed with a view to implementing stricter lockdown measures so as to ensure behaviour change.

Mr Mpambo who died on Thursday, was admitted to Gweru Provincial Hospital.

He was buried in line with strict Covid-19 pandemic rules at a private cemetery along the Gweru-Chiwundura Road.

Following Mr Mpambo’s death, Midlands Covid-19 Rapid Response team led by Midlands Provincial Medical Director Dr Reginald Mhene and Gweru Provincial Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Fabian Mashingaidze went to the Provincial Registrar’s offices and addressed workers before offices were disinfected.

Mr Mpambo’s house at the Old Prison Complex was also disinfected.

Dr Mhene confirmed the passing on of Mr Mpambo saying he was admitted to Gweru Provincial Hospital.

“I can confirm that Mr Mpambo died of Covid-19,” he said.

Dr Mhene said Mr Mpambo started showing symptoms of Covid-19 after returning from his rural home in Bikita where he had gone to attend a funeral.

He said they have since asked the Rapid Response team there to start contact tracing for people who attended the same funeral while locally they are tracing those Mr Mpambo was in contact with.

Ms Agnes Gambura, the Midlands Provincial Registrar said they had lost a committed and experienced hard worker.

This comes after Covid-19 has robbed Zimbabwe of its gallant sons, Agriculture Minister, Air Chief Marshal (Rtd) Perrance Shiri and ZDF Spokeperson Colonel Overson Mugwisi who died after contracting the deadly virus.

— Chronicle

Watch the live video loading below…….

Watch the live video loading below…..

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“My heart bleeds with pain when i reflect on the topic under discussion”: the late Hilton Tamangani’s father.

Watch the live video loading below…

By A Correspondent| Radio personality MisRed has finally spoken against human rights abuses currently being perpetrated by suspected state agents against oppposition aligned activists urging “government” to respect human rights.

Posting on Twitter, MisRed said the situation in the country has reached a point where Zimbabweans need to sit down and deliberate on how to make the country better.

She said:

“The situation has reached a point where all Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation, race, or religion need to sit down and say how can we make Zimbabwe better. Human rights must be respected COMPLETELY. #Zimbabweanlivesmatter,” said MisRed.

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has said it will continue with the strike despite President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s plea for health workers to return to work for the well-being of the nation.

ZINA president Enock Dongo said nurses understand Mnangagwa’s plea but the government has to provide adequate protective personal equipment (PPEs) and pay health workers in foreign currency before they can return to work. Said Dongo:

Health Apex fully understands the President’s plea but they are requesting the president to address the fundamental issues which lead to withdrawing of labour first.

Those are the salary issue, they are incapacitated to report for duty and the environment is not safe as evidenced by so many health workers now who have tested positive hence PPE must be available first and salary in USD.

While addressing mourners during the burial of the late Lands Minister Perrance Shiri, Mnangagwa pleaded with health workers to report for duty while the government looks into their grievances.

Doctors and nurses have been on strike for over forty days (in the case of nurses). The health workers downed tools citing incapacitation and lack of PPEs.

When nurses staged demonstrations at their places of work, they were beaten with batons by police.

A Gweru man has been arrested for fatally assaulting his sister whom he accused of dating many men.

The 27-year-old man from Clifton Park killed his sister after intercepting love messages to a number of men on her phone. Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the issue and said the man allegedly assaulted his sister with an electrical cable.

“The suspect, Terence Tarisai (27) is said to have had taken his sister Tryphine’s mobile phone upon which he found several love messages in the phone,” he said.

“An altercation between the two then ensued but the sister then left home to seek refuge at their aunt’s house in the same suburb.”

He said the teenage sister came back with the aunt who sought to have the two find common ground but Terence took an electrical cable and used it to assault his sister.

“The sister fell unconscious and when she regained consciousness she asked for some water to drink. After drinking the water she started vomiting and they called an ambulance to take her to the hospital but she died on the way,” he said.

Insp Goko said police who attended the scene arrested Terrence.

Workers at People’s Own Savings Bank (POSB) are on strike over poor remuneration, with reports claiming that each worker takes home between ZWL$2 000 – ZWL$3 000 per month.

In US dollar terms, this is less than $40 and the situation has left the workers disillusioned as they can no longer afford the basics such as food and rent.

The Zimbabwe Banks and Allied Workers Union (ZIBAWU) confirmed the strike action by POSB employees. It said:

POSB workers are on strike from today and customers are stranded in long queues they are among the worst remunerated and are now failing to pay rentals, buy food and other necessities.

Dear POSB customers, we regret to announce that workers are on strike as you can see branches are not yet opened.

Workers would love to serve you as always but management is refusing to give workers a fair deal.

Workers across various sectors have downed down over the past few weeks, notably, those in the health sector who are demanding US dollar salaries and adequate personal protective equipment (PPEs.

More: Technomag

ENERGY REGULATORY SERVICES DURING AND BEYOND COVID-19

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) is closely monitoring the indicators of Covid-19 in the country.

ZERA remains committed to doing its part to combat the spread of the virus whilst providing world-class energy regulatory services.

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ZERA values the safety of its staff, the public, consumers, licensees, business partners and stakeholders of energy services.

To this end, the following precautionary measures are in place to ensure continued service delivery.

1.0 PETROLEUM SERVICES

• Licensees should download appropriate forms from the ZERA website www.zera.co.zw.

• All submissions should be scanned and emailed to [email protected] together with proof of payment. Application forms and proof of payments should be clear and legible.
• Hard copy applications brought in person or sent via courier will not be accepted.
• Proof of receipt of submissions shall be sent to applicants via email.
• The account details for all petroleum fees payment are as follows: Account Name: ZERA; Bank: ZB Bank; Account Number: 4158-691423-080; Branch: First Street, Harare.

2.0 ELECTRICITY LICENSES

• Current and prospective power generation, distribution and transmission licensees with queries are urged to call on ZERA’s general lines during business hours or send enquiries via email to [email protected].
  Investors are urged to visit the ZERA website where they can download appropriate frameworks and forms.

• All submissions pertaining to electricity licensing should be scanned and emailed to electricitylicensinga zera.co.zw. Hard copy applications brought in person or sent via courier will not be accepted.
• The account details for electricity licence application fees and licence fees payment are Account Name: Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority Account Number: 9140000695342; Bank: Stanbic; Branch: S Machel, Harare.

3.0 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS

Consumers with any energy-related queries or complaints are urged to call on the Authority’s general lines during business hours for assistance or send emails to [email protected].

Alternatively, consumers can submit their complaint via the online login system on www.zera.co.zw, use the WhatsApp line as given below, or send direct messages on ZERA’S social media platforms as given below.

4.0 PUBLIC AND BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS

• ZERA is strongly encouraging electronic communication to minimise the exchange of documents As such, all correspondence with the Authority should be sent via [email protected] and fadpad zera.co.zw. No hard copies shall be accepted under any circumstances.

• The ZERA WhatsApp line as given below is also available for energy-related enquiries and alternatively, the public may call the general lines during business hours.

ZERA urges its valued stakeholders to always mask up, maintain social distancing, avoid crowded places and adhere to health practises as pronounced by health experts from time to time. Together, we will weather the storm.

The Zengeza MP Job Sikhala will feature at 6pm UK in the program which international lawyers are exploring and advising on avenues to prosecute Zim officials in foreign courts. Sikhala will tell of his torture experience and the program details are as follows….

Zimbabwe’s local COVID-19 cases have surged by 80 percent from last week’s figures as more people succumb to the deadly pandemic, latest figures from government have confirmed.

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Briefing the media yesterday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said the cumulative number of confirmed cases had risen by 56 percent in the past week from 1611 to 2704 while the cumulative number of confirmed local cases has risen by over 80 percent from 791 to 1 615.

In response to the surge in numbers, government announced the establishment of rapid response teams in Harare and Bulawayo, regarded as the hotspots of the pandemic.

“In order to expand testing and contact tracing in hotspot areas, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has established 32 Rapid Response Teams in Harare and Bulawayo,” said Mutsvangwa.

As of 27 July 2020, local cases are in Bulawayo (615), Harare (488) and Gweru (159), Midlands Province over the past week.

To date, the country has confirmed 2704 cases, 542 recoveries and 36 deaths.

ZimEye.com’s Simba Chikanza speaks on SABC News giving an update on the Zimbabwean situation.

Watch the video below;

By A Correspondent| Radio personality MisRed has finally spoken against human rights abuses currently being perpetrated by suspected state agents against opposition aligned activists, subtly urging government to respect human rights.

Posting on Twitter, MisRed said the situation in the country has reached a point where Zimbabweans need to sit down and deliberate on how to make the country better.

“The situation has reached a point where all Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation, race, or religion need to sit down and say how can we make Zimbabwe better. Human rights must be respected COMPLETELY. #Zimbabweanlivesmatter,” said MisRed.

Farai Dziva|Bishop Ancelimo Magaya has dismissed claims that he is working with perceived government opponents to topple Emmerson Mnangagwa.

This follows claims by Mnangagwa’s administration that the cleric is “part of the scheme that has been crafted to overthrow the government.”

See Bishop Magaya’s statement below:

I note with concern a statement from a supposed ghost writer purporting with an unusual confidence that Bishop Ancelimo Magaya met with some individuals to plot bombings, acts of arson and other criminal actions to bolster the 31st of July.

Normally I would not want to sanitize such statements by responding to them.

However, my attention was caught by the effort put by this fellow’s creative architecture of lies. I could not help but wonder what was or is behind this person’s inspiration.

For the record
hiding is not part of my vocabulary as I have nothing to hide from.

While I am a law abiding citizen here I also answer to God’s supreme law therefore anything that threatens peace is not in my make up.

I have always spoken truth to power and am not ashamed to say the true church of Christ is concerned with Human Rights Peace and justice.

Any deviation from this we rebuke, warn and advise in accordance with th word of God.

Proverbs 29:2 With good men in Authority, the people rejoice, but with the wicked in power, they groan.

The abject poverty ravaging our nation while evil deeds including unbriddled corruption persist in High offices cannot continue without Churche’s rebuke.

To the originator of the mischevious article Exodus 23:1 -Do not spread false reports. Do not help th wicked man by being a malicious witness.

Proverbs 19:9 A false witness will not go unpunished and he who pours out lies will not go unpunished.

When wickedness persists, people commit murders, loot resources from the poor and abductions becoming order of the day, be rest assured the church will become audible and visible against such.
So no amount of propaganda and name tarnishing tactics will deter me.

Further cautions from the word of God for you and your team.

*Johh 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

*But be warned , God is not mocked, whatever a man sows that surely will he reap Gal 6v7

You have done abominable sins and the Lord has kept quiet, you think you and God are the same.

Let your soul pay attention

Bishop Magaya
Executive Director
Zimbabwe Divine Destiny ZDD

Farai Dziva|Members of the dreaded Ferret Squad raided MDC Alliance Councillor Gilbert Mutubuki’s house in Chiredzi and harassed his parents demanding to know his whereabouts.

“Suspected members of the Ferret Team visited my place last night and harrassed my family demanding to know my whereabouts.

They are looking for me and it is not safe here.They are all over the place looking for me.

My parents are in panic mode because they were intimidated by the state agents.They are desperate but that will not the wave of change,” said Councillor Mutubuki.

Farai Dziva|Overzealous police details set dogs on a Beitbridge man as he sought to buy food for his children.

The 40-year- old- was mauled by police dogs as soon as he arrived at a food outlet in the area to buy food.

Edmond Chimusoro Zeyazeya sustained severe injuries after being mauled by police dogs.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, quoted by CITE, said the case was under investigation.

“That case is under investigation, we are quite aware there was an incident yesterday in Beitbridge where people were contravening Covid-19 regulations.

They were approached by officers and they tried to run away and unfortunately, one of them was bitten by a police dog and the case is currently under investigation.”

Close to a decade ago, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, while he was still the Minister of Defence, said before he turned to Jesus he was a trained killer.

Mnangagwa said this while addressing mourners at his brother’s funeral in Kwekwe:

For those of us comrades who were taught to destroy and kill and have seen the light in the last days of our lives and will die in Christ, our rewards are in heaven. I am a gentleman and have found favour in the eyes of God because I have accepted Him with all my heart.:

Mnangagwa who is called Ngwena(crocodile) has been fingered in the 1980s killings of Matabeleland people in a genocide known as Gukurahundi and he has over the last few years presided over a government that thwarts opposition protests with an iron fist despite describing himself as soft as wool.
Credit : Newsday

VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

EDGARS Gweru branch has become the first business in the city to shut its doors after an employee tested positive for Covid-19.

All the other 15 plus employees have been sent for mandatory Covid-19 testing.

On the other hand, an employee at Unki Mines in Shurugwi tested positive for Covid-19 but operations are continuing as the company says it has activated mechanisms to curb the spread of the virus.

In a statement, Edgars Managing Director Mr Vusumuzi Mpofu said the Gweru branch was temporarily closed last Thursday, after one staff member tested positive for Covid-19, thereby joining the growing list of companies and institutions that have recorded positive cases in the country.

“We wish to advise our Gweru customers of the temporary closure of the Edgars Gweru branch … to facilitate for deep cleaning and sanitisation after one staff member tested positive for Covid-19,” said Mr Mpofu.

He added that contact tracing is underway through the Rapid Response Team in Gweru.

Mr Mpofu said in line with the Ministry of Health and Child Care regulations, all staff members at the Gweru branch have undergone testing and have been cleared to resume work.

“We take this opportunity to assure you our customers and valued stakeholders that we will continue to align with and follow through the set measures provided by the Ministry of Health to curb the spread of the virus,” said Mr Mpofu. The managing director encouraged Zimbabweans to always wear face masks, practice social distancing, sanitise and wash hands regularly.

In a statement Unki Mines parent company Anglo American Platinum chief executive officer Natascha Viljoen said an employee tested positive at the mine in Shurugwi.

“One of our colleagues at Unki Mine Complex contracted Covid-19. He was tested after showing symptoms and is currently in self-isolation at his home. In line with our protocols we are busy tracing all his contacts. All affected staff will receive the necessary support,” she said.

In recent weeks, many Zimbabwean companies and institutions have reported Covid-19 infections which have seen them temporarily halting operations in a development that is expected to take a heavy toll on the economy.

Some of the institutions and companies that have reported positive cases of Covid-19 include Mpilo Central Hospital, United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), Econet, OK Zimbabwe, Federal Express, National Social

Security Authority (NSSA), Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (NSSA), Pick ’n Pay, Avenues Clinic and the Parliament of Zimbabwe.

On Saturday, the country recorded two deaths and 490 new Covid-19 cases bringing the total number of deaths to 69 and 3 659 confirmed cases.

The Health and Child Care Ministry reported two deaths of a male (62) and female (52) at a health institution in Bulawayo which now has 20 deaths and Harare has 31.

The number of local transmissions continue to spike after 485 cases tested positive for Covid-19 while five were returnees from South Africa. The number of local cases now stand at 2 594. The country’s coronavirus epicentre Harare recorded 337 new cases yesterday, followed by Midlands with 42, Bulawayo (39) and Manicaland (36).

Zimbabwe has to date recorded 1 011 recoveries.

-State Media

EMBATTLED opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has rekindled his fight against rival MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe saying she no longer had legal grounds to claim leadership of the main opposition party after failing to hold an extra-ordinary congress by July 31 as ordered by the Supreme Court early this year.

The court, in a moot ruling though, had on March 30 recognised Khupe as interim party president and ordered her to hold an extra-ordinary congress on or by July 31 to resolve the opposition’s contested leadership following the death of founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai in February 2018.

MDC Alliance secretary for presidential affairs, Jameson Timba yesterday said after missing the July 31 deadline set by the Supreme Court, Khupe and her acolytes no longer had the locus standi to go around posing as legitimate leaders of the MDC-T and to recall Chamisa’s MPs from Parliament.

But Khupe’s allies insisted she was still in charge although the Supreme Court last Thursday struck down her urgent application for extension of the deadline, saying the relief sought was not urgent.

“They purported to come back as leaders of the MDC-T on the strength of the Supreme Court ruling which allowed Khupe to be acting president for four months, which lapsed on July 31 midnight. They had even lost their posts in line with the MDC constitution, which gives them power to remain in office for five years. So having been elected in 2014, their offices expired in 2019,” Timba said.

“The urgent court application by the Thokozani Khupe group to have their extra-ordinary congress dates moved to end of November was not deemed a chamber application by Supreme Court judge Justice (Antonia) Guvava, but accepted as an ordinary court application to be heard before three Supreme Court judges in an open court. The case as per the timelines given by the court is likely to be heard any day after the 20th of August,” Timba said.

“In essence, what it means is that as of midnight of July 31, 2020, Thokozani Khupe ceased to be the acting president of the court-resurrected MDC-T 2014 structures. The same fate also befell Douglas Mwonzora and (Morgen) Komichi, who are now just ordinary members of the defunct party as it were and cannot purport to act on its behalf.”

But Khupe yesterday insisted she was still in charge by operation of the MDC-T constitution, while other party activists said acting secretary-general Mwonzora had taken over the leadership after being nominated by structures in Harare province.

“There is no such thing. No urgent application was dismissed and Dr Khupe is the acting president by operation of the constitution and the Supreme Court acknowledged that,” MDC-T acting deputy spokesperson Khalipani Phugeni said.

“The judgment did not expire, what didn’t happen is only the extra-ordinary congress. Everything else about that judgment is still in place. It didn’t expire, maybe until somebody goes to court and seeks a declaratory order to that effect, it did not expire. The extra-ordinary congress that did not happen, we are before the court now requesting for a variation of that judgment,” he said.

Fungai Chiposi, a member of the MDC-T information department and strong ally of Mwonzora, said his boss was now the legitimate leader of the party, while quoting an unnamed lawyer.

“A legal expert in Harare said that Mwonzora was already the MDC-T president. He is the only person who was nominated for the post of president by July 31. Therefore, he has been nominated unopposed and duly elected,” Chiposi tweeted.

The leadership fight between Khupe and Chamisa started way back in 2016 when Tsvangirai handpicked Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri as co-vicepresidents without going to congress.

Khupe, who had been elected the party’s sole vice-president, eventually fell out with Tsvangirai over the matter, leading to her ouster shortly after the former Prime Minister’s death, but she retained the party name and symbols.

In the July 2018 presidential election, Khupe contested as MDC-T candidate, while Chamisa ran under the MDC Alliance banner, but retained the MDC-T offices and symbols as well.

In March this year, the Supreme Court added a new twist to the wrangle after recognising Khupe as legitimate acting party leader, and ordering her to organise an extra-ordinary congress to resolve the wrangle once and for all.

Chamisa, who refused to recognise the court ruling saying he was no longer associated with the MDCT, was taken aback after Khupe went on a warpath in June recalling his MPs from Parliament and seizing control of the party headquarters with the help of security forces.

Timba yesterday said since Khupe had failed to abide by the Supreme Court ruling, the MDC Alliance was now at liberty to challenge Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda and Senate president Mabel Chinomona to reverse the recall of its legislators and councillors by Mwonzora.

“This also means that those institutions and individuals such as the Speaker, who were hiding behind a finger and purportedly relying on the Supreme Court judgment to politically decimate the MDC Alliance through unlawful recalls, can no longer do so without shame,” Timba said.

By Jane Mlambo| South African opposition leader Mmusi Maimane has appealed to comedian Trevor Noah to highlight the Zimbabwean human rights abuses to the global community.

Writing on Twitter, Maimane said, “Eita @Trevornoah can we find a way to bring global attention to the human rights abuses in Africa. The attacks on black lives in our neighborhood which need global solidarity. A burning topic right now is the arrests of journalists and activists in Zimbabwe #ZimbabweanLivesMatter.”

The Zimbabwean human rights crisis continues unabated with more than 60 activists arrested in the run-up to the failed 31 July anti-corruption demonstration.

By Jane Mlambo| Incarcerated duo of Jacob Ngarivhume and Hopewell Chin’ono’s bail appeal hearing is currently underway at the High Court following postponement of the matter last week, one of their lawyers Douglas Coltart has said.

The two who were arrested and charged with inciting public violence were denied bail by the Harare Magistrates Court, forcing them to appeal at the High Court.

Ngarivhume and Chin’ono have spend an effective two weeks in detention since their arrest on the 20th of July.

More to follow…..

By A Correspondent- Embattled opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has rekindled his fight against rival MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe saying she no longer had legal grounds to claim leadership of the main opposition party after failing to hold an extra-ordinary congress by July 31 as ordered by the Supreme Court early this year.

The court, in a moot ruling though, had on March 30 recognised Khupe as interim party president and ordered her to hold an extra-ordinary congress on or by July 31 to resolve the opposition’s contested leadership following the death of founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai in February 2018.

MDC Alliance secretary for presidential affairs, Jameson Timba yesterday said after missing the July 31 deadline set by the Supreme Court, Khupe and her acolytes no longer had the locus standi to go around posing as legitimate leaders of the MDC-T and to recall Chamisa’s MPs from Parliament.

But Khupe’s allies insisted she was still in charge although the Supreme Court last Thursday struck down her urgent application for extension of the deadline, saying the relief sought was not urgent.

“They purported to come back as leaders of the MDC-T on the strength of the Supreme Court ruling which allowed Khupe to be acting president for four months, which lapsed on July 31 midnight. They had even lost their posts in line with the MDC constitution, which gives them power to remain in office for five years. So having been elected in 2014, their offices expired in 2019,” Timba said.

“The urgent court application by the Thokozani Khupe group to have their extra-ordinary congress dates moved to end of November was not deemed a chamber application by Supreme Court judge Justice (Antonia) Guvava, but accepted as an ordinary court application to be heard before three Supreme Court judges in an open court. The case as per the timelines given by the court is likely to be heard any day after the 20th of August,” Timba said.

“In essence, what it means is that as of midnight of July 31, 2020, Thokozani Khupe ceased to be the acting president of the court-resurrected MDC-T 2014 structures. The same fate also befell Douglas Mwonzora and (Morgen) Komichi, who are now just ordinary members of the defunct party as it were and cannot purport to act on its behalf.”

But Khupe yesterday insisted she was still in charge by operation of the MDC-T constitution, while other party activists said acting secretary-general Mwonzora had taken over the leadership after being nominated by structures in Harare province.

“There is no such thing. No urgent application was dismissed and Dr Khupe is the acting president by operation of the constitution and the Supreme Court acknowledged that,” MDC-T acting deputy spokesperson Khalipani Phugeni said.

“The judgment did not expire, what didn’t happen is only the extra-ordinary congress. Everything else about that judgment is still in place. It didn’t expire, maybe until somebody goes to court and seeks a declaratory order to that effect, it did not expire. The extra-ordinary congress that did not happen, we are before the court now requesting for a variation of that judgment,” he said.

Fungai Chiposi, a member of the MDC-T information department and strong ally of Mwonzora, said his boss was now the legitimate leader of the party, while quoting an unnamed lawyer.

“A legal expert in Harare said that Mwonzora was already the MDC-T president. He is the only person who was nominated for the post of president by July 31. Therefore, he has been nominated unopposed and duly elected,” Chiposi tweeted.

The leadership fight between Khupe and Chamisa started way back in 2016 when Tsvangirai handpicked Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri as co-vicepresidents without going to congress.

Khupe, who had been elected the party’s sole vice-president, eventually fell out with Tsvangirai over the matter, leading to her ouster shortly after the former Prime Minister’s death, but she retained the party name and symbols.

In the July 2018 presidential election, Khupe contested as MDC-T candidate, while Chamisa ran under the MDC Alliance banner, but retained the MDC-T offices and symbols as well.

In March this year, the Supreme Court added a new twist to the wrangle after recognising Khupe as legitimate acting party leader, and ordering her to organise an extra-ordinary congress to resolve the wrangle once and for all.

Chamisa, who refused to recognise the court ruling saying he was no longer associated with the MDCT, was taken aback after Khupe went on a warpath in June recalling his MPs from Parliament and seizing control of the party headquarters with the help of security forces.

Timba yesterday said since Khupe had failed to abide by the Supreme Court ruling, the MDC Alliance was now at liberty to challenge Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda and Senate president Mabel Chinomona to reverse the recall of its legislators and councillors by Mwonzora.

“This also means that those institutions and individuals such as the Speaker, who were hiding behind a finger and purportedly relying on the Supreme Court judgment to politically decimate the MDC Alliance through unlawful recalls, can no longer do so without shame,” Timba said.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Harare Magistrate Ngoni Nduna on Saturday 1 August 2020 granted bail to 13 residents of the capital city, who appeared before him facing various charges after they were arrested by some Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) members in different suburbs for allegedly taking part in anti-government demonstrations.

Magistrate Nduna granted RTGS$5 000 bail to renowned author and film maker Tsitsi Dangarembga and Julie Gabriel Barnes and ordered them to report at some ZRP stations once a week on Fridays, not to interfere with state witnesses, continue residing at their given residential addresses and surrender their passports until their matter is finalised.

Dangarembga and Barnes, who were represented by Chris Mhike, Alec Muchadehama and Paidamoyo Saurombe of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) were charged with participating in a public gathering with intention to promote public violence, breach of peace or bigotry as defined in Section 37(1)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and
Reform) Act.

Prosecutors Michael Reza and Tendai Shonhayi alleged that Dangarembga and Barnes participated in a demonstration in Borrowdale suburb while holding some placards inscribed “Free Hopewell, free Jacob #Zimbabwe”, “We want better reform our institution” and “Free our journalists”.

Dangarembga and Barnes were also charged with unnecessary movement during the COVID-19 National Lockdown without any exemption with prosecutors pressing a charge of contravening section 4(1)(a) of the Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order Statutory Instrument 77/2020.

Mhike, Muchadehama, Saurombe told Magistrate Nduna that they will file some written submissions on complaints against some ZRP members regarding the manner in which Dangarembga and Barnes were arrested, challenge their placement on remand and also challenge the manner in which the charge of unnecessary movement was surreptitiously put to their clients. Dangarembga and Barnes return to court on 18 September 2020.

Magistrate Nduna also set free lawyer and opposition MDC-Alliance party spokesperson Advocate Fadzayi Mahere together with six other Harare residents namely Tinotenda Muskwe, Tinashe Murapata, Jessica Drury, Nyasha Musandu, Josse Lotter and Simon Drury by granting each of them RTGS$5 000 bail and ordering them to report at various ZRP
stations once a week on Fridays, not to interfere with state witnesses, continue residing at their given residential addresses and surrender their passports until their matter is finalised.

Mahere, Muskwe, Murapata, Jessica, Musandu, Lotter and Simon, who were represented by Mhike, Muchadehama, Saurombe of ZLHR and Andrea Dracos of Honey and Blanckenberg Legal Practitioners, were arrested on Friday 31 July 2020 by ZRP members and charged with participating in a public gathering with intention to promote public violence, breach of peace or bigotry as defined in Section 37(1)(b) of Criminal Law
(Codification and Reform) Act.

Mahere, Muskwe, Murapata, Jessica, Musandu, Lotter and Simon were also charged with unnecessary movement during the COVID-19 National Lockdown without any exemption with prosecutors pressing a charge of contravening section 4(1)(a) of the Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order
Statutory Instrument 77/2020.

Reza and Shonhayi told Magistrate Nduna that Mahere, Muskwe, Murapata, Jessica, Musandu, Lotter and Simon participated in an illegal demonstration in Mt Pleasant suburb while holding some placards written “Free Zim”, “#Free MDC Trio”, “#Stop abductions” and “#Hands off Constitution”.

Mhike, Muchadehama, Saurombe and Dracos told Magistrate Nduna that they will file some written submissions outlining their clients’ complaints against ZRP members and will also challenge the placement on remand of their clients including the inclusion of the charge of unnecessary movement of which no warned and cautioned statements were
recorded from the accused persons before they were hurriedly brought to court.

Mahere, Muskwe, Murapata, Jessica, Musandu, Lotter and Simon will be back in court on 18 September 2020.

Terrence Guta aged 26 years and Loveridge Chinzvende aged 32 years were arrested on Friday 31 July 2020 along Sherwood road in Strathaven suburb and charged with participating in a public gathering with intention to promote public violence, breach of peace or bigotry as defined in Section 37(1)(b) of Criminal Law (Codification and Reform)
Act.

Guta and Chinzvende, who were represented by Douglas Coltart of ZLHR, were also charged with unnecessary movement during the COVID-19 National Lockdown without any exemption in what prosecutors said is defined in section 4(1)(a) of the Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order Statutory
Instrument 77/2020.

Reza and Shonhayi alleged that Guta and Chinzvende carried some placards with messages which read; “No Corruption”, “Stop Abductions”, “Free Zimbabwe” “Free Hope and Jacob” and “End Hunger”.

Guta and Chinzvende were granted RTGS$5 000 bail each by Magistrate Nduna and ordered to report at some ZRP stations once a week on Fridays, not to interfere with state witnesses, continue residing at their given residential addresses and surrender passports in respect of Guta.

Guta and Chinzvende return to court on 18 September 2020, where the court will entertain hearing of complaints which the duo have against ZRP members, who arrested and severely assaulted them while they were detained in a bush. Coltart also intends to challenge the placement of his clients on remand.



Paul Besa, a resident of Sunningdale suburb was also arrested on 31 July 2020 in Graniteside industrial area by some ZRP members who claimed that he held some placards written “Respect our Constitution”, “You can ignore or kill us but you will regret” and “Hope is our hero”.

Besa was charged with incitement to commit public violence as defined in section 36(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act alternatively incitement to participate in a public gathering with intention to promote public violence, breach of peace or bigotry as
defined in Section 37(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Besa, who was represented by Tapiwa Muchineripi of ZLHR, was also charged with unnecessary movement during the COVID-19 National Lockdown without any exemption in what prosecutors said was defined in section 4(1)(a) of the Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order Statutory Instrument 77/2020.

Like the other accused persons, Muchineripi told Magistrate Nduna that he will file some written submissions detailing his client’s complaints against ZRP members and will also challenge the placement on remand of his client including the surreptitious inclusion of the
charge of unnecessary movement.

Another Harare resident Phillip Chamunorwa Ndengu of Glenview suburb was also arrested on Friday 31 July 2020 by ZRP members who charged him with incitement to commit public violence as defined in section 187(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act as read with section 37(1)(a) of Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act
alternatively incitement to commit public violence as defined in section 187(1)(a) as read with section 36(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Besa, who was represented by Ephraim Ndlovu of Mabundu and Ndlovu Law Chambers, was also charged with unnecessary movement during the COVID-19 National Lockdown without any exemption in what prosecutors said is defined in section 4(1)(a) of the Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order
Statutory Instrument 77/2020.

Reza and Shonhayi alleged that Besa was seen by some police officers on Friday 31 July 2020 at around 05:45 am while taking pictures in the central business centre.

The prosecutors claimed that Besa insulted some police officers as people who were letting down the majority of Zimbabweans by taking an active role in barring demonstrations aimed at removing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.

The police officers went on to seize Besa’s mobile phone handset and proceeded to check some messages and found a self-recorded video where he was saying “I am sick and tired of the government, it is torturing people and it is not paying good salaries to its security forces”, “tirikuda vanhu vane nzara nehasha to fight and effect regime change in Zimbabwe”.

Reza and Shonhayi charged that after going through Besa’s mobile phone handset, ZRP members also discovered that he is an active participant in two WhatsApp groups titled “31 July Blood Demo” which has 255 participants and #31 July Mass Protest” with 244 members

The two groups, prosecutors alleged, were “awash” with audios, messages and videos shared and used to incite people to participate in the 31 July 2020 “illegal” demonstrations and commit public violence.

In Bulawayo, Panashe Vongai Sivindani was set free on Saturday 1 August 2020 on RTGS$2 000 bail after she appeared at Bulawayo Magistrates Court answering to charges of incitement to commit public violence as defined in section 187(1)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act as read with section 36(1)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

In court, prosecutors alleged that the 22 year-old university student intentionally displayed placards bearing the message; “#No to corruption”, #Free Hopewell”, “#No to nepotism”, “#No commissioned law enforcement and justice system” and “#We want accountability” while inside TM Supermarket at Ascot Shopping Centre.

Prosecutors charged that they managed to identify Sivindani after viewing video footage of a CCTV recording which they obtained from an unnamed manager at TM Supermarket which showed the university student displaying the alleged placards as she carried out her shopping.

-ZLHR

By A Correspondent| The international community has joined hands to condemn the deteriorating human rights situation in the country with the hashtag #Zimbabweanlivesmatter now trending on Twitter.

This follows the arrest, abduction and torture of a number of opposition aligned activists by the President Emmerson Mnangagwa regime as it sought to thwart the planned anti-corruption march that had been slated for 31 July.

Prominent people who have also spoken against human rights abuses in Zimbabwe includes South African opposition leader Mmusi Maimane, musicians AKA and Lady Zamar and former South African Prosecutor Thuli Madonsela.

“Pray for Zimbabwe #ZimbabweanLivesMatter as #BlackLivesMatter .. We’re all human beings deserving of kindness, equality and fairness #GodBlessAfrica,” said Lady Zamar.

Maimane has also pressured South African President Cyril Ramaphosa who is also the chairperson of the African Union to tell Mnangagwa to respect the rights of the media and opposition.

“Mr President @CyrilRamaphosa this is not the time for quiet diplomacy. You are the chairperson of the @_AfricanUnion. You cannot sit quietly and act like you do not see what is happening next door. Call @edmnangagwa and tell him to respect the rights of the media and opposition,” said Maimane.

Multi-award winning musician AKA said, “Let’s spread awareness about what’s going on In Zimbabwe… because ultimately the people need all the help they can get.”

By A Correspondent- progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou yesterday warned that the huge salary gap between the security sector and other arms of the public service was a serious security threat which the Zanu-PF government should address as a matter of urgency.

Zhou told NewsDay that the salary gap had generated discontent among civil servants, raising speculation that government was now more concerned with power retention at the expense of service delivery.

Reports suggest that soldiers, police, intelligence and prison officers were now earning between $10 000 and $18 000, about two-and-a-half times more than teachers whose salaries range between $3 800 and $4 200.

“It’s clear now those with access to firearms like soldiers, police, CIO (Central Intelligence Organisation) and the prisons are getting preferential treatment over teachers and health workers. The only explanation for this is that we have a government that is preoccupied with investing in power retention as opposed to delivery,” Zhou said.

“Soldiers and police are now earning between $10 000 and $18 000, while teachers’ salaries have remained static at between $3 800 and $4 200. These discrepancies are the reason for industrial disharmony in the education and health sectors. They are a security threat,” he added.

“This downgrading treatment of other professionals generates discontent and industrial disharmony. Teaching is the mother of all professions. Previously, the differences between teachers’ salaries and soldiers and police was based on the responsibilities and qualifications. We are not envying their (soldiers and police) salaries because in any case, $18 000 is less than what teachers were earning in 2018,” he said, adding that teachers had not yet accessed the US$75 COVID-19 allowances promised, while the uniformed forces had accessed theirs.

“The tragedy is that we have a government that has no national plan. They think that when you have a big office, you have monopoly over wisdom. Wisdom does not come through osmosis, it comes through engagement and reading. They want to be respected because of the offices they occupy. They hate us because we tell them the truth. I don’t respect portfolios, I respect ideas. All these ministers of education are not appreciative of education. They have been a liability, the worst in history. The only Ministers of Education of repute we have had are Dzingai Mutumbuka and Fay Chung,” charged Zhou.

Contacted for comment over the alleged pay differences, Information permanent secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana said government valued all its employees.

“Government values both its military and its teaching fraternity. Pay scales are not a competition. The current focus is to ensure that whoever serves their country in any capacity is paid at least a living wage which gives them a decent life. Government will continue to rationalise all incomes as efficiencies are realised and more resources unlocked,” he said.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government, which came to power through the November 2017 military coup after toppling long time ruler, the late President Robert Mugabe, has been accused of pampering security forces probably to avoid mutiny.

On Friday, Mnangagwa’s administration, heavily deployed soldiers and police to thwart a planned protest organised by opposition political parties and civic organisations.

-Newsday

By Henry Ngarar- Before polarisation, the original concept of Religion and its Leaders was good in the sense that, it encouraged humanity to be good, to help one another, to be tolerant, respectful and urged self restraint among other things.

Currently, religion has become a blessing and a curse to society. It has most often been a blessing when it has spread its arms around the most vulnerable, established hospitals and schools, sought justice for the oppressed, called for a fair sharing of the earth’s resources, given itself to the peaceful solution to war and sought to save the planet from environmental destruction.

Be that as it may, the Zimbabwe situation however, has been uniquely unfortunate, it called for religious leaders and bodies to speak out against rampant misgorvenance and unconstitutionalism.

To the surprise of many, the awaited voice has remained silent. Could it mean that the church is blind or deaf, Or that the church has had a share in the current prevailing situation? 

We come at this issue as Christians who finds believing doctrines about Jesus basically unhelpful, but who sees that following Jesus, and trying to emulate what he did with his life is worth our commitment. For us his life was the epitome of graciousness, the acceptance of the outsider, not only living peacefully but also offering a path to a peaceful society.

For Jesus every person was of worth, every encounter an act of acceptance and love, every story full of a gracious welcome. The only outsiders were the religionists of the vicinity, who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. So the heart of religion may not be in holding to pure doctrinal orthodoxy, but living as if everyone you meet is of infinite worth.

One would have thought that the role of the church and its leaders is to speak the truth, to speak against injustices, corruption amongst other things. We thought the role of the church leaders is to be martyrdoms of truth and justice and not to be the Simon Peters of our time, who cowardice when the situation demands their presence.

A lot has happened, a lot is happening. If one is not killed by hunger, one is killed by disease, if one is not killed by disease, one is killed by our political sphere. Death, hunger and agony is hovering around the believers. Where are the religious leaders to instill faith to humanity as they have always claimed that it was their job to do so.

Today most political parties are aligned either to a certain clergy man or to a certain church. Has that become the role of the church now to form political parties and not to speak justice and feed the spiritual being of a person?

Where are the real religious leaders who stand by faith and not by silence, where are the church bodies who represent the people of God and not elitism?

-LEAD

By A Correspondent- Beverages giant Delta Beverages in the first half of 2020 saw its beer sales for both lager and sorghum beer taking a knock due to limited access to markets because of COVID-19 induced lockdowns among other reasons.

This was revealed by the company’s secretary Alex Makamure who was giving a trading update when he said;

Authorities around the world including those in our region implemented various measures to contain the possible spread of the virus.

These included lockdowns, restrictions on travel and social gatherings and limiting the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages.

The economies in most countries have experienced severe impacts arising from the curtailed economic activity and stressed health delivery systems.

According to the update given by Makamure for the period in question:

• Lager beer volume declined by 18 percent compared to the same period last year
• Sorghum beer volume in Zimbabwe declined by 51 percent for the quarter due to limited access to the market
• Natbrew in Zambia, recorded a volume increased of 17 percent for the quarter
• While the sparkling beverages segment maintained a growth trajectory as volume grew by 35 percent for the quarter
• African Distillers (Afdis), an overall 8 percent volume growth was recorded
• Schweppes Holdings, declined by 32 percent for the quarter reflecting the constrained trading under Covid-19 conditions -statemedia

By A Correspondent- Of the country’s 3921 COVID-19 cases, more than 1227 of them are in Harare and its satellite towns.

The matter emerged after it was reported that 337 Covid-19 cases, out of the 490 cases recorded on Saturday who tested positive for COVID-19 were from Harare and its satellite towns.

According to the publication:

Figures from the Ministry of Health and Child Care show that a record 490 new confirmed cases were recorded for the whole of Zimbabwe on Saturday and 262 yesterday, but of the weekend total of 752 new cases there were 719 people infected inside Zimbabwe and a relatively small 33 were among returning residents in formal quarantine. Out of those 719 local infections, 437 were in Harare taking the total of those infected within the city and most of its satellite towns to 1 227.

Bulawayo which has the second-highest number of cases has 897 cases other provinces have less than 2000 cases combined.

-statemedia

Watch live the video loading below…..

By A Correspondent- Renowned Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono who was denied bail by a Harare Magistrate and was remanded in custody till 6 August after he was arrested and charged with inciting public violence’s bail application will be heard at the High Court today.

Chin’ono’s application suffered a false start on Wednesday after recordings from the Magistrate’s court which denied him bail were not brought to the High court on time which prompted the judge to adjourn the case to today.

Chin’ono was the first to draw attention to the Drax International scandal in which the later was supplying medical sundries to the government at highly inflated prices.

-Twitter

A 40 Year old-man from Beitbridge was hospitalised on Saturday after police officers reportedly set dogs on him while enforcing lockdown regulations in the border town.

It is said that Edmond Chimusoro Zeyazeya was caught up in the melee as police officers chased after illegal foreign currency dealers.

He is currently admitted to Beitbridge Hospital with serious wounds.

Speaking to CITE, his sister in-law Eugenia Makura said Zeyazeya left home to buy food for his children when the incident occured.

“He left home in the morning around 8 to buy food for the children at the Engine garage, one of the children had said they wanted Chicken Inn,” said Makura.

“He said when he got to the Engine garage he met the police who were on an operation, when he saw them he was and he tried to move away.”

However, the police officers reportedly ordered him to stop and he obliged and they set their dogs.

He was savagely attacked and sustained deep wounds.

The police officers later took him to hospital.

Contacted for a comment, National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the case is under investigation.

“That case is under investigation, we are quite aware there was an incident yesterday in Beitbridge where people were contravening Covid-19 regulations,” said Commissioner Nyathi.

“They were approached by officers, they tried to run away and unfortunately one of them was bitten by a police dog and the case is currently under investigation,” he said.

CITE

State Media

Shrewd ‘guards’ taking advantage of motorists evading the congested road block manned at Delport road turn off along Seke road, have erected a makeshift toll-gate where they are demanding between $10 and $20.

Interestingly, the now popular diversion is operating just a stone’s throw away distance from the police road block.

Yesterday the road was barricaded with heavy disused sewer pipes, large stones and heavy logs. There were two ‘smart’ guards who seemed to be always on high alert as they only allowed vehicles they were suspicious of to pass without any hassle.

The security details were wearing Stallion Security company uniforms (black in colour) alleging to be guarding Civil Aviation transmission antennas.

One of them had a reflector on top, but neither was wearing compulsory face masks. While the Herald unmarked car was exempted from paying, the journalists aboard saw two motorists paying $10 each, one that was behind and another in front.

The news crew managed to speak to one of the security guards who first asked if the news team had used the road the very same day.

“Have you used this road earlier today. This road is prohibited as it is a protected Civil Aviation area hosting aeroplane transmission antennas,” he said.

Asked if they were making a killing since the road had become busy due to congestion, the guard did not mince his words.

“It is quite tricky sometimes as the road is used by people of different backgrounds even high ranking officials. As we are talking to you we actually don’t know who you are.

“However, we have motorists who regularly pass by and mushikashika whom we charge,” he said.

The evading motorists endure a hard time as the road that leads to the illegal toll-gate is bumpy, dusty and long and winding as opposed to the official road.

However, during peak hours it remains popular due to the persistent long queues at the Delport road turn off roadblock were police verify documents for essential service and exempted workers.

The way is now the transit route for non-essential services people sneaking into town.

The road which is hive of activity is also synonymous with sand poachers that are causing massive land degradation around the area.

From Chitungwiza en-route Harare there are many such off routes that eventually passes through the illegal spot, among them just after Zororo cemetery park and another before the police roadblock.

After evading the legal route, the dodging motorists eventually join Seke road at Trek Service Station at the area commonly known as Chinhamo.

Meanwhile, along the Mutare-Masvingo Highway toll-gate, Zinara is reportedly losing potential revenue through an illegal bypass that goes though the field of a man identified as Padhina Dzumbira.

At the illegal bypass, the man is charging motorists varying sums of money which are below those gazetted by Zinara.

The man denied a team of investigating parliamentarians access through the bypass.

Some lawmakers tried to remove a wooden boom gate erected, but the man verbally assaulted the MPs.

“This is my farm and you do not have a right to enter the premises, I am now calling the lands commissioner,” he ranted.

Former Public Protector and founder of The Thuma Foundation Advocate Thuli Madonsela says the Zimbabwean government needs to be called to account for the recent arrests of activists following anti-corruption protests in the country last week.

A number of activists, including a journalist and media personalities were arrested after being accused by Zimbabwe’s government of inciting violence and breaking coronavirus restrictions during the protests.

Watch video downloading below.

A state media commentator has blasted the organisers of the July 31 “failed” protests claiming that they over relied on Western influence in planning for the demonstration and were resultantly easily countered by the ZANU PF government.

Ranga Mataire the author of the piece claims that the organisers also wasted time trying to use social media to mobilise for the protests claiming that social media has no appeal within Zimbabweans. This is contrary to goverment thinking as the state is holding in prison renowned journalist Hopewell Chinono for allegedly mobilising for the protest on Twitter.

The opinion piece reads as follows:

There were many lessons from the total failure of the Western instigated July 31 regime change planned demonstration.

The first lesson that must have dawned on local opposition, including their Western backers, was that social media, particularly Twitter, was not Zimbabwe. The majority of Zimbabweans are not avid followers of Twitter.

In fact, contrary to presumptuous attitude of some among us, the majority of Zimbabweans understand that the thing that really matters to them is the productive ownership of the means of production.

All they aspire for is central Government support to enable them to produce not just for subsistence, but for the nation.

The second take away from the glaringly embarrassing no-show was the lack of strategic thinking on the part of the opposition, which is more obsessed with the optics of creating chaos and mayhem ostensibly for the attention of their benefactors.

How does one explain the lack of emotion and no introspection on the part of opposition figures like Charlton Hwende and Tendai Biti, who in a matter of hours after the failed protests were already fervently tweeting about their favourite English team Arsenal’s FA Cup triumph over Chelsea?

It is clear that the two senior officials regarded the planned protests as inconsequential.

It also proved that what mattered more to them were their self-pleasures in the comfort of their splendid homes instead of the so-called anti-corruption protests they had spent almost a month harping about.

The third and most important lesson to be derived from the monumental failure of the planned demonstration was the fact that the majority is aware that outsiders cannot dictate how we should govern ourselves, particularly when such outsiders were on the forefront of opposing our fight for liberation from colonial repression.

We gleefully note the embarrassing desperate spin from some opposition supporters and their leaders claiming some morsel of victory over the no show.

Well, in Shona tinoti afirwa haatariswe kumeso. There is need for some serious introspection on the part of opposition leaders, including those that are daily harangued by delusional regime change dreamers.

Sensing a resounding no confidence show, some desperate opposition figures literally invited arrest by illegally picketing at some shopping malls while others indulged in some kindergarten tomfooling — provoking some security personnel for the camera’s attention.

Of course, the security personnel obligingly arrested them. The culprits will soon have their day in court.

What saddens some of us is the lack of shame on the part of some opposition figures who have literally become pliable regime change instruments. We are aware that like any other country, Zimbabwe is not heaven.

People are bound to have disagreements but as people of the same nation, we must be clear of our national interests.

We must have sacrosanct values that bind us as a nation.

We are aware that the West, particularly America, is averse to the reality of former liberation movements running the affairs of their respective countries.

We are aware of a perennial attempt to roll-back the map of liberation in Southern Africa.

We fervently pray that our brothers and sisters on the other side of the aisle realise that the West is motivated by their self interest.

It is surely preposterous to have the same countries that supported apartheid and opposed the liberation of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola and are still causing chaos in the DRC to suddenly prance about being champions of democracy and human rights.

The same countries that react with instantaneous moral indignation whenever something goes wrong in Africa are the same countries that enslaved and colonised us yesterday.

Is it not ludicrous for America to make boisterous and unremorseful comments when something happens in Zimbabwe, yet the same country that continues to treat African-Americans as second class citizens through systematic racism that perpetually relegates them to the fringes?

Is it not apparent even to some of our compatriots that they too need to question the unrelenting stream of patronising diplomatic self-righteousness peddled by America to young democracies in Africa?

The truth is the West does not care about human rights, especially the rights of Africans. If the West really cared about human rights, America would not be engulfed in nationwide protests we are witnessing today. Again, we wonder why the West is not condemning these human rights violations in America.

One thing that some of our compatriots might not be aware of is the continued disenfranchising of minority voters in America particularly Latinos and African-Americans who over the years have struggled to participate in national elections.

The hypocrisy stinks to heavens as Americans are fond of lecturing to Africa about free and fair elections and flaunting the American system as a model.

Why has America done nothing in prosecuting serious human rights violations and killings by its soldiers in Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan?

America has gone as far as intimidating the International Criminal Court (ICC) that opened an investigation into US crimes in Afghanistan.

We, the people of the South, reiterate the fact that the leading nation of the “free world” lacks the moral high ground to lecture us on human rights and this is precisely the reason why we will always take the American system not as a model, but something not to be assimilated.

1. The Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the Republic of South Africa read with consternation and utter disbelief the “EFF Statement on the Announcement by the President of Zimbabwe on Compensating White Farmers” issued on 31 July 2020.
2. The Embassy has, in the past, restrained itself from responding to the many provocative statements issued by the EFF about Zimbabwe.

On this occasion, we cannot remain silent in the face of the EFF’s pretentiousness to know more about the history and politics of Zimbabwe than the Zimbabweans themselves.

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Even more, the EFF has the audacity to dare teach Zimbabweans, even our Head of State, about the land question in our country.

Not only did thousands of our compatriots pay the supreme sacrifice for the return of the land to its rightful owners but even today our people suffer the burden of sanctions imposed by those opposed to our land reform programme.

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3. For the record, the provisions of the Global Compensation Deed Agreement signed on 29 July 2020 between the Government of Zimbabwe and representatives of the former commercial farmers fully adhere to the Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe, in particular, Section 72 which deals with “Rights to Agricultural Land”.

That section stipulates in paragraph 3 (a) that where agricultural land is compulsorily acquired for a public purpose, no compensation is payable in respect of its acquisition, except for improvements effected on it before its acquisition.

This is what the signed compensation agreement of 29 July 2020 provides for. The government of Zimbabwe will compensate the former farmers for the improvements on the acquired land ONLY. No more. There is nothing treasonous in upholding one’s own national constitution.

4. It will be recalled that the Constitution of Zimbabwe was approved by 95% of voters

in a referendum held in 2013 and was assented to and signed into law by the then Head of State, the late Comrade Robert G. Mugabe, on 22 May 2013.

It is highly mischievous of the EFF to attempt to rewrite history by seeking to distance the legacy of the late Head of State from the 2013 Constitution whose provisions circumscribe the agreement signed on 29 July 2020.

5. The government will work in close partnership with the farmers and multilateral and bilateral donors in mobilizing the $3.5 billion required in compensation for the improvements on the acquired land.
6. His Excellency President Emmerson D. Mnangagwa has been consistent and firm on the land issue. He has, on countless occasions, reiterated that the land reform is irreversible and that Section 72 of the Constitution is very clear in this regard.

In his own words, he has been very clear that “we fought for land and there is no way we will retract our position with regards to the land reform”.

7. The signing of this global compensation agreement is a significant step in the coming together of Zimbabweans in efforts to bring to finality a long outstanding, highly emotive and divisive issue. This agreement should be welcomed by those who genuinely wish Zimbabwe well.
8. It is our expectation that the EFF and others who may wish to comment on the land issues in Zimbabwe do so from an informed, objective and constructive standpoint that respects the people of Zimbabwe’s struggles and sacrifices for their land and contributes to the unity and progress of the country.

Embassy of Zimbabwe

Pretoria

02 August 2020

Political commentators have blamed divisions within Zimbabwe’s opposition for the failed 31 July anti-government protests.

Renowned political analyst, University of Zimbabwe (UZ) political science lecturer, Eldred Masunungure, opined that divisions and lack of a strategy have hamstrung the opposition. He said:

The problem is that our opposition parties are hopelessly divided. They need to go back and re-strategise, and also speak with one voice. They have to reconfigure.

Zanu PF has not changed and … is still using the same tools that it always deploys, and the opposition parties are also using the same strategies.

The planning was poor … and the demonstration was announced nearly a month ago, thus giving authorities ample time to prepare. This enabled the authorities to continue with their repression.

Unfortunately, Friday’s events only work to embolden the authorities and to give them more confidence.

The opposition parties are speaking with different voices and are not united. So, it will be difficult for them to confront the government.

Meanwhile, Professor of World Politics at the London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Stephen Chan, said there is enough suffering in Zimbabwe already and it was better that people were not put at risk of brutality.

The organisers of the 31 July protests initially said they intended to demonstrate against alleged rampant corruption in government circles, but they ended up demanding the collapse of the ZANU PF-led government.

More: Daily News

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority arrested two men for smuggling into Zimbabwe five tankers of petrol, a total of 221 000 litres, using forged papers that designated the contents as crude de-gummed soya bean oil, which is exempted from duty.

This comes hard on the heels of an announcement by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) that fuel was being smuggled into Zimbabwe from Mozambique and reshipped to South Africa, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The development also explains, investigators believe, why some fuel dealers can afford to sell fuel in foreign currency at prices much lower than those set by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera), which allows only modest mark-ups on properly-taxed directly-imported fuels.

Complex cartels are reportedly importing fuel from Mozambique at prices in the region of 50 US cents a litre before taking it to neighbouring countries using forged export documents. Zacc is now demanding explanations from some 42 fuel companies of their fuel dealings.

Two suspects were arrested last month, the first on these sort of charges, for smuggling 221 000 litres of petrol from Mozambique via Forbes Border Post in Mutare.

They allegedly forged the import papers and misrepresented to Zimra officials that they were importing soya bean oil, duty-free.

Malvern Mugodoki (38) an agent working for Vernson Freight Pvt Ltd and Wellington Kusalaweka (34), who operates from Hurudza House in Mutare, were arrested on fraud charges. Mugodoki and Kusawela were freed on $10 000 bail each. However, the names of company or companies that imported the fuel were not mentioned in court.

According to the State, Mugodoki, a clearing agent, received petrol import documents from three truck drivers — Beven Munyaradzi Mavhaza, George Muzimbawake, and Langton Mabee — for processing.

He was tasked to facilitate the clearing of three trucks: registration number AEZ 3183 loaded with 45 000 litres of petrol, AEU 9772 with 41 000 litres and AEG 7618 with 45 000 litres.

After receiving the papers, Mugodoki allegedly connived with Kasalaweka to alter the original import documents where the product was indicated as petrol so that it reads ‘crude de-gummed soya bean oil’, exempted from paying import duty, the court was told.

“They went to Kasalaweka’s workplace at Hurudza House in Mutare where they forged the import invoices to indicate the product was crude de-gummed soya oil,” reads the court documents.

The pair later subcontracted Southern Business Services clearing agents, who are authorised to clear tankers, to do the work.

The subcontracted agents handed the forged documents over to Zimra officials for processing.

“Acting on the misrepresentation, Zimra produced the manifests for the three trucks,” reads the papers.

Later on Zimra received information that the tankers had petrol and that its officers had been duped.

Manicaland police CID together with Zimra officers swiftly reacted and impounded the trucks.

A check on the load proved the product to be petrol. The two were arrested and charged with fraud.

While seized with the case of three tankers, police also received information that two other tankers ferrying were awaiting fraudulent clearance by the same suspects.

The two trucks ferrying about 90 000 litres of fuel purchased by some two Harare-based companies were also impounded.

Manifests showing the false declarations and the computer used in the fraud were held as exhibits in respect of the first three tankers’ case.

The original import papers for petrol were recovered from the house of one of the suspects’ girlfriend while copies of the fake papers presented to Zimra were recovered at Southern Business Clearing Agents’ premises in Mutare.

Zimra spokesperson Mr Francis Chimanda said the Mutare case was the first one since reports on fuel smuggling filtered last year.

“Recently, five tankers were seized at Forbes Border Post for false declaration. The tankers were reported to be transporting crude soya oil while they were transporting fuel.

“Fake documents were submitted in support of the declaration. Zimra keeps records of all seized goods and in that record there is no fuel seizure as the most recent fuel seizures are the beginning on fuels,” he said.

However, Zimra has made a total of 60 seizures of different other goods at Forbes Border Post since January this year.

Zacc chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo is on record saying her investigations, the police and Zimra were jointly investigating fuel smuggling.

“Zacc and Zimra have been conducting an investigation into reports received, indicating that there has been a massive and expansive operation involving smuggling of significant volumes of fuel, mainly diesel and petrol through a number of our ports of entry.

“Investigations carried out thus far reveal the existence of a criminal fuel smuggling syndicate involving entities that are registered in Zimbabwe and in a neighbouring country.

“This criminal project has been in operation for a period of two years and its activities have caused financial prejudice to the Government of Zimbabwe and that of the neighbouring country,” said Justice Matanda-Moyo.

Early this year over 25 million litres of fuel smuggled from Zimbabwe were intercepted by police in South Africa.

The original source of the fuel is unknown; it could be diverted fuel bought in Zimbabwe dollars or re-exported cheap fuel smuggled from Mozambique.

Zacc has since asked 42 companies registered in Zimbabwe to furnish investigators with documentation relating to their fuel dealings.

The companies are: Global Oil, Com Oil Petrol, Victoria Falls Truck, Unique Jay, Nansane (Rosmitrick), Bankable Resources, Silver Air, Timkase Investments, Dexfueld Pvt Ltd, Chilota Mine, Mann Aggregates, Matriflex Oils, Bresville Investments, Fastlane Petroleum, Couderay Oil, Outrech Comm, Plulixey Petroleum, Bantu Africa Mining, Valley Field Holdings, Takunda Fuel Services, Musa Petroleum, Einstein Energy, Kinsey Mining, Emirates Valley, Afrifor, Megabest, Nelich Investments, BOL Supplies, Traderose Investments, Coalvart Enterprises, Kit Kat Enterprises, Skybuild Construction, Elkrus Pvt Limited, Getmack Fuels, Falika Pvt Ltd, Bustque, Talebrant Investments, Peritus, Downtown Fuel, Valbazen Enterprises, Quick Gases and Roomi Truckshop.

When customs duties were raised significantly at the end of 2018 to bring Zimbabwean pricing into line with regional norms, there were suspicions based on the dramatic rise in fuel purchases in Zimbabwe that fuel was being smuggled out of the country and sold on black markets in the region.

The recent exchange rate fluctuations and the premium paid on the black market for foreign currency have enhanced fears that the same problem may be resurfacing.

A 93-year-old woman died of COVID-19 yesterday bringing the COVID-19 death toll to 70 in Zimbabwe.

262 people tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday. This was revealed in the COVID-19 update that was published by the Ministry Of Health.

There were only 5 recoveries recorded yesterday and the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases since 20 March 2020 stands at 3921.

Midlands State University (MSU) has, due to the surge in Covid-19 cases in the country, suspended final year examinations that were set to start today.

On July 24, Government gave a directive to all tertiary institutions to close and continue conducting lessons through e-learning as part of measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education permanent secretary Professor Fanuel Tagwira cited the surge in Covid 19 cases in the country as the main reason for the directive.

This development has affected MSU final semester students in the faculties of Science and Technology, Law, Education and Natural Resources Management and Agriculture.

MSU director of communication Mrs Mirirai Mawere yesterday said the examinations had been postponed to a date when it’s safe for the learners and staff.

“It’s mainly because of the spike in the numbers of Covid-19 infected people. Resumption of examinations will be dependent on the improvement of the situation as far as the containment of the new infections is concerned,” said Mrs Mawere.

She said following the announcement of new Covid-19 induced lockdown by President Mnangagwa on July 21, the university is postponing examinations.

“In light of the continued increase in the number of Covid-19 positive cases, which saw the President announcing new lockdown measures on July 21, the university would like to advise final year students in the facility of Science and Technology, Law, Education and Natural Resources Management and Agriculture who were scheduled to commence preparations for their final examinations on August 3 that examinations have been postponed to a date to be advised.

“Please note the decision was made in the best interest of our stakeholders’ health. Any inconvenience caused is sincerely regreted,” said Mrs Mawere.

National University of Science and Technology (Nust) director of communications and marketing Mr Felix Moyo has retired after serving the institution for 23 years.

Mr Moyo bade farewell to Nust last week together with Dr Fortune Nkomo who was the institution’s bursar and had joined the university at its inception in 1991.

The two join former registrar Mr Fidelis Mhlanga who resigned in May after serving the university for 26 years.

The trio had served Nust for a combined 79 years and were among the remaining senior founding members of the university.

Nust management and staff commended Mr Moyo and Dr Nkomo for their service to the growth of the university.

Nust council chairman Mr Alvord Mabena said the duo’s departure would affect Nust, as it moves to recruit their replacements.

“As a team, you always ensured that Nust business moves forward and it’s a fact that your departure has a destabilising effect on the university. As Council we are working to bring stability by recruiting capable staff to continue the work of moving Nust forward,” said Mr Mabena.

He said the duo leaves the university in a dignified manner, calling for other staff members to emulate their work ethic.

Mr Mabena said Nust should come up with innovative ways to address societal challenges and challenged the remaining leaders to develop the university to greater heights.

“Let us respond by coming up with innovations, and adapt to the new normal. We need to have focus, and if we work as a team, the power in us will be useful, as we work to serve our future generations,” said Mr Mabena.

Nust Vice Chancellor Professor Mqhele Dlodlo paid tribute to the duo for their dedication towards the university.

He said while Mr Moyo ensured that the Nust brand is not tainted, Dr Nkomo safeguarded the university’s purse.

“You unified communication and marketing and always told the Nust story based on facts. You kept the media under control and guided them into portraying a positive image about Nust. Today, Nust is an influence within and to outside stakeholders because of the communication and marketing director,” said Prof Dlodlo.

“Dr Nkomo controlled Nust funds and always sought to solve the problems that we found ourselves in by managing the damage that was caused by the University community,” he noted.

“He used our motto ‘think in other terms’ very well as he took the University through the hard economic times and hence we stand today.”

Mr Moyo said he was gratified to have served at Nust while encouraging the institution to adapt to new ways of doing things, to change administrative systems and improve service delivery.-

State Media

TWO senior Zanu PF officials are in quarantine in adherence to the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines after attending a global conference in Tanzania recently.

The top officials are Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu and the Secretary for External Affairs Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, who are both members of the Politburo.

Briefing Politburo members in Harare last week, President Mnangagwa said that Mpofu and Mumbengegwi were in self-quarantine, and therefore could not attend the meeting.

“The party’s Secretary for Administration Dr Mpofu and his counterpart Cde Mumbengegwi could not make it to this Politburo meeting today (Wednesday) because they are in self-quarantine after they visited Tanzania recently,’’ said President Mnangagwa.

Mpofu was part of a delegation that attended the recently ended conference for global political parties where he was representing Zanu PF. He confirmed that he was under self-quarantine at his home.

Speaking from his base in Nyamandlovu, where he is in self-quarantine, Mpofu said although life in isolation was not easy, the measures were necessary to curb the spread of the pandemic.

“It is not easy to stay away from the people you love, but when you love them that much, you keep your distance for their safety. I tested negative on arrival and I am waiting for a second test after eight days,” he said.

Mumbengegwi also confirmed that he was in self-quarantine and doing a lot of reading.

“I am in self-quarantine at home here in Harare. I am just following the WHO guidelines. We don’t want to take chances. I am doing a lot of reading,’’ said Mumbengegwi.

Zimbabwe now has 3 921 confirmed cases after its worst two days on record, although with only three extra deaths over the weekend, the death toll crept up to 70.

Figures from the Ministry of Health and Child Care show that a record 490 new confirmed cases were recorded for the whole of Zimbabwe on Saturday and 262 yesterday, but of the weekend total of 752 new cases there were 719 people infected inside Zimbabwe and a relatively small 33 were among returning residents in formal quarantine.

Out of those 719 local infections, 437 were in Harare taking the total of those infected within the city and most of its satellite towns to 1 227.

Bulawayo, once the main focus of internal infection, now has 897 confirmed local cases after 99 new infections over the weekend. However, two of the three weekend deaths were in Bulawayo health institutions, a 62-year-old man and 52-year-old woman.

The third death was a 93-year-old woman in Midlands who was admitted to hospital on July 23 and died early yesterday morning.

After the high levels of infection in the two largest cities, Midlands is the third worst hit province with 237 local infections, with Gweru previously identified as the main centre of infection in the province.

Mashonaland East, which includes some satellite towns of Harare, has 157 local infections with Manicaland now rising past the century mark to 101.

Out of the 70 deaths, 31 have been recorded in Harare, 20 in Bulawayo, six in Manicaland and five in Midlands.

Recoveries now total 1 016, but the very low total for Harare suggests that there is a batch of recovered patients whose status still has to enter the statistics.

IN THE MATTER OF THE STATE

VERSUS

PANASHE VONGAI SIVINDANI (Hereinafter called the accused)

1. The complainant, in this case, is the State.

2. The accused resides at number 204 Block A National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo and is a third-year student at the aforementioned University.

3. On the 31st of July 2020 at around 1300hours information was received from an anonymous caller to the effect that an unknown demonstrator entered TM Supermarket, Ascot Shopping Centre, Bulawayo to do her shopping and whilst inside the supermarket, the demonstrator displayed a placard inscribed #No to corruption, #Free Hopewell, #No to nepotism, #No commissioned law enforcement and justice system and #we want accountability,

4. The police carried out some investigations and went to TM Supermarket, Ascot Shopping Centre, Bulawayo where the manager played a CCTV footage which showed the accused removing the placard from her bag, wearing it and then went on to carry out her shopping displaying the above message. After paying for a water bottle, accused removed the placard and placed it in her bag.

5. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of the accused and the demonstration the material was not recovered.

6. The State can produce the CCTV footage as an EXHIBIT.

7. The accused person had no right to act in the manner she did.

NOTICE TO THE PEOPLE OF ZIMBABWE

By Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala
31st July Movement

As you have noticed after the 31st of July, instead of the regime attending to the issues raised by the Zimbabwean citizens they went into the default mode and escalated human rights abuses all over the place. Our people are being beaten, tortured, arrested for no apparent reason. This can not be allowed to continue.

On Saturday night residents of Dzivarasekwa were beaten door to door by people in military uniforms. The same thing happened in St. Mary’s around Chigovanyika area where citizens at night were indiscriminately beaten in their homes for no explanation.

Yesterday they were beating people door to door around the place where my house is called kuMapositori. In Zvishavane, the same happened, so was in Mucheke Masvingo and reports we are getting from Bulawayo, Gweru and Kwekwe are so sad.

I think you have all seen the pictures of Tawanda Mucheiwa a 22 year old nephew to journalist Mduduzi Mathuthu. The 2nd year university student was severely tortured after having been taken to different places, where at one time was driven for a period of 4 hours to an unknown destination where he was taken to a farm which had military trucks parked on it.

You have seen the unlawful arrests of Advocate Fadzai Mahere, author and international award winning writer Tsitsi Dangarembga, Cllr Godfrey Kurauone in Masvingo, Hon Mugidho in Chiredzi and several citizens in Gweru, Bulawayo, Chiredzi, Kwekwe, Matabeleland South and allover the place.

Last night Hon Settlement Chikwinya escaped attempted abduction on his person by 7 trucks loaded with state security agencies. We can not accept this situation. No one is safe. If not careful we will all perish. It is now time to speak to the world.

From tomorrow Monday the 3rd of August, we urge all of you to have an opportunity to stock food.

This is called upon because we need to speak more loudly for the entire week starting Monday the 10th of August to the 15th. That will be the week of action. This time it won’t be a one day event. It will be a week of expression against corruption and looting.

This time we are also speaking against gross human rights abuses against us. We will say no to corruption and no to looting. No to abductions. No to violence against the people of Zimbabwe by the state. These are going to be our 4 agenda items for our action. Why are you bringing violence against the people? People are peaceful in their homes and you raid them at night and beat them.

Dear Zimbabweans, we need to stop it. This has gone against all tenants of civilization and human dignity.

Why are people being beaten? Why are people being tortured, why are people being arrested for no crime? Kwayi unnecessary movements? What is that in a modern state? In the 21st century? No no no. We can’t accept this. One week action from the 10th of August to the 15th.

We are tired of being abused in our own country.
10th to the 15th we shall Speak.

Speak Zimbabwe Speak
No to Corruption and Looting
No to Abductions, Torture and Violence against citizens.

Farai Dziva|State security agents attempted to abduct MDC Alliance official Settlement Chikwinya on Saturday night.

Several opposition members were arrested across the country as Emmerson Mnangagwa intensified spirited “manoeuvres” to dismantle the opposition.

Read statement below:

NOTICE TO THE PEOPLE OF ZIMBABWE

By Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala
31st July Movement

As you have noticed after the 31st of July, instead of the regime attending to the issues raised by the Zimbabwean citizens they went into the default mode and escalated human rights abuses all over the place. Our people are being beaten, tortured, arrested for no apparent reason. This can not be allowed to continue.

On Saturday night residents of Dzivarasekwa were beaten door to door by people in military uniforms. The same thing happened in St. Mary’s around Chigovanyika area where citizens at night were indiscriminately beaten in their homes for no explanation.

Yesterday they were beating people door to door around the place where my house is called kuMapositori. In Zvishavane, the same happened, so was in Mucheke Masvingo and reports we are getting from Bulawayo, Gweru and Kwekwe are so sad.

I think you have all seen the pictures of Tawanda Mucheiwa a 22 year old nephew to journalist Mduduzi Mathuthu. The 2nd year university student was severely tortured after having been taken to different places, where at one time was driven for a period of 4 hours to an unknown destination where he was taken to a farm which had military trucks parked on it.

You have seen the unlawful arrests of Advocate Fadzai Mahere, author and international award winning writer Tsitsi Dangarembga, Cllr Godfrey Kurauone in Masvingo, Hon Mugidho in Chiredzi and several citizens in Gweru, Bulawayo, Chiredzi, Kwekwe, Matabeleland South and allover the place.

Last night Hon Settlement Chikwinya escaped attempted abduction on his person by 7 trucks loaded with state security agencies. We can not accept this situation. No one is safe. If not careful we will all perish. It is now time to speak to the world.

From tomorrow Monday the 3rd of August, we urge all of you to have an opportunity to stock food.

This is called upon because we need to speak more loudly for the entire week starting Monday the 10th of August to the 15th. That will be the week of action. This time it won’t be a one day event. It will be a week of expression against corruption and looting.

This time we are also speaking against gross human rights abuses against us. We will say no to corruption and no to looting. No to abductions. No to violence against the people of Zimbabwe by the state. These are going to be our 4 agenda items for our action. Why are you bringing violence against the people? People are peaceful in their homes and you raid them at night and beat them.

Dear Zimbabweans, we need to stop it. This has gone against all tenants of civilization and human dignity.

Why are people being beaten? Why are people being tortured, why are people being arrested for no crime? Kwayi unnecessary movements? What is that in a modern state? In the 21st century? No no no. We can’t accept this. One week action from the 10th of August to the 15th.

We are tired of being abused in our own country.
10th to the 15th we shall Speak.

Speak Zimbabwe Speak
No to Corruption and Looting
No to Abductions, Torture and Violence against citizens.

Today(yesterday) marks the second anniversary of the 1st of August 2018 shootings, an episode in respect of which at least 6 compatriots were shot and killed in cold blood.

The families of the deceased are yet to get justice despite the findings of the Motlanthe Commission against the State including the recommendation to arrest the perpetrators.

The MDC Alliance views the episode as a clear sign of a failure to break from the past despite a facade of reform which had been mooted by the Mnangagwa adminstration.

It was a continuation of other episodes including Gukurahundi,the violence in the run up to 2000, 2002, 2005 and 2008 elections, abductions of Itai Dzamara, killings of Tonderai Ndira, Godfrey Kauzani and Talent Mabika among others.

We demand justice for the victims of 1 August 2018.

We also demand the operationalization of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commision including ensuring it’s full independence.

We also demand the urgent establishment of the Independent Complains Mechanism against members of the security forces provided in section 210 of the Constitution.

More importantly there must be an end to the capture of State institutions including the army and police in pursuit of a narrow partisan agenda of power retention.

Our security services must be left to do their work of protecting the territorial intergrity of our country and maintaining law and order following the conduct spelt out in section 208 of the Constitution.

Clifford Hlatywayo
Deputy National Spokesperson

MDC Alliance Acting national women assembly Hon Mugidho, Chiredzi Deputy Town Chair Councillor Ropa, MDC Alliance Chiredzi West district chair Mr Kampota and others will spend the weekend in cells after being arrested on Friday.

Human Rights Lawyer Adv Martin Mureri said Chiredzi Magistrate Chikodzore will give judgement on the bail application on 3rd Monday 2020, at 14:15pm.

As MDC Alliance we are shocked by selective application of the law and we demand their immediate unconditional release. Bail denied is Justice denied- MDC Alliance Masvingo

MDC Alliance Acting national women assembly Hon Mugidho, Chiredzi Deputy Town Chair Councillor Ropa, MDC Alliance Chiredzi West district chair Mr Kampota and others will spend the weekend in cells after being arrested on Friday.

Human Rights Lawyer Adv Martin Mureri said Chiredzi Magistrate Chikodzore will give judgement on the bail application on 3rd Monday 2020, at 14:15pm.

As MDC Alliance we are shocked by selective application of the law and we demand their immediate unconditional release. Bail denied is Justice denied- MDC Alliance Masvingo

ZESA Holdings executive chairperson Dr Sydney Gata has been suspended and will not be allowed to enter the power utility’s headquarters, Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi said yesterday.

He said Dr Gata would be barred from Zesa premises until due processes have been completed.

“Our initial stance as Government was to observe corporate governance and give the board an opportunity to deal with the matter. This entailed giving the board time to investigate the serious allegations against Dr Gata.

“But alas! He (Dr Gata) decided to lock the board out of Zesa premises. He took the view that no board meetings would take place as a way to stall progress. He then proceeded to bar the board entry into Zesa premises and ordered security to lock them out,” he said.

“He refused to accept the letter of suspension and instead proceeded to suspend the entire board as if he had the powers to do so.

He doesn’t. It is very strange and unusual action suggesting that something was seriously wrong”.

As a consequence, Minister Chasi said, processes are underway to ensure normalcy is restored at Zesa.

“This will include barring Dr Gata from Zesa for a defined period to allow the investigations to happen. We want to be very procedural and need to.

“We will continue to assume that he is innocent until proven guilty. He needs to make it easy for us, otherwise the irrational actions he is taking — like firing fellow board members — will cause everyone to think otherwise,” he said.

Dr Gata is facing a slew of allegations that include abusing the power utility’s five pool vehicles, scuttling the disciplinary hearing of a top executive and splurging $10 million on Christmas parties and procedurally sending four consultants to South Africa at Zesa’s expense.

Minister Chasi described the corruption allegations as “egregious and very worrying” and called for a thorough board investigation. Government has since called for a thorough and expeditious investigation into the allegations.

Minister Chasi wrote to the Zesa board of directors on Monday ordering them to expedite the probe.

The letter was copied to Deputy Minister Magna Mudyiwa, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda, Secretary for Energy and Power Development Dr Gloria Magombo and Dr Gata himself.
But Dr Gata has been defiant.

He claimed that his lawyers had advised him to stay put because a meeting that was held to suspend him was unprocedural.

He has since responded to Minister Chasi objecting to the processes that led to his suspension, and now wants the matter to be adjudicated.

“It is clear from the foregoing that I respectfully take the view that your letter in casu ought not be the basis of the way forward between you (as the line Minister) and the Executive Chairman.

I believe this a matter that requires, on an urgent basis, the mediation role of the Office of the President and Cabinet. I will engage that mediation role without delay.”

The Zimbabwe Energy Workers Union (ZEWU) seems to be fighting in Dr Gata’s corner.

In a statement released as a “special communiqué to all Zesa staff” last week, Dr Gata claimed to have suspended the other eight board members-The Sunday Mail

A 19-year-old Bindura woman committed suicide following a dispute with her husband over sadza.

The incident happened in Nyakudya village, Bindura, after the woman’s husband refused to go to the grinding mill where he had been sent by his wife.

The wife, Clara Phiri, instead, went to the grinding mill and on her return, she prepared sadza but withheld the meal from her husband, Biggie Chakorwa (32).

Reports indicate that Chakorwa did not complain but simply went to bed on an empty stomach.
Chakorwa’s reaction unnerved Phiri who went on to consume a tobacco pesticide.

She was rushed to Bindura District Hospital after complaining of a stomach ache and was pronounced dead upon admission.
Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed the incident.

He said:
I can confirm a sudden death case in Bindura where Clara Phiri of Nyakudya village took her life after a misunderstanding with her husband Biggie Chakorwa (32)- NewsDay

THE Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) has increased fares for urban routes by 100 percent.

According to the new fares, passengers will now pay $8 per trip for Zupco buses up from $4 while Zupco kombis are now charging $16 up from $8. The new fares became effective yesterday.

In an interview yesterday, Zupco chief executive officer Mr Everisto Madangwa said the new fares were to ensure the company improves service delivery as well as cushion its costs. He said high operational costs the company was incurring had also necessitated the fare increases.

“Yes, we have increased our fares by 100 percent, a move we felt is necessary for us to further improve our services to the public, further these new fares will enable us to cushion our costs which we incur as a company,” said Mr Madangwa.

According to the national lockdown regulations, Zupco registered buses and kombis are the only ones allowed to offer public transport in the urban areas.

Mr Madangwa assured the travelling public that their vehicles will be on the road in their numbers as they had adequate fuel to service their fleet.

He also said the company was in the process of increasing its fleet by enticing more transport operators to join the Zupco franchise.

The company has about 500 buses and kombis plying Bulawayo routes-The Sunday News

A ZHOMBE man has been arrested for allegedly fatally stabbing his uncle following a dispute over maize which the former intended to sell.

Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the incident which occurred last week at Ntingwe Business Centre in Zhombe when Sehluli Ncube (33) of Mvayi Village under Chief Malisa, allegedly stabbed his uncle, Josiah Ngatsheni-Ncube (65) following a dispute over maize.

Insp Goko said on the fateful day, Sehluli went to Ntingwe Business Centre to sell two buckets of maize and approached Ms Hilda Muzinjana, a shopkeeper. Muzinjana agreed to buy the maize.

Insp Goko said while they were negotiating the price, Ngatsheni-Ncube approached the two and interrupted the transaction arguing that his nephew could not sell the maize considering that there is drought.

A heated argument ensued and Ngatsheni-Ncube went on to assault Sehluli with a wooden stick all over the body. Sehluli retaliated by stabbing Ngatsheni-Ncube with an Okapi knife all over the body until he died.

“I can confirm that we are investigating a murder case where a man from Zhombe fatally stabbed his uncle with an Okapi knife following a dispute over maize.

The incident occurred when the now deceased, Ngatsheni-Ncube tried to stop the accused person from selling maize.

Ngatsheni-Ncube tried to advise his nephew that it was a bad idea to sell maize at a time when the country was grappling with drought.

The two had a fight resulting in the accused stabbing his uncle on the cheek, chest, waist and buttocks. Ngatsheni-Ncube died on the spot,” he said-The Sunday News

By A Correspondent- Suspected state security agents raided the house of MDC Alliance Bulawayo provincial youth secretary-general Pashor Sibanda in the wee hours of Sunday.

Speaking to CITE, Sibanda said heavily armed men broke into his house, rounded up his family and demanded to know his whereabouts.

He said:

At around 1 am, suspected state security agents raided my house in Cowdray Park. They gained entry through destroying locks at the gate and breaking windows using a gun.

They stormed into the house and threatened my family at gunpoint to tell them of my whereabouts.

My mum had to scream “amasela” (thieves) to alert neighbours and that’s when the attackers ran away and jumped over the precast wall. My mother was with my father and two siblings.

There have been numerous reports of abductions just before, and after July 31, with 22-year-old Tawanda Muchehiwa abducted and tortured during two days of captivity before he was dumped in the dead of the night.

By A Correspondent- A Gweru-based “prophetess”, Juliet Masakanire, who is facing aggravated indecent assault charges, was recently granted ZWL$1 000 bail by Gweru magistrate Progress Murandu.

The 29-year-old founder and leader of Pray Deliverance and Testimony Ministries International is alleged to have s_xually molested a 32-year-old female member of her church.

The prophetess allegedly offered temporary accommodation to a female member of the Pray Deliverance and Testimony Ministries International church some time in January this year. The two would share the same bed each night.

In the same month, Masakanire allegedly told the complainant that she was going to get married to a husband by the name of Stanley Chinyonga.

On an unknown date during the month of February, Masakanire allegedly woke up during the night and introduced herself as Stanley Chinyonga and started kissing, caressing and fingering the complainant.

She allegedly overpowered the complainant and warned her of dire consequences if she did not submit. The abuse happened on four different occasions.

On 28 June, the complainant finally informed a church mate of her ordeal at the hands of the prophetess and the matter was reported to the police leading to Masakanire’s arrest.

-Midlands News

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) has condemned the arrest of students for peacefully protesting against corruption and economic deterioration on 31 July 2020.

This comes after Tawanda Muchehiwa was taken from police custody by gunmen and brutally tortured for two days, while Panashe Sivindani was arrested for raising a placard denouncing corruption. Methembe Msipha was also arrested for moving around with a Zimbabwean flag.

In a statement, ZINASU Secretary-General Tapiwanashe Chiriga demanded an end to brutality and harassment of students. The statement read:

The Zimbabwe National Students Union is appalled by the continued targeted harassment of students by the military junta of Emmerson Mnangagwa.

We condemn the inhumane, cruel and satanic abduction and torture of Tawanda Muchehiwa whose only crime was PEACEFULLY exercising his Constitutional right to protest.

Tawanda’s abduction and torture sum up the character and nature of Mnangagwa’s Old Deception, whose only difference with Mugabe is lack of wit.

We condemn the senseless arrest and persecution of Panashe Sivindani, for PEACEFULLY exercising her right to protest.

We condemn the senseless and stupid persecution of Methembe Msipha, arrested for moving around with the Zimbabwean flag.

It is only an archaic dictatorship devoid of sense, out of depth and on its way to hell that feels threatened by students holding placards.

Only a government lacking the essential foundations of a social contract can fear that peaceful students can pull down its bloodstained walls.

The shrinking of civic space at such an alarming rate and the criminalization of dissent by Mnangagwa is and will be nothing more than the speeding up of his journey to political abyss together with his fellow vacuous intellectual amoebas.

The Students Union will not take lightly a regime that sees students as enemies. We want nothing less than a better, inclusive and democratic Zimbabwe with students as integral stakeholders where students concerns are addressed and academic freedoms upheld. That is not too much to ask and this is a vision we will fight for to the bitter of ends.

We demand that Emerson Mnangagwa and his merchants of terror stop harassing citizens in general and students in particular if they do not want us on their list of enemies

By A Correspondent- The Ministry of Health and Child Care has made it mandatory that corpses being handled at health institutions be tested for the novel coronavirus.

Similarly, in rural areas, every death is now being treated as a potential case for COVID-19 that need to be tested.

Acting Provincial Medical Director for Matabeleland North Province Dr Munekai Padingani has said they have instructed community members to report cases of sudden death to the police so that a Rapid Response Team (RRT) can collect the specimen. He said:

If there is death in the community, we have instructed community members to call the police and a Rapid Response Team (RRT) is also dispatched to collect the specimen.

The communities and traditional leaders are being sensitised that with any sudden death or just any death at home they must first make a report so that specimens are collected before the person is buried.

Reports indicate that some families in rural areas have been housing escapees from quarantine centres and in turn spreading the virus within villages.

As of Saturday, 1 August 2020, Zimbabwe had recorded 3 659 coronavirus cases, of which 2 579 are active, 1 011 recovered and 69 have died.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Tawanda Muchehiwa who was abducted last Thursday and tortured by Mnangagwa’s Ferret team for three days before they dumped him three kilometers from his home last night is being treated at a private clinic.

Ousted Zanu Pf former politburo member has revealed that Muchehiwa could have been poisoned as he is exhibiting symptoms of acute renal failure.

Said Moyo:

“Tawanda Muchehiwa abducted last Thursday & tortured by Mnangagwa’s Ferret Force for three days before they dumped him three kilometers from his home last night is being treated at a private clinic. There’re worries he was poisoned. He’s exhibiting symptoms of acute renal failure!”

By A Correspondent- In Chegutu West, 8 MDC Alliance members are on the run amid revelations that they are being hunted over the July 31 protests.

Said the MDC Alliance in a twitter post:

“In Chegutu West, we have 8 members who have been displaced since #31July. Their homes are being stalked for 2 nights in a row now. Families are being harrassed to reveal their whereabouts.They are being hunted for excercising their rights.”

The development comes following the crackdown on opposition stalwarts over the July 31 protest by security details where AK47 wielding police officers and soldiers are conducting night raids on their homes.

Several opposition leaders have gone into hiding while others have been arrested.