Farai Dziva|Harare South MP Tongai Mnangagwa has tested positive for COVID-19.

Mnangagwa, quoted by Open Parly said:

” COVID-19 is real, is painful and people must exercise precautions in order to stay safe.

It is with great dismay that I have to deliver this news to you my friends and colleagues. I have tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and I am appealing to everyone who has been in contact with me to take precautionary measures and get tested and/or go into isolation whilst practicing all the safety precautions.”

“This is not something easy, it deters you from your loved ones and also affects the people around you that love you.

Its is not a situation I would want anyone to be in…. Its a painful road, having to get up each day and hope to make it to the next.

I sometimes experience pain that is so excruciating that I feel like letting go. This disease has taken away our loved ones and continues to do so and this is sad.

It would not be fair for me not to open up because I know I work with a lot of people and I do not want to see them lose their lives. I also owe it to the electorate who voted for me to get into Parliament to represent them.”

“We make no apologies for fixing our systems across the socio, economic and political spectrum.”

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1/ Dear @Julius_S_Malema • Zimbabwe is a sovereign nation and not an extension of South Africa. • Zimbabweans are more than able to champion their own progress. • If you are serious about Zimbabwean lives, start by organizing protests against Xenophobia.

2/ I haven’t heard you speakout about Zimbabweans who are being left to die in South Africa from #COVID19. I expect you to lead a campaign for the issuing of work permits to Millions of Zimbabweans working in South Africa. #ZimbabweanLivesMatter #EveryLifeMatters

3/ Political ambition is good but one should not seek political mileage over anothers misfortune. Stop using Zimbabwe as your campaign card. Sort out RSA issues instead of meddling in our affairs. SA has worse inequalities, violence etc to address, yet you want to play prefect.

4/ As Zimbabweans we will engage each other &resolve our issues as one family Indeed #ZimbabweanLivesMatter #SouthAfricansLivesMatter too Stop Xenophobia on Zimbabweans in SA, it’s inhuman &uncalled for We wont allow grandstanding Let us all endeavour to fix our home ground first

By Jane Mlambo| Grammy nominated Jamaican band, Morgan Heritage has joined widening calls for solidarity with Zimbabwean people through the trending hashtag #ZimbabweanLivesMatter by appealing for help to ‘brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe’.

Responding to a tweet in which a Zimbabwean appealed to the band to voice out against human rights abuses by the government of Zimbabwe, the group said they like many other global influencers who have already tweeted using the trending hashtag, stand with Zimbabwe.

“Jah come help our falling race! Our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe needs your help. We stand with you!#ZimbabweanLivesMatter,” said Morgan Heritage.

Several prominent people across the globe have voiced out against excesses of the government of Zimbabwe including former Liberian President Madam Sirleaf Johnson, Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, South African opposition leaders Julias Malema and Mmusi Maimane among others.

Ten more Covid-19 deaths were reported yesterday, the second highest daily toll after 12 passed on last Thursday, taking the death toll to 80 while 154 new cases were confirmed, all local infections, taking the cumulative total to 4 075 and the number of local infections to 2 982.

Eight of yesterday’s deaths were in Harare health institutions, four men and four women, according to the daily Covid-19 report from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, with two more men dying in Manicaland and Matabeleland South.

Of the 154 local infections, 72 were in Harare, taking the city total to 1 299, with 39 deaths, almost half the total. Bulawayo saw 50 new cases, taking its total to 996 but with the death toll sitting still at 20, while Midlands, the third epicentre, saw eight new cases with its total rising to 245 with five deaths. Manicaland was worse, with 12 new cases, taking its total to 113, and it has now recorded six deaths.

Mashonaland East, which includes the satellite town of Harare abutting eastern and north-eastern borders now has 161 local infections, after four more yesterday. South Africa has recorded another 213 deaths in one day to take its total to 8 366 from 511 485 cases.

As a result of the surge in Covid-19 local infections, Treasury has allocated another $18,5 million for Covid-19 Rapid Response Teams as Government warns both public and private medical hospitals and clinics against refusing to admit patients who do not have Covid-19 test results.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa yesterday said Government was concerned with the increase in Covid-19 confirmed cases over the past week, with the Sunday to Sunday figures almost doubling and local cases now forming almost all infections in the daily reports.

She said an analysis of Covid-19 hotspots continued to be made across the country to enable the channelling of required resources to these areas, especially fresh vegetable markets in Harare and Bulawayo.

“It was noted that persons from different environs visit these markets and testing would give an indication of infection rates.

“The Harare Rapid Response Teams conducted tests at Mbare Musika yesterday and today and of those tested, seven people (8,75 percent) were positive. It was also noted that there are high risks posed by these markets, which include crowding of clients, poor sanitation conditions for vendors and no easy donning of masks by the general public and vendors,” she said.

This errant behaviour in the form of continued disregard of Covid-19 containment measures, which includes physical distancing, wearing of face masks and sanitisation is also being witnessed in public spaces such as supermarkets, malls and banking halls.

“In light of the above, four additional Rapid Response Teams are now being established; two for Chitungwiza, one for Ruwa, another for Epworth.”

The four towns are all satellite towns of Harare sharing a border with the city, although Ruwa falls in Mashonaland East Province.

“Treasury has allocated Harare $10 million, Bulawayo $6 million and Chitungwiza $2,5 million for the Covid-19 teams especially for Rapid Response Teams.

“The Covid-19 war is now in our communities and we have to increase our vigilance and the need to adhere to protective and preventative measures cannot be over emphasised. The more we get into crowds, the more we expose ourselves to Covid-19,” she said.

Minister Mutsvangwa said the taskforce was informed that some private and public health institutions were refusing to admit patients who had no Covid-19 test results.

“This is contrary to provisions of the Public Health Act and Government warns those medical facilities who have been contravening this Act. All hospitals both public and private should admit all patients without the pre-requirement of a Covid-19 test and proceed to do a PCR test on admission. The latter will determine whether the patient will be further managed in the green or red zone,” she said.

The taskforce received a report that in light of the rising Covid-19 figures, which indicate increased risk in communities, the number of PCR tests done per week has doubled with average tests per day standing at 1 130 as compared to 559 from the week ending July 24, 2020.

“We will continue to increase our testing levels to ensure those who are at risk and have been exposed receive the medical attention they need. As such, the Ministry of Health and Child Care will be flighting a 72-hour tender on August 4, 2020, for the procurement of four PCR machines, 220 000 PCR test kits, 25 000 antigen RDTs and other laboratory consumables. The US$5,6 million already allocated by Government will be used for this procurement.

“To address testing backlog and delays in the issuance of test results, the taskforce was informed that laboratory staff at Mpilo in Bulawayo and St Luke’s in Lupane have been trained to use the Abbott Platform, which will assist in clearing the backlog at the National TB Reference Laboratory in Bulawayo. Meanwhile, an information technology solution on the issuance of results is being developed by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in collaboration with the Harare Institute of Technology to reduce the delays in the issuance of results,” she said.

-State Media

Own Correspondent

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has burst out against what he called “rogue Zimbabweans acting in league with foreign detractors” who are sabotaging him in running the country.

In a surprise early morning address to the nation from State House Tuesday morning Mnangagwa spoke angrily inferring to the viral #zimbabewanlivesmatter which is shaking the world’s social media after government’s brutal crackdown on organisers of foiled anti-government protests.

Mnangagwa declared “enough is enough”, insisting his administration has not been given a chance since inception to pursue its programmes uninterrupted.

Mnangagwa said “those who promote hate and disharmony will never win”, “the bad apples that have attempted to divide our people…will never win”.

“We make no apologies for fixing our systems across, political, social and economic spectrum…” said the Zimbabwean leader.

Mnangagwa said attacks against his administration were being launched at a time government was “entrenching democracy and rule of law”.

Mnangagwa was adamant Zimbabwe’s security forces, “will carry out with strictness and resolve” against what he described as terrorist opposition groupings.

Mnangagwa said “dark forces both inside and outside our borders have tampered with our growth for too long” adding, “Enough is enough…will defend it from all form of attack.”

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President Emmerson Mnangagwa Tuesday said he is under a coordinated attack from people and countries who do not want to see his administration achieving the goals it set to develop the country.

Addressing a surprise press conference at State House, Mnangagwa said the opposition parties, which he called terrorist groups, have been working in cahoots with some of his members and other countries to sabotage his adminstration.

He said there were ‘dark forces” both in and outside Zimbabwe which are working to divide the country but warned that he will deal with any attempts to destabilise the country.

This comes after Zimbabwe has attracted global sympathy following gross human rights in the wake of a thwarted demonstration which was scheduled for last week.

“My administration has faced many hurdles and attacks since its inauguration and these include the divisive politics of some opposition elements, the illegal economic sanctions, cyclones, drought and most recently, the deadly COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

He said other elements include local currency manipulation and detractors who fear that his government will succeed.

“All this was meant to undermine our projected growth and stability as a result, we have had to constantly recalibrate our compass to ensure that we remain on course and that the standard of life for the majority of our society gets better,” Mnangagwa said.

He said he will defeat the attacks to destabilise the society which he blamed on ” a few rogue Zimbabweans acting in league with foreign detractors.

He further said the reforms, opening up and liberalization and modernization his government began shall continue with an accelerated pace. while warning those who promote hate and disharmony whom he said will never win.

“The bad apples that have attempted to divide our people and to weaken our systems shall be flashed out. Good shall triumph over evil.

“We make no apologies for fixing our systems across the socio-economic and political spectrum,” Mnangagwa said.

Zimbabwe has been receiving a lot of goodwill from across the world with high profile people standing with the country in the wake of gross human rights abuses by the government on the opposition and civil society members.

More than a dozen people were arrested and tortured at the hands of state agents in connection with last week’s demonstration which was suppressed by the security forces.

Those arrested include renowned novelist Tsitsi Dangarembgwa, MDC A Spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere, journalist Mduduzi Mathuthu, whose nephew was abducted found four days later with serious injuries.

Opposition leader Jacob Ngarivhume and journalist Hopewell Chin’ono were also arrested prior to the demonstration, a move which was received by widespread condemnation.

The latest crackdown on opposition and critics of the government have raised ire with celebrities and sports personalities across the world standing with the country on social media using the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter hashtag, which as of yesterday was trending in most parts of the world.

However, Mnangagwa said his government Is unrelenting in seeing that the country remains peaceful through his legislative frameworks.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has early Tuesday morning issued an address on way forward regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy, peace and stability in the country.

Watch video downloading below as produced by the ZBC.

Watch video downloading below.

State Media

The Global Compensation Deed agreement between the Government and white former farmers whose land was expropriated under land reform makes it clear that there will be no compensation for the land itself, but, as laid down in the Zimbabwean Constitution and law, there will be compensation for improvements, biological assets and land clearing costs.

The main sticking point in the negotiations that led to the agreement was not the land compensation issue, the farmers having accepted that this was not on the table, but the actual value of the improvements, with the Government looking initially at a figure of US$1,2 billion and the farmers at US$5,4 billion.

Rather than argue indefinitely, regional independent assessors were brought in to review the valuation.

That in turn led to a Government offer of US$3,5 billion after further talks, which the farmers, after a referendum, accepted.

With the figure now set the financing can start with a joint approach by both Government and farmers to international lenders.

The joint approach, plus the successful talks that led to the agreement, are seen as critical in mobilising the funding with everyone seeing this will signify the end of all legal and financial disputes and close the chapter.

The farmers are not blocked from seeking land compensation, but as part of the agreement have accepted that this would be a totally separate deal, laying no obligations on the Zimbabwean Government and would require independent foreign financing, especially from the former colonial power.

The process to reach an agreement on improvements compensation started in 2017 when the President, in his inauguration speech, pledged to compensate the former farmers in line with the Zimbabwean Constitution and this new approach revived stalled talks between Government and the former farmers.

With both parties now desiring a deal, progress was possible and talks quickly centred on just how much compensation should be paid and how this could subsequently be financed.

The Inter-Ministerial Compensation Committee, that was headed by Vice President Chiwenga, had by February this year come to the Government’s conclusion and so was able to meet the Former Farm Owners’ Compensation Steering Committee (CSC) to “finalise the modalities for agreeing on a global compensation figure and subsequent payment”.

A meeting between the negotiating parties with the World Bank, saw the international lender pledging to offer technical support in developing a compensation roadmap and financial structuring for borrowing for compensation after the roadmap has been developed.

On May 22 the Minister of Finance and Economic Development told the joint negotiating committee that the roadmap to be developed with the World Bank technical assistance should be developed only after a global compensation figure has been agreed, as this was the critical point.

The white former farmers then voted in a referendum and accepted the US$3,5 billion last offer from Government.

The GCD then was thrashed out and was signed last week by Government, represented by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, the Commercial Farmers Union (CFU), the Southern African Commercial Farmers Alliance (SAFCA) and the Valuation Consortium (Private) Limited (Valcon).

SAFCA represented the interests of commercial farmers in Matabeleland while Valcom represented the interests of all farmers who were not members of any union.

According to the agreement, the money will be paid in instalments, with half payable 12 months after signature of the agreement.

The other half will be paid in four annual instalments, each of one eighth of the amount but the whole lot can be paid within 12 months if the money is mobilised by then.

The farmers agreed to join the Government in the joint approach to potential funders; it could not be a solo Government operation.

“As soon as practicable after signature of the agreement, the parties will set up a joint resource mobilisation committee to work together with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to raise funds for payment of the global compensation figure,” read the agreement in part.

The governing laws of the agreement are Zimbabwean laws and any dispute that may arise will be resolved in terms of the Arbitration Act of Zimbabwe.

Part of the agreement entailed that the Joint Resources Mobilisation Committee, that comprised representatives from Government as well as the farmers’ representatives, would engage international lenders.

“Government and the white former farmers would establish a Joint Mobilisation Committee to work with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development for Government to raise funds for compensation of improvements by issuing long dated paper with a tenure of 30 years. If the Joint Resources Mobilisation Committee, however, failed to raise sufficient funds in time, the payment periods for the down payment and the balance of the global compensation figure will be extended by written mutual consent of the parties.

In the event that the white former farmers wanted compensation for land, they should come up with a different and separate draft agreement on land compensation, which would state the type of compensation they needed from Government in order to get international assistance.

“However, the agreement should also clearly absolve Government of any obligation for compensation of land as provided for in the Constitution. Part of the agreement also entails that the white farmers get compensation from outside Zimbabwe including the former colonial power Britain.

“The global compensation figure as agreed by negotiators in the JTCNC is US$3,5 billion. It was estimated according to the principles set out in the Land Acquisition Act and represents a negotiated settlement for compensation of the value of improvements, biological assets and land clearing costs for land, which was compulsorily acquired for resettlement,” read the agreement in part.

Air Commodore Jasper Chimedza, the former Director-General Health Services for the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, has been appointed Secretary for Health and Child Care by President Mnangagwa with immediate effect.

Chief Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda announced the appointment in a statement issued yesterday.

MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzai Mahere has declared the appointment illegal.

A 15-YEAR-OLD boy from Cowdray Park suburb in Bulawayo allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself using an electric cable tied to roof trusses.

The victim, whose name was not revealed, was doing Form 2 at a local school.

It is not clear why he allegedly committed suicide, but sources said he was discovered by a relative in his bedroom.

The female relative called for neighbours who came and cut the electric cable in the hope of rendering first aid but he was already dead.

Police were called to attend the scene and have since launched an investigation into the matter.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said the relative informed the police how he found the teenager hanging from the roof trusses.

“Our informant is the one who discovered that the boy was hanging from his bedroom’s roof trusses.

“She had gone into his room to call him to join her in fetching water, since the suburb had no water.

“After discovering him, she rushed to call neighbours with one of them cutting the electric cable but unfortunately he was already dead,” said Insp Ncube.

He said cops attended the scene and discovered that his body had been laid down facing upward.

Insp Ncube said his body had no visible injury marks.

He appealed to the public to seek counselling services when faced with difficulties as opposed to ending their lives

“This is a young life that has been needlessly lost. I believe if he was counselled, this incident could have been avoided.

“The public should not suffer in silence. They can seek counselling services from the elderly, close friends, religious leaders and even us as police,” he said.

A comment could not be obtained from his relatives as news crew did not visit the family’s home.

State Media

Legislators want the Child Protection Act amended to raise from 18 to 22 years the age at which children living in care facilities should be discharged, legislators have said.

Members of Parliament have noted that the current age of 18 years upon which children living in homes should be discharged created uncertainty as most of them would still be of school-going age.

This is contained in a recent report by Parliament’s portfolio committee on Public Service Labour and Social Welfare when it presented a report on a petition from National Residential Care Leavers Network Thrust. The organisation felt that there was a possible violation of rights of young adults on discharge from residential child care facilities.

“The Ministry of Public Service Labour and Social Welfare should expeditiously submit a Bill amending the Child Protection Act to Parliament by 31st August 2020. The Bill should clearly define the age and conditions under, which a child in residential care becomes eligible for discharge, amongst other key issues.

“The committee recommends an upwards review of the age of discharge from 18 to 22 years. In addition, the Bill should provide for establishment of half-way homes to accommodate these young adults post residential care until they can independently care for themselves,” reads the report.

Following Telecel and NetOne, Econet has released new prices for out of bundle voice, data and SMS. These prices take effect from the fourth of August:

Dear Valued Customer

Please note our Voice, Data & SMS out of bundle tariffs as per regulatory approval effective 4 August 2020.

Voice – ZWL$0.0722 per second

Data – ZWL$0.8668 per MB

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To access Voice & Data bundles, dial *143#
To access new SMS bundles, dial *140#

All prices are inclusive of taxes.Econet Wireless

MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa has suffered a second major family bereavement within a few weeks.

Chamisa was in Gweru on Monday for the burial of his uncle. The death comes on shortly after Chamisa lost his mother.

Chamisa was in Gweru at the weekend to attend the burial of former Midlands Provincial Agritex officer Mr Peter Chamisa, who is his father’s brother.

Chamisa who is widely followed in the country opted to silently go to the burial which could easily have ended up being over subscribed. A few MDC Alliance followers however turned up at the funeral.

“There were only a few who attended the burial and the only notable figure was ward 11 councillor, Mr Albert Chirawu, who is a provincial member,”said a source.

Gweru mayor Mr Josaih Makombe, who is also the Midlands provincial party chairperson, however, dismissed reports they snubbed their leader including the burial of his relative.

Own Correspondent

Nephew to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Tongai Mnangagwa, has announce testing positive for Covid-19.

Mnangagwa, who is also the ZANU PF Harare South Member of Parliament made the announcement in a constituency WhatsApp group Monday.

“It is with great dismay that I have to deliver this news to you my friends and colleagues,” he said.

“I have tested positive for coronavirus disease Covid-19 and I am appealing to everyone who has been in contact with me to take precautionary measures and get tested and/or go into isolation whilst practising all the safety precautions.

“This is not something easy, it deters you from your loved ones and also affects the people around you that love you. It’s is not a situation I would want anyone to be in.

“It’s a painful road, having to get up each day and hope to make it to the next.”

Mnangagwa added, “I sometimes experience pain that is so excruciating that I feel like letting go.

“This disease has taken away our loved ones and continues to do so and this is sad.

“It would not be fair for me not to open up because I know I work with a lot of people and I do not want to see them lose their lives. I also owe it to the electorate who voted for me to get into Parliament to represent them.

“I am appealing to you to take this seriously as a nation, we are under attack from this deadly pandemic. Let us all stay vigilant and stay safe, this pandemic is taking lives. Kindly continue praying with and for me in this period.

“Protect yourself and others around you by knowing the facts and taking appropriate precautions. Follow advice provided by your local health authority.”

Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa has launched Twitter attack on South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema for speaking against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s human rights violations and arrests on opposition members.

Mliswa launched the attack after Malema Twitted that Zanu PF members must be banned from entering South Africa and threatening to shut down the embassy in South Africa.

Here is Mliswa’s full tweet below:

Own Correspondent

Ten people died of coronavirus in Zimbabwe on Monday6 raising the death toll to 80.

The country recorded 154 new cases bringing the total to 4 075.

Forty-one people, 27 of them from Manicaland, recovered from the virus bringing the total to 1 057 but there are still 2 938 active cases.

Zimbabwe had only seven deaths and 591 cases up to the end of June.

It had 2 578 cases in July alone and 60 deaths.

It has recorded 13 deaths and 906 cases in the first three days of this month.

ZIMBABWE’s laws are there to safeguard the rights of all citizens and not only opposition parties, Zanu PF secretary for Commissariat Victor Matemadanda has said.

Addressing a Press conference in Harare yesterday, Matemadanda said the Government’s primary responsibility was to prevent violence and uphold constitutionalism.
“We are a constitutional republic where the law is there to protect the rights of all citizens and not only opposition political parties,” said Matemadanda.

“In every constitution the world over, it is provided that there shall be a defence and security force whose work is clearly expressed. It is the duty of any elected government to defend and protect property. No Government will fold its hands while the opposition gangs up to overthrow it.”

He warned the opposition to stop seeking attention from their handlers through tarnishing the image of the country and its leadership.

“We have led protests ourselves, the biggest ever and we led from the front, we never sacrificed other people for our benefit. In fact, we protected our people and offered ourselves.

“The opposition is confused because right now they say everything went according to plan, they never wanted to get onto the streets but to cause work stoppage.

“Why didn’t they tell their supporters that?” queried Matemadanda.

He urged Zimbabweans not to take MDC-A drama queens and kings seriously since they are only interested in enriching themselves.

“To send videos while hiding in the bush is serious drama and not fighting for the people. No one goes to war and expects to win it while hiding,” he said-The Herald

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ZimEye early this morning hears the horrific story as narrated by the victim herself, the wife of a Mashonaland East MDC supporter.

…….

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Dear Editor

My wife was caught on the 28th of July at 11:40 p.m. in the evening; when they took her they said that they were after my head. So what they managed to do was to demolish the fence when they failed to enter; they uprooted the poles to the fencing, they destroyed the fencing because the gate was difficult. So when they entered they went ahead to destroy the screen door. I am sending the pictures so that you see them. When they had destroyed the screen door they smashed the key area to the main entrance. Once inside they began destroying the TV. All my windows at the house were destroyed. After the damage, they entered in and took my wife outside and they said that they were looking for me. They looked underneath the bed to be sure that I was not hiding anywhere, then went outside and threw her into a 4×4 vehicle.

https://youtu.be/k-Q9a0YIwnY

They then left the area, and went towards a place in Makulu, in Crest Farm, near Marirangwe. In that place, at the end of the farm property that is where they then dumped my wife. Before they had dumped her, they took her and forced her to drink a certain substance, a liquid. They forced her to drink a substance from water in a fridge, they been continued to pour the liquid all over her body while she was naked. After pouring this liquid over her body at the place which I later visited to see, after they had finished they left her.

At around 3 there are some dogs that started barking, so after they had left she rose up to walk to the side where the dogs were barking, they got to a place where she wanted to get to but the people there did not come out of their houses to assist. As the people kept refusing to come out what happened was she started crying out.

It was now nearly 4 oclock and when the people had delayed coming out she then continued screaming; then someone who was at a nearby house came out. In no time at all there were many people outside and they made loud noises with their car horns. At that point they then asked for her name. She was administered first aid and the 1st exercise done on her, what’s to give her warm tea. After the tea, they prepared some fire with light firewood. at around 6 to 7 that is when she telephoned and she announced that she was in a place called Makulu. This is where I am as the people who assisted me have told me. These are The people who assisted me. That is when I been drove to the area to pick her up. After taking her away to bring her home, my house is now severely damaged and she is now living in fear; and this is the second time it is happening to me. So things are really not well; we are suffering. Right now we are at zero level, we need your help.

Ndatenda. I thank you

Rapper Stunner (real name Desmond Chideme) who was critically ill and hospitalised for weeks has been discharged and wants people to know one thing, that Covid-19 is real.

Although his ailment was not made public, Stunner this weekend took to his Instagram account to share a saucy image and advise people that he is out of danger, but with a crucial message.

He advised people to protect themselves from the deadly Covid-19 pandemic whose cases in the country are on the rise.

“The funny thing about Covid is that people think varikuitirwa hutsinye muma road nemabhawa (people think they are being treated unfairly by being given restrictions on movements and the closure of bars).

“They are even organising house parties to substitute bars . . . the biggest mistake is thinking we won’t get it from people we know or our relatives or rich people. Covid is not selective and cowards live longest,” wrote Stunner.

His message came at a time when rumours were doing the rounds that several people who patronised a party in Bulawayo’s affluent suburb, Burnside last month contracted the coronavirus with some allegedly succumbing to it.

Well aware of the seriousness of the disease, also likely due to the treatment he got at the hospital as all patients are being treated with extra caution in case they have the virus, Stunner said he did not allow visitors while in hospital.

“I didn’t allow visitors at the hospital even though many of you wanted to come through.

You didn’t know what my illness was and you were still by the doorstep and same way, I didn’t know what you’d bring in. Covid is real guys and it’s killing people. I’m 100% fit and still practising safety at home,” added Stunner-Chronicle

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.

The MDC Alliance Assembly of Women notes with great concern the recent hunting down, arbitrary arrests, abductions and torture of its leaders across the country ahead of the July 31 demonstrations.

We noticed a massive wave of human rights abuses on our leaders and other female activists by security agents of a failed and clueless state. We would like to categorically state that these, and no other amount of abuses will erase the fact that our government officials including Emmerson Mnangagwa have destroyed our country through corruption.

They are busy looting Covid-19 funds and abusing state funds through shoddy deals that only benefit themselves and their families while the rest of the people are wallowing in poverty.

The health delivery system is malfunctioning – with doctors and nurses on strike.

The bond notes and RTGS dollar are now valueless. Prices of basic commodities are beyond the reach of many and it is women who bear the brunt and it is against this background that the Assembly of Women denounces such kinds of inhuman acts and arresting them or torturing them will neither silence us nor solve the problems.

Before, on and after the 31st of July, we saw the arrest and torture of Bulawayo Provincial Chairlady, Mrs Tendai L Masotsha, our National Spokesperson Ms Fadzai Mahere, Our National Chairlady Hon Muchirairwa Mugidho, Hon Linnet Mazingaidzo, some civil society leaders Tsitsi Dangarembwa, Namatai Kwekweza and other leaders within our structures.

Whilst others have been released and charged with fake and dubious charges, we demand the release of our Chair Hon Mugidho who is locked up at Chiredzi Police Station. We denounce these abuses in toto and reiterate that women’s rights are human rights and the government must respect that and protect the women instead of harassing them. Women constitute 52% of the population and their voices must be heard.

We say No to gender based violence. We say no to police brutality.

We say no to arbitrary arrests. We will not keep quiet as long as we are not able to fend for our children, as long as we are not able to buy sanitary pads.

As the Assembly of Women, we would like to put it on record that we will speak out for the restoration of our dignity.
Wathinthu’mama, Wathintimbokodo!!!!*

Barbara Gwangwara- Tanyanyiwa
Spokesperson –
Assembly of Women
2/8/2020

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.”

VIDEO LOADING BELOW

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 protests.

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|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 protests.

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

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

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

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

Today(Saturday) 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

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…..

“

“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.

– – – Buy NetOne, Telecel Airtime on WhatsApp using EcoCash.

Send the word Airtime to +263 714 815 229

No extra charges. – – –

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

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