Own Correspondent | Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services details at Masvingo Remand Prison are denying Macrad Trust Director Epraim Mutombeni access to food.
It has come to the attention of ZimEye.com that prison officers are citing Covid-19 restrictions as the main reason why Mutombeni has been denied food for the past 2 days.
ZPSC officers also forcibly dismissed Mutombeni’s lawyer Martin Mureri who had come to see his client falsely accusing him of using the opportunity to see his client as a way of bringing food for Mutombeni.
However, it appears they were under instruction from their superiors .
Mutombeni (28) was charged with undermining the authority of the President as defined in section 33(2)(a) (i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform )Act and was remanded in custody to the 13th of July 2020 with his bail application denied .
The arrest of Mutombeni comes in the background of a visit by a high powered delegation of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to Masvingo Province to conduct an inquiry into the evictions of the Shangaan people in Chiredzi District’s Chilonga and Masivamele areas. He was supposed to present crucial evidence to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, on the eve of his arrest as such this has raised the ire of civil society leaders across Zimbabwe as it is clear to them that the state is using trumped up charges to ensure that Mutombeni and other civil society actors in Masvingo Province are deterred from campaigning against the land rights of the Shangaan people in Chiredzi District.
His arrest was preceeded by days of key MACRAD staff members being trailed by unknown individuals in vehicles without number plates.
Mutombeni a Shangaan clansman himself has for the past 2 months been the most vocal critic against these eviction and his organization Masvingo Centre for Research Advocacy and Development released a damming report that implicated and exposed the government of Zimbabwe for not following the correct procedures and trying to forcibly relocate the Shangaan people from their ancestral land .
Investigations by ZimEye.com have revealed that a company named Dendiary Pvt Ltd which is believed to be Chinese fronted as the major beneficiary of these relocations and apparently in a recent visit to the area by VP Chiwenga local people embarrassed the Vice-President as they demonstrated in front of him with state security agents aso identifying Mutombeni as the individual who might have led these demonstrations .
Mutombeni is being represented by the Zimbabwe lawyers for Human Rights and his application for removal from remand at the High Court of Masvingo is set to be heard on Friday 4 July 2020.
Farai Dziva|Zanu PF has barred MDC Alliance councillor for ward 34, Gutu Central, Wickliff Matindike from carrying out his official duties.
Masvingo Minister Of State, Ezra Chadzamira has imposed a Zanu PF losing candidate, Susan Samatanga as the councillor for ward.
Samatanga is now carrying out all the official duties as the councillor for the ward.
Speaking to ZimEye.com in an interview on Wednesday, Matindike said he was struggling to carry out his official duties because of Zanu PF stalwarts were determined to frustrate him.
“I am facing some challenges in my ward, it’s true.
A Zanu PF losing candidate in the ward is now in charge of everything. She is literally performing all the duties of an elected official.
They are blocking me from accessing food aid from the Social Welfare on behalf of the residents in my ward.
Everything has been politicized.Samatanga is also attending key meetings on behalf of the residents,” said Matindike.
“She meets all Government officials who come to the ward and has access to the District Development Co-ordinator’s office at anytime- which the MDC Alliance councillor doesn’t have,” a concerned resident said.
Farai Dziva|Zanu PF has barred MDC Alliance councillor for ward 34, Gutu Central, Wickliff Matindike from carrying out his official duties.
Masvingo Minister Of State, Ezra Chadzamira has imposed a Zanu PF losing candidate, Susan Samatanga as the councillor for ward.
Samatanga is now carrying out all the official duties as the councillor for the ward.
Speaking to ZimEye.com in an interview on Wednesday, Matindike said he was struggling to carry out his official duties because of Zanu PF stalwarts were determined to frustrate him.
“I am facing some challenges in my ward, it’s true.
A Zanu PF losing candidate in the ward is now in charge of everything. She is literally performing all the duties of an elected official.
They are blocking me from accessing food aid from the Social Welfare on behalf of the residents in my ward.
Everything has been politicized.Samatanga is also attending key meetings on behalf of the residents,” said Matindike.
“She meets all Government officials who come to the ward and has access to the District Development Co-ordinator’s office at anytime- which the MDC Alliance councillor doesn’t have,” a concerned resident said.
ZANU PF Secretary for Commissariat Victor Matemadanda has disowned a Twitter account in his name, which he claims was engineered by his enemies bent on tarnishing his image.
This follows a message circulating on social media purportedly posted by Matemadanda where he is threatening to deal with those who try to create two centres of power within the ruling party.
According to the twitter handle, he said a leader is elected by the congress not those who are power hungry trying to dethrone the President unconstitutionally.
Matemadanda said he did not have a Twitter account.
“I do not have a twitter account.
Let it be known that Matemadanda does not have a twitter account.
The twitter account is a creation of my enemies who are trying to destabilise the party and soil my name,” he said.
He said those behind the fake Twitter handle were shameless impostors bent on soiling his image for cheap political gain.
He added that no amount of smearing will break Zanu PF party-The Herald
ZANU PF Secretary for Commissariat Victor Matemadanda has disowned a Twitter account in his name, which he claims was engineered by his enemies bent on tarnishing his image.
This follows a message circulating on social media purportedly posted by Matemadanda where he is threatening to deal with those who try to create two centres of power within the ruling party.
According to the twitter handle, he said a leader is elected by the congress not those who are power hungry trying to dethrone the President unconstitutionally.
Matemadanda said he did not have a Twitter account.
“I do not have a twitter account.
Let it be known that Matemadanda does not have a twitter account.
The twitter account is a creation of my enemies who are trying to destabilise the party and soil my name,” he said.
He said those behind the fake Twitter handle were shameless impostors bent on soiling his image for cheap political gain.
He added that no amount of smearing will break Zanu PF party-The Herald
The High Court in Masvingo will on Monday 6 July 2020 preside over the hearing and determination of an application seeking the release on bail from prison of Ephraim Muthombeni, the Director of Masvingo Centre for Research Advocacy and Community Development (MACRAD), who was committed to prison after he was arrested last week and charged with undermining authority of or insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The 28 year-old Muthombeni was denied bail on Monday 29 June 2020 by Masvingo Magistrate Mbonisi Ndlovu, who ruled that the MACRAD leader is a flight risk and could escape from standing trial.
Muthombeni, who is represented by Martin Mureri of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) had applied for his release on bail after he was arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) members on Sunday 28 June 2020 and charged with undermining authority of or insulting President Mnangagwa as defined in section 33(2)(a)(i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Prosecutors alleged that Muthombeni faulted President Mnangagwa during an address to some commuters, who were queuing and waiting to board a state-owned Zimbabwe United Passenger Company bus, for presiding over Zimbabwe’s agonising economic crisis and demanding that the ZANU PF party leader resigns.
Muthombeni is alleged to have uttered the words; “Murikuona kumira kwamakaita pa queue imhosva ya President E.D Mnangagwa arikukwidza maprices e fuel achiba mari nevana vake. E.D must go,” which if loosely translated means; “You are suffering as a result of President Mnangagwa’s poor leadership and corruption committed by himself and his children and his failure to stem fuel price hikes and he should resign.”
A soldier and a police officer are undergoing trial after they were arrested and charged for assaulting a Bulawayo resident Weston Chandomba during the national lockdown period.
Obvious Nkomo aged 35 years, who is a soldier based at Induna Barracks and is employed as a corporal in the Zimbabwe National Army and Sergeant Dennis Maturi aged 45 years, who is employed by Zimbabwe Republic Police appeared before Magistrate Jaconiah Ncube at Western Commonage Court in Bulawayo on Friday 26 June 2020 to answer to charges of assault as defined in section 89(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Prosecutors told Magistrate Ncube that Nkomo and Maturi assaulted the 33 year-old Chandomba 33, who is employed as a mechanic on 1 May 2020 in Bulawayo’s Njube high-density suburb by slapping him with open hands and a butt of a riffle intending to cause bodily harm.
Prosecutors said Nkomo and Maturi were on duty escorting a truck selling maize meal and conducting routine checks when they quarreled with Chandomba and accused him of causing or behaving in a disorderly manner before assaulting him.
After assaulting Chandomba, prosecutors said Nkomo and Maturi handcuffed him together with other persons and ordered them to sit down on the tarmac before taking them to Njube Police Station, where he was detained for several hours until he was released without any charges preferred against him.
Prosecutors told Magistrate Ncube that Chandomba sustained a damaged right ear from the assault by Nkomo and Maturi.
Nkomo and Maturi are the first publicly known security services personnel to be arraigned before the courts charged with violating citizens’ rights during the national lockdown period.
Several people across the country have endured harassment, assault and torture at the hands of soldiers and police officers during the national lockdown period which was declared by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in March in a bid to combat the spread of coronavirus, which has affected more than 500 people in Zimbabwe.
In April, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), had to approach the High Court to secure court orders to stop soldiers and police officers from harassing, assaulting and violating citizens’ rights while enforcing regulations during the national lockdown period.
Already, several people across the country represented by ZLHR are suing soldiers and police officers for violating their fundamental rights during the ongoing national lockdown period.
Cash amounting to US$ 30 000 was stolen from a parked motor vehicle in Byo CBD on 30/06/20 at about 0800. The Complainant had parked his vehicle and entered a supermarket to buy some foodstuffs. Police are investigating the case.
— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) July 2, 2020
THE Bulawayo City Council has identified a site it intends constructing a new state of the art Stadium that conforms to Fifa and Caf standards.
It has also emerged that installation of new bucket seats at Barbourfields Stadium will see its carrying capacity reducing to 12 000.
An assistant director in the department of housing and community services confirmed the development in a report in the latest council minutes.
He said considerations for a new stadium were already underway and a new site for the facility had been identified, although the exact location of the site was not mentioned.
He was responding to an inquiry by councillor Felix Mhaka on refurbishment works being done at Barbourfields Stadium so that it meets Fifa and Caf standards.
Mhaka had suggested that council either demolishes Luveve or White City Stadium to build a new stadium.
By Nomusa Garikai- “The politics are being shaped from the market, it is as if we are being told, if you won’t have MDC-Alliance for an opposition then we will create an opposition for you through illicit market activities, through illicit NGOs, through disgruntled unions and through embassies mostly so given to making anti-government statements,” George Charamba, Mnangagwa presidential spokesperson, confessed.
“When you coalesce that you will realise that we are in a phase where destabilisation has assumed a market form. The calculation was a health sector led generalised public strike, we are aware of such plots.”
The greatest threat to any sitting government’s hold on power comes from the people who become restless if they believe government is no doing enough to help them meet their needs and aspirations.
The people of Zimbabwe are disgruntled because this Zanu PF government has failed to meet their basic needs of employment, decent housing, education for their children, etc.
Instead of taking the blame on the cheek, after 40 years of bad governance turn the other cheek, the regime is illicit market, illicit NGO, etc. How typical!
Last year the World Bank reported that 34% of the people in Zimbabwe were living in abject poverty, i.e. they could not afford one decent meal a day much less education for their children, basic health care and other necessities of life. In comparison, all the other countries in the region had single digit percentages living in abject poverty.
The corona virus pandemic has only added yet another layer of hardships to the existing ones. And so, even more people are now living in abject poverty. Worse still; with Zanu PF refusing to step down so meaningful democratic reforms can finally be implement and thus end the curse of rigged elections and bad governance; all signs are the situation is set to get worse and not better.
IMF, WB and many donors have stopped giving Zimbabwe any assistance, they are fearful the donation will be looted by the ruling elite, especially in these corona virus times when there are so many nations in need of help and who would put the donations to good use. Zimbabwe has earned itself a reputation as a Banana Republic and we are paying dearly for it!
There is no doubt the tragic situation in which so many people are forced to live in abject poverty is morally and politically reprehensible and unsustainable.
So far, Zanu PF has use brute force to stop street protests and other forms of public dissent. But history tells us that human beings are not sheep to go quietly to the slaughter; no amount of brutal oppression can keep the people quiet forever.
The country’s worsening economic situation is fuelling the people’s anger and frustration and one of these days the wall that has held them back all these years will finally burst releasing a tsunami wave that will sweep away all before it.
“It is the economy, stupid!” said former US President Bill Clinton.
Lucky for President Clinton the US economy has doing very, very well, thank you. And the people voted for him back into office for a second term regardless of his womanizing and other scandals.
Mnangagwa is not so lucky, he is cursed, the Zimbabwe economy is not only in deep, deep trouble but, worse still, he has no clue what to do and his blundering incompetence and addiction to corruption are making a bad situation worse.
The people of Zimbabwe themselves are becoming increasing aware that they have a grime choice. Either they grab the nettle and demand that this illegitimate Zanu PF regime steps down so the nation can finally implement the reforms and end the curse of rigged elections and bad governance. Or do nothing and let the regime drag them deeper and deeper into this man-made hell-on-earth Zanu PF created.
40 years of Zanu PF gross mismanagement and rampant corruption have ignited such a fierce economic meltdown, everything is melting. The intense heat generated by the economic meltdown is becoming unbearable even Zanu PF hardliners are getting restless. There is talk of yet another military coup. So, the regime is now living in fear of a military coup and/or civil unrest!
Mnangagwa can blame the illicit market, the sanctions imposed by the west, the corona virus (new kid on the block), [even he cannot blame MDC given the party have lost all credibility], etc. for the people’s restlessness.
These are all scapegoat; the political unrest in being caused by the economic meltdown and it is his own his own addiction to corruption and his blundering incompetence that is fuelling the economic meltdown.
A senior official with the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA), Engineer Nobert Matarutse has clarified the cost of blending unleaded petrol and ethanol saying the blending was justified as it reduces the foreign currency obligation by 20 percent for E20, and by 10 percent for E10. His clarification comes at a time the motoring public has condemned the use of ethanol arguing that it made our petrol more expensive and it if damaging people’s vehicles.
Motorists say that a litre of petrol no longer meets the expected distance travelled on consumption, meaning more fuel is consumed per kilometre travelled beyond their comprehension.
Engineer Matarutse, ZERA’s Consumer Services Manager gave the clarification during an intense engagement meeting held on the Harare Residents’ Trust (HRT) Residents’ Dialogue whatsapp interactive platform comprising of academics, residents’ leaders, local and national policymakers and bureaucrats, media personnel and civil society leaders. Forum participant Albert Chandaengerwa facilitated the discussion and probed on the ethanol issues.
Engineer Matarutse said: “In terms of blending we are currently at 20 percent hence our petrol is referred to as E20. Whilst the litre of Ethanol costs RTGS$54.5763 only 200ml of that one litre is what is added to unleaded fuel (800ml) to make a litre. The 200ml of ethanol costs RTGS$10.91526.
This explained sounded more technical for the understanding of ordinary residents, so Engineer Matarutse had to further simplify the message.
“Let me take this opportunity to advise colleagues that Ethanol, which is a by-product of the production of sugar, is a fuel,” he said. “In Zimbabwe, just like in many other countries, a decision was made to mix unleaded petrol with Ethanol in order to save on foreign currency (which no doubt is in short supply) and also to reduce pollution. So when the unleaded petrol, 95% which comes by pipeline from Beira to Msasa, is received at Msasa, it is Blended (mixed with Ethanol) by NOIC (National Oil Infrastructure Company) at Msasa, 800ml (unleaded petrol) + 200ml (Ethanol) = 1 litre Petrol (E20).”
From the given explanation, this means that one litre of ethanol can blend five litres of petrol.
Foreign currency is therefore required for the 800 millilitres of imported petrol and local currency is needed for the 200ml in order to procure 1000ml, which makes up the one litre E20 petrol that is eventually sold in Zimbabwe, according to the ZERA official.
Jonathan Muringani, another participant said: “Engineer Matarutse, the science of ethanol has not changed. What has changed are the criminals who have a monopoly thorough political patronage.
While you are just an employee, the political trickster and their professional appendages are living on borrowed time as they extract excessive rents on the population like stationary bandits (Mancur Olson).”
To this Engineer Matarutse said Muringani’s comments were outside his mandate at ZERA.
Other contributions came from participants who wanted to understand why then service stations selling petrol in USD did not factor in the ZWL component in their costing, because they all demanded payment in USD. Several service stations in Harare are selling their fuel in foreign currency, and very rarely is the precious commodity sold in the local currency.
Before the latest price increases by ZERA, petrol was largely trading at around one USD to US$1.05 at most service stations, but ZERA pegged the fuel at US$128, way beyond what was prevailing in the market.
Zimbabwe’s motorists continue to experience fuel shortages, and spent valuable productive time in petrol and diesel queues with no solution in sight. Concerns however remain that ethanol has contributed to the high cost of fuel in Zimbabwe with critics of the government’s move demanding the end to ethanol blending in the country.
A SOUTH AFRICAN-based business executive walked out of his marriage empty-handed after the High Court awarded the family home jointly acquired to his estranged wife due to his failure to disclose to court assets he had acquired after the couple separated.
Mr Timothy Simba, a non-executive director with FBC Building Society, successfully divorced his wife of 17 years, Funganai Simba nee Jonga, before Justice Alfas Chitakunye this week.
His bid for a 50 percent share of the family’s upmarket Mandara home failed on the basis that he refused to disclose assets that he owns or had interest in, in terms of the law.
Ms Jonga, who was being represented by her lawyers, Ms Tatenda Pfigu and Anesu Ingwani of Pfigu Attorneys, proved on a balance of probabilities that she was in greater need of the property than her ex-husband.
She was awarded the matrimonial home number 58 Shaneregh Road in Mandara, Harare, held under deed of transfer number 7963/87 dated 12 November 1987, as her sole and exclusive property.
“The plaintiff (Simba) shall sign all necessary documents to enable transfer of his 50 percent share as joint owner to the defendant (Ms Jonga) within 30 days from the date of request,” read the operative part of the judgment.
In his ruling, Justice Chitakunye noted that Mr Simba, a high flying executive, had stayed in Uganda for a few years, then moved to Canada before he relocated to South Africa, where he is now running his own company, but for the past 20 years he did not make a contribution to the family and the matrimonial home.
All these years, according to the court’s findings, Ms Jonga was left with a huge responsibility of repaying of the mortgage of the house, maintenance of the matrimonial home and the family.
The couple had two minor children when they separated around 1999.
“From his resume, I got the impression that he has been doing very well, yet found no time or resources for his family,” said Justice Chitakunye, adding that the businessman was not open about his assets, hence the lack of full disclosure could not work in his favour.
It is trite that in matrimonial matters, spouses must be candid with the court by disclosing all assets belong to them, including investments they hold as at the time of dissolution of marriage.
Such assets include those acquired before marriage, during marriage and while on separation. And in divorce cases, if the court finds that the husband has lied about his means, and failed to give full and frank disclosure, it is open to the judge to find that beneath the false presentation, and the reasons for it, are undisclosed assets.
In this case, Justice Chitakunye was influenced in great measure by Mr Simba’s failure to make full disclosure, the size of his business and drew adverse inference against him.
Ms Pfigu argued that her client’s ex-husband neglected the family for 20 years and left the matrimonial home in 2000 to live with his mistress.
During all these years, Ms Jonga took care of the family and made improvements to the house which Mr Simba claimed a 50 percent share.
With the #BlackLivesMatter and #ZimbabweansMustFall campaigns having trended recently on Twitter popular actress, Mona Monyane who was born in Zimbabwe, took to Twitter on Thursday to share how she was called lekwerekwere by her classmates in South Africa.
The actress who is popular for her role as Dr Nthabeleng on SABC 2 soapie Muvhango was born in Harare on May 16, 1990 while her parents were in exile.
“I was born in Zimbabwe because my parents were activists and they were exiled. When kids at school found out, they legit called me ‘lekwerekwere’, made fun of my skin tone and the way I spoke English well.
“Getting my smart card ID was also a mission, had to wait two years,” Monyane tweeted.
She said it is saddening how she is treated as a foreigner simply because she was not born in South Africa.
“Because I am a naturalised citizen (both parents South African), but not being here makes me a foreigner. South Africans carry a lot of toxicity, hatred and judgement. I am not ashamed of who I am. My parents fought for our freedom. I carry my identity with great pride.”
THE 66km Gwanda-Maphisa Road remains dilapidated, forcing Government officials and other travellers to drive for 464km via Bulawayo to access the two districts of Matabeleland South Province.
Estimates indicate that should this stretch of the road be surfaced, motorists would likely take about 30 minutes drive to the two districts.
Those that end up using the road have to endure two to three hours of rough riding.
Plans to surface the road, which some regard as the worst major road in the country have remained a pipe dream. So far, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development has managed to clear only 3km of the bush and constructed 1,8km of fill layer.
Provincial Development Coordinator, Ms Sthandiwe Ncube, made a passionate plea to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development (Professor Mthuli Ncube) to avail funds to fix the road.
“We are worried with the bad state of roads in the province and our appeal is for the Government through your office to avail more funds for road projects here,” she said.
“Our biggest worry is the Gwanda to Maphisa road, which is in a very bad state and the current scenario where people have to travel for more than 400km rather than travelling for 66 km is not sustainable.
“This is a major road linking Matobo, Mangwe and Bulilima districts and Plumtree Town with the Matabeleland South provincial capital in Gwanda.”
Ms Ncube said the bad state of the road had made travelling for many people very expensive.
She said it was critical for the Government to attend to the road network to steer infrastructure development initiatives.
Matabeleland South has a total of 11 595km of roads and 10 542 of these are gravel earth roads, which are already in bad state.
In addition, only 1050 km are surfaced while 53 km are regarded as very good. The other 988 is reported to be in a good state.
The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe National Chairman Tafadwa Musarara has announced that the price of a standard loaf of bread will be reduced from ZWL79 to ZWL66.
Musarara said the positive development was a product of discussions between GMAZ and Reserve bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Panonetsa Mangudya who assured them that foreign currency allocations will be made to millers.
Besides the reason given by the Millers, facts on the ground indicate that consumers were no longer affording the staple food which was going for as high as $80 a loaf. The bread was getting stale on shelves which may have contributed to fall in the price.
The Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Committee has issued defiant Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube with a final warning after failing to turn up and give oral evidence on issues to do with his portfolio.
Mthuli was summoned by the committee to explain why his ministry had stalled in disbursing US$5 million to the Zimbabwean embassy in the United States for renovations.
Pfungwa Kunaka the finance ministry principal director, who was seconded to attend the meeting by Mthuli Ncube got the ire of the parliamentarians who told him to inform Ncube that he had been issued with a final warning and would in future be charged with contempt if he did not take parliamentary business seriously.
Portfolio committee chairperson, Kindness Paradza dismissed the senior official demanding Mthuli Ncube to come in person.
“Go and tell your minister that he must take Parliament business seriously. Next time we will charge him,” Paradza told the senior finance ministry official.
Paradza, the Zanu PF MP for Makonde, also told Kunaka to inform Ncube to furnish the foreign affairs portfolio committee with detailed answers on why the finance ministry was failing to disburse US$5 million to the Zimbabwe Embassy in New York, US for repairs after it was extensively damaged in a fire.
“Go and inform your minister that he promised to disburse US$5 million to New York. To date, that money is still outstanding. We need that in writing,” Paradza said.
In-flows into Lake Kariba have reached their seasonal peak of 481,22 metres, which is about 41,2 percent above the minimum operating level for power generation, as levels start declining.
Levels at the dam, which produces a combined 1 625MW of power on both the south and north banks, serving Zimbabwe and neighbours Zambia respectively, were earlier projected to be less, but gained significantly after unexpected floods upstream of the Zambezi River catchment.
At this stage last year, levels were around 28,32 percent, having started the decline at the beginning of June. In terms of power generation, Kariba was designed to operate at between 475,50m and 488,50m (with 0,70m freeboard).
In its latest update, Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) noted the four-day stagnation before the current decline.
“The Lake level has continued rising steadily, stagnating, and recording a first drop at the close of the period under review at 481,23m (41,04 percent usable storage) on 25th June 2020. Last year on the same date, the Lake level was at 479,52m (28,32 percent usable storage),” said ZRA in an update.
Usable storage is the water in the top 13m of a full lake that is the water above the inlets to the two power stations. There is a lot more water below the minimum usable level suitable for recreational activities and contains fish, but it cannot be used to generate electricity.
Most of the water in the lake comes from run-off in south-east Angola and rainfall in north-east Zambia. ZRA has marginally increased water allocation for power generation after initially putting a cap at 22 billion cubic metres for the year which will see the two stations producing a total of 500MW.
Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo has announced that it will be charging US$60 for casualty and US$3000 for a general ward and then US$5000 for ICU for all aptients with Coronavirus.
A notice on social media from the hospital reads as below and the hospital has not disputed the notice.
The Catholic run hospital is currently the only hospital in Bulawayo ready to attend to Covid-19 Patients as the other two Ekusile Hospital and Thorngroove are still being renovated.
Commenting on the matter on Tweeter, Times Live journalist Lenin Ndebele said, “Covid 19 has moved from I know someone who has it to, there’s a death at home I lost a childhood friend a guy actually a year younger than me.
“This thing doesn’t discriminate. South Africa is hard hit and I fear for Zimbabwe because hospitals demand US$ 60 for casualty and US$3000 for a general ward and then US$5000 for ICU. Basically with nurses on strike and hospitals poorly equipped if you can’t raise USD in Zimbabwe you are in trouble. The leadership has failed us in our darkest hour. Maybe they say, they are opposition supporters let them die”.
The Dr Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T has defended its move to recall legislators who pledged their allegiance to the Nelson Chamisa faction saying it is a strategic objective that should not be viewed as vindictive.
Addressing journalists at the party headquarters Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House yesterday, MDC-T spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni said they were not cruel.
“We are not vindictive in this whole process. We appreciate that there are some who for some reasons or the other are being threatened. We did not start this movement so that we can fire each other from Parliament
“Our use of this tool of recalling MPs was a strategic objective. I will not go into detail on the strategic objective. We are not using this in a malicious way and you will agree the recalls have been strategic for us as a party,” said Phugeni
Phugeni said they will recall more legislators and councillors should they continue to defy the party.
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ZBC Journalist Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa has been fired from the state broadcaster.
The development was revealed in a tweet by her yesterday.
Reasons for the explosion were not clear at the time of writing. She however hinted that her bosses were motivated by feelings of being threatened by the youth. She lyrically revealed her thoughts saying,
One day we won't get suspended or fired for doing our jobs. One day we will get hired for our abilities & promoted for our brilliance. One day we won't offend older men & women who feel threatened by excellence. Mediocrity & fear are the enemies of growth. One day, is one day.
“One day we won’t get suspended or fired for doing our jobs,” she tweeted. “One day we will get hired for our abilities and promoted for our brilliance. One day we won’t offend older men and women who feel threatened by excellence. Mediocrity and fear are the enemies of growth. One day, is one day.”
The development comes as the station she once worked for, CapiTalk – has suspended its head of content Nyaradzo Makombe.
Parirenyatwa was once fired from ZiFM Stereo for interviewing ThisFlag activist Evan Mawarire, and in August 2018, she was removed from CapiTalk over interviews she did of 1 August victims of violence.
File picture of Witness Dube injured defending Khupe in a clash against her political rivals.
MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe’s top aide for years, Witness Dube has thrown his support behind MDC-T Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora to be elected as President of the MDC-T at the upcoming Extra – Ordinary Congress.
In an unprecedented post on Twitter Dube dumped his former boss who also dumped her after the 2018 elections.
Dube tweeted, “History beckons on 31 July as we will be aligning with our party and country law! One man has been the soul of reasoned disputations both within and without our party,
History beckons on 31 July as we will be aligning with our party & country law!
One man has been the soul of reasoned disputations both within & without our party, @DMwonzora.
It is my greatest pleasure to nominate Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora for President of the MDC.@bbmhlanga
Costa Nhamoinesu won his second Czech Cup trophy with Sparta Prague on Wednesday after the team beat FC Slovan Liberec 2-1 in the final.
The defender, however, was on the bench and did not play in the encounter.
The triumph sees him getting his second medal in the tournament after winning it in 2014. It also adds to his only league championship win which came in the same year.
Meanwhile, the victory earned Sparta the ticket to represent the country in the Uefa Europa League next season. The team was in the hunt to finish second in the league and qualify for the Champions League instead but fell way behind second placed Viktoria Plzen who will get the slot- Soccer 24
Zimbabwean striker Tinotenda Kadewere says he is pleased with his performance after a brilliant start to life at Lyon with 4 goals in his first game, a 12-0 drubbing of Swiss outfit Port Valais on Wednesday evening.
The 24-year-old joined from Ligue 2 side Le Havre, where he top-scored in the French second tier division with 20 goals.
He highlighted after the game the he was happy with his display.
“I am very happy with this first match. It’s great to start like this. We must continue. We are starting to find shape. Lyon is a big club,” he told reporters.
His coach Rudi Garcia was also impressed by how connected with his teammates.
“We played a good game while respecting the opponent. Tindo blended well with the others and that is good,” said Garcia- Soccer 24
Relegation-threatened Aston Villa were handed a massive boost in their fight for survival after Newcastle trounced Bournemouth 4–1 last night.
The Birmingham-based side, Bournemouth, Norwich, West Ham, Watford and Brighton are in an intriguing six-way battle to survive the chop with 6 games left to play in the 2019/20 season.
Bournemouth’s defeat to Newcastle means Villa leapfrogged them into 18th on table on goal difference, with both sides on 27 points.
Should the Claret and Blue somehow come up with a win at Anfield against champions Liverpool this Sunday, they will be out of the drop zone- Soccer 24
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance National National Vice Chairperson Job Sikhala says he is unmoved by Zanu PF’ s threats to arrest him.
Sikhala also warned of an impending wave of revolution that will be unstoppable.
See full statement : By Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala: MDC Alliance National Vice Chairman.
Dear Zimbabweans,
If we all remember some days ago the ZANU PF regime through Kazembe Kazembe, issued lies packaged as security and intelligence alert to the nation about the spread of a coup rumour.
In those lies, he specifically mentioned myself, Apostle Talent Chiwenga, Gambakwe Media, ZimEye, Nehanda Radio, Saviour Kasukuwere, civic society organizations and some Prophet in the United States of America whose name I don’t remember as culprits. A few days ago Oppah Muchinguri, told Parliament of Zimbabwe that the government is going to arrest all those persons who were mentioned in the lies. Let me set the record straight from the onset, to Oppah Muchinguri, please bring it on. I am not afraid of the threats because this country cannot be governed on the basis of lies and manufacturing of falsehoods against those who are standing against the evils of your government because this country does not belong to anyone’s mother.
I am briefed that the threat by Oppah Muchinguri is targeting at arresting me and Apostle Talent Chiwenga as soon as possible.
The brief I received which is quite detailed, says, sooner rather than later after our arrest, journalist Hopewell Chin’ono will also be immediately nabbed. Among the institutions and individuals they targeted during their Press Conference, it is only myself and Apostle Talent Chiwenga who are in Zimbabwe.
As a clampdown operation all those whom they target for persecution will be nabbed and thrown into jail, thus including silencing Hopewell Chin’ono. I gather that they are all aware that Saviour Kasukuwere is exiled somewhere, the operator of Gambakwe media is in SA, ZimEye operates from UK so is Nehanda Radio, hence the only ones in Zimbabwe are Job Sikhala and Apostle Talent Chiwenga.
So all that noise and threats is all about the appetite by the regime to come and have their hands on me and Apostle Chiwenga.
Let me be unequivocal. I will not tolerate any persecution on my person anymore. Don’t dare again. Like their threat to come and invade my home on the 29th of February 2020 which turned into a nightmare, I have mobilised the entire population to trigger a revolution in the event of carrying out their threat. I am a practical man. I will never be persecuted because of my resolute stance against this evil regime.
My Masvingo Treason trial will be a pick nick. This time the wave will be unstoppable. I don’t make empty threats. I am not that character. I also urge Apostle Chiwenga to activate his constituency. It’s a do or die situation. We deserve our peace and happiness. These idiots can not just create a lie to justify their evil intentions against certain persons. This is my country. I have every right like any other citizen to express myself on the deficit on how our public affairs are conducted. Inga you have deployed 24 hours surveillance on me and you have noticed I have never been intimidated to the dot.
Idiots governing our country should take responsibility for their failures. Trying to use other people as scapegoats is dangerous to its very survival. I have obtained detailed information about all your intentions Oppah Muchinguri. Bring it on.
Ghana have become the latest African nation to cancel their 2019/2020 league season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The development was confirmed by the country’s FA following a series of meetings on Tuesday.
“The executive council of the Ghana Football Association has a taken a decision to cancel the 2019/2020 season following a marathon meeting,” the governing body said on its website.
“Accordingly, all records associated with the season have been expunged but fines accrued must be honoured by clubs.
“There shall also be no demotion and promotion.”
The FA has picked Asante Kotoko and Ashanti Gold for the 2020/2021 African club competitions as they were the representatives this season.
Kotoko will compete in the CAF Champions League and Ashanti Gold in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Other countries that have already cancelled their seasons include Angola, Botswana, Guinea and Mauritius- Soccer 24
Thokozani Khupe, the President of MDC T shocked many people yesterday when she recalled eight Senators of which six are from Matabeleland, five being women and two veteran trade unionists. The recalled are Gideon Shoko, Spiwe Ncube, Helen Zivira, Phillis Ndlovu, Meliwe Phuthi, Keresencia Chabuka, Wunganai Muzoda and Herbert Sinampande. Khupe has recalled a total of 21 MPs and Senators.
Most people especially those from Matabeleland where baffled by her actions as they felt Khupe was creating more enemies in Matabeleland as she continues with her recalls. Khupe who is also a trade unionist further shocked labour by recalling Gideon Shoko the former Deputy Secretary General of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU). The other veteran trade unionists being Spiwe Ncube, former Vice President of National Union Of Clothing Industry (NUCI).
In its twitter thread the ZCTU had this to say “You say you love the labour movement but remove our immediate past DSG cde Gideon Shoko from Senate? Hypocrites! We stand with our former DSG”
Khupe who is being supported by Zanu PF in her illegal recalls has declared war with the electorate who feel were being short changed by all this drama of recalls since they voted for MDC Alliance and not MDC T. Khupe, a woman and veteran trade unionist who hails from Matabeleland has been criticised for recalling her own.
This follows a Supreme court ruling that reinstated Khupe to the position of Acting President of the MDC T and ordered her to hold an extraordinary congress within three months starting from April and expired on the 30th of June 2020.
Each legislator needs to accept that we are now all in the valley of political decision.
Each of us is being called upon to take a clear and unequivocal stance, on a point of principle.
There is no room for fence sitting at all.
First option is to amicably engage those who now have the power to do the recalls. They will make sure that you are guaranteed from any recall.
The second option is to continue to swear allegiance to the MDC Alliance as led by President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
In this regard, I need to state in no uncertain terms that personally, I have decided to stand firmly with the MDC Alliance and continue to support Advocate Nelson Chamisa as my President.
This means that l am now more than ready to be recalled at anytime.
I have taken some time to deeply reflect on my stance and l have come to an uncompromising position that I will remain a loyal and committed cadre of the People’s party – the MDC Alliance.
The recalls are not an end in itself. They are part of a bigger political picture.
The incoming Tanzanian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Professor Emmanuel Mbennah, poses for a picture with President Mnangagwa after presentation of his credentials at State House Thursday morning.
Emmerson Mnangagwa and Emmanuel Mbennah (pic credit: Tawanda Mudimu)
Farai Dziva|Zanu PF has barred MDC Alliance councillor for ward 34, Gutu Central, Wickliff Matindike from carrying out his official duties.
Masvingo Minister Of State, Ezra Chadzamira has imposed a Zanu PF losing candidate, Susan Samatanga as the councillor for ward.
Samatanga is now carrying out all the official duties as the councillor for the ward.
Speaking to ZimEye.com in an interview on Wednesday, Matindike said he was struggling to carry out his official duties because of Zanu PF stalwarts were determined to frustrate him.
“I am facing some challenges in my ward, it’s true.
A Zanu PF losing candidate in the ward is now in charge of everything. She is literally performing all the duties of an elected official.
They are blocking me from accessing food aid from the Social Welfare on behalf of the residents in my ward.
Everything has been politicized.Samatanga is also attending key meetings on behalf of the residents,” said Matindike.
“She meets all Government officials who come to the ward and has access to the District Development Co-ordinator’s office at anytime- which the MDC Alliance councillor doesn’t have,” a concerned resident said.
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance MP for Hwange Central, Daniel Molokele has declared allegiance to President Nelson Chamisa adding he is ready to “defend the people’s struggle.”
Below is Molokele’s full statement:
The die is already cast.
Each legislator needs to accept that we are now all in the valley of political decision.
Each of us is being called upon to take a clear and unequivocal stance, on a point of principle.
There is no room for fence sitting at all.
First option is to amicably engage those who now have the power to do the recalls. They will make sure that you are guaranteed from any recall.
The second option is to continue to swear allegiance to the MDC Alliance as led by President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
In this regard, I need to state in no uncertain terms that personally, I have decided to stand firmly with the MDC Alliance and continue to support Advocate Nelson Chamisa as my President.
This means that l am now more than ready to be recalled at anytime.
I have taken some time to deeply reflect on my stance and l have come to an uncompromising position that I will remain a loyal and committed cadre of the People’s party – the MDC Alliance.
The recalls are not an end in itself. They are part of a bigger political picture.
Farai Dziva|Zanu PF has barred MDC Alliance councillor for ward 34, Gutu Central, Wickliff Matindike from carrying out his official duties.
Masvingo Minister Of State, Ezra Chadzamira has imposed a Zanu PF losing candidate, Susan Samatanga as the councillor for ward.
Samatanga is now carrying out all the official duties as the councillor for the ward.
Speaking to ZimEye.com in an interview on Wednesday, Matindike said he was struggling to carry out his official duties because of Zanu PF stalwarts were determined to frustrate him.
“I am facing some challenges in my ward, it’s true.
A Zanu PF losing candidate in the ward is now in charge of everything. She is literally performing all the duties of an elected official.
They are blocking me from accessing food aid from the Social Welfare on behalf of the residents in my ward.
Everything has been politicized.Samatanga is also attending key meetings on behalf of the residents,” said Matindike.
“She meets all Government officials who come to the ward and has access to the District Development Co-ordinator’s office at anytime- which the MDC Alliance councillor doesn’t have,” a concerned resident said.
By Own Correspondent| Corruption has been a cancer which has eaten its way to the heart of Zimbabwe’s social, economic and political landscape for the past thirty years.
The scourge was prevalent during the Robert Mugabe era and it is now engraved in the DNA of the current administration led by Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Zimbabwe was at one time ranked as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, and sadly, little has changed in the post-Mugabe era in Zimbabwe.
Mnangagwa having been heralded as the bearer of change and a break away from the old authoritarian rule and economic mismanagement, immediately upon inauguration declared an open war on corruption stating “acts of corruption must stop forthwith, every case of corruption must be investigated and punished in accordance with the dictates of our law”.
After two years in power, to what extent has Mnangagwa managed to curb corruption? In short, its bleak.
With the recent arrests of the Health and childcare minister Obadiah Moyo, for alleged corruption related to the procurement of Covid-19 test kits and medical equipment to combat the corona virus pandemic, endangering the lives of our health care worker who had to fight the virus with little to no PPE. Mr. Moyo was granted bail and is set to appear before the court again on the 31st of July.
Moyo became the second minister to be arrested on charges of corruption in Mnangagwa’s government, after the arrest of the former minister of tourism Prisca Mupfumira on corruption charges involving $95 million from the state pension fund.
Both ministers have proven to be part of a dysfunctional ruling power, institutionalized corruption scheme and power-hungry leader who are willing to serve self over masses.
Until actual arrests have been made and justice served the President’s fight against corruption is just but a lip service which is not baked up with action.
“The recent admission by President Mnangagwa of corruption within the top government officials point to a deep rooted problem within our government and show how corruption is embedded in Zanu pf’s DNA.
The only way to deal with such a system is to cut the head off the snake,” said Sandra Bvungidzire a political activist based in the diaspora .
Until such a time when the government takes a radical step towards the fight against corruption by not sparing the rod to all political heavy weights who engage in the abuse of office, our country will remain in a free fall path towards destruction.
Own Correspondent | Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services details at Masvingo Remand Prison are denying Macrad Trust Director Ephraim Mutombeni access to food.
It has come to the attention of ZimEye.com that prison officers are citing Covid-19 restrictions as the main reason why Mutombeni has been denied food for the past 2 days.
ZPSC officers also forcibly dismissed Mutombeni’s lawyer Martin Mureri who had come to see his client falsely accusing him of using the opportunity to see his client as a way of bringing food for Mutombeni.
However, it appears they were under instruction from their superiors .
Mutombeni (28) was charged with undermining the authority of the President as defined in section 33(2)(a) (i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform )Act and was remanded in custody to the 13th of July 2020 with his bail application denied .
The arrest of Mutombeni comes in the background of a visit by a high powered delegation of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to Masvingo Province to conduct an inquiry into the evictions of the Shangaan people in Chiredzi District’s Chilonga and Masivamele areas. He was supposed to present crucial evidence to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, on the eve of his arrest as such this has raised the ire of civil society leaders across Zimbabwe as it is clear to them that the state is using trumped up charges to ensure that Mutombeni and other civil society actors in Masvingo Province are deterred from campaigning against the land rights of the Shangaan people in Chiredzi District.
His arrest was preceeded by days of key MACRAD staff members being trailed by unknown individuals in vehicles without number plates.
Mutombeni a Shangaan clansman himself has for the past 2 months been the most vocal critic against these eviction and his organization Masvingo Centre for Research Advocacy and Development released a damming report that implicated and exposed the government of Zimbabwe for not following the correct procedures and trying to forcibly relocate the Shangaan people from their ancestral land .
Investigations by ZimEye.com have revealed that a company named Dendiary Pvt Ltd which is believed to be Chinese fronted as the major beneficiary of these relocations and apparently in a recent visit to the area by VP Chiwenga local people embarrassed the Vice-President as they demonstrated in front of him with state security agents aso identifying Mutombeni as the individual who might have led these demonstrations .
Mutombeni is being represented by the Zimbabwe lawyers for Human Rights and his application for removal from remand at the High Court of Masvingo is set to be heard on Friday 4 July 2020.
ZBC Journalist Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa has been fired from the state broadcaster.
The development was revealed in a tweet by her yesterday.
Reasons for the explosion were not clear at the time of writing. She however hinted that her bosses were motivated by feelings of being threatened by the youth. She lyrically revealed her thoughts saying,
“One day we won’t get suspended or fired for doing our jobs,” she tweeted. “One day we will get hired for our abilities and promoted for our brilliance. One day we won’t offend older men and women who feel threatened by excellence. Mediocrity and fear are the enemies of growth. One day, is one day.”
The development comes as the station she once worked for, CapiTalk – has suspended its head of content Nyaradzo Makombe.
Parirenyatwa was once fired from ZiFM Stereo for interviewing ThisFlag activist Evan Mawarire, and in August 2018, she was removed from CapiTalk over interviews she did of 1 August victims of violence.
One day we won't get suspended or fired for doing our jobs. One day we will get hired for our abilities & promoted for our brilliance. One day we won't offend older men & women who feel threatened by excellence. Mediocrity & fear are the enemies of growth. One day, is one day.
Father Zimbabwe Joshua Nkomo attended Dan Tshanda and Splash sold out show at Barbourfields Stadium, Bulawayo.
As seen in the picture with him, I was the MC of the event and Mqabuko came on stage smiled and said “Uligabazi wena mfana uzalwa mbani?” I laughed and told him my mother was the former PF Zapu Midlands Provincial Treasurer before Unity Accord.
He knew her very well and said my mum was a distinguished lady. He then asked about the sound system and how much it would cost to buy one. By then it was around US5000 to get one, after hearing of the cost, uMdala Wethu smiled and said “suka wena kuyadula lokhu, uzama ukungiqila wena mfana, manje awungeke” laughing continously. We watched the show chatting about “amakatali” as he called music, he was busy nodding his head and clapping hands appeared to be enjoying the performance big time.
He laughed throughout the show at the Splash Band which was performing while wearing suits without shirts. Nyongolo then said “Abafana beGoli ngoguluva kodwa zimnandi ingoma zabo uyazizwa”.
His aid gave him water to drink and he questioned why he didnt give me water to drink as well. Mafukufuku then handed me his bottle of water and asked the aid to go bring another one. After an hour, he tapped my shoulder and said “jaha sesihamba sikholisile, ubuye ehofisini uzongibona ngomvulo”. It was the first time to meet and chat direct to uMdala I was very nervous and it left me trembling but very excited. It was the beginning of what was to be a very close relationship for nearly 20 years with uMdala.
Joshua Nkomo loved me so much and would invite me to his Matshemhlophe House and also Blue Lagoon. He never liked interviews but invited me one day to his house where we spent the whole day with his wife Gogo Mafuyana chatting.
Mdala opened up and told me his whole life story, from his upbringing, Education, His Family, Zapu, Liberation War, Zipra, Kaunda, Independence, Mugabe, Britain, Russia, North Korea, Gukurahundi up to the Unity Accord and why it had to be done. I recorded 5 hours of material and only managed to broadcast first 2 shows out of 8 and my tapes were then confistcated by ZBC bosses who were instructed by the then GVT to scrap the show off the schedules.
I am still very bitter about that and l wish they can give them back to me. Rest In Peace My Hero!
By Own Correspondent| Firebrand Zengeza West legislator and MDC Alliance vice chairperson Job Sikhala has dared defence minister Oppah Muchinguri over threats to arrest him and controversial street preacher Talent Chiwenga.
In a statement yesterday, Sikhala said he has been made aware of a plot to arrest him together with Chiwenga and journalist Hopewell Chin’ono as they are deemed a threat to national security.
“Let me set the record straight from the onset, to Oppah Muchinguri, please bring it on,” said Sikhala.
“I am not afraid of the threats because this country cannot be governed on the basis of lies and manufacturing of falsehoods against those who are standing against the evils of your government because this country does not belong to anyone’s mother.
“I am briefed that the threat by Oppah Muchinguri is targeting at arresting me and (Apostle Talent) Chiwenga as soon as possible. The brief I received which is quite detailed, says, sooner rather than later after our arrest, journalist (Hopewell) Chin’ono will also be immediately nabbed.
“I will not tolerate any persecution on my person anymore. Don’t dare again. Like their threat to come and invade my home on the 29th of February 2020 that turned into a nightmare, I have mobilised the entire population to trigger a revolution in the event of carrying out their threat. I am a practical man.”
Sikhala said if arrested, his trial for treason early this year at the Masvingo High Court will seem like a “picnic”.
“My Masvingo treason trial will be a picnic. This time the wave will be unstoppable. I don’t make empty threats. I am not that character. I also urge Apostle Chiwenga to activate his constituency. It’s a do or die situation.
“Idiots governing our country should take responsibility for their failures. Trying to use other people as scapegoats is dangerous to its very survival. I have obtained detailed information about all your intentions Oppah Muchinguri. Bring it on,” said Sikhala.
Early this week, the Zanu PF youth league warned Chin’ono and other Zimbabweans against attacking President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
This followed another threat against Chin’ono by Zanu PF Acting Spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa soon after one of the party’s politburo meeting.
BREAKING: LIVE scenes in Mbare, Harare- The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly has stormed communities in a fight against Corruption. Addressing now is Gift Ostallos Soziba, the SG pic.twitter.com/OxVo58PvaJ
By Farai Maphosa| There is a huge concern in Mbire Constituency in Zimbabwe over the rising stock theft which is being exacerbated by corrupt police and veterinary officers in the area, ZimEye heard.
Speaking to ZimEye, the legislator for the area, Douglas Karoro said the constituency is appalled by the brazen stock thefts that are happening in the area saying the racket includes police, veterinary officers, and traditional leaders.
“What we have established is that we have rogue members of the police and some village heads taking a leading role in the stock thefts.
“Other government officials complicit in these stock thefts are veterinary officers who clear the stolen beasts for easy movements,” revealed Karoro.
The Mbire legislator said the racket is mainly targeting Mozambique livestock where they sneak out through the porous Kanyemba Border area to steal cattle and goats from the country’s eastern neighbours but the locals are also not being spared from these stock thefts.
“Thieves are easily targeting Mozambique cattle and goats by utilising the porous Kanyemba border area.
“But when they fail to steal from our neighbours they don’t spare their folk’s livestock,” added Karoro.
ZimEye sought comment from Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe who said he was away from work and will only be able to give an informed response once back at work.
However, cases of police officers working in cahoots with stock thieves are not new in Zimbabwe. In 2017,12 cops based at Zaka Police Station were nabbed for stock theft and last year officers at Charandura police station in Chirumanzu were allegedly accused of aiding cattle rustling syndicates in the area.
But there has been concern that the police have been protecting the rogue cops by not convicting those who would have been implicated opting to redeploy them rather.
By A Correspondent | The convicted preacher, Walter Magaya has refused to pay his victims their money saying it is because of the COVID pandemic.
Responding to demands raised by Zimbabweans in South Africa, Magaya asked for more time to settle refunds for money he duped people under the guise of investments into his Yadah business since 2016.
Over the years, many of his victims have struggled to get their returns with some only getting them through the ZimEye news network. One affected female citizen who was conned £20,000 received her money within days of the ZimEye program where the preacher was called upon to explain his deceptions.
This time, Magaya has also pulled out news reports of the revenue authority Zimra garnishing some of his bank accounts in 2019.
Responding to the victims who travelled to his Capetown church premises earlier this week, the preacher said:
“… they are requesting withdrawal. But as it stands everywhere in the whole world, they know kuti churches are not operating, even my eye(sic) are not operating because of the pandemic. So when it’s over give me a Grace period to expand, I will surely attend to everyone who wants to withdraw.”
ZimEye’s comment is: The arrears are his expense. Is he trying to imply that when accounts are garnished you are left with nothing? Is he trying to imply he is now penniless, and assetless? Why should his victims near the burden of his own tax expense? Incurring a tax expense means you earned money which you took to yourself. He must simply pull out the money from wherever he hid it and pay both Zimra and the victims. No side shows. Magaya must also be reported to authorities such as the consumer council of Zimbabwe, South Africa, and United Kingdom. The police should also take up the cases as they exhibit the signs of systematic fraud.
By Own Correspondent| City of Harare has shelved its new parking fees following an outcry from motorists and business-people.
City Parking, Harare City Council’s parking arm announced a parking fees hike which they pegged at a Zimbabwe dollar equivalent of USD$1.
The move attracted wide outcry from motorists who felt the local authority did not consult adequately before hiking the fares.
“Council as the sole shareholder in City Parking has engaged the business unit following widespread complaints over its new parking tariff.
“The shareholder has shelved the utility‘s move to charge US$1or its equivalent until proper consultations are done and consensus reached. In the meantime parking revert to the old rate,” noted City of Harare.
By A Correspondent | The convicted preacher, Walter Magaya has refused to pay his victims their money saying it is because of the COVID pandemic.
Responding to demands raised by Zimbabweans in South Africa, Magaya asked for more time to settle refunds for money he duped people under the guise of investments into his Yadah business since 2016.
Over the years, many of his victims have struggled to get their returns with some only getting them through the ZimEye news network. One affected female citizen who was conned £20,000 received her money within days of the ZimEye program where the preacher was called upon to explain his deceptions.
This time, Magaya has also pulled out news reports of the revenue authority Zimra garnishing some of his bank accounts in 2019.
Responding to the victims who travelled to his Capetown church premises earlier this week, the preacher said:
“… they are requesting withdrawal. But as it stands everywhere in the whole world, they know kuti churches are not operating, even my eye(sic) are not operating because of the pandemic. So when it’s over give me a Grace period to expand, I will surely attend to everyone who wants to withdraw.”
ZimEye’s comment is: The arrears are his expense. Is he trying to imply that when accounts are garnished you are left with nothing? Is he trying to imply he is now penniless, and assetless? Why should his victims near the burden of his own tax expense? Incurring a tax expense means you earned money which you took to yourself. He must simply pull out the money from wherever he hid it and pay both Zimra and the victims. No side shows. Magaya must also be reported to authorities such as the consumer council of Zimbabwe, South Africa, and United Kingdom. The police should also take up the cases as they exhibit the signs of systematic fraud.
HARARE, 1 July 2020: The country’s fight against the COVID-19 coronavirus received a boost when the Econet Group handed over 400 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth $347,341to Parirenyatwa Hospital, with United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) scheduled to receive its consignment later this week.
The donated PPEs consist of PVC overalls, overshoes, heavy-duty gloves, goggles, latex gloves and disposable plastic aprons.
The latest donation, raised from contributions by over 8 700 individual donors through an EcoCash Merchant Code and Steward Bank accounts created for the purpose, brings the total amount of donations made to date to $1,078,079. The donations are in addition to the batch of PPEs distributed to Wilkins, Masvingo, Gweru and Mutare hospitals earlier in May 2020.
As at June 29, 2020, Zimbabwe had confirmed 574 cases of people infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus, 152 recoveries and seven deaths from the disease. The pandemic has infected over 10 million people worldwide, including close to half a million deaths, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Parirenyatwa Hospital, the largest referral hospital in Zimbabwe, recently got government approval to partition one of its wings into a COVID-19 treatment facility, while UBH is also handling quarantine cases of travelers suspected of having been exposed to COVID-19.
Handing over the donation, Higherlife Foundation (HLF) CEO Dr Kennedy Mubaiwa, who was represented by HLF Regional Manager for Harare Mr Obert Nenguke, commended healthcare workers who continue to devote their time, energy and expertise to fighting this pandemic on the frontlines. He also commended the public for responding to the call to support the fight against the deadly virus by giving generously.
“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to show us that no one is safe until everyone is safe. The pandemic is impacting communities, placing a heavy burden on healthcare systems and even more strain on frontline health workers. There is therefore an urgent need for us to come together in solidarity – faster and more effectively than ever before – to help ourselves by helping the nation overcome the virus,” he said.
Accepting the donation, Parirenyatwa Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ernest Manyawu thanked the public which contributed the funds and Higherlife Foundation for coordinating the procurement of the PPEs, saying the donation could not have come at a better time when the government and all stakeholders, including the corporate sector, are coming together to fight the pandemic.
“We are grateful to witness the coming together of Zimbabweans in supporting the health sector. We would like to thank the public for responding to the invitation from the Econet Group to donate funds towards the procurement of PPEs, and Higherlife Foundation, for coordinating this worthy cause.
“Higherlife has been consistent in its support of the health sector, having provided scholarships for our doctors and today they are coming in to support the front-line workers. Most importantly, we thank our frontline staff because they are available and ready to serve. Frontline healthcare workers are a critical component of our operations and with the coming in of the PPEs, they will able to discharge their duties without fear of contracting COVID-19,” Mr Manyawu said.
“There are several other health and educational activities you are carrying out. You are investing in a better community for everyone. Together as a team, together as a nation, we can win the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Higherlife Foundation said the donations platform availed by EcoCash and Steward Bank remained open to receive public support towards fighting the disease, via EcoCash merchant Code 018533 or Steward Bank Special Accounts 1037225367 or FCA Account 1037226811.
Who do you think will emerge leader of the MDC T at the party's upcoming Congress? Is it Dr Thokozani Khupe @DrThoko_Khupe OR Senator Douglas Mwonzora @DMwonzora
By Problem Masau| Swedish based performer Luckson Makandire Chikutu better known in the entertainment circle as Manluckerz will on July 11 serenade his thirsty fans with a virtual performance.
The performance is slated on his official Facebook page Manluckerz and Zimbabwe Traditional Unity. The one and half performance will start at 6 o’clock.
“People were getting bored without news or anything to keep their morale high. This is the best way to lift their spirits and it is also way of spreading my work through out the world,” said the singer.
For those who have not catch this cultural icon in action, this is the best way to have a glimpse of the energetic man on stage.
Powered by a band which comprise of several nationalities yet playing Zimbabwe music, Manluckerz is a busy bee.
Usually dressed in his trademark Zimbabwe traditional regalia, the musician is among the country’s finest cultural exports.
Together with his band the Zimbabwe Traditional Unity, the energetic singer is known to capture the heart of many with his Shona lyrics. To his credit, Manluckerz who is very fluent in English and Swedish has chosen to sing his songs in his native Shona language.
The Shona folklore songs are proving to be popular in Sweden thanks to the singer who have chosen not to forsake his roots.
So dear is the African culture to the singer that he conducts dancing and cultural workshops on the continent’s tradition in Swedish schools.
For more than twenty-years Manluckerz has been one of the most consistent artistes who have kept the Zimbabwean flag high despite the challenges the country is facing.
Last year, he was given an award in Sweden for his role in promoting African culture in Europe. He was also nominated last year for the coveted National Arts Merit Awards for his role in promoting Zimbabwe’s tradition in the diaspora
Transform Zimbabwe President Jacob Ngarivhume has urged Zimbabweans to voice out against economic and political challenges facing the country through a mass action slated for the 31st of July 2020.
Posting on Twitter, Ngarivhume accused the Zanu PF government of plundering the country resources while criminalizing dissent, which he said force Zimbabweans to take action and free themselves.
Below is Ngarivhume’s full thread…
31 July is a day for your voice to be heard. Zimbabwe has been plundered by selfish, self serving politicans who do not care how many lives they destroy in their quest for money and power.
Our work leading up to that day starts now. Our brothers and sisters in the police and army have been weaponized against us for too long. We must challenge them now to consider the facts and see that those in power have committed serious crimes against Zimbabwe.
31 July is not a political agenda but a people agenda. To give a voice to mothers watching helplessly as their children go hungry. To give a voice to the man in his 40s who hasn’t had a steady job for 20years.
As a people we must realize there is nothing we cannot do. The sky is the limit for what we can accomplish when we clear the path of forces that have acted against us for so long. We can see our promised land, our God given destiny. It is fine to move towards it!!!
Firebrand Zengeza West legislator and MDC Alliance vice chairperson Job Sikhala has dared defence minister Oppah Muchinguri over threats to arrest him and controversial street preacher Talent Chiwenga.
In a statement yesterday, Sikhala said he has been made aware of a plot to arrest him together with Chiwenga and journalist Hopewell Chin’ono as they are deemed a threat to national security.
“Let me set the record straight from the onset, to Oppah Muchinguri, please bring it on,” said Sikhala.
“I am not afraid of the threats because this country cannot be governed on the basis of lies and manufacturing of falsehoods against those who are standing against the evils of your government because this country does not belong to anyone’s mother.
“I am briefed that the threat by Oppah Muchinguri is targeting at arresting me and (Apostle Talent) Chiwenga as soon as possible. The brief I received which is quite detailed, says, sooner rather than later after our arrest, journalist (Hopewell) Chin’ono will also be immediately nabbed.
“I will not tolerate any persecution on my person anymore. Don’t dare again. Like their threat to come and invade my home on the 29th of February 2020 that turned into a nightmare, I have mobilised the entire population to trigger a revolution in the event of carrying out their threat. I am a practical man.”
Sikhala said if arrested, his trial for treason early this year at the Masvingo High Court will seem like a “picnic”.
“My Masvingo treason trial will be a picnic. This time the wave will be unstoppable. I don’t make empty threats. I am not that character. I also urge Apostle Chiwenga to activate his constituency. It’s a do or die situation.
“Idiots governing our country should take responsibility for their failures. Trying to use other people as scapegoats is dangerous to its very survival. I have obtained detailed information about all your intentions Oppah Muchinguri. Bring it on,” said Sikhala.
Early this week, the Zanu PF youth league warned Chin’ono and other Zimbabweans against attacking President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
This followed another threat against Chin’ono by Zanu PF Acting Spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa soon after one of the party’s politburo meeting.
By Own Correspondent| UK-based Econet founder and philanthropist Strive Masiyiwa, who also serves as AU Special Envoy for COVID-19, has donated 120 000 Test Kits to Zimbabwe, along with Mobile Test Laboratories to be used at the country’s border posts.
The donation of Test Kits also includes 50 000 of the highly accurate PCR type Test, used by the government.
A spokesman for Higherlife Foundation (HLF) announced that some of these Kits will be handed directly to government, to help them in their national efforts to combat the epidemic.
HLF is undertaking a donor co-funded initiative to test up to 10 000 Zimbabweans per day.
A new kind of Mobile Test Laboratory has also been ordered in Austria, which will allow the government to test travellers at the borders, within a matter of minutes.
“The borders are potential flash point for super-spreading of the disease, and we have offered government a new type of Laboratory to help them speed-testing at the Beitbridge boarder. The Mobile Labs can clear about 5 000 tests per day,” said Dr Kennedy Mubaiwa MD, who runs the Higher Life Foundation.
Meanwhile Dr Mubaiwa said Higherlife Foundation was running numerous work streams under its “Operation #KickOut COVID!”.
“We are working on numerous fronts, and we have secured a number of donors through Mr Masiyiwa and his family, who also co-fund projects that he arranges.
“We want to defeat COVID, and we have good professional working relationships with all arms of government. We don’t do anything without discussing with them. We are here to help the people of Zimbabwe, as we have done for more than 25 years,” Dr Mubaiwa said.
There is a popular ZESA myth which says that if you buy electricity on the first day of each month your token will be much cheaper than if you buy on any other day. The result has been that during the first day and often the first few days of the month, lots of ZESA of customers scramble to buy these “cheap” tokens. This has resulted in the system being overwhelmed to the point of being non-responsive a number of times.
Right now a lot of people have revealed that they are having trouble getting or buying their ZESA tokens. A lot of these are Ecocash customers. With 95% of the market, Ecocash is no stranger to failed transactions but the volume of complaints we have seen on social media suggests this is more than usual. Customers who use mobile banking and other platforms have also reported problems.
The ZESA calculator is down
A lot of people struggle to understand how much electricity they will get if they spend a certain amount. To help them, ZETDC created a calculator. Customers can enter their meter number and the amount of money they want to spend and the meter will tell them how many units they will get. This calculator is plugged into each account which means that it gives tailored results.
However like the purchasing system it seems the calculator is also down. Currently it is giving a vague 503 error. The error is normally associated with the too much traffic although it can be a result of other things.
Former MDC Alliance spokesperson Fortune Daniel Molekele, who is the MP for Hwange Central, has thrown his weight behind beleaguered party president Nelson Chamisa whose legislators are under the threat of being recalled by the MDC-T.
The human rights lawyer was replaced by Advocate Fadzayi Mahere as the party’s spokesperson a few weeks ago.
In a statement, Molekele said after deep introspection, he has decided “in no uncertain terms” to stand behind Chamisa even if he risks being recalled from Parliament by the Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T. He said:
The die is already cast.
Each legislator needs to accept that we are now all in the valley of political decision.
Each of us is being called upon to take a clear and unequivocal stance, on a point of principle. There is no room for fence-sitting at all.
The first option is to amicably engage those who now have the power to do the recalls. They will make sure that you are guaranteed from any recall.
The second option is to continue to swear allegiance to the MDC Alliance as led by President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
In this regard, I need to state in no uncertain terms that personally, I have decided to stand firmly with the MDC Alliance and continue to support Advocate Nelson Chamisa as my President. This means that l am now more than ready to be recalled at any time.
I have taken some time to deeply reflect on my stance and l have come to an uncompromising position that I will remain a loyal and committed cadre of the People’s party – the MDC Alliance.
The recalls are not an end in itself. They are part of a bigger political picture.
Former President Robert Mugabe with Makhosini Hlongwane and Walter Mzembi
Two former ministers are seeking readmission into Zanu PF, nearly three years after they were expelled following the resignation of former President Robert Mugabe.
The late Mugabe resigned 21 November 2017 to avoid impeachment by legislators.
Makhosini Hlongwane (Sports, Arts and Culture former minister) and Tapiwa Matangaidze (former Labour and Social Services deputy minister) have written to the Midlands province to be reinstated in the party structures.
Before their expulsion Hlongwane and Matangaidze were legislators for Mberengwa East and Shurugwi South respectively.
Zanu PF Midlands province chairperson Daniel Mackenzie Ncube confirmed the duo has submitted letters to be re-admitted into the party.
“We have received the letters from the two former MPs wanting to rejoin the party and as the chairman province I want to see the members being re-admitted in the party. I believe in working together with them rather than expulsion,” Ncube said.
“We shall sit as a province executive and consider the matter and forward it to the Politburo organ for consideration.”
He said the province had already admitted other former cabinet ministers Francis Nhema, Flora Buka, and Jason Machaya who were expelled in the party in 2015 for allegedly supporting then vice president Joice Mujuru.
“We have already admitted Machaya, Nhema and Buka in the past years and there is no reason we cannot accept Hlongwane and Matangaidze as a province,” Ncube said.
Meanwhile, the Zanu PF Harare province has lifted the suspension of Godfrey Gomwe, the Harare District Coordinating Committee chairperson.
Gomwe was suspended last month for indiscipline by provincial chairperson Oliver Chidawu.
By Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala: MDC Alliance National Vice Chairman
Job Sikhala
Dear Zimbabweans,
If we all remember some days ago the ZANU PF regime through Kazembe Kazembe, issued lies packaged as security and intelligence alert to the nation about the spread of a coup rumour. In those lies, he specifically mentioned myself, Apostle Talent Chiwenga, Gambakwe Media, ZimEye, Nehanda Radio, Saviour Kasukuwere, civic society organizations and some Prophet in the United States of America whose name I don’t remember as culprits. Few days ago Oppah Muchinguri, told Parliament of Zimbabwe that the government is going to arrest all those persons who were mentioned in the lies. Let me set the record straight from the onset, to Oppah Muchinguri, please bring it on. I am not afraid of the threats because this country can not be governed on the basis of lies and manufacturing of falsehoods against those who are standing against the evils of your government because this country does not belong to anyone’s mother.
I am briefed that the threat by Oppah Muchinguri is targeting at arresting me and Apostle Talent Chiwenga as soon as possible. The brief I received which is quite detailed, says, sooner rather than later after our arrest, journalist Hopewell Chin’ono will also be immediately nabbed. Among the institutions and individuals they targeted during their Press Conference, it is only myself and Apostle Talent Chiwenga who are in Zimbabwe. As a clampdown operation all those whom they target for persecution will be nabbed and thrown into jail, thus including silencing Hopewell Chin’ono. I gather that they are all aware that Saviour Kasukuwere is exiled somewhere, the operator of Gambakwe media is in SA, ZimEye operates from UK so is Nehanda Radio, hence the only ones in Zimbabwe is Job Sikhala and Apostle Talent Chiwenga. So all that noise and threats is all about the appetite by the regime to come and have their hands on me and Apostle Chiwenga.
Let me be unequivocal. I will not tolerate any persecution on my person anymore. Don’t dare again. Like their threat to come and invade my home on the 29th of February 2020 which turned into a nightmare, I have mobilised the entire population to trigger a revolution in the event of carrying out their threat. I am a practical man. I will never be persecuted because of my resolute stance against this evil regime. My Masvingo Treason trial will be a pick nick. This time the wave will be unstoppable. I don’t make empty threats. I am not that character. I also urge Apostle Chiwenga to activate his constituency. It’s a do or die situation. We deserve our peace and happiness. These idiots can not just create a lie to justify their evil intentions against certain persons. This is my country. I have every right like any other citizen to express myself on the deficit on how our public affairs are conducted. Inga you have deployed 24 hours surveillance on me and you have noticed I have never been intimidated to the dot.
Idiots governing our country should take responsibility for their failures. Trying to use other people as scapegoats is dangerous to its very survival. I have obtained detailed information about all your intentions Oppah Muchinguri. Bring it on.
ONCE Zanu PF Wedza South aspiring legislator Enock Mutonho is being sued for $800 000 by a Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) officer over adultery damages.
The army officer, Pedzai Nhachi caught the ruling party politician cheating with his wife, Ever Nhachi (nee) Mutukuzi.
Ever is a deputy head at Tarungora-Chinyowa primary school in Wedza.
Nhachi has since approached the High Court seeking $800 000 from Mutonho in damages including interest.
The army officer told the court that his wife was depriving him of conjugal rights after being involved in an illicit love affair with Mutonho for over a year.
According to the court papers, Ever met Mutonho at her school after the politician visited the learning institution intending to launch a development programme in April 2019.
In the court papers, Nhachi said he confronted Mutonho after intercepting love text messages between the two and Mutonho admitted to having slept with Ever on more than five different occasions.
In March this year, he went through his wife’s mobile phone after realising she was denying him conjugal rights and also preventing him from visiting her in Wedza.
“When the plaintiff (Nhachi) caught the messages in his wife’s cellphone, he confronted the defendant (Mutonho) who admitted having that affair. The plaintiff recorded audio messages where both defendant and plaintiff’s wife narrated what they had been doing and how they started their relationship,” Nhachi said in his declaration.
“Despite the fact that the defendant was informed about our marriage, he continued having that relationship up to date and that has deprived the plaintiff of consortium. The plaintiff was deprived for the whole year and defendant is continuing having that affair and even bragged that they had sexual intercourse on more than five occasions.”
Nhachi also said following the confrontation, Mutonho volunteered to settle the matter out-of-court by paying a total of US$6 000.
Part of the acknowledgment of debt, signed by three witnesses and filed with the summons reads: “I Enock Mutonho…I promise and undertake to pay the above quoted debt in installments of the equivalent of US$500 per month without fail until I finish off the US$6 000. First payment will be on April 30, 2020.”
Mutonho is yet to file papers to defend and the matter.
The politician contested and lost in the Zanu PF 2018 Wedza South parliamentary primary elections.
The World Bank has reviewed upwards Tanzania’s economy to a lower middle income country.
The World Bank assigns the world’s economies to four income groups—low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high-income countries. The classifications are updated each year on July 1 and are based on GNI per capita in current USD (using the Atlas method exchange rates) of the previous year (i.e. 2019 in this case).
The classifications change for two reasons:
In each country, factors such as economic growth, inflation, exchange rates, and population growth influence GNI per capita. Revisions to national accounts methods and data can also influence GNI per capita. The updated data on GNI per capita data for 2019 can be accessed here.
To keep the income classification thresholds fixed in real terms, they are adjusted annually for inflation. The Special Drawing Rights (SDR) deflator is used which is a weighted average of the GDP deflators of China, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Euro Area. This year, the thresholds have moved up in line with this inflation measure. The new thresholds (to be compared with GNI per capita in current USD, Atlas method) are as follows.
Changes in classifications The table below lists the ten economies that are moving to a different category. It is important to emphasize that the World Bank’s income classifications use the GNI of the previous year (2019 in this case). Thus, the GNI numbers that are used for this year’s classification do not yet reflect the impact of COVID-19.
Economy
New group
Old group
GNI/Capita/$ (2019) as of July 1, 2020
GNI/Capita/$ (2018) as of July 1, 2019
Benin
Lower-middle income
Low income
1,250
870
Indonesia
Upper-middle income
Lower-middle income
4,050
3,840
Mauritius
High income
Upper-middle income
12,740
12,050
Nauru
High income
Upper-middle income
14,230
11,240
Nepal
Lower-middle income
Low income
1,090
960
Romania
High income
Upper-middle income
12,630
11,290
Tanzania
Lower-middle income
Low income
1,080
Economies moving to a lower category
Economy
New group
Old group
GNI/Capita/$ (2019) as of July 1, 2020
GNI/Capita/$ (2018) as of July 1, 2019
Algeria
Lower-middle income
Upper-middle income
3,970
4,060
Sri Lanka
Lower-middle income
Upper-middle income
4,020
4,060
Sudan
Low income
Lower-middle income
590
Tanzanian President John Magafuli who rarely writes in English on his social media sites was over the moon with the latest ranking of his country.
Today, the World Bank has declared Tanzania Middle Income Country. In this regard, I congratulate all my compatriots for this historic achievement. We had envisaged to achieve this status by 2025 but,with strong determination, this has been possible in 2020. GOD BLESS TANZANIA.
CABINET on Tuesday approved the revised implementation plan for the 100 megawatt (MW) Gwanda solar project that commits to deliver the first 10MW within six months after signing of financial closure agreements and fulfilment of all outstanding conditions precedent.
Energy and Power Development Minister Advocate Fortune Chasi quickly pointed out that he will demand to see “the colour of the money”, being proof of project funding, before any of the parties in the multi-million dollar project puts pen to paper on the restated contract being drawn.
Minister Chasi confirmed in an interview, Cabinet’s approval of the new implementation plan that is tied to a new contract, involvement of renowned power project experts and a US$14 million “ready-made” loan funding commitment for delivery of the first 10MW under the new phased project plan.
The Energy Minister, while positive that the new pragmatic implementation plan he wants implemented without further delays will bear the desired results, stressed the requirement for the financier to prove funding capacity first.
The project will be done in two phases, 10MW first and then 90MW by 2022.
The Gwanda solar project has courted controversy after the contractor, Intratrek Zimbabwe, failed to deliver within agreed time-lines citing failure by Zesa to fulfil certain of its obligations as well as funding hurdles arising from Zimbabwe’s historical debts to China, the source of funding.
“The parties are currently talking; they are negotiating to ensure compliance with an earlier High Court order on a standing contractual dispute. But yes, Cabinet gave approval for the project to go ahead after consideration of the circumstances and facts on the ground,” Minister Chasi said.
The project stalled following contractual dispute arising from delays in implementation of preliminary works of the project after the contracting part, State power utility Zesa Holdings had paid in advance for the initial works, but did not fulfil all its obligations for the project to move smoothly.
“The contract was signed in 2015, but to date little has happened on the ground because of litigation, which is still ongoing yet the country is in a precarious power situation.
“Also, the fact that disengaging the current contractor will take an inordinate time will not be consistent with our current (dire power) situation,” the Energy Minister said.
Minister Chasi is also on record saying he was in agreement with High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi’s ruling that the parties should not waste precious time “merry dancing in boardrooms and courts” while the whole country faced a crippling power crisis.
Justice Chitapi, while ruling on a contractual dispute between Zesa and Intratrek over delays to the project, which Zesa lost, pointed out that electricity was not generated in courts and board rooms, but at power stations and urged the feuding parties to dialogue and stop being “dilatory” in their approach.
Zimbabwe is facing a crippling power crisis that sees the country endure up to 18 hours of outages and spends millions of US dollars to ameliorate the impact of shortages. The country requires up to 2 200MW during peak demand, especially winter, while it is able to generate below 800MW.
The drought has resulted in water levels at the country’s largest power plant, Kariba South hydro-power station, dropping to critically low levels that prompted the Zimbabwe River Authority (ZRA), which administers Kariba Dam, to cut water rations for power generation purposes.
“We have taken a robust and pragmatic stance on the project, it needs to move in earnest upon financial closure to make sure that the first 10MW are delivered within six months of financial closure; that is in 2021 and the remainder by 2022. But I want to see the colour of money first; not mere promises,” Minister Chasi told The Herald Finance & Business.
Notably, the contractor has since reportedly completed more than 95 percent of the pre-commencement works for the Gwanda solar project, which sparked the contractual dispute between Zesa and Intratrek and saw the latter cancel the contract for the project. However, the High Court later ruled the contract was still valid and enforceable.
The contractor, Intratrek Zimbabwe, has committed to deliver 10MW within six months of signing of a power purchase agreement, security of payment has been established, project funding secured and all regulatory and Government undertakings being in place, envisaged by September 2020.
The conditions precedent, African Transmission Corporation said should be signed as a single suite of documents and conditions that must be in place and be met by September 2020 to allow construction to commence and be completed within the targeted six months.
The new transaction advisor, ATC has been roped into the project and has mobilised US$14 million for the first 10MW phase of the 100MW Gwanda solar project.
ATC has a solid track record after it successfully commissioned a 5MW centragrid photovoltaic solar plant in Nyabira, which is already feeding the Zesa power grid.
Further, ATC mobilised US$6 million for its Nyabira solar plant, which holds a licence for 25MW and has firm funding commitments for this power initiative to complete the licensed capacity soon, once all outstanding arrangements are secured.
Inclusion of ATC’s follows its successful record on similar work for Zesa regarding the power utility’s US$550 million 300MW Kariba South extension and the ongoing US$1,4 billion Hwange Power Station 7 and 8 expansion programme.
Mr Victor Utedzi, founder of ATC, the new project consultant for Gwanda, also carried out work in Mozambique, managing the restructuring of the US$3 billion debt owed by power utility HCB to the Government of Mozambique.
Additionally, he was at the centre of negotiations in discussions for the 1 500MW cross-border power agreement between Mozambique and South Africa, being only a fraction of several other multi-billion power deals he brokered in Southern African where ATC has unmistakable footprint.
“The bridge funding for the 10MW is in place and would be available for draw down in a short period of time. The construction period is only six months; a very short period compared to other sources of power,” said Mr Utedzi.
The engineering, design and technical execution of the project will be steered by CHiNT Electric Co. Limited, a US$12 billion revenue Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed blue-chip company founded by Chinese billionaire, Nan Cunhui, a member of the central committee of the Chinese Communist Party.
The contract for the Gwanda project was signed in 2012 after an award of the tender by then State Procurement Board, renamed Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ). The tender was awarded to the lowest bidder to specification with a total of six firms submitting bids.
Along with winning bid for Intratrek, awarded by PRAZ on the basis of compliance with all specifications, were two other tenders for 100MW projects won by ZTE Corporation and Number 17 Metallurgical China for solar power plants in Bulawayo and Munyati, respectively, but have since been cancelled over lack of progress.
GUTU – A Zanu PF candidate who lost in the 2018 elections in Gutu Ward 34, Susan Samatanga is carrying out all council duties in the ward except attending full council meetings.
Samatanga made a coup on the elected MDC T councilor Wickliff Matindike and is responsible for all Social Welfare food and agricultural inputs distribution.
She meets all Government officials who come into the ward and has access to the District Development Co-ordinator at anytime which the MDC T councillor doesn’t have.
Samatanga confirmed the position and insisted to The Mirror that she is the legitimate councillor in the area because she was allegedly appointed by the Minister of State and Devolution for Masvingo, Ezra Chadzamira.
She told The Mirror that she has the backing of the District Development Co-ordinator (DDC) Chiedza Tafirei.
Matindike said he was barred from carrying out his duties as an elected councillor by the Social Welfare Department and the DDC.
Tafirei declined to comment and referred all questions to the Department of Social Welfare.
Gutu acting Welfare officer, Finish Zimbizi referred all questions to the Provincial Welfare Officer Stanislaus Sanyangowe.
Sanyangowe told The Mirror that Zimbizi personally oversaw the distribution of food in Ward 34 and there were no Zanu-PF officials involved.
Villagers who called The Mirror on condition of anonymity said Samatanga is tormenting people in the wards by favoring her supporters in the distribution of social welfare food.
Food rations for disabled people were being reduced by half in particular the 50kg of maize that each person gets per month and the difference is shared among Zanu PF supporters.
Efforts to get a comment from Chadzamira were futile as his mobile phone went unanswered.
Matindike confirmed the matter to The Mirror and said that he was barred from Social Welfare food aid distribution by Samatanga. He said social welfare food distribution always started with a Zanu PF meeting where opposition supporters are condemned.
Zanu PF provincial youth Chairman Brian Munyoro said his party regarded Samatanga as the legitimate councillor for Ward 34.
THE Registrar-General’s Office has managed to reduce the passport backlog by 20 percent, taking advantage of a lull in new applications due to Covid-19 restrictions that have limited travel to the offices.
Before the lockdown, production of passports had been seriously affected by increasing applications and foreign currency shortages.
But the office managed to produce 83 379 passports during the first two months of the lockdown period.
When President Mnangagwa announced the first lockdown in March this year, the number of overdue passports stood at 400 961, but is now at 317 582.
The department has not been taking new applications, which has given it ample time to reduce the passport backlog.
“Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, we have managed to produce 83 379 passports,” the RG’s Office said. “Even though the department is focusing on the production of passports, Covid-19 has negatively impacted on the process.
“As a measure to curb the spread of Covid-19, the department is currently operating with one third of its staff complement and so it is unable to utilise its full capacity.”
The backlog was a result of challenges in the importation of the special paper needed to produce passports, as only a handful of companies in the world produced it, with Zimbabwe yet to find a viable local alternative.
“Procurement of consumables is underway by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance,” said the RG’s office. “The availability of consumables will facilitate the clearing of the backlog.”
Section 66 of the Zimbabwean Constitution says every citizen has the right to enter Zimbabwe, the right not to be expelled from the country and the right to a passport or other travel document.
A few months back, Zimbabwe started the remote issuance of passports to citizens in the Diaspora.
A Grade 11 pupil at Hoërskool Montana in Pretoria, Gauteng, died when the light aircraft she was flying in crashed after take-off at Wonderboom Airport on Tuesday.
Anika de Beer dreamt of completing her pilot’s licence and had completed her first solo flight a few days before the fatal crash.
The school wrote in a tribute on its Facebook page: “Our deepest condolences to Anika’s parents, family, friends and all who loved her. We think of you in our prayers. May you experience the Lord’s nearness and comfort at this time.”
Kabelo Ledwaba, spokesperson of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), said the Accident and Incident Investigation Division has started investigating the accident.
“The light aircraft, a type called Piper Cherokee 28A-180, was undertaking a training flight when the accident happened,” Ledwaba said.
The aircraft had taken-off from Wonderboom Airport and was intending to land back at the same airport.
“The evidence collection phase has begun, and this phase will define the size and scope of the investigation as well as the anticipated time-frame for the completion of a final report.
“It is vital to point out that investigations can vary in complexity and may at times take longer to complete,” Ledwaba emphasised.
“However, should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the investigating team will then immediately notify relevant parties so that appropriate action can be taken.”
He said a preliminary report would be issued within 30 days of the day of this accident.
More than 100 tributes from friends and well-wishers had poured in by Wednesday.
Varun Beverages the company that manufactures Pepsi in Zimbabwe will not renew contracts of several of its employees who organised a protest over meagre salaries and poor working conditions.
The employees on Monday and Wednesday protested demanding improved working conditions and end of racism at the Indian owned company.
The company’s workers earn an average ZWL$2,000 (US$20) a month.
Riot police later arrived at the company to quell tempers.
Varun Beverages recently set up a US$40 million beverages plant that produces a range of products that include Pepsi, Mirinda, Mountain Dew and 7Up.
The plant was opened by President Emmerson Mnangagwa who commended Varun Beverages for giving back to the community and partnering with Zimbabwe in business.
ZIMBABWE has this Wednesday recorded 13 new local COVID-19 cases and one imported case bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 605.
The imported case is a returnee from South Africa.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said of the 13 local cases, two are contacts to known cases, while investigations are still underway to establish the source of infection for the other eleven cases.
All the cases have since been isolated.
A total of 3 new recoveries were recorded all from Mashonaland East bringing the total number of recoveries to 166.
This leaves the number of active cases at 432.
Zimbabwe has recorded a total of seven deaths since the onset of the outbreak on the 20th of March this year.
To date, Zimbabwe has conducted 68 400 COVID-19 tests.
The bulk of Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 cases have been returnees from the region and abroad and the government is on high alert to ensure all returnees are quarantined upon return until they have satisfied all testing measures as outlined by the WHO.
hundreds of people stampede to buy prepaid electricity on first day of the month
THE Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has once again warned customers that electricity tokens can be bought on any day of the month following reports that people are once again complaining over failure to buy the tokens at the beginning of the month.
On Wednesday, most people like what happened during last month, complained that they were failing to buy the tokens while some banks were reportedly failing to process the purchases online.
“The customer perception that power is cheaper at the beginning of the month is not correct and was leading to very high transaction volumes at the beginning of each month, resulting in the significant slowing down of the vending system,” said ZETDC in a statement.
Some customers alleged that there was a deliberate move to jam platforms such as mobile money platforms when purchasing the tokens at the beginning of the month.
“We buy tokens at the beginning of the month so that we get our 200units and most of the time we cannot do that because Ecocash and banks will be down when you try to purchase.
We are forced to come to town to purchase the tokens at the Zesa offices and the few agents that will be selling, ” said Mr Moses Mhlanga who was queued at a Zesa banking hall in Bulawayo.
The banking halls are charactarised by long queues on the first day of the month as people will be trying to purchase tokens directly from Zesa.
The problem has been exacerbated as most households have instead of buying on any other day of the month have timed that they buy the tokens on the first day of the month.
Some banks also reportedly sent messages informing their clients on their failure to purchase tokens as the system was down.
“We spend a lot of time in these queues trying to purchase tokens putting our lives at risk of the coronavirus as there is no social distancing that is being practiced. If only mobile platforms could be up, it would make our lives easier and also ensure our safety,” said Miss Talent Makaza who was trying to purchase tokens via ecocash.
ZETDC also announced that it was adding another low cost band to their tariffs.
“ZETDC is please to announce the introduction of a lower priced tariff band in order to improve the customer experience with the new tariff and being a positive response to customer requests for lower priced units beneath the premium band effective 12th June 2020,” the company said.
The new tariff band consists of 100kWh which stretches from 2001to 300kWh will therefore cost $312.
THE government has this Wednesday enacted the Freedom of Information Bill into law.
In a statement, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said, “the promulgation of the Freedom of Information Act by President Emmerson Mnangagwa has effectively repealed the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).”
Senator Mutsvangwa said this is an important development for the government and all stakeholders involved in the media industry.
“The enactment of the Freedom of Information Act is indeed a momentous occasion, not only for Government but for the media fraternity and the citizens. AIPPA had aroused a lot of animosity over the years.”
The Minister added that the enactment of the bill into law guarantees access to information as provided for in the constitution.
“The Freedom of Information Act provides citizens and media practitioners with the right to access information as espoused by Sections 61 1(a) and 62 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe through providing the legal frameworks and mechanisms for accessing information from public and private bodies.”
“One such mechanism is the mandatory designation of Information Officers in all public and private entities that shall be responsible for handling information requests and disclosure of information to the public.”
She noted that the law caters for Zimbabweans from all walks of life. “I am happy that the 2nd Republic Government has enacted a law that Zimbabweans will undoubtedly take pride in as it caters for all citizens regardless of their race, colour, creed, religion, cultural beliefs, and political persuasions.”
“As Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, I extend my sincere gratitude to the President, Parliament, the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, the public and in particular stakeholders in the media fraternity.”
She also encouraged Zimbabweans to work together in order to achieve more for their country.
The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act was enacted into law in 2002
Acting party spokesperson Khalipani Phugeni said the MDC-T national council had passed a resolution to recall all senators and proportional representation (PR) legislators still supporting MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa, but were sponsored by the MDC-T.
“The national council of May 9 2020 resolved to recall all the PR and senators because those are low-hanging fruits, that is what I understand to mean strategically, you recall those quickly and you deploy party cadres who are able to carry out the values, principles and objectives of the MDC-T as I have alluded to, that’s what it said.
To the extent that it’s not done I can’t defend that. I think the members of the MDC-T will have to judge us as leadership and say what do we have to do with such leadership, but the resolution is clear,” he said.
The Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T has been methodically plucking out its perceived enemies from Parliament starting with MDC Alliance secretary-general Chalton Hwende, chairperson Tabitha Khumalo and Lilian Timveos, accusing them of representing a different political party.
Phugeni said he was not aware why legislators, including Lynette Karenyi-Kore, Job Sikhala and others who declared allegiance to Chamisa were being left out.
“I must be honest with you, I think the issue of recalls has the potential to undermine our platform. You have already accused us of being biased; you have already asked me about certain people who are holding higher positions than people who we have already recalled. So it offends one’s sense of fairness and consistency and in this case I can bow my head in shame, I have no defence for this,” he said.
Insiders have accused Mwonzora of using recalls to his favour ahead of party’s July 31 extraordinary congress.
At a recent standing committee meeting, Mwonzora said the recalls had become a divisive issue among the party leadership
Police have arrested 102 businesspeople for allegedly refusing to accept the Zimdollar.
In a Press statement, police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said 28 cases were set to appear in court and cautioned traders against rejecting the volatile currency.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that traders and business entities who continue to refuse to accept Zimbabwe currency, bond notes and coins as legal tender in business transactions risk being arrested and taken to court for the law to take its course,” he said.
Nyathi urged members of the public to continue reporting businesses that refuse to accept bond notes which are a legal tender.
Some traders and businesses are not accepting bond coins, $2 and $5 notes.
ZANU PF Secretary for Commissariat Victor Matemadanda has disowned a Twitter account in his name, which he claims was engineered by his enemies bent on tarnishing his image.
This follows a message circulating on social media purportedly posted by Matemadanda where he is threatening to deal with those who try to create two centres of power within the ruling party.
According to the twitter handle, he said a leader is elected by the congress not those who are power hungry trying to dethrone the President unconstitutionally.
Matemadanda said he did not have a Twitter account.
“I do not have a twitter account.
Let it be known that Matemadanda does not have a twitter account.
The twitter account is a creation of my enemies who are trying to destabilise the party and soil my name,” he said.
He said those behind the fake Twitter handle were shameless impostors bent on soiling his image for cheap political gain.
He added that no amount of smearing will break Zanu PF party-The Herald
Warriors striker Tinotenda Kadewere scored four goals for Olympique Lyonnais popularly known as Lyon during the club’s friendly match against Swiss side US Port-Valais.
The match was Lyon’s first in four months and Tino’s first for the club he joined this season from French Ligue 2 side Le Havre where he was the top goal scorer.
Kadewere scored the second goal for the club after former Manchester United striker, Memphis who also scored a quadruple, had converted a penalty in the 7th minute.
The 24-year-old striker later scored the cub’s 5th, 6th and 7th goals. His goals came in the 14th, 22nd, 27th, 33rd. The match ended 12-0- leprogress
Journalist and former Public Affairs Officer at the British Embassy Grace Mutandwa has died.
Mutandwa died today at her home in Harare after battling cancer. She was 57.
Her brother Andrew Mutandwa confirmed her death to The Herald in an interview today and said she succumbed to cancer which was diagnosed last year.
“She was born in Bulawayo on July 26, 1963 and was having ongoing treatment for cancer which was diagnosed in June 2019,” he said.
“She worked in the media for more than 30 years, starting off at the Sunday Mail.
“Later she held other positions in various media houses including at ZIANA and the Financial Gazette as Arts Editor, as well as Public Affairs Officer at the British Embassy in Harare,” he said. She is survived by her three children; Tawanda, Tanaka and Tendai.
Burial arrangements will be announced in due course-The Herald
A leading mining conglomerate and a construction products supplier have approached the High Court seeking to set aside the sale of its equipment by the Zifa executive committee member Phillimon Machana who must also deliver back to the companies the same items failure of which he must pay US$164 000.
In a notice, RioZim Base Metals (Pvt) Ltd and Metex (Pvt) Ltd who are listed as the first and second plaintiffs respectively want Machana who is the first defendant and the assistant Sheriff of the High Court, Gweru, who is listed as the second defendant to return to the two plaintiffs nine items and if the said items have since been sold the plaintiffs want replacement in monetary terms.
The first plaintiff valued their goods at US$69 000 while the second put a figure of US$95 000.
If Machana wants to oppose the plaintiffs’ claims he must enter an appearance to defend by making an appropriate entry in the appearance book kept at the office of the registrar of High Court of Zimbabwe in Harare within 30 days and notify the plaintiffs or their legal representative in writing at the given addresses.
If no notice to defend is entered, the claims will be heard and dealt with by the High Court without any further notice to Machana.
Referenced, notice of institution of proceedings in the High Court of Zimbabwe, the summons read, “The plaintiffs herein have instituted proceedings against you in the High Court for the following, the setting aside of the sale in execution conducted on October 27, 2017 under case number HC7716/15.
Delivery of the following property to plaintiff by the first defendant, 110KW Motor, switch gear, primary jaw crusher starter box, VF Frame, 45KW/60 HP Motor, 2×4 aluminium ladder, pulley on vertical fiberiser.
Alternatively a payment of US$69 000 being replacement cost of the property listed,” reads the notice.
He also must deliver to Metex, four stacker conveyors with 13M long belts, telsmith 18x 32 inch jaw crusher or alternatively pay US$95 000 being replacement costs of the said property-The Herald
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance vice president, Honourable Tendai Biti has said Emmerson Mnangagwa and his “coterie of looters” must resign with immediate effect- to avoid a total implosion of the economy.
“The parallel market rate is now 1:105 .The weighted average of today s auction was 1:63 with US$16m having been sold . Controlled auction is a joke . Only complete dollarisarion will work . Without productivity anything else is scratching the surface and the crisis will exarcabate.
Challenges can never be resolved at the same level they were created,” argued Biti.
” Emmerson and the RBZ officials are authors of the present crisis .In 2008 an auction did not work , nor did closure of Stock market and electronic transfers . The 2008 copy book is a disaster. Economics is not kick and hope.
Mthuli and company have reached a dead end . In a normal country one apologizes and resigns .The economy has tanked .Its on a free fall. An uninterrupted auto cruise to a full blown depression . We can’t await the inevitable implosion . We must manage and control the transition,” added Biti.
To cover up for the shambolic management of June Exams and MoPSE and Zimsec unpreparedness, Zimsec has with effect from today instituted the signing of Official Secrets Act.
It’s sad that Zimsec which in essence has no contract with teachers as a parastatal is trying to enforce a conspiracy of misinformation with impunity.
We remind teachers who have thrown their health, safety and welfare to the wind by salivating at the poisoned invigilation carrot, to demand an invigilation contract.
That contract must not only ensure that Zimsec pays them for invigilation of June exams but also make Zimsec liable for prosecution and payment of compensation for any effects during and after the invigilation of exams.
We also urge teachers to consider their health, safety and welfare first rather than allow Zimsec and MoPSE to trample over these key issues of life and death.
The MDC Alliance Ccc branch Secretary for Ruzengwe in Mberengwa North, Trynos Chinyoka, popularly known as Fetu is no more.
Fetu met his untimely death when he fell in an unprotected shaft/pit at the Chabudapasi gold mine near Yorkes business centre at night 4 days ago and was only found after three days search.
Fetu was a committed and fearless cadre ready to be an agent in any hostile environmentnent. The MDC Alliance has been robbed of a committed and dedicated cadre. He will be buried in the Chinyoka village after Mawerewere village under Chief Mposi tomorrow. We urge all MDC Alliance supporters to turn up in large numbers for the burial to pay our last respect for him.
Our heartfelt condolences to the Chinyoka family and MDC Alliance for such a loss.
We urge the Chabudapasi gold mine to carry out responsible mining that resonate with environmental impact assessment and in particular to fill up disused mine shafts and protect existing mining shafts. We have lost many people and animals at this mine in a similar fashion and such irresponsible mining can never be tolerated in the 21st century. We hold the mine totally responsible for Fetu’s death and hope the mine would pay compensation for the loss of life due to irresponsible and callous mining activity devoid of all regulatory mechanisms that could have abated the loss of life had they been followed.
Go well Fetu, you fought a good battle in your lifetime. Your spirit will continue to water our spirit of liberty until we complete the change.
Dr Takavafira M. Zhou ( Midlands Province Spokesperson)
One in three children are chronically malnourished in Zimbabwe and the situation may worsen amid Covid-19 which has forced the country to channel most of its resources towards preventing the viral infection.
Malnutrition refers to any condition in which the body does not receive enough nutrients for proper function.
With Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, many families have lost their sources of livelihood which left them with no means to buy food and other necessities.
The World Health Organisation in Zimbabwe says countries will need to balance the demands of responding directly to Covid-19, while simultaneously engaging in strategic planning and coordinated action to maintain delivery of essential health and nutrition services.
Mr Innocent Mazarura, a nutritionist in the Ministry of Health and Child Care said it was important for resources to be availed towards nutrition as the country was already battling to address iron deficiency in women and children.
“According to the Zimbabwe 2018 Nutrition Survey report, the national rate of child stunting, a manifestation of chronic malnutrition, is 26.2 per cent in Zimbabwe, which means nearly one in every three children are chronically malnourished. We have outstanding issues related to malnutrition that we have been dealing with as a country from years ago which explains why there is great need that we continue channeling resources towards nutrition even in the wake of Covid-19,” he said.
Mr Mazarura added that any nutritional deficiencies increased the risk of members of the public to diseases like Covid-19 which affects those with weaker immune systems. “When nutrition is ignored during emergencies like Covid-19, cases of malnutrition may shoot especially in children and thereby compromise their immune systems. There is also an issue of micro nutrient deficiency experienced even in adults which tend to compromise their well-being,” he said.
According to WHO, deteriorating infant and young child feeding practices due to reduced household food access will be a likely result.
“There is need to identify essential supplies for core nutrition services and include them in the Covid-19 response plans. Policy makers should also ensure there is supplementation of Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) for pregnant mothers and also consider multiple micronutrient supplementation in food insecure areas and promote Vitamin A supplementation for children using health facilities,” said WHO in a statement. – Chronicle
Farai Dziva|Popular Masvingo based preacher, Isaac Makomichi has described MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa as a “meek and gentle leader who inherited the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo’s noble heart.”
Makomichi, the leader of Calvary Prayer Group, wrote a statement on the late Father Zimbabwe’s legacy.
Read Makomichi’s statement below: You cannot separate politics from spiritual matters.
In the bible the Kings of Israel sought advice from prophets.The same is still happening today.
Joshua Nkomo was a man with a noble heart and we remember the day he passed on – although he is gone, nobody can extinguish is legacy.
We shall forever cherish his remarkable achievements.
However, we thank God because we have another gentle leader of this generation.
Advocate Nelson Chamisa has inherited Joshua Nkomo’s noble heart.While it looks like Mwonzora inherited Judas Iscariot’s heart.
The young man has the grace to lead, I will rename him Nelson Joshua Chamisa.
Farai Dziva|Popular Masvingo based preacher, Isaac Makomichi has described MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa as a “meek and gentle leader who inherited the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo’s noble heart.”
Makomichi, the leader of Calvary Prayer Group, wrote a statement on the late Father Zimbabwe’s legacy.
Read Makomichi’s statement below: You cannot separate politics from spiritual matters.
In the bible the Kings of Israel sought advice from prophets.The same is still happening today.
Joshua Nkomo was a man with a noble heart and we remember the day he passed on – although he is gone, nobody can extinguish is legacy.
We shall forever cherish his remarkable achievements.
However, we thank God because we have another gentle leader of this generation.
Advocate Nelson Chamisa has inherited Joshua Nkomo’s noble heart.While it looks like Mwonzora inherited Judas Iscariot’s heart.
The young man has the grace to lead, I will rename him Nelson Joshua Chamisa.
The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (Zina) has urged a its members to withdraw all the services they have been rendering to the government saying they are incapacitated.
The association accused the government of lacking the will to address the issues affecting health caregivers in the country. In a memo to its members, Zina said:
“Having discussed this with the association’s executive, we hereby call upon every nurse in Zimbabwe, from those working at a rural clinic in the most remote parts of the country all the way up to those working at the central hospitals to immediately do the following:
For those who have not been going to work, continue withholding your labour. To those who have been subsidising our employer by going to work, mostly because you may have an alternative source of income, we call upon you to reconsider this and withdraw your labour as well.”
The memo added that the new auction system introduced by the Reserverve Bank of Zimbabwe suggests that for every US$100, a person would legally get $5 730 but in reality, the majority of workers are being far less than that.
Workers have been engaging the government to have the value of their salaries restored to what they were earning in 2018 before the introduction of the real-time gross settlement (rtgs) dollar-NewsDay
The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (Zina) has urged a its members to withdraw all the services they have been rendering to the government saying they are incapacitated.
The association accused the government of lacking the will to address the issues affecting health caregivers in the country. In a memo to its members, Zina said:
“Having discussed this with the association’s executive, we hereby call upon every nurse in Zimbabwe, from those working at a rural clinic in the most remote parts of the country all the way up to those working at the central hospitals to immediately do the following:
For those who have not been going to work, continue withholding your labour. To those who have been subsidising our employer by going to work, mostly because you may have an alternative source of income, we call upon you to reconsider this and withdraw your labour as well.”
The memo added that the new auction system introduced by the Reserverve Bank of Zimbabwe suggests that for every US$100, a person would legally get $5 730 but in reality, the majority of workers are being far less than that.
Workers have been engaging the government to have the value of their salaries restored to what they were earning in 2018 before the introduction of the real-time gross settlement (rtgs) dollar-NewsDay
The Ministry of Health and Child Care announced in a statement published on the 30th of June that one of the local cases is a contact to a known confirmed case adding that investigations are underway to establish the source of infection for the other two cases.
Eleven (11) new recoveries were reported by the following provinces: Mashonaland East (3) Mashonaland Central (2), Bulawayo (2), Matabeleland North (2), Mashonaland West (1) and Manicaland (1) bringing the total to 162.
Today 310 RDT screening tests and 340 PCR diagnostic tests were done. The cumulative number of tests done to date is 67 755 (37 044 RDT and 30 711 RCN.
To date the total number of confirmed cases is 591; recovered 162, active cases 422 and 7 deaths, since the onset of the outbreak on 20 March 2020-Ministry Of Health and Child Care
The Ministry of Health and Child Care announced in a statement published on the 30th of June that one of the local cases is a contact to a known confirmed case adding that investigations are underway to establish the source of infection for the other two cases.
Eleven (11) new recoveries were reported by the following provinces: Mashonaland East (3) Mashonaland Central (2), Bulawayo (2), Matabeleland North (2), Mashonaland West (1) and Manicaland (1) bringing the total to 162.
Today 310 RDT screening tests and 340 PCR diagnostic tests were done. The cumulative number of tests done to date is 67 755 (37 044 RDT and 30 711 RCN.
To date the total number of confirmed cases is 591; recovered 162, active cases 422 and 7 deaths, since the onset of the outbreak on 20 March 2020-Ministry Of Health and Child Care
ZANU PF Secretary for Commissariat Victor Matemadanda has disowned a Twitter account in his name, which he claims was engineered by his enemies bent on tarnishing his emerge.
This follows a message circulating on social media purportedly posted by Matemadanda where he is threatening to deal with those who try to create two centres of power within the ruling party.
According to the twitter handle, he said a leader is elected by the congress not those who are power hungry trying to dethrone the President unconstitutionally.
We won't hesitate to deal with those who try to create two centres of power within the ruling party. I stand firm with President Cde Emmerson D Mnangagwa. A leader is elected by the congress not those who are power hungry trying to dethrone our president unconstitutionally .
— Senator Mabel .M Chinomona (@Cde_MMChinomona) June 30, 2020
Matemadanda said he did not have a Twitter account.
“I do not have a twitter account. Let it be known that Matemadanda does not have a twitter account. The twitter account is a creation of my enemies who are trying to destabilise the party and soil my name,” he said.
He said those behind the fake Twitter handle were shameless impostors bent on soiling his image for cheap political gain.
He added that no amount of smearing will break Zanu PF party.
EPWORTH Councillors who campaigned under the MDC Alliance have abandoned the party and moved to join MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe, Zim Morning Post can report.
Musa Mabika a leader in the MDC Alliance Epworth Branch said the three councillors Batanai Masunda, Gift July and Joshua Chinonyengerwa had abandoned the Chamisa led camp.
“Masunda, July and Joshua abandoned the party and as Epworth district we are pushing to have them recalled then we field our own loyal councillors who understand the people’s project and are willing to stand with our party leader,” Mabika said.
Masunda is the current Chairperson of Epworth Local Board and is a former spokesperson of the party’s Youth Assembly in Harare Province.
MDC Alliance has been controlling the Epworth Local Board after five of its councillors won the 2018 local authority elections.
The development, however, contradicts a statement issued earlier by Masunda in which he had openly vowed to stand with Chamisa.
“Epworth MDC Alliance councillors are fully behind President Advocate Nelson Chamisa despite the Supreme Court ruling,” reads the statement.
“MDC Alliance had its Congress in Gweru 2019 and Nelson Chamisa was unanimously elected President of the party. We are not even moved by the ruling as it has been overtaken by events. We contested 2018 polls under MDC Alliance and held MDC Alliance Congress in 2019 and no-one challenged the outcome of our Congress,” said Masunda in a press statement in April.
Jacob Mafume, MDC Alliance Deputy Secretary for Local Government claimed ignorance of the move when reached for comment.
Mafume said his office is yet to get confirmation letter by the said councillors.
“I have not received formal communication on that,” Mafume said.
He further said the Thokozani Khupe faction has been promising some councillors and MPs with positions whilst threatening to fire some those who do not deflect.
There have been reports that the MDC-T will this month recall councillors that have not endorsed the Supreme Court ruling.
Breaking News: MDC-T has approached the court demanding that the 2.6 million votes MDC Alliance @nelsonchamisa got in 2018 be declared Khupe's. They argue that the people thought they were voting for MDC-T so the votes are institutional. ZANU PF has supported the application!
— Pedzisai Ruhanya (@PedzisaiRuhanya) July 1, 2020
Air Zimbabwe has finally issued a statement on the jet that developed a fault midair from Thailand.
The National Carrier says the aircraft which declared emergency shortly after take off from Bangkok, Thailand, developed left engine fault. 17 crew and 2 passengers landed back safely at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The plane was running a special repatriation service for SA and Zim citizens.
Thokozani Khupe continues to destroy the MDC Alliance representation in parliament recalling eight Senators this Wednesday.
Announcing the dismissal of the eight Senators this Wednesday; President of the Senate, Mabel Chinomona said once a member has been recalled by the mother party, he or she ceases to do business in the August House.
Parliamentarians who were shown the exit door are Cresencia Chabuka, Spiwe Ncube, Phyllis Ndlovu, Hebert Sinamupande, Gideon Shoko, Mellina Pfuti, Helen Zivira and Tapfumaneyi Wunganai.
Last month, MDC-T secretary-general, Douglas Mwonzora recalled 13 MDC Alliance legislators from Parliament.
Speaker of National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, announced the recalling of the MDC legislators who included Amos Chibaya Mkoba, Gweru, Happymore Chidziva Highfield, Harare, Basilia Majaya, Mutarairwa Mugido, Virginia Muradzikwa, Anna Muyambo, Francesica Ncube, Nomathemba Ndlovu and Murisi Zvidzai, Harare Central.
Announcing the dismissal of the nine MDC Alliance legislators from parliament, Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda said they were recalled by their party after MDC-T Secretary-General Douglas Mwonzora wrote to him.
The legislators and senators are being recalled by the MDC-T after a landmark Supreme Court ruling on Nelson Chamisa’s illegitimacy as the leader of the opposition party.
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum and the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe Joint Statement on the assault on media freedoms and termination of the Forum’s radio show on ending torture and impunity in Zimbabwe on 25 June 2020 1 July 2020.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (the Forum) and the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) are concerned with media reports to the effect that the station manager for Capitalk FM Radio has been suspended on allegations of approving an ‘unbalanced’ radio programme that the Forum sponsored at the station on the 25th of June.
Capitalk FM is owned by Zimbabwe Newspapers Limited (Zimpapers), a state controlled mass media company.
The Forum hosted a radio programme to discuss the state of affairs in respect of torture in the country as part of commemorations of the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, a day marked worldwide on 26 June annually.
Among the strategic objectives of the commemorations, the Forum intended to utilize the radio program to zero in on the prevalent cases of torture in Zimbabwe, and to call for the ratification of the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Ms. Jestina Mukoko, the current Chairperson of the Forum, Mr. Wellington Nkau the National Transitional Justice Working Group (NTJWG) thematic leader on survivors and the Directors of the Forum’s members Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) and Counselling Services Unit, Mr. Dzikamai Bere and Dr. Frances Lovemore, respectively, were the panellists.
The panellists were in various locations and were live on-air via telephone. The program was however disrupted in unclear circumstances.
Being a sponsored program, we anticipated an immediate explanation from the station on the reasons for the termination of broadcasting services midway the program, but this did not happen.
The only other development pertaining this matter has been the media reports of the suspension of the station manager Mrs Nyaradzo Makombe-Hazangwi on account of the aborted show.
In the same reports, Zimpapers CEO Mr. Pikirayi Deketeke is reported to have explained the suspension on the basis that the program lacked balance and that “allegations were being made without the other side being given an opportunity to defend themselves”.
The Forum places on record that this was a sponsored show, in which the Forum decided on the panellists.
The show was discussing a topical human rights issue whose prevalence is a matter of public record.
Torture is a crime in terms of both national and international law, there is no debate to that. In the case of Jestina Mukoko, a torture survivor, the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe made a finding that the State violated her rights through its agents responsible for abducting and torturing her for weeks, and she was awarded damages.
That account has long ceased to be allegations. Other panellists spoke of the policy aspects of torture, and the psychological impact of torture.
Nothing unlawful or defamatory was said against anyone during the show. If such was said, the aggrieved reserves the right to either use media self-regulatory mechanisms or to approach the courts for appropriate relief.
It is against this background that The Forum and MAZ are disturbed by this reported suspension of the station manager. MAZ and The Forum view this as an attack on media freedoms and editorial independence, in violation of section 61 of the Constitution.
The Constitution guarantees the right to information, journalistic freedoms and free expression.
The worrisome trend of the purging of journalists and media practitioners has become a threat to the right to freedom of expression and freedom of the media.
The Forum and MAZ take note of similar events in 2018 leading to the purging of the then station manager of the same station, over a programme whose content the controllers of the station were reportedly uncomfortable with.
The Forum and MAZ believe that the suspension of Mrs. Makombe-Hazangwi is an ill-conceived tool to instil fear among media practitioners serving at State-controlled media organisations to the detriment of objective journalism.
This conduct towards media practitioners is a danger to our democracy, as it has the potential to silence both citizens and media practitioners from engaging on issues affecting the country. MAZ and the Forum thus reminds the government of its responsibilities to protect journalists from persecution and reiterates its calls for media freedoms and an end to media censorship.
Media houses and government alike, are duty-bound to abide by constitutional dictates. There must be room for professionalism, tolerance and respect for divergent views.
The Zimbabwean government should bear in mind the importance of media in a democratic society based on openness, justice, human dignity, equality and freedom.
MAZ and the Forum further call for the immediate uplifting of the suspension of Mrs. Makombe-Hazangwi.
Joshua Nkomo, perhaps like many great men and women before him saw a dream for Zimbabwe, one that would have seen the country cross over from colonialism to the proverbial Jordan. Born in 1917 he dedicated his whole life to the freeing of our country, suffering greatly for a vision meant to benefit all.
Not only did Zimbabwe despise the vision that Joshua Nkomo espoused, but those who took over from the colonial meted out the most horrendous persecution on him. The ill-treatment he received from the new black rulers even exceeding than he had experienced under the white minority rule. This extended to the numerous attempts on Nkomo’s life with the overt government instigated “hunt down and kill” order that was put out in the period 1982 to 1987 that led to his fleeing to exile in fear for his life.
Unable to catch and decapitate the “cobra” the Zanu government went on a most murderous orgy of a genocide intended to eliminate all perceived Nkomo supporters. The barbarity of the murders matched or possibly surpassed any that had been witnessed in history and since. It is hard to listen to accounts of how the people met their ends without one feeling extremely emotional or breaking down!
Many opportunities were missed and lost to our collective blindness to what was good for our country. People followed the politics of greed and became blind to and forgot to search for what was right and good for the country. Zimbabwe indeed sowed a wind and is now reaping a whirlwind!
We missed out on nation building which was supposed to be the first port of call in 1980. Instead, and against what Nkomo believed and taught, the country went on a slippery and toxic tribal road that grew worse to the intolerable levels that exist today. The trauma of the scourge will be with us for a long time; our country is polarised and has no hope of an immediate closing of the divide. Every passing day the gap between tribes expands as we continue to give power to national and African struggle delinquents who use tribalism and racism as political capital, alienating people and sowing divisions among the people who should be one. In the process, the masses, who today wallow in abject poverty, are denied basic rights and social services, with such crumbs as are to be had being doled out mainly using tribe and political allegiance.
We missed out on an orderly land reform as espoused in Joshua Nkomos broad manifesto in the plan for orderly conflict resolution and peaceful coexistence. Instead, land was used as a tool of political expediency in 2000 by pretenders whose popularity and influence on the political stage was waning. In the process, only faces and colour and political connectedness became the criteria for redistribution of looted land. Landlessness of the peasant was indeed greatly exacerbated. Fertile land has been turned barren by incompetent users who did not have the skills to properly utilise their loot.
A lot of indigenous people, especially in the southern half of the country, were displaced by the new land looters and are living either outside the country or in crowded communal areas with infertile and unproductive soils and no pastures. This is not the land reform Joshua Nkomo envisaged. His was an agenda to build communities even where they did not exist, inculcating the spirit of coexistence and interdependence between commercial farm holders and the majority landless citizens, and an encouragement of skills transfer and sharing between the original commercial farmers and their new neighbours. According to the late ZAPU President, no Zimbabwean would be dispossessed but a formula would be worked out for equitable redistribution of the land to benefit all.
The country missed out on a sustainable economic development agenda by Nkomo, which could have seen the Southern African country competing with developed economies around the globe and able to adequately cater for its entire people. He taught us all about sustainable economic production as well as sound economic policies. The teachings we thrown out of the window as sound economic sense took second position to political dogma and allegiance by a party of individuals with no clear ideology but hell-bent only on amassing personal wealth and holding onto political and state power at whatever cost.
The disdain and despising of anything Nkomo stood for continues today. There have been some lately attempts to downplay Nkomo’s stature by attempting to minimise some of his efforts and ascribe his achievements to Zanu, something so easy to see through as it is not in the ruling party’s character to do anything that benefits the country but themselves. This has been seen in all that Zanu has done since inception in 1963. The marks are all over that Zanu midgets have forever felt dwarfed and shadowed by Nkomos huge legacy before and after his death.
The pretenders are now incentivising attacks on the legacy of the giant after they have successfully sabotaged all his programs and national initiatives, from the canning factory in Collen Bawn, Nuanetsi Ranching project, Agricultural mechanisation initiative in Matebeleland North to the Ekusileni Medical Centre in Bulawayo. This is over and above the decimation of his party in an operation that spanned five years from 1983 to 1987, which in result became a genocide crime against predominantly Ndebele speaking people of Midlands and Matebeleland.
As we commemorate the departure of the great man who, like every other, was despised by his own, we take solace in the fact that what he stood for makes the ideology of Zimbabwe African Peoples Union, which eventually, at his instruction to Joseph Msika, Themjiwe Lesabe, Dumiso Dabengwa, ZPRA leadership and many others, pulled out of the failed and now defunct 1987 Unity Accord in a process that started in December 2008 and ended by the inaugural congress after revival in 2010. It is a process Joshua Nkomo could have loved to have participated in as his heart had visibly been broken when he signed the forced Unity Accord which he knew would yield nothing for Zimbabwe.
With the structures, programs and ideology of ZAPU now revived and progressing as was envisioned by its founding leader, we rest assured that Joshua Nkomo’s dream, which was deferred will finally be realised. His dream was and will never be lost, but parked for a while as the terrain for such vision became increasingly more hostile. We who follow in his footsteps will retrace to his principles and ideas, remember his teachings and finish the job he started. against it until Zimbabwe becomes the nation our father envisaged when he led a long struggle against racial inequality that prevailed from 1890 to 1980. On the foundation he laid, we will use bricks of his instructions, vision, mission and broad ideological concept to build a nation where all are equal, free and are treated with fairness in utmost justice.
Today as we commemorate the day the nations father left the stage, let us all revisit all his teachings, instructions and advice and build our country as according to his statutes, for he is the light that should shine our path to a prosperous country. Let us undertake to put aside our pride and suppress our empty egos, do what is right for the generality of our people and good for the future generations. Let us build a nation out of this country by fighting and eliminating tribalism, inequality, corruption, looting, often practiced by a small circle of criminals disguised as government.
In a move set to shake Speaker Of parliament Jacob Mudenda, MDC Alliance has appointed a new leader of the opposition and chief whip in Parliament after the MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe recently recalled the MDC Alliance legislators.
In a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, the party said:
RE: Opposition Leadership in Parliament
Please be advised that our party, the MDC Alliance has appointed the following members as the party, Leadership in Parliament
1. Hon Lynette Karenyi
Acting leader of opposition in Parliament
2. Hon Erick Murai
Acting Chief Whip; Lower House
3. Hon Jasmine Toffa
Acting Deputy Chief Whip: Lower house
May you kindly facilitate their assumption of duty in terms of the rules.
THE trial of former cabinet minister Prisca Mupfumira has kicked off at the Harare Magistrates court this Wednesday with both Mupfumira and her then Permanent Secretary, Ngoni Masoka pleading not guilty to all three counts. The duo is being charged for two counts of criminal abuse of office as public officers and one of concealing a transaction.
Mupfumira becomes the second of former President Robert Mugabe’s ministers to be tried in recent days. Former Energy Minister Samuel Undenge was last week sent to prison for two years on similar charges. Will Mupfumira join her former cabinet colleague in prison at the end of the trial?
I really understand what it means to be a mother,especially during difficult times like we are experiencing under this Covid-19 pandemic.
A lot of livelihoods have been lost and our living standards as women are heavily inclined towards small businesses such as vending, hence the most affected.
This project of fish farming are non-partisan and all these projects I have set up countrywide are meant to benefit everyone.
All women are special regardless of colour,race, religion,political affiliation,social or marital status.
We need one another ,especially now ,more than any other time.I believe that once we empower women, like we did yesterday, the empowered women will go on to empower other women and the empowerment train continues non-stop until all women are empowered regardless of their social standing in society.
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. But teach a man to catch fish and you feed him for a lifetime
