By A Correspondent- 5 ZRP officers have tested positive for COVID-19 on the same day that Zimbabwe recorded the 7th COVID-19 death. The development was confirmed by the information ministry’s permanent secretary Mangwana who tweeted:

Two Zimbabweans in Namibia have tested positive to #Covid19Zim. Back home, five members of @PoliceZimbabwe have tested positive as well. This shows how the police are part of the frontline staff vulnerably exposed to risk as they go about their law and order jobs

The ZRP officers testing positive for COVID-19 coincided with the 7th COVID-19 in the country which was announced by the Ministry which said:

Today (Monday), we regret to report one facility death of a male aged 49 from Bulawayo Province, who tested positive today with a history of travel from South Africa and had no co-morbidities.

By A Correspondent- The Health Ministry is set to recruit 500 health workers which include doctors, nurses and technicians after the Ministry of Finance gave them the go-ahead to do so.

This was revealed by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa after a COVID-19 taskforce meeting yesterday when she said the government was mulling setting up quarantine centres for COVID-19 positive cases as some cases have no capacity to self isolate.

The taskforce was informed that Treasury has concurred to the recruitment of an additional 500 health workers including doctors, nurses, and technicians for Intensive Care Unit/High Dependency Unit and isolation centres across the country.

This recruitment will go a long way in boosting our health services’ capacity to respond and treat Covid-19 cases.

On the issue of isolation centres for positive cases Mutsvangwa said:It has also been noted that there are some cases that have the capacity to self-isolate but are not adhering to self-isolation protocols and are putting communities at risk.

We have recommended that all positive cases at private and public quarantine facilities be moved to specific isolation centres in order to prevent the further spread of Covid-19,

As of yesterday, Zimbabwe recorded 574 confirmed cases, 152 recoveries and seven (7) deaths.

More: Chronicle 

By A Correspondent- ZERA is reportedly reviewing an application by ZESA to increase electricity tariffs.

The matter came to light when ZERA chief executive Mr Eddington Mazambani spoke to the publication on the sidelines of  a commissioning ceremony of Chijawi Primary and Secondary schools’ electrification project in Hurungwe district and said:

Tariff increases are not granted easily, we will conduct an extensive interrogation and scrutinisation of the proposed tariffs to ensure that they are justified

The proposed tariffs adjustment is aimed at cushioning ZESA from Inflation which is increasing on an exponential basis. When contacted for comment ZESA spokesperson Fullard Gwasira confirmed ZESA applied for a tariff increase.

Sadc is useless just like Zec n ZACConline

— Master 'Bad Apple'. (@Masterhkd17) June 29, 2020

Own Correspondent

DEFENCE minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has yet again vehemently denied reports that government has deployed Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) soldiers to Mozambique to help that country quell an Islamist insurgency.

Recent media reports suggested Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi made an appeal to his Zimbabwe counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa for assistance in combating the insurgence by deploying ZNA personnel in the volatile region.

Giving oral evidence before the Defence and Security Parliamentary Portfolio Committee Monday, Muchinguri dismissed the reports as dangerous rumours and lies.

“Those are social media dangerous rumours and lies. Dismiss them with the contempt they deserve,” she said.

“Regarding Mozambique, there was a (SADC) Troika meeting that took place here in Zimbabwe, but there is no harm when a chairman of an organ is invited by a neighbour to say I have a problem in Mozambique, can you assist me? Equally, any country surely, whether Zimbabwe or any country can raise a flag to say I am in trouble. That is what happened.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is the current chairperson of the SADC Troika on Organ on Defence, Politics and Security Cooperation.

“Because of the location of Mozambique, you cannot go as one country to settle a problem that will overflow to a number of countries,” Muchinguri told the legislators.

“So we take that regional posture. So it is not correct, no country will dare go into a situation, whether it was in DRC, again it was SADC or everywhere that we have gone to, we do have treaties and conventions. We respect those. We abide by certain rules and regulations, principles of SADC that another country cannot go into another territory without general understanding and agreement.

“As chair of the regional bloc currently, Zimbabwe will not act alone, we have Malawi which was also a cause of concern and we did as a region deploy our own observers and technical teams to assess the situation.”

Own Correspondent

Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet (in charge of communications) George Charamba has accused the opposition MDC Alliance of sabotaging the economy in order to force for regime change.

In a state media report, Charamba said there is a political dimension to the current challenges as the country is facing a multi-pronged assault from some elements determined to turn the public against President Mnangagwa and the Second Republic.

“There is a very strange coincidence that we have noticed over quite some months between the implosive politics within the opposition, self-implosive politics, and heightened illicit activity in the economy. You have that mayhem in the MDC whose sum effect is that of weakening the opposition in the country on the one and then you have increased below the law and out of the law activities in the economy.

“We have realised that there is a clear nexus between runaway market activities and runaway opposition politics, that more and more, the security threat to this country, the destabilisation to this country is finding expressing through the market, so there is heightened smuggling of gold, there is heightened transactions, there is release of precious foreign currency into the black market, all to create a generalised instability which have the effect of creating disenchantment on the part of the Government,” said Mr Charamba.

The MDC is presently consumed in serious power struggles due to the failure of its leaders to adhere to its own party rules and constitutionalism and with the opposition self-disemboweling, Mr Charamba said the country detractors and anti-Second Republic funders are now trying to use the market as a form of opposition against the Government.

“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, 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,” said Mr Charamba.

Last week, the Government announced the suspension of phone-based mobile money transactions and trading on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) so as to allow for investigations into illegal dealings connected with the foreign currency black market and also to put in place reforms that restore mobile money platforms to their original purpose.

Own Correspondent

Ministry of Information secretary, Nick Mangwana says that five police officers have tested positive for the deadly Covid-19, while the death toll from the pandemic in the country has risen to seven.

The government spokesperson also confirmed that two Zimbabweans tested Covid-19 positive in neighbouring Namibia.

“Two Zimbabweans in Namibia have tested positive to #Covid19Zim. Back home, five members of @PoliceZimbabwe have tested positive as well. This shows how the police are part of the frontline staff vulnerably exposed to risk as they go about their law and order jobs,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry Monday confirmed the death of a 49-year-old man from Bulawayo from Covid-19, bringing the total deaths to seven.

“Today (Monday), we regret to report one facility death of a male aged 49 from Bulawayo Province, who tested positive today with a history of travel from South Africa and had no co-morbidities,” the ministry said in its daily Covid-19 update.

“Seven cases tested for Covid-19 today (Monday). These include returnees from South Africa, 2, Botswana, 1, and four local cases who are isolated. Three of the local cases are contacts to a known confirmed case, investigations are underway to establish the source of infection for the other case.

“Bulawayo reported 10 new recoveries. As at 29 June 2020, Zimbabwe had 574 confirmed cases, including 152 recoveries and seven deaths.”

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) is assessing an application for an electricity tariff increase that was recently lodged by the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC).

ZERA chief executive Mr Eddington Mazambani said they wanted to ensure a balance between affordability on the part of consumers and ZETDC’s viability.

“Tariff increases are not granted easily, we will conduct an extensive interrogation and scrutinisation of the proposed tariffs to ensure that they are justified.”

Mr Mazambani said their assessment might see the tariffs being reviewed upwards or downwards.

ZESA spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira confirmed that they applied for an increase in tariffs but declined to give specific details.

This month the power company lowered electricity tariffs by between 11 percent and 25 percent and introduced a new low-cost tariff band that reduces electricity charges for purchases of units in excess of 200 kilowatt hour (kwh) but not exceeding 300kwh per month in response to customer requests for low priced units. The first 50 units, under the June lowered tariff band, were pegged at 52c per kwh, 51 to 200 units cost $1.14 per kwh while 201 to 300 units have been reduced to $3.12 per kwh from $4.88 per kwh.

The proposed tariff adjustments according to the application, Mr Mazambani said, were aimed at cushioning the power entity as inflation continues to rise. The energy regulator has also put in place a system which will see fuel prices being adjusted weekly.

Mr Mazambani said the price adjustments were also aimed at making sure that the commodity is available on the market.

Candidates registered for Zimsec O-Level and A-Level exams are set to write their examinations as scheduled, beginning today, without certainty if teachers will attend the examinations.

Some teacher unions, Junior Members of Parliament and the Zimbabwe Deaf Trust are still worried that even with safeguards, many candidates may have problems getting to the centres and many are not prepared to write since schools have been closed for almost four months. They thought the exams should be delayed further.

Announcing the progress in Harare yesterday, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Ambassador Cain Mathema stressed that all obligatory processes have been put into place to ascertain “the safety of candidates and invigilators during the course of the examinations”.

“To this end, thermometers, disinfectants, face masks, wash facilities and hand sanitisers have been procured for all examination centres to protect from Covid-19. Examination centres have also been disinfected in line with Ministry of Health and Child Care guidelines.”

Minister Mathema thanked the First Family, the inter-ministerial taskforce against Covid-19, headed by Vice President Kembo Mohadi, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, and other stakeholders for making the June exams a reality through their “guidance and assistance” in readying the centres in tandem with the World Health Organisation guidelines.

The June 2020 examination period for O-Level will run from today to July 20, while the A-Level sessions will begin today and end on July 23.

Teachers unions have vowed to boycott the invigilation of the examinations arguing that the government has failed to meet regulations stipulated by a High Court order to protect teachers and learners against the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The High Court on June 19, ruled that for the examinations to proceed, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Ministry of Health and Child Care, ZIMSEC had to provide protective resources at all examination centres.

President of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) Takavafira Zhou said that teachers’ unions held a meeting, Monday, where they reached a consensus that they will not report for duty until all the World Health Organisation (WHO) requirements are met.

Zhou said the government is in contempt of court and the issue at hand is a matter of life and death hence the teachers are not going to risk their lives by going to work when there are no resources to protect them nor the learners.

“Nothing has been done at the examination centres to ensure that we are protected. Teachers are not employed by ZIMSEC. As it stands no transport allowance has been availed to the teachers to enable them to go to their respective centres. We are still under lockdown, the least ZIMSEC could have done was to craft exemption letters for teachers to travel to places where they will be invigilating but they didn’t,” Zhou said.

“No masks or sanitisers have been availed. Schools have not been disinfected as yet. We are not returning to work until these standards are met. The government has failed to honour the High Court ruling. Life is very precious and as teachers, we have chosen t to preserve it by staying at home.”

Good evening my fellow Zimbabweans
Today the National Taskforce on COVID19 met and received reports from its Subcommittees and also deliberated on the following matters:
• HEALTH STRATEGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Whilst focusing on protecting the nation from COVID19, Government has not lost sight of other health challenges bedeviling our communities. It is in this context that the Taskforce noted with sadness the Typhoid and Dysentery in some Bulawayo suburbs. So far, Bulawayo has reported five community and seven hospital deaths. Government has therefore embarked on an intensive bulk water trucking programme to affected communities. Water samples from these areas are also undergoing analysis.
On another note, Government values the safety of health workers and their families. To protect frontline workers’ families from possible infections, Crown Plaza, Marondera Hotel and Khayela Guest Lodge are being used for quarantining frontline staff at Government’s expense.

The Taskforce was informed that Treasury has concurred to the recruitment of an additionally 500 health workers including doctors, nurses, and technicians for ICU/HDU and Isolation centres across the country. This recruitment will go a long way in boosting our health services’ capacity to respond and treat COVID19 cases.

• QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION FACILITIES
The country has witnessed a surge in positive cases, especially among returnees. There are 1770 returnees in quarantine facilities across the country, with the highest number of returnees being housed in Harare.
The Taskforce has noted that while the standard procedure according to WHO guidelines is the self-solation of asymptomatic positive cases, there are some cases that are unable to self-isolate in their homes. Such cases are being housed at isolation centres intended for those who require treatment. It has also been noted that there are some cases that have the capacity to self-isolate but are not adhering to self-isolation protocols and are putting communities at risk.
We have recommended that all positive cases at private and public quarantine facilities be moved to specific isolation centres in order to prevent the further spread of COVID19.

• MATERIALS PRODUCTION SUBCOMMITEE
The National Taskforce was informed by the Subcommittee that the demand for sanitizers has increased due to the national requirement that all entities have sanitizer /wash facilities at entry points. Let me take this opportunity to commend the nation for adhering to COVID19 preventative and protective measures such as hand washing and sanitizing.
• RE-OPENING OF UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES, PRIMARY AND SECODNDARY SCHOOLS
The Taskforce received reports from the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development and from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education on re-opening plans and Standard Operating Procedures for the Prevention and Management of COVID19 at learning institutions.
The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development presented detailed individual State Universities and Colleges re-opening plans in light of the COVID19 pandemic.
By way of summary of this report, measures being taken to combat COVID19, tertiary education students, visitors and staff are as follows:
 All Tertiary Education institutions are required to have ONE or, at most TWO, entrances to the entire institution.
 All students and staff entering and exiting the institution cited above shall be required to go through screening.
 Institution shall ensure students and employees are educated on the symptoms and the measures to take if COVID 19 symptoms manifest.
 A capacity utilization chart/timetable shall be provided to Ministry Tertiary Education Compliance Inspectors satisfactorily adjusted to ensure that all classrooms observe and maintain acceptable physical distancing.
 Depending on student volumes, timetables may have to be adjusted to ensure an even wider spread of students.
 Students and employees will be encouraged to leave the institutions as soon as classes or work is completed for the day. These measures will be enforced by College Security Officials who patrol institution campuses at all times and by all senior staff and tutors.
 No sporting activities are to be conducted at all institutions.
 All institutions are to be fumigated prior to re-opening.
 If any employee or student shows symptoms of COVID 19 whilst on campus, a report shall immediately be made to the institution health department for appropriate medical assistance.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education tabled Standard Operating Procedures for the Prevention and Management of COVID-19 and other Influenza like Illnesses in the Primary and Secondary Education Sector” which the National Taskforce adopted.
The SOPs, which were crafted in line with the Health School Policy, are meant to guide the conduct school business in a safe and healthy environment for all. The list of requirements will be updated depending on the nature of the public health pandemic at any time.
The SOPs measures include:
 enforcement of the “stay at home if unwell” policy for learners, teachers, and school staff with symptoms
 each school shall establish a temporary Isolation Holding Bay.
 Apart from the major disinfection of all school buildings and grounds before the re-opening of schools, schools should clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, desks, toys, teaching aids, and play equipment.
 All sporting activities, which include matches, choral practice, indoor games and festivals are prohibited until further notice.
The Taskforce noted that strict compliance to these SOPs is required by all and failure to observe these guidelines would compromise the health and safety of all. This would be in breach of the Public Health Act and relevant COVDI19 prevention and control measures. Heads of Office at National, Provincial, District and school level authorities have the responsibility to ensure and enforce compliance.
I wish to express best wishes to all students that are commencing their June/July Examinations tomorrow. Government has put in place measures to keep both learners and staff safe.
COMING TO OTHER ISSUES OUTSIDE OF THE NATIONAL TASKFORCE
• MEDIA REFORM
Government has embarked on a media reform programme. This includes legislative reforms, media cultural reform and registering new players in television. I wish to inform the nation that the deadline for applicants to lodge their applications for television players is tomorrow, 30June 2020. We take this opportunity to wish applicants all the best. The Second Republic means what it says on the media landscape reform.

• LOCAL CURRENCY
We have also received reports of some shops and business owners who are refusing to accept local currency as legal tender for goods and services. We wish to reiterate that the ZW$ is a legal medium of exchange and should be accepted.
My fellow Zimbabweans, as our positive cases rise, let us not become lax thinking that this virus is limited to returnees. We have to be vigilant and work collectively. Protective and preventative measures are there to assist us in combating COVID19.
Let us stay safe out there, minimize movement, sanitize and wash our hands, and observe social distancing.
I thank you.

State Media

Chief Coordinator National Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic, Dr Agnes Mahomva, has said although it is too early to claim victory, Zimbabwe’s Covid-19 cases seem to be stabilising, with very low levels of community infection.

She, however, stressed that people must not be complacent as the coming few weeks would be defining.

Dr Mahomva made the remarks at the Zimbabwe National Defence University where she was delivering a lecture on Public Health and National Security yesterday.

She said measures to arrest the spike in Covid-19 cases by using lockdowns had been largely effective.

“Ministry of Health and Child Care has been working with a group of scientists from the University of Zimbabwe doing mathematical modelling and projections,” said Dr Mahomva.

“When we started, they were looking at other countries and the projections were high, but as we are moving, their forecasts now have lower figures,” said Dr Mahomva.

Zimbabwe has seen a rise in cases, most being attributed to returning nationals tested in quarantine after arrival.

“The numbers are going up, but there is no need to panic,” said Dr Mahomva.

“We knew the numbers were going to rise, the question was when and how. We think at the moment, things are stabilising, but with these kind of things you need a few weeks before you can make a conclusion because the numbers may begin rising again.”

Dr Mahomva said public health and social measures like lockdowns and mask wearing regulations were meant to protect the most vulnerable members of society.

Zimbabwe has been under lockdown since the end of March, with an ever growing number of exemptions, but the actual lockdown has now been declared to be indefinite, leaving the Government with the legal powers to adjust levels and adjust levels of exemption.

Dr Mahomva addressed concerns that Covid-19 may be incubating in communities far from the authorities’ radar due to lack of adequate testing.

“We are not having those large numbers in communities,” she said.

“One might say we are not testing communities so how can we be sure, but comparing mortality rates from last year, the figures show that there is nothing unusual.

“We cannot be missing anything. Of course, there may be a few cases here and there we may fail to detect, but there is nothing unusual in our communities.”

Dr Mahomva emphasised the need to ensure Covid-19 messaging was engaging and inspiring behaviour change.

Zimbabwe’s coronavirus cases have risen to 574 after 7 more people have tested positive for the virus.

The new cases-4 are local while 2 and 1, in that order, are from South Africa and Botswana.

Bulawayo recorded 10 new recoveries bringing the total number of recoveries in the country to 152.

The country also recorded another coronavirus related death bringing the total number of deaths to 7.- Health Ministry

Farai Dziva|Abducted MDC Alliance Goromonzi South Youth Assembly District Chairperson Davison Chamisa who was abducted by state security agents has been found alive.

However, he was brutalised and drugged.

“We have located Davison Chamisa in Norton.
He was drugged ,brutalised ,assaulted and dumped at a railway line while unconscious.

He was injected with an unknown substance and made to consume pills and was forced to drink urine. He cant walk,” MDC Alliance said in a statement.

Chamisa was abducted on Sunday following an “arrest” by the police.

Farai Dziva|Abducted MDC Alliance Goromonzi South Youth Assembly District Chairperson Davison Chamisa who was abducted by state security agents has been found alive.

However, he was brutalised and drugged.

“We have located Davison Chamisa in Norton.
He was drugged ,brutalised ,assaulted and dumped at a railway line while unconscious.

He was injected with an unknown substance and made to consume pills and was forced to drink urine. He cant walk,” MDC Alliance said in a statement.

Chamisa was abducted on Sunday following an “arrest” by the police.

Dumiso Dabengwa: When Chamisa speaks I hear Joshua Nkomo speaking pic.twitter.com/KeVstY5EZQ

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) June 29, 2020

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance president Advocate Nelson Chamisa has said Emmerson Mnangagwa is behind the recall of the opposition party’s MPs.

Chamisa has also accused his political rival of using bully-boy tactics in a bid to force MDC Alliance to join POLAD.

Chamisa has declared his party will not join POLAD, a discredited discussion platform.

Below is part of Chamisa’s interview with ENCA:

Former Finance Minister and MDC Alliance Vice President Tendai Biti has said the move by the government to ban mobile money transactions and trading at the Stock Exchange does not make sense as they were not to blame for the prevailing economic downfall.

Commenting on the issue the firebrand politician and lawyer said:

It does not make economic sense. The reason why we have a black market in the economy is not because of Ecocash or the stock exchange, it’s because we are simply not producing.

You cannot have a government that specialises in creating difficulties for its citizens. Think of the millions of people who cannot access money in banks who rely on mobile transfers.

Biti’s sentiments were echoed by Zimbabwe Information and Communication Technologies chairman Jacob Mutisi who also said:

This will put a dent to our crippled economy and completely shut down the nation’s biggest e-commerce platform.

The problem in Zimbabwe is not Ecocash or mobile money fraud, externalisation or pure advanced airtime sales, but the dysfunctional government policies in general and on the fiscal and monetary policies in particular.

The move by the government to suspend trading at the stock exchange and ban some mobile money transactions came on the day the ZWL reached a new low and traded $100 against a single American dollar- The Standard

By A Correspondent- Another member of the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa has been arrested in connection with a flash hunger protest that was launched in Warren Park on the 13th of May this year.

Three other MDC Alliance officials – Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova are now out of custody on bail after they were also arrested over the same matter.

The latest development was announced by the party via its accounts on social media platforms.

The MDC Alliance posted:

Makomborero Haruzivishe has been arrested at Mbare Magistrate court over the Warren Park Flash Demonstration. He has been taken to Harare Central CID Law and Order.

The state says those who participated in the protests violated lockdown regulations which prohibit gatherings comprised of more than 50 people.

Meanwhile, some view the latest arrests of opposition officials and human rights defenders is an indication of the state’s strategy to silence voices of dissent.

These arrests have attracted the attention of the international community which has in the recent past castigated the state.

Dear ZANUPF Youths???? pic.twitter.com/zP4DSLZbbg

— Hopewell Chin’ono (@daddyhope) June 29, 2020

2 Zimbabweans in Namibia have tested positive to #Covid19Zim. Back home, 5 members of @PoliceZimbabwe have tested positive as well. This shows how the Police are part of the frontline staff vulnerably exposed to risk as they go about their law and order jobs.

— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) June 29, 2020

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

EXCLUSIVE: State Security attempts to arrest President @nelsonchamisa by planting fake activists in Mozambique 2 months ago have been thwarted following a successful ZimEye investigation and the Twitter account has now been deleted. ORIGINAL STORY BELOW https://t.co/iEsGEYUOLG pic.twitter.com/IeUi9DtBve

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) June 29, 2020

watch the live video loading below….

The minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Cain Mathema has said June examinations will proceed as initially planned.

The statement is issued amid resistance from teachers and learners to the proposed dates.

They argue that the dates are inconvenient since learners had no time for studies adding that some schools have not taken enough required measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic which saw studies suspended in March.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is adamant that necessary measures to ensure the safety of candidates and invigilators are already in place.

Below is Mathema’s press statement in full.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education would like to advise parents/guardians, learners and the public that the ZIMSEC June 2020 Examinations are set to commence as scheduled on Tuesday, the 30th of June 2020. The examination timetable, as announced by ZIMSEC, will be adhered to.

The Ministry would like to assure the nation that necessary measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of candidates and invigilators during the course of the examinations. To this end, thermometers, disinfectants, face masks, wash facilities and hand sanitisers have been procured for all examination centres to protect from COVID-19. Examination centres have also been disinfected in line with Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) guidelines.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude, to His Excellency, President E.D. Mnangagwa, Her Excellency, the First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, led by Hon. Vice President K.C.D. Mohadi, the Ministry of Health and Child Care and all the other Ministries for their guidance and assistance in getting the centres ready for examinations in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

By A Correspondent- The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) is shocked by the government of Zimbabwe’s claims that it fully complied with recommendations of the Motlanthe Commission of inquiry into August 1, 2018 events during which the army killed six civilians with 35 others injured.

As a Coalition, we view such an announcement, without any evidence backing it, as a refusal by the government to be accountable for human rights violations and lack of respect to the unfortunate lives lost, a situation that has hindered previous efforts on National Healing and Reconciliation.

It is evident that none of those responsible for the killings has been brought to book and convicted.

Further to that, members of the Army and Police who were in breach of their professional duties and discipline are yet to be identified for their internal investigations and appropriate sanction as again recommended by the Commission.

If in any case, the Commission recommendations had been implemented, then some of the killings, beatings and human rights violations perpetrated during the lockdown might have been prevented.

It is important to underline that there has not been any meaningful or sincere effort towards reform and transformation from the government of Zimbabwe except mere politicking.

National Healing and Reconciliation also recommended by the Motlanthe Commission continues to be a pipe dream in Zimbabwe owing to lack of sincerity on the part of authorities and this explains why results of the Commission that investigated the Gukurahundi Massacres which claimed more than 20 000 lives remains a top-secret up to now. Victims of these massacres, their relatives, stakeholders and the nation at large have waited for justice in vain for more than three decades.

As a Coalition, we have always maintained that the Motlanthe Commission was set up with an interest to absolve President Emmerson Mnangagwa, ZANU PF and the Zimbabwe National Army from the killings of civilians who were demonstrating against electoral fraud.

We reiterate that, those involved in the killings should be brought to book and that the government should fully compensate all victims of August 1, 2018 army shootings.

We recommend that the government should set up an all-inclusive National Dialogue platform and an all stakeholders healing and reconciliation platform for the country to move forward.

By A Correspondent- Pastor Shingi Munyeza who is a member of the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) initiated to advise president Mnangagwa has said mocked the president’s “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” mantra.

He said instead of opening the country’s doors to the international and local investors, Zimbabwe has registered an increase in the number of human rights abuses and bad governance practices. He posted on Twitter:

“ZIMBABWE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS” Our new “BUSINESS” is now 1. CORRUPTION 2. INCOMPETENCE 3. POLICY INCONSISTENCY 4. ABDUCTIONS 5. GENERAL CLUELESSNESS

TSVAGAI CHATEMESA MUSORO VEDUWE [Address the real issues]

In 2017, when he ascended to power replacing his long time boss and mentor, President Mnangagwa announced that Zimbabwe had opened for business following two decades of isolation from the international community.

He also pledged to fight corruption which is arguably one of the issues that have seen the country’s once-vibrant economy collapsing.

The mantra resulted in the implementation of a cocktail of measures meant to engage and re-engage the international community although some argued that the measures, including economic and political reforms, were superficial.

A year later, reports of human rights violations and corruption were reported with government officials and state security forces being the main culprits.

More: Shingi Munyeza

Africa University has announced that local students with evidence that they can pay their fees in foreign currency will be permitted to pay their August 2020 Semester fees in United States Dollars.

We present below the memo which announced the development.

This communication relates to the above mentioned to give you information on the fees structure effective August 2020 Fees payment –

International students

International students are still required by law to pay their fees in United States Dollars i.e Cash or Telegraphic Transfers, International VISA, Mastercard or Other accepted international payment platforms. The Fees in United States Dollars (USD) remain unchanged as per the schedule below.

Fees Payment for Local students

Local students paying fees in ZWL/RTGS Dollars, the fees are reflected in the schedule below. Local students with evidence that they have free funds are now permitted by law to settle their fees in United States Dollars (USD). RTGS / ZWL Fees for the First Semester are as per schedule below.

NB: Fees in ZWL / RTGS Dollars will be reviewed on a Semester basis and interest charged on late payments.

Fees for Students on attachment

Students proceeding on Industrial Attachment are advised that their fees will remain pegged at 75 % of tuition fees for their Attachment year. All other fees components will remain unchanged.

Registration

ALL Students including those proceeding on attachment are required to register for the Semester and this should be done after payment of the prerequisite fees. Failure to register and pay fees on time will result in students being considered unregistered and repeating your attachment year. Please be guided accordingly.

NB: Kindly ensure that you use the correct banking details and you send through your proof of payment with your details.

For any queries and further clarification, the Business Office team is at your service. You

can contact them via email using the following addresses: [email protected] ,

[email protected] or [email protected]

Students Memo August 2020 Semester Fees

Zimbabwe today said that it was not taking lightly attempts to instigate instability in the country through spreading rumours of an imminent coup, and will bring to book those peddling the falsehoods.

Early this month, the government and security services dismissed reports of an imminent coup, saying this was part of a wider plot to destabilise the country.

This was after various online media carried claims of an imminent military coup backed by opposition and disgruntled former members of the ruling ZANU-PF party.

In dismissing the alleged coup, Home Affairs Minister, Kazembe Kazembe said not only were the rumours of a coup false, they were meant to instigate it and trigger instability in the country.

Kazembe said self-exiled former Cabinet Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, opposition MDC-Alliance member Job Sikhala, a number of civil society organisations and certain diplomatic missions were actively supporting and peddling the false coup narrative.

Today, Defence and War Veterans Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri told Parliament that such misinformation was dangerous and purveyors of it ought to be dealt toughly.

“These are people who are bent on bringing the country into disrepute so I cannot tell you how we are going to deal with it but the net is closing in on them, I can assure you. This is not something we can take lightly,” she said.

She said the Zimbabwe Defence Forces was a professional unit, which carried out its duties in terms of the Constitution.

“We are dealing with it. We have to deal with it because they misinform (the public). We already have a bill to that effect on how we deal with people who peddle lies particularly on security situations because what we want is for our people at every given time to have confidence in their own security forces, their capacity and capability to protect the people of Zimbabwe and also for us to be able to operate and ensure that we develop our country.”

– New Ziana

Own Correspondent

The MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe will on Tuesday recall a yet to be established number of MDC Alliance Senators from the house according to highly places sources within the MDC-T.

The National Assembly Sat Last Week, then Adjourned until Tuesday 7th July. The Senate Will Resume Sitting This Week, on Tuesday 30th June.

At the start of proceedings on Tuesday 23rd June the Speaker announced receipt of written notification on that date from the MDC-T party that the following nine MPs had ceased to be members of the party: Amos Chibaya [Mkoba constituency], Happymore Chidziva [Highfields West constituency], Bacillia Majaya [PR Mashonaland Central], Mucharairwa Mugidho [PR Masvingo], Virginia Zengeya-Muradzikwa [PR Harare], Annah Muyambo [PR Harare], Francisca Ncube [PR Matabeleland North], Nomathemba Ndlovu [PR Matabeleland South], and Murisi Zwizwai [Harare Central constituency].

State Media

POLICE in Bulawayo have shot and injured a suspected cattle rustler after he ignored orders from the law enforcement agents to stop.

The injured suspect was rushed to a local hospital in the city where he is recovering.

National Police Spokesmen Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.

Asst Comm Nyathi said it has become modus operandi for cattle rustlers to stash a stolen carcass under firewood and masquerade as firewood poachers.

He added that Pumula had become a hot spot for stock theft as cattle from neighbouring villages stary into the suburb, where criminals involved in cattle rustling pounce on the animals.

Most of the meat from the stolen beasts is sold in Bulawayo.

“This shooting incident involves a suspect who was transporting firewood and refused to stop. He drove away and, in the process, there was a chase and unfortunately police had to fire some shots. He got injured and is admitted at a local hospital,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

“People should not steal firewood and should not engage in criminal activities and must not flee from police officers. They must not try to evade police check points and must follow the normal procedures. It’s really unfortunate but at the end of the day the police have to do their work. The public should just appreciate that no one should engage in criminal activities,” he said.

Asst Comm Nyathi sad police officers fired warning shots as per routine, however the suspect did not heed the call to stop.

“So far we have established that this person was found carrying firewood and that firewood was illegally taken from the Pumula surroundings. Police officers fired warning shots, but he did not stop, so they have to do their job. Remember last week we had another incident where city of Bulawayo rangers were involved in a shootout with firewood poachers and possibly stock theft suspects. That area is becoming notorious for criminal acts,” said Assistant Commissioner Nyathi.

“Pumula area and areas surrounding areas, police have attended to cases of stock theft, where people come at night and kill cattle from neighbouring villages near Pumula, where they load the beasts in trucks and the put firewood n top, making it appear like they are just carrying firewood. They then drive into Bulawayo CBD at night and during the day, they sell the meat. One of the complainants who was a victim of stock theft made report and police where then on a patrol in view of laying a trap for these suspects,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

Own Correspondent

MACRAD Trust Director, Ephraim Mtombeni has been remanded in custody to tomorrow.

Mtombeni is accused of “undermining the authority of the President.”

Mtombeni appeared before Magistrate Ndlovu in Masvingo today.

According to Police documents, Mtombeni addressed commuters gathered at a bus rank in the city on Friday evening and told them that they were suffering because President Mnangagwa and his sons were looting Zimbabwe’s resources.

Mtombeni insists he has never said that.

“Muri muqueue imomo nokutamba nhamo nenyaya yaMnangagwa nevana vake vari kuba (You are standing in that long queue and suffering because of Mnangagwa and his children who are stealing),” reads part of the charge sheet.

The state opposed bail on the grounds that Mtombeni does not have a family and a house.

The minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Cain Mathema has said June examinations will proceed as initially planned.

The statement is issued amid resistance from teachers and learners to the proposed dates.

They argue that the dates are inconvenient since learners had no time for studies adding that some schools have not taken enough required measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic which saw studies suspended in March.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is adamant that necessary measures to ensure the safety of candidates and invigilators are already in place.

Below is Mathema’s press statement in full.

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The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education would like to advise parents/guardians, learners and the public that the ZIMSEC June 2020 Examinations are set to commence as scheduled on Tuesday, the 30th of June 2020. The examination timetable, as announced by ZIMSEC, will be adhered to.

The Ministry would like to assure the nation that necessary measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of candidates and invigilators during the course of the examinations. To this end, thermometers, disinfectants, face masks, wash facilities and hand sanitisers have been procured for all examination centres to protect from COVID-19. Examination centres have also been disinfected in line with Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) guidelines.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude, to His Excellency, President E.D. Mnangagwa, Her Excellency, the First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, led by Hon. Vice President K.C.D. Mohadi, the Ministry of Health and Child Care and all the other Ministries for their guidance and assistance in getting the centres ready for examinations in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

Candidates registered for the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) June 2020 Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations will write as scheduled, beginning tomorrow, despite calls by some unions to delay them until adequate safety measures against Covid-19 are in place.

Announcing the development at a press conference in Harare this afternoon, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Ambassador Cain Mathema reiterated that all obligatory processes have been put in place to ascertain “the safety of candidates and invigilators during the course of the examinations”.

“To this end, thermometers, disinfectants, face masks, wash facilities and hand sanitisers have been procured for all examination centres to protect from Covid-19” he said.

“Examination centres have also been disinfected in line with Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) guidelines.”

The examinations will run from tomorrow to July 22.

Minister Mathema expressed gratitude to the First Family, the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce against Covid-19, headed by Vice President Mohadi, the Ministry of Health and Child Care and other stakeholders for making the June exams a reality through their “guidance and assistance” in readying the centres in tandem with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

The June 2020 examination period for Ordinary Level will run from June 30 to July 20, while the Advanced Level session will begin on June 30 and end on July 23.

Freelance journalist Godfrey Mtimba who is based in Zimbabwe’s southern town of Masvingo was on 29 June 2020 charged with undermining the authority of or insulting the President. He has been charged in terms of Section 33 (2) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

This section deals with any person who publicly unlawfully and intentionally makes any statement about or concerning the President with the knowledge or realising that there is a real risk or possibility that the statement is false and that it may engender feelings of hostility towards or cause hatred, contempt or ridicule of the President whether in person or in respect of the President’s Office.

MISA Zimbabwe understands that the charges arise from an incident which occurred on 26 June 2020 when MDC Alliance and some civic society activists allegedly addressed Masvingo residents who were waiting to board a ZUPCO bus. Mtimba took pictures and videos of the incident.

His lawyer, Phillip Shumba, who was deployed by MISA Zimbabwe, said the police recorded a warned and cautioned statement from Mtimba and that they would be advised of when the journalist would appear in court.

Own Correspondent

Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) vice President, Godfrey Mtimba has been arrested on charges of insulting and undermining the authority of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mtimba was picked up while taking pictures of police details arresting MDC Alliance activists including the party’s national youth organising secretary and Masvingo councillor, Godfrey Kurauone.

According to the police, Mtimba addressed commuters at a bus rank in the city on Friday evening and told them that they were suffering because Mnangagwa and his sons were looting Zimbabwe’s resources.

More details to follow…

Own Correspondent

MDC Alliance activist, Davison Chamisa has been reportedly found dumped in a rail line in Norton after he was reportedly abducted “at exactly 1103 hours of the 28th of June 2020.”

Chamisa who is MDCA’s Goromonzi South Youth Chair was allegedly arrested by the police in connection with a whistle protest.

Womberai Nhende, the MDC Alliance’s Youth League Deputy Spokesperson announced that Chamisa had been found. Posting on Twitter, Nhende said:

We have located #DavisonChamisa in Norton after been drugged ,brutalised ,assaulted. And dumbed in a railway line whilst unconscious. He was injected with an unknown substance and made to consume pills and was forced to drink the torturer's urine. He cant walk . pic.twitter.com/MqnliQQDON

— Womberaiishe Nhende (@Cde_Wombe) June 29, 2020

“We have located Davison Chamisa in Norton after been drugged, brutalised, assaulted and dumped in a railway line whilst unconscious He was injected with an unknown substance and made to consume pills and was forced to drink the torturer’s urine. He can’t walk.”

Meanwhile, police in Norton are reportedly denying him medical attention.

Norton Police office in charge refusing that we take Davison Chamisa to hospital ….

— Womberaiishe Nhende (@Cde_Wombe) June 29, 2020

Source: Womberai Nhende

Acting Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Company (ZISCO) board chairman, Professor Gift Mugano, has stepped down from his role after being accused of being critical of government policies.

In a letter to Industry and Commerce Minister Sekai Nzenza, the renowned economist, who was appointed acting chairman of the defunct steel maker in September 2019 alongside other board members- Constance Zhanje, Mabel Buzuzi, Sheila Hawa Mwasa Sidambe and Timothy Phiri- to spearhead the resuscitation of the Redcliff-based steel producer, said his public comments on government policies were viewed to be in direct conflict with his role as a board member of a State Enterprise”.

Last week, Nzenza appointed additional board members – Martin Manhuwa, Demand Gwatinetsa and Edmore Tafirenyika and acting chief executive officer, Farai Karonga, as part of efforts to bring back to life ZISCO, which government said remained of paramount importance considering its pivotal role in the mining and manufacturing sectors.

Mugano said some government officials called his criticism of government policies “inappropriate for someone heading a State entity’s board of directors”.

“As a follow up to our conversations over my comments on public media on government policies which are viewed by some sections of Government as in direct conflict with my role as a board member of a State Enterprise, I took a reflection of the concerns and decided to resign from the ZISCO board,” Mugano said in a letter to Nzenza dated June 29,2020.

He added: “The decision to resign is built on a firm view that I believe that my contribution on the policy discourse is of primary importance which cannot be forfeited in favour of maintaining a micro role as the interim chairman and Board member of ZISCO.”

Mugano decided to quit the board and be on his own, writing and speaking his views on government policies “without any constraint”.

“For avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding the arguments that my comments are negative and retrogressive, evidence shows that in a number of times policy makers regularly took up my submissions,” he said.

“In any way, the Second Republic, in line with the provision of the Constitution of Zimbabwe on freedom of expression, which is outlined in the Transitional Stabilisation Programme paragraph 1766, has opened the space for citizens which include commentators such as economists to freely express themselves. It is on the basis of the foregoing that I took a firm view that it is in the best interest of the country that I continue to provide uninterrupted and constructive views on various policies without any constraint for the interest of our beloved country. It is my sincere hope too that Government will remain open to divergent views on various policies and pieces of legislations.”

ZISCO stopped operating in 2008 owing to financial challenges. Efforts to try and bring it back have been futile. In 2015, an Indian investor Essar Africa Holdings pulled out of a deal to revive operations of ZISCO due to complications involving the steel maker’s global debts, effectively sealing the fate of t6he deal, which first stalled due to bickering within the inclusive government over mineral concessions. The deal later suffered from government pressure to have the Indian firm takeover all government debts.

Another deal with a Chinese investor, R and F collapsed last year.

Watch the live video loading below…..

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance president Advocate Nelson Chamisa has said Emmerson Mnangagwa is behind the recall of the opposition party’s MPs.

Chamisa has also accused his political rival of using bully-boy tactics in a bid to force MDC Alliance to join POLAD.

Chamisa has declared his party will not join POLAD, a discredited discussion platform.

Below is part of Chamisa’s interview with ENCA:

The ZANU PF Youth like veteran leader Patrick Chinamasa have raised threats on renowned journalist Hopewell Chinono and other media outlets.

Watch the live press conference.

https://youtu.be/EaNksTSBPWI

By A Correspondent- Schools in Matabeleland North province are ready for the Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (Zimsec) June exams, the Provincial Education Director Mr Jabulani Mpofu has said.

Speaking during a donation of Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) by Dingani Bookshop and Bheksaz Shalom Solutions at a local bookshop yesterday, Mr Mpofu said all the 42 Zimsec centres for the June exams have been disinfected.

“As a province we are ready for the June exams which are going to start on Tuesday and we have 42 centres that are going to be conducting the examinations.

“All the centres have been disinfected from disinfecting chemicals donated by National University of Science and Technology (Nust) while Lupane State University provided with 1000 litres of sanitisers,” said Mr Mpofu.

Mr Mpofu said most of the June candidates are private candidates with pupils who are borders expected to be at the centres by today (Sunday).

He expressed gratitude to partners for their timely donations which will go a long way in mitigating the spread of Covid-19.

“Most of the candidates are private candidates and those who are pupils and will be writing the June exams are numbering over 1000.

“We are grateful to the partners who have assisted us with donations to ensure that as schools we are ready for the examination periods. The donation of 1000 face masks by these two companies will ensure that teachers and students are equipped with PPE,” said Mr Mpofu.

Dingani bookshop owner Mr Witness Dingani said, “It is our mission to make sure we provide for the society.  As a bookshop we deal with schools and there are currently facing challenges thus need the for us to assist them. They have to prepare for the exams at the same time fight against this global pandemic.”

BSS chief executive officer Mr Bhekokuhle Dube said as a logistics company working closely with Government, they felt the need to chip in with support.

“As Bheksaz Shalom Solutions together with our brand Ambassador LeeMcHoney we are happy to be part of this initiative as our income comes from the people who send parcels through us on daily basis including Government institutions, hence it is our duty to help where we can.

“Teachers play a vital role in the country hence it is our duty as community to take care of them as safety is a priority in one’s life,” said Mr   Dube.

-wires

By A Correspondent- The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa has approached the regional body – the Southern African Development Community to persuade the leadership to “stand with the oppressed masses.”

Chamisa claimed that the ruling ZANU PF was abusing state institutions including Parliament and courts to force the biggest opposition in the country to come to the table.

Chamisa said:

Sadc must always seek solidarity with oppressed citizens. No single country problem is that country’s problem alone. A sneezing Zimbabwe will make the entire region catch a cold. A Zimbabwean problem, a Zambian problem, a Malawian problem ceases to be a single country’s problem.

Institutions of the State like the courts, the army, independent commissions must be professional and independent to ensure economic prosperity and political stability.

We are where we are because of disputed elections. Two years on, we have not resolved political questions.

This comes amid reports that state security forces are interfering in internal MDC affairs in which they are siding with the faction led by Thokozani Khupe.

Reports suggest that soldiers and police recently seized Morgan Tsvangirai Huse wich te MDC Alliance was using as its headquarters and gave it to the Khupe faction.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Former MDC Alliance (MDC-A) MP for Mkoba, Amos Chibaya, has castigated MDC-T acting president Thokozani Khupe for expelling 13 legislators from Parliament who were voted on an Alliance ticket.

Chibaya, who is the MDC-A national organising secretary, together with 12 others, were recalled by Khupe from Parliament after they refused to dump Nelson Chamisa.

Said Chibaya:

This cowardly act defies logic and defeats the democratic will of the people who clearly voted for their preferred representatives in Parliament in the 2018 elections.

The unprecedented move by Khupe and cabal to recall us from Parliament will not deter our commitment to the people’s struggle.

We, however, remain resolute and committed to the people’s struggle and shall not sell our souls for a few pieces of silver.

The liberation of the Zimbabwean masses remains our guiding compass in the democratic struggle until we deliver a people’s government under President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.

Chibaya called on all MDC Alliance Members of Parliament, those recalled and who have so far been spared the axe, to remain vigilant and work hard in their respective party portfolios and constituencies.

He also thanked residents of Mkoba constituency for their unwavering support throughout the years he has been their representative in Parliament.

-DailyNews

Farai Dziva|Abducted MDC Alliance Goromonzi South Youth Assembly District Chairperson Davison Chamisa who was abducted by state security agents has been found alive.

However, he was brutalised and drugged.

“We have located Davison Chamisa in Norton.
He was drugged ,brutalised ,assaulted and dumped at a railway line while unconscious.

He was injected with an unknown substance and made to consume pills and was forced to drink urine. He cant walk,” MDC Alliance said in a statement.

Chamisa was abducted on Sunday following an “arrest” by the police.

By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has said he will not attend the congress being organised by Thokozani Khupe and her allies Douglas Mwonzora and Morgen Komichi arguing that the congress was a “Zanu Pf baby”.

He was speaking in an interview with a South African news television channel Sunday.

Said Chamisa:

“The court ruled that the MDC-T must hold an extra-ordinary congress. We are not MDC-T, we are MDC Alliance. We have come together as the parties that had gone into different dimensions that were different and separate, you know the party that was led by Prof (Welshman) Ncube, you know the party that was led by former finance minister Tendai Biti.

All came together when there were invited by President Morgan Tsvangirai, the late. What we now have is MDC Alliance and MDC-T are two distinct political parties that cannot be joined, that cannot be confused, and that belonged separately that participated in the 2018 election separately.”

Chamisa scoffed at his rival Dr Khupe ading that it was shocking how she wanted to inherit another political outfit despite contesting against the same in the 2018 polls.

“Thokozani Khupe and MDC-T participated and got 45 000 votes, we participated and we got 2.6 million votes.

So the distinction is very clear, so what Mr Mnangagwa is trying to do is to conflate the two so that he confuses it and he forces us to be part of what he wants through the political dialogue in the POLAD.

I cannot attend a Zanu-PF congress, that is an MDC-T congress which is a separate party. Those who would want to participate are the ones who are entitled to as a voluntary association.

We are in the MDC Alliance, we are already re-tooling, and we are already regenerating our party making sure that we are ready for the next challenges and next battle. So, MDC Alliance is a stand-alone party.”

Farai Dziva|Abducted MDC Alliance Goromonzi South Youth Assembly District Chairperson Davison Chamisa who was abducted by state security agents has been found alive.

However, he was brutalised and drugged.

“We have located Davison Chamisa in Norton.
He was drugged ,brutalised ,assaulted and dumped at a railway line while unconscious.

He was injected with an unknown substance and made to consume pills and was forced to drink urine. He cant walk,” MDC Alliance said in a statement.

Chamisa was abducted on Sunday following an “arrest” by the police.

By A Correspondent- Government is set to meet with civil servants today over salaries and perks under the National Joint Negotiating Council.

The NJNC has since written to the Apex Council chairperson Cecilia Alexander advising them of the meeting, which will be held this morning.

The meeting is expected to ventilate on new issues with both the government and workers being allowed to present their side of the story.

Civil servants are demanding full US dollar-based salaries.

-DailyNews

By A Correspondent- The ZNA has dismissed reports that members of its force attacked civilians in Kwekwe and Kadoma last week.

Social media had been awash with reports that soldiers assisting ZRP officers in enforcing lockdown adherence has assaulted people in Kadoma at Hammer and Tongues and in Kwekwe soldiers had barred ZIMRA employees to get into town after they reportedly failed to produce exemption letters.

In a statement which was in bad taste, Deputy Director Army Public Relations Major Alex Zuva said dejected and disaffected people were behind the reports which he claimed were fake:

There has been of late a systematic and well-choreographed assault on the ZNA which is deliberately meant to soil and chip away the good image and reputation of the same in a bid to make citizens of Zimbabwe despondent, dejected and disaffected with the Government. It is rehearsed media violence to inflame physical violence.

Meanwhile, two journalists Munashe Chokodza and Leopold Munhende were attacked by soldiers in Harare’s Warren Park Suburb last week.

–The Herald 

By A Correspondent- Returning Zanu-PF member Rugare Gumbo says that President Emmerson Mnangagwa need to join hands with the opposition and other social formations to end the country’s deepening political and economic crises.

Gumbo said that the dialogue mechanism is the most ideal way forward. He said Zanu-PF on its own cannot solve the current crisis.

Gumbo also said that he had not applied to rejoin the party, but he had been invited back. He is now waiting for official confirmation.

Meanwhile, opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa of abusing State institutions to push his party into dialogue, pleading with Sadc and the international community to stand in solidarity with the ‘oppressed people of Zimbabwe’.

Chamisa said Mnangagwa was using the courts, Parliament, the army and police to silence and decimate the MDC Alliance by sponsoring some elements within the opposition movement as a way of pushing for a one-party State.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance activist, Davison Chamisa has been reportedly found dumped in a rail line in Norton after he was reportedly abducted “at exactly 1103 hours of the 28th of June 2020.”

Chamisa who is MDCA’s  Goromonzi South Youth Chair was allegedly arrested by the police in connection with a whistle protest.

Womberai Nhende, the MDC Alliance’s Youth League Deputy Spokesperson announced that Chamisa had been found.

Posting on Twitter, Nhende said:

We have located Davison Chamisa in Norton after been drugged, brutalised, assaulted and dumped in a railway line whilst unconscious He was injected with an unknown substance and made to consume pills and was forced to drink the torturer’s urine. He can’t walk.

This comes when the investigations into allegations of abduction and torture as well as sexual assaulta of three MDC Alliance trio – Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova are not yet complete.

Meanwhile, the opposition party and some international organisations including the United Nations have since concluded that state security agents are behind these human rights abuses.

The government however has argued that the alleged kidnappings are being staged to soil the image of the president Mnangagwa-led administration.

Makomborero Haruzivishe was arrested at Mbare magistrates court over the Warren Park flash demonstration and taken to Harare central CID Law and Order section.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest details.

By A Correspondent- Exiled former Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri has exposed how serving and former top government officials and service chiefs allegedly used their spouses as conduits to grab lucrative tenders in government and security establishments.

The ex-police boss, believed to be hiding in South Africa after he was hounded out of office during the November 2017 military coup which toppled the late former President Robert Mugabe, has submitted a 25-page dossier to the High Court to defend his properties which are under threat of seizure by the State over allegations of being proceeds of corruption.

He stands accused of diverting US$32 million of public funds to acquire a sprawling family business empire and properties in his 25 years as police boss.

In an affidavit filed at the High Court on Friday, which has opened a can of worms, Chihuri said there was nothing unusual about his wife, Isobel Halima Khan, through her companies, supplying goods and services to the police force as other service chiefs did the same.

Chihuri claimed Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s ex-wives Jocelyn Chiwenga and Marry Mubaiwa feasted on government tenders, supplying police and the army with reflective sleeves and serving as government’s travel agent, respectively.

Also named were senior police officers and their spouses, including former Senior Assistant Commissioner Charles Makono and his wife Abigail Makono, owners of Rewstand (Pvt) Ltd which also supplied uniform fabrics for over $10 million as part of promoting Zanu-PF’s indigenisation policy.

“I saw nothing wrong in her (my wife) supplying, as most of the service chiefs’ spouses supplied things, eg Jocelyn Chiwenga supplied ZRP

and the army with traffic sleeves, etc,” Chihuri said.

“Marry Chiwenga was a travel agent for government departments and a written instruction was given by the Office of the President and Cabinet for her to supply tickets for the entire government.”

He said a lot of senior officers across the rank and file, including his then deputy Godwin Matanga and wife, supplied “a wide range of vegetables and meat to ZRP amenities”.

“These officers supplied large quantities of beef, chicken, vegetables, fruits and goods according to their ability as a general practice in support of indigenisation,” Chihuri said.

He raised several constitutional questions about the manner in which the National Prosecuting Authority had set about hunting down his assets, and freezing them.

Chihuri said the June 12 “unexplained wealth order” which requires him to prove his innocence against alleged criminal activity violates his right to presumption of innocence until proven guilty, guaranteed by section 70 of the Constitution.

The order was granted by Justice Felistas Chatukuta following an application by Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi to force Chihuri and his spouse to explain how they acquired their vast empire, which includes immovable properties and companies.

Chihuri, however, claimed he was being hounded by President Emmerson Mnangagwa as part of a protracted fight that started during the liberation struggle when the latter reportedly snatched his pregnant wife.

He added that he was being persecuted for refusing to take part in the November 2017 military coup that toppled Mugabe.

The former police boss said his firms, NodPack, Adamah, Croxile and Mastaw were subject to processes of internal tendering by Matanga, adding that during that time, the Quartermaster (the late Senior Assistant Commissioner Earnest Muchenjekwa) dealt with over 200 companies.

“Why pick on these few if it’s not persecution?” Chihuri asked rhetorically.

He said to prove that he was being politically persecuted, all service chiefs who served under Mugabe were reassigned, except him, with some now serving in Mnangagwa’s administration as Cabinet, ambassadors or permanent secretaries.

Chihuri said his persecution had been extended to his farming business, where his grain was rejected by all Grain Marketing Board depots.

“As an example of the level of persecution is that, in the harvest season of 2017/2018, I took my maize to GMB (Grain Marketing Board) Shamva depot as usual. Four big haulage trucks (gonyeti) were returned with the load of maize to us, GMB citing that was an instruction given from above not to receive our maize or any of our produce.”

He said attempts to take the grain to GMB depots in Chitungwiza and Aspindale hit a brick wall until he ended up distributing it for free.

Chihuri also questioned why there were attempts to seize his upmarket house in Gletwyn built on two adjacent stands, and yet all top service chiefs allocated stands in the area were allowed to consolidate two stands into one.

He said as a result of the sinister motive, current Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs minister Apolonia Munzverengi, a former Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) in the ZRP, had grabbed records for the property.

“These records were subsequently grabbed by Ms Apolonia Munzverengi, who is the ex-ZRP SAC, and she is now minister and governor of Mashonaland East province, who claims that this ZRP housing project is hers,” he said.

“She has consolidated two stands in both phase 1 and phase 2 of the project. All this, with the concurrence of Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga, because he wants to get at me.

“We are not the only ones who consolidated two stands and bought more than one stand. Apolonia Munzverengi, our neighbour, put two stands together in both phases one and two.

“ZRP ex-Commissioner Oliver Chibage has consolidated two stands. Former Deputy Commissioner-General Innocent Matibiri consolidated two stands. Farai Matsika did so too.

“Honourable Vice-President Chiwenga has two stands there and also joined two other additional stands to make one stand, which is huge because it was earmarked for a hotel on a kopje.”

“As far as Gletwyn is concerned, my persecutor and tormentor Apolonia Munzverengi is persecuting me because she stole US$77 000 from the project and her runners shared US$23 000. That is the reason why she left the ZRP.”

-Newsday

By Tafara Domboka| Underfire Harare Mayor Herbert Gomba is being accused of manipulating the minister of local government July Moyo and Harare provincial state minister Oliver Chidawu.

Sources who spoke to this publication accused Gomba of giving freebies to the two ministers in a bid to buy his freedom from the alleged corruption deeds he is being accused of.

“We have established that Mayor Gomba gave Julius Moyo a hefty amount as a protection fee so that he cannot be recalled from his position by MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora.

“The same amount is also believed to also cater for the protection of his close allies Denford Ngadziore , Hammy Madzingira, Lovemore Makuruwerere,Costa Mande and Girisoti Mandere,” said one source who requested anonymity.

There are also accusations that Chidawu was rewarded with a tender by Mayor Gomba as a way to appease him.

“Gomba recently awarded a tender for road refurbishments to Bitumen world, a company which Chidawu has interests,” according to another impeccable source.

The Harare Mayor has been under the spotlight for alleged grand corruption which involves illegal parcelling out of land and investigations into the alleged theft land is being scuttled by the Mayor again.

“There are investigations into land theft being led by Municipal Police Chief Security officer Tongoona and Gomba is said to be sending emissaries to silence him. The investigations have already led to the suicide of one employee and implicate the housing director Edgar Dzehonye and Isaiah Zvenyika Chawatama,” added the source.

Efforts to get a comment from Harare Mayor Gomba were fruitless.

Recently, The Harare Residents Trust (HRT) director Precious Shumba allegedly implicated Harare Mayor, Herbert Gomba in illegal land deals that have seen housing stands being parcelled out on wetlands.

He was speaking at a breakfast meeting on wetlands management which was organized by the Harare Wetlands Trust and the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).

By A Correspondent- A Chinese company whose senior manager shot at an employee over a pay dispute has so far paid out US$20 000 for medical bills towards the victims’ family while the Asian national implicated in the case languishes in prison.

They have also paid out an unspecified amount as compensation to the employee for the incident

David Zhou, the leader of the Chinese business community in Zimbabwe told a press briefing on Friday that the family of  Kenneth Tachiona, who was allegedly shot on the ankle by Zhang Xuelin, a manager at Reden Minehas so far been given USD$ 20 000 while all medical bills are being catered for.

“We are helping in the best possible way that we can. This is a regrettable incident and we believe that it won’t happen again. We have also assisted Wendy Chikwaira who was also shot on the arm and we are still engaging the concerned families so that we can find a solution to this,” said Zhou.

Chikwaira and Tachiona reportedly approached Xuelin to demand their unpaid wages before they got into a brawl that ended when he shot and wounded them.

Tachiona is recovering at Midlands Provincial Hospital in Gweru where he was admitted while Chikwaira was treated and discharged.

Zhou said the behaviour of Xeulin was personal and does not reflect the entire Chinese community in Zimbabwe.

The company stated that mine manager who is still in police cells fired two shots in the air but the employees, who were demanding to be paid in USD$, continued to charge towards him. Out of fear he shot the victim on the ankle.

China and Zimbabwe have long-standing friendship and cooperation but the Asian giant has often being accused of abusing the cordial relations.

Reeden Mine is located some 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) south of Gweru along the Matobo road.

-TheAnchor