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

By Own Correspondent| A number of anti-establishment critiques based in the diaspora have been targeted for arrest as soon as they set foot in Zimbabwe, an authoritative source within the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation revealed.

Those targeted for arrest are going to be charged with the soon to be promulgated cyber security laws, viewed by many as a nefarious agenda by the notorious ruling ZANU PF to deal with descending political voices and push for a one party state agenda.

ZANU PF and the state apparatus such as the judiciary have already been fingered as the people behind the current squabbles in the main opposition MDC in which the system is openly supporting the weaker faction led by Thokozani Khupe who garnered less than 45 000 votes in the 2018 Presidential elections.

The foreign based legion of government critiques also known as keyboard warriors have been standing toe to toe with the ZANU PF digital apologists known as Varakashi who are also resourced by the regime to drive the ZANU PF agenda on social media platforms.

During the run up to the 2018 harmonised elections, President Mnangagwa openly called for the cyber intellects within the regime to defend ZANU PF on all the social media digital platforms.

Faceless characters such as Matigari, Nicole Hondo, Charity Maodza to name but just a few have been pushing the pro-government agenda on the micro-blogging twitter.

“The yet to be gazetted cyber laws will be used against those in the diaspora who have been vehemently attacking the ruling establishment and its leadership as soon as they set foot in the country,” said the top state security detail.

“We have compiled a list with about 70 people who are based in Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America who have been openly attacking the government under the cover of immunity from arrest by virtue of being outside the country”.

He said the list will be handed over to the law enforcement agencies to ensure that all culprits based abroad who have been attacking the regime are arrested once they set foot in the country.

On the list of those targeted for arrest are fierce ZANU PF critiques such as Shepherd Yuda, Tapiwa Mazarura, Ruth Moyo and Robert Shungu to name but just a few.

By Jane Mlambo| Upcoming musician Sha Sha has become the first Zimbabwean to be nominated and win a BET Award after outshining three other competitors

Sha Sha whose real name is Charmaine Shamiso Mpambiro won the 2020 BET Viewers’ Choice: Best New International Act award previously won by Eddy Kenzo, Sho Madjozi, Sjava among other top Africa n stars.

She was nominated alongside Rema from Nigeria, Celeste and Young T & Bugsey from the UK, and Hatik and Sracy from France.

Posting on Twitter after winning the award, Sha Sha said;

What just happened!!! A BET THANK YOU! MY PEOPLE BACK AT HOME ALL ALL OVER THE WORLD MAN

THE government is set to meet with civil servants today over salaries and perks under the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC).

The NJNC has since written to Apex Council chairperson Cecilia Alexander and her deputy Thomas Muzondo advising them of the meeting.

“The chairperson of the National Joint Negotiating Council invites members to a meeting to be held on Monday June 29, 2020 at 1030hrs in the … Kaguvi Building,” NJNC said in the letter.

According to the letter, the meeting would ventilate on new issues, the minutes of the previous meeting, with both the government and workers being allowed to present their sides of the story.

Civil servants demanded full United States (US) dollar-based salaries after the government over a week ago awarded them a USS75 coronavirus (Covid-19) allowance and a 50 percent salary increment.

Workers argued that they were not consulted on the new salary structure, even though it was part of the agreement that any increment would be negotiated.

Apex Council said while the government had taken a step in the right direction, it was not happy that there were no negotiations through NJNC as was agreed during a meeting in January.

The government’s decision to make part payments in US dollars comes as the country’s battered economy is fast approaching the horrors of a decade ago when the Zimbabwe dollar was decimated by hyper-inflation, with the prices of most basic goods now out of reach of ordinary citizens.

The government workers have been demanding a US$550 monthly salary, which is equivalent to what they were getting in October 2017. The government had agreed to review civil servants’ salaries after every four months.

The last time the salaries had been reviewed was in January, with the next meeting having been scheduled for April. However, this was affected by the Covid-19-induced lockdown.

-Daily News

Opposition National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) Professor Lovemore Madhuku has warned the Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T against extending the dates of the Extra-Ordinary Congress saying any date after the 31^st of July will be outside the timeframe declared by the Supreme Court.

Speaking to the Daily News, Madhuku said the Supreme Court did not give the party the greenlight to push congress dates.

“It will be wrong for them to say the Chief Justice gave them the green light to push dates forward. What they are trying to do is to take advantage of the directive he gave to suspend court activities except for urgent cases when the Covid-19 lockdown started on March 31. The directive had nothing to do with their congress so it is their own interpretation to say if some activities were prevented from happening, we also could argue that we were bound by that directive which expired on the ninth of May. However, that is subject to a different interpretation as well. Someone could argue otherwise,” Madhuku said.

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

Zanu PF leader, President Emmerson Mnangagwa appears to be undermining his party politburo decision on expelled Chivi South legislator, Killer Zivhu after giving him the green light to continue with programmes and projects he was implementing in the constituency.

This was after Zivhu recently wrote to Mnangagwa accepting his expulsion and pledging his loyalty.

Zivhu also informed Mnangagwa about his desire to complete the projects, which he said were helping the vulnerable.

He said he would also support his successor in the constituency, and continue working to ensure that the President’s Vision 2030 of an upper middle income was achieved.

President Mnangagwa’s principal private secretary, William Gwatiringa, said in a letter addressed to Zivhu that the President had noted his positive attitude.

“His Excellency, the President acknowledges, with thanks, receipt of your letter accepting your expulsion from the party, following the decision by the Politburo at its 340th Ordinary Session, Wednesday June 10, 2020,” said Gwatiringa.

“The President learnt of your pledge of loyalty and continued support of his person. This gesture is further shown by your expression to keep up the good work by proceeding with all the projects you already started and programmes that assist a number of the vulnerable members of society.”

Gwatiringa said President Mnangagwa took note of Zivhu’s desire to continue working for the party.

“His Excellency also recognises your attitude, not only working for Zanu PF, but also by your willingness to support your successor,” he said.

“Add to this that you want to also ensure His Excellency the President’s vision of Zimbabwe becoming a middle income economy by the year 2030 is achieved, is highly commendable.

“If all that you have pledged to continue doing is fulfilled, your re-admission into the party will be both acceptable and desirable.”

Zivhu was expelled at the recommendation of the party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC), which found merit in allegations by his home province of Masvingo that he was breeching protocol.

He was accused of pushing for dialogue between President Mnangagwa and MDC-Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa without regard to party processes and procedures.

Late Friday last week the government issued a series of orders to mobile money operators such as Ecocash as well as to the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange. While everyone is affected by the “Ecocash” order, there hasn’t been a lot of talk about the government’s order telling ZSE to stop trading. The ZSE has now confirmed that there will be no trading today as they will wait on the government to tell them what to do?

By A Correspondent- A Chiweshe man who raped and bribed a 15 year old girl with biscuits and body lotion was jailed 12 years by Bindura regional magistrate Ngoni Nduna yesterday.

Bvunzai Chigwada (29) was jailed after full trial and the magistrate conditionally suspended two years.

Prosecutor Samson Chamunorwa told the court that on September 29 last year the complanaint went to the accused’s house looking for her boyfriend and was told by the accused to wait for him as he was not around.

The complanaint kept waiting until it got late and her boyfriend did not show up.

The rapist gave the minor a place to sleep in the kitchen and around midnight he came and raped her twice.

She screamed for help but no one heard her.

The following day both the rapist and the complanaint went to Jaji shopping centre, Chiweshe where he bought her biscuits and body lotion to buy her silence.

The complanaint went to her aunt’s place and divulged the rape leading to Chigwada’s arrest

POLICE Commissioner Godwin Matanga instructed a police constable to shoot former police boss Augustine Chihuri and burn his Greystone Park house in December 2017, Chihuri has revealed.

“My family home was burnt beyond recognition,” he said.

“The fire was started in my home office burning all files, records, 15 Bibles, etc were destroyed.

“To make sure that the records and files were destroyed, he took a 20-litre diesel container and another container with oil.

“He sprayed both in the office, the main bedroom as the major target and so he did the rest of the house except the guest wing.

“Maukazuva [the constable] is facing serious criminal charges, two attempted murder charges and one of arson and malicious injury to property.”

Chihuri accuses Matanga of doing Mnangagwa’s bidding by pursuing criminal cases against him.

Chihuri alleged Matanga systematically engaged in a strategy of harassing his family, relatives and workers, threatening and beating his workers at gunpoint.

“The harassment was made worse when my young children would be threatened by police with guns to produce their father and said that they had been sent by Matanga,” he claimed.

“My children are suffering emotional trauma and they started having nightmares, refusing to go to school as unmarked vehicles would be following them going to and coming back from school.”

Chihuri alleged Matanga was using “all tactics” to persecute him as a result of his “incompetence, which is due to lack of education”.

He claimed the police boss does not have O’Level qualifications.

“He is doing all that he can in order to secure his post,” Chihuri claimed.

“He realises that as a mere ZIPAM diploma holder on behest of ZRP (sic), having been promoted to the post of the country’s police chief is a vulnerable position because his deputies are more educated than him, with Masters and even PhD degrees,” Chihuri said.

“He does not even hold an O’ Level certificate, which is a basic requirement for a constable to join the police.

“It goes on to show that he was rewarded for being a willing participant in the coup process and not on merit.”

Chihuri said Matanga lied to then Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander and now Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga that he (Chihuri) wanted to arrest him upon his return from China at Robert Mugabe International Airport just before the coup.

“This was not so, but a blatant lie to sow the seeds of division and hate between me and the then CDF. Godwin Matanga did all this to secure his position,” he said.

At the time of the coup it was alleged that attempts to arrest Chiwenga forced the military to move against Mugabe.

Chihuri said what surprises him was that all allegations against him were to do with the administration department, which Matanga used to head.

“By way of emphasis, I bring it to the attention of this honourable court that a lot of senior officers across the rank and file and my then deputies, including Godwin Matanga and his wife, supplied a wide range of vegetables and meat to ZRP amenities,” he said.

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

“The former SAC (Senior Assistant Commissioner) Charles Makono and his wife Abigail Makono, owners of Rewstand Pvt Ltd, also supplied uniform fabrics for over $10 million to ZRP ordinance.

“This company was also chosen by Godwin Matanga as many others he chose out of the 200 companies that were cleared by the procurement board to supply ZRP.”

He said the ZRP Retention Fund was not a creation of the police, but government.

As for the source of his wealth, Chihuri said besides salaries, bonus, conditions of service and savings from foreign trips over a period of 37 years, he was also a delegate and vice-president for Africa in Interpol.

“I was remunerated in foreign currency for serving in those organisations for six years,” he said, adding that he built his empire through “hard work and diligence.”

Chihuri skipped the country after he was fired and remains in self-imposed exile.

— The Standard

Standard

Former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono says he was forced to print money even when he knew it would cause hyperinflation because the government was desperate to forestall a coup by hungry soldiers.

Gono, who retired in 2013, told the Mashonaland West Business Conference in Chinhoyi last week that cash was used to pacify the troops.

“If we had not done what we did printing money and allowing inflation to skyrocket, then the men and women you see in those beautiful uniforms, they were ready to get out of their barracks,” he said.

“Operation Restore Legacy would have happened much earlier, but not one that we would have been commanding ourselves.

“It would have been a ‘restore legacy’ that would have been commanded from elsewhere.

“I had the privilege to come face-to-face with hungry men and women in uniform.

“I had the privilege to visit each and every barrack in this country to come face-to-face with hunger, hunger that was affecting men and women who have nothing else but their AKs; men and women who, if we did not do what we did, could have been tempted to get out and look for some food by whatever means.”

Gono said he never had the resources to do his job during his tumultuous tenure at the central bank.

“I was given a car, which did not have fuel and expected to get to a certain destination. You drive on empty. ours was not an ordinary situation, ours couldn’t be compared to any other country or any other situation,” he said.

“Any attempt to get money was met with blockages.

“Faced with a situation that we were in, we chose to allow inflation to go the way it went as long as we preserved the lives of our people.”

Gono said most of the time they could not tell Zimbabweans the truth that the country had no fuel or medicines fearing unrest.

Own Correspondent

MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa says he will not waste his time attending the Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T’s extra-ordinary congress set for September.

Speaking in an interview with a South African news television channel on Sunday, described the planned event as a Zanu PF congress and nothing to do with his party.

“The court ruled that the MDC-T must hold an extra-ordinary congress. We are not MDC-T, we are MDC Alliance,” he said.

“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 added, “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.”

State Media

President Mnangagwa, at the coming in of the new dispensation, pledged to fight corruption and true to his word, the Government will stop at nothing in arresting graft and dealing with economic saboteurs, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Addressing villagers and Zanu-PF supporters at Mpesi business centre in Mberengwa West yesterday, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo said the new dispensation has for the first time in the history of the country been open and transparent about dealing with corruption. “Many measures have been put in place to fight corruption and the people are now free to talk about it. Officials are being arrested and before that was taboo. Now we’re talking about it, it means it’s being solved.

“This is President Mnangagwa’s election pledge card, he pledged to fulfil the fight against corruption by 2023. He asked to be measured with regards to fighting corruption by the people ahead of 2023 elections, it’s his pledge card and he is serious about fighting this scourge that is eroding the economic fibre,” said Dr Moyo.

“Outsiders are now saying corruption barometer is higher. Yes, we are fighting the scourge and people are freely talking about it.”

Dr Moyo said it was unfortunate that some Zimbabweans had volunteered to tarnish the image of their country.

“And normally when we are going towards regional or international meetings, we are accused of human rights abuses. For example, why would the Government abduct Dr Peter Magombeyi, a junior doctor for that matter? What has he done? What does he have? About 4 000 health workers were engaged by Government recently to assist in the fight against the spread of Covid-19. Some haven’t received their first salary and are already striking. Why allow to be used by other people? You are an essential service and it affects the lives of ordinary people,” Dr Moyo said.

He called on Zimbabweans to be vigilant and be aware of the works of the country’s detractors.

Dr Moyo said the new dispensation recognises human rights and will never abduct women as claimed by the opposition and some countries pushing a regime change agenda.

“There are three other women from the opposition who said they were abducted. Abducted by who and why? Tapiwa Mashakada after fighting in the opposition revealed that Dr Magombeyi was never abducted. All these stories are aimed at tarnishing our image.

“They want to portray the country as violators of children and women rights which is not true. We are a law-abiding nation and we follow and recognise people’s human rights. We care for the people at all times because we must be together in all situations. We are a pro-people Government,” he said.

Dr Moyo also called on ambassadors accredited to Zimbabwe not to get involved in matters which don’t concern them. “Even with other ambassadors, don’t take sides, stay in your lane, you have your own troubles back in your countries and we haven’t poked our nose into your internal affairs. Ambassadors please stay in your lane and don’t be involved in our internal issues. Don’t be in the cross-fire,” he said.

Addressing the same meeting, Zanu-PF Midlands Provincial chairperson Engineer Daniel Mackenzie Ncube said Government is going to assist the people of Mberengwa District with food aid and other socio-economic development programmes.

He said President Mnangagwa’s Government is involved in a lot of development programmes to improve the people’s quality of life.

“The presence of our guest of honour Dr SB Moyo is a clear indication of how the new dispensation values its people and is working on an array of programmes to improve your livelihoods.

“As Mberengwa District, you did well in the last election and we expect you to lead by example and improve in terms of voter numbers. Now you have about 17 000 registered voters for Mberengwa West. We need that figure to be increased to more than 23 000. We want to bury the opposition come 2023,” he said.

Zanu PF First Secretary and President, Mnangagwa, has given expelled party legislator for Chivi South Mr Killer Zivhu the green light to continue with programmes and projects he was implementing in the constituency.

This was after Mr Zivhu recently wrote to the President accepting his expulsion and pledging his loyalty.

He also informed the President about his desire to complete the projects, which he said were helping the vulnerable.

Mr Zivhu said he would also support his successor in the constituency, and continue working to ensure that the President’s Vision 2030 of an upper middle income was achieved.

President Mnangagwa’s principal private secretary, Mr William Gwatiringa, said in a letter addressed to Mr Zivhu that the President had noted his positive attitude.

“His Excellency, the President acknowledges, with thanks, receipt of your letter accepting your expulsion from the party, following the decision by the Politburo at its 340th Ordinary Session, Wednesday June 10, 2020,” said Mr Gwatiringa.

“The President learnt of your pledge of loyalty and continued support of his person. This gesture is further shown by your expression to keep up the good work by proceeding with all the projects you already started and programmes that assist a number of the vulnerable members of society.”

Mr Gwatiringa said President Mnangagwa took note of Mr Zivhu’s desire to continue working for the party.

“His Excellency also recognises your attitude, not only working for Zanu PF, but also by your willingness to support your successor,” he said.

“Add to this that you want to also ensure His Excellency the President’s vision of Zimbabwe becoming a middle income economy by the year 2030 is achieved, is highly commendable.

“If all that you have pledged to continue doing is fulfilled, your re-admission into the party will be both acceptable and desirable.”

Mr Zivhu was expelled at the recommendation of the party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC), which found merit in allegations by his home province of Masvingo that he was breeching protocol.

He was accused of pushing for dialogue between President Mnangagwa and MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa without regard to party processes and procedures.

State Media

A GOLD mine employee lost nearly US$50 000 to thieves who broke into his car minutes after he had sold gold to a dealer in Bulawayo on Saturday.

West Nicholson-located Jessie Gold Mine manager only identified as Mr De Villiers (54) is alleged to have lost $46 830 to thieves who broke into his car while he had entered a shop in Belmont industrial site.

The incident occurred on Saturday between 11AM and 11:40AM.

It is alleged that Mr De Villiers had sold the yellow metal at 11AM which gave him $46 830, before conducting errands in the city centre and the industrial site.

Mr De Villers who had stashed the money under the driver’s seat of his Honda CRV, found the right front window was smashed, door unlocked and money gone upon returning to the car parked outside a shop in Belmont industrial area at 11:40AM.

He reported the theft incident at Donnington Police Station with cops initiating investigations.

Reached for comment, Mr De Villiers yesterday confirmed that the money was stolen in his car while pleading to be contacted later.

“I’m busy call me later. Call me in an hour or two,” he said.

Later, Mr De Villiers’ cellphone was no longer reachable.

The theft occured at a time when police have intensified campaigns to educate members of the public against leaving valuables in their cars.

This is due to an increase in the number of cases where residents have been losing cash, laptops, cellphones, handbags to thieves who steal from cars.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said investigations on the matter were in progress.

“We are investigating a case where a Bulawayo man lost US$46 830 which was left in a car shortly after selling gold. As police we are concerned that despite going out in full force in conducting campaigns educating members of the public against leaving their valuables in cars, people seem to ignore our messages as we continue recording similar cases,” said Insp Ncube.

He said what is more worrying about this case, is that a company did very little to secure its money.

“It is worrying that a company official would go around the city with such large sums of money without securing it. We believe he was negligent. We believe US$46 000 is a substantial amount of money that should compel companies to even hire security companies during its transportation. This is a theft case that could have been avoided if people had been more careful. This is the money where after conducting a transaction you deposit it into the bank before conducting other businesses,” he said.

Insp Ncube said cops will continue to raid the theft from vehicles syndicates.

He said criminals stealing from cars were becoming sophisticated, using chemicals to wipe off their finger prints from crime scenes.

“But this will not stop us from arresting them as has been observed by the number of arrests that we are making on weekly basis. We urge members of the public to be more vigilant with their valuables,” he said.

State Media

The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has dismissed media allegations that soldiers deployed in Kadoma and Kwekwe to assist the police in ensuring compliance to lockdown regulations are assaulting civilians.

In a statement issued last week, Deputy Director Army Public Relations Major Alex Zuva said the two incidents that were alleged to have happened in Kadoma and Kwekwe were fabricated.

“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,” he said.

“It is rehearsed media violence to inflame physical violence.”

In the first alleged incident, which allegedly happened on June 17, members of the ZNA are reported to have assaulted civilians at Hammer and Tongues in Kadoma.

A ZNA team tasked to probe the occurrence established that no such place existed in Kadoma.

Major Zuva said no reports of assault by soldiers were made at any police station in the district.

In the other incident that allegedly occurred in Kwekwe on the same day, it was purported that army officers barred Zimra personnel from going into the city centre.

Major Zuva said investigations by the ZNA showed that Zimra’s head in Kwekwe did not face any challenges in accessing her office on the day in question.

The workers denied passage at first, the ZNA said, failed to produce exemption letters at a police checkpoint in Amaveni as required under lockdown guidelines.

When they returned with their letters they were allowed into the city centre without any problem.

Major Zuva urged citizens to be compliant with Covid-19 lockdown regulations, and to ignore blatant and malicious misinformation published by online media outlets.

ZBC

THE GOVERNMENT says examination centres are ready to handle the ZIMSEC June 2020 examinations that start on Tuesday, amid revelations that schools used as COVID-19 quarantine centres have alternative venues for the examinations.

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Ambassador Cain Mathema says examination centres are ready to take the ZIMSEC June 2020 examinations, with requisite materials and personal protective equipment (PPEs) having been availed to ensure that invigilators and candidates are safe from COVID-19.

The Minister spoke to ZBC News over the phone confirming that it is all systems go and clarifying that schools that were used as COVID-19 quarantine centres have found alternative venues for the examinations.

60 000 candidates have registered for the June examinations, the bulk of them being external candidates.

The financial sector has since responded to the government announcement to cushion the public service with foreign currency payments through opening automatic Nostro-accounts for the civil servants and pensioners.

The move comes as the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) says banks and large scale businesses are working on modalities to ensure civil servants and pensioners easily transact and retain value from their foreign currency allowances announced by the government recently.

The announcement by the government to pay civil servants and pensioners a stimulus Covid-19 package of 75 and 30 United States dollars respectively for the next three months, has been described by RBZ Governor Dr. John Mangudya as a huge step to cushion workers.

“As RBZ we welcome the announcement by the government, it is a stimulus package which will remain in the economy, those businesses who accept the money can use it to expand their businesses, it will also go a long way in supporting our currency, jobs and give value to the civil servant.’’

The RBZ boss added that banks and large businesses are working around the clock to put in place modalities to ensure suitable point of sale and bank cards are in place for public servants to transact in foreign currency.

“We have engaged the banks to process master cards, visa cards, and point of sales machine for the foreign currency transactions. We have also spoken to big businesses and shops to install these facilities so that civil servants and pensioners can easily transact and retain value for their money.”

State Media

Whistle-blowers turning in tax dodgers can now claim a reward of 10 percent of the recovered taxes or duties under regulations gazetted on Friday by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube.

The Revenue Authority (Reward for Information) (General) Regulations, 2020, published in the Statutory Instrument 150 of 2020, covers underpayment or non-payment of income and company taxes, capital gains taxes, VAT and customs and excise duties.

Various people cannot claim reward including Zimra staff and their near relatives and the Revenue Board, or those who would have obtained the information as part of their official duties when working for Zimra or sitting on the board, and getting the information from someone who cannot claim the reward and is passing it on to someone who can.

Anyone who was involved in the under-reporting or non-payment of tax cannot be paid a reward, either, effectively barring accomplices.

The reward can only be given for information that directly leads to the recovery of revenue and is set at 10 percent of the actual amount recovered.

Zimra will do its best to keep the identity of the whistleblower secret.

But those providing false information will be in serious trouble, being guilty of an offence that leads to a maximum of a level 7 fine, $9 600 in the latest list, or two years in jail or both.

According to the regulations, any claim for reward must be accompanied by an original signed declaration under penalty of perjury confirming the authenticity of the application including any accompanying statements or documents

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

Farai Dziva|Police in Masvingo raided Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development official, Brighton Ramusi’s house on Sunday morning.

The overzealous police details also harassed Ramusi’s wife.

Ramusi and
Ephraim Mtombeni have since surrendered themselves to the Police CID Masvingo.They were accompanied to Masvingo Central Police Station by their lawyer Martin Mureri.

“Police officers violently broke into Ramusi’s house and they threatened his wife in the process,” A COTRAD official told ZimEye.com

A 64-year-old man from Jengwe area outside Victoria Falls has been arrested after he allegedly fatally struck his son with a machete during a fight that ensued when he rebuked the now deceased for having a love affair with a juvenile girl.

The murder took place on Wednesday at the family homestead in the presence of other family members in Jengwe Village 3, under Chief Mvutu. The now deceased, Dumezweni Ncube was aged 22.

Concern Ncube was not asked to plead to murder when he briefly appeared for initial remand before Victoria Falls magistrate Ms Lindiwe Maphosa.

He was remanded in custody to 14 July and the magistrate advised him to apply to the High Court for bail.

Ncube is employed at Matetsi River Lodge along Zambezi River between Victoria Falls Town and Kazungula.

Prosecuting, Mrs Sithabile Daka-Mungombe said Ncube was arrested on Wednesday.

“On 23 June and at home, the accused unlawfully and intentionally caused the death of his son Dumezweni Ncube by striking him once on the forehead with a machete after a family dispute,” Mrs Daka-Mungombe told the court.

While the cause of the fight was not stated in court, police sources said Ncube allegedly rebuked his son for having a love affair with a minor girl in their area.

A misunderstanding reportedly ensued resulting in the two engaging in a fist fight upon which the accused picked a machete and struck his son who died moments later before being taken to hospital.

The fight and murder took place in the presence of the accused’s wife Mrs Joyce Ncube and deceased’s brother Zenzo.-The Sunday News

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

By A Correspondent- Interim MDC president Thokozani Khupe has made a dramatic extra-ordinary congress U-turn after she rolled back the new dates she had set for the Indaba to the original July 31 date.

This comes as MDC-T deputy spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni announced last week that the party’s court-directed extra-ordinary congress which was originally slated for next month (where a substantive new party boss was to be chosen) had been postponed to between September 4 and 6 this year. This was on account of the leadership’s desire to ensure public safety as well as the limitations brought about by the coronavirus national lockdown which disallows gatherings of more than 50 people.

But yesterday, Phugeni told the Daily News on Sunday that the party’s lawyers were consulting to establish if there is no potential to violate the Supreme Court ruling directing that the congress be held three months after the ruling was handed down on March 31; with a view to changing the dates.

“Our lawyers had an understanding that when the Chief Justice handed the judgment that directed us to hold an extraordinary congress in three months; he had given us a six-week extension. The lawyers are now engaging the Chief Justice to get clarity on the matter and we are going to inform the nation if there are any changes when we get feedback from the authorities,” Phugeni said.

When the announcement to postpone the dates was made, MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora insisted that it would not be a violation of the March Supreme Court ruling.

“When the ruling was handed down, the Chief Justice (Luke Malaba) made a blanket extension of time limits by six weeks.

“The three months deadline was due to expire on July 31, but there is a six-week period we were given which means that the extra-ordinary congress will have to be held on or before the 15th of September. We are, therefore, working on any date between now and then,” Mwonzora told the Daily News on Sunday.

“We are expecting the Covid-19 figures to go down as we approach summer, but we are going to be working on the advice of ministry of Health officials.

“There are a number of other options which include finding ways to reduce the numbers which will attend congress at the material time. One of the other possibilities is to decentralise the congress or to seek an extension in the courts. That of course is not an option we would like.”

But MDC-T lawyer Lovemore Madhuku told the Daily News on Sunday yesterday that Malaba had not given the party the green light to push the congress dates.

“It will be wrong for them to say the Chief Justice gave them the green light to push dates forward. What they are trying to do is to take advantage of the directive he gave to suspend court activities except for urgent cases when the Covid-19 lockdown started on March 31. The directive had nothing to do with their congress so it is their own interpretation to say if some activities were prevented from happening, we also could argue that we were bound by that directive which expired on the 11th of May. However, that is subject to a different interpretation as well. Someone could argue otherwise,” Madhuku said.

By A Correspondent- The number of people who have escaped from quarantine centres has risen to 187 after 4 more people recently skipped from two different centres.

The COVID-19 status and identities of the latest escapees have not been disclosed.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the development, saying to date, only 28 people have been arrested for escaping from quarantine.

Said Nyathi:

One person escaped from NSSA Hotel, Beitbridge while three others from Murewa Training Centre quarantine centres. The cumulative number of escapees is now 187 while those arrested remain at 28.

Nyathi revealed that more than 78 000 people have been arrested for violating COVID-19 regulations to date across the country.

He urged members of the public to be wary of the increasing number of COVID-19 infections and to abide by COVID-19 regulations.

Following the escapes, police have said they put tight security at the isolation centres and on the boundary of the main quarantine centre.

They are being assisted by the Zimbabwe National Army, the Support Unit and the Duty Uniform Branch (DUB).

-dailynews

By A Correspondent- Former MDC member and Economic Planning former minister Tapiwa Mashakada who recently left the MDC-Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa claiming the party had stopped being a workers’ movement has alleged that the party had no respect for the rule of law after rejecting to accept a Supreme Court ruling that Thokozani Khupe is interim president after the death of president Morgan Tsvangirai in February 2018.

Said Mashakada in an exclusive interview with a local publication:

!Our challenges in the MDC started soon after the demise of our iconic leader Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai when we catapulted Chamisa to the helm of the MDC without following the provisions of the constitution.

What should have happened was that after the national council had decided that Chamisa should step in, we should have held an extraordinary congress to choose Tsvangirai’s successor, but we did not, we simply endorsed Advocate Chamisa as the successor without the proper mandate of the congress and the MDC constitution that’s where things started going wrong.

Secondly, we then held a factional congress in Gweru in May 2019 and Thokozani Khupe also held a factional congress in January 2019, all these congresses were irregular and unconstitutional.

Fast forward, the Supreme Court ruling made it clear that Khupe is the acting president after the demise of Tsvangirai.

The Supreme Court judgment has ordered the MDC to revert to its 2014 structures and hold an extraordinary congress.

Regrettably, the Chamisa faction has refused to accept the judgment of the Supreme Court, which brings a lot of questions regarding the observance of the rule of law and court rulings.

My view is that court rulings must be obeyed and followed even if you don’t agree with the court ruling. Yes, you can criticise it, but it’s one thing to criticise and another not to follow the judgment, that’s where the problem started.

The situation deteriorated and led to my departure and that of my colleagues, but what hastened my departure was my criticism of the call for MPs to disengage from Parliament.

I criticised that decision as un-strategic and not warranted and I with other MPs defied that directive.

The second fallout happened when I advised the MDC-Alliance to follow the Supreme Court judgment and go to the extraordinary congress.

My colleagues could not stomach such criticism and they did not tolerate my independent views on these matters so I decided that due to these fundamental differences, we should part ways.

You may recall that MDC was formed by the ZCTU, that’s why it was formed as a labour backed party in 1999. We formed the MDC from the labour movement and we invited other pro-democratic forces like Zinasu, the Constitutional movement (NCA), rural women organisations, academia, churches, non-formal sectors and many other social groups/non-state actors.”

-DailyNews

We held the national working people’s convention at the Women’s bureau, Hillside in Harare where it was resolved that a broad-based movement for democratic change should be formed and after that we as the ZCTU held our own extraordinary congress at the Zesa Training Centre in 1998 to get the mandate from the general council and the congress for ZCTU to facilitate the formation of a political party.

The late Gibson Sibanda, Tsvangirai and all of us were pivotal in the consummation of this labour backed party. That’s how its character and identity emerged as a labour-backed party.

The students were invited through Zinasu activists, students like Chamisa, Job Sikhala, Learnmore Jongwe, Tafadzwa Musekiwa, Alex Musundire and others came to the fold to buttress what Zctu had already started as the godfather of the Movement for Democratic Change party.

Over the years, you have seen that labour union stalwarts have fallen by the wayside, have been marginalised or purged. You talk of people like James Makore and Cephas Makuyana (who was the master of ceremonies at the launch of the party at Rufaro Stadium in 1999.)

Makore was key in the mobilisation of Zctu structures and their morphing into MDC party structures. Side-lining stalwarts like Gift Chimanikire who were founders of the labour movement, Thokazani Khupe, myself, Paurina Mpariwa and many other trade unions veterans who were purged from branch, ward, district, provincial and national structures was a fatal mistake.

Over the years, the participation and representation of labour was watered down in the new-look Zinasu-biased National Executive and National Standing Committee.

Take for instance people like Chalton Hwende, Fadzayi Mahere, Murisi Zwizwai, Obey Sithole, Gladys Hlatywayo and all these people they have no clue about the roots of the MDC. They just joined the bus when it had left the garage or the deport.

That’s where the revolution loses direction when the founders are marginalised by hook or crook through shoddy congresses that are predetermined and are rigged.

The profile and colour of the MDC as it stands today is now dominated by the Zinasu element and all veterans have either left or have been marginalised.

Zimbabwe had no coronavirus case today despite testing 474 people. The bulk of the tests, 458, were diagnostic tests.

The number of cases remains at 567 with 419 active and 148, including six deaths, closed.

Globally there are now 10.2 million cases which include 502 800 deaths, 5.5 million people that have recovered and 4.2 million active cases.

Standard

MDC Alliance organising secretary Amos Chibaya says all party MPs recently recalled by the Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T remain resolute and unshaken by the purges.

Speaking to The Standard on Saturday, Chibaya also urged other party MPs to remain loyal to leader Nelson Chamisa emphasising the need to respect the people who voted them into Parliament by resisting to join Khupe.

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

“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.

“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, together with 12 others, were recalled by Khupe from Parliament after they insisted on laying their allegiance on Chamisa and refused to follow the Supreme Court ruling that adjudged Khupe the new interim leader of MDC-T.

“I would like to urge all MDC Alliance Members of Parliament, recalled or not, to remain vigilant and work hard in their respective party portfolios and constituencies. These sideshows meant to derail the people’s movement will pass,” said Chibaya.

“We will take the fight to the enemy and will never get tired. Ours is a conviction to fight for good governance and constitutionalism in Zimbabwe, a fight to eradicate corruption, a fight for better remuneration and respect for our civil servants, a fight for affordable and accessible basic healthcare and education services.

“It is never about selfish individual interests, but the livelihoods of all Zimbabweans.”

He also thanked the people of Mkoba “for the unwavering support and solidarity you have given me throughout the years I have served and represented our beloved constituency in Parliament”.

A Chegutu council employee lost his life on Friday after a heap of loose soil collapsed on him while he replacing old sewer lines.

Chegutu Mayor Henri Muchatibaya told NewZimbabwe.com that Lovemore Prince Chingeni was among workmates carrying out a council task of replacing old sewer lines. Said Muchatibaya:

We are deeply saddened and heartbroken to have lost one of our dedicated employees in such circumstances.

He had been in the trenches which had been dug out by a JCB. As soon as he was there, some loose soil fell back and buried him.

Council employees together with some army servicemen who were on patrol helped to retrieve him. However, it was a little too late to save his life.

Muchatibaya paid tribute to the late Chingeni, saying he was one of the most dedicated employees at Chegutu Municipality.

Pindula

The MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe has changed the date on the holding of its extraordinary congress by bringing it back to July 31, the date originally earmarked for the Indaba.

Last week MDC-T deputy spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni announced that the Supreme Court-directed extra-ordinary congress had been moved forward to between September 4 and 6 this year.

However, speaking on Saturday to the Daily News on Sunday, Phugeni said the party’s lawyers were consulting to establish if the Supreme Court ruling allowed the party to change the dates. Said Phugeni:

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Our lawyers had an understanding that when the Chief Justice handed the judgment that directed us to hold an extraordinary congress in three months; he had given us a six-week extension.

The lawyers are now engaging the Chief Justice to get clarity on the matter and we are going to inform the nation if there are any changes when we get feedback from the authorities.

However, MDC-T lawyer Lovemore Madhuku told the publication that Chief Justice Malaba had not given the party the permission to push the congress dates. He said:

It will be wrong for them to say the Chief Justice gave them the green light to push dates forward. What they are trying to do is to take advantage of the directive he gave to suspend court activities except for urgent cases when the COVID-19 lockdown started on March 31.

The directive had nothing to do with their congress so it is their own interpretation to say if some activities were prevented from happening, we also could argue that we were bound by that directive which expired on the 11th of May.

The Supreme Court judgement was delivered on 31 March this year and directed interim MDC-T president Thokozani Khupe to convene an extraordinary congress – within 90 days – of the party’s 2014 structures to elect a substantive president to replace the late Morgan Tsvangirai who died in February 2018.

More: Daily News

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

Farai Dziva|Police in Masvingo raided Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development official, Brighton Ramusi’s house on Sunday morning.

The overzealous police details also harassed Ramusi’s wife.

Ramusi and
Ephraim Mtombeni have since surrendered themselves to the Police CID Masvingo.They were accompanied to Masvingo Central Police Station by their lawyer Martin Mureri.

“Police officers violently broke into Ramusi’s house and they threatened his wife in the process,” A COTRAD official told ZimEye.com