Another Covid-19 record was broken on Thursday, as 6,580 new cases of the respiratory illness were reported in the past 24 hours.
This shattered the previous day’s high of 5,688 cases. It means that there are now 118,375 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in SA.
It is also the first time that more than 40,000 tests were done in a single 24-hour period.
The health ministry also announced 87 Covid-19 related deaths in the past 24 hours, taking the total to 2,292.
Of the deaths, 53 were in the Western Cape, 17 from the Eastern Cape, 15 from KwaZulu-Natal and two from Gauteng.
There were also a record number of recoveries (59,974) which means that more than half of those who contracted the illness in SA had since recovered.
The Western Cape continues to have the significantly highest number of cases (56,780), followed by Gauteng (28,746), the Eastern Cape (20,487) and KwaZulu-Natal (6,590).
The number of cases in the North West also continued its rapid climb, reaching 2,965 cases by Thursday.
The figures were based on a national total of 1,460,012 tests, of which 43,118 were done in the past 24 hours.
South African Police in Hlanganani outside Giyani, Limpopo, have launched a manhunt for a 25 year old awaiting trial prisoner, Knowledge Lucky Mashava, who escaped from the police holding cells at Hlanganani on Wednesday morning, 24 June, at 05:45.
According to the police, the escapee who is a Zimbabwean national, was arrested for nine offences that he allegedly committed from June 2018 to February 2020 around Hlanganani, Giyani and Letsitele areas.
“The cases against him include murder, house and business robberies as well as burglaries at residential places. Preliminary investigations revealed that the escapee used an unknown object to cut open a certain portion in the cell building,” explained the Limpopo provincial police spokesman Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.
He said members of the community are advised not to try and arrest the suspect as he is considered dangerous, but should instead provide any valuable information to the police.
He said the criminal aspect of this escape and an internal probe into the whole circumstances surrounding the incident have already begun.
“Anyone with information that can assist the Police in rearresting this suspect is requested to contact Captain Hlanganani Walter Marivate on 082 468 8673 or the crime stop number 0860010111 or the nearest police station,” he concluded.
Small scale miners have accused Fidelity Printers & Refiners of manipulating gold prices by paying a fixed US$45,000 per kg below those prevailing on the world markets amid fears this will strengthen smuggling cartels.
Gold fetches over US$50,000 per kg on the world markets.
The development comes at a time when the gold deliveries are down 14% to 9.19 tonnes in the first five months of the year from 10.78 tonnes during the same period last year.
Gold Miners Association of Zimbabwe chief executive Irvine Chinyenze told Business Times that there is still a long way to go before sanity prevails as there are various inconsistencies in the mining policies despite the central bank reviewing the forex retention threshold for the sector.
“We commend the central bank for reviewing the forex retention threshold but we remained subdued in the yellow metal sector as Fidelity is buying gold at US$45,000 per kg which is way below world prices which is around US$50, 000,” he said.
“Why control gold prices when they are sold at a world market where the market determines the price, leakages will continue to be there if the sole buyer continues with this monopoly?”
Fidelity Printers & Refiners general manager Fradreck Kunaka said the US$45 000 per kg was a starting point as it will be reviewed according to events on the world market.
“We have pegged the gold price at US$45 000 per kg to stabilise the sector as there were a lot of uncertainties in the market. We will certainly review to reach the world market prices after firstly bringing stability. We have not said that is the end but it was a starting point,” Kunaka said.
The yellow metal is now the highest forex earner and contributes 38% of the country’s total earnings and more than 60% to the mining sector which is the highest forex earning sector in the country.
In January export earnings were US$98m in January 2020 from US$70.4m, while in February export earnings were US$56.1m from US$77.8m.
In March 2020, yellow metal export receipts were US$71.9m from US$88m in March last year and during April 2020 gold exports were down to US$63.4m from US$76.4m.
While in May 2020, exports were up to US$120m from US$85.8m last year. Cumulative gold deliveries fell 16% to 27.6 tonnes in 2019 from 33.2 tonnes in 2018 due to suspected smuggling and hostile mining policies.
Last year gold export receipts, slumped 28 percent to US$946m in 2019 from US$1,33bn in 2018, leaving the country with no alternatives for foreign currency as the second highest forex earner tobacco also tumbled 7% to US$846.7m from US$907.8m due to prolonged droughts and unfavourable payment policies.
Experts said the underperforming of the small scale was due to unfavourable policies.
Zimbabwe is targeting 100 tonnes of gold per year by 2023, a figure which is expected to help the sector to earn US$12bn yearly and only if forex retention threshold, fundamentals and funding issues are addressed.
Gold is expected to lead the charge with US$4bn.
The central bank recently reviewed foreign retention to 70% from 55% to woo miners to sell gold to the formal sector.
The move has resulted in the improvement of gold deliveries to above 2 tonnes in May from 1.46 tonnes in April.
Chinyeze said machete-wielding gangs have continued on sporadic raids in the gold-rich areas and some small scale miners have since stopped mining.
He said forex, fuel and electricity challenges have not deserted the sector as they remain hindrances to reach desirable output levels adding that Covid-19 has restricted movement of small scale miners.
The gold sector has been faced with bottlenecks which have fuelled smuggling amid claims by Finance minister Mthuli Ncube that over 34 tonnes of the yellow metal were allegedly smuggled to South Africa.
Zimbabwe’s gold export earnings soared 3% to reach US$409.7m during the first five months of 2020 from US$398.6m earned during January to May period in 2019 due to review of foreign currency retention and massive drought which allowed miners to mine in January.
Forex-starved Zimbabwe is banking on gold and tobacco to turn around a forex starved economy.
Zimbabwe’s gold exports were up in January and May with the rest of months down during February, March, and April due to lockdown restrictions that limited artisanal miners to operate.
Government has increased fuel allocations to gold miners from last year but the lockdown and the effects of coronavirus have thwarted miners to get useful consumables from China.
Below are brief responses by Sen Douglas Mwonzora which he made a day after Dr Thokozani Khupe’s bodyguard was assaulted. Two of Dr Khupe’s security aides were on Wednesday morning briefly blocked from entering the grouping’s meeting at Harvest (MRT) House, and the most senior, Kudzanai Mashumba, was violently knocked down by a certain Mwonzora aide, known as Bernard. This was as Mwonzora was hailed as party President and the attacker announced saying they were acting on his (Mwonzora’s) orders.
Senator Douglas Mwonzora (DM) spoke to ZimEye’s Simba Chikanza (SC).
SC: Hon Mwonzora, Dr Khupe’s aides Kudzanai Mashumba and George Rice complain saying your aides assaulted them at Harvest House before the press conference today, and barred them from entering Harvest House. Are you a violent man as they allege?
DM: I am not a violent man. I have not touched anyone have I? This is the problem I have with your kind of journalism Simba.
SC: Evening Hon Mwonzora. Thank you for the response, why are you not addressing the injured man, Dr Khupe’s bodyguard who has complained directly to you since the Harvest House incident yesterday?
As you can see I have battled reaching you for more than a day to date.
https://youtu.be/xLDefLNvPJw
DM: We can talk tomorrow. But this issue is being dealt with by the security department of the party. I am not sure what exactly happened but I had absolutely nothing to do with it. We will get a report of what happened from our director of security.
DM: No he has not reached out to me. This matter is being dealt with by the department. I don’t think he is Dr Khupe’s bodyguard Simba.
SC: But he has been on your party forums complaining about this. Senator Morgen Komichi, Shakespear Mukoyi are among many witnesses to this. You tell me you’ve not seen him body-guarding Dr Thokozani Khupe for weeks to date, even as far back as in Buhera where you were all at?
Mwonzora with the assaulted Khupe aide, Kudzanai Mashumba
DM: It is you who is telling me that there are witnesses. I don’t know that. What I know is that the department of security is dealing with this issue. I can’t preempt its findings.
I have not seen the report at all.
SC: You said he has rushed to the media. I present it to you that he has been to the party as early as mid day yesterday soon after the incident had happened.
DM: That is not the impression I got.
SC: You being ascribed the title President Mwonzora, does that not worsen relations between you and Dr Khupe?
DM: I have not heard anybody calling me by that title.
SC: But that is how you were titled on Wednesday, and as narrated by Dr Khupe’s bodyguard, witnessed by Sen Morgen Komichi and Shakespear Mukoyi. Hearing such a title ascribed to you, how do you think your boss, Khupe feels? Does that not make your blood boil?
DM: I was not there when the incident you are talking about happened. For most of the day I was in a meeting of the Standing Committee where Sen Komichi sits as well. If Sen Komichi saw the incident then he will deal with it accordingly. I am not the President of MDC. I am the Secretary General.
ZANU PF has resolved that disciplinary proceedings that were instituted against Harare’s Zone 2 District Coordinating Committee (DCC) chairperson Godwin Gomwe be withdrawn.
This comes after Harare provincial interim chairperson Oliver Chidawu issued a prohibition order against Gomwe on the 28 May for indiscipline pending a determination by the ruling party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC).
In an interview, Zanu PF national political commissar Victor Matemadanda confirmed the development, saying the decision to suspend Gomwe from his position was reversed at an extraordinary meeting held at the party’s provincial offices on 18th June.
C
Matemadanda said the prohibition order was reversed by the party.
“Cde Gomwe will be carrying his duties as the Zone 2 DCC chairman as expected. The prohibition order was reversed forthwith,” said Matemadanda.
Chidawu signed the notice of withdrawal of disciplinary proceedings instituted against Gomwe.
“At an extraordinary meeting of the Provincial Coordinating Committee held at the party offices in Harare metropolitan provincial offices on Thursday, the 18th of June 2020. The meeting which was attended by National Secretary for Commissaria Victor Matemadanda accompanied by the party’s senior party member Webster Shamu.
“It was unanimously resolved that the disciplinary proceedings that were instituted against you should be withdrawn forthwith.
“The decision means that the prohibition rder that was issued against you is hereby withdrawn and that you should resume performance of your functions and responsibilities as the DCC 2 chairman with immediate effect,” reads the reversal letter authored by Cde Chidawu.
Chidawu further stated that Matemadanda emphasised on the need for members, particularly those in leadership positions to observe the provisions of the party’s constitution and exercise the highest level of discipline at all times.
Matemadanda urged party members to conduct themselves honestly and honourably and avoid engaging in negative activities that bring the revolutionary party’s name into disrepute and ridicule.
Zimbabweans believe that parliament will for the next six sittings be very lousy following the suspension of firebrand Norton legislator (independent), Temba Mliswa.
In a poll conducted on ZimEye.com, 43% of the readers believe that Mliswa is a necessary factor in the August house.
He was on Wednesday banned from six Parliamentary sittings. The ban was imposed by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Jacob Mudenda who cited disorderly conduct in the Chamber.
The ban was imposed following Mliswa’s repeated interjections which in turn disrupted the business of the House.
Earlier on, Adv Mudenda had reprimanded Mr Mliswa for disorderly conduct that he did last week where, in a fit of rage, he charged at another legislator, not for the first time.
This is the first time advocate Mudenda has invoked the newly approved measures in the Standing Orders which were adopted by Parliament a fortnight ago allowing a presiding officer to prevent a legislator from attending sittings for a prescribed period.
When the Standing Orders were adopted, some analysts said they were meant to clip members of opposition parties in the country, particularly MDC Alliance who have been “disrespecting” President Mnangagwa by boycotting sessions he attended or walking out or singing as he steps into the chamber.
Below is the result of the poll.
The Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda has imposed a ban for six sittings from Parliament against Norton MP, Mr Temba Mliswa for disorderly conduct in the Chamber.
EMBATTLED Health and Child Care minister Obadiah Moyo, who is on ZW$50 000 bail for alleged criminal abuse of office, was blocked from attending Tuesday’s cabinet meeting by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Amid calls for him to resign over the serious allegations of criminal abuse of office, it was business as usual for Moyo, who reported for work this week after being granted bail at the weekend.
This comes as prominent lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa wrote to Mnangagwa asking for point people to be appointed to receive a petition signed by 17 899 Zimbabweans calling for the immediate dismissal of the Health minister.
Moyo’s job is hanging by a thread after he was arrested last week for his dealings with Drax International LLC and Drax Consult SAHLG, companies which the state alleges were illegally awarded contracts by the Health ministry without following legally specified tender procedures.
The deals, for which Drax representative Delish Nguwaya has also been arrested, are for the supply of US$60 million worth of medical equipment and drugs to government, via the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm).
Zimbabwe Independent’s high-level sources said Moyo arrived before the cabinet meeting at 9am and took his seat among other ministers at the meeting held at State House. Mnangagwa was in his office at the time.
About five minutes after Moyo had taken his seat, official sources said, Moyo was approached by Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, who informed him that he was wanted by Mnangagwa in his office.
“He arrived in the meeting room at exactly 9am, shortly before the meeting commenced and took his usual seat. But about five minutes later, VP Chiwenga walked in, walked straight up to Moyo and informed him that the President was waiting for him in his office. So he left his papers on the desk and went out to the President’s office together with the Vice-President,” an official source said. “He returned to the meeting room alone about 20 or so minutes later, collected his papers and left without saying anything. I bet he was told that his presence was undesirable. The President walked in shortly afterwards and the meeting proceeded as if everything was normal. He never said anything about the incident throughout the meeting.”
Another senior government official said: “As things stand, I don’t see him lasting long. He should not have come to the meeting in the first place. I don’t know why he couldn’t learn from the Prisca Mupfumira case. The wisest thing for him to do right now is to resign and concentrate on the case, but our people do not have the culture of resigning. They would rather be fired.”
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Dangers of being led by psychopaths Although Moyo has not been sacked, he is the second minister — during the Mnangagwa presidency — to face corruption allegations after former Environment and Tourism minister Prisca Mupfumira was arrested in July last year.
Mupfumira, also out on bail, is being accused of siphoning millions of United States dollars from the National Social Security Authority (Nssa) during the time she was in charge of the portfolio as Minister of Labour and Social Welfare.
In October last year, just after she was granted bail, Mupfumira turned up at a Zanu PF politburo meeting but was ejected shortly before it started.
In the letter dated June 23 addressed to the President’s Office, Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) Loice Matanda-Moyo and Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda, Mtetwa said she has been asked to co-ordinate the handing over of the petition.
“As will be clear from a reading of the petition, the citizens are calling for the immediate dismissal of Obadiah Moyo from his position as Minister of Health and Child Care given the deterioration of the public health delivery system under his tenure,” the letter reads.
The petition was handed over to parliament and Zacc yesterday, and Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs permanent secretary Virginia Mabhiza will receive today on behalf of the President.
File picture of Zimbabwean Lawyers holding a demonstration against interference with their work
Chief Justice Luke Malaba has banned tight-fitting, body-hugging and colourful attire for legal practitioners appearing before the Magistrates Courts.
For female lawyers, skirts must at least be knee length or not more than three centimetres above the knee.
Eyebrow rings and nose rings are not permissible in court appearances.
CJ Malaba said lawyers who fail to comply with the practice directive shall not have an audience before the court and the presiding magistrate may refuse to hear the legal practitioner until his/her attire meets the new requirements.
According to Practice Direction 6 of 2020 (dress code for legal practitioners appearing in the Magistrates Courts) there is a need to uphold decorum and protect the dignity of all courts by the legal practitioners.
The legal practitioners, CJ Malaba said, must demonstrate good judgement and professional taste in their court attire.
He said the Practice Direction takes effect from July 1. “Recognising the need to uphold decorum and protecting the dignity of all courts, counsel are expected to demonstrate good judgment and professional taste in their court attire. In this regard, legal practitioners are required to ensure that their attire is appropriate and in accordance with this practice direction whenever they appear in the Magistrates Courts,” he said.
CJ Malaba said for every court appearance, lawyers are required to dress formally.
“Only the following colours shall be appropriate and permissible, suit colours shall be black, navy blue or dark grey. These colours shall be solid or lightly striped. Inner shirts must be white, navy blue or dark grey.
At all appearances except open court, male counsel shall wear neckties. The ties must not contain distractingly bright colours,” he said.
For female lawyers, the Chief Justice said the dress code includes pants and skirt suits as well as full-sleeved dresses appropriate for formal business attire.
“When inner shirts, blouses or body tops are worn, these must be of acceptable colours which shall be solid or lightly striped. Blouses must be closed at the neck.
“Skirts must at least be knee length or not more than three centimetres above the knee. Tight fitting and body-hugging attire is not permissible. Shoes worn by all counsel must be black, dark grey or brown and closed. For female counsel, sling back shoes with closed fronts may be worn. Open toe or peep-toe shoes and sandals are not allowed,” he said.
CJ Malaba said unobtrusive jewellery and other accessories may be worn.
“Jewellery that is extravagant or excessive should be avoided. Eyebrow rings and nose rings are not permissible in court appearances. Where hosiery is worn, it must be plain. Fish net or other patterned hosiery is not permissible,” he said.
CJ Malaba said counsel appearing in open court are expected to be fully robed in gowns and jabots.
When fully robed, counsel must wear appropriate attire under their gowns.
“Shirts must be plain white, collared and buttoned. Counsel must ensure that at all times gowns are properly fitted and not hanging loosely off the shoulder. Counsel are not permitted to robe and disrobe in the courtroom while the court is in session,” he said.
ZIMBABWEANS living with HIV and on the Second regimen of the antiretroviral may be forced to default or change one of their drugs following an announcement that there is a nationwide shortage of second line medication.
The drug will be temporarily replaced by Dolutegravir (DTG) 50g as the optional drug Lopinvir/ritonavir is also in short supply due to Covid-19 which has affected production and shipment of medicines.
In 2016 the Ministry of Health and Child Care launched the new ART national guidelines which recommended the use of Atazanavir/ritonavir 300mg/100mg to adolescents and adults on second line ART.
Zimbabwe has about 1,3 million people living with HIV and approximately 88 percent of those are on antiretrovirals.
Experts say one known cause of HIV drug resistance is lack of adherence to prescribed drugs.
The country has not been spared by HIV drug resistance with a World Health Organisation (WHO) HIV Drug Resistance Report listing the country among the top six countries out of 11 that are affected from Africa.
An HIV drug regimen has three lines.
The first is taken by most patients, especially those who seek treatment early after infection while the second is more expensive, more toxic with more side-effects and is given to people who are resistant to the first.
The third line is the most expensive and most toxic.
In a statement, acting permanent secretary Dr Gibson Mhlanga said the shortage is due to reduced global production caused by Covid-19.
“This circular serve to notify you that we are experiencing a national shortage of Atazanavir/ritonavir due to reduced global production and delayed shipments from suppliers as a result of the global Covid-19 lockdown restrictions,” said Dr Mhlanga.
“The ministry and its partners are working tirelessly to address this shortage. In the meantime, the ministry advices that patients on Atazanavir/ritonavir be given up to one month of supplies until the situation improves.”
Normally clients are given a three months’ supply of their medication, a recommended practice during Covid-19 lockdown where people are advised to practice social distancing.
District and provincial pharmacy managers were urged to actively support stock management.
Dr Mhlanga called for active redistribution of stocks within the district or province to ensure equitable distribution of available drugs.
“If Atazanavir/ritonavir 300mg/100mg is no longer available, in consultation with the district pharmacy manager, it will be temporarily substituted with DTG 50mg until it is available. Please note the Lopinavir/ritonavir is not a viable substitute for Atazanavir/ritonavir as there are no sufficient quantities in the country to cover the gap,” he said.
Dr Mhlanga emphasised that no patient should stop treatment saying the ministry will provide updates on availability of Atazanavir/ritonavir as the situation evolves
Ms Talent Jumbo the president of Zimbabwe Aids Network said it was a worrying trend as this is not the first-time people have been affected.
“It is a cause for concern because this is not the first-time people on second line have been affected and it is a sign that we are not prepared. Yes, we understand that Covid-19 has affected the supply chain but the Government must treat this as a matter of urgency,” said Ms Jumbo.
She said such erratic supplies were going to lead to weakened immune systems.
“They are also developing stress besides the physical effects and this may end up affecting their mental health. This matter must be treated with the urgency it deserves,” said Ms Jumbo.
THE ruling party in Malawi has warned it will reject the outcome of a court-ordered election rerun as unofficial results showed the opposition taking a commanding lead.
Lazarus Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party, which is competing in the ballot with Vice President Saulos Chilima’s United Transformation Party, garnered 2.4 million votes, compared with 1.6 million for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, according to numbers compiled by the Blantyre-based Times Radio and other broadcasters.
President Peter Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party will not accept the result because their monitors were assaulted and some even abducted, spokesman Nicholas Dausi told reporters.
Atupele Muluzi, Mutharika’s running mate and leader of the United Democratic Front, said the unofficial result was “illegitimate” according to a post on his Facebook account.
“If Chakwera had won the election fair and square I would have congratulated him, but unfortunately that is not the case,” he wrote. “I will not accept the outcome.”
Vote counting is complete and results are being sent to the main tally center in Blantyre, the commercial capital. The Malawi Electoral Commission will release the official result only after resolving all issues raised by parties, Chairman Chifundo Kachale told reporters.
Wednesday’s vote was held after Malawi’s Supreme Court of Appeal, the top judicial authority, last month upheld the Constitutional Court’s scrapping of a chaotic May 2019 vote that handed Mutharika a second five-year term.
It also ordered that the successful candidate must win an outright majority rather than the most votes as in the past.
Below are brief responses by Sen Douglas Mwonzora which he made a day after Dr Thokozani Khupe’s bodyguard was assaulted. Two of Dr Khupe’s security aides were on Wednesday morning briefly blocked from entering the grouping’s meeting at Harvest (MRT) House, and the most senior, Kudzanai Mashumba, was violently knocked down by a certain Mwonzora aide, known as Bernard. This was as Mwonzora was hailed as party President and the attacker announced saying they were acting on his (Mwonzora’s) orders.
Senator Douglas Mwonzora (DM) spoke to ZimEye’s Simba Chikanza (SC).
SC: Hon Mwonzora, Dr Khupe’s aides Kudzanai Mashumba and George Rice complain saying your aides assaulted them at Harvest House before the press conference today, and barred them from entering Harvest House. Are you a violent man as they allege?
DM: I am not a violent man. I have not touched anyone have I? This is the problem I have with your kind of journalism Simba.
SC: Evening Hon Mwonzora. Thank you for the response, why are you not addressing the injured man, Dr Khupe’s bodyguard who has complained directly to you since the Harvest House incident yesterday?
As you can see I have battled reaching you for more than a day to date.
https://youtu.be/xLDefLNvPJw
THE FIRST INTERVIEW AFTER THE INCIDENT OF VIOLENCE
DM: We can talk tomorrow. But this issue is being dealt with by the security department of the party. I am not sure what exactly happened but I had absolutely nothing to do with it. We will get a report of what happened from our director of security.
DM: No he has not reached out to me. This matter is being dealt with by the department. I don’t think he is Dr Khupe’s bodyguard Simba.
SC: But he has been on your party forums complaining about this. Senator Morgen Komichi, Shakespear Mukoyi are among many witnesses to this. You tell me you’ve not seen him body-guarding Dr Thokozani Khupe for weeks to date, even as far back as in Buhera where you were all at?
Mwonzora with the assaulted Khupe aide, Kudzanai Mashumba
DM: It is you who is telling me that there are witnesses. I don’t know that. What I know is that the department of security is dealing with this issue. I can’t preempt its findings.
I have not seen the report at all.
SC: You said he has rushed to the media. I present it to you that he has been to the party as early as mid day yesterday (Wednesday) soon after the incident had happened.
DM: That is not the impression I got.
SC: You being ascribed the title President Mwonzora, does that not worsen relations between you and Dr Khupe?
DM: I have not heard anybody calling me by that title.
SC: But that is how you were titled on Wednesday, and as narrated by Dr Khupe’s bodyguard, witnessed by Sen Morgen Komichi and Shakespear Mukoyi. Hearing such a title ascribed to you, how do you think your boss, Khupe feels? Does that not make your blood boil?
DM: I was not there when the incident you are talking about happened. For most of the day I was in a meeting of the Standing Committee where Sen Komichi sits as well. If Sen Komichi saw the incident then he will deal with it accordingly. I am not the President of MDC. I am the Secretary General.
The wife & 6 month old baby of MDC Alliance Councillor, Denford Ngadziore, as well as Allan Moyo & Snaga Lameck were kidnapped from Ngadziore's home in Mabelreign by suspected state agents driving a vehicle with no number plates. They were beaten and dumped in Dzivarasekwa. https://t.co/yfwUeVYQWxpic.twitter.com/gqvOMr0NiT
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Commissioner General Paradzai Zimondi is on Monday next week expected to testify against three former top prison officers at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, who are facing charges of receiving $10 500 from a chicken project without telling their superiors.
Comm-Gen Zimondi is expected to testify against former Chikurubi Maximum Prison officer-in-charge Nobert Chomurenga and his then juniors, Cephas Chiparausha and Tonderai Mutiwaringa, who are being charged with fraud.
The trio, who are being represented by Oscar Gasva, denied the charges.
Harare magistrate Mr Amos Mbobo yesterday ordered the State to make sure that the witnesses, including Comm-Gen Zimondi, were available on the trial date since the matter had taken a long time to be finalised.
The prosecutor, Mr Ephraim Zinyandu, made an undertaking to ensure that the witnesses will be available on the day.
Allegations are that on September 25, 2017, Chomurenga and Chiparausha, who were acting in connivance with Mutiwaringa, entered into a memorandum of understanding with Humanity Earth Trust, which has links with jailed rapist Munyaradzi Kereke, in their personal capacities. It is alleged that from September 25, 2017 to August 2018, Humanity Earth Trust provided a total of 3 000 birds, feed, medicines and other sanitary requirements for the chicken-rearing project.
Further allegations are that the trio, as part of the agreement, provided space and labour in the form of prisoners, but for their personal gain.
More in Home Re-engagement paying off . . . US$51m tractor facility launched Re-engagement paying off . . . US$51m tractor … Church leaders praise First Lady Church leaders praise First Lady Cash transfers to replace roller meal subsidy Cash transfers to replace roller meal subsidy More fuel delivered to service stations More fuel delivered to service stations Schools disinfection programme launched Schools disinfection programme launched When the chickens were being sold, the customers paid money into Chiparausha’s EcoCash account and he received a total of $8 282.
In their defence, Chomurenga, Chiparausha and Mutiwaringa told the court that all their actions were with Comm-Gen Zimondi’s blessings.
In December 2017, Mutiwaringa, who took over as officer-in-charge after the promotion and transfer of Chomurenga, received $2 252 from Chiparausha through his EcoCash account as proceeds of the project.
In their defence, Chomurenga, Chiparausha and Mutiwaringa told the court that all their actions were with Comm-Gen Zimondi’s blessings.
“The Commissioner General was fully briefed and was aware of the poultry project between Chikurubi Maximum Prison and Humanity Earth Trust,” they said in their defence.
“He was personally aware of the project as he visited and inspected the project when he toured Chikurubi Maximum Prison on several occasions when accused 1 (Chomurenga) was officer-in-charge and officer commanding Harare Metropolitan Province.
“The poultry project was a brainchild of the Commissioner General and Humanity Earth Africa Trust and through Munyaradzi Kereke, as Kereke assisted Zimbabwe Prisons Service Commission with various projects.”
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) on Thursday said it will revert back to reviewing prices of fuel on a weekly basis in line with movements in the exchange rate which will now be determined through foreign currency auctions to be conducted every week. Zera had abandoned the weekly reviews after the exchange rate between the Zimbabwe and the US dollars were pegged at 1:25.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe on Tuesday introduced the foreign currency auction system to determine the exchange rate.
When the auction system kicked off on Tuesday, the local currency traded at 1:57.36 against the US dollar, and immediately triggered a 150 percent increase in fuel prices.
Petrol now costs $71.62 while diesel now sells for $62.77, up from $28.96 and $24.93 respectively. ZERA acting chief executive officer, Eddington Mazambani told Parliament Zimbabweans should prepare for weekly fuel price reviews.
“We have had an exchange rate used for fuel different from the one prevailing in the market, but if the auction exchange rate is the one, which is going to be used to procure fuel, yes we are going to change fuel prices on a weekly basis,” he said.
“We have already done an amendment to the Statutory Instrument which established the pricing of fuel on a monthly basis to move back to weekly, which we used to do before.”
Asked why the country continued to enforce mandatory blending, when its use was pushing the cost of fuel up, Mazambani said the authority was engaging ethanol companies to come up with a new cost structure.
“The benefits of blending are beyond just looking at the cost, there are environmental issues which we have to look into as well,” he said.
“On the issue of the ethanol price, we did an exercise in 2013 or 2014, and we did a report on the costing.
More in Home Re-engagement paying off . . . US$51m tractor facility launched Re-engagement paying off . . . US$51m tractor … Church leaders praise First Lady Church leaders praise First Lady Cash transfers to replace roller meal subsidy Cash transfers to replace roller meal subsidy More fuel delivered to service stations More fuel delivered to service stations Schools disinfection programme launched Schools disinfection programme launched At that time they (ethanol producers) were not producing a lot so the overhead cost structure was a bit on the high side so currently we are engaging with the producers.
“We do not only get our ethanol from Green Fuel. There is a joint venture company between the National Oil and Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe and Triangle called the Ethanol Fuel Company of Zimbabwe. We are engaging them for them to submit their cost structure.
‘‘We want to interrogate their cost structure so that we can establish the true cost of producing ethanol.”
Government has dismissed allegations that it was turning a blind eye to the abuse of workers by foreign companies and businesspeople, saying the country’s labour laws apply to everyone regardless of nationality or race.
Responding to media queries on what action the Government would prefer against a Chinese businessman who allegedly shot and injured two of his employees in the Midlands following a labour dispute early this week, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said the matter will be handled by the country’s justice system just like any other criminal case.
Minister Mutsvangwa said labour abuse was not peculiar to Zimbabwe, but a universal problem.
While Zimbabwe welcomed foreign investors in line with the Second Republic’s mantra “Zimbabwe is open for business”, the Government was colour blind when it came to enforcing the law.
“Criminal activities should be dealt with as such and not on the basis of race. The seamless nature of capital chimes with the non-racial national tenets of Zimbabwe.
“We approach labour issues in Zimbabwe along the similar lines. Our labour laws apply to each and every employer and worker. We never invoke origin of nationality in their application,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“That is why the Chinese Embassy had the confidence to implore Zimbabwe to handle the Midlands gold mine shooting as an ordinary crime. Any incidental malfeasance in the employee-employer domain has absolutely no bearing in our sound bilateral relations with any nation, be it China, USA, UK or South Africa among all others.”
A 41-year old Chinese gold miner, Zhang Xuelin, allegedly shot and injured 33-year-old Wendy Chikwaira and Kennedy Tachiona (39) at Reeden Mine near Gweru.
He has since been arrested and is facing attempted murder charges.
Meanwhile, the Zanu PF Youth league has condemned the shooting of Chikwaira and Tachiona following a wage dispute.
The party’s acting Deputy Secretary for Youth Affairs Tendai Chirau said the Youth League was deeply concerned by the disregard of existing dispute resolution mechanisms enshrined in Zimbabwe’s labour laws.
“The Zanu PF Youth League continues to stand with the toiling indigenes of Zimbabwe and we express our utter shock and dismay at the actions which not only threaten the peace, progress and stability that characterises the Second Republic, but actions which also risk being misinterpreted in the context of the bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and its all-weather friend China.
“We welcome in this regard the statement issued by the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe wherein the Embassy said it would firmly support Zimbabwe’s law enforcement agencies to transparently and openly investigate and handle the case in accordance with the law of Zimbabwe.
“We vehemently condemn such callous acts that seek to destabilise the harmonious working relationships of people of all races,” said Chirau.
Chirau said the league would monitor the progress of the case.
21 CASES tested positive for COVID-19 this Thursday bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 551.
The patients who have all been isolated are all returnees from South Africa, Botswana, and Mozambique. Of the positive cases, 11 are from the Midlands.
As the number of recoveries continues to go up, this Thursday five more recoveries were recorded from Masvingo and Matabeleland North.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has intensified security at all COVID-19 quarantine centres, with 28 escapees having been arrested so far.
Zimbabwe Republic Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi revealed this to ZBC News, adding that they have increased surveillance at all ports of entry.
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi highlighted that all the culprits are being returned to quarantine centers and a recent case is one escapee, a man who had been quarantined at a hotel in the capital.
The bulk of the COVID-19 positive cases are returnees from the region and abroad and as such government has intensified management and treatment at quarantine centres to avoid an upsurge in locally transmitted cases.
To date the country has conducted 65 111 tests and of the total number of confirmed cases, 417 are active. Six deaths have been recorded since the first person was diagnosed with the virus in the country in March this year.
Liverpool fans forgot about Coronavirus and celebrate win at Anfield
Liverpool’s 30-year wait for a top-flight title is over after Manchester City lost 2-1 at Chelsea to confirm the Reds as Premier League champions.
Jurgen Klopp’s side needed one victory to seal the league but City’s failure to win means they cannot be caught.
It is Liverpool’s 19th top-flight title and their first since 1989-90.
Despite being urged to “stay home” by the city’s metro mayor because of coronavirus, thousands of fans gathered at Anfield to celebrate.
Many of the supporters who congregated at the club’s ground wore face masks and some lit flares.
‘A number of Reds players, including goalkeeper Alisson, defender Virgil van Dijk and midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, celebrated together after watching the Chelsea-City game.
Klopp, wearing a Liverpool shirt and clearly emotional, told Sky Sports: “I have no words, it’s unbelievable.
“It’s much more than I ever thought would be possible, becoming champion with this club is absolutely incredible.
“I haven’t waited 30 years, I have been here for four-and-a-half years, but it is quite an achievement, especially with the three-month break because nobody knew if we could go on.
“I know it is difficult for people in this moment but we could not hold back. We will enjoy this with our supporters when we can.”
As the global pandemic disrupted life in England and led to the suspension of the Premier League for three months, Reds supporters endured a nervous wait to see how the season would be concluded, with some early suggestions it might have been declared null and void, thus wiping their remarkable efforts from the record books.
Thankfully for them, that did not come to pass, and the Premier League’s return this month enabled them to cap their stunning success.
However, because of the measures put in place in response to the virus, the Reds will not be able to celebrate their long-awaited success with their supporters immediately, at least not in the traditional sense.
As with Wednesday’s impressive 4-0 win over Crystal Palace, when they next play at Anfield – against Aston Villa on Sunday, 5 July, and for their two other remaining home games – it will be behind closed doors.
As things stand it also seems unlikely they will be able to partake in any of the usual public events in Liverpool, such as an open-top bus parade around the city.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has postponed her wedding for a third time, in order to attend an EU summit.
The summit on proposals for a Covid-19 recovery fund will take place on 17 and 18 July. It is the first meeting that leaders will attend since countries enforced coronavirus lockdowns.
Ms Frederiksen was set to marry her partner, Bo Tengberg, on 18 July.
She said on Facebook that she had to “protect Denmark’s interests”.
Denmark has opposed the fund over plans to offer grants to countries badly affected by the crisis.
Denmark along with Sweden, Austria and the Netherlands say the proposed €750bn (£676bn; $840bn) fund is too large and insist any money given out must eventually be repaid.
The date of the summit, which will be held in Brussels, was announced over the past couple of days.
Writing on Facebook, Ms Frederiksen said: “I am so looking forward to marrying this amazing man. But obviously it shouldn’t be easy, and now the Council meeting in Brussels has been convened precisely on Saturday in July, when we had planned a wedding.”
She said they will get married soon and her partner is fortunately “very patient”.
Another date has not yet been announced.
The pair were originally set to marry in summer 2019 however they postponed their wedding due to the general election.
MARRY Mubaiwa’s successful claim in the High Court for custody of her three young children was wrongly filed since her lawyers made a serious error, rendering the whole process a legal nullity, the Supreme Court ruled yesterday.
The High Court should have refused to hear the matter as a result, said the Supreme Court, when changing the final legal ruling to: “The matter be and is hereby struck off the roll with costs.”
Mubaiwa also made unsubstantiated accusations that their father, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, had abducted his own children, but she withdrew this accusation during the hearing of the appeal.
Mubaiwa and the Vice President have separated and are involved in still-pending legal disputes over property division and child custody.
The appeal by VP Chiwenga over the custody order granted to his estranged wife was heard by Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza, sitting with Justices Paddington Garwe and Justice Chinembiri Bhunu.
The judges unanimously ruled in the judgment written by Justice Bhunu and issued with the agreement of his colleagues, that she should have claimed custody of her children under the Guardianship of Minors Act, which has sections that allow a court to determine the question of custody of minor children when spouses begin to live apart.
“She instead, for no good reason and at the instance of her lawyers, claimed custody of her children under the non-existent and inapplicable law of ‘provisional’ spoliation,” ruled the judges.
It was the court’s finding that High Court Judge Justice Christopher Dube-Banda, presumably having realised that Mubaiwa’s claim was incompetent and a nullity at law, improperly granted her a final interdict which she had not asked for. But that order could not stand.
The judges, however, were in agreement that the custody dispute was now back before the High Court under the proper Act, hence the issue of the custody of the three minor children was best left to that court for a substantive determination on the merits after hearing evidence.
By granting Mubaiwa a final interdict, which she had not asked for in her claims, the court held that Justice Dube-Banda made a grave error and misdirected himself.
Firstly, in that he had neither the jurisdiction nor the discretion to award Mubaiwa relief that she had not asked for, saying a “judicial officer who acts without jurisdiction acts without authority and to that extent illegally”.
The lower court was also found to have determined a matter that was not before it and without hearing argument on the question of whether or not to grant a final interdict.
The matter that was before it was whether or not to grant the “provisional” spoliation order, according to the court’s findings.
And in any case, once the judge realised that the matter was not before him in the correct form, he should have struck it off the roll rather than giving any order, provisional or final. It was also a legal error to make a decision without hearing both Mubaiwa and the Vice President.
The judges noted that at law a “provisional” spoliation order was incompetent as relief for the acquisition of a final interdict. This is because a final interdict cannot be founded on a “provisional” spoliation order which is in itself a nullity at law, the court said. Spoliation orders are designed as an immediate order to allow users of property to retain possession while other legal issues are sorted out. It was also incompetent for Mubaiwa’s lawyers to seek custody of minor children through spoliation proceedings when there were clear procedures in the Guardianship of Minors Act.
The Court said it appeared that the lower court judge was overwhelmed by the status of the Vice President Chiwenga and the intensity of the conflict and his vision was apparently clouded by the dust of the conflict, prompting him to wade into its murky waters in aid of the respondent, and granting Mubaiwa the relief that she had not asked for.
“Such conduct was injudicious and an affront to the time honoured tenets of justice, fairness and equality before the courts. In the absence of any evidence of abuse of office, the appellant ought to have been treated like any other citizen before the (lower) court.”
From the facts and analysis of the law, the court found that although Mubaiwa may have had a meritorious case, she unfortunately did not get the benefit of sound legal advice in order to assert her rights.
Mubaiwa’s conduct in presenting an incompetent claim and her unsubstantiated attack on the Vice President’s character could have justified an order for punitive costs against her, but in light of the fact that she did not get appropriate legal advice and representation from her lawyers, the court took the view that an order of costs on the higher scale would be unduly harsh. Ordinary costs do not cover the legal fees of the losing party. The higher scale does cover the necessary legal fees.
Through his lawyer, Advocate Lewis Uriri, instructed by Mr Wilson Manase of Manase and Manase, Vice President Chiwenga had argued that the court could not place his three minor children in the custody of his estranged wife, who required to be under constant care of a surgeon, physician and a psychiatrist.
VP Chiwenga’s lawyers welcomed the court’s ruling. Mr Wellington Pasi, a senior partner in Manase and Manase law firm, said Mubayiwa brought frivolous accusations that the Vice President had abducted his own children, “which allegation was a blatant lie and had no factual or legal basis but was meant to score cheap political points in the media and character assassinate our client”.
“It was wrong for Ms Mubayiwa to apply for spoliation of the parties’ minor children as if they were some asset to melee over. Children deserve love, care and protection from such unnecessary squabbles.
“Ms Mubaiwa brought a baseless application without the benefit of sound legal advice from her counsel and the judge-a-quo should not have wrongly attacked my client with neither evidence nor a legal basis. We are glad justice has prevailed.”
The lawyer, however, said they do not blame the court much as it was for the first time handling a high profile case after the appointment of the judge.
“More particularly a case involving the Vice President of the nation. However, the (lower) court should have tempered its language which bordered on disrespect for the Vice President.”
Biggie Zuze was a Zimbabwean former soccer player for Dynamos Football Club and was the assistant coach of Dynamos Football Club at the time of his death on 25 June 2020. He was 55 at the time of his death.
Zuze joined Dynamos from Bindura United in the middle of the 1983 season and made his name playing alongside the likes of David Mandigora, Kenneth Jere, Clayton Munemo, Moses Chunga and Memory Mucherahowa.
Coaching Career Zuze was appointed acting coach for Dynamos after the firing of Lloyd Mutasa in May 2018. Zuze has been part of the coaching staff for Monomotapa Football Club, Triangle United Football Club and Ngezi Platinum F.C. , and most of his time he was the assistant coach except in 2012 when he was the head coach at Monomotapa Football Club.
Won the One Wallet Cup with Triangle in 2014, beating Dynamos on penalties.
In 2013 he said that the Bulawayo club, Eagles was his best team because of playing the “most entertaining brand of football in the country and ” producing such notable players like Rahman Gumbo and Boy Ndlovu.
He also said that his best two stadiums were Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo (for its good turf and an always ‘electrifying environment when we played against Highlanders Football Club) “and the National Sports Stadium, our slaughterhouse, especially on cup games.” .
Biggie Zuze died at HighGlen Cimas Clinic in Harare on 25 June 2020 after complaining of breathing difficulties- The Herald Files
21 people tested positive yesterday to Covid-19, but all are in official quarantine centres, with 18 of those coming from South Africa, three returning from Botswana and one from Mozambique.
The total number of positive cases is now 551.
South Africa has been the origin of easily the largest batch of Zimbabwean cases, hence the need for tight quarantine rules and for Zimbabwe to be vigilant and enforce its safety rules and lockdown procedures.
The neighbouring country now has 111 796 confirmed cases and 2 205 deaths, making it the worst hit country in Africa and the 18th worst hit in the world.
South Africa has strongly backed all travel restrictions in the Sadc region as part of its own efforts to minimise the dangers to its neighbours.
In many parts of the world, modest reversals to easing lockdown rules have been made following localised spikes in infections. In Germany, for example, two districts in North Rhine-Westfalia state were moved into tighter lockdown after localised increases in infection following a relaxation of rules-The Herald
Religious leaders have praised Auxillia Mnangagwa for mobilising resources and distributing food to the poor countrywide, and her tireless efforts to ensure everyone has access to information on Covid-19, which has killed thousands of people across the globe.
They expressed the sentiments at the City Sports Centre in Harare yesterday where the Mrs Mnangagwa, who is the country’s health ambassador, met the elderly and the disabled, among many other groups of people, as she concluded her nationwide tour to conscientise citizens about Covid-19.
Mrs Mnangagwa has of late been holding interactive meetings with the elderly and rural communities to spread awareness on coronavirus and ways through which they can protect themselves from the pandemic.
She has, alongside her Angel of Hope Foundation, visited all provinces, including previously marginalised communities like the San in Plumtree where she distributed food, blankets, sanitisers and face masks, at the same time ensuring everyone had information on the pandemic.
Auxillia Mnangagwa has also mobilised resources like sanitising booths, sanitisers, detergents and face masks which she has handed over to hospitals and various communities.
Yesterday’s meeting came at a time when the country is facing an increase in confirmed Covid-19 cases owing to a number of factors, with the virus mainly being found among returning residents in isolation centres.
Daughters of Virtue leader Prophetess Memory Matimbire, said Mrs Mnangagwa’s nationwide visits demonstrated the importance of giving.
“Amai is teaching us on the power of giving,” she said.
“She is teaching us that the elderly and parents should be looked after, as this increases our days on earth. She is a blessed woman who leads by example.”
Reading from Acts 9 verse 36, Prophetess Matimbire likened Mrs Mnangagwa to the Biblical Tabitha, who was always doing good through helping the poor.
Pastor Evelyn Gaga from Hebron Art of Prayer said Christianity without benevolence and giving to the poor was meaningless.
She said praying without deeds was dead, adding that the First Lady was leading the way in doing good.
“Our mother has the nation at heart and she always joins us as churches in prayer,” said Pastor Gaga.-The Herald
The soccer fraternity has been plunged into mourning following the death of Dynamos legend Biggie Zuze.
“As a player, he was one of those rare talents, as a coach, he battled long and hard, as a Dynamos son, he was loyal to the core and, more importantly, as a man, he was as good as they will ever come…
What a shocker!, RIP Bindura Part 1, my brother Biggie Zuze…Robson Sharuko
Andrew Kamanga, sports administrator:
“A mercurial talent, indeed. He defied odds with his average physical stature to dominate midfield battles. A brilliant pass master and uniquely unselfish in his approach to the game. May His dear soul rest in eternal peace!’’
Tito Paketh, Highlanders legend:
“I am totally distraught to learn of Biggie’s passing on. I hope it’s not true, please. Really bad and hard to stomach. Anyway, that’s life, it’s very short indeed. He has run his race. Seth Chigogora, former Dynamos team manager
“He was a true DeMbare son, he gave everything for the cause of the club and to play in those great Dynamos sides, especially in midfield, where there was no hiding place, showed just how good he was. He was also a fine gentleman and it’s a shame he has died young. You will hardly come across anyone who tells you they had a problem with him.’’
Godfrey Japajapa, former Dynamos treasurer
“You hear such news and you tell yourself that it’s not true, you struggle to convince yourself that a guy this nice, who never showed any signs of being ill, could die just like that. It was a pleasure working with Nzou and what a good man he was and he was also a very, very fine football player and coach.’’
Runyararo Musakwa
“Very sad news indeed and a blow to local football. May his soul Rest in Peace.’’
Spencer Manguwa
“Rest In Peace Gaffer. Our soccer is surely poorer without you. Gone too soon. You will be missed!’’
Raymond Majongwe, former Dynamos secretary-general:
“Bindura Part 1. Rest In Peace. Great player. Enjoyed working with you.’’
Cephas Chimedza, former DeMbare star: “Rest in peace Nzou.’’
Tendai Muteswa
“Legends don’t come any bigger, RIP Biggie. Thanks for the memories.’’-The Herald
Biggie Zuze was a Zimbabwean former soccer player for Dynamos Football Club and was the assistant coach of Dynamos Football Club at the time of his death on 25 June 2020. He was 55 at the time of his death.
Zuze joined Dynamos from Bindura United in the middle of the 1983 season and made his name playing alongside the likes of David Mandigora, Kenneth Jere, Clayton Munemo, Moses Chunga and Memory Mucherahowa.
Coaching Career Zuze was appointed acting coach for Dynamos after the firing of Lloyd Mutasa in May 2018. Zuze has been part of the coaching staff for Monomotapa Football Club, Triangle United Football Club and Ngezi Platinum F.C. , and most of his time he was the assistant coach except in 2012 when he was the head coach at Monomotapa Football Club.
Won the One Wallet Cup with Triangle in 2014, beating Dynamos on penalties.
In 2013 he said that the Bulawayo club, Eagles was his best team because of playing the “most entertaining brand of football in the country and ” producing such notable players like Rahman Gumbo and Boy Ndlovu.
He also said that his best two stadiums were Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo (for its good turf and an always ‘electrifying environment when we played against Highlanders Football Club) “and the National Sports Stadium, our slaughterhouse, especially on cup games.” .
Death Biggie Zuze died at HighGlen Cimas Clinic in Harare on 25 June 2020 after complaining of breathing difficulties- The Herald Files
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance National Deputy Chairperson, Job Sikhala has implored Zimbabweans to abandon WhatsApp politics and focus on real action.
According to Sikhala, the time to take the bull by the horns has arrived.
See full statement :
By Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala MDC Alliance National Vice Chairman
Change of hands in national leadership is critical for every country especially in Africa where rulers think that their subjects owe them a life. Congratulations to Malawi.
Thanks to the Malawian people. What we must understand is that this did not come through Whatsapp politics.
The sovereign of the people was protected by the Courts after the people have demonstrated their power.
People Power resolved the Malawian electoral dispute. Had it not been of the people who stood shoulder high to protect their will, Malawi could not have achieved what it achieved today.
The Courts could not be complicity in defeating the will of the people because the voice of the people was roaring in the streets. The street became the theatre of the struggle.
Our problem as Zimbabwe is that we talk too much and we have all become political analysts. Deliverance zero. This is the challenge we must all face.
The role played by civil society leaders and political leaders in Malawi to give direction to the struggle is priceless. They were committed. Planned its prosecution with precision. We can’t celebrate what we failed to deliver ourselves. I take this as a challenge to all of us to think twice whether we are really serious about a new order in our country.
Let’s move away from the chariots of Whatsapp politics and look the beast in the eye. This struggle needs direction ladies and gentlemen.
If not careful tichasvika pakufa tichingokuza and congratulate those who achieve. As a leader myself, it’s also a huge challenge to me that we have talked enough. It’s time to deliver and act. I will not betray the people of Zimbabwe on that call.
The Malawi Election Commission (MEC) has warned members of the public against unofficial announcement of rerun election results.
Malawi held the rerun elections on the 23rd of June after the Supreme Court last year annulled Mutharika’s re-election citing irregularities.
Addressing a news conference in Blantyre, the chairperson of the MEC Chifundo Kachale said:
We appeal to Malawians to maintain peace and calm as the vote-counting continues.
Polls closed across Malawi Tuesday evening but the electoral commission has until July 3 to unveil the results, although the announcement is widely thought likely to come this week.
Meanwhile, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has accused the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UTM Party supporters of assaulting its monitors during the election.
President Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are in an alliance with another party, the United Democratic Front (UDF).
MCP’s Lazarus Chakwera is leading a nine-party opposition coalition, the Tonse Alliance, and has the backing of former President Joyce Banda as well as the country’s vice-president, Saulos Chilima, as his running mate.
Mr Chilima – who finished third in the 2019 vote – was once an ally of President Mutharika, but has since fallen out with him- BBC
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance president, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has described the outcome of the Presidential election in Malawi as a major breakthrough for democracy.
Although the Malawi Election Commission has said official results are yet to be announced, indications are that Dr Lazarus Chakwera is poised for victory.
“New life to Malawi! Congratulations to the President Elect.A true believer in Christ.
Dr Lazarus Chakwera served at the helm of the Assemblies of God for many years.
The Lord has given Malawi a Godly man.Kudos to state organs’ professionalism and citizens’ vigilance.Well done Malawi,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
Farai Dziva|Professor Jonathan Moyo has said it is everyone’s responsibility to fight for freedom from Zanu PF oppression.
Moyo added Zimbabweans should not expect MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa “to fight a lone battle.”
Below is Moyo’s argument: It’s therefore very wrong for Zimbabweans to expect @nelsonchamisa and MDC-A to fight alone against the system, which has usurped the constitutional authority of the people. Zimbabweans must fight together as one, just like Malawians. If Malawi did it, Zimbabwe can also did it!
Since Zim’s Constitution provides that executive authority, judicial authority & legislative authority belong to the people; the abuse of this authority to steal the 2018 presidential poll, endorse that theft & recall MDC-A MPs…
Congratulations to Malawi’s Tonse Alliance for winning the presidential election and to Malawians for once again expressing their will which will undoubtedly count, this time. Clearly nothing can stop an idea whose time has come. There are huge lessons for Zimbabwe from Malawi!
Having stolen presidential authority from @nelsonchamisa the military, which now controls state power, got Mnangagwa to get Parliament to steal legislative authority from the MDC-A via phoney recalls of its MPs, using a dubious Supreme Court judgment backed by MDC-T sellouts!
Against this background, the screaming question for Zim to learn from Malawi is deafening: why are Zimbabweans allowing the theft of their executive authority, judicial authority and now legislative authority to go unchallenged, by treating it as a Chamisa or MDC-A thing? Why?
Farai Dziva|Professor Jonathan Moyo has said it is everyone’s responsibility to fight for freedom from Zanu PF oppression.
Moyo added Zimbabweans should not expect MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa “to fight a lone battle.”
Below is Moyo’s argument: It’s therefore very wrong for Zimbabweans to expect @nelsonchamisa and MDC-A to fight alone against the system, which has usurped the constitutional authority of the people. Zimbabweans must fight together as one, just like Malawians. If Malawi did it, Zimbabwe can also did it!
Since Zim’s Constitution provides that executive authority, judicial authority & legislative authority belong to the people; the abuse of this authority to steal the 2018 presidential poll, endorse that theft & recall MDC-A MPs…
Congratulations to Malawi’s Tonse Alliance for winning the presidential election and to Malawians for once again expressing their will which will undoubtedly count, this time. Clearly nothing can stop an idea whose time has come. There are huge lessons for Zimbabwe from Malawi!
Having stolen presidential authority from @nelsonchamisa the military, which now controls state power, got Mnangagwa to get Parliament to steal legislative authority from the MDC-A via phoney recalls of its MPs, using a dubious Supreme Court judgment backed by MDC-T sellouts!
Against this background, the screaming question for Zim to learn from Malawi is deafening: why are Zimbabweans allowing the theft of their executive authority, judicial authority and now legislative authority to go unchallenged, by treating it as a Chamisa or MDC-A thing? Why?
A 53-YEAR-OLD Filabusi man has been ordered to pay a $3 000 fine after he stabbed his young brother with a knife in the stomach following a misunderstanding while discussing family issues.
Alfred Moyo from Shamba area was convicted on his own plea of guilty to assault by Gwanda regional magistrate Mrs Sibonginkosi Mhlanga. He was ordered to have paid $3 000 fine by June 30 or risk being jailed for six months.
Moyo was initially charged with attempted murder which was later altered to assault due to the level of injuries which were sustained by the complainant.
Prosecuting Mr Khumbulani Nyoni said Moyo and his brother Mr Aleck Moyo (44) were discussing family issues when they had a misunderstanding.
The accused person pulled out an okapi knife and stabbed his brother on the stomach.
“On 2 March at around 6PM Alfred and Aleck were drinking beer at Alfred’s home discussing family issues.
A misunderstanding ensued between them and Alfred went into his bedroom and came out with a stick and struck his brother three times on the back,” he said.
“The complainant managed to snatch the stick from Alfred and hit him back. Alfred retrieved an okapi knife from his pocket which he used to stab the complainant on the stomach.
Aleck was assisted by his nephew who escorted him to the police station to file a report leading to the arrest of the accused person.”
In mitigation, Moyo said he attacked the complainant in self-defense after he was attacked first.
He said his brother first punched him and in anger, he took a stick and used it to hit back.
Moyo said the complainant snatched the stick from him and began assaulting him and that is when he panicked and pulled out the knife.
“I panicked Your Worship and pulled out the knife when Aleck kept continuously hitting me with the stick as I thought he would hurt me. It wasn’t my intention to hurt him as I was just acting out of self-defense,” he said-Chronicle
A 53-YEAR-OLD Filabusi man has been ordered to pay a $3 000 fine after he stabbed his young brother with a knife in the stomach following a misunderstanding while discussing family issues.
Alfred Moyo from Shamba area was convicted on his own plea of guilty to assault by Gwanda regional magistrate Mrs Sibonginkosi Mhlanga. He was ordered to have paid $3 000 fine by June 30 or risk being jailed for six months.
Moyo was initially charged with attempted murder which was later altered to assault due to the level of injuries which were sustained by the complainant.
Prosecuting Mr Khumbulani Nyoni said Moyo and his brother Mr Aleck Moyo (44) were discussing family issues when they had a misunderstanding.
The accused person pulled out an okapi knife and stabbed his brother on the stomach.
“On 2 March at around 6PM Alfred and Aleck were drinking beer at Alfred’s home discussing family issues.
A misunderstanding ensued between them and Alfred went into his bedroom and came out with a stick and struck his brother three times on the back,” he said.
“The complainant managed to snatch the stick from Alfred and hit him back. Alfred retrieved an okapi knife from his pocket which he used to stab the complainant on the stomach.
Aleck was assisted by his nephew who escorted him to the police station to file a report leading to the arrest of the accused person.”
In mitigation, Moyo said he attacked the complainant in self-defense after he was attacked first.
He said his brother first punched him and in anger, he took a stick and used it to hit back.
Moyo said the complainant snatched the stick from him and began assaulting him and that is when he panicked and pulled out the knife.
“I panicked Your Worship and pulled out the knife when Aleck kept continuously hitting me with the stick as I thought he would hurt me. It wasn’t my intention to hurt him as I was just acting out of self-defense,” he said-Chronicle
A pressure group, Wabantu Movement Zimbabwe, has notified the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) of its intention to stage a demonstration in Harare on June 29 against abuse, torture and the ill-treatment of citizens as well as the shooting of two workers in Gweru by their Chinese employer.
In a letter dated 25 June 2020 and addressed to S. Matongo, Chief Superintendent Officer Commanding Police Harare Suburban District, one of the leaders of the pressure group, Jim Kunaka, said the protestors will hand over a petition to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and another one to the Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe. Kunaka wrote:
RE: NOTIFICATION TO STAGE A DEMONSTRATION AGAINST ABUSE OF ZIMBABWEANS BY CHINESE FOREIGNERS IN ZIMBABWE ON THE 29th OF JUNE 2020 FROM 800 HOURS TO 1700 HOURS.
This letter seeks to notify your highly esteemed office of our intention to hold a peaceful demonstration against abuse, torture, ill-treatment and latest case of the gunning down of our fellow brothers and sisters by Chinese nationals in our country.
Our demonstration will take place outside the Chinese Embassy in Harare on the 29th of June 2020.
This noble cause is being spearheaded by Wabantu Movement watchdog which seeks to safeguard and ensure that the National Objectives as enshrined in Chapter 2 of the Zimbabwean Constitution are respected and adhered to.
The people will gather at the Africa Unity square which is at the corner of Sam Nujoma and Nelson Mandela Avenue at 0800 Hours, then we will proceed with Sam Nujoma Street situated at the corner of Samora Machel and Sam Nujoma Street.
The people will camp outside the President’s offices, two of our members will hand over the petition to the President.
Once the President has received our petition, we will then proceed and march to the Chinese embassy to hand over another petition to the Ambassador.
We are consciously aware of the Statutory Instrument S.I. 83 of 2020 and we are going to conduct our peaceful demonstration observing social distancing and all members will be wearing face masks to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
To this end, we are going to have marshals who with the help of your office maintain order, discipline and hygiene during the demonstration.
This letter serves as a notification to your office, it is not a request for permission.
By Wilbert Mukori- Now that the MDC bulls have locked horns, there is no stopping the fight! There is death for both bulls, no glory! “Shaisano!” as one would say in Shona.
Ever since the Supreme Court judgement on 30 March 2020 handing over the leadership of the MDC-T to Madam Thokozani Khupe, she has wielded the axe mercilessly to stamp her authority. She has recalled 13 legislators who have not switched their allegiance from Chamisa and she is not done yet.
“Deputy spokesman (MDC Khupe) Khaliphani Phugeni told reporters that 30 plus legislators had attended the parliamentary caucus, but refused to name them. However, sources within the opposition party said under 20, out of 103, attended,” reported Newsday.
But MDC Alliance presidential secretary Jameson Timba said the MPs snubbed Khupe.
“The legislators of the MDC Alliance have remained loyal to their conscience,” Timba said.
“They are deployees of the party and struggle, they realised the issues that are facing Zimbabwe will require true representatives and, therefore, will not follow an appendage of Zanu-PF.”
This is just mid-summer madness! MDC leaders and supporters have become so polarized even the presence of a fly is enough to push them over the edge. The MDC Alliance leaders had nailed their colours firmed with Chamisa, not the party, it is very hard for them to switch now. The fact that Mai Khupe had burn her ship by joining POLAD, just to remain relevant, has made her damaged goods. And all those who join her now, know that they too will be damaged goods by association.
“The legislators of the MDC Alliance have remained loyal to their conscience!” What a truck load of bull!
MDC leaders across the faction divide sold-out when the failed to implement even one reform, in participating in flawed and illegal elections, etc. Where was their conscience then?????
The tragedy is MDC leaders have decided to indulge in this hara-kiri at a time when the country is facing its greatest existential threat in the form of corona virus. The MDC has played its part in keeping Zanu PF in power against the democratic wishes of the people and now the regime’s blundering incompetence is making the pandemic worse. There is no one to hold the corrupt and blundering Zanu PF thugs to account because MDC legislatures are busy fighting over a fly!
In 2014 when Tendai Biti broke away from Tsvangirai, he called his former boss a dictator worse than Mugabe. Tsvangirai hit back by recalling all the legislators who had sided with Biti; the very thing Thokozani Khupe is doing now.
The mutual loathing between MDC leaders is so toxic they would do anything to keep Zanu PF in power than let their former MDC colleague get into power. Shaisano at its corrosive worst!
It pays in the end to get the best in the beginning! In electing Mugabe and his Zanu PF thugs into power, we have had many golden opportunities to remove them from office, we elected crap!
We should have learned our lesson and be more diligent in electing Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends to champion the cause of implemented the democratic reforms to end Zanu PF dictatorship. Sadly, we had learned nothing as MDC leaders have turned out to be sell-outs and crap too!
Yeah! It pays in the end to get the best in the beginning! Now that the MDC leaders have lost all political credibility, let us clean the political deck and start all over again. And this time we must be very, very diligent on who we elect as leaders!
By Wilbert Mukori- “We shall not allow a situation where our people live in chronic insecurity, lack and deprivation. It has become apparent that in our midst, there are wolves in sheep clothing, vultures. The end is coming,” Mnangagwa eulogized at Heroes Acre yesterday.
“Let us never be complacent, the war of today is neither guns nor bombs. The war against our economic prosperity is on-going.
“Rest assured that the enemies of progress and economic growth of our country will never win as long as we remain united. The challenges we face are not insurmountable. I exhort all of us not to surrender, it is not over.
“Despite the setbacks we may face, Zimbabwe needs people who choose peace over disharmony, tranquillity over violence, love and peace over hatred, morality, integrity and hard honest work over immorality, laziness and corruption. We must choose justice and truth over lies and falsehoods.”
The real wolf in sheep’s clothing, the vulture, pedalling lies and falsehoods is none other than Mnangagwa himself. How can the war to achieve economic prosperity even be won when for the last 40 years gross mismanagement and rampant corruption, the cancers in our economy, have been allowed to grow and spread to every sector of the economy.
Mnangagwa promised “zero tolerance to corruption” when he took over from the late Mugabe in November 2017. He has failed to stamp out corruption.
In 2016 Mugabe admitted the country was being “swindled out of US$15 billion” in looted diamonds alone. Mugabe has never arrested one diamond swindler and/or recover one swindled dollar. It is now two and half years since the November 2017 coup and Mnangagwa has yet to arrest one diamond swindler and/or recover one dollar.
“Corruption is deep-rooted!” Mnangagwa has since admitted.
Of course, corruption is deep-rooted! Most of Mnangagwa cabinet members, to brass in the security services, CEO in civil service and private sector, etc. including Mnangagwa himself are the chief beneficiaries of the gross mismanagement and rampant corruption, the godfathers of all the wholesale looting.
As long as Zanu PF remains in power the corruption will never end. Zanu PF will never ever reform itself out of office no more than a cobra will never ever defang itself! Never ever!
After the November 2017 coup, Mnangagwa also promised to hold free, fair and credible elections. After 37 years of rigged elections the people of Zimbabwe welcomed the opportunity to have a meaningful say in the governance of the country. Sadly, they were to be disappointed as Mnangagwa went on to blatantly rig the elections.
“The elections were free, fair and credible!” Mnangagwa has insisted time and time again.
A blatant lie! Of course, the elections were rigged. ZEC even failed to produce something as basic as a verified voters’ roll.
Zimbabwe is a pariah state, a Banana Republic, ruled by corrupt, incompetent, vote rigging and murderous thugs. 40 years of corrupt and tyrannical Zanu PF dictatorship have left the country in economic ruins and political paralysis. The oppressive political system has stifled debate and democratic competition allowing scum to rise to the top in both the ruling party and the opposition.
“I swear by the living LORD that the man who did this ought to die! For having done such a cruel thing, he must pay back four times as much as he took,” said King David after the Prophet Nathan told him of the story of the rich man who had killed the poor man’s only ewe-lamb to feed his guests.
“You are that man,” said the Prophet Nathan.
King David was filled with remorse and repented. We are not so lucky!
“Rest assured that the enemies of progress and economic growth of our country will never win as long as we remain united!” Mnangagwa, you are the enemy of progress! After 40 years of misrule, you still refuse to accept you have failed and, worst of all, ruthless deny the people a meaningful say in the governance of the country!
The only way out of this hell-on-earth Zimbabwe finds itself in is for the vote rigging Zanu PF regime to step-down, it has no mandate to govern. This will allow the political space for the appointment of an independent body tasked to implement the democratic reforms to end the curse of rigged elections.
By A Correspondent- Dynamos assistant coach Biggie Zuze has died.
Zuze passed away in Harare today.
Said Steve Vickers, a sports editor:
“So sad to hear of the death of Dynamos assistant coach Biggie Zuze. Passed away in Harare today. He had breathing problems. Dynamos midfielder and was coach in 2018. Won the One Wallet Cup with Triangle in 2014, beating Dynamos on penalties. Coached Monomatapa 2012-13.”
So sad to hear of the death of Dynamos assistant coach Biggie Zuze. Passed away in Harare today, he had breathing problems. Dynamos midfielder and was coach in 2018. Won the One Wallet Cup with Triangle in 2014, beating Dynamos on penalties. Coached Monomatapa 2012-13. pic.twitter.com/Rrl6y0uODG
By Own Correspondent| An 81-year-old Kadoma granny has caught the attention of Kadoma residents after literally striking gold right at the centre of her homestead, turning her fortunes from a being a beggar to an employer overnight.
Following the death of her husband who was working in Harare, Mbuya Mavis’ world came to crashing halt as she could not cope with the mountainous challenge of taking care of her bloated family without a reliable source of income.
She was forced to retreat back to her hometown in Kadoma.
While in Kadoma, her situation did not improve as she continued to wallow in poverty, without food to eat and feed her dependants including grandchildren who numbered up to fourteen.
She thought the gods had smiled on her when one day she discovered that she was sitting on top of gold deposits right at her homestead.
Mbuya Mavis in blue workout with one of her employees holding a plastic dish with gold ore
She began mining the yellow metal but her bubble did not take long to burst as she soon discovered that her new discovery was doing too little to change her fortunes.
Poverty continued to rear its ugly head in her household and without any means to survive, she regularly got food hampers from philanthropic traditional healer, Sekuru Banda.
“I heard from a relative how Sekuru Banda was assisting the vulnerable and I decided to approach him so he could help me with foodstuffs to feed my bloated family.
“I kept on going back to him until he asked me about what he could do to ensure that I can sustain myself and my family without donations, that is when I told him that I had tried gold mining without success,” narrated Mbuya Mavis.
She added that due to economic hardships, she at some point contemplated committing suicide as she could not bear the sight of her dependants suffering while she watched helplessly.
Sekuru Banda helped me by channelling spirits to open up and I started making money from my gold mining.
“I started employing people to work at the mine because we reached a time when it got me overwhelmed,” she added.
Currently, her gold output stands at between 400 to 600 grams a week with each gram being sold for around USD45.
Mbuya Mavis later regularized her operations in the process obtaining a mining license, something that has enabled her continue dreaming big.
Mbuya Mavis has since invested in houses and livestock as she is alive to the realities that the situation may not remain the same forever.
“While I used to struggle to feed my grandchildren alone, I can now boast of being able to take care of my children and my sons in law together with their families, added Mbuya Mavis.
Asked what kind of assistance he has rendered to Mbuya Mavis, Sekuru Banda said he only channelled spirits to help her.
“Gold was there right at her homestead but she was failing to survive from it and what needed to be done was to channel the spirits to open up for her and it worked.
“We help a lot of people so that your God and ancestors can open up to you, its not what people used to call kuromba but just opening up of opportunities,” said Sekuru Banda.
After her successful mining venture, Mbuya Mavis is now also into philanthropic work, assisting other elderly people in her community, something Sekuru Banda hailed as commendable and worthy replicating.
President Peter Mutharika’s Presidential press officer, Justice Mponda, has congratulated opposition leader, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, the winner of the just ended elections.
Below was his full statement on his Facebook portal:
I write to express my appreciation to President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika for the great opportunity to serve in his administration. I came in as a mere journalist but I have come out more of an administrator. A fully grown up man, matured and responsible.
In President Mutharika I have learnt to appreciate the magic of working, growing and developing in silence. I will forever be grateful to APM for everything I have become today.
Secondly, I also take a moment to congratulate Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, Dr. Saulos Chilima and the entire Tonse Alliance for the victory. You fought well and it has paid off.
Lastly, to the DPP, this fall gives you another opportunity to work on your shortfalls. It has taken an alliance of 10 political parties to defeat you and that’s evident enough that you are a very strong party. You have fallen and risen before. You can rise again from this fall. Omwa tiyi adzamwanso…
To Malawians, let’s move on. There is time for politics and there is time for development. Let’s move on.
MDC Alliance proportional representation Member of Parliament for Matabeleland South Province who was also the Chairperson of the party’s women wing, Lindiwe Maphosa, has quit the party and joined the Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T specifically to save her parliamentary position.
We publish below a translated version of her resignation note to fellow members of the party women wing.
Good morning fellow women comrades, I hope I find you well.
I want to thank you all first for standing with me and supporting me through out.
Today I come to you with a heavy heart. I have set down and thought deeply about my situation and realised that it is my right to remain in parliament and stay there for the next three years.
I know my decision will not go well with most of you but there comes a time in life when one has to make a personal decision.
Time will tell if I am wrong.
I found it illogical for me to let go of what I am already holding on for what I am hoping to get.
We all know very well how we have been treating each other as members of the MDC Alliance in Mat South.
I have no friends in the province and have had to survive by fighting to be who I am. It is by the grace of God against all odds that I came this far.
In this regard I hereby resign from my position as the provincial Chairlady and the party. I wish you all well and wish you would continue working hard in the fight to bring us a better Zimbabwe. I love you all.
Will advise the Secretary General and Organising Secretary of my exit from the party.
Masvingo – Government has banned the isolation of Covid-19 patients at home because many are violating World Health Organisation (WHO) conditions thereby bringing many people at risk of contracting the virus, a provincial taskforce spokesperson has said.
Rodgers Irimayi who is Masvingo Covid-19 Provincial spokesperson told The Mirror in an interview that Government issued the directive last week following concerns that isolated patients were visiting shops, interacting with outsiders and failing to adhere to strict WHO rules.
“All people who test Covid-19 positive will henceforth be isolated at quarantine centres until they fully recover. This is the directive that we received from Government last week. However, those who are already isolated at home will not be affected,” he said.
In Masvingo all new positive cases will be isolated at Alvord Training Centre, a Government Institute that is 5km off Harare – Masvingo Highway some 32km from Masvingo.
“Positive people used to be released for self isolation at home but a new Government directive requires all of them to be isolated away from home. It was realised that most of those in self isolation at home were violating rules of movement.
“We already have eight cases at Alvord,” said Irimayi.
Masvingo has 78 returnees quarantined at Rupangwana (12), Bikita (16) and Mushagashe (50) Training Centres. Masvingo Teachers’ and Masvingo Polytechnic colleges were recently decommissioned as quarantine centres leaving the province with only three.
Masvingo recorded 53 positive cases and most are returnees from neighbouring countries. Three prison officers contracted the deadly virus while working at Masvingo Teachers College quarantine centre. The province has 40 active cases after thirteen people recovered.
The fight for the control of the country’s main opposition party Movement for Democratic Change is far from over after a rival faction fronted by Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T threatened to approach the courts to reclaim the name and symbols of the party from the Nelson Chamisa led grouping.
The Thokozani Khupe grouping has already grabbed the party headquarters, Morgan Richard Tsvangirai house from the MDC Alliance with the assistance of the police and soldiers.
This followed a Supreme Court ruling that restored the movement to its 2014 status, a move that placed Khupe at the helm of the movement pending an extra-ordinary congress to elect a successor to the late founding President Morgan Tsvangirai who succumbed to cancer of the colon in February 2018.
Speaking to 263Chat, MDC-T spokesperson Khalipani Phugeni confirmed plans to eventually stop the rival camp from using the MDC name and symbols.
“We haven’t started that because we are still dealing with other matters, there are five to six cases which they have filed before the High Court and the other one is now at the Supreme Court so it’s not something that we are rushing but as soon as we are done with this we will indeed enforce our rights to our name and make sure that they stop this infringement of using our name,” said Phugeni.
Contacted for comment, MDC Alliance spokesperson Advocate Fadzayi Mahere said political power lies within the people not party names or symbols.
“Obviously, strategy and tactics can’t be debated in the media however what’s critical at the end of the day is that political power lies in the people, not in names, symbols, buildings or any of the other petty obsessions that Zanu PF and its proxies would want to distract us with,” said Mahere.
She said the nation is in a decline and the MDC Alliance will not be distracted but will remain focused on improving the lives of people.
“The nation is burning. The economy is in decline. The Constitution is under attack. The cost of living is beyond reach. Livelihoods have been destroyed. We will remain focused on improving the lives of the people. That is our strategy – to win Zimbabwe for change,” she said.
Tongaat Hulett has announced new sugar prices effective today 25 June 2020. According to the price list brown sugar 2kg was $106.40 now $212.80 and 2kg white sugar was $112.45 now $224.90
Brown sugar 10KG will now cost $1 064 while 10KG white sugar will cost $1 124.
Tongaat Hulett is the biggest sugar production in Zimbabwe with operations consisting of Triangle and a 50,3 percent stake in Hippo Valley Estates, representing a combined installed sugar milling capacity of more than 640 000 tons.
FORMER Dynamos player and coach Biggie Zuze has died.
Zuze died in Harare today at the age of 55 after a short illness. He was currently working as assistant coach to Tonderai Ndiraya at the Glamour Boys.
His colleagues, who spoke to the Herald, expressed shock following the sudden death. The former midfielder has had no known medical conditions.
He was rushed to a medical facility at Highglen Shopping Complex in the morning after complaining of breathing difficulties and died later in the afternoon.
Zuze joined Dynamos from Bindura United in the middle of the 1983 season and made his name playing alongside the likes of David Mandigora, Kenneth Jere, Clayton Munemo and Moses Chunga.
After his retirement, he coached several clubs that include Sporting Lions, Monomotapa, Triangle, Douglas Warriors and has had stints with Dynamos both as head coach and assistant.
Cabo Delgado, Mozambique – There are now continued fears that Islamist insurgency in Mozambique could spread to neighbouring Southern African Development Community (SADC) states.
Attacks by Ansar al-Sunna, now identified as part of Islamic State, have claimed over a thousand lives in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique’s northernmost province.
“There is an increase of Islamic insurgency activities currently in the province of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, and these have the potential to spread to other provinces and neighbouring Southern African Development Community states, there are challenges with Mozambique,” said South Africa’s Minister of Defence, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
In May, SADC urged its members to support Mozambique in efforts to overcome terrorists and armed groups in Cabo Delgado.
SADC’s head of politics, defence and security co-operation, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has called on the bloc to support Mozambique in its fight against terrorists and armed groups and also condemned terrorist and other armed attacks as per the SADC declaration on terrorism and the African Union (AU) Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism.
Congratulations to Malawi’s Tonse Alliance for winning the presidential election and to Malawians for once again expressing their will which will undoubtedly count, this time.
Clearly nothing can stop an idea whose time has come. There are huge lessons for Zimbabwe from Malawi!
Four factors explain how Malawians reversed the 2019 theft of the presidential election:
Opposition unity;
United support for the opposition by a cross-section of Malawian voices;
A transparent, fearless and independent judiciary; and
A professional and apolitical military!
In Malawi’s election, the military was with the people and the law; in Zimbabwe’s election, the military was against the people and the law. General Sibanda was right two days ago about the corruption of some bosses, but the most cancerous corruption in Zimbabwe is having a Zanu PF military!
The ZEC report on how it conducted the 2018 general election leaves no rational doubt that the presidential election was run illegally to steal it from Nelson Chamisa. This was done through ZEC by the military, which committed atrocities on 1 Aug 2018 to save the theft!
Despite the audaciously brazen theft of the 2018 presidential election by the military and the 1 Aug 2018 atrocities, maybe as a result thereof, Chief Justice Luke Malaba presided over a sham ConCourt hearing that endorsed the election theft; unmoved by the military atrocities!
Having stolen presidential authority from Chamisa the military, which now controls state power, got Mnangagwa to get Parliament to steal legislative authority from the MDC-A via phoney recalls of its MPs, using a dubious Supreme Court judgment backed by MDC-T sellouts!
Against this background, the screaming question for Zimbabwe to learn from Malawi is deafening: why are Zimbabweans allowing the theft of their executive authority, judicial authority and now legislative authority to go unchallenged, by treating it as a Chamisa or MDC-A thing? Why?
Since Zim’s Constitution provides that executive authority, judicial authority and legislative authority belong to the people; the abuse of this authority to steal the 2018 presidential poll, endorse that theft and recall MDC-A MPs, cheats the people, not Chamisa and MDC-A!
It’s therefore very wrong for Zimbabweans to expect Chamisa and MDC-A to fight alone against the system, which has usurped the constitutional authority of the people. Zimbabweans must fight together as one, just like Malawians. If Malawi did it, Zimbabwe can also do it!
It’s the dawn of a New era in the Southern African country of Malawi as a new leader has been elected as president in the just concluded Presidential elections.
The elections came after last year’s elections were declared null and void by the constitutional court of Malawi.
The interesting part of the election is firstly the fact that the opposition has toppled the the now former ruling party as the new government leaders.
On top of that the new president elect is a strong Christian who has served as the president of the Assemblies of God from 1989 to 14 May 2013.
Before the election Chakwera was quoted saying “God spoke to my heart, God was not saying I’m pulling you out of ministry but extending your ministry, so that you are able to pastor a whole Nation”
Indeed God fullfiled his word as Chikwera is on the verge of Pastoring the whole of Malawi as promised
Many are elated with the new president-elect, Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, who has been President of the opposition ,Malawi Congress Party, in office since 2013.
Current polls show that 60% have voted for Chakwera with only a few ballots more to count.
This has been hailed as the dawn of superior and supreme democracy in Africa.
Many are also of the notion that a godly man will bring the much-needed change in the Southern African country of Malawi and thwart corruption from the government.
Zimbabwe’s opposition MDC has now joined the celebration as they see it as a hope for a new future if they can do it in Malawi it can also be done in Zimbabwe they say.
MISA Zimbabwe has written to Parliament in response to the august house’s call for submissions on the Cybersecurity and Data Protection Bill which was gazetted on 15 May 2020. The letter outlines issues that need to be addressed in specific sections of the bill and offers recommendations.
Below is the letter submitted to Parliament:
23 June 2020
CLERK OF PARLIAMENT
Parliament of Zimbabwe Cnr 3rd Street & Kwame Nkrumah P.O Box CY 298, Causeway HARARE
Dear Sir/Madam,
REF: MISA-ZIMBABWE SUBMISSIONS ON THE CYBERSECURITY AND DATA PROTECTION BILL
MISA-Zimbabwe writes to you in response to your call for submissions on the Cybersecurity and Data Protection Bill. MISA-Zimbabwe commends the executive for this bold step in developing a draft that establishes a regulatory framework for the ICT sector as this serves as address the legal gap that had been created due to the technological advancements and the absence of a legal framework on internet governance.
Be that as it may, taking note that the law is still in the making. The first submission, therefore, is that the bill must be unbundled so that three bills emerge name: Cyber Security; Electronic Transactions and Data Protection Bills respectively as these are wide and complex issues that cannot be attended to in an omnibus bill as being proposed by the executive. Further, MISA-Zimbabwe advocates for the development of a framework that promotes good and democratic internet governance and therefore makes the following submissions:
Section 3: Interpretation
Issues to be addressed
The definition of code of conduct seems to extend to IT resources, and Internet for the data controller. IT resources is extremely wide as a definition and it might include equipment, networks, hardware, software, technical knowledge, expertise, information and computer systems in the controller’s control or possession. This definition does not address the fact that data processing is manual, electronic or automated
The current definition of consent is not sufficient. The definition must be expanded in regulations or codes of conduct. Consent must be clear and unequivocal. It shows agreement, acceptance, concurrence or granting of authority to a processor to process data.
Personal information definition can be expanded to include other identifiable elements which are currently not included in the Bill. The definition of personal information can include objective and subjective elements. The Bill includes traffic data in definition of data. This means that a cellphone number or an Internet Protocol (IP) address, e-mail address, location data constitute personal information. Online identifiers such as IP address, cookie identifiers, or even radio frequency identifications (RFID) tags must be considered as personal information.
Recommendations
IT resources and Internet should be removed from the definition of codes of conduct. In the alternative the definition should confine itself to IT processes which means any processes related to the data controller or processor for purposes of gathering or collecting data and processing data.
At the very minimum the definition of consent must encapsulate the following attributes to constitute lawful consent: freely given in that the person must not be pressured into giving consent or suffer any detriment if they refuse; Specific, in that the person must be asked to consent to individual types of data processing. Informed; the person must be told what they’re consenting to. Unambiguous- language must be clear and simple. Clear affirmative action; the person must expressly consent by doing or saying something.
The interpretation of personal information can include other subjective and objective elements of personal information as discussed. The definition of personal information on health is expansive. This interpretation must be carried forward for defining sensitive data. Further, the definition of health personal information can be expanded to include the provision of health care services, which reveal information about one’s health status.
Section 5 & 6: Cybersecurity Centre
Issues to be addressed
The setting up of POTRAZ as the Cybersecurity Centre is problematic. The responsibilities of POTRAZ are already wide under the original enabling Act, the PTA. These added powers will make POTRAZ a super-executive institution, with limited independent oversight. POTRAZ under the PTA reports to the Minister, and no one else. Additional mandate under this proposed Bill will report to the Minister as well.
Recommendations
A separate institution should be set up as the Cybersecurity Centre. However, if the Bill retains POTRAZ in this role then POTRAZ must report and be accountable to Parliament. Its mandate and enforcement of human rights require independent oversight and not the executive. It is also international practice that there should be Parliamentary oversight on such bodies.
Section 7 & 8: Data Protection Authority (DPA)
Issues to be addressed
The Bill provides wide-ranging powers to POTRAZ, an institution that already controls significant data, processed and or controlled by mobile network operators (MNOs), internet service providers (ISPs), and mobile money operators. The powers under s 8 are very expansive and what will result is that POTRAZ will be a super-administrative body, and reporting to the executive, through the Minister.
A quick review of the PTA establishing POTRAZ evidences an executive driven authority. This undermines functional and operational independence.
Section 4(3) of the PTA is verbatim s 8 (2) of the Bill. Despite this intent, there are several provisions in the PTA that gives the minister powers to interfere; s 25 (1), minister issues policy directions on national interest, which the Board shall take all necessary measures to comply with, s 25 (3); s 26 (1)-(2), the minister may direct Board to reverse, suspend or rescind its decisions or actions, after the minister consultations with President, that Board decision was not in the “national or public interest or the interests of consumers or licensees.” The PTA establishing POTRAZ as the Authority is therefore clearly littered with provisions obliterating functional and operational independence.
Recommendations
The DPA functions should be resident in a new and independent institution and a statutory commission. The Bill should provide for an independent DPA, accountable to Parliament. The appointment processes must be publicly conducted to instil confidence and legitimacy.
It is possible that arguments on the availability of resources for such an initiative might be raised. However additional institutions are being created such as the Public Protector under Constitution Amendment Bill number 2 whose functions can easily include data protection and handling of complaints from the public. The Authority will be providing advice on constitutional matters, which also relate to the right to privacy and access to information.
In its current composition, POTRAZ is not suited for any of these purposes. The POTRAZ Board has diverse but not appropriate skills set for conducting policy advice and oversight on issues such as the right to privacy and access to information. The technical staff working on data protection should also be recruited in open public processes.
Section 9 (1)(a)-(c): Quality of data
Issues to be addressed
This provision summarizes the data protection principles applicable to a data controller. Unfortunately, to make this short and precise, the Bill leaves out critical aspects or has them scattered in other sections, including Part V, sections 10 and 11, making the Bill a complicated read.
Recommendations
Part IV should clearly spell out the principles of data protection, and that these are applicable to the data controller, and any other person in their control or authority including data processor. These principles can be further expanded in the Bill as it relates to aspects of processing data for instance, on issues of consent, processing of sensitive data and automated processing of data. These principles can be placed before the functions or designation of the DPA/Authority as they constitute the foundation of DPA/Authority’s function and mandate. The current drafting makes data subject rights afterthoughts and hidden in the Bill’s text
Section 12 (3): Non-sensitive data
Issues to be addressed
This provision allows for processing of non-sensitive data without the consent of the data subject in certain circumstances which include for purposes of “performing a task carried out in the public interest…” Public interest has attracted a wide definition and application. Absence of a definition of public interest removes clarity and lends itself to broad interpretation, if not abuse. Authorities should not be given this wide latitude to process non-sensitive data without sufficient guard rails.
Recommendations
Section 12 (3) (d) should list the specific issues that constitute or qualify as public interest. For s 12(3)(e), the drafters should provide guidance on interpretation and application to remove any prejudice or harm being suffered by the data subject if there is doubt in balancing interests.
Section 12(4)
Issues to be addressed
This provision stipulates that conditions indicating satisfaction with subsection (3) may be outlined and this is not a sufficient safeguard.
Recommendations
The data controller and processor have the onus of proving that their actions are for the protection of personal data and privacy. The conditions must be outlined in the regulations and codes of conduct to avoid abuse and inconsistent interpretation.
Section 13(2): Sensitive information
Issues to be addressed
Section 13 (2) has several exceptions to consent which presents difficulties. Of note is s 13 (2) (b), (d), and (f) which focus on vital interests of the data subject or another person, national security and data in public domain respectively.
Vital interests of data subject or another person is considerably a wide framing and can be abused, especially in the absence of guidelines.
The use of wide exemptions that cover “national security” or “public order” is problematic, hence not recommended. History has shown that such framing lends itself to abuse.
The Bill suggests that since data is already in the public domain it is subject to processing without the data subjects’ consent. This has grave implications. First, the data subject might have placed it in the public domain for a specific purpose that it had been processed for. The fact that the data is a public record or in the public domain, even with the consent of the data subject does not extend to further processing of any kind.
Section 13 (2) (a) speaks of specific rights of the controller in the field of “employment law”, this is potentially misleading. A data controller in the employment field or law does not have rights as they relate to the data, they have duties and legal obligations. Rights are for the natural person whose data is being processed.
Recommendations
To constitute a legitimate and justifiable exemption this provision must be expanded to indicate that the exemption is clearly defined and prescribed by law; they should be legitimate as they advance or respect individual rights and freedoms under the constitution and the Bill and necessary, proportionate in a democratic state. Equally substantial public interest should be considered as such if lawful if the processing is proportionate and there are sufficient safeguards for data protection and privacy.
The data that is publicly available due to the data subject’s act must be protected from further processing of any other purposes other than the intended purposes it had been collected or made public for. Public availability should not be assumed as consent, neither does this constitute legal grounds for additional processing of the data.
The processing of data subject’s data to protect the interests of another person should be clearly framed to indicate that “another person” is a natural identifiable person and not juristic persons. This will eliminate or mitigate against abuse. Vital interests of another person should be clearly defined as those that constitute existential needs and interests. If also there is knowledge that the data subject even if the vital interests existed would not have consented to the processing of the data, then such processing should be deemed unlawful.
The section might be intending to address the legal obligations of the data controller in the employment law, this should be stated as such.
Section 14: Genetic data, biometric sensitive data and health data
Issues to be addressed
Section 14 (3) has exemptions to consent on processing of genetic, biometric sensitive and health data similar to s 13 above. Section 14 (3) (a) exempts consent in writing if processing is in compliance with national security laws or (d) processing is required by or by virtue of law or any equivalent legislative act for reasons of substantial public interest or (e), processing is necessary to protect vital interests of the data subject, or another person (g) data relates to data made public by the data subject.
Recommendations
The recommendations proffered with regards to Section 13 shall apply
Sections 15 and 16: Disclosures when and when not collecting data directly from data subject
Issues to be addressed
Section 15 (e) (i) and section 16 (e) (ii) provides for the data to be disclosed to “recipients or categories of recipients of the data”. It presupposes some level of sharing of personal data with other recipients and categories not stated.
Further, the provision does not specify if the recipients have safeguards or are cross border recipients.
Recommendations
These provisions must consider inclusion of a section on sharing of data and if the data will be shared or legitimately disclosed to another recipient.
The section should provide for the data subject to be informed when personal data are first disclosed to the recipient.
Rights of data subjects
Issues to be addressed
The Bill provides for various rights for data subjects in different parts of the Bill. This is commendable but not sufficient. Sections with data subject rights include ss9 (1) (b), 15(1) (c), 15 (e) (iii), and 16(1) (d) providing for right to object, right to access and rectify.
Recommendations
The Bill will benefit from listing all the data subject rights separately and then reinforcing them with specific sections on their application. These rights, based on international practices and standards include the following:
The data subject’s right of access
The data subject’s right to rectification.
The right to erasure or the right to be forgotten
The right to data portability.
The data subject right not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing,
The right to be notified when there is a breach, or the personal information and data is compromised, or accessed by unauthorized means
Section 19: Security Breach Notification
Issues to be addressed
The section is short. There is no specification of when notification should be conducted other than that there should be no undue delay. The Bill should be very clear as to what constitutes undue delay or within what period after the discovery of the breach should notification be made.
The Bill is silent on notification of breach to data subjects
Recommendations
The Bill must expand on the notification requirements by the data controller to the Authority, including the nature of notification, the time allowed after the breach is discovered to notify the Authority. This cannot be more than 72 hours unless the reasons for further delay are provided. If the drafters are concerned with a voluminous Bill, these clarifications must be included in regulations. Otherwise, as currently framed s19 is insufficient to allow the Authority to exercise oversight on data controllers, and or processors.
Notification guidelines or regulations should specify; a) nature of the personal data breach, number of data subjects affected, categories of data breached; b) include contact persons or details for data protection officer; c) likely impact of the data breach; and, d) measures taken by controller.
A data subject should be notified of data breach and it shall be in plain and clear language. Lack of notification of data subjects means that they are not able to seek redress or mitigate harm. Even if the information was encrypted or under storage capability that limits exposure, notification to the data subject is right, and not a privilege. South Africa’s POPI Act, s22 provides that notification shall be in writing and communicated through mail, sent by email, or placed in a prominent position on the website of responsible party, or published in the news. Uganda has similar provisions. Notification can only be waived if the identity of such data subject cannot be established or if the notification constitutes a disproportionate effort as defined under the Bill.
Section 20: Obligation of notification to authority
Issues to be addressed
The section introduces a new term: automated operation in addition to automated processing. The section is convoluted, and easily creates confusion of its intended objective
Notification for processing of data is also exempted if “there is no apparent risk of infringement of the data subject’s rights and freedoms” or the data controller has appointed a data protection officer. This is the first time a data protection officer is introduced in the Bill, in the middle of notification issue, which is the responsibility of a data controller, and or processor. Even though the DPO under the Bill is charged by the controller “with ensuring, in an independent manner, compliance with the obligations provided for in this Act” there are no detailed provisions of her or his responsibilities other than leaving that for guidelines to expand.
Recommendations
The Bill should use consistent terms throughout unless if automated operation or set of operations is defined to mean something different from automated processing which the Bill uses on several instances.
The DPO appointments and functions require development as much as is possible in the Bill, or immediately after enactment but before commencement to allow institutions to comply if they need to appoint DPOs. There is no clarity on when a DPO is required.
Section 22: Authorisation
Issues to be addressed
The Bill does not outline the criteria to be used to decide to conduct an inspection and assessment of security systems other than it being the opinion that specific risks to privacy rights exists. The fact that s 22 allows the Authority to establish categories of data which requires specific processing based on risks to fundamental rights of data subjects is not sufficient.
Categories of data do not address the discretion to conduct or not to conduct an assessment and inspection. The significantly wide discretion to the data controller leaves this to a reasonable person test on whether in that person’s opinion risks existed or not.
Data retention periods are not clearly stipulated in the Bill
Recommendations
An inspection and assessment should ideally be conducted before processing. The Bill should make specific provisions for data impact assessments/inspections, including requirements of notification to data subject which must be concise, and in clear, simple language. The Bill must provide for guidelines for data processors on what would result in data protection assessments and inspection. The criteria should include possible profiling, large volumes of data, merging of different data gathered by different processes, use of newer technologies or possible data transfer to countries.
There are other laws which allow retention of data for instance in the telecommunications field in respect of traffic data, or subscriber information. This data is regulated under a different regulation and instrument. The application of the Bill in such matters must be clarified
Section 23: Openness of processing and Section 24: Accountability
Issues to be addressed
This provision is commendable as it advances openness and transparency of the Authority’s data processing activities. Section 24 provides for accountability of data controller in complying with the principles in the Bill.
Recommendations
The maintenance of register ideally should be included in the data protection principles and the functions of the Authority. The register should not be left to the last sections of the Bill. The level of openness must be manifest throughout the Bill. All registered data controllers should be kept in a register open for public inspection. Accountability must be listed as one of the duties that data controllers are required to comply with. An accountability principle should be included in the Bill, for the Authority and data controllers.
Section 29: Transfer of data across borders
Issues to be addressed
Section 29(1) (d) allows for transfers without satisfaction or assurance of adequate level of protection in another place if “necessary or legally required on important public interest grounds”. Again, public interest grounds remain undefined in the Bill, making this susceptible to abuse.
Section 29(1) (e), allows for transfer without adequate protection if this is necessary in order to protect the vital interests of the data subject. This drafting is also considerably wide on vital interests and the guidelines must outline this.
Recommendations
Recommendations proffered in relation to Section 3 shall apply.
Section 31: Whistleblowing
Issues to be addressed
The section is thin on any protections guaranteed to whistleblowers – it actually does not offer any protections. This pales in comparison to efforts in neighbouring South Africa to protect whistleblowers through the Protected Disclosures Act. It is unlikely that Regulations will be comprehensive enough to cover an area that countries such as South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America have dedicated entire Acts to. This lack of actionable legislation to regulate whistleblowing is a cause for concern in a country such as Zimbabwe that is struggling with deep-rooted corruption in both the private and public sectors.
Recommendations
The recommendation here is that this Section be revised to set out guarantees of protection for whistleblowers as well as other concrete steps in the handling of investigations that result from whistleblower revelations
Section 35: Amendment to the Criminal Law Code
Issues to be addressed
There is a worrisome inclusion of the term “remote forensic tool” in the definitions. In this Bill, the remote forensic tool is defined as “an investigative tool including, software or hardware, installed on or in relation to a computer system or part of a computer system and used to perform tasks that include keystroke logging or transmission of an IP-address.”
This is problematic for several reasons; the use of the word “forensic” gives the impression that this is an investigative tool used to investigate events after the commission of an offence. The definition shows that the tool is actually used before the commission of a crime; it is a data collection tool that collects which includes keystroke logs through software or hardware that is remotely installed on a target’s electronic device.
Keystroke loggers are in actual fact privacy breaching tools that collect all the information inputted into a device such as a computer by recording every key typed in, the sequence the keys are typed in as well as recording every mouse click. When these keystrokes and mouse clicks are matched to websites visited, it becomes easy to collect sensitive information such as login details, passwords, banking information and other forms of sensitive information that is not related to the investigation or crime.
Recommendations
Neither the Bill nor the Criminal Law Code that it seeks to amend contain any judicial oversight on the use of such far-reaching technologies. There is no procedure at all relating to how this technology may be used and which state security agents may use it. The lack of any boundary setting provisions within which this technology may be used is shocking and reckless.
Such far-reaching technologies should therefore not be resorted to except in specified circumstances provided for under judicial oversight.
Offences relating to electronic communications and materials
Issues to be addressed
Section 164 criminalizes the sending of messages that incite violence or damage to property. In the past, this charge has been used to prosecute organizers of peaceful protests and other forms of public disobedience. The same goes for sections 164A and 164B that criminalize the sending of threatening messages and cyber-bullying and harassment respectively. These provisions are necessary but however, the way these Sections are widely worded makes it easy for the State and any of its security agencies to target and persecute individuals in the name of investigating crime in terms of this cyber law.
The same criticism applies to Section 164C which relates to the transmission of false data messages. This provision is similar to the scandalous provisions found in the outgoing AIPPA as well as the Criminal Law Code which were specifically aimed at silencing the Zimbabwean media and any other dissenting voices that dared criticize the government.
Recommendations
It is strongly recommended that these Sections relating to electronic communications be thoroughly revised to bring them into line with the constitutional provisions relating to free speech, media freedom as well as case law that criticized and in some instances struck down similarly worded provisions in AIPPA and the Criminal Law Code.
Annexed to this letter is also a comprehensive commentary on the Cybersecurity and Data Protection Bill that MISA-Zimbabwe produced, together with a Policy brief and a Policy Guide on the same. It is MISA-Zimbabwe’s hope, that based on these submissions and the attached documents, Parliament will be fully informed to exercise its role in the law-making process.
Yours sincerely,
Golden Maunganidze National Chairperson
Cc. Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Service Cc. Acting Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on ICT, Postal and Courier Services (Hon. A. Gandawa) Cc. Speaker of House of Assembly, Hon. J. Mudenda
The Supreme Court of appeal has ruled against a High Court ruling by Justice Christopher Dube -Banda which granted Marry Mubaiwa custody of their three children.
The court set aside the ruling citing the case in which Marry is accused of being mentally ill.
Mubaiwa and Vice President Rt Gen Constantino Dominic Nyikadzino Guvheya Chiweng have been embroiled in a custody battle after commencing their messy divorce proceedings.
In his appeal, Chiwenga told the Supreme Court that Mubaiwa cannot get custody of their three minor children after she admitted she was mentally ill and in need of urgent psychiatric treatment.
The matter was heard before a Supreme Court bench led by Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza alongside Justices Paddington Garwe and Chinembiri Bhunu.
“My Lords and lady the applicant (Chiwenga) is worried that respondent (Mubaiwa) wants to have the children but she personally submitted medical affidavit that stated that she was mentally unfit and needed to visit the doctor frequently which may not be prudent under the circumstances. The doctor concluded that Mubaiwa should be under the care of a physician, a surgeon and a psychiatrist,” said Chiwenga through his lawyer Advocate Lewis Uriri.
ZANU PF youth from Bulawayo have complained over the “turning of COVID-19 relief funds into loans” with stringent conditions to access the funding.
The government recently set up a $17 million COVID-19 relief fund for youths to cushion those affected by the coronavirus lockdown. Youths deputy minister Tinomuda Machakaire recently said the fund was being distributed equally across all provinces.
Bulawayo’s Mqamulazwe district youth league vice-chairman Ryan Mpofu said the conditions set for one to access the relief funds proved that it was a loan.
“Being Zanu PF does not mean I have to agree with something that is wrong,” Mpofu said.
“One should have a conscience and do the right thing. We should not agree for the people who are doing it but do things in a proper way.”
Mpofu added: “The relief fund is for youths and is non-partisan. But what is happening is that there are stringent conditions that have been put for one to access the funds.”
Some of the requirements are production of sales records, receipts from suppliers, and EcoCash statements, while the majority of informal traders do not have such documentation.
“This has happened before when people were promised projects and money but the question is how many people got the projects. Now they are wasting the little resources we have in travelling and printing and at the end of the day, we receive nothing,” Mpofu said.
“Who keeps a sales record while operating an informal business? There is absolutely no reason to have these records when operating an informal business, why are they asking for it? Even an EcoCash statement? Mostly, when we sell, we want cash, so why an EcoCash statement?”
Mqamulazwe district youth league secretary for administration Lesly Mafu added: “This relief fund is for every young person who is failing to make ends meet during the COVID-19 period.
A lot of businesses are closed and the youth usually do informal trading and their businesses are small and not recognised, but that is how they earn a living,” Mafu said.
“It is becoming very difficult for the youths, hence the relief fund so that they have something to put on the table. It’s a fund, not a loan. There is no need for so-called business documents.” Mafu said cross-broader traders should not be asked to produce a bank statement.
“It doesn’t make sense. This defeats the purpose of the fund,” Mafu said.
FC PLATINUM midfielder Ralph Kawondera believes coach Pieter de Jongh decision to ‘lock them up’ has helped them to remain in good shape.
The rest of Pure Platinum Play players remain are ‘locked up’ in Zvishavane since the beginning of the lockdown period as a directive from de Jongh.
As reported by H-Metro earlier, the Dutch tactician has ordered all the players to remain in the mining town until a clear roadmap on the future of football in the country is released.
And speaking to H-Metro yesterday, Kawondera said the move by their coach has been helpful.
He said in as much they thought they could have managed it while at their homes, it has been more effective under de Jongh’s arrangement.
“Get me right, obviously the best feeling is to be with your family and loved ones especially during these trying times of Covid-19. That enable us to check on them and get an opportunity to create that bond since we are always on the road as players.
“That was not possible because we have been here in Zvishavane since lockdown period.
You know that order from the coach for us to remain here so that it’s easy for them to monitor if we are adhering to the workouts they would send to us.
“I think it has been helpful, personally my fitness levels are up there and it’s because of the decision for us to remain here. We are required to do run and do some workouts every day,” said Kawondera-H-Metro
Admiral Muskwe has returned to his parent club Leicester City following the end of his loan deal at English League 2 side Swindon Town.
The Warriors striker spent the last six month at the County Ground after joining the fourth-tier club in January. He will not be retained along with other loanees since the league season will not restart after the English Football League (EFL) officially ended the campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A statement by Swindon confirmed the development: “The club would like to thank all of its loanees from the 2019/20 season.
“Your hard work and commitment to the football club has been first-class throughout the campaign.”
During his time League 2, the Zimbabwean striker made five appearances, all coming in as a substitute-Soccer 24
Whether or not Zimbabwe will have a representative in the English Premier League next season depends on relegation-threatened Aston Villa’s fight for survival.
Well, some would say it also depends on Tendayi Darikwa’s Nottingham Forest’s push for a play off spot but that is a different episode on a different series.
Villa, home to Zimbabwean midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, who broke a 9-year wait for a local player to grace the English top flight when he was signed from Belgian giants Crub Brugge in August last year, are flirting with relegation with their status hanging by a thread.
They battled to a 1-1 draw with Newcastle at St James’ Park last night- what could turn out to be a lifeline in their quest for survival.
Admittedly, the Claret and Blue have not had the best of returns to the English top division; they have won a paltry seven games this season and are 19th on the table, though only goal difference separates them from 17th placed West Ham United.
While Zimbabweans were not happy with Nakamba being dropped to the bench for the third consecutive game since football in England returned, as evidenced by some of their hilarious posts on Twitter, what’s more important now is the club’s survival.
They host impressive Wolves on Saturday, before traveling to Anfield for a date with champions-elect Liverpool, then host top-4 chasing Manchester United, in what is likely to be a nail-biting and congested period in the Premier League- Soccer 24
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance president, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has described the outcome of the Presidential election in Malawi as a major breakthrough for democracy.
Although the Malawi Election Commission has said official results are yet to be announced, indications are that Dr Lazarus Chakwera is poised for victory.
“New life to Malawi! Congratulations to the President Elect.A true believer in Christ.
Dr Lazarus Chakwera served at the helm of the Assemblies of God for many years.
The Lord has given Malawi a Godly man.Kudos to state organs’ professionalism and citizens’ vigilance.Well done Malawi,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
Marvelous Nakamba is again starting on the bench as Aston Villa face Newcastle away at St James Park.
The Zimbabwean midfielder is yet to start in first XI since the season restart. However, he has featured as a second half substitute in all the two games that have been played when the campign returned.
Kick-off for today’s encounter is at 7 pm Zim/CAT. SuperSport TV will bring the game live.
By Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala MDC Alliance National Vice Chairman
Change of hands in national leadership is critical for every country especially in Africa where rulers think that their subjects owe them a life. Congratulations to Malawi.
Thanks to the Malawian people. What we must understand is that this did not come through Whatsapp politics.
The sovereign of the people was protected by the Courts after the people have demonstrated their power.
People Power resolved the Malawian electoral dispute. Had it not been of the people who stood shoulder high to protect their will, Malawi could not have achieved what it achieved today.
The Courts could not be complicity in defeating the will of the people because the voice of the people was roaring in the streets. The street became the theatre of the struggle.
Our problem as Zimbabwe is that we talk too much and we have all become political analysts. Deliverance zero. This is the challenge we must all face.
The role played by civil society leaders and political leaders in Malawi to give direction to the struggle is priceless. They were committed. Planned its prosecution with precision. We can’t celebrate what we failed to deliver ourselves. I take this as a challenge to all of us to think twice whether we are really serious about a new order in our country.
Let’s move away from the chariots of Whatsapp politics and look the beast in the eye. This struggle needs direction ladies and gentlemen.
If not careful tichasvika pakufa tichingokuza and congratulate those who achieve. As a leader myself, it’s also a huge challenge to me that we have talked enough. It’s time to deliver and act. I will not betray the people of Zimbabwe on that call.
The Malawi Election Commission (MEC) has warned members of the public against unofficial announcement of rerun election results.
Malawi held the rerun elections on the 23rd of June after the Supreme Court last year annulled Mutharika’s re-election citing irregularities.
Addressing a news conference in Blantyre, the chairperson of the MEC Chifundo Kachale said:
We appeal to Malawians to maintain peace and calm as the vote-counting continues.
Polls closed across Malawi Tuesday evening but the electoral commission has until July 3 to unveil the results, although the announcement is widely thought likely to come this week.
Meanwhile, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has accused the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UTM Party supporters of assaulting its monitors during the election.
President Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are in an alliance with another party, the United Democratic Front (UDF).
MCP’s Lazarus Chakwera is leading a nine-party opposition coalition, the Tonse Alliance, and has the backing of former President Joyce Banda as well as the country’s vice-president, Saulos Chilima, as his running mate.
Mr Chilima – who finished third in the 2019 vote – was once an ally of President Mutharika, but has since fallen out with him- BBC
On Olympic Day, 23 June 2020, the International Olympic Committee and WHO together with the United Nations launch a partnership to encourage individuals and communities around the world to be #HEALTHYTogether.
The three partners and Olympic athletes will spotlight the global collaboration needed to stay healthy and reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19.
Olympic athletes will help deliver important public health information, to inspire people to adopt or continue behaviours that will curtail the pandemic and provide information that promotes physical and mental health.
The partnership kicks off today with Olympians around the world showcasing various exercises to stay healthy during this time.
A WHO survey showed that many people who had severe COVID-19 disease were already living with or at risk for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
The results emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle including being physically active, having a healthy diet, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol.
“We are pleased to partner with the International Olympic Committee to spread important health messages that will save lives.
Olympians will help us advocate for healthier populations to ensure that people are as resilient as our health systems must be to fight COVID-19,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO.
Over the past six months, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every corner of the globe and every aspect of people‘s lives.
The world is looking for global institutions to work together and for leaders to deliver reliable, credible information from sources they trust. Olympic athletes are symbols of strength that can act as trusted messengers for this information.
IOC President Thomas Bach said, “Sport can save lives. We have seen over the last few months just how important sport and physical activity are for health and well-being. And working together with the WHO and the United Nations we can take another step together.
We will ask our Olympic athletes to help share the information and best practice that the world needs now.”
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, added “During this time of unprecedented challenges and change — from the COVID-19 pandemic to the ongoing struggle for racial and social justice, to the climate crisis –there has never been a greater need for global solidarity and hope.
The Olympic movement and its athletes have always brought out the best in humanity, and the United Nations is pleased to work with the International Olympic Committee and the calling on people everywhere to unite and be #HEALTHYTogether.”
The global partnership will act locally, through the voices of Olympic athletes – voices that symbolize perseverance, dedication and endurance – qualities all individuals need during this public health challenge.
WHO will work with athletes to bring tailored health messages to people who are living through various stages of the pandemic through digital platforms.
As COVID-19 forces changes to our daily routines and lives – from how we interact with others to how we move and exercise – we need to pay attention to our own mental and physical health and help others who may need extra support.
By working together, the aim of the partnership on Olympic Day and every day is to stay Healthy Together.
Credit:WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance National Deputy Chairperson, Job Sikhala has implored Zimbabweans to abandon WhatsApp politics and focus on real action.
According to Sikhala, the time to take the bull by the horns has arrived.
See full statement :
By Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala MDC Alliance National Vice Chairman
Change of hands in national leadership is critical for every country especially in Africa where rulers think that their subjects owe them a life. Congratulations to Malawi.
Thanks to the Malawian people. What we must understand is that this did not come through Whatsapp politics.
The sovereign of the people was protected by the Courts after the people have demonstrated their power.
People Power resolved the Malawian electoral dispute. Had it not been of the people who stood shoulder high to protect their will, Malawi could not have achieved what it achieved today.
The Courts could not be complicity in defeating the will of the people because the voice of the people was roaring in the streets. The street became the theatre of the struggle.
Our problem as Zimbabwe is that we talk too much and we have all become political analysts. Deliverance zero. This is the challenge we must all face.
The role played by civil society leaders and political leaders in Malawi to give direction to the struggle is priceless. They were committed. Planned its prosecution with precision. We can’t celebrate what we failed to deliver ourselves. I take this as a challenge to all of us to think twice whether we are really serious about a new order in our country.
Let’s move away from the chariots of Whatsapp politics and look the beast in the eye. This struggle needs direction ladies and gentlemen.
If not careful tichasvika pakufa tichingokuza and congratulate those who achieve. As a leader myself, it’s also a huge challenge to me that we have talked enough. It’s time to deliver and act. I will not betray the people of Zimbabwe on that call.
The foreign currency strapped Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) held its first forex auction on 23 June 2020. The auction yielded a weighted average weekly exchange rate of US$1: ZW$57 which will prevail until Tuesday the 30th June. The highest bid was ZW$100: US$1 and the lowest was ZW$$25: US$1. About US$10 million was alloted against total bids of US$11 million.
Soon after the announcement of results, retail prices jumped upwards in sympathy with the hike in parallel market rates that were pushed by the new official exchange rate. The Auction created new macro-economic shocks which have stoked a new round of inflation and parallel market rates. The system is porous as bidders may collect forex at a lower official rate and off load at the new parallel market rates of US$1:ZW$100. This is a vicious cycle. The country is not going anywhere. Fears have been raised about insider trading and information assymmetry. The results show that the amounts allocated to the fuel sector and import of medicines is very low compared to raw materials and machinery. This is surprising given the current Covid pandemic which requires the importation of sanitizers, masks and related equipment. The country is reeling from food shortages yet not much was alloted to food imports.
The foreign currency auction system has destabilized the market and pushed up parallel market rates and inflation. It is a zero sum game.
Government must accept full responsibility for policy missteps. The best thing to do is to take the route of complete redollarization accompanied by a post Covid economic stimulus package that will address productivity, export capacity and investment facilitation.
Finally, the RBZ must be sanctioned forthwith from further announcing or issuing new monetary policy measures as they create destabilizing macroeconomic shocks in the economy. Unless the RBZ is checked and it’s wings cut, the economic implosion is going to ignite a Revolution. But most importantly, government must implement political and economic reforms to stop the economic free fall. What is happening is just but a deficit of confidence.
The Malawi Election Commission (MEC) has warned members of the public against unofficial announcement of rerun election results.
Malawi held the rerun elections on the 23rd of June after the Supreme Court last year annulled Mutharika’s re-election citing irregularities.
Addressing a news conference in Blantyre, the chairperson of the MEC Chifundo Kachale said:
We appeal to Malawians to maintain peace and calm as the vote-counting continues.
Polls closed across Malawi Tuesday evening but the electoral commission has until July 3 to unveil the results, although the announcement is widely thought likely to come this week.
Meanwhile, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has accused the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UTM Party supporters of assaulting its monitors during the election.
President Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are in an alliance with another party, the United Democratic Front (UDF).
MCP’s Lazarus Chakwera is leading a nine-party opposition coalition, the Tonse Alliance, and has the backing of former President Joyce Banda as well as the country’s vice-president, Saulos Chilima, as his running mate.
Mr Chilima – who finished third in the 2019 vote – was once an ally of President Mutharika, but has since fallen out with him- BBC
By Jane Mlambo| Popular Zimbabwean musician, Jah Prayzah has become the first local musician to land the prestigious Silver Play button reserved for content creators who achieve 100 000 subscribers.
Breaking the news on his social media pages, the lanky crooner said it was a dream come true for him.
This is a dream come true. I still dream bigger but for what I have achieved so far I say thank you to you my fans, @youtube for giving us the platform and last but not least to God the Almighty for the talent amongst other blessings,” said Jah Prayzah.
According to Youtube, the Silver Play Button is the first play button award delivered to YouTubers with 100,000 subscribers as part of YouTube’s Creator Awards.
The award consists of a flat silver trophy in a metal casing and a YouTube play button symbol, as well as featuring the creator channel name’s embossed on it, along with the message “Congrats for surpassing 100,000 subscribers.”
The award is also the smallest in size of its type and is made out of 92% nickel, 5% carbon and 2.5% zinc, with traces of other metals.
On Olympic Day, 23 June 2020, the International Olympic Committee and WHO together with the United Nations launch a partnership to encourage individuals and communities around the world to be #HEALTHYTogether.
The three partners and Olympic athletes will spotlight the global collaboration needed to stay healthy and reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19.
Olympic athletes will help deliver important public health information, to inspire people to adopt or continue behaviours that will curtail the pandemic and provide information that promotes physical and mental health.
The partnership kicks off today with Olympians around the world showcasing various exercises to stay healthy during this time.
A WHO survey showed that many people who had severe COVID-19 disease were already living with or at risk for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
The results emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle including being physically active, having a healthy diet, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol.
“We are pleased to partner with the International Olympic Committee to spread important health messages that will save lives.
Olympians will help us advocate for healthier populations to ensure that people are as resilient as our health systems must be to fight COVID-19,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO.
Over the past six months, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every corner of the globe and every aspect of people‘s lives.
The world is looking for global institutions to work together and for leaders to deliver reliable, credible information from sources they trust. Olympic athletes are symbols of strength that can act as trusted messengers for this information.
IOC President Thomas Bach said, “Sport can save lives. We have seen over the last few months just how important sport and physical activity are for health and well-being. And working together with the WHO and the United Nations we can take another step together.
We will ask our Olympic athletes to help share the information and best practice that the world needs now.”
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, added “During this time of unprecedented challenges and change — from the COVID-19 pandemic to the ongoing struggle for racial and social justice, to the climate crisis –there has never been a greater need for global solidarity and hope.
The Olympic movement and its athletes have always brought out the best in humanity, and the United Nations is pleased to work with the International Olympic Committee and the calling on people everywhere to unite and be #HEALTHYTogether.”
The global partnership will act locally, through the voices of Olympic athletes – voices that symbolize perseverance, dedication and endurance – qualities all individuals need during this public health challenge.
WHO will work with athletes to bring tailored health messages to people who are living through various stages of the pandemic through digital platforms.
As COVID-19 forces changes to our daily routines and lives – from how we interact with others to how we move and exercise – we need to pay attention to our own mental and physical health and help others who may need extra support.
By working together, the aim of the partnership on Olympic Day and every day is to stay Healthy Together.
Credit:WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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Farai Dziva|Professor Jonathan Moyo has said it is everyone’s responsibility to fight for freedom from Zanu PF oppression.
Moyo added Zimbabweans should not expect MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa “to fight a lone battle.”
Below is Moyo’s argument: It’s therefore very wrong for Zimbabweans to expect @nelsonchamisa and MDC-A to fight alone against the system, which has usurped the constitutional authority of the people. Zimbabweans must fight together as one, just like Malawians. If Malawi did it, Zimbabwe can also did it!
Since Zim’s Constitution provides that executive authority, judicial authority & legislative authority belong to the people; the abuse of this authority to steal the 2018 presidential poll, endorse that theft & recall MDC-A MPs…
Congratulations to Malawi’s Tonse Alliance for winning the presidential election and to Malawians for once again expressing their will which will undoubtedly count, this time. Clearly nothing can stop an idea whose time has come. There are huge lessons for Zimbabwe from Malawi!
Having stolen presidential authority from @nelsonchamisa the military, which now controls state power, got Mnangagwa to get Parliament to steal legislative authority from the MDC-A via phoney recalls of its MPs, using a dubious Supreme Court judgment backed by MDC-T sellouts!
Against this background, the screaming question for Zim to learn from Malawi is deafening: why are Zimbabweans allowing the theft of their executive authority, judicial authority and now legislative authority to go unchallenged, by treating it as a Chamisa or MDC-A thing? Why?
The Supreme Court of appeal has ruled against a High Court ruling by Justice Christopher Dube -Banda which granted Marry Mubaiwa custody of their three children.
The court set aside the ruling citing the case in which Marry is accused of being mentally ill.
Mubaiwa and Vice President Rt Gen Constantino Dominic Nyikadzino Guvheya Chiweng have been embroiled in a custody battle after commencing their messy divorce proceedings.
In his appeal Chiwenga told the Supreme Court that Mubaiwa cannot get custody of their three minor children after she admitted she was mentally ill and in need of urgent psychiatric treatment.
The matter was heard before a Supreme Court bench led by Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza alongside Justices Paddington Garwe and Chinembiri Bhunu.
“My Lords and lady the applicant (Chiwenga) is worried that respondent (Mubaiwa) wants to have the children but she personally submitted medical affidavit that stated that she was mentally unfit and needed to visit the doctor frequently which may not be prudent under the circumstances. The doctor concluded that Mubaiwa should be under the care of a physician, a surgeon and a psychiatrist,” said Chiwenga through his lawyer Advocate Lewis Uriri. –Byo24
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance president, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has described the outcome of the Presidential election in Malawi as a major breakthrough for democracy.
Although the Malawi Election Commission has said official results are yet to be announced, indications are that Dr Lazarus Chakwera is poised for victory.
“New life to Malawi! Congratulations to the President Elect.A true believer in Christ.
Dr Lazarus Chakwera served at the helm of the Assemblies of God for many years.
The Lord has given Malawi a Godly man.Kudos to state organs’ professionalism and citizens’ vigilance.Well done Malawi,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
By A Correspondent- Reports from Habakkuk Trust Community Advocacy Action Teams in Matabeleland Province indicate that a significant number of shops are refusing to transact in local currency.
The trust in a report stated that shops in Umzingwane and Matobo Districts are reportedly refusing to accept payments in local currency, a move that has left some communities stranded.
“The deepening economic crisis characterized by hyperinflation has seen a surge in the prices of basic commodities countrywide. The prices increases have been attributed to the plummeting of the local currency against the US Dollar. Currently, the local currency is trading at 1usd: $88 on the parallel market,”the trust said.
Some shop owners at Mawabeni Business Centre in Umzingwane Ward 5 are allegedly refusing to take the local currency, accepting the Rand and USD for transactions. Habakkuk Trust Community Advocacy Action Teams in the area have raised concerns over the issue.
“This a worrying development especially considering that we are still on lockdown and most people are not working,” said one of the Habakkuk Trust Action Team member in the area.
In the meantime, community members in Matobo Ward 19 have lamented the unprofessional conduct displayed by shop owners as they are reportedly charging exorbitant prices to deter consumers from paying in local currency.
“Some products cost almost twice as much in local currency in order to force people to use the rand,” said Shakespear Ndlovu, a Habakkuk Trust Community Advocacy Action Team Convener in the Ward.
In Matobo Ward 11, shop owners are reportedly demanding forex for essential goods like mealie meal, sugar, cooking oil, and flour while accepting ZWL for smaller items like salt and matches.
In some parts of Nkayi District, it has been reported that shop owners are refusing $2 and $5 bond denominations alleging that they have since expired.
The Government’s inconsistency in the implementation of monetary measures coupled with placid enforcement efforts has been blamed for illicit trading practices prevalent in the retail sector. According to analysts, the move by Government to permit service stations to sell fuel in forex will accelerate the re-dollarisation of the Zimbabwean economy.
Habakkuk Trust implores the government of Zimbabwe through the Finance Ministry to enact measures to reduce illicit trade practices in the retail sector.
Soldiers have assaulted journalists Munashe Chokodza and Leopold Munhende this evening, 24 June 2020, who were returning home from work. The duo was assaulted with military whips at the Warren Park shopping centre in Harare. The journalists work for online news sites 263Chatand NewZimbabwe.com respectively.
When the journalists dropped off at the shopping centre, the army was apparently dispersing people from the shopping centre. They stopped the two and questioned them as to why they were not observing the lockdown regulations. Both Munhende and Chokodza produced their press cards and explained that they were coming from work, as they are part of the essential service workers.
The soldiers apparently remarked, “You journalists think you are special in this country”, before ordering them to roll on the ground and assaulted the duo. They both sustained injuries in the process.
MISA Zimbabwe Lawyer Chris Mhike is assisting the journalists in reporting the case with the police for them to access medical care.
MISA Zimbabwe position
MISA Zimbabwe condemns these acts of barbarism by our men and women in uniform. Journalists cannot continue to be punching bags for daring to perform their professional duties, which are defined in the constitution with such impunity. These acts of barbarism are unacceptable in a country that claims to be a democracy, worse off 40 years after independence.
The assault of these journalists shows a clear disregard of media freedom by members of the security forces. It is a violation of Section 61 of the Constitution, the High Court ruling on the 20th of April 2020, which recognized the role of the media during the lockdown and the government’s statutory instrument classifying the media as an essential service in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Section 44 of the Constitution is very clear that the State and every person including state agencies at every level must respect, protect, promote and fulfil the declaration of rights.
MISA Zimbabwe seeks to emphasize that media freedom is essential to the creation of an open and democratic society and should not be interfered with. Journalists are contributing meaningfully to the general public’s access to information and as such their role should be recognized and respected.
MISA Zimbabwe, therefore, re-emphasizes to all the security forces and the general public that journalism is not a crime!
By A Correspondent- Reports from Habakkuk Trust Community Advocacy Action Teams in Matabeleland Province indicate that a significant number of shops are refusing to transact in local currency.
The trust in a report stated that shops in Umzingwane and Matobo Districts are reportedly refusing to accept payments in local currency, a move that has left some communities stranded.
“The deepening economic crisis characterized by hyperinflation has seen a surge in the prices of basic commodities countrywide. The prices increases have been attributed to the plummeting of the local currency against the US Dollar. Currently, the local currency is trading at 1usd: $88 on the parallel market,”the trust said.
Some shop owners at Mawabeni Business Centre in Umzingwane Ward 5 are allegedly refusing to take the local currency, accepting the Rand and USD for transactions. Habakkuk Trust Community Advocacy Action Teams in the area have raised concerns over the issue.
“This a worrying development especially considering that we are still on lockdown and most people are not working,” said one of the Habakkuk Trust Action Team member in the area.
In the meantime, community members in Matobo Ward 19 have lamented the unprofessional conduct displayed by shop owners as they are reportedly charging exorbitant prices to deter consumers from paying in local currency.
“Some products cost almost twice as much in local currency in order to force people to use the rand,” said Shakespear Ndlovu, a Habakkuk Trust Community Advocacy Action Team Convener in the Ward.
In Matobo Ward 11, shop owners are reportedly demanding forex for essential goods like mealie meal, sugar, cooking oil, and flour while accepting ZWL for smaller items like salt and matches.
In some parts of Nkayi District, it has been reported that shop owners are refusing $2 and $5 bond denominations alleging that they have since expired.
The Government’s inconsistency in the implementation of monetary measures coupled with placid enforcement efforts has been blamed for illicit trading practices prevalent in the retail sector. According to analysts, the move by Government to permit service stations to sell fuel in forex will accelerate the re-dollarisation of the Zimbabwean economy.
Habakkuk Trust implores the government of Zimbabwe through the Finance Ministry to enact measures to reduce illicit trade practices in the retail sector.
Five more people tested Covid-19 positive yesterday bringing the total number of people who have tested positive so far to 530.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care all new cases are of people who returned from South Africa and all are in isolation.
“As at June 24, 2020, Zimbabwe had 530 confirmed cases, including 123 recoveries and six deaths. Two of the cases were recorded in Midlands, two in Matabeleland South and one in Mashonaland West provinces,” read the statement.
Bulawayo now has 64 confirmed Covid-19 cases.
Matabeleland South has 49 cases while Matabeleland North has 15 cases.
By A Correspondent- Norton legislator (independent), Temba Mliswa was on Wednesday banned from six Parliamentary sittings.
The ban was imposed by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Jacob Mudenda who cited disorderly conduct in the Chamber.
The ban was imposed following Mliswa’s repeated interjections which in turn disrupted the business of the House.
Earlier on, Adv Mudenda had reprimanded Mr Mliswa for disorderly conduct that he did last week where, in a fit of rage, he charged at another legislator, not for the first time.
This is the first time advocate Mudenda has invoked the newly approved measures in the Standing Orders which were adopted by Parliament a fortnight ago allowing a presiding officer to prevent a legislator from attending sittings for a prescribed period.
When the Standing Orders were adopted, some analysts said they were meant to clip members of opposition parties in the country, particularly MDC Alliance who have been “disrespecting” President Mnangagwa by boycotting sessions he attended or walking out or singing as he steps into the chamber.
MDC Alliance members were saying president Mnangagwa was illegitimate after his ruling ZANU PF, in connivance with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission stole the 2018 presidential election
By A Correspondent- The Malawi Election Commission (MEC) has warned members of the public against unofficial announcement of rerun election results.
Malawi held the rerun elections on the 23rd of June after the Supreme Court last year annulled Mutharika’s re-election citing irregularities.
Addressing a news conference in Blantyre, the chairperson of the MEC Chifundo Kachale said:
We appeal to Malawians to maintain peace and calm as the vote-counting continues.
Polls closed across Malawi Tuesday evening but the electoral commission has until July 3 to unveil the results, although the announcement is widely thought likely to come this week.
Meanwhile, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has accused the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UTM Party supporters of assaulting its monitors during the election.
President Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are in an alliance with another party, the United Democratic Front (UDF).
MCP’s Lazarus Chakwera is leading a nine-party opposition coalition, the Tonse Alliance, and has the backing of former President Joyce Banda as well as the country’s vice-president, Saulos Chilima, as his running mate.
Mr Chilima – who finished third in the 2019 vote – was once an ally of President Mutharika, but has since fallen out with him.
By A Correspondent- The Zambian Minister of Health, Chitalu Chilufya was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday on suspicion of corruption.
The anti-graft body’s spokesperson Jonathan Siame indicated in a statement Chilufya, 47, was charged with four counts of possession of property reasonably suspected of being the proceeds of crime but did not specify the property. Reads the statement in part:
The arrest follows investigations the Commission has been conducting against the minister in relation to the above allegations.
Chilufya has been released and is expected to appear before the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court on 9th July 2020 and If convicted, he is likely to get a 5-year jail term.
His arrest comes barely a week after his Zimbabwean counterpart, Dr Obadiah Moyo was also arrested and charged with criminal abuse of office thereby prejudicing the country of a minimum of US$40 million according to court papers.
The military is terminating its platinum mining deal with a Chinese firm to pave the way for new investors after over a decade of unfruitful engagement.
The development comes after Global Platinum (GPR) which was established in 2004 by the army and Chinese firm, Wanbao Rexco, has failed to mine a single ounce of the white metal from 520 million ounce platinum resources rich mine along the Great Dyke area.
GPR technical manager Retired Brigadier General Livingstone Chineka told Business Times that the government is officially terminating the deal to pave way for other investors.
“We are fed up with Wanbao Rexco since they came here in 2004 employing their own people and exploiting the country’s platinum resources for absolutely nothing, we can’t accept that.
“We knew that there was nowhere we were going with that deal but Covid-19 has made them accept that the deal is no longer in 2020 as world economies continue to crash due to the effects of the epidemic. The position is that Wanbao is no longer part of GPR and we expect the new investors to come on board when the lockdown restrictions come to an end,” Chineka said.
The army-Chinese marriage has been rocky amid claims the foreign investor was allegedly fleecing off the locals. The dispute centres on allegations that the company only employed Chinese explorers to carry out pre-feasibility and feasibility studies at inflated prices. Wanbao has spent over US$80m in exploration and feasibility studies.
A recent audit also stoked suspicions after US$20m was unaccounted for. The Chinese company which was spending US$1m for maintenance has finally dumped the project due to viability challenges.
Chinese feasibility studies were said to cost more than what the local studies cost as the Asians wanted to take more money from the deal.
In January this year, the army and Chinese investors met VicePresident Chiwenga to plot the way forward for the platinum miner.
The parties agreed to work together but the situation did not take time as Covid-19 intensified in March and everything stopped.
GPR is said to have untapped platinum claims of 86,7km2 which is a way bigger than those of Ngezi, Mimosa and Unki mines combined.
Chineka said they were convinced that the argument about the project is not based on the economic viability of the project but completely driven by financial difficulties on the part of the Chinese partners.
He argued that the root of all their problems with their Chinese counterparts was the failure by Wanbao to respect and honour the local people as all personnel, materials came from China without any benefit to the local people.
He also said petty things like exercise books, tissues and all stationery came all from the Far East yet there are a lot of local companies and skilled workers who can do the job.
When contacted for comment Wanbao officials could not pick their mobile phones.
Zimbabwe holds one of the world’s largest known platinum deposits and has been pushing mining firms operating in the country to build refineries to stop the export of raw platinum ore to earn more foreign currency.
2/ The two journalists Leopold Munhende and Munashe Chokodza were assaulted earlier this evening by 6 or 7 armed soldiers in Warren Park 1. They were stopped and questioned & after producing their press cards, they were made to lie down & assaulted. pic.twitter.com/gs4Ek8jYuk
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has announced that Sisters-in-charge at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals have withdrawn their labour with immediate effect due to incapacitation.
In a letter dated 24 June 2020 and addressed to the Chief Executive Officer Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, ZINA said nurses were withdrawing their labour until the government is serious about addressing their grievances. The letter read:
Re: INCAPACITATION OF SISTERS IN CHARGES AT PARIRENYATWA GROUP OF HOSPITALS
The above subject matter refers. We note with concern the lack of urgency by the employer in addressing issues raised by ZINA.
The ongoing incapacitation has not been doing any good to the patient care in this COVID 19 pandemic period.
We have noted that despite the sacrifices shown by nurses the employer has not been forthcoming.
As part of ZINA membership, we share the same grievances and we have been holding fort at our respective wards despite being overwhelmed by the workload.
After consultation and deliberations, we hereby notify that we are withdrawing our services with immediate effect until the employer takes the nurses grievances seriously by way of fruitful negotiations.
MCP, the opposition party asked Mutharika to concede defeat in Malawi fresh presidential elections as the alleged margin in Malawi by Dr. Lazurus Chakwera’s has passed a huge statement in African politics.
Opposition candidate Lazarus Chakwera appears to be massively ahead in the vote count for the Malawi’s presidential re-run, but no official results yet.
Malawi Electoral Commission has not validated even 5% of the votes yet. The figures that are streaming in are those signed and verified by MEC and the parties at district level but they have to be verified by MEC commissioners at the National tally center.
It’s will be a revolutionary win in Malawi if opposition party wins. First, Malawi followed Kenya’s example by nullifying presidential polls.
To prove the power of people, they went into the streets and fought his police force! They went to court & the judiciary was not corrupt.
The 2019 Presidential Elections were annulled by the Constitutional Court over irregularities. In the 500-page judgment, the court cited various irregularities and anomalies petitioners had brought before the court against the Malawi (MEC). These irregularities included the use of correction fluid, uses of duplicate forms and lack of signatures on some result sheets.
The court provided only 2 weeks to prepare and get ready for a repeat election between the presidential contestants with President Peter Mutharika and opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera leading the pack.
Malawians protected their votes by escorting the election officials that were moving the ballot papers during the Presidential election re-run.
The reign of Peter Mutharika, may be coming to an end and this will send a message to Africans that there is a wind of change in Africa.
Netizens feel Malawi have purposefully provided an example to countries all over the world on how to effectively implement democracy.
Norton legislator (independent), Temba Mliswa was on Wednesday banned from six Parliamentary sittings. The ban was imposed by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Jacob Mudenda who cited disorderly conduct in the Chamber.
The ban was imposed following Mliswa’s repeated interjections which in turn disrupted the business of the House.
Earlier on, Adv Mudenda had reprimanded Mr Mliswa for disorderly conduct that he did last week where, in a fit of rage, he charged at another legislator, not for the first time.
We publish below the full altercation between Mliswa and Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda before Mliswa was ordered out.
HON. T. MLISWA: Sir, they are provoking me. My dad taught that if I am beaten up at school, I must also hit back. They must be restrained, they are old people. I respect them and there are some ladies who are doing that and who are old enough to be my mother. Can they behave like mothers and not be involved in the fight of kids.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order. Can you sit down please
Hon. Member? Hon. Mliswa, what you were told by your father is inapplicable because at that time you were not a Member of Parliament.
Allow the Chair to control the House. Thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Sikhala, can we be procedural?
HON. SIKHALA: If these people continue to provoke like this Mr. Speaker and you protect them – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – [HON. T. MLISWA: I am ready to be suspended. I am better off in my Constituency than a bunch of empty heads like these …
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order. Hon. Mliswa, order. – [HON. T. MLISWA: Why are you not reprimanding them. Order, I will answer you. Hon. Mliswa, can you withdraw your language again?
HON. T. MLISWA: I cannot be told to withdraw all the time when others are not told to withdraw. It never works like that. The law is for both sides. Therefore, I withdraw but may they be reprimanded when it is their time. We are also human. Our self esteem is important when we come here. We were elected by people. They have the manifesto which they cannot follow and the economy is dying, why do they not work on that and call Government. The Ministers do not come.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order, order Hon. Mliswa. The
Standing Order says and this will apply to Hon. Sikhala. If there is a Member who is making certain a pronouncement, bring this to the attention of the Chair.
HON. T. MLISWA: Mr. Speaker, I brought it up. On Hon. Chanda, I brought it up. It was well heard. I pleaded that I am being attacked, I kept on being attacked I said I can attack back. Over my dead father’s body, people heard me say that, please rescue me. I was being attacked but in your ruling you did not even reprimand him. The truth must be said and I am prepared to be suspended for the truth. My
Constituency is more important than being in this House.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Mliswa, you are removed from the House for the next six sittings. – [HON. T. MLISWA: Even for good, I do not like being here. It is a useless House Mr. Speaker, it must be fair. Not partisan. My Constituency is more important.] – Hon. T. Mliswa left the House.
The Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda has imposed a ban for six sittings from Parliament against Norton MP, Mr Temba Mliswa for disorderly conduct in the Chamber.
A shop owned in Bulawayo owned by the Deputy Minister of Industry Raj Modi is reportedly refusing to accept bond notes saying they are not money.
Prolific social media user and entrepreneur Kuda Musasiwa personally witnessed a case of a customer being turned away at the shop.
Musasiwa wrote on Twitter:
“Just buying some drinks for my In-laws at Hon. Raj Modi’s store. 1) They only takes Forex Cash 2) They turned a man who had a suitcase of bond notes sayin it’s not money!”
Just buying some drinks for my In-laws at Hon. Raj Modi’s store. 1) They only takes Forex Cash 2) They turned a man who had a suitcase of bond notes sayin it’s not money! pic.twitter.com/PHpWmOZpfD
There has been chaos in the market following the introduction of the $10 still to be unveiled $20 notes as well as the announcement by the ministry of finance that they will be paying civil servants an allowance in US dollars. A lot of informal and not so informal businesses are rejecting bond notes and only some are accepting Zimbabwean dollars of any kind.
Anyone who wants to celebrate Malawi Congress Party win achiti ZanuPF chakati kuti is mistaken or haatozive history zvachose.
Dr Banda havana kubvira vamboita hushamwari neZanuPF zvachose. Dr Banda was the only Central African country which helped Rhodesian Ian Smith government to burst the economic sanctions.
Dr Banda ndivo chete avo vane nyika isina kubvira yambogara the Liberation army (Zanla and Zipra).Dr Banda was a close allay of Apartheid South African government.
Saka munhu anoda kuti MCP is a close allay of ZanuPF is lost or trying to distort history.
I challenge the ZanuPF supporters to give V11 to show the close relationship between the two.
ZanuPF had very close relationship with Mtarikwa’s party which dates back to Chafuka Chihana’s fight against Dr Banda. Who was the first President to attend the sworn in of Election Rigger Mutarikwa
Chitungwiza South MDC Alliance Youth Assembly member Lionel Chiota popularly known as Cde Legwan is appearing in court today for commencement of trial at 9 am.
Cde Legwan is being charged with capricious allegations that he trespassed his way into court in solidarity with the Chitungwiza 12 on 03 March 2020.
Our comrade is very innocent as he used the normal designated point to gain entry in the court.
Cde Legwan’s only crime is that he refused to budge to Emmerson Mnangagwa’s overzealous thugs dressed in police robes who on the day in question stupidly made Chitungwiza Magistrates Courts a no go area.
In a struggle, solidarity supercedes positions and solidarity for every comrade is key!
We therefore call upon all our Youth Assembly members to make way to Chitungwiza Magistrates Courts in solidarity with our comrade who is being persecuted for giving solidarity to fellow comrades.
Injure one, injure all!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCAllianceYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
FILE PHOTO: Opposition Malawi Congress Party leader Lazarus Chakwera addresses supporters after a court annulled the May 2019 presidential vote that declared Peter Mutharika a winner, in Lilongwe, Malawi, February 4, 2020.
Malawi’s state and private media on Wednesday gave opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera a comfortable 55% lead in its presidential election re-run, with nearly three-quarters of votes counted, but there was still no official tally.
The state-owned Malawi Broadcasting Corporation and private media all had Chakwera with 55% or more, with President Peter Mutharika at 40%.
At a news conference late on Wednesday, Electoral Commission chairman Chifundo Kachale urged Malawians to be patient and await the official results, which he said were taking time because they wanted to get “a credible record.”
“We are doing it manually. We’ll use records from district tally centres and district commissioners, not social media. Our appeal to Malawians is to be patient,” Kachale said.
If Chakwera does win, it would mean a dramatic reversal of the previous discredited result which handed the presidency to Mutharika. Some in the main city Blantyre and other parts of the country were already erupting into celebration.
Tuesday’s vote has been seen as a test of the ability of African courts to tackle ballot fraud and restrain presidential power, ever since Malawi’s judiciary infuriated Mutharika in February by overturning the result of last year’s poll. His disputed win also triggered months of street protests.
Mutharika has complained of violence in opposition strongholds in central Malawi, and questioned whether the result would be credible. His party have lodged a complaint about violence in opposition strongholds in central Malawi, but it is not clear if they will dispute the result if he loses.
THOKOZANI Khupe will remain in charge of the MDC-T as acting president until September 5 when the party will hold its extraordinary congress at a yet to be announced venue.
Party deputy spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni said the extraordinary congress would be held from September 4 to 6 where a substantive president to replace the late leader Morgan Tsvangirai would be elected.
“You will be happy to know that we have come up with a date for our extraordinary congress . . . the date is from the 4th to the 6th of September,” Phugeni said.
“There are a few things I want you to note about this is that, the extraordinary congress is falling within the period given by the Supreme Court. After the Supreme Court judgment, the Chief Justice issued a practice directive which suspended implementation of the judgement for about six weeks.”
He said counting of the three months started after the six weeks and September 4 would still be within the time limit provided by the court.
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Tito Mboweni during his address on the supplementary budget announcement warned South Africans that by walking the easier path in addressing the crisis at hand may lead to a sovereign debt crisis.
He referred to the sovereign debt crisis which took place in German in the 1920s, or Zimbabwe and Greece more recently which all arise from debt service costs. Debt is hoped to rise to 87% of the GDP within the next 12 months and the debt comes at an interest.
The public finances are dangerously overstretched as a result of the crisis which has been worsened by the coronavirus.
Mboweni has advocated for re-prioritisation of spending within economic agents as there is need to boost growth within the economy which is was projected to contract by 7% in the year 2020.
Mboweni says that the government will be allocating R3 billion to recapitalise the Land Bank as a way of addressing the situation at hand.
The minister went on to add that the principle of zero-based budgeting is that we must see “demonstrable value for money”:
“Eskom will need to show progress in meeting the milestones as laid down in the Roadmap. This is non-negotiable,” he says.
Members of the public had been complaining about the bail outs which are constantly being given to state enterprises which are running losses with each passing financial year.
Soldiers have assaulted journalists Munashe Chokodza and Leopold Munhende this evening, 24 June 2020, who were returning home from work. The duo was assaulted with military whips at the Warren Park shopping centre in Harare. The journalists work for online news sites 263Chat and NewZimbabwe.com respectively.
When the journalists dropped off at the shopping centre, the army was apparently dispersing people from the shopping centre. They stopped the two and questioned them as to why they were not observing the lockdown regulations. Both Munhende and Chokodza produced their press cards and explained that they were coming from work, as they are part of the essential service workers.
The soldiers apparently remarked, “You journalists think you are special in this country”, before ordering them to roll on the ground and assaulted the duo. They both sustained injuries in the process.
MISA Zimbabwe Lawyer Chris Mhike is assisting the journalists in reporting the case with the police for them to access medical care.
MISA Zimbabwe position
MISA Zimbabwe condemns these acts of barbarism by our men and women in uniform. Journalists cannot continue to be punching bags for daring to perform their professional duties, which are defined in the constitution with such impunity. These acts of barbarism are unacceptable in a country that claims to be a democracy, worse off 40 years after independence.
The assault of these journalists shows a clear disregard of media freedom by members of the security forces. It is a violation of Section 61 of the Constitution, the High Court ruling on the 20th of April 2020, which recognized the role of the media during the lockdown and the government’s statutory instrument classifying the media as an essential service in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Section 44 of the Constitution is very clear that the State and every person including state agencies at every level must respect, protect, promote and fulfil the declaration of rights.
MISA Zimbabwe seeks to emphasize that media freedom is essential to the creation of an open and democratic society and should not be interfered with. Journalists are contributing meaningfully to the general public’s access to information and as such their role should be recognized and respected.
MISA Zimbabwe, therefore, re-emphasizes to all the security forces and the general public that journalism is not a crime!
HEADS are rolling at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) over a video of President Emmerson Mnangagwa which appeared on the 8pm news bulletin sometime in April, where he told the nation that the controversial Drax International had donated US$60 million worth of medical stuff for the fight against COVID-19.
Cameraman Stan Marodza, who took the video clip and was accused by Information ministry permanent secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana of sneaking it onto the main news bulletin, has been suspended. Mangwana also accused Marodza of selling the video to Delish Nguwaya, the man at the centre of the US$60 million procurement scandal that has sucked in Mnangagwa’s family.
Nguwaya is currently battling to secure bail after he was arrested early this month over the scandal. Health minister Obadiah Moyo was last week arrested over the same case, but is out after being granted $50 000 bail.
In a letter dated June 19, the director of news and current affairs Gilbert Nyambabvu, instructed the ZBC human resources and administration director to charge Marodza with gross misconduct which could lead to dismissal.
“Following preliminary investigations, I am of the opinion that cameraman S Marodza committed gross misconduct in violation of section 11:25 of the ZBC employment code of conduct,” reads the letter in part.
The video allegedly embarrassed Mnangagwa and his family after they claimed that they had no links to Drax International or its representative Nguwaya, yet the clip shows the president standing next to Nguwaya and announcing a donation of US$60 million which he said came after he personally appealed to the company.
Nyambabvu, instead accuses Marodza of using the video clip, which has poor sound quality despite his bosses instructing otherwise.
“Upon returning to Pockets Hill, the reporter Abigail Tembo debriefed the news editor who consulted with the director of news and current affairs and it was decided that the US$60 million donation must be excluded from the reporter’s story due to poor audio,” Nyambabvu alleged.
Three days later, Marodza is alleged to have smuggled the story into the 8pm news as the top story, although paper trail shows that the story was cleared by a Wadzanai Mombera and Effort Magoso — the news bulletin manager before being aired.
Before Marodza’s suspension without pay, Mangwana had used his social media account to allege the cameraman had sold the footage to Nguwaya.
Contrary to Nyambabvu’s allegations that the audio was of poor sound quality, Mangwana said the clip was banned after it turned out the president had been misled into believing that a donation of US$60 million had been made to government.
The First Family has vainly tried to dissociate itself with Nguwaya despite appearing in several pictures with them.
Gen Philip Valerio Sibanda, commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), says the level of corruption displayed by some of the country’s leaders is tantamount to selling out.
Watch Sibanda speak in the video downloading below. Please be patient while the video downloads
The trial of three former ZBC top managers will start on July 3 on charges connected with the transfer of a company car to one of them, senior regional magistrate Mr Trynos Utahwashe ruled yesterday.
Former ZBC CEO Patrick Mavhura, former head of finance, administration and human resources Benania Shumba and former human resources manager Stephen Kundishora are facing charges of duping the national broadcaster of, among other things, a Mazda BT50 which they gave to Shumba at a book value of zero instead of more than US$11 000.
They appeared before Mr Utahwashe who remanded them to the new trial date following an application for postponement by prosecutor Mr George Manokore on the basis that they wanted to formally subpoena witnesses.
The matter was scheduled for trial yesterday, but the State indicated that there was miscommunication between them and witnesses.
The State’s case is that on 17 August last year, Shumba wrote to Mavhura requesting to be allowed to buy the vehicle she had been issued by ZBC during her tenure.
Mavhura allegedly approved that she be allowed to buy the Mazda truck at zero cost, instead of US$11 000.
The State further says Mavhura, Shumba and Kundishora then wrote to the Central Vehicle Registry authorising that the vehicle’s ownership be transferred to Shumba.
The Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda has imposed a ban for six sittings from Parliament against Norton MP, Mr Temba Mliswa for disorderly conduct in the Chamber.
What’s your thought on this move by Mudenda.
The Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda has imposed a ban for six sittings from Parliament against Norton MP, Mr Temba Mliswa for disorderly conduct in the Chamber.
All is not well at Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House formerly known as Harvest House.
Pressure seems to be mounting for Douglas Mwonzora amid revelations that he wants the MRT house exclusively for himself and his backers.
On Wednesday there was a party press briefing. Two of Dr. Thokozani Khupe’s aides, Kudzanani Mashumba and George Rice were barred from entering the building.
Mashumba was manhandled by one of Mwonzora security details who were manning the entrance while Rice was not allowed into the building.
When the security details were asked who gave them instructions to bar the aides, their response was that it was from their President Mwonzora.
Speaking to ZimEye.com, Mashumba said, “it comes as no surprise that they are already calling him President as this is testified by his miniature motorcade he is seen travelling with these days.
“He preaches non-violence but he actually sponsors it on the other hand.”
Senator Mwonzora was contacted for a comment but his phone was not picked up. Also contacted were Senator Morgen Komichi and Vanguard Leader Shakespear Mukoyi who were asked to investigate, but their phones were switched off at the time. ZimEye also contacted Hatfield MP Tapiwa Mashakada who confirmed knowledge of the incident having heard of it after the meeting. But Mashakada was quick to suddenly deny any knowledge of it. AUDIO/VIDEO BELOW
