MDC Alliance has urged the Mayor of Bulawayo His Worship Solomon Madlala Mguni to engage the residents and all stakeholders in Bulawayo in order to come up with a workable solution to the crisis that has seen about 10 people succumbing to a strange waterborne disease.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the opposition party applauded Council for availing free testing and medical treatment including free medicines for the communities in the affected areas.
Read the full statement below:
The City of Bulawayo is facing an unprecedented water shortage. The water sources are currently at only 27% capacity. This exigence has resulted in extreme water rationing that could last until the rain season. Currently, tap water in Bulawayo is only available once a week.
This has caused an upsurge in waterborne diarrheal diseases as the quality of these sources of water cannot be guaranteed. We regret that people have died, many have been taken ill and others are hospitalized.
The Mayor of Bulawayo and his team are making frantic efforts to mitigate the effects of this humanitarian disaster.
The Bulawayo City Council is availing free testing and medical treatment including free medicines for the communities in the affected areas. We applaud the Council for this initiative which has so far seen more than 300 residents getting help.
In addition, the Old Luveve area has now been exempted from water-shedding until the diarrheal outbreak is under control. Council is also replacing all galvanized pipes in Old Luveve with PVC piping. The galvanized pipes are now old and heavily rusted. The repairs are being effected urgently.
MDC Alliance has asked the Mayor and his team to go all out to engage the residents and all stakeholders in Bulawayo in order to come up with a workable solution to the crisis.
We believe that the medium to long term solution to the Bulawayo woes lies in ensuring there is sufficient raw water for the City of Kings and Queens. Zinwa has to immediately avail more water from the Nyamandlovu and Eping Forest Acquafers and make plans on a long term basis to have enough raw water in the face of this crisis. We will continue to lobby for them to do so.
The livelihoods of the people of Bulawayo are important to us. We will do everything in our power to ensure this crisis is swiftly resolved. Our hearts go out to all families who have needlessly lost loved ones due to the crisis.
Thokozani Khupe’s spokesperson Mr Khalipani Phugeni has rejected insinuations that the Khupe led MDC T faction is a Zanu Pf project whose sole aim is to neutralise the youthful MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa, Sunday News reports.
In dismissing the reports, Phugeni said Khupe has never received anything from Zanu PF:
It is a sad thing that people would treat others in a manner they would not want to be treated themselves, because we all know that natural justice demands that he that accuses must prove. Dr Khupe has previously been arrested over seven times, she has received nothing, publicly or privately from Zanu-PF, which the same cannot be said about her detractors.
Simply because she stood firm and pushed back against infringement of her rights and stood resolute defending not only herself but her gender because she was being marginalised on the basis of her gender and ethnicity, so she stood firm, which the ruling elite and the private media did not like. They did not like this woman who was not submissive.
Earlier this month, Khupe took over MDC Alliance headquarters Harvest House assisted by state security agents, which further fueled stories they were working for or with the ruling party to neutralise the ruling party’s strongest opponent Nelson Chamisa.
The South African opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has urged Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa to settle only for one term arguing that he is too old.
Malema said Mnangagwa to consider passing on the baton stick to the younger Zanu-PF generation, who will compete with the main opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa.
‘We call upon President Mnangagwa to serve one term, he is too old. We hope President Mnangagwa will not want to go for the second term, let Zanu PF begin a process of producing younger people who will compete with Chamisa,” Malela said.
“President Mnangagwa, this is a brotherly advice is a son’s call that says one term is enough, you are too old, let the younger generation take over,” he said.
THE late national hero, Stanley Gagisa Nleya is expected to be laid to rest at the National Heroes Acre this Wednesday. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic only invited guests will attend the burial which will be covered live by the ZBC.
A spokesperson for the Nleya family, Tshaha Nleya told the Zbc News that the family is being guided by government dictates of how national heroes are buried.
This comes after the family also requested that the body lie in state at the Nleya rural home overnight before being flown to Harare for burial.
“We made the request because his mother is still alive but she is now bedridden due to advanced age,” said the family spokesperson.
Nleya, whose Chimurenga name was Gagisa, was one of Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) commanders during the war of independence.
He also trained current Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Phillip Valerio Sibanda.
He succumbed to heart disease on Tuesday at United Bulawayo Hospitals where he had been admitted.
He is survived by three children and two grandchildren. Mourners are gathered at Number 30 New Luveve in Bulawayo.
Kennedy Kaitano writing for The Zimbabwean opined that there is a corrupt collusion between the Parliament, Senate and Government Zimbabwe and a faction of the opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (Tsvangirai) (MDC-T) and he urged the government to stop interfering in opposition parties’ politics.
In the lengthy piece Kaitano opined:
Dear Inter-Parliamentary Union,
I am a concerned citizen of Zimbabwe who is worried bout the corrupt collusion between the Parliament, Senate and Government Zimbabwe and a faction of the opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (Tsvangirai) (MDC-T) following a “mooted” Supreme Court Judgement passed on 31 March which encouraged the warring factions of the MDC-T to organise a special Extra Ordinary Congress to elect a leader who will replace the founding President of the Party who passed away on 14 February 2018. I hope that my letter will find its way to the appropriate offices for consideration.
To give a bit of background, the Supreme Court Judgement came about as a result of a court appeal by a member of the MDC-T who felt he had not been accorded an opportunity to elect a President of his choice following the death of the late founding MDC-T President. In its wisdom, following the death of the founding President, the National Council of the MDC-T, chaired by Senator Morgan Komichi, who was the Acting Chairman in the absence of the 2014 elected Chairman Hon Lovemore Moyo, had decided to elevate one of the three Vice-Presidents of the Party, Advocate Nelson Chamisa, to the position of Acting President. Of the three Presidents, one Dr. Thokozani Khupe, was the only one who had been elected at the Party’s last Congress held in 2014, while Advocate and Senator Engineer Elias Mudzuri had been appointed to Vice President positions which had been found essential to strengthen the Party in readiness for the 2018 elections. Senator Morgan Komichi was assigned by the late MDC-T President to lead the consultation which resulted in those appointments, which were endorsed by the National Council of the Party.
The Supreme Court ruled that the appointments of the Vice-Presidents was unconstitutional according to the Party constitution, even though the Constitution gave the power to the National Council to make decisions in between congresses, and it also allowed the President to “appoint deputies to officers of Congress from a pool of National Executive members elected from provinces and other office bearers where such is provided for in the Constitution”. Officers of Congress are the officials who are elected at Congress, and the President is one of such officers. The Party had then thought that there was nothing sinister in the Vice-President appointments, so the Supreme Court Judgement really came as a surprise, and many believe that the Judgement was influenced by Government of Zimbabwe which likes to divide the opposition by siding with the weaker faction in the main opposition party.
Regardless of whether the Supreme Court judgement was influenced by Government or not, following its opinion that the Vie-President positions appointed in 2016 were not constitutional, the Court ruled that all decisions made after the death of Dr. Morgan Tsvangirai were null and void, and assigned the elected Vice-President, Dr. Khupe to organise an Extra Ordinary Congress to elect a replacement for the late leader (The Court ruling is attached with this letter for your perusal), and she was given 90 days to do so. Failure by Dr. Khupe to discharge the assignment within the time-frame, Senator Morgan Komichi, who the Court mistook to have been the Chairman of the Party at the time of death of Dr. Tsvangirai, if not influenced by the Government of Zimbabwe to declare Senator Komichi as the Chairman at the time of Dr. Tsvangirai. Let me clarify that assertion by saying that the Supreme Court said all decisions made by the MDC between the time of Dr. Tsvangirai’s death and the 31 March 2020 when the judgement was passed were null and void. At the time of Dr. Tsvangirai’s death, the Chairman of the MDC-T was Honorable Lovemore Moyo, Senator Komichi was a Deputy Chairman. Honorable Moyo only tendered his resignation on 23 March 2018 to an Acting President who the Court said could not make binding decisions. The resignation of Hon Lovemore Moyo is, therefore not recognized by the Supreme Court. However, the Court mistook Senator Komichi to be the legitimate Chairman as the judges were not aware who was the Chairman of the Party at the time of Dr. Tsvangirai’s death, especially as Senator Komichi, who was third appellant in the court case had declared himself as the National Chairman of the first appellant. The Judges did not ask whether he became Chairman before or after the death of Dr. Tsvangirai, and this is something that should be raised with the Court. the legality of Senator Komichi’s Chairmanship aside, the Court mandated Senator Komichi to try to organise the suggested Extra Ordinary Congress in thirty days, failure which the issue becomes water under the bridge.
According to Section 6.2.6 the Party Constitution that was presented before the Supreme Court “a notice convening an Extra-Ordinary Congress shall be sent to all members entitled to attend and to each branch by the National Council at least one month before the date of the meeting”. However, a bogus Council meeting to which eligible members known to be supporting Advocate Chamisa were not invited was held through whatsapp as reported by local media. The meeting came up with a list of members of Parliament of the MDC Alliance who had to be recalled from Parliament and also unconstitutionally deliberated on the planning of the Extra Ordinary Congress. The meeting was unconstitutional in that it did not have a quorum, and eligible members had been left out.
It should be put on record that following the death of Dr. Tsvangirai, due to leadership differences, Dr. Khupe and Advocate Chamisa registered for elections as two different parties, Dr. Khupe’s party using the name MDC-T while Advocate Chamisa’s team registered their party for the elections as MDC Alliance, a fact confirmed by Senator Mwonzora in media interviews at the time of the registration for elections. Now because of the Supreme Court ruling which never instructed Dr. Khupe to recall MDC Alliance Parliamentarians, who were elected under the MDC Alliance ticket. The Parliament and Senate have all their records showing that the number of seats and the names of the legislators won by MDC-T, and the Supreme Court judgement which Speaker of Parliament and President of the Senate say they based their decisions to expel MDC legislators from Parliament and Senate respectively does not instruct Dr. Khupe to recall any legislators. If anything, Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, who is a lawyer, should have read the Supreme Judgement carefully and understood that the mooted judgement, described as such by the Court, only gives a time frame for which Dr. Khupe and Senator Komichi should organise an Extra Ordinary Congress, failure which the parties which he Court was encouraging to unite will revert to their post Tsvangirai ventures. What then would happen if the warring parties do not get back together as suggested by the Supreme Court?
Besides, the the outcome of the Supreme Court implementation process, the MDC-T and MDC Alliance satisfied the requirement of the Zimbabwe Elections Act and registered with the Zimbabwe Elections Act as political parties for purposes of the elections, and each is entitled to enjoy the benefits of what they achieved in the elections. After all, the MDC-T as left by Dr. Tsvangirai was not operational at the time of the elections, so there is no way Dr. Khupe can claim parliamentarians who are a product of a process that took when it could not make decisions.
Instead of calling the appropriate structures that were in place as at the time of the death of Dr. Tsvangirai to organise the suggested Extra Ordinary Congress, Dr. Khupe is busy appointing people into positions which had officials who are supporting Advocate Chamisa, which are not the 2014 structures that should plan the Extra Ordinary Congress, and then go about telling the world that she is implementing the Supreme Court Judgement. Where in the Supreme Court Judgement is Dr. Khupe asked to replace officials from the 2014 structures, the very ones that should plan the Extra Ordinary Congress. There is no harm in Dr. Khupe filling gaps in the Party that she led into the 2018 elections, because that should be her fall back party should the Extra Ordinary Congress not happen, and already 9 days before the period she was given to organise it, no Constitutionally constituted council meeting has met to start planning for the Congress when the Party’s Constitution specifically states that the Communication for an Extra Ordinary Congress can only be made by Council, yet Dr. Khupe and her team are already telling the world that the Extra Ordinary Congress will take place on 31 July 2020. They should stop dreaming and face the reality that despite claiming to be implementing the Supreme Court ruling and upholding constitutionalism, they are doing the opposite. What they are calling an Extra Ordinary Congress does not meet the requirements of the Supreme Court Judgement and the Constitution of the Party combined, and therefore not binding.
The firing of officials of the MDC 2014 structures, despite being unconstitutionally carried out, is also not part of the Supreme Court Judgement. The Supreme Court Judgement does not mandate Dr. Khupe to fire officials of the party in place at the time of Dr. Tsvangrai’s death, but mandates her to unite them and is she successfully does so, organise the Extra-Ordinary Congress with them. Furthermore, there are processes laid down in the Constitution regarding the expulsion of officials from the Party, which Dr. Khupe did not follow. So, Dr. Khupe and Senator Mwonzora who wrote the expulsion letters are even worse that the hideous Zanu PF which follows procedures when expelling its officials. Recently, Zanu PF Politburo expelled Chivi South legislator, Mr Killer Zivhu following a recommendation by the party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC). Zanu PF folowed a process there in expelling Mr. Zivhu, and ask the so-called Champions of Constitutionalism Dr. Khupe and Senator Mwonzora what process they followed in expelling Advocate Chamisa. Honorable Charlton Hwende, Senator Lilian Timveous and Honourable Thabhita Khumalo?
Interestingly, despite breaking the Supreme Court Judgement and the Party Constitution, Dr. Khupe and her team are getting support from Government, with the Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi stating that that the government would disburse the $7,5 million due to the MDC under the Political Parties (Finance) Act to the Thokozani Khupe led group that is temporarily in charge of the party following the recent court rulings. As leader of Government in Parliament, Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi should know better that the MDC-T and MDC Alliance are registered as different political parties, hence non should enjoy the other’s benefits.
What is evident from what has been happening is that the holding of an Extra Ordinary Congress of the MDC-T as prescribed by the Supreme Court has failed , and therefore that judgement is water under the bridge, unless if Dr. Khupe reflects on the numerous blunders she has made to date and quickly calls for a National Council meeting as required by the DC Constitution to get the Extra Ordinary Congress back on track, but that will also be an uphill task with numerous court cases pending before the courts arising from her own blunders.
Government of Zimbabwe, Parliament and Senate should stop supporting a faction of the warring MDC, and are in contempt of the Supreme Court Judgement for their unethical interference to date.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has come back with new rules.
On Tuesday there is an expectation of a new official rate as the foreign currency auction system kicks in. This will essentially move the dial away from the 25 currently there, to well, who knows?
But the new new is that shops will now be required to post the official rate so that they do not peg their pricing against the parallel market.
Of course, this will be easy to manage when it comes to the official shops but we know a lot of trade is happening outside the formal system. So does that mean informal sector actors will have to carry these as well? And hotels? And lodges? And, well you see where we are going with this.
There is a feeling among many that the myriad of rules every week are not even being given a chance to see if they work. This would make one wonder if there is a clear indication of a plan.
That said, it should make for a possibly strange week. How close to the street rate will the official rate come?
Philemon Mutyakureva has picked his former senior at Dynamos Callisto Pasuwa as the greatest coach in the Zimbabwean football history judging by the number of accolades he has won in his career thus far.
Mutyakureva was Pasuwa’s deputy at the Glamour Boys between 2012 and 2014.
Speaking to the Standard, the ex-Dembare assistant coach said: “Whether one likes it or not, Pasuwa is the best. What he has done speaks for him.
“He won four league titles with Dynamos, qualified Zimbabwe for Afcon, and now he is in Malawi, where he has won two league titles again.”
In 2014, Pasuwa became the first coach in the PSL era to win four consecutive league titles with one team. His first championship came in 2011 and went on to dominate in the next three seasons.
After his departure at the Harare giants, the 50-year old gaffer lead the Warriors to their first appearance at the Afcon finals in a decade in 2017 before joining Malawian club Nyasa Big Bullets where he has won two league titles so far-Soccer 24
Neal Maupay scored the winner five minutes into added time as relegation-threatened Brighton clinched a huge win over Arsenal, who once again lost a key player to injury.
Maupay showed coolness and class to slot in his ninth and most important goal of the season to give Albion their first league win of 2020 and cap a remarkable comeback.
Nicolas Pepe had fired the Gunners into a deserved lead with a superb curling shot with just over 20 minutes to go, but Lewis Dunk scrambled an equaliser over the line from close range to set up a barnstorming finish.
Maupay’s winner was a sucker punch for the Gunners, who have now lost back-to-back games since the Premier League returned – results that surely make a late run to Champions League qualification very unlikely.
They may also have to navigate the rest of the season without goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who was taken off on a stretcher in the first half after landing awkwardly on his ankle following an aerial challenge with Maupay.
Maupay’s role in the incident seemed to anger Leno’s team-mates, some of whom became embroiled in a shoving match with the striker at full-time.
Leno will be sidelined along with defender Pablo Mari and midfielder Granit Xhaka, both of whom were injured in Wednesday’s 3-0 loss at Manchester City.
There is no such negativity for Brighton, though. They appeared to come through the game largely unscathed and are now five points above the bottom three- BBC
We dont carry blankets to the Struggle! You got your chance and slept along the way!
We don’t claim our allowances in the Middle of the Struggle! Loyalty doesn’t pay when we are exchanging fire with an enemy! Neither does it pay to join an enemy!
Getting old is unavoidable; it’s nature! Zimbabwe hasn’t stopped producing because you landed a position in MDC! If you are a coward you can still run away from your current hiding place, because Zimbabwe is still producing young talent!
What can I do to protect myself and prevent the spread of disease?
Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. Many countries around the world have seen cases of COVID-19 and several have seen outbreaks.
Some countries have succeeded in slowing or stopping their outbreaks.
However, the situation is unpredictable so check regularly for the latest news.
You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking some simple precautions:
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses.
Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth.
From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene.
This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19..
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.
Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 hotspots (cities or local areas where COVID-19 is spreading widely). If possible, avoid travelling to places – especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease.
Why? You have a higher chance of catching COVID-19 in one of these areas.
Credit:WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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Farai Dziva|An incensed Zanu PF MP, Berita Chikwama of Gutu East Constituency nearly assaulted MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Organising Secretary and councillor for ward 4, Masvingo Urban, Godfrey Kurauone during a public hearing on the Constitutional Amendment Bill in the ancient city on Thursday.
Stunned by Kurauone’s presentation, Chikwama charged towards the former and accused him of insulting her.Chikwama was restrained from physically attacking Kurauone by the facilitators of the event.
Speaking during the Public Hearing session, Kurauone said :
“Align the urban councils act first before tampering with the Constitution. The female quota system must be based on capacity.
Do not send people who sleep in Parliament. The amendments are designed to give ED sweeping powers.
ED must concentrate on reviving the economy and he must implement the 2013 Constitutional provisions.
Therefore, l reject all the amendments.”
After the presentation, Chikwama threatened to deal with Kurauone and she also accused the MDC Alliance of destroying the country’s economy.
By A Correspondent- The strike by nurses at Bulawayo’s two major hospitals entered day two on Saturday with a handful of the health workers reporting for work.
Nurses at Mpilo Central Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals on Friday went on strike demanding that their salaries be reverted to 1 October 2018 levels which were in United States dollars, which they said was a stable currency that can store value of their salaries.
Mpilo Central Hospital acting chief executive officer Mr Solwayo Ngwenya said only 21 nurses out of 80 who were expected yesterday afternoon had reported for duty.
“Yes, it’s still on (strike). A total of 21 out of 80 nurses expected to be on duty are at work. No doctors are on strike. A few student nurses and student midwives are also at work,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from the UBH acting chief executive officer Dr Narcisius Dzvanga were fruitless but an insider said the situation was bad.
“It is a terrible situation that we have this side, we cannot function efficiently without the nurses.
Those in the maternity department were working with one midwife in the labour ward which is not acceptable and risky too looking at the number of cases.
We cannot work this way for such a big institution, we have had to go back to emergency mode but still we are failing to cope, it’s just not a workable way out. Nurses are truly the backbone of healthcare in any country, they are essential.”
The source said nurses were ward managers and were a critical part in the functioning of a hospital.
“They spend a lot of time with patients and when they are not there it is a disaster.”
Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Mr Enock Dongo was quoted last week saying the nurses’ salaries in US dollars were stable as local currency was continuously eroding pensions, savings, medical aid and funeral policies, among other things- The Sunday News
Zimbabwe has recorded two COVID-19 deaths within 24 hours bringing the total number of fatalities related to the virus to 6, according to the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
One of the deceased is a woman from the Midlands Province who was tested for coronavirus when she was already dead. The second case had tested positive for the virus on the 17th of June in Bulawayo.
According to the Health Ministry, the number of recoveries has risen to 64 after one person recovered from the virus.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care pointed out that the total number of known COVID-19 cases in the country has risen to 486 after seven cases were recorded.
The Ministry has reported that of all the new cases, six are returnees from South Africa while one is from Portugal- Health Ministry
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe has recorded two coronavirus deaths within 24 hours bringing the total number of fatalities related to the virus to 6.
One of the deceased is a woman from the Midlands Province who was tested for coronavirus when she was already dead while the second one was a case from Bulawayo Province who had tested positive for the virus on the 17th of June.
Meanwhile, the number of recoveries has risen to 64 after one person recovered from the virus.
This was announced by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in a statement which also observed that the total number of known coronavirus cases in the country rose to 486 after seven cases were recorded.
The Ministry reported that of all the new cases, six are returnees from South Africa while one case was from Portugal.
It is not clear from the statement if the two fatalities (death in quarantine and community death) are part of the 7 new cases.
OPPOSITION MDC-T led by Dr Thokozani Khupe has hit back at its rivals who are alleging that the formation was a Zanu-PF project noting that those who were peddling such falsehoods were attempting to get an unfair political advantage.
Supreme Court judge Justice Bharat Patel, sitting with Justices Paddington Garwe and Antonia Guvava, in April ruled that Mr Nelson Chamisa was not the legitimate MDC-T leader in terms of the party’s constitution and subsequently ordered the convening of an extra-ordinary congress within three months to elect a new president.
Since the ruling, members of the Chamisa-led MDC-Alliance have labelled Dr Khuphe a sell-out, even claiming that she was a pawn of the ruling Zanu-PF. Last week, MDC Alliance vice-president, Professor Welshman Ncube was quoted in the private media saying Dr Khupe was shameless.
Responding to questions from the Sunday News, MDC-T, deputy secretary for information and publicity, who is also Dr Khupe’s spokesperson, Mr Khalipani Phugeni said Dr Khupe’s detractors were just angered by the fact that she refused to be submissive and allow for the infringement of her rights. He said most of the accusations that were being levelled against the party’s leaders were not provable by either Mr Chamisa or his cronies.
“It is a sad thing that people would treat others in a manner they would not want to be treated themselves, because we all know that natural justice demands that he that accuses must prove. Dr Khupe has previously been arrested over seven times, she has received nothing, publicly or privately from Zanu-PF, which the same cannot be said about her detractors.
“Simply because she stood firm and pushed back against infringement of her rights and stood resolute defending not only herself but her gender because she was being marginalised on the basis of her gender and ethnicity, so she stood firm, which the ruling elite and the private media did not like. They did not like this woman who was not submissive,” said Mr Phugeni.
He took a swipe at Prof Ncube and the MDC-Alliance co-vice-president Mr Tendai Biti for spreading baseless allegations noting that the two had themselves previously been labelled Zanu-PF projects by the same individuals they were now siding with.
“Dr Khupe’s working with Zanu-PF is only restricted or defined by the fact that it is the governing party of the day, so you can’t boycott Government because it is the Government that provides social services, build roads, gives us birth certificates to mention but a few, so if that is being Zanu-PF then all of us are Zanu-PF, as citizens of this country.
“Strange enough those that are now clamouring louder on this Zanu-PF tag, in particular Prof Ncube, has also once been called a Zanu-PF project by the same people he has joined ranks with. Tendai Biti was also once in the same boat, which was even worse for him as our late president Dr Morgan Tsvangirai is on record accusing him of having stolen large sums of money, so you are talking of a thief here, according to Dr Tsvangirai,” said Mr Phugeni.
He further clarified on the issue of recalling MPs and councillors saying they were still establishing those of their representatives that were pushing the party’s agenda and those that were not for them to come up with a detailed list of those that were to be recalled.
“Our agenda is not to recall, our agenda is to deliver, so you will appreciate that our representatives which we deploy in Government are being deployed to help us achieve this agenda. The issue does not have to do with whether one supports Dr Khupe or not but more of the values, aims and objectives of the MDC-T. This is something that we are patiently taking our time on because the violent takeover of the party did not help so the process of establishing those MPs and councillors that are carrying out their mandate with exception is taking time but very soon our caucus will be in shape,” he said.
On the issue of reclaiming of the MDC-T’s offices and assets around the country, Mr Phugeni said while the issue was still before the courts it was known to all that when Mr Chamisa usurped power he took both the party and its assets hence it had to follow that Dr Khupe’s MDC-T should also repossess their offices around the country.
He further revealed that at the moment they were not worried about public perception but were focusing on doing what was right in terms of the party constitution.
“We have not followed the public discourse mainly because we are doing what is right, it is not a popularity contest, it’s all about doing right by the party, Remember, Dr Khupe as the president of the party, she has what is called a fiducial duty towards the MDC-T and she must carry it out without fear or prejudice. The best way to carry out this mandate is not to worry much about public perception, I’m not saying public perception is not important but it is not a popularity contest, we are just making sure that the mandate of our people is carried out to the best of our ability,” said Mr Phugeni.
THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has launched a new operation code-named “Wakazvitenga Sei?” that is set to see individuals who fail to account for their wealth forfeiting it to the State.
ZACC chair Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo said the anti-graft body was empowered by the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Amendment Act to seize assets bought through proceeds of crime.
Even if the suspected corrupt person is acquitted by the courts, the unexplained wealth orders give the commission and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) power to forfeit the properties.
The law demands that anyone suspected of corruption explain his or her source of wealth, failure of which they will lose the properties.
It is understood that some persons of interest, including high-profile individuals, are already being investigated by ZACC.
Justice Matanda-Moyo told The Sunday Mail that those that would be under investigation are expected to produce verifiable and auditable data to support their wealth.
“This is an intensive lifestyle audit on some of the rich people. They have to produce their invoices on what goods or services they rendered and this has to match the value of the acquired properties,” she said.
“We will also be checking if these people or their businesses were paying taxes. This means that the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) is also on board as we seek to ensure compliance to all laws.”
However, before the properties or wealth is seized, an application would be made through the NPA.
Those who are under investigation will then be afforded an opportunity at the High Court to account for their wealth.
Failure to do so will automatically result in seizure and forfeiture.
Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara)’s former chief executive officer Mr Frank Chitukutuku’s properties have been frozen while investigations into his case continue.
A former Zimra revenue official Mr Kennedy Nyatoti recently lost a US$150 000 mansion and a vehicle after the taxman conducted a lifestyle audit which exposed that his earnings did not match his possessions.
ZACC spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure said the country now has robust legal instruments to fight corruption such as the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, Prevention of Corruption Act, Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Amendment Act and Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Writing in his bi-weekly column, Corruption Watch, which is published by The Sunday Mail, Commissioner Makamure said the unexplained wealth orders were recently enacted into law and gave impetus to assets forfeiture of properties reasonably suspected to have been acquired through corruption.
“The unexplained wealth orders are a profound development in the quest for zero tolerance to corruption. This is because someone can be acquitted in a criminal trial but still have assets forfeited as long as on the balance of probabilities there is reasonable suspicion that they were acquired from corrupt activities.”
Commissioner Makamure said they were closely working with the NPA, which makes applications at the courts to seize targeted properties under the operation.
“We are confident that the improved legal framework on asset recovery should enable the commission to surpass its target of recovering assets worth $300 million by the end of this year.”
Legal expert Mr Oliver Marwa said while the current statutes were adequate to combat corruption, there is need to double down on efforts to fight the scourge considering its prevalence.
There was need for ZACC to hire competent chartered accountants and lawyers who should be well paid to avoid bribery from suspects, he said.
“Corruption in Zimbabwe is more pronounced in the public sector where politicians have more assets compared to their counterparts in the developed world. They acquire houses and cars, hence it is not difficult to seize and forfeit properties acquired from proceeds of crime,” said Mr Marwa.
He recommended that asset seizure should be done expeditiously as properties could be easily transferred or sold to third parties and render the whole exercise futile.
“Corruption is very complicated. So let us be serious because it sustains itself in that if someone is arrested he/she can easily pay a bribe and be released. In some cases, one may never get evidence of corruption,” said Mr Marwa.
“In Zimbabwe, we have the slowest action in dealing with corruption but this must change if we want to win this war.”
President Mnangagwa’s administration has declared war against corruption and has been propping up institutions that fight graft to be able to deliver on their mandate.
By A Correspondent- Former MDC Alliance secretary for Policy and Research, Tapiwa Mashakada has accused the party leadership of employing the services of cyber mercenaries to target fellow party members and silence them from speaking out on the chaos that has become of the party.
Mashakada who is the Hatfield legislator told ZBC News that the schemers of the cyberattacks include Pedzisayi Ruhanya and former legislator Kuwadzana East Charlton Hwende.
He said:
“They are Masters of media theatrics and chicanery. Ruhanya is a former Daily News Political Editor. The desperate cabal led by Ruhanya and Hwende is so desperate to muzzle me and soil my image.
Recently they desperately staged an interview using Zim-eye featuring a confused man claiming I had snatched his wife. I bet you the next stupid drama they will stage is a rape case. They will even make attempts on my life. I now fear for my life and that of my family.”
Responding to the allegations, Ruhanya labelled Mashakada a ZANU PF agent adding that his remarks were childish.
This comes when tensions between the MDC formations led by Nelson Chamisa and Thokozani Khupe have in the recent past intensified following the Supreme Court ruling that reinstated Khupe as the MDC leader.
By A Correspondent- A Zimbabwean human rights defender, Tatenda Mombeyarara has said that he is terrified by the recent reports of abduction and torture of three MDC Alliance trio – Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.
Mombeyarara was last year kidnapped from his home at ungodly hours, tortured and sustained a fractured leg.
He is one of many people who were last year arrested on grounds that they were intending to subvert a constitutionally established government.
Speaking to DW, Mombeyarara said dissent can lead to abduction and torture.
He said:
I am petrified and terrified. It is a difficult situation to become a villain when you are the victim. You are forced to decide to keep to yourself to prevent further victimization. You have to remain gagged to heal. The nature of harm caused on you goes beyond physical.
Although the identity of the perpetrator of these human rights abuses is not yet known, the opposition MDC and human rights organizations say in most incidences, the pattern of the violations points towards the state.
The government, however, has denied involvement with the Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe saying the government does not engage or permit any of its agencies and institutions to use methods such as torture, forced disappearances or abductions.
Kazembe accused the opposition of working with foreign organizations to destabilize the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa adding that “torture and forced disappearances are alien to us.”
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch Southern Africa Director Dewa Mavhinga observes that Zimbabwe’s failure to decisively deal with cases of abductions disappearances and torture severely undermines the standing of the country within the international community and reengagement efforts.
MDC Alliance Vice President and former Finance Minister, Tendai Biti has called on incumbent Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube to resign from his position as he is failing.
Below is Biti’s presentation on a point of privilege in parliament.
Mr. Speaker Sir, we are gravely concerned about the continuous shifting of our Monetary Policy. We are concerned particularly about the constant changes to our Monetary Policy. In 2009, we introduced the basket of multiple currencies. The basket of multiple currencies lasted until 2016, when in November 2016, the Bond Note was introduced through amendments that were made to the Reserve Bank Act. In 2017, Mr. Speaker Sir, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Finance spent the bulk of the year convincing Zimbabweans that the Bond Note was on par with the US dollar. They ran an expensive campaign called Operation gedye gedye, persuading the people of Zimbabwe to accept that the bond note was equal to the US dollar. We were shocked Mr. Speaker Sir when on the 1st of October 2018 banks were suddenly advised by the Reserve Bank in an exchange control directive that they had to separate people’s accounts into nostro FCAs and nostro RTGS. We were further shocked when on the 20th of February 2019, Statutory Instrument 33 of 2019 was introduced which said we now have a new currency called the RTGS, which initially was at 1:1 then 1:2.5 and then was floated.
In June of 2019, Mr. Speaker Sir, we were advised by the esteemed Minister of Finance that the country had dedolarised; that the regime of multiple currencies were no longer legal tender in Zimbabwe; that the Zimbabwean dollar had been restored as the sole currency in this country. Mr. Speaker Sir, some people protested and made the point that the country was not ready to introduce its own currency. We made the point that conditions did not exist for the introduction of our own currency. We were further confused yesterday when the Minister of Finance effectively dedollarised by the introduction of a US$75 allowance to civil servants and US$30 to war veterans. It is our contention Mr. Speaker that the Minister of Finance owes Zimbabweans an apology that he should not introduce dollarisation through the back door; that he should repeal Statutory Instrument 33 and Statutory Instrument 142 and the Finance Act. Mr. Speaker Sir, the Minister of Finance has failed in absolute terms and must resign. I thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir.
Security forces have been accused of disrupting the economy through the chaotic implementation of Covid-19 lockdown regulations after they forced the closure of Bulawayo businesses without notice last week.
Armed soldiers and police last Tuesday forced people out of Bulawayo’s central business district (CBD).
The following day they restricted entry into Kwekwe’s CBD, amid claims by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba that a decision had been made to restrict people’s movement after authorities received intelligence that the opposition was plotting protests.
There were also reports of police and soldiers manning roadblocks restricting entry into Harare CBD, even for people that had authorisation letters.
On June 17, the Employers’ Confederation of Zimbabwe (Emcoz) wrote to Labour minister Paul Mavima complaining about the conduct of the police and soldiers deployed to enforce the lockdown.
“This letter serves to express our concern as business with respect to the disruption that is being caused to operations as a result of actions of security forces at roadblocks and checkpoints particularly in urban centres,” read the letter.
The letter, signed by Emcoz president Israel Murefu, claimed police and soldiers had been turning away workers at roadblocks, forcing business to close down.
“We wish to put it on record that the conduct of security forces, which prima facie, do not appear to be in accordance with known Covid-19 lockdown regulations, is causing serious disruptions to business operations,” read the letter.
A recent survey by the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic is weighing down on Zimbabwe’s productive sector, amid warnings that some manufacturing companies are on the brink of collapse.
Low production and over-reliance on imports are haunting the country’s economy and weighed down the local currency.
Murefu said the continued disruptions would have a negative effect on the economy.
“You would be aware that both the minister of Finance (Muthuli Ncube) and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor (John Mangudya) are on record making the observation that our biggest problem leading to the current poor economic performance is lack of production or low utilisation,” the letter added.
“The failure of workers to report for duty as well as the failure of business to open in some urban centres as a result of workers failing to report for duty is actually exacerbating the problem.”
By A Correspondent | The MDC Alliance spokesperson, Fadzai Mahere’s 2018 election campaign manager, Kuda Musasiwa, has announced saying MDC President Nelson Chamisa wants to replace the top expert Dr Nkululeko Sibanda as his Presidential spokesperson.
His claims, contained in a tweet that remained unchallenged by Chamisa 3 days later, comes 3 weeks after Chamisa replaced Hon Daniel Molokele with Mahere in what some say was a good move, while others complain saying her rise to influence in the MDC Alliance is too sudden, and could turn disastrous.
Musasiwa ran Mahere’s entire 2018 election campaign, when Mahere thought she would defeat the MDC Alliance in Harare’s Mt Pleasant surbub.
Musasiwa is also known for plotting to rid the MDC Alliance of the capital city, Harare, having ganged up with Acie Lumumba (Gerald Mutumanje), Evan Mawarire, and a small group of zealots before the 2018 elections.
During that time Musasiwa would clash with the MDC stalwart Jameson Timba, who would in turn swear saying Fadzai Mahere prides herself in mere Twittership. Both Mahere and Musasiwa would regularly clash with the MDC Alliance until the day when she was given the heavy slap of reality that the MDC Alliance rules the city.
Fast forward, to June 2020, Musasiwa’s boss, the same Mahere, has risen to the post of running the entire information engine of the party she planned to crush (she has taken the shoes of the last most powerful spokesperson of the MDC Alliance, Obert Gutu, who had presidential ambitions, remains a thorn in the flesh in the side of the MDC Alliance to this day.)
Her rise is clearly sudden, and it is at this time, that Musasiwa is seen announcing that he has been contacted by Chamisa for to replace Dr Sibanda, a claim that has remained unchallenged up to the time of the publication of this article. – THIS IS A DEVELOPING ARTICLE.
While efforts to get a comment from President Chamisa were fruitless at the time of publishing, Musasiwa openly published his tweet saying, ” even the president said to me that he (Nkululeko Sibanda)’s a clown and offered me his job. “
A few hours later, President Chamisa dismissed Musasiwa’s claims. He briefly described his allegations as “false.”
Musasiwa has mocked Dr Sibanda saying he has a fake British accent. He said, “haiwawo Blaz uye ibaranzi..
“Aigija with a BriS**t accent yefeja. Nxa.”
…
Dr Sibanda has for more than 20 years proved to be not only an MDC loyale since his student union days when he was tortured by the CIO in the Midlands area, but worked hard to shape the MDC Alliance’s political strategy, and had Morgan Tsvangirai listened to him at the time of the coup, Mnangagwa would have been subdued during the very military takeover that removed Robert Mugabe. He supplied strategic intelligence that the MDC must not march to remove Mugabe or participate in impeachment drives until securing a state reform deal underwritten by the United Nations.
On the other hand, both Mahere and Musasiwa have no history of sacrifice to the struggle for democracy apart from participating in ED-Lacoste protests before the 2017 coup.
COMMENT – Meanwhile, should the development be true, firing Dr Sibanda especially at this time, will be disastrous for Nelson Chamisa and the entire party, while giving political ammunition to his nemesis, Douglas Mwonzora. Subsequently the person to gain out of all this is Emmerson Mnangagwa, there perhaps won’t be any need for ZANU PF to use state security against Chamisa, he will have finished himself.
The MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe on Friday got an interim court order from the Magistrates Court to occupy the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai (MRT) House which is the headquarters of the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance.
The interim court order was granted after the MDC-T deputy chairperson Morgen Komichi sought to bar Chalton Hwende and the MDC Alliance (MDCA) from coming to Harvest House.
The Magistrate Court ordered the 1st and 2nd respondents, Hwende and MDCA respectively, not to harass, assault or commit any acts of violence against members of MDC-T “in any manner likely to lead to a breach of peace”.
The order blocked MDCA from taking possession of the MRT House without a valid court order.
The Magistrates Court also ordered police to use all the necessary means to maintain law and order at MRT House and to enforce the provisions of the order.
Commenting on the court order, MDCA Secretary for Education, David Coltart said:
If one wrote this as fiction it would be rejected as far fetched. MDCT having unlawfully taken possession of MRT House with the help of the army now gets an order from the Magistrates Court (which doesn’t have jurisdiction) against a party the MDCT and ZANU-PF say isn’t a party, MDCA.
The court order was issued more than 12 hours after the military seized MRT House from MDCA and handed it over to Khupe’s party.
By A Correspondent- The governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, John Mangudya has announced that the auction system which will tell the official peg of the local currency against foreign currencies will start working this Tuesday.
He made the remarks during an interview with the Sunday Mail during which he also said that the 1:25 rate which the government recently ditched was not viable. He said:
What we are saying is very clear in that the auction market is going to receive bids starting Tuesday from an array of foreign currency users. After receiving the bids we will end up having an average rate that will be used for all official systems.
All shops will now be obliged to display the official rate so that they can peg prices in that regard as opposed to pegging prices based on the parallel market.
He added that the move was premised at addressing inflation and variation between the official and the black market forex rates.
Mangudya also said starting Tuesday, the country will have an official market for foreign currency adding that it will be used for all transactions involving foreign currency.
The local currency has been rapidly losing value against other currencies thereby triggering a rise in inflation.
Looking ahead ceteris paribus, it's common cause that the 2018 presidential election was stolen from @nelsonchamisa. That should inform the transition from Mnangagwa's military imposed administration to a new Zimbabwe. Anything else is mumbo jumbo!#ZanupfMustGo
By A Correspondent- Former MDC Alliance secretary for Policy and Research, Tapiwa Mashakada has accused the party leadership of employing the services of cyber mercenaries to target fellow party members and silence them from speaking out on the chaos that has become of the party.
Mashakada who is the Hatfield legislator told ZBC News that the schemers of the cyberattacks include Pedzisayi Ruhanya and former legislator Kuwadzana East Charlton Hwende.
He said:
“They are Masters of media theatrics and chicanery. Ruhanya is a former Daily News Political Editor. The desperate cabal led by Ruhanya and Hwende is so desperate to muzzle me and soil my image.
Recently they desperately staged an interview using Zim-eye featuring a confused man claiming I had snatched his wife. I bet you the next stupid drama they will stage is a rape case. They will even make attempts on my life. I now fear for my life and that of my family.”
Responding to the allegations, Ruhanya labelled Mashakada a ZANU PF agent adding that his remarks were childish.
This comes when tensions between the MDC formations led by Nelson Chamisa and Thokozani Khupe have in the recent past intensified following the Supreme Court ruling that reinstated Khupe as the MDC leader.
RETRACTION – We take great care in the accuracy of our reports and wish to notify our readers and listeners that the below announcement purportedly firing Health Minister Obadiah Moyo is false as per our previous warnings in two of our morning broadcasts. We apologise. pic.twitter.com/z3eB53xVE3
By A Correspondent- The strike by nurses at Bulawayo’s two major hospitals entered day two on Saturday with a handful of the health workers reporting for work.
Nurses at Mpilo Central Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals on Friday went on strike demanding that their salaries be reverted to 1 October 2018 levels which were in United States dollars, which they said was a stable currency that can store value of their salaries.
Mpilo Central Hospital acting chief executive officer Mr Solwayo Ngwenya said only 21 nurses out of 80 who were expected yesterday afternoon had reported for duty.
“Yes, it’s still on (strike). A total of 21 out of 80 nurses expected to be on duty are at work. No doctors are on strike. A few student nurses and student midwives are also at work,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from the UBH acting chief executive officer Dr Narcisius Dzvanga were fruitless but an insider said the situation was bad.
“It is a terrible situation that we have this side, we cannot function efficiently without the nurses.
Those in the maternity department were working with one midwife in the labour ward which is not acceptable and risky too looking at the number of cases.
We cannot work this way for such a big institution, we have had to go back to emergency mode but still we are failing to cope, it’s just not a workable way out. Nurses are truly the backbone of healthcare in any country, they are essential.”
The source said nurses were ward managers and were a critical part in the functioning of a hospital.
“They spend a lot of time with patients and when they are not there it is a disaster.”
Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Mr Enock Dongo was quoted last week saying the nurses’ salaries in US dollars were stable as local currency was continuously eroding pensions, savings, medical aid and funeral policies, among other things- The Sunday News
By A Correspondent- Today was his birthday and Paul Munakopa would have turned 35.
Munakopa was thirty four when he was fatally shot by suspected police officers in Hillside suburb while driving with his fiancé in May 2020.
Munakopa, who was shot around 10 pm along Caithness Road in Hillside on a Saturday, succumbed to the gunshot wounds at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) in the early hours of the next Sunday morning.
Munakopa’s fiance, Tracy Mufudzi, told CITE in an interview that her fiancé was shot four times by suspected police officers who were reportedly driving in a white Toyota Fortuner with civilians believed to members of a neighbourhood watch committee.
Mufudzi said she had linked up with Munakopa earlier in the day and they had gone together to Burnside suburb to view a house which they were planning to rent.
“We went to my place and parked outside the gate. We were so excited about moving in together and starting our own home. He said the house was a bit old and would need some renovations. He then suggested that we go to Malindela suburb where he would show me a house he once revamped while he was still staying there,” she narrated.
Mufudzi said they proceeded to Malindela suburb and parked by near the house.
She said they sat in the car talking for about 20 minutes and as they drove off the white car appeared from nowhere.
“Munakopa reversed his car and we drove off. When we got to Cecil Avenue we spotted the car following us. They caught up with us at Hillside Teachers College and blocked our way. This car had no siren or anything on it and we were just puzzled as to whom it was. We reversed and turned into Caithness Road,” she narrated.
She said the car blocked their way again and two white men, who were wearing camouflage caps and had bandanas tied to their faces disembarked from the vehicle.
“We were now panicking because we couldn’t even see who these people were nor did we know what they wanted. He tried to reverse again. At the time when he started to drive off we heard four gunshots. He was hit on his hands, the car lost control and fell into a trench on the side of the road,” she said.
“There was no warning shots or anything. They just started firing. At least they could have hooted or asked us to pull over. There was no way we could have just known that these were police officers chasing us.”
She added that the two armed cops came to the car and started smashing the windows.
“I was seated at the back seat of the car and I was screaming. I reached out for Munakopa and held his head. I felt blood all over it. One of the white men told the cops that Munakopa was bleeding and asked for something to help to apply pressure to prevent blood loss,” she said.
“The man then called for an ambulance, more police officers came to the scene. I asked them why they didn’t fire warning shots, the cops said they fired at us because we did not stop.”
Mufudzi said an ambulance came about 30 minutes later, but she remained at the scene until their car had been towed away.
Her brother then picked her up and they drove to UBH.
“At UBH they said I should have been accompanied by a police officer who would explain what had transpired. They said he had lost a lot of blood because the bullets had hit several atteries. They said they’d only give him painkillers and operate on him the following day. Around 4 AM I got a message that he had passed on,” she said.
She said she then proceeded to Central Police Station to open a case against the police but was referred to Hillside police station.
“When I got there I was ushered into a room where we found one of the officers who shot at us. He looked at me and laughed. I ran out of the room crying. They then started recording my statement as a witness to the case. I told them that I wanted to open a case too against the police but they told me that I was not allowed to do so,” she said.
When contacted for a comment, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the shooting incident and said investigations are still underway.
Nyathi said an official statement will be issued once circumstances around the incident have been established.
“Police are investigating a case in which a high-speed chase resulted in a fatal shoot out by police officers who were on patrol. The now-deceased man was found naked with his partner in their car. We are yet to get finer details pertaining to the incident and an official statement will be issued,” Ass Comm Nyathi said in May 2020.
That was the last time the police spoke about the matter.
By A Correspondent- Two minors were shot and injured during a farm robbery in Limpopo, South African police said on Sunday.
Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said the shooting happened at Eersteling Boerdery on Thursday evening.
A group of armed men stormed the farm and robbed farm workers of money and cellphones, Mojapelo said.
“They thereafter proceeded to the main house where they also robbed the occupants of cellphones and money.
“The suspects then broke the window of one of the rooms where two children, aged 8 and 12, were sleeping and allegedly started shooting randomly inside the room,” he said.
Both children were wounded and transported to hospital.
In a separate farm attack along the N1 north of Polokwane on Friday, a 68-year-old woman was attacked with a knife and tied up.
“The suspects ransacked the house and in the process, robbed the victim of a cellphone, plasma TV, gas bottle and stove. They thereafter fled from the scene.
“The victim managed to untie herself and notified community police forum members who then alerted the police.”
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe has recorded two coronavirus deaths within 24 hours bringing the total number of fatalities related to the virus to 6.
One of the deceased is a woman from the Midlands Province who was tested for coronavirus when she was already dead while the second one was a case from Bulawayo Province who had tested positive for the virus on the 17th of June.
Meanwhile, the number of recoveries has risen to 64 after one person recovered from the virus.
This was announced by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in a statement which also observed that the total number of known coronavirus cases in the country rose to 486 after seven cases were recorded.
The Ministry reported that of all the new cases, six are returnees from South Africa while one case was from Portugal.
It is not clear from the statement if the two fatalities (death in quarantine and community death) are part of the 7 new cases.
THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has launched a new operation code-named “Wakazvitenga Sei?” that is set to see individuals who fail to account for their wealth forfeiting it to the State.
ZACC chair Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo said the anti-graft body was empowered by the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Amendment Act to seize assets bought through proceeds of crime.
Even if the suspected corrupt person is acquitted by the courts, the unexplained wealth orders give the commission and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) power to forfeit the properties.
The law demands that anyone suspected of corruption explain his or her source of wealth, failure of which they will lose the properties.
It is understood that some persons of interest, including high-profile individuals, are already being investigated by ZACC.
Justice Matanda-Moyo told The Sunday Mail that those that would be under investigation are expected to produce verifiable and auditable data to support their wealth.
“This is an intensive lifestyle audit on some of the rich people. They have to produce their invoices on what goods or services they rendered and this has to match the value of the acquired properties,” she said.
“We will also be checking if these people or their businesses were paying taxes. This means that the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) is also on board as we seek to ensure compliance to all laws.”
However, before the properties or wealth is seized, an application would be made through the NPA.
Those who are under investigation will then be afforded an opportunity at the High Court to account for their wealth.
Failure to do so will automatically result in seizure and forfeiture.
Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara)’s former chief executive officer Mr Frank Chitukutuku’s properties have been frozen while investigations into his case continue.
A former Zimra revenue official Mr Kennedy Nyatoti recently lost a US$150 000 mansion and a vehicle after the taxman conducted a lifestyle audit which exposed that his earnings did not match his possessions.
ZACC spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure said the country now has robust legal instruments to fight corruption such as the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, Prevention of Corruption Act, Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Amendment Act and Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Writing in his bi-weekly column, Corruption Watch, which is published by The Sunday Mail, Commissioner Makamure said the unexplained wealth orders were recently enacted into law and gave impetus to assets forfeiture of properties reasonably suspected to have been acquired through corruption.
“The unexplained wealth orders are a profound development in the quest for zero tolerance to corruption. This is because someone can be acquitted in a criminal trial but still have assets forfeited as long as on the balance of probabilities there is reasonable suspicion that they were acquired from corrupt activities.”
Commissioner Makamure said they were closely working with the NPA, which makes applications at the courts to seize targeted properties under the operation.
“We are confident that the improved legal framework on asset recovery should enable the commission to surpass its target of recovering assets worth $300 million by the end of this year.”
Legal expert Mr Oliver Marwa said while the current statutes were adequate to combat corruption, there is need to double down on efforts to fight the scourge considering its prevalence.
There was need for ZACC to hire competent chartered accountants and lawyers who should be well paid to avoid bribery from suspects, he said.
“Corruption in Zimbabwe is more pronounced in the public sector where politicians have more assets compared to their counterparts in the developed world. They acquire houses and cars, hence it is not difficult to seize and forfeit properties acquired from proceeds of crime,” said Mr Marwa.
He recommended that asset seizure should be done expeditiously as properties could be easily transferred or sold to third parties and render the whole exercise futile.
“Corruption is very complicated. So let us be serious because it sustains itself in that if someone is arrested he/she can easily pay a bribe and be released. In some cases, one may never get evidence of corruption,” said Mr Marwa.
“In Zimbabwe, we have the slowest action in dealing with corruption but this must change if we want to win this war.”
President Mnangagwa’s administration has declared war against corruption and has been propping up institutions that fight graft to be able to deliver on their mandate.
By A Correspondent- The newly formed party The Patriotic Front on Saturday announced its founding National Executive Committee set to lead The Third Way until at least its official launch.
In a statement, the Patriotic Front said the party’s National coordinators made the resolutions at its meeting held on Thursday evening. Reads the statement in part:
True to the party’s multiracial, multi-ethnic approach of uniting Zimbabweans towards finding lasting solutions to the country’s multifaceted crisis, TPF elected a structure which is a blend of races, ethnic groups, youth and experience.
In line with its resolve to economically emancipate and empower people in their communities while also trying to restore national, regional and international confidence in Zimbabwe, the leadership comprises business leaders, economic experts, technocrats, politicians and community leaders.
Members of TPF interim National Executive Committee were announced as:
President – Darryl Collet;
Deputy Presidents – Patrick Matsinhanise and Anele Ndlovu;
National Chairperson – Tamary Mukuna;
Secretary-General – Andrew Nyathi;
Deputy SG – Thutho Mavula;
Secretary for Mobilization and Organising – Stanley Eden Ncube;
Deputy Secretary for Mobilization and Organising – Joyful Ncube & Simbarashe Mupundu;
Secretary For Innovation – Sam Mudzimurema;
Secretary for Information – Mxolisi Ncube and Deputy, Vanessa Gonyonga.
Secretary for International Relations – Nkanyezi Ndlovu;
Secretary for Economic Development – St John Smallbones;
Secretary for Legal Affairs – Vusani Khumalo;
Secretary for Commercial Agriculture – Adam Forbes;
Secretary for Subsistence Agriculture – Tanyaradzwa Makumbo;
Sec for Elections – Muchengeti Hwacha;
Secretary for Arts and Culture – Peter Sinek;
Secretary for Health and Welfare – Butholezwe Nyathi.
Darryl Collet, is a 73-year-old businessman and dispossessed former owner of Mjingwe Ranch, a lucrative wildlife ranch in Masvingo’s Mwenezi district.
By A Correspondent- A Zimbabwean human rights defender, Tatenda Mombeyarara has said that he is terrified by the recent reports of abduction and torture of three MDC Alliance trio – Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.
Mombeyarara was last year kidnapped from his home at ungodly hours, tortured and sustained a fractured leg.
He is one of many people who were last year arrested on grounds that they were intending to subvert a constitutionally established government.
Speaking to DW, Mombeyarara said dissent can lead to abduction and torture.
He said:
I am petrified and terrified. It is a difficult situation to become a villain when you are the victim. You are forced to decide to keep to yourself to prevent further victimization. You have to remain gagged to heal. The nature of harm caused on you goes beyond physical.
Although the identity of the perpetrator of these human rights abuses is not yet known, the opposition MDC and human rights organizations say in most incidences, the pattern of the violations points towards the state.
The government, however, has denied involvement with the Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe saying the government does not engage or permit any of its agencies and institutions to use methods such as torture, forced disappearances or abductions.
Kazembe accused the opposition of working with foreign organizations to destabilize the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa adding that “torture and forced disappearances are alien to us.”
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch Southern Africa Director Dewa Mavhinga observes that Zimbabwe’s failure to decisively deal with cases of abductions disappearances and torture severely undermines the standing of the country within the international community and reengagement efforts.
By Prince Njagu- Barely a month after three MDC-Alliance cadres, legislator Joanna Mamombe, youth leaders Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova were arrested and mysteriously went missing under police custody; two more brave women, Namatai Kwekweza and Vongai Zimudzi have fallen victims to the same hash, tyrannical rule in Zimbabwe.
Abductions and arrests of individuals who question or oppose the capabilities of ZANU PF have become the talk of the day in Zimbabwe.
Several arrests have so far been made ever since the lockdown was enforced, and in all instances, individuals are arrested for protesting a political system that they feel has failed to deliver.
The latest instance of the two Zimbabwe female activists Namatai Kwekweza and Vongai Zimudzi who were arrested for staging a two women Demo against the constitutional amendment No. 2 bill is only a tip of the iceberg.
“Two young female activists, Namatai and Vongai have been arrested for standing up for our rights”,
“They were reminding Mnagagwa and his regime that they should not tear up the constitution to bring up more powers for the dictator to loot”, said Hopewell Chin’ono on his Twitter handle.
Zimbabweans have been suffering under the harsh, tyrant ZANU PF rule and every time people stand up for what they believe in, security forces are deployed on them.
It is somehow very questionable as to how can a democratic state propose a constitutional amendment during a lockdown, and when two women question the practicality of that they are arrested.
In 2013 Zimbabweans were asked to take part in a constitution amendment process, and 3.3 million people voted, with 94.4% voting “yes”.
These same 3.3 million Zimbabweans need to be consulted before any amendments to the constitution can be done.
When a few individuals question the practicality of the amendment process under a lockdown, the government goes on to make arrests.
These women were just exercising their constitutional right, questing the actions of the government is a way of seeking for accountability from office bearers. Arresting these women is a means of instilling fear as well as silencing the people from questioning the government.
This is only acceptable in a dictatorship and such actions do not reflect anything near to a democracy.
Instead of tormenting Zimbabwean citizens, the ZANU PF led administration should be working on addressing key issues in the country. Civil servants want to be paid in US dollars, doctors and nurses are always downing their tools.
These are the issues which should be working on addressing.
There is hyperinflation in the country, and the latest figures show an astounding inflation rate soaring above 784%. This makes it the second highest rate in the world after Venezuela and this is not a thing any head of a State should be proud of.
These inflation rates are measured against prices of all items on the Consumer Price Index and it shows that prices increased by an average of 785,55% between May 2019 and May 2020, according to the statistics agency Zimstat cited in The Chronicle newspaper.
A haphazard implemented Covid-19 lockdown has only worsened the crisis, as there has been 11 weeks loss in revenue and the vast of Zimbabweans are starving as they are informal traders.
President Emmerson Mnagagwa and his ZANU PF led administration should be looking into ways of dealing with the starving Zimbabweans, the economic crisis and not arresting citizens who seek accountability from them.
When citizens questions government actions or demonstrate against things they feel are being done poorly by office holders, they are arrested. This is textbook dictatorship.
Several arrests have been made on different occasions during this lockdown; mainly oppositional leaders, Tendai Biti, Lynnette Karenyi Kore and Obey Sithole, just to name a few.
Anyone who opposes the ZANU PF status quo is seen as an enemy and they are either arrested or abducted.
“Speaking out to protect the Constitution is not a crime. Peaceful protest is not a crime. We demand the immediate release of Namatai and Vongai! They speak for all of us when they say the Constitution must be respected”, said Advocate Fadzayi Mahere on her Twitter handle.
File Picture of residents of Bulawayo demonstrating against council.
I was born at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo during the last decade of the infamous Ian Smith Rhodesian regime. In those days black people were banished to the townships. I am not a fan of the Smith government and never will be. What cannot be disputed, however, is that upon independence in 1980 the new black-led government inherited a solid infrastructure and systems. Bulawayo has always been considered the most organised city in Zimbabwe from town planning to efficient municipal water and health systems. Even after independence the city was fortunate to be led by capable leaders of the likes of Nick Mabodoko, Dennis Ndlovu, etc and the long-serving town clerk Mike Ndubiwa.
Even when Zimbabwe’s economic fortunes started declining from 1990 onwards and there were severe water challenges emanating from drought, the city always delivered quality services to its residents, including clean, drinkable tap water. Grass was always cut, refuse collected, municipal clinics worked efficiently, street lights were always functional and the wide, spacious roads were the envy of many international and domestic visitors. It didn’t matter whether you were in the suburbs or townships. Everything worked. Remember too that the city was the country’s industrial powerhouse nicknamed “kontuthu ziyathunqa”, meaning “where the smoke always billows”. Back then it was an industrial hub that housed globally known brands such as Merlin Towels, Van Heusen Shirts, Supersonic Radio, among many others. Lately, many of those factories are locked shells gathering dust or are home to fly-by-night churches. The city’s famed Centenary Park is now overgrown with grass and litter is strewn all over.
Even at the height of the inflationary period around 2006-2008 when everybody became a trillionaire, the city miraculously delivered clean water and decent services at a time when the country’s leadership was at its most unaccountable, vicious and violent. Bulawayo’s municipality somehow always weathered the storm and provided solace to its long-suffering residents, who eventually voted Zanu PF out of power as is the case in other metropolitan areas.
Fast-forward to 2020 and there is an opposition-led municipality with a young MDC Alliance mayor and the city is looking like the worst-run it has ever been in its history. To use the fancy language of governance experts, the City of Bulawayo is experiencing both service failure and conduct failure. Service failure means maladministration that consists of failure to properly deliver services and amenities by a state entity. Conduct failure refers to maladministration that consists of corruption, failure to manage conflict of interest, abuse of power, nepotism, favouritism, etc. I will illustrate some instances that have embarrassed the City of Bulawayo recently and have called into question the suitability of the city’s current leadership.
First, on June 14, 2020, residents of Luveve township staged a demonstration over four deaths allegedly caused by contaminated water. The city issued an insensitive denial speculating that residents are not storing water properly and should not use metal containers. What was missing in the statement is an acknowledgment that the almost permanent water cuts, which the city now experiences are a public health hazard. Apart from the videos of vulnerable elderly gogos (grandmas) staging a demonstration, there was another video doing the rounds of a tap producing brown water in full throttle in Khumalo suburb where my Bulawayo residence happens to be. Water vanishes for nine days on end with hardly any explanation. Many people in places like Pumula, etc speak of longer periods. In spite of the lengthy absence of water, residents are still slapped with exorbitant bills. To add injury to insult, two weeks ago a council employee was recorded nonchalantly browsing YouTube videos while the queue for services was 100 metres long. The explanation received was that the said official is a traffic official, who is not involved with rates or water bills and was, therefore, justified in idling away. Water is life, literally. Without it, the quality of human life declines and gives way to disease and economic stagnation. The drought excuse won’t work for me because even at the height of Matabeleland’s water problems, the quality of its water has always been the best in the country. Let me guess why they can’t deliver on clean water. They are busy looting and allocating council property to each other.
On June 16, 2020, a media storm brewed concerning the proposed lease for 25 years of 3 hectares of land in Upper Rangemore to mayor Solomon Mguni for the monthly sum of $165 (US$2). Many people raised the issue of the paltry sum being charged for such a prime property. His supporters argued that this is the going rate for renting council property. What they did not get is that this proposed transaction violates basic tenets of clean governance. It is blatant conflict of interest to allocate such land to a sitting mayor. If it happened in the past, it should stop. There may be attempts to spin this, but there is a causal link between his being mayor and the proposed allocation. The town clerk, Christopher Dube, in whose name these adverts are communicated to the public, also failed in his fiduciary duty to protect ratepayers and the integrity of the municipality by allowing this transaction to be considered in the first place.
The international standard and definition for conflict of interest is very simple. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Toolkit For Managing Conflict of Interest In The Public Sector, a conflict of interest exists where there is an unacceptable possibility of conflict between a public official’s interests as a private citizen (private capacity interests) and their duty as a public official or civil servant (official duty).
Some have argued that the Urban Councils Act, 2015 can be considered as an adequate loophole for the mayor to receive such an allocation. It is my considered opinion after perusing the legislation, there is nothing in it that can justify a potentially unethical transaction such as this. Granted, Zimbabwe’s anti-corruption legislation such as the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004 and Prevention of Corruption Act, 2001 is somewhat foggy when compared to its regional peers, the fact still remains that it is not official state policy for public office bearers to abuse their offices for blatant private gain.
Third, according to reports in May 2019, councillor Mguni is not the only one wanting an incestuous relationship with public resources. According to the Sunday News, out of 29 councillors, only five have not been given council property to lease. There has been no denial or proof to the contrary of this startling allegation. The report went further to indicate that the mayor sought to lease a bottle store in Njube while his wife sought to lease a shop in Makokoba, but was warned by council officials that this may backfire badly. Again there has not been a denial or proof to the contrary. One can only sympathise with the officials who are caught between a rock and a hard place juggling fearing for their jobs and unethical requests from their superiors. If these reports are anything go by; the majority of councillors led by the mayor and supported by the town clerk do not understand the role of holding public office. When confronted with these allegations, the mayor responded as follows: “I forwarded my application like any other resident and when that matter was being discussed, I recused myself from the meeting and I would not know whether I got the lease or not, I am eagerly awaiting the full council meeting to see whether I got it or not.” What the mayor does not get is that he is not just any other resident. Public office is public trust and as a public official he is entrusted to make decisions affecting the rights and interests of private citizens. A public official has a duty to ensure that his official position is not used improperly for private advantage. There is nothing stopping him from resigning and becoming a private citizen who can freely engage in business transactions. This double-dipping constitutes an abuse of power and is basically not allowed in 100% of respected democracies around the world. It is almost like a student marking his/her own exam. Mguni’s subordinates are unlikely to cross paths with their boss by declining his application.
Fourth, in 2015 the city council authorised then sitting deputy mayor Gift Banda to buy 3.5 hectares of Ascot Race Course for a paltry $130 0000 for the purpose of constructing townhouses. The tragic irony is that Ascot Race Course is a rotting shell with the last horse race having been held there in 2001.
Their priority is clearly not service delivery, but to eat, eat and eat some more. This blatant stripping of public assets reminds me of Michela Wrong’s It’s Our Turn to Eat: The Story of a Kenyan Whistle-Blower which narrates a similar experience by Kenya whistleblower John Githongo. It is brazen, it is crude, but most importantly it is the worst kind of stealing from the poor in a sea of poverty.
Lastly, on June 16, 2020 media reports confirmed another disturbing decision by the city council to sell off part of the historical Harry Allen Golf Club to private buyers based in South Africa. Perhaps this is a crude and amateur attempt to emulate residential golf estates that are found in South Africa and other jurisdictions. The difference is that in those jurisdictions they were proper real estate projects from the beginning, not a blatant stripping or desecration of public assets. Local Government minister July Moyo who has to approve this should do the sensible thing and decline this vulgar abuse of public authority.
Meanwhile, staff morale is very low. I personally know some maintenance workers with up to 40 years service for the city who live in abject poverty with salaries often late with nothing to show for their years of service. Contrast this to their high-flying bosses.
In the smouldering ruins of Zimbabwe’s local government, Bulawayo was one of the last decent municipalities standing. This is clearly no longer the case. The current leadership of the city — from the mayor to the councillors — clearly have self-enrichment as their top priority and the town clerk is not stopping them either. There is a need to find leaders of the original ethical calibre that Bulawayo knew. Surely the likes of Alderman Dennis Ndlovu, Arthur Ncube, former town clerk Mike Ndubiwa etc must be hanging their heads in shame at this brood of vultures which has reduced such a beautiful city to a laughing stock. The solution can only come from three oversight entities. Firstly, Local Government minister Moyo must exercise his legislative powers and put a stop to this rot.
A forensic investigation combined with an audit of all possible conflict of interest scenarios must be gazetted as soon as possible. The likelihood is that what I have described above is just a tip of the iceberg. Secondly, perhaps more embarrassingly given what they preach in manifestos, their political principals — the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) — must recall them. The irony is that Nelson Chamisa and his leadership have not condemned such abuse of public power by their elected representatives. They are conspicuously quiet. Thirdly, the anti-corruption commission must open a formal investigation with the aim of rooting out criminal and/or corrupt conduct. This awkward state of affairs is surely the height of cruelty to the long-suffering resident and rate payer. If this leadership cannot shape up, they must ship out.
l Kevin Sifiso Malunga is a Bulawayo-born advocate who has worked extensively on anti-corruption and good governance issues.
After veteran soccer coach Cosmas Tsano Zulu expressed his views about renaming Barbourfields after the legendary former Highlanders, Warriors and Mamelodi Sundowns team manager Peter Nsukuzonke Ndlovu, this has sent tongues wagging amongst supporters and soccer players across the country.
The following had this to say.
Former Highlanders goalkeeper who preferred anonymity had this to say ‘’. name changing Barbourfields stadium would not come good as the stadium popularly known as B.F, the ceremonial home of football which comes with memories and culture, its like someone who buys Orlando Pirates and wants to change its name. He went on to make references on Old Trafford, that because of culture and memories it has not been changed to David Beckam stadium. The best we can do for him is maybe naming a certain stand e.g Mpilo End or VIP after him. Highlanders is a team of culture and history, so we don’t change the name of the stadium, why him in particular? The name Barbourfields comes with lot of things, to the opponent’s teams it brings fear, to the Bosso supporters it brings hope and solace. We can’t honor our legends by doing the wrong thing, of course it’s good to honor our legends…’’ voiced the shot stopper.
Sjabuliso Nyathi, AKA Sjega , a Bosso diehard fan based at Jotsholo had this to say ‘’….why Peter Ndlovu, whats there in him? How about British Mloyi , Rahman Gumbo, Rambo Sibanda to name but a few, after all Peter has not done anything for Highlanders to deserve all this except organizing a friendly match between Highlanders and Mamelodi Sundowns. If they want to honor Peter Ndlovu let them build a new stadium and name it after him like what happened with Moses Mabhida stadium.
Meanwhile one Paul Ndlovu Sibanda who hails at Meadowlands Zone 10, Soweto is of the idea that the stadium should be named after the legendary Mamelodi Sundowns Manager. Actully he feels it should be named ‘’Nsukuzonke’’ Peter’s nickname.
One soccer player from Harare based Premier Soccer Leage team, feels that renaming B.F after Peter Ndlovu would encourage the young and upcoming players.
Yet one Titus Tembo AKA Mr T, who usually leads the ‘’Soweto Choir’’ , feels that B.F can be renamed after any other player but not Peter Ndlovu, ‘’… B.F can be named anything but not Peter Ndlovu, fine I don’t doubt he was one of the best players to dawn the black and white stripe but it just ended there, what contributions has he made for Bosso ever since he left the team, it was surely a stepping stone for him into the English Premier League and stardom but it just ended there…’’ echoed Mr T.
Thokozani Khupe with ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa
OPPOSITION MDC-T led by Dr Thokozani Khupe has hit back at its rivals who are alleging that the formation was a Zanu-PF project noting that those who were peddling such falsehoods were attempting to get an unfair political advantage.
Supreme Court judge Justice Bharat Patel, sitting with Justices Paddington Garwe and Antonia Guvava, in April ruled that Mr Nelson Chamisa was not the legitimate MDC-T leader in terms of the party’s constitution and subsequently ordered the convening of an extra-ordinary congress within three months to elect a new president.
Since the ruling, members of the Chamisa-led MDC-Alliance have labelled Dr Khuphe a sell-out, even claiming that she was a pawn of the ruling Zanu-PF. Last week, MDC Alliance vice-president, Professor Welshman Ncube was quoted in the private media saying Dr Khupe was shameless.
Responding to questions from the Sunday News, MDC-T, deputy secretary for information and publicity, who is also Dr Khupe’s spokesperson, Mr Khalipani Phugeni said Dr Khupe’s detractors were just angered by the fact that she refused to be submissive and allow for the infringement of her rights. He said most of the accusations that were being levelled against the party’s leaders were not provable by either Mr Chamisa or his cronies.
“It is a sad thing that people would treat others in a manner they would not want to be treated themselves, because we all know that natural justice demands that he that accuses must prove. Dr Khupe has previously been arrested over seven times, she has received nothing, publicly or privately from Zanu-PF, which the same cannot be said about her detractors.
“Simply because she stood firm and pushed back against infringement of her rights and stood resolute defending not only herself but her gender because she was being marginalised on the basis of her gender and ethnicity, so she stood firm, which the ruling elite and the private media did not like. They did not like this woman who was not submissive,” said Mr Phugeni.
He took a swipe at Prof Ncube and the MDC-Alliance co-vice-president Mr Tendai Biti for spreading baseless allegations noting that the two had themselves previously been labelled Zanu-PF projects by the same individuals they were now siding with.
“Dr Khupe’s working with Zanu-PF is only restricted or defined by the fact that it is the governing party of the day, so you can’t boycott Government because it is the Government that provides social services, build roads, gives us birth certificates to mention but a few, so if that is being Zanu-PF then all of us are Zanu-PF, as citizens of this country.
“Strange enough those that are now clamouring louder on this Zanu-PF tag, in particular Prof Ncube, has also once been called a Zanu-PF project by the same people he has joined ranks with. Tendai Biti was also once in the same boat, which was even worse for him as our late president Dr Morgan Tsvangirai is on record accusing him of having stolen large sums of money, so you are talking of a thief here, according to Dr Tsvangirai,” said Mr Phugeni.
He further clarified on the issue of recalling MPs and councillors saying they were still establishing those of their representatives that were pushing the party’s agenda and those that were not for them to come up with a detailed list of those that were to be recalled.
“Our agenda is not to recall, our agenda is to deliver, so you will appreciate that our representatives which we deploy in Government are being deployed to help us achieve this agenda. The issue does not have to do with whether one supports Dr Khupe or not but more of the values, aims and objectives of the MDC-T. This is something that we are patiently taking our time on because the violent takeover of the party did not help so the process of establishing those MPs and councillors that are carrying out their mandate with exception is taking time but very soon our caucus will be in shape,” he said.
On the issue of reclaiming of the MDC-T’s offices and assets around the country, Mr Phugeni said while the issue was still before the courts it was known to all that when Mr Chamisa usurped power he took both the party and its assets hence it had to follow that Dr Khupe’s MDC-T should also repossess their offices around the country.
He further revealed that at the moment they were not worried about public perception but were focusing on doing what was right in terms of the party constitution.
“We have not followed the public discourse mainly because we are doing what is right, it is not a popularity contest, it’s all about doing right by the party, Remember, Dr Khupe as the president of the party, she has what is called a fiducial duty towards the MDC-T and she must carry it out without fear or prejudice. The best way to carry out this mandate is not to worry much about public perception, I’m not saying public perception is not important but it is not a popularity contest, we are just making sure that the mandate of our people is carried out to the best of our ability,” said Mr Phugeni.
MDC Alliance Vice President and former Finance Minister, Tendai Biti has called on incumbent Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube to resign from his position as he is failing.
Below is Biti’s presentation on a point of privilege in parliament.
Mr. Speaker Sir, we are gravely concerned about the continuous shifting of our Monetary Policy. We are concerned particularly about the constant changes to our Monetary Policy. In 2009, we introduced the basket of multiple currencies. The basket of multiple currencies lasted until 2016, when in November 2016, the Bond Note was introduced through amendments that were made to the Reserve Bank Act. In 2017, Mr. Speaker Sir, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Finance spent the bulk of the year convincing Zimbabweans that the Bond Note was on par with the US dollar. They ran an expensive campaign called Operation gedye gedye, persuading the people of Zimbabwe to accept that the bond note was equal to the US dollar. We were shocked Mr. Speaker Sir when on the 1st of October 2018 banks were suddenly advised by the Reserve Bank in an exchange control directive that they had to separate people’s accounts into nostro FCAs and nostro RTGS. We were further shocked when on the 20th of February 2019, Statutory Instrument 33 of 2019 was introduced which said we now have a new currency called the RTGS, which initially was at 1:1 then 1:2.5 and then was floated.
In June of 2019, Mr. Speaker Sir, we were advised by the esteemed Minister of Finance that the country had dedolarised; that the regime of multiple currencies were no longer legal tender in Zimbabwe; that the Zimbabwean dollar had been restored as the sole currency in this country. Mr. Speaker Sir, some people protested and made the point that the country was not ready to introduce its own currency. We made the point that conditions did not exist for the introduction of our own currency. We were further confused yesterday when the Minister of Finance effectively dedollarised by the introduction of a US$75 allowance to civil servants and US$30 to war veterans. It is our contention Mr. Speaker that the Minister of Finance owes Zimbabweans an apology that he should not introduce dollarisation through the back door; that he should repeal Statutory Instrument 33 and Statutory Instrument 142 and the Finance Act. Mr. Speaker Sir, the Minister of Finance has failed in absolute terms and must resign. I thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir.
THE Bulawayo City Council has identified the disease which has killed nine people in Luveve as a gastrointestinal disease but warned that it was incapacitated to handle an outbreak of another disease at a time the country is battling coronavirus.
Nearly 1 000 people have already been treated of the disease which has diarrhoea symptoms, while nine people have died since the outbreak of the disease which residents blame on water supplied by the council.
The Mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni, revealed that health officials have identified the illness as a gastrointestinal disease outbreak.
A gastrointestinal disease is a condition or disease that occurs within the gastrointestinal tract, it includes conditions as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhoids, anal fissures, perianal abscesses, anal fistulas, perianal infections, diverticular diseases, colitis, colon polyps and cancer.
He revealed that so far the outbreak has been clustered in Old Luveve, New Luveve and Gwabalanda.
“At least 726 suspected cases of Gastrointestinal Disease have been seen and evaluated at Luveve Clinic this week (last week) and at least 37 seen at their homes as at 18 June 2020. At least 15 were transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital from Luveve area (including the clinic) on 16 June with the hospital reporting at least 59 people being admitted and five having died (five children and one adult) as of 16 June 2020.
Investigations on community deaths is ongoing, with at least three having been reported. Symptoms being reported include watery diarrhoea, bloody diarrhoea, fever, vomiting and abdominal cramps and pain,” said Clr Mguni.
He said four treatment stations have been set up, with mobilisation of mobile ablution facilities in progress.
“The inter-departmental investigations (health and engineering services) are ongoing with water samples from taps, storage containers and unprotected wells being collected and sent to different laboratories for testing.
“The city continues with engagement of local leadership and community structures, council has also waivered water shedding in the affected area,” he said.
Clr Mguni said some of the patients who were admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital had been diagnosed with Haemolytic-uraemic syndrome, which is a group of blood disorders characterised by low red blood cells, acute kidney failure, and low platelets.
“Initially most of the Luveve cases complaining of diarrhoea were not reporting to the health facility citing that they did not have money to pay for service fees at the clinic. Patients were advised to seek care immediately while issue of payments was going to be addressed using the council’s pro-poor policy or unfunded mandate framework as has always been the case in outbreak situations.
“After that campaign, the numbers of patients seeking services has increased. It was also observed that the affected cases were not administering the home-made sugar and salt solution as they did not have sugar or salt at times. Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) at clinics was distributed to those affected,” said Clr Mguni.
The Mayor said one of their major challenges to date in handling this gastrointestinal disease outbreak was the lack of personnel as already their officials were engrossed with containing the Covid-19 pandemic in the city.
“Council has inadequate human resources to cater for two outbreaks and maintain essential services, further there is a major worry in terms of the frequency of the diarrhoea deterring patients from seeking health services early. Water shortages are also deterring messages on hand washing as there was backlash experienced from the community. The danger is that the outbreak may not be limited to Luveve only,” said Clr Mguni.
The mayor dispelled social media reports that there was an outbreak of typhoid in the city. Meanwhile, the local authority has reported that it requires US$1 482 000 to address the problem of water contamination in the affected areas.
The plan of action according to the local authority’s engineering services department includes the rehabilitation of the existing water and sewer infrastructure with the local authority noting that one of the possible causes of the contamination was the obsolete infrastructure.
“The infrastructure is over 50 years old and has not had any water quality challenges. The 144- hour shedding strained the already aged network, further complicating the system and reducing its ability to self-cleanse due to prolonged hours of no water in the network.
“Part of Old Luveve water mains are being replaced under BWSSIP ( Bulawayo Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project) which is an African Development Bank (AfDB) on-going project, to eliminate such challenges. The water connections are being separated and repositioned to run front-verge, whilst the sewer drainage will remain mid-block. However, funding has not been adequate to cover the whole of Old Luveve,” reads a council report on the contamination.
The targeted projects include; rehabilitation of the outfall sewer line with hand dug wells (US$1,2 million), repair of all water and sewer service connections (US$250 000), pipe laying and replacement (US$25 000), repair of the reclaimed line (US$5 000) and pipes and fittings (US$ 2 000).
In the immediate term the local authority revealed that it will be back-filling all unprotected hand dug wells and their use will be strongly discouraged. On Friday, the Government also ordered that all those treated for running tummies in the area must be tested for Covid-19.
The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority, ZESA has reportedly started rolling out power cuts as the country has started to slowly reopen the economy.
The development has also been attributed to the winter-wheat farming which the power utility has given priority to ensure enhanced wheat production in the country.
The power utility had last implemented load-shedding before the coronavirus induced lockdown was imposed on the country in March.
There were reports of power cuts from a number of suburbs in Harare including Kuwadzana, Mbare, Warren Park on Friday.
There is however no official communication from the power utility to explain the recent power cuts.
Zimbabwe has a power crisis that has seen some parts of the country going for about 18 hours without power during the peak of the crisis.
The crisis is attributed to ageing equipment at Hwange Power Station and shrinking water levels at Kariba Dam, issues that have seen the country generating less than required power.
The crisis has also been blamed on corruption by government officials which has stalled the refurbishment of the country’s power stations and has also seen the Gwanda Solar Power Project by Intratek fronted by Wicknell Chivcayo failing to take off since 2015.
Former tourism minister, Walter Mzembi has demanded that President Emmerson Mnangagwa explains how arrested local businessman Delish Nguwaya holds a diplomatic passport
Nguwaya is currently in remand prison after he was denied bail when he was arrested over a week ago on charges of fraudulently acquiring a US$42 million tender to supply Covid-19 testing kits and equipment to the government.
The government has been strenuously trying to dismiss claims that Nguwaya has close links to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s family, in particular his son, Collins.
Mzembi said during his tenure as tourism minister, he struggled but failed to facilitate one for world-acclaimed Zimbabwean musician, the late Oliver Mtukudzi.
“Mr. President! Please explain why this thief holds a diplomatic passport?” Mzembi asked.
“Despite repeated pleas and submissions for Oliver Mtukudzi to the then Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mmbengegwi to consider a diplomatic passport for this cultural icon (Mtukudzi), my ministry and ZTA (Zimbabwe Tourism Authority), were given a flat NO. Uyu (Nguwaya) akazokosha kupfura Tuku nhai? (So, Nguwaya is more important than Tuku!”
Diplomatic passports are issued by the President at his mercy and are a preserve of government ministers, senior government officials, and selected MPs.
The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) of Zimbabwe has expressed concern over reports saying 19 600 day-old chicks that had been smuggled from South Africa into Zimbabwe across the Limpopo River were intercepted and burnt by police.
On Tuesday, police told The Herald that they had intercepted and arrested Admire Ndlovu of Mwenezi and Prince Gumbo of Dulivhadzimu suburb in Beitbridge who were transporting the consignment.
Matabeleland South police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident saying: “Our team on patrol intercepted some suspects after smuggling chicks into the country.
“The matter has since been referred to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) for further management. We understand that the chicks were destroyed by fire as per standard customs regulations.”
The state media further indicated that customs officials claimed to have had discussed the issue with the veterinary department who observed the burning.
“Following their arrest, they were taken to Zimra officials where the chicks were destroyed with guidance from veterinarians,” said the State Media.
The veterinary department has however issued a statement expressing ignorance of the act. The department said they are investigating the issue.
Neal Maupay scored the winner five minutes into added time as relegation-threatened Brighton clinched a huge win over Arsenal, who once again lost a key player to injury.
Maupay showed coolness and class to slot in his ninth and most important goal of the season to give Albion their first league win of 2020 and cap a remarkable comeback.
Nicolas Pepe had fired the Gunners into a deserved lead with a superb curling shot with just over 20 minutes to go, but Lewis Dunk scrambled an equaliser over the line from close range to set up a barnstorming finish.
Maupay’s winner was a sucker punch for the Gunners, who have now lost back-to-back games since the Premier League returned – results that surely make a late run to Champions League qualification very unlikely.
They may also have to navigate the rest of the season without goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who was taken off on a stretcher in the first half after landing awkwardly on his ankle following an aerial challenge with Maupay.
Maupay’s role in the incident seemed to anger Leno’s team-mates, some of whom became embroiled in a shoving match with the striker at full-time.
Leno will be sidelined along with defender Pablo Mari and midfielder Granit Xhaka, both of whom were injured in Wednesday’s 3-0 loss at Manchester City.
There is no such negativity for Brighton, though. They appeared to come through the game largely unscathed and are now five points above the bottom three- BBC
School children boarding a bus to school. File picture
ALL schools’ out and indoor sporting activities have been suspended ahead of next month’s opening of learning institutions as Government implements measures to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The measures, which include the prohibition of learners from school playgrounds, engaging in choral practices and physical contact among others, are contained in Standard Operating Guidelines sent to all primary and secondary schools recently.
According to the guidelines, break and lunchtimes will be staggered or held in class.
Further, classrooms will accommodate not more than 35 learners seated one metre apart.
Learners are prohibited from sharing textbooks and other learning materials, with the Government encouraging hot sitting to accommodate all students.
The guidelines state that all school authorities should strictly adhere to the “new normal” and failure to do so attracts punitive action.
“As schools prepare for reopening, special considerations have been made to ensure the safety of both learners and teachers during the new normal,” read part of the guidelines.
“In light of this, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has developed Standard Operating Procedures which are meant to guide heads of schools, teachers, learners and stakeholders on how they should be conducting business.
“It is, therefore, made clear in this document that failure by any school head for any reason to observe these guidelines is deemed an act of misconduct and will attract serious disciplinary action.
“The seating arrangement in every classroom should be that there is a distance of one metre from one learner to another.
“To achieve this, there should be one learner at each desk or the school should use the desk and chair approach and a classroom should not accommodate more than 35 learners.
“Social and physical distancing should be practised in hostels, the use of bunk beds in hostels is therefore prohibited.
“All sporting activities, including matches, choral practice, indoor games and festivals are prohibited during the new normal.
“The use of play centres, sporting equipment, gymnasium and sporting facilities are prohibited since they may facilitate the transmission of coronavirus.
“Schools should avoid mixing learners for lessons and after-school activities. Learners in a class should stay in one classroom throughout the day while teachers move between classrooms in secondary schools.”
Also, each school will be required to have sufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and a health coordinator trained by the Ministry of Health and Child Care before schools open.
Each classroom should be equipped with a hand washing facility, running water and soaps. Ablution facilities, according to the guidelines, should be cleaned and disinfected thrice a day.
Transport services will be required to carry one student per seat with a distance of one metre effected.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has also mandated schools to come up with Covid-19 awareness programmes for learners.
The start of the phased reopening of primary and secondary schools has been set for Tuesday, July 28.
Primary and Secondary school heads who spoke to this publication said they had no objection to the guidelines.
They, however, said their school coffers were empty.
“Though we were saying school heads are ready to work for as long as we receive material support in terms of resources such as masks and sanitisers, currently schools rely on fees and coffers are empty,” said one school head who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Government tasked schools to provide masks and sanitisers to their learners.
Teachers Unions have also been opposed to the opening of schools saying there was need for adequate time to procure PPEs.
Freda Rebecca Gold Mine a subsidiary of Kuda Tagwirei owned Landela Investments has been licenced to buy gold directly from 500 smal-scale miners and artisanal miners operating within its claims.
Freda Rebecca has gold claims spreading over 60 000 hectares, which are concentrated in Manicaland and Mashonaland provinces.
In terms of the licence and agreement with Fidelity Refiners and Printers Freda Rebecca would purchase gold at the same price as that being offered by Fidelity of US$45 000 per kilogramme.
On the back of this agreement, Freda Rebecca Holdings has entered into a partnership with CBZ Bank, which will see specific banking halls being converted into specialised gold buying and handling centres.
The bank’s extensive branch network has been utilised to ensure the gold buying centres are located as close to the miners as possible.
“We are basically buying gold from small-scale miners, who are operating from our claims, so we are basically mobilising unaccounted for gold and we officialise it to Fidelity Refiners and Printers,” said Freda Rebecca Gold Mine general manager Eliakem Hove.
“This gesture helps towards ensuring transparency within the gold sector.
“We have close to 500 small-scale miners who we are empowering through this initiative.”
Speaking on the sidelines of an inspection of the recently completed pilot buying centre in Harare, Landela Holdings officials said the initiative followed realisation that artisanal miners were being short-changed by unscrupulous middlemen who sought to undervalue proceeds from small-scale miners and in turn illegally export the gold.
The artisanal miners would be paid their full amount for gold delivered in United States dollars from CBZ banking halls, and the bank has already committed to creating products tailored for the miners to enable them to access loans for capital expenditure as well as working capital.
This initiative is expected to increase the government’s gold receipts considering the level of transparency as gold from all Freda Rebecca’s claims will be accounted for.
CBZ must be able to do the same with other gold mining companies and open branches in Kwekwe, Kadoma, Gweru, Gwanda, Bindura, and Harare for the benefit of other miners outside Freda Rebecca’s mining claims, an official said.
Landela will offer technical support, equipment and financial support to small-scale miners as a way of boosting their operations, which will be recovered through gold sales.
Freda Rebecca has set in motion a process to re-register holders of tributaries on its mining claims to ensure that all activities are legalised.
This exercise will see the stopping of custom milling, which is happening on its claims since they may fail to channel their gold through a formal system.
“The aim is to buy 500kg of gold monthly from artisanal miners and tribute holders while the overall vision is to attain one tonne monthly over the next three years,” Hove said.
Obadiah Moyo arrives in court in the company of detectives from the Anti Corruption Commission
HEALTH Minister Obadiah Moyo, who was arrested by Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) officers Friday night, is reported to have spent the same night at his home before coming to court the next day.
This was contrary to earlier reports he spent the night detained at Harare’s Rhodesville police station.
Obadiah-Moyo is Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cousin, a term called “uncle” or sekuru, in the Shona vernacular.
He is son to Mnangagwa’s mother’s brother.
When the police arrested him on Friday, while he was signing a warned and cautioned statement, they decided to release him on Mnangagwa’s orders. The head of the Central Intelligence Organisation, Isaac Moyo is another of his relatives who worked together with Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi. They together went to Mnangagwa and organised that everything be staged so that he (Obadiah Moyo) is served so to subdue growing public angers over the Draxgate scandal. The plan was that Obadiah Moyo would sleep inside the police cells, and then bail be granted (and even that was cut short – he left Rhodesville Police station soon after arrival.)
The CIO Director General and Ziyambi then went to get Obadiah Moyo’s own muzukuru, cousin, Munamato Mutevedzi who is the acting Chief Magistrate. Mutevedzi was invited to come and sit on the same case and the case had the prosecutor saying that bail is not opposed.
Moyo was arrested Friday over a US$42 million scandal surrounding the illegal procurement of coronavirus drugs, test kits, and equipment.
The scandal has sucked in President Emmerson Mnangagwa through son, Collins, who however vehemently denies any involvement.
It emerged Saturday the “arrested” minister drove to the Harare Magistrates’ Court Saturday morning in style, in a convoy of four State-issued luxury vehicles, accompanied by aides and ZACC investigating officers.
Also accompanying the graft accused minister was his wife, Memory and a handful relatives.
MDC Alliance co-vice presidents Tendai Biti and Lynnette Karenyi were two weeks ago arrested and went through a hard time in the hands of the police.
Biti on his release said; “We were not provided blankets or mats on which to sleep. The toilets were stuffed with torn copies of The Herald, the state-owned newspaper, for which there is no better use. There was no water and we were forced to walk in filth without shoes.
“In our new holding room, other prisoners were present, including policeman Shungudzemoyo Kache, who had been charged with sedition for allegedly calling Mnangagwa ‘a used condom’.
“Most had been arrested for not wearing masks and hadn’t been able to pay the fines. Yet to heap irony on the ridiculous, there was no social distancing, temperature checks or sanitisers provided then or at any point that day.”
Moyo was granted a $50 000 bail by chief magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi. Surprisingly, the state did not oppose bail considering the seriousness of the offence.
The STATE ARRESTS a suspect, allows him to sleep at his home. The suspect comes to court with STATE protection and the state does not oppose bail. The suspect leaves court with STATE protection. Thats the state under ZANU PF; full of corrupt contradictions pic.twitter.com/n3wYi3UmIs
FLASHBACK- President Emmerson's Mnangagwa's Five year pledge. Please comment with a love if you think he is on course and a retweet if you think he is failing and will not achieve anything as promised. pic.twitter.com/Fu6yd8sCMN
You & your lot will never fool history. From 2013 to 2017, @Hon_Kasukuwere, @PatrickZhuwao & me did the best we could in cabinet, politburo & society to save Zim from Mnangagwa's lot. As for @Hon_Kasukuwere & me, our homes & families have scars from Mnangagwa's military attacks! https://t.co/GYxgcpB9gd
We actually engaged the opposition. Ask my brothers like @BitiTendai & @ibbosnr or journalists like @Mathuthu, @EdmundKudzayi, @DumisaniMuleya or the Bulawayo Press Club and a host of business lights, activists, traditional leaders & clergy who know better. The gun is dangerous!
THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has launched a new operation code-named “Wakazvitenga Sei?” that is set to see individuals who fail to account for their wealth forfeiting it to the State.
ZACC chair Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo said the anti-graft body was empowered by the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Amendment Act to seize assets bought through proceeds of crime.
Even if the suspected corrupt person is acquitted by the courts, the unexplained wealth orders give the commission and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) power to forfeit the properties.
The law demands that anyone suspected of corruption explain his or her source of wealth, failure of which they will lose the properties.
It is understood that some persons of interest, including high-profile individuals, are already being investigated by ZACC.
Justice Matanda-Moyo told The Sunday Mail that those that would be under investigation are expected to produce verifiable and auditable data to support their wealth.
“This is an intensive lifestyle audit on some of the rich people. They have to produce their invoices on what goods or services they rendered and this has to match the value of the acquired properties,” she said.
“We will also be checking if these people or their businesses were paying taxes. This means that the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) is also on board as we seek to ensure compliance to all laws.”
However, before the properties or wealth is seized, an application would be made through the NPA.
Those who are under investigation will then be afforded an opportunity at the High Court to account for their wealth.
Failure to do so will automatically result in seizure and forfeiture.
Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara)’s former chief executive officer Mr Frank Chitukutuku’s properties have been frozen while investigations into his case continue.
A former Zimra revenue official Mr Kennedy Nyatoti recently lost a US$150 000 mansion and a vehicle after the taxman conducted a lifestyle audit which exposed that his earnings did not match his possessions.
ZACC spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure said the country now has robust legal instruments to fight corruption such as the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, Prevention of Corruption Act, Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Amendment Act and Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Writing in his bi-weekly column, Corruption Watch, which is published by The Sunday Mail, Commissioner Makamure said the unexplained wealth orders were recently enacted into law and gave impetus to assets forfeiture of properties reasonably suspected to have been acquired through corruption.
“The unexplained wealth orders are a profound development in the quest for zero tolerance to corruption. This is because someone can be acquitted in a criminal trial but still have assets forfeited as long as on the balance of probabilities there is reasonable suspicion that they were acquired from corrupt activities.”
Commissioner Makamure said they were closely working with the NPA, which makes applications at the courts to seize targeted properties under the operation.
“We are confident that the improved legal framework on asset recovery should enable the commission to surpass its target of recovering assets worth $300 million by the end of this year.”
Legal expert Mr Oliver Marwa said while the current statutes were adequate to combat corruption, there is need to double down on efforts to fight the scourge considering its prevalence.
There was need for ZACC to hire competent chartered accountants and lawyers who should be well paid to avoid bribery from suspects, he said.
“Corruption in Zimbabwe is more pronounced in the public sector where politicians have more assets compared to their counterparts in the developed world. They acquire houses and cars, hence it is not difficult to seize and forfeit properties acquired from proceeds of crime,” said Mr Marwa.
He recommended that asset seizure should be done expeditiously as properties could be easily transferred or sold to third parties and render the whole exercise futile.
“Corruption is very complicated. So let us be serious because it sustains itself in that if someone is arrested he/she can easily pay a bribe and be released. In some cases, one may never get evidence of corruption,” said Mr Marwa.
“In Zimbabwe, we have the slowest action in dealing with corruption but this must change if we want to win this war.”
President Mnangagwa’s administration has declared war against corruption and has been propping up institutions that fight graft to be able to deliver on their mandate.
By A Correspondent- A Zimbabwean human rights defender, Ttaenda Mombeyarara has said that he is terrified by the recent reports of abduction and torture of three MDC Alliance trio – Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.
Mombeyarara was last year kidnapped from his home at ungodly hours, tortured and sustained a fractured leg.
He is one of many people who were last year arrested on grounds that they were intending to subvert a constitutionally established government.
Speaking to DW, Mombeyarara said dissent can lead to abduction and torture.
He said:
I am petrified and terrified. It is a difficult situation to become a villain when you are the victim. You are forced to decide to keep to yourself to prevent further victimization. You have to remain gagged to heal. The nature of harm caused on you goes beyond physical.
Although the identity of the perpetrator of these human rights abuses is not yet known, the opposition MDC and human rights organizations say in most incidences, the pattern of the violations points towards the state.
The government, however, has denied involvement with the Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe saying the government does not engage or permit any of its agencies and institutions to use methods such as torture, forced disappearances or abductions.
Kazembe accused the opposition of working with foreign organizations to destabilize the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa adding that “torture and forced disappearances are alien to us.”
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch Southern Africa Director Dewa Mavhinga observes that Zimbabwe’s failure to decisively deal with cases of abductions disappearances and torture severely undermines the standing of the country within the international community and reengagement efforts.
By Prince Njagu- Barely a month after three MDC-Alliance cadres, legislator Joanna Mamombe, youth leaders Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova were arrested and mysteriously went missing under police custody; two more brave women, Namatai Kwekweza and Vongai Zimudzi have fallen victims to the same hash, tyrannical rule in Zimbabwe.
Abductions and arrests of individuals who question or oppose the capabilities of ZANU PF have become the talk of the day in Zimbabwe.
Several arrests have so far been made ever since the lockdown was enforced, and in all instances, individuals are arrested for protesting a political system that they feel has failed to deliver.
The latest instance of the two Zimbabwe female activists Namatai Kwekweza and Vongai Zimudzi who were arrested for staging a two women Demo against the constitutional amendment No. 2 bill is only a tip of the iceberg.
“Two young female activists, Namatai and Vongai have been arrested for standing up for our rights”,
“They were reminding Mnagagwa and his regime that they should not tear up the constitution to bring up more powers for the dictator to loot”, said Hopewell Chin’ono on his Twitter handle.
Zimbabweans have been suffering under the harsh, tyrant ZANU PF rule and every time people stand up for what they believe in, security forces are deployed on them.
It is somehow very questionable as to how can a democratic state propose a constitutional amendment during a lockdown, and when two women question the practicality of that they are arrested.
In 2013 Zimbabweans were asked to take part in a constitution amendment process, and 3.3 million people voted, with 94.4% voting “yes”.
These same 3.3 million Zimbabweans need to be consulted before any amendments to the constitution can be done.
When a few individuals question the practicality of the amendment process under a lockdown, the government goes on to make arrests.
These women were just exercising their constitutional right, questing the actions of the government is a way of seeking for accountability from office bearers. Arresting these women is a means of instilling fear as well as silencing the people from questioning the government.
This is only acceptable in a dictatorship and such actions do not reflect anything near to a democracy.
Instead of tormenting Zimbabwean citizens, the ZANU PF led administration should be working on addressing key issues in the country. Civil servants want to be paid in US dollars, doctors and nurses are always downing their tools.
These are the issues which should be working on addressing.
There is hyperinflation in the country, and the latest figures show an astounding inflation rate soaring above 784%. This makes it the second highest rate in the world after Venezuela and this is not a thing any head of a State should be proud of.
These inflation rates are measured against prices of all items on the Consumer Price Index and it shows that prices increased by an average of 785,55% between May 2019 and May 2020, according to the statistics agency Zimstat cited in The Chronicle newspaper.
A haphazard implemented Covid-19 lockdown has only worsened the crisis, as there has been 11 weeks loss in revenue and the vast of Zimbabweans are starving as they are informal traders.
President Emmerson Mnagagwa and his ZANU PF led administration should be looking into ways of dealing with the starving Zimbabweans, the economic crisis and not arresting citizens who seek accountability from them.
When citizens questions government actions or demonstrate against things they feel are being done poorly by office holders, they are arrested. This is textbook dictatorship.
Several arrests have been made on different occasions during this lockdown; mainly oppositional leaders, Tendai Biti, Lynnette Karenyi Kore and Obey Sithole, just to name a few.
Anyone who opposes the ZANU PF status quo is seen as an enemy and they are either arrested or abducted.
“Speaking out to protect the Constitution is not a crime. Peaceful protest is not a crime. We demand the immediate release of Namatai and Vongai! They speak for all of us when they say the Constitution must be respected”, said Advocate Fadzayi Mahere on her Twitter handle.
HEALTH and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo, who was arrested on Friday on charges of abuse of office, was yesterday released on $50 000 bail when he appeared before chief magistrate Mr Munamato Mutevedzi.
He is alleged to have been involved in NatPharm’s unprocedural contract with Drax International LLC to supply medicines and surgical sundries.
He was remanded to July 31.
The State, led by Mr Clemency Chimbare did not oppose bail, but successfully proposed stringent bail conditions.
Moyo was ordered to reside at his given address, report to the police thrice a week, not to interfere with witnesses, surrender his passport as well as title deeds for his wife’s Eastlea property.
Moyo is facing three counts of criminal abuse of office as a public officer clearly defined in Section 174 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
On count one, the State alleges that sometime in March 2019, the accused was approached by Delish Nguwaya — a country representative for Papi Pharma LLC — who presented a letter of interest to supply medicines and medical sundries under a US$15 million loan facility.
“After receiving the letter from the company, the accused called the former Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Retired Major General Dr Gerald Gwinji, and told him to process the paperwork and award the tender to Papi Pharma LLC under direct purchase,” reads the charge sheet.
“Acting on the accused’s orders, Dr Gwinji on March 20, 2019 wrote a letter to Treasury requesting that due diligence be taken on Papi Pharma LLC before it is contracted for business by the Government of Zimbabwe.”
It is further alleged that the accused, using his position and influence, verbally directed Dr Gwinji to engage Papi Pharma LLC before a response on due diligence was received from Treasury.
On March 25, 2019, Dr Gwinji is said to have received a response from Secretary for Finance and Economic Development, Mr George Guvamatanga, requesting to be furnished with comparative international prices for the various medicines outlined in the schedule by Papi Pharma LLC.
Resultantly, Dr Gwinji directed NatPharm, through its general manager Flora Nancy Sifeku, to engage Papi Pharma LLC and proceed with the procurement process.
NatPharm then used direct purchase method on May 29, 2019 and awarded tender number NAT DP 11/19 to Papi Pharma LLC before due diligence was concluded.
On June 14, 2019, an adverse report was received from the Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador James Manzou, indicating that the company and its director, Klodian Allajbeu, were linked to a terrorist group known as Gulen Movement. The State argues that by causing the awarding of a tender and entering into a contract with Papi Pharma LLC, Dr Moyo showed favour to the company, causing a potential prejudice of US$15 million to the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
On count two, the State alleges that Nguwaya, whom the accused had dealt with representing Papi Pharma LLC, visited the accused’s office on August 22 2019 in the company of Ilir Dedja, a legal representative of Drax Consult SAGL.
It is said that during their visit, Delish Nguwaya and Ilir Dedja presented to the accused a letter of expression of interest to supply medicines worth US$20 million under Drax Consult SAGL.
The accused then called the former Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care, Dr Agnes Mahomva, to his office and handed her the letter of expression of interest for processing.
Dr Mahomva then wrote to Treasury requesting due diligence to be conducted on Papi Pharma LLC.
According to the charge sheet, on September 19 2019, Mr Guvamatanga received a response from the Office of the President and Cabinet to the effect that the business activities of the company could not be ascertained.
Guvamatanga then wrote a letter to Dr Mahomva on September 25 2019 advising against engaging Drax Consult SAGL due to the adverse due diligence report.
The State further alleges that the accused phoned Mr Guvamatanga indicating that new information had been received and that Drax Consult SAGL had been cleared when in fact the company’s activities were yet to be ascertained.
Mr Guvamatanga refused to act on the basis that he had no other information disputing the letter dated September 19 2019.
“The accused, however, exerted pressure on his subordinates, particularly Dr Mahomva to award a tender to Drax Consult SAGL for the supply of medicines to Zimbabwe through NatPharm during meetings he held in his office with officials from Ministry of Health and Child Care, NatPharm and representatives from Drax Consult SAGL,” reads the charge sheet.
“On 11 December 2019, NatPharm and Drax Consult SAGL entered into a contract under tender number NAT DP 19/19 and NAT DP 20/19.”
Drax Consult SAGL supplied medicine and surgical sundries worth US$2,7 million, of which US$2 million was paid by Treasury into Drax Consult SAGL bank account in Hungary.
The State argues that by causing NatPharm to enter into a contract with Drax Consult SAGL in circumstances where due diligence report was adverse, the accused showed favour to Drax Consult SAGL, causing a potential prejudice to the State of US$17 million.
On count three, the State alleges that the accused, having dealt with Papi Pharma LLC and Drax Consult SAGL, was aware of the fact that Papi Pharma LLC and its directors had an adverse report.
Dr Moyo received a letter of interest from Drax International LLC to supply medicines and surgical sundries worth US$40 million and verbally directed Dr Agnes Mahomva to urgently process the awarding of a tender to Drax International LLC.
Acting on the accused’s instruction, Dr Mahomva referred the letter of interest to NatPharm for processing.
“The accused, well knowing that Drax Consult SAGL had not performed fully as per terms of the contract under tender numbers NAT DP 19/19 and NAT DP 20/19, caused another contract to be entered between NatPharm and Drax International LLC under a US$40 million loan facility,” reads the charge sheet.
“This was despite the fact that Treasury had not been involved before the contract was entered into. As a result, Treasury ordered the cancellation of the contract, which was done by NatPharm.”
Under tender number NAT DP 04/20, Drax International LLC supplied Covid-19 test kits valued at US$987 720, which were procured after the contract was cancelled.
It is also alleged that on May 8 2020, the accused phoned Mr Guvamatanga instructing him to write a letter to the Ministry of Health and Child Care to initiate the release of Covid-19 test kits which were held at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
The Covid-19 test kits had been supplied under the cancelled Drax International LLC contract worth US$40 million.
On the same date, the accused personally handed over an invoice worth US$987 720 to Mr Guvamatanga.
“To influence acceptance of Covid-19 test kits under Drax International LLC’s cancelled contract and urgent payment, the accused claimed that there were 15 000 Covid-19 test kits at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport,” reads the charge sheet.
“Upon visiting the airport, Mr George Guvamatanga discovered that there were around 3 700 Covid-19 test kits which Drax International LLC had exported to Zimbabwe.”
Basing on the invoice, Mr Guvamatanga wrote a letter to Secretary for Health and Child Care, Dr Mahomva, authorising for the release of the Covid-19 test kits subject to review of the prices and reiterated the contract remains cancelled.
“The accused acted contrary to or inconsistent with his fiduciary duty, that of acting in the best interest of the State, by causing the awarding of tender and contract to Drax International LLC under tender number NAT DP 04/20 and by causing an acceptance of Covid-19 test kits supplied by Drax International LLC well knowing that the contract had been cancelled.
“The accused’s actions showed favour to Drax International LLC by causing the awarding of tender number NAT DP 04/20 well knowing that its sister companies, Papi Pharma and Drax Consult SAGL had failed the due diligence process.”
The State, therefore, alleges that it suffered a potential prejudice of US$40 million.
Uncle and nephew, Obadiah Moyo and President Emmerson Mnangagwa receiving fraudulently accrued Covid-19 equipment.
The appointment of Obadiah Moyo, who it has since emerged, is a very close relative to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as Health and Child Care minister in September 2018 has really never been endorsed by the public.
Indeed, when he was appointed, on one hand, there were lots of people who wanted to see a change of leadership at the ministry.
Key among their issues were the need to find holistic solutions to the perennial human resources conflicts in the Health ministry.
Most medical practitioners were also getting impatient with the persistent underfunding of the health care system and the duplicity of medical aid companies as both insurers and service providers. Transparency and governance scandals, including the Psmas saga where the former Health minister David Parirenyatwa was allegedly “capitated” had tainted the previous leadership.
With these challenges in hindsight, Moyo’s appointment evaded intense scrutiny as most people desperately wanted change.
However, the new minister’s honeymoon was to be shortlived as both medical practitioners and investigative journalists questioned his academic credentials.
Although the constitution of Zimbabwe does not require anyone to be a medical doctor in order to be appointed Health minister, many found it problematic for Moyo to claim qualifications, which are in serious doubt.
This appointment will remain controversial as to date the minister has not provided any credible information to back up his purpoted academic qualifications.
The president had to later appoint renowned physician John Mangwiro to deputise the minister in attempts to pacify those that raised questions around Moyo’s qualifications.
Nonetheless, Mangwiro has remained mainly in the shadows as he has stayed for long periods of time outside Zimbabwe as he accompanied Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, who was hospitalised in China for a time.
On Saturday, Moyo, was charged with criminal abuse of duty as a public officer, accused of illegally awarding a multi-million-dollar contract for COVID-19 medical supplies to a shadowy company that sold the government $28 face masks and other materials at inflated prices.
Below is a summary of how Obadiah Moyo may never be imprisoned for fraud involving USD60million, as ZimEye is told:
If you thought Obadiah Moyo will ever be tried, you are mistaken. It will never happen. Obadiah-Moyo is Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cousin, a term called “uncle” or sekuru, in the Shona vernacular.
He is son to Mnangagwa’s mother’s brother.
When the police arrested him on Friday, while he was signing a warned and cautioned statement, they decided to release him on Mnangagwa’s orders. The head of the Central Intelligence Organisation, Isaac Moyo is another of his relatives who worked together with Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi. They together went to Mnangagwa and organised that everything be staged so that he (Obadiah Moyo) is served so to subdue growing public angers over the Draxgate scandal. The plan was that Obadiah Moyo would sleep inside the police cells, and then bail be granted (and even that was cut short – he left Rhodesville Police station soon after arrival.)
The CIO Director General and Ziyambi then went to get Obadiah Moyo’s own muzukuru, cousin, Munamato Mutevedzi who is the acting Chief Magistrate. Mutevedzi was invited to come and sit on the same case and the case had the prosecutor saying that bail is not opposed.
He was charged a bail of USD50,000, which is just USD380. a small amount over a case involving USD60 million.
He had to take a fall to save Mnangagwa’s son.l, Collins, so he is actually a hero, in Mnangagwa’s eyes.
Hatfield legislator Tapiwa Mashakada has made a sensational claim that MDC Alliance suporters are employing the services of mercenaries to target fellow party members and silence them from speaking out against Nelson Chamisa.
According to state run ZBC News, Mashakada spoke of the mudslinging and character assassination by his MDC colleagues, which is aimed at muzzling him from speaking out about financial imprudence and hijacking of the party by ‘Johnny-come-latelies’.
The scheme according to Dr. Mashakada involves a cabal led by Pedzisayi Ruhanya and former legislator Kuwadzana East Charlton Hwende.
“The cabal is trying all dirty tricks in the book to muzzle me. Now imagine if such a cabal becomes in charge of State media and State machinery one day. They will arrest, put on trial, and judge their opponents using the pen. Their student like behaviour will not go away so easily,”
“They are Masters of media theatrics and chicanery. Ruhanya is a former Daily News Political Editor. The desperate cabal led by Ruhanya and Hwende is so desperate to muzzle me and soil my image. Recently they desperately staged an interview using Zim-eye featuring a confused man claiming I had snatched his wife. I bet you the next stupid drama they will stage is a rape case. They will even make attempts on my life. I now fear for my life and that of my family,” Dr. Mashakada said.
Dr. Mashakada urged the media not to be used by desperate characters within the troubled MDC Alliance faction who want to bury the truth about the murky happenings in the party.
The MDC Alliance outfit is currently mired in financial misappropriation scandals with 2 million dollars reported to have gone missing, all this coinciding with the party’s legitimacy crisis borne from the unconstitutional succession of Morgan Tsvangirai by advocate Nelson Chamisa.
The Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T has hit back at its detractors who are alleging that the formation was a Zanu-PF project noting that those who were peddling such falsehoods were attempting to get an unfair political advantage.
Supreme Court judge Justice Bharat Patel, sitting with Justices Paddington Garwe and Antonia Guvava, in April ruled that Mr Nelson Chamisa was not the legitimate MDC leader in terms of the party’s constitution and subsequently ordered the convening of an extra-ordinary congress within three months to elect a new president.
The decision by the court settled the acrimonious MDC leadership wrangle pitting Mr Chamisa and Dr Khupe. Ever since the ruling members of the Mr Chamisa-led MDC-Alliance have labelled Dr Khuphe a sell-out, even claiming that she was a pawn of the ruling Zanu-PF. Last week, MDC Alliance vice-president, Professor Welshman Ncube was quoted in the private media saying Dr Khupe was shameless.
Responding to questions from the Sunday News, MDC-T, deputy secretary for information and publicity, who is also Dr Khupe’s spokesperson, Mr Khalipani Phugeni said Dr Khupe’s detractors were just angered by the fact that she refused to be submissive and allow for the infringement of her rights. He said most of the accusations that were being levelled against the party’s leaders were not provable by either Mr Chamisa or his cronies.
“It is a sad thing that people would treat others in a manner they would not want to be treated themselves, because we all know that natural justice demands that he that accuses must prove. Dr Khupe has previously been arrested over seven times, she has received nothing, publicly or privately from Zanu-PF, which the same cannot be said about her detractors.
“Simply because she stood firm and pushed back against infringement of her rights and stood resolute defending not only herself but her gender because she was being marginalised on the basis of her gender and ethnicity, so she stood firm, which the ruling elite and the private media did not like. They did not like this woman who was not submissive,” said Mr Phugeni.
He took a swipe at Prof Ncube and the MDC-Alliance co-vice-president Mr Tendai Biti for spreading baseless allegations noting that the two had themselves previously been labelled Zanu-PF projects by the same individuals they were now siding with.
“Dr Khupe’s working with Zanu-PF is only restricted or defined by the fact that it is the governing party of the day, so you can’t boycott Government because it is the Government that provides social services, build roads, gives us birth certificates to mention but a few, so if that is being Zanu-PF then all of us are Zanu-PF, as citizens of this country.
“Strange enough those that are now clamouring louder on this Zanu-PF tag, in particular Prof Ncube, has also once been called a Zanu-PF project by the same people he has joined ranks with. Tendai Biti was also once in the same boat, which was even worse for him as our late president Dr Morgan Tsvangirai is on record accusing him of having stolen large sums of money, so you are talking of a thief here, according to Dr Tsvangirai,” said Mr Phugeni.
He further clarified on the issue of recalling MPs and councillors saying they were still establishing those of their representatives that were pushing the party’s agenda and those that were not for them to come up with a detailed list of those that were to be recalled.
“Our agenda is not to recall, our agenda is to deliver, so you will appreciate that our representatives which we deploy in Government are being deployed to help us achieve this agenda. The issue does not have to do with whether one supports Dr Khupe or not but more of the values, aims and objectives of the MDC-T. This is something that we are patiently taking our time on because the violent takeover of the party did not help so the process of establishing those MPs and councillors that are carrying out their mandate with exception is taking time but very soon our caucus will be in shape,” he said.
On the issue of reclaiming of the MDC-T’s offices and assets around the country, Mr Phugeni said while the issue was still before the courts it was known to all that when Mr Chamisa usurped power he took both the party and its assets hence it had to follow that Dr Khupe’s MDC-T should also repossess their offices around the country.
He further revealed that at the moment they were not worried about public perception but were focusing on doing what was right in terms of the party constitution.
“We have not followed the public discourse mainly because we are doing what is right, it is not a popularity contest, it’s all about doing right by the party, Remember, Dr Khupe as the president of the party, she has what is called a fiducial duty towards the MDC-T and she must carry it out without fear or prejudice. The best way to carry out this mandate is not to worry much about public perception, I’m not saying public perception is not important but it is not a popularity contest, we are just making sure that the mandate of our people is carried out to the best of our ability,” said Mr Phugeni.
Below is a summary of how Obadiah Moyo may never be imprisoned for fraud involving USD60million, as ZimEye is told:
https://youtu.be/6pXOztFkSxo
If you thought Obadiah Moyo will ever be tried, you are mistaken. It will never happen. Obadiah-Moyo is Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cousin, a term called “uncle” or sekuru, in the Shona vernacular.
He is son to Mnangagwa’s mother’s brother.
When the police arrested him on Friday, while he was signing a warned and cautioned statement, they decided to release him on Mnangagwa’s orders. The head of the Central Intelligence Organisation, Isaac Moyo is another of his relatives who worked together with Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi. They together went to Mnangagwa and organised that everything be staged so that he (Obadiah Moyo) is served so to subdue growing public angers over the Draxgate scandal. The plan was that Obadiah Moyo would sleep inside the police cells, and then bail be granted (and even that was cut short – he left Rhodesville Police station soon after arrival.)
The CIO Director General and Ziyambi then went to get Obadiah Moyo’s own muzukuru, cousin, Munamato Mutevedzi who is the acting Chief Magistrate. Mutevedzi was invited to come and sit on the same case and the case had the prosecutor saying that bail is not opposed.
https://youtu.be/F3P7LRZom3I
He was charged a bail of $50,000, which is just USD380. a small amount over a case involving USD60 million.
He had to take a fall to save Mnangagwa’s son, Collins, so he is actually a hero, in Mnangagwa’s eyes.
The High Court has given exiled former minister Saviour Kasukuwere the greenlight to evict war veterans, who recently invaded his Corncorpia Farm in Mazowe.
Kasukuwere had approached the court on an urgent basis with an application seeking leave to evict the invaders pending their Supreme Court appeal against his victory in the High Court.
The matter was dealt with by Justice Edith Mushore. Mushore said the order would “operate and be executed pending the outcome of the appeal in case number SC220/20”.
Last month Kasukuwere, known as Tyson during his time in Zanu PF, obtained an eviction order against Efanos Mudzimunyi, Kudakwashe Moyana, Kenneth Mudzimunyi and Akim Mudzimunyi to vacate his farm, which they invaded earlier this year.
The war veterans, however, refused to move on the basis that they had lodged a Supreme Court appeal.
According to court papers, the farm was given to Kasukuwere during the land reform programme but early this year his offer letter was withdrawn under unclear circumstances and without notice, resulting in the case spilling into the courts.
After the former Zanu PF commissar won a court order to evict the war veterans, they went on to file a Supreme Court appeal in a bid to continue staying at the property, claiming that they also had the right to be at the same farm through offer letters.
The move by the war veterans then prompted Kasukuwere to approach the High Court again seeking leave to execute Mushore’s order.
In his founding affidavit, Kasukuwere argued that the invaders’ appeal could only be described as an abuse of the court’s process.
He also submitted that the invaders were unlawfully harvesting produce at his farm and that they were disrupting farming activities in a manner that showed that they were aware that their appeal was simply intended to buy time within which to harass him.
A new political party in Zimbabwe, Economic FreedomFighters Zimbabwe has threatened to destroy a lucerne project by Dendairy if the government evicts Chiredzi villagers.
The government has earmarked Chilonga area in Chiredzi, Masvingo Province for the grass project, a move that has faced resistance from the villagers.
Speaking to NewsDay over the matter, EFF Zimbabwe’s president Innocent Gagu Lutshutsha Ndibali said:
My understanding is that the Land Task Force is not willing to work with us, but will push harder for our people as EFF Zimbabwe, we will not relent if need be, will destroy the project itself.
Villagers have since written to the Minister of Local Government, July Moyo seeking explanation on the matter saying they were not consulted.
They are also threatening to drag the government to court.
Chilonga residents cite the government’s failure to cater for the welfare of victims of Tokwe-Mukorsi floods as another reason for not wanting to leave their ancestral lands.
In the letter they wrote to the Minister of Local Government, they also wanted to know how they were set to benefit from the intended project-NewsDay
Below is a summary of how Obadiah Moyo may never be imprisoned for fraud involving USD60million, as ZimEye is told:
https://youtu.be/F3P7LRZom3I
If you thought Obadiah Moyo will ever be tried, you are mistaken. It will never happen. Obadiah-Moyo is Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cousin, a term called “uncle” or sekuru, in the Shona vernacular.
He is son to Mnangagwa’s mother’s brother.
When the police arrested him on Friday, while he was signing a warned and cautioned statement, they decided to release him on Mnangagwa’s orders. The head of the Central Intelligence Organisation, Isaac Moyo is another of his relatives who worked together with Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi. They together went to Mnangagwa and organised that everything be staged so that he (Obadiah Moyo) is served so to subdue growing public angers over the Draxgate scandal. The plan was that Obadiah Moyo would sleep inside the police cells, and then bail be granted (and even that was cut short – he left Rhodesville Police station soon after arrival.)
The CIO Director General and Ziyambi then went to get Obadiah Moyo’s own muzukuru, cousin, Munamato Mutevedzi who is the acting Chief Magistrate. Mutevedzi was invited to come and sit on the same case and the case had the prosecutor saying that bail is not opposed.
He was charged a bail of $50,000, which is just USD380, a small amount over a case involving USD60 million.
He had to take a fall to save Mnangagwa’s son, Collins, so he is actually a hero, in Mnangagwa’s eyes.
OPPOSITION MDC-T led by Dr Thokozani Khupe has hit back at its detractors who are alleging that the formation was a Zanu-PF project noting that those who were peddling such falsehoods were attempting to get an unfair political advantage.
Supreme Court judge Justice Bharat Patel, sitting with Justices Paddington Garwe and Antonia Guvava, in April ruled that Mr Nelson Chamisa was not the legitimate MDC leader in terms of the party’s constitution and subsequently ordered the convening of an extra-ordinary congress within three months to elect a new president.
The decision by the court settled the acrimonious MDC leadership wrangle pitting Mr Chamisa and Dr Khupe. Ever since the ruling members of the Mr Chamisa-led MDC-Alliance have labelled Dr Khuphe a sell-out, even claiming that she was a pawn of the ruling Zanu-PF. Last week, MDC Alliance vice-president, Professor Welshman Ncube was quoted in the private media saying Dr Khupe was shameless.
Responding to questions from the Sunday News, MDC-T, deputy secretary for information and publicity, who is also Dr Khupe’s spokesperson, Mr Khalipani Phugeni said Dr Khupe’s detractors were just angered by the fact that she refused to be submissive and allow for the infringement of her rights. He said most of the accusations that were being levelled against the party’s leaders were not provable by either Mr Chamisa or his cronies.
“It is a sad thing that people would treat others in a manner they would not want to be treated themselves, because we all know that natural justice demands that he that accuses must prove. Dr Khupe has previously been arrested over seven times, she has received nothing, publicly or privately from Zanu-PF, which the same cannot be said about her detractors.
“Simply because she stood firm and pushed back against infringement of her rights and stood resolute defending not only herself but her gender because she was being marginalised on the basis of her gender and ethnicity, so she stood firm, which the ruling elite and the private media did not like. They did not like this woman who was not submissive,” said Mr Phugeni.
He took a swipe at Prof Ncube and the MDC-Alliance co-vice-president Mr Tendai Biti for spreading baseless allegations noting that the two had themselves previously been labelled Zanu-PF projects by the same individuals they were now siding with.
“Dr Khupe’s working with Zanu-PF is only restricted or defined by the fact that it is the governing party of the day, so you can’t boycott Government because it is the Government that provides social services, build roads, gives us birth certificates to mention but a few, so if that is being Zanu-PF then all of us are Zanu-PF, as citizens of this country.
“Strange enough those that are now clamouring louder on this Zanu-PF tag, in particular Prof Ncube, has also once been called a Zanu-PF project by the same people he has joined ranks with. Tendai Biti was also once in the same boat, which was even worse for him as our late president Dr Morgan Tsvangirai is on record accusing him of having stolen large sums of money, so you are talking of a thief here, according to Dr Tsvangirai,” said Mr Phugeni.
He further clarified on the issue of recalling MPs and councillors saying they were still establishing those of their representatives that were pushing the party’s agenda and those that were not for them to come up with a detailed list of those that were to be recalled.
“Our agenda is not to recall, our agenda is to deliver, so you will appreciate that our representatives which we deploy in Government are being deployed to help us achieve this agenda. The issue does not have to do with whether one supports Dr Khupe or not but more of the values, aims and objectives of the MDC-T. This is something that we are patiently taking our time on because the violent takeover of the party did not help so the process of establishing those MPs and councillors that are carrying out their mandate with exception is taking time but very soon our caucus will be in shape,” he said.
On the issue of reclaiming of the MDC-T’s offices and assets around the country, Mr Phugeni said while the issue was still before the courts it was known to all that when Mr Chamisa usurped power he took both the party and its assets hence it had to follow that Dr Khupe’s MDC-T should also repossess their offices around the country.
He further revealed that at the moment they were not worried about public perception but were focusing on doing what was right in terms of the party constitution.
“We have not followed the public discourse mainly because we are doing what is right, it is not a popularity contest, it’s all about doing right by the party, Remember, Dr Khupe as the president of the party, she has what is called a fiducial duty towards the MDC-T and she must carry it out without fear or prejudice. The best way to carry out this mandate is not to worry much about public perception, I’m not saying public perception is not important but it is not a popularity contest, we are just making sure that the mandate of our people is carried out to the best of our ability,” said Mr Phugeni.
THE strike by nurses at Bulawayo’s two major hospitals entered day two on Saturday with a handful of the health workers reporting for work.
Nurses at Mpilo Central Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals on Friday went on strike demanding that their salaries be reverted to 1 October 2018 levels which were in United States dollars, which they said was a stable currency that can store value of their salaries.
Mpilo Central Hospital acting chief executive officer Mr Solwayo Ngwenya said only 21 nurses out of 80 who were expected yesterday afternoon had reported for duty.
“Yes, it’s still on (strike). A total of 21 out of 80 nurses expected to be on duty are at work. No doctors are on strike. A few student nurses and student midwives are also at work,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from the UBH acting chief executive officer Dr Narcisius Dzvanga were fruitless but an insider said the situation was bad.
“It is a terrible situation that we have this side, we cannot function efficiently without the nurses.
Those in the maternity department were working with one midwife in the labour ward which is not acceptable and risky too looking at the number of cases.
We cannot work this way for such a big institution, we have had to go back to emergency mode but still we are failing to cope, it’s just not a workable way out. Nurses are truly the backbone of healthcare in any country, they are essential.”
The source said nurses were ward managers and were a critical part in the functioning of a hospital.
“They spend a lot of time with patients and when they are not there it is a disaster.”
Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Mr Enock Dongo was quoted last week saying the nurses’ salaries in US dollars were stable as local currency was continuously eroding pensions, savings, medical aid and funeral policies, among other things- The Sunday News
By Jane Mlambo| One of the two ladies arrested while protesting against the constitutional amendment bill number 2, Namatai Kwekweza has spoken out following her release yesterday.
Kwekweza together with her colleague, Vongai Zimudzi were arrested on Friday while protesting outside the Ministry of Justice, Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs.
Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 2 entrenches power in the office of the President who will have power to appoint judges of all upper courts without public scrutiny.
The bill also removes the running mate Clause, widely touted as a progressive move in sync with morden day democracies, among other key provisions.
Posting on Twitter, Kwekweza thanked Zimbabweans for rallying behind her and colleague Vongai Zimudzi but was quick to issue a reminder that the focus should not be diverted from an illegal process that was already in motion.
“Hello all, I am now okay. Thank you for the support. Remember the focus is not on me & @zimudzi_vongai getting arrested. It’s on the illegal process of amending our Constitution after a cosmetic consultation process during a pandemic,” she said.
Her determination has won her the hearts of Zimbabweans who believe her courage is what is needed to move the nation forward.
Kwekweza and Zimudzi appeared before Harare Magistrates Court yesterday and were granted zwd$3000 bail.
By Jane Mlambo| MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has claimed that his former Secretary for Policy and Strategy Morgan Komichi imposed himself on his election team in the run-up to the July 2018 elections.
Chamisa was responding to remarks by Komichi that he confided in Senator Douglas Mwonzora that the youthful politician would fall.
“The chief elections agent was Jameson Timba. Komichi went there saying he was interested in knowing what was happening, but he was not an official of my team,” Chamisa said.
Komichi told journalists on Friday that he was never part of the MDC Alliance but was working on a strategic pull out.
“I was never part of them, even if you ask our secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, I used to pull him (Mwonzora) by the side telling him that he should relax and wait because the time for Chamisa would come to an end sooner,” he said.
Below is a summary of how Obadiah Moyo may never be imprisoned for fraud involving USD60million, as ZimEye is told:
If you thought Obadiah Moyo will ever be tried, you are mistaken. It will never happen. Obadiah-Moyo is Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cousin, a term called “uncle” or sekuru, in the Shona vernacular.
He is son to Mnangagwa’s mother’s brother.
When the police arrested him on Friday, while he was signing a warned and cautioned statement, they decided to release him on Mnangagwa’s orders. The head of the Central Intelligence Organisation, Isaac Moyo is another of his relatives who worked together with Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi. They together went to Mnangagwa and organised that everything be staged so that he (Obadiah Moyo) is served so to subdue growing public angers over the Draxgate scandal. The plan was that Obadiah Moyo would sleep inside the police cells, and then bail be granted (and even that was cut short – he left Rhodesville Police station soon after arrival.)
The CIO Director General and Ziyambi then went to get Obadiah Moyo’s own muzukuru, cousin, Munamato Mutevedzi who is the acting Chief Magistrate. Mutevedzi was invited to come and sit on the same case and the case had the prosecutor saying that bail is not opposed.
https://youtu.be/F3P7LRZom3I
He was charged a bail of $50,000, which is just USD380. a small amount over a case involving USD60 million.
He had to take a fall to save Mnangagwa’s son, Collins, so he is actually a hero, in Mnangagwa’s eyes.
By Jane Mlambo| Workers body, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) has dismissed claims that it is being sponsored by Americans to destabilize the country saying enslaved Zimbabwean workers do not need any sponsorship to know they are suffering.
ZCTU has announced that workers will be taking to the streets from Monday going forward demanding US dollar salaries.
But this has angered government and the ruling party who are now under pressure due to the poor state of the economy.
“Only fools will believe that enslaved Zimbabwean workers need to be sponsored by anyone.Your party’s policies have reduced workers to scavengers & you still believe workers must be quite. People are starving & working for nothing
If HUNGER is USA, than yes it has sponsored us,” said ZCTU while responding to claims that it was being sponsored by the US Embassy.
Hatfield legislator Tapiwa Mashakada has made a sensational claim that MDC Alliance suporters are employing the services of mercenaries to target fellow party members and silence them from speaking out against Nelson Chamisa.
According to state run ZBC News, Mashakada spoke of the mudslinging and character assassination by his MDC colleagues, which is aimed at muzzling him from speaking out about financial imprudence and hijacking of the party by ‘Johnny-come-latelies’.
The scheme according to Dr. Mashakada involves a cabal led by Pedzisayi Ruhanya and former legislator Kuwadzana East Charlton Hwende.
“The cabal is trying all dirty tricks in the book to muzzle me. Now imagine if such a cabal becomes in charge of State media and State machinery one day. They will arrest, put on trial, and judge their opponents using the pen. Their student like behaviour will not go away so easily,”
“They are Masters of media theatrics and chicanery. Ruhanya is a former Daily News Political Editor. The desperate cabal led by Ruhanya and Hwende is so desperate to muzzle me and soil my image. Recently they desperately staged an interview using Zim-eye featuring a confused man claiming I had snatched his wife. I bet you the next stupid drama they will stage is a rape case. They will even make attempts on my life. I now fear for my life and that of my family,” Dr. Mashakada said.
Dr. Mashakada urged the media not to be used by desperate characters within the troubled MDC Alliance faction who want to bury the truth about the murky happenings in the party.
The MDC Alliance outfit is currently mired in financial misappropriation scandals with 2 million dollars reported to have gone missing, all this coinciding with the party’s legitimacy crisis borne from the unconstitutional succession of Morgan Tsvangirai by advocate Nelson Chamisa.
By Jane Mlambo| The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has been forced to abandon the interbank rate after realising that gold Producers and tobacco farmers had withdrawn their products in protests against what they termed daylight robbery by the government.
Farmers and gold producers were getting paid their local currency component at the interbank exchange rate of 1:25, at a time the rate had rocketed to around 1:100 on the parallel market.
This led to farmers withholding deliveries at tobacco auction floors, while similarly, some gold producers shunned the country’s official buyer of gold, Fidelity Printers.
RBZ Governor, Dr John Mangudya told the weekly Sunday Mail that they have now introduced a Forex auction system which will become operational from Tuesday.
“What we are saying is very clear in that the auction market is going to receive bids starting Tuesday from an array of foreign currency users. After receiving the bids we will end up having an average rate that will be used for all official systems,” said Dr Mangudya.
He added that all shops will be expected to display the official rate arrived at using bids from financial institutions.
“All shops will now be obliged to display the official rate so that they can peg prices in that regard as opposed to pegging prices based on the parallel market.”
Mangudya hopes this latest move will kill parallel forex market and runaway inflation.
Farmers, gold miners and other producers who have been crying foul over the 1:25 fixed interbank exchange rate have something to smile about as the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) starts implementing the foreign currency auction system this week.
The new foreign exchange measures are expected to give fair value of the local currency in relation to the United States dollar.
Currency auctions are also set to curtail the black market trade in forex, as corporates can now buy US dollars and other currencies on a formal official platform that replaces the largely ineffective interbank system.
Businesses, including retail shops, are now expected to use a uniform exchange rate which must be displayed in their premises in a move that eliminates arbitrage and speculative activities in the economy.
This comes as RBZ Governor Dr John Mangudya has reiterated that all denominations under the local currency remain in use, contrary to false reports that $2 notes and coins have been phased out.
Farmers and gold producers were getting paid their local currency component at the interbank exchange rate of 1:25, at a time the rate had rocketed to around 1:70 on the parallel market.
The development led some farmers to withhold deliveries at tobacco auction floors, while similarly, some gold producers shunned the country’s official buyer of gold, Fidelity Printers.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Dr Mangudya said after Tuesday, all businesses are expected to adopt the auction system as the official peg of the local currency against the US dollar and other foreign currencies.
“What we are saying is very clear in that the auction market is going to receive bids starting Tuesday from an array of foreign currency users. After receiving the bids we will end up having an average rate that will be used for all official systems,” said Dr Mangudya.
“At 1:25 it was not viable. This is now going to be the market rate for all transactions for tobacco, gold, all exporters and anyone using foreign currency.
“All shops will now be obliged to display the official rate so that they can peg prices in that regard as opposed to pegging prices based on the parallel market.”
The RBZ boss said the auction system would address the double whammy of inflation and an unstable exchange rate.
“We are doing this for two reasons; firstly to flatten the inflation curve and also to flatten the curve for the rate between the official market and the black market. The rate that we will have on Tuesday will reflect what the market says because we will now have an official market for foreign currency.”
Dr Mangudya said the auction system would allow for “price discovery”, a process where the local currency finds its true value based on market fundamentals.
“What we are doing is moving towards price discovery, the market should tell us what price the rate should be at. There are currently a multiplicity of exchange rates on the market. We are going to be very transparent in managing this auction system,” he said.
The RBZ Governor said the auction system has been successful in other countries such as Egypt, Nigeria, Angola and many others outside Africa.
Asked why the interbank system had failed and whether the same pitfalls would not lead to a failure of the auction system, Dr Mangudya said: “The interbank rate was not working because banks were not trading among themselves efficiently. The banks did not have the limits among themselves because of a number of reasons such as lack of will or geopolitical factors. We have a silo-type mentality in terms of interbank relationships.
“In that context, we needed another system that was efficient given the current super structure of the banking system. The auction system is the best because we are dealing with users of foreign currency as opposed to dealing with intermediaries.”
Dr Mangudya said the introduction of the auction system will mean that there will be no need for big companies to hunt for foreign currency on the parallel market as they will now get it on the official market.
He said contrary to ill-informed suggestions, the country has enough foreign currency which needs to be properly harnessed.
“Our economy requires between US$80 million and US$100 million a month to sustain all our imports, minus fuel. Gold producers, tobacco farmers and diaspora remittances bring in a total of over US$100 million.
“So what this effectively means is that the money is there in the economy. All we need to do is to harness it so that it can circulate in our economy within the official channels.”
Phasing out coins, old notes
On the widespread conjecture that $2 notes and coins had been phased out, Dr Mangudya said those behind the false reports could be out to hoodwink members of the public.
“It’s disconcerting because at no point did the RBZ make that suggestion. Those who are behind those false reports are just bent on cheating innocent citizens. I pray that the nation can have trust in the measures that we are putting instead of relying on falsehoods.”
How auction system will work
On Friday, the RBZ uploaded the Applicant Foreign Currency Bid Form on its website showing its readiness to implement the auction system.
In a statement last week, the RBZ said the auction would be held every Tuesday with companies or individuals who want forex allowed to make a bid for hard currency by 9am on the day.
Each bidder is allowed to make submissions once a day and bids will be rejected if they are made twice.
The winning bidder gets the money sent to their foreign currency bank account once the local currency equivalent has been paid.
At the end of each auction day, an average of the highest and lowest bids allotted is worked out. This becomes the prevailing exchange rate of the day. At close of each sale day, a report will be published on how much was auctioned, the bids on offer, and the weighted average rate.
The bidding platform uses the Reuters Foreign Currency Auction System, linked to the export payments and exchange control platforms.
By A Correspondent| MDC Alliance president, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has declared that nobody can stop him from entering Harvest House.
Chamisa has however stressed that a revolution is not confined to a building.
Chamisa on Wednesday visited the late Kelvin Choto’s family in Chitungwiza.
Choto was shot dead by State security agents during the January 2019 disturbances.
Chamisa joined the Choto family members as they celebrated 2-year – old Janel’s birthday.
Janel is the daughter of the late Kelvin Choto (21).
Chamisa said: “Why are our soldiers and police officers being abused?
It’s just that I don’t want to go to Harvest House.
If I want to, do you think there is anyone who can stop me from entering the building?
I can walk into the building during daylight any day.
However, I am not a violent person. We respect the rule of law, so we are waiting for the court process, but we will not accept to be chased away from our base by visitors.”
He added: “They are celebrating the seizure of Harvest House and they are saying a lot about Chamisa.
They say we have kicked Chamisa out of Harvest House, we have grabbed Chamisa’s MPs – That doesn’t matter.
A revolution is not limited to a building, you cannot take away 2,6 million people, is that possible?
A different Zimbabwe is possible.A revolution is an unstoppable idea,” said Chamisa.
“Mr Mnangagwa cannot suppress the people forever.People will liberate themselves from oppression.
You think you are on top of the situation but you are fooling yourself, things can change unexpectedly.”
Private bus and commuter omnibus operators whose vehicles have been suspended since the beginning of the lockdown have sent a distress call to Government seeking to return to business to alleviate the current transport challenges in the country.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Engineer Joel Biggie Matiza confirmed that transporters had reached out to his office with their grievances.
The Minister called for patience as the Government was still assessing the request.
“The President said we will continue reviewing the situation. As it stands now, it is a lockdown so they have to wait until a time we open up intercity travel. We stand guided by His Excellency on how to proceed,” Minister Matiza said.
Zimbabwe Passenger Transport Organisation secretary-general, Mr Wilfred Chibage painted a gloomy picture of their current situation of transport operators.
“In urban areas we have been working with ZUPCO but we have more buses that are parked. As lockdown adjustments are being made, we are seeing more need for inter-city travel as people are now risking their lives travelling in trucks and private vehicles. We have school children returning to their schools as well as people travelling between cities for business. We can come in and ease the pressure, the resources are there,” said Mr Chibage.
The Herald also has a copy of a letter from kombi operators as a collective, pleading with Government to consider the plight of those who cannot be accommodated by the ZUPCO franchise.
“The ZUPCO franchise programme so far accommodates about 500 kombis but outside this programme there are over 50 000 kombis nationwide and over 15 000 in Harare alone and all employing or dependent upon over 800 000 people directly or indirectly.
“We believe those left out are still useful in the servicing of the rest of the commuters left outside the most vulnerable group that is ably subsidised for by the ZUPCO programme,” read part of the letter.
Speaking to The Herald, Greater Harare Association of Commuter Operators (Ghaco) secretary-general Mr Ngoni Katsvairo said the ideal situation would be for commuters to have a choice between them and ZUPCO.
There are an estimated 50 000 kombis in the country, and ZUPCO at the moment has accommodated around 1000 kombis.
RESIDENTS have submitted their objections to the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) over a proposed land offer to the Mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni, amid revelations that two council directors are also set to benefit from the scheme.
There was a public outcry last week after the local authority offered Clr Mguni a 3,5-hectare piece of agricultural land in Lower Rangemore under a 25-year lease at $165 per month rent.
However, according to a council report it has since emerged that the city’s director of financial affairs, Mr Kimpton Ndimande and the city health director, Dr Edwin Sibanda are also set to benefit from a similar facility. Mr Ndimande is set to get a 3,5-hectare piece of land also at $165 per month while Dr Sibanda will get a three-hectare piece of land, paying $150 per month.
“A number of individuals had applied for urban agricultural plots among them namely his worship the Mayor Solomon Mguni, Dr Edwin Sibanda and Mr Kimpton Ndimande. This had prompted further sub-division of Lot three Lower Rangemore to create more urban agricultural plots namely Lot two of Lot three Lower Rangemore, Lot three of Lot three Lower Rangemore and Remainder of Lot three Lower Rangemore.
“The stands shall be used for urban agricultural activities only. The leases shall be for an initial period of 25 years subject to review and were to be properly fenced and gated. All costs related to this application shall be borne by the applicant with no permanent structures being erected on the leased piece of land and all developments on the said pieces of land shall be in accordance with the council by-laws,” reads the council report.
The land that is being offered to the three was reportedly repossessed from a Mr P Phakathi in 2010 for failure to develop.
Meanwhile, residents through the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) wrote to the local authority to object on the land offer to Clr Mguni. In their objection, the residents noted that the mayor used his privileged access of information to make an application for the said property. The residents claimed that this was an illegitimate deal that promotes clientelism, patronage and capture.
“BPRA is further concerned by the continued reliance of outdated by-laws by Bulawayo City Council. These by-laws continue to be used for partial justification for corruption gains. As such, while the process might have satisfied both legal and institutional provisions, BPRA contends that unjust rules cannot guarantee just outcomes.
“It will be a betrayal of public trust for the mayor to be given such a huge piece of land at a time when the majority of the residents that the mayor represents are landless and have been victims of social injustice for many years. This act is a subset of injustice and a violation of the obligations of fairness for private gain and a betrayal of public trust for the mayor to be granted this property for a period of 25 years,” reads the objection. – Sunday News
By A Correspondent- MDC-T acting president Thokozani Khupe yesterday threatened to wield the axe on more MPs and councillors who have continued to defy her leadership by flirting with the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance.
This comes as Khupe last month recalled four legislators, Chalton Hwende (Kuwadzana East), Prosper Mutseyami (Dangamvura Chikanga), Thabitha Khumalo (proportional representation MP) and Senator Lillian Timveos on allegations that they no longer represented the MDC-T interests in the august House.
But with reports that some MPs were still attending the MDC Alliance caucus meetings, MDC-T national chairperson Morgen Komichi told a media conference at the party’s Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House headquarters yesterday that they were running out of patience.
“Of course there is a saying that puppies do not see light on the same day, but there comes when you conclude that this is now blindness; that these puppies will never get their sight because it has been long.
“It has been exactly 80 days since the Supreme Court ruling and we have been patient with the MPs, but we cannot be patient forever.
“They must come and join us now. They must make their choice between us and Chamisa. If they decide to go with Chamisa, the law will take its course. This is a very strong statement I am making. They must know that their days are numbered whether one is an MP or councillor,” Komichi said.
The Supreme Court ruling thrust Khupe as the acting leader of the MDC-T after annulling Chamisa’s rise in 2018 on account of failure to abide by the constitution upon the death of party founding president Morgan Tsvangirai in February 2018.
The MDC Alliance has, however, approached the High Court seeking an order stopping Parliament from expelling more legislators on the orders of its opposition rivals. The four MPs are seeking an order that nullifies their expulsion from the august House, arguing that Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda acted unlawfully in accepting an instruction from a political party they did not belong to when they were voted as MPs in the 2018 elections.
But Komichi insisted yesterday that their group was the legitimate MDC with power over the party’s headquarters, MPs and councillors while Chamisa and his allies are a rebel faction.
One of the two ladies arrested while protesting against the constitutional amendment bill number 2, Namatai Kwekweza has spoken out following her release yesterday.
Kwekweza together with her colleague, Vongai Zimudzi were arrested on Friday while protesting outside the Ministry of Justice, Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs.
Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 2 entrenches power in the office of the President who will have power to appoint judges of all upper courts without public scrutiny.
The bill also removes the running mate Clause, widely touted as a progressive move in sync with morden day democracies, among other key provisions.
Posting on Twitter, Kwekweza thanked Zimbabweans for rallying behind her and colleague Vongai Zimudzi but was quick to issue a reminder that the focus should not be diverted from an illegal process that was already in motion.
“Hello all, I am now okay. Thank you for the support. Remember the focus is not on me & @zimudzi_vongai getting arrested. It’s on the illegal process of amendmending our Constitution after a cosmetic consultation process during a pandemic,” said Kwekweza.
Kwekweza and Zimudzi appeared before Harare Magistrates Court yesterday and were granted zwl$3000 bail.
Defending champions Barcelona were held to a goalless draw by Sevilla on Friday, a result which might see them surrendering top spot to arch-rivals and fellow title-aspirants Real Madrid.
The Catalans arrived at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan carrying a two point advantage at the top of the table needing a win to extend the gap with 8 games left to play but the first half had very little in terms of goalmouth action.
Perhaps the biggest talking point in the first stanza came when Leo Messi appeared to have pushed Sevilla’s Diego Carlos to the ground following a challenge. The incident sparked a fracas which resulted in the referee Gonzalez Gonzalez flashing a few yellow cards though none was shown to the Argentine ace.
Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui brought on Eva Banega at the beginning the second half, a change which galvanized his side’s attack, with Lucas Ocampos nearly thrusting them ahead but his effort was well-saved by Barcelona goalkeeper Marc- Andre ter Stegen.
In search of more impetus upfront, Barca coach Quieque Sentien brought on Antoine Griezmann later on but his side could not find the breathrough and eventually settled for a share of the spoils.
The result means if Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad on Sunday, they (Zidane’s charges) will dislodge Barcelona from the summit of the table despite the two giants being level on points.
The Spanish top flight, unlike most leagues in the world, does not use superior goal difference rule but makes use of head to head, a setup which favors Real after they drew with and beat their arch rivals in the two Eclasicos of the season-Soccer 24
STATEMENT ON FALSE ALLEGATIONS OF FINANCIAL MISMANAGEMENT IN MDC-ALLIANCE
I have noted with concern the allegations by Mr Mashakada reported in The Herald of the 16th of June, 2020 alleging that senior leaders of the MDC Alliance have been involved in the misuse of party funds.
This is a baseless accusation that serves a ZANU PF agenda.
As the public will know, this is not the first time allegations of this nature have been raised.
I repeat what I have stated before, namely, that since taking office, I have implemented systems designed to combat fraud and any misuse of party funds. I am not aware of any misuse of party funds since I became Treasurer-General in 2019.
I also stress that President Nelson Chamisa is not a signatory to any of the party accounts and he has always insisted on the highest levels of integrity and probity in all matters financial and administrative.
The allegations made by Mr Mashakada are accordingly scurrilous and baseless.
It is also pertinent to note that at no time has Mr Mashakada raised any of these concerns with me in the last year as would have been expected, despite having every opportunity to do so. One questions why he now suddenly raises these matters which appear to indicate a malicious political motive.
Zanu PF has made similar baseless accusations and they are hardly paragons of virtue.
What is this common agenda, I ask? I assure our members and the public that transparency and openness are at the heal t of all of our financial affairs.
STATEMENT ON FALSE ALLEGATIONS OF FINANCIAL MISMANAGEMENT IN MDC-ALLIANCE
I have noted with concern the allegations by Mr Mashakada reported in The Herald of the 16th of June, 2020 alleging that senior leaders of the MDC Alliance have been involved in the misuse of party funds.
This is a baseless accusation that serves a ZANU PF agenda.
As the public will know, this is not the first time allegations of this nature have been raised.
I repeat what I have stated before, namely, that since taking office, I have implemented systems designed to combat fraud and any misuse of party funds. I am not aware of any misuse of party funds since I became Treasurer-General in 2019.
I also stress that President Nelson Chamisa is not a signatory to any of the party accounts and he has always insisted on the highest levels of integrity and probity in all matters financial and administrative.
The allegations made by Mr Mashakada are accordingly scurrilous and baseless.
It is also pertinent to note that at no time has Mr Mashakada raised any of these concerns with me in the last year as would have been expected, despite having every opportunity to do so. One questions why he now suddenly raises these matters which appear to indicate a malicious political motive.
Zanu PF has made similar baseless accusations and they are hardly paragons of virtue.
What is this common agenda, I ask? I assure our members and the public that transparency and openness are at the heal t of all of our financial affairs.
Farai Dziva| MDC Alliance president, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has declared that nobody can stop him from entering Harvest House.
Chamisa has however stressed that a revolution is not confined to a building.
Chamisa on Wednesday visited the late Kelvin Choto’s family in Chitungwiza.
Choto was shot dead by State security agents during the January 2019 disturbances.
Chamisa joined the Choto family members as they celebrated 2-year – old Janel’s birthday.
Janel is the daughter of the late Kelvin Choto (21).
Chamisa said: “Why are our soldiers and police officers being abused?
It’s just that I don’t want to go to Harvest House.
If I want to, do you think there is anyone who can stop me from entering the building?
I can walk into the building during daylight any day.
However, I am not a violent person. We respect the rule of law, so we are waiting for the court process, but we will not accept to be chased away from our base by visitors.”
He added: “They are celebrating the seizure of Harvest House and they are saying a lot about Chamisa.
They say we have kicked Chamisa out of Harvest House, we have grabbed Chamisa’s MPs – That doesn’t matter.
A revolution is not limited to a building, you cannot take away 2,6 million people, is that possible?
A different Zimbabwe is possible.A revolution is an unstoppable idea,” said Chamisa.
“Mr Mnangagwa cannot suppress the people forever.People will liberate themselves from oppression.
You think you are on top of the situation but you are fooling yourself, things can change unexpectedly.”
Farai Dziva| MDC Alliance president, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has declared that nobody can stop him from entering Harvest House.
Chamisa has however stressed that a revolution is not confined to a building.
Chamisa on Wednesday visited the late Kelvin Choto’s family in Chitungwiza.
Choto was shot dead by State security agents during the January 2019 disturbances.
Chamisa joined the Choto family members as they celebrated 2-year – old Janel’s birthday.
Janel is the daughter of the late Kelvin Choto (21).
Chamisa said: “Why are our soldiers and police officers being abused?
It’s just that I don’t want to go to Harvest House.
If I want to, do you think there is anyone who can stop me from entering the building?
I can walk into the building during daylight any day.
However, I am not a violent person. We respect the rule of law, so we are waiting for the court process, but we will not accept to be chased away from our base by visitors.”
He added: “They are celebrating the seizure of Harvest House and they are saying a lot about Chamisa.
They say we have kicked Chamisa out of Harvest House, we have grabbed Chamisa’s MPs – That doesn’t matter.
A revolution is not limited to a building, you cannot take away 2,6 million people, is that possible?
A different Zimbabwe is possible.A revolution is an unstoppable idea,” said Chamisa.
“Mr Mnangagwa cannot suppress the people forever.People will liberate themselves from oppression.
You think you are on top of the situation but you are fooling yourself, things can change unexpectedly.”
A 17-YEAR-OLD boy from Tsholotsho has been ordered to perform 600 hours of community service for fatally stabbing his cousin with a knife and a postmortem said his victim died due to lack of proper medical attention at a local hospital.
Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Maxwell Takuva, on circuit in Hwange found the boy, who cannot be named for ethical reasons, guilty of murder with constructive intent.
The boy, who was represented by Ms Linda Mthombeni of Dube, Nkala and Company, was sentenced to perform 600 hours of community service at a clinic in Tsholotsho.
He fatally stabbed his cousin with a knife last year on June 30 when he was aged 16 and his victim was aged 17.
The two had connived with another juvenile to steal a donkey drawn cart from a neighbour’s homestead to carry bags of maize to Gwayi Railway Station on June 30 last year.
As they were walking towards the neighbour’s homestead at around 10PM, the accused person started whistling prompting the now deceased to rebuke him for making noise.
They started arguing which led to a fight. The accused person ran away and came back armed with a knife which he used to stab his cousin once on the left side of the chest and he screamed and collapsed. Neighbours came and rushed the injured boy to Sipepa Clinic using the same cart they had wanted to steal.
He was transferred to Tsholotsho District Hospital where he was treated and discharged after a few days. However, his condition deteriorated and was he readmitted at the same hospital a few days later before being transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital where he was also treated and discharged.
The boy died on August 1 while at his aunt’s place of residence in Bulawayo’s Old Magwegwe suburb-Chronicle
Said MDC Alliance’s Settlement Chikwinya before parliament:
“Thank you Hon. Speaker. On a point of public emergency, after realising that the Corona virus pandemic had hit Zimbabwe, the Executive responded accordingly and declared that it be a public emergency situation.
To that extent, soldiers were deployed in our communities and soldiers are deployed only in terms of Section 213 of our Constitution. Section 214 then requires that the President must cause Parliament to be given the details of deployment.
I therefore call you Hon. Chair to rule that we respect the provisions of Section 214 that Parliament be informed of the details and the manner under which the soldiers are being found in our constituencies.
This arises from the fact that there are now reports that there are activities being done by the men of the military which we want to interrogate either the representative of the President or the Minister of Defence. I thank you.”
By A Correspondent- Legislators are spending lots of time begging for fuel coupons in ministers’ offices, Norton member of parliament Temba Mliswa has revealed.
He said this in parliament Thurday.
Said Mliswa:
Mr Speaker Sir, I want to bring to your attention that the coupons which Members of Parliament get are in RTGs. The going accepted price is in US dollars so the coupons that we have are as good as useless. Parliament had said that there would be dedicated service stations for Members of Parliament. To date nothing has happened and yet these coupons that you give us mean nothing. Is it possible for Parliament to give us coupons in US dollars, because that is what is on the market?
We cannot continue lying to ourselves as people who represent people when we come to this House we are told one thing and are now wondering who is really supposed to have oversight because us who are supposed to have oversight also do not know what is happening.
So, I implore your good office to stick to what you say to Members of Parliament that fuel will be in these centres and we would like to get a response from you today before Members of Parliament leave. Are you going to facilitate service stations for them to get fuel so that moving forward we know clearly what is happening?
Members of Parliament are not free to debate when they do not know how they are going to get home. So it is important that the matter be resolved today and we get the way forward from you.
The other issue is on the allowances and salaries given to Members of Parliament. I brought this issue up the last time and I said it was as good as US$50 per person. We are not at all immune from what happens. We equally are citizens of this country and pay whatever price of commodities on the market.
The amount of money that we are being paid is not helping at all. I even said how you do you feel as our leaders going to bed knowing that your Members of Parliament are getting US$50 per month. With Covid-19 which is there right now they are not able to travel, there are no allowances oversees and it is even harder for us.
You will soon be reading stories of Members of Parliament pick pocketing, stealing things in supermarkets and so forth and then the next thing you will be blaming us saying that we are not setting a good example.
Do not tempt us to do the wrong things when this Government and this institution can protect us by giving us a fair salary at the end of the day. Ministers are given coupons, they go to CMED and everything is fine for them but we are not doing well.
I think the leader of Government Business Hon. Ziyambi must feel for us and I think must do something in terms of our packages at the end of day. Surely US$50 for a Member of Parliament!
How many times have we gone to Kenya for benchmarking but when we come back the benchmarking does not mean anything. They are paid US$10 000 to $15 000 per month, ten personnel in the office, a 4×4 and a Mercedes Benz. We only get one car after five years.
Even the things that we are getting right now are actually minimal at the end of the day so the welfare of Members of Parliament must be taken seriously.
Others have died and they never got their cars. Even the vehicles which they are supposed to get, some of them have not gotten the vehicles but the Ministers have gotten two cars each.
So how do we move as a nation when the very same arm that you expect to have oversight is compromised at the end of the day. We are spending time in Ministers offices begging for coupons instead of us coming here.
How do we then ask them questions when they are giving us coupons and they are looking after us? We can no longer be compromised, we are not children,. We came here to serve the nation. Give us the tools to serve the nation. I thank you.”
As citizens, we have to come to a point where we realize the level of the devil we fight. We must realise that these thieves don't convict each other. They go for us, the little guys who are trying to fight the system. Corruption is destroying Zimbabwe. It is killing us.
By A Correspondent- The former First Lady Grace Mugabe currently owns 15 farms in violation of Zimbabwe’s land reform policy that says a person has to own one farm.
The revelations were made by Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa on Saturday when he questioned the move by Minister of Youth Kirsty Coventry to take over a farm owned by Robert Zhuwao.
Said Mliswa:
“Grace Mugabe is still seating on about 15 farms but we are still going after Robert Zhuwao, a guy who is not just sick but owns a single farm. The government policy is one man one farm, so why are we avoiding Grace? What are we scared of instead of just implementing the policy?”
In June 2019 President Emmerson Mnangagwa revealed that Grace was the owner of 16 farms.
Using Grace Mugabe’s monicker, Mnangagwa said, “I know of one lady Stop It who has about 16 yet the law says one family one farm.”
Speaking in parliamnet, MDC Alliance Vice President Tendai Biti said the ever shifting monetary policy was confusing hence the need for government to guarantee consistency/
Said Biti before parliament:
“Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. I rise to make a statement on a matter of public national interest in terms of the new Standing Orders of this august House. Mr. Speaker Sir, we are gravely concerned about the continuous shifting of our Monetary Policy.
We are concerned particularly about the constant changes to our Monetary Policy. In 2009, we introduced the basket of multiple currencies. The basket of multiple currencies lasted until 2016, when in November 2016, the Bond Note was introduced through amendments that were made to the Reserve Bank Act. In 2017, Mr. Speaker Sir, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Finance spent the bulk of the year convincing Zimbabweans that the Bond Note was on par with the US dollar.
They ran an expensive campaign called Operation gedye gedye, persuading the people of Zimbabwe to accept that the bond note was equal to the US dollar.
We were shocked Mr. Speaker Sir when on the 1st of October 2018 banks were suddenly advised by the Reserve Bank in an exchange control directive that they had to separate people’s accounts into nostro FCAs and nostro RTGS.
We were further shocked when on the 20th of February 2019, Statutory Instrument 33 of 2019 was introduced which said we now have a new currency called the RTGS, which initially was at 1:1 then 1:2.5 and then was floated.
In June of 2019, Mr. Speaker Sir, we were advised by the esteemed Minister of Finance that the country had dedolarised; that the regime of multiple currencies were no longer legal tender in Zimbabwe; that the Zimbabwean dollar had been restored as the sole currency in this country.
Mr. Speaker Sir, some people protested and made the point that the country was not ready to introduce its own currency. We made the point that conditions did not exist for the introduction of our own currency. We were further confused yesterday when the Minister of Finance…
I am now winding up Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, the Minister of Finance effectively dedollarised by the introduction of a US$75 allowance to civil servants and US$30 to war veterans.
It is our contention Mr. Speaker that the Minister of Finance owes Zimbabweans an apology that he should not introduce dollarisation through the back door; that he should repeal Statutory Instrument 33 and Statutory Instrument 142 and the Finance Act.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Minister of Finance has failed in absolute terms and must resign. I thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir.”
By Kennedy Kaitano- Dear Inter-Parliamentary Union,
I am a concerned citizen of Zimbabwe who is worried bout the corrupt collusion between the Parliament, Senate and Government Zimbabwe and a faction of the opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (Tsvangirai) (MDC-T) following a “mooted” Supreme Court Judgement passed on 31 March which encouraged the warring factions of the MDC-T to organise a special Extra Ordinary Congress to elect a leader who will replace the founding President of the Party who passed away on 14 February 2018. I hope that my letter will find its way to the appropriate offices for consideration.
To give a bit of background, the Supreme Court Judgement came about as a result of a court appeal by a member of the MDC-T who felt he had not been accorded an opportunity to elect a President of his choice following the death of the late founding MDC-T President. In its wisdom, following the death of the founding President, the National Council of the MDC-T, chaired by Senator Morgan Komichi, who was the Acting Chairman in the absence of the 2014 elected Chairman Hon Lovemore Moyo, had decided to elevate one of the three Vice-Presidents of the Party, Advocate Nelson Chamisa, to the position of Acting President.
Of the three Presidents, one Dr. Thokozani Khupe, was the only one who had been elected at the Party’s last Congress held in 2014, while Advocate and Senator Engineer Elias Mudzuri had been appointed to Vice President positions which had been found essential to strengthen the Party in readiness for the 2018 elections. Senator Morgan Komichi was assigned by the late MDC-T President to lead the consultation which resulted in those appointments, which were endorsed by the National Council of the Party.
The Supreme Court ruled that the appointments of the Vice-Presidents was unconstitutional according to the Party constitution, even though the Constitution gave the power to the National Council to make decisions in between congresses, and it also allowed the President to “appoint deputies to officers of Congress from a pool of National Executive members elected from provinces and other office bearers where such is provided for in the Constitution”. Officers of Congress are the officials who are elected at Congress, and the President is one of such officers.
The Party had then thought that there was nothing sinister in the Vice-President appointments, so the Supreme Court Judgement really came as a surprise, and many believe that the Judgement was influenced by Government of Zimbabwe which likes to divide the opposition by siding with the weaker faction in the main opposition party.
Regardless of whether the Supreme Court judgement was influenced by Government or not, following its opinion that the Vie-President positions appointed in 2016 were not constitutional, the Court ruled that all decisions made after the death of Dr. Morgan Tsvangirai were null and void, and assigned the elected Vice-President, Dr. Khupe to organise an Extra Ordinary Congress to elect a replacement for the late leader (The Court ruling is attached with this letter for your perusal), and she was given 90 days to do so.
Failure by Dr. Khupe to discharge the assignment within the time-frame, Senator Morgan Komichi, who the Court mistook to have been the Chairman of the Party at the time of death of Dr. Tsvangirai, if not influenced by the Government of Zimbabwe to declare Senator Komichi as the Chairman at the time of Dr. Tsvangirai.
Let me clarify that assertion by saying that the Supreme Court said all decisions made by the MDC between the time of Dr. Tsvangirai’s death and the 31 March 2020 when the judgement was passed were null and void. At the time of Dr. Tsvangirai’s death, the Chairman of the MDC-T was Honorable Lovemore Moyo, Senator Komichi was a Deputy Chairman. Honorable Moyo only tendered his resignation on 23 March 2018 to an Acting President who the Court said could not make binding decisions.
The resignation of Hon Lovemore Moyo is, therefore not recognized by the Supreme Court. However, the Court mistook Senator Komichi to be the legitimate Chairman as the judges were not aware who was the Chairman of the Party at the time of Dr. Tsvangirai’s death, especially as Senator Komichi, who was third appellant in the court case had declared himself as the National Chairman of the first appellant.
The Judges did not ask whether he became Chairman before or after the death of Dr. Tsvangirai, and this is something that should be raised with the Court. the legality of Senator Komichi’s Chairmanship aside, the Court mandated Senator Komichi to try to organise the suggested Extra Ordinary Congress in thirty days, failure which the issue becomes water under the bridge.
According to Section 6.2.6 the Party Constitution that was presented before the Supreme Court “a notice convening an Extra-Ordinary Congress shall be sent to all members entitled to attend and to each branch by the National Council at least one month before the date of the meeting”.
However, a bogus Council meeting to which eligible members known to be supporting Advocate Chamisa were not invited was held through whatsapp as reported by local media. The meeting came up with a list of members of Parliament of the MDC Alliance who had to be recalled from Parliament and also unconstitutionally deliberated on the planning of the Extra Ordinary Congress. The meeting was unconstitutional in that it did not have a quorum, and eligible members had been left out.
It should be put on record that following the death of Dr. Tsvangirai, due to leadership differences, Dr. Khupe and Advocate Chamisa registered for elections as two different parties, Dr. Khupe’s party using the name MDC-T while Advocate Chamisa’s team registered their party for the elections as MDC Alliance, a fact confirmed by Senator Mwonzora in media interviews at the time of the registration for elections.
Now because of the Supreme Court ruling which never instructed Dr. Khupe to recall MDC Alliance Parliamentarians, who were elected under the MDC Alliance ticket. The Parliament and Senate have all their records showing that the number of seats and the names of the legislators won by MDC-T, and the Supreme Court judgement which Speaker of Parliament and President of the Senate say they based their decisions to expel MDC legislators from Parliament and Senate respectively does not instruct Dr. Khupe to recall any legislators.
If anything, Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, who is a lawyer, should have read the Supreme Judgement carefully and understood that the mooted judgement, described as such by the Court, only gives a time frame for which Dr. Khupe and Senator Komichi should organise an Extra Ordinary Congress, failure which the parties which he Court was encouraging to unite will revert to their post Tsvangirai ventures.
What then would happen if the warring parties do not get back together as suggested by the Supreme Court?
Besides, the the outcome of the Supreme Court implementation process, the MDC-T and MDC Alliance satisfied the requirement of the Zimbabwe Elections Act and registered with the Zimbabwe Elections Act as political parties for purposes of the elections, and each is entitled to enjoy the benefits of what they achieved in the elections.
After all, the MDC-T as left by Dr. Tsvangirai was not operational at the time of the elections, so there is no way Dr. Khupe can claim parliamentarians who are a product of a process that took when it could not make decisions.
Instead of calling the appropriate structures that were in place as at the time of the death of Dr. Tsvangirai to organise the suggested Extra Ordinary Congress, Dr. Khupe is busy appointing people into positions which had officials who are supporting Advocate Chamisa, which are not the 2014 structures that should plan the Extra Ordinary Congress, and then go about telling the world that she is implementing the Supreme Court Judgement.
Where in the Supreme Court Judgement is Dr. Khupe asked to replace officials from the 2014 structures, the very ones that should plan the Extra Ordinary Congress. There is no harm in Dr. Khupe filling gaps in the Party that she led into the 2018 elections, because that should be her fall back party should the Extra Ordinary Congress not happen, and already 9 days before the period she was given to organise it, no Constitutionally constituted council meeting has met to start planning for the Congress when the Party’s Constitution specifically states that the Communication for an Extra Ordinary Congress can only be made by Council, yet Dr. Khupe and her team are already telling the world that the Extra Ordinary Congress will take place on 31 July 2020.
They should stop dreaming and face the reality that despite claiming to be implementing the Supreme Court ruling and upholding constitutionalism, they are doing the opposite. What they are calling an Extra Ordinary Congress does not meet the requirements of the Supreme Court Judgement and the Constitution of the Party combined, and therefore not binding.
The firing of officials of the MDC 2014 structures, despite being unconstitutionally carried out, is also not part of the Supreme Court Judgement. The Supreme Court Judgement does not mandate Dr. Khupe to fire officials of the party in place at the time of Dr. Tsvangrai’s death, but mandates her to unite them and is she successfully does so, organise the Extra-Ordinary Congress with them.
Furthermore, there are processes laid down in the Constitution regarding the expulsion of officials from the Party, which Dr. Khupe did not follow. So, Dr. Khupe and Senator Mwonzora who wrote the expulsion letters are even worse that the hideous Zanu PF which follows procedures when expelling its officials. Recently, Zanu PF Politburo expelled Chivi South legislator, Mr Killer Zivhu following a recommendation by the party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC). Zanu PF folowed a process there in expelling Mr. Zivhu, and ask the so-called Champions of Constitutionalism Dr. Khupe and Senator Mwonzora what process they followed in expelling Advocate Chamisa. Honorable Charlton Hwende, Senator Lilian Timveous and Honourable Thabhita Khumalo?
Interestingly, despite breaking the Supreme Court Judgement and the Party Constitution, Dr. Khupe and her team are getting support from Government, with the Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi stating that that the government would disburse the $7,5 million due to the MDC under the Political Parties (Finance) Act to the Thokozani Khupe led group that is temporarily in charge of the party following the recent court rulings.
As leader of Government in Parliament, Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi should know better that the MDC-T and MDC Alliance are registered as different political parties, hence non should enjoy the other’s benefits.
What is evident from what has been happening is that the holding of an Extra Ordinary Congress of the MDC-T as prescribed by the Supreme Court has failed , and therefore that judgement is water under the bridge, unless if Dr. Khupe reflects on the numerous blunders she has made to date and quickly calls for a National Council meeting as required by the DC Constitution to get the Extra Ordinary Congress back on track, but that will also be an uphill task with numerous court cases pending before the courts arising from her own blunders.
Government of Zimbabwe, Parliament and Senate should stop supporting a faction of the warring MDC, and are in contempt of the Supreme Court Judgement for their unethical interference to date.
By A Correspondent- MDC-T acting president Thokozani Khupe yesterday threatened to wield the axe on more MPs and councillors who have continued to defy her leadership by flirting with the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance.
This comes as Khupe last month recalled four legislators, Chalton Hwende (Kuwadzana East), Prosper Mutseyami (Dangamvura Chikanga), Thabitha Khumalo (proportional representation MP) and Senator Lillian Timveos on allegations that they no longer represented the MDC-T interests in the august House.
But with reports that some MPs were still attending the MDC Alliance caucus meetings, MDC-T national chairperson Morgen Komichi told a media conference at the party’s Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House headquarters yesterday that they were running out of patience.
“Of course there is a saying that puppies do not see light on the same day, but there comes when you conclude that this is now blindness; that these puppies will never get their sight because it has been long.
“It has been exactly 80 days since the Supreme Court ruling and we have been patient with the MPs, but we cannot be patient forever.
“They must come and join us now. They must make their choice between us and Chamisa. If they decide to go with Chamisa, the law will take its course. This is a very strong statement I am making. They must know that their days are numbered whether one is an MP or councillor,” Komichi said.
The Supreme Court ruling thrust Khupe as the acting leader of the MDC-T after annulling Chamisa’s rise in 2018 on account of failure to abide by the constitution upon the death of party founding president Morgan Tsvangirai in February 2018.
The MDC Alliance has, however, approached the High Court seeking an order stopping Parliament from expelling more legislators on the orders of its opposition rivals. The four MPs are seeking an order that nullifies their expulsion from the august House, arguing that Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda acted unlawfully in accepting an instruction from a political party they did not belong to when they were voted as MPs in the 2018 elections.
But Komichi insisted yesterday that their group was the legitimate MDC with power over the party’s headquarters, MPs and councillors while Chamisa and his allies are a rebel faction.
By A Correspondent- The Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T party chairman Morgen Komichi yesterday unwittingly exposed that he was a spy who worked to destabilise and undermine MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa.
Addressing a Press conference in Harare yesterday, Komichi said while he played an important role in jettisoning Chamisa into presidency of the party and presidential candidate in the 2018 elections, he never believed in his leadership qualities.
“I was never part of them, even if you ask our secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, I used to pull him (Mwonzora) by the side telling him that he should relax and wait because the time for Chamisa would come to an end sooner,” he said.
Mwonzora confirmed that while Komichi appeared on a number of rallies and platforms defending Chamisa’s alleged power grab and vehemently attacking Thokozani Khupe, he never believed in the youthful opposition leader.
“Yes, I can confirm that he never believed that the leadership of Nelson Chamisa would last, he used to tell me to relax,” Mwonzora said.
Komichi said he also secretly authorised an obscure organisation called Defending Morgan Tsvangirai’s Legacy, which issued statements attacking Chamisa’s leadership.
As he secretly supported forces opposed to Chamisa, Komichi branded the loyalty card which was at the centre of his campaign for the vice presidency at the Gweru congress where he lost to Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube.
Komichi, according to MDC-T insiders, is also gunning for the MDC-T presidency which Khupe and Mwonzora were also interested.
MDC Alliance secretary-general Chalton Hwende said the statements by Komichi confirmed that the outfit was just a power-shopping movement.
“Someone who can honestly say in public, I was a spy, supporting a presidential candidate and participated in a congress that I was secretly working against, who can trust such characters?” Hwende asked.
Komichi acted as Chamisa’s chief elections agent and rushed to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s podium to declare that the results that gave President Emmerson Mnangagwa a lead in the 2018 general elections were fake.
After ending his romance with the MDC Alliance in March following a Supreme Court order declaring Chamisa an illegitimate leader, Komichi made a volte-face and claimed that youthful leader did not win the controversial presidential poll.
But Chamisa yesterday said Komichi imposed himself on his election team.
“The chief elections agent was Jameson Timba. Komichi went there saying he was interested in knowing what was happening, but he was not an official of my team,” Chamisa said.
By A Correspondent- At least 2000 civil servants have been struck off the government payroll as they failed to register under the Public Sevice Biometric Authentication Project.
The matter came to light in a letter from the Public, Defence, Police and Prisons and Recreational Service Commissions secretary Jonathan Wutawunashe to Primary and Secondary Education ministry’s permanent secretary Tumisang Thabela.
The letter reads in part:
…All members who were found without biometric attributes in the National Registration System were instructed to have these attributes captured by the department of the Registrar-General. As of March 31, 2020, 1 849 members who are active on the payroll had not complied.
Of these, 829 are in your ministry as per attached schedule. The Commission has made a decision to remove them from the payroll with effect from the 1st of June 2020, until they comply with the requirement.
The Commission is, therefore, requesting that you facilitate notification to these members of this decision and that they will only be reinstated on complying with the requirement.
The Public Service Commission decided to introduce the Biometric registration system as a way to reform the public service sector and weed out ghost workers.
