COVID-19 cases in Zimbabwe have passed the 400 mark as Zimbabwe recorded 401 cases up to date. According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s update for today:
Ten (10) cases tested positive for COVID-19 today These are all returnees from South Africa and are all isolated.
Today 364 ROT screening tests and 427 PCR diagnostic tests were done The cumulative number of tests done to date is 60 585 (35 294 ROT and 25 291 PcRl
Mashonaland Central Province reported 1 recovery.
To date the total number of confirmed cases is 401 recovered 63, active cases 334 and 4 deaths, since the onset of the outbreak on 20 March 2020.
By Nomusa Garikai- “We maintain strongly that ZANU cannot unilaterally alter a constitution that was approved by 93% of Zimbabweans in a referendum. More so when some of the proposed amendments seek to alter the basic structure of the constitution. The constitution is sacrosanct & should be protected,” said Tendai Biti.
He is commenting in the wake of ongoing public hearings on the Constitutional Amendment Bill 2.
One does not have to be a lawyer to dismiss Biti’s comment as yet another example of the MDC silverback gorilla grandstanding and posturing. Of course, there is no such thing a sacrosanct constitution that cannot be amended!
Even the American Constitution, one of the best constitutions in the world and has served the American people well and has stood the test of time was amended.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Reads the first amendment to the USA Constitution.
The amendment was passed in 1791, three years after constitution was officially adopted in June 1788 after New Hampshire, the critical ninth state, ratified the Constitution.
There is no doubt that the first USA Constitution and many they have followed has largely enhanced the people’s freedoms and rights and democracy and good governance – that country’s greatest blessing. Sadly the same cannot be said of proposed second amendment to Zimbabwe’s constitution.
“The first amendment (passed September 2017) to the 2013 Zimbabwean Constitution, empowering the President to appoint the Chief Justice, has undermined the compromise central to the consultative drafting process. Considering the Zimbabwean post-colonial tradition of legislative claw back of progressive constitutional provisions and judicial pronouncements, this raises questions on whether the drafters should have recognized unamendable provisions or at least entrenched the judicial appointment process.” Wrote David T Hofisi in Constitution Net.
It should be pointed out that the 2013 Zimbabwe Constitution itself is weak in that it gave the State President excessive powers with none of the usual democratic checks and balances. The first amendment only served to consolidate the excessive Presidential power to the judiciary.
One of the things the second amendment to the Zimbabwe constitution will do is scrap the requirement for an elected Vice President giving the State President the power to appoint and fire the VP just as he/she has power to appoint/fire cabinet members!
Tendai Biti’s objection to the ongoing exercise to pass the second amendment is foolish political grandstanding for two reasons:
Tendai Biti and his fellow MDC colleagues were involved in the drafting of the feeble 2013 Constitution give the State President excessive powers and the campaigned for its approval in the March 2013 referendum. It is therefore rich for Biti to now be posturing defending a feeble constitution.
This Zanu PF government blatantly rigged the July 2018 elections, it has no mandate to govern the country much less amending the constitution. And yet there is no denying that the participation of MDC and the whole coterie of opposition parties and candidate have given some credibility to the otherwise flawed and illegal election process and hence some modicum of legitimacy to this illegitimate regime. Again, it is very rich of our MDC Godzilla all teeth but no bite monster to be questioning the legality of the amendment process when he and his troop are the ones who gave the Zanu PF regime legitimacy!
In short there is nothing wrong with amending a Constitution per se. A strong Constitution is the foundation on which amendments can be added to enhance and strengthen the freedoms, rights and good governance. Weak and feeble Constitutions, such as the Zimbabwe 2013 Constitution, are nothing but a dictator’s creed and the tyrant will only seek to strengthen his/her dictatorial powers with each constitutional amendment!
Tendai Biti and company let the horse bolt free and he is now making a big song and dance about closing the stable door! Shut up Godzilla! “Chienda undovhiya mbudzi!” as one would say in Shona.
In recent days, there has been a barrage of attacks on my person after I came out in the open differing with my fellow colleagues in the MDC Alliance. Because I expressed my views which differed from others, my detractors were quick to throw missiles at me, condemning and labelling me as Zanu PF or CIO.
This game is very familiar. I would not be a politician if I am moved by such political antics. As a politician, my skin is rough and I have strong shock absorbers. It’s refreshing to know that such maligning games are normally played by Students.
I remember, during SRC elections at the UZ, a competing student would just wake up splashed on the notice board. Pinned on the notice board would be a fake letter on a letterhead from the President’s Office addressed to that particular student. This would finish you straight away. Everyone would say “wasviba” meaning you are dirty.
Pedzisayi Ruhanya was good in those games. It took him quite a while to outgrow that stupid character. He still has got remnants of such student behaviour. In 2002 I had some differences with Learnmore Jongwe and Ruhanya and his former student colleagues who I shall not name generated a CIO letter addressed to me and splashed it all over in the MDC.
Fortunately, no one bought into that cheap trick. That is the nature of student politics. Ruhanya went to Harare Polytechnic where he started his student activism. But unlike his colleagues who participated in the formation of MDC, Ruhanya was a coward.
In his figment of imagination, Ruhanya tweeted that I was a Chairman of Zanu PF UZ branch at some stage. Of course, I am not Zanu PF and have never been a member of Zanu PF. Not that it is a crime to join Zanu PF. It is a choice. In fact, Zanu PF brought independence after a protracted liberation struggle. It is a revolutionary party that has regrettably failed to transform from a guerilla movement to a modern democratic party, in my view, but I have great respect for some of my friends who belong to that party and it is their right to do so.
If I wish to join Zanu PF today, it will be my personal choice. Zanu PF and Zipra produced luminaries like Herbert Chitepo, Josiah Tongogara, Leopold Takawira, Samuel Parirenyatwa, Jason Moyo, Nikita Mangena, Joshua Nkomo, Justin Chauke, Mayor Urimbo, Ernest Kadungure, Josiah Tungamirai, Dhauramanzi, Sheba Tavarirwa, Rex Nhongo, the Chinhoyi 7 just to mention a few.
Having said that, I now lay bare my political history in brief.
1. I joined the ZCTU as a junior Economic Advisor in 1991. My boss was Dr. Godfrey Kanyenze. I later took over as Chief Economist while Dr. Kanyenze was on study leave doing his doctorate at the Institute of Development Studies, the University of Sussex in Brighton, England. I also followed in his footsteps and did my Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Stellenbosch, Western Cape in South Africa.
At ZCTU Economics Dept, our evidence-based economic research and macroeconomic analysis helped unravel the political economy of the day. Our flagship project was the “Beyond Esap Book Project” of 1996. It is now a reference book for policymakers, academics, development practitioners, and University students alike. Being close to Morgan Tsvangirai, the then ZCTU Secretary-General, we started maneuvers to form the MDC as way back in 1995.
2. In 1998, we commissioned a study to map out the views of the people regarding the future political direction of the country which was reeling from the effects of the economic structural adjustment program (ESAP). The survey was done by Timothy Kondo, Nomore Sibanda, Denis Murira, Ghandi Mudzingwa, David Muzhuzhu, James Makore, Zvavamwe Shambare and others. The views gathered we called “raw data”.
3. In February 1999, ZCTU organized the National Working People’s Convention, held at the Women’s Bureau in Hillside, Harare where we invited students, academics, churches, rural women led by Orapo, NCA, and other organizations. I presented a concept paper on ” labour and the economy.”
One of the resolutions from the Convention was that the “ZCTU must facilitate the formation of a broad-based movement for democratic change”. But as the ZCTU, we could not just form a political party without getting a green light from our General Council so we organized a ZCTU extra-ordinary Congress at the Zesa Training Centre in Belvedere in Harare in Sept 1998. The motion to allow the ZCTU to form a political party was moved by one Mlambo from Gweru.
Armed with a Congress Resolution we started to form the party in earnest. That is when we invited students like Nelson Chamisa, Job Sikhaka, Learnmore Jongwe, and others to join us form the MDC party. Job Sikhala was vocal and fearless. The slogan, “chinja maitiro” was coined by one Ernest Mudavanhu from Bikita who was asked by the Masvingo outreach team on what was to be done to which he replied ” kana zvakadaro hatichinje maitiro”
4. We then divided the rest of the country into political zones following the ZCTU structures and divided people to go out and establish party structures. Pioneers of this program included Thokozani Khupe, Tendai Biti, Gift Chimanikire, Wellington Chibhebhe, Nicholas Mudzengerere, Remus Makuvaza, Paurina Mpariwa, Morgan Komichi, Mhlambeni, Grace Kwinje, Sekai Holland, Nelson Chamisa, Jon Sikhala and many others. You may notice that Charlton Hwende was not involved in this process. He only emerged at the Inaugural Congress where he lost to Chamisa as Youth Chair. After that loss, Hwende went to Namibia and we never saw him in the MDC until 2014 when he came back loaded and bought Mashonaland West party structures to become Deputy Treasurer General. Ruhanya was not even an MDC member and still, he is not.
Back to the formation, We tasked Professor Welshman Ncube, David Coltart, Douglas Mwonzora, and others to draft the first MDC Constitution. I was tasked to work with the Harare team to set up MDC structures in Norton, Chitungwiza, Epworth and Ruwa. My team was composed of Morgan Femai, Jairos Karimatsenga, Cephas Makuyana, Villika, Mbuya Mazani, Tichaona Chiminya, Last Maengehama, Gombera, Kwilinje, Muguti, Mutambu, Nyika, and a few others I may not remember. Our assembly point was the old Mashonaland Turf Club along Rezende Street. Our code name was “pamabhiza”. This process of structure formation was in preparation for the inaugural launch of the party.
5. In September 1999 we launched the MDC at Rufaro Stadium with Cephas Makuyana as the Master of Ceremony. Makuyana hosted us as the Chairman of the ZCTU Harare region. He was a shop floor steward at the United Bottlers together with mudhara Kaondera Shava.
The launch was very successful5. In January 2000 we held our inaugural Congress at the aquatic center in Chitungwiza. Just before the Congress, Makuyana fell sick and could not show up at the congress. I took it upon myself to drive to his house in Zengeza to pick him up. He was wearing sleepers because his feet were swollen. After our Congress we then campaigned for the NO vote in the February 2000 Constitutional Referendum.
6. Positions held in MDC: 6.1. Vice-Chairman Harare Province (2001-2005); 6.2-. MP for Hatfield (2000-) and Shadow Minister for Finance (2000 to 2008) 6.3. 2006, Deputy Secretary-General and member of the National Standing Committee(2006 to 2014) 6.4. Member of the National Executive and Secretary for Finance and Economic Affairs (2015 to 2018)5.5. Secretary for Policy and Research and Member of the National Standing Committee (2019 to 2020)5.6. Appointed Minister of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, 2010 to 2013).
ARRESTS 1. Arrested and detained in 2001 for political violence in Epworth 2. 2002, Arrested and detained with Alex Musundure for allegedly bombing radio VOP in Milton Park ( I think this was instigated by Pedzisayi Ruhanya and others)3. 2006, Arrested and detained at Mubaira Growth point in Mhondoro for violating POSA.4. 2018, arrested for an alleged campaign offence.
Achievements 1. Wrote MDC Economic Blueprints such as The Bridge; Restart; Art; Juice and all campaign Manifestos2. Outclassed David Chapfika of Zanu PF in a televised debate hosted on a program called “Face The Nation” run my Mutumwa Mawere and Kindness Paradza. The program was immediately banned by Jonathan Moyo, the then Minister of Information and Publicity3. Led the first campaign to wrestle Hatfield and Epworth from Zanu PF. Epworth was a no go area in 2000.
Some Highlights
1. Released my motor-vehicle to Nelson Chamisa for him to go to the UZ for a courtship of his current wife Thoko.
2. Saved Morgan Tsvangirai from arrest after he had called for South Africa to cut fuel and electricity supplies to Zimbabwe. We then arranged that Morgan Tsvangirai should avoid Harare International Airport. Instead him and Roy Bennet hired a private jet via Buffalo Range Airport and finally landed at the Airstrip at Crest Breeders, Harare South. That way he escaped arrest at the Harare International Airport.
Conclusion
This is just a very abridged version of my political history in the MDC. Iam writing a book on the formation of the MDC in which my role will be fully revealed. Because of my composed character, most people do not know the critical role I have played in the MDC. Some do not even know that I was a jailbird as far back as 2001. Of course being arrested is not a sign of heroism. I had committed alleged offences otherwise, a law abiding person escapes arrests and detention. Most of the arrests of MDC activists are politically motivated and are of course not backed by evidence hence most MDC leaders have been acquitted on Treason Trial Charges. Being arrested is a brush with law and not necessarily a sign of political contribution.
While delivering today’s speech the South African president said he is further allowing businesses to open and he said the following must open for business:
Restaurants (for sit down purposes) Casinos
Temporary lodging facilities like hotels and lodges
Business meetings and conferences Cinemas
Personal care providers, Hairdressers, masseuses etc
Non-contact sports like cricket, golf, tennis (contact sports opened for training purposes only.)
In recent days, there has been a barrage of attacks on my person after I came out in the open differing with my fellow colleagues in the MDC Alliance. Because I expressed my views which differed from others, my detractors were quick to throw missiles at me, condemning and labelling me as Zanu PF or CIO.
This game is very familiar. I would not be a politician if I am moved by such political antics. As a politician, my skin is rough and I have strong shock absorbers. It’s refreshing to know that such maligning games are normally played by Students.
I remember, during SRC elections at the UZ, a competing student would just wake up splashed on the notice board. Pinned on the notice board would be a fake letter on a letterhead from the President’s Office addressed to that particular student. This would finish you straight away. Everyone would say “wasviba” meaning you are dirty.
Pedzisayi Ruhanya was good in those games. It took him quite a while to outgrow that stupid character. He still has got remnants of such student behaviour. In 2002 I had some differences with Learnmore Jongwe and Ruhanya and his former student colleagues who I shall not name generated a CIO letter addressed to me and splashed it all over in the MDC.
Fortunately, no one bought into that cheap trick. That is the nature of student politics. Ruhanya went to Harare Polytechnic where he started his student activism. But unlike his colleagues who participated in the formation of MDC, Ruhanya was a coward.
In his figment of imagination, Ruhanya tweeted that I was a Chairman of Zanu PF UZ branch at some stage. Of course, I am not Zanu PF and have never been a member of Zanu PF. Not that it is a crime to join Zanu PF. It is a choice. In fact, Zanu PF brought independence after a protracted liberation struggle. It is a revolutionary party that has regrettably failed to transform from a guerilla movement to a modern democratic party, in my view, but I have great respect for some of my friends who belong to that party and it is their right to do so.
If I wish to join Zanu PF today, it will be my personal choice. Zanu PF and Zipra produced luminaries like Herbert Chitepo, Josiah Tongogara, Leopold Takawira, Samuel Parirenyatwa, Jason Moyo, Nikita Mangena, Joshua Nkomo, Justin Chauke, Mayor Urimbo, Ernest Kadungure, Josiah Tungamirai, Dhauramanzi, Sheba Tavarirwa, Rex Nhongo, the Chinhoyi 7 just to mention a few.
Having said that, I now lay bare my political history in brief.
1. I joined the ZCTU as a junior Economic Advisor in 1991. My boss was Dr. Godfrey Kanyenze. I later took over as Chief Economist while Dr. Kanyenze was on study leave doing his doctorate at the Institute of Development Studies, the University of Sussex in Brighton, England. I also followed in his footsteps and did my Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Stellenbosch, Western Cape in South Africa.
At ZCTU Economics Dept, our evidence-based economic research and macroeconomic analysis helped unravel the political economy of the day. Our flagship project was the “Beyond Esap Book Project” of 1996. It is now a reference book for policymakers, academics, development practitioners, and University students alike. Being close to Morgan Tsvangirai, the then ZCTU Secretary-General, we started maneuvers to form the MDC as way back in 1995.
2. In 1998, we commissioned a study to map out the views of the people regarding the future political direction of the country which was reeling from the effects of the economic structural adjustment program (ESAP). The survey was done by Timothy Kondo, Nomore Sibanda, Denis Murira, Ghandi Mudzingwa, David Muzhuzhu, James Makore, Zvavamwe Shambare and others. The views gathered we called “raw data”.
3. In February 1999, ZCTU organized the National Working People’s Convention, held at the Women’s Bureau in Hillside, Harare where we invited students, academics, churches, rural women led by Orapo, NCA, and other organizations. I presented a concept paper on ” labour and the economy.”
One of the resolutions from the Convention was that the “ZCTU must facilitate the formation of a broad-based movement for democratic change”. But as the ZCTU, we could not just form a political party without getting a green light from our General Council so we organized a ZCTU extra-ordinary Congress at the Zesa Training Centre in Belvedere in Harare in Sept 1998. The motion to allow the ZCTU to form a political party was moved by one Mlambo from Gweru.
Armed with a Congress Resolution we started to form the party in earnest. That is when we invited students like Nelson Chamisa, Job Sikhaka, Learnmore Jongwe, and others to join us form the MDC party. Job Sikhala was vocal and fearless. The slogan, “chinja maitiro” was coined by one Ernest Mudavanhu from Bikita who was asked by the Masvingo outreach team on what was to be done to which he replied ” kana zvakadaro hatichinje maitiro”
4. We then divided the rest of the country into political zones following the ZCTU structures and divided people to go out and establish party structures. Pioneers of this program included Thokozani Khupe, Tendai Biti, Gift Chimanikire, Wellington Chibhebhe, Nicholas Mudzengerere, Remus Makuvaza, Paurina Mpariwa, Morgan Komichi, Mhlambeni, Grace Kwinje, Sekai Holland, Nelson Chamisa, Jon Sikhala and many others. You may notice that Charlton Hwende was not involved in this process. He only emerged at the Inaugural Congress where he lost to Chamisa as Youth Chair. After that loss, Hwende went to Namibia and we never saw him in the MDC until 2014 when he came back loaded and bought Mashonaland West party structures to become Deputy Treasurer General. Ruhanya was not even an MDC member and still, he is not.
Back to the formation, We tasked Professor Welshman Ncube, David Coltart, Douglas Mwonzora, and others to draft the first MDC Constitution. I was tasked to work with the Harare team to set up MDC structures in Norton, Chitungwiza, Epworth and Ruwa. My team was composed of Morgan Femai, Jairos Karimatsenga, Cephas Makuyana, Villika, Mbuya Mazani, Tichaona Chiminya, Last Maengehama, Gombera, Kwilinje, Muguti, Mutambu, Nyika, and a few others I may not remember. Our assembly point was the old Mashonaland Turf Club along Rezende Street. Our code name was “pamabhiza”. This process of structure formation was in preparation for the inaugural launch of the party.
5. In September 1999 we launched the MDC at Rufaro Stadium with Cephas Makuyana as the Master of Ceremony. Makuyana hosted us as the Chairman of the ZCTU Harare region. He was a shop floor steward at the United Bottlers together with mudhara Kaondera Shava.
The launch was very successful5. In January 2000 we held our inaugural Congress at the aquatic center in Chitungwiza. Just before the Congress, Makuyana fell sick and could not show up at the congress. I took it upon myself to drive to his house in Zengeza to pick him up. He was wearing sleepers because his feet were swollen. After our Congress we then campaigned for the NO vote in the February 2000 Constitutional Referendum.
6. Positions held in MDC: 6.1. Vice-Chairman Harare Province (2001-2005); 6.2-. MP for Hatfield (2000-) and Shadow Minister for Finance (2000 to 2008) 6.3. 2006, Deputy Secretary-General and member of the National Standing Committee(2006 to 2014) 6.4. Member of the National Executive and Secretary for Finance and Economic Affairs (2015 to 2018)5.5. Secretary for Policy and Research and Member of the National Standing Committee (2019 to 2020)5.6. Appointed Minister of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, 2010 to 2013).
ARRESTS 1. Arrested and detained in 2001 for political violence in Epworth 2. 2002, Arrested and detained with Alex Musundure for allegedly bombing radio VOP in Milton Park ( I think this was instigated by Pedzisayi Ruhanya and others)3. 2006, Arrested and detained at Mubaira Growth point in Mhondoro for violating POSA.4. 2018, arrested for an alleged campaign offence.
Achievements 1. Wrote MDC Economic Blueprints such as The Bridge; Restart; Art; Juice and all campaign Manifestos2. Outclassed David Chapfika of Zanu PF in a televised debate hosted on a program called “Face The Nation” run my Mutumwa Mawere and Kindness Paradza. The program was immediately banned by Jonathan Moyo, the then Minister of Information and Publicity3. Led the first campaign to wrestle Hatfield and Epworth from Zanu PF. Epworth was a no go area in 2000.
Some Highlights
1. Released my motor-vehicle to Nelson Chamisa for him to go to the UZ for a courtship of his current wife Thoko.
2. Saved Morgan Tsvangirai from arrest after he had called for South Africa to cut fuel and electricity supplies to Zimbabwe. We then arranged that Morgan Tsvangirai should avoid Harare International Airport. Instead him and Roy Bennet hired a private jet via Buffalo Range Airport and finally landed at the Airstrip at Crest Breeders, Harare South. That way he escaped arrest at the Harare International Airport.
Conclusion
This is just a very abridged version of my political history in the MDC. Iam writing a book on the formation of the MDC in which my role will be fully revealed. Because of my composed character, most people do not know the critical role I have played in the MDC. Some do not even know that I was a jailbird as far back as 2001. Of course being arrested is not a sign of heroism. I had committed alleged offences otherwise, a law abiding person escapes arrests and detention. Most of the arrests of MDC activists are politically motivated and are of course not backed by evidence hence most MDC leaders have been acquitted on Treason Trial Charges. Being arrested is a brush with law and not necessarily a sign of political contribution.
While delivering today’s speech the South African president said he is further allowing businesses to open and he said the following must open for business:
Restaurants (for sit down purposes)
Casinos
Temporary lodging facilities like hotels and lodges
Business meetings and conferences
Cinemas
Personal care providers, Hairdressers, masseuses etc
Non-contact sports like cricket, golf, tennis (contact sports opened for training purposes only.)
I am writing this letter to Mrs Mnangagwa on behalf of our girls.
I understand you have children that you love so dearly, l am kindly asking you to use the position that you are holding as a First Lady / AMAI . Your title comes with responsibilities. Ignoring bad things happening around you isn’t helping your legacy.
There are girls who looked at the situation around the country and they decided to do something about it, Joana Mamombe, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri. They organised a demonstration just to highlight the problems in the society.
They highlighted hunger, being experienced in so many homes during this pandemic. Most families can not afford a decent meal. Children are now under nourished. Harare City has no safe water supply. The girls just stood up to say what everyone is saying. They became the voice of the voiceless. However, they were abducted on their way home. They went through torture, just for saying the truth. They were beaten, verbally and sexually abused. What the abductors did to the girls undermines womanhood. They were dehumanized, lied to, made as a sacrifice to silence us, but no, we will not be silenced. Their abductors dumped them to find their way home, in such pain and trauma.
In hospital, they were guarded as if they were terrorists. They were handcuffed to their beds. Such humiliation is uncalled for. Under the watch of your husband First Lady, this is going to hound you at some point in life. Close your eyes and forget the luxuries surrounding you, in your inner conscience, be in their shoes and their families. It is just painful to imagine, later alone to live it. Their only crime is telling the Government that people in lockdown are hungry and sick. In your view, is that a crime?
Are we supposed to suffer in silence? Could you please stand up for what is right? What kind of legacy are you leaving behind? You are in a privileged position to have a positive influence in the country.
First lady remove a heart of stone and put on a heart of flesh. Stand up for the girls. Let’s hear your voice of empathy as a mother. I am kindly asking you to intervene in the persecution of the girls. Remember there will be a life after being a First Lady.
Have an ear to hear the children crying of hunger in every corner of the street and village. Hospitals are now death traps, with no water , medications and are being run by hungry , angry underpaid and unequipped doctors and nurses. People are suffering. Advice the President to do the right thing. Have a heart. As a woman speak for the underprivileged and be humble. Your voice and actions can make positive difference.
Just like Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova , I am expressing my anger at the reality of our nation.We want to be heard not to be abducted and persecuted. Let Zimbabwe be free from this shame.
South African media reports that Justce Luke Malaba’s nephew Sipho Malaba is being investigated over his alleged involvement in a R2-billion theft of VBS Mutual Bank funds.
According to News24 that anti-corruption officers from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, or the Hawks, together with a team of National Prosecuting Service prosecutors from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) conducted a massive operation on Wednesday.
The paper said one of the people being investigated is former VBS and Vele Investments chairperson Tshifhiwa Matodzi who is alleged to be the kingpin of the theft of depositor’s funds from the bank.
Sipho Malaba was a chartered accountant who was the engagement partner on the 2017 VBS audit for KPMG.
Reports further said Malaba gave an unqualified audit opinion in circumstances where he knew the financial statements were misstated. He also gave a regulatory audit opinion which he knew to be false.
For his role in the alleged grand theft, Malaba is said to have been paid R33.9 million.
In 2018, KPMG suspended Sipho Malaba after VBS was placed under curatorship by the South Africa Reserve Bank.
The bank was placed under curatorship after it took large municipal deposits and lent them on a long-term basis and could not meet clients’ withdrawals when the money was required.
Economic Freedom Fighters’ officials Julius Sello Malema and Floyd Shivambu are accused of being beneficiaries of the grand loot.
BACK Register Now to access Polity VBS arrests: Suspects due in court on Thursday to face 47 counts – Lebeya 17th June 2020 BY: NEWS24WIRE Eight VBS suspects are due to appear in the Palm Ridge Regional Court on Thursday on 47 counts of fraud, racketeering, corruption, theft and money laundering.
The eight men accrued R122-million to themselves unduly, directly and indirectly, over several months, Hawks head Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya said during a media briefing on Wednesday.
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Lebeya and national director of public prosecutions, advocate Shamila Batohi provided an update on an early-morning operation in Gauteng and Limpopo to nab the men, who they have not officially named.
News24 understands that among those arrested are former VBS chairperson Tshifhiwa Matodzi, who was described as the “kingpin” of the VBS looting scheme that resulted in more than R2-billion being stolen from the bank’s coffers.
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Lebeya gave a detailed breakdown of the charges and confirmed that the arrests were accompanied by search and seizure operations. While he would not be drawn into detail, he did confirm the investigation was ongoing.
Of the eight men, four have been taken into custody, three are set to hand themselves over later on Wednesday and one man remains in quarantine due to Covid-19.
47 counts
The men will face a cumulative of 47 counts, broken down as follows:
5 counts of a “pattern of racketeering activities” in contravention of the Prevention of Corrupt Activities Act 12 counts of common law theft 7 counts of fraud 15 counts of corruption in terms of contravening the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities act and; 7 counts of money laundering This amounts to 46 counts in total, and it is unclear if Lebeya erred or omitted a count.
“The scam was hatched on the 4 July 2017 when the board of directors for VBS approved financial statements for the year ending 31 March 2017 making VBS to look richer while it was in fact insolvent. The financial statements were shockingly inflated,” Lebeya said.
News24 reported on Wednesday that in addition to Matodzi, the other men who will appear in court on Thursday include former VBS CEO Andile Ramavhunga and former Vele Investments and VBS chief operating officer Robert Madzonga.
Additionally former VBS treasury Phophi Mukhodobwane, former VBS chief financial officer Philip Truter and former non-executive VBS board members Ernest Nesane and Paul Magula are also set to be charged.
Nesane and Magula were employees of the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) who were seconded to the board to look after the PIC’s investment in VBS, as well as Phalaphala Ramikosi – former SAPS chief financial officer and a non-executive director of VBS.
The Zimbabwe National Army has refuted reports that members of the armed forces moved in to take charge of Bulawayo Central Business District on Tuesday Morning.
In a statement issued by Zimbabwe National Army Deputy Director of public relations Alex Zuva, the military said the army is currently assisting the Zimbabwe Republic Police in enforcing Coronavirus lockdown regulations.
Zuva further urged members of the press to communicate with the army to get first-hand information.
Read an extract of the statement below:
There was no salary cuts to the soldiers or civil servants. The back pay was communicated when it commenced and it has always been public knowledge that it was going to end in May 2020.
The Army knows that there has always been an agenda to link members of the defence forces with negative issues as part of the calculated regime change agenda. All operations that the Army carries out are sanctioned and in line with its Constitutional mandate which is to ensure the safety of the public and their property. In no circumstance does the Army go about beating innocent civilians as purported in the series of false stories on the so called Bulawayo takeover.
There has been an increase of negative stories of late in which the media has tried to be subversive and capitalise on the hardships that have been caused by the Corona Virus induced lockdown to raise public emotions and anger against the Army and the Government. As a professional Organisation, the Army will always deliver onits constitutional mandate to safeguard the territorial integrity of Zimbabwe.
All media organisations are free to ask for the correct information from the Army and report objectively all the times.
Dodoma — President John Magufuli has ordered schools at all levels to to re-open on June 29 after they were closed for almost three months since March.
The decision makes Tanzania the first East African country to open all schools and social gatherings that were closed due to the outbreak of the novel corona virus.
The president made the announcement while addressing parliament in Dodoma today June 15, saying that there was no need to keep schools closed because the infection has dropped drastically.
Earlier this month on June 1 Universities, Colleges and Form Six students resumed their studies.
He, however, encouraged the general public to observe hygiene as instructed by the health authorities while conducting their activities.
The president’s speech marks the end of the 11th parliament which is set to be dissolved after completing its term ahead of the General Elections in October.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa, David Hamadziripi,
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa, David Hamadziripi, has warned citizens of a conman who is impersonating officials who work and have worked at the Embassy.
In a statement this Wednesday, Ambassador Hamadziripi said the conman moves around asking for money to transport donations availed by the Embassy to Zimbabwe.
Below is the statement in full:
Members of the public are advised that it has come to the attention of the Zimbabwe Embassy in Pretoria that there is a conman who is impersonating officials who work and have worked at the Embassy.
The imposter is targeting unsuspecting Zimbabweans, mostly prominent people, and claiming that the Embassy is giving out donations of goods, mostly farming and mining equipment.
The conman then asks for money to transport the said donations to Zimbabwe. In some instances, the imposter offers to assist by expediting certain processes and ask for payment.
The Embassy would like to advise the public that the Embassy of Zimbabwe in South Africa is not giving out any donations of any kind.
Should anyone receive any message or call from anyone claiming to be an official from the Zimbabwe Embassy in South Africa and claiming to be offering a donation of any equipment or goods and asking for money to transport the said donation, do not entertain him.
Any such person would be a fraudster and a conman.
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has disclosed that it has recorded 47 diarrhoea cases in Old Luveve due to poor water quality and residents drinking water from unprotected wells, CITE has learnt.
In recent days, residents in the suburb have been up in arms with the local authority over the alleged poor quality water coming out of the taps.
Deaths have been recorded, however, a latest council report from the Director of Engineering Services on water contamination in Old Luveve seen by CITE is silent on deaths.
There are about five deaths so far in the city and a post-mortem report for a 16-year-old boy from Luveve who died after reportedly drinking contaminated tap water reveal that he succumbed to Acute Gastroenteritis due to Typhoid.
Based on the council report, women are the most affected.
“A total of 47 diarrhoea cases have been identified, so far (53% females; 47% males) with median age 36 years range observed that most of the cases are clustered in Old Luveve where open dug wells are most prevalent,” reads the report.
According to the council, after receiving reports on water contamination, investigations were carried out on the 4th of June 2020 and the water system was attended to.
“Following numerous reports of water contamination in Old Luveve through the call centre, immediately the system was exempted and flushed.
“However, during the same time, there were repairs being carried out in Nyamandlovu aquifer by ZINWA, which affected water supplies to the Magwegwe Reservoir.
“So, although the area was exempted, due to low water levels in Magwegwe reservoir, the initial samples by Health Services had to be taken from the household buckets.
“Thereafter the Water quality and Water distribution sections in the Engineering Services Department had to carry out further investigations.”
Council says information gathered from residents and data from the call centre indicated that the affected area in Old Luveve had recurrent sewer blockages, service connection leaks, hand-dug wells along outfall sewer pipes along the stream and several water pipe-bursts which were repaired.
The report says before water shedding which has been progressively increased from 48-hours in February of 2019, to the 120-hours regime in April 2020, “the water quality in Old Luveve and other surrounding areas has been within acceptable quality standards.
“However, the dwindling dam levels left Council with no choice but to adopt the most severe shedding regime of supplying water only once per week”.
Council adds that 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” reads the report.
However, the local authority partially blames residents for ‘unsafe water’ due to vandalising the infrastructure.
“In 2018, a Contractor was hired to dredge and winch the Luveve outfall sewer and the sewer drainage system in Luveve. However, due to the current prolonged drought, residents in the area, in order to maintain their livelihoods, resorted to vandalizing the outfall sewers so as to irrigate their community gardens.
” This has resulted in the proliferation of hand-dug wells in the vicinity of Old-Luveve outfall sewer. It is probable that residents could be drawing water from these unprotected open-wells, which could be another source of contamination.
“There is a high possibility that there is lack of disinfection of the containers after they will have been used to draw contaminated water from open-wells when they get to be used to store drinking water drawn from Council mains”.
As part of recommendations, the council says Government should release funding to complete the outstanding Epping Forest project in Nyamandlovu aquifer to get an additional 10 ML/Day at a cost of USD 1.5 Million.
“Improvement of raw water output from Mtshabezi dam to get an additional 8 ML/Day at a cost of USD 21 Million.
“Consider the option of recycling Khami Dam water to potable standard and secure 15 ML/Day at a cost of USD 28 Million”.
Source: Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE)
A group of politically motivated hackers Ghost Squad Hackers (GSH) famous for hacking:
Central banks,
Fox News and CNN,
Leaking sensitive data of the United States Armed Forces,
Leaking sensitive data of the Israeli government,
Hijacking Afghanistan’s Chief Executive’s Twitter
have reportedly hacked 17 Zimbabwean government Websites which is so far their largest cyberattack of this kind, Techunzipped reports,
According to the publication, websites affected by the hack include websites run by the army, the Ministry of defence, the surveyor-general and the treasury department and it is still not clear if user data has been affected so far but the website seem to have been suspended for now.
These are the websites that have been hacked according to the publication:
Unknown persons in Gwanda took advantage of the Coronavirus lockdown which sees no-one move around the streets at night to paint graffiti around Gwanda town denouncing the ruling ZANU PF and calling for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down.
Residents of the mining town woke up to find streets, private perimeter walls and even the ruling party offices inscribed with messages denouncing Mnangagwa, Zanu-PF and Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs minister Abednico Ncube.
A source within the party said they suspected rival opposition MDC Alliance supporters for the graffiti.
“You can see the timing of the graffiti is meant to divert attention from the business of the day. However, we would like to warn the opposition that we would not be distracted by their antics but remain with the people and help them with the fight against COVID-19 as well as improving their livelihoods,” he said.
MDC Alliance officers at the opposition party offices in the town rubbished the sentiments from ZANU PF saying it could have been disappointed ZANU PF supporters or just hungry and angry citizens.
The Zanu-PF source dispelled claims that the work could have been triggered by factional fights in the ruling party
“That is pure imagination and day-dreaming. There are no factions in Zanu-PF. Everyone rallies behind our leadership led by President Mnangagwa who is also our 2023 presidential election candidate. Those who wish the party to have factions may they go hang,” the source added.
I, Clement Sibanda(above), Health Consultant, Author and Entrepreneur, have in the past couple of weeks declared my candidacy for President in my beloved Zimbabwe in the 2023 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. I understand that as a new kid on the block, I need to prove myself before people can even trust me to lead the country in reviving our economy and setting our nation on an upward trajectory to restore our country to its former glory and beyond.
In this article, I want to give a highlight of the cabinet that will serve in my administration. But before I do that, let me stress the point that I believe the government, the cabinet to be exact, needs to be small, very small. I believe a 12 Member Cabinet can do the job very effectively. There are some government departments that aren’t necessary, that do not need ministerial departments overseeing them. Let me highlight a few such departments:
One is the Department of Information and Communication Services. To make things worse, there are two such departments in Mnangagwa’s Cabinet, one is the Department of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services. The other is the Department of Information Communication, technology and courier services. I don’t see the need for such departments. This isn’t to say information and communication and technology aren’t important services, but people and businesses have their own ways of communications.
The government can also use the same means of communication and of acquiring information as do businesses, for example, the President’s Office can have a Communications Officer who handles the administrative parts of communications, and each department can have their own Communications Officers.
It will be way cheaper to pay individual Information and Communication Officers, than to finance two entire Information and Communications Departments with hundreds of workers. I could highlight several other useless Ministerial Departments, but I thought these two serve as good examples.
In my Cabinet, I will have 12 Ministers who will also oversee 14 Government’s Departments. So far, I have managed to come up with 5 very competent and amazing individuals who will head 5 of the 14 Departments during my Presidency. Here below are these 7 individuals and the Departments they will head:
Nkosana Moyo
Treasury Minister(Finance)– Dr Nkosana Moyo: He has served as Vice President and CEO of the African Development Bank. He is undoubtedly the best man for the job.
Commerce Minister: Strive Masiyiwa: He is a Billionaire and Philanthropist based in London. He knows business, economics, international trade and entrepreneurship. He is the best person to revive the economy.
Foreign Minister: Nelson Chamisa- I don’t believe Chamisa will do very well as President, but I think he is admired by the international world, which makes him the best person to represent Zimbabwe in Foreign Affairs.
Education Minister( Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Education): Arthur Mutambara-The Robotics and Mechatronics Professor will be a great fit in education. He can restore our education sector to its former glory.
Prof Welshman Ncube
Justice Minister: Welshman Ncube- As a practising attorney, he is qualified for the job. His conservative makes him an excellent person for restructuring our court and arbitration system.
David Coltart
Allow me to leave it here for now, I will fill you in on the rest of the cabinet posts as we progress with time. But, as I conclude, let me let you on who you can expect as a Vice President. That will be non other Bulawayo Senator and long time public servant, David Coltart(above)
The development which saw soldiers marching around the two main capital cities and other towns telling people to disobey their own commander-in-chief has seen the zanu-pf leader Emmerson Mnangagwa deciding to dole out a USD75 monthly to all military personnel as well as other civil servants.
RT -With immediate, ALL Civil servants salaries will be adjusted upwards by 50% -Additionally; all Civil Servants to be paid a flat non-taxable Covid19 Allowance US$75 per month -All Government Pensioners to to be paid a Covid19 Allowance US$30 – @nickmangwanapic.twitter.com/JfDXsqfIrp
The Ministry of Finance has issued the following statement announcing that is offering civil servants a 50% salary increment and USD $75 additional income to cushion them from the economic meltdown in Zimbabwe.
Read the full statement below:
PAYMENT OF CIVIL SERVICE COVID-19 ALLOWANCES AND SALARY REVIEW
Pursuant to Government’s commitment to continuously review and improve the remuneration framework for Civil Servants, taking into account the transitory economic challenges being currently experienced in the country, which have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, Government makes the following announcement: –
1. With immediate effect, all Civil Servants’ Salaries will be adjusted upwards by 50%. This increase also applies to all Government Pensions.
2. In addition, all Civil Servants will be paid a flat, non-taxable, Covid-19 Allowance of USD75.00 per month.
3. Govemment Pensioners will be paid a flat, non-taxable, Covid-19 Allowance of USD30.00 per month.
4. Govemment has taken due regard of the fact that addressing the wage challenges faced across the Civil Service, any salary reviews will need to be done within a holistic framework in order to ensure that such a review does not impose a negative shock in the market.
5. This interim arrangement is for period of 3 months, starting from June 2020.
6. All civil Servants and Pensioners are therefore advised to immediately open USD denominated Nostro Bank Accounts with their banks in order to smoothen the process of payment. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is urgently addressing the domestic payments infrastructure in light of the increased need for “transactability”.
7. Government would therefore wish to advise members of the Civil Service that the above interim adjustments have been put in place whilst a comprehensive impact assessment and a framework for mitigating against the downside macroeconomic risks of the wage proposals made to the Government on the budget and the economy are being carefully worked out.
8. Government reiterates its commitment to payment of a living wage to its employees, whilst ensuring sustainability of the budget.
9. Government is also widening the remuneration framework for Civil Servants to introduce significant non-monetary benefits and these will be announced in due course.
MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 17 June 2020
By A Correspondent- ZEC has released the following statement in which is it offering a further clarification on the suspension of electoral activities. Read the statement below:
Clarification on Suspension of Electoral Activities
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) stands guided by the Constitution and the Electoral Act in its operations. The suspension of by-elections and other electoral activities was done in compliance with ex-ecutive Presidential powers invoked as a result of a global pandemic recognised by the law as An Act of God. It therefore follows that the by elections were suspended in terms of the Covid19 Regulations and not in terms of the Electoral Act and its stipulated time frarnes as some sections of society would like to believe.
Again it should be noted that by-elections were suspended and not postponed which means that they will be conducted when lockdown restrictions have been relaxed to allow such activi-ties to resume without posing danger to the health of those involved.
The Commission would like to advise its stakeholders to be patient while it finalises a draft on the Covid19 Electoral Practice Policy that will guide electoral staff, the electorate and other stakeholders on how to conduct themselves before, during and after electoral processes to avoid contracting the novel Coronavirus. The policy will also clearly spell out activities that will be conducted by the Commission during the current level 2 lockdown period.
It is important to note that before the policy is implemented, stakeholders shall be consulted in the spirit of transparency and inclusivity.
The Commission would like to remind the public that those electoral activities that require gatherings remain suspended to avoid violating lockdown measures currently in place.
Any queries and comments in this regard should be directed to the ZEC Public Relations Department on 0242770340, email [email protected] , Twitter handle: @ZECzim and Facebook page: ZecZimbabwe
MDC Alliance Treasurer-General David Coltart says that the party is seeking to ramp up subscription and membership fees to make the party financially independent.
Coltart said this in an interview with online Zimbabwe Voice following the launch of the party’s brand new website with the domain name mdcallianceparty.org.
Coltart said the annual subscription fees being already paid on the website will be put to good, accountable use while the personal data of supporters was safe from hackers and intruders.
“We have secured the website and hosted it outside the country. The same applies to where monies will be deposited.
“Everything is in the party name – MDC Alliance, and we assure our valued supporters and well wishers that their details and private information which they will leave on the website is safe and secure,” said Senator Coltart.
Senator Coltart said the membership drive was targeted at making the MDC Alliance a 1 million membership party, the goal being to recruit a million paid up members by December 2020.
“As we look ahead to the elections in 2023 we have three financial goals as a party. Firstly, to make the MDC Alliance a million member party. In 2018 our President Nelson Chamisa won 2,6 million votes in the presidential elections.
“We have a goal to get at least one million of those who voted as signed up and paid up members. By becoming a member, you are demonstrating your support and helping us to bring change and build a brighter future for Zimbabwe.
“We would like to encourage you to sign up as members Now. Then please tell your friends and family in Zimbabwe and across the world to sign up and be part of the change! Be part of the Million Member MDC-A and play your part in bringing change in Zimbabwe.
“We are asking you to sign up now for the whole year up to 31st December 2020. Once your application and payment are received and verified you will receive your MDC-A Party Card.”
He said he anticipated an large number of supporters trying to log in, which could overwhelm staff and system resources, but hoped for patience as all queries will be addressed.
“Please bear with us as there will be a delay in issuing of membership cards because of the current challenges we are facing.”
Coltart also said that members must be fully signed up and paid up to be able to stand for or vote for party offices.
However, the MDC Alliance constitution is not on the website.
Coltart told the Zimbabwe Voice that the document was being updated and will soon be uploaded.
In seeking to ramp up subscription and membership fees, Coltart said the goal was to make the MDC Alliance financially independent.
“Our goal is to make the party less reliant on government. Let us as Zimbabweans support the change we want to see, not only with our words but with our finances.
“We can do this through our membership subscriptions and donations from the citizens of our country. Every little bit counts! If each of us who voted in 2018 gave just $1 that would be $2,6 million that would go a long way to making the party financially independent!” Coltart explained.
Coltart admitted that in the past, there might have been issues of lack of transparency in handling party finances, but assured that that was in the past as the MDC Alliance is now set to be run like a professional business.
“The goal is to run the MDC Alliance as a business and to establish the highest standards of accountability and transparency.
“To ensure this goal, we have implemented a strict banking culture and will have an annual, independent audit and these audited accounts will be made available to members,” he said.
GOVERNMENT yesterday paid nurses their June salaries minus $2 000 from around $6 000 in May while other civil servants received salaries with a difference ranging from about $490 going upwards.
The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo said the June salary has incapacitated nurses from going to work at a time when the country is fighting the coronavirus.
The nurses at the country’s biggest referral hospital, Parirenyatwa this morning went on a rampage Downing their tools and demonstrated against the government.
Watch video downloading below as we followed the potentially damaging strike and demonstration by the nurses at Parirenyatwa Hospital. Please be patient while the video downloads.
Vateran football commentator Charles ‘CNN’ Mabika believes Stade de Reims’ Marshall Munetsi is in the top 20 of the best Zimbabwean midfielders since 1980.
On the debut episode of his new show Soccer Diaries, the celebrated broadcaster rated the 23-year-old former Orlando Pirates man among the 20 finest midfield players since independence.
Mabika’s list, which was not in order, included legendary names like Stanford Mutizwa, Willard Khumalo, Benjamin Nkonjera, Achieford Chimiutanda Joel Shambo, Norman Mapeza, David Mandigora, Shepherd Muradzikwa, Joe Mugabe, Lloyd Mutasa, Ronald Sibanda and Memory Mucherahowa.
Other midfielders who made his list are Clement Matawu, Esrom Nyandoro, Johannes Ngodzo and Munetsi’s Warriors midfield patner Marvelous Nakamba-Soccer 24
Our members have rejected this offer. We still demand our 2017 salaries, USD 520. We are consulting other Teacher Unions for possible joint actions. The 22 June protest will go ahead as scheduled. pic.twitter.com/KtXjRt8y7r
— Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe,ARTUZ (@ARTUZ_teachers) June 17, 2020
Marvelous Nakamba’s Aston Villa will resume their fight against relegation on Wednesday night when they host Sheffield United.
The match will mark the return of the English Premier League after a three-month forced break due to the coronavirus pandemic. The encounter will be hosted at Villa Park, and kick-off is 7 pm Zimbabwean time.
SuperSport TV will broadcast it live on Channel 223 (SuperSport 3A).
Nakamba, meanwhile, is expected to retain his first-team place in the game, after becoming a regular before football was suspended. He made 21 appearances out of 28 games.
In the second game of the day, Manchester City will welcome Arsenal at the Etihad.
City are hoping to finish strong in the season as they now stand little to no chance of clinching the championship for the third successive time as they trail leaders Liverpool with 25 points.
The Gunners, on the other hand, are fighting to finish in a respectable position and, maybe, clinch a European spot. They are currently sitting in the 9th place with 40 points.
Kick-off time for this match is at 9:15 pm, and it will be shown on SuperSport – Soccer 24
US TV company Clear TV CEO Henry Mauriss has reportedly made a £350m (US$ 440m) offer to take over Newcastle United.
According to reports in the UK, the American billionaire is prepared to seal the deal before the start of the 2020/21 season.
The news follows after a Saudi-backed consortium which includes Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, verbally agreed a £300m ($378m) deal to buy the club. The proposed takeover, however, has been met with fierce criticism from Amnesty International and Bein Sports.
The two organisations are discouraging the EPL to approve the sell due to the human rights violations and the illegal streaming of EPL matches in the Middle Eastern country.
This, somehow, Mauriss’ bid in a good position to be accepted-Soccer 24
Bayern Munich are the 2019/20 Bundesliga champions following their 1-0 win over Werder Bremen.
In-form Robert Lewandowski’s solitary strike on the stroke of half time was all the Bavarians needed to be confirmed champions for the eighth consecutive season with two games to play.
Today’s victory means they now have an inaccessible 10 point lead over Borussia Dortmund, who have only three games still left to play.
Overall, this is Baryen’s 30th Bundesliga triumph.
Meanwhile, Lewandowski finishes the season on top of the goal scoring chart with 31 goals-Soccer 24
By A Correspondent- Activist Evan Mawarire has filed an urgent chamber application with the High Court where he is seeking to have his case in which he is claiming damages amounting to US$65 000 from the police be reset down for trial after it was struck off the roll last month.
In the matter Mawarire cited Minister of Home Affairs, Commissioner General of Zimbabwe Republic Police as first and second respondents respectively while the Assistant Commissioner General Chrispen Makedenge, Detective Inspector Edmore Runganga and Detective Inspector Phiri as third to fifth respondents.
“The default judgment entered against the applicant (Mawire) on 8 June 2020 be and is hereby rescinded. The Registrar shall reset the matter down for trial on the continuous roll and cost be on the cause,” reads the order being sought for.
Mawarire said his default in court was not willful but was a result of an error caused by his receptionist.
“As appears on the set down notice, it was received by the receptionist on 4 June 2020 at 12:09 hours. However, the receptionist did not forward the notice to me on time as I only got to realise it later after 1200hours on 8 June and this matter had been set down for trial at 1000hours. In fact, a colleague who was in court that day called and advised that the matter had been struck off the roll because no one had appeared,” he said.
Mawarire’s claim was of payment by the respondents in the sum of US$20 000 being general damages arising from wrong arrests and detentions by the respondents from 1 February 2017 to 29 November 2017 for demonstrating and expressing his freedom of expression.
He also claimed US$15 000 for damages in loss of income, US$20 000 for damages of pain and suffering as well as US$10 000 for general damages for contumelia and interests on the above sums.
Mawarire filed the lawsuit on 5 June, 2018 and the respondents filed their appearance to defend on 21 June and a pretrial was conducted before Justice Tsanga on 21 March 2019.
The matter was referred for trial and Mawarire made a trial application on 16 March 2020 and the matter was sat down for trial on 8 June.
His claims are based on his subsequent arrests and detentions which he said were unlawful in that he was acquitted of all the charges at Magistrates Courts.
By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance Vice President Tendai Biti has said the ruling Zanu PF can not unilaterally change the constitution at will.
This came after the government started public hearings on the Constitutional Amendment number 2.
“We maintain strongly that ZANU cannot unilaterally alter a constitution that was approved by 93% of Zimbabweans in a referendum. Moreso when some of the proposed amendments seek to alter the basic structure of the constitution. The constitution is sacrosanct & should be protected,” Biti said.
In a related development, the Women’s Academy for Leadership revealed that all the participants who attended the hearings in Mutare rejected the ammendment.
The Zimbabwe Europe Network (ZEN) is deeply concerned about the closing of democratic space in Zimbabwe, especially against the background of the deteriorating and multi-layered Zimbabwean crisis.
ZEN is particularly worried the Zimbabwean government is taking advantage of the COVID-19 lockdown to further limit space for opposition members, journalists and human rights defenders, who have been victims of increased harassment and criminalisation in recent weeks.
The abduction, torture and subsequent prosecution of three female opposition members, is the latest of a growing number of human rights violations and an increasingly politicized conduct of the security forces and the judiciary.
ZEN continues to amplify the concerns of Zimbabwean civil society with regards to the recently proposed constitutional amendments, which include the centralisation of power and the weakening of independent oversight institutions. In this context, the absence of dialogue is cause for concern, as genuine inclusive dialogue is needed to find national solutions.
The lockdown has worsened the pre-existing food insecurity and vulnerability of Zimbabwean citizens, who are mostly unable to access clean water, food and medical attention.
ZEN, therefore, welcomes international humanitarian assistance, although the serious allegations of corruption and continued politicization of aid contribute to the shrinking of space.
The recent events need to be understood as a continuation of a long trend of sustained pressure on democratic space in Zimbabwe, especially since the 2018 elections.
Therefore: ZEN welcomes recent statements by the European Delegation, European Embassies, and individual diplomats, and urges them to continue to speak out on human rights and democracy issues.
ZEN calls upon the European Parliament to adopt a resolution condemning recent human rights violations in Zimbabwe.
ZEN calls upon the European Union (EU) institutions to use the upcoming planning of their multiannual funding framework to rethink its strategies of engagement and support.
The EU needs to increase its support to Zimbabwean pro-democracy actors and initiatives to defend and strengthen Zimbabwe’s democratic pillars and enable Zimbabweans to hold their government to account.
ZEN urges EU Institutions and European countries to continue to actively engage regional actors, in particular, South Africa and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), to jointly push the Government of Zimbabwe to implement the recommendations of the Motlanthe Commission.
ZEN urges EU institutions to actively follow up on the recommendations of the EU Election Observation Mission of the 2018 elections.
By staying actively engaged and continue its value-driven and inclusive support, the EU and its member states can and should contribute to a better future for Zimbabwe.
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Republic Police commissioner-general Godwin Matanga, yesterday bared his soul confirming in Parliament that his officials are accepting bribes because of government neglect.
Appearing before the parliamentary portfolio committee on Health, Matanga said police officers have not been supplied with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and that they are not paid risk allowances being offered to other government employees working in the coronavirus (Covid-19) frontline.
“PPE have never been supplied to my officers. As we speak, some frontline officers in the ministry of Health are getting risk allowances but the ZRP has not been getting any. Police deployed at ports of entry and other areas are obliged to wear PPE, but like I said, they have never been supplied to our officers since the lockdown started.
“Police officers are not getting travel and subsistence allowances while on duty so they are hungry and on top of that are exposed to Covid-19 and end up accepting bribes. I kindly request you, as Parliament, to help us in that regard,” Matanga told the committee.
Health workers get a risk allowance from the government amounting to $1 500 based on the risk factor as determined by the authorities.
The health workers have been grouped into three risk categories – high, moderate and low risk – for the Covid-19 allowances.
However, Matanga told the committee that police and Zimbabwe National Army personnel are doing most of the work as nurses are almost always not at work.
“The situation on the ground is that while nurses would probably want to be at work, they are not there. The police and the army will be doing everything and you can go around Harare and Bulawayo and see for yourself.
“They end up doing things that are contrary to the police disciplinary code. We have received complaints about corruption at quarantine centres where food disappears inexplicably. We get complaints that officers are bribed by the inmates who have money when they want to go out to buy food. Interestingly, they also give food to my hungry officers. It is difficult to deploy hungry officers,” the committee heard.
The police chief said under the national lockdown, security personnel were “operating in a difficult if not dangerous situation” because some people come to town with their own agenda.
He also bemoaned the fact that some councillors are allegedly writing letters for people to travel under Covd-19 lockdown restrictions.
“Yet in terms of the guidelines that we have, they are not authorised to do so. I will arrest two or three councillors as an example,” said Matanga.
At a time when an ordinary civil servant is earning betweet $2 000 and $3 000, a family of six in Zimbabwe now requires at least $1 800 for bread alone monthly.
The development follows the current price hikes of bread where an average loaf now costs about $62.
All of Zimbabwe’s civil servants salaries were slashed this month and nurses argue that their salaries are no longer sustainable hence today’s industrial action.
By A Correspondent- Hackers, the Ghost Squad Hackers (GSH) famous for hacking:
Central banks,
Fox News and CNN,
Leaking sensitive data of the United States Armed Forces,
Leaking sensitive data of the Israeli government,
Hijacking Afghanistan’s Chief Executive’s Twitter
have reportedly hacked 17 Zimbabwean government Websites which is so far their largest cyberattack of this kind in the country.
The hack has affected government run websites including those run by the army, the Ministry of defence, primary and secondary education, the surveyor-general and the treasury department.
It was however not yet clear by the time of writing if user data had been affected by the hack.
“This gathering is deemed illegal if you have not notified the authorities… we should not do things that are outside the law. Let us maintain the law” said Ernest Manyawu, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals CEO.
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance Youth Assembly national spokesperson, Stephen Sarkozy Chuma has been arrested for allegedly participating in “an illegal demo” in Warren Park.
Three MDC Alliance girls Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova were abducted, tortured, arrested and rearrested for participating in the same demo.
MDC Alluance Youth Assembly Chairperson, Obey Sithole was also arrested for participating in the demo.
“Stephen Chuma has been arrested and they have taken him to Harare Central Police Station,” a senior MDC Alliance official told ZimEye.com.
By A Correspondent- A chill-out session between a group of friends led to the discovery of a woman’s body under her boyfriend’s bed.
The friends suspected foul play when they did not see their friend’s girlfriend, Silindile Ndlovu, all day. Their landlord and the man’s friend Michael Mathebula said they heard the couple arguing in the early hours of Saturday and then things went quiet.
Ndlovu’s body was found on Saturday evening. It was wrapped in a blanket and stashed under the bed in a room they rented in Mogoba Extension near Daveyton, Ekurhuleni.
“I reprimanded them and they were fine. We then chilled together and the woman was there as well. In the early hours of the morning, we decided to go to sleep.”
Mathebula said he went into the house and heard loud music coming from the couple’s room but didn’t think they were fighting again.
“I don’t know how he ended up strangling her to death.”
Mathebula said at about 7am he went to check on the couple and the man peeped through the door.
“It was like he was blocking me from entering his room and he looked very scared but I didn’t make much of it until later in the day… I went somewhere and when I came back, I found friends gathering in my yard and some said they suspected foul play.
“They said he was acting weird. He would not let any of us in and when he went in, he would lock the door and same when he came out. We decided we were gonna wait for him to get drunk and then go to his room to see what he was hiding,” Mathebula said.
He said the man left the yard and they got an opportunity to go to the room.
They forcefully opened the door and started searching it. “The place looked neat. He had cleaned the room up. We looked behind the wardrobe and under the bed. We then discovered her body wrapped in a blanket, she was bleeding from her nose and we immediately called the police.”
He said the man came back but when he saw police outside, he fled to Gabon informal settlement, about 20 minutes away from where they lived.
Sgt Raider Ubisi said the man was arrested and due to appear in court today on a charge of murder.
On the same day, police discovered the body of another woman who was also murdered and her body wrapped in plastic and a blanket. It was then hidden under the bed in Etwatwa also in Daveyton.
Capt Khensani Mathebula said forensic investigations revealed that Zandile Mbatha, 25, from Emabovini in KwaZulu-Natal may have been murdered three weeks ago.
Neighbours who discovered the decomposing body said there was a bad smell coming from the RDP house the couple lived in. They also suspected she may have been killed after they did not see her for a number of weeks.
“We saw him during the day almost every day not knowing that he had hidden a dead body in the house,” said a neighbour who asked not to be named.
Community leader Simon Mkhwebane said after he was called by neighbours, he went to the man and asked him about the smell.
“He said it was a smell of rotten meat. I then called the community members and we forced him to open the house. The mob manhandled him. One person went inside to the smelly bedroom where the decomposed body of the woman was found wrapped in plastic and a blanket.”
Mbatha’s friend Noxolo Mkhwanazi said her friend had been opening up to her about the abusive relationship.
“She would always come with blue eyes and strangulation marks on her neck and cuts in her body. We advised her to go back home but she loved her boyfriend and he would ask for forgiveness and she would give him another chance,” Mkhwanazi said.
Mathebula said the man would appear in the Benoni magistrate’s court tomorrow.
In the same area, police said they found the bodies of a man and a woman in the bushes near Gabon informal settlement. Ubisi said police were still tracing their next of kin.
Meanwhile, Gauteng police spokesperson Capt Kay Makhubele said they were looking for the family of the woman whose decomposed body was found along the Golden Highway on Sunday. – Sowetan
By A Correspondent- Health minister Obediah Moyo has refused to comment on the ongoing nurses strike referring all questions to the Health Services Board.
Moyo also refused to comment on the Drax scandal requesting that all questions be put in writing.
Said Moyo:
“Everything should be put in writing….”
The development comes as nurses Tuesday morning downed tools over their reduced salaries.
By A Correspondent| High Court Judge Justice David Mangota on Tuesday 16 June 2020 dismissed an urgent chamber application filed by Chitungwiza and Manyame Residents Association (CAMERA) and Alice Kuvheya, a resident of Chitungwiza, seeking an order to stop Parliament from conducting public hearings on some proposed amendments to the Constitution.
In dismissing the urgent chamber application, Justice Mangota ruled that some citizens, who felt disenfranchised from participating in the process of contributing their views on the proposed constitutional amendments as they feared putting their health and lives at risk by attending the public hearings at a time of the outbreak of coronavirus, have an alternative remedy of making their submissions to Parliament in writing.
Through the urgent chamber application filed on Wednesday 10 June 2020 by Tonderai Bhatasara of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, in which Parliament, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda, Senate President Mabel Chinomona and Attorney-General Advocate Prince Machaya, were listed as respondents, CAMERA and Kuvheya had argued that conducting public hearings at a time when the country is reporting increased numbers of people testing positive to coronavirus, is a negation of the efforts being done by those committed to arresting the spread of the pandemic and is also an abrogation of the purpose and spirit of provisions contained in section 141 and 328 of the Constitution.
CAMERA and Kuvheya argued that Parliament, Mudenda, Chinomona and Advocate Machaya have not indicated any measures that they have put in place in order not to breach the coronavirus regulations and citizens’ constitutional rights.
The residents association and Kuvheya said there is a real danger of the accelerated spread of coronavirus if the public hearings are held at a time of the outbreak of the pandemic.
CAMERA and Kuvheya wanted the proposed public hearings to be declared to be in contravention of section 56, 67, 141 and 328 of the Constitution as well as Statutory Instrument 83/2020 as read with Statutory 199/2020 as further read with Statutory 110/2020.
The proposed public hearings, CAMERA and Kuvheya said, should be postponed until such a time when the national lockdown has been lifted and when there is no longer a health threat of coronavirus.
Meanwhile, in Bulawayo, High Court Judge Justice Nokuthula Moyo on Monday 15 June 2020 reserved judgment on an urgent chamber application filed by Habakkuk Trust seeking an interdict barring Parliament, Clerk of Parliament Kennedy Chokuda and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Hon. Ziyambi from holding public meetings in Bulawayo or anywhere in Zimbabwe to discuss amendments to the Constitution until the health pandemic and resultant national lockdown caused by coronavirus currently afflicting Zimbabwe is over.
Justice Mangota reserved judgment after hearing submissions from Job Sibanda of ZLHR, who represented Habakkuk Trust and other lawyers who represented Parliament, Chokuda and Ziyambi.
In his application, Sibanda argued that Zimbabwe is currently facing a health pandemic which had necessitated the imposition of a national lockdown, where public gatherings were virtually banned to try and curb the spread of coronavirus.
Habakkuk Trust argued that by conducting public hearings to discuss some proposed amendments to the Constitution, Parliament, Chokuda and Ziyambi were putting the health of the public at risk at a time of the coronavirus pandemic.
The conduct of Parliament, Chokuda and Ziyambi, Habakkuk Trust said, is grossly unreasonable and holding public hearings at a time of the outbreak of coronavirus would defeat the very noble purpose of inviting the input of the public to any proposed constitutional amendments.
Habakkuk Trust said while the process of soliciting for input into the proposed constitutional amendments cannot be stopped, it must await normalisation of the situation in the country and no prejudice will be suffered by the respondents namely Parliament, Chokuda and Ziyambi. The process of soliciting for people’s input into the proposed constitutional amendments, Habakkuk Trust said, should be stopped and only proceeded with after the country shifts to Level 1 stage of the national lockdown, which is the period which prevailed before the outbreak of coronavirus and before a State of Disaster was declared by government in March.
Alternatively, Habakkuk argued that if Parliament, Chokuda and Ziyambi intend to proceed with the public hearings in the midst of the current health pandemic, they must ensure that all precautions are taken to prevent and contain the disease at such public gatherings.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo said the June salary has incapacitated nurses from going to work at a time when the country is fighting the coronavirus.
Said Dongo:
There was a slash in terms of the total package and after inquiring with Government we were told that this is due to arrears that were being paid.
It was spread over four months from January. Now the four months elapsed and we are now back to reality and we always knew that would happen.
How are we going to budget with $3 500 as we are the people going to work while everyone else is on lockdown and we are not being provided with transport?
Whatever Government will offer us in local currency will be inadequate as prices are going up on a daily basis.
We are in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis and we do not want to withdraw our labour as that would be a recipe for disaster.
The government has confirmed slashing the salaries for all civil servants, previously reported by ZimEye yesterday.
Yesterday soldiers and police officers acting in defiance of their Commander In Chief, Emmerson Mnangagwa, went on a rampage ordering citizens to go back home, in various parts of the country.
This comes amid concerns that while prices of basic commodities are constantly increasing in the country, salaries remain stagnant.
Basic commodities, although priced in local currency, are largely pegged against the black market US$-local currency cross-rate.
The exchange rate at the parallel market yesterday was US$1: $70 via electronic transfers and US$1: $45 for cash transactions. The official rate is 1:25.
These price hikes are against the recent Government and industry moratorium that prices should revert to March 25 levels.
Nurses yesterday received their June salaries minus $2 000 from around $6 000 in May while other civil servants received salaries with a difference ranging from about $490 going upwards.
In an interview, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Mr Simon Masanga, said Government was seized with matters affecting civil servants.
“We are going to call civil servants for a meeting to discuss what Government has to offer as stated by the Minister recently. We are aware of the high cost of living and Government is treating it as a matter of urgency so that we resolve this issue and other conditions of service,” said Mr Masanga.
“It is unfortunate that I cannot give dates but it will be very soon and we will be able to engage and map a way forward.”
Apex Council secretary general, Mr David Dzatsunga said they had already written to Government citing concerns over the high cost of living compared to their salaries.
“We had already written to Government and there have been talks from Government and they are aware of our disgruntlement just that nothing is being done on the ground to ensure our members’ issues are addressed,” said Mr Dzatsunga.
“It is an open secret that people are in dire straits. $2 500 is not adequate and where does one start to budget against monthly needs?”
He said the Apex Council was ready to engage the Government for the way forward.
The Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Mr Enock Dongo said their June salary incapacitated them from going to work.
“There was a slash in terms of the total package and after inquiring with Government we were told that this is due to arrears that were being paid. It was spread over four months from January. Now the four months elapsed and we are now back to reality and we always knew that would happen,” said Mr Dongo.
“How are we going to budget with $3 500 as we are the people going to work while everyone else is on lockdown and we are not being provided with transport.”
He said nurses would be better off with US$ salaries.
“Whatever Government will offer us in local currency will be inadequate as prices are going up on a daily basis. We are in the middle of the Covid-19 crisis and we do not want to withdraw our labour as that would be a recipe for disaster,” he said. – Chronicle/additional reporting.
By A Correspondent. Police in Karoi are under fire for exposing a whistleblower who tipped them of a returnee from South Africa who avoided quarantine by sneaking into the country.
Human rights defenders have called on the police to behave professionally and protect people who give them tip-offs about illegal activities.
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum programmes co-ordinator Musa Kika said international and human rights compliant practice stipulated that witnesses and whistleblowers must be protected.
“Not only is this to protect those who assist authorities to combat crime and unearth illegal activity, but it is also to encourage responsible citizenship by ensuring that citizens are vigilant and co-operate with authorities,” Kika said.
“Regrettably, as a country, we have not invested much in setting up infrastructure to protect witnesses and whistleblowers. We have no legislation addressing this protection at the moment. It is an area of law reform needing urgent attention.”
Kika added that whistleblowers suffered as a result of unwarranted exposure by the authorities, but still retained their right to sue the authorities and the individuals concerned when necessary.
Transparency International Zimbabwe executive director Muchaneta Mundopa concurred that whistleblowers played an important role in exposing corruption and other forms of wrongdoing and should be protected.
“exposing the identity of whistleblowers is irresponsible and can have tragic consequences,” Mundopa said.
“It is sad that with all the corruption that is happening in Zimbabwe, we still don’t have legal provisions for the protection of whistleblowers yet they are an integral tool in fighting and combatting corruption.
“We need to develop and adopt proper legislation to protect people who expose criminal activities.
“This is not the first time we have heard of law enforcement personnel revealing the identify of whistleblowers; it is really a cause of concern and if not regulated, will result in less people willing to expose acts of misconduct or corruption.”
Karoi residents recently raised the red flag after police exposed a whistleblower who had tipped them about four returnees from South Africa who escaped from Vuti Secondary School quarantine centre. One of them was arrested by villagers in Sanyati.
However, Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Ian Kohwera said if there was anyone who was not happy over the conduct of the police, they were free to approach senior officers with their concerns.
Econet’s pricing for smart data bouquets has been reviewed as expected and here’s what subscribers will now pay.
Daily bundles
Remember the days a $1 used to get you 250MB. Well, wake up! Those days are long gone.
Weekly bundles
The pricing of these bundles is a bit contradictory. For years, Econet and other MNOs have told consumers that the lower the time limit the cheaper the data is. The 20MB & 250MB are priced equally and lower than their daily counterparts.
By A Correspondent- Former War Veterans minister Tshinga Dube has blasted President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his two deputies Kembo Mohadi and Contanstino Chiwenga for allegedly dumping fellow freedom fighters soon after landing the presidency.
Dube said war veterans were now feeling let down after they put their lives on the block to push for the late former President Robert Mugabe’s ouster in a November 2017 coup.
“War veterans are living very difficult lives. We did not expect that because the President is a war veteran, the Minister of Defence and War Veterans (Oppah Muchinguri) is a war veteran, even the Vice-Presidents are war veterans,” Dube said at the weekend.
“It is just that when people get to higher offices, they tend to forget others and close the door. When we tell people that war veterans are starving, they don’t understand because their plate is full.
“I don’t see why war veterans should be living such difficult lives. Sometimes we should not forget where we came from because when our leaders came to power, the war veterans were happy and said at last, we will live well.”
The straight-talking Dube, who served as War Veterans minister in 2016 following the expulsion of Chris Mutsvangwa, dismissed the monthly pension payouts they receive from government as a pittance.
On several occasions, the government has announced plans to improve the welfare of ex-combatants, but failed to honour its pledge.
“We should not take pride at coming to funerals and fire gun salutes for war veterans when they die when we ignore their plight when they are still living,” Dube said.
The former Makokoba legislator also recently tongue-lashed presidential spokesperson George Charamba, accusing him of “living in the past” and exhibiting a condescending attitude after the former shot down his suggestion for a government of national unity to resolve the country’s multi-faceted crises.
MDC Alliance secretary-general Chalton Hwende said there was nothing unusual about MDC Vanguard leader Shakespeare Mukoyi’s defection to the Thokozani Khupe camp saying it is his right to join any political party of his choice.
Hwende made the remarks after Mukoyi was paraded by Khupe as the MDC-T interim youth assembly leader when the party held its inaugural national standing committee meeting at Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House in Harare on Monday.
Hwende said Mukoyi had not made a formal announcement but had been spotted making public appearances with Dr Khupe.
Hwende said the party wished Mukoyi well in his endeavours and political path. “The MDC is a democratic movement. People leave and people join the party on a daily basis. People are always free to go out and seek political fortunes elsewhere. However, those who want to continue fighting for a free and democratic Zimbabwe are with Advocate Chamisa. We also understand that a few of our former colleagues have elected to join the Zanu PF and they are associating with Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora, so we wish him well in his political endeavours,” said Hwende.
He said following the departure of a number of party leaders, the party had embarked on an online recruitment campaign which, he claimed, saw their online platform “crashing due to oversubscription.”
Former leader of the disbanded Alliance vigilante group, the Vanguard, Shakespeare Mukoyi who was on Monday proclaimed as the Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T youth leader is set to pour his heart out in a presser set for today, Wednesday.
Before the latest development, he was the deputy youth leader in the Chamisa led MDC Alliance.
Mukoyi, who rose to prominence in the party as a foot soldier when it was being led by the late Morgan Tsvangirai was a one-time Chamisa loyalist, campaigning for him since 2003 in Kuwadzana constituency after the death of the then party’s spokesperson Learnmore Jongwe who was the constituency’s MP.
Sources said Mukoyi felt betrayed ahead of the 2018 general elections when he was promised that he would run for MP in Kuwadzana where he grew up as Chamisa was eyeing the presidency, only to be arm-twisted to leave the seat for Charlton Hwende, now the party’s secretary general whom many party members in the suburb considered an outsider.
Mukoyi said he had a “big” announcement to make today regarding his political life.“Unfortunately, right now I am not in a position to comment anything with regards to that matter. So far, I have not commented on this to any media house because I am preparing a presser. Talking to you before the presser will be like pre-empting what the youth assembly wants to divulge to the nation so something is happening but I will divulge more details at the presser. We expect it to be tomorrow if all arrangements go well,” said Mukoyi.
Yesterday Econet wireless warned that they were going to hike (well they said review but we know the drill well enough to call it a hike) their data and SMS bundles today.
Late in the day NetOne also signalled to their customers that they would be hiking their own bundles on the 18th.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Dear Valued Customer,
Please be advised that all our bundle prices will be reviewed effective 18 June 2020.
Please dial *171# for detailsNetOne’s notice on social media about the impending hike
Our readers have inundated us with enquiries on how to register as an MDC Alliance member on WhatsApp platforms.
Below is the step by step process as provided by the party.
There are three types of membership the party offers:
Zimbabwe, which comes with a ZW$60 annual subscription fee. One may apply for Zimbabwe membership if they are permanently resident and only work and reside in Zimbabwe. Fees Are Strictly in Zimbabwe dollar;
Africa (excluding Zimbabwe), which comes with annual subscription of US$20. One may apply for Africa membership if they are permanently resident and mainly work and live in any country in Africa outside of Zimbabwe; and
Rest of World (excluding Africa), for which the annual subscription fee is US$70. One may apply for World membership if they are permanently resident and mainly work and live in any country outside of Africa.
For local membership, supporters have payment options which include EcoCash and bank transfers. An option is also available for members to visit their nearest branch and complete the registration formalities, including cash payments.
THE MDC Alliance led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa last night launched its new look website, with key features being the ability for party supporters to log in and pay membership fees as the opposition party gears for building a support base ahead of the 2023 elections.
The website, with the domain name mdcallianceparty.org, went live last night at 20.00 hours, and eagerly awaiting supporters immediately logged in, paid their annual membership fees and posted screenshots on social media to encourage others to do the same.
In addition to the website, the MDC Alliance also launched a full suite membership registration, subscription, donation and volunteer sign-up that includes a WhatsApp function.
In his key message to the membership which was uploaded on the website, Chamisa hinted that the journey towards preparing for the 2023 elections had just begun.
“Every election is a choice. A choice of ideologies and ideas.
The choice is between the old and the new and even more than a choice between parties, or personalities, it’s a choice between philosophies.
For Zimbabwe the time is now or never. Together we are aware of what it takes to make our economy stronger and fairer.
We know what it takes to make our communities safer. We know what it takes to make our life more affordable, and livelihoods more secure. We know that we need to strengthen, not abandon, the promise of economic transformation that will lead to a prosperous, inclusive and shared economy. We know that inclusion makes us stronger, and we know what it takes to lead the country both with the example of our power, and with the power of our example.
However, some party supporters who visited the website expressed discomfort at the insistence by the party leadership to continue using the MDC Alliance brand.
There are fears that the rival camp led by Thokozani Khupe will soon launch a lawsuit to stop Chamisa from using the MDC brand, logos, insignia and all symbols that are associated with the party left by the late Morgan Tsvangirai.
Below is an engagement debating the reasons why the military on Tuesday ordered citizens to disobey their boss, Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa has ordered people to go back to work and build the economy, but within 96 hrs, soldiers are telling the public to disregard his “presidential” instruction.
On the 12th June, Mnangagwa told the nation, to return to work to revamp the economy;
Soldiers are openly telling people to ignore their Commander In Chief's order to return to work. This comes as the military spokesman claimed to ZimEye saying the military chaos today is a lockdown operation. But ED says… JUMP ON https://t.co/eY98GsdO0a TO WATCH THE EXCLUSIVE pic.twitter.com/YwkPtQTYy0
…within less than 4 days, the military are seen busy in the streets ordering the citizens to do the opposite, to turn their backs and go home, in what will certainly see the economy suffer setbacks.
Soldiers ramming through the streets telling people to disobey Emmerson Mnangagwa pic.twitter.com/4EwmyCcVmq
In this feature, ZimEye contacts Emmerson Mnangagwa himself and also the senior military, among other core sources to the story, to find out what on earth is going on between the Limpopo and the Zambezi rivers.
The interviews come as state security insiders tell ZimEye, “soldiers are clearly tense.”
They explain the situation saying, “Someone spread a rumour of a coup, so Mnangagwa was trying to change military generals following that rumour, so they refused, so it’s that tense.
“Mnangagwa misfired because he took coup rumours very seriously, ” they added, as they spoke of a report by an American preacher called Nathan Hambyrd who alleges that Mnangagwa will be assassinated as ‘a hot bullet goes through his head.’
Says Hambyrd, “”Mr Mnangagwa, your thievery, your ungodly life, your murders, your abductions, your rapes, your pillaging, your immorality, your promiscuity, your devil worshipping, God is going to take your breath from you, a hot bullet will find you.
“It will go through your flesh, and blood will spill out everywhere, I’m not going to do it, but it will come from your own people, and that is the will of God, for you to bleed and die.”
“Mnangagwa believes in spiritualism from vapositori and witch doctors, so if he hears anything from the spiritualists, he becomes worked up.
Mr Mnangagwa… your thievery, your ungodly life, your murders, your abductions, your rapes, your pillaging…immorality…God is going to take your breath from you…" – @nathanhambyrd pic.twitter.com/VcjDrPuvlC
One of Hambyrd’s predictions of Mnangagwa’s sudden end. “Mr Mnangagwa, your thievery, your ungodly life, your murders, your abductions, your rapes, your pillaging, your immorality, your promiscuity, your devil worshipping, God is going to take your breath from you, a hot bullet will find you. It will go through your flesh, and blood will spill out everywhere, I’m not going to do it, but it will come from your own people, and that is the will of God, for you to bleed and die.”
“So now, he went on to shake the branch with its swarm of bees, so the army errupted into a loud disquiet, the soldiers are not happy,” they said.
Names and ranks of the generals up for firing had not been published at the time of writing (this report is being updated).
The leak, is however confirmed by a full Joint Operations Command announcement by the Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe flanked by full colour military generals when the US preacher’s name was dropped, as Kazembe also attacked the country’s leading investigative news network, ZimEye.com.
So which ranks are in a disquiet then?, our reporter asked, to which ZimEye was told, “when soldiers are fed up, what happens is when generals above are given money and perks, the lower ranks complain, but this larger part of the army even if it complains, nothing happens because they operate under a firm command structure; the lower ranks can never go into action without an order from the top.
“If the military can be allowed to roam around abusing their power it means that there is somebody up there who is allowing it to happen,” they added.
While video evidence from Harare and Bulawayo, showed soldiers as non violent albeit still sending people home, in their Commander In Chief’s own hometown, Zvishavane, it was blood on the floor, as it were – the direct message from the military to Mnangagwa was blasted louder: Soldiers who were reportedly beating civilians in surrounding areas of nearby Mberengwa following a sharp increase in fuel prices at Mnangagwa’s petrol stations. Below were some submissions from sources in the area, which ZimEye verified with several sources there.
A submission from Zvishavane
In ZANU PF’s stronghold, Masvingo town, there were no beatings, although soldiers and police were roaming about in the neighbourhoods.
ZimEye reached out to Mnangagwa for a comment and his spokesman, George Charamba angrily reacted as he lashed out saying, “first disabuse your readers of the alarmist story you ran and then you and I can engage,” he said, while referring to the video article showing how soldiers went round the cities ordering workers to disobey their(the soldiers’) own commander in chief, to go back home.
Charamba’s denial came as a highly reliable source within the army has revealed to ZimEye.com that soldiers have closed off all major urban centres in the country in protest against government’s move to reduce their salaries by ZWL$1000.
Members of the military were apparently warned last month that they will receive reduced salaries this month (June) because a back pay that had been spread for four months – February to May – has been paid up.
A letter communicating this change, which ZimEye republishes, states in part, “expect a reduction in net salaries with effect from June 2020, because if the cessation of the backpay.”
The leaked letter written to military lower ranks
Contacted for a comment, military spokesman Col Overson Mugwisi had a different story. He told ZimEye the ongoing military deployment is all to do with the coronavirus lockdown.
“Talk to the police, they’re in charge of the lockdown,” he said, referring to the COVID lockdown.
Below is a screenroll of the spokesman’s responses: “Who is turning away people?
“My brother I think you know the truth that lockdown measures are being done by the police.
Military spokesman (O Mugwisi-OM): Who is turning away people? My brother I think you know the truth that lockdown measures are being done by the police. I really don't know why you have an obsession of talking to the military…Talk to the police,theyre charge of the lockdown.. pic.twitter.com/n7yxMsNnxp
“I really don’t know why you have an obsession of talking to the military…
“Talk to the police,they’re in charge of the lockdown…”
But the national COVID lockdown was officially scaled down to Level 2 last week Friday, with ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa announcing saying, people should now return to work to revamp the economy.
Towards the end of the day, state security sources reiterated to ZimEye, “there might not be a coup but there is a loud disquiet in the military ranks and it has been permitted.”
THE MDC Alliance led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa last night launched its WhatsApp facility giving the ability for party supporters to pay membership fees as the opposition party gears for building a support base ahead of the 2023 elections.
The response was overwhelming for the party.
“Hello all! Our WhatsApp platform could not cope with the volumes last night so we are in the process of upgrading it right now.
Please keep registering and donating on the website! #MDCAlliance #GetInvolved
Watch video downloading below. Please be patient while the video downloads
TRANSPARENCY IN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT DURING COVID-19
“The second Republic will not tolerate siphoning of public funds through various nefarious activities for personal gain. Those found wanting will face the full wrath of the law,” `ED warns against abuse of funds’ Herald, 09 November, 2018.
As COVID-19 resources continue to be donated from local and international players to strengthen the Zimbabwean response to the pandemic, the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD), Transparency International Zimbabwe (TI-Z) and Magamba Network are concerned about allegations of abuse of public funds, weak procurement processes and limited systems of checks and balances within government. These continue to threaten the key facets of transparency, accountability and integrity in the management of public funds.
The media for the past few weeks has pointed out skewed procurement procedures and price gouging in the procurement of Covid-19 related supplies. For instance, Drax International LLC is said to have been awarded a contract to supply personal protective equipment (PPEs) worth US$987 720 against a local market value of US$325 000. Additionally, briefcase organisations such as Jaji Investments, a company registered in Namibia, is alleged to have been awarded contracts to supply Covid-19 equipment to the Ministry of Health and Child Care without going through a competitive bidding process. These cases illustrate endemic levels of corruption that flouts procurement rules and regulations. Corruption of this nature indicates institutional weakness in procurement processes and lack of transparency processes in selection on government suppliers. Precautionary measures must therefore be taken to guard against “tenderpreneurship” in which individuals and companies are awarded government tenders without going through the open contracting processes as provided for in Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act of 2017.
The three organisations cited herein have taken notice that one Delish Nguwaya, a representative of Drax International has been charged with fraud and the matter is pending at the courts. It is our expectation and that of every Zimbabwean that due process of the law will take its course and this case does not fall victim of the “catch and release” phenomena synonymous with many cases of grand corruption in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD), Transparency International Zimbabwe (TI-Z) and Magamba Network are therefore concerned about the following:
TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL ZIMBABWE
• The massive looting of public resources under the guise of Covid-19 procurement. Several reports by the Auditor-General’s Office and parliamentary portfolio committees, have in the past exposed poor public finance management by public institutions and individuals whose interests are to plunder wealth, including donations.
• Public contracting continues to be shrouded in secrecy as evidenced by the lack of open contracting in COV1D-19 procurement and the sidestepping of procurement procedures and regulations in the Covid-19 related procurement.
• State capture characterised by the collusion between the private sector and political exposed persons that have created a vicious circle that undermines the respect for rule of law and the effective functioning of democratic institutions in as far as public procurement is concerned. In light of the above, we recommend that the Government of Zimbabwe to:
• Ensure public disclosure of beneficial ownership of companies awarded public contracts by creating an online beneficial ownership register to inculcate a culture of transparency when awarding public procurement contracts.
• Set up electronic procurement system (e-procurement) for Covid-19 and other public procurement systems. Countries like Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya have successfully established online open contracting systems and Zimbabwe should emulate the same in advancing transparency and accountability.
• Guarantee protection of whistle-blowers by enacting fit-for-purpose whistle-blowers legislation
• Conduct due diligence of the companies before awarding public contracts. Establish the management and ownership of the company, when the company was registered, authenticity, company capitalisation, physical location, revenue and margin trends, market size and market growth, stock price history, tax compliance, competition among other critical factors.
• Release fortnightly procurement updates: what we need and what has been bought for the same period.
• Reinforce oversight bodies and anti-corruption agencies to alleviate the abuse of COVID-19 earmarked resources. Such institutions include the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ), Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and the Competition Tariff Commission.
• Take action against those that do not comply with procurement procedures as provided for by the Public Finance Management Act and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act to ensure that public procurement is conducted in a manner that is transparent, fair, honest, cost-effective and competitive.
THE country’s COVID-19 confirmed positive cases are now at 391 following four cases that were confirmed positive this Tuesday.
The cases are all returnees from South Africa and are all under isolation.
Meanwhile 241 returning citizens who are employed by an American cruise ship are back in the country and have been accommodated at a local hotel where they will be quarantined.
THE 241 returning citizens are employed by an American cruise ship company called the Norwegian. The returnees comprising mostly young men and women flew into Harare from the United States of America where they had assembled.
Some of the returning residents said they were not tested for COVID-19 prior to their departure. The Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr John Mangwiro who was at the Robert Mugabe International airport to meet the group and oversee the clearing processes said COVID-19 testing on the returnees will commence this Tuesday evening with results expected by end of day this Wednesday.
Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr John Mangwiro
The returnees were taken from the airport in buses after special clearance procedures were conducted.
While the World Health Organization had classified coronavirus transmission in Zimbabwe as sporadic with no discernible clusters, the majority of positive cases have been recorded amongst returnees.
The last two months have seen an increase in the number of returning citizens coming from South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique with Zimbabwean embassies in different countries facilitating the acquisition of necessary travel permits.
All returning citizens and residents have to undergo quarantine and testing measures recommended by the World Health Organisation before they finally join their families.
Since the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in Zimbabwe on the 20th of March this year, 62 recoveries have been recorded while four succumbed to the deadly virus.
Speaking during a prayer and fasting session at state house on Monday, ZAOGA founder, Ezekiel Guti said ZANU PF coupist, Emmerson Mnangagwa is God’s servant. He said this just as 3 female MDC activists who are victims of torture, were unlawfully imprisoned. Said Guti’: “Heavenly Father, we want to thank you for hearing when our president call upon you for us all. Thank you…I believe that you have heard the cry of our President and the wisdom which he has done to prepare us… – VIDEO LOADING BELOW
Ezekiel Guti says Mnangagwa is God's servant, "Heavenly Father, we want to thank you for hearing when our president call upon you for us all. Thank you…I believe that you have heard the cry of our President and the wisdom which he has done to prepare us… -@ZTNnews pic.twitter.com/QPpgbvP5jw
Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo could find himself in trouble after he snubbed a summon to appear before the Zimbawe Anti Corruption Commission on Tuesday.
Moyo was summoned by the commission over a multi million dollar deal by his Ministry was corruply awarded to Drax Sagl, a company that is allegedly not ‘fit and proper’ for the deal, and accused of inflating prices.
Zacc regarded Moyo as a person of interest following his alleged involvement in the murky deal. ZACC summoned Moyo with a possibility of an immediate arrest after completing evaluation of the statement he submitted last week.
“He was asked to report at 12 midday but he requested postponement to 4pm citing that he was attending cabinet meeting which were reasonable grounds.
“He however failed to turn up and did not explain his absence,” Sources said.
Moyo is likely to be charged with Finance Ministry Secretary George Guvamatanga, Natpharm chief executive Florah Sifeku and former health ministry secretary Agnes Mahomva who were also asked to submit similar reports to ZACC last week.
“They all face similar charges although two of them will turn out as State witnesses,” according to sources.
Moyo is alleged to have given a greenlight to the award the contract to Drax International with full knowledge that it had failed security checks twice.
It is further alleged that he recommended Drax’s capacity and untainted record to Natpharm chief executive Florah Sifeku.
Guvamatanga’s alleged involvement stems from appending his signature for the release of funds from Treasury, but he has since stated that he submitted due diligence reports to relevant authorities including the line minister.
The Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T has warned MDC Alliance legislators and councillors who allegedly deviate from the dictates of the original MDC that the party will not hesitate to recall them.
Following Monday’s MDC-T Standing Committee meeting, the Supreme Court created opposition party’s Acting President, Dr Thokozani Khupe has asserted her control and authority over the party declaring that all the 103 MDC Alliance MPs fall under her.
“MDC-T has 103 MPs in Parliament meaning that I am currently the leader of that political party which has 103 MPs in that Parliament,” highlighted Dr Khupe.
The MDC-T Secretary General, Senator Douglas Mwonzora noted that all MDC MPs should tow Khupe’s line or risk being recalled from Parliament.
“We also discussed the issue of recalls of councillors as well as members of parliament who have joined other political parties. We are going to proceed with these but we will deal with these on a case by case basis. Those who have joined other political parties cannot continue to represent us in Parliament. The High court ruled that we can continue our recalls. In other words the interdict that sought to stop us from recalling was dismissed by Justice Chitapi,” said Mwonzora.
Mwonzora castigated the faction led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa for being political drama queens fond of propaganda evident in their lies about the takeover of the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai building.
“We received a report on the handover and takeover of Morgan Tsvangirai House and this has been a subject of a lot of propaganda which has unfortunately sucked in some of the countries in this world because of the images that were broadcast by our colleagues. We view it as malicious to suggest that the handover takeover of this building involved the army and the police. The army has been patrolling the streets since the declaration of the lockdown,” noted Mwonzora.
Mines and Mining Development Ministry leadership’s inaction to fix Certificate issuance problems has created loopholes for corrupt Mines Officials to manipulate leading to gold leakage onto the parallel market, unending claim disputes, and illegal mining amongst others.
Corruption is rife at the Ministry’s provincial offices dotted across the country with double allocations being a common feature which is usually a deliberate attempt to wrestle high yielding claims by corrupt Mines Ministry Officials to the highest bidder or persons with much deeper pockets.
This is how the corrupt syndicates operate;
An ordinary person or prospector is allowed to part ways with his hard-earned cash to acquire a prospectors license zwl1000.
The Ministry hands him over to a pegger who charges from US$300 to 500 (some are known to advertise for US$2000 and all work is done quickly and certificates issued immediately).
Pegger does his or her part and submits the documents to the ministry such that they may come and verify what has been done by the pegger. The customer pays registration fees of zw$1,000 (also customer incurs a cost, fuel or hiring a car, time wasted, loss of business attending to this, etc)
Once the documents are in the Ministry’s hands the customer awaits a call from the ministry such that the customer may show the mines officers the temporary beacons marked by the pegger. (This is where the whole process dies).
As the customer waits for no 4 to take place time will be ticking and the prospector’s licenses life span expires and Mines Ministry is not compelled to action expired applications.
While waiting for no.4 the Ministry has no staff and no vehicle and no fuel to attend to applications. They do not accept to be ferried to and from the site by miners for security reasons.
While waiting for no.4 the Ministry will be taking in new applications and collecting 1 and 3 non-stop.
For years this system has been happening at mines offices to the point that their maps are so heavily marked and you can’t tell who is who on their maps. In Mines Gweru Office’s case, they direct you to peggers that charge for one to browse their maps.
With all the money collected year in and year out Mines Ministry cannot afford, either new maps or Fuel to service their mining areas, etc.
On the other hand, special grants applications will be also flowing in and getting trapped just like the above.
When anyone with under the table money, or a well-connected person comes through, their application is processed fast and a site visit is done and certificate/s issued.
Certificates are being issued but the question is to who and why are procedures of first come first serve not followed especially to those who paid through the nose. Recently as many as 600 claims were forfeited and experts questioned ministry’s motive for taking such a retrogressive action which likely resulted in killing off struggling small scale mining projects. Mining Zimbabwe recently sent the Mines and Mining Development Minister a list dating back to 2017 of miners still awaiting certificates and up to now, there has been no action taken.
Mr Stanley Takaona of the Zimbabwe HIV and AIDS Activist Union Community Trust
PEOPLE living with HIV and AIDS are having difficulties in accessing second line drugs from public institutions and are being forced to buy them from pharmacies at US$25 for one-month’s supply.
Mr Stanley Takaona of the Zimbabwe HIV and AIDS Activist Union Community Trust (ZHAUCT) said some members of his organisation were turned away from Wilkins Hospital and given prescriptions to source the drugs from pharmacies.
“Patients on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) have been turned away from Wilkins in Harare where they normally access their supplies. I have followed up with the authorities at the hospital and I am reliably informed that a consignment of the second line drugs is yet to be received at NatPharm. It’s a sad scenario and people’s health is at stake,” he said.
Mr Takaona said second and third line drug regimens were expensive and turning away patients on ART was akin to passing a death sentence on them.
“Patients cannot afford the high cost of drugs in these Covid-19 times where supplies from pharmacies cost US$25. If ever there is a stockout at any health centre, we recommend that they get support from other institutions. Harare City Council is not taking our lives seriously. They could have referred patients to Harare Hospital or other hospitals where minimal supplies can be given to patients.”
Mr Takaona said under normal circumstances, ART patients on the second line drug regime received drug supplies of up to three months.
The National AIDS Council (NAC) is on record as saying the country has bought enough (ART) drug stocks to cover supplies for the next six months.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi
The Zimbabwe Republic Police says that they are addressing complaints by Bulawayo and Harare residents who were blocked from going to work by security forces on Monday.
The entire business in Bulawayo CBD was brought to a halt as residents failed to report for duty after soldiers manning roadblocks ordered them to return home.
Many workers had to walk home after being dropped at the different entry points manned by the army as there was no transport to take them home.
Harare residents faced the same challenge on Monday when they were also ordered to go back home at the roadblocks.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the Zimbabwe Republic Police had received members of the public’s complaints.
“As we speak the Officer Commanding Bulawayo Province and the Officer Commanding Harare Province have received some of those complaints and concerns which are being addressed. We urge members of the public who might face movement challenges, especially those with exemption letters to contact the local police. They can contact the local Officer Commanding District, Officer Commanding Province and if there is no joy, they can contact police Headquarters,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
“All checkpoints, all roadblocks have got national guidelines which were communicated to police commanders.
“We expect officers to act according to those guidelines which will soon be availed to the media for the benefit of members of the public.
“If there are any deviations by officers from these guidelines which were clearly communicated and clearly articulated, the public has the right to raise concerns with the command,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro
OVER 9 000 Zimbabweans have returned home from 48 countries following the outbreak of Covid-19.
The figure includes 241 who arrived at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport from the United States yesterday and were received by Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Dr John Mangwiro.
They were expected to immediately undergo testing for Covid-19 and are housed at a local hotel.
All of the returnees are employed by an American cruise company which will foot the cost of their stay.
Secretary for Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Mr Simon Masanga appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare yesterday to give a brief on his ministry’s interventions in the ongoing fight against the pandemic.
He said South Africa and Botswana provided the majority of the returnees with 4 257 and 2 787, respectively.
Mr Masanga said returnees from South Africa and Botswana could have volunteered to come back or had been deported.
Countries that have provided returnees include Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, DRC, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan, Guinea, Egypt, Ethiopia, Somalia, Lesotho, Togo, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Namibia, Cameroon and Swaziland.
In Europe and the Middle East, countries where the returnees came from were the United Kingdom, Israel, Yemen, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Greece, Germany, Spain, Italy, Hungary, Scotland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Croatia, Belarus, Czech Republic, Sweden and Belgium.
In the Americas, the returnees have been from Argentina, Canada, Brazil, Falkland Islands and Panama.
In Asia, the locals that have returned home were from China, Hong Kong and The Philippines.
Mr Masanga said: “We have established more than 50 quarantine stations across the country. When this programme started, we were accommodating our returnees around Plumtree and Beitbridge, but as we continued to receive more and more people it meant our institutions that were looking after our people became inadequate and then we decided to open up other centres across the country.
“We are mostly using schools and colleges because we were not paying for accommodation and also providing food and clothing for some of the returnees.”
Mr Masanga said testing for Covid-19 on the returning citizens would improve following the arrival of testing kits on Friday last week that were already being distributed.
He said Government had so far spent at least $120 million on the welfare of the returnees that were housed at the quarantine centres.
DYNAMOS have warned that their players risk being slapped with heavy fines if they are caught engaging in money games or violating the Covid-19 lockdown rules.
Coach Tonderayi Ndiraya told Classic 263 radio that the club will not hesitate to hit players hard in the pocket if they are found on the wrong side of the lockdown rules, saying such acts not only tarnished the image of Dynamos, but their sponsor and the nation as a whole.
“I am glad to say that we have been very fortunate, we got a sponsor who is taking care of the boys and we wouldn’t want to disappoint that sponsor by engaging in these money game activities because it indeed paints a very bad picture.
Our players are taken very good care of and that is the reason why I say we will hit their pockets if they engage in money games,” said Ndiraya.
DeMbare are bankrolled by tobacco company Rudland and George, a subsidiary of Gold Leaf Tobacco.
Sporting activities across the country were suspended indefinitely due to the Covid-19 pandemic that has ravaged the world, but earlythis month, the Government cleared 15 sports classified as low risk to resume activities-State media
THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe through its Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has engaged law enforcement agents to prosecute illegal forex traders posting foreign currency exchange rates on social media platforms. This comes as the local currency continues lose ground against major currencies.
It now trades at around 1:70 and above against the US$ on the parallel market at a time when the official fixed exchange rate remains at 1:25.
The trend has worsened pricing distortion and further weakened consumer spending while dampening business sentiment.
Authorities say the wild exchange rate has nothing to do with economic fundamentals and is being driven by speculative tendencies.
In a notice yesterday, the FIU said it has been monitoring social media platforms where foreign currency dealers have been advertising and promoting their illegal trade.
“The FIU is aware of WhatsApp groups that have mushroomed in the country for the specific purpose of promoting and facilitating illegal foreign currency trade.
“Identified persons will be investigated and prosecuted for illegally trading in or advertising illegal trading in foreign currency,” said the FIU.
Together with police, banks, mobile money or mobile phone service providers and relevant regulatory agencies, the FIU has embarked on an exercise to identify and take action against individuals who create, advertise on or participate (actively or passively) in WhatsApp groups or other platforms for illegal forex trading.
It said mobile phone numbers used to join or advertise on the illegal groups will be shared with mobile phone operators and the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) for barring.
Other mobile phone numbers registered in the names of such persons will also be identified and barred-State media
ZIMBABWE’S year-on-year inflation spiked to 785,55 percent for the month of May 2020, according to data from the Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency (Zimstat) released yesterday.
The agency said that year-on-year inflation rate for last month increased by 785,55 percent.
“This means that prices as measured by the all items Consumer Price Index increased by an average of 785,55 percent between May 2020 and May 2019,” said Zimstat.
The agency also indicated that the month-on-month inflation rate in May 2020 was 15,13 percent shedding 2,51 percentage points on the April 2020 rate of 17,64 percent.
This means that prices as measured by the all items Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by an average rate of 15,13 percent from April 2020 to May 2020.
“The month-on-month food and non alcoholic beverages inflation rate stood at 14,72 percent in May 2020, shedding 13,65 percentage points on the April rate of 28,37 percent.
“The month on month non-food inflation rate stood at 15,41 percent, gaining 4,03 percentage points on the April 2020 rate of 11,38 percent,” said the agency.
In March, the Government said the fiscal and monetary policies it is implementing will stabilise the exchange rate and keep under check, inflationary pressures, which have seen the annual inflation rate surging in recent months.
The rising inflation continues to limit options for consumers who have suffered diminishing spending power as prices relentlessly increase in response to changes on the exchange rate.
Treasury plans to liberalise the formal foreign currency trading system as part of measures to limit informal activities and ensure all the foreign exchange is traded through registered channels for the benefit of the economy-State media
By Dorrothy Moyo | The following remarks were made by the MDC Alliance Secretaty General, Chalton Hwende over the defection of former Vanguard leader, Mr Shakespear Mukoyi to the renegade, Thokozani Khupe.
Mukoyi has been appointed into Khupe’s structures despite her accusations that he (Mukoyi) has been a Nelson Chamisa front-man for what she describes as violence. In an incident at the MDC Bulawayo offices in August 2017, ironically, it is Khupe who is seen unleashing violence against Mukoyi (6 months before her boss, Morgan Tsvangirai’s death.)
During the same press conference on Monday, as Khupe was announcing saying she was in good books with her boss Tsvangirai days before his death, her own aide Morgen Komichi was conspicuous through loud body language of firm disagreement.
Hwende said Mr Mukoyi had not made a formal announcement but had been spotted making public appearances with Dr Khupe. Hon. Hwende said the party wished Mr Mukoyi well in his endeavours and political path. “The MDC is a democratic movement. People leave and people join the party on a daily basis. People are always free to go out and seek political fortunes elsewhere. However, those who want to continue fighting for a free and democratic Zimbabwe are with Advocate Chamisa. We also understand that a few of our former colleagues have elected to join the Zanu PF and they are associating with Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora, so we wish him well in his political endeavours,” said Mr Hwende
Villagers in Chilonga, Chiredzi in Masvingo Province have threatened to drag the government to court over the planned eviction meant to allow Dendairy to embark on a lucerne grass project.
Through lawyers from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), the villagers wrote a letter a fortnight ago to Local Government minister July Moyo challenging the planned ejection.
Reads the letter in part: We have been instructed to request your office to furnish us with information in your custody and control, which our clients are entitled to in terms of Section 62 of the Constitution within 14 days of your receipt of this letter, which relates to the following: confirmation of whether or not villagers in Chilonga Communal Area will be displaced to pave way for a lucerne production project, government relocation plan for the Chilonga community and issues of compensation in case of displacements, how the government is going to engage the local community over the ancestral land (and) copies of all documents relating to the transaction between the ministry of Local Government and the Lucerne investor.
The villagers said that they were not consulted, they were not informed of where they will be relocated and how they will benefit from the project adding that the move ejects them from their ancestral lands.
They are also worried that the government will leave them stranded as was the case with victims of Tokwe-Mukorsi floods- Daily News
Should we keep on sending non-performing MPs for the sake of balancing gender only? Or should we do more?
Here is my take on the PR system beyond 2023.
In October 2019, the government gazetted Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 2, which seeks to introduce several amendments to the 2013 Constitution.
Parliamentary Consultations on this Second Amendment are set to start shortly which has opened pertinent conversations about the proposed ammendments.
Today, I want to specially focus on the women’s quota (PR system).
According to the 2013 constitution, the PR system was set to end after 10 years but if the Constitutional Ammendment Bill No.2 is to be adopted, then the PR system will continue beyond 2023. …but do we really need it? Has it achieved enough thus far to merit a continuation?
Has it politically empowered women in such a way that come next election, women who were previously in parly based on the quota system can not only directly contest, but contest and win?
Personally I have a number of issues concerning the current qouta system and as women and youth go out for Parliamentary public consultations beginning this week, I would like them to voice out these issues.
I suggest that the qouta system be continued but with these reforms:
1) A ballot be available for the selection of women for PR in each province. Let’s get women electing other women in their provinces with the top 6 going to parliament.
In this way candidates will have an opportunity to either contest as independent or under a political party. The party list system is exclusionary and subject to abuse by party bigwigs which is why the media is awash with claims and counter claims that PR MP y and x got in parly through the bedroom. Let’s do away with PR women who serve party political masters.
By being directly elected by other women, they will also have direct constituencies which the current quota system does not provide. They will have a people to which they can report back to.
2) Let’s put limits to women who are participating in PR.
The major purpose of a PR system is to mentor young women, isn’t it? If so, I think we need an age limit, is it not possible to say anyone above 35 or 50 isn’t eligible to contest under PR? I say this because many women in parliament through the PR system right now are just old women sleeping day in, day out without any serious political future.
Secondly, I think people who have previously saved as MPs before (both as PR and/ constituent MP) should not be allowed to go back in parliament through the PR system, they need to leave that space for others.
We’ve people like Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga who has been in Parliament twice before but is now back in parliament as a PR MP
. Isn’t that defeating the whole purpose of PR? Are we not recycling “dead wood” in the name of political empowerment for women? 3) Let’s make the political environment more friendly and safe for women.
While the PR system is trying to balance the numbers in parliament, it’s failure to achieve a 50-50 gender balance can be attributed to a political environment that is not friendly for women.
This needs to be tackled to ensure equal participation of males and females in politics and parliament.
The ongoing brutality being perpetuated at Netsai, Cecilia and Joana, for example, will only serve to scare young women away from politics.
Most women fear for their lives and dignity because of what they see happening to other women in politics.
There is need to level the playing field in such a way that we can have more women participating in politics.
To conclude, I think we need to continue with the PR system and even introduce it to youths (but not with the paltry 10 seats that were proposed by the government) but we need to reform it!
The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly today commemorates the heroic efforts of yesteryear young black Africans from Soweto, South Africa who rose to challenge Apartheid dictatorship in 1976.
What is inspiring and more challenging is that authors of the heroic 16 June 1976 Soweto uprising were mere pupils in their early teenage years yet they found courage to confront the evils of their time.
As we mark this day, our generation is faced with a brutal military regime of Emmerson Mnangagwa which has used every tick and trick in books of dictatorship to suffocate and abuse its citizens.
From broad daylight military killings to abductions, torture, rape and imprisonment, Mnangagwa has done everything there is to do in suppressing our basic rights.
This day comes at a time when our youth female leaders are rotting and languishing at Chikurubi Maximum Prison for simply exposing the abduction, torture and rape they went through at the hands of Mnangagwa’s military dictatorship.
Just like Hector Peterson who had to pay the ultimate price for questioning Apartheid laws, Cecilia Chimbiri, Netsai Marova and Joanna Mamombe were made to go through some of the worst forms of human abuse for simply exercising their democratic rights.
Just like Hector Peterson who was killed by Apartheid police for demanding to be taught in his own language, vendor Hilton Tamangani was gruesomely beaten and died in police custody for simply trying to eke out a living through selling airtime in a country where unemployment is hovering above 90 percent.
Just like Hector Peterson who was shot by Apartheid police for demanding a bright future, Sylvia Maphosa and 6 others were horribly shot by the military on 01 August 2018 for the simple reason that they rejected Emmerson Mnangagwa in the ballot box.
As a people, a generation and Assembly, we have lost so much at the hands of this monstrous military dictatorship which is by far worse than the Apartheid regime when it comes to disregard of human life and dignity.
Today calls for more Hector Petersons who questions the status quo especially at a time when Emmerson Mnangagwa’s military dictatorship has become the law unto self.
The time is ripe for this generation to fulfill the dreams of those who sacrificed for freedom and independence during our liberation struggles.
It is time for a June 1976 on Mnangagwa’s military dictatorship!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCAllianceYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance councillor for ward 4, Masvingo Urban, Godfrey Kurauone says he has nothing to worry about as he was only performing his social responsibility duty of feeding hungry people.
Kurauone related how government agents visited his house and accused him of violating lockdown restrictions.
On Monday, Councillor Kurauone bought lunch for the homeless in Masvingo.
Kurauone said : “CID officers came to my house at 9:28am and accused me of breaching the Covid-19 regulations yesterday after giving food to the disadvantaged and homeless people.
However, l informed them that, it is my social responsibility as councillor to feed the hungry. “
“This is an act of harassment. I think they are harassing me because l am from the MDC Alliance led by President Chamisa, who defeated ED in 2018 harmonised elections.”
Should we keep on sending non-performing MPs for the sake of balancing gender only? Or should we do more?
Here is my take on the PR system beyond 2023.
In October 2019, the government gazetted Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 2, which seeks to introduce several amendments to the 2013 Constitution.
Parliamentary Consultations on this Second Amendment are set to start shortly which has opened pertinent conversations about the proposed ammendments.
Today, I want to specially focus on the women’s quota (PR system).
According to the 2013 constitution, the PR system was set to end after 10 years but if the Constitutional Ammendment Bill No.2 is to be adopted, then the PR system will continue beyond 2023. …but do we really need it? Has it achieved enough thus far to merit a continuation?
Has it politically empowered women in such a way that come next election, women who were previously in parly based on the quota system can not only directly contest, but contest and win?
Personally I have a number of issues concerning the current qouta system and as women and youth go out for Parliamentary public consultations beginning this week, I would like them to voice out these issues.
I suggest that the qouta system be continued but with these reforms:
1) A ballot be available for the selection of women for PR in each province. Let’s get women electing other women in their provinces with the top 6 going to parliament.
In this way candidates will have an opportunity to either contest as independent or under a political party. The party list system is exclusionary and subject to abuse by party bigwigs which is why the media is awash with claims and counter claims that PR MP y and x got in parly through the bedroom. Let’s do away with PR women who serve party political masters.
By being directly elected by other women, they will also have direct constituencies which the current quota system does not provide. They will have a people to which they can report back to.
2) Let’s put limits to women who are participating in PR.
The major purpose of a PR system is to mentor young women, isn’t it? If so, I think we need an age limit, is it not possible to say anyone above 35 or 50 isn’t eligible to contest under PR? I say this because many women in parliament through the PR system right now are just old women sleeping day in, day out without any serious political future.
Secondly, I think people who have previously saved as MPs before (both as PR and/ constituent MP) should not be allowed to go back in parliament through the PR system, they need to leave that space for others.
We’ve people like Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga who has been in Parliament twice before but is now back in parliament as a PR MP
. Isn’t that defeating the whole purpose of PR? Are we not recycling “dead wood” in the name of political empowerment for women? 3) Let’s make the political environment more friendly and safe for women.
While the PR system is trying to balance the numbers in parliament, it’s failure to achieve a 50-50 gender balance can be attributed to a political environment that is not friendly for women.
This needs to be tackled to ensure equal participation of males and females in politics and parliament.
The ongoing brutality being perpetuated at Netsai, Cecilia and Joana, for example, will only serve to scare young women away from politics.
Most women fear for their lives and dignity because of what they see happening to other women in politics.
There is need to level the playing field in such a way that we can have more women participating in politics.
To conclude, I think we need to continue with the PR system and even introduce it to youths (but not with the paltry 10 seats that were proposed by the government) but we need to reform it!
RBZ Targets Foreign Currency Dealers Who Advertise On WhatsApp App :Full Text
ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL FOREIGN CURRENCY TRADING ADVERTS
The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has been monitoring social media platforms where foreign currency dealers have been advertising and promoting their illegal trade.
The FIU is aware of WhatsApp groups that have mushroomed in the country for the specific purpose of promoting and facilitating illegal foreign currency trade.
The FIU, in collaboration with the police, banks, mobile money / mobile phone service providers and relevant regulatory agencies, has embarked on an exercise to identify and take action against individuals who create, advertise on or participate (actively or passively) in WhatsApp groups or other platforms for illegal foreign currency trading.
The FIU and relevant institutions will take the following immediate actions:
• The mobile phone numbers used to join or advertise on the illegal groups will be shared with mobile phone operators and POTRAZ for barring; • Other mobile phone numbers registered in the names of such persons will also be identified and barred;
• Any mobile money wallets registered in the names of such persons will be frozen and the persons barred from accessing mobile money services with any operator; • Bank accounts owned by a person so identified will be frozen and the person will be blacklisted and barred from accessing banking services with any bank; and
• Identified persons will be investigated and prosecuted for illegally trading in or advertising illegal trading in foreign currency.
Members of the public are requested to report to the FIU any person, mobile phone number or bank account that continue to be used to engage in or advertise illegal foreign currency activities, using the following contact details:
FIU mobile and WhatsApp number: 0714039897 Financial Intelligence Unit 15 June 2020
RBZ Targets Foreign Currency Dealers Who Advertise On WhatsApp App :Full Text
ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL FOREIGN CURRENCY TRADING ADVERTS
The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has been monitoring social media platforms where foreign currency dealers have been advertising and promoting their illegal trade.
The FIU is aware of WhatsApp groups that have mushroomed in the country for the specific purpose of promoting and facilitating illegal foreign currency trade.
The FIU, in collaboration with the police, banks, mobile money / mobile phone service providers and relevant regulatory agencies, has embarked on an exercise to identify and take action against individuals who create, advertise on or participate (actively or passively) in WhatsApp groups or other platforms for illegal foreign currency trading.
The FIU and relevant institutions will take the following immediate actions:
• The mobile phone numbers used to join or advertise on the illegal groups will be shared with mobile phone operators and POTRAZ for barring; • Other mobile phone numbers registered in the names of such persons will also be identified and barred;
• Any mobile money wallets registered in the names of such persons will be frozen and the persons barred from accessing mobile money services with any operator; • Bank accounts owned by a person so identified will be frozen and the person will be blacklisted and barred from accessing banking services with any bank; and
• Identified persons will be investigated and prosecuted for illegally trading in or advertising illegal trading in foreign currency.
Members of the public are requested to report to the FIU any person, mobile phone number or bank account that continue to be used to engage in or advertise illegal foreign currency activities, using the following contact details:
FIU mobile and WhatsApp number: 0714039897 Financial Intelligence Unit 15 June 2020
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson, Clifford Hlatywayo has challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to stop harassing innocent and hapless citizens.
Hlatywayo told ZimEye.com on Monday the regime was desperate to silence democratic forces through arrests, abductions, torture and intimidation of citizens.
He said Mnangagwa must focus on addressing factors affecting millions of suffering Zimbabweans.
“The issues that are affecting Zimbabweans in general are very clear . Mnangagwa must address the issues that are affecting ordinary Zimbabweans.
Unfortunately Mnangagwa has chosen to gag democratic voices through violence, intimidation and torture.
Instead of protecting the three girls, Joana, Cecilia and Netsai, Mnangagwa’s administration is determined to cow them into submission.
The girls must be released as a matter of urgency,” said Hlatywayo.
He added: ” Mnangagwa is in panic mode and he is at war with citizens. He is using every weapon at his disposal to silence dissenting voices.”
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson, Clifford Hlatywayo has challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to stop harassing innocent and hapless citizens.
Hlatywayo told ZimEye.com on Monday the regime was desperate to silence democratic forces through arrests, abductions, torture and intimidation of citizens.
He said Mnangagwa must focus on addressing factors affecting millions of suffering Zimbabweans.
“The issues that are affecting Zimbabweans in general are very clear . Mnangagwa must address the issues that are affecting ordinary Zimbabweans.
Unfortunately Mnangagwa has chosen to gag democratic voices through violence, intimidation and torture.
Instead of protecting the three girls, Joana, Cecilia and Netsai, Mnangagwa’s administration is determined to cow them into submission.
The girls must be released as a matter of urgency,” said Hlatywayo.
He added: ” Mnangagwa is in panic mode and he is at war with citizens. He is using every weapon at his disposal to silence dissenting voices.”
By Simba Chikanza | Gloves are clearly off today, no doubt about that, the evidence too clear – and why are soldiers all of a sudden disobeying their Commander in Chief today? Is there a coup, and to what extent is the military disquiet?
Mnangagwa has ordered people to go back to work and build the economy, but within 96 hrs, soldiers are telling the public to disregard his “presidential” instruction.
On the 12th June, Mnangagwa told the nation, to return to work to revamp the economy;
Soldiers are openly telling people to ignore their Commander In Chief's order to return to work. This comes as the military spokesman claimed to ZimEye saying the military chaos today is a lockdown operation. But ED says… JUMP ON https://t.co/eY98GsdO0a TO WATCH THE EXCLUSIVE pic.twitter.com/YwkPtQTYy0
…within less than 4 days, the military are seen busy in the streets ordering the citizens to do the opposite, to turn their backs and go home, in what will certainly see the economy suffer setbacks.
Soldiers ramming through the streets telling people to disobey Emmerson Mnangagwa pic.twitter.com/4EwmyCcVmq
In this feature, ZimEye contacts Emmerson Mnangagwa himself and also the senior military, among other core sources to the story, to find out what on earth is going on between the Limpopo and the Zambezi rivers.
The interviews come as state security insiders tell ZimEye, “soldiers are clearly tense.”
They explain the situation saying, “Someone spread a rumour of a coup, so Mnangagwa was trying to change military generals following that rumour, so they refused, so it’s that tense.
“Mnangagwa misfired because he took coup rumours very seriously, ” they added, as they spoke of a report by an American preacher called Nathan Hambyrd who alleges that Mnangagwa will be assassinated as ‘a hot bullet goes through his head.’
Says Hambyrd, “”Mr Mnangagwa, your thievery, your ungodly life, your murders, your abductions, your rapes, your pillaging, your immorality, your promiscuity, your devil worshipping, God is going to take your breath from you, a hot bullet will find you.
“It will go through your flesh, and blood will spill out everywhere, I’m not going to do it, but it will come from your own people, and that is the will of God, for you to bleed and die.”
“Mnangagwa believes in spiritualism from vapositori and witch doctors, so if he hears anything from the spiritualists, he becomes worked up.
Mr Mnangagwa… your thievery, your ungodly life, your murders, your abductions, your rapes, your pillaging…immorality…God is going to take your breath from you…" – @nathanhambyrd pic.twitter.com/VcjDrPuvlC
One of Hambyrd’s predictions of Mnangagwa’s sudden end. “Mr Mnangagwa, your thievery, your ungodly life, your murders, your abductions, your rapes, your pillaging, your immorality, your promiscuity, your devil worshipping, God is going to take your breath from you, a hot bullet will find you. It will go through your flesh, and blood will spill out everywhere, I’m not going to do it, but it will come from your own people, and that is the will of God, for you to bleed and die.”
“So now, he went on to shake the branch with its swarm of bees, so the army errupted into a loud disquiet, the soldiers are not happy,” they said.
Names and ranks of the generals up for firing had not been published at the time of writing (this report is being updated).
The leak, is however confirmed by a full Joint Operations Command announcement by the Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe flanked by full colour military generals when the US preacher’s name was dropped, as Kazembe also attacked the country’s leading investigative news network, ZimEye.com.
So which ranks are in a disquiet then?, our reporter asked, to which ZimEye was told, “when soldiers are fed up, what happens is when generals above are given money and perks, the lower ranks complain, but this larger part of the army even if it complains, nothing happens because they operate under a firm command structure; the lower ranks can never go into action without an order from the top.
“If the military can be allowed to roam around abusing their power it means that there is somebody up there who is allowing it to happen,” they added.
While video evidence from Harare and Bulawayo, showed soldiers as non violent albeit still sending people home, in their Commander In Chief’s own hometown, Zvishavane, it was blood on the floor, as it were – the direct message from the military to Mnangagwa was blasted louder: Soldiers who were reportedly beating civilians there following a sharp increase in fuel prices at Mnangagwa’s petrol stations. Below were some submissions from sources in the area, which ZimEye verified with several sources there.
A submission from Zvishavane
In ZANU PF’s stronghold, Masvingo town, there were no beatings, although soldiers and police were roaming about in the neighbourhoods.
ZimEye reached out to Mnangagwa for a comment and his spokesman, George Charamba angrily reacted as he lashed out saying, “first disabuse your readers of the alarmist story you ran and then you and I can engage,” he said, while referring to the video article showing how soldiers went round the cities ordering workers to disobey their(the soldiers’) own commander in chief, to go back home.
Charamba’s denial came as a highly reliable source within the army has revealed to ZimEye.com that soldiers have closed off all major urban centres in the country in protest against government’s move to reduce their salaries by ZWL$1000.
Members of the military were apparently warned last month that they will receive reduced salaries this month (June) because a back pay that had been spread for four months – February to May – has been paid up.
A letter communicating this change, which ZimEye republishes, states in part, “expect a reduction in net salaries with effect from June 2020, because if the cessation of the backpay.”
The leaked letter written to military lower ranks
Contacted for a comment, military spokesman Col Overson Mugwisi had a different story. He told ZimEye the ongoing military deployment is all to do with the coronavirus lockdown.
“Talk to the police, they’re in charge of the lockdown,” he said, referring to the COVID lockdown.
Below is a roll if the spokesman’s responses :”Who is turning away people?
“My brother I think you know the truth that lockdown measures are being done by the police.
Military spokesman (O Mugwisi-OM): Who is turning away people? My brother I think you know the truth that lockdown measures are being done by the police. I really don't know why you have an obsession of talking to the military…Talk to the police,theyre charge of the lockdown.. pic.twitter.com/n7yxMsNnxp
“I really don’t know why you have an obsession of talking to the military…
“Talk to the police,they’re in charge of the lockdown…”
But the national COVID lockdown was officially scaled down to Level 2 last week Friday, with ZANU PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa announcing saying, people should now return to work to revamp the economy.
Towards the end of the day, state security sources reiterated to ZimEye, “there might not be a coup but there is a loud disquiet in the military ranks and it has been permitted.”
By Patrick Guramatunhu- It is often said the distinction between madness and genius is a fine line, the same cannot be said about the yawning chasm that separate piety humility and blasphemy. Emmerson Mnangagwa has crossed that chasm!
“Dear God, Jehovah and the only true God, Father of our saviour Jesus Christ. I humble myself before you, together with the people of Zimbabwe over whom You made me a servant leader!” proclaimed Mnangagwa in his prayer yesterday.
Everyone with any democratic credentials worth a spit condemned Zimbabwe’s July 2018 elections as a farce.
“The electoral commission lacked full independence and appeared to not always act in an impartial manner. The final results as announced by the Electoral Commission contained numerous errors and lacked adequate traceability, transparency and verifiability,” stated the EU Zimbabwe 2018 Election Mission final report.
“As such, many aspects of the 2018 elections in Zimbabwe failed to meet international standards!”
There are many things we can argue about and agree to differ, if we cannot agree. But there are others which are establish historic facts that must be respected and accept as such, that the July 2018 elections were not free, fair and credible is one of these historic facts.
ZEC failed to produce something as basic for elections as a verified voters’ roll, for Pete’s sake!
Zimbabwe is in this political and economic mess because Zimbabweans, from all walks of life, notably academics and church leaders, have all shied away from holding Zanu PF and other political leaders to democratic account. Zanu PF leaders have been allowed to ride roughshod over the people, denying them their freedoms and rights including the right to free, fair and credible elections and even the right to life. This must stop!
The people of Zimbabwe must learn the importance of speaking the truth to power – a recurring theme in the Christian Bible. A theme our church leaders have seemingly forgotten!
To therefore evoke the name of God and proclaim that God Himself made him (Mnangagwa) “a servant leader” over the nation is blasphemy because it implies God was involved in the rigged July 2018 elections.
Last week, Mnangagwa proclaim 15 June 2020 a National Day of Prayer and Fasting. He invited several church leaders to join him in the praying and fasting at State House.
Several high profile leaders attended the State House gathering including Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC), the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), the Indigenous Zimbabwe Inter-denominational Council of Churches, as well as the Zimbabwe Elders Forum.
By participating in July 2018 elections Nelson Chamisa and his MDC friends and the coterie of other opposition politicians gave some modicum of credibility to the flawed and illegal election process. And, by extension gave some modicum of legitimacy to this Zanu PF regime.
The country’s church leaders have in turn given the regime their modicum of legitimacy by attending activities hosted by Mnangagwa as the State President. In his public prayer yesterday, Mnangagwa has gone one step further and proclaimed himself chosen by God to leader. The many church leaders gathered at State House were first-hand eye-witnesses to the profanity. Those church leaders who were not at State House have, nonetheless, since seen the video recording of the prayer with their own eyes and heard with their own ears.
So, what are our church leaders now going to do about this illegitimate and blasphemous Zanu PF regime?
Silence, it must be said, is consent – a maxim of common law!
Chimoio. — Mozambican police at the weekend detained a self-styled “prophet” who used his religious activities to front for his real career as a burglar.
The “prophet”, 35-year-old Crispine Baptista, is accused of a string of burglaries in Chimoio, capital of the central province of Manica, and in Machipanda, on the border with Zimbabwe. He would visit houses, supposedly to prophesy, but in reality he was reconnoitring the homes of victims, intending to return after nightfall to burgle them.
Baptista confessed his crimes, and said he turned to robbery as from 2018. He said this was “the devil’s work”, although he had sworn to serve God. “I stole in Machipanda and in Chimoio”, he said.
“I visited some of the places by day for my work of prophecy, but I would also reconnoitre. At night I would rob. Many victims are my patients” (as he described those who used his prophetic services).
“I don’t know what happened to me”, he added. “This can only be the work of the devil. I am a religious man and a prophet. I have sworn to serve God.”
“I stole to help my family”, he claimed. “After the thefts, I sold the goods in Chimoio.”
After Baptista’s arrest, the police recovered some of the stolen property.
The Manica provincial police spokesperson, Mateus Mindu, said the arrest of the “prophet” was thanks to denunciations by members of the public-The Herald
Proton, a bread brand in Zimbabwe has announced new prices for its commodities including bread cookies and other confectioneries which will be effective starting on the 17th of June.
The bakery announced that a superior white and superior seeded loaves, in that order will now cost $60.30 and $75.20 while burgers will now require $44.25.
