By A Correspondent- Unlike catching a cheating man, nabbing an unfaithful woman is not easy.

This is because like a clumsy bear, men always leave behind trails of their infidelity, like scented perfume and lipstick on their shirts, lodge receipts in pockets and raunchy text messages in their phones.

A Plumtree man’s world fell apart when he busted his wife in a steamy embrace with a man she had been bringing home after she initially introduced him as her church elder.

Njabulo Mpala from Dingumuzi suburb who reportedly vowed never to “trust a woman again” flew into a rage after he caught his now ex-wife Semkelwe Ncube flirting with her lover only identified as Tshuma in their matrimonial bedroom.

The heartbreaking discovery reportedly happened on Saturday last week.

Mpala, an informal trader, reportedly caught Ncube cheating after he received a tip-off from a neighbour that Tshuma who was always visiting Ncube mostly in his absence, had sneaked into his house.

It is reported that when he quickly returned home, after that tip-off, Mpala was in for a shock when he found Ncube on their matrimonial bed while being cuddled in the arms of her “church elder”.

Out of fury, Mpala reportedly meted instant justice on Ncube. In the midst of the chaos, Tshuma reportedly made good his escape.

A witness who spoke on condition of anonymity told B-Metro that Ncube who felt guilty after being busted while cheating on her husband deserted their matrimonial home.

The witness said Mpala was heartbroken after he discovered that the mother of his two children had fooled him when she introduced her lover to him as her church elder.

“MaNcube (Semkelwe) deserted their matrimonial home after her husband caught her red-handed with her lover on their matrimonial bed.

“It was disheartening that the lover was someone who was known to Mpala and was always coming to their house after Semkelwe introduced him to her husband as her church elder,” said the witness.

When reached for comment an inconsolable Mpala could neither confirm nor deny the incident. Instead, he avoided the questions by saying:

“Of course I feel bad, but I can’t change what’s gone on”.

Ncube, however, defended her shenanigans saying it was revenge on her husband who had also been cheating on her.

“It was revenge on my husband after I discovered he had been all along fooling around with another woman,” she said.

-BMetro

By A Correspondent- A self-confessed thigh vendor from Shurugwi who dumped her newly born baby into a Blair toilet claiming the baby was going to distract her in soliciting for clients has been slapped with 235 hours of community service.

Netsai Ngazimbi (24)) of Poshai Village under Chief Nhema left the court shell shocked when she said she dumped the baby in the toilet as it was going to be a major distraction in her thigh vending business.

Ngazimbi appeared before Shurugwi magistrate Sithabile Zungula facing charges of infanticide and concealing child birth and she pleaded guilty.

She told the court that her job needed maximum concentration which she was not going to be able to render had she decided to keep the baby.

“I am a sex worker and l don’t earn much. As a result, l had to get rid of the baby because the baby was going to divide my attention yet l have to focus on my work. Keeping the baby meant that l would have to stay home and not go to work.

“As it is, l do not have food to feed myself so I wasn’t going to afford to buy clothes, food and medication for the baby,” she said.

Circumstances surrounding the matter are that on April 25, at a business centre in Chachacha, Ngazimbi gave birth and wrapped the baby in a cloth. She then proceeded to the toilet and threw the baby in and fled from the scene.

A colleague heard the baby crying and alerted the police. The baby was retrieved from the toilet but died upon admission to a hospital.

An interrogation was conducted and it was established that the baby belonged to the accused leading to her arrest.

-BMetro

By A Correspondent- Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Ellen Gwaradzimba has blasted Zanu-PF youths for hiding behind the party name to default on payment of bank loans.

She made the remarks during the launch of a COVID-19 Youth Relief Fund by the Youth ministry in Mutare early this week. This followed the release of $17 million by government to sustain youth projects disrupted by the COVID-10 pandemic.

The meeting was attended by Youth deputy minister Tinomudaishe Machakaire, Zanu-PF Manicaland chairman Tawanda Mukodza and Zanu-PF central committee member Gertrude Mutandi, among others.

“We are gathered here to witness the disbursement of a youth fund that is aimed to cushion the youths in this COVID-19 period. I want to urge you the youths to be aggressive when doing business,” Gwaradzimba said.

“I am worried because most of the youths have gotten used to not repaying loans advanced to them, claiming it is Zanu-PF’s money. If you fail to repay, others will not benefit. When we are given such money, we should not go on merrymaking.”

The minister urged youths to formalise their businesses.

About 400 beneficiaries walked away with between $3 000 and $5 000 which the youths claimed was too little to start a business.

Mukodza supported Gwaradzimba, saying they always encouraged their youths to repay loans.

“As you are aware, the issue of loans is non-partisan, if any individual fails to pay a loan, he or she is sued. But as a party we fight for our youths to get such loans. Every youth in the country can benefit from loans,” he said.

Machakaire, who was representing his boss Kirsty Coventry, said most of the youths were hesitant to apply for loans.

“I have realised that most of the youths are hesitant to apply for loans. As government, we give you opportunities to succeed and we are also urging you to formalise your businesses. We need you to dream big when doing business,” he said.

Machakaire acknowledged that the money given to youths was little, but promised that government would mobilise more, adding that the issue of loans was non-partisan.

In Mashonaland East, a paltry 13 youths in the province received the loans at a meeting where Marondera Central legislator Caston Matewu (MDC Alliance) was turned away.

Matewu was barred by some Zanu-PF youths from attending the meeting, who told him he was not invited, despite Machakaire saying the youth fund was non-partisan.

“I am disappointed that we have only 13 youths who have benefitted from these government funds, that was only $30 000 disbursed,” Machakaire said.

Some youths, however, expressed disgruntlement over the strenuous process of acquiring documents required to access the loans due to lockdown restrictions, among other things. The 13 youths received a total of $5 000 each.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The government has said the US$75 COVID-19 relief allowance for civil servants and US$30 for retired civil servants is a provisional measure to ease the anguish on its employees and pensioners who are confronted with exorbitant prices in shops.

The government said that it had noted the effects of the unjustified price increases caused by the country’s detractors, elite opportunists and malcontents who are pushing a nefarious agenda to cause regime change.

The Secretary for the Public, Defence, Police and Prisons and Recreational Service Commissions Jonathan Wutawunashe had this to say:

The rationale of that Covid-19 allowance is the anguish that has been reported by civil servants; it is the challenge that people are facing at the point of sale.

So supporting livelihoods at the point of sale is the purpose of that cushion of US$75. However, the US$75 is not going to be in my hand, it is going to be in a Nostro account. It will be issued with a card that one can swipe at the point of sale.

Every civil servant is requested to open a Nostro account and arrangements will be made, and I am sure proper communication will be made to the banks to facilitate the opening of the Nostro accounts.

We are going to work out the details with all stakeholders to ensure that there is soft landing to ensure the intention of the allowance is not lost because it is a cushion, it is a relief measure that is supposed to address the livelihood requirements of civil servants and their families.

Wutawunashe said the awarding the COVID-19 allowance does not shut the door on further negotiations between the Government and its workers.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Veteran journalist Cornelius Nduna has died.

Nduna passed away yesterday morning at his Harare home.

He died suddenly and had no history of any medical condition.

Zimbabwe Union of Journalists secretary-general Foster Dongozi said: “He was an easygoing and gentle giant in the media who easily moved across public and private media and finally became an international correspondent.”

“He was a hilarious colleague who could come up with solutions to difficult situations to get a story or get out of sticky situations.”

Burial arrangements are yet to be announced.

-Newsday

watch the live video loading below ……

watch the live video loading below…….

Chairperson of the MDC T Morgen Komichi has maintained that his party is in charge of the MDC Alliance parliamentarians.

He however added that the MDC Alliance is a new formation.

Watch the live video loading below….

“We are a serious team and we are dedicated…The MDC Alliance is a new formation and we are the original MDC T”: Morgen Komichi

“We cannot afford to sacrifice the values of what we created simply because some people just want to be leaders…Respect the Supreme Court judgement. It was fair….” Morgen Komichi

Watch the live video loading below….

By A Correspondent- Government has been barred from conducting the June examinations unless World Health Organisation guidelines that restrain the spread of coronavirus are met.

The High Court issued a June 26 ultimatum for the government to comply with set guidelines following an application by Teachers Unions.

The government is supposed to provide PPE and implement all procedures and recommendations of WHO before the start of the examinations on June 30.

-DailyNews

WATCH LIVE VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

Watch the live video loading below…

WATCH the live video loading below….

By A Correspondent- First lady Auxilia Mnangagwa has revealed that a number of street children are set to be relocated to Chambuta Children’s Home in Chiredzi after they agreed to abandon street life.

Said Mnangagwa in a facebook post:

“Every society needs children because they are our hope and future. Every child deserves education and life opportunities and as a nation we cannot fully develop if we turn a blind eye to marginalised children.

In 2019, through the Angel of Hope Foundation I made a pledge to create lasting positive change for children living on the streets. We are transforming lives of hundreds of children living on the streets by seeing to their basic needs such as shelter, food and skills training among others.

Yesterday, working together with the Department of Social Welfare, we counselled some children living on the streets in Harare who have agreed to abandon life on the streets and be rehabilitated at Chambuta Children’s Home in Chiredzi.

The true measure of any nation’s humanity is how it treats the most vulnerable among them. Marginalised children are our children and we should not leave them behind

ZimEye will be livestreaming a press conference by the MDC T led by Dr Thokozani Khupe at Morgan Tsvangirai House at 10am.

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

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF Harare Province District Coordinating Committee (DCC) chairman Godwin Gomwe has scoffed at his purported suspension from his position for indiscipline.

The party’s interim chairperson for Harare Metropolitan Province Oliver Chidawu signed a prohibition letter written to Gomwe accusing him of posting statements on social media that tarnished the characters of some senior party officials.

Gomwe told the state media that as acting chairperson, Chidawu did not have authority to institute disciplinary proceedings against him.

Said Gomwe:

Yes, I received a prohibition order from the acting provincial chairman Chidawu, he said. Unfortunately, he does not have the right to give me a prohibition order since he is not a substantive chairman. I will carry on with my duties as the DCC 2 chairperson.

According to the letter, a meeting of the provincial co-ordinating committee that was held on May 28, 2020, resolved to have Gomwe suspended.

Chidawu added that the meeting resolved to recommend to institute disciplinary proceedings against Gomwe by the National Disciplinary Committee.

By A Correspondent- A security guard who allegedly killed her lover for cheating on him with a man based in the diaspora delivered the horrific news of her death to her family over the phone.

Munyaradzai Chinyama killed Chipo Vhunga of Chikanga, Mutare in cold blood on June 3 in Crowborough, Harare following a heated argument over WhatsApp chats with the other boyfriend the deceased was on the verge of getting married to.

Chipo was a security guard and her boyfriend Chinyama worked as a supervisor at the same security firm.

Chipo’s mother Virginia Vhunga denied claims that Chinyama was Chipo’s live-in boyfriend. She said:

The only boyfriend we knew about was a man who resides in the United Kingdom. Chinyama was not our son-in-law, neither was he her live-in-boyfriend.

He stayed in Kuwadzana, while Chipo stayed in Crowborough, Harare. Her UK boyfriend was making plans to come to Zimbabwe for lobola proceedings. Maybe this triggered Chinyama’s wrath.

Chinyama and my daughter were co-workers so maybe it was a case of office romance.

Chipo’s mother added that Chinyama was using Chipo’s phone to communicate with her relatives and friends while on the run and he did not show any remorse.

This was confirmed by Chipo’s young sister, Yolanda who said:

I was informed of Chipo’s death by Chinyama hours after I had sent her some mobile money. I called her mobile with the intention of confirming if she had received the money, only for him to pick up and tell me that he had killed my sister.

He said to me:

‘Muri kutotaura henyu zvemari, Chipo afa uyo (You are concerned about money, Chipo is dead).”

We had to call my other sister and her husband to go and check on her. Within a couple of hours, they confirmed that she was indeed dead.

Chipo was laid to rest last week in Bikita, Masvingo.

Own Correspondent

Residents of Gwanda have thrown blame on soldiers enforcing lockdown measures for graffiti splashed on ZANU PF offices and streets around the town.

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 on Monday 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.

In social media discussions, the residents claim that the high level of lockdown enforcement especially at night by the soldiers would not have allowed an ordinary citizen to execute the risky act.

“It can’t be anyone else but the soldiers, they are the only ones moving around town at night, ” said one resident.

However, sources within ZANU PF 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.

State Media

THERE has been a public outcry after the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) offered the Mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni 3,5 hectares of agricultural land in Lower Rangemore under a 25-year lease at $165 per month rent.

Residents accused the local authority officials of abusing privileges and parcelling out land to cronies at what they described as ridiculously low rentals.

However, some agronomists have argued that the council rentals are much higher than those charged for State agricultural land leases.

Some residents have widely circulated on social media an advert confirming the 25-year land lease being offered to Clr Mguni, arguing that it is tantamount to corruption.

According to the notice flighted on May 29, Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube revealed that that Clr Mguni has been offered a land lease in Rangemore for agricultural purposes on plot Lot 3 of Lot 3 Lower Rangemore.

The lease is for an initial 25-year period while monthly rentals are pegged at $165, subject to review.

The notice states that residents objecting to the proposed lease should submit their written submissions at Tower Block by end of today at the Director of Housing and Community Services offices.

The land should only be used for agricultural purposes.

Mr Dube yesterday said he can only comment after the closure of the period for objections.

Clr Mguni said the offer was above board.

He said his application was born from his passion for agriculture.

“I’ve a passion for agriculture so I applied for land just like any other resident of Bulawayo. Council has an urban agriculture masterplan, so I applied just like any resident could have done. The processes went through all relevant committees and I did not influence the allocation. I was not even in any committee that discussed the matter and when it was brought before the full council meeting, I was not there. To me I think this was above board,” said Clr Mguni.

He said residents have a say on rates or rentals charged for council land hence it was their right to query the rentals if the felt they were too low.

Residents said it did not make sense that council leases prime land for as little as $165 a month for 3,5 hectares.

Mr Methuseli Moyo, whose interests are in farming, said the lease fees were ridiculously low and could result in residents thinking that they kept them that way in order to corruptly benefit.

He said council should review its tariff structure and charge commercial rates for agriculture land in order to realise real value from this finite resource.

“The rates are just too low considering the rates being charged by some farmers who are leasing their farms. This can lead residents to conclude that council officials are deliberately charging low rates so that they benefit from leasing the land for commercial purposes,” he said,

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) coordinator Mr Emmanuel Ndlovu said they will object to the lease offer.

“We are objecting as residents outlining our reasons including abuse of privilege. We are of the view that he is abusing his privilege as Mayor given that no individual monthly council bill is less than $300 per month. What then is the justification to charge $165 a month for 3,5 hectares? Council should be utilising such land to generate revenue instead of abusing the land to benefit a few,” said Mr Ndlovu.

He said as an association they were not aware of the criteria used to allocate land.

“Are the council officials the only ones who applied for those properties? Is it not a conflict of interest where properties are given to individuals who decide how much should be charged as rentals?” said Mr Ndlovu.

An agricultural expert who declined to be named for professional reasons said while it might seem as though the mayor is being offered land for ‘a song’, the rentals are way higher than what is charged for State land.

“I’m a beneficiary of State land, I received five hectares from Government and I am paying just $5 per hectare for the whole year. I believe what council is charging are very competitive rates for agricultural land.

“I also understand that after council increased its rates people like the mayor with 3,5 hectares will be paying $1 600 per month. What is appearing in the advert for objections are old rates,” said the expert.

Matabeleland North Provincial Agritex officer Mr Dumisani Nyoni said the last time he checked, State land was being leased for about $5 per hectare per year.

A People’s Own Savings Bank (Posb) employee is accused of conniving with a senior police officer and a vendor to tamper with the bank’s system and transferring different amounts defrauding the bank of $158 million in the process.

Mercy Meda (34) who was stationed at Causeway Building, Assistant Inspector Tawanda Martin Mavhiya (40) and John Nyika (26) allegedly tampered with the POSB banking system.

The unlikely trio, appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Barbra Mateko charged with fraud.

Alternatively, they were charged with unauthorised access to or use of a computer or network. The trio was not asked to plead to the charges.

The State led by Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti opposed to granting of the trio’s bail saying they were a flight risk.

Mr Mutsokoti also told the court that there was overwhelming evidence against them in the form of receipts of items purchased from proceeds of crime and cellphones used in the commission of the alleged crime.

The State also claims to be in possession of text messages between them when planning to commit the offence.

Meda, through her lawyer, told the court that she was not linked to her co-accused.

She also told the court that she was sleeping at home at the time when the offence was allegedly committed.

Mavhiya and Nyika, through their lawyer told the court that they were not a flight risk.

Mavhiya said he was about to resign from the police service after serving 19 years.

He said he cannot afford to lose his pension and benefits by running away from a weak case.

Magistrate Mateko granted the trio $5 000 bail and the three will report once every fortnight at the police.

Four other alleged accomplices to the offence are still at large.

Circumstances leading to the trio’s arrest are that they connived with four others who are still at large, to defraud POSB.

In pursuant to their plan, on June 13 Meda allegedly made a $32 million deposit into Mavhiya’s bank account.

On the following day, Mavhiya and Nyika went to TM Supermarket in Borrowdale, OK Supermarket in Harare’s city centre and Spar Sam Levy where they purchased groceries worth $6 768.

Meda is also alleged to have deposited $30 000 into Audrey Nhokwara, Harzel Makarawu, Tanaka Trevor Muradzi and Chipo Fifteen’s bank accounts.

On June 15, the POSB international banking manager, Caroline Magonera, reconciled transactions that were made on June 13 on the general ledger account.

The court heard that Magonera noted that there were some transactions with high values, which had irregular sources.

Magonera is said to have notified the POSB authorities who then managed to reverse $156 690 000 from five accounts.

On the same day, Mavhiya and Nyika were arrested, leading to the recovery of groceries worth $4 264, 68.

On Wednesday, Econet released their new tariffs for bundles and data. Yesterday NetOne made their move after announcing that they will be reviewing their tariff structure.

This is what will now be paid for the Netone charges.

Data Bundles

Social Media Bundles

SMS

Own Correspondent

Harare West MP, Joanna Mamombe and two female MDC Alliance activists, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri have approached the High Court seeking bail.

The trio is facing allegations of communicating false statements prejudicial to the State after alleging abduction and torture by suspected security agents last month.

They have been languishing in prison since they were denied bail Monday by Harare magistrate Bianca Makwande on the basis that they were a flight risk.

At the High Court, the activists’ lawyer Alec Muchadehama argued the magistrate erred in denying his clients bail.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

State Media

THE US$75 Covid-19 relief allowance for civil servants, which was announced by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development is really nothing to write home about but just a temporary measure to cushion workers against ongoing price increases, a top official has said.

Secretary for the Public, Defence, Police and Prisons and Recreational Service Commissions Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe said yesterday the Government introduced the US$75 allowance for civil servants and US$35 for pensioners as a provisional measure to ease the anguish on its employees who are confronted with exorbitant prices in shops.

“The rationale of that Covid-19 allowance is the anguish that has been reported by civil servants; it is the challenge that people are facing at the point of sale. So supporting livelihoods at the point of sale is the purpose of that cushion of US$75. However, the US$75 is not going to be in my hand, it is going to be in a nostro account. It will be issued with a card that one can swipe at the point of sale,” said Ambassador Wutawunashe.

This will be done to ensure that the money remained in the formal system and does not leak onto the black market.

Ambassador Wutawunashe said the Government, through relevant authorities, is in discussion with banks to ensure that the opening of nostro accounts that requires a deposit of between US$10 and US$20 does not chew into the cushioning allowance.

“Every civil servant is requested to open a nostro account and arrangements will be made, and I am sure proper communication will be made to the banks to facilitate opening of the nostro accounts. We are going to workout the details with all stakeholders to ensure that there is soft landing to ensure the intention of the allowance is not lost because it is a cushion, it is a relief measure that is supposed to address the livelihood requirements of civil servants and their families,” said Ambassador Wutawunashe.

Allying fears of some sceptics, including civil servants in the Apex Council, Ambassador Wutawunashe said the Government decided to swiftly intervene to bring relief to its workers who were suffering from constant price hikes.

“I am not sure that when the Government recognises a problem that has to be addressed immediately, that impacts on livelihoods, that the Government’s move to bring relief should be subject to debate and criticism. I am not so sure that a beneficiary of relief will be distressed that they are getting relief. What the Government has done, does not in any manner shape or form or cancel the engagements that Government will definitely have with the Apex Council.

“That is why the US$75 measure is clearly an interim measure that is tied to the Covid-19 challenge right now. It does not in any way make a statement about the National Joint Negotiating Council, which is still the valid forum for engagement between Government and representatives of workers. There is no government that would say just because there is a mechanism that can be activated tomorrow, the pain of today cannot be addressed,” he said.

Apart from rolling out the Covid-19 cushion allowance, that will be reviewed in three months’ time, the Government also announced a 50 percent salary hike for its workers and also pledged to introduce non-monetary benefits that will be announced in due course.

With the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) announcing that from Tuesday next week auctions of foreign currency will be used to set the exchange rate — the volatile black market rate that has been used by some shops to benchmark their prices is likely to be reined in, meaning the cushion allowances will come with real value for the Government employees.

Own Correspondent

Hatfield MP Tapiwa Mashakada who recently dumped the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa for Thokozani Khupe’s Supreme Court assembled MDC-T of 2014, has called on his former colleagues in the MDC Alliance including Chamisa to move over to the Khupe party.

In a statement on social media, Mashakada urges for the reunification of the MDC left behind by founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai claiming that all those who are urging Chamisa to stay away from the group are misinforming him.

Reads the statement:

Clarion call to All MDC Party Structures and the 2014 National Council: “Munhu wese mugango/Umuntu wonke embizeni”

The MDC party does not have a substantive leader until the Extra Ordinary Congress chooses a new Leader. The shenanigans that happened after Tsvangirai’s death were all nullified by the Supreme Court. These were:
(1) Chamisa’s takeover and his Congress
(2) Khupe’s Congress

True Democrats must accept the ruling of our courts and comply with the Supreme court ruling. All accusations about some people being sell-outs or bought by Zanu PF are immaterial. It is cheap policking. Let MDC leaders walk the talk on democracy, rule of law and constitutionalism. The MDC family must unite, go to Congress and choose a new leader to replace Morgan Tsvangirai and reaffirm the original position that MDC is a labour backed party, a social democratic party and not a neo-liberal party. The Congress must reposition the new MDC as a Pan-Africanist party with known national values and footprints in Africa. But most importantly, a party that is non tribal, non racial, non sexist. A party with a rural support base. The cabal that is ill-advising my young brother Advocate Nelson Chamisa are making his political Waterloo and spoiling his chances of ever becoming the President of Zimbabwe.

Zikomo. Tatenda, Siyabonga, Twalumba, Thank You, Shokran, Asante Sana, Obrigado, Merci beau coup.

By Dr Tapiwa Maji-Marefu Mashakada

Own Correspondent

Reinstated MDC-T Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora’s daughter Bertha Mwonzora has come out gun blazing to defend her troubled father who is experiencing a bombardment of verbal attacks on social media for turning his back against MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa.

Bertha recorded a video clip in which she said her father is not working for Zanu Pf and urged opposition leaders to come together and find a way to move forward.

Watch Bertha’s video below downloading below. Please be patient while the video downloads.

Zanu PF Harare Province has issued a prohibition order against its District Coordinating Committee (DCC) chairman Godwin Gomwe for indiscipline pending a determination by the ruling party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC).

The ruling party’s interim chairperson for Harare Metropolitan Province Oliver Chidawu said the province wanted the party to suspend Gomwe because of various acts of indiscipline.

“We have submitted our recommendations to the National Disciplinary Committee to suspend Gomwe from carrying any party activities until he is cleared of charges levelled against him,” Chidawu said.

Chidawu signed the prohibition letter accusing Gomwe of posting statements on social media that “tarnish and or defame the characters of some senior party officials namely Chidawu, Kazembe Kazembe — provincial chairman for Mashonaland Central, Biggie Matiza, provincial chairman Mashonaland East and Mike Madiro, provincial chairman Manicaland.”

“You posted several social media messages that went viral accusing the above of not defending His Excellency the President when he was under attack in the old dispensation,” said
Chidawu.

According to the letter, a meeting of the provincial co-ordinating committee that was held on May 28, 2020 resolved to have Gomwe suspended.

“The meeting resolved to recommend to institute disciplinary proceedings against you by the National Disciplinary Committee, said Chidawu.

Contacted for comment, Gomwe dismissed the suspension letter saying as acting chairperson Chidawu did not have authority to institute disciplinary proceedings against him.

“Yes, I received a prohibition order from the acting provincial chairman Chidawu, he said.

Unfortunately he does not have the right to give me a prohibition order since he is not a substantive chairman. I will carry on with my duties as the DCC 2 chairperson.”- The Herald

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance spokesperson, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere says corruption is the country’s main problem.

Speaking during a news conference in the capital Harare on the Thursday Mahere said the MDC Alliance was ready to defend the views of 2,6 million people who voted for the opposition party in 2018.

According to Mahere, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission is a captured institution.Watch video below :

A Chipinge man was sentenced to an effective two years in prison after he broke into the home of a schoolteacher and stole the Holy Bible.

Dingani Mucheto (21) and Simon Gwenzi Chibhoso (19) of Musimbo village under Chief Mapungwana were sentenced for unlawful entry and theft by Chipinge magistrate Joshua Nembaware.

Prosecutor Timothy Katsande told the court that the duo broke into the home of Edith Kaziboni, a teacher at Mundanda Primary School and stole property worth $3 400 on 13 April.

Mucheto and Chibhoso were arrested following a tip-off from members of the public.

Investigations led to the recovery of some of the property and it was later revealed that Mucheto only stole the Bible.

Asked by Nembaware why he had stolen only the Bible, Mucheto said:

I stole the Bible because I just liked it. I fell in love with it, that is why I took it.

However, on convicting the pair, Nembaware noted that they were acting in common purpose.

He sentenced each of them to 36 months of which six were suspended on condition of good behaviour.

The magistrate also suspended a further six months on condition they restitute the complainant jointly or severally, $2 600 through the Chipinge clerk of court on or before August 28 this year- NewsDay

ZIMBABWE SUGAR ASSOCIATION STATEMENT ON THE SUPPLY OF SUGAR….

The Zimbabwe Sugar Association (ZSA) has received numerous enquiries on the availability of sugar in the local market and has also noted, with serious concern, that some retailers and wholesalers are trading sugar at prices way beyond the recommended levels and in some cases with consumers being made to pay in foreign currency notwithstanding the fact that the industry sells and delivers sugar in Zimbabwe dollars.

It has, therefore, become necessary for the ZSA to advise our valuable customers and interested stakeholders as follows:

1. Sugar packing and distribution operations were indeed briefly disrupted during the third week of March 2020 and the first week of April 2020 as the Millers and Refiners were implementing, at short notice, robust measures to protect the more than 20 000 employees from the COVID-19 pandemic.

This resulted in some delivery backlogs to key wholesalers and retailers right across the country.

2. We are pleased, however, to inform all our valued customers that the sugar industry successfully recalibrated its operations and that all the necessary interventions are in place in order to mitigate Consequently, all backlogs have virtually been cleared and normal deliveries are being scaled up to ensure that all areas across the country are fully serviced with immediate effect.
3. We are also pleased to advise that the 2020/21 sugar milling season started successfully and on schedule and that the Sugar Mills are currently operating at full capacity, with no major bottlenecks. The sugar industry expects to produce around 455 000 tons of sugar this season, compared to 441 000 tons in the prior season.

We, therefore, call upon all stakeholders to desist from speculative buying activities and implore wholesalers and retailers to continue selling sugar at the recommended prices.

The sugar industry has resolved to monitor the situation on an on-going basis in order to encourage orderly behaviour in the trade.

The sugar industry will suspend supplies to all those wholesalers and retailers identified as being involved in hoarding and/or speculative activities involving our products.

ZIMBABWE SUGAR ASSOCIATION

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance president, Advocate Nelson Chamisa on Wednesday visited the late Kelvin Choto’s family.

Choto was shot dead by State security agents during the Jan 2019 disturbances.

“Today(Wednesday), I made a surprise visit and joined the Choto family to celebrate the 2yr old Janel Choto’s birthday.

Janel is daughter to the late Kelvin Choto (21) who was shot dead by the state during the Jan 2019 disturbances.

Accountability, Restorative and Rehabilitate Justice, citizen participation and compensation key to durable peace, sustainable stability and true national healing!

A different Zimbabwe is possible,” wrote Advocate Chamisa on Twitter.

A MAN from Inyathi in Matabeleland North who fatally struck his ex-wife several times with an axe on Christmas Eve in 2018 after she had ended their marriage has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for murder.

Vincent Ndlovu (39) of Plot Number 9, Diglis Park, Famona in Inyathi, was customarily married to Hlengiwe Moyo and the couple was on separation at the time she was killed. Moyo, then 26, had moved out of her matrimonial home to live with her parents in a nearby village.

Ndlovu armed himself with an axe and followed her to her parents’ homestead where he struck her several times in the presence of minor children aged 14, six and two years.

Ndlovu was convicted of murder with actual intent when he appeared before Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Maxwell Takuva who is on circuit in Hwange.

The judge said Ndlovu killed a defenceless woman because he could not accept that she had left him.

He sentenced him to an effective 30 years in jail.

Prosecuting, Mr Bheki Tshabalala said Ndlovu sneaked into a kitchen hut where his ex-wife was sleeping at night and was positively identified by the deceased’s 14-year-old younger sister.

Three other minors were in the same hut.
The deceased’s parents were not at home at the time-Chronicle

Own Correspondent

Zimbawe on Wednesday recorded 63 new Covid-19 cases with twenty is those being local infections.

The figure takes the national tally to 464 cases.

Below is the Ministry of Health and Child Care tabulation of figures so far.

Own Correspondent

The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA)said on Thursday it is concerned by increased falsehoods being published against the organisation, highlighting these were meant to incite mass uprisings.

The ZNA cited recent reports which claimed that disaffected members had descended on Bulawayo and beat up innocent civilians in apparent protest against a purported salary cut.

In a statement, ZNA deputy director public relations Major Alex Zuva said the army was a professional organisation which conducted its operations in line with its Constitutional mandate.

He said most of the misinformation was being peddled mainly by online news agencies.

“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 Coronavirus induced lockdown to raise public emotions and anger against the army and the government,” he said.

“On Tuesday 16 June 2020, the Bulawayo24.com ran a series of stories to the effect that the army had taken over the city of Bulawayo. This is a blatant lie as the army was and is still assisting the police to enforce lockdown regulations in order to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The same publication went on to proffer possible scenarios that could have led to the so called takeover by theorising that the soldiers were angry because of the pay cut. Note that 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.”

Major Zuva said the army stood guided by its Constitutional mandate to safeguard the territorial integrity of Zimbabwe.

“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 circumstances does the army go about beating innocent civilians as purported in the series of false stories on the so called Bulawayo takeover,” he said.

Correspondent

Zimbabweans in South Africa are set to have a demonstration against Mnangagwa regime on Friday 19 June 2020.

The demonstration set to take place outside Zimbabwean Embassy in Pretoria will see Zimbabweans residents in South Africa coming together to demonstrate against the corruption, looting and hunger in their country.

One of the organisers from Chapter 2 Movement who spoke to this publication Elvis Mugari said Zimbabweans are invited to participate in their numbers and send a strong message to the Mnangagwa regime that their time is up. ” We have seem massive looting and corruption under Mnangagwa. Our people are in pain, it time for us as Zimbabweans to act.We invite all Zimbabweans who can get to Pretoria Embassy on Friday 19 June to please come in your numbers. This is a non partisan demonstration, we need every voice. Don’t forget your mask and we will maintain all social distancing regulations.” He said.

The Pretoria demonstration follows a wave of demonstrations by doctors and nurses in Harare and Bulawayo the past two days. All massive demo of all civil servants is set for the 22nd of June 2020.

John Bredenkamp, a controversial millionaire businessman who captained the national rugby side before independence has died, the Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) announced on Thursday.

He was 79.

“It is with a heavy and sad heart that the president of the ZRU announces the sad passing of our former Sables player and captain John Bredenkamp this morning,” the ZRU said in a statement.

One of Zimbabwe’s richest people, Bredenkamp was reputed to have amassed a personal fortune of US$870 million from activities such as sanctions busting on behalf of the Rhodesian regime, tobacco trading, arms sales and diamond mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Born in Kimberley, South Africa, in 1940, Bredenkamp moved to Zimbabwe with his parents as a child, and worked in the tobacco industry after finishing high school at Prince Edward in Harare.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, in the interest of time, I am going to get straight to the point.

Over the last few weeks, we have seen a blatant attempt by the State and its proxies to keep us distracted by side-shows masquerading as national issues.

However, on behalf of the 2.6 million Zimbabweans who put their faith in the MDCAlliance we are putting the state and all its operators on notice. We will not be distracted from the real issues bedevilling our nation.

The real issue is that Corruption is killing us.

Let’s start with the numbers:

In 2017, US$2.7 billion disappeared under Command Agriculture. Of that US$2.7 billion, US$1.5 billion was withdrawn on a single day, the 27th of December 2017.

In 2018, US$3.5 billion dollars was unaccounted for under Command Agriculture.

We await the next Auditor General’s report but anticipate this pattern of state looting
will continue.

7.7 million Zimbabweans face food insecurity in a nation of approximately 15.6 million people.

This means that an estimated 5.5 million people in rural Zimbabwe and a further 2.2
million people in urban Zimbabwe are facing food insecurity over the next year.
When the MDC trio demonstrated against this hunger, they were abducted, tortured
and sexually assaulted. They were persecuted for speaking out on behalf 7.7
million Zimbabweans. Corruption is literally starving us.

63% of Zimbabweans live below the poverty line. Despite the over US$6billion that has been poured into Command Agriculture, Zimbabwe faces, what the UN has described as, its worst hunger crisis in a decade.

The UN went a step further to classify this crisis as “man-made”.

According to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, women and children
are “bearing the brunt of the crisis” with 90% of children aged six months to two
years not consuming enough food.
29.9% of urban households are cereal insecure.

Corruption is killing us.

Mr Mnangagwa signed the Zimbabwe Domestic and Humanitarian Appeal for
Assistance in April 2020 appealing for a total of US$2,2 billion worth of
humanitarian aid over the next 12 months.
Of that money only US$955,67 million is required for the food insecurity response.
This is far less than the US$3.5 billion looted under Command Agriculture in 2018.

In fact, the entire amount requested in aid for 2020 is less than what has been spent
propping up those who benefit from looting money under the Command

Agriculture scheme.
This has not only left us unproductive but extremely vulnerable.
In Mr Mnangagwa’s appeal for US$2,2 billion I have referred to, US$37 million6
was requested for health yet we have seen the attempted looting of contracts up to
the value of US$60 million due to dubious procurement processes and the
insatiable appetite of those right at the very top.
Prisca Mupfumira is alleged to have looted funds from NSSA in excess of US$95
million. The amounts looted through these corrupt acts would have been enough to
fund health assistance over two times over; yet Mrs Mupfumira walks free. No
accountability. No political will to bring her or her accomplices to book.
In the past few weeks, Covidgate has implicated senior government officials
including those at the very, very top yet all we see are theatrics, weak
investigations and the arrest of the smallest, weakest, least powerful fish.
o Why is Obadaiah Moyo walking free?
o Why is George Guvamatanga walking free?
o Why is Mthuli Ncube walking free?
o Why is Collins Mnangagwa walking free?
Corruption is killing us.
In 2019 we saw allegations of 17 000 tonnes of maize being imported from Tanzania
at US$600 a tonne while world prices were at US$240 a tonne. There was no
investigation into this allegation and the public is still left wondering who
organised this contract and who benefits from it?
According to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) itself, quoting
Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ), Zimbabwe loses at least US$1.8
billion a year to corruption. This figure is conservative.
Corruption is killing us.
Quite simply, the State has employed all manner of distractions disguised as foiled coup plots, army backed takeovers of private property, RTGS payments dressed as USD allowances, and many other theatrics. However, we say unequivocally: we will not be distracted. Corruption is killing us!

Way forward

We want decisive and tangible action.
We demand a public, televised inquiry into the Covidgate Scandal
We are sick and tired of corruption being swept under the carpet and the perpetrators
of corruption being exonerated behind closed doors to the detriment of the citizens.
It is the citizens that the pay the price for the looting, so we demand answers. It is the
citizens who bear the brunt of the bad governance, so we demand accountability.
Corruption is killing us.
If ZACC cannot act independently and transparently it should be disbanded. We are
tired of the catch and release strategy being employed when dealing with the most
damning corruption scandals. The true independence of ZACC must be part of a
raft of wider political reforms.
If corruption is everywhere, but ZACC is mute, the inescapable conclusion that the
public will reach is that this important institution in the fight against corruption has
become captured. We want ACTION because corruption is killing us. Arrest the
big fish. Investigate the cases thoroughly.
o Where is Prisca Mupfumira?
o Where is the NSSA investigation?
o What is being done to investigate corruption at ZINARA? At ZIMSEC and
at all the parastatals that were named in the Auditor General’s report?
The Auditor General does all the work, but her reports gather dust and are not
followed up by any meaningful investigation, prosecution or conviction.
Corruption is killing us.
In terms of s255 of the Constitution, ZACC has a duty to not only investigate
corruption but to expose it as well. We have not had a single exposé of corruption
from ZACC. Not one. Yet we know, from the Auditor General, from our
journalists, from reports from the IMF, the UN Special Rapporteur on Hunger and
our own lived daily experiences that Corruption is killing us.
Billions are being lost each year and there has not been a single call from ZACC for
the looters to pay back the money. We make that demand now. They must pay
back the money because corruption is killing us.
We demand the strengthening of the National Prosecution Authority. It should not be
an arm of the president’s office. In terms of section 260 of the Constitution, the
Prosecutor General (PG) must exercise his or her functions impartially and without
fear, favour, prejudice or bias. The PG is accountable to the public. In terms of
section 260(2), the PG must formulate and “publicly disclose” the general
principles by which he or she decides whether and how to institute and conduct
criminal proceedings. We demand an explanation as to why top govt officials have
not been arrested. What principles are protecting those at the top? Why are they
allowed to steal with impunity? Yet, MDC Alliance members who protest hunger
are arrested, abducted, tortured, sexually assaulted then re-arrested? The citizens
have to know, in fact, we demand to know, what principles, are guiding the
functions of the NPA as it carries out what are meant to be its constitutional
functions? Corruption is killing us.
In parliament we are going to push for amendments to the Public Finance
Management Act so that there are consequences for those who do not comply with
the requirement to timeously report and account to Parliament on government
spending. There has to be a personal cost and personal liability to these leakages
caused by corruption and maladministration.
We demand that every public officer must declare their assets as was promised in
January 2018 and this disclosure must be made available to public scrutiny and
where necessary lifestyle audits conducted by ZIMRA.
Conclusion

At the beginning of 2020, President Advocate Nelson Chamisa outlined the MDC Alliance’s 5 Big
Fights. We take the fight against corruption seriously and we will not be deterred
from pursuing it on all fronts including in parliament, through protest, and even on
social media. We refuse to accept any distraction that is not in the public interest.
Right now, corruption is killing us. The architects and perpetrators of this
corruption must be brought to book.
The MDC Alliancehas set out a comprehensive programme for the resolution of the
national crisis in its Road to Economic Recovery, Legitimacy, Openness And
Democracy (RELOAD) is the MDC’s comprehensive agenda to end Zimbabwe’s
current economic crisis
Economies are not resuscitated by fasting and prayer. They are resuscitated by good
governance, transparency and accountability. The only demon binding our
economy is that of corruption.

Watch video downloading below. Please be patient as the video downloads.

Reports just received indicate that Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo has been arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission.

Moyo’s arrest was imminent after he snubbed a summon to appear before the Commission on Tuesday.

Moyo was summoned by the commission over a multi million dollar deal by his Ministry which was corruply awarded to Drax Sagl, a company that was 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’s arrest follows that of Natpharm chief executive Florah Sifeku and other officials who were also asked to submit similar reports to ZACC last week.

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.

ZIMRA and veterinary services have been condemned for subjecting nearly 20 000 chicks smuggled from South Africa to inhumane treatment.

The Herald on Thursday reported that police intercepted two men smuggling a consignment of 19 600 day-old chicks across the Limpopo River from South Africa into Zimbabwe.

The chicks were taken to Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) officials where they were all burnt alive with guidance from veterinarians.

Commenting on the development, United Kingdom-based law lecturer Alex Magaisa said the “casual” manner in which the issue was reported is “unsettling”. Said Magaisa:

The image of chicks being burnt alive, some desperately scurrying for cover is disturbing. That a national paper publishes it and the Secretary for Information tweets it so casually is unsettling. Whatever the health considerations, birds and animals deserve humane treatment.

But it’s probably an appropriate metaphor of this regime and its enablers. If they don’t care about and can abuse abduction and torture victims; if they can shoot unarmed civilians in the back and claim they were shooting at a 45-degree angle; day-old chicks are a minor job.

Pindula

263chat

MUTARE residents yesterday rejected proposed amendments to the Constitution saying they entrench power in individuals contrary to the principles of separation of power, transparency and accountability.
Speaking during a public hearing on the Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 2, residents, Community Based Organisations (CBO), Civic Society Organisations (CSO) and academia, dismissed proposed amendments to the 2013 Constitution.

Citizens turned out in their numbers, resulting in the chair of the Parliament team, Priscilla Misihairambwi Mushonga creating two separate groups, one inside Queens Hall, while other sat outside the hall in observance of social distance.

Health teams were on hand to check people’s temperatures, sanitize hands and enforce social distance, as people initially jostled for entrance into the venue forcing a brief adjournment of proceedings.

In oral submissions, there was a resonating message in most submissions made by residents, who demanded that government should make tangible steps to align laws to the Constitution and fully implement it before effecting retrogressive amendments.

Residents also questioned the prudence of amending the Constitution through a Bill of parliament, when it was a byproduct of an extensive outreach program (COPAC) and voted for by the people through a referendum.

Centre for Research and Development, James Mupfumi said the amendments should not see the light of day as they are a drawback on the principles of good governance and violate founding principles of the constitution.

Mupfumi said the amendments would allow the executive unfettered powers to borrow, enter into agreements that place financial obligations on the fiscus without being accountable to the Parliament.

He said the executive should not be allowed to augment its powers, but should be pushed to fulfill some of the promises made by the new dispensation that it would accelerate reforms to strengthen founding principles and values of the constitution.

“We have a progressive constitution that protects the rights of the people so we have a keen interest in it, particularly those that may want to amend it in violation of the founding principles of transparency, citizen participation and accountability.

“Three quarters of the proposed amendments remove or violates the fundamental values of the constitution, so we are totally against this.

“We actually wish that government comes up with bills that cement realization of the protection of human rights and strengthen citizen participation, transparency and accountability in governance,” said Mupfumi.

He added, “The only amendment that we wish is carried forward is the one relating to provincial councils because it ensure the principle of separation of powers is realised and that devolution is effectively implemented.”

Youths also spoke against the amendments, under the banner of the National Association of Youth Organizations (NAYO) rejecting proposals which it said would limit public participation and judicial accountability.

It rejected several amendments, in extensive position paper, which it said were contradictory to constitutional provisions and would result in power excesses by the executive in violation of principles of transparency and oversight.

NAYO said the amendment on youth quota ‘directly impacts on the constitutional objective for youth representation and participation in political, social, economic and other spheres of life considering that the youth demographic makes up 60% of Zimbabwe’s total population.’

“…Amendment impacts on the democratic rights of the youths as an important social group and also the democratic space afforded the young people of Zimbabwe in governance issues.”

On the amendment on parliamentary oversight on fiscal obligations, NAYO said “…exclusion of Parliament in approving the validity of such agreements does go against the spirit and purport of the Constitution as well as against principles of transparency and oversight.

“It goes against transparency, good governance, accountability, fiscal probity, principles of good administration and other foundational values and principles of the Constitution.”

Some of the proposed amendments to the Constitution include the abolishing of the Presidential running mate, appointment of Judges of Superior Courts instead of public interviews- where the President would be able to promote judges without interviews.

Amendments would also give the President given power to appoint 7 Ministers who are not MPs instead of the current 5, extension of the women’s quota Proportional Representation for 10 more years from 2023, despite the constitution affirming gender parity of 50/50.

CITE

Hundreds of Bulawayo residents turned up at a parliamentary public hearing to reject the proposed Constitutional Amendment No.2 Bill, which seeks to introduce at least 27 amendments to the 2013 constitution.

The proposals are being pushed by the Emmerson Mnangagwa led government and three teams of the Parliamentary Committee on Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs have been sent to hold meetings across the country.

In Bulawayo, the meeting was held on Wednesday afternoon at a local hotel and was presided over by Makoni South MP Misheck Mataranyika.

Before the meeting started residents had already formed a long winding queue waiting their turn to gain access to the meeting room due to Covid-19 regulation which only allows a maximum of 50 people at a public gathering.

Seeing the numbers that were present, the parliamentary portfolio resolved to allow them into the meeting in batches in line with COVID -19 regulations.

Speaker after speaker argued why the government was in a rush to amend the 2013 constitution when it had not been implemented fully and said the government had failed to consult people on whether it should be amended.

The general sentiment was the proposed Bill would compromise the principle of separation of power, as it seeks to give President Emmerson Mnangagwa excessive power.

Contentious issues that residents rejected involved extension of women seats in parliament saying they wanted 50-50 representation, the additional number of unelected ministers and mostly, the retirement age of judges where the amendment seeks to increase it to 75 years from the mandatory 70 years.

Currently, Section 186 of the Constitution (Tenure of office for Judges) states the mandatory retirement age for judges is 70 years where judges of the Constitutional Court are appointed for a non-renewable term of not more than fifteen years.

A resident, Charles Dube said the amendments were an excuse for political expediency.

“Instead of giving token seats to women and youth, the constitution should focus on structural issues that prevent these groups from participating in elections. Addressing symptoms will not work because it’s the nature of politics that drives people away. Even the age of when one can be eligible to become a judge is 40 years what happens to capable young legal minds out there who want to be judges,” he asked.

Another resident, Themba Maphosa said the quota system given to youth and women should be scrapped as awarding them numbers in government did not mean their voices would be heard.

“Why patch a new dress before it is worn? Who came up with these amendments and why should a president appoint own judges, as that compromises the judiciary,” he said.

A youth activist and artist, Desire Moyo said the 10 seats that were supposed to be allocated to the youth should be scrapped off.

“Youths are capable to be elected on own merit, besides the 10 seats are few to hold real power,” he said.

Ward 17 Councillor Sikhululekile Moyo from argued that amending the seven-year-old constitution was already violating it.

“Where is devolution? It has not been fully implemented but now the government want to change what we the people sat down and voted yes for,” she noted.

An overwhelming 94.49 percent voted for the 2013 Constitution at a referendum.

Last week civil society organisations and trade unions called on the Parliament to suspend the public hearings on the proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 2 Bill saying the discussions may not bring the desired outcome as only a few people would be allowed, and that would not reflect the view of the populace.

NewsDay

Civil servants through their supreme representative body, the Apex council, on Thursday rejected a 50 percent pay hike announced by the government as well as the US$75 Covid-19 allowance saying the two packages were not a product of inclusive negotiations.

On Wednesday Finance minister Mthuli Ncube announced that civil servants would start receiving pay hikes of 50 percent starting this month and an untaxed US$75 allowance for the next three months.

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba also immediately announced on micro blogging site Twitter that the forex payments would not be received in cash form but on electronic cards to avoid feeding the black market in a development that started dampening spirits of the public workers.

In a statement on Thursday, the Apex council chairperson Cecilia Alexander effectively derailed government’s plans to please its restive workers by rejecting the offers on the basis the body was not consulted prior to the adjustments.

“Matters to do with conditions of service have to be a product of consultations between social partners at forums provided for at law. No party should unilaterally decide for others as is the case here,” said Alexander.

“Apex  council stands by its position paper that it presented to the NJNC (National Joint Negotiating Council) demanding that salaries be paid in USD and that the figure be a product of negotiations.”

The Apex leader also pointed out that the US$75 allowance is “thumb-suck and not with our input” further urging government to call an emergency meeting to resolve the impasse.

She said Apex council was happy that it had finally dawned on the government which previously insisted on the sole use of the moribund Zimbabwean dollar currency, that the economy had actually dollarised.

“… the civil service Apex council appreciates the government’s efforts to address the plight of its workers, and the acknowledgement though belated, that the economy has dollarised and so should salaries. This, therefore, buttresses our call for an urgent NJNC to deliberate on salaries and conditions of workers in order to co-own the outcomes as demanded for at the law,” said Alexander.

Teachers also reiterated that they reject the Government offer.

In an interview with NewsDay, Takavafira Zhou, the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president said: “The real challenge is the callous reduction of salaries from US dollar to local currency. Teachers who were earning US$550 have been reduced to US$34 and even the 50% salary increase is a drop of water in an ocean and will fundamentally keep teachers in poverty and penury.”

Civil servants and the government have often bickered over salaries, with solutions often being said to be piecemeal.

Nurses said they were incapacitated and were withdrawing their services, as the fallout over eroded wages deepened.

Own Correspondent

Health practitioners at Bulawayo’s United Bulawayo Hospital (UBH) this morning (Thursday) staged a demonstration demanding improved salaries.

They also rejected the government’s US$75.00 COVID-19 offer which was announced by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development on Wednesday.

The government has clarified that the allowance will not be paid in cash but public sector workers will be given purchasing electronic cards which they will then use to pay for goods and services.

Doctors and nurses have rejected the “rebased-RTGS dollar” with one of the placards written, “I work with my hands, I want my US$ Nostro in my hands”.

Watch video downloading below and pictures, courtesy of CITE.

Own Correspondent

Health Workers (nurses, doctors, pharmacy technicians, midwives, etc) have withdrawn their services with effect from today due to low wages. A letter to their employer said they were incapacitated and cited their reasons.

Read the full statement below:

Further to our 23 of May 2020 communication to the employer citing harsh macro economic conditions characterized by hyperinflation exchange rate volatility, and three tier pricing system. The Health Apex position suggested a need for a Cost of Living Adjustment in the second quarter of 2020, Sadly up to now, no formal communication has been received from the employer by was of writing or convening of the HSBNP

Since that date up to now the social-economic situation has continued to deteriorate with the inflation  rate reaching 780% and the and exchange rate reaching over ZWL $90 to 1 USD. The bread basket for a family of 6 as measured by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe is now pegged at ZWL 8500. The current ZWL $3000 salaries can’t sustainably take care of the families of health care workers under the prevailing socio-economic situation,

Again the Health Sector Specific Allowances which were awarded backdated to 1 January 2020 were not paid according to the CBA 2 of 2020. But back pay has been eroded by inflation. To that end the Healthcare workers arc economically incapacitated to continue reporting for duty until the renumeration  package is reviewed to their satisfaction.

We haee noted with great concern the circular on various media platforms that the government has offered USD75 as Covid19 allowance across board and this is applaudable as this is a global trend during this pandemic. However, we as health care workers await for a communique based on CBA on our allowances pegged in United States Dollars, our members have rejected the current offer of USD 75 with the contempt it deserves.

The Healthcare worker, demands that salaries revert back to the 1st of October digits that were pessed in USD Which is a stable currency that can store value of that salary. In that way, pensions, savings, medical aid, funeral policies will not continue to be eroded.

This letter serves to inform you that the health care workers as you might have witnessed have already taken matters into their hands and have withdrawn their services.

Therefore we would like to officially communicate as the Health Apex that health workers have withdrawn their services with immediate effect until our demands have been met.

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) expresses its full solidarity support to the healthcare workers strike who are demanding dignified working conditions and better remuneration. We are therefore calling on the employer, the government of Zimbabwe to expedite negotiations with the workers, who are on strike and accede to their reasonable demands.

The Coalition is fully supportive of the healthcare workers withdrawal of their labour because they have, in the past held prolonged negotiations with the stubborn government in demanding decent remuneration and an improvement in working conditions. The demonstrations also came after the government slashed their June salaries by $2 000 per worker. We are disappointed that the healthcare workers have not been getting decent wages and their income is not in tandem with the soaring inflation and high cost of living.

In this light, we take note of the intervention by the government of Zimbabwe on Wednesday afternoon by introducing a US$75 Covid-19 allowance for all civil servants while their monthly salaries have been increased by 50%.

We also support the decision by the healthcare workers in rejecting the Covid-19 allowances and demanding that the salaries revert back to the 1st of October 2018 digits that were quoted in USD which is a stable currency that cab store value on that salary.

We therefore urge, the Health Services Board to immediately act to avert this unnecessary strike by presenting a new serious offer to the healthcare workers.

Thus, we are calling on society and all the progressive forces to support this strike and calling on the Health Services Board to go back to the negotiating table with a settlement offer.

As CiZC, we have noted in the past with concern that the government of Zimbabwe government is unwilling to accede to these demands without waging a savage anti-worker campaign of intimidation, arrests and without unleashing the barbarism of police violence on workers.

We value human life and would not want the strike to lead to unnecessary loss of lives hence the need to resolve the underlying issues urgently.

More importantly, we take this opportunity to call on the government of Zimbabwe to seriously address the rampant corruption that has caused devastating effects on the country’s economy. The government of Zimbabwe should, therefore, urgently call for an all stakeholders dialogue as a way of unlocking the multi-faceted socio-economic and political crisis facing Zimbabwe.

The national dialogue the process should seek to safeguard citizens’ interests through the restoration of the social contract between citizens and the government.

This national dialogue process must not be restricted to political parties but should rather bring on board a cross-section of stakeholders including civic society, labour, religious groups, business among other critical stakeholders. Its main focus should be premised on a set of agreed reforms to the economy, social and political governance.

Issued by:
Marvellous Kumalo
Spokesperson

By Own Correspondent| In a bid to comply with the provisions of the High Court Order on the provision of water during the lockdown period, the Harare Water Department has increased it water coverage to areas that has been not receiving water for more than 10 years.

The development has been welcomed by Mabvuku and Tafara residents who have consistently received water for two days in three consecutive weeks.

Supply of municipal piped water has managed to decongest most community boreholes and people accessing water from mobile water bowsers which are potential areas of the spread of COVID 19 virus.

“At least there is some change now some parts of Mabvuku are now receiving water two days from Sunday to Monday but we also expect Council to make extra efforts to make sure that water reaches Mushandike and Kugarika Kushinga area”, said Ms Hanyani a Ward 19 Resident.

Another Tafara Resident stated “at least now we have a reason to pay our rates this is better”

Speaking on the matter the Harare Water Distribution Manager, Engineer Chinyanya said, “As Harare Water we are sticking to water rationing plan of late we have been trying it but there are some take off which were happening as some areas have been receiving water consistently at the expense of others but currently we are managing it to make sure some dry areas received water too.”

The Combined Harare Residents Association applauds the City’s efforts of equitably sharing the water being produced by the local authority as it goes a long way in ensuring house hold hygiene especially during the COVID era.

However, CHRA is calling on the local authority to improve its water supply coverage to other remaining areas of Harare and work on its billing on water as it has serious potential of soiling these positive developments.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance president, Advocate Nelson Chamisa on Wednesday visited the late Kelvin Choto’s family.

Choto was shot dead by State security agents during the Jan 2019 disturbances.

“Today(Wednesday), I made a surprise visit and joined the Choto family to celebrate the 2yr old Janel Choto’s birthday.

Janel is daughter to the late Kelvin Choto (21) who was shot dead by the state during the Jan 2019 disturbances.

Accountability, Restorative and Rehabilitate Justice, citizen participation and compensation key to durable peace, sustainable stability and true national healing!

A different Zimbabwe is possible,” wrote Advocate Chamisa on Twitter.

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Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance spokesperson, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere says corruption is the country’s main problem.

Speaking during a news conference in the capital Harare on the Thursday Mahere said the MDC Alliance was ready to defend the views of 2,6 million people who voted for the opposition party in 2018.

According to Mahere, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission is a captured institution.Watch video below :

The current bank exchange rates for the ZWL$ today are as follows:

• USD to ZWL$: 25.00
• ZWL$ to RAND: 0.6898

Data according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

Black Market Rates

• OMIR $114.32
• USD to ZWL$ zimrates.com  $00.00
• USD to ZWL$  zwl365.com $00.00
• USD to ZWL$ bluemari.info $00.00
• USD to BOND: zimrates.com $00.00

In a statement to clarify the unusual development, bluemari.info said:

The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has dealt what could be considered a death blow to the black market. Traders have gone to ground as of this morning.

To reflect the situation on ground bluemari will not reference any rates until we are able to re-establish the rates from sources.

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere has scoffed at the MDC T led by Dr Thokozani Khupe and her team for claiming MDC Alliance legislators arguing that the MPs drew their mandate from the electorate and the people of Zimbabwe.

Addressing journalists at the Media Centre Thursday, Mahere said:

“You cannot say I own these MPs, they are mine and i am going to keep on recalling them you cannot say you represent people in parliament when those people are saying we do not want to be represented by you.

The MDC Alliance is a seperate distinct political party from the MDC T. These are seperate distinct political parties. the two cannot be conflated. The 2.6 million people that voted for the MDC Alliance they knew exactly who they were voting for…they were not confused.

They had the choice to vote for the MDC T or the MDC Alliance… they knew who exactly they were voting for and they chose decisively the MDC Alliance.”

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The MDC Alliance has said the party will not be distracted from challenging corruption and calling for the arrest of all the elites implicated in the COVIDGATE scandal.

Addressing the media at a press conference at the Media Centre in Harare, Fadzayi Mahere, the MDC Alliance spokesperson said her party will not be distracted from uprooting and bringing to book those responsible for the root cause of the country’s economic woes.

“Stop the threats and bring to justice those responsible for COVIDGATE,” said Mahere.

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