MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere has said the party will file papers to the High Court opposing Magistrate Bianca Makwande’s ruling…

MDC Alliance Youth Assembly leaders Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova were remanded in custody to June 26.

Watch video below:

MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere has said the recent move by the state to deny bail for the abducted and tortured MDC Alliance trio is a travesty of justice.

Speaking to ZimEye shortly after magistrate Bianca Makwande ruled that the girls be remanded in custody to June 26, Mahere revealed that the MDC Alliance trio have been denied food since their arrest on Friday.

She said:

“….no woman should be victimised simply for reporting injustices pepetrated at the hands of the state… the women are being victimised for speaking out… the police are supposed to protect its citizens not vice versa.. We will obviously appeal..

It is however disheartening that the girls have not been allowed access to food since Friday and they have not eaten anything… it is obvious that they are being victimised…”

Watch the live video loading below

MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere has said the recent move by the state to deny bail for the abducted and tortured MDC Alliance trio is a travesty of justice.

Speaking to ZimEye shortly after magistrate Bianca Makwande ruled that the girls be remanded in custody to June 26, Mahere revealed that the MDC Alliance trio have been denied food since their arrest on Friday.

She said:

“….no woman should be victimised simply for reporting injustices pepetrated at the hands of the state… the women are being victimised for speaking out… the police are supposed to protect its citizens not vice versa.. We will obviously appeal..

It is however disheartening that the girls have not been allowed access to food since Friday and they have not eaten anything… it si obvious that they are being victimised…”

Watch the live video loading below

By A Correspondent- The MDC Alliance trio Jona Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova have been denied bail and remanded in custody to June 26.

In opposing bail, Magistrate Bianca Makwande said she felt satisfied that the state had claimed that it had evidence confirming that the three girls faked their abduction.

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The state claims would therefore lead to a jail sentence hence the state feared that if granted bail, the trio had chances of escaping justice.

ZimEye will be livestreaming a statement shortly by party spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere regarding the development.

Refresh this page for latest updates….

A form Six pupil at Hwange High School has been sentenced to an effective six months in jail after she gave birth at home and dumped the baby near a stream.

Barbara Munenge (20), who stays with her mother in Lwendulu Village in Hwange appeared in court for concealing the birth of a child, two years after she was sentenced to a wholly suspended eight months jail term for terminating a pregnancy.

The previous jail term was suspended on condition that she does not commit a similar case within five years. This time around, she was lucky not to have the suspended eight months brought into effect because the current charge was technically different from the first one as she was charged with concealing the birth of a child.

In the latest case, Munenge gave birth at night while at home on Saturday last week.

She wrapped the baby with a cloth and put it in a satchel before dumping it near a sewer stream in a bush near the suburb.

It is not clear if the baby was alive but police only found the head when they attended the scene and it is suspected that the body was eaten by dogs or crocodiles.

Police arrested Munenge following a tip-off through an anonymous letter. She pleaded guilty to concealing the birth of a child when she appeared before Hwange magistrate Ms Rangarirai Gakanje who slapped her with an effective six months in jail.

In mitigation, Munenge said she dumped the baby because the person responsible for the pregnancy had denied responsibility.

“The person who made me pregnant had promised to marry me. He used that to convince me into unprotected sex and then he denied responsibility so I had no option because I stay with my mother who is not employed and cannot take care of my baby,” said Munenge.

Prosecuting, Mr John Chisango Mutyakaviri said the head was taken to the mortuary waiting for postmortem.

He said police received an anonymous letter on June 6 that the 20-year-old had committed a crime leading to her arrest after investigations. She led police to the site where she had dumped the baby and the head was found.

-Online

By Court Correspondent | The MDC female activists who include MP Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova have been denied bail.

Ruling on Monday, the magistrate Bianca Makwande said the state has compelling evidence that they faked abduction.

She added saying, she feels that the evidence that state claims to have will lead to jail sentence hence they have chances of escaping justice.

(Readers note- ZimEye has a boulder of evidence to prove this was clearly an abduction and the bundle contains leads to two state security agents.- Documentary will be broadcast shortly)

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By A Corresppondent- The MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe is having its Standing Committee meeting as well as a press conference today at the Harvest House in Harare, just a week after evicting the rival MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa from the building associated with Zimbabwe’s fight against Zanu-PF rule.

In a statement inviting the media, the party said security would be tight. The heightened security measures are in light of fears that youths aligned to the dislodged MDC Alliance camp might seek to launch a strike back said a source affiliated to the Mwonzora camp.

When youths aligned to the Khupe camp seized control of the Harvest House on the 4th of this month, MDC-T Secretary-General Douglas Mwonzora advised that all future meetings would be held at the building which is the citadel of opposition politics in Zimbabwe.

Said Mwonzora in the short notice addressed to the party’s National Council on 4th June:

“The party wishes to advise that following communication sent by the acting President Dr. T Khupe to Advocate Nelson Chamisa, the latter has today (last night) through party officials allowed for a peaceful handover takeover of control of the Morgan Tsvangirai House (Harvest House).”

“Calling for a prayer seems innocent, so why not join President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s National Day of Prayer?”

WATCH THE LIVE VIDEO LOADING BELOW AS HOWARD NYONI UNMASKS MNANGAGWA’S COVID- 19 PRAYERS……

11:20 am: Waiting for rulingon bail application for MDC Alliance trio

10:57 am: Netsai Marova arrives for the court case

10:55 am: Two of the three MDC Alliance yuth leaders arrive at court

10:30 am- The magistrate is yet to arrive for the court case where the MDC Alliance trio Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova are appearing before a Harare magistrate following their arrest last week.

Below are pictures of MDC Alliance stalwarts who are in solidarity with the three youth leaders.

By A Correspondent- Exiled former ZANU PF political commissar Saviour “Tyson” Kasukuwere has denied claims by the Government of Zimbabwe that he is behind “rumours” of an imminent military coup.

In his statement issued on June 15th, Kasukuwere said as a victim of the November 2017 coup himself, he would never attempt or conspire to carry out a coup of any sort.

Below is Kasukuwere’s statement in full:

FROM THE DESK OF SAVIOUR KASUKUWERE

15 June 2020

STATEMENT ON COUP PLOT RUMOUR

I make this statement in response to the allegations contained in a press statement released by the Government of Zimbabwe, as read by Minister of Home Affairs, R. Kazembe Kazembe on Wednesday 10 June 2020.

The allegations are that myself, along with other individuals are peddling rumours on an alleged coup plot.

This is laughable and I deny this unfounded allegation levelled against me and dismiss it with the contempt it deserves.

I am a firm believer in constitutionalism and would never attempt or conspire to carry out a coup of any sort.

I myself, am a victim of the November 2017 coup and retain the scars of this horrific event.

Our nation has greater challenges that behove us all to rise beyond narrow interests and place the collective security and survival of our people at the centre of governance.

Threats and efforts to eliminate those viewed as adversaries to the powers that be are unfortunate and should have no place in a democratic Zimbabwe.

The nation faces a plethora of difficulties that require a united front in order to secure the collective interests of the people of Zimbabwe.

The challenges are not insurmountable and I am a Zimbabwean who desires to see the best for our nation and her people.

Thank you,

Saviour Kasukuwere

By A Correspondent- Top Zanu-PF officials and legislators from the Midlands province on Friday reportedly snubbed a field day at Lozani Farm, Kwekwe, where Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga was guest of honour as factionalism in the ruling party intensifies.

While it is tradition for top officials including party legislators or Cabinet ministers to grace State events officiated by a member of the Presidium, there was a record low number of heavyweights at the Friday event.

Zanu-PF has 22 MPs in the province.

Highly-placed sources said reports of fissures in the ruling party which forced Home affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe to denounce plans for a coup to topple President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week were some of the reasons why several officials stayed away from the event.

“People are gripped with uncertainty especially these days where reports of factionalism that created fissures during the (late former President Robert) Mugabe era begin to emerge. In Midlands, people in the party want to show extreme loyalty to number 1 (Mnangagwa), so the majority snubbed the event in order to send that message,” the source said.

Notable top party officials who attended the event include provincial spokesperson Cornelia Mpereri, and Chirumanzu-Zibagwe MP Prosper Machando.

But party provincial chairperson Daniel Mackenzie Ncube, his deputy Robson Nyathi among other provincial leaders and senior party deployees in government were conspicuous by their absence.

From Harare, Chiwenga was accompanied by Finance minister Mthuli Ncube and Agriculture deputy minister Vangelis Haritatos, while Agriculture minister Perrance Shiri who had been expected to attend was absent.

Kwekwe has several Zanu PF cadres in top echelons of government including State security minister Owen Ncube and Local Government minister July Moyo who were also not in attendance.

Early this year, Chiwenga failed to attend a field day at Mnangagwa’s Precabe Farm in Kwekwe where he was supposed to be guest of honour and Defence minister and party chairperson Oppah Muchinguri stood in his stead.

Contacted for comment, Zanu PF Midlands deputy chairperson Nyathi said it was not deliberate that the majority of party officials in the province did not show up at Chiwenga’s event.

“As for me I did not attend because I had other commitments. But the MP of that area was there as well as his councillor. Due to the COVID-19 there was also need for the gathering to be kept small.

“It’s not true that there are any party officials who snubbed the event officiated by Vice-President Chiwenga,” Nyathi, who is also MP for Shurugwi North, said.

Speaking at the event, Chiwenga told farmers that wheat production was essential for development of the country.

“The agricultural sector is a key economic enabler which propels and generates growth in all sectors of the economy.

“The sector also provides the much-needed household nutrition and national food security. The production of winter wheat is, therefore, essential for the country, as it provides the raw material for the bread and confectionery industry,” Chiwenga said.

“In this regard, there is need for increased investment by the private sector and individual farmers to augment government efforts in revamping the sector.”

-Online

By A Correspondent- Award-winning young motorcross rider, Tanyaradzwa Adel Muzinda has spoken against rampant corruption in Zimbabwean society.

Muzinda asserted that corruption has shattered a lot of young people’s dreams and society now rewards corruption while honesty has become a kind of self-sacrifice. She tweeted:

When you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming self-sacrifice, one realizes that your society is Doomed.

Corruption has buried a lot of Girl’s and Boy’s dreams, How many more dreams should be buried before it STOPS!

I urge our Leaders to restrain each other and think about the Young Generation. Kids are the future and they should have a better example to follow to have a chance to Lead a nicer society.

Over the past few days, a lot has been written about how shadowy companies, Drax International and Jaji Investments, have received government contracts worth tens of millions of US dollars without following due process.

Further, the millions have been siphoned out of the country under the guise of fighting the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Reports have indicated that prices of COVID-19 equipment have been inflated under the watch of high authorities, with the country losing millions as a result.

By A Correspondent- The MDC Alliance Women’s Assembly for Mashonaland West province has defended the opposition party’s national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere after her promotion by Nelson Chamisa came under criticism from want-away Hatfield MP Tapiwa Mashakada on Sunday.

Speaking in an interview with Sly Media TV on Sunday, Mashakada queried why Mahere, a latecomer to the Alliance was given such a powerful post ahead of party members who have been in the movement since its formation in 1999.

Mashakada said:

“There is a big debate within the party, about how people like Fadzayi Mahere became the mouthpiece of the party before she had five years in the party. That is wrong. That has to be corrected.”

The MDC Alliance Mashonaland West Women’s Assembly has since thrown its weight fully behind Mahere after her appointment was publicly condemned by Mashakada.

“We condemn the sexist attack on our national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere by Hatfield MP Tapiwa Mashakada in his interview with SlyMedia Productions on 14 June 2020.

“He singled out and attacked Fadzayi Mahere because she is a woman.”

Yesterday, Mashakada said he had misgivings about the rise of Mahere not because she was a woman, but because the party constitution had not been followed as new members can only ascend to national leadership after having been in the party for at least five years.

He clause was placed in the MDC constitution to avert possible infiltration by Zanu-PF sympathizers. Mahere contested the 2018 parliamentary elections as an independent candidate for Mt. Pleasant in Harare, and came a distant third behind MDC Alliance and Zanu-PF candidates.

Mashakada added that if the Chamisa camp felt that the constitution was not serving the party any good, the right thing to do was to amend the weak clauses to suit the party’s requirements, instead of violating the clauses willy-nilly.

However, the MDC Alliance Women’s Assembly was adamant that Mashakada targeted Mahere because she was a woman.

“We feel Tapiwa Mashakada does not appreciate the ascendance of women to powerful positions of power in politics.

“Women are the torchbearers of our struggle and we applaud and support the recent appointment of Fadzayi Mahere to the post of MDC Alliance Spokesperson by our able president Advocate Nelson Chamisa.

“President Chamisa is indeed our top change agent as he is changing the dynamic of self-promotional politics to team-oriented, service style leadership in order to achieve the change that delivers,” the women’s assembly said in a statement.

“We are proud of president Chamisa for promoting gender inclusiveness at all levels of our structures with young women like Fadzayi Mahere getting top positions.

“To Fadzi, in heels yes you can,” added the statement.

Meanwhile, MDC Alliance Secretary-General Chalton Hwende has dismissed the statement by Mashakada that both Mashakada and Paurina Gwanyanya-Mpariwa had been expelled from the Chamisa faction.

“The MDC Alliance has not expelled Hon Mashakada and Hon Mupariwa contrary to media reports and insinuations by Hon Mashakada in his interview today. No MP has also tendered any resignation from the MDC Alliance,” Hwende said. 

By A Correspondent- Soldiers in Harare are instructing citizens to vacate the central business district and go back home to pray and fast.

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President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week announced that June 15 was a National Prayer Day calling on citizens to fast and pray for COVID-19.

Citizens here however respondend to the development and said:

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

By A Correspondent- Arrested MDC Alliance trio Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova are set to appear at Harare Magistrates Court after spending the weekend behind bars.

The trio were arrested last week on charges of reporting a fake abduction.

The MDC Alliance has however maintained that the three youth leaders are innocent calling on the state to stop victimising the victims.

Watch the video below as Gladys Hlatywayo speaks….

ZimEye will be giving you live updates as the court case proceeds.

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

Own Correspondent

Zimbabweans generally believe that the country will regret President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s somewhat rushed opening up of the country from Covid-19 lockdown.

In a poll conducted on ZimEye.com on Friday, a slight majority of 40% of the respondents believed that Mnangagwa’s move was a bit rushed and we will regret it.

36% applauded Mnangagwa’s decision while 24% remained not sure of the consequences of the decision.

Zimbabwe is gradually returning to almost full economic activity with Mnangagwa announcing last week the reopening of the informal economy, where three quarters of the economically active population earn their living.

By last night, the number of confirmed Covid-19 positive cases had reached 384, with another 27 cases announced at the weekend all among returning residents and citizens in formal quarantine.

Below is the result of the poll.

Own Correspondent

The MDC Alliance Mashonaland West Women’s Assembly has thrown its weight fully behind newly-appointed national party spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere after her appointment was publicly condemned by Hatfield MP Tapiwa Mashakada.

Speaking in an interview with SlyMedia Productions on Sunday, Mashakada queried why Mahere, a latecomer to the Alliance was given such a powerful post ahead of party members who have been in the movement for a long time.

The Mash West Women’s Assembly, however, condemned Mashakada’s “sexist” remarks and his alleged failure to appreciate the rise of women in politics.

Below is a statement issued the Mash West MDCA Women’s Assembly in support of Mahere:

Statement from MDC Alliance Mashonaland West Women’s assembly

ServicesBuildingHomeGroceries
DatingJobsCommercialHealth
We condemn the sexist attack on our national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere by Hatfield MP Tapiwa Mashakada in his interview with SlyMedia Productions on 14 June 2020.

He singled out and attacked Fadzayi Mahere because she is a woman.

We feel Tapiwa Mashakada does not appreciate the ascendance of women to powerful positions of power in politics.

Women are the torchbearers of our struggle and we applaud and support the recent appointment of Fadzayi Mahere to the post of MDC Alliance Spokesperson by our able president Advocate Nelson Chamisa.

President Chamisa is indeed our top change agent as he is changing the dynamic of self-promotional politics to team-oriented, service style leadership in order to achieve the change that delivers.

We are proud of president Chamisa for promoting gender inclusiveness at all levels of our structures with young women like Fadzayi Mahere getting top positions.

To Fadzi, in heels yes you can.

MDC Alliance Mashonaland West Women’s Assembly

President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has declared today 15 June 2020 to be a day of national fasting. According to government spokesperson Nick Mangwana that does not make today a public holiday, it is still a working day and employees are required to report for work.

However, reports coming through indicate that ZRP and other security forces are preventing people from entering Harare’s CBD.

THE trial of suspended PetroZim Line (Pvt) Ltd general manager Catherine Katsande, accused of awarding a US$2 million tender for equipment delivered six years late, continued last week, with the court dismissing her application for discharge.

Katsande is facing seven counts of fraud and is jointly charged with Kaltrade (Pvt) Ltd, the winner of the contract.

In her defence, Katsande told the court that she could not be called a fraudster since everything she did was in line with her duties and she was allowed to do so. She denied all the allegations being levelled against her.

Harare magistrate Mr Lazini Ncube recently dismissed her application for discharge at the close of the State’s case.

He said it had to be explained why Kaltrade failed to supply goods since 2013, only to supply them last year, after the matter had been reported to the authorities.

“There is no reason or explanation given as to why Kaltrade delayed delivering the goods,” said Mr Ncube.

“Therefore, the accused must be put to their defence.”

Mr Ncube said the State managed to prove a prima facie case against Katsande and Kaltrade.

Prosecutors Mr Tafara Chirambira and Mr Panganayi Chiutsi told the court that on seven separate occasions between January 2013 and September last year, Katsande fraudulently and in connivance with a private company, awarded it various tenders for equipment that was immediately paid for, but never delivered.

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5 People Killed In Luveve And @CityofBulawayo Council Says Our Drinking Water Is Clean | TRUTH or TOTAL NONSENSE? @byopra @MRPYouths

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) June 15, 2020

By A Correspondent | Another Primary School Child has died in Luveve, Bulawayo, the local MP, Stella Ndlovu has announced.

The deceased who is in Grade 7, is a next door neighbour of another victim, another minor.

This brings the total number of the deceased to 5 who have died following a drinking water problem. Bulawayo City council has maintained saying it’s water is clean.

The other four are three minors, and an elderly woman who is around 85 years old …

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Own Correspondent

Reports that a two-weeks old company, Drax Consult sagl, also known as Drax International fronted by Delish Nguwaya was contracted to procure medical equipment for the Ministry of Health and Child Care in Zimbabwe has attracted attention of the United States of America embassy in the country.

The company which has very strong links to the first family supplied the equipment to the government at inflated prices thereby triggering public outrage and calls for the prosecution of everyone involved.

Following the huge corruption allegations on the deal, the United States Embassy emphasised the importance of transparency in enhancing democracy.

Posting on Twitter this Sunday, the embassy said:

State Media

MORE than 100 MDC legislators are set to appear before the Parliament’s Privileges committee this week charged with contempt of Parliament for successive incidents of disrespect for the President.

While 20 Senators have already been served with summons, more than 80 members of the National Assembly from the opposition are set to be served with summons when the House resumes sitting tomorrow.

The 20 Senators were served with summons last week and are set to appear before a Privileges Committee chaired by Mudzi South MP Cde Jonathan Samkange (Zanu PF).

The eight-member committee was constituted by Parliament’s Standing Rules and Orders Committee (SROC) to investigate whether or not MDC legislators were in contempt of Parliament when they boycotted sittings attended by the Head of State and Government.

The committee is expected to come up with appropriate recommendations for punishment should they find the opposition legislators guilty of contempt of Parliament.

The decision to form the committee followed successive incidents since 2017 where MDC Alliance legislators would refuse to rise or recognise the presence of the President when he attended Parliament, a breach of Parliament’s customs and practices.

“You are therefore hereby invited to appear personally before the Privileges committee that is investigating allegations of misconduct levelled against you. You were advised of the charges levelled against you and others in our earlier communication dated Wednesday February 12, 2020,” reads the letter written by clerk of Parliament, Mr Kennedy Chokuda.

The misconductchargearose when they failed to rise when the President entered or left the Chamber and also when they would boycott his address.

In constituting the committee last year, Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda said it should establish whether such conduct constituted contempt of Parliament and any other incident that may arise from the investigation.

Last year, Adv Mudenda directed that MDC Alliance legislators lose their sitting allowances for the day when they failed to attend the State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by the President.

This come as Parliament has come up with regulations aimed at tightening disciplinary conduct among legislators.

Last week Senate adopted regulations aimed at reigning errant MPs who failed to respect the President, visiting Heads of State and Government, Speaker of the National Assembly and Senate President and Chief Justice whenever they enter or leave the chamber.

According to the measures, legislators face penalties that include suspension for disorderly conduct.

The new measures were adopted by Parliament the SROC, a 26-member top committee that organises Parliament and sets rules. It includes the presiding officers and representatives of the major parties, both Government and opposition.

Own Correspondent

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called the nation into a day of prayer and fasting today.

Zimbabweans are generally divided on the call with some saying Mnangagwa is an evil man weigh blood on his hands and so God will not listen to our prayers as long as they are led by Mnangagwa.

What’s your thought on this? Make your call in the poll on the link below.

Own Correspondent

MDC Alliance secretary for policy and research Tapiwa Mashakada took a swipe at the other members of the oppostion MDC Alliance accusing them of misleading party leader Nelson Chamisa.

“There is dictatorship within the cabal surrounding Chamisa,” said Mashakada.

Mashakada also said he believed that the three MDC Alliance officials were abducted and that those suggesting that the three faked abduction have to prove so.

He also warned Mnangagwa saying “he must change course, he must listen to the voice of reason.

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

President Mnangagwa will today host a church service at the State House that will be broadcast live on ZTN, ZBC TV and also streamed live on radio stations and social media platforms.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo yesterday said all was now set for the National Day of Prayer.

“We are now ready as Government. The programme is now complete. We have invited all stakeholders, mostly religious leaders. In doing so, we have been mindful of the need to observe the required number of people during gatherings, that it should not exceed 50 as well as the need to observe social distancing consistent with the Covid-19 measures,” said Minister Moyo.

During the same time, millions of people across the country will join the President in prayer and fasting from 10am to 12pm as the country collectively turns to faith in response to an invisible enemy.

Faith leaders, drawn from different denominations said in seeking prayer the country is putting all its problems into the hands of the Almighty God who is able to offer answers to questions and a phenomenon that is baffling logic and science.

Roman Catholic Priest Father Fidelis Mukonori said the call for National Day of Prayer and Fasting by President Mnangagwa ought to be complied with by every Zimbabwean regardless of one’s political persuasion.

“It has nothing to do with politics, neither is it a political whip. It is rather a national cry for the people of Zimbabwe so that God can hear us. As church we have always been praying and we support every decision in furtherance of our sworn objective,” said Father Mukonori.

The Council of Apostolic Churches of Zimbabwe (CACZ), an umbrella body of Apostolic and Zion Christian Churches which is led by its president, Bishop Clement Karikoga Chisango, said in a statement that it was fully behind the call to prayer by President Mnangagwa in order to collectively appeal to the Lord during a time of crisis.

“The Monday June 15 occasion truly brings all Zimbabweans together as it accords them a very rare opportunity to appeal to their creator in order to overcome the coronavirus pandemic that has ravaged the entire world, seek God’s intervention in reigniting the economy, heal the nation and unite all peoples of Zimbabwe towards a common goal,” said CACZ deputy president Apostle Amos Seremani.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa also urged the nation to heed the President’s call for the nation to observe a day of national prayer and fasting and to join him as he meets with various church leaders.

She said churches should observe the lockdown regulations and maintain social distancing during the time of prayer.

“The country is still exposed to the coronavirus pandemic, as more people continue to return from outside the country,” she added.

Minister Mutsvangwa said that the country was experiencing difficult times as confirmed cases of Covid-19 continued to rise.

In his address at State House last week, President Mnangagwa said time had come for Zimbabweans to come together in supplication so as to seek the Almighty God’s “mercy, wisdom, help and healing to overcome this deadly pandemic”.

“I also urge you all on this day, to join us giving up one, two or all meals in fasting. It will be best to arrange to participate in this service as families, small groups of church services not exceeding 50 people, and observing the precautions we have been taking to prevent the spread of the coronavirus,” said the President.

“Let us offer prayers of petition to the Lord that He may grant us His mercy, deliver us from this noisome pestilence and give us the wisdom to take the effective steps to overcome it,” said the President.

In prayer and fasting, the country joins most of the world’s nations, including the United States, Brazil, and fellow SADC member states — Botswana and Tanzania — in observing a specific day of prayer in the wake of the novel virus that has dislocated lives and turned societies upside down.

The President said the country would even in prayer and fasting “diligently continue to observe every precaution necessary to prevent the spread of the coronavirus”.

Presently, Zimbabwe is on level 2 lockdown that has seen most formal businesses opening, and also a relaxation in the number of people that can be carried on a bus.

Own Correspondent

Energy Minister Advocate Fortune Chasi has said he will not fold his hands while the Zimbabwe Power Company continues to drag Intratek boss, Wicknell Chivhayo to court over the Gwanda Solar Project.

Chasi said ZPC has so far lost the case on numerous occasions thereby losing resources. He added that it would be prudent to leave Chivhayo and his company to implement the project which would assist the Gwanda community and the country at large. He said:

Zesa has been in contempt of court for several years and losing, as Minister, I will not allow such to happen because I need to see power being generated not just to see court reports.

The two parties have agreed to sit and map the way forward.

The project is expected to produce 10MW within six months.

Intratek won the tender for the project in 2015 and there is nothing on the ground to show that the government paid the company an advance of US$5 million.

When Chasi was appointed the Minister of Energy last year, he vowed that he would make Chivhayo deliver or payback the money.

Meanwhile, Intratek has appointed lawyer, Wilson Manase as executive Chairperson and Presidential Advisory Council chair Edward Manikai as a board member, a move some view as a strategy to intimidate critics.

Watch video downloading below.

Own Correspondent

The number of coronavirus cases in Zimbabwe today rose to 383 after 27 returnees from South Africa tested positive.

The country now has 325 active cases. Four people have died and 54 have recovered.

It has tested 58 438 people.

State Media

THE SPEAKER of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda has said Parliament will name and shame MPs who have not been attending parliamentary committee sittings, with some having a shocking zero attendance rate.

Some Ministers were also censored for failing to submit financial reports to Parliament in violation of the Constitution and standing rules and orders of the legislative assembly.

During the 2019 fiscal year, only 15 percent of ministries furnished portfolio committees with their quarterly reports while very few monthly and annual reports were tabled.

On the other hand, some MPs never attended a single session of parliamentary committee hearings out of the 28 that were conducted.

The revelations come out of Parliament’s Liaison and Coordination Committee (LCC) retreat which started in Bulawayo last Friday and ended yesterday.

The LCC, which comprises all committee chairpersons, party whips and their deputies as well as the chairperson and vice chairperson and is the custodian of parliamentary reforms was meeting to review the performance of the first and second sessions of the 9th Parliament.

Adv Mudenda addressed the retreat last Friday and President of the Senate Mabel Chinomona delivered the closing remarks yesterday, with both expressing disappointment on the conduct of some members.

Adv Mudenda said the power of the legislature is derived from the people and can be taken away anytime by the citizenry if they fail to perform.

“It is shocking that some members have zero attendance, while some have one or two out of 28 sittings. You have got to be ashamed of yourselves because you are not performing up to the expectations of the electorate nor to your oath of office that you will do your very best and work for the people of Zimbabwe in the context of the demands of the Supreme law and the general legislation,” he said.

“I was very disappointed to see that analysis and some of these members. I think it is best that as a measure of corrective action, a list must be compiled and given to the political parties where they belong so that we say here are your people whom you sponsored as a party but they are not performing. Forewarned is forearmed. We shall report to those responsible for sponsoring you to ensure that they take collective action.”

Yesterday, Chinomona said it was worrisome to note that some committees are driven to do their duties by monetary incentives more than the sacred mandate that they hold as the people’s elected representatives.

She said MPs should remember that they are chosen by the people not for self-enrichment but to stand for the hopes and aspirations of Zimbabweans.

“It is sad that a committee will refuse to participate in an activity that will improve the lives of the people simply because there is no per diem that will line the members pockets. Do not get me wrong, while every effort will be made to provide allowances for committee activities, this must not and should never be the focus of our efforts as parliamentarians,” said the President of the Senate.

She said MPs have been doing the country a disservice by abdicating their responsibility to follow up with ministries to submit and then subsequently analyse reports

Earlier on Friday Adv Mudenda had said there is a need for LCC to act decisively and must not allow the behaviour by some Ministers not to table reports to continue unabated.

Standing order 26 (2) of the National Assembly explicitly notes that failure to respond to the reports constitute contempt of Parliament.

He said the Ministers’ conduct is an illegality which attracts severe censure.

He said during the 2019 fiscal year, only 15 percent of ministries furnished portfolio committees with their quarterly reports while very few monthly and annual reports were tabled.

Adv Mudenda also challenged MPs to ensure they call for accountability on resources mobilised for the Covid-19 pandemic.

The LCC is meeting to review the performance of the first and second sessions of the 9th Parliament.

Adv Mudenda said there is a need for LCC to act decisively and should not allow the behaviour to continue unabated.

“It is sad to note that ministries do not comply with these constitutional statutory obligations. During the 2019 fiscal year, only 15 percent of ministries furnished portfolio committees with their quarterly reports and very few if any monthly and annual reports were tabled before the committees,” he said.

“Even those that were submitted had insignificant information to allow honourable members to fully carry out their oversight function. The Parliamentary Budget Office analysed 18 reports and presented 14 analysis reports before the committees in 2019.”

Adv Mudenda said no report on the budget performance was tabled before the House in the first session.

“This is unacceptable and unforgivable dereliction of duty by the LCC. The superintendence of the LCC should always remain clinical in this regard. Section 107 (2) of the Constitution as read in conjunction with Standing Order 36 of the National Assembly places a brutal obligation on Government to respond to the reports and recommendations made by portfolio committees,” he said.

He said he had to write to President Mnangagwa appealing for his intervention so that Ministers and their ministries could respond to recommendations contained in parliamentary committee reports and there was some good positive response.

Adv Mudenda said Zimbabwe like the rest of the world, is facing a protracted deepening crisis owing to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, which has created an unprecedented health crisis and stifled economic growth. “The nation looks to us as Members of Parliament to address these challenges in close liaison with the Executive so that they are able to respond robustly to the multifaceted impact of the pandemic,” said Adv Mudenda.

“That response has to be stubborn and resilient. Parliamentary committees must therefore be prepared to address mitigatory measures that call for innovation in pertaining to the devasting consequences of the pandemic including the employment of indigenous knowledge systems that may lead to the discovery of the vaccine to cure Covid-19.”

He said it was important for Parliament to continue with the daunting task of aligning laws to the 2013 Constitution.

Charamba Death Threats Against President Chamisa, Poetry or Pure Attack? – ZimEye https://t.co/fUlyYahNc9.

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) June 15, 2020

By A Correspondent | MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa had death threat undertones subtly worded against him by his memesis Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman yesterday, it has emerged.

Writing on his microblogging portal, Charamba five times repeated undertones that suggest Chamisa will soon suffer a sudden health crisis, just before twice mentioning death as the end of it all.

While some said Charamba’s words were mere poetry, experts said they were clearly pointing at death and certainly the threat thereof An academic at the Baltimore School Of Law says:
threats that place individuals in great fear can (and often have been
found to) constitute acts of mental or psychological torture.”

Charamba was commenting on allegations of Chamisa leading a fractured MDC Alliance.

He said: ” Clearly both the young man and all those around him, all of them barely sharper than a mallet by way of intellect and analysis, thought silence in politics means nothing, however brooding and foreboding!

“And looking into the crystal ball?? Well, Chamisa

“…set to bleed terminally, both from internal injuries & from external blows. After this analysis has settled, & all those who think can yell and bark angrily for him are done, I will come back on the external blows that await him, mortal blows at that. Good evening maComrades!”

Commenting over the development, is the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Secretary General, Gift Ostallos Siziba. VIDEO LOADING BELOW –

State Media

Informal traders registered with a local authority for the purposes of paying presumptive taxes or who pay rent on premises for carrying out their operations are now deemed to be in the formal sector and so exempted from lockdown regulations, while churches can now congregate on set conditions, under recently gazetted amendments.

This means those licensed by a local authority as a hawker or vendor or who rent space in a flea market or people’s market, or are registered but work from home can now reopen their business under the same conditions as a formal business, but have to be able to prove this if asked.

Churches can now have congregations of less than 50 people, as announced by President Mnangagwa, but everyone in church has to wear a mask and observe social distancing and the church has to be disinfected between sittings.

Statutory Instrument 136, which converts recently announced changes in the lockdown into law, was gazetted on Friday but only made available yesterday. It defines an informal trader as someone whose business is too small to be registered for VAT and who has not made an income tax return for that business.

The amended regulations make it clear that an informal trader includes a hawker or street vendor; a person who sells articles at a place commonly known as a “people’s market” or “flea market”; and a person who manufactures or processes any articles in or from residential premises.

But not included in the definition, and so relying on other regulations for any exemption from the lockdown, are small-scale miners, the operators of a taxicab, commuter omnibus or goods vehicle, informal cross-border traders, operators of a restaurant or bottle store, and cottage industry operators.

Those informal traders registered with a local authority for the purpose of paying presumptive tax in terms of the Twenty-Sixth Schedule to the Income Tax Act, or in accordance with the same schedule tell their landlord that they carry on their trade from the rented premises, are now deemed to be operating within the formal sectors and so are exempted under the same conditions.

This means they have to wear face masks, observe social distancing and close for trade by 4.30pm.

The regulations amendment now allows officials opening the border to let in returning residents and citizens to keep all travel and identity documents while that person is in quarantine, but has to issue a receipt, keep the documents safe and return them when the person is released from quarantine or isolation.

This provision was earlier announced as an aid to prevent returning residents skipping quarantine or escaping from a quarantine facility.

The lockdown amendment also goes into detail on cross border cargo truck drivers.

Drivers and recognised passengers in their truck have to present a Covid-19-free certificate at the point of entry, showing they have been tested within the past seven days. They will be tested again and if negative can proceed to the next truck stop. But if positive, must either agree to undergo isolation in Zimbabwe or immediately return to where they came from. Owners of trucks can substitute drivers in these cases.

SADC residents transiting Zimbabwe to get home undergo similar measures.

Restaurants and take-aways are now allowed to have chairs, but only for elderly, infirm or disabled customers and only while they are waiting for their orders.

As soon as they get their food, they must leave. The ban on eating and drinking on the premises remains.

More critically restaurant staff must be tested every 14 days for Covid-19 and must wear both a mask and gloves. Whenever they take off the gloves, and in any case every three hours, they must wash their hands.

An amendment to the temporary powers regulations on the residential rent moratorium now ends at the end of this month. As the President announced, this means that rent not paid during the lockdown now must be paid within the next six months in equal instalments. It can be paid earlier.

A final statutory instrument amends the main public health regulations by making it clear that the Minister of Health and Child Care, when issuing health regulations, does so on his own authority under the Public Health Act with the phrase implying that any regulations have to be in conformity with directions from the President now being deleted. This closes a potential legal loophole.

State Media

VARIOUS gospel musicians will tonight sing in worship when they perform during the virtual National Prayer Day Gospel Concert to be screened live on national television, ZBCTV.

Dubbed “Breaking the Fast in Fighting Covid-19”, the concert will also be screened on the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation and National Arts Council of Zimbabwe Facebook pages.

This comes after President Mnangagwa proclaimed today as the Presidential National Day of Prayer and Fasting to seek healing, as the country grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic.

The President is today expected to host a service at State House where church leaders from various denominations are expected to attend.

Communication and advocacy manager in the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Ranson Madzamba said they found it befitting to host the concert, as the ministry and give people a platform where they also praise and worship in song.

“As you know the President declared June 15 as the day of prayer and fasting. In any set up where you communicate with the Almighty, people sing and pray.

“This is where the issue of having a gospel concert comes in. Various gospel artistes will be performing and this will be broadcast live on ZBCTV, Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation and National Arts Council of Zimbabwe facebook pages.

“The gospel concert starts at around 9pm, ending at around midnight,” he said.

Pastor Charles Charamba and wife Olivia, Minister Mahendere, Mambo Dhuterere, Janet Manyowa and Family Voices are expected to perform at the gospel concert.

Mutare-based Blessing Shumba, Mathias Mhere, Dorcas Moyo, Kuda Mutsvene and Pastor Emmanuel Marecha also make the list of gospel musicians billed to performtonight.

FORMER Cabinet Minister Saviour Kasukuwere has allegedly hired a gang led by former ruling party youth leader Jim Kunaka to evict Mazowe district war veterans’ chairman Elfanos Madzimunye from his Concorpia Farm recently, ZBC reported last night.

Kunaka said he was enforcing a court order that was granted at High Court in Kasukuwere’s favour, but the matter is now before the Supreme Court on appeal.

In any case enforcement of court orders has to be done by State officials, in particular eviction orders are done by the Sheriff.

Madzimunye says he was allocated the farm by Government.

“I was not given the chance to speak. They said they were giving me 48 hours to vacate the farm. I then approached the Supreme Court with an appeal, which would then override the High Court Order.

“We are now living in fear,” said Madzimunye.

Kunaka and his team reportedly attacked people at the farm leaving Madzimunye’s son nursing injuries.

Mashonaland Central war veterans’ chairman Sam Parirenyatwa expressed concern over the development.

“We are deeply concerned. What they are simply saying is that they are waiting for orders from their superiors.

“Do they have to wait for orders from someone who is perpetrating criminal activities?” he asked.

Kunaka has, however, remained adamant and turned a blind eye on the Supreme Court appeal saying Madzimunye must leave the farm.

“I hope Madzimunye will vacate the place peacefully and return to where he came from and wait for the court papers,” he said.

State Media

At least eight teachers’ unions have filed an urgent High Court application seeking to compel the Government to postpone the sitting of June examinations until all examination centres meet World Health Organisation (WHO) Covid-19 prescribed standards.

The public examinations are scheduled to start on June 30, but teachers’ unions say the teachers are not ready to go back to school until a well-informed analysis of the impact of Covid-19 has been done and all health and safety measures are in place.

In an urgent application filed last Friday, the teachers’ unions are seeking the High Court intervention to stop the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) from holding public examinations until sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) has been provided for both learners and teachers.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union (ARTUZ), Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTU), Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (TUZ), Zimbabwe Democratic Teachers Union (ZDTU), Zimbabwe National Education Union (ZINEU), Zimbabwe Teachers Association, (ZIMTA) and Zimbabwe National Teacher Union (ZINATU) are the applicants in the urgent chamber application.

The unions listed Zimsec, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, the Civil Service Commission, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and Minister of Health and Child Care as respondents.

Zimta chief executive Dr Sifiso Ndlovu confirmed the teachers’ unions have approached the court on an urgent basis.

“It is true we have taken the issue of premature administration of June 2020 exams to the courts,” he said.

Dr Ndlovu said they were praying for the court to compel the State to fumigate all examination centres and meet WHO prescribed standards, provide facilities and personnel for thermal testing of teachers and learners and further support adequate sanitation like water, and take all necessary measures to reduce class sizes.

In addition, Dr Ndlovu said what the unions would like resolved by the employer is that Covid-19 should not be the sole burden of heads and teachers.

“Heads and teachers are traumatised by the ravaging Covid-19 and, therefore, need social and financial support, there should be no threat posed on their lives and families,” he said.

“Use of sticks, threats, blame games are uncalled for. Unity must prevail. Heads did not invent Covid-19 and, therefore, should not be threatened. Government (Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education) should fund this. Therefore, a comprehensive budget and provision should be availed to all schools.”

Dr Ndlovu said as school heads and teachers would be assuming the role of frontline workers, they should be entitled to the occupational hazard allowance or Covid-19 risk related allowance/benefits which are awarded to all frontline workers fighting the pandemic.

They also want examination supervision and invigilation to be paid for.

The lawsuit comes after the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on education recently recommended Government to consider health and safety concerns of the teachers and defer the national examinations.

The respondents are yet to respond to the application.

CONTEXTUAL ASSESSMENT

Heavy military presence in Masvingo Urban

By Ephraim Mutombeni

MACRAD Trust

Last week scores of Masvingo residents were forced to return home and their exemption letters were confiscated.

The heavy military presence and strictness at roadblocks is sign of government’s panicky reaction to promised demonstrations against worsening economic situation.

It has been a week and a couple of days with no fuel in Masvingo.

Since last week vehicles were just queuing for fuel.

UPDATES

Nine MDC Alliance district chairpersons were arrested on 9 June 2020 in Masvingo and they were fined $500rtgs each for violating lockdown rules.

The opposition party members blamed the police for operating in a partisan manner.

Last week in Gutu North, MP Yeukai Simbanegavi addressed a gathering of more than hundred people in Nyazvidzi but she was not arrested.

About MACRAD

Masvingo Centre for Research Advocacy and Development (MACRAD) Trust is an independent Zimbabwean Community Based Civil Society institution committed to the development of socio-economic rights and agrarian systems that enhance equitable land rights and sustainable land uses throughout Zimbabwe.

MACRAD interacts with various organizations and communities to assist them in developing capacity for policy formulation and research. It also facilitates policy dialogue among communities, governments, academics, civil society and others on land and agrarian development, especially the land rights of marginalized social groups.

Masvingo Center for Research Advocacy and Community Development (MACRAD) is driven by a desire to contribute towards improved rural livelihoods that should lead to greater capacities for the rural poor to determine their own destinies and contribute towards national development.

MACRAD has worked with citizens in resettlements areas around Masvingo Province on civic and voter education to ensure their voices are heard.

We support victims and survivors of diverse forms of conflict, violence, displacement and disenfranchisement. MACRAD’s approach entails encouraging continuous policy debates and refinement of policy.

This is achieved through generation and provision of research based information, platforms for dialogue, creating and nurturing a policy community in Zimbabwe.

The ambition of Masvingo Center for Research Advocacy and Community Development (MACRAD) is to provide leadership in socio-economic justice and land-agrarian policy processes, to become a Centre of Excellence and remain an independent and credible center for knowledge on social and economic justice.

We support victims and survivors of diverse forms of conflict, violence, displacement and disenfranchisement.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance president, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has said a transitional mechanism is needed to “soft-land” the crisis in the country.

Chamisa, quoted by The Standard, described the crisis in Zimbabwe as unbearable and beyond imagination.

“We are in a disaster. There is no income, no foreign investments, no jobs, nothing and it is a tinderbox, it is an explosion, everything is going southward.

The centre can no longer hold.
More than eight million people are facing starvation and this situation does not require a business-as-usual approach,” Chamisa told the weekly publication.

He added:
“We need a transitional mechanism to soft-land the crisis.

We need nation-building and consensus to extricate ourselves out of this problem in the country.

With service delivery collapse, economic collapse, corruption flourishing, human rights abuses on the increase, victimisation of lawyers, attacks on human rights defenders, attacks on journalists, diplomats and non-governmental organisations, everyone seems to be under attack.

It’s a state that seems to be in a difficult position and they are seeing enemies everywhere.”

Zimbabwe recorded 13 more COVID-19 cases on the 13th of June bringing the total number of known cases in the country to 356.

All the new cases, 12 are returnees from South Africa while 1 is from the United Kingdom.

Three more people have recovered from the virus bringing the total number of recoveries to 54 while deaths remain at 4.

The majority (8) of the new cases were recorded in Masvingo Province-Health Ministry

By A Correspondent- Edmund Kudzayi, a former editor of the state run Sunday Mail, has suggested that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s family is deeply sunk in the corruption scandal which involves Drax International.

He alleged that the reality handicapping Mnangagwa from initiating genuine prosecution of his corruption accused ministers of Health and Finance, Obadiah Moyo and Mthuli Ncube respectively was because his family was directly involved in the scandal.

Said Kudzayi on Twitter:

Mnangagwa is protecting (George) Guvamatanga, (Agnes) Mahomva, Obadiah (Moyo) and Mthuli (Ncube) because he knows if he dares arrest them, they will sing and expose the extent of his family’s involvement. The charges against Delish (Nguwaya) are deliberately incompetent because he too will sing.

His remarks come when the president’s son, Collins has been linked to Draz International, a company that siphoned millions of dollars from the government in a shady deal that saw the company selling medical equipment to the Ministry of Health at ridiculously inflated prices.

Although Nguwaya has been arrested while Mahomva and Moyo are currently being investigated, observers say the prosecution is superficial adding that the accused will walk, as the case was with other government officials previously arrested for corruption.

By A Correspondent- Four out of five members of a Bulawayo family that had tested positive for the coronavirus have recovered and they say they used home remedies such as steaming and lemon juice to fight the symptoms.

The first member of the family to contract the virus is a nurse who had come into contact with Ian Hyslop while he was admitted at Mater Dei Hospital.

Her entire family tested positive and they became cases 16, 19, 20, 21 and 22. Case 19 became the youngest person to be infected with the disease in Zimbabwe at the age of three.

The nurse said her three-year-old daughter was traumatised by the experience, particularly the swab tests. She narrated:

When she is playing alone with her dolls she takes small stalks of grass and pokes a doll’s nose and screams ‘doctor don’t do this, it’s painful’ as she cries on their behalf.

These are signs of mental trauma, considering that my baby is only three years old…

She also said her mother who is still infected has since moved from the main house and lives in a room outside and uses the bathroom outside in a bid to curb the spread of the novel virus.

-Standard

By A Correspondent- Energy Minister Advocate Fortune Chasi has said he will not fold his hands while the Zimbabwe Power Company continues to drag Intratek boss, Wicknell Chivhayo to court over the Gwanda Solar Project.

Chasi said ZPC has so far lost the case on numerous occasions thereby losing resources. He added that it would be prudent to leave Chivhayo and his company to implement the project which would assist the Gwanda community and the country at large.

He said:

Zesa has been in contempt of court for several years and losing, as Minister, I will not allow such to happen because I need to see power being generated not just to see court reports.

The two parties have agreed to sit and map the way forward.

Watch the video loading below:

The project is expected to produce 10MW within six months.

Intratek won the tender for the project in 2015 and there is nothing on the ground to show that the government paid the company an advance of US$5 million.

When Chasi was appointed the Minister of Energy last year, he vowed that he would make Chivhayo deliver or payback the money.

Meanwhile, Intratek has appointed lawyer, Wilson Manase as executive Chairperson and Presidential Advisory Council chair Edward Manikai as a board member, a move some view as a strategy to intimidate critics

Zimbabwe recorded 27 more coronavirus cases on 14 June 2020 bringing the total number of known cases to 383.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care says all the new cases are returnees from South Africa.

Harare recorded 24 of all the new cases thereby cementing its status as the hotspot for COVID-19 with a total of 149 cases.

By A Correspondent | MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa had death threat undertones subtly worded against him by his memesis Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman yesterday, it has emerged.

Writing on his microblogging portal, Charamba five times repeated undertones that suggest Chamisa will soon suffer a sudden health crisis, just before twice mentioning death as the end of it all.

While some said Charamba’s words were mere poetry, experts said they were clearly pointing at death and certainly the threat thereof An academic at the Baltimore School Of Law says:
threats that place individuals in great fear can (and often have been
found to) constitute acts of mental or psychological torture.”

Charamba was commenting on allegations of Chamisa leading a fractured MDC Alliance.

He said: ” Clearly both the young man and all those around him, all of them barely sharper than a mallet by way of intellect and analysis, thought silence in politics means nothing, however brooding and foreboding!

“And looking into the crystal ball?? Well, Chamisa

“…set to bleed terminally, both from internal injuries & from external blows. After this analysis has settled, & all those who think can yell and bark angrily for him are done, I will come back on the external blows that await him, mortal blows at that. Good evening maComrades!”

Commenting over the development, is the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Secretary General, Gift Ostallos Siziba. VIDEO LOADING BELOW –

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance president, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has said a transitional mechanism is needed to “soft-land” the crisis in the country.

Chamisa, quoted by The Standard, described the crisis in Zimbabwe as unbearable and beyond imagination.

“We are in a disaster. There is no income, no foreign investments, no jobs, nothing and it is a tinderbox, it is an explosion, everything is going southward.

The centre can no longer hold.
More than eight million people are facing starvation and this situation does not require a business-as-usual approach,” Chamisa told the weekly publication.

He added:
“We need a transitional mechanism to soft-land the crisis.

We need nation-building and consensus to extricate ourselves out of this problem in the country.

With service delivery collapse, economic collapse, corruption flourishing, human rights abuses on the increase, victimisation of lawyers, attacks on human rights defenders, attacks on journalists, diplomats and non-governmental organisations, everyone seems to be under attack.

It’s a state that seems to be in a difficult position and they are seeing enemies everywhere.”

State security agents interrogated former Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere’s brother, on the day government claimed there were people spreading rumours of an “imminent coup”.

Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe told journalists that Kasukuwere, known as Tyson during his time in Zanu PF, who skipped the country after soldiers allegedly tried to kill him and his family during the 2017 coup, was among people peddling the coup rumours.

The former Zanu PF commissar’s brother Dickson Mafios was arrested as he left Harare Polytechnic alongside Rushinga MP Wonder Mashange, where they were on quarantine after a recent trip to South Africa.

The two, who are members of the opposition National Patriotic Front, made up largely of G40 members that were targeted during the coup against former president Robert Mugabe, were released without charges being laid against them.

Their passports were allegedly confiscated by the police “to check with immigration officers”.

Although both Mafios and Mashange refused to comment on their arrest, well-placed sources revealed the two were taken to the police’s law and order section.

The pair was later moved to Braeside Police Station after the police allegedly said they had nothing to do with their arrest.

At Braeside, they were reportedly grilled by Central Intelligence Organisation agents who wanted to know why they were in South Africa, and what they were “plotting” with Kasukuwere.

“They were grilled on Kasukuwere’s whereabouts, where he stays, his movements, his contacts in government as well as in the military,” the source disclosed.

“They were released later, but without their passports, with the CIO agents saying they wanted to check something with the immigration department.

“Throughout the interrogation, Mashange was asking the police and CIOs if he was under arrest, and was told that they only wanted to talk to them, and they were not under arrest.”

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi was not answering his mobile phone yesterday.

–The Standard

By A Correspondent| Musician Tambaoga of the ‘The Blair that I know is a toilet’ has apologized to his fans over his previous Zanu PF links.

Tambaoga born Last Chiyangwa rose to prominence in the early 2000 when his Zanu PF aligned jingles including Rambai Makashinga were repeated countless times on national radio and television.

On Friday night, Tambaoga had a show to remember when he performed on Nash TV online show alongside South African duo Mafikizolo.

He got rave reviews from music fans who said his previous links to the ruling party had shadowed his talent as a musician.

But in a rather show of his rebirth, Tambaoga begged music lovers to forgive him for his past.

“Hello Zimbabwe. You can watch my last night performance on Nash Tv YouTube Channel

Forgive Me for my association with a certain political party! I’m back now and i need your support,” said Tambaoga on Twitter.

By A Correspondent | Another Primary School Child has died in Luveve, Bukawayo, the local MP has announced.

The deceased who is in Grade 7, is a next door neighbour of another victim.

This brings the total number of the deceased to 5 who have died following a drinking water problem. Bulawayo City council has maintained saying it’s water is clean.

The other four are three minors, and an elderly woman who is around 85 years old …

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF chief whip, Pupurai Togarepi has hit back at Julius Malema, leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) after he criticised the Zimbabwean government over reports of massive looting of funds under the guise of fighting the novel coronavirus.

Togarepi accused Malema of being a G40 puppet who should focus on his country’s problems rather than Zimbabwe’s. Togarepi said in a statement:

The whole world is groaning under the weight of Covid-19, our President H.E Emmerson Mnangagwa has made it clear that the primary goal is to save lives Malema has no moral ground to lecture to Zimbabwe on how it can handle the Covid-19 pandemic, while he raises pertinent issues around corruption and possible misuse of donations, he is, in this instance a puppet of the country’s detractors masquerading as journalists yet they are vigilante groups who are trying to use the cover of Covid-19 to remove a constitutionally elected government.

We will forgive Malema for he is a dancing puppet in a show of puppetry by former G40 functionaries, like Saviour Kasukuwere. Yes, we also know that there is a relationship between Kasukuwere and Malema but that should not make him hallucinate and prescribe views on how Zimbabwe can solve its problems.

The president has unequivocally spoken against corruption and we don’t want foreigners to offer prescriptive views on us. No nada, please Mr Malema, focus on challenges in your EEF and your country in general before you look at the spec in the eye of a brother.

–ZimMorningPost

By A Correspondent- Government officials in Chikomba district on Friday appealed to local businesspeople to donate food to feed returnees who are running out of basic provisions at the St Francis of Assisi High School quarantine centre.

The officials held a meeting with local businesspeople and asked for food, clothes and cash donations to improve the welfare of the 29 returnees.

Addressing about 100 local businesspeople gathered at the council hall, Chikomba district development coordinator Michael Mariga, who is the chairperson of the local Covid-19 taskforce, said there was urgent need for locals to assist in addressing the shortages at the quarantine centre since the provisions from the government through social welfare were running out.

“There are 29 returnees including two children at the St Francis of Assisi quarantine centre and 17 of them recently tested positive to Covid-19,” Mariga said.

-Standard

By A Correspondent- According to a report by a local online publication, sources in Mashonaland Central have confirmed that there were violent physical clashes between former G40 youths and War Veterans Sunday afternoon at a farm owned by former ZANU PF Political Commissar Saviour  Kasukuwere.

The incident happened when a group of youths allegedly led by a former youth leader went to Kasukuwere’s farm and violently kicked off war Veterans who had invaded it.

According to the sources, police were invited to stop the youths but Minister of Home Affairs Kazembe Kazembe ordered the police not to interfere.

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

-Byo24

By A Correspondent- Former ZANU PF member, Dickson Mafios who is now a member of the National Patriotic Front has been released from police custody without a charge.

Mafios was arrested soon after his release from Harare Polytechnic quarantine centre where they were detained upon return from South Africa.

He was arrested together with former MP for Rushinga Wonder Mashange, also a member of the NPF and taken to Braeside Police Station for questioning over an undisclosed charge.

Their release was confirmed by NPF spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire who had earlier expressed outrage over the arrest. Speaking on Saturday, he said:

They were released without charge

The arrest coincides with threats by the government to Mafios’ brother Saviour Kasukuwere an exiled former Cabinet Minister who was allegedly one of the kingpins of the G40 faction.

The majority of G40 members were ousted from the government when President Emmerson Mnangagwa took power from his mentor and longtime boss Robert Mugabe in 2017.

The arrest comes when there are reports suggesting that G40 remnants in ZANU PF are organising a coup to prepare for Kasukuwere to come back and take over ZANU PF leadership while other reports suggest Vice President Chiwenga and army chiefs are mulling dislodging Mnangagwa.

The government dismissed the reports as bar talk.

-NewsDay

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