PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday vowed to take the war to the country’s “political detractors, elite opportunists and malcontents” who are pushing a nefarious agenda to cause regime change as the revolutionary party tackles the economic challenges that the country is presently facing.
Yesterday President Mnangagwa chaired an eight-hour long politburo meeting that focused mainly on ending the current economic challenges, which the ruling party noted are being stirred by an invisible hand that is determined to breed chaos in the country.
This comes as the economy has been going through turbulent times notwithstanding the fact that Government has put in place a raft of measures and interventions to spur economic growth.
And despite that Zimbabwe is currently selling its tobacco, the country’s major cash crop, the Politburo also noted that the Zimbabwean dollar continues to depreciate against the United States dollar due to a speculative exchange control environment that is being manipulated by an invisible hand.
While giving his opening remarks of the 340th ordinary session of the Zanu PF Politburo, President Mnangagwa noted that Government and its leadership have of late come under attack from the detractors trying to foment instability in the country.
“On the economic front we are witnessing a relentless attack on our currency and the economy in general through exorbitant pricing models. We are fully cognisant that this is a battle being fuelled by our political detractors, elite opportunists and malcontents who are bent on pushing a nefarious agenda.
“They will never win. We did not liberate this country for selfish, profiteers and greedy individuals, but for all people in our land who have a right to enjoy a better quality of life. As a party we must always strive to achieve this,” said President Mnangagwa.
The President pointed to the alleged abduction of three MDC Alliance members, namely Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova, as part of the grand plot by the country’s detractors to tarnish Government’s image.
The President however, said the alleged abductions had been exposed for their inconsistencies by Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe in his recent statement.
“Concurrently during this period was the resurgence of hate speech and language which are not characteristic of the values we seek to be embedded in our country under the Second Republic. This vile culture must be rejected by all peace loving people,” he said.
President Mnangagwa, who is also Zanu PF’s First Secretary said the confrontational actions were well coordinated and planned.
“I am aware that the intention was to cause despondency, unrest, violence and to render the country ungovernable.
These acts should never be tolerated. I urge the Party and nation as a whole, to remain alert.
Let us refuse to be divided by vigilantes who are hired by hostile foreign governments to distract us from our quest to grow our economy and improve the quality of lives for all, in peace, unity and love,” President Mnangagwa said-State media
Mnangagwa wants to kill Joana, Cecilia, Netsai same way Tsvangirai, Joshua Nkomo were put out, Crocodile Gang William Ndangana's secretary says pic.twitter.com/xcbsnCs0a9
THE councillor for Ward Six, Clr Joseph Itani Muleya, who is also the Beitbridge Rural District Council chairperson of the natural resources management committee, said hyenas have been terrorising villagers since last year.
He also said elephants were reportedly destroying crops in several areas, while the hyenas were killing livestock in Ward Six.
“Last year between January and December, hyenas killed a total of 272 donkeys, 76 head of cattle and 344 goats in Ward Six, which includes Umzingwane, River Ranch and Makakavhule villages.
“We recently hired officials from the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to assist in controlling these marauding animals, but our coffers have run dry and we are now appealing for more funding to fight the on-going onslaught.
“You will realise that Beitbridge district is a wild animal area and hence the need to urgently address the problem considering the rate at which our livestock is being killed as we watch helplessly,” Clr Muleya said-State media
The Zanu PF Politburo yesterday expelled Chivi South legislator, Mr Killer Zivhu following a recommendation by the party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC).
Mr Zivhu’s expulsion was announced by the party’s acting secretary for Information and Publicity Patrick Chinamasa at the end of the 340th Ordinary Session of the Politburo.
Apart from Mr Zivhu’s expulsion, former Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Priscah Mupfumira was also removed from the Central Committee until her corruption cases involving abuse of funds at the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) had been resolved at the courts.
“The NDC recommended to the Politburo that Cde Killer Zivhu from Masvingo province be expelled and the Politburo upheld that recommendation and Cde Zivhu is expelled with immediate effect,” Chinamasa said.
Mr Zivhu’s home province of Masvingo recommended his expulsion after he used social media to push for a meeting between First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa and MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa’s wife Sithokozile. He did this as part of his initiatives to push for dialogue between President Mnangagwa and Mr Chamisa.
Mr Zivhu was accused of breaking party protocol and was only recommended for expulsion after he ignored several warnings.
Meanwhile, the NDC has also recommended the reinstatement of Cde Aplonia Munzverengwi as the political commissar for the Women’s League. The Politburo will discuss the issue at the next meeting.
Nyarai Tsvuura was restored as the Mashonaland East Women’s League provincial chairperson-State media
Own Correspondent|Controversial Masvingo based preacher, Isaac Komichi has invited Douglas Mwonzora, Morgen Komichi and Thokozani Khupe to his house for a “cleansing and baptism” ceremony.
This, Makomichi claims, will remove the “curse” upon the three politicians,after that the three must join Advocate Chamisa and ask for apology.
Makomichi is the leader of Calvary Prayer Group and the president of Vulnerable Youth Support Network Trust.
In a statement Makomichi urged the three politicians to “confess their sins.”
“I have written an invitation letter to Douglas Mwonzora, Morgen Komichi and Thokozani Khupe.
I want them to confess their sins and I will then baptise them.As I see things right now, the three are unclean before the Lord.
If they do not confess their sins they will not go anywhere.
As I have said, the three must confess because if they do not confess, the country will not move forward.
Every political leader must be clean.
I hope the three will take note of my advice because I am instructing them from a prophetic office.”
The controversial preacher has been criticized for administering what he calls the anointed herb to women and girls across the country.Last week an association of sex workers in Masvingo threatened to sue “Prophet Makomichi” for disrupting their activities.
Farai Dziva| UN experts have challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government to drop charges against three MDC Alliance youth leaders, Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.
The UN has also called for an immediate end to the pattern of disappearances and torture aimed at suppressing dissent.
See UN experts’ statement :
The charges against the three women should be dropped.
Targeting peaceful dissidents, including youth leaders, in direct retaliation for the exercise of their freedom of association, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression is a serious violation of human rights law.
Enforced disappearances of women often involve sexual violence, and even forced impregnation, with enormous harm inflicted not only on their physical health and integrity but also in terms of the resulting psychological damage, social stigma and disruption of family structures.
Under the absolute and non-derogable prohibition of torture and ill-treatment, which includes enforced disappearance and violence against women, Zimbabwe must take all measures in its power to prevent such abuse, to investigate suspected violations, and to bring any perpetrators to justice.
Human chameleon Chirambe Chikafu armed with four different ID cards and a fake address allegedly passed herself off as “Chantelle Mnangagwa” daughter of the President, to defraud CBZ of US$37 000, plus interest, and the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority of a gold claim.
When she appeared before Harare Magistrate Victoria Mashamba yesterday, yet another identity appeared as she assured the court that she was really “Chantelle Chikafu Mnangagwa” and was actually only a niece of the President.
She told the court that she lost her national identification card. Ms Mashamba agreed that bail was inappropriate as there was a real possibility Chikafu could disappear into yet another identity and remanded her in custody until 23 June on two counts of fraud.
Chikafu (44) of Tynwald South was not asked to plead. State counsel Mr Lancelot Mutsokota opposed bail saying she was using four different national identification particulars and if released on bail, Chikafu could manufacture yet more IDs and commit more offences.
“According to police investigations, accused has four IDs she is using including the name Chantelle Mnangagwa. She was also fined $6 000 on a previous conviction in Mount Darwin. She had given the police the address of 4099 Tynwald South in Harare, but she had left those premises three years ago and the stand is now a private college.
“Bearing in mind that she has four IDs she is using, she will manufacture false documents and had the propensity to commit similar offences while linking herself to the President, whereas her name is Chirambe Chikafu. The cellphone she provided, 0772 289 977 is registered in the name of one Chantelle Chikafu. This also shows that she uses various alias,” said the prosecutor.
Prosecutor Mutsokota told the court that there are 10 witnesses who will testify on how she committed the offences.
In her response through her lawyer, Chikafu told the court that she was actually the daughter of President Mnangagwa’s elder brother, Partson Mnangagwa, and he had deposed an affidavit in court asserting that he was her father.
She was facing a plethora of civil suits at the High Court and on Friday last week she filed an urgent chamber application against the termination of gold mining contract with the National Parks and Wildlife Authority. On Monday, the chamber application was served on ZimParks and within two hours, she was called to come and see the director-general of ZimParks.
“That was when she was ambushed and arrested, as if she was on the run. This was made to make count two,” the defence told the court.
Chikafu told the court that a miner, John Maungwa caused her arrest, following misunderstandings on boundaries to their gold claims.
“There was a Government facility where youths would get loans during the time of former minister Saviour Kasukuwere.”
She obtained a loan and when she failed to pay the loan an agreement was made with Zimbabwe Asset Management Corporation. Later the loan was paid in full,” she said.
The court was given an outline of the State case. In 2010, she approached CBZ and tried to open an account using a defensive driving certificate as identity. The bank wanted a real ID and said no, but she allegedly connived with CBZ employee Lilian Mateta, who processed the account without the needed ID.
In February 2011, Chikafu, while using the name Chantelle Mnangagwa, received a US$2 000 overdraft.
In August 2011, she was lent another US$15 000 after submitting a Deed of Transfer she allegedly stole from her mother, Grace Chikafu. On September 12, 2012, she received a US$20 000 loan and failed to repay accruing a US$88 775 debt in the process, including interests.
On November 19, 2019 Chikafu is said to have approached Nyasha Mutyambizi and passed herself as Chantelle Mnangagwa. She allegedly sought an agreement to mine in Umfurudzi Safari Area and tendered a fake ID.
The Parks and Wildlife Management reportedly consented and issued the agreement. With that piece of paper she approached the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development seeking a special gold mining grant for 200 hectares in the reserved area.
The special grant was granted in December 2019. It was later discovered that the mine site that was granted to her belonged to John Maungwa. Herald/state media
Response to threats and allegations by Kazembe Kazembe against my person:
BY Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala
MDC National Vice Chairman.
It was not surprising that Kazembe Kazembe of ZANU PF issued a statement of threat against my person lumping myself to delusions of a coup in our country. Firstly, I am a grounded democrat who will never ever buy into coups. This is the reason why I was a spectator and did not participate in the November 17, 2017 facade. I amongst many, recused myself from the deception of the time, for I knew what it was. The involvement of the military in the politics of the nation in the history of mankind has led to the undermining of the very foundations of democracy in many states. In my study of history at University level, coups have never been a panacea to democracy and happiness of the people.
It was surprising that Kazembe Kazembe in his lack of understanding of my persona threatened my person in the company of our National Security Services Chiefs who are the people’s final line of defense. He stated that myself and my exiled brother Saviour Kasukuwere peddle lies about an imminent coup in our country. This statement is not only a lie but delusion of grandeur. I am grounded in the people and believe in people power not any other force. When I saw my brothers from the Security Services Chiefs in his company, I became proud because General Valerio Sibanda and Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga and other luminaries of the liberation struggle represent the dreams of the people of Zimbabwe as the liberation struggle was fought for the liberty of its people and their happiness. Their constitutional duty is to be the people’s shield and the territorial sanctification of Zimbabwe. No one disputes their immutable value today and tomorrow to Zimbabwe. They remain the pillar of the security and safety of Zimbabweans. The target politicking of Kazembe Kazembe won’t work in the 21st century to tarnish political contenders and besmirch their reputation in the eyes of the people. All power is grounded in the people and I am on the side of the people and they will stand with me throughout these threats. Let it be reassured. I will never walk this journey alone. I will be with the people behind me.
I have told the people of Zimbabwe several times that my life is under threat and in danger. Some did not take it seriously and others thought it was political grandstanding. I ended up informing my employer the Law Society of Zimbabwe about the security threats and dangers around my life. Many a times, I have escaped assassination attempts on my life through road accidents, maltreatment and torture. I am being trailed on a daily basis by unknown individuals.
My freedom as a person has long been lost. I no longer have a social life but that will never dissuade nor deter me from speaking on behalf of the voiceless and the oppressed. Our people need happiness and their cry is that Zimbabwe belongs to everyone and all of us. We all need a share of the national cake and happiness.
It is cowardice to try and silence everyone into submission when our country is being looted dry right in our eyes. The resources in our country belong to every Zimbabwean. They are not there for the loot of the few. I represent that voice of a starving soul throughout Zimbabwe. Our people are suffering. They need happiness in their lifetime and it is that voice and reason why I speak on their behalf. I speak on behalf of the poverty stricken unemployed youth. I speak on behalf of the starving vendor, a suffering farm labourer, a peasant farmer whose produce has been reduced to nothing, a teacher whose salary can only afford a bar of soap, a packet of matemba and 2 litres of cooking oil, a soldier whose life is so difficult that they are no longer able to send their children to school. A police officer who after the end of the month is not able to make his wife and children happy. University and college graduates who have become faces of destitution. Zimbabwe is filled with sorrowful faces, souls and hearts. They cry everyday for their liberty, freedom and joy. This is a society I am prepared to die for. No matter the amount of intimidation, I will never relent on my calling by God to fight on behalf of the oppressed.
In light of these threats, by this response, I have informed domestic, regional and international authorities about the danger of the threat to my life by the ZANU PF regime through Kazembe Kazembe. Cry Zimbabwe cry. We shall be free one day.
Mpilo Central Hospital is running out of Covid-19 test kits which the health institution urgently requires.
This comes at a time when 197 members of staff are under quarantine after four people, including a nurse tested positive.
The hospital’s Clinical Director and Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Solwayo Ngwenya said on Tuesday that the hospital had appealed to Government for more supplies as test kits were fast running out.
He said 197 employees under quarantine were part of the 2 000 members of staff at the hospital.
Dr Ngwenya said the first group of those under quarantine is expected back at work this week and must be tested again. “We are running out of test kits and we have since appealed to Government to replenish supplies. There is a general shortage of these test kits due to increased demand globally. Everyone is trying to get them and we also need them as a hospital. We are expecting the return of our staff who are on quarantine. For the first group, their quarantine period ends tomorrow and we’re expecting them at work this week from Thursday and we need test kits to test them,” he said.
Dr Ngwenya projected the flooding of hospitals by Covid-19 patients unless people behave responsibly. He said the conduct of most people especially in the central business district was worrying.
Dr Ngwenya urged Government to revert to stricter lockdown measures until the end of winter, which he described as a necessary evil to protect people from getting the virus.
“People are going up and about as if all is normal. You might think there is no lockdown because buses and kombis are always packed, no social distancing whatsoever and most of the reasons of travel are not so essential,” he said.- Chronicle/state media
Private colleges bypassing Government’s approval to increase tuition may be closed, a minister has warned.
Some privately-run schools have been asking for top ups from parents outside the Government’s knowledge.
Responding to questions from the media during a Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema said errant schools would face the music.
Minister Mathema said there was a laid out procedure meant to be followed. “Procedures are very key and they have been communicated to our stakeholders from Parliament, trade unions, school heads on the processes involved in increasing fees.
“Private schools are guided by the laws in education, which are under my purview. If the schools continue doing that, without coming to the secretary for approval, I will certainly close them,” Minister Mathema said.
Reports indicate that before the official announcement of reopening dates by Government on Tuesday, private schools were already agitating for an early reopening.
A source who was part of the discussions said teachers’ unions and trust schools broke ranks when the latter suggested that they would wanted schools opened early as they could afford to put in place safety measures with ease.
“There was a point of difference between teachers’ unions and trust schools. Private schools were saying they want to open early because they rely on fees for survival,” the source said.
Private schools have been running online lessons for their pupils who are in most cases from well-endowed families.
They have used the activity as an opportunity to increase fees during the lockdown.
Lilfordia School, an private school in Harare, is currently embroiled in a bitter row with parents who are objecting to a US$1 000 top up to the fees already paid.
Government said one of the preconditions for consenting to a fee increase is consensus between the school and parents on the figures. -Herald/state media
Update: Police have now charged the trio with obstructing the course of justice under s184(1)(f) of the Code alleging that they made a false report that they were kidnapped between 13-15 May 2020. @PoliceZimbabwe have failed to disclose which part of the statement is false. https://t.co/biswKIQ6oH
— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) June 10, 2020
By A Correspondent- Addressing the Zanu-PF politburo on Wednesday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa who has presided over an economic collapse that has seen inflation soar to about 800%, seemed to absolve his government.
“On the economic front, we are witnessing a relentless attack on our currency and the economy in general through exorbitant pricing models.
“We are fully cognisant that this is a battle being fueled by our political detractors, elite opportunists and malcontents who are bent on pushing a nefarious agenda,” he said.
Mnangagwa warned that those sharpening their swords against his party will not win the war, as he is firmly aware of their intentions.
“They will never win. We did not liberate this country for selfish, profiteers and greedy individuals, but for all the people in our land who have the right to enjoy a better quality of life. As a party we must always strive to achieve this,” he said.
The local currency has continued to lose value with prices skyrocketing despite a failed attempt by the government to impose a price increase moratorium.
Mnangagwa said the price hikes were confrontational.
“The confrontational actions, which played out in the political, economic and media arena, were not isolated incidents, but well-orchestrated co- ordinated and planned events. I am aware that the intention was to cause despondency, unrest, violence and to render the country ungovernable,” he said.
Mnangagwa said he would not tolerate this kind of behaviour.
“These acts should never be tolerated. I urge the party and nation as a whole to remain alert. Let’s refuse to be divided by vigilantes who are hired by hostile foreign governments to distract us from our quest to grow and improve the quality of lives for all, in peace, unity and love,” he said.
Mnangagwa’s government has faced accusations of paying a deaf to concerns about corruption, with the latest episode being that of Drax International, a company called out in the media for its extortionate pricing, which forced Zanu-PF to issue a statement in defence of the first family.
Drax’s local frontman, Delish Nguwaya is reported to be linked to Mnangagwa’s son Collins. Collins has denied any links.
Western governments have in recent days issued stinging statements reprimanding the Zimbabwean government for human rights abuses, charges the Mnangagwa administration denies.
Relations between the West and Zimbabwe are probably at their lowest in more than 10 years.
By A Correspondent- Sacked Zanu Pf stalwart Killer Zivhu has revealed the real reason why he has been shown the exit door.
He alleged that he had been booted out because his party was merely protecting its corrupt and powerful member whom he had exposed and had reported to the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (ZACC).
Zivhu said exposing corruption by one of the party’s top stalwarts who even sits in the party’s highest decision making body has cost him his place as a member of the ruling party.
Said Zivhu:
“My effort to recover US$1.5 million from the most powerful Politburo member is the reason why i have been sacked. I reported him to ZACC and i was about to give them evidence. The Chamisa story is just a cooked one. The man was so vicious in the politburo meeting today to make sure that i have been sacked.”
my effort to recover 1.5 million USD from the most powerful Politburo member yandidzingisa .I reported him to Zacc and I was about to give them evidence. the Chamisa story is just a cooked one. the man was so vicious in the Politburo meeting today to make sure ndadzingwa
Denise Nkurunziza, the wife to the late President of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza has returned to the country’s capital Bujumbura.
According to a publication by BBC, Burundi’s first lady has returned to the East African country just hours after the death of her husband Nkurunziza was made public by the government spokesperson.
BBC reports that the First Lady landed at the Melchior Ndadaye International Airport in Bujumbura aboard a non-medicalised flight from Nairobi where she had been hospitalized at the Aga Khan hospital for almost two weeks.
“Denise Nkurunziza arrived on board a non-medicalised flight by the Kenyan private company Phoenix. It was a jet with the captain and the co-pilot only,” the BBC quotes local media in Bujumbura.
As reports BBC, an official in the president’s office has denied claims that Mrs. Nkurunziza contracted coronavirus.
Kenyan Ambassador to Burundi Ken Vitisia is said to be among those who received her at the Melchior Ndadaye International Airport.
A covid-19 positive is reportedly to have resided in Ruwa after escaping from a quarantine centre in Beitbridge at Nssa Hotel.
The Mashonaland East Rapid Response Team is dealing with the case. The man is believed to be infected with coronavirus after tests were conducted in Beitbridge. He allegedly joined his family at Madyise farm in Ruwa on 6 June. The farm owner reportedly discovered the ordeal and chased the family away.
The police are looking for whereabouts o the family and the patient.
By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance youth officials Joanna Mamombe, Cecillia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova have been arrested.
According to the MDC Alliance, the police had been following them under a nuclear surveillance.
Said Rosely Hanzi:
Complete disregard of #COVID19 Regs by @PoliceZimbabwe is astounding. About 16 Anti-Riot ZRP officers surrounded @MarovaNetsai during arrest. She has been taken in together with @JoanaMamombe & @ceechimbiri2 accused of making a false report sec 184(1)(f) of Criminal Code.
The Joint Operations Command (JOC) has addressed the nation about an imminent coup that has been talked about in Zimbabwe.
Minister of Home Afffairs has has made it clear that there is no coup in the making in Zimbabwe. Part of the statement read, “The government off the republic o Zimbabwe has noted rumours suggesting an imminent coup in Zimbabwe. The government would like to make it clear as the JOC that we dismiss the rumours with the contempt they deserves. The false narrative claim that the G40 who went into self imposed exile will come back and join the opposition and the security forces and take over government.
This is to undermine the President of Zimbabwe and to make the country ungovernable. Claims of a coup are unfounded. There is no coup in the make or any form of transitional government being suggested by the government.
They peddle these false narrative with internet based platforms and social media. There are other organisations that are also peddling falsehoods. Coordinated fake abductions and fake prophesies are also some of their tactics.”
By A Correspondent- Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi has directed the ZESA Holdings board to withdraw criminal charges against Wicknell Chivayo, whose company, Intratek, has failed to deliver on 100 MW solar power plant in Gwanda, Matabeleland South.
In a letter to ZESA chairman Sydney Gata on May 26, Chasi advised the power utility to abandon the fraud charges because the government “cannot afford the luxury of continued litigation” at the expense of expediting power generation.
He also orders that Chivayo be allowed to complete the project which has been hanging on the balance since 2015.
Below is the full letter by Chasi:
I refer to a meeting jointly held by ZESA Holdings and Intratrek Zimbabwe (Pvt) Limited on Friday 22nd May 2020, in which I advised all parties in attendance of Government’s position with regards to the urgent need to implement the project.
I further draw your attention to a letter from your office delivered on even date of the meeting, whose contents I confirm to have duly noted.
In my communication of Government’s unequivocal position with regards to the Gwanda project, I sought to deliver the Ministry’s mandate to ensure the availability of sufficient power to the country by all means necessary.
It is now the prerogative of ZESA Holdings to ensure that the Government’s primary intention to address the energy demand is expediently and urgently given the attention it deserves.
In fulfilment of this mandate placed upon ZESA Holdings, there exists an obvious requirement that the necessary Board approvals be obtained in compliance with tenets of good corporate governance and all applicable statutes.
I wish to further reiterate that the Government’s position is fully informed by the following factors which have been approved at the highest level;
a) The Gwanda Solar project was and is still earmarked by Government as an economic enabler to the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and successor policies adopted by government in 2018 and subsequently this year.
It forms part of the short to medium term solutions in resolving the energy deficit in the Country, thus spurring agriculture, mining and manufacturing activity which will increase the country’s export revenue.
b) Intratek assured Government that it can commence the project immediately as the funding is now available for this purpose.
Feeding 10MW into the national grid within the next 6 months will cause notable availability of power, thus significantly reducing the extent and cost of power imports, whose arrears in foreign currency are fully known by yourselves. This will inevitably contribute to assisting Fiscus inflows and support macro-economic growth.
c) Government has further taken full consideration of the proposed financial and technical soundness presented by the EPC Contractor through the Strategic Review Document submitted to my office and finds merit in the same.
It goes without saying that the bridge-financing model proposed by the EPC Contractor’s transactional advisors is led by a team of renowned experts in the field of project financing and legal advisory with respect to the implementation of EPC Contracts in the region.
The same transaction advisors have also recently successfully commissioned a 5MW centagrid PV Solar Plant at Nyabira, which is now already augmenting power supplies from the country’s main power producers managed by ZESA Holdings. They have also reached financial closure for the remaining 20 MW which commissioning is expected within the next 12 months.
d) It is common cause that African Transmission Corporation Holdings Limited, the prospective financier, has also been pivotal in assisting ZESA Holdings in the debt/equity structuring of the Hwange 7 & 8 US$1,4 Billion expansion project and were very instrumental in working with KPMG on the financial modelling for the Kariba 7 & 8 extension project, which was a resounding success.
Their competence being attestable, Government finds no reason not to find comfort in the same firm, led by Mr Victor Utedzi, whose impressive curriculum vitae I have had the occasion to peruse.
I am persuaded to believe that with such financial accolades, the quick syndication of a bankable financial model for the Gwanda solar project ought not to be problematic.
It is my Ministry’s logical opinion that at the revised price of US$139 Million, the debt/equity model will be less rigorous and thus ensure that financial closure would be reached expeditiously.
e) Government also took note of the involvement of high ranking professionals who now constitute the restructured EPC Contractor’s Board.
Of note, the Presidential Advisory Chairman – Mr Edwin Manikai – is leading the legal conscription of the proposed financial and technical variation of the project through Dube, Manikai & Hwacha Legal Practitioners.
It goes without mention that the firm ranks amongst the top 3 in the country and recognised as an exceptional commercial law firm by the Global Chambers International since 2014.
The key role of DMH and Mr Manikai in particular in the new arrangement speaks volumes on the integrity, professionalism and experience placed into the project, with Government concurring that all previous loop-holes would subsequently be forestalled and plugged.
Principally, the appointment of Mr Wilson Manase as the new Executive Chairman of Intratrek Zimbabwe (Pvt) Limited endows the project with high prospects of successful implementation.
Having chaired Metropolitan Bank for 16 years and being a Board member of a myriad of other successful and reputable private firms and government in Zimbabwe, Mr Manase is a practising lawyer and businessman of agreed prominence and as such, Government associates itself with the confident view that the project would be secured properly under his stewardship.
f) Government has also placed material consideration on the technical capacity of CHINT Electric Ltd, who have been contracted to execute the project.
CHINT’s financial and technical capacity has been duly assessed by ZPC and the due diligence report presented to me confirms the company to be fully knowledgeable in the field of both manufacturing PV modules and operating PV power stations.
The report further advises that is the second-largest solar power supplier in the world by a comprehensive performance rate awarded by PHOTON and a reputable blue-chip company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange with average annual sales revenue in excess of US$12 Billion, I find no objection to the company implementing the project.
Needless to state, however, Government will require that all the performance guarantees for the equipment installed be obtained and the interests of ZESA Holdings/ZPC as the end-user of the project be protected to the fullest extent possible.
In conclusion, I reiterate Government’s position, as similarly restated in High Court judgment HC 8159/18 by Chitapi JA in the two cases which ZPC lost where he said “With the current Government’s thrust that there be accelerated development to ensure the attainment of a middle-income status for the country by 2030, it is hoped that key projects like the one involved in this case are not stalled by unnecessary bickering and extra-contractual frustrations,” and
“Parties should desist from merry-dancing in the Courts and fighting in Boardrooms instead of implementing this project of national importance at the site..”. These points cannot be emphasized enough.
Indeed His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe has launched “Vision 2030”, which demands Government implement policies and projects which will usher Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-class economy by 2030.
I urge you to support this vision, by all means, necessary, for the greater good of the Country. This project is inarguably a low-hanging fruit from which Government is poised to realise its success in no time.
It is against the changed circumstances, the foregoing background and context that I strongly recommend your Board to consider the urgent implementation of the following measures as directed by Government;
a) Expedite the negotiation, drafting and signing of an amended and restated EPC Contract in order to provide for and give full effect to the financial and technical proposal by the EPC Contractor;
b) Expedite the negotiation, drafting and signing of all subsequent agreements which will give effect to the project financing and technical implementation.
These include, but are not limited to the conclusion of the Power Purchase Agreement, tariff currency modalities, Implementation Agreement, Security of Payment Agreement amongst other Agreements which may be required by the financier and relevant regulators.
c) In making the foregoing sentiments I must draw the attention of the Board to the fact that the contract in casu was signed sometime in 2015.
Since that time nothing has been achieved except endless and pointless litigation with an appeal currently pending. It is not known when this appeal will be determined whilst on the other hand it is self-evident that the country is reeling under a serious power crisis that has already wreaked havoc to the economy and the generality of the populace.
d) Additionally, it is apposite to point out that this matter is of immense public interest given the power situation in the country and the history of the project.
It is the government’s intention to deal with both matters through the speedy implementation of the project
e) I make mention of the Board’s resolution on the future of the project. The resolution suggests that the consequences of the Court’s decision are irrelevant. This cannot be right. No advice or information is supplied as to the consequences of losing this appeal.
All in all, I consider the foregoing as having placed Government’s position in unambiguous clarity. Megawatts will ultimately be made at the project and not in courts.
The High Court has made this point and expressed exasperation with the endless litigation. Government, given the current power situation, cannot afford the luxury of continued litigation anymore and has been forced to take a pragmatic approach to the production of power.
I understand that a meeting to discuss this matter is slated for tomorrow. Please kindly advise me as to the outcome of the meeting as soon as possible thereafter.
THE Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution Company (ZETDC), has threatened to switch off defunct steel giant, Zisco, over a ZW$6,2 million debt accrued over a period of three months.
In a letter to Zisco that was signed by ZETDC southern region general manager, Engineer King Fazo Dube, seen by the news crew, the power utility turned down a payment plan designed by the steel company together with Redcliff Municipality and ZimChem and insists on switching off supplies.
The move could spell doom not only to Zisco but also to Redcliff residents who rely on the company for pumping water. Zisco receives water from Kwekwe, which is then distributed to other companies and residents in Redcliff using the company’s water pump.
Companies such as Steelmakers, Zimchem and ZimCoke may also be forced to halt operations due to non-availability of water.
“We cannot accept your payment plan request to pay $290 000, which does not even cover your average monthly bill of $1 300 000. As we highlighted in the meeting, we had with you, we are left with no other option but to disconnect supplies if we do not receive full payment of your account,” wrote Eng Dube.
In the same letter, ZETDC urged Zisco to engage Redcliff Municipality and ZimChem to find a way forward. Acting Zisco Board chair, Dr Gift Mugano, said he did not have finer details of the matter.
“What I can say for now is that as far as I am concerned, we were paying our bills. You should also bear in mind that we are not operating and at times we might fail to fulfill our obligations,” he said.
“But I am also aware that negotiations are ongoing between us and Redcliff and ZimChem that we have separate meters that we are billed separately. We are currently seized with the matter and I think very soon it will be solved,” said Dr Mugano.
Redcliff Town Clerk, Mr Gilson Chakauya said the move would render the entire Redcliff town dry. He requested residents to contribute towards the paying of the bill.
“I think the timing by ZETDC is not well consulted. The move will mean that the whole of Redcliff will go dry as we rely on the Ziscosteel water pump for pumping of water. And to think that we are in the middle of a fight against Covid-19 whose positive cases continue rising, I think they need to be sensitive and accept our payment plan,” said Mr Chakauya.
He said the local authority had also received the same communication from ZETDC.
“We received communication from ZETDC that electricity at the booster pump station at Zisco will be disconnected. But the monthly average bill is ZW1,3 million and the debt is now at ZW$6,2 million and the move will result in the disruption of water supply to all suburbs,” he said.
“Our average monthly water collection is around ZW$165 000, which is not sustained against our monthly bill from Kwekwe City of ZW$2,9 million. Due to low cash inflows, the outstanding bill from Kwekwe City now stands at ZW$13,5 million. A total of ZW$4,2 million is required monthly on average for both water and electricity charges,” he said.
A whopping 12 people recovered from the coronavirus in Zimbabwe yesterday, 11 from Masvingo and one from Mashonaland East, raising the number of people that have recovered so far to 46.
Five, all returning residents from South Africa, however, tested positive, increasing the total to 287.
The number of active cases, however, dropped from 244 to 237.
A total of 53 668 people have been tested since the outbreak on 20 Mach.
Globally there were 7.2 million cases last night. More than 407 300 people had died and 3.5 million had recovered leaving 3.3 million active cases.
Energy Minister Fortune Chasi has directed the ZESA Holdings board to withdraw criminal charges against Wicknell Chivayo, whose company, Intratek, has failed to deliver on 100 MW solar power plant in Gwanda, Matabeleland South.
In a letter to ZESA chairman Sydney Gata on May 26, Chasi advised the power utility to abandon the fraud charges because the government “cannot afford the luxury of continued litigation” at the expense of expediting power generation.
Below is the full text of Chasi’s letter to Gata:
Dear Dr Gata
REVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL, EXECUTION OF THE 100MW GWANDA SOLAR PROJECT.
ServicesBuildingHomeGroceries DatingJobsCommercialHealth I refer to a meeting jointly held by ZESA Holdings and Intratrek Zimbabwe (Pvt) Limited on Friday 22nd May 2020, in which I advised all parties in attendance of Government’s position with regards to the urgent need to implement the project.
I further draw your attention to a letter from your office delivered on even date of the meeting, whose contents I confirm to have duly noted.
In my communication of Government’s unequivocal position with regards to the Gwanda project, I sought to deliver the Ministry’s mandate to ensure the availability of sufficient power to the country by all means necessary.
It is now the prerogative of ZESA Holdings to ensure that the Government’s primary intention to address the energy demand is expediently and urgently given the attention it deserves.
In fulfilment of this mandate placed upon ZESA Holdings, there exists an obvious requirement that the necessary Board approvals be obtained in compliance with tenets of good corporate governance and all applicable statutes.
I wish to further reiterate that the Government’s position is fully informed by the following factors which have been approved at the highest level;
a) The Gwanda Solar project was and is still earmarked by Government as an economic enabler to the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and successor policies adopted by government in 2018 and subsequently this year.
It forms part of the short to medium term solutions in resolving the energy deficit in the Country, thus spurring agriculture, mining and manufacturing activity which will increase the country’s export revenue.
b) Intratek assured Government that it can commence the project immediately as the funding is now available for this purpose.
Feeding 10MW into the national grid within the next 6 months will cause notable availability of power, thus significantly reducing the extent and cost of power imports, whose arrears in foreign currency are fully known by yourselves. This will inevitably contribute to assisting Fiscus inflows and support macro-economic growth.
c) Government has further taken full consideration of the proposed financial and technical soundness presented by the EPC Contractor through the Strategic Review Document submitted to my office and finds merit in the same.
It goes without saying that the bridge-financing model proposed by the EPC Contractor’s transactional advisors is led by a team of renowned experts in the field of project financing and legal advisory with respect to the implementation of EPC Contracts in the region.
The same transaction advisors have also recently successfully commissioned a 5MW centagrid PV Solar Plant at Nyabira, which is now already augmenting power supplies from the country’s main power producers managed by ZESA Holdings. They have also reached financial closure for the remaining 20 MW which commissioning is
expected within the next 12 months.
d) It is common cause that African Transmission Corporation Holdings Limited, the prospective financier, has also been pivotal in assisting ZESA Holdings in the debt/equity structuring of the Hwange 7 & 8 US$1,4 Billion expansion project and were very instrumental in working with KPMG on the financial modelling for the Kariba 7 & 8 extension project, which was a resounding success.
Their competence being attestable, Government finds no reason not to find comfort in the same firm, led by Mr Victor Utedzi, whose impressive curriculum vitae I have had the occasion to peruse.
I am persuaded to believe that with such financial accolades, the quick syndication of a bankable financial model for the Gwanda solar project ought not to be problematic.
It is my Ministry’s logical opinion that at the revised price of US$139 Million, the debt/equity model will be less rigorous and thus ensure that financial closure would be reached expeditiously.
e) Government also took note of the involvement of high ranking professionals who now constitute the restructured EPC Contractor’s Board.
Of note, the Presidential Advisory Chairman – Mr Edwin Manikai – is leading the legal conscription of the proposed financial and technical variation of the project through Dube, Manikai & Hwacha Legal Practitioners.
It goes without mention that the firm ranks amongst the top 3 in the country and recognised as an exceptional commercial law firm by the Global Chambers International since 2014.
The key role of DMH and Mr Manikai in particular in the new arrangement speaks volumes on the integrity, professionalism and experience placed into the project, with Government concurring that all previous loop-holes would subsequently be forestalled and plugged.
Principally, the appointment of Mr Wilson Manase as the new Executive Chairman of Intratrek Zimbabwe (Pvt) Limited endows the project with high prospects of successful implementation.
Having chaired Metropolitan Bank for 16 years and being a Board member of a myriad of other successful and reputable private firms and government in Zimbabwe, Mr Manase is a practising lawyer and businessman of agreed prominence and as such, Government associates itself with the confident view that the project would be secured properly under his stewardship.
f) Government has also placed material consideration on the technical capacity of CHINT Electric Ltd, who have been contracted to execute the project.
CHINT’s financial and technical capacity has been duly assessed by ZPC and the due diligence report presented to me confirms the company to be fully knowledgeable in the field of both manufacturing PV modules and operating PV power stations.
The report further advises that is the second-largest solar power supplier in the world by a comprehensive performance rate awarded by PHOTON and a reputable blue-chip company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange with average annual sales revenue in excess of US$12 Billion, I find no objection to the company implementing the project.
Needless to state, however, Government will require that all the performance guarantees for the equipment installed be obtained and the interests of ZESA Holdings/ZPC as the end-user of the project be protected to the fullest extent possible.
In conclusion, I reiterate Government’s position, as similarly restated in High Court judgment HC 8159/18 by Chitapi JA in the two cases which ZPC lost where he said “With the current Government’s thrust that there be accelerated development to ensure the attainment of a middle-income status for the country by 2030, it is hoped that key projects like the one involved in this case are not stalled by unnecessary bickering and extra-contractual frustrations,” and
“Parties should desist from merry-dancing in the Courts and fighting in Boardrooms instead of implementing this project of national importance at the site..”. These points cannot be emphasized enough.
Indeed His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe has launched “Vision 2030”, which demands Government implement policies and projects which will usher Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-class economy by 2030.
I urge you to support this vision, by all means, necessary, for the greater good of the Country. This project is inarguably a low-hanging fruit from which Government is poised to realise its success in no time.
It is against the changed circumstances, the foregoing background and context that I strongly recommend your Board to consider the urgent implementation of the following measures as directed by Government;
a) Expedite the negotiation, drafting and signing of an amended and restated EPC Contract in order to provide for and give full effect to the financial and technical proposal by the EPC Contractor;
b) Expedite the negotiation, drafting and signing of all subsequent agreements which will give effect to the project financing and technical implementation.
These include, but are not limited to the conclusion of the Power Purchase Agreement, tariff currency modalities, Implementation Agreement, Security of Payment Agreement amongst other Agreements which may be required by the financier and relevant regulators.
c) In making the foregoing sentiments I must draw the attention of the Board to the fact that the contract in casu was signed sometime in 2015.
Since that time nothing has been achieved except endless and pointless litigation with an appeal currently pending. It is not known when this appeal will be determined whilst on the other hand it is self-evident that the country is reeling under a serious power crisis that has already wreaked havoc to the economy and the generality of the populace.
d) Additionally, it is apposite to point out that this matter is of immense public interest given the power situation in the country and the history of the project.
It is the government’s intention to deal with both matters through the speedy implementation of the project
e) I make mention of the Board’s resolution on the future of the project. The resolution suggests that the consequences of the Court’s decision are irrelevant. This cannot be right. No advice or information is supplied as to the consequences of losing this appeal.
All in all, I consider the foregoing as having placed Government’s position in unambiguous clarity. Megawatts will ultimately be made at the project and not in courts.
The High Court has made this point and expressed exasperation with the endless litigation. Government, given the current power situation, cannot afford the luxury of continued litigation anymore and has been forced to take a pragmatic approach to the production of power.
I understand that a meeting to discuss this matter is slated for tomorrow. Please kindly advise me as to the outcome of the meeting as soon as possible thereafter.
At least 15 people have been killed in Kenya by police during the nationwide dusk-to-dawn curfew, aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus, a report by the country’s Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) says.
Six police officers will now be charged with murder and assault, for their alleged involvement in shootings while enforcing the restrictions, it says.
A separate report by the UN human rights office has documented widespread police violence in 182 communities across the country, including beating, use of live ammunition and tear gas, sexual violence, and damage to property.
The highest number of incidents relating to excessive use of force by police were documented in the capital, Nairobi.
Hussein Moyo’s 13-year-old son, Yassin, was allegedly shot in the stomach by police in Nairobi on 28 March, just a day after the dusk-to-dawn curfew was implemented in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
He had been standing together with his family on their third-floor balcony watching police storm the neighbourhood in search of people who were not abiding by the curfew.
Yassin’s case is one of those confirmed by the police oversight authority and now the director of public prosecutions has approved the arrest and prosecution of a police officer.
Police spokesperson Charles Owino told the BBC the findings in the IPOA report were simply allegations and complaints filed by the public and every case mentioned would need to be investigated.
With regard to Yassin he said the shooting was accidental as the police officer wanted to disperse the crowd by shooting into the air.
He said it was unfair to portray the police as “killers” at a time when they were on the front line enforcing coronavirus restrictions.
The government says it has pumped millions of dollars into police service reforms since the 2007/8 post-election violence which left more than 1,000 people dead and at least 300,000 displaced. Police were accused of causing up to 400 of the deaths.
But critics say little has changed and people in poor settlements in the capital like Mathare say they want justice.
GENEVA – UN human rights experts on Wednesday called on Zimbabwe to immediately end a reported pattern of disappearances and torture that appear aimed at suppressing protests and dissent.
The urgent call comes after three female opposition activists – member of parliament Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova – were stopped at a police checkpoint in Harare and subsequently abducted, tortured and sexually assaulted. The three women were going to participate in a peaceful protest organised on 13 May 2020 by the Alliance Youth Assembly of the main opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change.
After almost 48 hours, the three women were dumped in a marketplace. They were immediately hospitalised to be treated for the injuries they sustained while they were abducted. A few days later, they were charged with violating COVID-19 regulations on public gatherings and for purportedly intending to promote public violence and breach of peace.
“The charges against the three women should be dropped,” the experts said. “Targeting peaceful dissidents, including youth leaders, in direct retaliation for the exercise of their freedom of association, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression is a serious violation of human rights law.”
The experts called on the authorities of Zimbabwe to “urgently prosecute and punish the perpetrators of this outrageous crime, and to immediately enforce a policy of ‘zero tolerance’ for abductions and torture throughout the country” to ensure the effective protection of women against sexual violence, and to bring those responsible to account.
The experts expressed grave alarm over concerns this was not an isolated instance. In 2019 alone, 49 cases of abductions and torture were reported in Zimbabwe, without investigations leading to perpetrators being held to account. “Enforced disappearances of women often involve sexual violence, and even forced impregnation, with enormous harm inflicted not only on their physical health and integrity, but also in terms of the resulting psychological damage, social stigma and disruption of family structures,” the experts said.
“Under the absolute and non-derogable prohibition of torture and ill-treatment, which includes enforced disappearance and violence against women, Zimbabwe must take all measures in its power to prevent such abuse, to investigate suspected violations, and to bring any perpetrators to justice,” the experts said.
They also urged the government to allow official visits of UN human rights experts with a view to assessing the human rights situation in the country.
Watch video downloading below. Please be patient as the video downloads.
Former MDC T Vice President Elias Mudzuri has said contrary to what people are saying that Khupe only became the interim president of the MDC T after the supreme court made her the leader, and they have joined her MDC T Bulawayo party, she was always the rightful leader after she was elected at the party’s congress in 2014.
Mudzuri tweeted:
:It is a lie that the Supreme Court ruling gave us a leader and made us join Dr Khupe’s Byo Congress party. We are MDC whose founding president was Dr Tsvangirai. Dr Khupe’s legitimacy as Acting President is derived from the 2014 Congress which elected her VP.”
This comes amid a leadership wrangle between Thokozani Khupe and Nelson Chamisa that was escalated by the Supreme Court ruling that declared Chamisa an illegitimate MDC leader and restored the party’s 2014 structures.
DUBAI. — The International Cricket Council have confirmed interim changes to their playing regulations, which include the ban on the use of saliva to shine the ball and allowing home umpires in international series.
The ICC chief executives’ committee ratified recommendations from the Anil Kumble-led Cricket Committee, aimed at mitigating the risks posed by the COVID-19 virus and protect the safety of players and match officials when cricket resumes.
Teams will be allowed to replace players displaying symptoms of COVID-19 during a Test match.
In line with concussion replacements, the match referee will approve the nearest like-for-like replacement.
However, the regulation for Covid-19 replacements will not be applicable in ODIs and T20s.
Players will not be permitted to use saliva to shine the ball.
If a player does apply saliva to the ball, the umpires will manage the situation with some leniency during an initial period of adjustment for the players, but subsequent instances will result in the team receiving a warning.
A team can be issued up to two warnings per innings but repeated use of saliva on the ball will result in a 5-run penalty to the batting side.
Whenever saliva is applied to the ball, the umpires will be instructed to clean the ball before play recommences.
The requirement to appoint neutral match officials will be temporarily removed from the playing conditions for all international formats owing to the current logistical challenges with international travel.
The ICC will be able to appoint locally based match officials from the Emirates ICC elite panel of match officials and the Emirates ICC international panel of match officials.
The CEC have also confirmed an additional unsuccessful DRS review for each team in each innings of a match, keeping in mind that there may be less experienced umpires on duty at times.
This will increase the number of unsuccessful appeals per innings for each team to three for Tests and two for the white-ball formats.
The ICC cricket operations team will support match referees when processing code of conduct breaches, and a neutral elite panel match referee will conduct any hearing remotely via video link.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) is yet to release the new $20 notes that were due first week of June as market actors grow anxious over the delay.
Last month authorities issued new $ 10 notes into circulation with the $ 20 notes expected to have hit the market last week as per initial pronouncements by the Central Bank.
“The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe wishes to advise the public that the $10 and $20 bank notes issued on May 14 2020 through Statutory Instrument 103A of 2020, will come into circulation as follows, the $10-dollar bank note will commence circulating on Tuesday 19 May, 2020 and the $20 bank note will be in circulation by the first week of June 2020,” RBZ Governor, John Mangudya said in a statement then.
However, the Bank has remained tight-lipped on its earlier pronouncements which should have been executed last week sparking anxiety in the market.
Efforts by 263Chat to contact the Governor for comment were unsuccessful as his connection went unanswered.
According to the RBZ, the new notes were meant to improve cash availability on the market which remains relatively lower at around 5 percent threshold of broad money against international best practice of 10-15 percent.
But most traders have already hiked prices of goods and commodities this past week in anticipation of an increase in money supply, a move market players have castigated.
They say the $20 note is already losing its value before it even starts circulating.
“We are seeing the $10 that was recently introduced already been eroded by inflation, so this is a short-term intervention,” Bulawayo Vendor Association, executive director, Mike Ndiweni told 263Chat Business.
Nevertheless, there has been growing concern over the distribution of money into the economy which has seen the bulk of the new $ 10 notes in the hands of illicit money traders at a time the majority of the people cannot access it.
The local currency has been in short supply since its inception last year leading to parallel market traders setting high premiums on cash.
ZimEye ran a poll to establish netizens’ opinions on whether Health and Child Care minister Obediah Moyo should be arrested following his involvement in the Drax International saga.
Of the 258 people that voted, 55 percent were of the opinion that Moyo should be arrested while 34 percent said while it was obvious that he should be nabbed, it was highly likely that he would not.
On the other hand, a paltry 5 percent were of the opinion that the minister had done nothing wrong hence should not be arrested while another 6 percent said they did not know what should be done to Moyo.
We publish below the poll result:
Govt cancels ALL contracts with #DRAX International confirming underhand dealings involving #DrObediahMoyo. @ZACConline remains mum despite all the evidence exposing criminal abuse of office. SHOULD #ObediahMoyo BE ARRESTED?
Over 200 returnees in Harare’s different quarantine facilities will be released on Wednesday after testing negative to Covid 19 while those who tested positive have since been isolated at Beatrice Road, Wilkins and Parirenyatwa Hospital’s isolation facility as Government moves to decongest all it’s quarantine facilities across the country.
Over 100 others from Harare are still waiting for their results which are expected by end of day tomorrow.
Making the announcement in Harare this morning, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said this exercise will be cascaded to all other quarantine facilities across the country as a matter of urgency
“We want to make sure that we test all incoming returnees from day one as they arrive but firstly we have to clear the quarantine facilities,” said Dr Moyo.
Farai Dziva|Liverpool have confirmed Adam Lallana has signed a short-term contract extension that will keep him at the club for the remainder of the 2019/20 season.
The midfielder’s was supposed to leave the club at the end of June but after the season was disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, he will stay until the campaign is finished.
Speaking to the club’s media, Lallana said: “I am really pleased to have the chance to finish this season – it means a lot to me and my family.
“Now isn’t the moment to review my time here because the focus needs to be on the remaining nine matches and the club finishing the season in the best manner possible.
“Of course, one of the big personal positives about committing to this short-term extension is that I will now get to say goodbye to the people who mean so much to me in the right way.”
Lallana moved to Liverpool from Southampton in June 2014 and has since made 178 appearances, scoring 22 goals.
The playmaker has collected winners’ medals for the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup during his time with the Reds.
Farai Dziva|Prominent MDC Alliance activist Brian Garikai Nhachi has died.
Nhachi died at Neshuro Hospital on Wednesday.
See statement below: Brain Nhachi is no more.He passed on today(Wednesday) at Neshuro Hospital.
Brain Nhachi attended the MDC first congress in Chitungwiza.
Nhachi was a fearless and selfless person who gave all he had for the party.
In order to open up the political hot bed of violence Nhachi dedicated his house as a base for campaigns, recruitment and building of party structures in Mwenezi.
He never campaigned for a provincial post as he had passion of dislodging Zanu PF in Mwenezi.
In 2013 more than 200 party leaders camped at his house and used it as the base to organize rallies and campaigns in both Mwenezi East and West Constituencies.
Although Brain Nhachi was from Manicaland (Nyanyadzi area) he had taken Mwenezi as his permanent home.
Brain Nhachi’s death has robbed Masvingo of a true democrat. Rest in peace Brain Nhachi.
Manchester City have announced the appointment of Juan Manuel Lillo as Pep Guardiola’s new assistant manager.
Guardiola’s former assistant Mikel Arteta left the club earlier in the season to take a head coach post at Arsenal.
City announced the changes in a statement: “Manchester City are delighted to announce that Juan Manuel Lillo has joined Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff as an assistant coach.
“The 54-year old Spaniard, who established his coaching career in the Spanish leagues, joins from Qingdao Huanghai, having helped the Club be crowned Chinese League One champions and so helping them achieve promotion to the Super League.”
The appointment sees Lillo reuniting with Pep whom he coached towards the latter end of his playing career during their shared time in Mexico at Dorados de Sinaloa-Soccer 24
Veteran journalist and former Daily News editor Stanley Gama has blasted CAPS United vice president Nhamo Tutisani following chaotic scenes which took place at the club’s offices in Eastlea on Tuesday.
The Green Machine players ganged up on Tutisani and blocked his way at the club’s palce of business, accusing him of financial mismanagement after it emerged that Netone, before withdrawing sponsorship, had given the club officials money for three months salaries, only for them to pay for one.
Livid CAPS players, particularly new boy Innocent Mucheneka, boldly accused Tutisani of being insensitive to the plight of the squad with the vice president threatening to fire him, but Gama insists that was not right on Tutisani’s part.
“Who the hell is Tutisani who is destroying CAPS United? Why doesn’t he leave our team & concentrate on the Land Commission which is investigating his land deals.
He can’t play Russian Roulete with our club. I’m told he was given money to pay the players but he hasn’t done so. Why?” wrote Gama on Twitter-Soccer 24
Farai Dziva| UN experts have challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government to drop charges against three MDC Alliance youth leaders, Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.
The UN has also called for an immediate end to the pattern of disappearances and torture aimed at suppressing dissent.
See UN experts’ statement :
The charges against the three women should be dropped.
Targeting peaceful dissidents, including youth leaders, in direct retaliation for the exercise of their freedom of association, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression is a serious violation of human rights law.
Enforced disappearances of women often involve sexual violence, and even forced impregnation, with enormous harm inflicted not only on their physical health and integrity but also in terms of the resulting psychological damage, social stigma and disruption of family structures.
Under the absolute and non-derogable prohibition of torture and ill-treatment, which includes enforced disappearance and violence against women, Zimbabwe must take all measures in its power to prevent such abuse, to investigate suspected violations, and to bring any perpetrators to justice.
Tinotenda Kadewere has expressed his gratitude to his former club, Le Havre, as he starts a new journey at top-flight club Lyon.
The Warriors international attended his first training at Les Gones on Tuesday after arriving in the city of Lyon on the previous day.
He had spent two seasons at Le Havre where he managed to break a couple of club records and also won the Ligue 2 golden boot.
Posting on his Instagram, the striker said: “My new adventure with Olympique Lyonnais started yesterday. The opportunity for me to once again thank my former club, Le Havre [sic].
“Thank you for welcoming me into your family and making me the player I am today. Thank you to all the people who have helped me – managers, technical and medical staff, administrative staff, teammates and of course, supporters.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
“Your advice and all the moments spent together will help me take this new step in my career. Le Havre will remain my city and Stade Océane my home. I will come back you see whenever I can. I will never forget you [sic].”
Kadewere is expected to be officially presented by Lyon this afternoon-Soccer 24
Farai Dziva|Nine MDC Alliance officials who were arrested in Masvingo on Tuesday were fined $ RTGS 500 each for “unnecessary movement during lockdown.”
The nine MDC Alliance were arrested at the provincial party offices in Rhodene.
“It’s true, 9 MDC Alliance District chairpersons were arrested on Tuesday. They were accused of violating lockdown restrictions.They were fined RTGS $ 500 each,” said their lawyer, Advocate Martin Mureri.
List of the MDC Alliance officials who were arrested and fined:
1.Mundoga Manners 2.Kudakwashe Matavire 3.Elias Munosiyeyi 4.Tizirai Nhenga 5.Chongore Johannes 6.Dziva Timitia 7.Tangemhare 8.Ngorima Joel 9.Russel Mudoro
A week is a long time in President Emmerson Mnangangwa’s Zimbabwe.
On Friday 5 June, I led a group of opposition MDC-Alliance leaders to our party headquarters in Harare. We were not armed, we were peaceful, and we had no other intention than to reclaim our offices, which had been taken over by security forces in the name of a fake “MDC” faction they control. For this, we were arrested and spent a day in prison before being charged and released on bail.
This is part of a steady and hastening trend towards failure in Zimbabwe. This event should remind the international community and southern African region that the ruling ZANU-PF is not a reformist government. They should not ease up pressure on Harare to adhere to democratic standards.
Since the military coup in November 2017, Mnangagwa’s ZANU-PF has taken Zimbabwe to new and unprecedented depths of collapse, capture and coercion. In under two years, Zimbabwe has backslid into a comatose, tin-pot republic dominated by massive economic mismanagement. Unemployment is sky high and the inflation rate is over 700%.
At the centre of Mnangagwa‘s failed economics, are two things. The first is the inability of the government to live within its own means. Billions have been spent outside the budget leading to huge deficits that have forced the Central Bank to print money to cover the gap. The second is the government’s mismanagement of the exchange rate. In 2019, the government prematurely introduced its own currency. Without sound economic fundamentals to back it up, the New Zimbabwean Dollar collapsed resulting in serious market distortions and an explosion in black market activities.
In the shops, basic commodities are in short supply, particularly sugar, cooking fat and the country’s staple mealie-meal. Fuel queues snake for kilometres. There have been incessant power cuts lasting up to 18 hours, particularly before Zimbabwe imposed its COVID- 19 lockdown at the end of March.
As the economy implodes, Mnangawgwa and his lot are presiding over the most corrupt and extractive period since Zimbabwe’s independence 40 years ago. Billions of dollars are siphoned off from the state, in vehicles and companies linked to Mnangangwa, his family and business associates.
Even as the lives of average Zimbabweans turn to dust, the elite continues to milk the system through their control of foreign exchange and money supply, agricultural subsidies (which they call “command agriculture”), fuel procurement, the mining of commodities (such as diamonds, platinum, chrome and gold), and public sector procurement.
A violent regime
Mnangagwa’s human rights record is an even worse disaster and should motivate all democrats to stand shoulder to shoulder with Zimbabwe’s opposition. We already knew of his dark past at the centre of the 1980s Gukurahundi genocide, which saw the murder of more than 20,000 people in the southern and south-western parts of the country. But in the wake of the 2018 general election, the world was reminded of his ruthlessness when eight protestors in Harare were shot dead by the military in broad daylight.
In January 2019, soldiers killed 19 people following protests against massive hikes in fuel prices. During that same period, women were raped, many homes were torched and some 600 people were arrested. Amnesty International observed: “Authorities routinely suppressed the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, using lethal and excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations.”
In August 2019, following the MDC’s threats to hold a protest, 42 activists were abducted. In October, a young vendor, Hilton Tafadzwa Tamangani, was tortured by the police and died in a remand prison.
The abuses come thick and fast, and with a level of dehumanisation and violence that has become ZANU-PF’s hallmark. Just three weeks ago, three female activists – Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri, and Netsai Marowa – were abducted , tortured and sexually abused by state security agents following their participation in a street protest. Among the methods of torture used was the shoving of gun barrels into the girls’ bodies and forced consumption of each other’s urine and faeces.
The opposition continues to struggle on, in spite of the risks and intimidation. Most recently, ZANU-PF – craving the flow of international funds that recognition of Zimbabwe’s “democracy” could bring – has attempted to use a curious court judgement to hatch a Trojan Horse within the MDC-Alliance, forcing us to hand over the leadership of the party to a rival that contested against us, and lost, in the 2018 general election. As if that was not enough, on 3 June 2020, the military physically seized our party’s head office, Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House, and physically handed control of the premises to the rival beneficiaries.
My mission last Friday was to gain access to our own building. Here’s what happened.
My arrest
At first, the police were polite and civil. Then our group began singing a popular liberation song. Without warning, we were arrested, bundled into a police truck and ferried to Harare Central Police Station. No restraint was exercised. The police were particularly rough with my colleagues David Chimhini, a 70-year old senator, and Lovemore Chinoputsa, who kept demanding to know why we were being arrested.
At Harare Central Police Station, we saw the grisly intestines of state failure under ZANU-PF‘s 40 years of misrule. We were placed in a tiny room, replete with a broken ceiling and chairs, an old Remington typewriter fit for a museum, and tattered police uniforms hanging from the door. It was like a scene from a bad Western.
We waited hours before Superintendent Majongosi arrived to record our details. We stayed several more hours during which no food was offered despite Senator Chimiinhi explaining that he is diabetic and suffers from hypertension. When our lawyers arrived, they insisted that we be released. The police kept saying the matter was not in their hands and that they were consulting, which we took as a euphemism that they were seeking directives from the president’s office.
Around 8 o’clock, we were transferred. In our new holding room, other prisoners were present, including policeman Shungudzemoyo Kache, who had been charged with sedition for allegedly calling Mnangangwa “a used condom”.
MDC-Alliance activist Womberai Nhende lay on the dilapidated floor with huge gashes on his leg from being assaulted by the police. He was shivering and struggling to breathe but they did not care. No medical attention was offered until our lawyers insisted he be taken to a hospital.
Later that evening, charges were formally laid against us. We were accused of having committed a criminal nuisance by disturbing the peace and singing a song on Nelson Mandela Avenue. Although such a petty crime is usually resolved by paying a fine, the police proceeded to take our fingerprints. Without the necessary basic equipment, they poured ink on a kitchen sponge.
We were squeezed into two little offices by an army of police detectives who behaved as if we had just bombed the twin towers.
The process was long, tortuous and ran into the night. A decision was then taken to detain us until the next morning. We were bundled downstairs where we found ourselves in a room with hundreds of other prisoners. Most had been arrested for not wearing masks and hadn’t been able to pay the fines. Yet to heap irony on the ridiculous, there was no social distancing, temperature checks or sanitisers provided then or at any point that day.
Later, we were taken to the actual cells and forced to surrender our belongings. We were not provided blankets or mats on which to sleep. The toilets were stuffed with torn copies of The Herald, the state-owned newspaper, for which there is no better use. There was no water and we were forced to walk in filth without shoes.
In the morning, my poor mother and brother were allowed in. It pained me to see my mother had been crying all night and had hardly slept.
Around 10am, we were taken to Harare Magistrate Court where hundreds of our supporters were outnumbered by riot police and soldiers. Our lawyers had been waiting, having been told the previous night that our hearings would begin at 8:30am. We waited another hour or so before we were told that there was no senior prosecutor present to handle our case, notwithstanding the minor nature of the charge. Without explanation, we were driven back to Harare Central Prison.
It was farcical and surreal like a poorly scripted Mr Bean film without the comedy.
Back at the prison, a very apologetic policeman told us they’d been instructed to add more serious charges against us. We were presented with new statements which we refused to sign. Well into the afternoon, we were then taken back to court. Through our lawyers we made complaints against the manner of our arrest, the delays, and the unhealthy conditions we were exposed to. The magistrate ordered an inquiry. We were granted bail of a thousand dollars each.
We were so grateful when bail was posted and the six of us left prison with nothing but our freedom. We were dirty, hungry, and had been physically and mentally tortured, but we were relieved. Because despite our terrible experience, we were the lucky ones. Many have died. Many have been tortured. And many are fearful they will become victims of this dysfunctional, anti-democratic state.
My appeal to the world is to acknowledge our experience and that of so many in Zimbabwe, and to recognise that the lives of black Zimbabweans matter.
IF your face mask does not have more than one layer of fabric it may expose you to Covid-19 infection, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on home made masks.
Also, anyone who wears a single mask for more than three hours increases chances of infection. Unlike medical masks which are produced for hospitals, handmade masks yield higher infection rates caused by droplets and airborne micro-organisms. Studies have shown that multi layered masks offer more protection and single layer cloths masks are riskier.
Cloth masks, become magnets for the virus when they get wet, even due to vapour from breathing in and out.
WHO points out that homemade masks become less effective if they are not used in conjunction with other Covid-19 prevention measures like social distancing and hygiene.
Masks, the organisation advises, should be washed using hot water in a basin with laundry detergent and if hot water is not available, cold water with 0.05 percent chlorine should be used.
They should be soaked for 30 minutes and then be rinsed with water and laundry detergent. Low resource countries will have to rely on the handmade cloth masks to contain Covid-19 which has so far infected 292 people in Zimbabwe and killed four.
Globally, more than 7 million have been infected and deaths top 400 000.
Local manufacturers and tailors have ventured into mask making after Government made it mandatory for everyone to wear a mask in public spaces. A majority use just any cloth in single layers.
Police have been arresting people spotted without face masks after the law was enacted, effective May 4.
WHO says cloth masks should not replace respirators and should never be used by healthcare workers in health institutions.
“Homemade cloth masks may offer marginal protection from droplet and airborne infections from asymptomatic persons by reducing the number of respiratory droplets from them to others,” read the statement from WHO.
“Homemade cloth masks can be assembled from many different materials readily available within the community.
Yet, preliminary data shows that masks made up of two or more cloth layers are more effective at keeping particle penetration lower than single-layered masks.”
The guidelines also recommended that in providing routine care to a Covid-19 patient, health care workers should wear surgical masks.
“Make sure to keep the homemade cloth mask dry at all times. Even moisture from exhaling could potentially make the fabric more prone to transmitting infection,” said WHO.
“Homemade cloth masks may be worn up to three hours without an increase in particle penetration and they must be cleaned daily.”
WHO also emphasised the need for physical distancing of at least 1-metre and adopting sound hand hygiene practices in addition to wearing masks.
Credit:WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information like/ follow our Facebook page:
Below is Hon Tendai Biti’s letter, addressed to World Bank Group President, David Malpass, and copied to Hafez Ghanem, the Bank’s VP for Africa:
Dear President Malpass, I am a senior official in Zimbabwe’s largest opposition party and the chairman of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, but I am writing to you today as a private citizen and former Minister of Finance (2009-13).
All Africans are grateful for your work to galvanise a global response effort to assist sub-Saharan Africa during the Covid-19 crisis.
The swift response by the Bank, as well as your advocacy for the suspension of debt payments, has resonated deeply with those of us who have begun to recognise the long term health and economic consequences of the crisis. We also appreciate the efforts to provide emergency assistance to the people of Zimbabwe, who have been in a desperate situation even before the pandemic struck.
However, even in these unprecedented times, any support from the World Bank Group must contribute towards our shared goal of better health and economic opportunity for the people of Zimbabwe. Any assistance must not be allowed to further enrich or entrench the very people who have destroyed our economy and democracy.
Indeed, the regime is already using the lockdown as a pretext for further theft and repression. Any support to Zimbabwe must help in creating sustainable recovery anchored on principles of sound good governance, democracy and the rule of law not patronage, capture or corruption. The corruption levels in Zimbabwe are disturbing.
Billions of dollars are being siphoned off through vulnerabilities that include the Command Agriculture scheme, manipulation of foreign exchange markets, fuel procurement, state subsidies, commodities (gold, platinum, chrome diamonds) and public procurement.
Despite the suffering of the people, the government continues to spend lavishly on itself, including regular leasing of luxury private jets for use by senior officials.
Claims of economic reforms ring hollow. Policy missteps and inconsistencies were most recently captured in the IMF Article IV report of 26 March 2020.
As just one recent example, the government is still forcibly converting foreign currency into a pseudo-currency. I was the lead lawyer in a case seeking to block this illegal expropriation of private assets (Stone/Beattie vs CABS, RBZ) which is now going to the constitutional court. Zimbabwe has a shocking and disturbing record of state violence and forced disappearances.
On 13 May, three of our party’s strongest women and youth advocates for health – Joana Mamombe (MP for Harare West), Cecilia Chinembiri (MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Vice-Chair) and Netsai Marova (Deputy Organising Secretary for Youth) – were arrested by police and tortured by security forces, including brutal sexual assault.
Actors like the World Bank Group must urgently communicate that the COVID crisis cannot be used as a pretext to continue this egregious pattern of political violence and economic repression.
Similarly, we have painfully learned, time and again, that the government will abuse public resources for their own gains rather than for the benefit of Zimbabweans.
The only way that we can advance our shared goals to respond to the current crisis is to include robust measures for transparency and accountability in any assistance package.
Even though the donor community accepts that funds cannot be channelled through the government itself, the integrity of any relief is still at risk because of close relationships between senior officials and certain private actors.
The World Bank Group should, therefore, insist that any COVID relief must include six simple, proven measures:
Transparency of intended expenditure: All assistance must be clear and public, with information shared so that the average citizen can understand how and where it will be spent.
Transparency of procurement: All contracts must use open and competitive bidding, and must be published online. All successful bidders must be publicly disclosed, including the beneficial ownership of the firms and any subcontractors.
Credible preventive oversight: Given Zimbabwe’s extreme governance challenges, you may want to pre-emptively invite the integrity Vice President to provide any oversight of any Bank funds.
Independent audits: All COVID-19 relief funding should be independently audited and transparently published.
Civil society and the media: Civil society must be encouraged to monitor COVID-19 assistance and be allowed to participate in public debate about the emergency response. The media must also be free to report on government initiatives without fear of reprisal.
Parliamentary oversight: All agreements, and all assistance, and any funding, must be laid before parliament with parliament given the opportunity to scrutinise.
These six features must be included in any assistance package and achieved without delay.
Finally, I understand that the government has pleaded with the Bank for more assistance and a way out of its current debt arrears the same concerns about retrenchment and repression apply.
I would be happy to help facilitate a dialogue between the Bank and civil society on the question of the arrears as a way of ensuring that international support to Zimbabwe is consistent with economic and democratic reform and not a step backwards for our long-suffering people. Sincerely, Tendai Biti
Own Correspondent|Controversial Masvingo based preacher, Isaac Komichi has invited Douglas Mwonzora, Morgen Komichi and Thokozani Khupe to his house for a “cleansing and baptism” ceremony.
This, Makomichi claims, will remove the “curse” upon the three politicians,after that the three must join Advocate Chamisa and ask for apology.
Makomichi is the leader of Calvary Prayer Group and the president of Vulnerable Youth Support Network Trust.
In a statement Makomichi urged the three politicians to “confess their sins.”
“I have written an invitation letter to Douglas Mwonzora, Morgen Komichi and Thokozani Khupe.
I want them to confess their sins and I will then baptise them.As I see things right now, the three are unclean before the Lord.
If they do not confess their sins they will not go anywhere.
As I have said, the three must confess because if they do not confess, the country will not move forward.
Every political leader must be clean.
I hope the three will take note of my advice because I am instructing them from a prophetic office.”
The controversial preacher has been criticized for administering what he calls the anointed herb to women and girls across the country.Last week an association of sex workers in Masvingo threatened to sue “Prophet Makomichi” for disrupting their activities.
IF your face mask does not have more than one layer of fabric it may expose you to Covid-19 infection, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on home made masks.
Also, anyone who wears a single mask for more than three hours increases chances of infection.
Unlike medical masks which are produced for hospitals, handmade masks yield higher infection rates caused by droplets and airborne micro-organisms.
Studies have shown that multi layered masks offer more protection and single layer cloths masks are riskier.
Cloth masks, become magnets for the virus when they get wet, even due to vapour from breathing in and out.
WHO points out that homemade masks become less effective if they are not used in conjunction with other Covid-19 prevention measures like social distancing and hygiene.
Masks, the organisation advises, should be washed using hot water in a basin with laundry detergent and if hot water is not available, cold water with 0.05 percent chlorine should be used.
They should be soaked for 30 minutes and then be rinsed with water and laundry detergent.
Low resource countries will have to rely on the handmade cloth masks to contain Covid-19 which has so far infected 292 people in Zimbabwe and killed four.
Globally, more than 7 million have been infected and deaths top 400 000.
Local manufacturers and tailors have ventured into mask making after Government made it mandatory for everyone to wear a mask in public spaces. A majority use just any cloth in single layers.
Police have been arresting people spotted without face masks after the law was enacted, effective May 4.
WHO says cloth masks should not replace respirators and should never be used by healthcare workers in health institutions.
“Homemade cloth masks may offer marginal protection from droplet and airborne infections from asymptomatic persons by reducing the number of respiratory droplets from them to others,” read the statement from WHO.
“Homemade cloth masks can be assembled from many different materials readily available within the community.
Yet, preliminary data shows that masks made up of two or more cloth layers are more effective at keeping particle penetration lower than single-layered masks.”
The guidelines also recommended that in providing routine care to a Covid-19 patient, health care workers should wear surgical masks.
“Make sure to keep the homemade cloth mask dry at all times. Even moisture from exhaling could potentially make the fabric more prone to transmitting infection,” said WHO.
“Homemade cloth masks may be worn up to three hours without an increase in particle penetration and they must be cleaned daily.”
WHO also emphasised the need for physical distancing of at least 1-metre and adopting sound hand hygiene practices in addition to wearing masks.
Credit:WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information like/ follow our Facebook page:
Farai Dziva|Prominent MDC Alliance activist Brian Garikai Nhachi has died.
Nhachi died at Neshuro Hospital on Wednesday.
See statement below: Brain Nhachi is no more.He passed on today(Wednesday) at Neshuro Hospital.
Brain Nhachi attended the MDC first congress in Chitungwiza.
Nhachi was a fearless and selfless person who gave all he had for the party.
In order to open up the political hot bed of violence Nhachi dedicated his house as a base for campaigns, recruitment and building of party structures in Mwenezi.
He never campaigned for a provincial post as he had passion of dislodging Zanu PF in Mwenezi.
In 2013 more than 200 party leaders camped at his house and used it as the base to organize rallies and campaigns in both Mwenezi East and West Constituencies.
Although Brain Nhachi was from Manicaland (Nyanyadzi area) he had taken Mwenezi as his permanent home.
Brain Nhachi’s death has robbed Masvingo of a true democrat. Rest in peace Brain Nhachi.
The World Health Organisation has said new research indicates that a face mask to be used to curb spreading COVID-19 must be made of 3 layers of different fabrics.
This was revealed by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus who said WHO has published new COVID-19 guidelines:
I wish to be very clear that the guidance we are publishing today is an update of what we have been saying for months: that masks should only ever be used as part of a comprehensive strategy in the fight against COVID.
Masks on their own will not protect you from COVID-19,Based on this new research, WHO advises that fabric masks should consist of at least three layers of different material. Details of which materials we recommend for each layer are in the guidelines. According to the publication WHO recommended that a cloth mask must have:
An inner layer being an absorbent material like cotton
A middle layer of non-woven materials such as polypropylene (for the filter)
An outer layer, which is a non- absorbent material such as a polyester or a polyester blend.
The guidelines also emphasised that tightly woven fabrics might cause breathing difficulties- State media
Farai Dziva| UN experts have challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government to drop charges against three MDC Alliance youth leaders, Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.
The UN has also called for an immediate end to the pattern of disappearances and torture aimed at suppressing dissent.
See UN experts’ statement :
The charges against the three women should be dropped.
Targeting peaceful dissidents, including youth leaders, in direct retaliation for the exercise of their freedom of association, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression is a serious violation of human rights law.
Enforced disappearances of women often involve sexual violence, and even forced impregnation, with enormous harm inflicted not only on their physical health and integrity but also in terms of the resulting psychological damage, social stigma and disruption of family structures.
Under the absolute and non-derogable prohibition of torture and ill-treatment, which includes enforced disappearance and violence against women, Zimbabwe must take all measures in its power to prevent such abuse, to investigate suspected violations, and to bring any perpetrators to justice.
By Own Correspondent| Advocate Sylvester Hashiti, a member of MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa’s legal team during presidential election result challenge has been arrested today and charged with criminal insult.
Police say he accused prosecutor Zivanai Macharaga of taking a US$20 000 bribe from a former minister.
Hashiti’s arrest follows hard on the heels of the arrest of his compatriot Advocate Thabani Mpofu who is out on ZWL$20 000 bail after being charged of defeating the course of justice.
Politburo member Mable Chinomona has revealed what has compelled the party’s Women’s League to make face masks.
She said:
“.. We realised that our party gives people free t-shirts and party regalia towards elections and we can still do the same now in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Women have mobilised themselves and we have made at least 50 000 masks which we will donate to all the provinces. Each province will get 5 000 masks each….”
By A Correspondent- Advocate Sylvester Hashiti, a member of opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s legal team during presidential election result challenge has been arrested.
Syslvester Hashiti (extreme right)
Hashiti was arrested Tuesday and charged with criminal insult.
According to the charges laid against him, Hashiti allegedly accused prosecutor Zivanai Macharaga of taking a US$20k bribe from a former minister.
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwean journalist and filmmaker Hopewell Chin’ono said that he has been threatened with death and/or arrest after his crusade against corruption.
He posted on Twitter:
I am being threatened with death or arrest! At this point, I want to tell you all that I DON’T care what ZANU-PF and Mnangagwa do to me!
DEATH does not scare me at this point. Find something else.
We shall all die at some point! You will not stop me or other journalists with threats!
Over the past few weeks, Chin’ono has exposed how two “briefcase” companies, Drax International and Jaji have allegedly been awarded tenders to supply COVID-19 equipment by government officials corruptly.
The two companies are controlled by people who are allegedly close to Zimbabwe’s First Family.
Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance officials have been implicated in the COVID-gate scandal after awarding the contracts to the dodgy companies and undertaking to make payments without following due process.
Meanwhile, the government has cancelled all the procurement deals worth up to US$60 million signed with one of the companies, Drax International.
On 5 June the acting health ministry secretary Dr Gibson Mhlanga directed the state-owned National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) to terminate “all” existing contracts with Drax following an outcry.
Zimbabwe: UN experts demand an immediate end to abductions and torture
GENEVA (10 June 2020) – UN human rights experts* today called on Zimbabwe to immediately end a reported pattern of disappearances and torture that appear aimed at suppressing protests and dissent.
The urgent call comes after three female opposition activists – member of parliament Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova – were stopped at a police checkpoint in Harare and subsequently abducted, tortured and sexually assaulted. The three women were going to participate in a peaceful protest organised on 13 May 2020 by the Alliance Youth Assembly of the main opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change.
After almost 48 hours, the three women were dumped in a marketplace. They were immediately hospitalised to be treated for the injuries they sustained while they were abducted. A few days later, they were charged with violating COVID-19 regulations on public gatherings and for purportedly intending to promote public violence and breach of peace.
“The charges against the three women should be dropped,” the experts said. “Targeting peaceful dissidents, including youth leaders, in direct retaliation for the exercise of their freedom of association, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression is a serious violation of human rights law.”
The experts called on the authorities of Zimbabwe to “urgently prosecute and punish the perpetrators of this outrageous crime, and to immediately enforce a policy of ‘zero tolerance’ for abductions and torture throughout the country” to ensure the effective protection of women against sexual violence, and to bring those responsible to account.
The experts expressed grave alarm over concerns this was not an isolated instance. In 2019 alone, 49 cases of abductions and torture were reported in Zimbabwe, without investigations leading to perpetrators being held to account. “Enforced disappearances of women often involve sexual violence, and even forced impregnation, with enormous harm inflicted not only on their physical health and integrity, but also in terms of the resulting psychological damage, social stigma and disruption of family structures,” the experts said.
“Under the absolute and non-derogable prohibition of torture and ill-treatment, which includes enforced disappearance and violence against women, Zimbabwe must take all measures in its power to prevent such abuse, to investigate suspected violations, and to bring any perpetrators to justice,” the experts said.
They also urged the government to allow official visits of UN human rights experts with a view to assessing the human rights situation in the country.
The Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity. UN Human Rights, Country Page – Zimbabwe
By A Correspondent- The MDC Alliance has posted a statement remembering the late MDC Alliance cadre and legislator Vimbai Tsvangirai Java.
Vimbai succumbed to injuries sustained in a horrific crash on her way from Bulawayo, where she had gone to attend party meetings.
The accident also claimed the lives of Paul Rukanda, the late MP’s campaign manager and councillor Tafadzwa Mhundwa, a brother to her late mother, Susan Tsvangirai.
Said the party:
Today, we fondly remember Vimbai Tsvangirai Java who was an MDC Alliance MP and religious leader. She was also the daughter of the late MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai. She passed away on June 10 2019. She had been involved in a car accident the previous month. May she rest in peace.”
Today, we fondly remember Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java who was an MDC Alliance MP & religious leader. She was also the daughter of the late MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai. She passed away on 10 June 2019. She had been involved in a car accident the previous month. May she rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/3ZucbCMX07
— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) June 10, 2020
By A Correspondent- Former MDC T Vice President Elias Mudzuri has said contrary to what people are saying, he has not joined Dr Thokozani Khupe’s party but belongs t the late Morgan Richard Tsvangirai’s party.
Mudzuri said Khupe only became the interim president of the MDC T after the supreme court made her the leader, as she was always the rightful leader after she was elected at the party’s congress in 2014.
Mudzuri tweeted:
“It is a lie that the Supreme Court ruling gave us a leader and made us join Dr Khupe’s Byo Congress party. We are MDC whose founding president was Dr Tsvangirai. Dr Khupe’s legitimacy as Acting President is derived from the 2014 Congress which elected her VP.”
This comes amid a leadership wrangle between Thokozani Khupe and Nelson Chamisa that was escalated by the Supreme Court ruling that declared Chamisa an illegitimate MDC leader and restored the party’s 2014 structures.
Look, how interesting Zanu PF takes the people of Zimbabwe through selective application of the rule of law!
According to the Zanu PF and Government controlled newspaper,the Herald of 10 June 2020, a Zanu PF meeting held in Chinhoyi “provided all the members with exemption letters for use during the lockdown”.
Earlier, The Herald of 13 April 2020 quoted Minister of State Security Owen Ncube warning members of parliament and councilors against issuing travelling exemptions to people during Covid-19 induced lockdown, saying that this is tantamount to flouting the regulations.
According to the position outlined by the Government of Zimbabwe, exemption letters should only be issued by the Police and District Development Coordinators upon request by persons who have a serious need to travel, but because as Zanu PF officials always preach, they control the army, the police, the courts and everything else, so they can break whatever rules are in place and get away with it. Zanu PF can issue business to friends and relatives of the senior officials without following due process too.
Zanu PF officials can issue exemption letters for people travel as they wish during the lockdown, while MDC Alliance officials are arrested for going to work at their offices?
This selective application of law and regulations stinks, and is the reason why Zimbabwe finds itself in the situation that she does.
Do we have a government in Zimbabwe? To everyone who is Zanu PF, aren’t you ashamed to be in a party that willfully violates Government regulations, while you go out of your way to accept the illegal, unconstitutional recall of MDC Alliance parliamentarians?
By A Correspondent- It’s a one-man versus village case, after a 50-year-old man accused of killing his neighbour’s son fell out of favour with the village.
Onisimo Mazvi from Mtanga Village in Gokwe area was branded a wizard because tsikamutandas allegedly found him with a claypot smeared with fresh blood which they said was behind the death of Kind Mfupi’s son.
As such, villagers have turned their backs against him.
Now being accused by villagers, Mazvi is angry.
“Mfupi goes around telling people that I am a wizard and I killed his child. When I tried to reason with him he chased me from his homestead, told me to never cross his path because he would kill me,” said Mazvi.
He told B-Metro that concerning the issue his conscience was clear.
“I don’t want anything to do with those prophets. They have caused me so much pain. I hate them. How could they go around deceiving people?” said Mpofu.
However, he did not want to talk about the claypot incident.
“I have nothing to say about that,” he said adding that the tskimutandas knew the real story.
But the villagers are convinced Mazvi has a case to answer.
“The only reason Mfupi hasn’t killed him is because he fears the law. Whenever he sees Mazvi, his heart bleeds for his only son whom he killed,” said a source, adding that Mazvi intended to use the child as a goblin.
ILLEGAL fuel dealers have flooded Bulawayo’s city centre capitalising on the shortage of the commodity at service stations by charging in local currency.
A Chronicle news crew yesterday took to the streets of Bulawayo and observed several illegal fuel dealers conducting their unlawful business.
The fuel shortages come at a time when petrol prices were last week upwardly reviewed by $7,19 to $28,96 per litre although operators can still sell below the cap depending on their trading advantages. Diesel prices marginally went up to $24,93 from $21,52 per litre.
Illegal fuel dealers are selling the commodity in quantities of five litres for US$5 per 5 litres or R100, which translates to US$1 or R20 per litre. It appears the illegal fuel dealers are directly competing with services stations selling the commodity in foreign currency.
Petrol at service stations selling in forex is retailing between US$1,05 and US$1,25 while diesel goes for between US$1 and US$1,13.
Chronicle news crew observed that illegal fuel dealers have a rather homogenous way of sending a signal to potential clients as they operate mostly near service stations.
Whenever, they spot a motorist approaching from a distance, they flag them down using a funnel, particularly at night.
However, during the day, they have the temerity to boldly approach any car parked near a service station for the purposes of soliciting for clients.
A Chronicle news crew visited selected points in the CBD where fuel is sold on the blanket market and posing as clients, spoke to some dealers who revealed how they acquire those large volumes of the commodity.
One dealer who only identified himself as Teddy operating between 4th and 5th Avenues along Herbert Chitepo Street said he gets his supplies from a truck driver who plies the Zimbabwe-South Africa route.
“I have a truck driver that I deal with and he usually comes to Bulawayo on Wednesdays. He works for a cross-border transport company that delivers fuel from South Africa and each time he comes, we drain undetectable volumes of fuel from the tanker,” he said.
Teddy said the stolen fuel is then sold on the streets and the driver gets his share.
Another fuel dealer operating at corner JMN Nkomo Street/5th Avenue, who however, declined to be named claimed he was well connected to several petrol attendants in the city who help him get fuel without hassles.
“I buy the fuel from service stations here because I have a lot of connections in the city. Whenever, they receive supplies, I make sure I bribe these petrol attendants so that they facilitate the deals of getting fuel without any difficulties,” he said.
“We have no choice; the economy is biting which is why you are seeing me here in the streets selling fuel.”
Chronicle went to another selling point situated between Fife Street and 15th Avenue near a fuel station where the news crew noticed a motorist fueling his car from a stationary pick up, which was carrying three drums of fuel.
Soon after fueling the car, the fuel dealers got suspicious when they spotted the Chronicle news crew and drove away from their selling point.
It is alleged that unscrupulous fuel retailers are allegedly diverting large volumes of the commodity to the underground markets, causing shortages on the formal market.
According to the National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe (NOIC), the country’s daily demand for both petrol and diesel currently stands at five million litres.
It is suspected that fuel retailers could be hoarding fuel for speculative purposes or diverting the commodity to either the black market or service stations that sell in foreign currency.
Speculation is rife that some fuel operators are selling less fuel to motorists on the open market, before channelling most of their stocks to the black market where it is sold in forex.
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) acting chief executive officer Mr Eddington Mazambani said the trade of fuel outside registered service stations and other licensed businesses is illegal.
He said Zera will intensify surveillance with other Government agencies to curb the practice.
“Zera inspectors are on the ground checking on compliance and enforcing standards where possible, to ensure fuel is dispensed according to laid down procedures and practice. The black market is illegal. Anyone selling fuel on the black market is warned that the long arm of the law will catch up with them,” said Mr Mazambani.
“We have noticed that there is a mushrooming of illegal fuel dealers at several points in the CBD, notably at Fife Street and 15th Avenue, JMN Nkomo Street and 5th Avenue as well as Herbert Chitepo Street and 4th Avenue among other areas. We therefore would like to warn those people as they risk being arrested and we have deployed our officers and they have intensified the patrols,” he said.
“We also warn members of the public against buying fuel from the black market as it is not only an offence but a risk as it can damage their cars as these people have a habit of selling contaminated fuel.”
Zanu Pf's Christopher Mutsvagwa has said Nelson Chamisa rose to Presidency through a coup. Who between Emmerson Mnangagwa and Nelson Chamisa do you think is a COUP PRESIDENT?
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has accused the private sector malcontents of fighting the local currency through effecting unwarranted price increases thereby resulting in its fall.
Addressing the politburo Tuesday morning, Mnangagwa said his administration was aware of the destructors’ shenanigans adding that government would soon deal with them.
Zanu PF National Spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo has disowned a Twitter Account running under his name.
The Twitter account was introduced in recent weeks and shot to prominence on Monday when it sent a Tweet hinting that government is investigating some high profile people on fraud involving covid-19 funds.
“Good evening Zimbabweans. Our covid-19 response efforts have been marred by allegations of fraud. Investigations are currently underway and at an advanced stage; all those responsible, will face the full might of the law. No one is above the law in this country,” read the Tweet.
Watch video downloading below. Please be patient as the video downloads.
The numbers of positive cases continue to rise…we are thankful that to date the number of the deceased has not increased and remain at 4 while the those recovered are now 46… says @edmnangagwahttps://t.co/0ryqP3GgGq
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa will lead a national day of fasting and prayer to seek divine intervention to deal with the country’s worsening health, hunger and economic crises.
Hopes that Mnangagwa, who replaced longtime leader, the late Robert Mugabe, toppled by his army chiefs in November 2017, could attract investment and improve the economy have faded while critics accuse him of deepening repression after the abductions and torture of MDC Alliance activists by security agents last month.
With 314 confirmed infections of the deadly coronavirus, the outbreak is seen wreaking more havoc on the economy, which is already struggling from the effects of a devastating drought and Cyclone Idai which occurred in 2019, high inflation and a currency crisis.
Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa, in a post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, said Mnangagwa would soon proclaim a day for national prayer and fasting.
“We wish to advise that His Excellency the President is set to officially announce a day of fasting and national prayer,” she said.
Mnangagwa’s call for a prayer and fasting day came weeks after Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ)
governor John Mangudya told Parliament that the economy was under demonic attacks and needed prayers.
Annualised inflation has risen sharply since the turn of the year to 765,57% in April, while the Zimdollar continues to devalue on the parallel market to US$1:$80, forcing the central bank to abandon its artificial exchange rate of US$1:$25 early this week.
Mnangagwa is also under pressure from government workers who are demanding to be paid in US dollars due to the skyrocketing prices of commodities.
In recent times, government has also held a national day of prayer against sanctions.
Mutsvangwa said the prayer and fasting would likely to be done from the safety and comfort of people’s homes owing to COVID-19 lockdown regulations.
Cabinet also decided to move reopening of schools from June 29 to July 28, saying this would allow Treasury time to disburse resources to schools.
“In line with His Excellency the President’s decision that schools should start re-opening, Cabinet resolved that the re-opening of schools be moved from the proposed June 29, 2020 to July 28, 2020 to allow the Primary and Secondary Education ministry to engage Treasury and other stakeholders to mobilise for provision of adequate resources,” Mutsvangwa said.
The moving of schools re-opening dates does not affect the June examinations which will be written from June 29 to July 22.
In the wake of increased cases of COVID-19 in quarantine centres, Cabinet yesterday resolved to confiscate travel documents from returnees so that they will not escape from the centres.
“In order to curtail the prevalence of people absconding from quarantine centres, Cabinet agreed that identification/travel documents be collected from returnees on arrival and returned to them at the end of the quarantine period,” Mutsvangwa said.
Returnees have been fleeing from quarantine centres citing poor living conditions.
By A Correspondent- The Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T has appealed to the Supreme Court challenging a High Court order that barred them from replacing two MDC-Alliance legislators Lillian Timveos and Thabita Khumalo after they were recalled on April 3, this year.
Khupe wants the High Court order set aside arguing that the judge did not have any right at law to grant the interim order and that he had improperly exercised his discretion.
Khupe also said that the judge had erred in law in finding that the certificate of urgency was not fatally defective and that the matter was urgent.
BY: Patrick Guramatunhu SOURCE: zimbabwelight.blogspot.com Tendai Biti has reported written to the World Bank asking them to make sure any financial assistance they give to Zimbabwe benefit the people and not the ruling elite. “Even in these unprecedented times, any support from the World Bank Group must contribute towards our shared goal of better health and economic opportunity for the people of Zimbabwe. Any assistance must not be allowed to further enrich or entrench the very people who have destroyed our economy and democracy,” wrote Biti, according to The Herald. “We have painfully learned, time and again, that the Government will abuse public resources for their own goals rather than for the benefit of Zimbabweans. “The only way that we can advance our shared goals to respond to the current crisis is to include robust measures for transparency and accountability in any assistance package.” No man or woman would deny the criminal waste of the nation’s resources by the ruling elite to feed their insatiable hunger for power and wealth. Indeed, the WB itself knows only too well how gross mismanagement and rampant corruption have all but totally destroyed Zimbabwe’s once upon a time booming economy. The WB has given Zimbabwe US$7 million in financial assistance to help the country fight the corona virus pandemic. This is but a fraction of what other nation have received precisely because donors are fearful the money will looted! One American senator has written to the WB demanding that any bank assistance to Zimbabwe must “impose very strict benchmarks and transparency and accountability processes”! What is worth noting here is Tendai Biti’s duplicity. If he was really interested in the common goal of saving the ordinary people of Zimbabwe, the economy and democracy then why has he not implemented even one democratic reform in all the 20 years he and his MDC friends have been on the political stage? During the 2008 to 2013 GNU, MDC had the majority in parliament and in the cabinet in which he was the Minister of Finance. He was aware of the rampant corruption and complained “of a parallel government”; the Joint Operation Command, a junta comprising of the top brass in the security services headed by Mugabe and Mnangagwa; “complete with it own source of funding”. Other than complain about it on this one occasion, he did nothing to stamp out corruption. Worst of all, MDC failed to implement even one democratic reform in five years of the GNU and yet that was the primary task of the GNU! If Tendai Biti and his MDC friends cared about good governance then they should have not participated in the 2013 much less 2018 elections when it was clear, with no reforms in place, Zanu PF was going to blatantly rig the process. They participated out of greed; they knew Zanu PF would give away a few seats to entice the opposition and these were what they were after. Tendai Biti and company have sold-out the common cause of free, fair and credible elections for a few gravy-train seats! Ever since the rigged 2018 elections Tendai Biti and Nelson Chamisa have piled the pressure on (no doubt the letter to WB is part of it) Mnangagwa to share power. They are asking for the formation of National Transition Authority, a 2008 GNU in all but name, in which MDC leaders will be allocated cabinet positions. Biti has been itching to get his 2008 Minister of Finance post back. “Any assistance must not be allowed to further enrich or entrench the very people who have destroyed our economy and democracy!” Very true! But it is not just Zanu PF thugs who have destroyed Zimbabwe’s economy and democracy and are holding the nation to ransom; MDC sell-outs like Tendai Biti are in it too!
By A Correspondent- Addressing a Mashonaland West provincial Coordinating Committee meeting in Chinhoyi, Christopher Mutsvangwa said the youthful MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has refused to accept rules even in his own party.
Mutsvangwa said the move by the faction led by Thokozani Khupe to challenge Chamisa shows the nation is democratic.
Said Mutsvangwa at the said meeting:
MDC-A’s Chamisa does not want to play by the rules. He has not accepted the rulings of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), High Court and Supreme Court. He even rose to presidency within his own party through a coup.
However, the legitimate leaders in his party have since gathered the courage to challenge him and take charge of the party. The move by the MDC-T leadership in challenging Chamisa and following the court shows how democratic the nation is. We however, implore the party to follow its constitutional and democratic paths
During the same address, Mutsvangwa urged opposition parties to be patriotic and serve the interests of the country.
By A Correspondent- Illegal fuel dealers have reportedly flooded Bulawayo City’s central business district where they are said to be capitalising on the country’s fuel shortage, The Chronicle reports.
According to the publication, the fuel dears are selling 5 litres of fuel for $5 or R100, while the same fuel is retailing at service stations for US$1,05 and US$1,25 while diesel goes for between US$1 and US$1,13.
One of the dealers who spoke to the publication said they get their fuel from a trucker who plies the Zimbabwe – South Africa route:
I have a truck driver that I deal with and he usually comes to Bulawayo on Wednesdays. He works for a cross-border transport company that delivers fuel from South Africa and each time he comes, we drain undetectable volumes of fuel from the tanker
While others said they get their supplies from local service stations selling in local currency:I buy the fuel from service stations here because I have a lot of connections in the city. Whenever, they receive supplies, I make sure I bribe these petrol attendants so that they facilitate the deals of getting fuel without any difficulties.
We have no choice; the economy is biting which is why you are seeing me here in the streets selling fuel
Fuel has been in short supply since October 2018 and speculators always say suppliers are holding onto their stocks anticipating a fuel price increase by the government.
Zanu-PF Politburo member and secretary for Science, Technology and Development Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa says MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa’s failure to accept court rulings is evidence that he assumed power improperly within MDC.
Addressing the Mashonaland West provincial Coordinating Committee meeting in Chinhoyi on Sunday, Ambassador Mutsvangwa said Chamisa had failed to accept all court rulings and democratic procedures within his own party.
“MDC-A’s Chamisa does not want to play by the rules. He has not accepted the rulings of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), High Court and Supreme Court. He even rose to presidency within his own party through a coup,” he said.
“However, the legitimate leaders in his party have since gathered the courage to challenge him and take charge of the party. The move by the MDC-T leadership in challenging Chamisa and following the court shows how democratic the nation is. We however, implore the party to follow its constitutional and democratic paths.”
Mutsvangwa challenged the opposition party to be patriotic and serve the interests of the country.
He challenged land reform beneficiaries to use the land for the benefit of the whole nation.
Mutsvangwa observed that President Mnangagwa’s approval of partnership farming should be embraced by farmers who were failing to use their farms to capacity.
While Mashonaland West is the major maize growing province, average yields have dipped to levels well below the expected 9 to 12 tonnes a hectare.
Mutsvangwa challenged the province to consider coming up with incentives to lure investors. As a province that has a lot of farming and mining activities, Mutsvangwa said there was need to empower the producers so that they do not continue to live in abject poverty.
In his remarks, the party’s provincial chairperson and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi called for the use of water bodies to boost production.
The meeting resolved to hold another debate on business and economic issues, work on the party’s structures and look at challenges being faced under the Covid-19 lockdown.
Party members also received face masks, sanitisers and liquid soap from Mike Chimombe, while the party provided all the members with exemption letters for use during the lockdown.
I am a senior official in Zimbabwe’s largest opposition party and the chairman of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, but I am writing to you today as a private citizen and former Finance minister (2009-13).
All Africans are grateful for your work to galvanise a global response effort to assist sub-Saharan Africa during the COVID-19 crisis. The swift response by the Bank, as well as your advocacy for the suspension of debt payments, has resonated deeply with those of us who have begun to recognise the long-term health and economic consequences of the crisis. We also appreciate the efforts to provide emergency assistance to the people of Zimbabwe, who have been in a desperate situation even before the pandemic struck.
However, even in these unprecedented times, any support from the World Bank Group must contribute towards our shared goal of better health and economic opportunity for the people of Zimbabwe. Any assistance must not be allowed to further enrich or entrench the very people who have destroyed our economy and democracy. Indeed, the regime is already using the lockdown as a pretext for further theft and repression. Any support to Zimbabwe must help in creating sustainable recovery anchored on principles of sound good governance, democracy and the rule of law not patronage, capture or corruption.
The corruption levels in Zimbabwe are disturbing. Billions of dollars are being siphoned off through vulnerabilities that include the Command Agriculture scheme, manipulation of foreign exchange markets, fuel procurement, state subsidies, commodities (gold, platinum, chrome diamonds) and public procurement.
Despite the suffering of the people, the government continues to spend lavishly on itself, including regular leasing of luxury private jets for use by senior officials.
Claims of economic reforms ring hollow. Policy missteps and inconsistencies were most recently captured in the IMF Article IV report of 26 March 2020. As just one recent example, the government is still forcibly converting foreign currency into a pseudo-currency. I was the lead lawyer in a case seeking to block this illegal expropriation of private assets (Stone/Beattie vs CABS, RBZ) which is now going to the constitutional court.
Zimbabwe has a shocking and disturbing record of state violence and forced disappearances. On May 13, three of our party’s strongest women and youth advocates for health Joana Mamombe (MP for Harare West), Cecilia Chinembiri (MDC Alliance youth assembly vice chair) and Netsai Marova (deputy organising secretary for youth) were arrested by police and tortured by security forces, including brutal sexual assault.
Actors like the World Bank Group must urgently communicate that the COVID crisis cannot be used as a pretext to continue this egregious pattern of political violence and economic repression.
Similarly, we have painfully learned, time and again, that the government will abuse public resources for their own gains rather than for the benefit of Zimbabweans. The only way that we can advance our shared goals to respond to the current crisis is to include robust measures for transparency and accountability in any assistance package.
Even though the donor community accepts that funds cannot be channeled through the government itself, the integrity of any relief is still at risk because of close relationships between senior officials and certain private actors. The World Bank Group should therefore insist that any COVID relief include six simple, proven measures:
Transparency of intended expenditure: All assistance must be clear and public, with information shared so that the average citizen can understand how and where it will be spent. Transparency of procurement: All contracts must use open and competitive bidding, and must be published online. All successful bidders must be publicly disclosed, including the beneficial ownership of the firms and any subcontractors. Credible preventive oversight: Given Zimbabwe’s extreme governance challenges, you may want to preemptively invite the integrity Vice President to provide any oversight of any Bank funds.
Independent audits: All COVID-19 relief funding should be independently audited and transparently published.
Civil society and the media: Civil society must be encouraged to monitor COVID-19 assistance and be allowed to participate in public debate about the emergency response. The media must also be free to report on government initiatives without fear of reprisal.
Parliamentary oversight: All agreements, and all assistance, and any funding, must be laid before parliament with parliament given the opportunity to scrutinize.
These six features must be included in any assistance package and achieved without delay.
Finally, I understand that the government has pleaded with the Bank for more assistance and a way out of its current debt arrears the same concerns about retrenchment and repression apply. I would be happy to help facilitate a dialogue between the Bank and civil society on the arrears question as a way of ensuring that international support to Zimbabwe is consistent with economic and democratic reform and not a step backwards for our long-suffering people.h
RE: COMPLAINT AGAINST THE PROSECUTOR GENERAL, KUMBIRAI HODZI
My name is Joshua Chirambwe. I am a legal practitioner with Lawman Law Chambers and a Zimbabwean citizen. I address you in my personal capacity though fully aware of the fact that the issues I raise are of overarching public importance.
I wish to complain about the conduct of the Prosecutor General of Zimbabwe, Mr Kumbirai Hodzi. I take the firm but the respectful view that he has corruptly abused his power(s) for personal benefit.
It is my considered opinion that in doing so, he has committed the kind of criminal misconduct that the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (ZACC) has jurisdiction over.
I set out the basis of my complaint.
Sometime in or around January 2019, I caused to be filed out of the Constitutional Court a constitutional application by which I challenged the appointment of Kumbirai Hodzi as the Prosecutor General of Zimbabwe.
I brought the challenge on many grounds the two main ones being that I believed that the provisions of the Constitution bearing on the matter of his appointment had not been studiously observed and that at any rate, he was not a fit and proper person to hold the office of the Prosecutor General.
The application was resisted inter alia by the Prosecutor General, Mr Kumbirai Hodzi. Heads of argument were filed, the matter debated and judgment reserved. The judgment remains awaited.
When the application was opposed, I picked whispers which seemed to suggest that Prosecutor General Hodzi had instructed the Police to arrest my counsel, Advocate Mpofu arising out of this and a related application. I took note of the whispers.
On or around the 1st of June 2020, I became aware that Advocate Mpofu had been arrested on account, inter alia of his representation of me in the court challenge. There was a suggestion that I was to be his co-accused.
Advocate Mpofu was placed on remand by the Prosecutor General through his representatives. I was of the view that the Prosecutor General was hopelessly conflicted in the matter and had not acted independently of his personal interests in breach of section 196(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. I just could not fathom how such a process could proceed in his name.
On the 8th of June 2020, it having become clear that the police desired to interview me, I presented myself to the police at the Police Anti Corruption Unit (PACU).
I was promptly arrested and taken to court on a form 242, a copy of which I attach to this letter. You are free to have your own views about the charges that I am facing although I intend to fight them in court.
Once at court, I was remanded, at the application of a representative of the Prosecutor General, and released on bail. The bail terms were themself set by a representative of the Prosecutor General.
The current position, therefore, is that I am an accused person before the courts and I am being prosecuted not by a private party but by the Prosecutor General and under his authority.
The conduct of the Prosecutor General aggrieves me, these circumstances considered. I am of the view that the Prosecutor General has misconducted himself in a criminal manner by abusing public power for his own personal benefit.
I have suffered as a result of the abuse by the Prosecutor General of constitutional power, yielded to him as a public trust for the vindication of the public good and the protection of the legitimate interests of the subjects of the State of Zimbabwe.
I set out below the considerations that compel the charge that I make and commend those to your consideration:
1. I am a litigant in ongoing litigation in which I challenge the validity of the appointment of the Prosecutor General. The Prosecutor General has on account of that challenge decided to prosecute me. His prosecution of me is for his benefit in that it is meant to punish me for “daring” to question the validity of his appointment.
Whilst I must treat the Prosecutor General as a lawyer to whom some eminence must attach and who is consequently deserving of honour in virtue of his office, I am of the view that he has in my case abused his powers for his private benefit.
He does not stand in the place of a citizen who seeks justice through the criminal justice machinery. He is instead actively abusing his power(s) for private gain or satisfaction in breach of section 261(2)(a) and (d) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
2. My prosecution in the face of a reserved judgment is designed to and has the undoubted effect of threatening the Constitutional Court. It is also meant to unduly influence the court in that it tells the court that it must find that my application is invalid.
This is a point that the Prosecutor General has not taken in his opposition. My prosecution is consequently an attack on the independence of the Constitutional Court which must deal with my application without fear or favour. I take the view that a man to whom the constitution guarantees independence cannot himself act on the basis of self-interest and indeed in a manner which threatens the independence of the apex court seized with determining his fate. The logic fails!
3. The fact that my lawyer is being prosecuted on account inter alia of his representation of me, adds to the abuse. The Prosecutor General is in purporting to do his work effectively interfering with my lawyer’s ability to benefit me by his skill. This is meant to leave me without a lawyer. I’m muzzled.
4. The entire process is with sinister intent. The substance of the charges is that an application brought prior to mine was brought in the name of a none existent litigant.
I am aware that sometime in 2019, the Law and Order section of the CID conducted investigations into this matter and determined that Mr Zuze does indeed exist. That information I believe was placed before the Prosecutor General because I believe it was at his instance that the investigations were conducted. It is at any rate in the public domain. That am being prosecuted under such circumstances reeks of malice and ill-will.
The actions of the Prosecutor General above particularised are inconsistent with his duties. He has engaged in them for the purposes of reaping a personal benefit to my prejudice. Prima facie, provisions of section 174 of the Code have become engaged. The constitution has itself been breached. Public power may not be used for purposes of serving selfish interests.
The events of the past few days confirm the whispers that I began hearing when my application was lodged. Circumstantially, I see the Prosecutor General’s selfish footprints in my prosecution and I am of the view that further investigation will yield more. Even without those footprints, the fact of the matter is that I am being prosecuted in his name, at his instance and for his OWN benefit.
I despair of nothing but justice; simple as it must be, between man and man. It is not lost on me that the Prosecutor General is the ultimate prosecuting authority. He, however, does not enjoy any immunity and is constitutionally “prosecutable”.
I believe there is in my troubles, a case worthy of your attention. I am ready and prepared to assist in any manner that may vindicate the public good. I formally place my complaint before you.
Sincerely
Joshua Chirambwe
Cc. Minister of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
Judicial Services Commission
Attorney General of Zimbabwe
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
The views expressed in this article are the writer’s, they do not reflect the views of Opera News.
Namibian Police have confirmed that suspects wanted for the murder of a Zimbabwean vendor have been arrested.
Jonathan Patrick Myburgh and Jannie Jansen van Vuuren are accused of assaulting a Zimbabwean vendor who subsequently succumbed.
The suspects accused the deceased of shoplifting a bottle of glue.
The Police thanked all members of the public who assisted and contributed to the apprehension of the suspects.
Five people have in total been arrested for the gruesome murder.
The deceased Zimbabwean vendor, who has been identified as Hlalisanani Zhou (43), was savagely beaten to death after being accused of stealing a bottle of glue. The assault occured in the city of Otjiwarongo last Wednesday.
Following the death of Zhou, two suspects, Jonathan Patrick Myburgh and Janie Jansen Van Vuuren are reported to have gone on the run. This resulted in the Namibia Police Force launching a manhunt for the pair.
The two were finally arrested together with three other suspects, including two of their employees for the murder of Zhou. The police did not reveal where or how Myburgh and Van Vuuren were arrested.
All five suspects appeared at the Otjiwarongo Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning facing murder charges. The other three suspects are Roberto Katjinamunene (24), Kefas Kuutondokwa (27) and Hendrik Simapureni (26).
The court heard that Myburgh is the owner of a security company which is located in Otjiwarongo, while Jansen van Vuuren is employed at the company as a supervisor. Kuutondokwa and Simapureni are security guards employed at Myburgh’s company while Katjinamunene is an employee at a shop where Zhou was alleged to have stolen a bottle of glue.
The five are alleged to have brutally assaulted Zhou for this crime which resulted in his death.
All five suspects were remanded in custody and the case was postponed to August 17, to allow the police to carry out further investigations.
Former Central Bank Governor’s adviser and businessman Munyaradzi Kereke is in court again with a fresh appeal against the 10 year sentence he is serving for his rape charge.
According to documents which have leaked, the Zanu PF politician is said to have made a deal with Sakunda owner Kudakwashe Tagwirei who is the right handman of the president of Zimbabwe.
Tagwirei in the deal was given the authority to turn Rock Foundation Medical Center into a covid-19 center following the death of Zororo Makamba to cater for top government officials in case they get infected by the coronavirus.
Analysts who are familiar with the Zimbabwean political trends are now fully aware of what to expect after such an open secret was done in the eyes of the public. It is very easy to predict what will be the outcome of the High Court appeal which Kereke has presented.
It is the second time that Kereke has pleaded against the 10 year sentence he received in 2016 for raping his 11 year old niece at his Vainona home in Harare.
He has always maintained the stance that he is innocent against the magistrate Noel Mupeiwa who convicted him citing he erred in finding out he was guilty.
Tagwirei is known to be getting rich off the corrupt deals he gets through his connections in Zanu PF and the deal with Kereke makes it as good as a win for Kereke’s appeal as the judiciary is known to be captured by the ruling party.
VIDEO: Chamisa has more political capital than Bill Gates, Strive Masiyiwa, Richard Branson, put together-what does Mnangagwa achieve by taking away a small building called Harvest House?
By Own Correspondent| Prominent traditional healer Sekuru Banda has hailed the government’s move to include traditional medicine in the fight against COVID-19.
Sekuru Banda was responding to remarks made by Health Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo while addressing a Chinese delegation of medical doctors.
Dr Moyo said government was looking at traditional medicine as a serious area in the fight against COVID-19.
“We can have a combined research effort; look at our plans that we have here and also use herbs that we can get locally and get the co-operation on how to process (the medicines). This is a serious area which we are looking at. There are a lot of herbs that we can get locally,” said Moyo.
Sekuru Banda said as traditional healers, they should have a role to play in any national response to pandemics.
We want to thank our government for seeing the importance of traditional medicine, we definitely believe that we can help our government because we may have answers and solutions to this disease that has crippled economies across the globe,” said Sekuru Banda.
The millionaire traditional healer said they are ready to come on board and assist government and is open to formal engagements on what role they can play as a sector.
“We are ready to meet with government and share the knowledge that we have, we are equally worried about this pandemic and would appreciate if the government moves beyond words to actually make this a reality,” added the philanthropic traditional healer.
Sekuru Banda is a globally recognised traditional healer with numerous awards and has attended international conferences on traditional medicine.
The unprecedented military invasion of Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House, the MDC Alliance headquarters by heavily armed military and police force is a deplorable fascist act meant to negate and frustrate the people’s struggle fronting a lost cause led by misguided Zanu Pf zealots.
The arrest of the Party’s Deputy Presidents and National leadership does not deter but further motivates us to brace for the battle ahead.
Whilst we remain in solidarity with our arrested leaders, we will not allow the enemy to succeed in its attempt to intimidate us.
The struggle is real and we are ready for it.
It remains our duty to protect the People’s President Adv Nelson Chamisa and the movement against this targeted attack and we shall not back down.
No amount of Zanu Pf interference will deter us and we shall never take or obey such orders.
We remain resolute and guided by the National Council resolutions of the 3rd of June 2020, we remain the MDC Alliance with a constitutionally elected leadership.
We are therefore encouraging all our Provincial Executive Committees, CCCs and all branch structures to gear up and start Party work in full force. Calendarised meetings, programs and mobilisation activities should go ahead as communicated before in observance of the COVID-19 regulations of social distancing and wearing of masks.
We will not be cowed or intimidated into submission to unjust laws, no leader can ever be imposed on us. We remain guided by the wishes and aspirations of the people. The goal remains to fight for a people’s government led by Adv Nelson Chamisa.
We are entering a phase that requires vigilance and unity. No backing down, forward we shall march until we liberate Zimbabwe.
The unfortunate events leading to the capture of our HQ shall be challenged accordingly, victory is certain.
Zimbabwe is not a Zanu Pf Pvt Ltd entity, it is for all Zimbabweans where every one has a right to political choice and unqualified freedoms.
Hon A Chibaya MDC Alliance National Organising Secretary
The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) rejects the premature announcement of Public Hearings dates on proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No2 and call on the Parliament of Zimbabwe to suspend the hearings. The announcement comes at a time when the country is in lockdown level 2 due to the COVID19, a move which will unnecessarily expose citizens to the Covid-19 coronavirus unless necessary and sufficient measures are put in place.
This is to ensure that citizens are not exposed to COVID-19 and that citizens’ voices are heard and respected during the Public Hearings on the proposed but absolutely unnecessary Constitutional Amendment No. 2.
The Public Hearings on Constitutional Amendment Bill No2 were initially scheduled to take place from 29 March to 3 April but were suspended together with all parliamentary activities from 18 March to 5 May 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Parliament of Zimbabwe must ensure that Covid-19 preventative measures are in place before any public hearings commence. It is strange that the public hearings are resuming at a time when the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has suspended all electoral activities citing Covid-19 regulations.
Some of the key Covid-19 measures announced by the government which have a huge effect on citizens’ contributions to this process include maintaining social distance at all times, wearing face masks outdoors, limiting unnecessary travel and travel restrictions locally and between towns and cities, except for those providing essential services, and a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people.
The Coalition takes this opportunity to highlight that the civil society and other pro-democracy forces have said NO to Constitutional Amendment Bill No2 for what it is, a mockery to democracy, a recipe for disaster and a violation of the principle of separation of powers.
The Coalition notes that even after civil society and other pro-democracy forces have urged the government to stop the Constitutional Amendment Bill No2 and build consensus among the people of Zimbabwe, the government is hell-bent on using the COVID19 for autocratic overreach.
The Constitutional Amendment Bill No2 seeks to amend 28 provisions of which 20 of them are election-related. The next general election is in 2023, why is the government in such a hurry to amend the constitution to the extent of doing it under the cover of devastating pandemic?. The amendment does not in any way make our democracy better. Why are we in a race back to our past? This act by parliament is a recipe for disaster and a mockery to democracy even by Zimbabwe’s standards.
We, therefore, reiterate our call that no amendments should take place without implementing fully the 2013 Constitution. In light of the proposed Public Hearings and the objections by the CiZC and other pro-democracy forces and citizens, we urge Parliament to review the proposed public hearings dates until the following is addressed and or guaranteed:-
Ensure that citizens participation is guaranteed considering the current lockdown measures which limit movement especially those not providing essential services.
Clearly outline safety measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19 during all outreach activities
Ensure that all key stakeholders including civil society organisations are considered providers of essential services to allow them to conduct outreach activities to educate citizens on the proposed constitutional amendments before the proposed public hearings
THE High Court has dismissed Victoria Falls councillor Richard Mguni’s bid to stop the nullification of his election as mayor by fellow MDC-Alliance councillors after Government reinstated Clr Somvelo Dhlamini to the top post in the resort town.
Clr Dlamini was expelled by the MDC-Alliance early this year on allegations of violating party rules leading to Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo declaring the seat vacant.
Victoria Falls councillors then sat as a full council and elected Clr Mguni as the new mayor to replace Clr Dhlamini despite the municipal management insisting that the election be deferred.
Last month, Minister Moyo reinstated Clr Dhlamini on the basis of a letter written by Mr Douglas Mwonzora who is secretary general of the MDC-T of 2014, as per the recent Supreme Court ruling which recognised Dr Thokozani Khupe as the party leader.
This led to a legal battle in the High Court as Clr Mguni sought to block Clr Dhlamini from reclaiming the mayoral position.
Following an urgent chamber application by Clr Mguni challenging Minister Moyo’s decision to reinstate Clr Dhlamini, Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Christopher Dube-Banda has ruled that he had failed to establish prima facie right to challenge Government’s decision to reinstate his rival.
Justice Dube-Banda said Clr Mguni failed to prove that there was a vacancy in the mayoral office at the time he claims he was elected.
“My view is that applicant (Clr Mguni) has failed to establish prima facie, though open to some doubt that he was elected mayor of Victoria Falls Municipality and assumed office as the mayor and set out to perform his duties,” he said.
“My finding is that applicant has not established prima facie right and therefore the requirement of a well-grounded apprehension of irreparable harm if the interim relief is not granted does arise in this case. The balance of inconvenience does not favour the granting of interim relief because applicant has not established prima facie right.”
Justice Dube-Banda said in the event that the court was to uphold Clr Mguni’s request, it was going to result in him taking over the mayoral office of Victoria Falls and dislodging Clr Dhlamini.
“On the facts of this case, I take the view that an interim interdict sought by the applicant must be refused. The applicant failed to discharge such onus and in the result, the interim relief sought by the applicant is dismissed with costs,” ruled the judge.
Clr Mguni through his lawyers Ncube Attorney, had filed an urgent chamber application at the Bulawayo High Court citing Minister Moyo, Clr Dhlamini and Victoria Falls Municipality as respondents.
In his founding affidavit, Clr Mguni said Minister Moyo’s directive to reinstate Clr Dhlamini was unlawful.
Clr Mguni argued that for Minister Moyo to reverse the recall decision by his party in terms of section 129 (k) as read with section 278 (1) of the Constitution or his election, the minister required a court order.
He said his constitutional rights to seek and hold public office were being violated.
In a letter dated May 5, 2020, written to Clr Dhlamini and Victoria Falls Municipality, Minister Moyo said the former mayor had been reinstated with immediate effect without loss of benefits.
He said Clr Dhlamini was reinstated as a councillor and there was no provision for an election of a new mayor. The Minister said Clr Dhlamini retains his mayoral post until the end of his term of office.
High Court Judge, Justice Joseph Martin Mafusire has expressed concerns over the numerous contradicting court judgements on the status of the opposition MDC Alliance as a political party.
Justice Mafusire expressed his disappointment on Monday when he passed a ruling that the MDC Alliance was a legally recognised political party.
The judge proposed that all matters involving rival MDC groups be consolidated into a single case to avoid the conflicting judgments.
Justice Mafusire took the view that MDC-A is a political party, which tallies with that taken by Justice Priscilla Manongwe in the dispute over party funds pitting Nelson Chamisa-led MDC-Alliance and the Khupe-led MDC-T.
He cited the fact that Parliament, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and the Executive had all recognised the party, as such.
Last week Justice Tawanda Chitapi ruled in the High Court that while the MDC-A was recognised as a political party, it lacks the legal capacity to sue and being sued, being in effect an electoral coalition.
Justice Mafusire made it clear that he thought the MDC-A had a more independent existence, but noted he was not being asked to rule on the matter.
Justice Mafusire found it undesirable that there should be conflicting decisions by judges from the same court over the same issue.
“It brings uncertainty in the law, causes confusion and adversely affects the integrity of the courts,” he said.
“One way to minimise the incidence of conflicting decisions is, where possible, to have all matters dealing with the same point or similar issues consolidated and heard by one judge. If not, and the conflicting decisions have been made, it is left to the Supreme Court, on appeal, to lay down the law authoritatively.”
MDC-T has appealed to the Supreme Court challenging Monday’s High Court decision to block it from replacing four legislators it recently recalled until their court application contesting the party’s right to recall them has been determined.
Through its lawyer, Professor Lovemore Madhuku, the Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T filed a notice of appeal at the Supreme Court the same day the injunction against the party was issued.
“We appealed yesterday (Monday),” said Prof Madhuku without giving details of his grounds of appeal. The effect of the appeal is that it suspends the High Court decision.
Granting the interim order stopping the replacements of the four legislators, Justice Joseph Martin Mafusire went further and proposed that all matters involving rival MDC groups be consolidated into a single case to avoid conflicting judgments.
Justice Mafusire took the view that MDC-A is a political party, which tallies with that taken by Justice Priscilla Manongwe in the dispute over party funds pitting Nelson Chamisa-led MDC-Alliance and the Khupe-led MDC-T.
He cited the fact that Parliament, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and the Executive had all recognised the party, as such. The four were elected on the MDC-Alliance ticket although they were originally nominated by the MDC-T. Legal rows revolve over whether the MDC-A, which has been recognised as a political party, is also a new legal entity superseding the parties that originally formed the alliance, a process that saw the members of the largest component, the MDC-T, splitting into two camps.
Last week Justice Tawanda Chitapi ruled in the High Court that while the MDC-A was recognised as a political party, it lacks the legal capacity to sue and being sued, being in effect an electoral coalition.
Justice Mafusire made it clear that he thought the MDC-A had a more independent existence, but noted he was not being asked to rule on the matter.
MDC-A legislators secretary-general Chalton Hwende and MP for Kuwadzana East, Prosper Mutseyami (Dangamvura-Chikanga), Thabitha Khumalo (proportional representative for Bulawayo Province) and Senator Lillian Timveos (Midlands) had approached the court seeking to bar Dr Khupe from replacing them following their recall from Parliament until the legal status of this recall was finally resolved.
The four were recalled following the Supreme Court ruling, which nullified the assumption of the presidency of the MDC-T by Nelson Chamisa early this year.
However, Justice Mafusire upheld the quartet’s apprehension of an irreparable harm noting that the legislators had been MPs and suddenly, without notice to them, were ejected from the Parliament.
The judge noted that the tenure of seats in Parliament was limited, while the wrangling in the parties have been going for a long time. This, the court found, might result in the legislators being unable to serve the people who sent them to Parliament.
The court could not agree with Prof Madhuku’s argument that if the four eventually win their case, they can be reinstated.
Zimbabwe’s poverty datum line (PDL) jumped from $6 420 (PDL) in March to $7 425 in April representing a 15,7 percent increase, official figures show.
According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat), the PDL measures the basic needs for an average family of five.
Data released on Monday by the agency indicate that the Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL) for an average family of five stood at $7 425 in April compared to $6 420 in March.
The agency, however, said the PDL varies by province as prices vary from place to place.
In this light, the TCPL for an average household in April 2020 ranged from $6 296 in Mashonaland Central province to $8 939 in Matabeleland North province.
“The differences are explained by differences in average prices in the provinces,” said Zimstat.
According to the agency, the TCPL is a combination of food and non-food items that an average family requires for it not to be deemed poor.
The TCPL for Zimbabwe stood at $1 485 per person in April which means that an individual required that much to buy both food and non-food items per month.
ZANU PF is set to hold an ordinary session of the Politburo today at the party headquarters in Harare.
The ruling party’s supreme decision making body between congresses sits at a time that government has ordered the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) to cancel all contracts for the supply and delivery of medicines and surgical sundries by Drax Consulting SAGL a company with links to the first family in clandestine financial deals involving government funds.
The party is also expected to discuss progress Government has made in fighting Covid-19 as the country’s cases hit over 300.
In a statement yesterday, Acting Secretary for Information and Publicity Patrick Chinamasa said: “The Secretary for Administration, Cde Dr OM Mpofu wishes to advise all members that there shall be a Politburo meeting to be held on Wednesday 10 June, 2020 at the party headquarters commencing 1000hrs. All members are expected to be seated by 0945hours.”
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Gibson Mhlanga
GOVERNMENT has ordered the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) to cancel all contracts for the supply and delivery of medicines and surgical sundries by Drax Consulting SAGL.
In a letter dated 5 June 2020, addressed to NatPharm managing director Mrs Flora Sifeku, acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Gibson Mhlanga advised that the cancellation must be done with immediate effect.
He said NatPharm must, by this Friday, be able to prove that the cancellation had been effected accordingly.
“You are being directed to cancel all contracts that you had with Drax SAGL with immediate effect. Please be advised that this process needs to be completed by latest Friday 12th June 2020 and all documentation showing cancellation of the same to be submitted in my office by then. Please treat this issue with the urgency that it requires,” wrote Dr Mhlanga.
Contacted for comment, Dr Mhlanga confirmed the latest position adding that he was following instructions from Treasury.
He could, however, not be drawn into providing more details.
Mrs Sifeku also confirmed having received the letter, but could not comment.
Represented by Mr Delish Nguwaya in Zimbabwe, Drax Sagl entered into an agreement with Government for the supply and delivery of medicines and consumables worth US$20 million.
The drugs started coming into the country at the beginning of the year in batches.
Sometime this year, Drax Sagl was also awarded a tender to provide Covid-19 medicines and was subsequently given preferential treatment for the release of its Covid-19 emergency medical supplies that were stuck at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
There was a public outcry after it emerged that the company was overpricing its Covid-19 supplies.
SUSPENDED Supreme Court judge Justice Francis Bere is today expected to appear before a tribunal to answer to the charges of misconduct after his last-minute bid to stop the hearing failed yesterday when the High Court foundthat the latest attempt to delay the hearing was not an urgent matter.
A three-member tribunal led by retired Justice Simbi Mubako will inquire into the judge’s fitness to hold office, after a lawyer accused him of interference in a civil case.
He is denying the allegations made against him. Lawyer Mr Itai Ndudzo complained about the interference.
Yesterday, the High Court rejected as urgent his latest application in which he was seeking an order allowing him to file his papers within the time he wished, while at the same time staying the tribunal process.
Justice Jesta Charewa agreed that Justice Bere had the right to request an expedited hearing of his matter and to challenge the propriety of the process that led to setting up of the tribunal to investigate him,
But the question before her was whether he could come to court at the eleventh hour to assert rights as a matter of urgency that had accrued to him long before now.
She did not think so and removed the matter from the roll of urgent matters.
Having lost his two previous urgent applications, Justice Charewa said, the suspended judge was trying to achieve what he failed to obtain when he sought an interdict to stop lawful process in his previous urgent applications.
“What the applicant seeks to achieve is to have multiple bites of the cherry when he failed to harness all his claims on the day of reckoning,” she said.
Justice Bere was serving on both the Constitutional and Supreme Court benches when he was suspended in March this year, pending a probe into potential misconduct
Since his suspension Justice Bere has approached the High Court three times, including yesterday’s hearing, seeking as a matter of urgency an order staying the inquiry into his alleged misconduct.
The other two members of the tribunal to probe Justice Bere are Harare lawyer Mrs Rekayi Maphosa and Advocate Takawira Nzombe.
Last month, High Court judge Justice Alfas Chitakunye declined Justice Bere’s request for an urgent hearing of his application challenging the Judicial Service Commission’s the decision to refer his case to President Mnangagwa, recommending an inquiry into his alleged misconduct.
The finding of non-urgency paved the way for the tribunal to sit and make the inquiry into the judge’s misconduct allegations.
Justice Bere is accused of meddling in a civil case involving the Zimbabwe National Road Administration and his relatives. Justice Bere allegedly telephoned Mr Ndudzo, who was representing Zinara, asking him to consider settling a civil dispute pitting Zinara and Fremus Enterprises.
Complaints against him were raised before Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza during a court hearing and Mr Ndudzo was asked to make the complaint in writing.
Justice Bere denied the allegations. In a response to the JSC, the judge, said he only contacted Mr Ndudzo in the context of their personal relationship dating back to the days when they were both members of the Zimbabwe Football Association Ethics Committee. He described the complaint as a falsehood meant to taint his clean record.
In January last year, a panel of four judges appointed by Chief Justice Luke Malaba looked into Justice Bere’s conduct after Mr Moxon filed a complaint alleging conflict of interest in a case the judge had presided over.
The four-member Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee chaired by then Constitutional and Supreme Court judge Justice Rita Makarau cleared Justice Bere of any wrongdoing.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) says it will restore the statutory 30-day foreign currency liquidation period from July.
This comes as the central bank has also indicated that the interbank market — which is currently pegged at 1:25 to the United States dollar — will again be left to operate according to market dynamics.
The 30-day foreign currency period was introduced by the central bank in February last year, through the Monetary Policy, after which the funds are offloaded or sold to importers on the interbank market at the prevailing exchange rate with sellers getting their dues in local currency.
However, the retention threshold had been suspended due to the emergence of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
In a statement yesterday, central bank governor Dr John Mangudya, said the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) had decided to reinstate the 30-day foreign currency liquidation requirement.
“The committee also resolved to reinstate, with effect from 1 July 2020, the 30-day limit of liquidating surplus foreign exchange receipts from exports in order to ensure that more foreign exchange was released onto the market,” said Dr Mangudya.
When the 30-day foreign currency liquidation period was introduced, the RBZ said it would allow exporters to keep part of their export proceeds before compulsory conversion to local currency for periods longer than the prescribed 30 days in exceptional circumstances where such need arises to avoid choking companies’ operations.
Manufactures could retain 80 percent of their export proceeds; gold producers (55 percent); other minerals (50 percent); tobacco and cotton merchants, for input schemes (80 percent); tobacco growers; 50 percent, cotton growers; 30 percent while horticulture, transport, and tourism would retain (80 percent).
The balance, which could not be retained at all, would be immediately converted to RTGS dollars at the prevailing exchange rate upon receipt to improve liquidity. Industry at the time, however, said it would be more ideal to have a window of 90 days to 180 days. The RBZ also moved to reduce the statutory reserve ratio from 4.5 percent to 2.5 percent to assist economic recovery.
“As part of efforts to assist in the re recoveryjcovery and growth of the productive sectors of the economy and to help with post Covid-19 recovery, it was resolved that there was need to release more financial resources for the productive sectors of the economy by banks. To assist that process, the committee resolved to reduce the statutory reserve ratio from the current 4.5 percent to 2.5 percent with effect from 8 June 2020.”
The MPC also expressed serious concern over the continued deterioration in the exchange rates that were widely being used by the private sector, but welcomed action taken by the RBZ to curb speculative trading in foreign exchange using electronic banking platforms.
“It was resolved that a formal market-based system of foreign exchange trading will be put in place. To ensure that foreign currency trades were monitored in real time, the committee urged the bank to expedite the implementation of the electronic foreign exchange trading system for compulsory use by bureaux de change,” said the governor.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa in a prayer session with his wife
President Mnangagwa is expected to announce soon a day of fasting and national prayer as the number of confirmed Covid-19 patients reaches 314.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, while presenting the 19th Cabinet Meeting Decision Matrix on Tuesday, said: “We wish to advise that His Excellency the President is set to officially announce a day of fasting and national prayer.”
Further details would be made available when the President makes the official announcement.
MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa’s failure to accept court rulings is evidence that he assumed power improperly within MDC, Zanu-PF Politburo member and secretary for Science, Technology and Development Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa has said.
Addressing the Mashonaland West provincial Coordinating Committee meeting in Chinhoyi on Sunday, Ambassador Mutsvangwa said Mr Chamisa had failed to accept all court rulings and democratic procedures within his own party.
“MDC-A’s Chamisa does not want to play by the rules. He has not accepted the rulings of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), High Court and Supreme Court. He even rose to presidency within his own party through a coup,” he said.
“However, the legitimate leaders in his party have since gathered the courage to challenge him and take charge of the party. The move by the MDC-T leadership in challenging Chamisa and following the court shows how democratic the nation is. We however, implore the party to follow its constitutional and democratic paths.”
Mutsvangwa challenged the opposition party to be patriotic and serve the interests of the country. He challenged land reform beneficiaries to use the land for the benefit of the whole nation.
Mutsvangwa observed that President Mnangagwa’s approval of partnership farming should be embraced by farmers who were failing to use their farms to capacity.
While Mashonaland West is the major maize growing province, average yields have dipped to levels well below the expected 9 to 12 tonnes a hectare.
Mutsvangwa challenged the province to consider coming up with incentives to lure investors. As a province that has a lot of farming and mining activities, Mutsvangwa said there was need to empower the producers so that they do not continue to live in abject poverty.
In his remarks, the party’s provincial chairperson and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi called for the use of water bodies to boost production.
The meeting resolved to hold another debate on business and economic issues, work on the party’s structures and look at challenges being faced under the Covid-19 lockdown.
Party members also received face masks, sanitisers and liquid soap from Mike Chimombe, while the party provided all the members with exemption letters for use during the lockdown. Herald/state media
On 31 May 2020, the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance’s external province, North America Province (NAP), launched its inaugural 2023 general election fundraising campaign in ways its chairperson hopes will be permanently etched in the party’s history. The event had record attendance from its members in Canada and the United States and raised in excess of US$11,000. A senior source close to the initiative stated that, “we felt humbled and honoured to know that our Advocate Nelson Chamisa supported this initiative and sent his best wishes.”
Tawanda Dzvokora, chairman of NAP spearheaded the endeavor along with the Provincial Executive Committee. By the meeting’s end, they had 29 donors all of which were Zimbabweans living in Canada and the United States.
The virtual, video fundraising launch was attended by senior, national office-bearers of the MDC Alliance, hundreds of members, and supporters within its overseas provinces. Among the National Executive Council attending the historic event were vice presidents Lynette Karenyi-Kore and Professor Welshman Ncube. In addition, David Coltart, senator and national treasurer, Lilian Timveos, senator and national deputy treasurer, and Amos Chibaya, national organizing secretary also attended the launch event. Representatives from MDC Alliance-UK and Ireland (chairman, Mr. Chamburuka and his executive team), MDC Alliance Germany (chairperson), and MDC Alliance South Africa (Treasurer General) were part of the participants in their groundbreaking event.
“The election engine needs oiling and service,” said Chibaya during the kick-off event.
Additionally, the members of the National Executive Council spoke in commendation of the campaign. Key themes of the speeches were of encouragement to its member base to stay true to their cause and not to forget the end goal of a democratic Zimbabwe.
Speaking at this event, Senator Coltart told attendees, “We will be accountable for all donations. Let’s fund ourselves and a website will be completed soon to raise more money for the party.”
Senator Coltart discussed the importance of funding for the party. Updating the members, Coltart shared some details about the party’s future website, whose design is now well underway, saying that it will enable them to obtain correct information and for supporters to make donations. Speaking extensively on accountability, he applauded the provincial executive leaders for putting systems in place that would ensure safeguarding of its party’s funds. Representatives from the other countries expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to learn from the NAP pledging to raise money for their cause through similar initiatives.
Karenyi-Kore’s speech focused on unity within the party. She emphasized that conflict and factionalism would never help in building the party. Her counterpart, Ncube said that Zimbabwe’s judiciary has further exposed their captured systems in its dealings with the MDC Alliance. He said, “We are not deterred by dubious court decisions.”
Members reaffirmed their values and emphasized the MDC Alliance is committed to fighting for the freedom of Zimbabweans under the leadership of the movement’s president, Nelson Chamisa. The external provinces strongly maintain they are a formidable opponent to their rival, the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU PF ), that has been in power since the country’s independence from colonial rule in 1980. In recent weeks, the MDC Alliance has been the recipient of a barrage of attacks from this political opponent.
WATCH — Zimbabwe: Onslaught on Opposition about the recent arrests of 6 senior MDC Alliance members after trying to gain access to the head office building in question.
Despite the country’s struggling economy compounded by the COVID-19 global pandemic along with the National Lockdown measures that come with it, the NAP and other external assembly members say they refuse to give up on fighting for a better Zimbabwe and repeatedly stressed their commitment to achieving their party’s goals. Dzvokora, and the members of the North America Province which he leads, have vowed to continue their work of mobilising funds and staying focused on the road to the 2023 general elections. Along this journey, they plan to use some of the monies raised for their political rallies, party regalia and election-related costs.
Karenyi-Kore ended with a reminder to the fundraising launch initiative saying to the elated participants, “Dzoka uyamwe.” [Translation from Shona: you will return and nurse from your mother] as she alluded North America Province members kinship ties with the land of their birth.
Article co-authored by Pamela Mawoyo and Pearl Matibe (Twitter: @Pearl Matibe).
Farai Dziva|Veteran journalist Stanley Gama has challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa to concentrate on feeding millions of hungry Zimbabweans, instead of fighting tooth and nail to destroy the MDC Alliance.
Gama argued: “Is it a coincidence that @nelsonchamisa lawyer, Thabani Mpofu is not appearing in court, suddenly pple are no longer being denied access to the city centre? Is the regime so scared of Chamisa? What has changed between those 2 days last week and today?
@edmnangagwa while your regime is concentrating on fighting @nelsonchamisa the situation for the pple has gone from bad to worse. Instead of wasting time, resources and energy on Chamisa, please focus on feeding the pple, the majority of whom can’t afford one meal a day.”
“Mr President, everyone is now a pauper, govt workers, soldiers, police, workers in the private sector, the informal sector. Pple are scavenging for food like baboons. When pple start saying Mugabe was far better, you shld take heed and concentrate on their needs not Chamisa.
@edmnangagwa have you sat down to think abt all those leaked documents around your family. It’s not Chamisa who is doing this. Its the pple around you. It is up to you Mr President to find out whats happening. And I repeat, the people are not happy, they are suffering.
@DMwonzora the way you are using Zanu PF and the state machinery to try and deliver the MDC’s over 2 million votes to Zanu PF will backfire. You have betrayed the pple all because you have been promised a Ministerial post in the so called unity govt they say you will be part of?
@DMwonzora are u not scared of riding a tiger? When in 2015, Tsvangirai told me that you had sold out to @edmnangagwa he was 100% correct. Now you go to his grave for rituals. You have sold him out and you know it. But pple are not fools and history will judge you!”
CAPS United descended into chaos yesterday, triggered by a sensational fallout over unpaid salaries, forcing police to come in and resolve the ugly stand-off.
Club vice-president, Nhamo Tutisani, came close to being manhandled by a group of players at his offices in Harare.
At one point, the players and the Harare businessman exchanged some harsh words, including insults, on a dark day for the Green Machine.
Before the arrival of the police, Tutisani sought refuge in his office in Eastlea, while the CAPS United players barricaded the exit point with their cars.
Some bouncers, led by a former member of the Dynamos security team, Abraham Kwenda, also arrived at the scene to try and resolve the impasse.
The bouncers did not use force, in their interactions with the players, but chose diplomacy in persuading them to leave the business premises and let the club’s leaders find ways to deal with their concerns.
The players, who claim they have not been paid their salaries for up to two months, pitched up at Tutisani’s offices demanding to be paid their outstanding dues.
The stand-off is centred on the $480 000 which CAPS received from NetOne, upon the termination of their sponsorship deal, which the players wanted to be used to settle their salaries. The money is enough to cover about two months of the salaries.
The players say they received advice from their colleagues from Bosso, a club which received a similar payment from NetOne, that they had been paid some of their dues-State media
Twenty-seven (27) cases tested positive for COVID-19 today. These are all returnees from South Africa and are all isolated.
Today 515 RDT screening tests and 352 PCR diagnostic tests were done. The cumulative number of tests done to date is 54 535 (32 282 RDT and 22 253 PCR).
To date the total number of confirmed cases is 314; recovered 46, active cases 264 and 4 deaths, since the onset of the outbreak on 20 March 2020.
… A mask alone cannot protect you from COVID-19, you should always combine its use with these protective measures: –
Keep at least 1 metre distance from others. Avoid touching the mask or face. Clean hands frequently and thoroughly-Health Ministry
The government has postponed the reopening of schools from 29 June to 28 July to allow education and treasury authorities to mobilise for the provision of adequate resources.
This was said by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa while addressing the media during a post-Cabinet briefing this Tuesday in Harare.
Mutsvangwa said: In line with His Excellency, the President’s decision that schools should start re-opening, Cabinet resolved that the re-opening of schools be moved from the proposed 29 June to 28 July 2020 to allow the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to engage treasury and other stakeholders to mobilise for the provision of adequate resources.
However, the decision to re-open schools does not affect the June examinations which will run from 29 June to 22 July, as initially announced.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema said an average of 11 candidates will sit at each examination centre to enable social distancing to be observed-State media
