By Brian Ncube- There is one assurance and certainty of life, it’s the journey between the womb and the tomb, how long it will take remains medical assumptions and predictions. What lies in between are our deeds that will determine how we are remembered.

Today we remember  a commander, President, leader, a legend and a fatherly figure who commanded respect with ease.  He never forced it, it came naturally through his humble demeanour, meekness,  military prowess and political acumen.

Dr Dumiso Dabengwa was a fearless fighter and leader who never at any moment in time got intimidated by anyone to drop his principles.

He didn’t like the word afraid used on him I remember at one of the meetings I had the liberty to attend during his time. He interjected to one Bulawayo PEC member’s submission “Angizange ngathi ngiyesaba ngithe mina kangifuni”

This was post 2017 Mugabe Coup, after Zanu PF made a number of attempts to lure the late Zapu president Dr Dumiso Dabengwa back to Zanu PF.  They promised him the vice presidency and he told them point blank that he is not a member of Zanu PF but a leader of a free and independent political outfit,  which they must engage for him to listen to them, not individually.

He was clear to Zanu PF that he will never at any moment work with them under,  something that proved a bitter pill for Zanu PF to swallow. The man was principled all the way to the end.

This was a defining moment, a moment of upholding principle, a moment of choosing the people ahead of individual gains. That very moment my respect for The Black Russian grew ten fold and I declared that here is a man I will follow anywhere.

His legacy was often questioned, attacked in smearing campaigns by many political outfits who were seeking relevance and acceptance from the masses and reminded us that his efforts and that of many freedom fighters brought Zimbabwe and it was up to the youth of today shape it to a Zimbabwe we desire today.

“We are now old and must pass on the button to the young people,” he repeatedly uttered these words at  gatherings and meetings, encouraging us young to people to step up to the plate and run our own race as they had already laid a foundation.

It is unfortunate that he never lived to retire, to plough his fields, watch his grandchildren grow like many people who come of age do. He was always at the forefront fighting injustice of the two oppressive regimes that we people have endured since time immemorial.

As we celebrate a year since the Black Russian journeyed towards the ancestral realm, in his memory I would like to encourage young people, my colleagues to try and emulate the sacrifices of our Hero, should we achieve half the things he achieved in his life, Zimbabwe will be a better place to live in for all.

I will leave you with the words from the legend himself, to ponder on.

“Instead of the youth criticizing us the older generation of our different roles in the development of Zimbabwe, they must acknowledge that we brought Zimbabwe & then ask themselves what they themselves are doing to make it better.

“It is up to them to decide the Zimbabwe they want & work at achieving it”

Brian Ncube is current National Chairman of ZAPU Youth Front.

NewsDay journalist Rex Mphisa and Zimpapers sales representative Charles Marerwa were arrested in Dulivhadzimu, in Zimbabwe’s southern border town of Beitbridge on 15 May 2020 and charged with contravening Coronavirus regulations.

Mphisa and Marerwa, spent the night in police cells. They were subsequently charged the next day, together with two other persons, with contravening Section 5 (1) as read with Section 4 of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020 of the COVID-19 regulations.

The section prohibits the gathering of more than two people in a public place. They were also charged with contravening the Liquor Act which prohibits public drinking.

MISA Zimbabwe engaged lawyer, Jabulani Mzinyathi, who attended to the matter and represented the two when they appeared before the court on 16 May 2020. The two were released on free bail and are set to appear in court on 4 June 2020.

MISA Zimbabwe position

MISA Zimbabwe reiterates its long-standing position that journalists play a key role in promoting access to information hence there is a need for co-operation between different stakeholders to ensure that such rights are promoted, protected and respected.

In implementing the lockdown regulations, the police should take cognisance of the fact that journalists are providers of essential services, more so when they produce the relevant accreditation cards when on duty.

On the other hand, journalists should wear media jackets while on duty, to ensure they are easily distinguishable from the general public when executing their professional duties.

End

Farai Dziva|Popular Masvingo based preacher, Isaac Makomichi has been arrested for allegedly breaching lockdown restrictions.

Makomichi is the leader of Calvary Prayer Group.

“Fellow believers, I have been arrested for what they say is unnecessary movement.

They did not bother to ask for a letter of approval.

We urge the police to respect people’s rights,” Makomichi posted on social media.

DYNAMOS legend and former club captain Memory Mucherahowa has withdrawn his membership of the Zanu-PF UK branch and thrown his endorsement behind opposition MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa.

“Memory Mucherahowa supports MDCA and with Advocate Nelson Chamisa as our President, Thank you,” Mucherahowa, who led the high-riding Dynamos team to the CAF Champions League final in 1998 against Asec Mimosas, tweeted on Monday.

As if to add salt to injury, Mucherahowa tagged Nick Mangwana, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, on his tweet. Mangwana was a Zanu-PF UK chairman under the Robert Mugabe era when Mucherahowa was a Zanu-PF UK branch member.

Said Mangwana about the tag:

“Zvakanaka Cde. I am wondering why I am tagged. Is that your way of telling your former chairman of your new preference?”

However, the 52-year-old 1994 Soccer Star of the Year’s tweet generated more heat than light, causing heated exchanges between some prominent figures on the platform.

Chamisa welcomed the endorsement, and retweeted saying: “Chamisa re-tweeted the tweet and wrote: “I’m humbled…I respect this legend, one of our greatest in soccer!”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s lawyer Tinomudaishe Chinyoka, raised a sentiment: “His vote, if he comes from UK to vote, will still count as one vote.”

Senior MDC Alliance officials have condemned the leaking of pictures of three party activists allegedly by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) forensic department.

The three activists, Harare West Legislator, Joanna Mamombe and her colleagues Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova were taken from police custody, and were tortured and s_xually assaulted by unknown assailants last week.

Posting on Twitter, MDC Alliance Secretary for Welfare, Maureen Kademaunga said the pictures were taken in utmost confidence and it is inappropriate for the photos to be splashed on social media. 

She said:

I am deeply disturbed that inappropriately exposing pictures of the MDCT trio that were taken by the Zimbabwe Republic Police forensic department in utmost confidence have been leaked by the same to social media. Completely unacceptable and unprofessional behaviour by a police officer.

MDC Alliance secretary-general Chalton Hwende has also condemned the release of the “nudes” to “Varakashi”, calling it immoral and unethical. Said Hwende:

Why do police release photos taken for investigations to Varakashi? I saw in the morning that even nudes of the tortured girls have been splashed on the internet this is deplorable, wicked and cruel. These girls have families, fathers and brothers. Hazvina hunhu izvi Police.

The three activists are admitted at a local hospital, under police guard, where they are receiving treatment following their gruesome ordeal.

“Varakashi” is a term used to describe mostly “ghost” Twitter accounts which are pro-government and habitually disparage and malign people they consider independent-minded and opposition party activists and supporters.

Mnangagwa has effectively banned private actors in providing public transportation services through the ban of kombis.

The move is not only creating a monopoly for ZUPCO but will create challenges for commuters.

ZUPCO as seen in the first two weeks of the so called phase two is unable to provide adequate transport to the people already allowed to report for work.

Half the time commuters wait long hours to be able to travel to and from work,the level of inconvenience is unbearable.

Many transporters are against partnering ZUPCO providing it with their vehicles due to poor mantainance of vehicles in the scheme.

That itself is also a danger to commuters who are transported in unroadworthy vehicles,the ZUPCO badge puts an inspection immunity by VID therefore taking away the available remedy.

In any case ZUPCO has had failures of old , mostly associated with State Enterprise under a ZANUPF government,the failure to adhere to basic tenets of corporate governance,poor service, corruption and incurring of massive losses.

Without proper parastatal reform ZUPCO will once again fail ,the ban on kombis will result in transport challenges.

The government ought to allow private actors to participate in provision of public transport under regulations meant to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

These may include but not limited to mandatory disinfecting of the kombis through a monitored framework,limited number of passengers possibly half of the usual carrying capacity, enforcement of the use of masks and sanitisers.

That the police check compliance at all designated checkpoints.

Hon S Chikwinya.
MDC Alliance National Secretary for Transport and Logistics*

MDC Alliance legislator Joana Mamombe’s husband, Mfundo Mlilo, says the 27-year-old Harare West MP is unable to speak or recognize familiar faces following her reported abduction and torture by as yet unidentified assailants following a protest she and other party youths held last Wednesday.

Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova, all from the Nelson Chamisa-led Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC-A), claim they were dumped from a moving car at dawn on Friday outside a general dealer’s shop in Bindura South, about 80km from Harare.

“She sometimes just stares into the distance, at other times she cries hysterically,” he said.

“They started screaming when police officers came into the room. It is the uniform they associate with being terrorised and tortured,” said Mlilo, who is also an MDC Alliance official.

The women said that they were initially taken to Harare central police station from where they were driven for an hour, while their faces were covered, to a forest where they were thrown into a pit.

Mlilo told a UK publication that between Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning, four or five men in plain clothes beat and sexually brutalised the MDC Alliance activists and forced them to consume each other’s excrement.

They were ordered to watch and sing MDC songs as their friends were terrorised one by one, he adds.

“Joana is very brave and knows the risks she is taking in trying to liberate herself and all Zimbabweans from the ordeal of this regime.

“The regime thinks that the women are soft targets and it is the easiest way to terrorise a whole society,” says Mfundo, who campaigned to get his wife elected into Parliament in July 2018.

Meanwhile, The Times also reports that Henry Chimbiri, the 56-year-old father to Cecilia, has slept in his car outside the hospital since his daughter was brought in.

A former MDC elections director during the days of founding party president Morgan Tsvangirai, Chimbiri says bravery is in the family as he himself was arrested and tortured many times in the Robert Mugabe era.

“Things are now far more dangerous,” he said, adding: “Mugabe was a front for the devilish underground movement of his party, led by Mnangagwa, that was responsible for its worst excesses. Now it is those very people who are in power.”

Meanwhile, Government says it will investigate the matter and get to the bottom of what transpired between the protests and Friday morning when the three youth leaders re-emerged from their ordeal.

ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga said that senior officers in the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) were already split into teams and the nation will soon be updated on what transpired.

This also comes as Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe, during a press briefing yesterday, also reiterated that some real deep investigations are ongoing. 

-The Times

By A Correspondent- The late Zanu PF politburo member and acting Bulawayo provincial chairperson Absolom Sikhosana died a pauper with well-wishers only chipping in two days before his death to pay for his prescribed medication as he had fallen on hard times, close family members have claimed.

The family members, who declined to be named, said well-wishers bought medication and had him transferred to a decent ward shortly before he succumbed to prostate cancer at United Bulawayo Hospital (UBH) on Friday.

The Zanu PF bigwig, who served for 10 years as national youth secretary in the politburo, had no medical aid and funeral policy, it has emerged.

Sikhosana has since been declared a national hero and will be buried at the National Hero’s Acre in Harare on a date yet to be announced.

“Sikhosana was admitted on Monday and he spent three days without treatment because the hospital had no drugs. He could not manage to buy the prescribed medication because he did not have money or medical aid,” the family source said.

The female family member said Sikhosana claimed to have been dumped by his erstwhile colleagues in Zanu PF.

“He was admitted in Forrester ward, a common ward for all-male patients. He was only helped by a Bulawayo party leader and businessman who requested his transfer to a private ward. Even his medication came two days before his death after intervention from elsewhere. He died drained and a pauper,” she said.

The source said the late politburo member’s remains were only collected from the mortuary by a private funeral company after government declared him a national hero.

“It was so disheartening for such a big name to die in that way after all he did for the country and party,” the source said.

UBH acting chief executive officer Narcisius Dzvanga yesterday confirmed that Sikhosana’s body had been collected.

“The body is no longer with us. It has been collected to a parlour,” Dzvanga said.

Bulawayo Metropolitan Affairs minister Judith Ncube professed ignorance over reports that Sikhosana faced challenges in settling medical bills at UBH.

“I was not told by the family members, hospital officials or the party that the deceased Zanu PF politburo member Sikhosana had challenges in terms of medical expenses. Whoever assisted him with the challenges did well. I cannot comment further on this matter,” Ncube said.

Contacted for comment, Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu said he only got to know of Sikhosana’s cash challenges late last week.

“I got to know about the issue through the party that a member assisted Sikhosana when he had financial challenges while admitted in hospital,” Mpofu said.

“The party will now have to pay back the member in question. It was not supposed to be taken to the media that a member had assisted him (Sikhosana). Why would someone go to the media soon after assisting a fellow member?” he asked.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent| Residents of Kuwadzana East Constituency will today petition parliament over the recall and dismissal of Honourable Charlton Hwende from the national assembly.

Hwende together with three other legislators namely Prosper Mutseyami, Lilian Timveos and Tabitha Khumalo were recalled from parliament at the instigation of Douglas Mwonzora who was reinstated as the MDC-T Secretary General by the Supreme Court.

The residents are expected to handover a petition signed by over 6000 people from Kuwadzana East.

According to the Zimbabwe Constitution, Members of Parliament serve at the pleasure of the party on whose ticket they were elected under, leaving voters without a say despite being a key stakeholder in the whole electoral process.

By A Correspondent- A Chitungwiza landlord evicted her tenant last week arguing that the national lockdown decisions on paying of rentals in instalments do not apply to her.

Rejoice Makona forced children of her tenant Lorraine Maenzanise to pack their belongings in her absence in Unit B Chitungwiza over US$20. Makona’s decision shocked her neighbours and the matter was resolved at Chitungwiza Police Station where she was ordered to wait for Maenzanise and resolve their issues amicably.

“We were shocked by Makona’s decision to evict her tenant during Covid-19 where everyone is struggling to get money considering that she is a teacher, guardian of law and person of responsibility,” said one of the neighbours.

“The two had some differences after Makona’s son ended up bedding Maenzanise’s daughter so when we tried to reason with her she became emotional and chronicled a number of issue that forced her to evict the tenant,” added the neighbour.

Contacted for comment, Makona confirmed the story saying Maenzanise’s daughter is the one who looked for accommodation that is why she decided to evict her in her mother’s absence

“Maenzanise’s daughter who fell in love with my son is the one who came looking for accommodation and their mother joined them later,” said Makona.

“It is true that I removed their belongings in her absence but I stashed them in one room since they had failed to pay my money on time although I was aware of national lockdown decisions regarding paying of rentals during Covid-19.

“I could not starve my family because of Maenzanise that is why I decided to evict her. “Akaramba kugara mu one room mandakanga ndamuti agare ozobhadhara zvake Covid-19 yapera saka nyaya yacho yakazosvika kumapurisa eChitungwiza tikayananiswa.

“She destroyed my door in April last year and never repaired it so I could not accommodate her anymore without paying rentals,” said Makona. Maenzanise described Makona as cruel and heartless considering that she evicted her children without her knowledge.

“I do not know how Makona treats school children because the way she evicted me during this national lockdown is inhumane,” said Maenzanise. 

“If it was not our neighbours who confronted her over her decision my property could have been destroyed because she removed it in during my absence.

“Our children fell in love after staying at their house and her son later left the country and that had nothing to do with her decision to remove my property in my absence,” said Maenzanise. Maenzanise packed her belongings over the weekend and left the place.

-HMetro

By A Correspondent- The opposition MDC has said that residents of Kuwadzana East Constituency shall today submit a petition at the Parliament of Zimbabwe in support of Chalton Hwende who was recently recalled from Parliament.

Hwende was recalled at the instigation of the reinstated MDC-T Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora who wrote to the Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda saying Hwende had ceased to be a member of the party that got him into Parliament.

Posting on Twitter this morning, MDC UK and Ireland said:

Kuwadzana East Constituency residents to present a Petition at Parliament in support of Kuwadzana East MP Hon Chalton Hwende today 12 pm.

The Petition was signed by over 6000 local residents of the Kuwadzana East constituency. For info pls contact Mr Mariga on +263 77 326 8192

Hwende together with Prosper Mutseyami, Tabitha Khumalo and senator Lillian Timveous were recalled from Parliament at the backdrop of a leadership crisis in the party.

The quartet has since approached the High Court challenging its expulsion saying that Mwonzora or MDC-T had no right to recall them since they are members of the MDC Alliance.

By Own Correspondent| Another member of the Presidential Advisory Council, Busisa Moyo has castigated the recent abduction of three MDC Alliance members saying as long as this dark chapter continues to hover around, Zimbabwe will not go anywhere.

Posting on Twitter, Moyo said the state should cater for the welfare of citizens telling the regime to end abductions and inconclusive investigations.

“Dear @Jamwanda2@matigary We must end these bizarre abductions & inconclusive investigations to these cases. The State is responsible for the welfare of citizens! Even the Catholic Bishops (a member of HOCD) are gravely concerned. Let’s fix this or else hakuna kwatioenda!,” said Moyo.

The state has in the past failed to produce investigation reports on the Itai Dzamara disappearance, White City bombing incident and many other human rights abuses.

Minister of Home Affairs Sunday afternoon promised to leave no stone unturned to investigate the truth around the abduction of the three MDC Alliance women, Joana Mamombe, Cecelia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.

The Human Rights Forum has said it “strongly condemns” the “abduction and torture of MDC Alliance youth leaders,” Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.

We present the statement in full below.

Press Statement: Forum strongly condemns abduction and torture of MDC Alliance youth leaders 16 May 2020.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (the Forum) is appalled and registers its deepest contempt on the abduction and torture of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance Member of Parliament Joana Mamombe and Youth Assembly leaders Cecelia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.

What the three have endured, constitute the most egregious and extensive sufferings a human being can experience, as proscribed by the Constitution of the land: unlawful and arbitrary detention (section 49), infringement of human dignity (section 51), violation of bodily and psychological integrity — including sexual assault (section 52), torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment — including being forced to eat and drink human excreta (section 53) and violation of equal protection of the law (section 56). This followed an arrest for exercising their constitutional rights to speak out and to their conscience, including through peaceful demonstration.

Manner of arrest and abduction

The Forum noted the article in the Herald newspaper on 14 May in which the national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi was quoted confirming the trio’s arrest, although he was still to find out where they were being held. The Forum also notes the corroboration from the trio that they were initially taken to Harare Central Police Station upon arrest. Additionally, the Forum notes the further social media communication of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) through their Twitter handle, to the effect that the trio was not in police custody. Cogent explanation is needed on how and why the trio, if they indeed were in police custody, left that custody. Similarly, explanation is needed on the contradictory statements issued by the police.

It is worrisome, and everyone is justified to worry for their security and safety, if people in police custody can find themselves in a situation as the three. The State is duty-bound to account for all its citizens and to protect and ensure their security and well-being, even if under lawful detention. No citizen should live in fear of extra-legal treatment, either at the hands of the State or non-State actors.

No justification for abduction and torture

For whatever reason, and under whatever circumstance, no one should be abducted or tortured. Section 56(1) of the Constitution demands that all persons are accorded equal protection and benefit of the law. The law provides for the mechanisms through which even those who break the law are arrested, tried and if found guilty, treated.

For those who seek to apportion blame to the victims in whatever manner or form, the Forum reminds them that once a culture of disregard of the law and human rights takes root, and a cycle of violence and abuse of due process is established, no one is safe, including perpetrators. It is folly for anyone to derive pleasure in ascribing the heinous crime to “self-abduction” and other shocking explanations and justifications, and to revel in a self-sense of security. The culture of violence must be nipped in the bud.

Sexual assault continues to be used as a weapon of abuse and torture. All right-thinking citizens should be outraged. Whether one has committed an offence under the country’s laws or not, sexual assault can never be an appropriate response.

Respect for privacy

The constitutional right to privacy, as with any other right, stems for the need to respect human dignity, and not humiliate and expose victims to further trauma. It is extremely important for the media and for political leaders to vigorously speak out, when heinous crimes such as this are committed. In so doing however, the obligation to respect privacy remains. The Forum reminds the media and individuals visiting the victims to take extra caution to ensure a fine balance between exposure of the crimes committed and the protection of the victims’ privacy. Sensitive graphic material should be shared with discretion.

Call to action

The time is now for government to categorically state its repugnance towards such savage and barbaric conduct. If the government shares the same standards of law abidance that it demands of its citizens, it is critical that the government condemns the violations both in speech and deeds. Episodes such as these simply serve to remind of impunity and the unjust past Zimbabweans have long suffered. If our leaders are sincere in turning a leaf to a truly new dispensation, the strongest condemnation of these acts is expected, and concrete, meaningful steps must be taken. The nation and the international community are watching.

The Forum strongly urges all concerned and well-meaning Zimbabweans to call for decisive action from the authorities. In particular, the Forum demands of the government to:

• Thoroughly and exhaustively investigate the circumstances of the arrest, abduction and torture of the three, and bring perpetrators to justice;

• Ratify and domestic the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances;

• Ratify and domesticate the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; and

• Amend the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act to include a stand-alone offence of torture, accompanied by severe punishment.
//ENDS//

By Own Correspondent| The opposition MDC Alliance is set to file a High Court interdict to stop the rival faction led by Dr Thokozani Khupe from further recalling its legislators.

This comes amid reports that Manicaland Senator Douglas Mwonzora who was recently reinstated as the MDC-T Secretary by the Supreme Court is set to wield axe on six more legislators aligned to Nelson Chamisa.

The court will hear the urgent chamber application at 1430hrs today.

More to follow…

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

• USD to ZWL$: 25.00
• ZWL$ to RAND: 0.7381 [15/05/2020]

Data according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

Black Market Rates:

• OMIR $83.13
• USD to ZWL$ zimrates.com  $54.50
• USD to ZWL$  zwl365.com $53
• USD to ZWL$ bluemari.info $45.00
• USD to BOND: zimrates.com $39.70

More: marketwatch.co.zw

By Own Correspondent| Mike Chimombe is often labelled by many in Zimbabwe of a being a real monster who has mainly benefited from patronage as a result of his strong links to ZANU PF and his relationship to the ruling party’s Mashonaland West strongman and one of the country’s richest tycoon Phillip Chiyangwa.

Despite being a legal practitioner and socialite, Chimombe also happens to be the Affirmative Action Group’s (AAG) president for Mashonaland West Chapter.

AAG is a ruling party linked black empowerment pressure group.
The man who has often been described as ruthless by his foes and friends alike is not shy of flaunting his wealth when the opportunity presents itself.

What more one would expect if your inner circle of friends include other ruling party linked monsters who include Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure, Albert Ndabambi, Tazvi “Chief J” Mhaka and the Power Circle who are all among some of the biggest spenders in Harare.

However, despite the flamboyancy, glitzy and glamour lifestyle which is often exhibited on the outward, Chimombe is a loan shark hiding within the structures of the ruling acolytes as he has taken peoples’ properties to the extent that several of his victims have suffered quietly because of fear and death threats.

The Nemakonde High schooled monster has been described as a dangerous person with money and power and most of his scandalous victims have no voice at all as a result of his politically achieved social status.

He also operates within the confines of the illegal forex dealing cartels who have direct access to cash from the central government.

Chimombe is also often accused of having a nick of grabbing properties belonging to most of his loan sharking victims to the extent that some remain holed outside the country fearing retribution if they ever set back their foot in the country.

These ruling party linked cartels where Chimombe is one of the tycoons, are also beneficiaries of fuel and other illicit deals where they use their spoils from their equally illicit proceeds to the loan sharking business.

Read the full statement below:

Mnangagwa has effectively banned private actors in providing public transportation services through the ban of kombis.

The move is not only creating a monopoly for ZUPCO but will create challenges for commuters.

ZUPCO as seen in the first two weeks of the so called phase two is unable to provide adequate transport to the people already allowed to report for work.

Half the time commuters wait long hours to be able to travel to and from work, the level of inconvenience is unbearable.

Many transporters are against partnering ZUPCO providing it with their vehicles due to poor mantainance of vehicles in the scheme.

That itself is also a danger to commuters who are transported in unroadworthy vehicles, the ZUPCO badge puts an inspection immunity by VID therefore taking away the available remedy.

In any case ZUPCO has had failures of old , mostly associated with State Enterprise under a Zanu PF government, the failure to adhere to basic tenets of corporate governance, poor service, corruption and incurring of massive losses.

Without proper parastatal reform ZUPCO will once again fail, the ban on kombis will result in transport challenges.

The government ought to allow private actors to participate in provision of public transport under regulations meant to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

These may include but not limited to mandatory disinfecting of the kombis through a monitored framework, limited number of passengers possibly half of the usual carrying capacity, enforcement of the use of masks and sanitisers.

That the police check compliance at all desgnated checkpoints.

Hon S Chikwinya.

MDC Alliance National Secretary for Transport and Logistics

Correspondent|The Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T is set to recall more MDC Alliance MPs this Tuesday when parliament sits.

According to a social media audio circulated to ZimEye.com sources, Nomvula Mguni the MDC-T Bulawayo Provincial Secretary moved a motion at an MDC-T National Council online meeting calling for the withdrawal of the legislators because they were hostile to Thokozani Khupe.

The following were specifically named in the audio in question:

Memory Mbondiah
Concilia Chinanzvavana
Helen Zivira
Meliwe Phuthi
Nomathemba Ndlovu
Phyllis Ndlovu
Sibusisiwe Budha Masara -Masara
Mugidho Machirairwa

Own Correspondent|Government will soon be arresting abducted, tortured and dumped MDC Alliance MP, Joanna Mamombe who are currently in hospital.

Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe revealed in a statement that Police will pounce on Mamombe and some party activists for allegedly staging an illegal demonstration and violating lockdown regulations.

Mamombe and party youth leaders, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova were last Wednesday abducted and subjected to horrendous torture by suspected state security agents who accused them of plotting to overthrow President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The three had earlier been involved in an anti-government protest over lockdown food distributions.

At a media briefing in Harare on Sunday, Kazembe Kazembe said police were still going to press charges against the three for organising a demonstration when the country had declared a national lockdown against the spread of coronavirus.

“The trio’s demonstration was illegal because for one to stage a demonstration, one should have a police clearance.

“So, in that respect, it was illegal and they also violated the lockdown regulations. So, it was illegal and there was no social distancing.

“So, it will be dealt with at an appropriate time. For now, we are dealing with the alleged abduction,” Kazembe said.

ZimEye.com has managed to track down the people who abducted the MDC Youth Leaders last week.

In the video below, the abductors try to evade being identified and decline being involved in the gruesome abduction and torture.

Watch video downloading below:

Own Correspondent|The Ministry of Health and Child Care has reported that as of 17 May 2020, Zimbabwe had officially recorded 46 coronavirus cases including 4 deaths and 18 recoveries.

See the ministry’s full statement below.

Highlights of the situation report.

• Two (2) cases tested positive for COVID-19 today. One is a male returnee from the United Kingdom and the second is a truck driver who initially tested positive In Zambia and again tested positive on re-testing in Harare. Both cases are stable and are in self-isolation at home In Harare.

• Today 671 RDT screening tests and 279 PCR diagnostic tests were done. The cumulative number of tests done to date is 28 019 (15 455 RDT and 12564 PCR).
• To date, the total number of confirmed cases is 46, recovered 18, active cases 24 and 4 deaths since the onset of the outbreak on 20 March 2020.

The mandatory use of face masks in all public places remains In place. Babies and children under 2 years of age should not wear face masks as they cannot remove the masks when they feel suffocated. As much as possible, babies and young children should be kept away from public places.

Own Correspondent|MDC founding veteran Engineer Elias Mudzuri has called on party leader Nelson Chamisa to engage with all the other factions of the opposition party to try and rebuild the party.

In an wide ranging interview with Sly Media, Mudzuri lamented at what he called the continuous disintegration of the once very vibrant opposition party.

Watch full interview in the video downloading below:

Source: Sly Media

A Zimbabwean state official says three members of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), who were seized by unknown assailants last Wednesday, tortured and dumped 80 kilometers outside Harare, are stage-managing their abductions in order for the international community to deploy troops in the country and topple the ruling Zanu PF government.

Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi, who described Harare lawmaker Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova as “comedians” seeking the removal of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government through international military force, claimed that their abductions are nothing new in Zimbabwe as “the opposition has failed to defeat Zanu PF in national elections”.

He said, “… It started with Morgen Tsvangirai. He couldn’t win an outright majority to form a government and that led to that GNU (government of national unity). That legacy has continued with Chamisa as well. He has failed to win the hearts of the Zimbabwean people … Now the opposition and other enemies of the government, they are now coming up with something, some strategies that can entail the international community to fight the Zimbabwean government directly seeing that on the election front they cannot achieve regime change.

“So, these abductions are being used by opposition leaders to ensure that government has a bad image, government is seen as torturing its citizens and breaking international law and they hope that this will trigger international powers or foreign powers like the U.S and other hostile countries into not only imposing more sanctions but also deciding on a military intervention. They are entertaining this hoping that one day there will be military intervention by some countries, something that we know is not going to happen.”

He said the “fake abductions” started with “some comedians, I don’t still remember their names), we come to the doctors, that Magombeyi as well, they were all those stories and they continue, now with an MDC MP saying they have been abducted. What these people are doing is that they are faking these abductions.”

Challenged to elaborate on his suggestions about fake abductions in the wake of the brutalization of Dr. Peter Magombeyi, who was leader of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association during the time he was seized by suspected state security agents, and the disappearance of some activists in independent Zimbabwe, Mutodi insisted that the opposition MDC led by Chamisa was playing dirty political tricks in order to unseat the ruling party while attempting to quell an uprising in his party.

He claimed that the three women, who were allegedly sexually abused and tortured by their captors that seized them at a Harare police station and then dumped them two days later in Bindura South, may have been abducted by some members of the MDC.

He further claimed that they may have self-inflicted wounds in order to get national and international sympathy.

“… They take themselves around in the countryside, they put bruises on their bodies and then they start alleging that they have been abducted by the government so that the government has a bad image and criticized by international players. So, this is something that is now well known. There is rivalry in their party … They are fighting with each other. This is something that does not need a rocket scientist to explain. These people are fighting.”

Pressed to explain on the abduction of the three woman, Magombeyi, Itai Dzamara and others, Mutodi said, “… Do you think Magombey was abducted? His story was not convincing. He wanted a salary increase … All these people like Magombeyi, these are fake people who are trying to gain political mileage and recognition out of nothing.”

He also claimed that it is difficult to arrest assailants as the abductions “are fake”.

Mutodi claimed that Mamombe and other MDC activists had suspicious injuries. “If you check them, if you put them before a doctor they will tell you that these people were not tortured, these people have good faces, they are smiling, but they only cry when it comes to the camera, to portray a bad image against the government.”

Questioned on these remarks, he said, “It’s very possible. These are comedians, I’m telling you. These are comedians trying to create a bad image against the government and trying to remove a constitutionally-elected government through hook and crook. This is clear duplicity which they are doing.”

But some MDC activists dismissed his remarks as “senseless and directionless”, saying Mutodi is singing for his super.

Edwin Ndlovu of the MDC Alliance led by Chamisa said, “This guy does not know what he is talking about. He is clearly singing for his super. There is nothing like faking an abduction when we clearly know that some people in the MDC have gone missing. The government has failed to account for them and people like Itai Dzamara, Paul Chizuze, and others were also abducted. Does Mutodi mean that they abducted themselves? They disappeared without a trace. Where do you think they are right now? The government knows what is going on.

“It is unbelievable that someone can talk about people inflicting injuries on themselves. That’s does not happen. It’s senseless to say that. We have women who are seriously injured and Mutodi is talking nonsense like this. Clearly, the government has a hand in their disappearance. I have no doubt about it.”

Henry Chimbiri, the father of one of the abducted MDC activists Cecilia Chimbiri, echoed the same sentiments, noting that indications are that state security agents have a hand in the brutalization of her daughter and the two other women.

“… The question I asked the police (when he went to a hospital where Cecilia is hospitalized) is about who found the girls. They are not the ones (police) who found the girls. I found the girls with the help of the MDC and lawyers. They did not make any attempt to search for the girls, Joanna Mamombe, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri. They did not make any single, minute effort to search for them. When we went to Harare Central Police Station the officer in charge said he does not know anything about the girls but these girls were arrested at a police roadblock at the Harare showgrounds and even myself I was also almost arrested there.

“They said ‘you old man we will call our bosses and tell them that you causing problems and take you away’. I wanted to find out what happened to the girls. The whole thing has come out. These girls were under surveillance.”

He claimed that police wanted to block him and his wife from entering the ward were his child was admitted at Park Hospital.

The international community has urged Zimbabwe to fully investigate the matter.

VOA

State Media|HEALTH workers, including nurses and doctors, will from today start reporting for duty for a week and go off duty for two weeks as part of measures to reduce their exposure to Covid-19.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, health workers have been on the frontline in the fight against Covid-19 that is straining the health sector.

Government is already paying a risk allowance to health workers who in the majority of cases perform duties that are less likely to be done from home.

Health workers had been working for “flexible hours”, an arrangement that was introduced through a collective bargaining agreement to cushion particularly nurses, who had gone on an indefinite strike citing erosion of their salaries by inflation. The workers would report for work on a few days a week, but working more hours than their usual shifts. Most nurses were now working two days a week for 12 hours a day. According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the new arrangement for health workers to go off for two weeks can be changed any time depending on the situation.

In an interview yesterday, Health Service Board chairperson Dr Paulinus Sikosana said once health workers take off days, they would be tested for Covid-19 before reporting for duty again.

“That decision was made by the Ministry of Health and Child Care last week. The rationale was basically health workers get exposed to Covid- 19 patients. They rest and they will be tested before they come back to work and usually one shows signs between two to 14 days,” said Dr Sikosana.

In a letter dated May 11 addressed to all provincial medical directors and chief executive officers, the then Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Agnes Mahomva said the new system will reduce exposure of health workers to Covid-19.

“Further to the letter from the Health Service Board where they effected the cancellation of flexible working hours for health workers due to the declaration of Covid-19 pandemic by President Mnangagwa, all provincial medical directors and chief executive officers should utilise the system outlined below which will minimise the risk of exposure to Covid -19.

“Health workers should therefore report for duty for one week continuously and take two weeks off to minimise exposure risk,” read the letter signed by Dr Mahomva who was last week appointed by President Mnangagwa to the newly created post of chief coordinator, national response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the Office of the President and Cabinet .

Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Mr Enock Dongo said when reporting for work, each shift will run for eight hours for nurses.

“With effect from tomorrow (today) nurses will be working one week in for eight hours and then two weeks out. We have new arrangements we want to reduce the number of days and hours that the nurses spend in the hospital environment,” said Mr Dongo.

He said they were looking forward to engaging Government over the issue of remuneration.

While extending the lockdown for an indefinite period on Saturday, President Mnangagwa said the training of a large number of healthcare workers in various aspects of Covid-19 such as care, infection prevention and control as well as disease surveillance has been done and will continue.

State Media|A full-scale investigation is now in progress over the alleged abduction of three MDC Alliance members and the public should await the results, which will be made public, before coming up with unsubstantiated conclusions, the Government said yesterday.

Three MDC Alliance members — Johanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Christine Marova — were reported missing last week before being located at a general dealer’s shop near Musana on Friday.

During a joint press conference yesterday, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe yesterday confirmed he had directed police to institute a full-scale investigation on what transpired after the flash demonstration by the MDC Alliance in Warren Park in western Harare last week.

The investigations would establish what transpired, who did what, and the motive behind the actions.

“While circumstances pertaining to the whole case are not clear, my Ministry has directed the Commissioner General of Police to institute full-scale investigations into the matter. I want to assure Zimbabweans that no stone will be left unturned with a view of finding out exactly what happened after the flash demonstration in Warren Park by MDC Alliance.

“This inquiry will also include the way the story was covered in the media in order to iron out a lot of grey areas for the benefit of the public, and in the process reveal the correct circumstances in the whole matter,” he said.

Minister Kazembe said social media was awash with messages that police had arrested the three, prompting him to ask Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga if this was so. He denied the allegations.

“This basically means that it must have been a communication breakdown,” said the Minister.

Minister Kazembe said the demonstration, which was staged by the MDC Alliance members, was illegal as they had not followed the proper procedures and had also violated the lockdown regulations.

“The flash demonstration was illegal. There are certain procedures that should be followed such as informing the police before staging the demonstration,” said the Minister. “Secondly, it violated the lockdown regulations. There was no social distancing and that will be dealt with at an appropriate time. But for now we are dealing with the alleged abduction.”

The investigations would find out what happened, how the three reached Musana and all the other queries.

“We can assure Zimbabwe that the police will do their utmost to get to the bottom of the story,” said Minister Kazembe.

Police, at the joint press conference, said investigations were still underway, but so far they had not recovered the vehicle belonging to Ms Mamombe.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he had not confirmed the arrests, but had just told the media that his department would find out from Harare province what had happened. “In our interaction with Harare province we were told something had happened in Warren Park and was being attended (to). It was premature for the police to confirm who had been arrested and who had not been arrested because the scene was still being attended.”

Comm-General Matanga told the same press conference that the police had put together investigation teams deployed by the head of Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

“It is my conviction that they are carrying out their investigations very well. I want to assure that the results of the investigations will be communicated to all Zimbabweans.

“The information I have right now is, the illegal demonstration took place on Wednesday May 13, 2020 around 1230. When the information was passed to Harare police station, police were deployed to Warren Park 1.

“When police arrived the crowd scattered and could not be arrested. Fortunately, we have a video clip from the demonstration and we are now following up on those people appearing on the clip.

“According to the lockdown regulations, the offences are clearly spelt out. Again, depending on who played what role in the demonstration, that will come out as a result of the investigations we are talking about. It is too early for me to give answers before the conclusion of the investigations,” he said.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance president Advocate Nelson Chamisa has accused Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government of using the lockdown to violate and suppress people’s basic rights.

Chamisa was commenting on the indefinite extension of the lockdown by Mnangagwa on Sunday.

“Indefinite extension of lockdown without cushioning measures for the vulnerable simply wrong and inappropriate!!

Whereas measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic are a necessity, we disagree with entrenching arbitrary rule under the guise of fighting the pandemic.We backed previous measures because they were time-specific. Indefinite extension changes the situation in a fundamental way,” said Chamisa.

“Without consultation with us all, the indefinite extension of the lockdown opens a treacherous avenue to arbitrary rule. It indefinitely suspends the exercise of civil and political rights which are necessary checks and balances on the excesses of governmental power.

Most authoritarian regimes are now using COVID-19 situation as an stratagem to violate rights,abuse people, esp workers, informal traders and churches. Abuse and manipulation must be fought by all progressive citizens.The greater the oppression,the greater the determination,”he added.

MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka speaks on the way forward after the abduction and torture of three party youth leaders, watch video below:

President of Zimbabwe African People’s Union, Isaac Mabuka today lost his mother.

Gogo Emma Ndlovu succumbed to a yet to be disclosed illness today in Bulawayo.

She was 90 years old.

Said ZAPU National Spokesperson Iphithule Maphosa in a statement:

ZAPU sends heartfelt condolences to the President and family. We share the pain of losing a mother, grandmother and great grandmother to the family.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance deputy youth assembly chairperson, Cecilia Chimbiri has revealed how she was ” treatment like a dog” by suspected government agents.

Chimbiri narrated her ordeal to Makomborero Haruzivishe who had visited her in hospital.

Read Haruzivishe’ s statement :
Upon seeing me yesterday she said,”Mako mwana wamai vangu hapana zvavasina kundiita; vakandiita kunge imbwa,vakandiita kunge pfambi…” and she broke down into tears…

I felt that!

All I could do was wipe her tears with a tissue paper and assured her,”It is time we learn how to fight back my sister, for the time to fight for justice is now or never.”

I had to say to say that because it’s true, we are in a war and we have to fight back at some point!

24 hours later I am still feeling it and I mean what I told her…It’s
NowOrNever
ZanuPfMustGo
PeoplePower

Watch the live video loading below…….

By A Correspondent- National Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi says he never confirmed the arrest of the MDC youth leaders Jona Ruvimbo Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.

Speaking on Sunday, Nyathi said he told the Herald and Daily News reporters, when they phoned him, that he intended to find out from Harare police what had transpired.

The Herald on Wednesday quoted Nyathi who confirmed the trio’s arrest, although he was still to find out where they were being held.

“I can confirm that the police arrested the three in Harare today in connection with an illegal demonstration, which occurred in Warren Park earlier in the day. They are in our custody and we are still making further investigations into the issue,” Nyathi was quoted saying.

“We want to warn members of the public, or any groups who are engaging in acts which affect efforts by the Government to fight Covid-19 that they will be arrested without fear or favour. They will only have themselves to blame.”

Commenting on the matter senior journalist Brezhnev Malaba said:

“Asst Comm Paul Nyathi is basically accusing the Herald & Daily News of lying that he confirmed the arrest of MDC-A youth leaders. This could become a crucial component of the abduction case. For legal reasons and by practice, journos keep notes or recordings. Their testimony will be key.”

By A Correspondent- The Minister of Home Affairs Kazembe Kazembe has instructed the Commissioner General of Police Godwin Matanga to investigate circumstances surrounding the abduction of 3 MDC officials on the 13th of May.

Harare West MP Joana Mamombe, Netsai Marova, and Cecilia Chimbiri were abducted after being arrested by police at a roadblock during a flash demonstration in Warren Park.

Kazembe promised the nation that no stone will be left unturned during the process.

Read the full statement below:

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage has taken note of the huge interest and concern which has been caused by the alleged disappearance of MDC Alliance members Johana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Christine Marova in Harare on the 13th of May 2020 and the subsequent location at Super General Dealer on the 15th of May 2020.

While the circumstances pertaining to the whole case are not clear my Ministry has directed the Commissioner General of Police to institute full scale investigations into the matter. 1 want to assure Zimbabweans that no stone will be left unturned with a view of finding out exactly what happened after the flash demonstration in Warren Park by MDC Alliance members.

This inquiry will also include the way the story was covered in the media in order to iron out a lot of grey areas for the benefit of the public and in the process reveal the correct circumstances in the whole matter.

Finally, may I, therefore, reiterate that Zimbabweans should wait for the outcome of the investigations before coming up with unsubstantiated conclusions.

A defiant War Veterans Chairman for Mazowe District, Ephanos Mudzimunyi,  has intensified harvesting oranges at Saviour Kasukuwere’s farm despite a High Court Order banning him from interfering with operations at the farm.

The publication spoke to some farmworkers who expressed concern over Mudzimunyi’s actions as they said Mudzimunyi’s people were harvesting the best potion of the crop:

Until Thursday last week, they had only been eating the oranges. But since the court order was granted, (Mudzimunyi) has hired more people to harvest the oranges. They spend the day harvesting and packing them and transporting them in trucks overnight. They even chased away police officers who had come to serve them the court order and said they did not regard it.

When the order came, some workers tried to harvest the oranges from the other end, but they were threatened by Mudzimunyi’s people, who warned them that the move was tantamount to a declaration of war and they retreated.

Farmworkers also said Mudzimunyi’s people have brought operations at the farm to a standstill.

“This is a big loss. They are harvesting the portion with the best crop and also some common criminals have taken advantage of that to steal. Now all operations have stalled. There is no irrigation taking place because they are camped right at the pump and have declared it a no-go area.

This is happening at a time when we are supposed to be irrigating the oranges more to come up with the best quality.This has left the oranges exposed to fruit flies, which causes extensive damage.

When contacted for comment, Kasukuwere said the actions of the war vets leader showed lack of respect for the Zimbabwean law. Kasukuwere last year received a withdrawal letter from the Ministry of Lands and challenged the withdrawal letter at the court after his farm was allocated to Mudzimunyi.

-Standard

By A Correspondent- MDC sources have revealed that the party’s National Youth Executive Committee Member Councilor Mlandu Ncube has been involved in an accident.

Mlandu is Councilor for Ward 1.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest details…

By A Correspondent- Mthandazo Ndlovu a counsellor in addiction and adolescent life coach revealed that substance abuse among youths has escalated during the Lockdown.

“The drug abuse is reportedly rampant among young people considering that COVID-19 has a psychological toll on mostly youth,” said Ndlovu.

“The struggle of the mind begins on how do l escape from this and when all minds are waiting for the same answer, the depression levels rise and so does the fear of the unknown.”

Ndlovu said drugs, alcohol and substance abuse become the first escape routes from reality and a rare breed of addicts is breeding this time around as people try to surround themselves with what will take away fear from them.

The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa has risen to 14 355, with 831 new cases and 14 more deaths reported over the past 24 hours, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said on Saturday.

The Eastern Cape and Western Cape combined comprise 91 percent of the new 831 cases. According to the testing data, 439 559 tests have been conducted with 18 004 done in the last 24-hour cycle.

Regrettably, the National Health Department reported a further 14 Covid-19 related deaths – this brings the total national deaths to 261. The total number of recoveries to date is 6 478.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your tenacity, stoicism and true partnership with government. Together we succeeded in flattening the curve, which facilitated ramping up and cohesion of our health care system as well as preparation of our spaces as we resume our economic and social development,” said Mkhize on Saturday.

“A few examples are that we have screened 10 737 341 citizens, we now have 376 sites identified for quarantine nationally with 30 823 quarantine beds. Significantly our mortality rate, 1.8 percent, remains well below the global average which is currently 6.6 percent and our recovery rate is 42.4 percent, above the global average of 38 percent,” he concluded.

-Online

By A Correspondent- MDC Activists who were abducted and tortured and dumped in Bindura are still traumatised to speak to the police to narrate their ordeal according to their doctors.

This was revealed by  Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights Norman Matara who said:

We are working with the police,” Matara said. “I cannot disclose anything about the extent of injury on the ladies because they are still not physically and emotionally fit to give a statement to the police

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights’ Jeremiah Bhamu who is representing the ladies also said they will know the next step after the ladies have recovered:

I will know of the next course of action once the three are in a stable condition, But first, we want to know the truth about what happened to them. There are already indications that the police are compromised.

Bhamu also expressed serious concerns about the way ZRP handled the case:

Hoping them to be fair would be asking for too much from them. Some of them might want, but there might be superior forces blocking them from acting impartially.

Own Correspondent|Bulawayo has recorded its first four coronavirus recoveries bringing down the number of active cases in the city to seven.

Harare, on the other hand, had two new positive cases bringing its total to 20, but two have died and eight have recovered, leaving 10 active cases.

According to the Ministry of Health, Zimbabwe has so far tested 27 959 people.

It has 44 cases but only 23 are active. Four have died and 17 have recovered.

State Media Report|LIBERATION war veterans in Manicaland yesterday received 16 tonnes of rice and 10 tonnes of roller meal to cushion them during the Covid-19 period.

The rice is part of the food aid sourced for vulnerable groups by President Mnangagwa, while the roller meal was donated by Masimba Holdings Limited to the Manicaland provincial Covid-19 taskforce to help alleviate hunger.

The food will benefit the vulnerable members of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association in all seven districts of the province.

Handing over the food, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba said war veterans are part of the vulnerable groups in society, but they were often forgotten.

“Manicaland has suffered several disasters in the past year, from Cyclone Idai and a drought and now we have this pandemic to deal with.

“In all this, we have to remember our vulnerable people who cannot work to source food for themselves and their families.

“We realised that we have war veterans who can qualify in this category, but they are sometimes forgotten. In all we do, we should never forget the liberation war fighters,” she said.

Dr Gwaradzimba said the province is committed to ensuring that everyone receives food during this period and would continue to source for more food aid for those in need.

ZNLWA provincial chairman, Cde Gift Kagweda, said the assistance will go a long way in assisting some vulnerable cadres who can no longer work to feed their families.

“This food will go towards those who were injured, widows and others who are disadvantaged. Although this will not cover everyone, those who have benefitted will know that Government remembers them. Beneficiaries in all districts have already been identified by the respective chairpersons,” he said.

Now watch video downloading below:

Own Correspondent|Reports from Masvingo indicate that 14 Malawians held in quarantine at Masvingo Teachers’ College have gone on hunger strike demanding to be set free by the Zimbabwean government to go to their homes in Malawi.

The Malawians are reportedly in their third day on hunger strike.

The Malawians have been at the centre for 9 days after being picked up at the Beitbridge Border Post while enroute to Malawi.

The group argues that Zimbabwe has no authority to detain them in quarantine as they were in transit to Malawi from South Africa. They say processes to clear them are taking too long.

By A Correspondent- MDC sources have revealed that the party’s National Youth Executive Committee Member Councilor Mlandu Ncube has been involved in an accident.

Mlandu is Councilor for Ward 1.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest details…

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance president Advocate Nelson Chamisa has accused Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government of using the lockdown to violate and suppress people’s basic rights.

Chamisa was commenting on the indefinite extension of the lockdown by Mnangagwa on Sunday.

“Indefinite extension of lockdown without cushioning measures for the vulnerable simply wrong and inappropriate!!

Whereas measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic are a necessity, we disagree with entrenching arbitrary rule under the guise of fighting the pandemic.We backed previous measures because they were time-specific. Indefinite extension changes the situation in a fundamental way,” said Chamisa.

“Without consultation with us all, the indefinite extension of the lockdown opens a treacherous avenue to arbitrary rule. It indefinitely suspends the exercise of civil and political rights which are necessary checks and balances on the excesses of governmental power.

Most authoritarian regimes are now using COVID-19 situation as an stratagem to violate rights,abuse people, esp workers, informal traders and churches. Abuse and manipulation must be fought by all progressive citizens.The greater the oppression,the greater the determination,”he added.

MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka speaks on the way forward after the abduction and torture of three party youth leaders, watch video below:

MDC Senators Douglas Mwonzora and Morgen Komichi have requested for police protection amid rising threats from political rivals in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling which ordered for an extraordinary congress to determine the leadership of the party left in turmoil by the late Morgan Tsvangirai.

Mwonzora and Komichi’s appeal for Police Protection Unit (PPU) help comes after government granted acting MDC leader Thokozani Khupe police protection.

The Supreme Court recently ruled MDC should go to the structure established by the party’s congress in 2014 which made Khupe the party’s acting president pending the holding of an extraordinary congress.

The court also ruled that Mwonzora and Komichi were to be recognised as the legitimate secretary general and national chairman respectively.

The PPU is responsible for providing security to the VIPs within the country such as Head of State, Vice Presidents, Ministers, Ambassadors, Judges and any other designated persons.

They also protect key installations such as State House and Parliament Building, among others.

Komichi and Mwonzora have engaged bodyguards for fear of being attacked by their political rivals.

Komichi said the appeal to the police will protect leaders against harassment.

“I know that many of them [party leaders] are being intimidated by our political rivals and we need police protection whenever the need arises especially these days we are in the process of reorganising the party structures and delegates for the elective congress as ordered by the Supreme Court ruling,” Komichi said.

He claimed to be receiving threats of physical and verbal from the MDC supporters mainly based at the party headquarters, the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House.

“We do not want violence as we know that some of the MDC youths at the Harvest House are threatening us with violence and we want to warn them that the law will take its course and we are going to be making a report to the police about the threats.” he said.

The request made by Komichi and Khupe comes after the MDC Alliance leadership in Harare province dared Khupe, Mwonzora and Komichi to occupy the party headquarters.

MDC Harare spokesperson Fani Munengami said the party’s leadership in the province was not going to allow MDC- T to take over the party headquarters.

“In Harare province our supporters have indicated that they are do not recognise Khupe and the youths of the party have also dared Khupe to try to occupy our party headquarters and face the consequences.

“I understand that the judgment did not address the issue of the party property as it registered in the name of the party not to Khupe,” Munengami said.

MDC Alliance MPs and councillors have thrown their weight behind Nelson Chamisa and arguing that he is their legitimate leader elected at the party congress last year in Gweru.

-Online

Own Correspondent|MDC National Youth Executive Committee Member who is also Bulawayo Ward 1 councillor, Mlandu Ncube has been involved in an accident in Bulawayo.

More details to follow.

17 May 2020 – Statement by the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage on the Disappearance And location of MDC Alliance Members.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage has taken note of the huge Interest and concern which has been caused by the alleged disappearance of MDC Alliance members, Johanna MAMOMBE, Cecilia CHIMBIRI and Christine MAROVA in Harare on 13″‘ May 2020 and subsequent location at Super General Dealer near Musana on the 15th May 2020.

While the circumstances pertaining to the whole case are not clear, my Ministry has directed the Commissioner General of Police to institute full scale investigations into the matter. I want to assure Zimbabweans that no stone will be left unturned with a view of finding out exactly what happened after the flash demonstration in Warren Park by MDC Alliance members.

This inquiry will also include the way the story was covered in the media in order to iron out a lot of grey areas for the benefit of the public and in the process reveal the correct circumstances in the whole matter. Finally, may I therefore reiterate that Zimbabweans should wait for the outcome of the investigations before coming up with unsubstantiated conclusions.