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.

Father of one of the abducted MDC Youth leaders Cecilia Chimbiri has expressed shock at police conduct who are guarding her daughter and two others’ hospital beds in their numbers despite orchestrating their arrest, detention, disappearance and torture.

Chimbiri queried the motive of the police who are reportedly all of a sudden guarding the hospital where the trio are receiving medical treatment in their dozens.

“They are the ones who arrested them before they mysteriously disappeared while in police custody. When I tried engaging the officer commanding Harare Central he threatened me and said he will call his bosses to deal with me for being a nuisance. The police never helped look for the girls, never even made an effort and yet they are here in their numbers. Why? They are even refusing to let me go and see my daughter….this is shocking!”

Hear him speak in the video below…..

MDC senior leaders Douglas Mwonzora and Morgan Komichi have also asked for police protection amid rising threats from rivals in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling which ordered for an extraordinary congress to determine the leadership of the party.

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 told Business Times 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 told Business Times last week.

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.

To date the country has confirmed 34 cases of the virus, four deaths and five recoveries.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa extended the lockdown by two weeks with relaxed conditions in which businesses would be allowed to operate between 8am and 3pm.

Coronavirus, also referred to as COVID-19, was first reported in Wuhan, China, on 31st December 2019, and was declared a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020. The disease has since spread widely to over 180 countries. Across the globe, more than 200 000 people have died to coronavirus while over 3m have been infected.

Meanwhile, MDC recalled four legislators from Parliament with by-election expected in their constituencies. The recalled legislators are Prosper Mutseyami (Dangamvura), Charlton Hwende (Kuwadzana East), Thabitha Khumalo (Proportional Representation) and Senator Lillian Timveous (Midlands).

Last week, Mwonzora warned that legislators that do not toe the party line would be recalled.

“We are law abiding citizens and we follow the rulings of the court that we have to respect it and these MPs and councillors who are still recognising Chamisa are lost, and risk being recalled from parliament and council chambers by the party’s leadership and must come and join us in the preparation for the elective congress within three months,” Mwonzora said.

-BusinessTimes

By A Correspondent- Outspoken Zanu-PF politburo member and ex-war veterans minister Tshinga Dube has condemned the alleged abduction and torture on three opposition activists saying the acts unnecessarily gave the country a bad name in the eyes of the outside world.

He was referring to the Wednesday incident in which MDC Alliance MP, Joanna Mamombe, activists Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova were seized by alleged state security agents to be subjected to horrendous abuses.

The three were being accused of attempts to topple the Zanu-PF led government after they had joined other party activists to stage a flash anti-government protest in Harare’s Warren Park suburb moments before.

They later recounted tales of both physical and sexual abuse encountered at the hands of their captors including sexual harassment.

The incident comes on the heels of another widely condemned savage police attack on two Bulawayo sisters for violating the lockdown regulations.

Dube, who has just published a book in which he pours out on how the country has been misgoverned in the past, said it was unheard of for a society to brutalise its mothers and sisters.

“We can’t do that to our women. They are our mothers,” said the ex-military Colonel in an exclusive interview with NewZimbabwe.com.

“All these things don’t work well before the international community.”

While government has pleaded for time to allow the police to carry out investigations to establish what happened to the MDC officials, Dube said the damage has already been done.

“Giving time for the police to investigate does not change the perception of the people who have already got the news,” said Dube, who once told ex-President Robert Mugabe it was time to leave his job.

“For instance, I was going through the internet. I also saw some two women who were thoroughly beaten by policemen for nothing.

“They (police) gave the excuse that they had broken the lockdown rules. But it’s not right. You can put them in prison if they are not able to pay fines.

“What we must actually know is that an image of a country is built on various things that happen in that country.

“They won’t show a beautiful side of Harare in other countries. They will just show those people lying in hospital after being beaten up.”

The ex-Zanu-PF legislator for Makokoba implored government not to view the opposition as an enemy but embrace divergent views for purposes of development.

“We should not look at an opposition as an enemy,” he said.

“I can give an example of a country like Botswana. They have had an opposition for more than 60 years. So, let them be. After all different opinions are always constructive.

“We never thought we will beat each other and these things that are happening now are just very unfortunate.”

-Standard

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) said not enough consultations were done on price controls.

In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, titled “Sustainable and market-friendly interventions to addressing price spiralling during the lockdown,” ZNCC said there is a need to shift from price controls to price monitoring. Read the letter in part:

ZNCC, with membership across all the value chains of the economy, was not consulted when the decision on the price freeze was implemented. Government announced that it was with immediate effect and that recent price increases, predominantly during the lockdown period, were speculative and unjustified. Government pointed out that the multi-sectoral stakeholders committed to a price moratorium to operate based on the prices which were applicable on March 25 and that this was supported by a Cabinet decision of April 21 2020.

Vice-President Kembo Mohadi in April announced that the Government held a multi-sectoral meeting with the business community and agreed that businesses would maintain prices charged by 25 March as part of measures to cushion the public from effects of COVID-19-induced lockdown.

Meanwhile, some retailers are reportedly continuing to increase the prices of basic commodities in violation of the order.

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance secretary-general Chalton Hwende has revealed that the MDC Alliance had gathered information to the effect that the Khupe camp intended to wield the axe on dozens of MPs who have chosen to stand with Chamisa.

This comes as things are moving from bad to worse for Chamisa and his top allies, after five MPs have so far openly defied his decree to withdraw their services from Parliament.

“We know that they have drawn up a list of about 30 MPs they have targeted for recall but we are not going to let that happen. A lot is going to change in the coming week because we will be approaching the courts to interdict them from doing so because we cannot continue to lose MPs through illegal recalls by a rival party,” the former Kuwadzana East legislator said.

On Thursday, MPs David Tekeshe, Joice Makonya and Virginia Mafuta attended the parliamentary portfolio committee on Agriculture which is chaired by Zanu-PF legislator for Gokwe Nembudziya, Justice Mayor Wadyajena.

This was after their colleagues Peter Moyo and Winnie Kankuni similarly attended the parliamentary portfolio committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare earlier this week.

The MPs have argued that it would be a “travesty of justice not to attend Parliament” when their constituencies expected the legislators to represent them in the august House.

Tekeshe said he had been “directed by people” in his constituency to attend parliamentary business after he consulted them.

“I do not believe I am defying the party directive, but that I am doing what the constituency has directed me to do.

“During this time of Covid-19, the people in my constituency need me the most, and if I don’t come to these platforms, they will miss out on many things.

“People think that politics is about hatred and enmity, but I think we need to unite,” Tekeshe said defiantly.

“I am not bothered if anyone recalls me because I am an established businessperson. I did not join politics to become MP, but for the people,” he told the Daily News.

Pressed to say if he still recognised Chamisa as his leader, Tekeshe said the time was “not yet ripe” for him to declare his allegiances.

“We will cross that bridge when we get to it. All I can say is that in a democracy, we have the right to make choices, and I made the choice to come to Parliament today,” he said.

On her part, Mafuta said she had decided to defy Chamisa’s directive after having allegedly suffered abuse at the hands of fellow MPs in the party, who were accusing her of backing reinstated party secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora.

“I was removed from the party’s WhatsApp group by Lilian Timveos (who is among the MPs who have been recalled), who accused me of being Mwonzora’s person.

“When I begged for re-admission to the group, I was told to wait. I only got re-admission for a short time before I was removed again.

“From that point, I realised that there was a bigger hand behind all this. So, at the moment, I am standing by the court judgment. That is my position,” Mafuta told the Daily News.

Southerton MP Moyo has also questioned why Chamisa wanted them to withdraw from Parliament for the sake of the four recalled MPs when he had failed to do the same after he lost the 2018 presidential election.

“For the record, I voted for Chamisa and I will vote for him again. But let us not use emotions here.

“The bigger question is why did we not boycott Parliament when we said the presidential elections were rigged?

“Why should we now disengage from Parliament … simply because four MPs have been recalled …?” Moyo said.

“The issue is that we are disputing the decision by the party to tell us to disengage before they consult.

“If they are saying MPs should disengage, everyone else should disengage. A war is not fought in bits and pieces.

“I couldn’t miss the committee meeting because that meeting was crucial, especially during this time of Covid-19 when people in our constituencies are hungry.

“We have people we lead who we should consult first. Let us not put emotions everywhere,” Moyo said.

Chamisa and his lieutenants have appeared to be in disarray ever since the Supreme Court delivered its ruling on the party’s leadership ructions at the end of March.

The Supreme Court upheld last year’s ruling by the High Court which said Chamisa’s ascendancy to the leadership of the MDC had violated the main opposition party’s constitution.

In the unanimous judgment that was handed down by judges Paddington Garwe, Bharat Patel and Antoinette Guvava, Chamisa’s elevation to the MDC’s presidency was thus declared unconstitutional, and null and void.

The ruling also automatically re-instated former MDC secretary-general Mwonzora and ex-chairperson Morgen Komichi — who both lost their positions at the party’s chaotic congress in Gweru last year — to their previous positions.

And in addition to installing Khupe as interim party president, it also ordered her to convene an extraordinary MDC congress to elect a new leadership within three months.

Last week, the Khupe group successfully recalled Hwende (Kuwadzana), Tabitha Khumalo (MDC proportional representative), Prosper Mutseyami (Dangamvura) and Midlands senator Lillian Timveos, from Parliament, as it flexed its muscles and demonstrated that it is fully in charge of the beleaguered party for now

By A Correspondent- A Bindura man who was recently assaulted by soldiers in the mining town (Bindura) for defying the country’s lockdown is appealing for help to cater for his medical bills since he broke his hand.

Nqobile Ndlovu of Chipadze subarb is failing to put food on his table since he was seriously injured.

Ndlovu said he was assaulted by four soldiers and has been receiving food donations from a well-wisher. However, due to the harsh economic environment, the well wisher has since stopped.

“Since my attack by four soldiers l have receiving food from a well-wisher but the challenge now is the good Samaritan is now unable to assist me because of the harsh economic environment,”Ndlovu lamented.

“I am appealing to good Samaritans out there to contribute in any form so that l get food and medication, my Ecocash number 0779074342 and my bank account number is  5048759000906523 Agribank.”

By A Correspondent- Former Zimbabwe international, Shingi Kawondera, has fought many demons in his drama-filled life.

And, if there is anything that keeps him afloat, it is his belief in the bible, his name “Shingayi” (stay strong) and his four kids.
Failed relationships, age cheating allegations, missing out on two big opportunities such as joining West Ham FC and Dynamos FC at the tail-end of his career, losing parents, death hoax, injuries and reportedly battling mental health issues, are some of a plethora of demons “Shumba” has had to confront.

He also had to deal with the loss of his mother in 2005 and and his dad four years later.

Kawondera, who spots tattoos of slain rapper Tupac Shakur and Black Panther party symbol, takes all with stride; “I am a child of the liberation struggle. The Black Panther Party tattoo symbolises freedom from oppression.”

He added; “My first name at birth was Tonderai, but it was changed a week after my birth in 1982 to Shingayi. A liberation war veteran emerged from the mountains and pronounced that my name should be Shingayi Muhondo Tichatonga. He immediately returned to the mountains and was never seen again.”

Reminiscenting on what he described as the “good old days”, Kawondera looks back at his career with a smile.

“I never thought I would board a plane or share a room with the great Peter Ndlovu, thereby gaining a lot of wisdom,” he said.

“Egypt 2006 (Afcon) was the major highlight of my career. In Egypt I produced Man of the Match performance playing against Nigeria which featured Austin Okocha, Mikel Obi, Nwanko Kanu, Taye Taiwo. I didn’t have a club that time and would train hard for at least three weeks before every qualifier and score for the Warriors,” he said.

Kawondera, who was described by the BBC as the next Peter Ndlovu at the 1999 Under 17 African championships, regrets choosing Turkey over West Ham in 2006.

“It was in 2005 just before the AFCON finals.

“I made the grade, but I had not played the 75% games at national team. So I was supposed to join the team after the Nations Cup. I made a mistake and chose Turkey instead. There was also a clash between my old agent (Wieslaw) Grabowski and new agent Mike Makaab,” he said.

Kawondera also revealed that there was no unity in the Warriors camp during his time.

“There are serious divisions in our football. During our time, there were Grabowski people, Dynamos people, Bulawayo people, Harare people and Highlanders. I had always been independent. At some point then national team coach Charles (Mhlauri) was caught up in those divisions,” said Kawondera.

The 38-year old also spoke about age cheating allegations that have been levelled against him.

“I had always had problem with my birth certificate. My first birth certificate was recorded as female. This was corrected when I was about to write my Grade 7 examination. It came with the wrong name “Shongayi.” At secondary School I was using the name Shongayi.

“When I got my call for Under-17 that’s when I tried to rectify it and it came back with a different age, a blessing in disguise, I guess. When I wanted to take national identification card, that’s when I realized that I was using a woman’s birth entry number,” said Kawondera.

There has been more drama in his life outside the football pitch. His failed marriage to Marry Mbaiwa has made headlines. There was more during the divorce proceedings. Marry latter on married vice president of Zimbabwe, Constatino Chiwenga but the union didn’t last either. The sad episode should have helped Kawondera become more spiritual.

“I have four kids. Nasir 15 who was born in Cyprus is the eldest. The second born is Afeni (14) (named after Tupac Shakur mother). Destiny, the one I had with Marry, is my third born child and seven-year-old Nandi. They mean a lot to me. Nasir is a very good footballer and is destined to fulfill where I left. He will leave for Portugal soon to stay with my contact,” Kawondera said.

“I am a very spiritual person. I believe in God. I believe in Jesus, but I just do not believe in man leading me to Christ. No! I believe every man’s purpose on earth is to seek Jesus and by grace, not by will, we shall be saved. I do not spend a day without reading the bible. It has been my remedy,” he said.

He added;

“In 2013 some people physically attacked me, but that’s a story for another day. I am sure they thought I was dead, but Jesus saw me through. I am not going to point fingers at anyone.

“A lot was said with some saying kuti ndiri kupenga (I was now mad.) They were trying to hide what they had done because they had a little media coverage that time. I have forgiven them.”

“The story of Mary. She left me in Cyprus in 2010. When I came back home, I found her already married to (Constantino) Chiwenga.

“She took off with some of my clothes, almost $44 000 and my Compressor C200 after selling our Borrowdale property. She has also barred me from seeing Destiny for the past nine years. The last time I saw Mary was in 2013 and she had four bodyguards. She wanted to force me to sign some document whereby she was claiming full custody of our daughter and I refused.

“She threatened me with my life but I didn’t back down. I was attacked later on by some people I have the wounds. My company too Lachelle boutiques, which she once denied to ever owned, but I’m seeing it appearing in papers as part of their divorce settlement,” he claims.

The 38-year old has decided to live a life from public glare and has cut his dreadlocks in his bid to move away from the spotlight.

In all this, Kawondera, believes the storm is over.

“After winning the court case with Marry, I will travel back to Cyprus to study coaching there. My Senegalese friend that I used to play with in Cyprus now works with Goerge Mendes and offered me to scout and train players here. After this pandemic, we will set up everything,” said Kawondera.

The former Zimbabwe international also remembered his first match in CAPS United colours on his return to the local Premiership in 2012 and how his dream move to Dynamos collapsed.

“I had always admired the way Caps United played my friends Cephas Chimedza and Silent Katumba had a history with the club. I had always been a good friend to Farai Jere. I did well at in the first game. I was using my professional approach then the power struggle started between Farai Jere and Twine Phiri.

“At training there were also problems between assistant coach Lloyd Chitembwe and head coach Sean (Conor) which divided players. Caps United was basically dysfunctional that time with players revolting over unpaid three-year bonuses. They never terminated my contract,” he said.

“Yes Calisto Pasuwa (then Dynamos FC coach) really wanted me at Dynamos but Kenny Mubaiwa was the president. I couldn’t work with him because of what was going on between me and Marry (his daughter),” said Kawondera.

-online

By A Correspondent- The government intends to extend the ban on privately-owned commuter omnibuses (kombis) beyond the national lockdown and will only allow them to operate under the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) franchise.

Kombis have been barred from operating since the lockdown started on March 30. In his lockdown measures review speech yesterday, President Mnangagwa extended the ban indefinitely. He said only Zupco-contracted kombis would be allowed on the roads.

Authorities intend to take advantage of depressed numbers of urban commuters during the lockdown to revamp and modernise the urban mass public transport system through deploying high-volume buses.

The Sunday Mail has gathered that Government has directed Zupco to invite interested kombi owners to register under its franchise as the number of commuters has increased following the relaxation of the lockdown rules.

Zupco is currently operating with 507 conventional buses and 500 commuter omnibuses, and is looking for an additional 500 kombis. This comes as authorities were intensifying efforts to import new buses for inner and inter-city travel.

Local Government and Public Works Minister Dr July Moyo told this publication that there is no guarantee that kombis will be allowed back on the roads after the lockdown.

“We have been trying to build Zupco,” said Dr Moyo. “So, throughout the lockdown, we have said Zupco should operate. When we moved to Level 2, we knew there would be more people requiring transportation.

“We then asked Zupco to call for more kombis and buses to come and register and at the same time we will be introducing more buses. So the plan is to make sure that we strengthen urban bus transportation through Zupco so that we can bring sanity to the operations.”

He said urban transport systems operating through centrally managed high-volume buses were the trend globally. Informal transporters, said Minister Moyo, were the source of chaos in urban centres, particularly Harare.

“This is the trend in almost all countries. This informality about urban transport creates chaos in the CBD area. We are only going to see kombis on the road through Zupco for now, until we deal with Covid-19.”

He said kombis should register with Zupco as what would happen after Covid-19 “cannot be predicted”. He said kombis that are registered under the Zupco franchise will undergo rigorous fitness tests before they are deployed onto the roads.

“They are going to get examined through Central Mechanical and Engineering Department (CMED). We want it (kombi) in good fitness, which is a requirement for all public transport, in any case. Because if we keep on saying there will be no kombis and you have your kombi at home, it is no good.”

Announcing the lockdown extension yesterday, President Mnangagwa said only Zupco buses are allowed on the roads.

“Inter and intra provincial and district movement remains controlled. Commuter omnibuses/kombis, unregistered taxies (mushikashika) also remain banned. “Only Zupco buses and Zupco contracted commuter omnibuses with the stipulated number of passengers, and adhering to the sanitisation and disinfection regulations will be permitted to operate.”

Urban planning expert Dr Percy Toriro said the current urban transportation system is plagued by inefficiencies. He said commuter omnibus operators should be organised. “There was another problem that commuter omnibus operators have failed to organise themselves, as a result they have also shot themselves in the foot.

“If they were better organised it would be easier to support them. Moving forward I would recommend the current idea to only allow them to join Zupco as it is a progressive one.” Dr Toriro said for their own independence, kombis needed to organise themselves better, operate more efficiently and respect their passengers.

“Generally let them improve the way they operate because their criticism is that they abuse their passengers and they don’t respect road rules, so if they improve in those areas everyone will support them. We hope that the authorities are taking these measures to improve the way they operate.”

StateMedia

By Nelson Chamisa|Indefinite extension of lockdown without cushioning measures for the vulnerable simply wrong and inappropriate!!

1/3 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.

2/3 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.

3/3 Most authoritarian regimes are now using COVID-19 situation as an stratagem to violate rights,abuse people, esp workers, informal traders & churches. Abuse & manipulation must be fought by all progressive citizens.The greater the oppression,the greater the determination!

Two MDC Alliance councillors in Marondera have been arrested for allegedly breaking into their provincial party headquarters to remove property before hiding it at an unknown location.

Charles Ngwena from ward 4 and Saizi Vilela of ward 11 are facing charges of unlawful entry.

The complainant in the matter is Wellington Makonese, who is the acting provincial administrator of the MDC-T faction fronted by Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora.

Ngwena and Vilela together with some party members loyal to MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa allegedly raided the party premises in Morningside and removed 47 chairs, two computers and a printer, among other things.

After seizing the property, they changed the locks to bar Makonese and other rival faction members from gaining access.

The two councillors were seen in a police truck as the law enforcers tried to recover the property.

Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza was not available for comment yesterday.

MDC Alliance provincial spokesperson and Marondera mayor Chengetai Murowa confirmed the arrests, but could not divulge much detail.

The councillors have since been released and are expected to appear in court this week.

“We will be notified on the day to appear in court, they will call us,” said Vilela.

A Supreme Court ruling that declared Khupe as the legitimate leader of the MDC has caused divisions in the party’s Mashonaland East provincial structures.

Chamisa’s loyalists are said to be pushing for the suspension of the party’s Marondera district secretary for information Farai Nyandoro and constituency coordinator Witness Muzawazi, who are accused of supporting the Khupe faction.

Khupe and Mwonzora have been targeting legislators and councillors loyal to Chamisa for disciplinary action.

Four legislators loyal to Chamisa were recalled from Parliament a fortnight ago, but they are now challenging their expulsion in the courts.

Standard

Own Correspondent|Shocked MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has revealed that one of the three MDC female activists who were abducted by suspected state security agents told him that one of the agents actually inserted the barrel of a gun into their anal openings threatening to shoot them.

The youthful activists told incidents of the worst abuse at the hands of the state security.

MP Joanna Mamombe, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri went missing on Wednesday after they were allegedly arrested for leading a demonstration in Harare’s Warren Park suburb.

Chamisa, who visited the three women in hospital, said they told him of horrific torture at the hands of the suspected state security agents.

“This is inhuman and degrading treatment. This is torture against girl children, torture against the country.

“Assuming that they had committed a crime, they were supposed to be taken to a police station, tried and sentenced. But this is a continuation of an ugly past,” Chamisa said.

“You won’t believe it. They are shaking. They are so scared when you open the door, they feel like running away.

“Cecilia said she can identify one of the suspected state agents who used a gun through their anal passage. It is unheard-of.”

The government on Friday said it was investigating the alleged abduction and torture of the three MDC Alliance activists after they were found dumped in Bindura.

Police initially confirmed that the three had been arrested before making a U-turn denying ever having them in their custody.

According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights the trio were found “badly beaten” and “tortured.” They are now being treated at a private health facility.

Nick Mangwana, the government spokesperson, claimed the police were looking for the women in connection with the demonstration when “social media chatter that the three had disappeared was observed.”

“Measures were put in place to locate their whereabouts,” Mangwana said in a statement.

“On the night of the 14th the police were informed that three suspects had been located at Muchapondwa business centre in Bindura.

“Investigations are currently underway to establish what transpired to the three women from the time they left the demonstration up to the point where they (were) reportedly picked up at Muchapondwa business centre.

“We are calling on the three citizens to work with the law enforcement agents in order to bring the truth to light and we are appealing to everyone with information concerning the case to make a report to the police.”

VIDEO LOADING BELOW

Own Correspondent |In yet another of its bizarre repressive moves, government intends to extend the ban on privately-owned commuter omnibuses (kombis) permanently.

The move will see an extension of the current ban beyond the national lockdown and will only allow them to operate under the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) franchise.

Kombis have been barred from operating since the lockdown started on March 30.

In his lockdown measures review speech yesterday, President Mnangagwa extended the ban indefinitely.

He said only Zupco-contracted kombis would be allowed on the roads.

Zupco has since invited interested kombi owners to register under its franchise.

Zupco is currently operating with 507 conventional buses and 500 commuter omnibuses, and is looking for an additional 500 kombis.

Local Government and Public Works Minister Dr July Moyo told state media that there is no guarantee that kombis will be allowed back on the roads after the lockdown.

“We have been trying to build Zupco,” said Dr Moyo.

“So, throughout the lockdown we have said Zupco should operate. When we moved to Level 2, we knew there would be more people requiring transportation.

“We then asked Zupco to call for more kombis and buses to come and register and at the same time we will be introducing more buses. So the plan is to make sure that we strengthen urban bus transportation through Zupco so that we can bring sanity to the operations.”

He said urban transport systems operating through centrally managed high-volume buses were the trend globally. Informal transporters, said Minister Moyo, were the source of chaos in urban centres, particularly Harare.

“This is the trend in almost all countries. This informality about urban transport creates chaos in the CBD area. We are only going to see kombis on the road through Zupco for now, until we deal with Covid-19.”

He said kombis should register with Zupco as what would happen after Covid-19 “cannot be predicted”. He said kombis that are registered under the Zupco franchise will undergo rigorous fitness tests before they are deployed onto the roads.

“They are going to get examined through Central Mechanical and Engineering Department (CMED). We want it (kombi) in good fitness, which is a requirement for all public transport, in any case. Because if we keep on saying there will be no kombis and you have your kombi at home, it is no good.”

Announcing the lockdown extension yesterday, President Mnangagwa said only Zupco buses are allowed on the roads.

“Inter and intra provincial and district movement remains controlled. Commuter omnibuses/kombis, unregistered taxies (mushikashika) also remain banned.

“Only Zupco buses and Zupco contracted commuter omnibuses with the stipulated number of passengers, and adhering to the sanitisation and disinfection regulations will be permitted to operate.”

Urban planning expert Dr Percy Toriro said the current urban transportation system is plagued by inefficiencies. He said commuter omnibus operators should be organised.

“There was another problem that commuter omnibus operators have failed to organise themselves, as a result they have also shot themselves in the foot.

“If they were better organised it would be easier to support them. Moving forward I would recommend the current idea to only allow them to join Zupco as it is a progressive one.”

Dr Toriro said for their own independence, kombis needed to organise themselves better, operate more efficiently and respect their passengers.

“Generally let them improve the way they operate, because their criticism is that they abuse their passengers and they don’t respect road rules, so if they improve in those areas everyone will support them. We hope that the authorities are taking these measures to improve the way they operate.”

Source: State Media

State Media|President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the national Covid-19 lockdown would remain on Level 2 until further notice, with assessments set to be carried out every two weeks to determine any additional measures.

Announcing the latest decision in Harare on Saturday, Mnangagwa, stressed the importance of a strategic and gradual easing out of the lockdown to safeguard the gains attained so far.

Consequently, schools were set to reopen in a phased manner, giving priority to exam classes, but dates would be announced in due course.

Zimbabwe has been on Level 2 lockdown for the past two weeks.

As of yesterday, 42 people had tested positive while 13 had recovered. Four people have so far died from the pandemic.

Stressing that Zimbabwe would not relent in its efforts to subdue the disease, the President said only disinfected Zupco buses and commuter omnibuses (kombis) contracted to the public transport operator will be allowed to ferry commuters while private commuter omnibuses remain banned.

Businesses which had been operating from 9am to 3pm, would now be allowed to open shop from 8am to 4.30pm.

With regards to informal business as well as small and medium enterprises, President Mnangagwa said: “Consultations on the phased re-opening of the informal sector are still ongoing. To date, only designated food markets shall be permitted to open.”

Furthermore, the testing capacity in all provinces using the recommended PCR testing kits are set to be increased.

A Statutory Instrument detailing the new ordinances is expected this week.

In his address at State House yesterday, President Mnangagwa said Government was satisfied with the impact of the lockdown so far, but despite many achievements, the outbreak was not over as the country still had some gaps.

“These gaps are being addressed in a targeted way using a comprehensive Covid-19 preparedness and response strategy which takes into account risks and needs of different communities and populations.

“Zimbabwe will, therefore, continue on the Level 2 lockdown for an indefinite period. We shall have regular two-week interval reviews to assess progress or lack of it. This should give us more time to strengthen the prevention and case management approaches for the various risk populations.”

He said under the strategy for reopening, Government would increase testing, early detection, isolation, contact tracing, treatment and focus on high risk populations.

A phased reopening of schools would be carried out soon, starting with exam classes.

“As previously stated, public exam classes and final-year students at colleges and universities must be allowed to continue, recognising however, the stipulated Covid-19 prevention measures. Meanwhile, clear plans of the phased re-opening of schools must continue to be put in place.”

Government was satisfied with the positive impact of the lockdown, as initial estimates had indicated that the country would have 1000 cases by the end of April but this had not been the case.

“Government notes with satisfaction the continued positive impact of the lockdown measures our country has implemented since March 30, 2020, to date. Initial estimates indicated that by April 29, 2020, Zimbabwe would have about 1 000 confirmed Covid-19 cases. Our country, therefore, undertook an intensive surveillance and case finding approach. This entailed testing all hospitalised patients for Covid-19, individuals presenting with fever and influenza-like illnesses as well as contact tracing.

“Based on the modelling, the country needed to test 33 340 in order to identify the estimated 1000 cases. However, as at May 15, 2020, 42 confirmed cases have been identified out of the PCR and RDT tests done.”

He said according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, Zimbabwe has a “reduced Covid-19 trajectory”. The new measures had thus been put in place to ensure Zimbabwe consolidated the gains made to date.

“We must, thus, continue to minimise the risk of sudden spikes in the number of cases. To this end, it is imperative that we keep the pandemic curve flat to prevent the loss of life and devastating effects on the socio-economic environment of our country.”

The President said as a result of the lockdown, most reported cases had been imported while increased testing, more isolation centres and training of health care workers had also yielded positive results.

Health education and sanitation awareness has also been ratcheted up.

“This has included the translation of Covid-19 related literature into all sixteen national languages. The use of our traditional leadership structures as well as Non-Governmental Organisations, churches, the private sector, media houses, among others will continue to play a big role as we go forward.

“Sanitation, hygiene and general cleanliness has in most instances been improved in all our communities. In this regard, I call upon all local authorities and our citizens in general to strengthen the measures that have been put in place.”

Social distancing, wearing of face masks, temperature checks and hand sanitising remained mandatory. Furthermore, private sector-run testing and isolation centres were also encouraged and would be facilitated in line with directives from the Ministry of Health and Child Care. Zimbabwe went under lockdown on March 30 starting with a 21-day restriction that has been successively followed by two-week limitations since then.

Own Correspondent|The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana has come out screaming accusing opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa of spreading hate speech against President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

In a statement on Saturday, Mangwana claimed that Chamisa was serially preaching hate speech by allegedly calling President Mnangagwa “a hyena.”

“Government has noted with concern statements published in a local daily newspaper where opposition leader Mr Nelson Chamisa labelled the Head of State and Government, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as a ‘hyena’. The language used by the opposition leader qualifies to be called ‘hate speech’ and has no place in civilised politics,” said Mr Mangwana.

Totally ignoring the realities of the number of times Mnangagwa has threatened and actually executed violence and brutality on innocent citizens and members of the opposition MDC, Mangwana said since assuming power in 2017, Mnangagwa “has made it part of his politics to preach and practise political tolerance” and accommodated even those who disagree with him.

“We find the calling of the President inflammatory names only inciteful and a deviation from acceptable political commentary or even political banter.”

Mangwana said: “Free speech is meant to benefit society and we struggle to see how an effort to diminish the dignity of a seating President can be of benefit to society.”

Mangwana further implied that the constitutional right to freedom of speech and association was being granted to Zimbabweans at the benevolence of President Mnangagwa.

“The President’s detractors are oblivious of the fact that the freedom of expression they are abusing is a product of the President’s policy of opening up of the political space. In the spirit of democracy, the New Dispensation headed by the President has ensured that people are free to express themselves without persecution.”

Several Zimbabweans have however been arrested, beaten or even killed by the Mnangagwa regime for going out to exercise the same right which Mangwana claims Mnangagwa has been giving to Zimbabweans at his benevolence.

Mangwana said unwarranted and contrived attacks on Mnangagwa whose human rights abusive track record has reduced the country to a laughing stock internationally had the potential to affect the country’s brand, soil its image and collaterally impact ordinary Zimbabweans.

He added that Mr Chamisa who actually has been battling to bring Mnangagwa to dialogue should, “embrace the progressive politics of ideas that promote national cohesion and growth”.

“As the country grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, let us all spread love by promoting hygienic practices that will save lives of our families and communities. This is not the time for cheap politicking and diversionary political manoeuvres, but a time to save lives,” Mangwana concluded with a message he should direct to government which recently abducted and brutalised there young female MDC activists including the country’s youngest parliamentarian Honourable Joanna Mamombe.

“I submit a 3rd possible motive to Nyathi’s statement: it was done knowingly, not to protect the women, but to further highlight the impunity of the state, and the isolation of those that would question it.”

By Jane Mlambo| Former MDC T Vice President Elias Mudzuri has vowed to unite all MDC members after their extra-ordinary congress which is slated for July 2020. 

Posting on Twitter, Mudzuri said all those that contributed to the struggle will not be left behind.

“All those who have contributed towards this struggle for democracy will not be left behind. After the Extraordinary Congress, negotiations will take place to unite all MDC family members under one big tent of our Great party,” he said.

Mudzuri together with Douglas Mwonzora, Morgan Komichi and Thokozani Khupe have joined hands to push for the extra-ordinary congress following a Supreme Court ruling which nullified leadership changes that happened following the death of Morgan Tsvangirai in 2018.

A fresh dispute over the licensing of fuel importers has erupted with a group of local players allegedly sidelined by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) petitioning the government to review the process.

The Direct Fuel Imports (DFI) Group Zimbabwe said Zera’s licensing regime was shrouded in secrecy and promoted monopolistic tendencies in the fuel retail sector.

After four months of haggling over new regulations, Zera early this month granted import fuel licences to mostly major fuel companies.

This incensed the DFI Group whose members were excluded and are now pushing for the process to be reviewed.

DFI Group members say they were also abandoned by the Indigenous Petroleum Association of Zimbabwe (Ipaz), which negotiated on behalf of small fuel dealers, but “clandestinely” endorsed the contentious Zera regulations.

The petition directed to Energy and Power Development minister Fortune Chasi said the process used by Zera to license fuel importers was opaque.

“We write to register our concern and objection to the way the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) is handling the licensing process for 2020 procurement licences,” said DFI Group in the petition gleaned by Standardbusiness.

“It came as a shock to 2019 procurement licence holders when Zera secretly announced in a communiqué to (Zimra) on 5th May 2020 an ‘Ivy League’ of secretly licensed procurement companies,” the DFI Group said.

The term Ivy League refers to a group of the most prestigious colleges in the United States.More in Home

Some of the top fuel companies that were given licences by Zera include Total Zimbabwe, Glow Petroleum, Ram Petroleum, Genesis Energy, Vivo Energy, Zuva Petrolelum, Sakunda Petroleum and Redan Petroleum.

Zera granted the licences after Ipaz, which was leading the negotiations on behalf of indigenous fuel dealers and had earlier approached the High Court over the issue, backed down from its position where they demanded a relaxation of tough new regulations that included $2 million fees per annum, owning 25 fuel stations and a performance bond of $30 million and proof of 10 million litres of past imports, among others.

Ipaz chairman Aaron Chinhara, through a communique to Zera, agreed to certain terms set by the regulator that included the $2 million licence fees and proof of 10 million litres past imports.

Ipaz and Zera also agreed to a reduced threshold for dealers to own 15 fuel stations instead of the original 25.

The small-scale dealers asked Chasi to direct Zera to renew last year’s licences until the dispute was resolved.

“We further request you to direct Zera to extend 2019 procurement licences as they have done since January 2020 until all issues to do with requirements have been agreed,” the DFI Group said.

The group, which says its members imported 120 million litres of fuel in the past three years and do not rely on central bank foreign currency allocation to import fuel, said Zera’s actions contravened the law.

“The communiqué from Zera has the hallmarks of a decree from a medieval overlord,” the group added.

“It violates all of the following: the provisional order issued by High Court Judge Honourable Mr Justice Musakwa.

“Zera’s own known laid-down procedures as stipulated in part VI Section 35 (1) and 36 (1) of the Petroleum Act 11/2006.

“Part Il sections 4 (e) and (f) of the Petroleum Act which requires Zera to ensure industry competition and growth,” the DFI Group said.

The High Court in March ordered negotiations between the parties after Ipaz had filed an application seeking nullification of the new regulations.

The DFI Group said the move by Zera contravened the Energy Regulatory Act (Chapter 13:22), which mandates the regulator to promote and maintain effective competition in the petroleum industry and to encourage the expansion of the fuel industry.

The organisation said Zera was acting against the Competition Act (Chapter 14:28), which advocates for fair competition in any trade as well as the central bank policy that encourages companies with free funds to import fuel to relieve pressure on the interbank market.

“We note that the Petroleum Act has no provision concerning the setting/increase of statutory fees,” the said.

“We urge you, Honourable minister, to correct this anomaly to harmonise the Act with other laws.

“This will remove the corruption currently surrounding the issue of procurement licence fees,” said DFI Group.

“In the broad light of day we are seeing Zera moving through the industry like the Grim Reaper to claim the scalps of local companies and bring others into bondage at the behest of the oligarchy.

“We recommend exemplary disciplinary action against the individual perpetrators of these violations to avoid future occupants of these high offices repeating the same.”

The group also questioned certain regulations, which it said were meant to cut off new entrants into the fuel industry while eliminating the small-scale local players.

“On the 10 million litres of past imports – This requirement is a double-edged scythe of the Grim Reaper, which will cut off new entrants into the industry while also eliminating the smaller local players leaving the 8 ‘Ivy League’ members to capture the industry,” the dealers complained.

“Given the chronic fuel shortage in the country (do not be misled by reduced demand caused by the lockdown), the country needs as many players as possible to be encouraged to participate.”

Efforts to get a comment from Chasi were fruitless as he did not respond to questions sent to him.

-The Standard

Two MDC Alliance councillors in Marondera have been arrested for allegedly breaking into their provincial party headquarters to remove property before hiding it at an unknown location.

Charles Ngwena from ward 4 and Saizi Vilela of ward 11 are facing charges of unlawful entry.

The complainant in the matter is Wellington Makonese, who is the acting provincial administrator of the MDC-T faction fronted by Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora.

Ngwena and Vilela together with some party members loyal to MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa allegedly raided the party premises in Morningside and removed 47 chairs, two computers and a printer, among other things.

After seizing the property, they changed the locks to bar Makonese and other rival faction members from gaining access.

The two councillors were seen in a police truck as the law enforcers tried to recover the property.

Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza was not available for comment yesterday.

MDC Alliance provincial spokesperson and Marondera mayor Chengetai Murowa confirmed the arrests, but could not divulge much detail.

The councillors have since been released and are expected to appear in court this week.

“We will be notified on the day to appear in court, they will call us,” said Vilela.

A Supreme Court ruling that declared Khupe as the legitimate leader of the MDC has caused divisions in the party’s Mashonaland East provincial structures.More in Home

Chamisa’s loyalists are said to be pushing for the suspension of the party’s Marondera district secretary for information Farai Nyandoro and constituency coordinator Witness Muzawazi, who are accused of supporting the Khupe faction.

Khupe and Mwonzora have been targeting legislators and councillors loyal to Chamisa for disciplinary action.

Four legislators loyal to Chamisa were recalled from Parliament a fortnight ago, but they are now challenging their expulsion in the courts.

-The Standard

CHURCHES are allegedly holding gatherings at night in defiance of a Government directive to avoid public gatherings during the national lockdown period.

This was revealed by Zimbabwe Council of Churches secretary-general Reverend Kenneth Mtata during the handover of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to clinics and mission hospitals in Midlands last week. He said churches must comply with the Government directive on measures to control the coronavirus and avoid holding church services clandestinely and increasing the possibility of transmission of the diseases.

Rev Mtata’s comments come against the background of reports that some churches were holding services in their backyards while some were holding night services which was in breach of the lock-down regulations. The country, as of Friday, had recorded 42 confirmed coronavirus (Covid-19) cases. Rev Mtata said churches should support the Government in its efforts to combat Covid-19 which has become a global pandemic.

“We would want to urge all churches in Zimbabwe to comply with the Government directive to suspend church services until we are sure that we are safe from Covid-19. Reports that some churches are holding clandestine services are not pleasant and we would want to urge them to comply so that they do not risk people to Covid-19. We should all play a part in reducing the possible spread of the virus,” he said.

Rev Mtata said churches should support and also extend financial support to the Government not only in the fight against coronavirus but also to help revive the economy. He said the church supported the revolution during the liberation struggle and would continue to do so that Zimbabweans will have a better life. Rev Mtata said it was incumbent upon the church to unite people and maintain peace in the country.

“We should also start considering assisting Government financially so that we revive the economy. The welfare of people is the responsibility of the church. It is possible and we must not be afraid. Zimbabwe Council of Churches was born in Gweru in 1964. Churches then rose up against racism and colonialism. The church should lead in unity. Everyone who is a Christian should drive the vision of the church to unite people. People are looking for a day and a place where they are called people of God and not identified by their political affiliation, race or tribes. It is incumbent upon the church to unite the people and provide that place,” he said.

-State Media

MDC-T President Dr Thokozani Khupe has condemned the abuse and torture of three MDC Alliance youth leaders Joana Mamombe, Cecelia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova saying law enforcement agents should desist from using force on unarmed civilians.

Posting on Twitter, Khupe said; “The movement for Democratic Change(MDC-T) condemns the abuse and torture of civilians. We challenge the law enforcement agencies to desist from using any form of force on unarmed civilians when discharging their duties and call upon the authorities to conduct a full investigation.”

However, Khupe received insults from social media users who accusing her of going to bed with the people behind the torture of the three innocent ladies.

Tino Mabwe accused Khupe of faking his condemnation.

“You are faking it. You can’t even say their names. This is just a blanket statement with no emotions in it,” she said.

Another user by the name Ndombolo tweeted, “Iwe you are part and parcel of the abuse of these comrades. Since you joined ZanuPF with your brothers Mwonzora and Komichi. Blood on your https://t.co/SSgEx4VUZT a woman how come you speak out against the junta after every Tom and Jerry have. Where were you? Sharing the loot.”

Jabulani rushed to Khupe’s defence accusing those who were insulting her of confusion.

“She keeps quite you complain, when she issues a statement you complain again. What is it that you people want.???,” tweeted Jabulani.

By Own Correspondent| Opposition MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa has angered Zanu PF and government after calling President Emmerson Mnangagwa a hyena.

Government reacted harshly warning Chamisa to “disengage from abusive politics” of taking improper pot-shots at Mnangagwa.

Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana said in a statement yesterday said by calling President Mnangagwa “a hyena” in the press, Chamisa was sowing “a seed of national instability and civil disturbances”.

“Government has noted with concern statements published in a local daily newspaper where opposition leader Mr Nelson Chamisa labelled the Head of State and Government, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as a ‘hyena’. The language used by the opposition leader qualifies to be called ‘hate speech’ and has no place in civilised politics,” said Mr Mangwana.

Since assuming power in 2017, Mangwana added that Mnangagwa made it part of his politics to preach and practise political tolerance while accommodating even those who disagree with him.

“We find the calling of the President inflammatory names only inciteful and a deviation from acceptable political commentary or even political banter.”

He said free speech was limited insofar as it cannot be allowed to demean the Office of the Presidency, as Chamisa’s splinter group was trying to do.

Mangwana said: “Free speech is meant to benefit society and we struggle to see how an effort to diminish the dignity of a seating President can be of benefit to society.”

The MDC-Alliance Demands an independent inquiry to investigate human rights abuses, torture and inhuman degrading treatment of female youth leaders

The MDC-Alliance takes note with concern the reluctance, incapacity and unwillingness of the Mnangagwa regime to open a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances leading to the arbitrary arrest, criminal detention, torture and sexual assault of Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.

Given the human rights abuse track record of the Mnangagwa regime, the regime is conflicted, incapacitated and lacks political will to act to bring to a complete stop these crimes against humanity.

The MDC-Alliance demands that a prompt, thorough, impartial and effective investigation into this criminal act be launched by the United Nations.

We also call on fellow Zimbabweans, local and international civil society and regional and international bodies to support this urgent demand which must result in justice for the three and which must also stem the tide of criminal activities by state security apparatus.

The abduction and torture of three young women including a parliamentarian are serious local and international crimes which are in violation of the Convention of Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, Convention Against Torture, and the Maputo Protocol and should have jolted into action any serious government concerned about the welfare of its citizens but in this case there has not been any action from the Mnangagwa regime serve for a vague, insipid and lethargic statement by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Nick Mangwana.

Zimbabwe has a long history of abductions, inhuman and degrading treatment and torture of citizens in the same pattern and nature as happened in this case. In 2019 alone, the MDC Alliance recorded a total of 49 cases of abduction and torture.

Furthermore, past investigations have not brought justice to the victims. Mnangagwa has demonstrated incapacity, lack of interest and political will; he is conflicted as he is implicated as the chief sponsor of these heinous crimes. He is not in a position to launch an investigation that brings confidence, justice and accountability. Hence our call for a prompt inquiry into this case.

The deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe is worsened by the fact that it is happening in an already fragile political situation stemming from Mr Mnangagwa’s illegitimacy born out of the disputed and unresolved electoral outcome of 2018.

While efforts are made to improve the human rights situation, equal effort must be put towards resolving the political crisis.
Zimbabweans are urged to peacefully stand up for their rights and dignity.

MDC-Alliance : Change That Delivers

MDC Secretary for Public Service and Social Welfare

Maureen Kademaunga

RE: ABUDUCTION OF MDC ALLIANCE OFFICIALS

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions(ZCTU) is horrified that once again another NAZI style kidnapping and abduction of opposition activists has taken place in Zimbabwe under the so called ‘New Dispensation’ and ‘Second Republic’.

The kidnapping, abduction and torture of MDC Alliance Member of Parliament for Harare West Constituency Hon Joana Mamombe together with The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Deputy Chair Cecilia Chimbiri, and MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Deputy Organiser Netsai Marova on Thursday 14 May 2020 is the latest in a series of barbaric events that have happened since President Mnangangwa took power in 2017 promising of a new era of tolerance, respect for human rights and freedoms.

Unfortunately things are going the opposite way because the country has seen arrests, abductions and torture of political activists, civic organisations leaders, trade unions and even artists who dared to oppose the current administration.

Suprising no one has been apprehended or questioned, giving credence to the theory that this is purely State sanctioned.

The ZCTU is convinced that the police have highly experienced personnel that is capable of investigating and bringing the perpetrators to book but are deliberately not making an effort for unknown reasons.

The three MDC Alliance activists are said to have suffered horrific abuse, including sexual abuse at the hands of their tormentors.

The modus operandi of the kidnappers seem to be the same for all their operations. This systematic pattern points to a well coordinated and centralised approach by a well trained team getting directives from the high echelons of power.

This is supported by the fact that the Zimbabwe Republic Police initially confirmed that they had arrested the MDC trio only to make a dramatic U-turn claiming that they do not know the whereabouts of the three.

These latest abductions and torture of the three MDC alliance activist is a testimony that we have not reformed to embrace diversity. We have remained with the old legacy that has brought us to be a pariah and authoritarian state. This is the legacy Zimbabweans endured during the Robert Mugabe era. We do not expect that citizens stopped at an official checkpoint and taken to a police station can dissapear and resurface brutalized in the bush.

The ZCTU condemns the abductions and demand an unfettered investigation into the matter by an independent team of investigators since the police have been paying lip service to these issues for a long time.

Japhet Moyo
SECRETARY GENERAL

Ministry of Health and Childcare Update On COVID-19

Date of issue: 16/05/2020
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SITUATION REPORT

Two (2) cases tested positive for COVID-19 today. The two cases are both female returning citizens from the United Kingdom who arrived on the 4th of May 2020 and are residents of Harare.

Two (2) positive cases reported in yesterday’s update under Mashonaland West Province are actually residents of Manicaland and Harare and have been reported in today’s update as such.

Today 48 RDT screening tests and 504 NCR confirmatory tests were done. The cumulative number of tests done to date is 27 059 (14 784 RDTs and 12 275 PCR/GeneXpert).

To date the total number of confirmed cases is 44; recovered 17, active cases 23 and 4 deaths, since the onset of the outbreak on 20 March 2020.

PRIVATELY-RUN commuter omnibuses will not return to the road even after the national lockdown as part of Government measures to bring sanity into the urban transport sector.

Before the lockdown, many urban areas have been battling with urban transport chaos with private operators, including those operating small private cars especially Honda Fit causing traffic jams and disregarding traffic rules. The private-owned commuter omnibuses have been banned since the lockdown was effected on 30 March.

Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo last week told Sunday News that the ban on private commuter omnibuses would be made permanent as a way of controlling traffic in urban areas. Urban transport will now fall under the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) and those with private commuter omnibuses who are willing to continue in business will have to register and be contracted under Zupco.

“What we are doing is we want to bring sanity into the transporting sector like what we have done with the haphazard vending that was in the Central Business Districts. The President told us that this is the time for us to bring sanity to some sectors during this lockdown. What the kombi owners can do is register their vehicles with Zupco together with their drivers and they will be good. Actually Zupco is paying them more than what they are making right now,” said Minister Moyo.

He said with vehicles operating under Zupco it becomes easier to manage them.

“We have partnered with a young gentleman from the Harare Institution of Technology who has given us an application that can help us monitor all buses and kombis under Zupco. The application monitors fuel efficiency and when a bus goes off route, it can automatically cut the engine off. This is honestly the direction we want to take as a Government, which is what used to occur back then, we are simply reviving an old system,” he said.

Minister Moyo said the Government was also working on boosting the Zupco fleet.

“This won’t be an easy task; we will obviously have a lot of challenges but we are committed to making this work. As I said earlier, operators must realise that they will make more money, as I am speaking in Manicaland some operators who are under this scheme have made a donation of close to $10 million for the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic,” said the Minister.

However, the latest move could face resistance from some kombi operators. Tshova Mubaiwa chairperson, Mr Atlas Moyo said their members have made a resolution not to operate under Zupco.

“As an association we opened the door to our members who wanted to join Zupco, those members that have remained have made it clear that they won’t be forced to operate under Zupco,” said Mr Moyo.

He said if the move is made policy, they were prepared to approach the courts so as to have their case heard.

“We are a fully registered company and have the protection of the law. Yes, someone can say that we are barred from operating but we will fight until the end,” said Mr Moyo.

-State Media

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared Absolom Sikhosana, a Zanu-PF Politburo member who died yesterday a national hero.

Sikhosana (70), who was also acting Zanu-PF chairman for Bulawayo Province died at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) yesterday morning. He had been admitted since Monday last week.

Last night the party’s Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu conveyed the message of the hero’s status to the family and mourners at Sikhosana’s home in Nkulumane.

“His Excellency the President and Fist Secretary for Zanu-PF Cde ED Mnangagwa has conferred a National Hero Status to the late Absolom Sikhosana. The late Absolom Sikhosana will be interred at the National Hero’s Acre at a date to be advised. I shall be most grateful if you make the usual arrangements of his burial and payment of benefits to his dependants, he is from Bulawayo Province,” said Dr Mpofu.

Dr Mpofu said this was the first time the President has conferred a National Hero Status to an individual before the party received a letter from the deceased’s province.

“This is a first, and usually the first thing that the President asks me when someone passes on is what his/her province is suggesting. But the first thing that the President said to me was that I start working towards this (national hero status), he never asked about what the province had said. I am only receiving the letter from the province just this evening, which means Cde Sikhosana was a person for the whole nation that did not want to boast about his importance in the party.

“He was a selfless person; this is why the party had asked him to be the acting chairman in Bulawayo despite being a Politburo member. This never happens but with him it did, he was our chairperson and since his appointment, we never heard of any squabbles in Bulawayo. I hope there won’t be any after this,” he added.

Dr Mpofu said it was a dark day for the nation and said Sikhosana served diligently in the party until the time of his death.

“He was patient with everyone, he never got into squabbles, he was everybody’s friend. During his tenure as Secretary for Youth there were no problems, he guided the youths well, he chided them at the same time moulding them,” he said.

Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Judith Moyo, however, said Sikhosana died a poor man.

“Cde Sikhosana died a poor man, because he had no time for (personal issues) but he had all his time to the party and by so doing we want to say thank you very much for a job well done. He played his part. On Monday when he was admitted at UBH he called me personally when he got to the hospital around 10 am. He said ‘Sisi, sisi I’m failing to get out of the car, please help me’, and I could sense that there was something wrong, I asked him where he was and he said he was at the car park of the hospital. I quickly phoned Dr (Narcisius) Dzvanga ( UBH clinical director) who swiftly got to the car park to assist Sikhosana and took him to the hospital and he was admitted. Later on, I went there in the evening and he was very grateful that I assisted him. He said to me ‘Thank you so much for assisting me, I think I was dead because I cannot remember how I was admitted’.”

Skhosana’s younger sister, Mrs Euna Ndlovu said the family had lost a unifier.

“We were six in the family with three girls and three boys. Two elder sisters are late, he was fifth in the family while I am the last born. He has not been well for some time suffering from a heart problem. Then he was diagnosed with prostate cancer as well as anthritis. We were told his kidney had failed. Growing up we were very close up to his death. He was not a violent person and liked socializing with people. Absalom was a friend of everybody. He took me as his child and he had so much love for me and he recently visited me in Nyamandlovu just two weeks ago,” said Mrs Ndlovu sobbing.

Sikhosana was born on 26 October 1949 in Matobo District under Chief Masuku in Matabeleland South Province.

He attended Nduna Primary School from 1956 to mid-1958. He moved to White Waters Primary School for Standard One to Three and that was between 1958 and 1960. He also attended Lozikeyi Primary in Bulawayo for Standard Four to Six from 1961 to 1964.

In 1965 he moved to Mzilikazi Secondary School, then Mgandane for his from One to Four. In 1969 he attained a certificate in Salesmanship from Rapid Results College and a Diploma in Public Relations from Ruskin College in the United Kingdom.

He worked as a Tally Clerk for the Bulawayo Clothing Factory (Charter Clothing) from 1970 to 1975. Between 1976 and 1977 Cde Sikhosana was elected regional organiser for the Rhodesian Clothing and Garment Workers Union at the time Trade Unions. His movement from Charter Clothing to trade unionism was orchestrated by the political leadership to fill the gap left under the detention of the late nationalist Enos Mdlongwa.

In 1977 he left the country for the armed struggle to Zambia via Botswana and was trained at Camp of General Training (CGT) as an infantry cadre. After demobilisation in 1982, he joined the Bulawayo Municipal Workers Union and became the organising secretary. In 1992 he was seconded to the Public Service International Head Quarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

In 1983 he was elected National Secretary General for the ZAPU Youth wing. Between 1987 and 1989 Sikhosana was instrumental in uniting the structures of the two liberation parties after the signing of the Unity Accord in 1987.

He was elected Youth Publicity and Information Secretary for the united party Zanu-PF at the inaugural Youth Conference in 1989. He became the National Deputy Secretary for the Zanu- PF Youth League deputising the late National Hero Chief Air Marshall Josiah Tungamirai.

Between 2000 and 2014, he served as Zanu-PF National Secretary for Youth Affairs. In 2014 he became Deputy Secretary in the Department of Implementation of Indigenisation Policy in the Politburo. In October 2019 he was appointed acting chairman for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, a position he held until the time of his death.

He is survived by a wife, Mrs Jelina Dube Sikhosana, five children and six grandchildren. Mourners are gathered at his home, Number 3115 Nkulumane 5, Bulawayo.

-State Media

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.

AUTHORITIES at schools and colleges, including parents are expected to meet and come up with plans that will determine when they can resume classes especially for pupils and students sitting for public examinations this year.

The plans, would, however, need to be approved first by the Government through the respective ministries in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Child Care. President Mnangagwa yesterday said public examination classes and final year students at colleges and universities would be allowed to open only after adhering to the stipulated Covid-19 prevention measures.

Clarifying the matter, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana told Sunday News that the directive was not a one-size-fits-all, but individual schools and universities were expected to provide a detailed plan in terms of their strategy of preventing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic before they are allowed to re-open. He said stakeholders would be required to engage each other in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to see that they comply with all the necessary Covid-19 requirements.

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach, what needs to happen is that between the school authorities, the school development councils and the ministry officials, they will need to sit down and come out with a framework, an agreed plan on how they want to open. After these stakeholders meet, they then present their plans to the relevant ministries to discuss the plan, if the plan is agreeable, they can then be allowed to open because circumstances that apply to individual institutions are different,” said Mr Mangwana.

He said emphasis was on the need to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and ensure that all institutions put in place measures to protect their students from the pandemic. Meanwhile, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Cain Mathema said plans for the sitting of June and November Zimsec examinations were at an advanced stage, noting that the President’s statement reaffirmed their position.

“The President’s address reaffirms our position that we are ready to have the June and November examinations. What will happen now is that we will meet and give the necessary announcement in due course. Schools should, however, ensure that as students sit and prepare for these examinations, they should adhere to the Covid-19 regulations in terms of social distancing and sanitization,” said Minister Mathema.

The Government directed the closure of schools a week before the official closing date for the first term as means of controlling the spread of the pandemic.

-State Media

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

NATIONAL Aids Council (Nac) and its implementing partners are working with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to provide HIV related healthcare services, among them provision of condoms and HIV testing to returnees at quarantine centres across the country.

In interview in Gweru last week, Nac chief executive officer Dr Bernard Madzima said there was a need to ensure continuity in the provision of comprehensive healthcare services to people including those under quarantine to ensure that issues to do with HIV and Aids are not neglected as the world grapples with the coronavirus (Covid-19).

Dr Madzima said the World Health Organisation (WHO) had recently warned African governments not to neglect other health sectors and ailments and become blinkered by the Covid-19. He said Zimbabwe has made concerted efforts in the fight against HIV and put in place robust intervention strategies that has seen its prevalence rate going down from 25 percent to about 14 percent.

Dr Madzima said Nac and its implementing partners would be providing condoms, family planning services as well as HIV testing to returnees and deported Zimbabwean most of which came from South Africa and Botswana. Zimbabwe is expecting more than 3 000 returnees and deported citizens from its neighbouring country who are trickling back home since countries are on lockdowns.

“There are quarantine centres which are all over the country as you are aware. We are working the Ministry of Health and Child Care teams to make sure that the services which are offered at the health institutions or in the communities are also extended to people who are quarantined. They are not sick people, they are not ill. They still need necessary health services like condoms provision, HIV testing or even self-testing. They also require family planning tablets and they will need treatment for certain conditions. Those services are being extended to people under quarantine in various provinces. As Nac we want to make sure that we do not neglect service provision in those quarantine centres,” he said.

Dr Madzima said those that are on ART treatment will continue to receive medication if they provide medical treatment history and cards.

“On ARVs whether they are from South Africa or Botswana and they have their cards to prove, we are going to provide them with treatment. We have ARVs that can last us the whole year. We usually procure for the whole year so there is no need for people who might want medication or those already receiving medication to panic,” he said.

Dr Madzima said Covid-19 was posing a serious challenge to the full implementation of HIV interventions in the country.

“Testing for HIV, provision of condoms can actually go down and we reverse all the gains and efforts we made through various HIV and Aids intervention strategies. We had challenges initially during the lockdown as people living with HIV were finding it difficult to access their medication. However, there was no interruption. They had challenges in movement. Now we have our mobile pharmacies and clinics. We have our vehicles delivering to various areas. Also, the conditions of the lockdown have been relaxed so people are now able to move around,” he said.

-State Media

Former Zanu PF Political Commissar Saviour Kasukuwere has condemned the state sponsored abduction and torture of MDC officials.

Three MDC officials Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and one Netsai Marova were abducted by State agents and found after 24 hours in Bindura.

Said Kasukuwere:

“This is inhuman and appalling. The pain they are going through is shared by everyone in our country. We have to free ourselves from such deplorable criminal conduct.”

“This trauma against each other is unfortunate and barbaric This will not end well and the sooner all realize that there is an extent to which you can push people.”

MDC T President Thokozani Khupe has condemned the abuse and torture of civilians. While Khupe did not mention names, people who responded to her Tweet, speculated that she was talking about MDC Alliance activists who were abducted and tortured and left in Bindura.

Khupe tweeted:

The movement for Democratic Change(MDC-T) condemns the abuse and torture of civilians. We challenge the law enforcement agencies to desist from using any form of force on unarmed civilians when discharging their duties and call upon the authorities to conduct a full investigation

Most of the Twimbos who responded to Khupe’s tweet had no kind words for her and called her many names. Thokozani was declared the legitimate MDC leader by the Supreme Court ruling that also declared Chamisa the illegitimate MDC leader a ruling that did not sit well with many people who support Nelson Chamisa

We pubish below the reactions…..

The MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa has said the move by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to indefinitely extend the lockdown is an act of establishing a tyrannical rule under the veil of fighting the pandemic. 

Chamisa said the indefinite lockdown extension changes the situation in a fundamental way.

Said Chamisa in a tweet:

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.

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 & churches. Abuse & manipulation must be fought by all progressive citizens.The greater the oppression, the greater the determination!

Chamisa made these remarks after President Mnangagwa said he was extending the lockdown indefinitely and said they will review the situation in 2 weeks.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance vice president Lynette Karenyi has dismissed as malicious claims that she has resigned from her position.

Karenyi has also effectively distanced herself from Thokozani Khupe’s MDC T.

Below is Karenyi’s statement:

Press Statement:

16/05/2020

There are false and malicious social media posts claiming that I have resigned from my position as VP of MDCA.

It’s not usually my policy to respond to malicious reports by certain people with hidden agendas.

However I want to make it clear that the MDC Alliance is the only vehicle confronting the regime and there is no question of me abandoning that national project for which many lost their lives.

Whil I appreciate the role of the media to inform the nation I would appreciate it if in future the media would check with me before publishing information that is not verified. All my official announcements are usually put on my facebook page.

I thank you

Issued by,
Lynette Karenyi

MDCA Vice-President

By A Correspondent- Finance and Economic Development minister Professor Mthuli Ncube assured the nation that the monetary arrangements which were put in place as a result of the Exchange Control Directive will remain in place pending the outcome of the appeal to be noted in the next few days.

In a statement regarding the court judgement on the Exchange Control Directive No. R120/18 on the separation of RTGs FCA accounts and FCA Nostro accounts, Professor Ncube said the government and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe do not agree with the conclusion in the judgement to the effect that the Exchange Control Directive is unconstitutional.

“They take the view that the court has failed to give a proper interpretation of the directive. In the circumstances, the government and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe intend to file an appeal against the judgment. They are further fortified in this cause of action by the fact that the court did not impugn the provisions of the Finance (NO2) Act, 2019and the amendments made to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act [Chapter 22:15] which were based on the Exchange control directive in question,” he said.

Below is the full statement:


RE: PRE. STATEMENT ON COURT JUDGMENT ON THE EXCHANGE CONTROL DIRECTIVE NO. R120/18 ON THE SEPARATION OF RTGS FCA ACCOUNTS AND FCA NOSTRO ACCOUNTS

The Attorney General has brought to my attention the judgment on the Exchange Control Directive No. R120/18 pertaining to the separation of RTGS FCA accounts and FCA Nostro accounts.

Government and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe do not agree with the conclusion in the judgment to the effect that the Exchange Control Directive is unconstitutional. They take the view that the court has failed to give a.proper interpretation to the directive.

In the circumstances, Government and the Reserve Bank intend to file an appeal against the judgment.

They are further fortified in this cause of action by the fact that the court did not impugn the provisions of the Finance (No.2) Act, 2015 and the amendments made to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act [Chapter 22:15] which were based on the Exchange Control Directive in question. Accordingly, Government and the Reserve.Bank of Zimbabwe wish to assure the nation that the monetary arrangements which were put in place as a result of the Exchange Control Directive in question will remain in place pending the outcome of the appeal to be noted in the next few days.

Hon. Prof. M. Ncube MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

While delivering today’s COVID-19 lockdown address President Mnangagwa highlighted the following:

1. Lockdown extended indefinitely
2. Social distancing to continue
3.  Wearing of face masks, hand washing and the use of sanitizers remains mandatory.
4. Public and Private places will continue to be disinfected regularly.
5. The government will increase all provinces’ testing capacities.
6. Private sector testing and isolation centres are encouraged and will be facilitated in testing suspected cases.
7. Rertunees still subjected to 21 day mandatory quarantine
8. Businesses planning to reopen must follow laid down measures in regards sanitization, social distancing, temperature checks and monitoring
9. Public exam classes and final year students must be allowed to proceed within the prevention measures .
10. Phased reopening of schools to be put in place
11. Business operating times adjusted, business can opne from 8 AM to 4:30PM
12. Informal sector reopening consultations still ongoing
13. Social gatherings, weddings, churches parties etc still prohibited.
14. Bars and gyms to remain closed. Restaurants allowed to open for take aways
15. Inter city travel still banned for both air and road transport except for essential cargo.
16. Zupco to remain the only public transport allowed on the road
17. All truck drivers entering the country to be tested.

Kudakwashe, one of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s sons is allegedly involved in the poaching of wildlife in Nyangambe in Save Valley Conservancy, a Chiredzi magistrate has been told.

The allegations were made by Farai Chauke, a Harare lawyer who comes from Nyangambe and is also the legal representative of Nyangambe Community Wildlife Project.

Chauke who is facing fraud charges for allegedly forging title deeds to the project told the court in his defense that he was being tormented for resisting poaching activities involving the President’s son.

Nyangambe Community Wildlife Project is run by villagers and allegations are that Kudakwashe is in the habit of coming along with one of the directors of Green Africa Safaris, Philip Mafuta to hunt and poach wildlife outside hunting quotas.

Green Africa Safaris which signed a one-year hunting lease agreement with Nyangambe Community Wildlife Project is using political power to illegally gun down animals which are not specified in their hunting quota said the lawyer under cross-examination.

Mafuta confirmed to The Mirror in an interview that he regularly goes for hunting with Kudakwashe but dismissed the allegations that they poach wildlife.

He said he is an in-law to one of Zion Christian Church Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi’s brothers and is therefore related to the Mnangagwas and there is nothing amiss about the two working together.

His hunting escapades with the President’s son, he said, are legal because Green Africa Safaris has a permit to hunt in Nyangambe. He warned Chauke of trouble for mentioning the President’s son in such a case.

“Zvaaita izvozvo zvichatomunyudza (He must watch his back. What he said about the President’s son will get him into trouble).

“Chauke is ignorant of the law. Our activities in Nyangambe are lawful according to the Parks and Wildlife Act. We are allowed to undertake hunting activities since we have a hunting permit at Nyangambe. I can confirm that I used to hunt with the President`s son since we are related, I am part of that family so there is nothing which can stop us from working together,” said Mafuta.

Magistrate Mutsoto remanded Chauke out of custody for continuation of the case.

Chiredzi North MP, Roy Bhila said there were issues in Nyangambe but they had nothing to do with politics or the President`s son. He said the community has a right to continue or terminate its lease with Green Africa Safaris if they feel something is wrong with their agreement.

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced the re-opening of schools and colleges for public examination classes and final year students only in his Covid-19 national address at State House, Saturday.

Announcing an indefinite extension of an already seven week-long national lockdown, Mnangagwa said plans were underway to re-open the education sector.

“Public exam classes within schools and final-year students at colleges and universities must be allowed to continue recognising, however, the stipulated Covid-19 prevention measures.

“Meanwhile, clear plans of the phased re-opening of schools continue to be put in place,” said Mnangagwa.

Some schools and colleges had already started online classes for students.

Mnangagwa initially announced a 21-day lockdown period starting 30 March this year to combat the spread of coronavirus before extending it by a further four weeks after a slight spike in confirmed cases.

By Simba Chikanza | ZimEye.com reveals evidence of police abduction of the three MDC Alliance youth leaders which the government publication the Herald deleted after proving that the Zimbabwe Republic Police truly abducted the victims on Wednesday 13th May 2020. 

For several weeks the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the military have been randomly assaulting civilians walking out to fetch essential services such as water and medication, and 3 weeks ago, the military spokesman Overson Mugwisi in an interview denied that soldiers and police were assaulting civilians in Harare, Gweru, and Masvingo. This was despite footage particularly from Harare which had been earlier on confirmed by ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman, George Charamba. 

Civilians have been complaining that they feel oppressed and on Wednesday a group of MDC Youths conducted a short flash demo attended by less than 25 youths. The three female MDC youth leaders, Cecilia Chimbiri, Joana Mamombe, and Netsai Marova were arrested by the police and taken to the Harare Central Police station. 

2 days later, the government spokesman, Nick (Ndavangi) Mangwana has issued a contradicting report saying they were never arrested, and were never in police custody. 

All this comes at a time when New Zealand’s former Prime Minister, Helen Clark got frustrated after noticing that even the Voice of America, a respected US government funded media house also deleted evidence of the abduction, something which follows the way they also handled the abduction of Hospital Doctors Association President Dr Peter Magombeyi in September last year. (See tweets below with video-tweet)

Strange – the link has disappeared – but there are plenty of others about the abduction & torture of #Zimbabwe ?? MP Joana Mamombe & 2 other #women: https://t.co/stKfkE4kvS

— Helen Clark (@HelenClarkNZ) May 16, 2020

Exactly a year ago, VOA journo Marvelous Mhlanga signed up to work for @edmnangagwa to do social engineering work, and create PR packages:today she interrogates a distraught,disturbed, and terrified victim of torture,Dr @DMagombeyi leading to his arrest last night @MakomboreroH pic.twitter.com/YYLlWmmslz

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 20, 2019

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

By Simba Chikanza | ZimEye.com reveals clear evidence of police abduction of the three MDC Alliance youth leaders which the government publication the Herald deleted after proving that the Zimbabwe Republic Police truly abducted the victims on Wednesday 13th May 2020.

For several weeks the Zimbabwe Republic Police and those of the military have been randomly assaulting civilians seeking to fetch essential services such as water and medication, and 3 weeks ago, the military spokesman Overson Mugwisi in an interview denied that soldiers and police were assaulting civilians in Harare, Gweru, and Masvingo despite footage from Harare confirmed by the government spokesman George Charamba.

Civilians have been complaining that they feel oppressed and on Wednesday a group of MDC Youths did a short flash demo attended by less than 25 youths. The three female MDC youth leaders were arrested by the police and taken to the Harare Central Police station.

2 days later, government spokesman, Nick (Ndavangi) Mangwana has issued a contradicting report saying they were never arrested, and were never in police custody.

This comes at a time when New Zealand’s former Prime Minister got frustrated after noticing that even the Voice of America a respected US government funded media house also deleted evidence of the abduction, something which follows the way they also did to the abduction of Hospital Doctors Association President Dr Peter Magombeyi in September last year.Watch video below :