Those who have interacted with Knowledge Musona say he is one of the most reserved and down-to-earth football players in the country.
The Warriors captain thrives on letting his football do the talking on the pitch rather than him verbally convincing people how good he is and such humble people are the least one can think of, in as far as wanting to prove a point is concerned.
That being said, Musona’s nightmarish tenure at Belgian side Anderlecht might make him be radical about wanting to prove a point.
The 29-year-old Aces Youth Academy graduate joined the 32-time Belgian champions in May 2018 but made just 10 appearances, none of them this season, before being loaned to KAS Eupen.
He was literally frozen out of the squad by three different coaches.
Musona’s woes at Anderlecht even made some Zimbabweans, remarkably that is, question whether or not he was still good enough to don the Warriors jersey, never mind the captain’s armband.
Interestingly, Eupen travel to Anderlecht to face the former champions on the 23rd of February and if Musona is eligible to play against his parent club, does he have a point to prove?-State media
Farai Dziva|
ZIFA will unveil new Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic on Thursday.
The football association has managed to secure a work permit for the Croatian gaffer.
The unveiling ceremony will take place at Cresta Oasis in Harare at 2 pm.
The 54-year old is expected to officially start his duties from next week. He signed a two-year contract that mandates him to qualify for all major tournaments.
The coach’s first assignment will be against Algeria in the Afcon Qualifiers, playing back-to-back encounters in the last week of March.
Logarusic will be assisted by Joey Antipas, Lloyd Chitembwe, national U23 coach Tonderai Ndiraya and Pernell McKop as the goalkeepers’ coach.
Three school children from Ngundu perished while the 4th one was seriously injured when a tractor in whose trailer they were sitting in overturned along the Ngundu-Tanganda road New Zaina reports.
The trailer unhooked from the hitch and hit the tractors’ rear wheel causing it to overturn, killing the pupils on the spot.
Masvingo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Kudakwashe Pferedzai (15), Opportunity Lisenga (13) who learnt at Nyahanga Primary School and Delight Mlambo (16) who attended Mutandwe Secondary School.
Their bodies were ferried to
Chiredzi General hospital for post mortem.- New Ziana
Farai Dziva|A Senior MDC T official has dismissed LEAD president Linda Masarira’ s argument that the party is a Zanu PF sponsored project.
MDC-T secretary-general Nickson Nyikadzino was responding to Masarira’s allegations that his party has been receiving money from the ruling ZANU PF party.
Said Nyikadzino:
“We have not received any funding from anyone. We do not wish to receive funding from anyone except ourselves.
The only funding that we have received is the 48 000 votes which we got from the people of Zimbabwe and we wish to remain an independent democratic party set up to serve the people of Zimbabwe.”
Farai Dziva|A Senior MDC T official has dismissed LEAD president Linda Masarira’ s argument that the party is a Zanu PF sponsored project.
MDC-T secretary-general Nickson Nyikadzino was responding to Masarira’s allegations that his party has been receiving money from the ruling ZANU PF party.
Said Nyikadzino:
“We have not received any funding from anyone. We do not wish to receive funding from anyone except ourselves.
The only funding that we have received is the 48 000 votes which we got from the people of Zimbabwe and we wish to remain an independent democratic party set up to serve the people of Zimbabwe.”
It affects both animals and humans and can be transmitted from animals to humans. Anyone anywhere can be infected by the virus. It infect people through coughing and sneezing, touching an infected person’s hands or face or touching infected objects an infected person has touched. It is like all the other viruses that cause common cold and is common in winter.
Symptoms include a runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, fever and a feeling of being unwell. In people with an immunocompromised immune system such as children, elderly, those with heart diseases they might develop respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
There are ways one can protect themselves from catching the virus. Prevention methods include: washing hands with soap and water or using a hand rub always. Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with infected people. Those infected should also cover their nose, mouth when coughing.
No vaccine or treatment is available for Coronavirus.
However if infected one needs plenty of rest, lots of fluids and manage the symptoms such as sore throat, fever. If there is a pneumonia or bronchitis one should also receive appropriate treatment for that respiratory tract infection.
Currently there is an outbreak in China and about 81 people reported dead.
Because this is a communicable virus it spreads fast therefore always protect yourself and your community. Prevention is always better than cure.
Compiled by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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By Own Correspondent| Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports Arts and Recreation Tinoda Machakaire is reportedly dismissing those trying to push his name in the ring for Zanu PF youth league chairmanship.
Sources privy to the jostling of the position said Machakaire is saying he is comfortable with his position at the party and did not want more.
“He is telling those who are trying to push him for the position that he is okay with his position and currently he is the secretary for transport at province,” the source revealed.
The position became vacant following the suspension of Chairman Pupurai Togarepi, Deputy secretary Lewis Matutu and commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu.
Currently Mchakaire is the provincial secretary for transport in Mashonaland East.
Contacted for comment, Machakaire said he was not even aware of what was being said by people as he was not gunning for any position in the party,
“I don’t know where all this is coming from all I can say is I am okay with my position in the party. I think for now we should be concentrating on building the economy, following President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision to have a middle class economy by 2030 that is all I can say” he said hanging up his phone.
Over the weekend he told a gathering in Hwedza that people need to serve the interests of the party first without looking for higher positions.
“We need to understand the ideology of the party, serve it without looking for positions or benefits. Do we go to church for benefits? We go to serve God, so it is the same in politics Zanu PF is the party we just need to serve it. As for me I am satisfied with my position,” he said.
Machakaire has left no stone unturned in making sure that his constituency’s problems are attended to.
As if it that is not enough at the Ministry of Youth he has done a number of notable things that include sourcing funds for University students as well as spearheading a campaign to source equipment for the youth in mining.
By Farai D Hove| Hell has broken loose on MDC renegade, Thokozani Khupe who created her own MDC morph after being kicked out having rebelled against the late leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, as she has fallen into trouble over blowing up allowance money in a posh hotel.
Khupe who deserted Harvest House for months running, and later expelled for it, has for the last year running, elevated herself to leader of a new MDC she says is authentic.
After the events of the 1st August 2018, when Emmerson Mnangagwa used the military to change election results, Khupe further raised herself to leader of the Polad dialogue-club Mnangagwa created to sanitise the 1 Aug-military crackdown.
The United Nations has condemned the 1 August crime and implicated Mnangagwa for it.
As of yesterday, sources close to her revealed to ZimEye she sped out of the meeting in tears after being grilled on why her party juniors blew allowances money spending three weeks running inside the posh Crowne Plaza Hotel, under the guise of engaging Ambassadors and heads of foreign missions accredited to Zimbabwe.
What is infuriating is that there is no documentation to prove what these engagements were and what was discussed, said one source.
In the latest developments, Khupe is planning to travel to the United States and Europe to engage Polad’s so called dialogue.
Said a source privy to developments:
Fixing the country is not a power game and it needs competent people driven by a passion to transform Zimbabwe not to occupy positions without delivering the mandate of POLAD.
Some of these Principals who are crying for these positions do not even have O’ levels and do not even understand the gravity of what is required of them in the committees they are crying to lead.
What led to the impasse could be the love of lavish lifestyles as rumours within POLAD were stating that all Chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and their rapporteurs were going to get diplomatic passports for international trips. We cant seriously exchange competence for luxuries when our country is burning.”
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba is on record dismissing opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s calls for dialogue arguung that POLAD was the only dialogue platform.
Charamba argued that POLAD was the “only game in town”.
The UK’s chancellor of the exchequer, Sajid Javid has resigned over a disagreement.
He had at the time been ordered by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to fire some of his advisors.
A source said: “He has turned down the job of chancellor of the exchequer. The PM said he had to fire all his special advisers and replace them with No 10 special advisers to make it one team. The chancellor said no self-respecting minister would accept those terms.”
Sun journalist Tom Newton Dunn said “It has only been six months since Boris Johnson appointed Sajid Javid as chancellor.
“But even in that six months the relationship has changed.
“Some of Mr Javid’s advisers felt there was a little too much respect going on and that Mr Javid was behaving like the PM’s little brother.
“That changed as the days went on.
“And Downing Street clearly decided it wanted to be in total control.”- Agencies/BBC
The excitement caused by the press Statements issued by the former youth league leaders is short lived and a none event. The behaviour of the youth was not only disgusting but indeed depressing and flabbergasting.
Surprisingly the enemies of ZANU PF started to peddle the narrative that ZANU PF is defending the corrupt. This narrative has been the figment of the detractor’s imagination which is total mischief and seriously hitting below the belt.
While we can not turn a blind eye to corruption we must be civilised enough to fight corruption in a human way. Pointing fingers without evidence blinds each other. Eye for an eye makes the world blind.
The behaviour of the youth exposes the weakness in the party hierarchy. These Youths were clearly being supported by top officials whose positions are so easy to point out. The problem with the actions taken by the youth is not the action they took but the way they acted. Tsenengamu and Matutu exhibited the most unreasonable lunacy ever exhibited on earth. They dwelt in the self praise mode and covers themselves with a false hope that they are indispensable.
Their crime was to misrepresent the revolutionary party which they did. Their behaviour was meant to cause distrust in people and make the people believe that there is confined corruption in ZANU PF. The foolishness of the youth was to present the authority as corrupt and defenders of corruption.
The actions of the youth was foolhardiness and resembled a fire powered by newspapers. A fired filed by bond paper it burns not for long.
It should mentioned that the behaviour of these misguided youth was tantamount to espionage. There is no difference between the behaviour of the opposition and that of the under fire self confident youths.
On the contrary the President PF Zimbabwe has risen above all and started fighting corruption in a way never experienced in Zimbabwe.
Mnangagwa started his new dispensation by setting up Anti Corruption institutions to fight the graft.
A special department dealing with corruption led by big boy Thabani Mpofu was set and put directly under the president’s nose.
A special court was set to Expedia ye the corruption cases. Mnangagwa has taken the fight against corruption as his own fight. Fight against corruption has huge significance in ensuring state security.
Corruption endangers unimpeded functioning of public sector, weakens the public trust towards state institutions, and hinders democratic and stable development of the country.
Corrupted public servants represent potential targets of foreign special services and criminal groups. Hence, fight against corruption is the concern of state security.
One of the main priorities of the Anticorruption unit is to prevent, detect and suppress malfeasance, conflict of interests in public service and corruption facts.
Zimbabwean government is actively involved in activities of the Working Group established in relation to national money laundering and terrorist financing risk assessment process in the frame of the Strategy on Fight Against Money-Laundering and Financing of Terrorism.
Taking into consideration the modern anti-corruption standards and approaches, international best practices on fighting against corruption in public service are shared.
The fight against corruption must not be done in a confused manner introduced by Tsenengamu and Matutu.
Corruption is complicated in itself and it needs technical way of fighting it.
The warped thoughts that one can name and shame without evidence is not only barbaric but clearly insanity.
Corruption is not fought by disorganised stubbornness and total idiocy.
Tsenengamu and Matutu were overtaken by pride and thus led themselves very fast in the dustbin of politics.
These kids did not realise that the glory they seem to get from the opposition was just a shadow in the night.
If you see your enemy cheering you must quickly know that you are approaching disaster.
Of the most disappointing of all are the senior party cadres who cheered the insanity together with the enemy.
Going public with no evidence is a recipe for disaster.
Zimbabwe considers corruption a major challenge to its twin goals of ending extreme poverty by 2030 and boosting shared prosperity for the poor. In addition, reducing corruption is at the heart of the Nation.
It must be mentioned that corruption has a disproportionate impact on the poor and most vulnerable, increasing costs and reducing access to services, including health, education and justice. Think, for example, of the effect of counterfeit drugs or vaccinations on the health outcomes of children and the life-long impacts that may have on them.
Empirical studies have shown that the poor pay the highest percentage of their income in bribes.
The president of Zimbabwe knows that every stolen dollar, robs the poor of an equal opportunity in life and prevents governments from investing in their human capital. So to this end no reasonable state will promote corruption.
Corruption erodes trust in government and undermines the social contract.
This is cause for concern across the globe, but particularly in contexts of fragility and violence, as corruption fuels and perpetuates the inequalities and discontent that lead to fragility, violent extremism, and conflict.
Corruption impedes investment, with consequent effects on growth and jobs.
Zimbabwe is capable of confronting corruption and use its human and financial resources more efficiently, in order to attract more investment, and grow more rapidly. Growth is all we want as a nation and we do not need two corrupt youths former leaders to ignite the corruption fight.
ZANU PF recognizes that corruption comes in different forms. BUT it is never fought to the gallery.
Corruption impacts service delivery, such as when officers ask for bribes to perform routine services.
Corruption might unfairly determine the winners of government contracts, with awards favoring friends or relatives of government officials. Or it might affect more fundamental issues of capture, such as how institutions work and who controls them, a form of corruption that is often the costliest in terms of overall economic impact.
Each type of corruption is important and tackling all of them is critical to achieving progress and sustainable change.
Corruption is never fought by gossip. It is never dealt with in a press statement.
Successful anti-corruption efforts are often led by a ‘coalition of concerned’ – politicians and senior government officials, the private sector, and by citizens, communities, and civil society organizations.
Increasingly, successfully addressing corruption will require the concerted attention of both governments and businesses, as well as the use of the latest advanced technologies to capture, analyze, and share data to prevent, detect, and deter corrupt behavior. Corruption is not fought by instant heroes or attention seeking idiots.
Zimbabwe has been leveraging innovative technologies to strengthen public sector performance and productivity, confront corruption and to help foster greater trust and accountability, particularly in more fragile and economic environments.
What disgusts most is the portrayal of the party as a corrupt one.
Much of the costliest forms of corruption could not happen without institutions in wealthy people: the private sector firms that give large bribes, the financial institutions that accept corrupt proceeds, and the lawyers and accountants who facilitate corrupt transactions and the youth who shouts wolf in the face of shadows.
It is true that money is moving from poor to wealthy individuals in ways that fundamentally undermine development.But this can not be dealt with by naming without evidence. Matutu and Tsenengamu are the ones thrusting spears in our children’s future. By declaring that the nation is under cartels without evidence to that scares away any investor. The behaviour was irresponsible and indeed inhuman.
What Tsenengamu and Matutu did surpasses all what Chamisa and MDC did in destroying the nation.
Corruption is a national problem that requires national solutions.
ZANU PF has been working to mitigate the pernicious effects of corruption in the country To reaffirm the party’s leadership, President Mnangagwa led the nation by committing a range of steps to confront corruption.
ZANU PF has built capable, transparent, and accountable institutions and design and implement anticorruption programs relying on the latest discourse and innovations. All what Matutu and Tsenengamu had to do was utilise the systems set.
Their insubordination was smelling to the heart. Their fight Should have been revolving around sustainability and changing outcomes by helping both state and non-state actors establish the competencies needed to implement policies and practices that improve results and strengthen public integrity.
Additionally, the Youth is supposed to work with the public and private sectors as well as civil society to support efforts to prevent corruption, improve remedies to address wrongdoing when it occurs as well as work towards improving behaviors, norms, and standards needed to sustain anti-corruption efforts. This will never be achieved by naming without shame.
Tsenengamu wondered on the side of error by using his mouth without brains. This became his downfall and indeed he fell. One wonders wether he is fighting for his pocket as we all know that he is very commercial.
ZANU PF is a party of order and all things must be done in great order.
We are excited to share that, as of today, WhatsApp supports more than two billion users around the world.
Mothers and fathers can reach their loved ones no matter where they are. Brothers and sisters can share moments that matter.
Coworkers can collaborate, and businesses can grow by easily connecting with their customers.
Private conversations that once were only possible face-to-face can now take place across great distances through instant chats and video calling.
There are so many significant and special moments that take place over WhatsApp and we are humbled and honoured to reach this milestone.
We know that the more we connect, the more we have to protect. As we conduct more of our lives online, protecting our conversations is more important than ever.
That is why every private message sent using WhatsApp is secured with end-to-end encryption by default. Strong encryption acts like an unbreakable digital lock that keeps the information you send over WhatsApp secure, helping protect you from hackers and criminals.
Messages are only kept on your phone, and no one in between can read your messages or listen to your calls, not even us.
Your private conversations stay between you.
Strong encryption is a necessity in modern life. We will not compromise on security because that would make people less safe.
For even more protection, we work with top security experts, employ industry-leading technology to stop misuse as well as provide controls and ways to report issues — without sacrificing privacy.
WhatsApp started with the goal of creating a service that is simple, reliable, and private for people to use.
Today we remain as committed as when we started, to help connect the world privately and to protect the personal communication of two billion users all over the world.
Farai Dziva|Farai Dziva|WhatsApp is rapidly becoming the world’s most popular social media network.
Today WhatsApp has reached 2 billion users-see statement below :
We are excited to share that, as of today, WhatsApp supports more than two billion users around the world.
Mothers and fathers can reach their loved ones no matter where they are. Brothers and sisters can share moments that matter.
Coworkers can collaborate, and businesses can grow by easily connecting with their customers.
Private conversations that once were only possible face-to-face can now take place across great distances through instant chats and video calling.
There are so many significant and special moments that take place over WhatsApp and we are humbled and honoured to reach this milestone.
We know that the more we connect, the more we have to protect. As we conduct more of our lives online, protecting our conversations is more important than ever.
That is why every private message sent using WhatsApp is secured with end-to-end encryption by default. Strong encryption acts like an unbreakable digital lock that keeps the information you send over WhatsApp secure, helping protect you from hackers and criminals.
Messages are only kept on your phone, and no one in between can read your messages or listen to your calls, not even us.
Your private conversations stay between you.
Strong encryption is a necessity in modern life. We will not compromise on security because that would make people less safe.
For even more protection, we work with top security experts, employ industry-leading technology to stop misuse as well as provide controls and ways to report issues — without sacrificing privacy.
WhatsApp started with the goal of creating a service that is simple, reliable, and private for people to use.
Today we remain as committed as when we started, to help connect the world privately and to protect the personal communication of two billion users all over the world.
Farai Dziva|LEAD president Linda Masarira has accused her former boss Thokhozani Khupe of working with Zanu PF to destabilise opposition parties in the country.
Masarira argues she quit MDC T because it is a Zanu PF creation.
Masarira further claimed Khupe received funding from the ruling party to destabilise Nelson Chamisa’s MDC Alliance.
“We were receiving money from Zanu PF. I don’t know who was the direct contact person who was bringing the money, but we got funding for the party from Zanu PF.
We were not a real opposition, this is why I took a picture of myself wearing Zanu PF regalia in Zambia and posted it on social media because I wanted to tell a story,” Masarira told a daily publication.
Farai Dziva|LEAD president Linda Masarira has accused her former boss Thokhozani Khupe of working with Zanu PF to destabilise opposition parties in the country.
Masarira argues she quit MDC T because it is a Zanu PF creation.
Masarira further claimed Khupe received funding from the ruling party to destabilise Nelson Chamisa’s MDC Alliance.
“We were receiving money from Zanu PF. I don’t know who was the direct contact person who was bringing the money, but we got funding for the party from Zanu PF.
We were not a real opposition, this is why I took a picture of myself wearing Zanu PF regalia in Zambia and posted it on social media because I wanted to tell a story,” Masarira told a daily publication.
By Farai D Hove| Hell has broken loose on MDC renegade, Thokozani Khupe who created her own MDC morph after being kicked out having rebelled against the late leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, as she has fallen into trouble over blowing up allowance money in a posh hotel.
Khupe who deserted Harvest House for months running, and later expelled for it, has for the last year running, elevated herself to leader of a new MDC she says is authentic.
After the events of the 1st August 2018, when Emmerson Mnangagwa used the military to change election results, Khupe further raised herself to leader of the Polad dialogue-club Mnangagwa created to sanitise the 1 Aug-military crackdown.
The United Nations has condemned the 1 August crime and implicated Mnangagwa for it.
As of yesterday, sources close to her revealed to ZimEye she sped out of the meeting in tears after being grilled on why her party juniors blew allowances money spending three weeks running inside the posh Crowne Plaza Hotel, under the guise of engaging Ambassadors and heads of foreign missions accredited to Zimbabwe.
What is infuriating is that there is no documentation to prove what these engagements were and what was discussed, said one source.
In the latest developments, Khupe is planning to travel to the United States and Europe to engage Polad’s so called dialogue.
Said a source privy to developments:
Fixing the country is not a power game and it needs competent people driven by a passion to transform Zimbabwe not to occupy positions without delivering the mandate of POLAD.
Some of these Principals who are crying for these positions do not even have O’ levels and do not even understand the gravity of what is required of them in the committees they are crying to lead.
What led to the impasse could be the love of lavish lifestyles as rumours within POLAD were stating that all Chairpersons, deputy chairpersons and their rapporteurs were going to get diplomatic passports for international trips. We cant seriously exchange competence for luxuries when our country is burning.”
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba is on record dismissing opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s calls for dialogue arguung that POLAD was the only dialogue platform.
Charamba argued that POLAD was the “only game in town”.
Farai Dziva|Controversial political figure Linda Masarira has described POLAD as a pet project created by Emmerson Mnangagwa as a way of seeking legitimacy.
“The Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD), is a dialogue platform consisting of fringe political parties created by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2019.It is a ZANU PF pet project,” Masarira told a daily publication.
Masarira, who now leads an opposition party called LEAD, was fired from the MDC-T after she was pictured wearing ZANU PF regalia.
However, Masarira has accused MDC T of working with Zanu PF to dilute genuine opposition voices.
By Farai D Hove| Hell has broken loose on MDC renegade, Thokozani Khupe who created her own MDC morph after being kicked out after rebelling against the late leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, has fallen into trouble over blowing up allowance money in a posh hotel.
Khupe who was deserted Harvest House for months running, and later expelled for it, has for the last year running, elevated herself to leader of a new MDC she says is authentic.
After the events of the 1st August 2018, when Emmerson Mnangagwa used the military to change election results, Khupe further raised herself to leader of the Polad dialogue club Mnangagwa created to sanitise the 1 Aug-military crackdown.
The United Nations has condemned the 1 August crime and implicated Mnangagwa for it.
As of yesterday, sources close to her revealed to ZimEye she sped out of the meeting in tears yesterday after being grilled on why her party juniors blew allowances money spending three weeks running inside the posh Crowne Plaza Hotel, under the guise of engaging Ambassadors and heads of foreign missions accredited to Zimbabwe.
What is infuriating is that there is no documentation to prove what these engagements were and what was discussed, said one source.
In the latest developments, Khupe is planning to travel to the United States and Europe to engage Polad’s so called dialogue.
Farai Dziva|Controversial political figure Linda Masarira has described POLAD as a pet project created by Emmerson Mnangagwa as a way of seeking legitimacy.
“The Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD), is a dialogue platform consisting of fringe political parties created by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2019.It is a ZANU PF pet project,” Masarira told a daily publication.
Masarira, who now leads an opposition party called LEAD, was fired from the MDC-T after she was pictured wearing ZANU PF regalia.
However, Masarira has accused MDC T of working with Zanu PF to dilute genuine opposition voices.
By A Correspondent| The High Court yesterday dismissed an application filed by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife Marry Mubaiwa seeking access to their children and the matrimonial home pending the hearing of an appeal filed at the Supreme Court.
VP Chiwenga recently challenged Justice Christopher Dube-Banda’s ruling that gave Mubaiwa the green light to reside at the Borrowdale mansion and have access to the couple’s children and properties pending her trial on attempted murder, fraud, assault and money laundering charges.
The Supreme Court appeal is expected to be heard next month.
Justice Judith Mushore handed down the ruling yesterday on behalf of Justice Owen Tagu indicating that Mubaiwa’s arguments lacked weight.
“The application for leave to execute pending appeal is hereby dismissed. The order will not be operational until the case is heard.
“The applicant is also ordered to pay the cost of the suit,” said the judge.
By Own Correspondent| Sixteen magistrates who were yesterday sworn-in at the Harare Magistrates’ Court hit the ground running by presiding over various criminal matters in different courtrooms.
The state media reported that the new magistrates were alternating between courtrooms, as they marked the beginning of their new careers as judicial officers.
Acting Chief Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi, who presided over the swearing-in ceremony, said the 16 would go a long way in improving justice delivery.
By A Correspondent| Former MDC-T spokesperson Linda Masarira has revealed why she was posted pictures of herself donning Zanu Pf regalia when she was visiting her inlaws last year.
Masarira said MDC T party president Thokozani Khupe is a ZANU PF project who received funding from the ruling party to destabilise Nelson Chamisa’s MDC Alliance.
Masarira said Khupe was being given money by ZANU PF after she failed to take over the MDC following the death of Tsvangirai.
Said Masarira:
We were receiving money from Zanu PF. I don’t know who was the direct contact person who was bringing the money, but we got funding for the party from Zanu PF.
We were not a real opposition, this is why I took a picture of myself wearing Zanu PF regalia in Zambia and posted it on social media because I wanted to tell a story.
Masarira further asserted that the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD), a dialogue platform consisting of fringe political parties created by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2019, is a ZANU PF pet project.
Masarira, who now leads an opposition party called LEAD, was fired from the MDC-T after she was pictured wearing ZANU PF regalia
Below is the Pretoria embassy’s response on allegations of cyclone donations being stuck since early last year.
People have been saying the goods could be put to good use if sent towards the Binga flood crisis.
One Admore Chamanga complained on the twitter website saying, “We donated lots of food, water, blankets, mealie meal for cyclone Idai last year through the Embassy of Zimbabwe.
“It’s still packed the same way it was at the embassy in Pretoria Marton street yet people are suffering. Cant they give a waiver totakura tega over 30 tonnes of food.”
Responding, Ambassador Hamadziripi told ZimEye:
We managed to send some of the donations to Zimbabwe last year.
“We have been looking for transport for the remainder of the goods. It’s not as if we are deliberately keeping the donation at the Embassy.
“If you are aware of any potential provider of transport, let him or her get in touch with Mrs Sibanda at the Embassy.”
Former War Veterans minister Tshinga Dube has slammed the suspension and silencing of Zanu PF youth leaders who spoke out against graft, adding that the named cartels should prove their innocence and source of wealth.
Zanu PF suspended youth secretary Pupurai Togarepi, his deputy Lewis Matutu and national political commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu after they accused businessmen Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Billy Rautenbach and Tafadzwa Musarara of running cartels that were bleeding the economy.
Speaking to journalists after delivering a public lecture at the Solusi University campus in Bulawayo on Sunday, Dube said he was of the opinion that suspending the youth leaders was not the answer without the named cartel leaders proving their innocence.
“Personally, I was a bit disappointed that there is still some restriction on what people can say. I always have respect for young people who do something about what they think is not right. We should not hinder them from free thought,” Dube said.
“These people, who have been said to be cartels, are there. Let them defend themselves. Let them say we are not cartels. Let them say we have not caused any hardships on the Zimbabwean economy.
“Let them explain that they acquired their wealth the right way. Then those young men, who have accused them, should also come forward and prove their allegations. I think that will be the right way.”
The naming of the cartel leaders by the youth leaders came as no surprise as a number of Zanu PF officials and businesspersons with links to the ruling party have been accused of graft before but there has been little appetite for arrest and prosecution — even during the days of the late former President Robert Mugabe.
Where there have been arrests, issues of factionalism — not new in the ruling party — have come up.
“I am expressing my personal opinion not that of the party which I belong to. The so-called cartels should be given a chance to cleanse themselves and prove they are not as bad as the youths alleged. They must explain the source of their wealth,” Dube thundered.
In fact, this is incorrect. This was not a WFP truck, but one contracted by the Government of Zimbabwe for its own food deficit mitigation programme. WFP is on the ground ready to assist and to ensure necessary food aid reaches those in need.
Statement By Crisis In Zim Coalition|The Constitution Amendment Bill No.2 of 2019 is one of the biggest threats to civil and political rights in Zimbabwe. Single handedly, the Bill seeks to take Zimbabwe back to the legacy of the Lancaster House Constitution:
1. The Constitution is a product of the tireless efforts by citizens to develop and entrench democratic ethos in Zimbabwe as a solution to decades of crisis. In this regard the Constitution represents the views and aspirations of citizens as demonstrated by 94.49% of the voters who voted in favour of the Constitution in 2013.
2. The Bill is a violation of Sections 17, 56 and 80 of the Constitution, which guarantee gender parity at all levels of leadership. The Government of Zimbabwe should be taking a cue from progressive countries such as South Africa, Senegal and Rwanda where a lot of progress is being made towards gender parity. In addition, the Government has not undertaken consultations to evaluate the impact of Proportional Representation (PR) seats in genuinely empowering women and increasing their voice in leadership, policy formulation and the development of the country.
3. Beginning 2023, the Constitution provides that an elected Vice President will takeover in the event that the President vacates office before the end of their tenure. This means that the party from which the president comes from will now have the sole discretion to choose a successor regardless of whether or not they are popular.
4. Beginning 2023, the Constitution provides that the President together with two Vice Presidents will now be elected. The Bill removes this provision by giving the president the power to appoint Vice Presidents. The right of citizens to choose leaders of their choice must be respected and citizens should be accorded the right to self-determination.
5. The Bill seeks to increase the number of appointed Ministers from five (5) to seven (7) thereby increasing the number of Ministers and government expenditure.
6. The Bill returns the Constitution Amendment Bill No.1 of 2017, which was rejected by citizens. It removes the role of citizens in nominating and monitoring the appointments of senior officers of the judiciary and gives the President the power to appoint. Judges and the Prosecutor General will now serve at the mercy of the President. This means that the Judiciary will no longer be independent.
Zimbabwe is at risk of sliding into a defacto one party state where the ruling party has the sole discretion to determine the governance of this country. The gains made through the new Constitution of 2013 risk becoming moot if these amendments sail through.
What You Can DO To STOP Constitution Amendment Bill No.2:
a. Defend The Constitution By Rejecting All Amendments During The Public Consultations By Parliament in Your Area
b. Call your MP NOWand Register Your Disapproval to Amending the Constitution
c. Monitor Parliamentary Processes on the Amendments
FORMER War Veterans minister Tshinga Dube has slammed the suspension and silencing of Zanu PF youth leaders who spoke out against graft, adding that the named cartels should prove their innocence and source of wealth.
Dube said he was of the opinion that suspending the youth leaders was not the answer without the named cartel leaders proving their innocence.
“Personally, I was a bit disappointed that there is still some restriction on what people can say. I always have respect for young people who do something about what they think is not right. We should not hinder them from free thought,” Dube said.
“These people, who have been said to be cartels, are there. Let them defend themselves. Let them say we are not cartels. Let them say we have not caused any hardships on the Zimbabwean economy.
“Let them explain that they acquired their wealth the right way. Then those young men, who have accused them, should also come forward and prove their allegations. I think that will be the right way.”
The naming of the cartel leaders by the youth leaders came as no surprise as a number of Zanu PF officials and businesspersons with links to the ruling party have been accused of graft before but there has been little appetite for arrest and prosecution — even during the days of the late former President Robert Mugabe.
Where there have been arrests, issues of factionalism — not new in the ruling party — have come up.
“I am expressing my personal opinion not that of the party which I belong to. The so-called cartels should be given a chance to cleanse themselves and prove they are not as bad as the youths alleged. They must explain the source of their wealth,” Dube said.
MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe allegedly received funding from Zanu PF to destabilise the MDC Alliance and oil her party activities including the legal battles towards the 2018 general elections, party insiders have revealed.
Former party spokesperson Linda Masarira, said during the time she was at the helm of the party, she got to discover that Zanu PF was funding activities of the MDC-T through Khupe, who had failed to win the leadership battle in the MDC.
Linda Masarira wearing Mnangagwa’s Zanu PF regalia
“We were receiving money from Zanu PF. I don’t know who was the direct contact person who was bringing the money, but we got funding for the party from Zanu PF,” she alleged.
“We were not a real opposition, this is why I took a picture of myself wearing Zanu PF regalia in Zambia and posted it on social media because I wanted to tell a story.”
The MDC led by Nelson Chamisa, has been accusing Zanu PF of funding projects to destabilise the party and even withholding financial resources in what opposition secretary-general Chalton Hwende said was a scotched earth policy by the ruling party.
Masarira was fired by the party for wearing regalia of the ruling Zanu PF party ahead of that of her own party at a time Khupe was leading other opposition entities at the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad).
“I just wanted to show people that we are being forced to fight over nothing. Zanu PF was funding the MDC-T and I asked questions. They did not want the questions I asked. But you can see from the events (Polad) that are happening now, that they were just a project,” Masarira said.
Insiders confirmed that Khupe received money from Zanu PF for campaign material, fuel and legal fees for court cases against Nelson Chamisa’s MDC in a grand scheme to give the ruling party an upperhand in the elections.
The source said there was discontent in the party because the only person who appeared to be benefiting from the liaisons with Zanu PF was Khupe, while other members were getting nothing.
“There is no grassroots activities in the MDC-T all you see is Khupe and inner circle going to Polad receiving allowances and travelling around the country, this has left many who believed in the party unhappy,” a source said.
Another source said then vice-president Obert Gutu left the party because he was being forced to use his money to fund programmes of the MDC-T, while Khupe was getting money from Zanu PF and not declaring it and just using it to fund a lavish lifestyle.
But party secretary-general Nickson Nyikadzino dismissed the allegations by Masarisa saying the party had not received money from Zanu PF.
“We have not received any funding from anyone. We do not wish to receive funding from anyone except ourselves. The only funding that we have received is the 48 000 votes which we got from the people of Zimbabwe and we wish to remain an independent democratic party set up to serve the people of Zimbabwe,” Nyikadzino said.
Zanu PF also dismissed Masarira’s allegations as “utter rubbish”, saying the party had its own challenges as it was struggling to fund its own activities.
“That is utter rubbish. I am the party’s secretary for finance and I can tell you that we have not funded any other party,” Zanu PF secretary for finance Patrick Chinamasa said.
“We are struggling to finance our own party. Where would we get money to pay other people, and we have no appetite to undermine anyone or any party. The MDC is doing a good job undermining themselves. How can a party just have one policy to bring sanctions against the people.”
The MDC has insisted that Polad is a grouping of “Zanu PF lite political parties” and they will therefore not join the dialogue which they allege is not genuine.
Already two opposition leaders Brian Mteki and Ambrose Mutinhiri have rejoined Zanu PF since Polad started and the revelations by Masarira leaves Polad’s reputation hanging.
The government spokesperson Nick Mangwana was early Thursday morning taken to task by news readers over the States promise to go head on against the Corona virus.
Below were snippets of the engagement:
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No Paracetamol In Country And Govt Says We’re Ready To Go Head On With CoronaVirus | TRUTH or TOTAL NONSENSE? https://t.co/kKxgRPksHr v
By A Correspondent| The Information Minister, Monica Mutsangwa says government is ready to deal with the Coronavirus outbreak.
Speaking during the cabinet briefing yesterday, Mrs Mutsvangwa said, “Government wants to assure the nation that it is ready to tackle the Coronavirus scourge head-on, and there is no need for Zimbabweans to panic, as the situation is under control. ”
Own Correspondent|Zimbabwe is now able to test for and diagnose the coronavirus after obtaining the necessary test kits.
Health minister Obadiah Moyo told journalists during a tour of Sally Mugabe Hospital in the capital Harare that the country would be conducting tests at the National Health Laboratory Services housed at the institution.
“The reagents are now in the country. We can now do the tests locally. We do not have to send to South Africa anymore,” Moyo said.
“You can either test it through blood or nasopharyngeal swab. I was happy to hear that they can do quite a lot of samples in a short space of time.”
Moyo said one of the machines could produce up to 96 results within two hours, adding: “We want to move further. We are sourcing for test kits that will enable us to get results within 15 minutes.”
Zimbabwe initially relied on neighbouring South Africa to diagnose suspected cases of the coronavirus, now known as the Covid-19, which emanated from China, as its laboratories were not equipped to do so.
China’s ambassador to South Africa, Lin Songtian, was due to address journalists in Cape Town on ongoing efforts to stop the deadly disease from being imported into Africa, the mission said.
Chinese news agency Xinhua reported that 4,740 patients infected with the virus had now recovered and been discharged from hospital.
At least 744 people were discharged on Tuesday, including 417 in Hubei province, where the disease originated.
Data on Tuesday showed 1 113 people had so far died of the disease, while confirmed cases of infection had soared to 44,138.
Express|DONALD TRUMP’s health may not be as good as his official medics say, an expert has claimed.
Chris Cilliza, CNN Editor, has reportedly made an analysis of the US President’s medics and doesn’t believe they may be completely honest every time. Each year Trump undergoes a check-up, the details of which are normally released depending on the result. Back in 2018, Dr Sanjay Gupta said Trump was at a moderate risk of a heart attack within the next five years.
It was also suggested Trump carried out more exercise.
But Mr Cilliza is unsure if the facts marry up.
He wrote: “While White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said the trip was simply Trump getting a jump on his annual physical, he did not have that physical done in phases or over multiple days in the past two years.
“So, there’s reason -lots of it! – to wonder.
“Especially when you consider that Trump has shown little hesitation to doctor, um, doctor’s reports in the past.”
He added: “Given the fact that Trump has made more than 13,000 false or misleading claims since taking office, according to The Washington Post’s Fact Checker – there is every reason to suspect the original story the White House is telling doesn’t paint the full picture.”
It comes after Trump’s physician gave a surprise update on the health of the US President after he was taken to hospital in November.
He was reportedly “rushed” to hospital after being spotted with a full escort of Secret Service officials.
The unscheduled medical tests sparked fears and concerns among the public.
However, it was initially played down by his White House colleagues.
They insisted that Trump was having his annual checkup at the Walter Medical Centre.
In a statement shared on Twitter, the physician said that they “will continue to monitor the President’s health, planning a more comprehensive examination after the New Year”.
The physician explained that the examination was part of a “routine, planned interim checkup” which was part of the “regular, primary preventative care he receives throughout the year”.
The trip was “kept off the record due to scheduling uncertainties”, the expert continued.
They said: “After a little more than an hour of examination, labs and discussions, the President took a brief tour of the hospital to visit with some of the medical staff as well as speak with the family of a solider undergoing surgery, after which he returned home to the White House.
“Despite some of the speculation, the President has not had any chest pain, nor was he evaluated or treated for any urgent or acute issues.
“Specially, he did not undergo any specialised cardiac or neurologic evaluations.”
The doctor added: “Primary preventative medical care is something that occurs continuously throughout the year, it is not just a single annual event.”
Own Correspondent|The World Health Organization says the official name for the disease caused by the new coronavirus is Covid-19.
“We now have a name for the disease and it’s Covid-19,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in Geneva.
It comes after the death toll from the virus passed 1,000. Tens of thousands of people have been infected.
Dr Ghebreyesus called on the world to fight the new virus as aggressively as possible.
The word coronavirus refers to the group of viruses it belongs to, rather than the latest strain.
The virus itself has been designated SARS-CoV-2 by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses.
Researchers have been calling for an official name to avoid confusion and stigmatisation of any group or country.
“We had to find a name that did not refer to a geographical location, an animal, an individual or group of people, and which is also pronounceable and related to the disease,” the WHO chief said.
“Having a name matters to prevent the use of other names that can be inaccurate or stigmatising. It also gives us a standard format to use for any future coronavirus outbreaks.”
The new name is taken from the words “corona”, “virus” and “disease”, with 2019 representing the year that it emerged (the outbreak was reported to the WHO on 31 December).
There are now more than 42,200 confirmed cases across China. The number of deaths has overtaken that of the Sars epidemic in 2002-2003.
On Monday, some 103 people died in Hubei province alone, a daily record, and the national death toll is now 1,016.
But the number of new infections nationally was down almost 20% from the day before, from 3,062 to 2,478.
Seven police officers are set to lose their jobs following their arrest on Tuesday after they were caught red-handed by their superiors receiving a bribe at a roadblock in Marondera.
The seven were busted by Deputy Commissioner-Generals Stephen Mutamba and Elliot Ngirande, Commissioner Isaac Tayengwa and Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, who is also the national police spokesperson, who were travelling in an unmarked car to Odzi.
Nyathi revealed the incident while addressing a Zimbabwe Union of Journalists community reporting workshop in Harare on Wednesday. He said:
It was around 9 am when we observed the female police officer being given money by a conductor of a commuter omnibus which had no proper documentation.
We had no option, but to arrest her and recovered $18 in her hands. We also searched her handbag and found another $200 which was undeclared. We later arrested seven members and they are losing their jobs.
Police officers manning roadblocks have become so corrupt that commuter omnibus conductors feel they are under an obligation to pay them bribes.
KWEKWE Central MP Masango Matambanadzo popularly known as Blackman said he was flown to China last year for treatment after his skin turned yellow when he fell ill following suspected food poisoning.
Mr Matambanadzo is a former artisanal miner and self-trained street photographer, and is often seen on the streets meeting and chatting with his former peers in those trades.
Speaking in Parliament Tuesday, Matambanadzo looked frail as he thanked fellow parliamentarians for their moral support while he was recuperating in China.
“My body changed into yellow in one day when I fell sick,” Matambanadzo who is extremely dark that his colleagues nicknamed him “Blackman,” said.
“I want to thank you for your support and prayers. I did not imagine the kind of support that I received.”
Matambanadzo, a former Zanu PF member was expelled from the ruling party Zanu PF in 2017 on charges of belonging to the G40 faction.
In 2018, he went on to stand as parliamentarian candidate for the National Patriotic Front (NPF) for Kwekwe Central and won.
A 43-Year-OLD Bulawayo man was yesterday sentenced to 30 years in prison for carjacking and kidnapping.
Mussa Denge of Magwegwe suburb was arrested in Chivhu and a police officer was accidentally fatally shot during the process to apprehend him.
Denge targeted people selling cars via social media platform Facebook. He would send them messages masquerading as a prospective buyer and then lure them to secluded places under the guise of a test drive.
Denge was convicted on his own plea to three counts of robbery by regional magistrate Mr Mafios Moyo.
He was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment but will serve an effective 18 years in prison after 12 years of the sentence were suspended on condition he is not convicted of a similar offence in the next five years.
Passing sentence Mr Moyo said what was aggravating was that Denge kidnapped two of his victims.
He however said what was in Denge’s favour was that he pleaded guilty and therefore did not waste the court’s time.
Prosecuting, Mr Simbarashe Manyiwa said Denge robbed Mr Nqobizitha Mpofu, Ms Caroline Ndlovu, who is a former Chronicle employee and Ms Sacher Thomas of their vehicles between April 2019 and February 2020.
In the first count, Denge robbed Mr Mpofu of his Mercedes Benz C200 sometime in April 2019. He dumped him at Khumalo aerodrome.
“Sometime in February 2019, complainant advertised his silver Mercedes Benz for sale by inscribing his numbers on it. On the 29th of April 2019, the accused person responded by phoning the complainant purporting to be a miner from Inyathi and the two agreed to meet in the city. They then met along Five Street outside Parkade Centre and the accused person requested to have a test drive. While driving near Khumalo aerodrome, the accused person opened the bonnet and asked the complainant to close it. He then tried to drive away but the complainant clung onto the passenger door and they wrestled until the complainant gave in,” said the prosecutor.
In the second count, Mr Manyiwa said sometime in August 2019, Denge dumped Ms Ndlovu in a bushy area along Old Victoria Falls Road near the United College of Education and drove off with her Honda Fit vehicle. He also robbed her of her cellphone.
In the third count, Denge robbed Ms Thomas of her blue Toyota Wish, cellphone, US$400 and R500.
He kidnapped her and dumped her at the same area where he dumped Ms Ndlovu.
MDC Alliance president Mr Nelson Chamisa on Tuesday threw former Bulawayo deputy mayor, Mr Gift Banda under the bus when he declared that his party will investigate circumstances leading to him acquiring a 3,5-hectare piece of land at Ascot race course.
The former deputy mayor who is now the MDC Alliance Member of Parliament for Njube-Lobengula constituency, bought the piece of land in 2015 and was cleared of any wrong doing by an independent tribunal. He has since built town houses on the land.
Responding to questions from journalists on Tuesday, Adv Chamisa while professing ignorance on the purchase, said he was shocked that Mr Banda was allowed to go ahead as this was against the principles of the opposition party.
He revealed that they will investigate the circumstances leading to the purchase.
The latest sentiments by Adv Chamisa come at a time when Mr Banda is out on bail in a case where he is accused of conniving with a local real estate company to forge signatures to sell a residential stand in Selbourne Brooke in Bulawayo.
“Going forward, within the party, certain elements have to be subjected to interrogation and enquiries so that we maintain the highest of standards, so there will be no sacred cows. Now that I am aware that is what the former deputy mayor did, we shall get to the bottom of it.
“Actually, all local authorities are going to be subjected to this integrity and accountability tests. We now have hotlines where if our councillors or mayors have crossed the line, we won’t hesitate to throw them out,” Adv Chamisa.
He blasted councillors from his party for focusing on self-enrichment, forgetting their mandate of serving the communities that elected them.
“I have told our councillors that their duty is to become centres of excellence and sources of a difference in our politics. Most of the councillors from our party now think MDC is an employment agency where people are employed in local authorities or Parliament
“Integrity is what we demand hence the Banda issue has to be investigated. I am honestly shocked that part of the race course was sold to an individual, it’s bizarre, we want to understand the circumstances, especially when you are saying it was the former deputy mayor, perhaps it was a legal transaction but there is a clear conflict of interest,” he said.
Mr Chamisa said there were rules that will help deal with the former deputy mayor.
“In the MDC we have implemented a new rule where we are saying all our leaders must sign the real change code of ethics and values, where we saying one is not allowed to benefit from positions. I know in Africa we have a saying that says a goat eats where it is tied, but the same goat is slaughtered at that same position, which is how we will be dealing with such people because it is a bad tendency,” he said.
Adv Chamisa said in some cases there was a significant change in the life styles of MDC-A councillors and MPs. “That is not proper because the essence of representation is not self-improvement but improve the communities that you represent,” said Adv Chamisa.
By A Correspondent| The Information Minister, Monica Mutsangwa says government is ready to deal with the Coronavirus outbreak.
Speaking during the cabinet briefing yesterday, Mrs Mutsvangwa said, “Government wants to assure the nation that it is ready to tackle the Coronavirus scourge head-on, and there is no need for Zimbabweans to panic, as the situation is under control. ”
RAUNCHY dancer Beverly “Bev” Sibanda, who recently got married, is certainly not leaving her trade for anything as she has lined up a series of shows in Bulawayo and Victoria Falls where she has vowed to showcase extra erotic moves.
After her marriage to United Kingdom-based Chambuka Mufudzi at the Harare Magistrates’ Court last month, some thought Bev would quit her dancing job to focus on her marriage, but with this latest line-up of shows, it is clear she is not slowing down.
Bev, who is popular for her suggestive dance moves, is expected to perform at Comfort Pub and Grill in Victoria Falls tomorrow followed by a performance at Zansibar in Bulawayo on February 29. For the Bulawayo show, she will be accompanied by her Sexy Angels crew and will share the stage with Afro Queens.
Through her manager Hapaguti “Harpaz” Mapimhidze, Bev said she will not leave her trade for anything and will instead, be adding more flavour to her routines.
“After marriage, I’m back in the game and with a bang. I’ll not be changing my dances because I’m married, but I’ll be rolling out more explicit dances,” said Bev.
Harpaz also supported Bev saying: “We’re continuing with her shows. This (dancing) is what she does and that’s her job. Just because someone is now married doesn’t mean they’ll stop going to work. That’s where we are with Bev’s career, it’s moving forward”.
After images from her marriage surfaced, some were convinced that Bev was pregnant as her stomach had a bulge. She however, dismissed the pregnancy rumours, saying she has gained weight.
“I’m not pregnant at all. It’s only that I’ve gained weight so these rumours should be dismissed,” she said.
Harpaz said the pregnancy rumour would be dismissed when people see Bev live in action.
“When we come to Bulawayo at the end of February, people will see whether Bev is pregnant. They’ll also see that she’s still the real deal in terms of dancing,” he said.
Since Bev always has a busy schedule, Haparz said she and her supportive husband would be shuttling between Zimbabwe and the UK, visiting each other from time to time.
JUNIOR Parliamentarians have petitioned the Government to consider reducing the examination fees which were hiked by more than 1 200 percent by the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) last week.
In an interview yesterday, Junior Member of Parliament who is also the Junior Minister of Youth, Sport Arts and Recreation Tinashe Ngirandi said Zimsec should have consulted widely on the issue.
“Yesterday (Tuesday) as the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe, we petitioned the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to reduce examination fees that were set by Zimsec because they are unreasonable and beyond the reach of many. The new structure of exam fees is an infringement on the Zimbabweans’ right to education,” said Ngirandi.
He said the new examination fees will result in many pupils failing to sit for examinations.
“Last year I was in Shurugwi where I saw many pupils struggling to pay for five subjects when the fees were at $15. Imagine what would be the situation now that the fees have been increased by such margins.
“More children won’t sit for the examinations. How can they afford to pay that kind of money when they are struggling to pay school fees of $130 per term,” he said.
The Junior MP said Zimsec should have consulted children’s organizations before increasing the examination fees.
“As the Junior Parliament these are the issues that were supposed to be brought to us for discussion before Zimsec increased the fees,” said Ngirandi.
In their petition the Junior MPs said they were against the new fees and called on the Ministry to intervene.
“Junior Parliament and Council is not supporting these fees and we are therefore asking the Ministry to review them considering section 81 subsection (1) paragraph (f) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. Looking towards a favourable response before the end of the week,” read the petition.
Last week Zimsec increased examination fees to $190 per subject from $15 for Ordinary Level candidates and $351 per subject from $26 for Advanced Level candidates.
The $190 per subject for O’ Level will apply to both public and private candidates and the same applies to A’ Level fees.
Closing dates for payments and submission of entries for June examinations is February 28 while the closing date for November is March 27.
Late entries will close on May 15.
Meanwhile, Zimsec Board Chairman, Professor Eddie Mwenje defended the new development saying it was cost driven and they approved it after getting the necessary justification from the examination board’s management.
“Yes, the examination fees were reviewed. This comes after we did not review them last year. It is an expense to run an examination and we are cognisant of the fact that children should have a right to education,” he said.
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Cain Mathema could not comment saying he was yet to receive the petition from Junior MPs.
“I have not yet received the the petition you are talking about,” he said.
GOVERNMENT has approved the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) 2020 budget which has seen the local authority increasing tariffs and other service charges by more than 400 percent with effect from February 1.
In a statement yesterday, the council said Government had approved its $2,8 billion budget.
“The City of Bulawayo would like to advise members of the public and other stakeholders that the 2020 municipal budget has been approved together with increased tariffs and other service charges (approved 31 January 2020). The new approved charges are effective from 1 February 2020,” reads the statement.
Council encouraged residents to come up with new payment plans before the end of next month.
“Customers who made payment arrangements with the City of Bulawayo are encouraged to visit the nearest Revenue Office to update their debt payment arrangement to incorporate the new charges and continue enjoying benefits that go with such arrangements. The opportunity to review your payments arrangements is available up to 31 March 2020,” said council.
In an interview, the city’s Finance and Development Committee chairperson councillor Mlandu Ncube said the approved budget will see rates going up by 416 percent.
“Yes, the budget has been approved and tariffs will go up by 416 percent as was proposed by council,” said Clr Ncube.
He said council was encouraging owing residents to take advantage of its payment plan scheme.
Council is owed $183 million by both residents and businesses.
Residents on payment plans are spared when council disconnects water supplies to defaulting ratepayers.
In a media briefing on Tuesday, Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube said it was important for ratepayers to pay their bills to enable council to effectively provide services.
Mr Dube said council had resolved to stick to its 2020 budget.
“I don’t see any reason why we should review our budget downwards as proposed by some residents. In fact, if you look at the costs build- ups and the inflation now, costs are going up,” said Mr Dube.
A man from Binga inspects what is left of his homestead after heavy rains
State Media|Heavy rains have caused extensive damage to infrastructure in Binga and Chimanimani where they destroyed 181 homes and swept away two bridges.
They have also severely damaged roads and homes, rendering the areas inaccessible.
A man died in Binga on Tuesday while two more are reportedly missing.
A detour bridge in the Biriiri area of Chimanimani was swept away on Tuesday, leaving Bumba, Biriiri and Chimanimani inaccessible.
Engineers and workmen from JR Goddard swiftly repaired the damaged detour bridge at Biriiri and got it back into operation by yesterday afternoon.
The damage to the bridge threatened the work of aid agencies who are still providing relief services in Chimanimani after Cyclone Idai hit the district last March.
The rains have also slowed down road repairs.
Department of Civil Protection director Mr Nathan Nkomo yesterday confirmed the damage.
In Binga, most pupils failed to attend Nsungwale Primary School this week after Nandobe Bridge was swept away.
Yesterday, only 40 out of 286 registered pupils were able to attend Nsungwale Primary School.
Said Mr Nkomo: “Forecasts from the Meteorological Services Department indicate that more incessant rains were expected up to today (yesterday) and our prayers are that they will subside to normal falls from there onwards.
“Some parts of Chimanimani, which are still recovering from the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai, have so far received more than 50 millimetres of rain and if this continues, many households will be affected.”
The Skyline area, which was badly damaged by Cyclone Idai, has not been affected by the current heavy rains, and workmen from Masimba Construction were yesterday carrying out repairs to Chimanimani Village.
In Binga, Mr Nkomo said the Rapid Assessment Team yesterday visited all the 13 affected villages and confirmed that 181 homes had been affected.
“Of the 181 homes, 37 of them were completely destroyed. Our relief and psycho-support sub-committee has availed 110 bags of maize and we have instructed them to assist in the milling. We will meet all the costs.
“The district civil protection unit is in the process of identifying a suitable place to temporarily settle the affected families.
“One of the identified areas, which is about 3km to 5km from the affected area, is a virgin piece of land with no water.
“We need an area where there is easy access to water and sanitation facilities so that we will not expose the affected families to water-borne diseases. Our health sub-committee is also on high alert given the prevailing situation,” he said.
Mr Nkomo said the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) had provided two water bowsers for the benefit of the families.
“As Government, we will also send money for use in coordinating the relief efforts in all affected areas. We have sourced two bales of blankets, 11 bales of clothes, boxes of laundry soap, shoes and tents to assist the families.
“We are also grateful for the support we are getting from development partners and we hope more will come on board to avail food and non-food items to the families,” he said.
Mr Nkomo said there will be a meeting today with other stakeholders, including the Air Force of Zimbabwe, to scale up disaster preparedness.
Chief Sinakoma said the floods, which were preceded by heavy rains between Saturday and Monday morning, had never been experienced in the area before.
He said villagers lost grain, livestock, blankets, clothes, medication and cooking utensils after they were washed away by floods.
“This has never happened in my lifetime and it’s sad that we have people who lost their property and other belongings due to floods. Most villagers will not recover after this devastating natural phenomenon,” he said.
Chininga Bridge linking Siabuwa and Binga Centre has been extensively damaged and could cut off the community if not attended to.
There were fears that three children had been swept away by the floods when CPU held its morning briefing yesterday.
The community was relieved when the mother Ms Ndubeko Muzamba (24) emerged with her children.
“I grabbed my three children aged 3, 5 and 13 and rushed to a place of safety when I discovered that the water levels were rising. The water levels had reached knee level when we sought shelter at a nearby homestead which is on higher ground,” she said.
Maneta 3 Village head Mr Petros Kembo (64) said he lost 10 goats, 40 chickens and five bags of maize after they were swept away by the floods.
Ms Janet Munsaka said all her kitchen utensils were swept away.
Acting Binga District Development Coordinator Mr Farai Marinyame said the water levels had subsided, but they will continue to monitor the situation.
He said food aid was needed to avert starvation.
Mr Marinyame said key stakeholders were mobilising resources to assist the affected families.
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister Richard Moyo is today expected to visit the affected communities where he would also distribute food and non-food items to affected families.
Early this week, the Meteorological Services Department forecast heavy rains in some parts of the country, but these were expected to subside from yesterday.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira
State Media|Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira has defended State university fees of between $3 500 and $5 000 per semester, saying they were meant to uphold quality education.
This was after he was subjected to a barrage of questions in the National Assembly yesterday where members sought to know whether the Government had considered what ordinary workers were earning.
Legislators told Prof Murwira during the question and answer session that ordinary workers were earning $800.
Pegging State university fees at $5 000, they said, had the effect of excluding most of them as the majority of parents could hardly afford the new fees.
But Prof Murwira defended Government’s decision, saying the fees were reasonable and meant to uphold quality education that Zimbabwe was known for.
He said State universities intended to hike the fees by more than double what was now set, prompting central Government to intervene and moderate their demands.
“We determined the level of fees based on people’s income, and we followed procedures. We are saying we have to access quality education. Our last ordinance of 2019 was in United States dollars. This is the first time that we are putting ordinances in Zimbabwean dollar. We are talking of levels of fees and not increases. We just determined the fundamentals of quality education,” said Prof Murwira.
“We cannot have a class without chemicals and equipment. That can only be a populist policy to destroy the education system. The state of the economy of the country is determined by the state of its higher education.
“We cannot politick with higher and tertiary education. If we politick with it, we are politicking with our future.”
He said Government had introduced student loans to cater for those who could not afford the fees.
Legislators were however, not convinced by Prof Murwira’s explanation as they felt the fees were out of sync with what ordinary persons were earning.
Buhera South legislator Joseph Chinotimba (Zanu PF) said workers were earning far less than the fees and asked how they were expected to afford.
Others said Government had recently gazette wages for domestic worked pegged at less than $200 and the fees would mean that they would not be able to send their children to tertiary institutions.
Pane vana 5 vakukurwa nemvura makuseni vachiedza kuyambuka rwizi kuti vaende kuchikoro kwa Musvovi ku Nyajena kutaura kudai vana ava vatorwa nemapurisa vatsakatika vakaendeswa Ku Renco Vabereki ngatichengetei vana nguva yekunaya kwemvura kudai Tiperekedze vana vedu kuchikoro Zvinorwadza kurasikirwa neupenyu hwevana Send this message to all groups Tichengetedze vana vedu Zvirinani kuti varovhe pakuti vayambuke nzizi dzine mvura Zvichizoisa vana vedu panjonzi Ndinotenda mhuri ye Zimbabwe we should take care of our children Ndatenda?????
State Media|Coupons will be issued within a week to targeted households to buy subsidised roller meal, with the database of beneficiaries at an advanced stage, a Cabinet minister has said.
The coupon system for roller meal is expected to ensure that the vulnerable people whom subsidies were supposed to benefit will access the subsidised maize-meal without problems.
The existing system of subsidies paid to millers on all roller meal produced has seen the bulk of the product diverted to the black market by people willing to stand in queues all day or by unscrupulous smaller retailers.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, who recommended the switch to coupons in Cabinet yesterday, adjusted the price of subsidised roller meal on Tuesday to $70 from $50 to discourage retailers and connected sections of society from diverting the roller meal to the black market where it fetches between $120 and $200 for a 10kg bag.
The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) had submitted that $50 was no longer sustainable for a 10kg bag of maize-meal because of the high cost of importing maize and the attendant transport costs.
Addressing journalists after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the decision to introduce the coupon system followed recommendations by Prof Ncube in his briefing to Cabinet in the last meeting on the action taken to normalise roller meal supplies.
Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet had noted that the previous $50 price for a 10kg bag of roller meal provided arbitrage opportunities for some unscrupulous people.
“Government has thus moved in to redress the situation using a two-pronged approach,” she said.
“Firstly, it was decided that the price be raised to $70 per 10kg bag of maize-meal from $50. Secondly, a targeted coupon scheme for the
vulnerable is in the offing with the compilation of a database at an advanced stage.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said the coupon system was not new and was practised in other jurisdictions across the world.
She said when the roller meal subsidy was introduced in December last year after President Mnangagwa expressed concern over the then prevailing high prices.
It was meant to protect vulnerable groups.
“However, the wide gap between the market and subsidised prices has created undesirable arbitrage opportunities for some unscrupulous players, resulting in the market and supply distortions,” she said.
“In view of this situation, the Government had no choice but to review the prices upwards to bring the subsidised price to the market price of $70.”
She said the Government remained mindful of the concerns of the citizens hence keeping the increase at $20.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the ministries of Finance and Economic Development and Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare were setting up a database of vulnerable groups of people qualifying for the coupon system.
Deliveries of roller meal would be taken to the districts for people to buy the product at the subsidised price.
“In terms of knowing who are vulnerable, we have the data; it is a question of going through all the districts and get the names of all the vulnerable. This is what Government is doing at the moment,” she said.
The excitement caused by the press Statements issued by the former youth league leaders is short lived and a none event. The behaviour of the youth was not only disgusting but indeed depressing and flabbergasting.
Surprisingly the enemies of ZANU PF started to peddle the narrative that ZANU PF is defending the corrupt. This narrative has been the figment of the detractor’s imagination which is total mischief and seriously hitting below the belt.
While we can not turn a blind eye to corruption we must be civilised enough to fight corruption in a human way. Pointing fingers without evidence blinds each other. Eye for an eye makes the world blind.
The behaviour of the youth exposes the weakness in the party hierarchy. These Youths were clearly being supported by top officials whose positions are so easy to point out. The problem with the actions taken by the youth is not the action they took but the way they acted. Tsenengamu and Matutu exhibited the most unreasonable lunacy ever exhibited on earth. They dwelt in the self praise mode and covers themselves with a false hope that they are indispensable.
Their crime was to misrepresent the revolutionary party which they did. Their behaviour was meant to cause distrust in people and make the people believe that there is confined corruption in ZANU PF. The foolishness of the youth was to present the authority as corrupt and defenders of corruption. The actions of the youth was foolhardiness and resembled a fire powered by newspapers. A fired filed by bond paper it burns not for long. It should mentioned that the behaviour of these misguided youth was tantamount to espionage. There is no difference between the behaviour of the opposition and that of the under fire self confident youths.
On the contrary the President PF Zimbabwe has risen above all and started fighting corruption in a way never experienced in Zimbabwe.
Mnangagwa started his new dispensation by setting up Anti Corruption institutions to fight the graft. A special department dealing with corruption led by big boy Thabani Mpofu was set and put directly under the president’s nose. A special court was set to Expedia ye the corruption cases. Mnangagwa has taken the fight against corruption as his own fight. Fight against corruption has huge significance in ensuring state security. Corruption endangers unimpeded functioning of public sector, weakens the public trust towards state institutions, and hinders democratic and stable development of the country.
Corrupted public servants represent potential targets of foreign special services and criminal groups. Hence, fight against corruption is the concern of state security. One of the main priorities of the Anticorruption unit is to prevent, detect and suppress malfeasance, conflict of interests in public service and corruption facts.
Zimbabwean government is actively involved in activities of the Working Group established in relation to national money laundering and terrorist financing risk assessment process in the frame of the Strategy on Fight Against Money-Laundering and Financing of Terrorism. Taking into consideration the modern anti-corruption standards and approaches, international best practices on fighting against corruption in public service are shared.
The fight against corruption must not be done in a confused manner introduced by Tsenengamu and Matutu. Corruption is complicated in itself and it needs technical way of fighting it. The warped thoughts that one can name and shame without evidence is not only barbaric but clearly insanity. Corruption is not fought by disorganised stubbornness and total idiocy.
Tsenengamu and Matutu were overtaken by pride and thus led themselves very fast in the dustbin of politics. These kids did not realise that the glory they seem to get from the opposition was just a shadow in the night.
If you see your enemy cheering you must quickly know that you are approaching disaster. Of the most disappointing of all are the senior party cadres who cheered the insanity together with the enemy. Going public with no evidence is a recipe for disaster.
Zimbabwe considers corruption a major challenge to its twin goals of ending extreme poverty by 2030 and boosting shared prosperity for the poor. In addition, reducing corruption is at the heart of the Nation. It must be mentioned that corruption has a disproportionate impact on the poor and most vulnerable, increasing costs and reducing access to services, including health, education and justice. Think, for example, of the effect of counterfeit drugs or vaccinations on the health outcomes of children and the life-long impacts that may have on them. Empirical studies have shown that the poor pay the highest percentage of their income in bribes. The president of Zimbabwe knows that every stolen dollar, robs the poor of an equal opportunity in life and prevents governments from investing in their human capital. So to this end no reasonable state will promote corruption.
Corruption erodes trust in government and undermines the social contract. This is cause for concern across the globe, but particularly in contexts of fragility and violence, as corruption fuels and perpetuates the inequalities and discontent that lead to fragility, violent extremism, and conflict. Corruption impedes investment, with consequent effects on growth and jobs. Zimbabwe is capable of confronting corruption and use its human and financial resources more efficiently, in order to attract more investment, and grow more rapidly. Growth is all we want as a nation and we do not need two corrupt youths former leaders to ignite the corruption fight. ZANU PF recognizes that corruption comes in different forms. BUT it is never fought to the gallery. Corruption impacts service delivery, such as when officers ask for bribes to perform routine services.
Corruption might unfairly determine the winners of government contracts, with awards favoring friends or relatives of government officials. Or it might affect more fundamental issues of capture, such as how institutions work and who controls them, a form of corruption that is often the costliest in terms of overall economic impact. Each type of corruption is important and tackling all of them is critical to achieving progress and sustainable change. Corruption is never fought by gossip. It is never dealt with in a press statement.
Successful anti-corruption efforts are often led by a ‘coalition of concerned’ – politicians and senior government officials, the private sector, and by citizens, communities, and civil society organizations. Increasingly, successfully addressing corruption will require the concerted attention of both governments and businesses, as well as the use of the latest advanced technologies to capture, analyze, and share data to prevent, detect, and deter corrupt behavior. Corruption is not fought by instant heroes or attention seeking idiots.
Zimbabwe has been leveraging innovative technologies to strengthen public sector performance and productivity, confront corruption and to help foster greater trust and accountability, particularly in more fragile and economic environments. What disgusts most is the portrayal of the party as a corrupt one.
Much of the costliest forms of corruption could not happen without institutions in wealthy people: the private sector firms that give large bribes, the financial institutions that accept corrupt proceeds, and the lawyers and accountants who facilitate corrupt transactions and the youth who shouts wolf in the face of shadows. It is true that money is moving from poor to wealthy individuals in ways that fundamentally undermine development.But this can not be dealt with by naming without evidence. Matutu and Tsenengamu are the ones thrusting spears in our children’s future. By declaring that the nation is under cartels without evidence to that scares away any investor. The behaviour was irresponsible and indeed inhuman.
What Tsenengamu and Matutu did surpasses all what Chamisa and MDC did in destroying the nation.
Corruption is a national problem that requires national solutions. ZANU PF has been working to mitigate the pernicious effects of corruption in the country To reaffirm the party’s leadership, President Mnangagwa led the nation by committing a range of steps to confront corruption.
ZANU PF has built capable, transparent, and accountable institutions and design and implement anticorruption programs relying on the latest discourse and innovations. All what Matutu and Tsenengamu had to do was utilise the systems set. Their insubordination was smelling to the heart. Their fight Should have been revolving around sustainability and changing outcomes by helping both state and non-state actors establish the competencies needed to implement policies and practices that improve results and strengthen public integrity.
Additionally, the Youth is supposed to work with the public and private sectors as well as civil society to support efforts to prevent corruption, improve remedies to address wrongdoing when it occurs as well as work towards improving behaviors, norms, and standards needed to sustain anti-corruption efforts. This will never be achieved by naming without shame.
Tsenengamu wondered on the side of error by using his mouth without brains. This became his downfall and indeed he fell. One wonders wether he is fighting for his pocket as we all know that he is very commercial. ZANU PF is a party of order and all things must be done in great order.
The High Court has dismissed an application filed by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife Marry Mubaiwa in which she was seeking to have access to her children and matrimonial home pending the hearing of an appeal filed at the Supreme Court.
VP Chiwenga recently challenged High Court Judge Justice Christopher Dube Banda’s ruling that gave Mubaiwa the green light to reside at the Borrowdale mansion and have access to the couple’s children and properties pending trials of the numerous charges she is facing.
The charges are attempted murder, fraud, assault and money laundering.
However, the Supreme Court appeal is expected to be heard next month. High Court judge, Justice Judith Mushore handed down the ruling today on behalf of Justice Owen Tagu indicating that her arguments lacked weight.
“The application for leave to execute pending appeal is hereby dismissed. The order (Banda’s) will not be operational until the case is heard.
The applicant is also ordered to pay the cost of the suit,” said the judge.
Last week, High Court upheld the appeal made by Vice President Chiwenga for variation of her bail, particularly that she lives in a different house from the Vice President and that she surrenders her diplomatic passport. -State media
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira has defended State university fees of between $3 500 and $5 000 per semester, saying they were meant to uphold quality education.
This was after he was subjected to a barrage of questions in the National Assembly yesterday where members sought to know whether the Government had considered what ordinary workers were earning.
Legislators told Prof Murwira during the question and answer session that ordinary workers were earning $800.
Pegging State university fees at $5 000, they said, had the effect of excluding most of them as the majority of parents could hardly afford the new fees.
But Prof Murwira defended Government’s decision, saying the fees were reasonable and meant to uphold quality education that Zimbabwe was known for.
He said State universities intended to hike the fees by more than double what was now set, prompting central Government to intervene and moderate their demands.
“We determined the level of fees based on people’s income, and we followed procedures. We are saying we have to access quality education.
Our last ordinance of 2019 was in United States dollars. This is the first time that we are putting ordinances in Zimbabwean dollar. We are talking of levels of fees and not increases. We just determined the fundamentals of quality education,” said Prof Murwira.
“We cannot have a class without chemicals and equipment. That can only be a populist policy to destroy the education system. The state of the economy of the country is determined by the state of its higher education.
“We cannot politick with higher and tertiary education. If we politick with it, we are politicking with our future.”
He said Government had introduced student loans to cater for those who could not afford the fees.-State media
Zanu PF has no policy providing for the naming and shaming of businesspeople perceived to be corrupt, the party’s Acting Secretary for Administration, Patrick Chinamasa, has said.
He was commenting on the removal of Pupurai Togarepi, Lewis Matutu and Godfrey Tsenengamu from their Youth League positions after they accused three prominent businessmen of corruption without giving incontrovertible evidence.
In an interview yesterday, Chinamasa said where any citizen had evidence of corruption against any person, the correct procedure was to report to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), the police or the Prosecutor-General so that the allegations could be investigated.
Zanu PF cadres, especially those in leadership positions, could never be said to speak in public in their individual or personal capacities.
“Naming and shaming that targets perceived successful businesspeople, be they black or white, breeds fertile ground for extortionist, rent-seeking behaviour and will have one outcome, that is hounding such people out of the country into exile which will not help this economy whose growth must be driven by local businesspeople.
“It is on the back of the local businesspeople that foreign investors will invest in Zimbabwe and will feel that Zimbabwe is open for business. What this country needs for its economic success is entrepreneurship and the likes of Strive Masiyiwa.
“If we can help to grow 10 or so Strive Masiyiwas in each of our 10 provinces, we would be on the road to meeting our President’s target of becoming an upper middle income country by 2030. The growth must be driven by local businesspeople.”
“If such leaders hold any personal views on politics and public affairs and such personal views differ from the party’s position and policies, they can only express such contrary views at their homes.
Otherwise they are not justified to complain where consequences follow their actions,” said Chinamasa.-State media
Farai Dziva|The MDC Youth Assembly has said cornered Zanu PF Emmerson Mnangagwa must concentrate on reviving the comatose economy instead of trying to change the Constitution.
See statement below :
The move by Emmerson Mnangagwa to repeal a constitutional provision on running mates is a clear indication that the panic stricken ZANU PF leader intends to insulate his position from the ambitious Constantine Chiwenga to make sure he never succeeds him.
It is very regrettable that ZANU PF is abusing its majority in parliament to tear apart and patch up our only home made constitution which was born out of rigorous consultation with masses under trees, in hill tops and community halls.
The repeal is a clear factional battle and unfortunately it does not help to solve the current political and economic crises in the country.
We as MDC youths condemn changes that do not deal with food shortages, unemployment and school fees hikes.
As citizens we had enough of this ZANU PF factional nonsense at the expense of national interests!
Tampering with the constitution -to pursue a petty parochial agendas is certainly going to be resisted with equal force.
Hands off our constitution
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
By Nomusa Garikai| “Chiredzi South legislator Kalisto Gwanetsa last week called a meeting with all school heads in his constituency after it recorded poor results during the 2019 Grade 7, Ordinary Level and Advance Level Zimsec examinations” reported Newsday.
“Most of the schools performed dismally with some posting a 0% pass rate while others got 2% or 3%.”
“I have called this meeting because I am not happy with last year’s results. I know things are difficult economically, but our results are pathetic. We have room to improve. We should be seen putting more effort to improve our pass rate,” said the Zanu PF MP Brigadier-General Kalisto Gwanetsa (Retired).
This is just political posturing from one with no clue what is going on much less how to fix it!
Zimbabwe’s economic meltdown, the root cause of the total collapse of the education service, is a result of 40 years of Zanu PF gross mismanagement, rampant corruption and rank lawless that have earned Zimbabwe the status of pariah state. No one likes to do business in a pariah state given all the chaos, the shortages, risks and headaches one has to face. And as long as Zimbabwe remains a pariah state ruled by corrupt, incompetent, vote rigging and murderous thugs there will be no meaningful economic recovery. None!
By blatantly rigging the July 2018 elections President Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF cronies confirmed that Zimbabwe was still a pariah state regardless all the claims of “new dispensation and Second Republic that was open for business!”
As a Zanu PF member MP Gwanetsa owns his seat on the gravy train to the party’s vote rigging prowess and, no doubt will never criticise the de facto one-party dictatorship and its carte blanche vote rigging powers. The price for his gravy train seat is the economic meltdown, the thousands of children with no formal education, the thousands of sick of easily treatable ailment (many clinics and hospital in the constituency are barely functioning or are closed), etc.
If government is serious about reviving the country’s education and health care services then government must paid the teachers, doctors and nurses a living wage, must provide the funds to buy books, medicines, etc. After 40 years of Zanu PF misrule, it is clear that this Zanu PF government is not serious about reviving the economy and with it the public sector.
If the people of Zimbabwe are serious about making sure their children get a decent education, their sick are treated, etc. then they must demand the implementation of the democratic reforms designed to stop Zanu PF rigging elections. As long as the nation is stuck with such leaders as MP Gwanetsa who have no clue what is going on the nation will never get out of the economic and political mess it is in.
It is not only the students who wrote and failed their grade 7, Form 2, “O” level and “A” level who were let down by the failed education system; all students across the board were affected, last year was a wasted year for all for they all learned 0% to 3%. The decline in our education system has been going on for decades now. The ruling elite have long stopped using local public education facilities because they are all in a deplorable state of rot and decay.
I shudder to think how I would have managed if I have missed even one year of my schooling.
A whole generation in Chiredzi has been deprived of a decent education for no fault of their own. The same is repeated right across the country. No nation can afford to be so careless and condemn a whole generation to ignorance. Write off a whole generation! And yet that is exactly what is happening here.
Zimbabwe is in this hell-on-earth economic and political mess because for 40 years we have allowed ourselves to be ruled by a corrupt, incompetent and tyrannical Zanu PF dictatorship. The party has rigged elections to secure its continued rule. By neglecting the country’s education, health care, etc. the regime is digging the nation deeper and deeper into this hell-hole.
It is up to the people of Chiredzi to demand from MP Gwanetsa solutions to revive the education service, as it is the people’s duty to demand solutions from this Zanu PF government. It is only when the people hold their leaders to democratic account that there will be meaningful change.- SOURCE: zsdemocrats.blogspot.com
By A Correspondent| The Information Minister, Monica Mutsangwa says government is ready to deal with the Coronavirus outbreak.
Speaking during the cabinet briefing yesterday, Mrs Mutsvangwa said, “Government wants to assure the nation that it is ready to tackle the Coronavirus scourge head-on, and there is no need for Zimbabweans to panic, as the situation is under control. ”
Emmerson Mnangagwa regime’s failure to declare Binga floods a national disaster clearly exposes ZANU PF politics of tribalism, regionalism and marginalization.
Ironically the very same regime which is mum on the Binga disaster was last year quick to declare the Chimanimani Cyclone Idai disaster a national disaster.
It is clear that Binga is being punished by the ruling party for consistently voting for opposition parties since independence.
A government declaration for a national disaster in Binga surely would have eased the humanitarian crisis with the world turning its attention to this community which has been marginalized since time immemorial.
The failure of government to loud the Binga disaster further unmasks ZANU PF’s politics of pretense and lies.
Clearly the marginalization of Binga exposes ZANU PF failure on nation building.
ZANU PF’s failure to pay privy details and attention to the humanitarian crisis in Binga further confirms its detachment from people.
Mnangagwa’s carefree attitude towards the suffering lays naked lack of social contract between his government and the people.
Here is a man who overtly parades that he is only answerable to the military and not the masses!
Credit should be given to our MDC Councilors and MPs for taking a leading role in helping Binga flood victims.
Indeed we are a viable alternative!
#PeoplesGovernment!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
Farai Dziva|Youthful MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has said he is fully aware of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s antics such that he will not fall into the Zanu PF leader’s trap.
Chamisa made the remarks during the party’s provincial assembly meeting in Masvingo on Sunday.
Said Chamisa:”When dealing with the crocodile you have to be careful.You don’t have to venture into the river because it will attack you.
We will remain outside the pool -on dry ground and the crocodile will be rendered powerless.
We know how to tame the crocodile,” said Chamisa.
Chamisa also addressed a provincial meeting in Lupane:
I’m in Lupane, Matebeleland North meeting with opinion leaders and grassroots structures party representatives. I’ve been told of the hunger,starvation and food shortages in this area.The suffering and marginalization is too deep.People want this suffering to end now.”
Farai Dziva|Youthful MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has said he is fully aware of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s antics such that he will not fall into the Zanu PF leader’s trap.
Chamisa made the remarks during the party’s provincial assembly meeting in Masvingo on Sunday.
Said Chamisa:”When dealing with the crocodile you have to be careful.You don’t have to venture into the river because it will attack you.
We will remain outside the pool -on dry ground and the crocodile will be rendered powerless.
We know how to tame the crocodile,” said Chamisa.
Chamisa also addressed a provincial meeting in Lupane:
I’m in Lupane, Matebeleland North meeting with opinion leaders and grassroots structures party representatives. I’ve been told of the hunger,starvation and food shortages in this area.The suffering and marginalization is too deep.People want this suffering to end now.”
Zambian giants Zanaco FC have confirmed the signing of Evans Katema from Dynamos.
The striker signed a 2-year contract as he becomes the latest Zimbabwean to cross to the north of Zambezi.
He is among the four arrivals the club confirmed last night in a statement saying.
” Zanaco FC is delighted to announce the signing of defender John Mwewa and strikers Saith Sakala, Moses Phiri and Evans Katema.
“Zimbabwean Evans Katema has penned a two-year deal, joining from Zimbabwean side Dynamos FC.”
Katema, 30, burst on the scene last year when he scored seven goals for PSL debutants Mushowani Stars before moving to the Glamour Boys during the mid-season transfer window where he continued with his rise.
He was voted in the 2019 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League team of the year and also received his first national team call-up in the Chan Qualifiers.-Soccer 24
HIGHLANDERS are left with few slots for the 2020 season having retained the bulk of the players that did duty in the 2019 season.
They lost five players – Denzel Khumalo to FC Platinum, McClive Phiri who joined South African side Bidvest Wits, Peter Nyirenda who returned to Zambia and Ben Musaka and Munyaradzi Chitambwe who left the club.
Mbekezile Sibanda and Ariel Sibanda’s future with the club hangs in the balance.
Mbekezile is yet to start training while Ariel has a pending foreign deal.
“The team has lost five players and two other vacant places that were there from last season.
We had 28 players registered for the 2019 season.
“We have seven vacancies to be filled. Mbekezile communicated with the club and is expected to join others soon.
“Ariel is not sure yet, he is waiting for his outside move. The team has only five slots to be filled and the team will be finalised this week.
“The coach is set to recommend the players he want us to release and the ones we should take onboard too.
“But as it stands we have the bulk of the team,” said a source at Barbourfields.
Bosso have been linked to the trio of Mkhokeli Dube, Michelle Katsvairo and Obadiah Tarumbwa.
New head coach Mark Harrison has shown satisfaction on the trio saying they have impressed.
“We are looking at the possibility (of signing them) but until a deal is sealed, we can’t say much. I am happy with their performance so far, they are performing very well and working quite hard indeed,” said Harrison.
Highlanders’ contracted players.
Prince Dube, Bukhosi Sibanda, Peter Mudhuwa, Mbekezile Sibanda (yet to start training), Godfrey Makaruse, Brian Banda, Adrian Silla, Tendai Ndlovu, Ray Lunga, Masuku Nqobizitha, Siamalonga Charlton, Ncube Bhukosi, Kapupurika Cleopas, Vincent Moyo, Ndlovu Mbongeni, Tinashe Makanda, Wellington Muuya, Erick Nyathi, Prince Muza, Devine Mhindirira, Russell Chifura, Andrew Mbeba.-H-Metro
By A Correspondent- The trial of Genius ‘Ginimbi’ Kadungure on tax evasion charges failed to start yesterday amid revelations that his lawyer was engaged at the Supreme Court.
Kadungure, who is also representing his company Piko Trading as the second accused in the matter appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Chrispen Mberewere and was represented by Brighton Pabwe, who was standing in for Jonathan Samkange.
Pabwe made a two-fold application for postponement on the basis that Ginimbi’s lead counsel, Samkange, was held up in the Supreme Court where he was representing Joseph Chinotimba.
Magistrate Mberewere granted the postponement saying that in as much as they wanted the trial to commence, it was the court’s duty to uphold the rights of an accused person by allowing him to be represented by his counsel of choice. The matter was remanded to February 28 for trial commencement
By A Correspondent- Falcon College Bus was involved in a head-on collision with a Honda Fit today along the Bulawayo-Gwanda Highway and the driver of the Honda fit died on the spot while Falcon College staff members escaped with minor injuries.
According to eyewitnesses who spoke to a local publication, the Honda Fit driver was driving on the wrong lane in the misty weather when the accident occurred.
A statement issued by Falcon college school head Mr Dave van Wyk said:
One of the Falcon College buses was involved in an accident this morning. Some of our workers who were on the bus sustained minor injuries; no students or teachers were on the bus.
A Honda Fit, travelling in the wrong lane (overtaking on a blind rise in wet, misty conditions) smashed head-on into our 27-seater bus. The Honda driver who was, mercifully, the only occupant of the car, died instantly. I have personally just returned from the accident scene.-Statemedia
Correspondent|One person is reported dead after a Falcon College bus was involved in a head-on collision with a Honda Fit vehicle along the Bulawayo-Gwanda road on Wednesday.
Eyewitnesses said the driver of the Honda Fit vehicle, who was allegedly driving on the wrong lane in misty weather, died on the spot.
The Falcon College bus was carrying five members of staff who all escaped with minor injuries.
Falcon college school head Mr Dave van Wyk in a statement issued to parents said he had already been to the crash scene.
“One of the Falcon College buses was involved in an accident this morning. Some of our workers who were on the bus sustained minor injuries; no students or teachers were on the bus. A Honda Fit, travelling in the wrong lane (overtaking on a blind rise in wet, misty conditions) smashed head-on into our 27-seater bus. The Honda driver who was, mercifully, the only occupant of the car, died instantly. I have personally just returned from the accident scene,” said Mr van Wyk.
FORMER vice president Joice Mujuru turned down calls to return to the ruling party arguing she is comfortable watching from the terraces, the Daily News can report.
This comes as the ruling party is keen to mend broken relations with its erstwhile comrades who left at the height of the ugly factional wars that ravaged Zanu PF between 2013 and 2017.
Zanu PF secretary for the commissariat Victor Matemadanda recently appealed to former party officials to return to the party saying the past is now buried.
It also comes as Mujuru recently met with several top Zanu PF officials, including Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) boss Isaac Moyo and discussed her welfare and possible return to the ruling party.
According to people close to her, the former vice president, in meetings with several Zanu PF officials, raised concern on the manner she was being treated by government since her unceremonious departure in 2014 after she was alleged to be plotting to remove the late Robert Mugabe through a coup.
In an interview with the Daily News yesterday, Mujuru said she wants to rest.
“It is now five years since there were allegations that I am corrupt, ask those in power why I am not under arrest. I am not thinking of joining politics anytime now because I am enjoying watching from the stands and will not be coming back anytime soon. I am enjoying watching from afar,” said Mujuru.
Last year during an interview, Mujuru said she was keeping her options open after the Daily News had reported that she had held a meeting with Moyo.
“I have been quiet for a long time but I don’t see anything wrong if … I meet (President Emmerson) Mnangagwa or (Zanu PF chairperson Oppah) Muchinguri. In fact, that is the proper way of doing things.
“No matter how daft I might look in the eyes of some people, I know something about this country. You cannot throw away 34 years of experience.
“People should learn to listen to me and also to listen to other voices. It is important for me to meet and share ideas with the president because there is nothing wrong in seeing our leaders.
“Those are the people who are leading us and they should also listen to us. I have been meeting a lot of people whether in Zanu PF or not and whatever we have been discussing is good for Zimbabwe. I have met hordes of people,” said Mujuru.
Zanu PF’s mission to woo former party members has so far produced mixed fortunes.
Notable party officials who have heeded calls to return to Zanu PF include stalwarts such as Didymus Mutasa and Ambrose Mutinhiri while former party spokesperson Rugare Gumbo, just like Mujuru, has refused to go back to the former liberation struggle movement.
“I cannot go back; you know some of us are fine where we are. They should probably ask the youths they expelled to reapply, not me.
“Of course, I am prepared to talk to Mnangagwa, just to give him advice but not to rejoin the party. But I certainly cannot be seen running around trying to rejoin Zanu PF, which Zanu PF?” asked the former Cabinet minister.
Zanu PF is keen to expand its power base as well as counter former party officials who want to form their own parties riding on tribal grounds and Mujuru, who hails from Mashonaland Central province, is viewed as a popular figure who can win the ruling party some votes.
Correspondent|Reports coming from Malawi have confirmed that the Constitutional Court has dismissed all applications by President Peter Mutharika and the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to stay and suspend enforcement of the court ruling of February 3 which ordered that new elections should be held.
The constitutional court threw out arguments of costs likely to attached to running of an election as well campaign for the candidate, saying democracy is an inherently expensive process.
Mutharika’s lawyer Charles Chidongondo Mhango said he accepts the ruling by the apex court.
Holding of new election in Malawi is to cost Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) about US$60 million.
MEC chair, Jane Ansah had tried to tell the court that holding of the polls in July this year, as directed by the Constitutional Court, could be impossible, saying there is need to gather enough resources and preparations for it to be successful.
REF: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT OF ADVICE ON ACTS OF MISCONDUCT ALLEGEDLY HAPPENING IN SCHOOLS
I…………EC No………. have on this day, 10 February 2020 have been made aware that the following actions are not permissible and constitute acts of misconduct as defined In statutory instrument 1 of 2020: Public service regulations as amended.
(i) That no extra lessons in whatever name or time will be conducted in the school without Ministry approval.
(ii) No teacher is allowed to sell items within the school premises; be they sweets, snacks, school uniform items etc.
(iii) That no teacher is allowed to demand items such as bond paper, tissues and other goods without permission to do so.
(iv) That no teacher is allowed to collect money from parents.
I have read the above and I declare that I will comply as stated.
ZIFA lawyer, Chenaimoyo Gumiro, says the association president, Felton Kamambo, gave a warned-and-cautioned statement to the police in Harare yesterday.
This is part of investigations into allegations of bribery. Gumiro said reports, which were circulating on social media that Kamambo had been arrested, were not true.
The allegations relate to the ZIFA elections in December 2018 when Kamambo emerged as the leader of domestic football after beating Philip Chiyangwa to the post.
Allegations have flown for a while that police were investigating allegations whether 28 councillors, who made the panel of voters, could have been influenced by some payments. Kamambo has constantly dismissed the allegations as false and an attempt to destabilise the smooth-running of domestic football.
The case, which was first investigated by the Commercial Crimes Unit, who said they had been advised by the National Prosecuting Authority they could not press charges because “of lack of evidence,’’ is now being handled by the Suburban Division.
“He (Kamambo) was not arrested, but we were called to Harare Central Police Station, and they recorded a warned and cautioned statement, on allegations relating to bribery charges,” said Gumiro.
“It is not a new case but the same allegations that we were previously called for, the bribery allegations during the ZIFA election period.
“Last time the case was at the CCD, and today he recorded a warned-and-caution statement taken by the Suburban Division.
“Now we wait for further instructions from the police but, for the record, he has not been arrested and there is no warrant of arrest against him, he is at home.’’
ZIFA spokesperson, Xolisani Gwesela, also provided a statement dismissing reports Kamambo had been arrested.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association wishes to respond to several enquiries that have inundated our offices regarding our president Felton Kamambo,’’ Gwesela said in his statement.
“The Association wishes to inform the football loving public that Mr Kamambo has neither been detained nor placed under police custody as is being peddled in certain quarters.
“Mr Kamambo was invited to the Surbuban section at Harare Central Police station where a warned-and-cautioned statement was recorded on allegations of election bribery on a matter reported to the Commercial Crimes Unit of police by Hon Dr Philip Chiyangwa.
“The ZIFA president was never detained or harassed by the police and is actually at home with his family.
“While the matter is subjudice, ZIFA would like to assure the football community that all shall be well and justice shall prevail.
“As per the 2020 motto, ZIFA will let “football do the talking” as we are pencilled for exciting football times ahead.
“We urge all football stakeholders to remain calm and allow the law to take its course.’’
Kamambo has, of late, been on a charm offensive asking for the feuding parties in domestic football to bury their differences and fight to develop the game.
Own Correspondent|Zimbabwe has been swindled of forex by a well known convicted Kenyan crook, Kamlesh Pattni. Pattni is the same man who brought down the Kenyan economy in the 1990s selling fake minerals to that government.
This matter, exclusively exposed by ZimEye last year, involves Pattni, several Zimbabwe Revenue Authority officials, Fidelity Printers officers and several bank employees.
While ZANU PF Youth run amok exposing corruption in the country, they have kept quiet about this man and his corruption that is milking the country.
Watch video downloading below on the man destroying the country and Godfrey Tsenengamu and Lewis Matutu exposures that are biased.
Naming and shaming successful business people perceived to be corrupt breeds fertile ground for extortionists, Zanu PF acting secretary for administration Patrick Chinamasa has said.
Chinamasa said where any citizen has evidence of corruption against any person the correct procedure is to report to Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), Zimbabwe Republic Police or Prosecutor General so that the allegations can be investigated.
“Naming and shaming that targets perceived successful business people be they black or white, breeds fertile ground for extortionists, rent seeking behaviour and will have one outcome, that is haunting such people out of the country into exile which will not help this economy whose growth must be driven by local business people.
“It is on the back of the local business people that foreign investors will invest in Zimbabwe and will feel that Zimbabwe is open for business. What this country needs for its economic success is entrepreneurship. If we can help to grow 10 or so Strive Masiyiwas in each of our 10 provinces we would be on the road to meeting our President’s Vision 2030 target of becoming an upper middle income country, whose growth must be driven by local business people,” he said.
In addition, he said Zanu PF cadres especially those in leadership positions can never be said to speak in public in their individual or personal capacities.
“If such leaders hold any personal views on politics and public affairs and such personal views differ from the Party’s position and policies, they can only express such contrary views at their homes. Otherwise they are not justified to complain where consequences follow their actions. Cadres in leadership positions cannot articulate in public statements which are contrary to party policies and positions.”
A CHIKOMBA acting headmaster died after hanging himself with a belt a few hours before the school held its annual general meeting (AGM).
Irvine Manjengwa, the acting headmaster at Masvaure Primary School, was found dead in his house last week after attending a heated schools development committee (SDC) meeting in preparation for an annual general meeting scheduled to be held on the day he committed suicide.
Efforts to get a comment from Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza were fruitless as he was reportedly said to be out of office.
In a statement, Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) provincial co-ordinator Tapiwa Chengeta confirmed Manjengwa’s death, urging the government to improve the welfare of teachers to avoid stress-related deaths.
“As PTUZ, we learnt with deep sorrow the death of the acting headmaster for Masvaure Primary School in Chikomba — Mr Manjengwa. Young and energetic as he was, the nation has lost a real future leader. It is even more painful that the suicide is coming at a time life is so difficult for teachers due to low salaries. Depression and stress is contributing to the shortening of lifespan for many in the profession due to challenging economic hardships,” he said.
NewsDay is reliably informed that Manjengwa was stressed after the SDC meeting, with reports that his relationship with parents had gone sour over maladministration.
His death follows another incident at Simukai Primary School in the same district recently, where parents withdrew their children from the institution accusing the head of arrogance as well as maladministration.
“ARREST OF MEMBERS OF ZRP MARONDERA TRAFFIC FOR PERFOMING DUTY IN AN IMPROPER MANNER”. This memo serves to inform the command that:
On 11 February 2020 at around 0900hrs and 71Km peg along Harare- Mutare Highway Road block site 7 members of ZRP Marondera Traffic were arrested for performing duty in an improper manner by PGHQ Team led by Commissioner Tayengwa.
Circumstances are that on the date, place and time mentioned above I Bere was heading a roadblock team comprising of number Sgt Masiye, Cst Ndlovu, Cst Zhou, Cst Gono, Cst Magunda and Cst Pisirai when a team of Senior Officers from PGHQ comprising of Commissioner Tayengwa, A/Commissioner Paul Nyathi, Chief Supt Thebe and Chief Supt Kureva arrived.
Whilst at the road block, the Senior Officer observed a white Toyota Hiace Vehicle Registration Number ADC 3067 (PSV) which was being driven by Kudzai Ziwengwe NR: Not held, a male adult aged 36 of Nyagadza Farm,Virginia, Macheke heading towards Harare being stopped at the road block site.
The motor vehicle pulled off the road and the conductor Daniel Mutanga a male adult aged 47 disembarked and ran to Cst Zhou. He handed Cst Zhou ZW$20 and was not issued with a receipt. When he was about to return to his combi, that is when the Senior Officers summoned both Cst Zhou and the conductor leading to the recovery of the ZW$20 from Cst Zhou.
The Senior Officers then carried out a search on all members who were manning the road block and recovered ZW$9 from Cst Zhou’s riot trousers’ pocket and the money was not declared in the declaration register.
Further searches were then carried in the tent which is at the site leading to the recovery of ZW$125 and US$45 in a purse belonging to Cst Zhou. The money was also not declared in the declaration register. Another ZW$87 was also found abandoned under the tree which is at the road block site.
A further search inside the road block tent led to recovery of the following cellphones which were in the bag belonging to the I.C Road block A/I Bere , but were not declared: i.Itel Cellphone ii.KGtel Cellphone with a buddie line, iii.Gtel Vivo 4 Cellphone with netone line and buddie line, iv.Lenovo Cellphone with netone line, v.Samsung Cellphone
The team also learnt that the road block had started at 0600hrs and the road block team had only 4 arrests and ZW$300 cash in respect of these arrests as reflected in the Z69J book number 06/20 from S/N 0188106-109.
The Senior Officers then handed over the defaulters to Chief Supt Phuti who is Officer Commanding Marondera District for disciplinary action.
Members were charged for Performing Duty in an Improper Manner under the Police Act. COMMENT Members are urged to desist from corrupt activities as this is contrary to the organizational ethics and its rebranding efforts in the second republic.
Fearsome State Security Minister Owen “Mudha” Ncube
Owen Ncube
BY-ELECTION RESULTS DO NOT REPRESENT WILL OF THE PEOPLE
The outcome of the recently held by-elections in Mwenezi and Kuwadzana does not reflect the will of the people of Zimbabwe as the elections were not conducted in a free and fair environment.
The law requires state media to operate impartially and to afford all political players fair coverage. Despite recommendations by successive election observer missions and, more recently, a High Court order by Justice Joseph Mafusire, requiring state media to conduct itself with impartiality, it continues to unashamedly operate as an appendage
of the ruling Zanu PF.
The police have systematically limited freedom of assembly by way of unconstitutional legislation that allows them to arbitrarily ban political gatherings. A free and fair election cannot be conducted where the police criminalise political gatherings in a bid to frustrate the activities of opposition political parties.
In rural, and to some extent urban areas, food aid continues to be used as a political weapon. Videos have appeared on social media showing Zanu PF agents distributing government and donor-provided food on a partisan basis. Those aligned to the opposition are denied access. This has the effect of compelling voters, particularly those in rural areas, to align with Zanu PF for their survival. Such a vote cannot be said
to have been freely given.
The prevailing insecurity of citizens, following state-sponsored murders and abductions during the August 1, 2018 and January 2019 protests, has limited the usable spectrum of democratic space. Citizens cannot freely express themselves for fear of being abducted, tortured or killed.
This insecurity can only be cured by holding those behind the violence accountable. There is credible information pointing to the involvement of State Security minister Owen Ncube in these abductions. He must be held to account together with Sergeant
Wellington Mushosho, of the Police Internal Security Intelligence, who was caught red- handed together with nine other police, MID and CIO operatives after they violently attacked and robbed members of the public in Mbare, Harare.
Mushosho has already admitted that he undertook this torture campaign after he was instructed by his superiors to attack opposition supporters. However, the case against him and his nine accomplices was withdrawn by the National Prosecuting Authority in a bid to cover up the involvement of the authorities.
This is unacceptable. The government cannot deploy security forces to intimidate and subdue the population and then purport to hold free and fair elections. If the authorities continue to protect those who have been attacking opposition supporters, we will be left with no option but to respond on behalf of the people through whose agency we speak.
We wish to participate in the next arising by-election, but we will not do so under the present conditions. The Constitution and attendant laws are clear about what constitutes a free and fair election. These conditions have not been met. If the authorities remain obstinate and ignore the calls for electoral and political reforms, we will be forced to engage them head on and respond to their criminal tactics pound for pound.
Correspondent|The High Court has today dismissed an application filed by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife Marry Mubaiwa in which she was seeking to have access to her children and matrimonial home pending the hearing of an appeal filed at the Supreme Court.
VP Chiwenga recently challenged High Court Judge Justice Christopher Dube Banda’s ruling that gave Mubaiwa the green light to reside at the Borrowdale mansion and have access to the couple’s children and properties pending trials of the numerous charges she is facing.
The charges are attempted murder, fraud, assault and money laundering.
However, the Supreme Court appeal is expected to be heard next month. High Court judge, Justice Judith Mushore handed down the ruling today on behalf of Justice Ephraim Tagu indicating that her arguments lacked weight.
“The application for leave to execute pending appeal is hereby dismissed. The order (Banda’s) will not be operational until the case is heard. The applicant is also ordered to pay the cost of the suit,” said the judge.
Last week, High Court upheld the appeal made by Vice President Chiwenga for variation of her bail, particularly that she lives in a different house from the Vice President and that she surrenders her diplomatic passport. Justice Pisirayi Kwenda agreed that Mubaiwa should not return to their matrimonial Borrowdale home, which was a condition of her bail in the earlier charges, until all matters before the courts were finalised, since it would be impossible for the couple to co-exist peacefully, as VP Chiwenga is the complainant in the attempted murder case.
She was ordered to reside at her parents’ home in Glen Lorne. Mubaiwa, was also granted another $1500 bail by the High Court after she allegedly assaulted the family’s maid named Delight Munyoro at Hellenic School in Borrowdale following an altercation over custody of children a fortnight ago.
This is how Zimbabwe’s economy will overcome its hurdles
February 12, 2020
Zimbabwe’s economy will overcome the numerous hurdles which lay before us on the path towards prosperity. These obstacles are patent, and in some cases potent. But with hard work, proper planning, and monetary and fiscal discipline, Zimbabwe will get out of the current economic rut.
Some of these challenges are out of our control. Take Cyclone Idai in March of last year for example. The extreme weather phenomenon destroyed lives and livelihoods. This meteorological mess was followed by another, as drought struck across our lands. Food output has thus been severely hampered by these outside forces; and we have been left with no choice but to subsidise, import and rely on help from the international community to avoid total crisis. While there were some real achievements in 2019, including a balanced budget for the first time in living memory, we have a commitment to subsidise where necessary to make sure our nation is fed.
As we move into 2020, we will continue to learn from these “unknown unknowns”. We are already investing in ‘climate proofing’ our agriculture, including new irrigation techniques, and drought resistant crops. We must now double up our efforts with our international partners – new and old – to protect our agriculture and food supply.
As we look forward to growing our economy, it is incumbent upon us to rein in inflation as quickly as possible. This is crucial for investment. This is vital for job creation. Month on month inflation is already stabilising, down to approximately 16%. Of course, annual inflation remains high. We do not hide this, nor was this unexpected. That is what happens when you liberalise a currency. But this process of reforms is a long-term necessity for our economy.
We are taking steps to prop up the currency, drip-feeding in cash injections in a non-inflationary manner. This has involved exchanging electronic currency for the physical currency. We will also be introducing higher denomination notes over the course of 2020 to make it easier for citizens to transact. We know the current environment is tough. But Zimbabwe’s economy needs tough reforms, not superficial ones.
In the current environment, both wages and purchasing power have taken a big hit. Government therefore has a responsibility to support consumers and the private sector as a whole. As part of the currency reform agenda, we have had inevitable wage compression. This is part of the liberalisation process. We have responded by propping up the wages of the civil servants, and we hope the private sector acts in kind. Dollarisation inertia unfortunately means that retailers are still pricing in USD and simply translating it to the local currency. This is squashing the purchasing power of current wages. We are closing that gap by allowing wages to rise.
In order to finance these moves and reboot the Zimbabwean economy as a whole, it is crucial to reform state-owned companies. We have already passed the first hurdle, which was to decide which ones should be partially privatised, which ones should be liquidated, and which ones should be departmentalised, and of course to highlight those which should not be touched. 2020 is now about implementing and enacting these moves. We will advance the partial privatisation of the telecom company (Netone) and motor-vehicle assembly company (Willovale Mazda Motor Industries), capitalise our Silo Foods Industries, privatise banking assets and more. We want to have a private sector-led economy in Zimbabwe. And for the private sector to lead, we must privatise!
Despite all the hurdles and all the barriers, Zimbabwe in 2019 leapt 15 places in the Global Ease of Doing Business rankings. As we look to improve this in 2020, privatisation is a big part of this story.
For the first time in living memory, Zimbabwe achieved a balanced budget. We have our fiscal and monetary fate in our own hands. We have a talented, educated and devoted workforce, ready to get to work. And we have natural resources a-plenty, ready to drive our economy forward. The Zimbabwean future is, therefore, an exciting one. With patience and discipline, we will overcome all the hurdles that lay in our path and build a better future for all.
Hon. Prof Mthuli Ncube
Zimbabwe Minister of Finance and Economic Development
FLAMBOYANT businessman and socialite, Genius Kadungure, better known as Ginimbi has filed an appeal at the High Court challenging the magistrate court’s ruling for denying him bail last Friday.
The Acting Chief Magistrate Crispen James Mberewere denied the flamboyant businessman bail saying he had the propensity to commit more crimes since he committed the offence while on bail over similar allegations.
Kadungure has refused to accept the ruling by filing an appeal at the High Court highlighting that by denying him bail the court has disregarded the presumption of innocence until proven guilty which is engraved in the constitution.
“In doing so, the court a quo disregarded the presumption of innocence so jealously guarded by Section 70 (1)(d) of the Constitution. This disregard amounts to a serious misdirection when regard is to be had to the court a quo’s earlier finding that he was not a flight risk,” read part of his submissions.
Kadungure is facing fraud charges and ZIMRA is the complainant. According to the State, Kadungure bought a Bentley for $3 281 784, but allegedly lied that the vehicle was worth $1 million.
He is accused of undervaluing his newly imported Bentley motor vehicle which saw him paying less duty to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).
1. Subsidized Roller Meal Prices The Minister of Finance and Economic Development briefed Cabinet on the action taken to normalize the roller meal supply situation. He explained that at the First Meeting, Cabinet had noted that the then prevailing price of roller meal provided arbitrage opportunities to some unscrupulous people. Government had thus moved in to redress the situation using a two-pronged approach. Firstly, it had been decided that the price be raised to $70 per 10 kg bag of mealie meal from $50. Secondly, a targetted Coupon Scheme for the Vulnerable is in the offing with the compilation of a database at an advanced stage. The Scheme will be rolled out in a week’s time.
2. Report on the Second Money-Laundering and Terrorist Financing National Risk Assessment and the National AML/CFT/CFP Strategic Plan Cabinet considered and approved the Report on the Second Money Laundering and Terrorist, Financing National Risk Assessment (NRA), and Zimbabwe’s Third National Anti-Money Laundering, Combating Financing of Terrorism and Countering the Financing of Proliferation (AML/CFT/CFP) Strategic Plan for the period 2020-2025, which were presented by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development.
In order to address the challenges outlined in the Second NRA Report, Government has come up with the Third National Anti-Money Laundering, Combating Finance of Terrorism and Countering the Financing of Proliferation (AML/CFT/CFP) Strategic Plan, which will cover the period 2020 to 2025.
The Strategic Plan is premised on four pillars over the next five years, namely:
• awareness and capacity building;
• Parallel financial investigations by law enforcement agencies;
• Confiscation and forfeiture of criminal proceeds; and
• Beneficial ownership issues.
The 2020-2025 Strategic Plan therefore positions Zimbabwe on solid ground that will enhance its domestic capability and capacity to respond effectively to the challenges of Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Financing of Proliferation (ML/TF/FP) and its associated financial crimes.
3. Update on the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) Meetings held on 5th and 7th February, 2020 Cabinet considered and approved the recommendations from the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) as presented by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development as Acting Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
Regarding the matter on the financing of minimum wage, Cabinet directed that dialogue be pursued to ensure an urgent win-win solution to the matter given the prevailing economic conditions.
4. Proposed Zimbabwe National Plan of Action for the Universal Periodic Review (2017-2021) Cabinet considered and approved the proposed Zimbabwe National Plan of Action for the Universal Periodic Review (2017-2021) which the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs presented. Cabinet noted that the National Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a State driven peer review process that provides the opportunity for each State to identify key human rights issues and challenges as well as to periodically declare what actions it has taken to improve human rights situations and fulfil human rights obligations. The recommendations accepted by Zimbabwe for the period 2017 to 2021 cover a wide range of human rights issues.
The actions, activities, and programmes to address the adopted recommendations according to the National Plan of Action include the following:-
a) identifying treaties that need domestication and taking measures to domesticate them;
b) identifying legislation and policies that need to be aligned with the Constitution;
c) reviewing the legislation establishing independent Commissions and supporting the Commissions;
d) to continue training law enforcement agents, prison officers and other public officers on human rights;
e) strengthening and decentralising justice delivery institutions;
f) enhancing programmes and activities aimed at promoting gender equality and eliminating discrimination against women and gender-based violence; and
g) to deepen electoral reforms.
Cabinet noted that some of the activities and programmes had already been implemented, while others remain work in progress.
5. Progress Report on the 2019 Novel Corona Virus (COVID19) Outbreak
Cabinet was briefed by the Minister of Health and Child Care on the national progress regarding the 2019 Novel Corona virus outbreak, which commenced on 30 December, 2019 in China and was upgraded to a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 31 January, 2020. With effect from 25 January, 2020 the Ministry of Health and Child Care activated a surveillance system which includes follow up of travellers to Zimbabwe who visited China and other affected countries. To date, 1 433 travellers have been reported to have passed through Zimbabwe’s ports of entry that are screening travellers. The Government of Zimbabwe has agreed with the Government of the Republic of China that these travellers be subjected to self quarantine for a 21-day surveillance period, in order to ensure early detection of symptoms.
The national response mechanism for surveillance and early detection of any possible cases remains activated, especially at all ports of entry in the country. The main treatment centres will be situated at the Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital for the northern part of the country and Thorngrove Infectious Diseases Hospital for the Southern region. The National Microbiology Reference Laboratory (NMRL) was assessed and found to have good testing capacity and is adequately equipped. Medicines for treatment have been identified locally and will be strategically positioned at the treatment centres.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care is currently working on modalities to ensure that adequate personnel for identification and management of cases, particularly at ports of entry, is trained and equipped for the arduous task ahead of them.
Government wants to assure the nation that it is ready to tackle the Coronavirus scourge head-on, and there is no need for Zimbabweans to panic, as the situation is under control. The Ministry of Health and Child Care will continue to give updates on developments regarding the virus.
6. Flash Floods, Nsungwale Area, Binga District Cabinet received a report on the flash floods which were experienced in Binga District Nsungwale Area, under Chief Sinakoma as presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement as the Acting Minister of Local Government and Public Works. It was reported that due to the heavy backlash all the 21 families in the flood plain were marooned and 11 people were hanging on trees waiting for assistance. Cabinet noted that the Airforce of Zimbabwe, Sub-Aqua Unit stationed at Fairbridge, Bulawayo and the Civil Protection Department had been mobilized to assist the affected families.
Cabinet noted that:-
• that evacuation of the affected families to areas of safety was in progress;
• that non-food and food items were being mobilized for the affected families; and
• that the District Civil Protection Committee was monitoring the general health and welfare of the people for possible outbreaks of waterborne related diseases.
7. Report on the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union: 9 and 10 February 2020, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Cabinet received a detailed Report on the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union held from 9 to 10 February, 2020, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The Summit was held under the theme “Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development”.
In his report to the Peace and Security Council (PSC) on its activities and the State of peace and Security in Africa, His Excellency the President had appreciated the show of solidarity with Zimbabwe against sanctions as it had demonstrated and affirmed the importance that the Union attached to the defence of the provisions of the Constitutive Act of the organisation.
Cabinet noted with satisfaction that the Assembly had adopted a Resolution which, inter-alia, expressed solidarity with the people and Government of Zimbabwe and urged the Government of the United States of America to consider lifting the longstanding Sanctions imposed on the Government and people of Zimbabwe to facilitate the socio-economic recovery of the country. The Assembly also acknowledged the steps already taken by the European Union towards removing Sanctions, urging that all remaining sanctions be terminated.
The Minister also reported that His Excellency the President had signed the Memorandum of Understanding of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). In his accession speech the President noted that his administration is committed to open and responsive governance citing the political legislative and media reforms that were being undertaken to deepen democracy.
The President also participated in the Third African Business Forum held under the theme “Investing in People, Planet and Prosperity” hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) on 11 February 2020 on the margins of the AU. He had taken the opportunity to invite businesses to consider investing in Zimbabwe’s energy sector, particularly in electricity generation to enable increased production in the industrial and agricultural sectors.
His Excellency the President also held bilateral engagements with the President of Algeria and with the President of Rwanda where the leaders had agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of education.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade held bilateral engagements with the Minister of State for International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, Her Excellency Mrs Reem Al Hashimy. The outcome of the discussions are that:-
i. Zimbabwe was invited to participate at the 2020 World Exposition, Expo 2020 to be held in Dubai from 20 October 2020 to 10 April, 2021. The Minister appealed to Zimbabwe to capitalise on the Expo 2020 as this was a good opportunity for the country to market itself.
ii. the UAE Minister pledged to financially assist artists from Zimbabwe to exhibit at Expo 2020.
iii. Furthermore, Zimbabwe was invited to the Africa Arab Summit to be held in Saudi Arabia on 16 March 2020.
1. Subsidized Roller Meal Prices The Minister of Finance and Economic Development briefed Cabinet on the action taken to normalize the roller meal supply situation. He explained that at the First Meeting, Cabinet had noted that the then prevailing price of roller meal provided arbitrage opportunities to some unscrupulous people. Government had thus moved in to redress the situation using a two-pronged approach. Firstly, it had been decided that the price be raised to $70 per 10 kg bag of mealie meal from $50. Secondly, a targetted Coupon Scheme for the Vulnerable is in the offing with the compilation of a database at an advanced stage. The Scheme will be rolled out in a week’s time.
2. Report on the Second Money-Laundering and Terrorist Financing National Risk Assessment and the National AML/CFT/CFP Strategic Plan Cabinet considered and approved the Report on the Second Money Laundering and Terrorist, Financing National Risk Assessment (NRA), and Zimbabwe’s Third National Anti-Money Laundering, Combating Financing of Terrorism and Countering the Financing of Proliferation (AML/CFT/CFP) Strategic Plan for the period 2020-2025, which were presented by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development.
In order to address the challenges outlined in the Second NRA Report, Government has come up with the Third National Anti-Money Laundering, Combating Finance of Terrorism and Countering the Financing of Proliferation (AML/CFT/CFP) Strategic Plan, which will cover the period 2020 to 2025.
The Strategic Plan is premised on four pillars over the next five years, namely:
• awareness and capacity building;
• Parallel financial investigations by law enforcement agencies;
• Confiscation and forfeiture of criminal proceeds; and
• Beneficial ownership issues.
The 2020-2025 Strategic Plan therefore positions Zimbabwe on solid ground that will enhance its domestic capability and capacity to respond effectively to the challenges of Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Financing of Proliferation (ML/TF/FP) and its associated financial crimes.
3. Update on the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) Meetings held on 5th and 7th February, 2020 Cabinet considered and approved the recommendations from the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) as presented by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development as Acting Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
Regarding the matter on the financing of minimum wage, Cabinet directed that dialogue be pursued to ensure an urgent win-win solution to the matter given the prevailing economic conditions.
4. Proposed Zimbabwe National Plan of Action for the Universal Periodic Review (2017-2021) Cabinet considered and approved the proposed Zimbabwe National Plan of Action for the Universal Periodic Review (2017-2021) which the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs presented. Cabinet noted that the National Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a State driven peer review process that provides the opportunity for each State to identify key human rights issues and challenges as well as to periodically declare what actions it has taken to improve human rights situations and fulfil human rights obligations. The recommendations accepted by Zimbabwe for the period 2017 to 2021 cover a wide range of human rights issues.
The actions, activities, and programmes to address the adopted recommendations according to the National Plan of Action include the following:-
a) identifying treaties that need domestication and taking measures to domesticate them;
b) identifying legislation and policies that need to be aligned with the Constitution;
c) reviewing the legislation establishing independent Commissions and supporting the Commissions;
d) to continue training law enforcement agents, prison officers and other public officers on human rights;
e) strengthening and decentralising justice delivery institutions;
f) enhancing programmes and activities aimed at promoting gender equality and eliminating discrimination against women and gender-based violence; and
g) to deepen electoral reforms.
Cabinet noted that some of the activities and programmes had already been implemented, while others remain work in progress.
5. Progress Report on the 2019 Novel Corona Virus (COVID19) Outbreak
Cabinet was briefed by the Minister of Health and Child Care on the national progress regarding the 2019 Novel Corona virus outbreak, which commenced on 30 December, 2019 in China and was upgraded to a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 31 January, 2020. With effect from 25 January, 2020 the Ministry of Health and Child Care activated a surveillance system which includes follow up of travellers to Zimbabwe who visited China and other affected countries. To date, 1 433 travellers have been reported to have passed through Zimbabwe’s ports of entry that are screening travellers. The Government of Zimbabwe has agreed with the Government of the Republic of China that these travellers be subjected to self quarantine for a 21-day surveillance period, in order to ensure early detection of symptoms.
The national response mechanism for surveillance and early detection of any possible cases remains activated, especially at all ports of entry in the country. The main treatment centres will be situated at the Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital for the northern part of the country and Thorngrove Infectious Diseases Hospital for the Southern region. The National Microbiology Reference Laboratory (NMRL) was assessed and found to have good testing capacity and is adequately equipped. Medicines for treatment have been identified locally and will be strategically positioned at the treatment centres.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care is currently working on modalities to ensure that adequate personnel for identification and management of cases, particularly at ports of entry, is trained and equipped for the arduous task ahead of them.
Government wants to assure the nation that it is ready to tackle the Coronavirus scourge head-on, and there is no need for Zimbabweans to panic, as the situation is under control. The Ministry of Health and Child Care will continue to give updates on developments regarding the virus.
6. Flash Floods, Nsungwale Area, Binga District Cabinet received a report on the flash floods which were experienced in Binga District Nsungwale Area, under Chief Sinakoma as presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement as the Acting Minister of Local Government and Public Works. It was reported that due to the heavy backlash all the 21 families in the flood plain were marooned and 11 people were hanging on trees waiting for assistance. Cabinet noted that the Airforce of Zimbabwe, Sub-Aqua Unit stationed at Fairbridge, Bulawayo and the Civil Protection Department had been mobilized to assist the affected families.
Cabinet noted that:-
• that evacuation of the affected families to areas of safety was in progress;
• that non-food and food items were being mobilized for the affected families; and
• that the District Civil Protection Committee was monitoring the general health and welfare of the people for possible outbreaks of waterborne related diseases.
7. Report on the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union: 9 and 10 February 2020, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Cabinet received a detailed Report on the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union held from 9 to 10 February, 2020, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The Summit was held under the theme “Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development”.
In his report to the Peace and Security Council (PSC) on its activities and the State of peace and Security in Africa, His Excellency the President had appreciated the show of solidarity with Zimbabwe against sanctions as it had demonstrated and affirmed the importance that the Union attached to the defence of the provisions of the Constitutive Act of the organisation.
Cabinet noted with satisfaction that the Assembly had adopted a Resolution which, inter-alia, expressed solidarity with the people and Government of Zimbabwe and urged the Government of the United States of America to consider lifting the longstanding Sanctions imposed on the Government and people of Zimbabwe to facilitate the socio-economic recovery of the country. The Assembly also acknowledged the steps already taken by the European Union towards removing Sanctions, urging that all remaining sanctions be terminated.
The Minister also reported that His Excellency the President had signed the Memorandum of Understanding of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). In his accession speech the President noted that his administration is committed to open and responsive governance citing the political legislative and media reforms that were being undertaken to deepen democracy.
The President also participated in the Third African Business Forum held under the theme “Investing in People, Planet and Prosperity” hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) on 11 February 2020 on the margins of the AU. He had taken the opportunity to invite businesses to consider investing in Zimbabwe’s energy sector, particularly in electricity generation to enable increased production in the industrial and agricultural sectors.
His Excellency the President also held bilateral engagements with the President of Algeria and with the President of Rwanda where the leaders had agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of education.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade held bilateral engagements with the Minister of State for International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, Her Excellency Mrs Reem Al Hashimy. The outcome of the discussions are that:-
i. Zimbabwe was invited to participate at the 2020 World Exposition, Expo 2020 to be held in Dubai from 20 October 2020 to 10 April, 2021. The Minister appealed to Zimbabwe to capitalise on the Expo 2020 as this was a good opportunity for the country to market itself.
ii. the UAE Minister pledged to financially assist artists from Zimbabwe to exhibit at Expo 2020.
iii. Furthermore, Zimbabwe was invited to the Africa Arab Summit to be held in Saudi Arabia on 16 March 2020.
By A Correspondent- Junior parliamentarians here have pleaded with government to review downwards the recently announced examinations fees arguing that the figure is way beyond the reach of many especially rural children.
In a letter dated February 11 2020 and signed by Tinashe Ngirandi, the junior legislators said:
The above matter serves, As the Junior Parliament and Junior Council it has come to our concem that ZIMSEC hikes registration fees with immediate effect without approaching any children’s body in Zimbabwe.
Furthermore, as we represent the interests of the Zimbabwean child, we received many complains about the new prices which are not favorable to anyone.
Rural students were failing to pay 15 rtgs and now its almost 100rtgs whilst they are not able to pay 130rtgs school fees. So in short junior parliament and council are not supporting these prices. Therefore we are asking the Ministry to review these prices again considering Part Section 81 subsection (1) paragraph () of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
Looking forward to your favorable response.
Yours Faithfuly. Hon. Tinashe Ngirandi Cc Hon, Mugayi
BY DR MASIMBA MAVAZA| The excitement caused by the press Statements issued by the former youth league leaders is short lived and a none event. The behaviour of the youth was not only disgusting but indeed depressing and flabbergasting.
Surprisingly the enemies of ZANU PF started to peddle the narrative that ZANU PF is defending the corrupt. This narrative has been the figment of the detractor’s imagination which is total mischief and seriously hitting below the belt.
While we can not turn a blind eye to corruption we must be civilised enough to fight corruption in a human way. Pointing fingers without evidence blinds each other. Eye for an eye makes the world blind.
The behaviour of the youth exposes the weakness in the party hierarchy. These Youths were clearly being supported by top officials whose positions are so easy to point out. The problem with the actions taken by the youth is not the action they took but the way they acted. Tsenengamu and Matutu exhibited the most unreasonable lunacy ever exhibited on earth. They dwelt in the self praise mode and covers themselves with a false hope that they are indispensable. Their crime was to misrepresent the revolutionary party which they did. Their behaviour was meant to cause distrust in people and make the people believe that there is confined corruption in ZANU PF. The foolishness of the youth was to present the authority as corrupt and defenders of corruption.
The actions of the youth was foolhardiness and resembled a fire powered by newspapers. A fired filed by bond paper it burns not for long.
It should mentioned that the behaviour of these misguided youth was tantamount to espionage. There is no difference between the behaviour of the opposition and that of the under fire self confident youths.
On the contrary the President PF Zimbabwe has risen above all and started fighting corruption in a way never experienced in Zimbabwe.
Mnangagwa started his new dispensation by setting up Anti Corruption institutions to fight the graft. A special department dealing with corruption led by big boy Thabani Mpofu was set and put directly under the president’s nose. A special court was set to Expedia ye the corruption cases. Mnangagwa has taken the fight against corruption as his own fight. Fight against corruption has huge significance in ensuring state security. Corruption endangers unimpeded functioning of public sector, weakens the public trust towards state institutions, and hinders democratic and stable development of the country. Corrupted public servants represent potential targets of foreign special services and criminal groups. Hence, fight against corruption is the concern of state security.
One of the main priorities of the Anticorruption unit is to prevent, detect and suppress malfeasance, conflict of interests in public service and corruption facts.
Zimbabwean government is actively involved in activities of the Working Group established in relation to national money laundering and terrorist financing risk assessment process in the frame of the Strategy on Fight Against Money-Laundering and Financing of Terrorism.
Taking into consideration the modern anti-corruption standards and approaches, international best practices on fighting against corruption in public service are shared.
The fight against corruption must not be done in a confused manner introduced by Tsenengamu and Matutu. Corruption is complicated in itself and it needs technical way of fighting it.
The warped thoughts that one can name and shame without evidence is not only barbaric but clearly insanity.
Corruption is not fought by disorganised stubbornness and total idiocy.
Tsenengamu and Matutu were overtaken by pride and thus led themselves very fast in the dustbin of politics.
These kids did not realise that the glory they seem to get from the opposition was just a shadow in the night.
If you see your enemy cheering you must quickly know that you are approaching disaster.
Of the most disappointing of all are the senior party cadres who cheered the insanity together with the enemy.
Going public with no evidence is a recipe for disaster.
Zimbabwe considers corruption a major challenge to its twin goals of ending extreme poverty by 2030 and boosting shared prosperity for the poor. In addition, reducing corruption is at the heart of the Nation. It must be mentioned that corruption has a disproportionate impact on the poor and most vulnerable, increasing costs and reducing access to services, including health, education and justice. Think, for example, of the effect of counterfeit drugs or vaccinations on the health outcomes of children and the life-long impacts that may have on them.
Empirical studies have shown that the poor pay the highest percentage of their income in bribes. The president of Zimbabwe knows that every stolen dollar, robs the poor of an equal opportunity in life and prevents governments from investing in their human capital. So to this end no reasonable state will promote corruption.
Corruption erodes trust in government and undermines the social contract. This is cause for concern across the globe, but particularly in contexts of fragility and violence, as corruption fuels and perpetuates the inequalities and discontent that lead to fragility, violent extremism, and conflict.
Corruption impedes investment, with consequent effects on growth and jobs. Zimbabwe is capable of confronting corruption and use its human and financial resources more efficiently, in order to attract more investment, and grow more rapidly. Growth is all we want as a nation and we do not need two corrupt youths former leaders to ignite the corruption fight.
ZANU PF recognizes that corruption comes in different forms. BUT it is never fought to the gallery. Corruption impacts service delivery, such as when officers ask for bribes to perform routine services. Corruption might unfairly determine the winners of government contracts, with awards favoring friends or relatives of government officials. Or it might affect more fundamental issues of capture, such as how institutions work and who controls them, a form of corruption that is often the costliest in terms of overall economic impact. Each type of corruption is important and tackling all of them is critical to achieving progress and sustainable change.
Corruption is never fought by gossip. It is never dealt with in a press statement.
Successful anti-corruption efforts are often led by a ‘coalition of concerned’ – politicians and senior government officials, the private sector, and by citizens, communities, and civil society organizations. Increasingly, successfully addressing corruption will require the concerted attention of both governments and businesses, as well as the use of the latest advanced technologies to capture, analyze, and share data to prevent, detect, and deter corrupt behavior. Corruption is not fought by instant heroes or attention seeking idiots.
Zimbabwe has been leveraging innovative technologies to strengthen public sector performance and productivity, confront corruption and to help foster greater trust and accountability, particularly in more fragile and economic environments.
What disgusts most is the portrayal of the party as a corrupt one.
Much of the costliest forms of corruption could not happen without institutions in wealthy people: the private sector firms that give large bribes, the financial institutions that accept corrupt proceeds, and the lawyers and accountants who facilitate corrupt transactions and the youth who shouts wolf in the face of shadows. It is true that money is moving from poor to wealthy individuals in ways that fundamentally undermine development.But this can not be dealt with by naming without evidence. Matutu and Tsenengamu are the ones thrusting spears in our children’s future. By declaring that the nation is under cartels without evidence to that scares away any investor. The behaviour was irresponsible and indeed inhuman.
What Tsenengamu and Matutu did surpasses all what Chamisa and MDC did in destroying the nation.
Corruption is a national problem that requires national solutions. ZANU PF has been working to mitigate the pernicious effects of corruption in the country To reaffirm the party’s leadership, President Mnangagwa led the nation by committing a range of steps to confront corruption.
ZANU PF has built capable, transparent, and accountable institutions and design and implement anticorruption programs relying on the latest discourse and innovations. All what Matutu and Tsenengamu had to do was utilise the systems set. Their insubordination was smelling to the heart. Their fight Should have been revolving around sustainability and changing outcomes by helping both state and non-state actors establish the competencies needed to implement policies and practices that improve results and strengthen public integrity.
Additionally, the Youth is supposed to work with the public and private sectors as well as civil society to support efforts to prevent corruption, improve remedies to address wrongdoing when it occurs as well as work towards improving behaviors, norms, and standards needed to sustain anti-corruption efforts. This will never be achieved by naming without shame.
Tsenengamu wondered on the side of error by using his mouth without brains. This became his downfall and indeed he fell. One wonders wether he is fighting for his pocket as we all know that he is very commercial. ZANU PF is a party of order and all things must be done in great order.
Morgan Tsvangirai with Simba Chikanza in July 2014
The late founding president of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, Morgan Tsvangirai, will be posthumously honoured during the second anniversary of his passing on in the United Kingdom this weekend.
The party’s UK and Ireland Chapter took to micro-blogging site, Twitter, to make the announcement.
“You are invited to join us as we celebrate and remember Dr Morgan Tsvangirai on Saturday, 15th February. His legacy lives on. We continue the fight for democracy until Zimbabwe is free from the regime’s tyranny”, the Chapter said, concurrently signing off with ‘MDC: change that delivers’.
Tsvangirai succumbed to colon cancer at a private South African hospital on Valentine’s Day in 2018. After his demise, his longtime understudy Nelson Chamisa took over despite disgruntlements from other senior members eyeing the coveted presidency of the main opposition party.
Tsvangirai’s former deputy, Thokozani Khupe then led a renegade breakaway faction which dismally performed during the 2018 harmonised elections controversially won by Mnangagwa and his long-ruling Zanu-PF.
Zambian giants Zanaco FC have confirmed the signing of Evans Katema from Dynamos.
The striker signed a 2-year contract as he becomes the latest Zimbabwean to cross to the north of Zambezi.
He is among the four arrivals the club confirmed last night in a statement saying.
” Zanaco FC is delighted to announce the signing of defender John Mwewa and strikers Saith Sakala, Moses Phiri and Evans Katema.
“Zimbabwean Evans Katema has penned a two-year deal, joining from Zimbabwean side Dynamos FC.”
Katema, 30, burst on the scene last year when he scored seven goals for PSL debutants Mushowani Stars before moving to the Glamour Boys during the mid-season transfer window where he continued with his rise.
He was voted in the 2019 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League team of the year and also received his first national team call-up in the Chan Qualifiers.-Soccer 24
Farai Dziva|
Football referee Antonio Martiniello from Italy has received a one-year ban for headbutting a goalkeeper.
The incident happened soon after the match between Borgo Mogliano and Montottone in the lower league on February 1.
According to ANSA news agency, Martiniello had sent off Matteo Ciccioli and the two confronted each other outside the changing room. The keeper wanted to know the reason behind the red card but the match official failed to maintain his cool and headbutted him.
Ciccioli was taken to hospital to treat his injuries.
The ban will prevent Martiniello from officiating games for the next year and he will not be allowed to enter the facilities of teams in the top three tiers of Italian soccer, minor and amateur leagues, and matches involving the Italy national team.
Farai Dziva|Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has conceded that facing Chippa United has always been difficult for them and is concerned the Chilli Boys could disturb their momentum in the title race this weekend.
Mosimane will be facing coach Norman Mapeza for the second time since the latter’s appointment in October. Their first meeting was in the Telkom Knockout tie in which Sundowns won after a penalty shootout.
The Saturday league kicks-off at 3 pm.
Mosimane, cited by Goal said: “I don’t like playing against Chippa because they always disturb us. If you look at our results against them from the past few seasons, you’ll see they really disturb us.
“If they don’t beat us, they take one point from us but they sometimes beat us in cup competitions. So, we are playing a team I don’t really enjoy playing against.
“The other thing is that we are facing them when they are motivated. Yes, they lost their league match but they are doing well in the Nedbank Cup especially since they have a new coach.
“We have dropped points against them but we will see because we want to secure our place in the Caf Champions League then we can chase for the league title when we have a chance.”
HIGHLANDERS are left with few slots for the 2020 season having retained the bulk of the players that did duty in the 2019 season.
They lost five players – Denzel Khumalo to FC Platinum, McClive Phiri who joined South African side Bidvest Wits, Peter Nyirenda who returned to Zambia and Ben Musaka and Munyaradzi Chitambwe who left the club.
Mbekezile Sibanda and Ariel Sibanda’s future with the club hangs in the balance.
Mbekezile is yet to start training while Ariel has a pending foreign deal.
“The team has lost five players and two other vacant places that were there from last season.
We had 28 players registered for the 2019 season.
“We have seven vacant to be filled. Mbekezile communicated with the club and is expected to join others soon.
“Ariel is not sure yet, he is waiting for his outside move. The team has only five slots to be filled and the team will be finalised this week.
“The coach is set to recommend the players he want us to release and the ones we should take onboard too.
“But as it stands we have the bulk of the team,” said a source at Barbourfields.
Bosso have been linked to the trio of Mkhokeli Dube, Michelle Katsvairo and Obadiah Tarumbwa.
New head coach Mark Harrison has shown satisfaction on the trio saying they have impressed.
“We are looking at the possibility (of signing them) but until a deal is sealed, we can’t say much. I am happy with their performance so far, they are performing very well and working quite hard indeed,” said Harrison.
Highlanders’ contracted players.
Prince Dube, Bukhosi Sibanda, Peter Mudhuwa, Mbekezile Sibanda (yet to start training), Godfrey Makaruse, Brian Banda, Adrian Silla, Tendai Ndlovu, Ray Lunga, Masuku Nqobizitha, Siamalonga Charlton, Ncube Bhukosi, Kapupurika Cleopas, Vincent Moyo, Ndlovu Mbongeni, Tinashe Makanda, Wellington Muuya, Erick Nyathi, Prince Muza, Devine Mhindirira, Russell Chifura, Andrew Mbeba.-H-Metro
Farai Dziva|Youthful MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has said he is fully aware of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s antics such that he will not fall into the Zanu PF leader’s trap.
Chamisa made the remarks during the party’s provincial assembly meeting in Masvingo on Sunday.
Said Chamisa:”When dealing with the crocodile you have to be careful.You don’t have to venture into the river because it will attack you.
We will remain outside the pool -on dry ground and the crocodile will be rendered powerless.
We know how to tame the crocodile,” said Chamisa.
Chamisa also addressed a provincial meeting in Lupane:
I’m in Lupane, Matebeleland North meeting with opinion leaders and grassroots structures party representatives. I’ve been told of the hunger,starvation and food shortages in this area.The suffering and marginalization is too deep.People want this suffering to end now.”
Emmerson Mnangagwa regime’s failure to declare Binga floods a national disaster clearly exposes ZANU PF politics of tribalism, regionalism and marginalization.
Ironically the very same regime which is mum on the Binga disaster was last year quick to declare the Chimanimani Cyclone Idai disaster a national disaster.
It is clear that Binga is being punished by the ruling party for consistently voting for opposition parties since independence.
A government declaration for a national disaster in Binga surely would have eased the humanitarian crisis with the world turning its attention to this community which has been marginalized since time immemorial.
The failure of government to loud the Binga disaster further unmasks ZANU PF’s politics of pretense and lies.
Clearly the marginalization of Binga exposes ZANU PF failure on nation building.
ZANU PF’s failure to pay privy details and attention to the humanitarian crisis in Binga further confirms its detachment from people.
Mnangagwa’s carefree attitude towards the suffering lays naked lack of social contract between his government and the people.
Here is a man who overtly parades that he is only answerable to the military and not the masses!
Credit should be given to our MDC Councilors and MPs for taking a leading role in helping Binga flood victims.
Indeed we are a viable alternative!
#PeoplesGovernment!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
