Emotional Zimbabwe doctors are seen in the video below praying for dying patients as public health institutions run out of medicines.
The country’s health sector has been grounded for decades now with the government continuing to allocate fewer resources to one of the critical sector.
The dire situation was worsened by the workers’ ongoing industrial action which started on the 3rd of September this year over unsustainable resources and poor working conditions.
Watch the video below for more.
State Media Motorists have urged the Government to address the current fuel shortages which are disrupting business activities as people are spending long hours in queues at service stations.
Some said they would not be able to travel this festive season if the fuel shortages continued.
“As we look forward to the festive season, we are faced with the problem of fuel shortage and corruption at service stations. Some people are hoarding fuel in drums while we are in queues which should not happen,” said Mr Emphraim Khumbula
Another motorist Mr Kariyange Tapfumaneyi said: “We are not sure whether we will go for holiday because the fuel is scarce. With this situation, we have no hope that we will be able to secure enough fuel to travel to our rural areas.”
Mr Musa Musara said there was need for government to double its usual fuel procurement ahead of the festive season.
“We are encouraging government to ensure that fuel is available in many service stations so that people won’t wait in queues for a long time.
“Businesses are being disturbed because people are spending long hours in queues instead of working to increase the country’s production.”
Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development Magna Mudyiwa told Senate last week that efforts were underway to ensure that the country had enough fuel during the festive season.
She said the challenge was around the roll-over of lines of credit and credit letters that had been issued for the payment of fuel.
“Now that process is over, I think we have seen that there is a slight improvement at our service stations.
“We have been discussing with the RBZ which issues the letters of credit for them to expedite the process and ensure that the fuel we need is made available before the Christmas holiday.”
In a horrific domestic fight in Cowdray Park last week, a 11-month-old child was killed by her aunt’s boyfriend with a brick when she was sleeping in her mother’s arms.
According to a source, Taboka Ndlovu (25) allegedly threw a brick through a window in a fit of rage while threatening to beat up his girlfriend, sister-in-law and mother-in-law who were watching him fight his brother-in-law outside.
Prior to the incident, Ndlovu had a domestic fight with his live-in girlfriend Vast Phiri (19) which led her to run back to her mother who stays in the same neighbourhood with her elder sister Shylene Phiri (24), the mother of the victim.
“He followed her here around 7pm drunk demanding to see his one-year-old daughter. Vast came out with the child and he tried to violently snatch the baby from her but she quickly ran back to the house with the baby,” said the source.
Before he could further harass the family, Vast’s brother came to the rescue and fought the drunk Ndlovu.
“Ndlovu was overpowered and he didn’t take it well. That’s when he picked up the brick on the ground and threw it to the onlookers through the window. It landed on Shylene’s child that was sleeping peacefully in her hands,” said the source.
The baby sustained a swollen forehead and was rushed to hospital where she was admitted in intensive care but died later around midnight.
The matter was reported to the Luveve police.
Bulawayo provincial public relations officer Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident and said they were still investigating.
“For now we appeal to the members of the public to solve their differences amicably and not expose children to those differences. Treat people under the influence of alcohol with caution,” said Msebele.
Meanwhile, Ndlovu has been on the run since the incident.
— BMetro
POSSIBLE natural disasters due to heavy rains and flooding loom, Civil Protection Unit Zimbabwe has warned.
This follows heavy rains that pounded some parts of the country on Sunday evening with Harare receiving the most rains recorded over a 24-hour period.
Statistics from the Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe yesterday showed that Crowborough in Harare recorded 110 millimeters followed by other Harare centres like Ashdown Park (89,9mm), Royal Golf Club (88mm) and Belvedere (82,8 mm).
In most parts of Harare it rained for a good 10 hours between Sunday evening and yesterday morning.
With 59,1 millimeters, Karoi had the highest rainfall outside of Harare according to the Met Department statistics.
In an interview with H-Metro yesterday following incidents of property damages, lighting and marooned villagers, the Director of the Department of Civil Protection Zimbabwe Nathan Nkomo said the heavy downfall has already marooned over 30 villagers in Gokwe and Mberengwa.
“The heavy downfall that has been experienced in many parts of the country has seen over 30 villagers marooned in Gokwe North Umwe River and Ngezi River in Mberengwa.
“The air force is already in the process of assisting the people affected and we urge people who are settled in stream banks to be highly cautious.
“We urge people not to cross flooded rivers or bridges and be very cautious in avoiding lightning which has already claimed lives.
“During this time when the schools are closed, we urge parents and guardians to make sure children are far from such flooding areas,” he said.
Nkomo urged local authorities across the country to clear drainage systems while raising concern over the flooding in Harare.
“There is a serious challenge in Harare that needs urgent attention.
“Authorities need to clear bridges and drainages especially during the rainy season.
“We are seeing drainages blocked by liter everywhere in Harare of which authorities should take swift action.”
The Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe yesterday issued a heavy rain forecast warning and advised people to keep in doors.
MSDZ Chief Forecaster James Ngoma said:
“Heavy rains are going to persist across the country into Tuesday; the day we will experience a drying wind covering part of the Matabeleland area to Masvingo province,
“We expect this wet spell to Tuesday (today).
“Isolated afternoon and evening thundershowers are expected in Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, Mashonaland West and Midlands’s provinces.”
H METRO
ONE hundred and thirty-five victims of Gukurahundi atrocities and political violence were repatriated from a refugee camp in Botswana, where they had sought shelter from persecution by the late former President Robert Mugabe’s regime.
The refugees are part of the 700-plus Zimbabweans living at Dukwe Refugee Camp, about 120km from Francistown in the neighbouring country.
They are expected to be received at the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) centre at the Plumtree Border Post by government officials en route to Zimbabwe.
Contacted for comment, Matabeleland South provincial social welfare officer Criswell Nyakudya, who is in Plumtree waiting to receive the refugees, said he could not comment since the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) commissioner, who was in his company was the one qualified.
The commissioner referred questions to the Labour and Social Welfare ministry. “Phone the social welfare offices in Harare, they will give you the full information,” the UNHCR commissioner said curtly.
However, a source close to the matter said the refugees were already on their way.
“We don’t call them refugees, but returnees. They have not yet arrived, but are on their way. We are waiting for them at the border as we speak,” the source said.
Efforts to get a comment from a Botswana counsellor, identified only as Mokomani, who is responsible for the repatriation exercise, were also fruitless after an official at the embassy said she was in Botswana, where she was reportedly seized with the matter.
“I don’t have information about the issue. Ms Mokomani does, but she is in Botswana right now. She is the right person to speak to relating to the matter,” the embassy official said.
Early this year, a family of four was repatriated out of the expected 300 people after the repatriations were temporarily shelved amid reports that some back-tracked on plans to return home.
The family’s return was voluntary, but the rest of the survivors were reportedly reluctant to come back, arguing that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government could not be trusted because it was the same Zanu-PF which had persecuted them.
The repatriation was stopped after the intervention of the UNHCR to make sure that the returnees were doing so voluntarily in accordance with international law.
The returnees were expected to be received by a high-level delegation of government officials at a reception ceremony which should have been at the IOM support centre in Plumtree.
A survivor of the massacres, Lameck Nkomo of Lupane, who returned with three members of his family in January, said he was relieved to come back home after spending 15 years at a refugee camp.
He said he was hopeful the government would empower the returnees after years in the wilderness.
Sources inside Emmerson Mnangagwa’s office Tuesday told ZimEye “all is not well.”
They did not provide further details only saying “Muri kupisa muno nhasi.” – WHAT’S GOING ON?
UPDATES
Professor Jonathan Moyo has suggested that former Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi is linked to a newly formed political entity called the People Party.
Responding to reports that he was over the moon about the formation of the party Moyo said, “Hahahaha. What? Me over the moon about announcing Mzembi’s party which announced itself in November 2019 as @PeoplesPartyZim in these streets!”
The party responded on Twitter that they seek to enabvle Zimbabweans to fully realise their potential.
“Yes, indeed we announced ourselves here and on other social media platforms. The mission of the People’s Party is to establish a fair and just society which will enable the people of Zimbabwe to unleash their talents and ingenuity so that their potential can be fully realised.”
Mzembi has not yet come out in the open to endorse or distance himself for the political formation.
Correspondent|THE Airforce of Zimbabwe rescued two artisanal gold miners who were marooned in Ngezi River in Mberengwa following a heavy downpour on Monday.
It is understood that the miners were going about their business when there was a sudden downpour and they rushed to a high lying area near Ngezi river.
The two were spotted by other villagers who then informed Mberengwa North Member of Parliament Tafanana Zhou.
Zhou appraised the Airforce of Zimbabwe who responded swiftly and sent a helicopter to rescue the miners.
The two were rescued and taken to their homes.
“Today we assisted two miners who were marooned at Ngezi River in Mberengwa. The two had tried to cross a flooded river but later realized that the water level was too high and they rushed to a nearby island for safety.
“I was called by miners in Mberengwa and we approached the Airforce of Zimbabwe for help. We are grateful because they brought a helicopter to rescue the miners. This clearly shows that our defense forces value life,” said Zhou.
Mberengwa is prone to floods and was seriously affected by cyclone Dineo.
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FC Platinum’s hopes of going beyond the group stage in the CAF Champions League were dented after a 3-0 defeat to Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel at Barbourfields on Saturday.
And midfielder Never Tigere believes they gave their opponents too much respect.
The Zimbabweans were bullied in all aspects of the game, which Tigere said appeared as if they were playing on foreign soil.
“You would wonder who was at home,” said Tigere.
“We gave them respect, unnecessary respect and it’s like they were at home. We allowed them to play,” said a frustrated Tigere after the game.
The 2019 Soccer Star finalist said they tried to come into the game late and were caught on the break as they sought to restore parity.
“The problem is we realised it late that it’s just a normal game that we can even win.H-Metro
By Patrick Guramatunhu- Zimbabwe’s worsening economic situation has had the undesirable effect of causing some people to panic and, as we all know desperate people do desperate things. The same irrational arguments are finding their way back and are gaining traction!
“AS the year draws to an end, it has become obvious to millions of Zimbabweans that the prospect of a broad-based, credible dialogue process are fading, further threatening the country’s desperately needed socio-economic recovery,” wrote Faith Zaba in The Independent.
“Over the past year, efforts at dialogue backed by the churches, civic society and other interest groups, aimed at bringing Zimbabwe’s key political players together have yielded minimum results.
“The Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) process launched in May 2019 by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to which political parties were invited to participate, has one fundamental weakness, it does not include the main opposition political party, the MDC Alliance.”
Faith, like so many others before you and to come after you (we have not heard the last on this), you are proposing “broad-based, credible dialogue” which will include Chamisa and his MDC party. We already know that Chamisa wants the dialogue to conclude with the formation of the National Transition Authority (NTA). , watered down version of the 2008 to 2013 GNU to you and me.
Chamisa insists the NTA will implement “the comprehensive democratic reforms necessary to guarantee free, fair and credible elections”. Whilst everyone agrees the reforms are vital to getting the nation out of this death-trap of rigged elections and bad governance. It is not obvious to main people is that the NTA will never get the reforms implemented because it is a watered down version of the 2008 to 2013 GNU which failed to get even one reform implemented. Not one!
In her article, Faith did not acknowledge the failures of the last GNU or the shortcomings of the NTA.
What Zimbabwe needs is an arrangement that will get the reforms implemented and that is only possible if Zanu PF is forced to step down. The political dialogue we want must be acknowledge that Zanu PF rigged last year’s elections, the regime is illegitimate; that is the only way the party can be forced to step down.
Besides, the problem of Zanu PF rigging elections is at the very heart of this economic and political nightmare and anyone who thinks we can ever end this nightmare without tackling this problem of rigged elections is naive, to say the least. Zimbabwe is in this mess because the country was stuck for the last 39 years with this corrupt, incompetent and murderous Zanu PF dictatorship.
The party rigged elections to stay in power and, for our sins, pretended not to notice the vote rigging we did not want to face to the Zanu PF thugs and tell them they had no mandate and must step down. It was a foolish thing to do because the consequences of 39 years of Zanu PF misrule are the economic meltdown and the tragic human suffering and deaths we see in Zimbabwe today.
The political dialogue that you, Faith and many others out there, have been clamouring will involve Zanu PF as the key political player and will only seek to grant legitimacy to the party. This is just another way of appeasing the Zanu PF thugs. And this is exactly what we have done for the last 39 years, it has not worked all these years and it is insane to continue down this path. Insane.
A recent World Bank 2019 Report said 34% or 5.7 million of our people now live in “extreme poverty” up from 29% or 4.7 million in 2018. Many of our hospitals have all but closed for lack of doctors, nurses, medicine, electricity you name it. All this because for the last 39 years we would not confront the Zanu PF thugs with the truth of rigging the elections. We must deal with this curse of rigged elections now and not bury our heads in the sand; not when the price of such foolishness is heart breaking human misery and death and the stability of the nation.
Zanu PF rigged last year’s elections, the regime is illegitimate and not just Mnangagwa, and must step down. This will allow the nation the political space to appoint an interim administration that can be entrusted the task of implemented the reforms and holding free, fair and credible elections. Neither Zanu PF nor MDC leaders can appointed into the interim administration because they failed to get even one reform implemented during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. Zimbabwe cannot afford to waste this chance.
If Zanu PF is allow to stay in office till 2023 then this will be judge yet another national failure. For we can be 100% certain that Zanu PF will see to it that no meaningful reforms are implemented and the party will go on to rig that year’s elections and drag the nation even deeper into this hell-on-earth the party has landed us in. And we, the people, would have allowed this to happen, in our desperate effort to end the economic meltdown we have become insane and made things worse not better.
Farai Dziva|Zimbabwean gaffer Kalisto Pasuwa ‘s Nyasa Big Bullets are close to winning the title in Malawi after a hard-fought 1-0 over Silver Stars over the weekend.
Bullets went into the encounter on a jinx of not having win a single game in Lilongwe this season but Chimwemwe Idana’s 75th minute solitary strike was all they needed to break it and consolidate top position.
The victory took Bullets’ tally to 61 points, a point above fellow title aspirants Be Forward Wanderers, who were 2-1 victors over Karonga United.
Bullets next travel to Civil Sporting Club on Wednesday and then returninga back to Blantyre for their remaining two games at home against Moyale Barracks and TN Stars.
ZimEye will be live-streaming the post cabinet presser.
Refresh this page for latest updates
Farai Dziva|Norman Mapeza’s arrival at Chippa United in October has totally transformed the club.
The Eastern Cape-based side has been struggling to collect maximum points.
Chippa moved to the safety – on position 11 over the weekend after beating Cape Town City 1-0 on Saturday.
Mapeza’s record in the last four games saw him picking ten points out of a possible twelve, the best-undefeated run for the club this season.
The results are in contrast to what Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane claimed last month.
The respected South African gaffer questioned the impact Mapeza had brought at Chippa United.
Pitso wanted the job to be given to a local coach following the sacking of Clinton Larsen as he believes most foreign mentors don’t make any difference in the South African football.
Mosimane told Kick-Off.com: “I mean really what’s the difference [at Chippa now]? He hasn’t been there and then what? Do you know what I’m trying to say?
“I was not happy when Cavin Johnson was let off his job [at AmaZulu], what has happened? Have you seen any big difference? You can’t really say there’s been a big difference.”
When the Sundowns mentor made those comments, Mapeza had taken charge of four games in all competitions.
By Own Correspondent| There is a South Africa based woman in her 30s by name Gugulethu (or just Gugu) Ncube, who has for years alleged she is Welshman Ncube’s daughter, and secondly that she is a rape victim.
No newspaper in South Africa has ever taken her story, something that raises questions about how the media handles cases of rape complaints. There has to be a mechanism of supporting victims.
Gugu’s case however appears a unique.
She sure looks like Welshman Ncube, so stop laughing, okay! But she also looks like her birth certificate father, Lot.
She says the man on her birth certificate registered as her father murdered her mother and killed himself afterwards, soon after discovering that Welshman committed adultery with his wife. A background check proves that of a truth Lot Ncube killed his wife somewhere in Gwanda in 1987 and committed suicide afterwards.
We contact Welshman for a comment and Nelson Chamisa’s deputy refuses to speak only saying he is not amused by the allegations.
But the facials are so similar, and why is Welshman refusing to speak, is this to merely avoid being caught saying the wrong thing?
Gugu Ncube 2 years ago narrated to the world (the “touching” childhood story) claiming she is Welshman’s daughter proven in a DNA test conducted in 1986 at a Bulawayo hospital. (There was no DNA technology in Zim hospitals in 1987, even as late as 2010! There was no DNA technology in any hospital anywhere in the world in 1987).
She also claimed she has been raped by at least 5 men in the last 10 years.
A background check has suggested she is a serial litigant.
ALSO READ: Cases of rape laid by Ms Gugu Ncube around Johannesburg police stations:
Case numbers and status
1) 1779-10-2009 withdrawn / accused A.A
2) 218-01–2010 undetected / no case
3) 173-01-2013 withdrawn / no case
4) 216-04-2017 withdrawn / accused M.G
5) 690-03-2018 closed /accused S.M
On the Welshman connection, after being snapped on camera with Welshman, she soon rushed to contact the then president Jacob Zuma saying she is a relative through Welshman’s son’s marriage. She was now President Zuma’s daughter in law- perfect.
In covering her story and assisting someone back then viewed as a victim, ZimEye blew over £340.00 in phone calls alone.
The LIVE programs soon hit a snag when it became clear she had not told the truth on being Welshman Ncube’s daughter proven from a DNA test.
During interviews she within minutes shifted from calling Welshman, Dad, to “this guy.”
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Farai Dziva| Chibuku Super Cup winners Highlanders are yet to make a decision on their participation in the next season of the CAF Confederation Cup.
The Bulawayo giants had informed that they were going to announce their position before the end of last week but club chairman Kenneth Mhlophe says they are still in consultation with their sponsors.
“Trust me, whatever decision that we will make is for the good of the club,” he Chronicle.
“We have to safeguard the club’s interests. Consultations and conversations are going on and our members will know the position of the club soon.”
Meanwhile, it has also been reported that Highlanders might no take part in the inter-club competition due to budget constraints. The club leadership is resolving to strengthening the squad instead, so that it can challenge for the league next year.
Open Letter to Zesa over unfair distribution of electricity in Mutare, particularly the sidelining of HOB House Location.
As the national provider of electricity, you will, no doubt, be well aware of our plight, as HOB House residents, of a perennial absence of electricity,which occurs daily,almost seven days out of the seven week days.
With all due respect of protocol,l wish to draw your attention to the problems we have with regards to the differential treatment that we are getting from Zesa.l find myself right in telling you that, on a daily basis, electricity is switched off between 0400 and 0500 hours. Electricity will only be restored around mid-night, which is monotonic.
Surprisingly, and under suspicious circumstances, the same is not what happens to other areas like Zimunya and Penhalonga, Fern Valley, Sakubva and Zimta which is adjacent to our location.
In Zimunya,Fern Valley or Tsvingwe, it is very rare to see them without
electricity. They even get restoration during the day, almost daily. Since time immemorial, if the sky would show signs of rains, electricity is switched off in HOB House.
We at times would go as far as four consecutive days and nights in absolute darkness, and one would think we are a cursed lot, and this is evidential in our view that ZESA has conceptually grounded HOB House, which leaves absolute parallelism between us and the service provider. Does it mean that
Zesa would have forgotten that there are also people in HOB House? Are the Zesa employees aware of ‘intricate’ linkings of electricity to our habits, living and custom?
Due to the absence of electricity, our area is subject to a very hazardous walk during the night. The other day, my neighbour had his foodstuffs, including meat and baby food, worth thousands of dollars rotten due to the perennial absence of electricity.
As you already know, due to the economic hardships currently obtaining in the country, people are failing to obtain alternative back-up sources, and
replacing any rotten foodstuffs would need another day for me to dwell on that, and l am concerned that there are a lot others who are facing the same predicament going unknown, if nothing is done about this soon.
I do hope you can find time to visit the locations during one of your work days to see for yourself just how serious the problem has become and can, subsequently, lobby some of your fellow employees to support a change in the allocation of the scarce national resource.
I would be interested in seeing change and hearing from you with regards to your views on this matter and what you might be able to do about it.
Thank you in anticipation of your help.
Yours sincerely
Prof Luke Mbune Chakaza (Resident)
Farai Dziva|Gift Ostallos Siziba, the MDC Youth Assembly Secretary General says he will continue to participate in the struggle for democracy despite state- initiated persecution of civilians.
See Siziba’s full statement:
Revolutionary salutations comrades, democrats and fellow compatriots!
As some might already have read from the streets of social media that I have been acquitted of the frivolous and concocted charges inciting public violence that I have been facing.
I would like to extend my profound thanks to all Zimbabweans and in particular my legal team (ZLHR), the Youth assembly legal team and members of the Youth Assembly.
The case has been exhausting, draining and intended to distracted our resolve to fight for a democratic developmental Zimbabwe.
Without solidarity our struggle for a genuinely free, democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe will remain a pipe dream so SOLIDARITY FOREVER comrades!
As president Advocate Nelson Chamisa has always indicated, the task upon our generation is to finish the unfinished business of the liberation.
We stand firm in execution this mission upon which Zimbabwe shall be free.
In the struggle for change
Aluta Continua.
Statement by Gift Ostallos Siziba MDC Youth Assembly Secretary General
Revolutionary salutations comrades, democrats and fellow compatriots!
As some might already have read from the streets of social media that I have been acquitted of the frivolous and concocted charges inciting public violence that I have been facing.
I would like to extend my profound thanks to all Zimbabweans and in particular my legal team (ZLHR), the Youth assembly legal team and members of the Youth Assembly.
The case has been exhausting, draining and intended to distracted our resolve to fight for a democratic developmental Zimbabwe.
Without solidarity our struggle for a genuinely free, democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe will remain a pipe dream so SOLIDARITY FOREVER comrades!
As president Advocate Nelson Chamisa has always indicated, the task upon our generation is to finish the unfinished business of the liberation.
We stand firm in execution this mission upon which Zimbabwe shall be free.
In the struggle for change
Aluta Continua.
Farai Dziva|The Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe (CBZ Holdings) is set to close some of its branches in the wake of deepening economic challenges.
CBZ will close its Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street branch in Bulawayo on December 31 this year.
The bank has also closed its Tsholotsho branch.
According to a state run publication, more branches are expected to be shut down.
“CBZ Holdings encourages its customers to use digital platforms such as CBZ Touch Mobile App, CBZ Internet Banking, CBZ Smart Point Point-of-Sale terminals and ATMs,” a source said.
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By A Correspondent- The chairperson of the Parliamentary portfolio committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs who is also a Zanu PF legislator for Chegutu West, Dexter Nduna, has said that the funds allocated to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) were not enough to improve the welfare of prisoners.
Presenting a report in Parliament recently, Nduna bemoaned the amount allocated to the ZPCS.
He said:
“ZPCS was appropriated $715 116 000 against a bid of $2 244 727 803 which resulted in a negative variance of 68 percent. This gross under-allocation will result in a decline in the welfare of inmates through inadequate quantities of food, uniforms for inmates, medicines and sanitary ware.
Local prisons are already in a dire state with inmates always complaining about the food, poor sanitation, overcrowding and clothing which are conducive conditions for disease outbreak.”
Human rights defenders including the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum have been calling for the rehabilitation of local prisons saying that the current state of prisons violated human rights including the right to dignity.
-DailyNews
Farai Dziva|2018 independent Presidential candidate Brian Mteki has rejoined Zanu PF.
Mteki told state broadcaster, ZBC he was happy to return home.
” I have returned home- Zanu PF is my home and I am ready to serve the nation.
We have to be united as a nation.Zanu PF is a party that represents the interests of the people,” said Mteki.
Commenting on Mteki’s decision to return to Zanu PF, the ruling party Political Commissar, Victor Matemadanda said:” We are happy to embrace Cde Mteki.
He worked closely with the late Elliot Tapfumaneyi Manyika and we all know that he is an industrious figure.”
Farai Dziva|Respected Masvingo based political analyst Jeffryson Chitando has said 2018 independent Presidential candidate Brian Mteki’s decision to rejoin Zanu PF is insignificant.
Chitando said:” This move is insignificant, Mteki is Zanu PF to the bone marrow…”
Mteki told state broadcaster, ZBC he was happy to return home.
” I have returned home- Zanu PF is my home and I am ready to serve the nation.
We have to be united as a nation.Zanu PF is a party that represents the interests of the people,” said Mteki.
Commenting on Mteki’s decision to return to Zanu PF, the ruling party Political Commissar, Victor Matemadanda said:” We are happy to embrace Cde Mteki.
He worked closely with the late Elliot Tapfumaneyi Manyika and we all know that he is an industrious figure.”
Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet
This has been a year of tremendous activism – notably by young people.
It is particularly fitting that this year we mark Human Rights Day during the crucial UN conference in Madrid to uphold climate justice.
We owe a debt of gratitude to all those millions of children, teenagers and young adults who have been standing up and speaking out more and more loudly about the crisis facing our planet.
Rightly, these young people are pointing out that it is their future which is at stake, and the future of all those who have not yet even been born. It is they who will have to bear the full consequences of the actions, or lack of action, by the older generations who currently run governments and businesses, the decision-makers on whom the future of individual countries, regions and the planet as whole depends.
It cannot, of course, be left to young people alone to tackle the climate emergency, or indeed the many other human rights crises that are currently causing simultaneous turbulence in so many countries across the world. All of us must stand together, in solidarity, and act with principle and urgency.
We can, and must, uphold the painstakingly developed universal human rights principles that sustain peace, justice and sustainable development. A world with diminished human rights is a world that is stepping backwards into a darker past, when the powerful could prey on the powerless with little or no moral or legal restraint.
However, among the many human rights challenges that have been metastasizing during the first two decades of the 21st century, the global climate emergency presents perhaps the most profound planet-wide threat to human rights that we have seen since World War II. From the right to life, to health, to food, water and shelter, to our rights to be free of discrimination, to development and to self-determination, its impacts are already making themselves felt.
We have a duty to ensure young people’s voices are heard.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948, was a firm commitment by States to protect the rights of everyone – and that includes making it possible for future generations to uphold human dignity, equality and rights.
All human beings have a right to participate in decisions that have impact on their lives. In order to ensure more effective decision-making, and to build greater trust and harmony across their nations, the leaders of every society should be listening to their people – and acting in accordance with their needs and demands.
Nothing summarizes these aims, the leitmotif of the international human rights system, more clearly and succinctly than Article 1 of the Universal Declaration, which states boldly and unequivocally that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”
No country, no community, will be spared by the climate emergency, as it intensifies. Already, we are seeing the most vulnerable communities and nations suffering terrible damage.
People are losing homes, livelihoods – and lives. Inequalities are deepening, and more people are being forced into displacement. We must act quickly, and with principle, to ensure the least possible harm is done to human beings, and to our environment.
Climate harms will not be halted by national borders – and reactions based on hostile nationalism, or short-term financial considerations, will not only fail: they will tear our world apart. The struggles for climate justice and human rights are not a political quarrel. This is not about left or right: it is about rights – and wrongs.
It is not just concerns about the accelerating climate crisis that have driven millions to stand up and demand action. In every region, people are finding their voice to speak up about inequalities and repressive institutions. I am inspired by the courage, clarity and principle of all these people, some of them very young indeed, who are standing up peacefully, in order to right the wrongs of our era and create greater freedom and justice. They are the living expression of human rights.
Policy-makers everywhere need to listen to these calls. And in response, they need to shape more effective, and more principled, policies.
We have a right to live free from discrimination on any grounds. We have a right to access education, health-care, economic opportunities and a decent standard of living. We – all of us – have a right to participate in decisions that affect our lives. This is about our future, our livelihoods, our freedoms, our security and our environment. And not just our future, but the future of our children, grand-children and great grand-children.
We need to mobilise across the world – peacefully and powerfully – to advance a world of rights, dignity and choice for everyone. The decision-makers understood that vision very clearly in 1948.
Do they understand it now? I urge world leaders to show true leadership and long-term vision and set aside narrow national political interests for the sake of everyone, including themselves and all their descendants.
ENDS
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has pushed through a new bill that authorises the blowing up of huge amounts of money of up to 10 billion dollars by ministries without permission.
The development, which his predecessor the late former Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe also implemented through the 2014 Financial Adjustments Bill, condones government’s unauthorised expenditure.
The recent move however could be an attempt to cover-up the leaking of USD5,9 billion within 5 months of Mugabe’s removal from power.
Details of the Financial Adjustments Bill were revealed in the below memo (bottom of article).
The Tendai Biti led parliamentary portfolio on Public Accounts has found that USD5,9 billion was blown soon after Mugabe’s removal, the memo reveals more harrowing unauthorised expenditure.
The memo is itself an announcement government officials blew a total USD8 billion by the end of year 2018.
The latest public reading indicates that the bill has already been pushed through and Mthuli Ncube is simply making an announcement of latest developments.
Commenting on the development, MDC Secretary General Chalton Hwende said, “we are doomed with these fellas!”
Meanwhile the memo reads in full:
FINANCIAL ADJUSTMENTS BILL, 2019
MEMORANDUM
If a Government Ministry or Department spends money in any financial year in excess of the amount appropriated, or for a purpose for which nothing was appropriated, the Minister of Finance is required in terms of section 307 of the Constitution to cause a Bill condoning the unauthorised expenditure to be introduced in the National Assembly seeking condonation of the unauthorised expenditure, no later than sixty days after the extent of the unauthorised expenditure has been established.
In line with the above, we seek condonation for unauthorised expenditure incurred by Line Ministries of US$25,305,741 (twenty-five million three hundred and five thousand and seven hundred and forty-one dollars) for year ended 2015, US$1,530,890,050 (one billion five hundred and thirty million eight hundred and ninety thousand and fifty dollars) for year ended 2016, US$4,562,064,123 (four billion five hundred and sixty-two million and sixty four thousand one hundred and twenty-three dollars) for year ended 2017, US$3,560,343,130 (three billion five hundred and sixty million three hundred and forty-three thousand one hundred and thirty dollars) for year ended 2018
By A Correspondent- A hot-headed man has gone on the run after he fired shots at his former employee whom he accused of stealing from him.
Francis Dube from Duta Farm in Kezi is now facing attempted murder charges after he fired his pistol at Sitshengisiwe Ncube (50). Dube fired his gun after accusing Ncube of stealing his ox-drawn plough and a brick moulder while she was working for him.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident, telling the state media.
“I can confirm that we recorded an attempted murder case which occurred in Halale Village in Nathisa. The suspect Francis Dube went to Sitshengisiwe Ncube’s homestead. He accused her of stealing an ox-drawn plough and a brick moulder from him.
He demanded his property back but she refused. Dube retrieved a pistol from his car and fired a shot at Ncube but missed after she hid behind a tree.
-StateMedia
By Business Reporter| The minister of finance has pushed through a new bill that authorises the blowing up of amounts up to 10 billion dollars by ministries without permission.
The development could be an attempt to cover-up the leaking of USD5,9 billion within 5 months of former president Robert Mugabe’s removal from power.
Details of the Financial Adjustments Bill were revealed in the below memo (bottom of article).
The Tendai Biti led parliamentary portfolio on Public Accounts has found that USD5,9 billion was blown soon after Mugabe’s removal, the memo reveals more harrowing unauthorised expenditure.
The memo is itself an announcement government officials blew a total USD8 billion by the end of year 2018.
The latest public reading indicates that the bill has already been pushed through and Mthuli Ncube is simply making an announcement of latest developments.
Commenting on the development, MDC Secretary General Chalton Hwende said, “we are doomed with these fellas!”
Meanwhile the memo reads in full:
FINANCIAL ADJUSTMENTS BILL, 2019
MEMORANDUM
If a Government Ministry or Department spends money in any financial year in excess of the amount appropriated, or for a purpose for which nothing was appropriated, the Minister of Finance is required in terms of section 307 of the Constitution to cause a Bill condoning the unauthorised expenditure to be introduced in the National Assembly seeking condonation of the unauthorised expenditure, no later than sixty days after the extent of the unauthorised expenditure has been established.
In line with the above, we seek condonation for unauthorised expenditure incurred by Line Ministries of US$25,305,741 (twenty-five million three hundred and five thousand and seven hundred and forty-one dollars) for year ended 2015, US$1,530,890,050 (one billion five hundred and thirty million eight hundred and ninety thousand and fifty dollars) for year ended 2016, US$4,562,064,123 (four billion five hundred and sixty-two million and sixty four thousand one hundred and twenty-three dollars) for year ended 2017, US$3,560,343,130 (three billion five hundred and sixty million three hundred and forty-three thousand one hundred and thirty dollars) for year ended 2018.
By Own Correspondent| Harare Magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti on Monday 9 December 2019 set free MDC Youth Assembly Secretary-General Gift Ostallos Siziba after ordering that he be removed from remand for allegedly inciting people to revolt against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’sgovernment.
Siziba had been appearing in court since he was arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on Wednesday 10 July 2019 and charged with incitement to commit public violence as defined in section 187 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Prosecutors charged that Siziba incited members of the public to rise up against President Mnangagwa’s government when he addressed his MDC party supporters at a political rally held in Harare.
On Monday 9 December 2019, the MDC youth leader’s lawyer Moses Nkomo of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights protested against the State’s failure to have his trial commence despite undertaking to do so on several occasions.
This resulted in Magistrate Muchuchuti agreeing with Nkomo’s submissions and removed Siziba from remand and ordering the State to proceed by issuing summons if it intends to press on with his prosecution.
A Daily News article has claimed the opposition leader Nelson Chamisa is toning down on one of his key demands for dialogue with President Emmerson Mnangagwa – to have an external mediator and is now open to either local cleric or retired judge mediating such talks.
This comes as relations between authorities and Chamisa are widely accepted to be at an all-time low following the continuing clampdown by police on the MDC and its officials.
But despite this tension, behind-the-scenes and indirect ‘talks about the talks’ appear to be gathering pace with Chamisa now saying that he will accept mediation by “neutral” locals.
The paper quotes the MDC spokesperson Daniel Molokele allegedly saying at the weekend that the party would be comfortable with an independent judge or clergyman mediating the mooted dialogue.
Chamisa and the MDC have previously insisted that any talks with Mnangagwa be held on condition that they are brokered by a respectable external mediator.
Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo was at one time touted as a potential candidate for this role after Chamisa held talks with him in the West African nation — and after the retired statesman also held private talks with Mnangagwa in the capital recently.
Meanwhile, Sadc says it prefers Zimbabweans to mediate in the much-talked about talks.
Polarisation in the southern African nation deepened after last year’s disputed elections won by Mnangagwa by a razor-thin margin, scuppering any hope of the country shaking off its divided past and implementing economic revival after long-time leader Robert Mugabe was removed from power via a bloody coup two years ago.
Zimbabwe’s churches have unsuccessfully sought to broker talks between the government and its opponents as the country battles its worst economic crisis characterised by severe shortages of fuel, cash, medicines, and rolling power cuts while inflation now in three figures is at its highest in a decade.
Their efforts, however, stalled on Chamisa’s refusal to recognise Mnangagwa’s presidency over allegations of “electoral theft” and that any talks be mediated by a neutral figure.
But after the opposition dropped the legitimacy component from its list of key demands following a meeting at the weekend, government felt the move could pave the way for possible talks.
Information secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana yesterday said the move by Chamisa’s camp would go a long way in depolarising the country’s toxic political environment.
“That conciliatory tone coming from the main opposition party in Zimbabwe is a welcome development. There’s need to depolarise the nation so we focus on developmental issues. This involves having Zimbabweans talking to one another with respect and a sense of propriety. We have to engage one another. That’s the essence of dialogue whose frame, substance and tone is not that of a negotiation,” he said.
“There was no legitimacy issue in Zimbabwe. There’s a leader in Zimbabwe whose legitimacy is internationally recognised. That’s why diplomats from any country in the world present their credentials to that leader.”
Mangwana, however, said such talks would be presided over by a respectable local convenor.
“National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NRPC) and the Zimbabwe Gender Commission heads are the independent convenors. Surely ‘independent’ does not mean foreigner, does it?” he asked rhetorically.
The opposition leader said his party was ready for “a sincere, honest and credible dialogue process to end political hostilities that are holding back economic recovery” and insisted that the country needed assistance from the region.
“My message to our brothers in Africa is: Please help us to fix our politics and economy in Zimbabwe. A weak Zimbabwe is a weak region and a sick continent,” Chamisa said.
“The problems of Zimbabwe are the problems of Africa, so it is important to be assisted through this and allow needed reforms that usher in a new Zimbabwe and a better country for all.”
– DailyNews
By A Correspondent| Men are being abused by women, said a Deaf Zimbabwe Trust representative on Tuesday.
They told ZimEye.com, “we have had a lot of complaints from men with disabilities.Someone says I am the one who works in the house yet the family continues to say be good to this woman because she is looking after you. So you’re expected to swallow all the hook and sink” VIDEO:
Men are being abused by women,"We have had a lot of complaints from men with disabilities.Someone says I am the one who works in the house yet the family continues to say be good to this woman because she is looking after you. So you're expected to swallow all the hook and sink" pic.twitter.com/wNpuhcig6k
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) December 10, 2019
Pindula|Former deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, advocate Obert Gutu has said that Zimbabwe needs legislation that will regulate the registration of political parties.
He added that at the moment, there are numerous but ineffective political parties. His remarks come as 23 individuals contested for president in the 2018 elections with some getting very insignificant votes as the 94% of the total votes cast was shared between ZANU PF’s (President) Emmerson Mnangagwa and MDC-A’s Nelson Chamisa.
Speaking to the Daily News after the opposition MDC led by Nelson Chamisa confronted the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission over the recent registration of a new political party, MDC Zimbabwe, Gutu said:
A political party is a voluntary association but there should be certain rules and regulations that guide the registration of political parties to prevent the hazard of having numerous political parties that are, in reality, one-person bands.
He also speaks when another new party, ZANU PF Original recently notified ZEC of its existence, a move viewed by some as a strategy to divide the ZANU PF support base.
Meanwhile, there are some who believe that the presence of many political parties in the country reflected tolerance and democracy since citizens are allowed to join and form organisations they like.
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A military plane with 38 on board has disappeared en route to Antarctica, Chile’s air force says in a statement. The C-130 Hercules transport aircraft took off from Punta Arenas at 16:55 local time (19:55 GMT), and operators lost contact soon after 18:00 (21:00). Among the missing are 17 crew members and 21 passengers, who were travelling to provide logistical support. Chile’s air force said a search and rescue operation is under way to recover the plane and those missing. News agency EFE reports that three of those on board are civilians. Air Force General Eduardo Mosqueira told local media that the plane did not activate any distress signal while flying to Chile’s Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva base, on Antarctica’s King George Island. He said the plane, whose pilot had extensive experience, may have been forced to land after running out of fuel. Chilean President Sebastián Piñera said in a tweet that he was “dismayed” by the disappearance, and was monitoring the situation from the capital, Santiago. In a subsequent statement, he added that “all national and foreign air and maritime means in the area” were assisting with the search. Chile controls over 1.2 million sq km (463,000 sq miles) of Antarctic territory, bordering land claimed by the UK and Argentina. Within this territory it operates nine bases – the most of any country in the world. BBC/NewExpressNGR
The current bank exchange rates for the ZWL$ today are as follows:
USD = ZWL$16.4485
ZWL$ = RAND0.8920
Data according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe
Black Market Rates:
USD = ZWL$23.00 zimrates
USD = ZWL$23.00 zwl365
USD = ZWL$22.20 bluemari
USD = BOND16.80 bluemari
– Marketwatch
A GRADE 2 pupil at a Bulawayo school has died after he was hit and dragged by a race car at the three-hour Bulawayo Endurance Race held on Saturday at the Bulawayo Motorsport Park along Victoria Falls Road.
Kelvin Kwangwari (7) was confirmed dead on admission at Mpilo Central Hospital.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the accident yesterday.
“I can confirm a fatal road traffic accident involving a private motor vehicle [racing car] and a pedestrian. It happened on December 7 at the Bulawayo Motoring Club Race Course along Victoria Falls Road, Richmond, Bulawayo,” she said.
She said the vehicle veered off the track after a tyre burst and hit the boy who was a spectator.
The police said the car dragged the boy for some distance.
“The authorities ferried the second party (boy) to hospital. The (boy) died after admission at Mpilo Hospital,” she said.
Simango said investigations were underway.
A family member, Arnold Mawere, said they were at Nyaradzo Funeral Parlour and still finalising arrangements for the funeral.
“Kelvin will be laid to rest on Tuesday, but we are still finalising a few things with Nyaradzo Funeral Parlour on where he will be laid to rest,” he said.
“I am his brother and I used to stay with him. He was a Grade 2 student at a local primary school in Bulawayo.”
One of the drivers, Byron Norman, expressed his condolences on the Bulawayo Motoring Club Facebook page and fans poured out condolence messages to the family yesterday.
“With the 50th anniversary 3-hour endurance over, it’s time to reflect on a great event. Great racing and loads of history. Thanks must go out to the spectators who came out to witness the event,” he posted.
“On a sad note, there was an incident on turn one, where a car left the track at speed and went into a spectators’ area. The race was stopped. The ambulances went to the scene and dealt with the injured. Unfortunately, one spectator passed away at the hospital a while later. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family on your tragic loss.”
— NewsDay
By A Correspondent- A Grade 2 pupil at a Bulawayo school has died after he was hit and dragged by a race car at the three-hour Bulawayo Endurance Race held on Saturday at the Bulawayo Motorsport Park along Victoria Falls Road.
Kelvin Kwangwari (7) was confirmed dead on admission at Mpilo Central Hospital.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the accident yesterday.
“I can confirm a fatal road traffic accident involving a private motor vehicle [racing car] and a pedestrian. It happened on December 7 at the Bulawayo Motoring Club Race Course along Victoria Falls Road, Richmond, Bulawayo,” she said.
She said the vehicle veered off the track after a tyre burst and hit the boy who was a spectator.
The police said the car dragged the boy for some distance.
“The authorities ferried the second party (boy) to hospital. The (boy) died after admission at Mpilo Hospital,” she said.
Simango said investigations were underway.
A family member, Arnold Mawere, said they were at Nyaradzo Funeral Parlour and still finalising arrangements for the funeral.
“Kelvin will be laid to rest on Tuesday, but we are still finalising a few things with Nyaradzo Funeral Parlour on where he will be laid to rest,” he said.
“I am his brother and I used to stay with him. He was a Grade 2 student at a local primary school in Bulawayo.”
One of the drivers, Byron Norman, expressed his condolences on the Bulawayo Motoring Club Facebook page and fans poured out condolence messages to the family yesterday.
“With the 50th anniversary 3-hour endurance over, it’s time to reflect on a great event. Great racing and loads of history. Thanks must go out to the spectators who came out to witness the event,” he posted.
“On a sad note, there was an incident on turn one, where a car left the track at speed and went into a spectators’ area. The race was stopped. The ambulances went to the scene and dealt with the injured. Unfortunately, one spectator passed away at the hospital a while later. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family on your tragic loss.”
— NewsDay
EFF leader Julius Malema has slammed critics who question his taste for the good life while claiming to represent the poor.
Speaking to TimesLIVE, Malema said the criticism was unfair as it was directed only at him.
He said many ANC leaders also lived in upmarket suburbs and no-one questioned them, while he was selectively questioned for living in Sandton.
He said everyone who voted for the EFF knew of his expensive tastes and continued to support him because his lifestyle did not mean that he was not committed to fighting for the poor.
Malema said he had acquired his expensive tastes from “our leaders”, mentioning several former ANC heavyweights who had never been criticised or questioned about where they lived.
“Mandela stayed in Houghton, Thabo Mbeki stays in Houghton and Kgalema Motlanthe stays in Houghton — but no-one has ever doubted their commitment to fight for the poor because of where they stay,” he said.
“There are rules for certain people and different rules for the hated ones. I will not accept that.
“There is nothing I am doing that our leaders, who are loved — [by] rich and poor — have not done. I am following in their footsteps.”
Malema said he was puzzled that questions over his lifestyle persisted when “it is not a secret that I wear Louis Vuitton and Gucci”.
“I buy those things with my own money, not government money, and have never said to anyone — media and the electorate — that I do not wear Louis Vuitton,” he said.
“I have never said, ‘I stay in Alexandra, vote for me’.
“I have never said, ‘Vote for me because, like Thomas Sankara, I am riding a bike’.
“They voted for me knowing that I stay in Sandton.” — TimesLIVE
By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa is in Berlin Germany where he is attending the Social Democratic Party Conference.
Chamisa twitted and shared a few photos him attending the conference and he captioned his photos:
So honoured to be in Germany, Berlin to attend the Germany Social Democratic Party SPD conference together with the ANC and Chama Cha Mapinduzi .Also had high profile meetings with the Germany govt on governance,trade and development. The future is exciting.The goodwill is amazing!
Pindula|Former deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, advocate Obert Gutu has said that Zimbabwe needs legislation that will regulate the registration of political parties.
He added that at the moment, there are numerous but ineffective political parties. His remarks come as 23 individuals contested for president in the 2018 elections with some getting very insignificant votes as the 94% of the total votes cast was shared between ZANU PF’s (President) Emmerson Mnangagwa and MDC-A’s Nelson Chamisa.
Speaking to the Daily News after the opposition MDC led by Nelson Chamisa confronted the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission over the recent registration of a new political party, MDC Zimbabwe, Gutu said:
A political party is a voluntary association but there should be certain rules and regulations that guide the registration of political parties to prevent the hazard of having numerous political parties that are, in reality, one-person bands.
He also speaks when another new party, ZANU PF Original recently notified ZEC of its existence, a move viewed by some as a strategy to divide the ZANU PF support base.
Meanwhile, there are some who believe that the presence of many political parties in the country reflected tolerance and democracy since citizens are allowed to join and form organisations they like.
THE Meteorological Service Department (MSD) has predicted heavy rains and strong winds that may uproot trees and damage buildings in the southern part of the country up to Thursday.
In a statement yesterday, MSD said the rains could result in flash floods.
The department warned members of the public against crossing flooded rivers.
“Uprooting of trees, flooding of rivers and streams as well as damage to infrastructure is likely with this type of rainfall intensity,” read the statement.
“From Monday 9 through to Thursday 12 December 2019, widespread rains are expected across the country, with heavy falls in some places.
“Of note, on Monday, parts of Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Masvingo provinces as well as the Midlands province are forecast to receive in excess of 50mm in 24 hours which may result in flash floods,” read the statement.
“These heavy rains may also be accompanied by hail, strong winds and lightning. Similar conditions should spread northeast to affect Mashonaland provinces as well as Harare Metropolitan by Tuesday 10 December.”
The MSD said the rains are expected to steadily ease by Friday in most parts of the country with heavier pours in Mashonaland East into northern parts of Manicaland.
MSD urged drivers to exercise caution on the roads while advising the public against unnecessary movements.
“Caution on the roads, flash flooding and gushes of water may lead to treacherous road conditions. Do not attempt to cross flooded rivers. Visibility may also be compromised during heavy downpours. During storms avoid metal objects and tall isolated trees. Where possible, stay indoors,” reads the statement.
The rain prediction could bring relief to most farmers who were losing their livestock due to the devastating effects of drought.
Matabeleland region lost more than 20 000 cattle to drought this year. Bulawayo residents are expecting significant inflows into the city’s supply dams that are all in Matabeleland South province.
Two out of the city’s six supply dams have already been decommissioned because they are almost dry. The city’s supply dams are 36 percent full and this has prompted the local authority to introduce a 96-hour weekly water shedding.
ZESA, has delivered more bad news for struggling Zimbabweans after warning that load shedding has been escalated and will now be at Stage 2.
We publish the statement from Zesa below in its entirety,
ZESA Holdings would like to advise its valued customers countrywide that load shedding is now being implemented at Stage 2 level due to loss of power imports from the region and depressed local generation.
Load shedding is thus now being implemented over and above the advertised schedule.
Customers will be advised of progress on the restoration of imports and improved local generation to minimise the effects of load shedding.
ZESA Holdings sincerely apologises for the inconvenience caused.
Gauteng floods have swept cars and shacks in Johannesburg, South Africa leaving citizens in fear.
SABC News reports that people in low lying areas have been asked to leave the areas urgently.
Watch the video below.
Meanwhile in Pretoria, relentless flood water brought Mamelodi to its knees yesterday, with more than 700 shacks swept away at Eerste Fabrieke informal settlement.
Rain-triggered disasters, including flash floods and landslides, crushed the informal settlement located on the riverbed.
Rescue divers had to be brought in to bring some relief.
Some residents stood on top of their shack roofs, while others attempted to swim. Others piled up stones, tyres and old wood to make paths.
The residents, who over the years built thousands of shacks on a river bank along Tsamaya Road, felt history was repeating itself; this was the third time an incident of this nature hit the area.
According to one of the community leaders Shadrak Morena, residents had to flee their homes when the flood engulfed the shacks at about 9am.
Water caused some structures to collapse, and the flood swept away their personal belongings.
Morena said that residents, including children, were awakened by the water coming inside their homes at about 8.45am.
They then ran to higher ground.
Residents tried to save whatever they could, but some things were completely destroyed and swept away. Others were, however, too scared and didn’t manage to take anything.
“It’s a dangerous thing living here because we don’t know what will happen next time when the rain comes,” said Morena.
Tsamaya Road was cordoned off for most of the day, with joint rescue operation teams trying to devise a plan to save the residents.
The families were taken to the community hall located on higher ground near the stricken area.
The rescue operation was still ongoing late yesterday.
Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Charles Mabaso said: “We got a number of shack dwellers trapped here because of the high levels of water. A number of them were on rooftops, but we had emergency services and water technicians to assist them.
“Earlier we had reports that two children had been swept away by the water in that area, but it is not yet confirmed.”
Displaced shack dwellers would be given alternative accommodation at the Mamelodi Hall, he said.
Acting Social Development MEC Panyaza Lesufi visited the community crippled by the flooding and said the department would provide assistance to the displaced residents.
Lesufi said no casualties were reported, but a lot of people were stuck in their shacks and some at the river banks.
“We unleashed all our resources with regards to emergency food and blankets,” he said.
“For families that are in distress, we can carry them for the next 48 hours until the situation is under control.
“I think the first line is to protect the poor, protect those who are in danger and then take them to safety, provide assistance and allow the emergency services to do their work.”
Motorists in Pretoria North also had their fair share of frustrations and chaos owing to flooding.
The notorious Apies River low-level bridge in Capital Park remained closed for a second consecutive day yesterday much to the frustration of motorists.
Metro police officers and the Namola Responder Group kept a close watch as the heavy rain persisted.
Huge tree branches were washed away by the river. The river banks also burst, making the road and surrounding areas completely unsafe to drive on.
Despite the warnings, some motorists attempted to pass but were stopped and directed to an alternative route.
It was a complete nightmare on Dr Es’kia Mphahlele Drive, where some motorists had resorted to parking on the side of the road. Van Der Hoff Road was also not friendly to the road users.
Pedestrians struggled to use the roads, and many could be seen trying to jump over flooded areas.
Namola team members said they had been in Capital Park since Sunday assisting people in a need of a medical response.
One of the executives said: “We assist the traffic police and ambulances; we have fire marshals and medical personnel, all in our group. We are just keeping an eye out and the public informed. When the water goes low, we will clear the bridge.”
Meanwhile Thembelihle Mkhonza reports that 71 people were left stranded due to flooding inside the Centurion Hotel.
People gathered outside the hotel to watch as emergency services rescued the people who were still inside when heavy rains continued to batter the capital city.
The floods were so strong that three cars were swept away from the parking lot and into the nearby Centurion Lake. At Centurion Mall, shoppers paused and watched while recording on their cellphones.
Some people tried to remove their cars, but stopped on realising the mission was too risky.
Another motorist used ropes to secure his car to walls and prevented it from being swept away.
In the end, divers and rescue boats were used to evacuate people who were in the hotel. However, on realising the water was too strong for the boats, helicopters from the SANDF were brought. Those stranded were then airlifted to the parking lot of SuperSports Park.
Jazz music legend Timothy Sekane (84) of the Cool Crooners outfit will finally be laid to rest tomorrow after intervention from Zanu PF Politburo member Rtd Colonel Tshinga Dube.
The musician who is also a liberation war veteran had been stuck at Mpilo Central Hospital mortuary since his death on Thursday last week as his family struggled to raise money for his burial.
Sekane’s daughter Shiela Shibve said they are currently processing paperwork for tomorrow’s burial.
“We are grateful to Cde Tshinga Dube who has necessitated a befitting burial for my father. “As a family we had struggled to raise funds needed for the process as my mother and I are only surviving on our pensions,” she said.
Sekane fought a long battle against various ailments including prostate cancer and hypertension.
He is survived by his wife, two children and four grandchildren. Mourners are gathered at N45 Mzilikazi suburb in Bulawayo.
DUBAI. — It was a crowded lobby of Al Habtoor Grand where Kirsty Coventry — a former world champion swimmer and the most decorated Olympian from Africa — was switching between two roles with equal poise.
If she was exchanging pleasantries with a top notch Emirati sports official at one moment, the owner of seven Olympic medals and her husband Tyrone were busy checking out if their six-month-old daughter was at peace with the nanny the next second.
“She didn’t have a good sleep last night,” says the 36-year-old swimming ace from Zimbabwe, before the new mother switched quickly into the role of the Minister of Sport, Arts and Recreation for her country.
There has never been a dull moment for Coventry ever since she was appointed in the role little over a year back by Zimbabwean President Mnangagwa — and she didn’t dispute the suggestion that pursuit of excellence in the pool was certainly an easier job. Speaking to Gulf News in an exclusive chat on the sidelines of the International Sports Innovation Conference recently — Coventry sounded genuinely happy at being able to convince the world cricket’s governing body to lift the ban on Zimbabwean cricket in October.
The International Cricket Council had banned Zimbabwe from participating in the ICC events last July for what was deemed as “political interference”.
“I would like to thank the ICC chairman, Shashank Manohar, for giving me an opportunity to listen to the blueprint I have in mind. It was a very good meeting which paved the door for our re-entry,” said Coventry, pleased at being able to broker peace between the ICC and Zimbabwe’s cricket body.
The country which once boasted the likes of the Flower brothers or Heath Streak will, however, miss out on a shot at the World T20 in Australia, though they will be able to take part in the Under-19 World Cup in January.
The crisis may have been averted for now, but how does Coventry — a rookie in politics — plan to cope with the ills in their cricketing system like corruption or quota-based selection in the national teams?
“I would like to see athletes being recognised as athletes. They are not black or white but athletes as we need to put up the best team for Zimbabwe. “It doesn’t matter whether you come from a poor or rich community,” she says in right earnestness.
The advantage with cricket in Zimbabwe, as she sees it, is that since it comes close to what could be their national sport, “there is a system” in place.
“There is no problem with funding as the ICC ploughs in enough funds but the federation needs to have a long term plan and show the results.
“I am currently asking all the national federations to challenge themselves — they need to look at themselves closely. It’s one thing to have passion for the sport but you should know how to administer or run it,” said Coventry — who is now busy prioritising the disciplines where the establishment will focus in on future. — Gulfnews.com.
BRITISH Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Melanie Robinson Monday said Zimbabwe was still far from re-joining the Commonwealth as it has not yet completed political and economic reforms prescribed as a condition for readmission.
She was addressing local media after paying a courtesy call on Vice President Constantino Chiwenga at Munhumutapa Building in Harare Monday.
“We discussed the Commonwealth and from the beginning, the British have been very clear we would like to see the Zimbabwe back in the Commonwealth and at the point where economic and political reform programme has been completed and we have seen good progress on that then that will be the time to look at membership,” she said.
“We are currently somewhere away from that, but we look forward into the future to seeing these reforms underway and for us to be able to discuss the membership.”
The Commonwealth is a grouping of former British colonies.
More to follow…
The trial of former cabinet minister Prisca Mupfumira got off to a false start yesterday with her lawyer informing the court that she was mentally ill and had been instructed by a renowned psychiatrist to only take a trial or court proceedings after a maximum of three months.
Mupfumira’s lawyer, Charles Chinyama, made these assertions to deputy chief magistrate Chrispen Mberewere in a bid to have the matter postponed to April next year.
“On the last postponement I indicated that Mupfumira requires adequate time to recover from the surgery she went through after she was granted bail, and there is a letter from Dr. B. Masunda showing that she is not yet fit to stand trial.
Immediately after release from custody, she started suffering from mental depressions. “Mangezi W, a renowned psychiatrist has recommended that any trial or proceedings be postponed for a period between 6 weeks to 3 months so, on normal calculations, the trial can only start in April next year.
She is not mentally fit to stand trial or to give full instructions,” said Chinyama. Chinyama also sought a postponement on the basis that the state gave them papers on Friday, and didn’t have adequate time to get ready for trial.
Mupfumira’s alleged accomplice, Ngoni Masoka who was represented by Farai Mushoriwa, also reiterated the impropriety to commence trial as he received the papers last Friday and required adequate time to come up with a defense outline.
In response to the applications, prosecutor Clemente Chimbari says Mupfumira’s alleged health reports have to be verified by doctors who should be summoned or in fact, she should be examined by an independent government psychiatrist who can then verify that indeed she is medically ill and cannot stand trial.
The matter was remanded to December 13 and on that date, the court shall hear evidence from her said doctors to verify the medical reports.
The State alleged that sometime in 2013, Met-bank defaulted in payment of US$25,3 million investment loan maturity to NSSA that was secured with properties worth around 32 million. NSSA then took over Metbank properties they held as surety to a value of US$25, 3 million on a purchase/sale agreement.
As a result, NSSA remained to hold Metbank properties worth around 7 million after sealing the 25,3 million investment loan. As a result of the default, NSSA classified Metbak as a high-risk client that was not worth trading with and in December 2014, Mupfumira was appointed Minister of Public Service and on December 15, five days after her appointment, she held a meeting with Metbank officials Ozias Bvute, Enoch Kamushinda, and Belmont Ndebele at the ministry offices where no minutes were recorded.
On December 16, 2014, Mupfumira and Masoka held another meeting with then NSSA general manager James Matiza and the Met-bank officials at the ministry offices.
Mupfumira instructed NSSA to financially bail out Metbank to the tune of US$15 million as it was facing liquidity challenges.
NSSA declined the proposal since Metbank had previously defaulted in a US$25,3 million loan advance. Mupfumira disregarded all that and went on to give Matiza instruction to seriously consider Metbank’s loan request and process a loan of US$15million to settle the bank’s US$5 million depositors credit and US$10 million for use in housing projects, and bring feedback the following day.
However, no minutes on the meeting were recorded. NSSA resolved to decline the US$15 million loan request after considering Metbank’s risk status, however, Mupfumira and Masoka forced NSSA to purchase Metbank properties worth $4 908 050 that they had not intended to purchase.
VICE-President Kembo Mohadi’s daughter, Mrs Abigail Malcolm, has taken Umguza Rural District Council to court following the cancellation of a lease agreement for a piece of land which the local authority had allegedly offered her.
Mrs Malcolm accuses Umguza RDC of ostensibly reallocating her plot situated in Douglasdale, which she had acquired for agricultural and residential purposes, to another person despite having made a full payment of US$1 000 in development levy, pegging fee, lease deposit, servicing fee, lease processing and rentals.
Mrs Malcolm, through her lawyers Ncube Attorneys, has filed an application at the Bulawayo High Court seeking an order directing Umguza RDC to nullify the reallocation of the plot and establish a valid contract of lease with her.
In papers before the court, Umguza RDC and an unidentified occupant of the disputed piece of land, were cited as respondents.
In her founding affidavit, Mrs Malcolm said she was allocated the plot on Lot 1 of stand number 116 Douglasdale Township, Umguza district on April 12 in 2011.
“I applied for an agricultural and residential plot within Umguza district and the stand was extended to me by the first respondent (Umguza RDC) and I accepted the offer and made full payment of US$1 000 including a lease processing fee of US$20,” she said.
Mrs Malcolm said soon after paying for the piece of land, Umguza RDC advised her that they would first process the lease agreement before inviting her to sign the documents at a later stage.
“Thereafter, the first respondent went silent and several trips to Umguza RDC offices to sign a lease agreement did not yield positive results. In the intervening period, I would visit the stand occasionally and I observed nothing of concern until September 3, 2019, when I found out that someone had cleared the stand and commenced developments on the piece of land,” she said.
Mrs Malcolm said when she sought clarification from council, she was advised that the plot had since been reallocated to another person.
“When I went to the Umguza RDC offices, I was told that the reason for reallocation was that I delayed in visiting the offices to sign a lease agreement in respect of the plot. Surprisingly, I had all along been patiently waiting for the first respondent’s invitation to sign the papers, and therefore such actions by the council to reallocate the stand, which was initially allocated to me is in bad faith,” she said.
Mrs Malcolm said council has not officially communicated to her about the withdrawal of the offer.
“The first respondent has kept quiet and has also not even bothered to respond to my written queries, including those from my legal practitioners in the foregoing regard,” she said.
Mrs Malcolm said Umguza RDC acted unlawfully by withdrawing its offer to her without notifying her. She argued that her constitutional right to transparent and fair administrative action has been violated.
She wants the reallocation of the piece of land declared a nullity.
Mrs Malcolm said in the event that respondents unsuccessfully oppose the application, they should be ordered to pay the legal costs she incurred.
The respondents are yet to respond.
State Media|Deliberations at Zanu-PF’s 18th National People’s Conference which starts today will mainly centre on the state of the economy, national food security, provision of social services and development.
Speaking at a press briefing in Harare yesterday, Zanu-PF secretary for Information and Publicity, Simon Khaya Moyo said Cabinet ministers were expected to brief delegates on the state of the economy especially in agriculture, mining, industry and small business among others.
The Mashonaland East technical committee yesterday handed over the venue to the main wing of the party.
“I must emphasise that the conference’s focus is on the economy. Here of course we are looking at food security, social services and poverty eradication, macro and economic stability, re-engagement, inclusive growth, infrastructure development, value edition and this will be discussed in detail in thematic committees.
“It is expected the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Professor Mthuli Ncube will give an overview of the state of the economy.
“The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Perrance Shiri will do likewise on his portfolio and the Minister of Mines and Mining Development Winston Chitando will also present a paper relevant to his ministry’s mandate,” he said.
He said the conference would receive a report on the implementation of the 17th National People’s Conference resolutions as well as new resolutions relevant to the 18th National People’s Conference
President Mnangagwa will officially close the conference and delegates are expected to go back to their respective provinces on Sunday.
Mashonaland East provincial Minister Appolonia Munzverengi said all was set for the conference.
“The province handed over the venue to the national technical committee. The province is geared to host the conference.
“Trucks delivering food are now trickling in. Accommodation for delegates is now in place,” she said.
More than 7 000 delegates are expected to attend the conference with more than 2 000 foreign delegates having confirmed their participation.
The revolutionary party has tasked all the provinces to raise $5 million with each province expected to mobilise $500 000 towards the conference.
The host provincial chairman Joel Biggie Matiza expressed confidence on the state of preparedness.
“It is all systems go. The main auditorium, clinics, kitchen, exhibition centre, feeding bays, accommodation, clean water, parking bays for VVIPs are ready. We are ready to host a successful conference,” said Matiza.
Matiza said his province had already raised the targeted $500 000 to ensure a successful conference.
“We also secured more than 60 beasts, five tonnes of chicken, mealie-meal, vegetables, tomatoes, eggs to feed the delegates and some pledges are still coming.”
Some of the delegates would drive from Harare while others would be housed close to the venue.
“We have secured accommodation for our delegates in hotels and lodges in Harare.
“Some will be accommodated close to the venue of the conference at schools such as Goromonzi, St Johns and Rusununguko.
“Transport will be available to ferry delegates from their respective areas to the venue during the conference period.
The conference comes at a time when the economy is transitioning from austerity to prosperity through higher productivity, growth and job creation as enunciated in the 2020 national budget.
Mashonaland Central provincial chairman Kazembe Kazembe said they met as the Provincial Coordinating Committee with all the 403 political districts to go through the submitted resolutions which will be presented at the conference.
“More than 1 000 delegates attended the provincial meeting at the weekend to assess progress made so far and see if all the districts had submitted their resolutions,” he said.
In terms of resource mobilisation, Kazembe said all was in place.
“We have raised the required $500 000, beasts and maize meal among other things.
“We have arranged transport for our delegates as a province and at least 500 of them have been accredited to attend the conference,” he said.
Matabeleland North chairman Richard Moyo echoed the same sentiments saying they were ready for the conference.
“So far we have mobilised $200 000 but I hope by Wednesday we will get the remainder of the money. Our secretary for Administration has already delivered the beasts to the host province.
“Our delegates will be leaving on Thursday early morning for the conference. We have seven buses which will ferry our delegates to the conference venue.”
Moyo said 300 delegates from his province had so far been accredited and had already put in place resolutions to be presented at the conference.
Manicaland provincial chairperson Mike Madiro said: “Our eight administrative districts are finalising mobilisation of the resources. Currently, we are collecting beasts which have been donated by well-wishers.
“More than 600 delegates have already been accredited and we are humbled and motivated by President Mnangagwa’s exemplary leadership, humility, hard work, sincerity and commitment to the people of Zimbabwe. Under his leadership Zimbabwe would overcome its current challenges.”
Mashonaland West provincial chairman Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi said the province raised over $250 000 towards the conference.
“We have already endorsed President Mnangagwa as our sole candidate for 2023 harmonised elections. All the logistical issues have been sorted. We are rearing to go. In terms of resource mobilisation, we have done our part,’’ he said.
The conference will run under the theme: “Modernise, Mechanise and Grow the Economy Towards Vision 2030.”
State Media|So far, $110 million in new notes and coins have been “drip-fed” into into the banking system since their introduction last month.
While addressing business stakeholders at the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) annual business review conference in Harare last week, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Deputy Governor Dr Khuphukile Mlambo said the “drip feeding” of new noes and coins was under the watchful eye of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) which was put in place to build confidence around monetary issues.
The new notes and coins were the central bank’s measures to ease cash shortages and to build confidence around the newly-introduced currency, but Dr Mlambo emphasised that the process will be conducted cautiously in a way that does not fuel unnecessary broad money supply.
“On the confidence building measures we have put MPC in place and it has met three times since they were established in October.
“Under the MPC we have tackled the issue of cash by now we have injected up to $110 million cash in the economy which I think will help in terms of reducing queues.
“I want to stress that we have not increased the amount of money supply. We increased the ratio of cash to electronic money, that is what we have changed.That signal is very important because when they see new notes they think central bank is back at it again, we are just making sure there is more cash for people.
“We want to target that money (supply) grows at a reasonable rate,” said the Deputy Governor.
Due to cash shortages, cash premiums had by end of October risen to as much as 60 percent, making it unbearable for the ordinary citizens to access cash.
Cash premiums have since narrowed to 35 percent or less.
However, the central bank intends to increase the amount of cash in circulation to about 10 percent of total money supply, which has been growing in line with the weakening exchange rate.
A weaker exchange rate means all foreign currency holdings in the banking sector are converted to local dollars at a higher exchange rate, fuelling money supply growth.
State Media|A South African investor, who was recently awarded a licence for a US$250 million 100MW solar project, claims the deal is being frustrated by officials who are pressing for a bribe.
Former South African power utility, Eskom, CEO Engineer Koko Matshela made the claims on social media while reacting to a post by Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana quoting President Mnangagwa condemning corruption.
President Mnangagwa threatened to crack the whip on Government officials frustrating investors by sitting on their papers in a bid to get bribes.
He said this last week while commissioning Varun Beverages’ three production lines in Harare.
“There are people in Government who are stalling some projects, including those from India,” said President Mnangagwa.
“I now have a list of those projects. I direct whoever is sitting on those projects to move these projects or you will be moved.”
After Mr Mangwana posted the President’s statement on Twitter, Eng Matshela, who got a licence for a 100MW solar project, said he was also a victim.
“Matshela Energy received a generation licence July 2019. Six months later, nothing has happened. Our plan was to break ground in August 2019.
“So many people have tried to extort money from me and I refused, it is a shame,” said Eng Matshela.
He posted a conversation with a named Zimbabwean who told Eng Matshela in WhatsApp conversations that he could assist him in getting “strong” local partners.
When asked by Eng Matshela if he was the strong local partner, he replied: “We can assist. Ok sir, we are here to assist if you need help. We know you are stuck at Zera (the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority). We can assist. We become your local partners by getting us something from the project. Only if you are willing,” said the man.
The Herald contacted ZERA’s acting chief executive officer Mr Eddington Mazambani yesterday to establish the exact challenges that Matshela Energy was facing, resulting in them failing to kick-start their project.
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Mr Mazambani said: “Zera expedited the issuance of the generation license in July this year. He went on to amend the technology to include storage, which was not part of his initial application.
“At PPA (power purchase agreement) negotiations he couldn’t agree with ZETDC (the Zimbabwe Electricity and Transmission Distribution Company) that’s the stage they’re at.
“Zera can’t be part of PPA negotiations unless they declare a deadlock. The message circulating on social media can’t be any further from the truth.”
Eng Mazambani said Zera was a “transparent organisation and to suggest any deliberate undermining of projects was not only mischievous, but also defamatory”.
State Media|GOVERNMENT has authorised the Civil Registry Department to charge US$318 for passport applicants in the Diaspora while local charges remain unchanged.
Last month, the Government announced that passport fees would be increased significantly to enable the Registrar-General’s Office to clear the huge backlog.
Addressing the media yesterday, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said: “The ministry is aware of the high expectations from members of the public for timely provision of service, particularly in the area of issuance of travel documents.
“The ministry is also aware of what citizens are going through, especially those living abroad whose passports have expired.
“Citizens in the Diaspora need to have valid passports in order to regularise their stay in the host countries. As a way of assisting the department to attend to requirements for passports by citizens in the Diaspora, Government has therefore authorised the Civil Registry Department to charge US$318 for passports, in respect of those in the Diaspora. The applications will be prioritised on an urgent basis.”
He said details on the implementation of this decision were being worked out by the Civil Registry Department in consultation with other stakeholders.
An ordinary passport costs $53, while an emergency passport costs $253. The prices were gazetted in 2010 during the US dollar era.
The Civil Registry Department has a backlog of 359 288 passports which date back to August 2018.
This has been attributed to the limited availability of foreign currency to buy the required consumables such as ink, films, ribbon and passport paper.
“The situation has been exacerbated by the low passport fees being charged by the Civil Registry Department. The department is charging its clients in local currency yet consumables for the production of passports are imported and require foreign currency,” said Minister Kazembe.
“The prices of passports remain unchanged. Contrary to what was published in the media before regarding an increase in the passport fees, I want to make it clear that nothing like that has happened. When new fees have been approved, communication will be made through the proper channels.
“Those who will apply for the urgent passports will get them within the prescribed period of 24 hours.”
Currently, 2 000 passports are being produced a day and they are processing September 2018 applications.
If adequate foreign currency is made available, the total number of passports produced daily can be doubled to 4 600 and this will go a long way in clearing the backlog.
Turning to corruption allegations levelled against some workers in the Civil Registry Department who are said to be demanding bribes for them to speedily process passports, Minister Kazembe urged members of the public to become whistle-blowers for the culprits to be punished.
“It takes two people to engage in corruption. We want to urge members of the public to report these issues so that we can deal with the culprits once and for all.
“The problem is that people are not coming forward with the necessary information so that these issues are addressed. We should all desist from promoting corruption. We rely on members of the public to help us fight this scourge,” said Minister Kazembe.
THERE is discord in the boxing fraternity after middleweight star Charles Manyuchi opted out of the eagerly-awaited bout against local challenger Modercai Donga.
The old adversaries were scheduled to battle at the Harare Show Grounds on December 21.
But, 10 days before the fight and with literally everything in place, the former World Boxing Council silver welterweight champion has pulled the plug on the fight.
That has drawn the ire of both neutrals and Donga’s camp.
The latter, who had been in retirement for the past decade, challenged Manyuchi.
Donga has been training under his handlers in Swaziland where he now works as a lawyer.
He underwent medicals yesterday and weighed just under 80kg.
But, Manyuchi’s camp dropped the bombshell with his coach, Ali Phiri, saying his boxer would gain nothing from fighting Donga.
“We have nothing to prove against Donga (Mordecai). He is not even rated in the world, let alone registered with the Zimbabwe Boxing Control Board,” said Phiri.
“Donga has not been in the game for almost 10 years and he can’t make the middle-weight cut-off.
“So we can’t act unprofessionally.
“Charles (Manyuchi) is a champion and he cannot be involved in such affairs. If we allow him to do that, we will damage his reputation more than anything else.
“If Donga is keen to come back into the ring, he has to challenge other boxers and become a champion so that he will be in a position to challenge Manyuchi.”State media
Zanu-PF and MDC-Alliance will share $25 million allocated to political parties by Treasury under the Political Parties Finance Act.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube set aside the $25 million in the 2020 National Budget he presented in Parliament last month.
The figure is higher than last year’s allocation of $12 million.
Zanu-PF will get the lion’s share of the money after it secured more than two-thirds of parliamentary seats as it trounced MDC-Alliance in the July 30 2018 watershed elections, which were widely given a clean bill of health by local, regional and international observers.
A rough calculation shows that the revolutionary party is set to pocket almost $17,5 million with MDC- Alliance taking home about $7,5 million, given its paltry seats in the National Assembly.
Zanu-PF won 145 of the 210 seats in the National Assembly against MDC-Alliance’s 63.
The remaining two seats were won by the National Patriotic Front’s Masango “Blackman” Matambanadzo (Kwekwe Central) and independent candidate Mr Temba Mliswa (Norton).
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Mrs Virginia Mabhiza confirmed the allocation yesterday.
“Yes, political parties were allocated about $25 million in the Blue Book.
We have not yet made calculations to establish how the money would be distributed once it has been disbursed,” said Mrs Mabhiza.
Under the Political Parties Finance Act, only a political party that secures 5 percent of the total votes cast can benefit from the fiscus.
Political parties have, however, expressed concern at the piecemeal disbursement of the funds as Government grapples with limited fiscal space.State media
In a show of confidence and trust in President Mnangagwa’s leadership, Zanu-PF has unanimously endorsed and reaffirmed him as the party’s sole candidate for 2023 presidential elections.
The endorsement was cross-cutting among the resolutions that came out of Zanu-PF Provincial Coordinating Committee meetings held last week ahead of this week’s 18th Annual National People’s Conference slated for Goromonzi High School.
President Mnangagwa, who is the ruling party’s First Secretary, is leading the country towards the attainment of Vision 2030, which seeks to create an upper middle-income economy.
Since his assumption of office, President Mnangagwa has implemented measures to make Zimbabwe a competitive investment destination.
The host province of Mashonaland East was the first to meet and endorse President Mnangagwa.
Mashonaland East provincial chairman Joel Biggie Matiza told The Herald that President Mnangagwa was unanimously endorsed by the province as the sole candidate for 2023 presidential polls.
In Midlands, provincial chair Cde Daniel Mackenzie Ncube said all the provincial wings endorsed President Mnangagwa.
Mashonaland West provincial chairman Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi said: “Our first resolution that we made as a province was to endorse President Mnangagwa as our presidential candidate for 2023.
“As a province, we are reaffirming our support and loyalty to him and we want him to lead us to the next election.”
Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial structures met at the Bulawayo Polytechnic where the resolution to endorse President Mnangagwa was unanimously adopted.
In Mashonaland Central, an inter-district meeting was held on Saturday in Bindura where the decision to endorse President Mnangagwa was taken.
Matabeleland North and South provinces also threw their weight behind President Mnangagwa ahead of the 2023 polls.
Matabeleland South and North leadership met last week in Gwanda and Lupane respectively where they expressed unconditional support for President Mnangagwa as the party’s presidential candidate for 2023 polls.
In Masvingo, provincial chair Ezra Chadzamira said: “We came up with resolutions for our forthcoming Annual National People’s Conference and President Mnangagwa’s endorsement as our party leader into the 2023 elections is actually on top of the resolutions that will be tabled by Masvingo Province.”
Manicaland provincial chairman Mike Madiro said: “We have endorsed President Mnangagwa as our 2023 candidate.”State media
Deliberations at Zanu-PF’s 18th National People’s Conference which starts today will mainly centre on the state of the economy, national food security, the provision of social services and development.
Zanu-PF secretary for Information and Publicity Simon Khaya Moyo told a Press briefing yesterday that Cabinet ministers would advise delegates on the state of the economy, especially in agriculture, mining, industry and small businesses, among others.
The Mashonaland East technical committee yesterday handed over the venue to the main wing of the party.
“I must emphasise that the conference’s focus is on the economy. Here of course we are looking at food security, social services and poverty eradication, macro and economic stability, re-engagement, inclusive growth, infrastructure development, value edition and this will be discussed in detail in thematic committees.
“It is expected the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Professor Mthuli Ncube will give an overview of the state of the economy.
“The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Perrance Shiri will do likewise on his portfolio and the Minister of Mines and Mining Development Winston Chitando will also present a paper relevant to his ministry’s mandate,” he said.State media
Farai Dziva| Emmerson Mnangagwa has literally revealed the source of conflict with his deputy
Constantino.
Mnangagwa said Chiwenga has been pushing him to adopt a hardline stance against his opponents in the ruling ZANU PF party.
Mnangagwa made remarks on Saturday while addressing Zimbabwe Liberation War Collaborators’ Association (ZILIWACO) members.
“Chiwenga always tells me that I am too soft. But I always tell him that we can no longer use tactics that we used during the war.
But the truth is the truth. You don’t hunt with other people’s dogs. We need to find other ways to flush out other people’s dogs.
And you, as war collaborators, can be our eyes and ears just like you were during the liberation struggle,” said Mnangagwa.
Farai Dziva|A leading Zimbabwean academic believes Zanu PF cannot change.
Assistant Professor of Political Science and Consortium at Amherst University in the United States of America, Chipo Dendere , thinks it is impossible for ZANU PF to change.
Dendere wrote: ZANU PF can never change. It’s impossible. It defies logic that anyone would expect ZANU to democratize and bring peace plus prosperity.
Its foundations are deeply flawed; patronage, corruption, violence, anger, entitlement and greed. To work within ZANU structures you’d have to change
I think it’s hard to push for change by joining any of the structures because you’ll become compromised.
You also can’t join them when you’re broke because money makes people vulnerable.
Maybe this is true for all political parties – they find your vulnerabilities and exploit.”
Academic Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes:
Reflection of Historical perspective : Mashurungwi & August 1 Narrative
There was a paradox of analogue on why Mnangagwa was given security roles ahead of any other roles as a cabinet Minister. Was it a sign of bravery or he resembled the hardline stance which made him to be a difficult person to work with or he developed an inferior complex?
When Mugabe assumed the role of Prime Minister and President in the early 1980s respectively, the current Zimbabwean President was appointed his personal security aide and later State Security minister. In the historical context, if you make a comprehensive analysis you will find that it’s either Mugabe moved him either from State Security Minister to Defence or Justice, but moreover it was Defence.
When Mugabe appointed him to be the State Security Minister responsible for presiding on security issues, there was another episode in Matebelaland, where over 20 000 civilians were butchered. Mugabe was in charge of Government, Mugabe and Mnangagwa never resigned over the saga. In actual fact both of them remained in the Government. 20 000 is just a rough figure I suppose, they could be more.
He was later moved to Defence Ministry, and I would like to believe he was one of Mugabe’s confidantes. During his time as the Defence Minister, when Marange diamonds existed, his name was at the centre of controversy. There was Anjin mine, Canadile and Mbada diamonds company. Canadile was believed to be Mujuru’s project and Mbada was part of the army’s projects. ED was the Defence Minister. There was a lot of controversy surrounding the mining activities in Marange diamonds. Several people died in Marange and some buried alive in those shafts.
In 2008 Zimbabwe held a controversial election which resulted in disputed results. Mugabe forced a violent presidential run off which more than 500 mainly opposition members died. Mnangagwa was the chief election agent of Mugabe and Defence Minister at that time.
It is reported that Mugabe had accepted defeat at that time and his close associates maintained a hardline stance, which led to a bloody controversial run off on the 27th of June, 2008.
After the politburo meeting despite Mujuru being the First Vice President, deputising Mugabe, Mnangagwa was appointed to represent Mugabe during the SADC meeting held in Zambia. Mnangagwa was junior to Mujuru both in Government and party level but the latter was appointed to represent Mugabe at sadc meeting which was called by Mwanawasa in Zambia. Mwanawasa the then Zambian President called for a sadc crisis meeting after the bloody controversial run off which led to many deaths mainly opposition members. The number was estimated at 500 people. The exercise was led by the military.
ED was in Zambia to represent Mugabe. This was not an easy task. Pressure mounted within sadc to kick Mugabe out of power citing loss of elections and mass killings during the presidential run off. So ED was both a representative of Zanu PF and State at the meeting which concluded that Mugabe was supposed to be present. ED was the Chief election agent of Mugabe and Defence Minister during the run off episode.
During the GNU meetings and talks which were facilitated by Mbeki as the official mediator, ED was one of the individuals who was fingered as one of the hardliners who was not for the GNU maintaining that Mugabe won the controversial June 27 presidential run off and there was no need for a GNU.
In 2017, ED was dismissed by Mugabe both in Government and at party level as the second Secretary and Vice President of the country. A letter was issued by Simon Khaya Moyo citing a number of issues which led to his dismissal quoting the constitution and other work related matters. If you go through the letter, it was carefully drafted by experienced lawyers and other Government lawyers after proper consultation. Mugabe knew whom Mnangagwa was and he was fully aware that it will not end well, therefore using proper channels after proper consultation. Remember he was dismissing a close confidante, a former personal aide, Former State Security Minister, Former Defence Minister and also his former Election agent and you know what it means by taking such a bold move despite having considered all this.
In 2017, there was a military coup which was led by the then Zimbabwe Army commander and the current Vice President of Zimbabwe, Gen Chiwenga. During that time ED was in the diaspora. During the two weeks when ED was out of the country, there was a headline in Newsday I quote ” Mnangagwa will be back in few weeks”. The headline ended there. If you make a comprehensive analysis on the headline it was pregnant in meaning. Remember this is the man who was in charge of the military, state security apparatus for a long time and also his former chief election agent during the bloody presidential run off.
Few weeks down the line, the prophesy which was on the headline was fulfilled, there was a military coup which gave birth to Mnangagwa’s Presidency as the Head of the State. Many people took his bouncing back as a simple exercise. This is the man who took the reigns of power from outside, he led the coup from jaws of the lion. Mugabe was a no nonsense man, he managed to scheme all his way to the top from the doldrum of the diasporan land.
Here comes ED pfee in power and he was now being sworn in at the National sports stadium as the New Head of State.
Look at the scenario, though it was bloodless, but the fact that it had little controversy surrounding it, look at the factors which led to the exercise. The only advantage which ED had was that Mugabe had become a liability to the whole nation, region and at International Community level and everyone wanted Mugabe gone. Where was ED when all this was happening?
Come August 1, 2018 there were at least 7 victims as a result of the elections. ED was the President of Zimbabwe. This has never happened to witness shootings in the day broadlight particularly during the very day of announcement of results. The whole world was surprised to witness shootings in the central business district of the capital city of Zimbabwe. The capital city is a centre of attraction for business.
January 2019, a number of people lost their lives as a result of demonstrations. Several people fled their homes and a number of people were feared dead and others fled their homes. ED was the President of Zimbabwe during that period.
Last week, Nelson Chamisa the MDC Alliance President left for Marondera for a national tree planting exercise which was led by the Marondera legislator Matewu and other officials. The whole world was surprised to witness attempt on opposition leader’s life by firing live ammunition on the scene. We had Tsvangirai and Mugabe before and during their existence we never witnessed such a horrible incident. This was an attempt to put Zimbabwe on fire and plunging the whole nation into a civil war. Remember this is the main opposition leader and man at the centre of claiming victory of the disputed polls. The firing of live ammunition on him.
Few questions on this one :
1. How do you describe the Zimbabwe is open for business mantra?
2. What is your message to potential investors?
3. What is the message behind the firing of live ammunition?
4. What are the political indicators on such an incident?
5. Planting trees has become a national security threat?
Last but not least, we have the Mashurugwi, mandebele and other controversial mining groups which are taking place in several mines across Zimbabwe. We have a number of incidents in Shurugwi, Midlands, Chegutu, Kadoma and Kwekwe and others in Mazowe. What is increasingly worrying is the gravity of these reports and killing innocent people in the day broad light over mineral discovery. The name of the person who is at the centre of the controversy is State Security Minister Owen Ncube who is believed to be a close confidante and associate of President Mnangagwa. These are innocent lives being slaughtered in the day broad light over controversy surrounding mineral discoveries.
Summary
There is what we call legacy. In 2017, it was Mnangagwa ‘s opportunity to clear his name over massacres and other grey spots over his name so that his legacy is protected. What is increasingly worrying is the current scenario in mines and other related areas which may result in civil war or political instability and this must be corrected and put to an end. The Mashurugwi can turn into a militia group which can pose a national security threat to our beloved country. What we witnessed on these live videos circulating on social media where civilians are being slaughtered in the day broad light is extremely disturbing. The President is silent over it raising serious concerns over the safety of citizens particularly those participating in mining activities.
Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo – D. Phil Cand
Email [email protected]
A seven year old boy died while two other juveniles were seriously injured after a racing car burst a tyre and ploughed into spectators at the Bulawayo Motoring Club on Saturday.
The deceased boy who has been identified as Kelvin Kangwari was allegedly dragged under the vehicle for about 200 metres and he sustained serious injuries. He was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital where he died on admission.
Witnesses said rescue teams used a towing vehicle to lift the vehicle and rescue the deceased who was trapped underneath. Two other juveniles who were hit by the same car sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the same hospital where they are still admitted.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the accident. “The driver had a tyre burst during a race at the motoring club along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road. The vehicle veered off the track before hitting and dragging the deceased for some metres.
Chief Insp Simango said according to the post-mortem report, Kangwari sustained lacerations on the left buttock, head injuries, chest trauma and a fractured left leg.
Kelvin’s uncle, Mr Anold Mawere said the family was devasted by the death.
“What happened is so scary. We rushed Kelvin to Mpilo Central Hospital but there were no doctors and the X-ray machine was not working. The doctor later came and he died about 45 minutes after being attended to.
“We are mourning as a family,” said Mr Mawere. He said Kelvin will be buried this morning at Athlone cemetery.
Last year, one person died while five others were injured in Bulawayo when a motorist who was part of a street drag racing trio lost control of his vehicle and rammed into a pirating Honda Fit in Malindela suburb.
The accident occurred at the intersection of Belloc Avenue and Burns Drive. -Chronicle
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has stopped refuse collection services in some parts of the city owing to the prevailing fuel shortages.
In a statement issued yesterday, Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube said uncollected refuse should be kept within household properties and will be collected when refuse collection resumes.
He said the fuel shortages were affecting other services that include attending to pipe bursts.
“The city of Bulawayo would like to advise residents that there may be an interruption in collection of refuse due to fuel shortages. Residents are advised that the areas likely to be affected include Makokoba, Riverside, Sunninghill, Waterford, Selborne Park North, Manningdale, Hillcrest, Highmount, Harrisvale, Richmond, Trenance, Sauerstown and Belmont Industrial area,” said the Town Clerk.
He said council was working on modalities to facilitate timely delivery of fuel and urged residents to avoid dumping garbage in open spaces.
Residents were advised to keep refuse within their properties while waiting for council to resume services.
“Council is working on ensuring speedy delivery of fuel supplies so as to resume normal services. Residents are encouraged to keep the city clean and desist from dumping refuse in open spaces. Uncollected refuse should be kept within household properties and will be collected when refuse collection resumes,” he said.
Mr Dube said erratic fuel supplies were also impacting on council’s attendance to water pipe bursts and sewer faults across the city.
“Limited supply of fuel is also affecting our response to water and sewer faults. Bulawayo city council wishes to apologise for the inconvenience caused,” said the Town Clerk.
Early this year, Finance director Mr Kempton Ndimande said council requires 80 000 litres of diesel and 50 000 litres of petrol per month for its fleet.
He said council was facing a myriad of challenges which are mainly as a result of failure by residents to settle their bills, late approval of council budget, hyper- inflation and foreign currency demands by suppliers.
“Our roads are deplorable, sewers are bursting again but they were under control for some time. They are coming back to where they were, issues that we used to see way before 2009 are coming back,” he said. – Chronicle
Farai Dziva|A leading Zimbabwean academic has said the ruling party Zanu PF’s foundations are “flawed and chaotic.”
Assistant Professor of Political Science and Consortium at Amherst University in the United States of America, Chipo Dendere , thinks it is impossible for ZANU PF to change.
Dendere wrote: ZANU PF can never change. It’s impossible. It defies logic that anyone would expect ZANU to democratize and bring peace plus prosperity.
Its foundations are deeply flawed; patronage, corruption, violence, anger, entitlement and greed. To work within ZANU structures you’d have to change
I think it’s hard to push for change by joining any of the structures because you’ll become compromised.
You also can’t join them when you’re broke because money makes people vulnerable.
Maybe this is true for all political parties – they find your vulnerabilities and exploit.”
South African Police have identified four of the five Zimbabweans who died when a Johannesburg-bound cross border Toyota Quantum collided with a Ford Fiesta along the N1 Highway near Musina.
Two of the deceased are children who were in the Toyota Quantum.
In a telephone interview yesterday Limpopo Province Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the white Quantum had 25 passengers on board when the accident happened on Friday night.
Sources who spoke to Chronicle said the South Africa-registered Quantum was ferrying some undocumented children to that country to spend the Christmas and New Year break with their parents.
The sources said the Quantum driver lost control of the vehicle during a high-speed chase with the police but SAPS dismissed the allegations.
The deceased children were identified as Ncube Phemelo and Lubelihle Khumalo who died together with the Quantum driver Mr Emmanuel Sibanda. The other deceased are the Ford Fiesta driver Farai Hunyei and his passenger yet to be identified.
The SA Police called on people who may be missing relatives that were travelling to contact their nearest police station in South Africa.
The following are the names of people who were in the two vehicles that collided head-on:
TOYOTA QUANTUM
Themba Khoza 1996-08-08, Mophat Ndlovu 1979-07-01, Thabiso Ncube 2010-11-27, Siphonkosi Mudenda 2003-05-14, Proffesor Chuma 2012-01-20, Lubelihle Khumalo 2011-06-01 deceased, Dingani Khumalo 1984-08-25, Bhekithemba Dube 2009-05-13, Phimelo Ncube 2007-03-18, Minehle Moyo a child, Junior Ndlovu 2007-03-29, Siyabonga Moyo 2008-07-11, Privilage Dube 2007-04-19, Khanyile Khumalo 2008-07-11 F, Blessing Sibanda child (F), Indiphile Dube child(f), Emmanuel Sibanda 1992-12-06, Nomsa Khasambara-2003-02-08 F, Dumisani Dube, Luyanda Nkomo, Bebe Melokuhle, Thandanani Mkhwananzi 1986-06-09, Phemelo Ncube
Ford Fiesta: Farai Hunye deceased male and his passenger yet to be identified.
Brig Mojapelo said the SAPS was yet to verify if there were illegal immigrants in the group.
“The South African Police Service in Musina are investigating a case of culpable homicide which took place on December 6, 2019 at about 2200 hours along the N1 road between Beitbridge and Musina policing area.
“A white Quantum with registration number HO54SDGP, pulling a trailer was from Zimbabwe with 25 passengers going to Johannesburg. Among the passengers, there were some kids. The Ford Fiesta vehicle registration number JG71KRGP was from Johannesburg heading to Zimbabwe with the driver Mr Farai Hunyei and one passenger.
“Along the N1 road after Baobab Tollgate the above vehicles had a head-on collision,” he said.
“The driver in the Ford Fiesta died at the scene and his passenger died in hospital. The driver was identified as Mr Farai Hunyei from Zimbabwe. Two passengers in the Quantum died at the scene and their driver Mr Emmanuel Sibanda, also from Zimbabwe died in hospital. The total number of fatalities is five,” said Brigadier Mojapelo.
The police spokesperson said drunken driving was the suspected cause of the accident although investigations were ongoing.
“Preliminary police investigations revealed alcohol might have contributed to the collision. Investigations are still continuing,” he said. – Chronicle
Farai Dziva|MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa has said the ZBC documentary on the late founding president of the opposition party, Morgan Tsvangirai, is full of lies.
“I hear ZBC TV is running a documentary based on lies and propaganda against MDC,the late Icon Dr Tsvangirai and myself.
State media propaganda and lies instigate genocides,conflicts and irreparable harm by fomenting unwarranted hate and enmity.
We must learn from Rwanda.stopthehate,” Chamisa posted on Twitter.
By A Correspondent- The memorial of the late Kuwadzana MP Vimbai Tsvangirayi is set for this coming Saturday the 14th of December 2019.
The Tsvangirayi family spokesperson Manase Tsvangirayi spoke to a local publication and notified them about the program when he said:
“The event will be held on December 14 (Saturday) at the family home in Strathaven. The programme will start in the morning at 0900 hours.
Vimbai died on June 10 after she had been in hospital after she had been involved in an accident with her cousin Tafadzwa Mhundwa and another person who both died on the spot.
-Newsday
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
Farai Dziva|The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association(ZHDA) has dismissed claims that it is being funded by opposition elements.
In a statement the association pointed out that it has not been influenced by external forces to push for better living conditions.
“It regrettable that HE is being given inaccurate information about what’s happening on the ground.
Our members have not been paid by anyone to tell anyone anything.
Our members do not need to be told by anyone that their salaries are worthless,” said the association.
His winning flag title is MisRule
– GRAPHIC
The ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has won the Miss Universe beauty pageant, or at least it seems. His winning flag title is MisRule. GRAPHIC-
Farai Dziva|MDC councillors walked out of a meeting that had been called by the provincial development coordinator citing intimidating and too much political interference.
The Councillors were protesting at why a member of the ZRP Internal Security Intelligence was attending the meeting, according to NewsDay.
The incident was confirmed by
Marondera Urban Business Association (MUBA) chairperson Carlos Pindirire.
“The councillors walked out of the meeting after the (PDC) had summoned them to deliberate issues that were raised by the business community.”
Farai Dziva|MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa has said the ZBC documentary on the late founding president of the opposition party, Morgan Tsvangirai, is full of lies.
“I hear ZBC TV is running a documentary based on lies and propaganda against MDC,the late Icon Dr Tsvangirai and myself.
State media propaganda and lies instigate genocides,conflicts and irreparable harm by fomenting unwarranted hate and enmity.
We must learn from Rwanda.stopthehate,” Chamisa posted on Twitter.
Farai Dziva|Ziyambi Ziyambi has dismissed talk of a widening rift between Emmerson Mnangagwa and Constantino Chiwenga.
Ziyambi made the remarks at an event in Chinhoyi.
“There are some rogue elements within the war veterans peddling lies that the province has endorsed VP Chiwenga as the party’s 2023 presidential candidate; that is a lie … instead, VP Chiwenga is behind the candidature of President Mnangagwa thereby endorsing it,”claimed Ziyambi.
Farai Dziva|Ziyambi Ziyambi has dismissed talk of a widening rift between Emmerson Mnangagwa and Constantino Chiwenga.
Ziyambi made the remarks at an event in Chinhoyi.
“There are some rogue elements within the war veterans peddling lies that the province has endorsed VP Chiwenga as the party’s 2023 presidential candidate; that is a lie … instead, VP Chiwenga is behind the candidature of President Mnangagwa thereby endorsing it,”claimed Ziyambi.
By A Correspondent| Opposition leader who contested the 2018 elections Presidency Bryan Mteki has revealed the reason why he has decided to join Zanu Pf.
He said he is joining Zanu Pf after realising that it’s leader is the only President in Zimbabwe.
Reported the state media:
“Independent Presidential candidate, Bryan Taurai Mteki says he has rejoined Zanu PF after realising there is only one
President.”
By A Correspondent- Seven students from Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) have been summoned to appear before a disciplinary committee to answer to charges of disorderly conduct after they allegedly beat drums during a demonstration over mismanagement of the institution.
According to a charge sheet prepared by authorities at HIT, the seven
students engaged in a disorderly conduct by singing, dancing, chanting
slogans and marching from the hostels area to the library disrupting
the teaching, study and research at the institution in contravention
of section 3.1.3 and section 3.2.2 of the Rules of Student Conduct and
Discipline Ordinance 15.
The seven students namely Leeroy Barnete, who is the President of
HIT’s Student Representative Council, Tafara Mutembedza, Ashlee
Makaya, Anesu Chigumadzi, Saviour Machuwaire, Marvin Madamba and
Blessing Kalisi will appear before the Student Disciplinary Committee
on Monday 16 December 2019 after a false start to their trial on
Tuesday 3 December 2019.
The decision by HIT to haul the students to appear before the students
disciplinary committee comes after HIT’s Vice-Chancellor Engineer
Quinton Kanhukamwe first suspended them on Friday 15 November 2019 on charges of misconduct for allegedly beating drums and singing in a
disruptive manner on Tuesday 12 November 2019 and on Thursday 14
November 2019 during a demonstration held over mismanagement of the
institution and its failure to supply electricity at the college.
It took the intervention of Kossam Ncube of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human
Rights (ZLHR), who filed an urgent chamber application in the High
Court on Saturday 16 November 2019 challenging the suspension of the
students on the basis that it would prejudice them as they will not be
able to write their end of semester examinations scheduled for Monday
18 November 2019 and ending on Friday 29 November 2019.
In court, Ncube protested that the suspension of the students was
motivated by ulterior motives ostensibly to ensure that they do not
write their end of semester examinations, which they have been
preparing for over a long period.
In the end, High Court Judge Justice Erica Ndewere on Saturday 16
November 2019 nullified the suspension of the HIT students and ordered
the institution to allow the students to write their end of semester
examinations.
By Nomusa Garikai| No one is ever surprise to hear Professor Jonathan Moyo, Zimbabwe’s most notorious political turn-coat, defending Petina Gappah. The two have a lot in common; they are sell-outs.
Professor Moyo is one of the Zanu PF leaders rightly credited in helping Mugabe stay in power especially post 2000; by hook and by crook naturally, given Mugabe was a corrupt, incompetent and a murderous tyrant.
Ever since losing his cushy position in Zanu PF, Moyo has turned on his former Zanu PF bedfellows pontificating endless about how his own father was a victim of Gukurahundi. Conveniently forgetting that he played a major part in consolidating the one-party dictatorship post Gukurahundi, regardless of the regime’s corrupt and murderous reputation and tendency.
It has been said Professor Jonathan Moyo would sell his own mother for a price and be proud he had a mother to sell. He certainly sold his father and millions of ordinary Zimbabweans alright!
The now late Robert Mugabe himself called Moyo “a weasel and devil incarnate”. It late late dictator was the devil incarnate in his own right and it took one to know one!
“Instead of welcoming @VascoDaGappah &@daddyhope, to benefit from their experiences, first-hand information & perspectives, the holier-than-thou do-gooders in “CIVIL” society have amazing if not shocking energy, time & words to demonize & CANCEL OUT real and potential allies!” twittered the “devil incarnate” Moyo from his fox hole, in exile.
“There’s no change in Africa, that has taken place or succeeded without former insiders & outsiders coming together to coalesce around shared goals for transformational change. The mantra that “once ZanuPF always ZanuPF”, is false & primitive. Even Tsvangirai was once ZanuPF!”
Oh yeah! What good has ever come out of all your years of selling out in Zanu PF, Professor Moyo. The Zanu PF dictatorship would have collapse years ago was it not for very intelligence people like you, Professor Moyo, Professor Mthuli Ncube, Petina Gappah, Morgan Tsvangirai and many others in Zanu PF, opposition camp, etc. who have propped up the regime – for thirty pieces of silver!
Of course, Morgan Tsvangirai and his fellow MDC friends are sell-outs. It was no accident that they failed to implement even one meaningful reform in five years of the last GNU. Mugabe bribed them with ministerial limos, generous salaries and allowances, a US$4 million mansion for Tsvangirai, etc., etc. “Pretty good wages for one little kiss!”, as the High Priest so aptly reminded Judas Iscariot!
When Mnangagwa failed to stamp out corruption, he blatantly rigged last year’s elections, etc., etc. it was clear as day that Zimbabwe was still a pariah state, nothing had changed. Mnangagwa was dragging the nation straight into hell and Petina, in pursuit of the thirty pieces of silver, chose to fellow him, as one of the President’s Advisors!
“Through me you enter into the city of woes
through me you enter into eternal pain,
through me you enter the population of loss.
. . .
abandon all hope, you who enter here.”
Reads the inscription on the Gateway into, according to Dante.
There is no denying that Zimbabweans are experiencing the woes, pains, losses and have cause to abandon all hope; given Zimbabwe’s worsening economic situation with unemployment an nauseating 90%; hospitals closing down because there are no doctors, no nurses, no medicine and no equipment; etc.
Petina Gappah is an intellectual and author; she read the inscription and ignored it; she was warned of the futility of propping a corrupt, incompetent, vote rigging and tyrannical regime and would not listen.
Professor Jonathan Moyo is pleading for Petina’s forgives out of self interest – he will be asking the nation to forgive him too for all his decades as Zanu PF’s self-appointed chief strategist and propagandist!
“There’s no change in Africa, that has taken place or succeeded without former insiders” spilling the beans! Rubbish; Zimbabwe is in this hell-on-earth situation because the country has had the great misfortune of having more than it fair share per capita of “devil incarnate” like you, Professor Jonathan Moyo and Petina Gappah!
Betrayal of the innocent for selfish gain is one of the most heinous crimes known to man. Our failure to punish sell-outs has only encouraged others to join field; Zanu PF leaders have never had any problems recruiting Zimbabwean professionals to do their dirty work. The dirtier the work the heavier the pay package! Our greatest mistake as a nation is our failure to punish these treasonous sell-outs. This must now change.
If Petina Gappah has repented then she must give back the banked thirty pieces of silver and hang herself, just as Judas Iscariot did! SOURCE: zsdemocrats.blogspot.com
By A Correspondent| Harare Central Hospital Chief executive officer, Dr Tinashe Dobbie has dismissed as false reports suggesting that the medical institution has closed.
Speaking to the state media Dobbie said:We are still operating below capacity because of staff shortages but we are not turning away any patients.
His remarks come after social media reports suggested over the weekend that the hospital was now turning patients away as it had closed.
The reports came when health caregivers in public health institutions have been on industrial action since the 3rd of September over unsustainable salaries with reports suggesting that some are already leaving the country for greener pastures whilst a handful have returned to work.
-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF Politburo member Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube has chipped in with assistance for the burial of the late liberation war fighter and Cool Crooners music band member Timothy Sekane.
Sekane (84) died on Thursday last week and his family had been struggling to bury him, with the body of the struggle icon reportedly having been stuck at Mpilo Central Hospital mortuary for four days.
The family could not afford to move the body from the mortuary for burial.
Speaking during a Zanu-PF meeting in Bulawayo yesterday, Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu said he was saddened by Sekane’s death and revealed that Rtd Col Tshinga Dube offered to assist in the burial.
“I learnt with great shock of the passing on of our dear Comrade Sekane. He played a crucial role in the liberation struggle. I am meant to understand that the family had challenges in terms of his burial, but I am happy Tshinga has offered to chip in with the required resources in that regard and I am also pledging to further assist if the need arises,” he said.
Sekane was one of the first cadres to be deployed by Zapu, getting his training in Zambia.
He joined the liberation struggle in 1961, crossing the border to join the liberation war effort in Zambia, a country he made his second home, even settling there for 17 years after the country’s liberation.
Despite his illustrious struggle history and legendary status as a musician, his daughter Sheilar Sibve (64), revealed to a local publication that they were struggling to bury her father, as they did not have sufficient funds to first take him from the mortuary and deliver him to a suitable funeral parlour.
Sekane, who had severe head burns from his time in the war, died because of chronic anaemia and severe dehydration.
The liberation fighter and musician had fallen ill last month after performing at a show with his beloved Cool Crooners band.
The other members of the Cool Crooners had sought assistance to give him a befitting send-off but failed.
Sekane is survived by a wife and two children. Mourners are gathered at N45 in Mzilikazi suburb in Bulawayo
-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- Former Cabinet minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo has come to the defence of Petina Gappah, a former advisor to President Emmerson Mnangagwa who has been attacked for her previous association with Mnangagwa.
Her critics argue that she is not sincere when she claims that she does not support a number of things in the Mnangagwa administration.
Moyo posted on Twitter in her defence saying:
The demonization of@VascoDaGappah after her interview with #TrevorNcube revealed she has big issues with the same #MnangagwaRegime she was part of after the Nov 2017 coup is wrong.
Sadly, the “democratic movement” in Zim is its own worst enemy with a suicidal CANCEL CULTURE!
The same demonization of@VascoDaGappah has been extended to@daddyhope by the same self-righteous guardians and moral police of the “democratic movement” whose crude “bad guy versus good guy” narratives have retarded the discourse on and progress of change in Zimbabwe!
Instead of welcoming@VascoDaGappah &@daddyhope, to benefit from their experiences, first-hand information & perspectives, the holier-than-thou do-gooders in “CIVIL” society have amazing if not shocking energy, time & words to demonize & CANCEL OUT real and potential allies!
There’s no change in Africa, that has taken place or succeeded without former insiders & outsiders coming together to coalesce around shared goals for transformational change. The mantra that “once Zanu PF always Zanu PF”, is false & primitive. Even Tsvangirai was once Zanu PF!
The personalization of politics in Zimbabwe has become cancerous & is now a clear & present danger to the country. Every human engagement requires a meeting of minds, which should be the pivotal starting point. Once people have a meeting of minds, it must be all systems go!
Farai Dziva|2018 independent Presidential candidate Brian Mteki has rejoined Zanu PF.
Mteki told state broadcaster, ZBC he was happy to return home.
” I have returned home- Zanu PF is my home and I am ready to serve the nation.
We have to be united as a nation.Zanu PF is a party that represents the interests of the people,” said Mteki.
Commenting on Mteki’s decision to return to Zanu PF, the ruling party Political Commissar, Victor Matemadanda said:” We are happy to embrace Cde Mteki.
He worked closely with the late Elliot Tapfumaneyi Manyika and we all know that he is an industrious figure.”
What coup! It was a change of administration” said SADC – sheer folly, let coup gene out, again. Zimbabwe must look outside SADC and the AU for help to end the deeply entrenched Zanu PF dictatorship. The economic situation in Zimbabwe is dire, hospitals have closed and people are dying; we need to end the dictatorship fast writes Patrick Guramatunhu
For the last 39 years the country has drifted like a log, with ordinary people hang on to the log for dear life, in the flood Zambezi River, totally at the mercy of a corrupt, incompetent and murderous tyrannical Zanu PF dictatorship. Sadly, the country’s economic meltdown has fuelled a raging factional fighting in the dictatorship and political and economic volatility have the log hurtling down the rapids.
Two years ago on 15 November 2017 there was a military coup in which the Zanu PF dictators Robert Mugabe and a select few around him were removed from office. As much I wanted to see the back of Mugabe after 37 years of corrupt and tyrannical rule, I still objected strongly to the coup. Two wrongs do not equal a right; especially when those staging the coup were themselves corrupt, incompetent and murderous tyrants.
It was no secret than Emerson Mnangagwa, Constantino Chiwenga and the rest of the coup plotters were the very individuals who had played a major part in the establishment and retention of the Zanu PF dictatorship, keeping Mugabe himself in power, all the last 37 years against the democratic wishes of the people.
It is no surprise that Mnangagwa and his coup friends have portrayed the November 2017 coup in the most agreeable light they could master. They announced the coup as “a military assisted transition”. They even got one of the country’s high court judges to declare the coup “constitutional, justified and legal!”
When Mugabe hesitated signing the resignation letter, the coup plotter burnt the midnight candle to make sure the people came out in the street in large numbers demanding that Mugabe resigned. The story goes that Mugabe was warned that if he still refused to resign “the people will march into his Blue Roof mansion!” No that the coup plotters were controlling Mugabe’s security, that was no empty threat.
Two years down the line, those who had condemned the coup as an act of lawlessness that could never put to right the Zanu PF dictatorship have been proven right. The coup remove one dictator but only to replace him with another dictator.
The November coup was a lost opportunity to demand the democratic changes designed to dismantle the Zanu PF dictatorship. Swapping one dictator for another was certainly not want we wanted. It is therefore shocking to hear anyone, now with the benefit of hindsight, suggesting that Zimbabweans were pleased with the November 2017 coup.
“Which coup? SADC is unaware of the said coup, is aware of change of administration that was extensively celebrated and supported by nationals!” remarked none other than the Executive Secretary of SADC Dr Stergomena Tax.
Tax said SADC will not meddle in the affairs of Zimbabwe.
“I have already responded to this. Use the Parliament and Judiciary. Engage with the Executive. Regional bodies come in after exhausting internal mechanisms. Are you at that stage? Use the Parliament and Judiciary. Engage with the Executive. Regional bodies come in after exhausting internal mechanisms.”
The only way to get the democratic reforms necessary for free, fair and credible election implement is by forcing Zanu PF to accept last year’s elections were NOT free, fair and credible. SADC is one of the few bodies who had, foolishly endorsed the election as having been free, fair and credible and so cannot change its position now. SADC is handicapped and cannot play any meaningful role is solving Zimbabwe’s political and economic crisis.
By endorsing the November 2017 military coup as merely a “change of administration” SADC has foolishly let the military coup gene out of the bottle, once again. In 1960s and 1970s, Africa was plagued by military coups and now we are foolishly encouraging them again!
It is ironic that SADC endorse Zimbabwe’s rigged 2013 elections as having been free, fair and credible. Indeed, until the coup, SADC leaders had always counted Mugabe was one of them!
The main reason why many Zimbabweans celebrated the November 2017 coup to remove Mugabe was simple: how else were they going to do it since 37 years of the ballot had failed.
Mnangagwa rigged last year’s elections confirming that Zanu PF’s vote rigging juggernaut is still the same ruthless well oiled machine of the Mugabe days. Now that the Zimbabwe Courts have confirmed military coups are “legal, constitutional and justified” and SADC will view it as a normal “change of administration”; the next political change in Zimbabwe is another coup.
The tragedy is the coup will replace one dictator with another when what the nation is dying for is replacing the dictatorship with democratic system of government.
Zimbabweans have looked to SADC to help end the Zanu PF dictatorship, the root cause of the country’s economic ruin and politic paralysis. Sadly, SADC itself has suffered the ill effects of poor leadership it was been but the flooded Luangwa River adding its muddy waters to the flooded Zambezi River.
Zimbabwe must look outside SADC and the AU for help to end the deeply entrenched Zanu PF dictatorship. The economic situation in Zimbabwe is dire, hospitals have closed and people are dying; we need to end the dictatorship fast.
By A Correspondent- The Zanu-PF Midlands Provincial Inter-District Conference has endorsed the candidature of President Mnangagwa as the party’s sole candidate for the 2023 presidential elections.
Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North provinces came up with a similar resolution last week.
The resolution, among others, was revealed at the conference held at the Zanu-PF Conference Centre just outside Gweru on Saturday.
The resolutions were read out by Zanu-PF Midlands Provincial Vice Chairman, Robson Nyathi during the conference that was also attended by the party’s National Commissar Victor Matemadanda.
Nyathi said the resolutions –coming from the main wing, women’s wing, youths and war veterans – were a clear indication of the fact that the province was fully behind the leadership of President Mnangagwa.
“As the Midlands province, all the wings of the party resolved to endorse President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the sole presidential candidate for 2023 elections in line with the dictates of the party’s constitution. This is one of the major resolutions passed during the one-day Provincial Inter-district Conference which had all eight districts being represented. So, we are a united front as Midlands province,” he said.
Matemadanda said war veterans were no longer an affiliate of the ruling party but a wing as they had been factored into the existing structures.
“May I point out that war veterans are no longer considered as an affiliate of the party. They are part of the party structures and this should be noted. We are coming through with new policies and direction which saw it fit to include them in the party structures from now going forward,” he said.
Floodwater submerged parked cars in Centurion, near Pretoria, as heavy rainfall caused havoc in parts of South Africa on Monday, December 9.
The South African Weather Service said that more rainfall was expected in a number of regions. It warned motorists not to travel along flooded roads.
South African media said no deaths had yet been reported.
The Centurion Hotel, near where this video was taken, tweeted that its ground floor was under floodwater. The hotel said it was working with emergency services to evacuate about 70 guests trapped in the building. Credit: Chef Zizi via Storyful
JOHANNESBURG – South African Airways, the national airline that’s entered a form of bankruptcy protection, may only be offered 5% of the $60 million that its owed by neighboring Zimbabwe in funds from ticket sales and hasn’t been able to extract from the country.
The central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee plans to “reject the majority of debts” owed to institutions, a move it hopes will save the southern African nation much needed foreign currency, Eddie Cross, a committee member, said. The country is unable to pay for adequate fuel and wheat imports.
“We will ask that a haircut be taken by creditors,” said Cross in a Dec. 5 interview in the capital, Harare.
Tlali Tlali, a spokesman for SAA, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
In February, the central bank took over $1.2 billion of legacy debt when it dropped the 1:1 parity between its currency and the U.S. dollar. The Zimbabwe dollar now trades at 16.42 to the greenback.
Cross put the legacy debt at $2.6 billion, more than double the central bank’s previously stated figure. He didn’t provide further details.
His comments on legacy debt echo similar views made last month by George Guvamatanga, the permanent secretary in the finance ministry, that institutions owed legacy debt should consider writing down some of the amount.
The International Air Transport Association in July said foreign airlines were owed $196 million by the southern African nation.
BLOOMBERG
263chat|The state has finally withdrew subversion charges against two MDC Kwekwe legislators Settlement Chikwinya (Mbizo) and Lloyd Mukapiko (Redcliff) who were arrested during the January 14 anti-government protests that rocked the country.
The two had their charges dropped after the state failed to provide evidence of their involvement in the violent scenes that were witnessed in many urban centres.
State witnesses claimed the two MPs were spotted in the Kwekwe CBD 14 January this year addressing a predominantly MDC gathering which they were inciting to engage in public violence.
In August this year, Kwekwe magistrate, Story Rushambwa cleared the two of charges of inciting public violence and participating in public violence at the close of the State case for lack of evidence.
Despite being freed of the two charges, Chikwinya and Mukapiko still had to answer to subversion.
During trial, the two MPs denied subversion allegations saying the charges were politically motivated since they were at different places when the protests occurred.
Chikwinya had told court he was at a local pub when the commotion started and further indicated that the State witnesses had been his political adversaries since 2000.
Mukapiko said he was at the Vehicle Inspection Department during the alleged time of the offence.
The January 14 protests were triggered by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s midnight announcement of 150 percent fuel price hike.
Correspondent|Bulawayo legislator Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga has requested the Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda to ask the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Cain Mathema to issue a statement on why most of the schools that recorded a zero pass rate in the recently announced Grade 7 results are from Matebeleland.
She said out of the 88 schools which had a zero pass rate, most of them were from Matebeleland North and South. She did not give the exact breakdown.
Mudenda said he would get in touch with the minister?
The General Overseer of the Wonders Assembly Ministry, Pastor Ikpom David, of Nigeria has landed in trouble in Lagos after he reportedly hired some people to give false testimonies of fake miracle healing in order to attract new members but he was caught in the act. that the incident happened opposite the Business School in Ajah area of Lagos, where the church is located.
Pastor David was arrested alongside three other suspects including two women in connection with the fake testimonies of miracle healing powers of Pastor David, which were false.
They are currently being interrogated at the SCIID in Panti Yaba, Lagos, over the alleged scam and may be charged to Court over the alleged criminal conspiracy.
This was confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, who said the suspects were arrested for their alleged dubious act by conducting fake miracles and prophecies within Lekki and Epe areas of Lagos on 30th November, 2019, around 5am, by detectives from the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID).
The SCIID operatives made the arrests after monitoring the activities of Pastor Ikpom David, alleged to have procured fake testimonies from hired members of his church.
The cleric was said to have hired a woman, Rukayat Folawewo, who pretended to have received miraculous healing from car accident after the Pastor prayed for her.
Pastor Ikpom was also alleged to have hired one Bunmi Joshua to testify that her speech and hearing impaired child was healed by another Pastor, Favour Elijah Chimobi. Chimobi, the founder of Elijah Ministry at No. 9, Igirita Street, Port Harcourt,
Rivers State, allegedly conspired with Ikpom to fleece unsuspecting members of the public of their money and other valuables through their dubious practices. Sources at the SCIID said that testimonies by the women were investigated and found to be false and all suspects were moved to the department for further investigation.
The Lagos Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, assured residents that the suspects would be charged to Court once investigation was concluded.
NewsNaira
At least 48 percent of Zimbabweans are connected to the country’s power grid, making Zimbabwe number 25 out of 34 surveyed African countries in terms of citizen access to electricity.
This is according to an Afrobarometer survey on 34 African countries.
The study found that efforts to provide reliable energy among countries on the continent were making little progress.
According to the survey, 39 percent of locals believe government was doing a good job in providing electricity but stand at 30 percent in terms of quantity and quality.
Expansion of the electric grid appears to have stalled in most surveyed 34 countries, and only about four out of 10 African households enjoy reliable supply of electricity, a marginal improvement from survey findings three years before.
The analysis further shows that citizens living in rural areas and the poor were still at a great disadvantage when it comes to lights and power.
This may explain why fewer than half of Africans think their governments are doing a good job when it comes to providing reliable supply of electricity.
“Two-thirds (65%) of Africans live in areas served by an electric grid, with no evidence of significant gains since 2011/2013,” the report says.
“While about nine out of 10 households in North and Central Africa have access to a grid, less than one-third of citizens do in Burkina Faso (28%), Madagascar (29%), Mali (30%), Guinea (32%), and Liberia (33%).”
Rural respondents are less than half as likely (44%) as urbanites (92%) to live within reach of a power grid.”
On connection, fewer than six in 10 households (58%) are actually connected to an electric grid with Morocco, Tunisia, and Mauritius boasting of near universal coverage.
More than three out of four Burkinabè, Ugandans, Liberians, and Malagasy are still without an electricity connection.
“Fewer than half (43%) of Africans enjoy a reliable supply of electricity, a marginal improvement since the previous survey round,” Afrobarometer says.
“While electricity that works most or all of the time is the norm in Mauritius (98%) and Morocco (91%), it’s a luxury in Malawi (5%) and Guinea (7%)… Ghana, more than doubled its share of citizens reporting reliable power, from 37% in 2014 to 79%.
“Fewer than half (45%) of Africans say their government is doing a good job of ensuring a reliable supply of electricity and performance evaluations are strongly correlated with the level of access to the grid.”
President Mnangagwa has revealed that there is a hidden hand behind the ongoing strike by some doctors, who have not been reporting for duty since September 3 citing incapacitation.
But more doctors, in addition to the 46 that have already taken up Government’s offer, have expressed their interest to return to work, he added.
“We made a decision to take disciplinary action and most of them were fired, but we gave them an olive branch to return to work. There were 46 who returned at first, but just two days ago, more of them said they would return.
Some of those who returned confessed that they were being used for certain agendas bent on destabilising the country. They said some of their leaders were now playing politics.
“Some of them say they are incapacitated yet Government has offered them accommodation at the hospitals.
We have now uncovered that a few of them are receiving money from some forces, they are receiving US dollars to snub work and sabotage the country. We are going to reveal it all at some point.”
The Head of State and Government said Government is committed to revamping the country’s health delivery system.
He also made a pledge to redistribute land that has been identified through the ongoing land audit to landless Zimbabweans, including Ziliwaco members that did not benefit from the land reform exercise.
“The land audit has covered a lot of ground in about six provinces so far, and a lot needs to be corrected. There are some farms that were gazetted for redistribution but have not been redistributed.
There are top officials who own multiple farms but we are going to make sure that everyone, regardless of who they are, remains with one farm.”
It is believed that “there are two provinces where multiple farm ownership by top officials is rampant”. Some of the farms are reportedly disproportionately large as they range between 2 000 and 3 000 hectares.
“We are going to cut those sizes and parcel the land to those that do not have farms,” the President said.
Ziliwaco members were encouraged to tap into various Government empowerment programmes. The economic reform agenda to achieve an upper middle-income economy by 2030 will continue, he said.
“The Transitional Stabilisation Programme and the comprehensive reforms we have undertaken are already yielding results across all sectors. We have now adopted our own currency.”
In his remarks, Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga commended President Mnangagwa for his consistency.
“He is a hard worker and he remained consistent. We can trust that his economic reform will bear fruits because he has the pedigree for hard work and dedication.”
The meeting was also attended by Defence and War Veterans Minister and Ziliwaco patron Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Ziliwaco chairperson Cde Pupurai Togarepi, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association Chair Ambassador Chris Mutsvangwa, war veterans secretary in the politburo Douglas Mahiya, senior Zanu-PF officials and senior Government officials, among other dignitaries.
— SundayNews
Own Correspondent|The move by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) last week to reduce the mandatory blending of petrol and ethanol before a dramatic reversal in a matter of hours pointed to serious problems in the fuel supply matrix.
Zera issued a brief statement where it announced that “the blending of anhydrous ethanol with unleaded petrol has been reduced from E20 to E10.”
A few hours later, the regulator issued another statement saying the blending would remain at 20% after it got assurances from the government and ethanol suppliers that the levels could be sustained.
Green Fuel, which is owned by a businessman with strong connections to the country’s leadership, enjoys an unfettered monopoly in the supply of ethanol.
Petroleum companies are compelled by law to blend petrol with ethanol before it is sold on the open market.
Zera’s statements last week came at a time when the fuel shortages in the country are getting worse and indications are that this has to do with inadequate supplies of ethanol.
The reduction of ethanol blending would not have been without precedence.
Last year, Zera reduced blending from E10 to E5 before raising it again to E20 after production at Green Fuel’s Chisumbanje sugar fields improved.
According to the government, blending of petrol with ethanol reduces the fuel import bill and ensures stable supplies of fuel.
For motorists, however, there is no evidence that the blending has been beneficial.
Instead many complain that blended petrol does not last and damages car engines.
One of the most likely reasons why the costs remain high is that Green Fuel enjoys a monopoly and is not under any pressure to charge prices that will cushion motorists.
The monopoly is also counterproductive in that when Green Fuel cannot supply enough ethanol the country is brought to a standstill.
It would be tragic if the government last week bent backwards to accommodate Green Fuel after Zera had correctly identified inadequate ethanol supplies as the reason behind the worsening fuel shortages and recommended a reduction in the blending threshold.
A monopoly at whatever level of the economy should not be allowed to hold the country at ransom.
It is incumbent upon the authorities to explain the curious decisions taken by Zera over the blending levels to remove any suspicions that the government was arm twisted.
The fuel shortage that has gone on for more than a year poses one of the biggest threats to economic revival and it needs a holistic approach, including doing away with monopolies.
Fuel users had heaved a huge sigh of relief following the recent pronouncement by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority that it was reducing the blending of Ethanol to 10% from 20%. Motorists were crying foul over the quality of petrol in Zimbabwe.
It simply did not last and would just dissapear from tanks leaving many motorists stranded. Zim drivers often found themseves going fewer kilometres unlike their South African counteraparts because of the poor quality petrol available in most garages.
The recent announcement had been welcomed with open hands. Another issue is that most cars in Zimbabwe are white old and they came from a period where manufactures recommended a maximum of 10% Ethanol and the not the 20% available in the country.
Fuel has however become scarce in the country with long queues being a common festure on filling station. It is also increasing inprice on a weekly basis. A litre if petrol is now costing around 18 rtgs dollars which is beyond the reach of many.
