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Farai Dziva|The prosecution of Marry Chiwenga mirrors the abuse of state institutions by Zanu PF bigwigs, political observer Antony Taruvinga has said.

See full statement below. ..
Mary Chiwenga’s case actually reveals what we have always said about this coup government:

1. Abuse of power by the illegitimate VP to punish his wife for whatever reasons
2. State capture of institutions such as ZACC, ZEC, Police and Judiciary etc that are supposed to be independent of the Executive
3. Selective application of their law targetting people seen as dissenters or any whom they have crossed paths with…
4. Corruption is rampant in Zanu pf government and on a daily basis, Zimbabwe loses thousands to these thieves masquerading as leaders. Unfortunately, by paying taxes, the people of Zimbabwe are funding the lavish lifestyles of thieves and murderers in Zanu PF.

While I, personally, am indifferent about her persecution or selective prosecution, it is important to note that the whole government is occupied with fighting a low ranked female criminal as a result of some bedroom issues while thousands of big thieves and murderers in Zanu PF continue to steal and roam the streets scot free.

By A Correspondent| The court case of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife, Marry Mubaiwa, has opened a can of worms amid indications that the former army commander was also demanding part of the properties his wife allegedly acquired in South Africa.

This was revealed during Mubaiwa’s first appearance in court on Monday following her arrest on Saturday for money laundering, externalisation and attempted murder of Chiwenga while he was in a South African hospital in June.

Chiwenga and Mubaiwa are undergoing a nasty divorce following allegations of attempted murder of the Vice-President by his estranged wife.

During the court appearance on Monday, Mubaiwa’s lawyer Taona Nyamakura of Mtetwa and Nyambirai Legal Practitioners asked the investigating officer, Victor Masimba of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, whether he was aware of the divorce processes or not, while hinting that the Vice-President was demanding part of the properties allegedly purchased illegally by Mubaiwa.

Mubaiwa was remanded in custody on both charges to December 30 by deputy Chief Magistrate Christen Mberewere. Prosecutor Michael Reza appeared for the State.

During cross-examination, Nyamakura hinted to the court that the Vice-President was fighting for part of the properties bought in South Africa by Mubaiwa which form part of the charges, a situation said to be contained in the court challenges in the Chiwenga-Mubaiwa divorce case.

“If the Vice-President is claiming (in the divorce case), would it be okay to say he is claiming proceeds of the crime?” Nyamakura asked.

According to the Zacc memo, Mubaiwa, named as chief executive of East Town Holdings and shareholder of a company called Tarnor Investments, externalised close to US$1 million by misrepresentations on proforma invoices before converting the money to personal use.

“During the period extending from October 2018 to May 2019, the accused would instruct Memory Chakuinga, who is the managing director of two South Africa-based companies namely Falcon Projects Pvt Ltd and Bonnette Electrical Pvt Ltd which are based in Pretoria, South Africa to raise proforma invoices for the purchases of either event tents, chairs and prepaid meters for consumption in Zimbabwe, when, in actual fact, the accused knew very well that after the funds were transferred to South Africa, she would then divert them for other personal purposes,” the memo read.

Allegations are that in February 2019, the accused instructed the same Chakuinga to come up with a proforma invoice for US$307 545,05 and diverted the funds to purchase a house in South Africa and was registered under LaChelle Travel and Tours.

She also allegedly diverted $142 858,93 meant for prepaid electric meters towards the purchase of a house.

“The former model also caused CBZ to transfer $142 858,93 to Bonnet Electrical Pty Ltd’s SA Standard bank account which was meant for the purchase of prepaid electric meters.

In order to launder the externalised funds, she concealed or disguised the true nature of the source of the property by diverting the funds and further transferred it to Martin Portgietter Attorney Standard Bank Trust Account number 81327021 towards the purchase of a house, being house number 1309 Kingstone Heath Close, Waterkloof Gold Estate, Pretoria South Africa.

The house was registered in the name of LaChelle Travel and Tours PTY Ltd where the accused is sole shareholder,” read the Zacc memo.

Mubaiwa also allegedly bought a Range Rover Autobiography, another Range Rover vehicle and a Ford Ranger using the externalised funds.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent| VP Chiwenga’s wife’s bail hearing will be heard on Friday at the High Court it has emerged. 

Marry, who is currently languishing in remand prison after a Harare magistrate denied her bail Tuesday is facing a raft of allegations which range from money laundering to attempted murder of her husband the Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.

 She was remanded in custody to 31 December.

Marry and her legal team started the bail application process today.

Own Correspondent|President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s name has quickly been dragged into the Chiwengas saga.

Marry Chiwenga, who was Monday denied bail and remanded in custody facing charges of attempting to kill her husband, described her arrest as baseless and hilarious in court papers filed at the High Court on Wednesday.

Marry told the court that after the alleged attempt to murder Chiwenga, President Emmerson Mnangagwa gave her US$30 000 to travel to China and visit Chiwenga where the VP was seeking further treatment.

Marry said her arrest reminded of the saying that when hyena wants to eat its children, it first accuses them of smelling like goats.

She further claims that charges brought against her were baseless and fabricated by Chiwenga against his estranged wife in order for him to win the divorce process they are going through.

She also challenges the State to produce evidence linking her to the alleged offences.

“This is impossible because such reports do not exist for the simple reason that the incident did not occur as alleged or at all. No doctor who respects his professional standing will be made to perjure himself.

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“The witnesses are not even disclosed. The questions still remain that if the applicant ordered everyone to leave the room such that when the alleged incident occurred, alone with her husband, who then is the witness. A witness of fact cannot testify to what they did not see,” she said.

“Laughable is the so-called last exhibit. The State says it has a photograph of a bloodied T-shirt that the Vice President was wearing. Surely an exhibit of that nature despite it being merely of circumstantial relevance would have been kept and safeguarded. A photograph of a bloodied T-shirt remains a photograph, it proves nothing and cannot override primary evidence,” the court papers read.

It is revealed in her court papers that when Chiwenga was in China for further treatment after the attempted murder, Marry said Chiwenga made a request to Mnangagwa to arrange for her to be flown to China.

Mnangagwa agreed and gave her US$30 000 for her personal upkeep while in China.

Writing in her bail application, Marry said that Mnangagwa “even sent his personal security with (typed as Zim but can only be USD) $30,000 for her personal upkeep and use”.

Incarcerated Marry Chiwenga, wife to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga says she is critically ill and unable to stand trial.

“The applicant is of visible poor health, being visibly traumatised and having lost a considerable amount of weight,” her lawyers argue.

Marry, who is detained at the Chikurubi Female Maximum Security Prison, submitted that her hands are visibly swollen adding she was injured on June 23 2018 by “a hand held grenade thrown with the intention of assassinating the President (Mnangagwa),” she said in the papers.

Marry with her husband were part of the group of top ZANU PF officials who survived an assassination attack bombing on President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Bulawayo in 2018.

Scores of people were killed or injured on the day.

This Marry-VP divorce saga is like a dejavu which drives one back to 2011 , when she pulled a middle finger on Kawondera.

Gentle reader, when I say Karma has visited Mary’s love life I do not mean Khama Billiat that Warriors hot shot, he is happily ‘Marryied’ (pun intended) and would never try to bulldoze his way into a full presidium’s bedroom.

IT is without a shred of doubt that latest developments in Second Lady Mary Chiwenga’s love life can safely make her a perfect host for Karma. Her not so secret love life which has been in the public glare since her days as a model has made a nasty turn in which she stands to be the biggest loser in the whole drama. She had her first child with Terry Mandizha, a businessman with interest in the medical field.

Terry then stayed in Southerton while Marry stayed in Chitungwiza and she was lured by the ‘cheeseboy’, because Southerton was at that time a ‘cool neighbourhood’ where people of colour stayed. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga reportedly instituted divorce proceedings in a nasty fashion reminiscent of the way she dumped ex-husband , former Warriors striker Shingi Kawondera.

Of course, the Second Lady has a penchant for nimble feet and guns hence in her thirty something her old life, she has married a top soldier and a top footballer. It appears she has a thing for men with top marksmanship- those who don’t miss their targets! Kawondera never missed the back of the net and the VP’s antics with the gun are an open secret, he would shoot to kill the enemy, in the quest for the freedom that we enjoy now, we ‘born frees’.

Mary has had three husbands and 5 children! This week, Marry was dragged before the courts where she is facing a cocktail of charges, including illegally solemnizing a secret marriage presided over by Acting Chief Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi as correctly reported by this publication in July. I digress.

According to Hinduism, Karma is the force produced by a person’s actions in one life which influences what happens to that person in future lives. Mary was a movement by herself but became a force when she married Kawondera whom she later dumped in a nasty manner. The same way which she is being dumped by the VP.

That is where Karma comes in, if Karma was a person Mary would be an embodiment of such. The VP wants Mary out of the Borrowdale Brooke house

which has sentimental value to him. Interestingly, it will require experts in the construction industry to remove the insignia on the front of the house written C and M- in apparent refence to Constantino and Mary.

This reporter had an exclusive interview with Shingi Kawondera on Friday and he bared his soul. According to Shingi, when he met Marry it was love at first sight and he assumed they would live happily ever after like Romeo and Juliet or Solo na Mutsai, if we bring it closer to home.

Alas, such was not the case, he got a rude awakening and lost the marriage and fruits of his loins- a 10-year-old daughter Destiny. “Wangu, when I met her (Marry) she was a struggling model.

“Of course she came from a well up family but I was on fire, ndaipisa wangu and I invested in business that I thought were ours. “I poured in money for her to start a business, we had a vision of Lachelle Company where we wanted to do boutiques and travel services and she took over because I was in Cyprus,’ relived Kawondera.

“She is a good woman but her rich background pushes her to maintain the status and she can do anything,’’ he added.

In the heart-rending interview on Friday, Kawondera revealed that his daughter Destiny that he sired with Marry was ‘abducted’ when he was in Cyprus and he last saw her when she was two years old. Mary went on to falsify the daughter’s identity by changing the surname on the birth certificate to Mubaiwa after conniving with officials at the Registra General’s office.

“Wangu (my brother), my daughter I last saw him her when she was two years old and Mary went on to amend my daughter’s birth certificate, she liaised with Registrar General Office and my daughter ’s last name was changed from Kawondera to Mubaiwa , her maiden surname and that is not fair, but well Mwari ndewemuhu wese haamwire kuDreams, I wish her well though,’ said Kawondera.

Kawondera claims that he pumped in US$80 000 to jump start Marry’s business, but throughout the interview, he absolved VP Chiwenga , adding that the VP ‘s hands are clean.

Zim Morning Post had a series of interviews with insiders in Chiwenga family and established that Mary was never a darling of the family from the onset, and the family fed poisonous information to Chiwenga. “Chiwenga’s sisters did not like Marry from the start and the situation was worse when Marry blocked them from accompanying Chiwenga to India for treatment.

“President Mnangagwa was even told about the fall out and he counselled her. “Imagine his sisters had to sleep at a hotel when they came for inauguration, “explained our source. “At a family meeting last week, Marry made things worse for herself after she hit back at the General defending herself,” added our source. Meanwhile, Mary was remanded in custody to December 30 after she appeared in court on Monday .

Source – Zim Morning Post

Own Correspondent|The bail hearing for Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife Mary Mubaiwa Chiwenga has been scheduled for Friday.

The hearing will be held at the High Court after the Magistrates’ Court refused to grant Mary bail on Monday.

Chiwenga made things difficult for her bail hearing when she refused to hand over her diplomatic passport to the court forcing the prosecutor to declare her a flight risk.

 ‌

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and said investigations were in progress.

He could not divulge any other information concerning the matter. Mr Chapfika’s son, Alex, told the police that his father was hypertensive. According to a leaked memorandum from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Mr John Kayira, a Tanzanian national aged 51 years, who was a friend to Mr Chapfika, informed police about the circumstances of his death.

Harare businessman Mr Macdonald Makamba Chapfika (56) died suddenly on Monday while on his way from a meeting with Government officials at Munhumutapa Building.

“This memorandum serves to place on record circumstances and initial investigations carried out on the above subject matter. “On 16 December 2019 at around 1500hrs, Mr Kayira, who is a friend to the now deceased, received a phone call from the now deceased, informing him of a business meeting with Government officials at Munhumutapa Building,” reads part of the memo.

Mr Kayira went to Chop Chop Restaurant along Fife Avenue Harare where he met Mr Chapfika. At around 1530hrs, they drove to Munhumutapa Building using Mr Kayira’s vehicle, a Mercedes Benz

Blue TEC C220 white in colour, registration number AES 6901.”

“Upon arrival at Munhumutapa Building, they were directed to the boardroom where there were other participants of the meeting,” reads the memo. “At around 1630hrs, the now-deceased made his presentation to the Government officials, who included some ministers and Ministry of Finance officials.

“His presentation lasted for about 15 minutes and was based on the procurement of maize from outside the country for the Government.” After making his presentation, Mr Chapfika left the boardroom with Mr Kayira and as they approached the main entrance, Mr Chapfika started feeling dizzy and had difficulties with his vision.

He asked Mr Kayira to collect the vehicle where it was parked and pick him at the main entrance. “Mr Kayira rushed to fetch the vehicle and when he came back, he saw the now deceased lying on the ground facing upwards. “There were some security details who were attending to him pouring water on his body in an effort to resuscitate him before a report was made at ZRP Harare Central.”

Source – Nehanda Radio

Own Correspondent|Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife Marry Chiwenga nee Mubaiwa has hard done her bail application after she refused to hand over her diplomatic passport.

The move has coat her heavily as prosecutors argue its an indication she wants to skip the country.

In opposing bail the Prosecutor Michael Reza, pointed out the fact that Marry refused to hand over her passport to the investigation officer and used that as his basis to argue against bail when he said:

“The amount externalised is in excess of a million US Dollars and the money laundered put together will amount to close to US$2 million and this is a substantive amount in any language. The accused is married to the Vice President and clearly, she has a very high standard of living and to move from an opulent house to a prison cell will make any reasonable person want to flee.”

Correspondent|South African Former President Thabo Mbeki has finally left the country after holding marathon meetings with ZANU PF leaders and opposition leaders.

Mbeki said he will return to Zimbabwe to to continue the meetings with other political players.

Mbeki met President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Nelson Chamisa on Monday and the rest of the Political leadership on Tuesday.

The church has also requested to be included in the talks with President Mbeki.

After meeting Mbeki, Former Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe said, “Our discussions with former President Thabo Mbeki were around how to move this country forward and we realise that we can only move the country forward by uniting as Zimbabweans and speaking with one voice.

“We want everyone to have a better life in this country and this can only come when people come together and start talking to one another. These are the issues we discussed with President Mbeki and we agreed that as political players in this country, let us come together, let us speak with one voice, let us move our country forward because the people of Zimbabwe matter than any other person.”

National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) president Professor Lovemore Madhuku has ruled out the formation of a unity government, saying the government of the day will see out its full term in office and no one should assume power through the backdoor.

Madhuku said this while speaking to Star FM after he and other POLAD leaders met with former South African President Thabo Mbeki who is in the country.

Social media was full of speculation that Mbeki had come to encourage a government of national unity between Zanu-PF and the opposition as happened in 2009, but Madhuku has dismissed the speculations.

“There’s no such a thing as a unity government as some are suggesting. We will never have someone coming into power through the back door.

“Former South African President Thabo Mbeki was just in the country to encourage dialogue with a view to solving the problems we are having.

“It is not even Constitutional anymore to have a GNU as happened in 2009 when we were using the old constitution.

In any case, we have an elected government in office, so why should anyone wriggle their way into power via the backdoor?” Madhuku thundered.

On Monday, Mbeki met with President Emmerson Mnagangwa at the State House, before meeting with MDC leader Nelson Chamisa later that day at a Harare hotel.

Tuesday saw Mbeki meeting with leaders of the ‘useless’ Political Actors Dialogue platform who include MDC-T President Thokozani Khupe, MDC-T Vice-President Obert Gutu, NCA leader Professor Madhuku, amongst others who included NPF spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire and Lucia Matibenga.

Since its launch, Polad has done absolutely nothing to solve Zimbabwe’s economic problems.

The former South African President also met with leaders from the church and civic society.
— Zimbabwe Voice

The Vice President, Constantino Guvheya Chiwenga has reportedly shown interest in the properties his wife Marry Chiwenga  nee Mubaiwa bought in South Africa.

This was revealed in court today by her lawyer during cross-examination, according to a local publication.

Mubaiwa’s lawyer Taona Nyamakura of Mtetwa and Nyambirai Legal Practitioners hinted the VP was also fighting for part of the properties Marry reportedly bought in South Africa when Nyamakura asked:

If the Vice-President is claiming (in the divorce case), would it be okay to say he is claiming proceeds of the crime?”

Mubaiwa Chiwenga reportedly bought 2 Range Rovers and a house in Pretoria using the funds she allegedly externalised and these properties are said to be part of their divorce case.

-Newsday

Listen to audio below. ..

A Zimbabwean army officer Major Mpumelelo Ngwenya died two days ago in South Africa when he was thrown from a flat.

Ngwenya was promoted to the position of Major on November 28 by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The events that led to his death are still sketchy as the family and the government have not yet issued a statement regarding his death.

Posting an obituary, his friend Sindiso Mazibisa said, “Rest in power Major Mpumelelo Ngwenya. Soldiers don’t die. They Rest. Man like you were are a rare breed. A true Patriot, Husband, Father, Friend and Brother. From rural Gwanda to be a true General. May God unleash vengeance on your killers my brother. ..l.am pained after our last lengthy talk.

“But God Why????l can’t believe that my boyhood friend the Major Mpumelelo Ngwenya is gone. l can’t sleep …just crying ….What a year for me…Soldiers don’t die. .they sleep as they say…just last week what a great discussion we had as friends and former lnyanda High School students. I never knew it was good bye. A true soldier and patriot he was. l am truly hurting. This is so so painful.”

This is a developing story…

Listen to the song below. ..

By A Correspondent| The Election Resource Center questioned the sincerity of the new dispensation after the ruling party’s political commissar  Victor Matemadanda claimed elections would not remove the ruling party from power.

ERC said:

ERC denounces such reckless utterances that question the sincerity of the new dispensation in addressing electoral reforms well ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections. 

Matemadanda said “If elections fail we will use any other means necessary”.  He also went on to say that elections will not remove Zanu PF from power.

Elections provide one of the few opportunities at the disposal of citizens to express themselves democratically.   They are one opportunity that is provided once every five years where citizens decide who should govern them.

According to the Constitution, Zimbabwe has a multi-party democratic political system whose electoral system is based on equality of votes, orderly transfer of power following elections, respect for the rights of political parties and respect for the people of Zimbabwe from whom authority to govern is derived.

The utterances attributed to Matemadanda are in clear violation of the constitution which he took an oath to uphold together with other laws of Zimbabwe as a deputy minister (of Defence). 

Zimbabwe is a democratic republic in which democratic processes should be exalted and not subverted.

Suggesting that there are other ways to remain in power outside elections reinforces the growing perception that elections in Zimbabwe do not determine who governs.”

Matemadanda made these utterances last week at the Zanu PF Annual Congress.

Jane Mlambo| Local civil groups have demanded that former South African President Thabo Mbeki who is currently in the country to meet and discuss with political leaders, should also rope in civil society so that the process becomes inclusive.

Political commentator, Earnest Mudzengi said the inclusion of civil society was key to avoid the pitfalls of history.

Posting on Twitter, Mudzengi said civil society should be included in an any dialogue process.

Since his arrival on Monday, Mbeki has met with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, leaders of smaller political parties under the banner of POLAD as well as National People First.

Yesterday, he had a second meeting with Chamisa whose details have not been revealed.

Both Zanu PF and POLAD members have dismissed prospects of a Government of National Unity saying Mbeki is in the country to appreciate the situation on the ground.

ELEVEN people were rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital on Sunday evening after a truck driver lost control of his vehicle and rammed into a kombi in Bulawayo’s Pelandaba suburb.

Acting Bulawayo chief fire officer, Mr Linos Phiri, confirmed the accident which occurred along Hyde Park Road near Sizane High School turn-off at about 7PM.

He said the passengers who sustained minor injuries, were rushed to hospital where they were treated and discharged.

“We attended an accident which occurred near the Sizane High School turn off. The accident involved a kombi with passengers travelling towards Pumula and a truck laden with sand which was travelling from Pelandaba suburb towards the main road. The truck driver lost control of the vehicle and it rammed into the kombi which then landed on its side,” he said. Mr Phiri said 11 passengers in the kombi sustained minor injuries and were rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital where they treated and discharged.

He could, however, not say how many people were in the kombi.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said police were investigating circumstances leading to the accident.

-State Media

 By A Correspondent| The ruling party is claiming members of the G40 are sabotaging their operations in Harare.

The matter came to light in the party’s central committee report meant for the just-ended Goromonzi congress which read in part:

The restructuring exercise in Harare has unearthed very unethical conduct by some members who were linked to the  G40  during the first republic.

In many instances, they have shown total disregard for authority. This infiltration by undesirable elements is a very serious security threat which the national security department is currently seized with.

They also lack discipline and are thugs who continue to cause problems for the ruling party to the extent that mobilising support for the party has become a mammoth task, This group is composed of land barons and very corrupt members who should not be tolerated by the revolutionary party.

The report is coming at a time when Vice President Chiwenga reportedly claimed that the G40 faction was still alive in the ruling party.

-DailyNews

National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) president Professor Lovemore Madhuku has ruled out the formation of a unity government, saying the government of the day will see out its full term in office and no one should assume power through the backdoor.

Madhuku said this while speaking to Star FM after he and other POLAD leaders met with former South African President Thabo Mbeki who is in the country.

Social media was full of speculation that Mbeki had come to encourage a government of national unity between Zanu-PF and the opposition as happened in 2009, but Madhuku has dismissed the speculations.

“There’s no such a thing as a unity government as some are suggesting. We will never have someone coming into power through the back door.

“Former South African President Thabo Mbeki was just in the country to encourage dialogue with a view to solving the problems we are having.

“It is not even Constitutional anymore to have a GNU as happened in 2009 when we were using the old constitution.

In any case, we have an elected government in office, so why should anyone wriggle their way into power via the backdoor?” Madhuku thundered.

On Monday, Mbeki met with President Emmerson Mnagangwa at the State House, before meeting with MDC leader Nelson Chamisa later that day at a Harare hotel.

Tuesday saw Mbeki meeting with leaders of the ‘useless’ Political Actors Dialogue platform who include MDC-T President Thokozani Khupe, MDC-T Vice-President Obert Gutu, NCA leader Professor Madhuku, amongst others who included NPF spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire and Lucia Matibenga.

Since its launch, Polad has done absolutely nothing to solve Zimbabwe’s economic problems.

The former South African President also met with leaders from the church and civic society.
— Zimbabwe Voice

SOUTH African President Cyril Ramaphosa has reportedly expressed concern over the unfolding socio-economic crisis in Zimbabwe and pledged his government’s support to a churches’ initiative towards finding a lasting solution.

Ramaphosa met the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Olav FykseTveit, Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) general secretary Kenneth Mtata on Monday among other delegates where the Zimbabwe question was also discussed.

Mtata is also the chairperson of the Fellowship of Christian Councils in Southern Africa (FOCCISA), a network of National Councils of Churches (NCC) in the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region.

According to a statement by Mtata, the South African President expressed concern “about the challenges that Zimbabwe continue to face leading to many fleeing that country.”

“He said that he was aware of the famine, doctors’ industrial action, the fuel queues, and broader social challenges. He said he was committed to making sure that his government would support efforts towards a lasting solution,” Mtata said.

The clergy, under the ZCC banner, are pushing for a National Convergence Platform (NCP) which will be signed on December 13.

It seeks to bring together all political parties, civic society groups and Zimbabweans from all sectors toinput into a national vision that seeks to, among others, get the country out of its political and socio- economic crisis.

The country’s multi-faceted crisis is manifesting in hunger and deep-seated poverty among others bedevilling the generality of the populace with analysts warning this could plunge Zimbabwe into becoming a failed State.

Mtata added: “He (Ramaphosa) said that his government was committed in making sure that sanctions are lifted on Zimbabwe, even if they are targeted on certain individuals.

“The country will be perceived as an unattractive investment destination. He recognised with appreciation the efforts of the churches in finding a lasting solution through dialogue. He said his government would support such initiatives towards a lasting solution.”

On the political front, the opposition MDC is questioning the legitimacy of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and insists on dialogue to deal with the legitimacy issue.

Mnangagwa has said he is open to dialogue with MDC leader Nelson Chamisa but under Political Parties Dialogue (Polad) meetings with some opposition parties that participated in the 2018 presidential elections.

Tveit said, after the closed meeting between Ramaphosa and the delegation: “The meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa was a unique occasion to raise global issues on the agenda of the World Council of Churches which are also significant challenges for the churches and the society of South Africa today.”

While Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Khusela Diko could not be reached for comment yesterday, a statement by the South African leader’s office confirmed the meeting with WCC leaders at the Lakes Hotel in Benoni, Gauteng.

“The engagement by the President with the highest echelon of the clergy is in the context of advancing the objective of realising a socially cohesive and safe South Africa and the world,” read a statement from Ramaphosa’s office.

— NewsDay

Jane Mlambo| Former Zanu PF politiburo member and now with the opposition MDC Alliance, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti has told former South African president Thabo Mbeki to go away accusing him of failing in his bid to solve problems by meeting with small political parties.

Responding to a ZimEye post in which it reported that Mbeki had told opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa to join POLAD, Bhasikiti said the former SA President had crossed the line hence should just go back to his country.

“Kana adaro ngaachidzokera zvakwana.Vamwe vakabigwa chii,vachitobira tax payer by being bankrolled by ED,” said Bhasikiti.

Mbeki is in Zimbabwe to meet help find a solution to the political and economic problems facing the country.

He has met with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Chamisa and POLAD leaders Lovemore Madhuku, Thokozani Khupe, Lucia Matibenga and has also met the Zimbabwe People First leadership.

By Own Correspondent| Council has resolved to enforce the collection of administration fees from former housing co-operatives and pay schemes as per the Council resolution and open accounts where members can pay administration fees towards the servicing of the stands.

According to minutes of a recent Education, Health, Housing and Community Services and Licensing Committee there has been concern over continued payment of administration fees to leaders of former housing cooperatives which were turned into pay schemes.

“In 2016, Council approved the Housing Pay Scheme Policy. This came about as a result of an outcry from co-operative members that co-operative executives were charging exorbitant administrative fees and not undertaking any servicing of the areas,” reads the minutes.

“Under the policy all new and old co-operatives were converted into Pay Schemes run by the Director of Housing and Community Services who would open an account where all individual Pay Scheme members would deposit administrative fees towards the servicing of their stands.

“Individual members would then sign Agreements of Sale with Council upon payment of land intrinsic value. Old co-operatives would surrender their database and payments to Council and members who had paid land intrinsic value would sign individual Agreements of Sale with Council. Council would take over the collection of administrative fees from the Pay Schemes.

“The Committee now expressed concern that regardless of such a policy having been adopted by Council, certain co-operative executives continued to charge administration fees on their members which was in direct contravention with the policy,” read the minutes.

The Director of Housing and Community Services, Mr Addmore Nhekairo, was requested to communicate with all housing Pay Scheme and former Co-operatives asking them to desist from charging members any administrative fees as this was now the prerogative of Council.

“The Director of Housing and Community Services was further requested to take over the administration of housing Pay Schemes, former Co-operatives and ensure he opened accounts where administration fees would be deposited and sign individual Agreements of Sale with pay scheme members who had paid land intrinsic value,” read the minutes.

By Patrick Guramatunhu| Nelson Chamisa met former South African president Thabo Mbeki and this is what he had to say: 

“We want dialogue that is meaningful, where the political will to change for the benefit of Zimbabweans outweighs political expediency. Dialogue must deliver true change and real reforms. When we shake hands let us be agreeing to truly walk in the same direction, a new direction.

“Democracy can’t exist without a true commitment to happiness, freedom and peace. Our political impasse cannot continue. We stand firm on the principle that none but ourselves can bring about the true change we need. Real issues affecting us all must be at the heart of any dialogue.”

Former President Mbeki has gone to meet many of the other opposition leaders who have already acknowledge Mnangagwa and the Zanu PF regime as the legitimate winners of last year’s elections; a sign Mbeki is in the country to talk MDC to join POLAD. 

There is nothing in Chamisa’s twitter to suggest Mbeki will take the Zanu PF bull by the horns and tell the regime it is illegitimate and must step down. Nothing! 

By blatantly rigging last year’s elections, failing to stamp out corruption, shooting innocent protestors, etc. President Mnangagwa confirmed that Zimbabwe was still a pariah state. All his wittering about the November 2017 coup delivering a new democratic dispensation is all just hot air!

As long as Zimbabwe remains a pariah state there will be no meaningful economic recovery. 

The claim by Nelson Chamisa that his proposed dialogue and shaking hands with Mnangagwa will be enough to revive the economy is just another blast of hot air. The inclusion of a few MDC leaders in the Zanu PF cabinet will not change the fact that this regime rigged last year’s elections and hence change the country’s pariah state status. 

No one will be fooled by the addition of a few MDC leaders into this Mnangagwa regime; just as no one was fooled by the inclusion of Professor Mthuli Ncube, Kirsty Coventry, etc. into the cabinet. The new administration will be a Zanu PF dictatorship in all but name.

All Chamisa is after is a chance to be minister and get back on the gravy train. MDC had no vision to share during the 2008 GNU and it has no vision now.

It is clear, President Mbeki is pushing for a new Zanu PF and MDC GNU. The two parties failed to get any meaningful democratic reforms implemented during the 2008 GNU they will do no better now.

Zimbabwe’s economic crisis is dire; unemployment has remained at 90% ever since the hyperinflation years of 2004 to 2008; 90% of the population are poor with 34% now classified as extreme poverty according to a recent WB report; country’s health care has all but collapsed; etc. The country needs a working solution to end the crippling economic meltdown and it is so, so disappointing that all we will get is yet another political gimmick. 

SADC had the chance to redeem itself for failing to get the Zimbabwe crisis resolved during the 2008 GNU. It is clear President Mbeki’s proposed solution of giving power to Zanu PF will never works and the chance is, once again, being wasted. Thanks for nothing President Mbeki!

SOURCE: zimbabwelight.blogspot.com

Lawyers representing Marry Mubaiwa, the estranged wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, are expected to file a bail application in the High Court today challenging the decision by the magistrate’s court to deny her bail.

Mubaiwa was on Monday remanded in custody to December 30 by Mr Chrispen Mberewere after being charged with attempted murder, fraud and foreign currency externalisation.

Mr Taona Nyamakura of Mtetwa and Nyambirai Legal Practitioners, who is representing Mubaiwa, confirmed the development yesterday.

“We wanted to file the bail application today (yesterday) but could not because we failed to get the record of proceedings from the Magistrates Court together with the ruling, which we wanted to attach to our application,” he said.

“We are, therefore, going to file it tomorrow (today) without those papers because we heard that some of the papers would only be available by Friday.”

Mubaiwa is being charged with attempting to murder VP Chiwenga, illegally externalising US$1 033 000, laundering US$990 000 and fraudulently seeking to upgrade their customary union to a civil marriage without her husband’s consent.

The attempted murder charge arose from the time she accompanied VP Chiwenga to South Africa in July for urgent medical attention.

Own Correspondent|Buhera South MP Joseph Chinotimba has called for the arrest of MDC leader Nelson Chamisa for allegedly calling for renewed sanctions on the country.

Speaking on a point of privilege in parliament on Tuesday, Chinotimba accused the MDC President of destroying Zimbabwe by allegedly calling for sanctions in his recent foreign trips.

Full extract of Chinotimba’s debate in parliament.

On a point of privilege Madam Speaker,  I think we have come to a point where Parliament should do its job.  This country is now in tatters because of some people.  To be honest with you, a senior who was once a Parliamentarian left Zimbabwe and went to Germany, Britain and America to ensure that this country suffers economically. We have been quiet but it is now time that we come up with legislation with a mandatory sentence for people who go out of the country and advocate for sanctions that economically harm the nation to be arrested.    People are suffering and they are living in poverty yet they are the same people who are supposed to vote for them.  It is time that as authorities of this nation we interrogate these issues, especially countries like America

Correspondent|Alliance president, Nelson Chamisa is expected to travel to Bulawayo and meet his party’s National Council Thursday and brief it on his meeting this week with former South Africa president, Thabo Mbeki in Harare.

Sources in the party confirmed Chamisa’s visit to the second capital city Tuesday.

“He will be in Bulawayo where he is expected to meet the National Council and touch on a number of key issues including his meeting with Mbeki on Monday,” one of the sources said.

The MDC National Council is the main decision-making body of the party in between congresses.

Although Swithern Chiroodza, the MDC Alliance Bulawayo province spokesperson confirmed that Chamisa would be in Bulawayo, he could not divulge further details.

“The president is coming to Bulawayo to deliver his New Year’s message to the party’s structures. His address will touch on a wide range of structural and organisational issues. These will be the last crucial meetings of the year,” he said.

Mbeki jetted into Zimbabwe Monday and met President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Chamisa and members of the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD).

After his meeting with Mnangagwa, Mbeki said he was ready to assist Zimbabwe in resolving the prevailing current challenges and also urged Sadc to assist the country.

COMMUNITIES in Matobo District, Matabeleland South are still afraid to open up on the Gukurahundi atrocities resulting in some of them failing to access national documents, a Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission official said yesterday.

Speaking at a mop up exercise on the access to documentation at Matobo Rural District Council offices in Maphisa, ZHRC commissioner Japhet Ndabeni Ncube had to nudge people to speak about Gukurahundi.

He continuously assured them they would not be victimised for speaking out on the atrocities as the authorities wanted to establish the truth in order to assist them.

After assurances, a few people opened up and an elderly woman broke down as she narrated the circumstances leading to the disappearance of her father during the disturbances.

“I had to bribe my way to get a national identity card but up to now I don’t have a birth certificate as I lost it when we were running away from Gukurahundi in Tsholotsho. When I tried to get another birth certificate, I was told to bring witnesses to confirm my father’s disappearance and death. My uncle refused to go and testify on my behalf saying he was afraid to reveal that his brother disappeared during Gukurahundi,” said the elderly woman, as she broke down prompting ZHRC officers to excuse her from the meeting.

Commissioner Ncube said ZHRC was out to understand how Gukurahundi had affected the people and the elderly woman’s reaction was understandable.

Another woman also shared how her father disappeared during the night and was never seen again.

 She said she was only 10 years old at the time and up to now they have tried without success to get his death certificate.

“When we tried to get his death certificate to address some of the family problems, we were asked to bring proof of his death. We don’t know what happened to him but we suspect he was killed by the people who took him away,” she said.

What emerged during the meeting was that most people were afraid to talk about the subject. 

Some of the participants said during election campaigns, some politcians intimidated them by reminding them of the Gukurahundi attrocities if they dared to vote ‘wrongly’.

Comm Ndabeni Ncube said: “What is clear is that you are afraid to speak about Gukurahundi artrocities but we are saying there is nothing to fear. We are supposed to make recommendations to Government on how you can be assisted hence it is important for you to open up  that there is an appreciation of what you went through.”

Some people said they were free to open up to their traditional leaders and then the commission can then engage the leaders to get information.

One of the traditional leaders said some of the people do not want to be reminded about the dark past by being interrogated before being issued with national documents.

“People just want you to assist them get the national documents without being subjected to a lot of questions that remind them about the Gukurahundi atrocities,” he said.

Another traditional leader who asked not to be named said many people do not want to revisit the horrors of Bhalagwe camp, for example, where people were killed and dumped in disused mine shafts.

“Some people were dragged out of their homes at night and thrown down the shafts while they were still alive hence many are still afraid to discusss the atrocities,” he said. 

ZHRC chairperson Dr Elasto Mugwadi said the commission will meet the tradiional leaders as suggested by some people. 

“We will set up a date to meet traditional leaders that include the village heads, headmen and chiefs so that we explain our programme to them. We have realised that communities need to be sensitised on our programme. We want communities in this area to open up so that they can get national documents,” said Dr Mugwadi. 

Traditional leaders from Shurugwi are concerned with the labelling of their people as being behind the spate of killings and robberies in gold mining areas countrywide.

The chiefs said it was unfortunate that both mainstream and alternative media platforms and high-ranking officials were perpetuating the “MaShurugwi” label.

The “Mashurugwi” tag has become synonymous with violent machete-wielding gangs that terrorise gold panners, either to forcefully grab one’s gold or proceeds from a transaction or a gold-rich mine.

While there is a general agreement that the untoward behaviour started in Shurugwi, it has been adopted in almost all major mining areas and in some cases, towns and cities where the marauding machete-wielding youths intermittently invade beer drinking places.

Chief Banga, born Lameck Toindepi of Shurugwi, told said that there was no empirical evidence supporting the claim that the machete attackers were from his district.

He warned people to stop the labelling, saying there was a serious risk that people from Shurugwi would be alienated.

“This is one issue which people must not joke with,” said Chief Banga.

“From the arrests that police have made, I have not heard of a situation where people from our district are dominating the statistics.

“In fact, to be quite frank, I am not aware of any of my subjects partaking in these criminal activities.

“The problem is that we have the media and even people in official positions referring to the criminals as “MaShurugwi”.

“The reality is that almost every other gold panner has, at one time or the other, worked in Shurugwi because of the vast gold deposits we have in our area.

“So, when they then go to other areas, they probably then claim to originate from Shurugwi.”

Chief Banga said it was increasingly difficult for his people to go to other parts of the country in search of business and employment opportunities.

Chief Ndanga, born Christmas Musavengana, said it was wrong to associate the people with the machete attackers.

He called on law enforcement agencies to descend heavily on the violent gangs and afford communities an opportunity to go about their economic activities unhindered.

Chief Ndanga said police in the Midlands Province assured him that the situation was under control.

“For starters, I think it is grossly unfair to refer to criminals of this nature by any geographical location,” said Chief  Ndanga.

“It maligns the people of Shurugwi needlessly and it is my hope that people desist from this because even our consultations with the police show that these acts of violence were being committed by people from different parts of the country, not Shurugwi in particular.

“I am happy that the police have assured us that they have since moved into all hotspots and the peace that is synonymous with our country is back.”

Police statistics show that since March, 3 471 people have been arrested for possessing dangerous weapons such as machetes under an operation code named, “No to anarchy by artisanal miners”.

Bulawayo police will arrest bar tenders selling alcohol to already intoxicated patrons as they seek to reduce alcohol related accidents in the festive season.

The city’s police spokesperson Chief Inspector Precious Simango said under Zimbabwean law, it is a crime to sell drunk patrons more beer.

“It is a punishable offence to sell alcohol to a drunk person. A drunk person is intoxicated and is unable to make rational decisions therefore it is the responsibility of the seller to ensure that drunk patrons are protected from too much consumption and from themselves,” she said.

Chief Inspector Simango said the police will also be monitoring bars to ensure that they stick to the prescribed opening and closing hours.

She said the law enforcement agents will also be targeting bootleggers who sell alcohol illegally without liquor licenses.

“When a person is drunk, they still have to find their way home and we do not want situations of people lying all over passed out. We therefore call upon mangers and those in the liquor business top desist from selling to people in a drunken state. We also urge business owners who sell alcohol to adhere to opening and closing times,” she said.

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Cabinet considered and approved the Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2019 which the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs presented as chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.

Some of the salient amendments to be effected will include the following:

(a) provision, under Section 94 of subsection (2) to allow the President-elect, as soon as he assumes office, to appoint two persons to be Vice Presidents, who shall take their oaths of Office before the Chief Justice or the next senior judge available as set out in the Third Schedule;

(b) setting out in Section 95 the conditions under which a Vice President will vacate office, which include resignation, removal by the President, serious misconduct, failure to uphold the Constitution or inability to perform the functions of the office due to physical or mental incapacity; (c) inclusion under Section 180 of a subsection allowing the President, upon recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, to appoint a sitting judge to be judge of a higher court wherever a vacancy at such a court arises;

(d) appointment of judges of the Constitutional Court for a non-renewable term of not more than 15 years, who may also be appointed as judges of the Supreme Court or High Court if they are eligible for such appointment, after completion of their term;

(e) that the retirement age for judges of the High Court, Labour Court and any other judges will be 70 years;

(f) that the Chief Justice, the Deputy Chief Justice, and judges of the Supreme and Constitutional Courts will hold office until they reach the age of 70 years, and thereafter may have their contracts renewed annually, upon production of a medical fitness certificate for a period not exceeding five years;

(g) insertion of a new section in the Constitution after Section 204 to include the appointment of the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet and his or her deputies by the President, in consultation with the Civil Service Commission, whose terms and conditions of service shall be as fixed by the President;

(h) appointment of the Public Protector and Deputy Public Protector by the Presiden, after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission and the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders; and

(i) appointment of a Prosecutor-General by the President in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission.

By A Correspondent| ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa literally turned into a stone as his hireling, the South African president Thabo Mbeki criticised MDC President Nelson Chamisa for allegedly disrespecting the courts.

Mnangagwa can be seen hand clasped and face down as Mbeki tells journalists of his view on dialogue.

Said Mbeki: ” “All of us respect the view of the people. And if people have queries, they must go to the courts. All of our countries in the region have got that provision that if you have a complaint you go to the judiciary. Once the court makes a ruling. You got to accept that.”

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To this, Mnangagwa’s body language had loud decibels. He appeared as if saying, ” I will let you do the talking Mbeki, this is what I hired you for.”

PICTURES

Own Correspondent|Former South African President Thabo Mbeki has endorsed broad-based dialogue after meeting all key players in Zimbabwe’s negotiations framework, the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) yesterday.

His meeting yesterday dispelled a bilateral arrangement between Zanu-PF and MDC-Alliance that was being pushed for by MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa.

Regarding the concourt ruling that says the winner of the 2018 polls is Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mbeki said: “all of us respect the view of the people. And if people have queries, they must go to the courts. All of our countries in the region have got that provision that if you have a complaint you go to the judiciary. Once the court makes a ruling. You got to accept that.”

On Monday, Mr Mbeki met Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House after which he held another meeting with Mr Chamisa.

Chamisa has always maintained that the gathering of all losing Presidential candidates in the 2018 elections holds no value as some do not have anything to bring to the table.

Own Correspondent|Accused by the court of public opinion of being used by probably Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to fight his wife Marry, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has rushed to clear itself of any ill feelings against the country’s first second lady.

The commission says they have arrested 101 suspects this year alone, 10 of which were high-profile cases including Marry’s case which according to them clears them of any targeting.

The commission also took time to clear a perception that it is targeting women more than men. The commission claims that of the 101 arrests, 86 were men, and of the 10 high-profile suspects, seven were also men.

Comm Makamure said the total of 101 suspects arrested on corruption related cases was as at Monday this week.

“We have 71 corruption cases in court,” he said. “That is the number of dockets that we have submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority. Of the 101 arrests we have made, 86 are men and 15 are women, that is only 15 percent of the total number of arrests made.

“Of the 10 high-profile cases, three are women, while seven are men. So you can see from those figures that the commission is not targeting women. The numbers speak for themselves.”

Comm Makamure said ZACC focused on corruption cases and not the context in which a case happened.

As such, it only acted on information available to it.

Other high-profile cases Zacc has handled include that of former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, former Cabinet Minister Prisca Mupfumira, Mubaiwa and former permanent secretary Ngoni Masoka.

“I would not want to comment on a case that is before the courts, but there are sentiments being expressed that she (Mubaiwa) is a victim,” said Comm Makamure.

“But as Zacc, we look at evidence that has been brought to the commission. There is no way Zacc would have investigated a matter that had not been brought to its attention. If you bring a matter to our attention, we spring into action. That is how we operate.

“The commission does not discriminate according to gender, political affiliation and one’s status in society. Our mandate is very clear, we are independent and we are executing our mandate in line with the dictates of the Constitution.

“We don’t care who the person is married or related to. We look at the merit of the corruption case and we deal with that.”

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Paul Nyathi|The ruling ZANU PF enjoying a comfortable two thirds majority in parliament continues to tear apart the 2013 people driven constitution.

Cabinet yesterday approved the Constitutional Amendment Bill of 2019 which will effectively get rid of the presidential running mates close and replace it with the current set up where the President-elect appoints his two Vice Presidents.

Cabinet further approved the amendment of the constitution to give another ten years for the women quarter proportional representation while also providing for the setting aside of one constituency per province for youths also under proportional representation.

The 2013 Constitution, through Section 92, has a 10-year transitional clause that provides for the joint election of the President and two running mates selected by the Presidential candidate.

ZANU PF has always criticised the clause, saying it is an “American concept” that can potentially precipitate a political crisis by creating two centres of power.

Presenting the 45th Cabinet Meeting Decisions Matrix in Harare yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said her Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs counterpart, Ziyambi Ziyambi, presented the proposed amendments to Cabinet.

“Cabinet considered and approved the Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2019 which the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi presented as Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.

“Some of the salient amendments to be effected will include the following: Provision, under Section 94 of subsection (2) to allow the President-elect, as soon as he assumes office, to appoint two persons to be Vice Presidents who shall take their oaths of Office before the Chief Justice or the next senior judge available as set out in the Third Schedule.

“It also set out in Section 95 the conditions under which a Vice President will vacate office, which include resignation, removal by the President, serious misconduct, failure to uphold the Constitution or inability to perform the functions of the office due to physical or mental incapacity,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

Minister Ziyambi recently said the concept had the effect of creating parallel centres of power.

“You all remember that it was one of the contentious issues when we had our Constitution and it was deferred for 10 years because it is a borrowed concept from America. It is not even an international best practice where you have a President given executive authority, we do not ordinarily want to create a parallel centre of power.

“We believe it is not desirable in our constitutional dispensation to create separate centres of power. We would rather have a President elected by the people and then appoints his team, Vice President and Cabinet; that is the thinking, that is what is practised in Southern Africa and several countries,” said Minister Ziyambi.

“We want to bring youths on board for them to continue with the country’s legacy. One youth from each of the country’s 10 provinces will be elected based on the party list on a proportional representation,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

Source: State Media

By A Correspondent| MDC President Nelson Chamisa was poisoned (literally or figuratively) during the meeting with former South African president Thabo Mbeki yesterday, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman has inferred.

Writing soon after the Mbeki meeting, Charamba wrote in response to a question that a brew was prepared for the MDC leader.

He stated categorically that a brew was truly prepared for Zimbabwe’s most powerful politician. He went further to elaborate that the type of drink prepared yesterday is one that will send the MDC leader into oblivion.

He also said that Chamisa will become confused to the point of losing his way home.

Charamba appeared unequivocal in his description of what is said will now befall the MDC leader, in a development that has already seen the top politician being criticised by analysts for stooping too low- compromising himself by meeting the former South African president who is already on a mission to destroy the MDC party having been clearly hired and publicly declared so, to work as a secret agent and furthermore a publicist for Mnangagwa.

Charamba had revealed that Mbeki’s mission in the following words, “Correct! The former President of South Africa offered his stature and access globally to help push Zimbabwe’s agenda to have sanctions removed and to ensure reconnection with the rest of the willing world.”

On the brew prepared for Chamisa yesterday, one Ntando Ncube had tweeted saying “Something is brewing here,” when Charamba responded saying,

“True; it did! The issue is when the brew will be served, and how many will lose their way home and into oblivion!!” – FULL TWEET BELOW

Lawyers representing Marry Mubaiwa, the estranged wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, are expected to file a bail application in the High Court today challenging the decision by the magistrate’s court to deny her bail.

Mubaiwa was on Monday remanded in custody to December 30 by Mr Chrispen Mberewere after being charged with attempted murder, fraud and foreign currency externalisation.

Mr Taona Nyamakura of Mtetwa and Nyambirai Legal Practitioners, who is representing Mubaiwa, confirmed the development yesterday.

“We wanted to file the bail application today (yesterday) but could not because we failed to get the record of proceedings from the Magistrates Court together with the ruling, which we wanted to attach to our application,” he said.

“We are, therefore, going to file it tomorrow (today) without those papers because we heard that some of the papers would only be available by Friday.”

Mubaiwa is being charged with attempting to murder VP Chiwenga, illegally externalising US$1 033 000, laundering US$990 000 and fraudulently seeking to upgrade their customary union to a civil marriage without her husband’s consent.

The attempted murder charge arose from the time she accompanied VP Chiwenga to South Africa in July for urgent medical attention.State media

We are deeply concerned by the sad developments that took place this evening at the SAPES Trust at the launch of Excel-gate, a book written by Prof Jonathan Moyo, which exposes how ZANU-PF rigged its way to power in 2018 with the help of the dirty hands of a compromised Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

I am reliably informed that some hired youths who were clad in MDC regalia disrupted the event in a desperate attempt to mislead the nation and world at large that the violent and disorderly conduct was a product of the MDC Youth Assembly.

Those involved in this regretful act are not part of the MDC, we in the MDC, we are a peace loving family and we deeply value the existence of freedoms, but will not tolerate the abuse of our paraphernalia.

Our intelligence has revealed that ZANU-PF members of the notorious Kwekwe based Mashurugwi group of terror, hired by one Owen Ncube were impersonating the MDC. This is a dangerous game, they must stop.

Mnangagwa’s blue eyed boys must stop taking advantage of the man-made poverty in our midst to use their ill-gotten wealth to send youths for unruly errands, these youths require sustainable jobs not anything short of that.

I warn the youths who were part of this shameful act and their handlers that it is a punishable offense to use our regalia and we will not hesitate to take appropriate measures.

Obey T. Sithole
MDC National Youth Chairperson

By A Correspondent| Zanu PF Youths have reportedly stormed the venue (SAPES Books) where former cabinet minister Jonathan Moyo’s book, ExcelGate, was scheduled to be launched on Tuesday.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) notified SAPES Books director Ibbo Mandaza that the launch could not go ahead as they did not have sufficient manpower to provide security.

Your notification letter requesting police manpower on launching your book on the 17th of December 2019 from 1700 hours to 2000 hours has been noted.

Officer Commanding Harare Central District Chief Superintendent O. Mugomeri wrote to Mandaza:

However, be advised that due to the short notice you gave us, we are not in a position to action your request.

Any inconvenience is sincerely regretted.

Farai Dziva|Auxillia Mnangagwa has effectively distanced herself from Marry Chiwenga at a time her colleague in charity and hospitality work needs her most.

Barely a few months ago the two moved together around the country “showcasing” their philanthropic efforts.

However, today Auxillia Mnangagwa has chosen to travel to Chachacha to distribute groceries to the elderly in the area, far away from the capital city where Marry is languishing in remind prison.

See below a report that has been published by a state run newspaper:

In the spirit of giving, caring and sharing associated with Christmas, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa is in Chachacha, Mutemeri village, Midlands Province, today.

She is giving the elderly groceries comprising food items, among other basic goods and performing household chores. She is washing dishes, cleaning houses, doing laundry and preparing meals.

Amai Mnangagwa baffled many when she left mbuya Ethas Mabope’s (86) house squeaky clean using cow dung as floor polish. She is visiting several homes in the area and planting fruit trees at each homestead.

Her show of love comes barely a week after she, through her Angel of Hope Foundation, donated an assortment of food items to children and old people’s homes.

Only yesterday, the mother of the nation rolled out a safety awareness campaign and engaged drivers and the travelling public in an effort to reduce accidents this festive season.
But it is her care for the elderly which has left people spellbound.

Own Correspondent|Leader of the opposition MDC, Nelson Chamisa spoke with what sounded like a changed heart after meeting former South African president Thabo Mbeki yesterday to suddenly announce that the standoff existing between his party and the ruling ZANU PF over the 2018 elections which the MDC says were rigged, needs to come to an end.

Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba has already revealed that Mbeki’a sole job is that of campaigning for sanctions against Mnangagwa blamed on the MDC for imposing them, to be removed.

Charamba wrote, ” Correct! The former President of South Africa offered his stature and access globally to help push Zimbabwe’s agenda to have sanctions removed and to ensure reconnection with the rest of the willing world.”

For over a year, Chamisa has been putting forward the term “legitimacy” before passing any comment on dialogue with his nemesis Emmerson Mnangagwa. He has also insisted on the fact that he is the true winner of the 2018 polls. But on Tuesday there was no mention whatsoever of his demands, sticking onto milds such as peace and happiness.

Nelson Chamisa posted on Twitter after meeting with Thabo Mbeki. Chamisa posted saying:

We want dialogue that is meaningful, where the political will to change for the benefit of Zimbabweans outweighs political expediency. Dialogue must deliver true change & real reforms. When we shake hands let us be agreeing to truly walk in the same direction,a new direction.

Democracy can’t exist without a true commitment to happiness, freedom & peace. Our political impasse cannot continue. We stand firm on the principle that none but ourselves can bring about the true change we need. Real issues affecting us all must be at the heart of any dialogue.

Mbeki who mediated the talks between ZANU PF and the two MDC formations which led to the formation of the Government of National Unity is in Zimbabwe where he yesterday met President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Chamisa. He is today expected to meet the POLAD group.

He is understood to be in the country to have a full appreciation of the crisis and to pay his condolences to Mugabe family following the passing on of former President Mugabe.

Chamisa’s spokesperson Dr Nkululeko Sibanda said the meeting between the two politicians has set a pace for a working relationship.

“Yesterday President Chamisa met with President Thabo Mbeki. The meeting considered a number of contemporary issues and also helped establish a working relationship between the two leaders,” said Sibanda.

Political analyst Pedzisayi Ruhanya warned the MDC of falling for a GNU

Ruhanya said, “Once beaten, twice shy. The MDC led by should apply its wits in rational, logical, robust, rigorous ways taking into account how it was duped in the GNU President Mbeki brokered that led to MDC crashing defeat in 2013. Never be excitable. Calm down, cool heads

“My view is that it’s both the internal (ZANU PF contradictions with security instability) and external Zimbabwe question of the corruption and decomposition of the political that brings President Mbeki to Zimbabwe. The opposition MDC must therefore treat these overtures carefully!”

Farai Dziva|Former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki has subtly urged MDC leader Nelson Chamisa to accept the outcome of the 2018 Presidential plebiscite.

Although he spoke in riddles, Mbeki called on the youthful opposition leader to “respect the decision of the courts.”

“Well, normally, I would say we must all of us respect the views of the people.

If people have queries, they must go to the courts because all the countries in the region have that provision that people can go and lodge their complaints about elections to the Judiciary. And once the courts have made a ruling, then we have got to accept that. So that’s generally the approach,”said Mbeki.