On the 31st of July 2018, Zimbabweans overwhelmingly voted for President Nelson Chamisa. That election was stolen in broad daylight and since then, the crisis of legitimacy has manifested itself through multi-layered challenges that have manifested themselves through power outages, water and fuel shortages, indecent wages, high prices and the erosion of the people’s dignity, among other challenges.
To express their displeasure at the serious challenges in the country, Zimbabweans will begin a series of peaceful demonstrations that will kick off in Harare on Friday, 16 August 2019.
The preparations for the Free Zimbabwe march are at an advanced stage.
All the necessary logistical preparations have been done and we are looking forward to a successful peaceful march by Zimbabweans on Friday.
The MDC is a peaceful and law-abiding party. To that end, we have complied with the requirements under both section 59 of the national Constitution and the Public Order and Security Act.
There will be no party regalia as this is a peaceful march by the generality of the people of Zimbabwe who are suffering under the current crisis.
Every Zimbabwean will be marching to end this suffering until we achieve a legitimate people’s government that will begin to address the serious challenges facing the country.
Until that is achieved, we will not rest and we will continue to exercise our democratic right to demonstrate peacefully.
On Friday, we will be marching for jobs, for affordable health care facilities, for electricity, for affordable education, availability of fuel and water and decent salaries for our civil servants and the ordinary workers of Zimbabwe.
We shall march for the restoration of the people’s dignity and for the return of functional industries, for democracy, accountability and the respect of human rights.
We will be marching against the culture and ailment of corruption, impunity, abductions, and the erosion of the people’s dignity, looting and embezzlement that have afflicted the country’s entire body politic.
We say no to the killing and torturing of innocent Zimbabweans and civic and democracy activists.
We want to end illegitimacy and ensure that there is a people’s government.
We will be rolling out these peaceful and constitutional protests in all the towns. After Harare, the Zimbabweans citizens will be holding peaceful protests in Bulawayo next Monday, Gweru on Tuesday, Masvingo on Wednesday and Mutare on Thursday. The roll-out for other cities and towns will be announced later.
Our action will be peaceful and constitutional.
We urge everyone to be there and to be involved until we achieve a truly people’s government that will deliver change that delivers.
Farai Dziva|The national women’s soccer teams, the Mighty Warriors and the Under 20s, that were taking part in the Cosafa tournaments in South Africa have arrived home.
The two teams left Port Elizabeth by road on Monday and were connected to Harare from Johannesburg by air this afternoon
“Both the senior and Under-20 teams arrived at RG Mugabe International airport this afternoon,” ZIFA said in a statement.
The senior side won the bronze medal while the Under 20s finished 4th in their respective competitions.
In what has been labelled a criminal attempt to disrupt the upcoming demonstration slated for Friday, doctored pictures of major international news outlets, Al Jazeera and eNCA News were circulating on Wednesday claiming that MDC President Nelson Chamisa has called off demonstrations set for the 16th August. Commenting on the development, MDC spokesman Daniel Moolokele said,
Farai Dziva|A female referee will take charge of a UEFA men’s game tonight when Champions League holders Liverpool face their Europa League counterparts Chelsea in the Super Cup final tonight.
Frenchwoman Stephanie Frappart will officiate tonight’s all English affair as Jurgen Klopp and Frank Lampard’s charges battle for the season’s first major silverware.
History beckons in Instabul tonight, the football world waits to see the first female referee taking charge of a major UEFA men’s game.
Farai Dziva|South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns have confirmed that they are in talks with Kaizer Chiefs to sign Warriors winger Khama Billiat.
Speculation around the future of the 28-year-old has dominated South African media for weeks and even though Amakhosi have downplayed the potential deal, Masandawana Acting General Manager Yogesh Singh has confirmed that negotiations are in place.
“This is a sensitive matter, and we have mutual respect for Kaizer Chiefs – so I won’t be disclosing too much information. But what I can tell you is that we have been in ongoing discussions for some time now about Khama Billiat,” explained Sing.
“What I can say is that the transfer window ends on August 31 and obviously all over the world players are moving during this period and it is no different here.
If there’s no movement beyond that, then it is what it is. And the respect between the two clubs will remain,” he added.
The MDC Youth Assembly is highly incensed by state security agents’ uncouth, unprofessional, inhumane and fascist (mis)behavior as evidenced by last night abductions of MDC Mufakose Youth Chair, Blessing Kanotunga and Citizens Manifesto activist Tatenda Mombeyarara.
It is very regrettable that at a time when we as a party are preaching and propagating for peaceful solutions to the current legitimacy and economic crises, the state in their wisdom or lack of it chose the moment to hatch a Night of Long Knives of on our members.
As an Assembly we are not only riled by the latest state manoeuvres but we are deeply concerned that such provocative uncouth behavior will cause chaos as violence begets violence.
As an Assembly we would like to categorically make it clear that such provocative state misbehavior is a clear declaration of war on civilians and like any normal beings we are ready to act in a fashion that safeguards our people interest.
It is no secret that the last time the state pulled such antics on civilians in the 1970s, the country went into a full fledged liberation war.
As an Assembly we reiterate our call for non violent engagement to proffer solutions to the illegitimacy and economic crises and thats the very reason why we have implored peaceful means to register our discontentment in all our 20 years of existence as a party.
It is very clear that the state’s latest new low is a sign of cowardice and desperation to stop our August 16 mass action program.
In that regard, we would like to make it clear that the August 16 demonstrations will go ahead as planned albeit through peaceful means.
Our concerns as young people are very genuine and realistic.
It is no fabrication that our homes are empty, unemployment is rife, fuel prices is high, basic commodities are unaffordable and the country is in darkness because of electricity blackouts.
As young social democrats whose cardinal is solidarity with the downtrodden, remaining silent while our people suffer is not only a great disservice but betrayal.
It is becoming increasingly clear that Emmerson Mnangagwa administration’s vision 2030 is taking us back to stone age era through ruralization of our urban centres.
That the state’s merchants of repression are now resorting to violence and abductions is a clear indication that they have no solution to the current economic challenges.
Violence is never and will never be a panacea to issues of economy.
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
Farai Dziva| A jittery Emmerson Mnangagwa has threatened businesspeople over what he described as unjustified price increases.
Mnangagwa made the remarks at the National Sports Stadium on Tuesday during the Defence Forces Celebrations.
“There are some in our business community, who have taken this difficult transitional phase of our economy as an opportunity to unjustifiably enrich themselves.
There is no justification, whatsoever, why our people should be subjected to some of the high prices of goods and services that we have witnessed in recent months.
The introduction of a market-based foreign exchange rate system is expected to stabilise the economy in the long run.
However, the government is alarmed by the recent wanton and indiscriminate increases of prices which have brought untold suffering to the people.
This conduct by stakeholders in business, industry and commerce is inhumane, unethical, unpatriotic and goes against the grain of economic dialogue which the Second Republic has espoused,” said Mnangagwa.
By Deborah Harry| For the demonstration on the 16th of August, the people of Zimbabwe not just the MDC should convey a clear message to the Mnangagwa and his military henchmen – ‘we want you to go as soon as yesterday’. Absolutely. Regime change is what we want.
Mnangagwa is an illegitimate president, he came to power after a military coup and he stayed in power after stealing the election in 2018. The man is not wanted. He rules by fear not consent. He is not moved by suffering. In mental health they say a person who is bereft of empathy especially when observing other people’s suffering is a psychopath. He is a psychopath, a boring one at that. That scarf that he keeps wearing is a weak attempt at wanting to look human, but he is not human. He is probably a goblin.
He has presided over the fastest decline in standards of living in Zimbabwe in living history. So not only is he a cruel human being, he is also incompetent. There is no rational reason why he should stay in power. Him, his blood thirsty military henchmen and fraudulent war veterans should step down from their positions. Not only that, but they should be sharing showers with the paedophiles and murderers at Chikurubi prison for the rest of their lives. Why? Because Zimbabwe can never move on so long as these wretched man are walking freely in the country. They have killed, they have stolen, and have broken the constitution to further their own interests.
We do not want them. They should go as soon as yesterday. To the Zimbabwean people I say be steadfast, be wise, be unrelenting, stay on guard for the enemy is watching you like a hawk.
Those of us in the diaspora will continue demonstrating against Zanu rule. We will continue to campaign for human rights and justice in Zimbabwe. On August 16 I will surely be amongst the many Zimbabweans who will be demonstrating outside the ghastly Zimbabwean Embassy in London.
Deborah Harry is a human rights activist working with ROHR and is also an MDC member in the UK.
Farai Dziva|MDC Youth Assembly chairperson, Obey Sithole has described Zanu PF agents as cowards who are afraid of the people of Zimbabwe.
“They are cowards, they abduct because they’re afraid of people.
Last night, pro-democracy activist Tatenda Mombeyarara and MDC Mufakose Youth Chair Blessing Kanotunga were abducted from their homes in Chitungwiza and Mufakose respectively.
They were badly beaten and later dumped. This barbarism is meant to intimidate the suffering masses as we build up towards the August 16 Freedom march.
We will not stop, if anything this strengthens us more so that our future will not record this again.
Never again,” said Sithole in a statement.
By Cindy Ncube| I do not normally write articles but the impending demonstration on the 16th has reinvigorated my political juices in a manner I have not experienced in my life. I really think the Zimbabwean people are on the verge of real change.
But I have been reading various social media posts by people calling this demo ‘the final push’. Even the Minister of Home Affairs (some old dufus with the title of Ambassador) has even quoted the ‘the final push’ in his anti demonstration dossier for the police. My view is that this demo is not the final push but the first push. Zanu pf and Mnangagwa will not go after one demonstration. The demonstrations need to happen country wide, continuously and indefinitely. If people expect change to happen after carrying out a single demonstration then they will be making a big mistake.
The MDC and civic leaders need to keep the energy up. The demos have to happen indefinitely until change comes. When I say change I mean until Mnangagwa and Zanu pf step down from government. Here in the diaspora, we will be demonstrating regularly and we will continue to raise awareness about the dire situation in Zimbabwe. Oh, and rest assured, whichever Zanu juntarist that arrives in the UK will receive a warm welcome from us democrats, ask SB Moyo.
Cindy Ncube is an MDC member in the UK and a staunch campaigner of LGBTQ rights in Zimbabwe.
The President of @buildzimbabwe and 2018 presidential candidate, @drnmanyika has fully endorsed the August 16 Protest March and argued that as long as citizens are exercising their constitutional rights, the State should not interfere. This comes on the back of citizen abductions pic.twitter.com/AKWHAhROyp
Farai Dziva|The MDC has dismissed a fake letter circulating on social media -claiming the August 16 demonstration has been cancelled.
“The People’s March is proceeding on Friday, 16 August 2019
Zimbabweans are hereby informed to ignore Zanu PF’s misinformation being peddled on social media platforms. The MDC wishes to state that the people’s march is proceeding on Friday as scheduled. Be there,”said the party in a statement.Below is the fake letter:
Dar es Salaam regional commissioner, Paul Makonda, says he and the provincial top administration are mulling over an idea of publishing the identities of all married men to a website run by a State agency in a bid to stop deceitful married men from sexually preying on unsuspecting single women.
Makonda says the proposal, if adopted, will save many young women in Dar es Salaam from “unnecessary heartbreaks”.
“I have received a lot of complaints from young women. Many women from Dar es Salaam region have been deceived many times, and they have had enough. Men have been promising to marry them, then later, they [men] ditch the ladies. This is something that is humiliating,” Mr Makonda said on Monday, August 12 at his office in the commercial capital.
“These cunning men have left many women nursing heartbreaks and emotional bruises. You’ll find a young man successfully wooing a woman, making her leave every other thing that she does, hoping that the man will marry her, not knowing that he is, indeed, conning her.
“If you look at the laws that we have in the country, there is a clause that protects women, who were promised marriages, only to be used and dumped. We want to use that clause to bring sanity in relationships.
“I cannot say I am a leader, when the people I look after are hurting.
“One of the ideas that we have is to have all the married people register their marital statuses with the region’s database agency. This will help young women promised marriages. It would be easy for them to access the database and find out whether the men who have promised to marry them are people’s husbands or not. In that database, all the marriages, including Christian, customary, Muslim, those filed at the registrar of marriages, will be registered.
“We want to reduce the cases of men conning women in the name of love and marriages.
“We are planning to meet the State agency in charge of the citizens’ database. Once that meeting is done, you, who lied to a woman that you will marry her, but ended up using and dumping her, be prepared, we are coming for you.”
Renowned author Tsitsi Dangarembga has attacked President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government for recent attacks on human rights activist Tatenda Mombeyarara.
Mombeyarara was abducted by heavily armed men and was tortured for allegedly being part of organisers of the planned August 16 demonstrations by the MDC Alliance.
“Unknown men took Tatenda Mombeyarara from his house last night, put a bag over his head, beat him with a metal object and the butt of a gun and pouring a caustic liquid over his body, accusing him of organising the August 16 demonstration. That is an act of aggression, not peace,” said Dangarembga.
She was rebutting Mnangagwa’s Defence Forces Day speech when he said, “let me appeal to all Zimbabweans to cherish the peace that our country enjoys today.
We should be vigilant & reject those amongst us who wish to perpetuate the suffering of the masses through violence disunity divisions and unrest.”
Source – Byo24news
ZANU PF legislator Kindness Paradza (Makonde) has accused his MDC counterparts’ snub of diplomatic passports offered by President Emmerson Mnangagwa government as a cheap publicity stunt as some of them were issued with the travel document last year.
Paradza, who is also the chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Portfolio Committee, announced in Parliament early this month that Mnangagwa had given a nod for all parliamentarians to be issued with diplomatic passports, but MDC MPs said they would not accept the offer.
The Makonde MP told NewsDay yesterday that it was unfair for the opposition leadership to deny other MPs passports yet they were beneficiaries of Mnangagwa’s generosity.
“Yes, it’s very true. He (MDC secretary-general Charlton Hwende) is a holder of a diplomatic passport. Not only him, but they are many. Hwende is denouncing the issuance of diplomatic passports to his fellow MPs, yet he is a holder of a diplomatic passport which he was issued by the same President. Actually, the same passport assisted him to get temporary refuge in Namibia after the January disturbances,” he said.
“(Other MPs who have diplomatic passports include) Dorcas Sibanda, Tendai Biti, Prosper Mutseyami, Paurina Mpariwa, Daniel Molokele, Concilia Chinanzvavana, Prince Sibanda, Anele Ndebele, Willis Madzimure, Gabbuza Gabuza, Murisi Zwizwai, Tapiwa Mashakada, Jasmine Tofa and Ruth Labode. They were given these passports last year, now they want to pretend to be holier than thou.”
Some of the MPs named MPs confirmed to NewsDay yesterday that they received the diplomatic passports.
Paradza said the issue of diplomatic passports was already fanning tensions among the opposition MPs.
“This is hypocrisy of the highest order. Hwende is just grandstanding. Most of the ordinary MDC MPs are against Hwende. A lot of them have been flocking to get these diplomatic passports since the announcement,” he said.
But Hwende yesterday said they had resolved as a party not to accept the privilege offered by Mnangagwa considering that many Zimbabweans were currently not being issued passports by the Registrar-General (RG) due to shortages of passport paper and printing machine problems.
“The party position is clear, as a party, we must always put the people first. This is non-negotiable. There is a current shortage of printing materials used to produce passports that has resulted in many Zimbabweans failing to access specialists treatment abroad, others have failed to go to school. The party position is based on this reality should the situation in future improves and Zimbabweans who want passports can access them without any hindrance then those MPs who want passports can then access them,” he said.
Most Zimbabweans are struggling to get the travel document with 340 000 applicants reportedly on the waiting list.
A GOOD Samaritan, who was assisting police officers to arrest an assault suspect in rural Marondera, was stabbed to death after manhandling the suspect.
Kennedy Nyandoro (38) of Mudzimukunzi village, under Chief Svosve was pronounced dead on arrival at Marondera Provincial Hospital after he was allegedly stabbed on the throat by Jaison Chinakidza (26), who is currently at large.
Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza yesterday confirmed the incident.
“I confirm the death of a man who was stabbed by a sharp object before the suspect fled from the scene. We appeal to members of the public to notify the police if they have information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect. The public should also be careful because the suspect is dangerous,” he said.
According to the police, on August 8, two police officers from Marondera rural were following up on a suspect who was being sought over an assault case.
It is reported that the now deceased who knew the suspect offered to lead police officers to where he was.
Nyandoro, who was at a distance from the police officers, identified Chinakidza and grabbed him and called for back-up from the police officers.
During the scuffle, it is alleged that Chinakidza stabbed Nyandoro on the throat and fled from the scene with police officers in pursuit, but they lost track of him in the darkness.
ZANU PF Mashonaland West provincial political commissar Simon Solomon has accused Jimayi Muduvuri of causing chaos in the Chegutu housing projects
Appearing before the Tendai Uchena-led Lands Commission, Solomon last week claimed that Muduvuri, through his McSherp Holdings, was behind all the chaos at the project.
Muduvuri, who is a member of the Zanu PF national consultative assembly, did not attend the hearings and could not be reached for comment.
“All the allegations that Solomon had double-allocated stands to beneficiaries, misappropriated their contributions and repossessed and later sold the stands are baseless and are the machinations of Muduvuri. He has some interests in the project,” Solomon charged.
“My executive has been running the affairs of the project since 2008 and Muduvuri just surfaced (out of the blues) and sent a memo to council to the effect that the Solomon-led executive had been booted out and there was now his executive. When we were carrying out roads clearance, he instructed ZETDC (Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company) to erect electricity lines along the roads, thereby derailing development.
“There are political wars in Zanu PF at play here. All these people who have submitted affidavits before you are not genuine beneficiaries at Pixie Combie, but have been bussed by Muduvuri to come and cause confusion and chaos and the offer letters they are holding were produced by Muduvuri. No one has an offer letter given by the council in 2006.”
He further alleged that Muduvuri’s appetite for chaos had now shifted to another project in Kadoma, where he allegedly grabbed 70 hectares of land set aside for women and youths by the government.
“After an overwhelming response at Pixie Combie, I approached the Minister of Local Government for extra land in 2014 and 70ha was availed, but Muduvuri grabbed the land and incorporated it into his project and during one of the party’s leadership (indabas), he said nothing in town is for free and Pixie Combie was not an exception,” Solomon said.
Zanu PF youths, under the banner of Youths Lodgers Association, also approached the Lands Commission with a complaint against Muduvuri, who they accused of grabbing 40ha allocated to them.
The commission’s probe has also exposed the rot at Kadoma Town House, with council failing to account for records of beneficiaries of Pixie Combie and tampering with minutes of a meeting with Pixie Combie executives.
Kadoma acting housing director Aaron Masembura also appeared before the commission and confirmed the rot.
“I can confirm that there was and is no master record of Pixie Combie project at council and our filing system in the housing department are in shambles. I could not find anything other than these boxes of offer letters and a few files which are not in order, hence this has brought double allocation and the allocation of stands for residential purposes on commercial and institutional stands,”Masembura said.
THE Bulawayo City Council has come up with water rationing limits and penalties for consumers using excess water as its reservoirs continue to be depleted.
In a statement yesterday, the Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, said the water shedding programme remains suspended but consumers will pay for using excess water.
He said council has come up with an excess charge of $2,50 per kilolitre for residential flats as well as houses in low and high density suburbs.
“The Bulawayo City Council would like to advise consumers that the water shedding programme continues to be suspended until further notice. The city has been monitoring water consumption and service reservoir levels for the past weeks. The average water consumption level has been 143ml per day against a target of 130ml per day with a maximum of 173ml and a minimum of 129ml per day over the period,” said Mr Dube.
He said while water shedding remains suspended, residents are encouraged to conserve water.
“To promote conservation of water, the council has approved water rationing limits and penalties. For houses in the high density areas water allocation is 450 litres per day and they are allowed to use up to 13, 5 kilolitres per month.
“For houses in the low density suburbs, inclusive of cottages and servants’ quarters, the limit is 650 litres per day and 19,5 kilolitres per month,” said Mr Dube.
He said residential flats with individual meters should use not more than 400 litres per day.
For industries, Mr Dube added, the allowed usage is per arrangement and excess charged is $1,50 per kilolitre. The city council suspended the 48-hour water shedding programme two weeks ago after major rehabilitation works at Criterion Water Works and the normalisation of the water distribution system.
The local authority said the city was also losing water to evaporation due to high temperatures.
BCC once introduced a 72-hour water shedding programme in April when its reservoirs were critically low due to pumping problems.
The 72-hour schedule was later scrapped as the situation improved though daily consumption levels continued to rise above the 105 Mega Litres which the city can pump daily.
At one point, the local authority indefinitely shutdown water supplies to the entire city to stabilise water levels at its reservoirs, which was followed by a 48-hour schedule.
Bulawayo’s supply dams, just like many others in the country, did not receive significant inflows during the 2018/19 rainy season.
Former President Robert Mugabe has allegedly made a declaration that upon his death he does not wish to be buried at the National Heroes Acre.
This is rather ironic, coming from a man who in his 37 years in power presided over scores of burials of his old comrades at the national shrine.
Indeed, he used his power under the National Heroes Act to deny the honour to those with whom he had fallen out with over the years. Commenting on Henry Hamadziripi, a fellow veteran who was snubbed upon his death, Mugabe said he had stepped out of line and had lost his way. A few others, including Wilfred Mhanda (Dzinashe Machingura), renowned heroes of the struggle were similarly excluded.
One reason for Mugabe’s declaration is probably that he is still bitter at the way he was ousted from power by his formerly trusted lieutenant Emmerson Mnangagwa, the current leader. Never one to take loss easily, Mugabe probably wants to get even in a contest in which he knows Mnangagwa can never win.
Mnangagwa has been keen to give an impression to his peers in the region that he is treating Mugabe well and he has been indulging him with public funds. But a stubborn Mugabe cannot be placated by those small things. Mnangagwa may have wrestled power from him in ignominious circumstances, but Mugabe thinks he will have the last word. He won’t allow his lieutenant to enjoy any magnanimity from his predicament.
This is consistent with the young Mugabe who, according to a Jesuit priest at Kutama where he grew up, he was a fierce competitor at tennis, who utterly despised the idea of losing. He played the game well, but when he lost he was a sore loser. He would throw away his racket and walk away sulking.
Another childhood friend and relative, the late James Chikerama also gave an insight into the character of the young Mugabe which would manifest on the grand political stage. Apparently, if he got annoyed with his mates while herding cattle with them, the youthful Mugabe, a faithful reader of books, would simply select and take away his grandfather’s cattle to herd them alone.
In 2002, irked by criticism of the shoddy presidential elections, Mugabe unilaterally decided to withdraw Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth. a group of largely former British colonies. At a global conference in South Africa during the same period, he told the then British Prime Minister, Tony Blair to “keep his Britain while he (Mugabe) kept his Zimbabwe”.
His decision to unilaterally “withdraw” his candidacy from the Heroes Acre is consistent with the personality of a man who has never hesitated to withdraw and go it alone whether in his personal life or long political career. He’s easily given to rejection (vane chiramwa vaMugabe in chiKaranga). And those who are familiar with village life know that men of his age believe they have leverage over the younger ones and they can make such decisions once they feel irked and disrespected. Often the villagers have to beg them to relent, which they do upon some form of compensation.
But as already stated, it’s also about Mugabe asserting command and control which he lost in November 2017. This is a different kind of command and control however, relating as it does to control over the body. Here’s a man who fought for freedom during the liberation struggle, but spent 37 years denying millions their freedom and he is now standing tall as a fighter for freedom of the body, itself an important human right.
We have no idea whether Josiah Tongogara, Herbert Chitepo and many others whose remains are interred at the Heroes Acre would have consented had they been afforded the chance to decide. They were all buried there anyway by the man who is now asserting his freedom not to be buried there. Mugabe did what he wanted when he held power and got away with it. He is still doing what he wants, an expression to Mnangagwa that he doesn’t have power over him.
Mnangagwa might give the impression that he doesn’t care what Mugabe says, but Mugabe knows it hurts to be rejected by someone who is supposed to be in a weaker position and should, therefore, be grateful. But what more can he do to defeat and assert control over a man he ousted in a coup? If Mnangagwa was hoping for some common understanding with his mentor towards the end, it might never come.
But maybe Mugabe just wants to be with his mother, the late Mbuya Bona. Those who have chronicled his life describe the close bond between the two, which solidified after Mugabe’s two eldest siblings died in childhood and his father abandoned the family. She is buried in the village in Zvimba. Perhaps Mugabe just wants to go home for one final and everlasting reunion with his mother.
He might also have in mind his own exclusive monument, far away from the rest of the “commoners” that he interred at the national shrine.
It wouldn’t be nice on Sally, his first wife, who died in 1992 and was buried at the Heroes Acre. When I visited the national shrine in 2014, I noticed there was a vacant space next to Sally’s grave. I thought it was reserved for the old chap. But now he has said no, leaving Sally alone.
That’s Bob. He has always done what he wants. He is hurt by what his lieutenant did to him. He loved power and would have wanted to go on his own terms. He never got the chance. Now he has one more chance to go on his terms, upon death, something that the authors of the coup cannot take away from him. That’s vintage Bob, just like he was as a boy. It was always on his terms. Most Zimbabweans won’t care much, but it matters to him.
By A Correspondent- A good Samaritan, who was assisting police officers to arrest an assault suspect in rural Marondera, was stabbed to death after manhandling the suspect.
Kennedy Nyandoro (38) of Mudzimukunzi village, under Chief Svosve was pronounced dead on arrival at Marondera Provincial Hospital after he was allegedly stabbed on the throat by Jaison Chinakidza (26), who is currently at large.
Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza yesterday confirmed the incident.
“I confirm the death of a man who was stabbed by a sharp object before the suspect fled from the scene. We appeal to members of the public to notify the police if they have information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect. The public should also be careful because the suspect is dangerous,” he said.
According to the police, on August 8, two police officers from Marondera rural were following up on a suspect who was being sought over an assault case.
It is reported that the now deceased who knew the suspect offered to lead police officers to where he was.
Nyandoro, who was at a distance from the police officers, identified Chinakidza and grabbed him and called for back-up from the police officers.
During the scuffle, it is alleged that Chinakidza stabbed Nyandoro on the throat and fled from the scene with police officers in pursuit, but they lost track of him in the darkness.
By A Correspondent- The government has called for suitable candidates to apply for various board membership positions vacant in the energy sector.
Posting on microblogging site, Twitter, the Ministry of Energy and Power Development strongly encouraged women and youths to apply for the board membership posts before the 24th of August.
Hi Guys I know u have been hearing stories about me and Lorraine..
When I met Lorraine she did not have a proper skit template ..I asked her about her background and I took a closer look on her acting career…I realised that Lorraine was not a comedian but an actress if she gets proper direction..anga aita maskits Ekuti ndakazonyengwa neyekuchemera kupinda mugarden That’s when I decided to write scripts for her and also directed those skits.
So I sacrificed my time writing the skits and also the time to direct her and the team on how they should act..
I told her that she does not have to pay me until Zvatanga kubhadhara I would share the skits on social media.. making it work.. Her YouTube grew until it was monetized.
Takatanga kuwana masponsors.. But at that time the sponsors we got the amount was close to 700 usd in total.
Before that I would fund every shoot From transport cast and production She had one contract yaiwana and she would add also…on paying some of her expenses I had my car yakaita accident and sold it and got a loan from my bank to top that money
When the car came of the 700 Usd less expenses of paying cast for two weeks Ndakamuti may I have 150 to service the new car since it was second hand and she said its ok ndikati will give it back… She said no do not pay me back… But when I wanted to leave she wanted all the 700USD in total before I left..
I removed cast fees and other expenses and it got to about 375USD including the money to service the car..
I gave her 50USD cash at first and 25 usd on ecocash rate And I suggested that i would write and direct skits for her on the remainder….
But with the way she spoke to me I decided to look for the 300usd and she came kuzotora mari yacho kwandiri …zvobva zvapera
Its unfortunate that it has come to this and it must be clear that I did not leave in a bad way I even sent a goodbye note in our Whatsapp group..
Those who have followed the journey can see that I did my best for her in building, promoting and growing her brand. If there was anything that we did not do well, I sincerely believe it will be a lesson for the future..
When I left, I continued to wish Lorraine the best and I still do.. Thanx Tom
By Patrick Guramatunhu- “PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has appealed to Zimbabweans in the diaspora to support his re-engagement efforts undertaken following his military assisted power seizure almost two years ago,” reported New Zimbabwe.
“Fellow
Zimbabweans, I wish to conclude by appealing to you all including those in the
diaspora to draw inspiration from the heroes and heroines by building bridges
of unity, peace and freedom, patriotism and economic prosperity.
“It is our duty and
responsibility to build and prosper our country through both our words and
deeds, lest we forget,” said Mnangagwa.
The real tragedy here is that we
have a regime that is set in its oppressive and tyrannical ways, there is no
talking to Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF cronies, they are simply not listening.
They cannot and will not accept that they have failed even with all the mountain
of evidence of their failures.
Worst of all Mnangagwa and his
cronies have never accepted that the very essence of everyone having a
meaningful say in the governance of one’s country is that they should have be
able to choose who governs the country in a free, fair and credible elections.
Of course, they know they have been rigging elections because they cannot bear
the thought of being booted out of office.
Mnangagwa denied the 3 million or
so Zimbabweans in the diaspora the vote in last July’s elections. The only
logical reason for doing so was that he did not trust them to vote for Zanu PF
particularly since most of them left the country to escape the economic
meltdown brought on by the decades of Zanu PF misrule. He had the cheeky to
assure the 3 million that he will arrange for them to vote next time, a
favourite Zanu PF dirty tactic.
Why were 3 million out of 5
million who, supposedly, voted denied the vote?
The regime failed to produce
something as basic as a verified voters’ roll although this is a common sense
and legal requirement.
The bottom line is last year’s
elections were full of flaws and illegalities the whole process is null and
void. Zanu PF does not have the people’s mandate to govern the country, the
country is, per se, a pariah state ruled by corrupt, incompetent and vote
rigging thugs.
As long as the country remains a
pariah state there will be no meaningful economic recovery because no investor
would ever want to do business with thugs.
What does Mnangagwa want Zimbabweans
in the diaspora to do? Lie that Zimbabwe is a healthy and functioning democracy
when the country denied them a vote and could not even produce a verified
voters’ roll!
No Mnangagwa it is you and your Zanu PF cronies who “draw inspiration” from the TRUE heroes and heroines who subscribed to the word and spirit of all Zimbabweans being entitled to enjoy all the freedoms and rights in UN Universal Human Rights Declaration including the right to free, fair and credible elections and the right to life.
The true heroes and heroines of our fight for independence, going back to the days of Mbuya Nehanda, must be turning in the graves to see how this Zanu PF regime has betrayed the people and all the nation had fought and many had died for.
Zimbabwe is a pariah state no
amount of propaganda will change that. The only way out is for Zanu PF to step
down to allow for the appointment of an independent and competent
administration that will be tasked to implement the democratic reforms
necessary to guarantee free, fair and credible elections.
Zanu PF has held the nation to
ransom for the last 39 years with the tragic economic and political
consequences we see today. Enough is enough!
By A Correspondent- Six people have been reported dead whilst 20 more sustained injuries in a road accident that occurred at the 24km peg along Bulawayo-Nkayi Road in Bubi District on Tuesday.
The state media reports that the Commuter Omnibus which was heading for Bulawayo from Nkayi swerved off the road before it overturned several times.
The accident was confirmed by national police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who was quoted as having said:
The accident occurred at about 12PM at the 24km peg along the Bulawayo-Nkayi road. The Toyota Hiace hit a grid and the driver lost control of the vehicle, resulting in it overturning several times.
Five people died on the spot while the driver died on admission to Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo. The vehicle had 26 passengers, including 11 children.
As of today, a total of 17 people have died compared to nine people during the same period last year. We have recorded a total number of 75 road traffic accidents as compared to 56 recorded at the same time last year. We’ve also recorded a total of 101 injured people compared to 47 during the same period last year.
Nyathi called upon motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads saying that most of the accidents were as a result of human error.-StateMedia
ZANU PF Mashonaland West provincial political commissar Simon Solomon has come out guns blazing, accusing party bigwig, Jimayi Muduvuri, of coercing beneficiaries of Pixie Combie Housing Scheme in Kadoma to falsely testify before the Lands Commission that there was rampant corruption in the allocation of residential stands and misappropriation of funds as the battle for control of the scheme intensifies.
Appearing before the Tendai Uchena-led Lands Commission, Solomon last week claimed that Muduvuri, through his McSherp Holdings, was behind all the chaos at the project.
Muduvuri, who is a member of the Zanu PF national consultative assembly, did not attend the hearings and could not be reached for comment.
“All the allegations that Solomon had double-allocated stands to beneficiaries, misappropriated their contributions and repossessed and later sold the stands are baseless and are the machinations of Muduvuri. He has some interests in the project,” Solomon charged.
“My executive has been running the affairs of the project since 2008 and Muduvuri just surfaced (out of the blues) and sent a memo to council to the effect that the Solomon-led executive had been booted out and there was now his executive. When we were carrying out roads clearance, he instructed ZETDC (Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company) to erect electricity lines along the roads, thereby derailing development.
“There are political wars in Zanu PF at play here. All these people who have submitted affidavits before you are not genuine beneficiaries at Pixie Combie, but have been bussed by Muduvuri to come and cause confusion and chaos and the offer letters they are holding were produced by Muduvuri. No one has an offer letter given by the council in 2006.”
He further alleged that Muduvuri’s appetite for chaos had now shifted to another project in Kadoma, where he allegedly grabbed 70 hectares of land set aside for women and youths by the government.
“After an overwhelming response at Pixie Combie, I approached the Minister of Local Government for extra land in 2014 and 70ha was availed, but Muduvuri grabbed the land and incorporated it into his project and during one of the party’s leadership (indabas), he said nothing in town is for free and Pixie Combie was not an exception,” Solomon said.
Zanu PF youths, under the banner of Youths Lodgers Association, also approached the Lands Commission with a complaint against Muduvuri, who they accused of grabbing 40ha allocated to them.
The commission’s probe has also exposed the rot at Kadoma Town House, with council failing to account for records of beneficiaries of Pixie Combie and tampering with minutes of a meeting with Pixie Combie executives.
Kadoma acting housing director Aaron Masembura also appeared before the commission and confirmed the rot.
“I can confirm that there was and is no master record of Pixie Combie project at council and our filing system in the housing department are in shambles. I could not find anything other than these boxes of offer letters and a few files which are not in order, hence this has brought double allocation and the allocation of stands for residential purposes on commercial and institutional stands,”Masembura said.
Two different minutes were produced for a meeting held on July 19, 2012 between council and the Pixie Combie executive.
Pixie Combie executive adviser, Alfred Motsi, who signed the minutes on behalf of the executive, however, disowned the minutes produced by the council.
“Your worship, I’m the only one who signed for the minutes of the meeting held on July 19, 2012. The minutes of the meeting produced by the council were doctored by someone. They have been tampered with. Someone has an ulterior motive over the Pixie Combie project,” Motsi charged.
Pixie Combie Housing Scheme is the brainchild of former Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo who used it as a campaign tool after Zanu PF faced a stiff challenge from the MDC in the 2002 general elections. The land was to be parcelled out to ruling party supporters from the constituency’s 13 wards.
By A Correspondent| ZimEye will be livestreaming a press conference by the opposition MDC led by Nelson Chamisa at 2pm today.
According to a diary alert by the party’s communications department, the presser will be addressed by the MDC leadership at the Morgan Tsvangirai House.
Said the notice:
“You are cordially invited for a Press Conference at 1400hrs today (Wednesday, 14 August 2019) at Morgan Tsvangirai House.”
The Forum has verified the abduction and torture of MDC Youth Chairperson for Mufakose Blessing Kanotunga. 5 unidentified armed men abducted Kanotunga from his house and assaulted him with blunt objects indiscriminately, he was later dumped near Chitungwiza
— Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (@ZimHRNGOForum) August 14, 2019
AFTER months of a crippling power cuts that had seen domestic and industrial consumers going for 18hrs a day without power, State power supplier Zesa has announced it will be downgrading from stage two to stage one shedding.
Zesa according to officials who spoke to State media indicated that it will now be cutting off power during peak periods from 5am to 10am in the morning and 5pm and 10pm in the evening
The move comes following the resuscitation of power supplies from South Africa’s Eskom that reportedly began flowing in last Thursday. Government was forced to chip and help with paying off a US$38 million debt that Zesa owed Eskom. After US$10 million down-payment failed to trigger fresh supplies, Energy Minister Fortune Chasi was left with no choice but to tie Zesa to a punishing payment schedule that requires the parastatal to cough up to US$890 000 weekly.
Chasi is currently in negotiations with Mozambique’s Hydro-Cabora Bassa for fresh supplies.
Zesa owes the Mozambicans another US$40 million.
Said Zesa spokesperson Fullard Gwasira: “The electricity supply situation has improved significantly following interventions by both Government and the line ministry to access power from the region.
“I can confirm that we started receiving power from Eskom on Thursday after payment modalities were worked out by both utilities. This power supply situation gives predictability to load-shedding and largely puts all customers in Stage 1 load-shedding. So there is significant relief, but does not eliminate load- shedding.”
“Load-shedding is a function of demand and supply and when the demand is low and supply high we do not shed and vice versa. Our mandate is to supply power and not to implement load-shedding.”
According to Gwasira the Eskom arrangement is mainly aimed at making sure the country’s productive sectors have access to power.
“Eskom power allows the utility to prioritise the productive sectors to ensure the economy to function,” he said.
Power generation at Kariba has plummeted due to low water levels while dilapidated infrastructure at Hwange has not helped the situation.
Kariba lost generation from 1 050 MW to the current 277MW leaving a gap of 700 MW.
“Our plants are still old and still have a high frequency of break down. Kariba has lost 800MW and Eskom is providing 400MW. There is still a gap of about 400MW which will be managed by load shedding,” Gwasira was quoted as saying.
ZANU PF legislator Kindness Paradza (Makonde) has accused his MDC counterparts’ snub of diplomatic passports offered by President Emmerson Mnangagwa government as a cheap publicity stunt as some of them were issued with the travel document last year.
Paradza, who is also the chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Portfolio Committee, announced in Parliament early this month that Mnangagwa had given a nod for all parliamentarians to be issued with diplomatic passports, but MDC MPs said they would not accept the offer.
The Makonde MP told NewsDay yesterday that it was unfair for the opposition leadership to deny other MPs passports yet they were beneficiaries of Mnangagwa’s generosity.
“Yes, it’s very true. He (MDC secretary-general Charlton Hwende) is a holder of a diplomatic passport. Not only him, but they are many. Hwende is denouncing the issuance of diplomatic passports to his fellow MPs, yet he is a holder of a diplomatic passport which he was issued by the same President. Actually, the same passport assisted him to get temporary refuge in Namibia after the January disturbances,” he said.
“(Other MPs who have diplomatic passports include) Dorcas Sibanda, Tendai Biti, Prosper Mutseyami, Paurina Mpariwa, Daniel Molokele, Concilia Chinanzvavana, Prince Sibanda, Anele Ndebele, Willis Madzimure, Gabbuza Gabuza, Murisi Zwizwai, Tapiwa Mashakada, Jasmine Tofa and Ruth Labode. They were given these passports last year, now they want to pretend to be holier than thou.”
Some of the MPs named MPs confirmed to NewsDay yesterday that they received the diplomatic passports.
Paradza said the issue of diplomatic passports was already fanning tensions among the opposition MPs.
“This is hypocrisy of the highest order. Hwende is just grandstanding. Most of the ordinary MDC MPs are against Hwende. A lot of them have been flocking to get these diplomatic passports since the announcement,” he said.
But Hwende yesterday said they had resolved as a party not to accept the privilege offered by Mnangagwa considering that many Zimbabweans were currently not being issued passports by the Registrar-General (RG) due to shortages of passport paper and printing machine problems.
“The party position is clear, as a party, we must always put the people first. This is non-negotiable. There is a current shortage of printing materials used to produce passports that has resulted in many Zimbabweans failing to access specialists treatment abroad, others have failed to go to school. The party position is based on this reality should the situation in future improves and Zimbabweans who want passports can access them without any hindrance then those MPs who want passports can then access them,” he said.
Most Zimbabweans are struggling to get the travel document with 340 000 applicants reportedly on the waiting list.
Harare City Council, which is owed more than $925 million in unpaid rates and rentals, has ordered churches occupying council land to pay up within 60 days or risk getting their leases ter minated.
In a recent statement, the local authority urged churches occupying council land to clear all pending arrears or liaise with council offices for a payment plan.
“City of Harare hereby notifies all church organisations currently occupying council land for church purpose to clear their outstanding arrears or visit our offices for a payment plan on or before the 30th of September 2019.”
The city said organisations should provide valid lease agreements and those with void leases should also make sure they renew within the given period.
“The church organisations should be in possession of a valid lease agreement and if the lease has expired, an application to renew same should be submitted within the same period.”
“Non-compliance with the above notice shall be deemed as lack of interest and the lease agreements will be terminated without further notice,” the city council said.
“This will follow immediate eviction from council land. Eviction from such land will follow thereafter, with resultant costs of eviction and recovery of rental arrears being borne by the defaulting tenants,” said the city.
Harare Town Clerk Engineer Hosiah Chisango recently said they would make efforts to recover debtors’ arrears which had accumulated to about $925 million.
NATIONAL power utility, Zesa, has downgraded load shedding from stage two to stage one after it started receiving 400 MW supply from Eskom of South Africa last Thursday, an official has said.
Zesa will now cut off power during the morning and evening peak hours.
The peak hours are 5AM to 10AM and 5PM to 10PM and are largely predictable and easy to plan for. The development comes after Government made arrangements with the South African firm to offset its US$23 million debt by paying US$890 000 weekly.
In an interview, Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira said the new development will not do away with load shedding completely, but will downgrade to level one.
“The electricity supply situation has improved significantly, following interventions by both Government and the line Ministry to access power from the region.
“I can confirm that we started receiving power from Eskom on Thursday after payment modalities were worked out by both utilities. This power supply situation gives predictability to load shedding and largely puts all customers in Stage 1 load shedding. So there is significant relief, but does not eliminate load shedding,” said Mr Gwasira.
He said the peak times will be from 5 AM to 10AM and 5PM to 10PM and that consumers would be guided accordingly.
“Load shedding is a function of demand and supply and when the demand is low and supply we do not shed and vice versa.
“Our mandate is to supply power and not to implement load shedding,”
Mr Gwasira said the power will be channelled more to the productive sectors to allow the economy to function well.
“Eskom power allows the utility to prioritiSe the productive sectors to ensure the economy to function,” he said.
He said Kariba lost generation from 1 050 MW to the current 277MW due to low water levels and the gap of about 700 MW from Kariba still exists.
“Our plants are still old and still have a high frequency of break down. Kariba has lost 800MW and Eskom is providing 400MW. There is still a gap of about 400MW which will be managed by load shedding”.
He urged customers to clear off their arrears which have accumulated to over $1,2 billion to sustain the power supply.
“I also want to add that this power is coming at a great cost and thereby urge all customers to pay their bills to ensure that the prevailing electricity supply situation is maintained and sustained. There is still a great need to conserve the power available,” said Mr Gwasira.
The new load shedding is expected to bring a relief to the business sector whose operations had been largely affected by the power cuts forcing them cut operating hours.
Zimbabweans are bracing for fresh violence and unrest after the main opposition party unveiled plans for a series of major rallies starting this week and unions called for strike action.
Any demonstrations or industrial action will pose a new test for the ruling Zanu-PF party, which brutally suppressed a round of protests in January, leading to at least 13 deaths and hundreds of rapes and beatings.
Last month senior Zanu-PF officials said the constitution allowed the government to deploy the army to confront protesters and warned that soldiers were trained to kill. “Forewarned is forearmed,” one said, telling demonstrators to stay at home.
The opposition campaign comes as the government imposes austerity measures and attempts to launch a new currency. Millions have been hit by soaring prices of food and fuel, while foreign exchange shortages have led to a lack of vital medicines and other goods.
Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change, said it was time to throw off “the yoke of bondage” of Zanu-PF, which has ruled for nearly four decades.
“We now need to do the work, roll up our sleeves and we, as a people, be our own liberators; be our own answers; be our own solutions,” he said.
Obert Masaraure, the leader of a union representing 30,000 teachers in impoverished rural areas, said his members were not intimidated.
“We remain in the trenches and will continue to fight … We will be on the streets very soon to push the government to address this issue,” he told the Guardian. “They are celebrating budget surpluses but they are not paying workers, there are no hospital medicines … They should be ashamed of themselves.”
The protests, scheduled to start on 16 August, come over a year since Emmerson Mnangagwa won a closely fought election promising investment, transparency and “good days ahead” for the former British colony.
Mnangagwa took power after a military takeover ousted the veteran ruler Robert Mugabe in November 2017. Mugabe, 95, is receiving medical treatment in Singapore.
Zimbabwe is crippled by massive debts incurred during Mugabe’s rule and needs a multibillion-dollar bailout to prevent economic collapse. However, continuing repression and a lack of tangible political reform means there is little chance of international institutions offering major aid packages.
Though most of several hundred people detained during the unrest in January have been released, 21 activists, opposition leaders and trade unionists are facing subversion charges which could lead to lengthy sentences.
Masaraure, who has been arrested five times since December, was charged with subversion in January and rearrested in June when he failed to report to police, spending five days in prison.
“There were 54 people on the floor of one room, with one blanket. The prison [clothes] were full of lice. I got sick with a chest problem,” he said.
He says the harassment has continued. The 35-year-old says he has twice been abducted from his home in the capital, Harare, and assaulted by unidentified men who he believes were state agents, most recently in June after he organised another strike. He said eight men had taken him from his house in an unmarked car to waste ground on the outskirts of the capital where he was stripped naked, beaten with rubber whips and then left by the roadside.
“I am afraid one day I will lose my life. I am afraid for my mother, for my family. The trauma is terrible … and the government is reckless, reckless against its own people,” he said.
In August 2018 six people were killed when the army cleared protesters from the centre of Harare at gunpoint. Some victims who survived the shootings are seeking compensation and justice with a class action against security forces.
Lovedale Munesi, a college teacher, needs $7,000 for an operation to remove a bullet lodged near his pelvis, restricting his mobility and causing severe pain. Forced to give up work, he is now dependent on painkillers and on his relatives.
“If I don’t get assistance any time soon, there may be no hope that I will ever work again. Life is very tough now,” the 30-year-old said.
Alison Charles last saw her brother Gavin the night before he was shot dead. The 51-year-old made a living selling fish in the central market area and was hit twice in the back, probably as he and hundreds of other stallholders, shoppers and commuters ran from advancing troops.
“The money is not important. I want justice … I walked with him to school every day. He held my hand. We don’t even know the identity of the soldier who shot him,” Charles said.
Gen Anselem Sanyatwe, the commander of the unit responsible for the killings, was forced to resign by Mnangagwa, and has since been appointed ambassador to Tanzania.
Energy Mutodi, the deputy information minister, said this was “appropriate action”.
“We have an opposition that is very imaginative in trying to create anarchy and to portray the government as violent … As a young democracy we are learning but we don’t need to be punished for following our learning curve,” Mutodi said.
Sanyatwe has been placed under sanctions by the US.
Mnangagwa appointed a commission headed by a retired South African judge to investigate the killings. Its report, though critical of security forces, described police overwhelmed by a large and violent demonstration by opposition activists, leading to the army’s intervention. This account contrasts with the recollections of many witnesses and the Guardian’s own reporting at the time.
Doug Coltart, a human rights lawyer in Harare, said the impunity enjoyed by those responsible for the August 2018 killings raised serious concerns for the future.
“We can see a buildup now with government ministers normalising the idea that it is OK to deploy the army against protests and use live ammunition. By failing to deal with past atrocities, the likelihood of future atrocities is very apparent,” he said.
Botswana’s President Seretse Ian Khama (L) shakes hands with his then vice-president Mokgweetsi Masisi. The two are now heavy rials.
Dear Editor|Botswana is heading into her most hotly contested elections of her history, the same was said about the 2014 elections but this time its different, these elections are going to determine the very future of this republic, in terms of human rights and economic growth and our civil liberties. Let me just state that both sets of elections have one common denominator Lt Gen Ian Khama.
In 2014 he was head of state as BDP president, and Batswana wanted him out of office hence the lowest popular vote ever achieved by the BDP, in fact had the BCP joined the UDC the BDP would have fallen in 2014. The UDC had Batswana convinced that Khama was the devil and had even murdered Gomolemo Motswaledi.
This time around Khama has joiined forces with the UDC to oust the BDP, and remove his handpicked successor HE MEK Masisi from office. Khama has fomed a new political party and is helping the UDC with their campaigns. There is only one question that each and every one of us with a sensible brain must ask ourselves, WHY? What exactly is it that Masisi has done or is not doing that Khama is willing to go to such great lengths to have him removed from office and destroy a party that his father co founded and built this nation to what it is now, a party that he believes belonged to his mother and father a party that elevated him to the highest office of the land.
I can assure that it is not because his cooks and gardeners were transferred to other departments. His brother not being made Vice president, his long time friend and confidant Isaac Kgosi being fired as DISS director general and his following arrest, the onslaught of investigations of his close associates by BURS and DCEC, now these to me sound like more valid reasons, he continues to accuse Masisi of all the things that the oppostion accused him off, fear of DISS, escalating corruption, harassment of opposition activists? And the UDC is there next to him clapping their hands? Khama had hoped to have control of government from outside, and he believed that in HE MEK Masisi he would have just that. That turned out not to be the case, hence where we are today.
From threatening Khama with prison time two years ago the UDC are now bedfellows with him and are trying to convince us all that they are all members of the opposition and want to convince us all that its about removing the BDP from power. Their naivety is astonishing. Should the union of Khama and the UDC deliver a change in government, we should all be very worried.
The UDC has no idea of what they are getting themselves into and indeed the entire nation along with them. Ian Khama is a master of divide and rule, and all Ian Khama wants right now is self preservation and the preservation of all those closest to him including Isaac Kgosi. Should they win, God help us all, the UDC leadership will have no Idea what hit them. Duma and Dumelang will not be on talking terms within the first month of their reign if their relationship is not already taking a strain from the Khama factor.
I read on facebook last week as opposition members celebrated the numbers at a Khama rally, and telling members of the BDP to be worried. Its not the BDP that should be worried it is the damage that Khama will do to the UDC should they win elections. The BDP will be relegated to an opposition party and the best the BDP wiill be able to do is we told you so. God blessed Botswana by allowing Masisi into fooling Khama to leave office. Batswana are about to reverse those blessings.
I assure you somehow Khama will end up disrupting the UDC led government, somehow he will end up in charge, mark my words. When this happens and Batswana panic, and want to reverse their mistakes they will have no way out. Internet and social media will most probably get regulated, journalists arrested as Outsa Mokone and Sonny Serite can testify to.
The electronic voting machine introduced,the nightmare Isaac Kgosi back at DISS and Ian Khama in complete control of our everyday lives. He will not make the same mistake of relinquishing power twice, there is too much at stake for him. Khama’s desperation is out there for everyone to see and asses, he is talking about a lack of development under the BDP rule, I dont know if he has a severe case of amnesia or what, up until 18 months ago the very BDP led government he accuses of failing to develop the country he led for 10 years as head of state and was part of as vice president for another 10 years.
I mean really, are we really that gullible Batswana? the master of divide and rule Khama is trying to get Bangwato behind him playing a tribalistic card, milking the chieftancy issue to its fullest. Bear in mind that Khama is only playing the chieftancy card when it suits him best. He has always been about wild animals and his business interests in the tourism sector.
Batswana must give themselves time to think very thoroughly about the choice they are going to make come October, for once he has his foot in the door, there will be no getting rid of Lt Gen Ian Khama, and we will all pay a heavy price for it.
Makonda says the proposal, if adopted, will save many young women in Dar es Salaam from “unnecessary heartbreaks”.
“I have received a lot of complaints from young women. Many women from Dar es Salaam region have been deceived many times, and they have had enough. Men have been promising to marry them, then later, they [men] ditch the ladies. This is something that is humiliating,” Mr Makonda said on Monday, August 12 at his office in the commercial capital.
“These cunning men have left many women nursing heartbreaks and emotional bruises. You’ll find a young man successfully wooing a woman, making her leave every other thing that she does, hoping that the man will marry her, not knowing that he is, indeed, conning her.
“If you look at the laws that we have in the country, there is a clause that protects women, who were promised marriages, only to be used and dumped. We want to use that clause to bring sanity in relationships.
“I cannot say I am a leader, when the people I look after are hurting.
“One of the ideas that we have is to have all the married people register their marital statuses with the region’s database agency. This will help young women promised marriages. It would be easy for them to access the database and find out whether the men who have promised to marry them are people’s husbands or not. In that database, all the marriages, including Christian, customary, Muslim, those filed at the registrar of marriages, will be registered.- MORE
By Pamela Shumba. Six people died while 20 others were injured yesterday when a kombi they were travelling in veered off the road before overturning at the 24km peg along Bulawayo-Nkayi Road in Bubi District.
The kombi, which was heading for Bulawayo from Nkayi, had 26 passengers on board, including 11 children.
The accident brings the Heroes’ and Defence Forces’ Days holiday death toll to 17.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the accident which occurred around the Nkenyani area close to the Khoce River.
“The accident occurred at about 12PM at the 24km peg along the Bulawayo-Nkayi road. The Toyota Hiace hit a grid and the driver lost control of the vehicle, resulting in it overturning several times.
“Five people died on the spot while the driver died on admission to Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo. The vehicle had 26 passengers, including 11 children,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He said the accident brings the number of people killed over the holidays to 17 while the number of those injured stands at 101 from 75 accidents that occurred in different parts of the country.
“As of today, a total of 17 people have died compared to nine people during the same period last year. We have recorded a total number of 75 road traffic accidents as compared to 56 recorded at the same time last year. We’ve also recorded a total of 101 injured people compared to 47 during the same period last year,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He urged motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads and adhere to traffic rules and regulations.
Asst Comm Nyathi said major causes of accidents recorded were speeding, lack of attention and misjudgment.
“I want to urge motorists to be observant, cautious and travel at a safe speed. They should also avoid overloading and overtaking in dangerous situations. Drivers should safeguard their lives and those of their passengers.
“Let’s all drive to arrive alive and contribute towards safety on the roads. Drivers should not be reckless and where possible avoid travelling at night,” he added.
On Monday seven people died while nine others were seriously injured when a vehicle they were travelling in veered off the road and overturned at the 10 kilometre peg along the Lutumba-Chitulipasi Road in Beitbridge.
Asst Comm Nyathi said two people also lost their lives yesterday at the 126km peg along the Harare-Mutare highway near Headlands.
He said a Toyota Hiace they were travelling in hit a stationary truck killing the two and injuring six.
On the same day, Asst Comm added, another accident happened in Guruve at the 70km peg along the Mvurwi-Kanyemba Road when a haulage truck carrying 200 people flung open.
He said 31 of the passengers fell of the truck and they were injured as a result of the accident.
Police could not immediately state where the accident that killed two more people to bring the death toll to 17, occurred. The Chronicle
The Registrar-General’s Office has bust a syndicate leader of fake birth certificate production and other related documents that swindled several unsuspecting people, taking advantage of the acute shortage of the documents.
The Chitungwiza-based ring leader, Tawona Garaba, would charge people varying amounts, including United States dollars.
It is understood that Garaba (31) had laptops that bore the template of the documents from the RG’s Office and would issue them out to unsuspecting people at a huge fee.
Luck eventually ran out for Garaba after a couple that wanted birth certificates for their two children smelt a rat on the authenticity of the date stamp and inquired with the RG’s Office.
Officials from the RG’s Office contacted the police and a trap was set for Garaba before the couple called him ostensibly to collect his balance.
Unaware of the trap, Garaba came to collect the balance and was immediately arrested.
Garaba has since appeared in court, which sentenced him to an effective 17 months in prison after six months were suspended.
Registrar-General Mr Clement Masango confirmed the arrest of Garaba and warned people to conduct business in properly designated offices.
“The Department of the RG would like to advise all our clients and members of the public in general that we are a public office and do not conduct official business from private offices or residences,” said Mr Masango.
“We also do not deal with agencies. People are, therefore, advised to directly deal and visit our offices.
“Where payment is required, they must insist on being issued with a receipt.
“We also encourage those that might have dealt with these dubious characters to approach our offices or the nearest police station so that investigations can be instituted.”
The RG’s Office has of late been battling to satisfy demand in terms of provision of documents such as passports and identity documents owing to shortage of foreign currency to import consumables.
The department has said production of these documents is set to increase after Treasury provided them with about US$600 000 to buy some of the consumables.
It said the injection of the US$600 000 was expected to go a long way in ensuring the availability of the important documents.
Of late, the shortage of the documents has seen Central Registry being a haven of corruption as touts and desperate clients sought to get the documents, especially passports.
TWO brothers from Chidobe just outside Victoria Falls allegedly drowned in the Zambezi River while posing for pictures.
Nkazimulo Nkomo (24) allegedly slipped from a rock while carrying his younger brother Thando (13) on his back and the two fell into the fast flowing river before being swept down Rapid Number 19.
Nkazimulo’s body was retrieved yesterday afternoon while his younger brother’s was retrieved on Monday by rafting guides from Shearwater and Shockwave Adventures following the drowning last Friday.
In a telephone interview with The Chronicle, the siblings’ father, Mr Headman Nkomo, said his sons went to the river for a photo shoot in the company of a friend who had visited them from Dete.
Mr Nkomo, who was also part of the search team, said the family was still trying to come to terms with the sad incident. “They went to the gorges to view the river. While still there they met some whites who were taking pictures and also decided to have a photo shoot. Thando asked his elder brother to carry him on his back for a photo shoot,” said Mr Nkomo.
He said Nkazimulo initially refused to carry his younger brother on his back, but later agreed. The two siblings then drowned in full view of their friend who was the photographer.
After the incident, the friend phoned the deceased’s mother who alerted other family members. “They fell into the water and were swept down towards the rapid. The friend last saw them as they approached Rapid 19,” said a distraught Mr Nkomo.
In an interview before the bodies were found, Mr Skinner Ndlovu, representing RAZ guides, vowed to continue searching for the bodies until they were found, which they did.
A sub aqua team from Bulawayo was said to be stuck in Hwange after running out of fuel on its way to Victoria Falls after being called in to assist.
By Dorrothy Moyo| MDC President Nelson Chamisa sent a direct message to the military.
Chamisa praised the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for a series of accomplishments.
He was speaking during his Defence Forces Day address and said in part:
” We know that the majority of our defence forces are bound and are faithful to their oaths as defenders of the nation.
“The few who stray beyond the lines of professionalism should never be allowed to taint the entire institution.
“This taint can be cleansed by holding to account those who have strayed away from their constitutional prescriptions.
“Regrettably, we have lost innocent lives in the past year at the hands of such elements.
“We echo public and international sentiment of accountability for these losses to prevent a culture of impunity and immunity.
“Considering the recent killings of civilians on the 1st of August 2018 and around the 15th of January, which has eroded the confidence of our people, I would like to encourage our Defence Forces to swiftly address concerns about impartiality on partisan politics, respect for human rights and subordination to civilian authority as enshrined under our constitution.
“To this end, I am quite encouraged by the comments made by the National Army Commander, Lieutenant General Edzai Absolom Chanyuka Chimonyo, and Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander, General Philip Valerio Sibanda.
“Both Generals have recently and passionately spoken about the need for a professional, disciplined and non-partisan Defence Force which protects Zimbabwe, its citizens, its national security, its interests, its territorial integrity and more importantly, to uphold the Constitution of the land.
“We remember with a profound sense of humility the songs of liberation such as Nzira dzemasoja and Tinoda Zimbabwe neupfumi hwayo hwese, great motivational anthems that also constitute a code of conduct for our defence forces.
“The core message is: treat the people with respect.
“When our constitution behoves the defences forces to respect human rights and freedoms, it is merely restating these organic commandments with deep-seated roots.
“Therefore, as we celebrate and honour the defence forces, we call upon our men and women to uphold, defend and respect the core values that helped our forebears to prosecute the liberation struggle together with and not against the people.
“They said they were fish and the people were the water.
It was true then and it is true today and always.”
BELOW WAS THE FULL SPEECH:
The Defence forces day, is a day set aside to honour the men and women who have dedicated themselves to defend our nation.
The defence forces form the backbone of any nation and ours is no exception.
Indeed, our national constitution (through Sections 211 and 212) recognises the role and significance of the defence forces in our body politic, in safeguarding our territorial integrity.
Indeed, we salute and duly recognize the unstinting and committed service that our patriotic soldiers continue to render to their beloved country, even under these extremely difficult circumstances.
As a nation, we fought a just war of liberation, and the dedication, sacrifice and patriotism of the sons and daughters of this land deserves our veneration and utmost respect.
We are thankful to the men and women in uniform for the sacrifices and service to the nation in fulfilling their constitutional mandate and national duty.
Over the years, our defence forces have earned accolades for the work they have performed on international duty, in peace-keeping missions across the world.
We honour them for raising the national flag.
They have also done fantastic community work in our rural areas, and their recent efforts in the wake of Cyclone Idai deserve special mention.
This indeed is the kind of work that endears the defence forces to the public.
Whilst our constitution recognises the key role of the defence forces, it also lays down the foundation for a smooth relationship with other branches of our body politic, setting the boundaries of what they can or cannot do.
This is why we continue to encourage our defence forces to uphold the values of professionalism, respect, forbearance and non-partisanship.
We know that the majority of our defence forces are bound and are faithful to their oaths as defenders of the nation.
The few who stray beyond the lines of professionalism should never be allowed to taint the entire institution.
This taint can be cleansed by holding to account those who have strayed away from their constitutional prescriptions.
Regrettably, we have lost innocent lives in the past year at the hands of such elements.
We echo public and international sentiment of accountability for these losses to prevent a culture of impunity and immunity.
Considering the recent killings of civilians on the 1st of August 2018 and around the 15th of January, which has eroded the confidence of our people, I would like to encourage our Defence Forces to swiftly address concerns about impartiality on partisan politics, respect for human rights and subordination to civilian authority as enshrined under our constitution.
To this end, I am quite encouraged by the comments made by the National Army Commander, Lieutenant General Edzai Absolom Chanyuka Chimonyo, and Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander, General Philip Valerio Sibanda.
Both Generals have recently and passionately spoken about the need for a professional, disciplined and non-partisan Defence Force which protects Zimbabwe, its citizens, its national security, its interests, its territorial integrity and more importantly, to uphold the Constitution of the land.
We remember with a profound sense of humility the songs of liberation such as Nzira dzemasoja and Tinoda Zimbabwe neupfumi hwayo hwese, great motivational anthems that also constitute a code of conduct for our defence forces.
The core message is: treat the people with respect.
When our constitution behoves the defences forces to respect human rights and freedoms, it is merely restating these organic commandments with deep-seated roots.
Therefore, as we celebrate and honour the defence forces, we call upon our men and women to uphold, defend and respect the core values that helped our forebears to prosecute the liberation struggle together with and not against the people.
They said they were fish and the people were the water.
It was true then and it is true today and always.
We know our men and women are not spared by the economic and social challenges that we are facing as a nation.
They are our brothers, our sisters, fathers and mothers to some and uncles and aunties to others.
They are our brothers and sisters in law to all of us.
In short, they are people like us, facing the same darkness when electricity is down, the same anxiety when the new school term begins and there is no money for school fees.
They are, like many of us, breadwinners without the bread; wage earners with eroding wages.
When we express ourselves, we are also doing it on their behalf; on behalf of and with their families, friends and neighbours, singing songs of freedom and prosperity that they cannot sing on account of their job.
Poverty, like rain falls upon every roof. However poverty is not a natural phenomenon.
Since it is made by humankind, it can be overcome by humankind too, through working together in unison.
Going forward, in a truly New Zimbabwe, under our new leadership, we envisage a defence forces that is built on a foundation of meritocracy, patriotism and professionalism, where service, merit and excellence take precedence.
We aspire for a new Zimbabwe is which there is mutual respect between our defence forces and members of the public.
In our New Zimbabwe, the military forces will be well-equipped, well-fed and well-remunerated.
The relationship between the military and politicians will be characterised by professionalism, progressiveness and non-partisanship, allowing military men and women to flourish and defend the nation with pride.
Politics will guide the gun.The ballot will manage the bullet.
In a New Zimbabwe, our military will not be owned or appropriated by any political party.
The army is above partisan politics.Our military will be nonpartisan.
Our national army is people’s force.
We salute men and women in uniform.
You are the pride of the nation. God bless our men and women in uniform.
Let me assure you all about my unwavering support for the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and my vision for a great, peaceful and prosperous country for all who live in it.
Claims have been raised by ZANU PF through the state media that several opposition MDC-Alliance legislators are holders of diplomatic passports issued by Government, allowing them to enjoy various advantages that include easy passage at borders, special lines at customs, tax exemptions, travel upgrades on airlines and hotels, free visas to any country and in some cases, visa-free travel.
The revelation comes after the opposition party’s secretary-general Mr Chalton Hwende last week said his party would decline the privileged document.
According to the media, Hwende himself holds the red passport.
The chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade Kindness Paradza of ZANU PF who announced in Parliament last week that President Mnangagwa had agreed that all parliamentarians be issued with diplomatic passports, yesterday revealed that Hwende and several other members of his party already had diplomatic passport, despite the noise he is making.
“To begin with, Hwende is denouncing the issuance of diplomatic passports to his fellow MPs yet he is a holder of one which he was issued with by the same President, President Mnangagwa. He was just grandstanding, but as we speak, there is a stampede from members from his party to get the document.
“There are several MPs from the MDC including him that already have diplomatic passports,” Paradza said.
Contacted for comment, Mr Hwende would neither confirm nor deny that he was a holder of such a passport.
“That is neither here nor there (whether he has a diplomatic passport or not). When I speak, I speak on behalf of the party and my statement was that the priority should be on issuance of ordinary green passports because there are people who are genuinely in need of those passports.
“So whatever foreign currency we have it should go towards printing of those ordinary passports,” he said.
Some of the other legislators who are said to be already having the document are Tendai Biti, Prosper Mutseyami (MDC Chief Whip), Paurina Mpariwa, Daniel Molekele, Concilia Chinanzvavana, Prince Dubeko Sibanda, Anele Ndebele, Willas Madzimure, Guebuza Guebuza, Zwizwai Murisi, Tapiwa Mashakada and Jasmine Tofa.
The decision by the President follows requests by legislators on several occasions in past parliamentary sessions for them to be issued with the document.
MDC Deputy National Chairman Job Sikhala has officially made a report to police at St Mary’s on the man who suspiciously rammed into the perimeter wall around his home in Chitungwiza over the weekend.
Police spokesperson Asst Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that Sikhala had lodged a complaint against motorist Lawrence Dhana for the destruction of his wall.
In a dramatic way, Dhana also reported to the same police that he had been assaulted by four men at Sikhala’s house after the incident.
Allegations are that Dhana, who was driving his Lexus S200 Registration Number ACT 4561, rammed into Sikhala’s perimeter wall and claims he was assaulted by four men at the instigation of the opposition party’s vice chairman.
Sikhala is alleged to have joined the assault, which resulted in Dhana seeking medical attention.
Police National Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that Dhana had made a report and said investigations were underway.
“We are investigating a case in which a man called Lawrence Dhana was allegedly assaulted severely after he rammed and destroyed Job Sikhala’s durawall (sic) with his vehicle.
“We are also investigating another scenario where Job Sikhala lodged a complaint against Dhana for destroying his durawall,” Asst-Comm Nyathi said.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa inspects a parade at the Defence Forces Day Commemorations in Harare
Commander-in-chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) President Mnangagwa yesterday urged the forces to remain loyal, vigilant and committed to safeguarding the country and subsequent processes leading to the attainment of Vision 2030.
Attaining the vision, he said, needed loyal, patriotic, reliable, resourceful and committed defence forces who keep abreast with trending world defence technological developments and security systems.
Government is finalising special remuneration packages for the men and women in uniform, the military salary concept, and other incentives to cushion them from hardships that have affected the country’s workers.
In light of austerity measures, which will soon ease, President Mnangagwa promised defence forces an impending dawn.
The President, who is also the Head of State and Government, said this while addressing thousands of people who converged at the National Sports Stadium to celebrate the 39th anniversary of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
“I challenge the ZDF to always be mindful of the fact that building and developing a new Zimbabwe requires a force which is loyal, patriotic, reliable and committed,” he said.
“I further urge you to remain resourceful and vigilant towards enhancing and guarding against contemporary threats to our country’s defence and security. In this regard, economic instability, moral decadence and social instability are among the factors that can threaten our national security. I exhort you, therefore to appropriately meet the demands towards the attainment of Vision 2030 with zeal and dedication.
“The need to harness the vast potential presented by our country’s current development stage cannot be overemphasised. As men and women of the ZDF, it is incumbent on you to individually and collectively play your part in the provision of home-grown solutions to enhance our modernisation, industrialisation, self-reliance and independence.”
The President urged the ZDF to work closely with grassroots communities and coordinate economic development with defence and security.
President Mnangagwa said ZDF Day afforded the country an opportunity to honour and celebrate the country’s armed forces for their unparalleled achievements in defence of the country’s territorial integrity, independence and self-determination.
“Since the attainment of independence, our country has enjoyed its constitutionally-enshrined rights, peace and stability as a result of the loyalty, selfless dedication and sacrifices of these fine men and women of our nation,” he said.
“The role of our defence forces has never been an easy one since the years prior to Independence when young brave men and women waged a relentless armed struggle against the British settler colonial rule. Thousands of our gallant fighters and civilians perished in the quest for the freedoms we enjoy today. Our nation continues to take stock of the loss of life and limb occasioned by the armed struggle.”
He said since the attainment of independence, ZDF has taken up many roles including securing the country’s trade routes through Mozambique and restoring the sovereign legitimacy of the DRC.
“Furthermore, the ZDF continues to play a significant role in the maintenance of international peace and security in other parts of the world. Notable deployments in this regard include previous and current support to the UN’s efforts to securing peace in Angola, Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone and the Central African Republic.
“Our men and women served and continue to serve in some of these campaigns with diligence and professionalism that have earned them world acclaim. Back home, the ZDF continues to play various roles as part of their constitutional peacetime mandate. They have as and when requested, supported the maintenance of law and order, border control operations and guarding the country’s key infrastructure and institutions,” President Mnangagwa said.
He applauded ZDF for its sterling role during the Cyclone Idai disaster as well as in ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
“We applaud their swift, brave and focused intervention in the quest to reach inaccessible communities in the Cyclone-ravaged areas of Chimanimani and Chipinge districts.
“The ZDF units remain on site to this day, rebuilding roads, bridges and other damaged infrastructure,” he said.
The President thanked the South African National Defence Forces for their assistance in the reconstruction of temporary Bailey bridges in the affected areas.
“In view of the ever changing, socio-economic and technological and security architecture, the modernisation and capacitation of our defence forces has become urgent and imperative.
“My Government is therefore prioritising the upgrading of equipment as well as facilitating focused training of specialised units in both the Army and Airforce. The provision of skills training and raising the forces preparedness in general will also receive my administration’s full support,” he said.
He also said Government was also working to improve the ZDF’s conditions of service.
“My administration remains committed to improving the conditions of service of our armed forces. My Government is aware that our defence forces
are equally affected by the economic difficulties faced by the general citizenry. Efforts are at an advanced stage to re-introduce the military salary concept.
“We shall equally expedite the construction of accommodation facilities for the armed forces. Notable housing projects under construction are the Dzivarasekwa and Mbizo schemes, which when complete will provide accommodation for commissioned and non-commissioned officers.
“The Transitional Stabilisation Programme which promotes production and restricts Government spending is ongoing with its attendant reform measures. The medicine to cure our economic ailment will be bitter and often painful whether within household or at State level. But the darkest hour comes before dawn,” President Mnangagwa said.
He however, bemoaned the practice by some unscrupulous businesses to unjustifiably raise prices and also reiterated Government’s commitment to eradicate corruption.
President Mnangagwa said the Government will ensure that the ZDF plays its part in the achievement of Africa’s Agenda 2063.
“Initiatives aimed at finding African solutions to African problems will also be supported. Zimbabwe is indeed committed and ready to play its part in ensuring a more peaceful, empowered, modern, industrialised and integrated Africa,” President Mnangagwa said.
He also commended the ZDF for clearing landmines planted by the colonial regime to stall the execution of the liberation war with over 900 000 square metres being cleared between August 2018 and June 2019.
The event was also graced by members of the SANDF and Lesotho Defence Forces.
Zimbabwe has been suffering from a drought and that has drastically affected food availability
The United Nations (UN) has requested $331m in aid from countries to support drought-stricken Zimbabwe.
Kieno Kammis chats to journalist Peta Thornycroft on the matter in that country.
The situation in Zimbabwe is different in the urban areas as opposed to the rural areas. In the urban areas, there is food but the price of that food is too expensive. The price increases are so enormous because of the currency fluctuation.—
Peta Thornycroft, Journalist
She says there was a severe drought last year in the rural areas and that is what the UN is talking about.
The world food programme has to go in there and it has to find money especially in the southern part of the country to feed people.—
Peta Thornycroft, Journalist
She adds that the electricity issue is also a huge problem in that country.
At the moment, Zimbabwe is paying R14m a week to Eskom to import some electricity. That has meant that some people have had powercuts—
By A Correspondent| ZimEye has received confirmed reports that activist Tatenda Mombeyarara has been abducted and heavily asaulted in Hatfield.
After being found…Tatenda Mombeyarara
The development was also confirmed by the Zimbabwe lawyers for human rights who said “it’s with great sadness and regret that ZLHRLawyers confirms the abduction and severe assault, torture by 6 heavily armed unidentified men from his home early this morning. During the assault/torture they interrogated him about Maldives training.
“The heavily armed men also asked him about 16 Aug Protests. They wanted details on number of people & how these protests had been organised. Although Tatenda denied any involvement, the men continued their vicious, barbaric attacks on him.
“The modus operandi of the six men used a torture method commonly known as *Falanga* which has been documented in the past as used by most state agents/actors. Many human rights activists have fallen victim to this torture method over the years.”
Doctor Kumbirai Mubwandarikwa, who treated prominent liberation fighters including former President Robert Mugabe in colonial jails, has died.
He was 78.
His son, Joram, confirmed the death to NewsDay over the weekend.
“(My father) passed away at his Borrowdale home on August 11. He succumbed to cancer,” he said.
Joram said his father, who was among the first blacks to graduate in medicine in the then Rhodesia, will be buried at his farm in Hampshire, Chivhu, on Wednesday.
Mubwandarikwa, who was born in Zvavahera village in Gutu, attended Zvavahera Primary School from 1950 to 1957, Zimuto Secondary School from 1958 to 1959, Inyathi Secondary School from 1960 to 1962 and Goromonzi Secondary School from 1962 to 1963.
In 1964, he was accepted by the University of Rhodesia and Nyasaland to study medicine and Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBchB) in 1969.
According to Joram, after graduating, his worked at Harare Central Hospital, then Kwekwe Hospital.
In racially segregated Rhodesia, whites often refused to be treated by black doctors, but upon seeing Mubwandarikwa conduct his work, many white Rhodesians became colour blind and sought treatment from him.
Mubwandarikwa also furthered his studies in the United Kingdom and then returned to Zimbabwe shortly after independence, where he worked for the government until he retired in 2006.
He continued working at his private practice until March 2019 when he stopped due to ill health.
Mubwandarikwa is survived by his wife Ndakarwira Magodora, four children — Stella, Tariro, Joram, and Steven — and seven grandchildren.
What is President Emmerson Mnangagwa so scared of that forces him to have probably some of the world’s top security system around him.
Even former President Robert Mugabe who was unwanted would never have such tight security.
See below a picture of him and his heavily armed but disguised security as they enter the National Sports Stadium for the Defence Forces Day Commemorations.
TWO brothers from Chidobe just outside Victoria Falls allegedly drowned in the Zambezi River while posing for pictures.
Nkazimulo Nkomo (24) allegedly slipped from a rock while carrying his younger brother Thando (13) on his back and the two fell into the fast flowing river before being swept down Rapid Number 19.
Nkazimulo’s body was retrieved yesterday afternoon while his younger brother’s was retrieved on Monday by rafting guides from Shearwater and Shockwave Adventures following the drowning last Friday.
In a telephone interview with The Chronicle , the siblings’ father, Mr Headman Nkomo, said his sons went to the river for a photo shoot in the company of a friend who had visited them from Dete.
Mr Nkomo, who was also part of the search team, said the family was still trying to come to terms with the sad incident. “They went to the gorges to view the river. While still there they met some whites who were taking pictures and also decided to have a photo shoot. Thando asked his elder brother to carry him on his back for a photo shoot,” said Mr Nkomo.
He said Nkazimulo initially refused to carry his younger brother on his back, but later agreed. The two siblings then drowned in full view of their friend who was the photographer.
After the incident, the friend phoned the deceased’s mother who alerted other family members. “They fell into the water and were swept down towards the rapid. The friend last saw them as they approached Rapid 19,” said a distraught Mr Nkomo.
In an interview before the bodies were found, Mr Skinner Ndlovu, representing RAZ guides, vowed to continue searching for the bodies until they were found, which they did. A sub aqua team from Bulawayo was said to be stuck in Hwange after running out of fuel on its way to Victoria Falls after being called in to assist. -State media
THE Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) has allayed fears of fare hikes, dismissing as false, reports circulating on social media claiming that the firm had increased its bus fares by at least 30 percent.
Social media, during the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, was awash with reports that Zupco had increased their charges by 30 percent.
According to the social media reports a $ 0.50 route had been pegged at $2, while $1 and $1.50 routes were said to be up to $4 and $6 respectively.
In an interview yesterday, Zupco Chief Executive Officer, Mr Everisto Madangwa said fares remain unchanged. “As Zimbabwe United Passenger Company would like to advise our valued commuters that we have not increased our fares as it is being reported on social media,” he said.State media
SIX people died while 20 others were injured yesterday when a kombi they were travelling in veered off the road before overturning at the 24km peg along Bulawayo-Nkayi Road in Bubi District.
The kombi, which was heading for Bulawayo from Nkayi, had 26 passengers on board, including 11 children.
The accident brings the Heroes’ and Defence Forces’ Days holiday death toll to 17.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the accident which occurred around the Nkenyani area close to the Khoce River.
“The accident occurred at about 12PM at the 24km peg along the Bulawayo-Nkayi road. The Toyota Hiace hit a grid and the driver lost control of the vehicle, resulting in it overturning several times.
“Five people died on the spot while the driver died on admission to Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo. The vehicle had 26 passengers, including 11 children,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He said the accident brings the number of people killed over the holidays to 17 while the number of those injured stands at 101 from 75 accidents that occurred in different parts of the country.
“As of today, a total of 17 people have died compared to nine people during the same period last year. We have recorded a total number of 75 road traffic accidents as compared to 56 recorded at the same time last year. We’ve also recorded a total of 101 injured people compared to 47 during the same period last year,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He urged motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads and adhere to traffic rules and regulations.
Asst Comm Nyathi said major causes of accidents recorded were speeding, lack of attention and misjudgment. “I want to urge motorists to be observant, cautious and travel at a safe speed. They should also avoid overloading and overtaking in dangerous situations. Drivers should safeguard their lives and those of their passengers.
“Let’s all drive to arrive alive and contribute towards safety on the roads. Drivers should not be reckless and where possible avoid travelling at night,” he added.State media
MDC vice-chairperson, advocate Job Sikhala, together with four other men is alleged to have assaulted a Chitungwiza motorist whose car had rammed into his durawall at his home in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza.
It is alleged that Sikhala instigated the assault of Lawrence Dhana whose Lexus S200 had banged onto Sikhala’s durawall.
The Zengeza West legislator reportedly joined the assault which left Dhana seeking medical attention.
Dhana has since reported the assault at St Mary’s Police Station whilst Sikhala has also reported Dhana for destroying his durawall.
The incident was confirmed by police national spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who said:
“We are investigating a case in which a man called Lawrence Dhana was allegedly assaulted severely after he rammed and destroyed Job Sikhala’s durawall (sic) with his vehicle.
We are also investigating another scenario where Job Sikhala lodged a complaint against Dhana for destroying his durawall.”
Sikhala has a pending issue at the courts in which he is being accused of intending to subvert a constitutional government.
The charges were raised against him after he remarked that the MDC would overthrow president Mnangagwa before 2023.State media
NATIONAL power utility, Zesa, has downgraded load shedding from stage two to stage one after it started receiving 400 MW supply from Eskom of South Africa last Thursday, an official has said.
Zesa will now cut off power during the morning and evening peak hours. The peak hours are 5AM to 10AM and 5PM to 10PM and are largely predictable and easy to plan for. The development comes after Government made arrangements with the South African firm to offset its US$23 million debt by paying US$890 000 weekly.
In an interview, Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira said the new development will not do away with load shedding completely, but will downgrade to level one.
“The electricity supply situation has improved significantly, following interventions by both Government and the line Ministry to access power from the region.
“I can confirm that we started receiving power from Eskom on Thursday after payment modalities were worked out by both utilities.
This power supply situation gives predictability to load shedding and largely puts all customers in Stage 1 load shedding. So there is significant relief, but does not eliminate load shedding,” said Mr Gwasira.
He said the peak times will be from 5 AM to 10AM and 5PM to 10PM and that consumers would be guided accordingly.-State media
A 42-YEAR-OLD man from Sauerstown suburb in Bulawayo has appeared in court for allegedly severely beating up his 11-year-old step daughter causing serious chest injuries.
Thembinkosi Sibanda allegedly assaulted the minor with a baton until she also suffered a swollen scalp.
Sibanda pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Mr Franklin Mkhwananzi. The magistrate remanded him in custody to August 22 for trial.
Prosecuting, Mr Mufaro Mageza said on June 19 this year at around 7PM, Sibanda arrived home drunk and found his step daughter preparing supper in the company of her stepbrother whose age was not given. “The accused person allegedly took a baton from his bedroom and hit the girl on the head several times.
He then commanded his son to also beat the minor using that same baton but he refused.
The man then took the baton from him in an attempt to beat the girl again but he failed to do so as she managed to block him using her hands and took the baton away,” Mr Mageza said.
He said Sibanda then took out a cellphone from his pocket and hit the girl on the head causing her to bleed excessively.
The prosecutor said Sibanda stopped assaulting the minor when his mother, Mrs Mauren Sibanda, got home and instructed him to stop assaulting the girl.
Mr Mageza said the minor left the kitchen and went to the bathroom. Mrs Sibanda then asked the accused person to call an ambulance while she helped the minor to wash her head. Mrs Sibanda reported the matter to the police leading to her son’s arrest.State media
Farai Dziva|The August 16 demonstration is act of love-meant to resscue the people of Zimbabwe from the wrath of a ruthless regime, MDC Secretary for Healing, Peace and Reconciliation, Blessing Chebundo has said.
Below is Chebundo’s statement on the coming demonstration scheduled for Friday August 16.
The MDC acknowledges the statement by the country’s constructional Institution for peace, NPRC (mandated in terms of section 252 of the country’s constitution) urging for the observance, and maintenance of peace during the People’s constitutional notified demonstration set for the 16th of August 2019…to press for resolutions to the hosts of current challenges facing the people of Zimbabwe.
NPRC observed that the MDC organised demonstration is constitutionally as enshrined under Section 59 of the constitution, and that the demonstration should be respected, and not violated.
NPRC also urged MDC to ensure that the demonstrations against the hardships experienced by the people of Zimbabwe are peaceful held. That those demonstrating should be restrained, and desist from any acts contrary to peace.
On its part, the MDC would like to assure the country’s Peace Institution, the NPRC, and the entirety of the world community that the MDC has, and will remain a peace loving institution; God fearing institution, led by God fearing leadership, with clean, bloodless hands. The calling of peaceful demonstration is an act of love of the people against man-made induced economic hardships that are decimating the Zimbabwe people’s emancipation instalmentally.
The calls by NPRC to those who are making violence fermenting statements against the peaceful called demonstrations are welcome. However, in its statement, NPRC mentioned only the leadership of ZANU PF youths, but we urge the Peace institution, as mandated by the constitution, to confront without fear and favour, all those fermenting for violence.
It is on record that the deputy minister of Defence, Victor Matemadanda, and Energy Mutodi, have been uttering intimidation and calling for use of army etc against the peaceful demonstrators.
Similar statements by minister of Home affairs Mr Cain Matema have the same effects. In addition, there are clandestine activities attributed to state agencies and others who are anti-people demonstrations, diabolically manufacturing tactics to try and portray MDC as violent party, such as printing of MDC regalia for use by ZANU PF youths impersonating MDC youths and cause violence during the demonstration. State agencies as usually, using other intimidating tactics, as well as fabricating stories and accusatory messages to incite violence thereby justifying claims that the MDC demonstrators were violent.
While we appreciate, and applause the NPRC statement, we also urge them to specifically call upon those violating the constitution by daring to cause violence during the peaceful demonstrators, such as the Matemadandas.
Further, we urge NPRC to device and employ many other measures such as technological monitoring of the peaceful demonstrations processes to ascertain, and detect violators of peace for deterrent, exposure, prosecution evidence, and future prevention of recurrences.
Indeed the people of Zimbabwe are tired of violence: they are tired of oppression by regimes; they are tired of economic induced hardships; they are tired of induced corruption virus; they are angry and tired of state sponsored intimidations; injustices; they are tired of endless man made failures.
Once more, we assure of MDC’s commitment to Peace; and our efforts to transform the lives of the peoples of Zimbabwe through good governance; non-corrupt; people centred; democratically inclusive non violent means, constitutional means; with just equality and sustainable development
HON Blessing Chebundo
MDC National Secretary For Healing: Peace: & Reconciliation
Farai Dziva|The Zimbabwe Youth
Arise(ZIMYA) has urged youths to participate in the August 16 demonstration.
However the organization has stressed the need for peace before, during and after the march.
See the organization’s full statement :
The Zimbabwe Youth Arise(ZIMYA) is hereby encouraging all the youths who will participate in the demonstration to be peaceful and observe the rule of law.
We have noted that the demonstration, having been called by opposition leader, Adv. Nelson Chamisa, could trigger politically motivated violence from non-progressive elements of the society.
Thus ZIMYA is encouraging all young people to exercise restraint as they, and allow others to, likewise exercise their constitutional right.
The call comes after the increasing economic meltdown which has brought about inflation, unemployment, high costs of living among other issues which are directly affecting the Zimbabwean Youths. This has created an emotionally charged environment which may trigger violence, anarchy and crime at a time like this hindering any meaningful results from a possibly intended good cause.
It is within this context that we have found it fit to call upon all youths who intend to air their voice to the current government, as provided by section 59 of our Zimbabwean Constitution, to do so responsibly within the confinement of the law. In the same vein we also call upon the security forces and services to also observe the constitutional provisions to the letter and spirit as they facilitate a conducive environment for citizens to freely express themselves lawfully.
We would want to reiterate our commitment to Youth involvement in national discourse, constitutionalism, rule of law and democracy. Our emphasis is that we are non-partisan and we seek to promote nation building at every opportunity.
In doing our work we also meet those who want to be felt. This CIO guy just had to get into the way. Push me around and demand that I bring a big camera like ZBC pic.twitter.com/tKGu9a4nmH
Sungura musician Taruvinga “Sugar Sugar”” Manjokota has spoken out following his absence from the music radar.
The Samaita Express boss, now deemed a spent force, insists he is at his best form but making waves away from home.
Sugar Sugar rose to fame with the hit Mairos, which won the hearts of many. His other albums include Zvirimukati, Zvamungarwira and Mari Inoparira.
He has since established himself in South Africa after staying in Mozambique for a moment.
The Mairosi hit maker left Zimbabwe sometime last year and had been criticised for reportedly abandoning his family.
He is set to release his latest seven-track track album Kutsemurirana with songs such as Apirikede, Ndezvevarimuno, Vehuwori (Piracy), Munondichengeta, Zvinowanikwa, Mairosi Pfacha pfacha.
In exclusive interview from his new base, Sugar Sugar said he is doing well contrary to what people have been saying.
“Right now I busy communicating with Paradzai Mesi on how we can organise some shows in Zimbabwe and here is South Africa.H-Metro
Farai Dziva|Deputy Defence Minister, Victor Matemadanda has claimed security sector reforms are not necessary in Zimbabwe.
The security sector is alright as it is, according to Matemadanda.
Matemadanda made remarks at the Heroes Day commemorations yesterday.
“Why do we reform a thing that is OK? Why do we reform a security force that is able to fulfil its mandate? Why should people want that security sector to bereformed?
Remember, this security sector is composed (of) people who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of this country and no one has a moral obligation to say people who liberated this country should not protect it,”claimed
Matemadanda.
He also vowed to block the MDC demo scheduled for August 16.
Matemadanda last week declared that he would unleash soldiers on hapless citizens -to quell dissenting voices.
Farai Dziva|The MDC has said the Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill is a replica of the draconian POSA.
See MDC Secretary For Legal Affairs Innocent Gonese’s statement:
The passage of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill in the early hours of the morning on the 9th of August 2019 is reminiscent of the same cavalier manner and approach used to rail road the Act it’s supposed to replace, namely the dreaded Public Order and Security Act which has been used to suppress the rights of Zimbabweans since the turn of the century.
We have a sense of deja vu as history is repeating itself as we went through a similar charade when POSA replaced LOMA or the Law and Order Maintainance Act to give it its full title. Apart from its resemblance to POSA, MOPA, like its predecessor borrows heavily from the apartheid laws and in some instances the clauses are a replica of the Regulation of Public Gatherings Act 205 of 1993 which was passed before that country’s independence. We are therefore being taken back to the dark era of repression.
We in the MDC cherish the upholding of the fundamental rights enshrined in our Constitution and in particular Sections 58 and 59 which relate to freedoms of association, assembly, demonstration and petition. In this regard, we believe that there should be very little interference in the enjoyment of these rights and any limitation under Section 86 of the Constitution must be reasonable and justifiable in a democratic society based on openness, justice and other factors which are clearly spelt out in the limitation clause.
As the MDC it is our considered view that the Bill which has been transmitted to the Senate falls short in this regard. We condemn in the strongest terms the attempt to hoodwink Zimbabweans and the internaiona community that there is a reform agenda being implemented in Zimbabwe. We say so fully aware that the passage of this Bill is meant to play to the gallery and pretend that the regime is repealing repressive laws when what is being done is simply changing the name and throwing in the word peace to make it more palatable.
The mischief of POSA lies in the abuse of the powers bestowed on the Regulating Authority which have largely been left intact and the criminalization of the failure to give notice. It gives us no comfort to note that the Police have not been transformed into a Service and they still behave as a Force. Giving powers to such a comprised entity to curtail rights and deny enjoyment of the same without a court order and placing the burden on citizens instead of the other way round is one of the weaknesses which our Legislators tried in vain to correct. Another blight is the imposition of some civil liability without the benefit of a full civil trial.
In spite of the Amendments largely brought about by the Adverse Report of the Parliamentary Legal Committee, most of the clauses in the Bill remain a replica of POSA and sight should not be lost of the fact that at time of enactment of POSA, we did not have the progressive Bill of Rights that is now in the current Constitution.
There is therefore nothing to celebrate and there is every reason to bemoan the resurrection of POSA, albeit under a benign name meant to cover the eyes of the people of Zimbabwe and hence our position that a mere change of name does not alter the DNA of an animal.
Under an MDC government, all the ugly elements of obnoxious laws such as POSA and AIPPA will be totally removed and not the cosmetic changes that we have witnessed and Zimbabweans will be able to fully enjoy their rights as enshrined in our democratic and progressive constitution.
We call for the institution and implementation of comprehensive reform agenda that must be a precursor to the holding of a free, fair and credible election so that Zimbabwe breaks free from the cycle of disputed elections. These disputed elections have bred illegitimate outcomes.
The economic challenges epitomized by power and fuel shortages are just but symptoms of a deep-seated political crisis stemming from a stolen election. Only a comprehensive reform agenda and a truly free and fair election remain the way forward for Zimbabwe.
MDC: Change that delivers.
Innocent Gonese
MDC Secretary for Justice and Legal Affairs
Farai Dziva|Zimbabwe faces the worst shortage of food in living memory, it has emerged.
Zimbabwe’s World Food Programme Director, Eddie Rowe, has said Zimbabwe is facing the most serious food shortage ever.
“The food security situation in the country has been compounded by the economic situation. This year we have more hungry Zimbabweans than ever before,”said Rowe in an interview with CNN.
According to the July 2019 Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment report, about 5.5 million Zimbabweans in rural areas are in urgent need for food assistance. The number includes some 2.6 million children. This is an increase from the 4.5 million people in need reported in January 2019.
Zimbabwe reportedly spent $3 billion on a programme called
Command Agriculture between 2016 and 2018.
The programme was meant to increase agriculture production and output in the country. Zimbabwe, however, experienced a drought in the 2018 – 2019 farming season as well as a cyclone.
By A Correspondent| Zimbabwe is losing US$4 million annually through medical bills to cater for people referred outside the country for treatment, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has said.
Speaking during a Mid-term budget review breakfast meeting in Bulawayo last week, the Minister said because of the multicurrency system the country has been using since February 2009, local doctors were acting as agents for foreign health facilities.
He said $4 billion has been lost in the last decade. “But do you know what has been happening, the cost of this US dollar drug is greening like mbanje so the doctors (local) were spending a lot of time acting as agents for hospital facilities in places like India and they earned a fee for that,” said Prof Ncube.
“So, rather than treating here, they say go to India and of course you will get good treatment but they (local doctors) earned a fee for that. The whole referral industry was earning US dollars through referring patients to places like India and others.
So using the US dollar also distorted the incentive system within the health sector and that’s what happened.”
The Government in June this year banned the multicurrency regime through Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019 and brought back the Zimbabwe dollar as the sole legal tender.
This was after it was realised that there were financial market distortions that cropped up as a result of the abuse of the US dollar.
“We were losing $400 million a year through these referrals. So the sector sends a patient for treatment to India on referral but that doctor in India if he were to come to Zimbabwe wanting to treat a patient here, he is not allowed by the same medical council.
“So we have regulatory bottlenecks in the sector but we have got this perverse incentive through the hard earned US dollar and that forces a patient to be sent out for treatment,” he said.
Against this background, Prof Ncube said, it was imperative for the country to set up medical tourism and attract Zimbabweans studying medicine abroad to come and practice back home upon completion of their studies.
“I believe we can launch a successful medical tourism industry in this country in the next few years provided we can make it easy for the children training out there to come and practice here in Zimbabwe. As Government we are going to deal with that,” he said.
Prof Ncube said Government was committed to investing in the health sector infrastructure across the country to improve the quality of service delivery.-StsteMedia
By A Correspondent| In a development which has left his family shocked, a car rammed into opposition MDC Vice Chairman and Member of Parliament for Zengeza West Job Sikhala’s house Monday evening.
The incident, which happened around 1750 hours damaged the eastern side of the house.
The vehicle a Lexus IS 200, whose registration number is ACT 4561 was in high speed when it rammed into the durawall of the legislator’s home.
Confirmed Sikhala, :
“Yes, the matter was reported at St Mary’s police station.
There were no casualties from the incident.”
Witnesses at the scene of the accident established the name of the driver who was behind the wheel when the incident occured as Lawrence Tapiwa Dhana.
However, soon after the incident, one Nyasha Nyamakura immediately arrived claiming ownership of the vehicle.
The matter was attended to by police from St. Marys.
We must never forget that there was a real attempt on the President's life. Should we comprise his security for optics, Chief? In any case security formations are best left to those who specialise in them. I will sit out this one? pic.twitter.com/9ILUY11Fes
There is nothing unfair about that at all. They are both Heads of State of their countries. In ED's case he has been both poisoned and bombed so there are enemies out to get him. As for Trump, it's all just cautionary
I am sure the President's Team will one day outsource to your expertise. Whilst they are at it they may need to get you clients from the rest of other leaders elsewhere pic.twitter.com/CVvF7PBBv9
The poisoning narrative isn't as straightforward chief. Counter narratives also suggest E.D failed to take some prescription medicines, triggering adverse reaction, & that Bob was mad at E.D for insinuating poisoning when he knew real cause. Can you comment on this?
She was popular for her free spirit and dancing skills at a time when she was pregnant.
Social media users this afternoon however received the sad news that Martha Mutyanda was no more.
While circumstances that led to her death were still sketchy, those who knew her said she was not well and had a liver problem.
Condolences however poured in with netizens describing the late Martha as dance lady, entertainer, joyful, happy and free spirited soul among other names.
Below are some of the condolence messages from her online friends and acquaintances on social media:
By A Correspondent- The government of Zimbabwe has exempted forex duty on essential raw material imports for some food and beverage companies.
The Statutory Instrument (170 of 2019) was gazetted on Friday, 9 August 2019.
Said part of the Statutory Instrument:
with effect from date of Gazetting the persons designated in the Second Schedule to this notice shall be allowed to import the goods with the listed commodity codes being imported entirely for use in their production process in quantities not exceeding the quantities specified against each person listed in the Second Schedule, and pay for the duty in any currency acceptable in Zimbabwe as legal tender.
The list of companies listed in the said Second Schedule:
By A Correspondent- A man from Plumtree has been arrested after he allegedly stabbed his friend to death in a dispute over a snooker game.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident which occurred at Manana Bottle Store in Dingumuzi Suburb.
He said the accused Kandai Batsirai (27) had an argument with Kenos Sibanda (35) over whose turn it was to play snooker last Monday at around 5PM.
“I can confirm that we recorded a murder case which occurred in Dingumuzi Suburb in Plumtree on Monday. Kandai Batsirai and Kenosi Sibanda were playing snooker at Manana Bottle Store together with other patrons. A misunderstanding arose between Batsirai and Sibanda over whose turn it was to play next,” he said.
“Batsirai placed his token and while he was collecting the balls in order to play Sibanda took the white ball and refused to give it back which didn’t go down well with Batsirai.
The two exchanged harsh words and Sibanda punched Batsirai twice on the chest. Batsirai collected an okapi knife from his car which was parked close to the bottle store and went back to confront Sibanda.”
Chief Insp Ndebele said Sibanda picked up a brick and tried to hit Batsirai who in turn stabbed him once with the okapi knife on the chest.
He said Sibanda was rushed to Plumtree District Hospital where he died upon admission.
Chief Insp Ndebele said Batsirai was arrested while Sibanda’s body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals awaiting post mortem.
He appealed to members of the public to desist from resorting to violence to resolve disputes.
“As police we would like to urge members of the public to desist from resorting to violence when faced with disputes. –StateMedia
By A Correspondent- The Bulawayo City Council will this week start the 2020 budget consultation programme.
Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, in a statement yesterday said budget consultation meetings would cover the city’s 29 wards between Friday this week and August 20.
“Clr Joyce Ndlovu will be facilitating the meeting at Richmond Hall, Trenance Hall, Hugh Beadle Primary School, Baines Junior School, Newmansford Primary School and Montgomery Hall in Ward 2,” read the statement.
“Clr Tinashe Kambarami of Ward 3 will be at Thomas Rudland Primary School, Mahatshula Primary School, and Zimbabwe School of Mines and Woodville Primary School.
Ward 4 Clr Silas Chigora will be facilitating at Church of Christ and Sandra Jones. Clr Felix Mhaka at Municipality Sports club, Clr Tawanda Ruzive at Bellevue Recreation, Clr Shadreck Sibanda at Stanley Hall, Clr Ronniah Mudara at McDonald Hall, Clr Donaldson Mabuto at Mpopoma Hall, Clr Sinikiwe Mutanda at Entumbane Hall,
Clr Pilate Moyo at Emakhandeni Hall, Clr Lilian Mlilo at Njube Hall, Clr Frank Javangwe at Iminyela Hall, Clr MacDonald Venas Chunga at Lobengula Hall, Clr Febbie Msipa at Beit-Hall, Clr Mildred Ncube at Inzwananzi Primary School, Clr Sikhulekile Moyo at Mazwi tent.”
Stakeholders who are expected to attend the meetings include transport operators, youths, business communities, civil society organisations, residents’ associations and informal traders.
The local authority’s senior public relations officer, Mrs Nesisa Mpofu, said it was important for residents to take the budget consultation seriously as it gives council an opportunity to participate in decision making processes for the city.
“ It’s important for residents to be part of the consultation process as they are able to input into the 2020 budget and also participate in decision making for the city. The budget has an impact on service delivery of the city and their contributions help map the way forward. We encourage residents to fully participate as they are key in inputting priorities for next year’s budget and also contributing on areas of service delivery they wish to see being prioritised next year,” she said.
Meanwhile, BCC will uphold suspension of the water shedding programme that was introduced in February as the local authority reported major progress in the rehabilitation of the Criterion Water Works.
The suspension comes after the raw water holding reservoir at Criterion, which is Bulawayo’s buffer, continued to gain in volume.
In a statement Mr Dube said council has been monitoring water consumption and service reservoir levels for the past weeks.
“The average water consumption levels has been 143mega litres a day against a target of 130mega litres per day with a maximum of 173 mega litre a day and a minimum of 129 mega litres per day over the period,” read the statement.
The Town Clerk said a household in the western suburbs is supposed to consume a maximum of 13,5 kilo litres per month, low density suburbs inclusive of cottages and workers cottages should not exceed 19,5 kilo litres per month while residential flats with individual meters should not use more than 400 litres a day.
He encouraged residents to conserve water to avoid depleting the service reservoirs. -StateMedia
By A Correspondent- Independent legislator for Norton, Temba Mliswa has alleged that Chinese nationals who are running production firms in his constituency are impregnating young girls who are below the age of consent.
In a heroes day message to members of his constituency Mliswa said:
“There are reports of young girls giving birth to children of Chinese descent which is evidence enough of underage relationships which is against the law. These matters will be dealt with accordingly.”
Mliswa asked members of the public who have information that may assist the investigations to contact him.
“Please get in touch with either myself on 0732300148 or Victor or Anesu on mobile numbers 0773363037 and 0719256763/0773256763* respectively for any relevant information that may assist investigations.”
Mliswa recently claimed that the Chinese were also bringing into the country, a drug resistant strain of sexually transmitted diseases and we re also abusing employees.
“They are also bringing in a strain of STIs which has proved difficult to treat in this country doctors have confirmed.
“They violate the Labour Act most of the time, beating up employers (Zimbabweans).They have no respect for human dignity. They do shoddy business deals, contracts violated. We no longer have our faces in our own land.” he said
By A Correspondent| President of the Passengers Association of Zimbabwe Tafadzwa Goliati has dispelled reports alleging that ZUPCO had increased the cost of transport.
Goliati said he had it on good authority that the ZUPCO price hike reports were false.
He said:
“According to the ZUPCO CEO the price hikes are false.
The old prices still remain in place. As PAZ President I have commuted in a ZUPCO bus and the price remained the same.”
By A Correspondent| After the Kgalema Monthlante commission recommended that the government needed to look into the shooting of civilians by the security forces, the defence deputy minister has said no reforms are necessary because the security sector is OK.
Matemadanda ruled our security sector reforms while speaking after the Heroes day commemorations (Monday).
Why do we reform a thing that is OK? Why do we reform a security force that is able to fulfil its mandate? Why should people want that security sector to bereformed?
Remember, this security sector is composed (of) people who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of this country and no one has a moral obligation to say people who liberated this country should not protect it
Matemadanda went on to blame the August 1 shooting on the MDC:
That is a very unfortunate situation well-orchestrated by the perpetrators of violence, who would have wanted to have such a situation so that Zimbabwe is portrayed as a country that does not respect human life … it’s unfortunate that the occurrence of August happened, but no one would have wanted it.
By Nomusa Garikai| “We invited [Emmerson Mnangagwa] so that we can pray together and thank God the Almighty who put him in the position he is currently holding,” prayed Nehemiah Mutendi, the leader of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC).
“For him to continue achieving his vision of developing this country, he needs spiritual deliverance.
“[President Mnangagwa] should be inclusive in his approach and must never lose hope in uniting Zimbabweans for the sake of peace.”
It is a great pity that Zimbabwe is ruled by corrupt, incompetent, vote rigging and murderous thugs and a double tragedy that supposedly men and women of the cloth have become these political thugs’ self-appointed political commissars.
Mnangagwa is president of Zimbabwe following a military coup in November 2017 that ousted former dictator Robert Mugabe followed by blatant rigging of last year’s elections; it is therefore blasphemous, to say the least, for anyone to then claim that “God the Almighty who put him in the position”. Since when has God played a part in coups and rigged elections!
“Only God has the power to put people in power ZCC is one of the country’s largest religious organisations,” said Mutendi.
”God saw our troubles and gave us a prophet who has called me here to listen to the word of God,” responded Mnangagwa.
“Your church works with government, we thank you for that … even when things went bad for, I had to jump the border but I’m back. Equally so, we might feel hungry & with His guidance we will find grace.”
What a circus!
The Bible has many lessons for our time. When King Saul became big headed and took it upon himself to make offering to the Lord at Gilgal, the task of the prophet; he was dually reprimanded.
“And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. Samuel 13:13
Zimbabwe is a country blessed with rich in natural resources and some of the best land and climate in the world for grow crops and produce food. Zimbabwe used to be the breadbasket of the region; not anymore.
We are now starving in the country which, for all intent and purpose, is the Garden of Eden; a damning testimonial to the sheer incompetence of the country’s leaders!
In Mnangagwa and Mutendi Zimbabwe have both a fooling president and a false prophet and, for good measure, there plenty more just like them.
It is little wonder the country has blundered from pillar to post these last 39 years and sunk deeper and deeper into this man-made hell-on-earth!
“God has put Mnangagwa in power” – that can only be a false prophesy from a false prophet!
If Zimbabwe is a Unitary State why mention it time and again? This is a big question Mnangagwa must answer.
All unitary States the world over do not mention it. Mnangagwa is doing so to try and force a situation that is not possible. Zimbabweans have failed to live peacefully with each other.
For the record and for young generations that do not know, it is the Shona who started the tribal problem. They were cheated by the West to break away from the true Nationalists way back in 1962. Efforts were made in Zambia, Tanzania, in Zimbabwe (more than one can remember).
The same Mnangagwa led ZANU members of Parliament in denouncing His Excellency Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo when he warned against tribal division in the “country”. In more than 10 occasions, the same laughed and made fun of unity initiatives by Dr Nkomo.
What is new today? Is Zimbabwe new or Mnangagwa new or his thinking new? President Mnangagwa must know very well that some of us know all he said and did during the day and night from the day he declared UMthwakwzi an enemy.
We know about all ZANU Central Committee meetings where all evil was planned about UMthwakazi. One is forced here and now to ask Mnangagwa about their development plan for UMthwakazi. When does he see a UMthwakazi President in Zimbabwe?
When does he envisage Bulawayo as the Capital of Zimbabwe? Does he ever imagine IsiNdebele, IsiKhalang, IsiTonga, IsiVenda being spoken day in and day out in Harare, news starting in IsiNdebele and the Ndebele language spoken by all Police, army and in Parliament.When all these have a yes, tomorrow, then Zimbabwe is a Unitary State.
Lastly, you need to go back to the days of the so called Constitution making process, MLF and all UMthwakazi Organisations opted out of the Zimbabwe set up but as afore concluded, you ignored our input. This was done without any honesty only to enjoy enslaving UMthwakazi.
MLF message to you and your Government and all in the binary Zimbabwe is that; Give us our UMthwakwzi and we live in peace as neighbours or Deny us our Right and Heritage then you be on your toes every single day you rule over us.
It was only Joshua Nkomo that God had given you to rule us with but you threw him out of the window in shame.
We are definitely separating from Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is TWO IN ONE!!!!
By A Correspondent| The LEAD, a political party led by Linda Masarira has distanced itself from the forthcoming August 16 Free Zimbabwe demo organised by opposition MDC.
LEAD Secretary General, Sydney Muyambi said the upcoming demonstration was not only poorly organised but it lacked clarity of purpose.
He said:
“On September 17, 2011, Occupy Wall Street took over Zuccotti Park, in the heart of the financial district in Lower Manhattan. Declaring, “We are the 99%,” they captured the attention of the nation. Within a few months, however, the park was cleared and the protesters went home, achieving little, if anything.
In 1998, a similar movement, Otpor, began in Serbia. Yet where Occupy failed, Otpor succeeded marvelously.
In just two years they overthrew the reviled Milošević government. Soon after came the Color Revolutions in Eastern Europe and the Arab Spring in the Middle East.
On August 1 2018 MDC led a defend your vote mass demonstration in Harare which it achieved anything got unfortunate loss of life and invited the army to become a factor in any future demonstrations in Zimbabwe.
On February 14 2019 a public national stay away in Zimbabwe ended up being a looting contest throughout the country.
While Occupy certainly did not lack passion or appeal—indeed its core message about inequality continues to resonate—it was unable to translate that enthusiasm into effective action. Otpor, on the other hand, created a movement of enormous impact.
The contrast is sharp and it is no accident. Successful movements do things that failed ones don’t.
This clarity of purpose led directly to action: as has become a norm in all Zimbabwean demonstration the organisers of the demonstrations lack clarity of purpose. If we are to look at the planned demo one wonders if a) the objective is still to defend the 2018 purported stolen vote. b) Whether the objective is to unseat the Mnangagwa regime. c) Whether the objective is to protest against the rising cost of living. d) Whether this is an MDC or national protest.
For the public to come in their numbers in support of this demo they have to understand its objective and have a clear persuasion that this is the only way to their agreed end. As it is the bulk of the population is sceptical as to the objective of this demo. A good number believe MDC has called this demo to stage an international show so that its international handlers can release funds as the movement is currently broke. Mugabe affectionately called this the Madhuku strategy.
A Genome of Shared Values. Any successful demonstration should first seek the by in of the would be beneficiaries of and expected participators in the demonstration. As it stands this appears to be only a Harare demonstration and the rest of the country is left out. If this demonstration is about a failed governance then the whole nation should be rallying behind it. Apparently only select group is clear as to the purpose and value of the demonstration. The rest of the country has been excluded not only in the planning but also in the articulation of the need and urgency of this demo. Zimbabwe has over 100 political parties all of which want to remove the Zanu pf government. What is surprising is that the organisers never made any effort to reach out to leaders of these political parties so as to get their buy in. If this demonstration is about a national crisis the organisers should have tried to reach out to fellow opposition parties and if possible involve them in the planning. The organisers should also have reached out to civic leaders including churches to get them to officially participate in the demo.
In fact, planning is something that the organisers should have put an incredible amount of emphasis on in terms of preparations and publications. They should have broken down the campaign into small and concrete tasks” and “backward planning forces you to break down a campaign into small, realistic tasks.” Further working towards achievable tasks motivates people to complete them instead of just coming to be part of an aimless madding crowd with the capacity to degenerate into an upheaval.
Connecting To The Mainstream: For any change to become truly revolutionary, it eventually has to be adopted by the mainstream. There is need to make the purpose clear, establish values and create a plan for success. Most of all, there is need to understand that the change being sought will not happen inside the movement, but outside of it. The main goal is to show the general public that the regime could be changed and if changed what are the steps to be taken to get the country on track. Take a look at the Sudan revolution. The organisers failed to anticipate the role of the army and now what seemed to have been a successful revolution has been stolen from them by the military. The planners of the Arab spring revolution failed to anticipate the role of the international community and other local interested groups. Libya is a failed state today because of failure to connect with the mainstream.
As a party LEAD believes that the realization and protection of the freedom of the masses in Zimbabwe is an objective even larger than the attainment of Electoral Justice.
It connotes a country in which societies are at peace both within themselves and with their neighbours: a country that conforms to the self-determination of peoples and in which individuals accept elements of control over the peaceful exercise of power.
It speaks to the rule of law, and to conformity with universal human rights norms embodied in the UN human rights instruments to which countries have committed themselves.
In any State the authority of the government can only derive from the will of the people as expressed in genuine, free and fair elections held at regular intervals on the basis of universal, equal and secret suffrage.
We uphold the following core values in our conduct of politics as we seek the people’s mandate to rule this country:
INTEGRITY: Integrity is a vital element that contributes to the legitimacy of, and must be a key element in, every aspect of the process of seeking the mandate to govern.
Honesty and accountability on the part of all involved in any aspect of the political process is an essential quality and an imperative requirement to uphold by political parties.
PARTICIPATION: The voice of the people must be heard, respected, and represented in the context of a free, fair and genuine political contestation. Citizens are the core of representative democracy as it is they who choose by secret ballot those who represent and govern them.
Elections provide a way for all to decide on the decision makers in a way that ensures that all voters have a fair and equal opportunity to participate in the election process. Full participation and diversity are manifested when arrangements facilitate the involvement of all, including first-time voters, women and disadvantaged groups.
Once the electoral process is over political parties should respect the will of the people as expressed by the results of the election and wait for another chance to present their governance bid in the next election cycle.
LAWFULNESS (RULE OF LAW): The lawfulness of any political player and the likely consequences of violations must be firmly established and widely understood in order to secure the legitimacy of the outcome of elections.
A political party uphold the rule of law when it conducts itself in accordance with the rules clearly established within the valid legal framework of the country.
IMPARTIALITY AND FAIRNESS: The principle of impartiality and fairness guarantees the equal treatment of citizens and political contestants. It also guarantees the equal application of the rules of the game.
Impartiality and fairness on the part of political party management bodies and all administrative and security authorities must be extended to citizens, candidates, political parties, the media, civil society and other stakeholders, and in so doing contribute to the concept of providing a ‘level playing field’ for all contestants. Whether before or after the poll, dispute resolutions must be fair, accessible, efficient, timely and in line with constitutional provisions.
PROFESSIONALISM: Managing the political parties requires technical knowledge of constitutional issues. Beyond the professionalism, it is also important that the Election Dispute Resolution Body (EDRB) should be professionally competent.
Professionalism in the management and oversight of all stages of the electoral process must be demonstrated in the planning, operation and the conclusion of elections by political parties including the pre-electoral, electoral and post-electoral periods.
Key indicators of professionalism include experience, expertise, objectivity, efficiency, accuracy, commitment, effectiveness, tolerance, and closure on issues.
INDEPENDENCE: The independence of all those authorities that are legitimately engaged in the electoral process and the resolution of electoral grievances and disputes must be respected and guaranteed by law and their constitutional decisions must be respected and adhered to by those in contest. There must be no interference by any outside interest.
TRANSPARENCY: Transparency is a core element that involves openness at all stages of election organization, which must include access to relevant information on a timely basis, a readiness to provide justification for decisions and a frank admission and swift correction of any mistakes or oversights so as to inspire confidence and credibility in the system in the minds of all stakeholders.
TIMELINESS: Timeliness must be demonstrated in a manner consistent with the other principles before, during and after the poll and at all stages in electoral management, including resolution of disputes as this is an integral element in Electoral Justice. The element of time in the administration of justice cannot be ignored, because justice is a time-bound concept.
Once the dispute resolution time has lapsed political parties should subject themselves to the rule of law as failure of which they may fuel national political upheaval and a spirit of political intolerance.
NON-VIOLENCE (FREEDOM FROM THREATS & VIOLENCE: All stages of the electoral process must be conducted without violence, intimidation, coercion, corruption, or other conduct that can interfere with the free conduct of the political contestation in accordance with the values of the constitution.
Sydney Muyambi
LEAD Secretary General
Together we can
By A Correspondent| The MDC Secretary for Organising, Amos Chibaya has appealed to all Zimbabweans from all walks of life to turn out in their large numbers at the people’s Free Zimbabwe March.
The march will be held at Harare on the morning of Friday 16th August 2019.
Said Chibaya in a statement issued by the MDC Communications Department:
“Zimbabweans should feel free to participate in the march since all due process had been undertaken in terms of both the Constitution and other relevant laws of Zimbabwe.
Massive efforts had also been undertaken to make sure that the march would be a peaceful one.”
I have just gathered that some fly-by-night 'opposition' politician, recently catapulted to a leadership position within MDC-G40, has blasted Obert Gutu…Lol. I will NOT descend to her level. I have been in the opposition political trenches for years. I ain't a backdoor entrant.
Norton member of Parliament Temba Mliswa has alleged that Chinese nationals who are running production firms in his constituency are impregnating young girls who are below the age of consent.
In a heroes day message to member of his constituency Mliswa said, “There are reports of young girls giving birth to children of Chinese descent which is evidence enough of underage relationships which is against the law. These matters will be dealt with accordingly.”
Mliswa asked members of the public who have information that may assist the investigations to contact him.
“Please get in touch with either myself on 0732300148 or Victor or Anesu on mobile numbers 0773363037 and 0719256763/0773256763* respectively for any relevant information that may assist investigations.”
Mliswa recently claimed that the Chinese were also bringing into the country, a drug resistant strain of sexually transmitted diseases and we re also abusing employees.
“They are also bringing in a strain of STIs which has proved difficult to treat in this country doctors have confirmed.
“They violate the Labour Act most of the time, beating up employers (Zimbabweans).They have no respect for human dignity. They do shoddy business deals, contracts violated. We no longer have our faces in our own land.” he said.
By Dorrothy Moyo| In another clear threat against disgruntled citizens who want to demonstrate on Friday 16th August, the ZANU PF 55 year old youth leader, Pupurai Togarepi on Tuesday afternoon published a self serving Donald Trump file video saying anyone deemed a “threat” to the police will be killed. As we engage our community of readers on this matter, the video is below:
Four junior officers at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison have been arraigned before the courts for assaulting and breaking an inmate’s leg for picking a $1 coin in the office he was cleaning.
Taona Nyoni (32), Godweu Njeku (47), Norman Chari (38) and Marshal Nyandowe (30) were expected to appear in court last week charged with assaulting Masiiwa Vhitorini, who is Harare magistrate Nyasha Vhitorini’s younger brother.
Allegations are that on March 13, Masiiwa, who is an inmate at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, was cleaning the complex’s administration offices under the supervision of Njeku. In the course of his duties, Masiiwa allegedly picked up a coin and shoved it into his pocket.
Njeku allegedly discovered the offence and ordered him to surrender the money. Masiiwa gave the money to Njeku, who then allegedly assaulted him with open hands, demanding more money.
The State further avers that Nyoni, Chari and Nyandowe then joined in and repeatedly kicked Masiiwa. It is alleged that Nyoni used his service rifle to hit the complainant’s left leg several times until it fractured.
The accused persons reportedly then forced Masiiwa to lie that he injured himself while walking. The accused persons even escorted the complainant to the prison hospital to make sure he did not disclose the assault.
The matter came to light on March 14 when the complainant’s brother visited and inquired why his leg was in a plaster cast. The complainant revealed the assault. Magistrate Vhitorini then made a police report, leading to the quartet’s arrest.
On September 17, 2011, Occupy Wall Street took over Zuccotti Park, in the heart of the financial district in Lower Manhattan.
Declaring, “We are the 99%,” they captured the attention of the nation. Within a few months, however, the park was cleared and the protesters went home, achieving little, if anything.
In 1998, a similar movement, Otpor, began in Serbia. Yet where Occupy failed, Otpor succeeded marvelously.
In just two years they overthrew the reviled Milošević government. Soon after came the Color Revolutions in Eastern Europe and the Arab Spring in the Middle East.
On August 1 2018 MDC led a defend your vote mass demonstration in Harare which it achieved anything got unfortunate loss of life and invited the army to become a factor in any future demonstrations in Zimbabwe.
On February 14 2019 a public national stay away in Zimbabwe ended up being a looting contest throughout the country.
While Occupy certainly did not lack passion or appeal—indeed its core message about inequality continues to resonate—it was unable to translate that enthusiasm into effective action. Otpor, on the other hand, created a movement of enormous impact.
The contrast is sharp and it is no accident. Successful movements do things that failed ones don’t.
This clarity of purpose led directly to action: as has become a norm in all Zimbabwean demonstration the organisers of the demonstrations lack clarity of purpose. If we are to look at the planned demo one wonders if a) the objective is still to defend the 2018 purported stolen vote. b) Whether the objective is to unseat the Mnangagwa regime. c) Whether the objective is to protest against the rising cost of living. d) Whether this is an MDC or national protest. For the public to come in their numbers in support of this demo they have to understand its objective and have a clear persuasion that this is the only way to their agreed end. As it is the bulk of the population is sceptical as to the objective of this demo. A good number believe MDC has called this demo to stage an international show so that its international handlers can release funds as the movement is currently broke. Mugabe affectionately called this the Madhuku strategy.
A Genome of Shared Values. Any successful demonstration should first seek the by in of the would be beneficiaries of and expected participators in the demonstration. As it stands this appears to be only a Harare demonstration and the rest of the country is left out. If this demonstration is about a failed governance then the whole nation should be rallying behind it. Apparently only select group is clear as to the purpose and value of the demonstration. The rest of the country has been excluded not only in the planning but also in the articulation of the need and urgency of this demo. Zimbabwe has over 100 political parties all of which want to remove the Zanu pf government. What is surprising is that the organisers never made any effort to reach out to leaders of these political parties so as to get their buy in. If this demonstration is about a national crisis the organisers should have tried to reach out to fellow opposition parties and if possible involve them in the planning. The organisers should also have reached out to civic leaders including churches to get them to officially participate in the demo.
In fact, planning is something that the organisers should have put an incredible amount of emphasis on in terms of preparations and publications. They should have broken down the campaign into small and concrete tasks” and “backward planning forces you to break down a campaign into small, realistic tasks.” Further working towards achievable tasks motivates people to complete them instead of just coming to be part of an aimless madding crowd with the capacity to degenerate into an upheaval.
Connecting To The Mainstream: For any change to become truly revolutionary, it eventually has to be adopted by the mainstream. There is need to make the purpose clear, establish values and create a plan for success. Most of all, there is need to understand that the change being sought will not happen inside the movement, but outside of it. The main goal is to show the general public that the regime could be changed and if changed what are the steps to be taken to get the country on track. Take a look at the Sudan revolution. The organisers failed to anticipate the role of the army and now what seemed to have been a successful revolution has been stolen from them by the military. The planners of the Arab spring revolution failed to anticipate the role of the international community and other local interested groups. Libya is a failed state today because of failure to connect with the mainstream.
As a party LEAD believes that the realization and protection of the freedom of the masses in Zimbabwe is an objective even larger than the attainment of Electoral Justice.
It connotes a country in which societies are at peace both within themselves and with their neighbours: a country that conforms to the self-determination of peoples and in which individuals accept elements of control over the peaceful exercise of power.
It speaks to the rule of law, and to conformity with universal human rights norms embodied in the UN human rights instruments to which countries have committed themselves.
In any State the authority of the government can only derive from the will of the people as expressed in genuine, free and fair elections held at regular intervals on the basis of universal, equal and secret suffrage.
We uphold the following core values in our conduct of politics as we seek the people’s mandate to rule this country:
INTEGRITY: Integrity is a vital element that contributes to the legitimacy of, and must be a key element in, every aspect of the process of seeking the mandate to govern.
Honesty and accountability on the part of all involved in any aspect of the political process is an essential quality and an imperative requirement to uphold by political parties.
PARTICIPATION: The voice of the people must be heard, respected, and represented in the context of a free, fair and genuine political contestation.
Citizens are the core of representative democracy as it is they who choose by secret ballot those who represent and govern them. Elections provide a way for all to decide on the decision makers in a way that ensures that all voters have a fair and equal opportunity to participate in the election process.
Full participation and diversity are manifested when arrangements facilitate the involvement of all, including first-time voters, women and disadvantaged groups.
Once the electoral process is over political parties should respect the will of the people as expressed by the results of the election and wait for another chance to present their governance bid in the next election cycle.
LAWFULNESS (RULE OF LAW): The lawfulness of any political player and the likely consequences of violations must be firmly established and widely understood in order to secure the legitimacy of the outcome of elections.
A political party uphold the rule of law when it conducts itself in accordance with the rules clearly established within the valid legal framework of the country.
IMPARTIALITY AND FAIRNESS: The principle of impartiality and fairness guarantees the equal treatment of citizens and political contestants. It also guarantees the equal application of the rules of the game.
Impartiality and fairness on the part of political party management bodies and all administrative and security authorities must be extended to citizens, candidates, political parties, the media, civil society and other stakeholders, and in so doing contribute to the concept of providing a ‘level playing field’ for all contestants.
Whether before or after the poll, dispute resolutions must be fair, accessible, efficient, timely and in line with constitutional provisions.
PROFESSIONALISM: Managing the political parties requires technical knowledge of constitutional issues. Beyond the professionalism, it is also important that the Election Dispute Resolution Body (EDRB) should be professionally competent.
Professionalism in the management and oversight of all stages of the electoral process must be demonstrated in the planning, operation and the conclusion of elections by political parties including the pre-electoral, electoral and post-electoral periods.
Key indicators of professionalism include experience, expertise, objectivity, efficiency, accuracy, commitment, effectiveness, tolerance, and closure on issues.
INDEPENDENCE: The independence of all those authorities that are legitimately engaged in the electoral process and the resolution of electoral grievances and disputes must be respected and guaranteed by law and their constitutional decisions must be respected and adhered to by those in contest. There must be no interference by any outside interest.
TRANSPARENCY: Transparency is a core element that involves openness at all stages of election organization, which must include access to relevant information on a timely basis, a readiness to provide justification for decisions and a frank admission and swift correction of any mistakes or oversights so as to inspire confidence and credibility in the system in the minds of all stakeholders.
TIMELINESS: Timeliness must be demonstrated in a manner consistent with the other principles before, during and after the poll and at all stages in electoral management, including resolution of disputes as this is an integral element in Electoral Justice. The element of time in the administration of justice cannot be ignored, because justice is a time-bound concept.
Once the dispute resolution time has lapsed political parties should subject themselves to the rule of law as failure of which they may fuel national political upheaval and a spirit of political intolerance.
NON-VIOLENCE (FREEDOM FROM THREATS & VIOLENCE: All stages of the electoral process must be conducted without violence, intimidation, coercion, corruption, or other conduct that can interfere with the free conduct of the political contestation in accordance with the values of the constitution.
Sydney Muyambi
LEAD Secretary General
Together we can
Both Mnangagwa – speaking through his spokesperson George Charamba – and Chamisa told the publication that approaches had indeed been made to Geingob and Khama to try and broker talks between the two feuding bulls.
Movement for Democratic Change leader Nelson Chamisa, who is plotting a #ShutDownZimbabwe protest, has approached former Botswana leader Ian Khama and Namibian President Hage Geingob in a bid to try and broker talks between him and President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Daily News reported.
Chamisa said that he had approached regional leaders because he was interested in peace and dialogue.
“We are open to dialogue. Apart from several letters we wrote to him (Mnangagwa), we have also approached former heads of State and sitting heads of State in an effort to dialogue, but Mnangagwa is refusing. “Zimbabwe is on fire and nothing is working at the moment. Everywhere there are problems and this points to a shortage of ideas.
“What Mnangagwa is doing is trying to colour a dead donkey and hope that it will resurrect. You cannot put lipstick on a frog and expect it to be beautiful,” Chamisa said.
“The problem in Zimbabwe at the moment is politics. You cannot tinker with fundamental issues. They (Zanu-PF) have to resolve the political questions. “No country in the world will succeed with divisions. That must be corrected. Otherwise trying to address the economy will remain a fruitless exercise,” he added.
Charamba confirmed the developments as well. “We know for a fact that Chamisa approached former Botswana president Khama and Namibian President Geingob.
“The door for dialogue remains wide open because there is a national consensus that there should be dialogue to resolve the economic challenges. “But he (Chamisa) was told to move away from political confrontation and acknowledge president Mnangagwa as the head of State.
“Former president Khama advised him to start preparing for the 2023 elections because 2018 is a closed chapter,” Charamba told the Daily News. “Coming to the issue of dialogue, he (Chamisa) can’t come with pre-conditions. Even though there is goodwill, that goodwill will be squandered when people negotiate in bad faith.
“Zimbabwe is on the verge of assuming the chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) organ on politics, defence and security, and there are spirited efforts to derail that. That does not build Zimbabwe.
“He (Chamisa) should stop the politics of confrontation,” Charamba said further. Mnangagwa and Chamisa have been at loggerheads since the country held its watershed elections last year, which were won by Zanu-PF – with the youthful MDC leader hotly disputing the results of the presidential ballot.
Mnangagwa’s victory was upheld by the Constitutional Court which ruled that Chamisa had failed to provide evidence that he had won the election.
Since then, repeated attempts to persuade Chamisa to join other political parties in dialogue with Mnangagwa have come to nought, as he set tough demands which included having “an independent mediator” presiding over the much-talked-about talks.
REPORTS that former President Robert Mugabe has told close associates that he does not want to be buried at the National Heroes Acre in Harare when he dies seem to have rattled both government and the ruling party with senior figures unsure of how to respond to the issue.
Mugabe was pushed out of power in November 2017, by a combination of the military and nationwide demonstrations and has never forgiven his erstwhile comrades in Zanu PF and government for the betrayal chief among them his successor Emmerson Mnangagwa who he had sacked as Vice President two weeks earlier.
The man who announced the military takeover, now Foreign Affairs Minister and Retired Lieutenant General Sibusiso Moyo said Mugabe was within his rights to choose where he wanted to be laid to rest.
“It’s his right. I can’t comment,” Moyo said when asked on the sidelines of the 39th Heroes Day celebrations on Monday.
War veterans secretary general and Deputy Defence Minister Victor Matemadanda said Mugabe would be in a better position to answer questions on his decision.
“You can go and ask him why he does not want to buried here,” Matemadanda told reporters.
Matemadanda also serves as Zanu PF national political commissar and was at the forefront of attacking Mugabe in his last days in power.
The Zanu PF Youth League deputy secretary Lewis Matutu said the ruling party will not lose sleep over Mugabe’s decision indicating the former President had denied numerous other people who deserved the status.
“That has got nothing to do with us and Mugabe is just an individual. Perhaps in my view it is because he understands that he barred a lot of deserving heroes to be buried at this shrine.
“Talk of comrade Chinx (Dickson Chingaira) who amongst many other war veterans deserved to be laid to rest here are lying elsewhere. I hope that the leadership will consider and perhaps rebury that fellow comrade who was working dearly for his country,” said Matutu.
“So, its not an issue that the former President say he does not want to be buried here neither is there anyone who is willing to see him buried here against his will.”
Mugabe 95, is currently battling for his life in a Singaporean hospital where he has been admitted since April.
HARARE – The beleaguered government of President Mnangagwa has warned foreigners to either stay away from local politics or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema, who indicated that some foreigners — including a well-known global violence architect from Serbia — arrived in the country for MDC-Alliance demonstrations scheduled to start on Friday under the guise of being tourists.
According to State media, Mathema said MDC-Alliance has started rounding up street kids using unmarked and plate-less vehicles, whom they want to use in destroying and looting shops “in return for some goodies”.
“We are also aware that some foreign nationals are now in the country on the pretext of being tourists yet they are activists who are working closely with the opposition political parties to organise the perceived demonstrations,” said Ambassador Mathema.
“The foreigners include one who is known for masterminding the Arab Spring and the recent Sudan clashes.
“Let me remind foreigners who are dabbling in local politics that Zimbabwe is a sovereign state and will not allow people disguised as tourists to come and promote anarchy and destruction of property in the country.”
MDC-Alliance and its civil society partners wants to stage violent demonstrations in the country on August 16, 19 and 20, with the hope of ousting President Mnangagwa as has been repeatedly said by party leader Nelson Chamisa and deputy national chairperson Job Sikhala.
The planned violent demonstrations are designed to coincide with the Sadc Summit in Tanzania, where Zimbabwe is expected to assume the chairmanship of the Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security.
Ambassador Mathema said MDC-Alliance has sent notifications to hold the demonstrations to regulating authorities in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and other towns.
He added that Government recognised Sections 58 and 59 of the Constitution, which grant citizens freedom of assembly, association and freedom to demonstrate and petition, but said it also has a “huge responsibility” to ensure law and order was upheld in the country as enshrined in Section (219) (1) (c) and (d) of the national supreme law.
Mathema urged citizens to continue observing peace and undertake their socio-economic activities knowing fully well that the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and other security services were ready to protect everyone who wants to move freely.
“The Commissioner-General of Police (Godwin Matanga) has promised the ministry that the police is ready to deal with unruly elements who want to cause alarm and despondency in the country.
“Members of the public are accordingly implored to remain calm and not be swayed into joining any violent conduct by the opposition under the pretext or guise of a ‘peaceful demonstration’,” he said.
MDC-Alliance says its demonstrations will be peaceful, but Government has observed a surge in messages threatening the prevailing peace and tranquillity.
The demonstrations have been dubbed a “march for our lives, 16th August 2019” and the “start of final push, hatidzokere kumba, asibuyeli emakhaya”.
Fliers and pamphlets seen in Epworth, Mbare, Kuwadzana, Glen View and Chitungwiza are calling on opposition activists to carry dangerous weapons with which to attack law enforcement agents during the demonstrations.
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces say they will only intervene when national security is threatened.
