As the build up to the MDC-A Congress slated for May 24-May 26 gathers momentum, constitutional experts have submitted that the two former secretary generals Welshman Ncube and Tendai Biti cannot neither be appointed nor elected to nay office since the party’s constitution clearly states that a candidate must have been a member for at least five successive years.

“If the MDC want to go the constitutional way then Biti and Welshman are not eligible to run for any office ,they should wait for five years or two years if they want to be in the district council,” explained a legal expert Advocate Samuel Chadenga.

Ncube and Biti broke away from the MDC in 2005 and 2013 respectively.

Ncube went to lead a break away MDC which was later referred as MDC N and Biti went to lead the MDC Renewal .

Ncube and Biti were re-admitted in the main opposition party in 2018 after elections .

Sources close to the on goings in the MDC-A said Biti and Ncube are believed to be both vying for the Vice President’s post though they are aware of the constitution.

“TB (Tendai Biti) and Welsh (Welshman Ncube) are eying the VP post and they are aware of the constitution which clearly stipulates that they can not even hold a district post,they are both lawyers” said our source.

Political analyst John Muchenje said the MDC has no respect to their constitution .

“You must not be surprised to see Ncube and Biti in the MDC National Executive ,they have no respect for their own constitution ,look at the way Chamisa (Nelson) took power it explains how the MDC operates,“said Muchenje.

According to the MDC constitution section 5 states that

“A member shall have served five years before he or she is eligible to hold the position in the Province, National Executive and National Council,” reads the clause of reference.

However, the MDC-A spokesperson Jacob Mafume said their Congress is guided by a template from the National Council

“Our election at congress is guided by a template which would have been produced by the National Council,” said Mafume.

Mafume watered down claims that the MDC-A has a different copy of the constitution .

“We don’t have different constitutions but we have updated versions and the last updated version was signed by President (Morgan) Tsvangirai (late)between 2014 and 2015,”added Mafume

Morning Post

Losing MDC Alliance Bulawayo Municipality Ward 28 by-election aspiring candidate Nomagugu Mloyi has vowed to stand in the upcoming polls despite losing in the chaos-riddled primary elections held last week.

The move is likely to create confusion in the party as two candidates from the main opposition party will go head to head a situation which is likely to split votes and favour other candidates vying for the vacant post.

Mloyi lost in the party`s primary elections last week to former Councillor Alderman Collet Ndhlovu who is seeking a third term in office after previously serving as a councillor for 10 years.

There was an instruction from the party that the candidate who loses in the primary election would withdraw their candidature from the by-election set for March 30.

However, both candidates had already successfully filed their papers at the nomination court a fortnight ago.

Contacted for a comment Mloyi said she was going ahead with her campaigns and will not withdraw her candidature.

“I did not receive any instruction from the party to step down and I will continue with my campaign as I was put there by the party,” said a defiant Mloyi.

Mloyi said she lodged an appeal in writing to the party`s Chief of Staff Sesil Zvidzai on the outcome of the primary elections.

“I wrote a letter to Zvidzai after the primary elections to register my dissatisfaction in the way the primary elections were run and he responded noting that they received the letter,” she said.

“The election was not free and fair, there were lots of irregularities, my campaign team was displaced during the day of the election and we were supposed to use the ZEC voters roll as well as the 2014 congress party structures but that was changed at the last minutes”.

Mloyi also claimed that party members from other wards were allowed to vote during the primary elections.

According to party insiders, the matter was discussed at the National Standing Committee meeting held in Harare yesterday but it was stood down after the members failed to arrive at a conclusion on the matter.

Contacted for a comment Zvidzai said the party will ensure one candidate emerges before the by-election is held.

“There is still a possibility of us ending up with one candidate despite missing the window of opportunity to withdraw one of our candidates,” said Zvidzai.

“We will at the same time handle any complaints that come from either of the two candidates. We are confident that we will end up with one candidate and the other candidate will offer support to the one representing the party.

Mloyi also dismissed as propaganda a letter purportedly written by the party`s national chairperson Thabitha Khumalo expelling Mloyi from the party for defying a party directive by refusing to withdraw her candidature.

“I think the letter is fake, we spoke to the national chairperson (Thabitha Khumalo) and she said she did not write the letter”.

Khumalo said she was out of the country when sought for comment and referred the publication to “party officials on the ground”.

Mloyi added that she was being vilified by some party members “because I am a woman”.

Mloyi said she was confident of winning in the by-election as she had massive support from the electorate.

CITE

By Own Correspondent- Zimbabwean body builder, Regina Jonga has scooped gold in the Women’s Category of the WFF bodybuilding competition in China.

Jonga, was awarded with a pro card, making her a professional body builder.

She has in the past won the Winter Bodies competition and followed that up with winning the H&H classic in 2016.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates.

JUST IN: Zimbabwean bodybuilder, Regina Jonga, has just scooped a gold medal in the Women Extreme category of the WFF Bodybuilding competition in China.

She has been awarded a pro card that makes her a professional bodybuilder. pic.twitter.com/0Ru5gX6d6k

— The Sports Queen (@thesportsqueen) March 7, 2019

Correspondent|ADVOCATE Fadzayi Mahere has said that the sanctions imposed by the United States of America are legal. American President Donald Trump this week renewed sanctions against Zimbabwe by at least a year.

“US sanctions against Zimbabwe aren’t illegal. They’re authorized by their legislature. They’re not forced by any domestic or international law to associate with Zimbabwe beyond what they’re comfortable with. Our opinions on this are irrelevant. If we want them lifted, must play ball,” Mahere said in a tweet which attracted both scorn and support in equal measure.

“If they’re (Zimbabwe government) serious about wanting the sanctions lifted, they must demonstrate serious commitment to meeting the stated conditions. The US has no qualms with imposing sanctions for decades (see Cuba). Unless there’s reform, we’ll be singing the same tired tune in 20 years time.”

With regards to calls by regional leaders including South African President Cyil Ramaphosa for the sanctions to be lifted, Mahere said the opinions of regional leaders were as irrelevant as ours. The only way out of the sanctions grip was a reform by the Zimbabwean government, she said.

“Please stop roping in countries like South Africa to call for the lifting of sanctions. Their opinions on the imposition of the sanctions are just as irrelevant as our own. We must reform. There are no shortcuts. African 2-faced diplomacy won’t rescue us or our economic woes.

“Calling the US names won’t help either. Diplomacy means we have to know whether we are buying or selling & exercise humility accordingly. If we weren’t affected by the sanctions, we wouldn’t be harping on about how terrible they are ad nauseam. Government needs to change strategy.

“Sanctions aside, the reform of the Zimbabwean state is a good thing for us all. It’s a pity that the people can’t compel Govt to change. We want reform regardless of whether sanctions have been imposed. The refusal to reform constitutes a sanction by the Government on the people,” said Mahere.

Correspondent|A-14-YEAR-Old juvenile from Binga who allegedly killed his six year old sister for speaking in IsiNdebele has been arrested.

The fugitive minor was allegedly hiding out in a cave near his home.

The suspect from Mulindi village, under chief Dobola, whose name is withheld for ethical reasons, is suspected to have killed Senzeni Sibanda, Grade One pupil at Mulindi Primary School, last Tuesday.

He severely assaulted his sister and threw her into a river resulting in her drowning.

THE Embassy of the United States of America in Harare says the US sanctions on Zimbabwe are affecting only 84 individuals and 56 corporates. The embassy says the rest of the 16 million Zimbabweans are not affected in any way by the restrictions.

In a chain of tweets, the US Embassy says: “The U.S. does not maintain comprehensive sanctions against Zimbabwe. Suggestions that the U.S. intends to harm the Zimbabwean people with sanctions are false and misleading.

1/3 #Truth: The U.S. does not maintain comprehensive sanctions against Zimbabwe. Suggestions that the U.S. intends to harm the Zimbabwean people with sanctions are false and misleading. #FACTS

— U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe (@USEmbZim) March 7, 2019

2/3 #Truth: U.S. targeted sanctions list: 84 individuals and 56 entities. People of Zimbabwe: 16 million +. Sanctions do not target the people of Zimbabwe. #FACTS

— U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe (@USEmbZim) March 7, 2019

3/3 #Truth: U.S. targets sanctions on those who engage in corruption, violate human rights or undermine democratic institutions, not the people of Zimbabwe. #FACTS

— U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe (@USEmbZim) March 7, 2019

“U.S. targeted sanctions list: 84 individuals and 56 entities. People of Zimbabwe: 16 million-plus. Sanctions do not target the people of Zimbabwe.

“U.S. targets sanctions on those who engage in corruption, violate human rights or undermine democratic institutions, not the people of Zimbabwe.”

Some queried why the truthfulness of the US statement, considering that the 56 entities affected employ thousands of people and have business that affects many other plays down the business chain. Besides, the political elites have still managed to grow even richer inspite of the sanctions.

Opposition leader Daniel Shumba, however, said he concurs with the US Embassy. “We studied the Sanctions issue, and agree that corruption, human rights violations, constitutionalism, and rule of law are the fundamental tenets being demanded. These are already espoused in the Constitution of Zimbabwe, and simply need compliance. To this extent the UDA agrees.”

His party, the United Democratic Alliance, recently pulled out of the dialogue process initiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, citing lack of sincerity and the absence of MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa as a handicap.

American President Donald Trump this week extended the sanctions on Zimbabwe by at least another year. In a letter to the US Senate, Mr. Trump said Zimbabwe remained a threat to US foreign policy.

He wrote in his letter: “While the election itself was an improvement over past elections, post-election violence, credible reports of intimidation and clear bias of the electoral commission kept it from being fully free and fair.

“President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has yet to implement the political and economic overhaul required to rebuild its reputation within the international community and dramatically improve its relationship with the United States.

“The actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Zimbabwe and other persons to undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic processes or institutions continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States.”

Farai Dziva|MDC A leader Nelson Chamisa has openly accused Zanu PF of killing the founding president of the opposition party Morgan Richard Tsvangirai.

Speaking in Harare yesterday Chamisa said: We have said this Congress is about positions that are going to be availed. In terms of the actual positions to be contested, through an election and some to be appointed, is something to be determined by the national council at our last meeting before the Congress and that will guide the course.

In terms of our constitution, we are supposed to have the presidium being open to contestation and the chairperson’s position as well.

There is still debate on the secretary-general’s position being open but that is a product of our internal democratic processes. We will be very clear on which positions to be contested at the appropriate time.

The congress is important because we will have a full team of effective leadership to take over the government in a democratic and constitutional manner. It also gives us a chance to have a solid team of people of substance.

I know they may not have shown their interests because in our party it is not allowed by the constitution to show interest — you are deployed as a cadre.
People choose you to belong to a particular position, you do not just say you want. You have to be elected by the people. It is a process which is rigorous and very democratic where people are nominated by the lower structures to say who they want.

Chamisa is not the firstborn of this party and he’s also not the last born. There was Morgan Tsvangirai who groomed me, but he also did the same with a lot of you at the party and we know that this movement will be in safe and capable hands.

We have proved to Zanu PF that by killing Tsvangirai, they made a mistake. The party is going to new levels and we will not collapse.
The party is energising and recalibrating. We do not want to see tyranny and violence in our structures. Those are qualities we see next door.

We cannot be a carbon copy of Zanu PF where factionalism is a national religion and corruption is the DNA.

THE United Nations Human Rights Council will dispatch special rapporteurs to Zimbabwe to investigate allegations of human rights abuses by State security agents, Parliament has heard.

Appearing before the Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs ministry secretary James Manzou said President Emmerson Mnangagwa has already given the greenlight for the Geneva-based body to visit the country because the government had nothing to hide.

He also said 12 people were killed during the protests against fuel price increases in January, which turned violent. Police have all along insisted that only three people, including a policeman died during the disturbances with human rights groups putting the death toll at 17.

“In terms of human rights, Zimbabwe and the President have nothing to hide. The Human Rights Council in Geneva wants to send special rapporteurs to Zimbabwe and the President has said let them come,” he said.

A report released by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum last month said 17 cases of extra-judicial killings allegedly committed by the army had been recorded since January 14 when the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions and other social movements organised a nationwide stayaway to protest against a steep increase in fuel prices.

Local human rights groups said since January 14, they had documented at least 1 803 violations committed by the security forces across the country.

They include at least 17 cases of rape or other violations of a sexual nature, 26 abductions, 61 displacements, 81 assaults consistent with gunshot attacks, at least 586 assaults and torture, inhuman and degrading treatment including dog bites, 954 arrests and detention (including dragnet arrests), among other violations.

The Kindness Paradza-led committee asked the Foreign Affairs secretary to explain Zimbabwe’s tarnished image given the post-election killings on August 1 last year, which left six people dead and the January disturbances.

But Manzou painted a rosy picture of Zimbabwe’s human rights record and re-engagement efforts with the international community.

He said since the November 2017 coup when former President Robert Mugabe was removed from power, Mnangagwa had made great strides in re-engagement with the international community and promoting democracy.

Paradza said Manzou must explain to Parliament if the re-engagement efforts were succeeding, and whether the Foreign Affairs ministry was visible given that after the re-engagement processes the United States had renewed sanctions against government.

“Indeed, we are making progress and successes in terms of re-engagement, which is not a one-day affair, and on the renewal of Zidera (Zimbabwean Democracy and Economic Recovery Act) and European Union measures on Zimbabwe, there are various delegations that have visited and they want to open a new page and foreign policy re-engagement has been visible,” Manzou said.

“In the new dispensation, communication between the Foreign Affairs ministry and embassies has improved 100% and we speedily arranged meetings concerning the (Kgalema) Motlanthe (commission of inquiry) report and the January events with diplomats to indicate what was happening, and Zimbabwean ambassadors abroad were also under strict instruction to brief their host countries.

“President Mnangagwa also felt the need to brief his colleagues in the region in terms of what was happening in Zimbabwe and there is regular communication. The total number of people who died was 12.”

On re-entry to the Commonwealth, Manzou said during the first half of 2019 the grouping of former British colonies will visit Zimbabwe and thereafter there will be two other stages of engagement before the Zimbabwean issue goes to summit level.

“Our re-engagement efforts with the Commonwealth are on course, but there are steps to be taken before any conclusion can be made. The Commonwealth was here in July 2018 and they observed our elections and they gave us feedback which is under consideration by the Cabinet committee,” he said.

Manzou claimed that Mnangagwa had managed to open up the democratic space in Zimbabwe and that during the 2018 elections, the President invited the European and Commonwealth observers among others to observe Zimbabwe’s July 30 2018 elections.

Manzou said sanctions were hurting Zimbabwe by impeding investments and credit lines, as well as painting a bad image of the country. On the diaspora policy, Manzou said his ministry now had a broader database of diasporans and was considering having a diaspora conference once a year.

In a statement read on behalf, Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo said the country was on track in terms of foreign policy to promote the country’s political and economic interests as well as Zimbabwe’s international image. Moyo said this has been evidenced by Mnangagwa’s numerous visits to different countries in Eurasia, Asia and Africa to strengthen bilateral ties.

-Newsday

By Own Correspondent- Two robbers reportedly pounced on two sisters at a house in South View Extension in Gweru on February 18, 2019 and raped them before getting away with cash and valuables.

The alleged rapists went away with 10 cellphones, $1 500 bond notes, US$2 200 and an HP Laptop.

Midlands Police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko could not confirm the incident, although a local publication has it on good authority that the case was recorded under RRB number 3719043 on February 18, 2019.

“We haven’t received that case as of now but l will check with other relevant departments and get back to you,” said Goko.

The report indicates that on February 18, 2019 at around 4am, two unknown accused persons broke the complainant’s window pane and gained entry into the house armed with a metal rod and a knobkerrie.

One of the accused proceeded to the first complainant’s room and demanded cash but the latter said she did not have any. The two searched the room and found $50 and a Samsung cellphone.

One of the accused removed the first complainant’s blankets and forced her to remove her night dress. He threatened to pull her legs apart using a metal rod and had unprotected sex with her once without her consent. This happened while his colleague was standing by the door.

After the act the accused persons covered the complainant with a blanket, switched off the lights and proceeded to the next girl’s room.

They woke the second complainant up and again demanded cash. One of the accused raped her after she said that she had no money.

The suspects then searched the whole house and took 10 cellphones, $1 500 bond notes, US$2200 which were in complainant number 2’s handbag and an HP Laptop.

The two accused persons left the house and went away unnoticed.-TheMirror

By Own Correspondent- A Gwanda based taxi driver who fatally ran over a cop in a hit and run incident has allegedly hanged himself in a bush near the accident scene.

Nqobile Nkomo (26) of Phakama Suburb who was driving a Fun Cargo ran over Constable Blackson Muzamba who was stationed in Gwanda on Friday last week at around 8PM near Cinderella B Mine in Gwanda. Following the accident, Nkomo reportedly fled from the scene.

Muzamba was referred to Gwanda Provincial Hospital where he died on Sunday while admitted.

Nkomo who had been reported missing by his next of kin was however found hanging from a tree on Tuesday at around 9AM near the accident scene.-StateMedia

Chief Justice Luke Malaba last year authorised the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to hire for its functions a Marquee owned by General Chiwenga for a whooping Usd150K per day. Previously the JSC had a contract with Rooneys who charged Usd13K per day for a similar Marquee! pic.twitter.com/ucnHvdVHTx

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) March 6, 2019

By Own Correspondent| The US embassy in Harare has clarified the assertion that the western power aims at harming Zimbabweans with sanctions.

Said the US in a series of tweets published below:

1/3 #Truth: The U.S. does not maintain comprehensive sanctions against Zimbabwe. Suggestions that the U.S. intends to harm the Zimbabwean people with sanctions are false and misleading. #FACTS

— U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe (@USEmbZim) March 7, 2019

2/3 #Truth: U.S. targeted sanctions list: 84 individuals and 56 entities. People of Zimbabwe: 16 million +. Sanctions do not target the people of Zimbabwe. #FACTS

— U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe (@USEmbZim) March 7, 2019

3/3 #Truth: U.S. targets sanctions on those who engage in corruption, violate human rights or undermine democratic institutions, not the people of Zimbabwe. #FACTS

— U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe (@USEmbZim) March 7, 2019

By Own Correspondent| A High Court judge Justice Foroma has ordered the release of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Board Chairperson Rashid Mahiya.

Mahiya, who is also Heal Zimbabwe Executive Director was granted $1 000 bail and told to report twice at Harare Central police station.

Mahiya is facing treason charges following the January 14 fuel protests which rocked the country.

He is being accused of attempting to subvert a constitutionally elected government and he handed himself to the police last week after being on their wanted list for over a month.

Farai Dziva|MDC A president, Nelson Chamisa has postulated that war veterans leader Victor Matemadanda adores the opposition party in essence.

Chamisa yesterday responded to Matemadanda’s statement he about the youthful leader’ s lack of maturity.

Matemadanda declared that the war veterans preferred Douglas Mwonzora to Chamisa as the latter was immature.

“They want to try and divide us by thinking that they can choose one in our midst. This is not a Zanu PF congress. This is an MDC congress. Why are they showing preference of one candidate or the other? But I know that inside his heart Matemadanda adores the MDC A,” said Chamisa.

By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appreciated the broad collection of minds and skills which makes up the newly established Presidential Advisory Council (PAC).

The PAC, which held its inaugural meeting today (Thursday) at State House comprises of 25 members including seasoned business executives, industrialists and academics.

The grouping – is expected to provide Mnangagwa and the government with well-canvassed ideas, proposals and strategies to realise government’s Vision 2030, which is predicated on attracting domestic and foreign investment and transforming Zimbabwe into a business-friendly investment destination.

Said Mnangagwa following the meeting:

“Today, we held the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council, a broad collection of minds and skills from the private sector brought in to contribute to policy discourse and governance.

Their skills, knowledge, expertise and networks will help the new Zimbabwe grasp the great opportunities that lie before us. It is through a collective, patriotic approach that we can together build the Zimbabwe we all want.”

By Own Correspondent| The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Welfare is reportedly pushing for the age of sexual consent to be reduced to 12 years.

Currently, the age of consent is 16 years, which is considered too low by social conservatives.

The issue of reducing the age of sexual consent was confirmed by the Assistant Clerk of Parliament Johane Gandiwa who said that the issue of reducing the age of sexual consent to 12 years was actually discussed by the Health and Child Welfare committee last week during a workshop.

In reaction to those sentiments, a lawyer and former MDC legislator and MP for Harare West Jessie Majome said:

“I remember how we fought so hard in the 8th Parliament with Innocent Gonese and Priscilla Misihairabwi in the Committee stage of the Criminal Codification Reform Amendment Bill to raise the consent age from 14 to 18 and got 16, now it can just blow away in 2 fell swoops!

…During the debate I advocated for a referendum on the age of consent as a way of resolving that critical national issue and pleaded that for once we hold a referendum on something that actually touches our lives in a direct way, not just politics.”

By Own Correspondent| Spokesperson for the MDC led by Dr Thokozani Khupe Linda Masarira has castigated President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration for its persecution on Harare West legislator Joanah Mamombe.

Masarira said she cannot sleep over the incarceration of Mamombe querying when there will be rule of law in the country.

She said:

“I can’t sleep thinking about Joanah. Political polarisation divided us. My heart is bleeding for Jojo (Joanah Mamombe). I am in tears. How long will it take for the rule of law to be observed. Bail is a right of every prisoner. Justice delayed is justice denied. #FreeJoanahMamombeNow!

By Own Correspondent- Former Cabinet minister Supa Mandiwanzira has revealed that he is being persecuted for being one of the best perfomers during his tenure as minister.

Mandiwanzira, who was the Information Communication Technology (ICT) minister sought referral of his case to the Constitutional Court and said he was being persecuted for following the law in his conduct as minister.

The development follows Harare Regional magistrate Elijah Makomo’s decision which trashed Mandiwanzira’s application against trial for criminal abuse of office charges.

Mandiwanzira allegedly caused NetOne to pay $5 million to Megawatt, a South African based company for a consultancy job.

“I was a deputy minister for only 11 months before I was upgraded to a full cabinet minister. This speaks volumes of my integrity and capacity to lead. My roles included superintending over the entire ministry and companies which fall under it.

It was a mandate from the cabinet and the President that we as ministers must involve ourselves in the entities to ensure its performance was not a drain to the fiscus and corruption free. As you know, shareholders have interests in growing their businesses…but I’m being dragged to court for doing the right thing. Having done good for the government, I get punished, all my efforts gone to waste. The charges just become nonsensical.”

That I made a personal benefit is a fiction. I feel this is not prosecution but persecution, for just being right. I acted in a fashion that is unheard-of as a public official. We were able to recover $30 million, documented, signed and agreed for. No one has ever done that and no one would have considered that I favoured the company.”

Mandiwanzira said the consultancy deal was never put to tender.

He said the company approached him and the job was done for free therefore he does not understand where the element of favour was coming from.

He said this was good for NetOne and the government.

Said Mandiwanzira over his prosecution, “I feel horrible that I am being criminalised for doing the right thing. I feel horrible and gutted that I may be sent to jail for up to 15 years for merely doing what was right in my job, that is to protect public interest in making sure those that had fleeced (NetOne) returned the money. What I did is what was and should be expected of a Minister. Where there was a loss to the taxpayer l recovered US$30 million. I really feel gutted.”

“I did not only use my personal discretion, I consulted my principals and they gave specific direction on how the work was to be handled. I did that through one-on-one meetings and there are records of those meetings. There is written documentation to that effect,” Mandiwanzira said.

By Own Correspondent- Former cabinet minister and G-40 kingpin Saviour Kasukuwere is set to lose his immovable property to the state after he failed to present himself for trial.

This was revealed by Presidential Anti-Corruption Unit special prosecutor Zivanai Macharaga in a notice to Kasukuwere’s lawyers.

Read the letter:

“We write to advise that on January 17, 2019, accused was issued with a warrant of arrest after he failed to appear for his trial. In terms of section 119 (1) and section 133 (a) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, an order declaring any recognisance forfeited can be made.

The State, hereby, notifies the court that on March 6, 2019, it shall make an application to have an immovable property surrendered by the accused person as surety to be declared forfeited to the State, as referred to in the minute dated February 22, 2019.

The State will proceed to make such an application in view of the fact that the accused has clearly defaulted court and has no willingness to stand trial. The accused has no right of audience before the court of law in view of the fact that he is a fugitive.

The State will make the application as notified unless the accused appears in court in whatever condition be it sick or good health. If the State succeeds and has the immovable property forfeited such a property may be sold by public auction or the State may deal with it any other way allowed by the law and this will be done on the shortest possible time provided by the law.”

Ugly clashes ensued in the central business district of Harare between municipal police and vendors.

Municipal police have since last year continued with an operation to rid the CBD of vendors and today the informal traders retaliated forcing police to open teargas.

WATCH VIDEO…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZLrDE7Xb8E

By Own Correspondent- Vice President Kembo Mohadi’s son, Bruce has been arrested for armed robbery after a gun raid on a car sales in Eastlea, Harare, ZimEye has learnt.

However, details of the robbery and what exactly transpired were still sketchy by the time of writing.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates

By Own Correspondent- Police in Mutawatawa, Mashonaland East province, have arrested an elderly Pfungwe man for allegedly axing his wife, accusing her of recklessly using grocery without putting into consideration the current economic challenges.

Patricia Nyauziyo (41) of Siyakurima village, under Chief Chitsungo was rushed to Mutawatawa District Hospital by villagers after she was struck with an axe on the forehead by her husband Fanuel Madzonzoni following a dispute over sour milk.

Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the incident and said the suspect was charged with attempted murder.

“I confirm the incident of a Pfungwe man who struck his wife with an axe over a misunderstanding concerning groceries. Police would like to urge members of the public to desist from using violence as a way of solving disputes. It is imperative to use peaceful means such as the use of third parties to assist in resolving any misunderstandings,” he said.

According to police, on February 26, at around 8:45pm, the suspect and his wife were in their bedroom when a misunderstanding arose over groceries.

It is reported that Madzonzoni accused his wife of giving their 17-year-old daughter some sour milk meant for him.

The suspect allegedly became violent, dragged his wife outside the bedroom and struck her once on the forehead with an axe. Nyauziyo sustained a deep cut.

It is reported that the complainant escaped into the darkness and fell down about 50m from the homestead.

She was later assisted by her daughter and a fellow villager, who ferried her to Mutawatawa Hospital where she was admitted.- Newsday

Fire has destroyed a section of Kariba Hospital with firefighters now trying to contain the fire.

The fire reportedly started from the Pharmacy section early this morning and the cause is yet to be ascertained.

It has spread to the X-ray section and fire fighters from Kariba Municipality and the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) are trying to put out the fire and restrain it from spreading to other sections of the hospital.

The fire started around 5am this morning.

-State Media

Girl Child Network founder Betty Makoni has condemned parliamentarians in the portfolio committee on child welfare and health over reports that they argued over waiving the age of consent for having sex from 16 to 12 saying they must all step down for such an abomination.

Posting on Twitter, Makoni said the committee should be added on the sanctions list and be barred from working with children as they may be plotting to rape children.

This committee must be added to targeted sanctions list. They must be barred from working with children. The committee must renamed Child Protection and Safeguarding with immediate effect. This is the most dangerous thing to happen to Zimbabwean children. Zero Tolerance to this

— Muzvare Shonga Betty Makoni (@MuzvareBetty) March 6, 2019

A liberation war veteran from Mutare has been charged with fraud after assisting a late war veterans daughter get her father’s pension before stealing the US$2 700 deposit from her Cabs account.

Echbel Mudadirwa (62) of 2290 Chikanga 2, Mutare denied the charges when he appeared before magistrate Prisca Manhibi.

He was remanded to March 14 for continuation of trial.

Prosecuting, Nyasha Mukonyora told the court that Mudadirwa who is employed as a war veterans officer based at the District Administrator, Mutare stole the late Washington Matunha’s US$2 707 pension on June 5, 2015.

Mudadirwa facilitated its pay out at the request of Matunha’s 26 year old daughter.

Mudadirwa had from the beginning asked the late fellow war veteran’s family to give him US$30 for transport so that he travels to Harare when he was engaged back in 2013.

Two years later he informed the daughter that everything was in place and the pension was ready.

He then asked the young lady to give him her Cabs bank card and pin number.

Mudadirwa upon noticing that the money had been deposited withdrew the entire pension for his personal use.

Sometime in July 2015 she then approached Mudadirwa requesting to have her bank card back but was received with threats. 

On June 3, 2016 she requested a bank statement for her account upon which she realised that US$2 707 had been deposited from the pensions office and withdrawn on June 5, 2015.

She made a police report leading to the arrest of the war veterans leader.
The state notes that the lady is not well equipped with the knowledge of bank cards, hence the advantage used by the accused to steal her money. 

-263Chat

The State intends to forfeit an immovable property belonging to former Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere, which he surrendered as part of his bail conditions after he allegedly fled the court’s jurisdiction.

Presidential Anti-Corruption Unit special prosecutor Zivanai Macharaga revealed this in a notice to Kasukuwere’s lawyers Charles Chinyama and Advocate Thembi Magwaliba dated February 27 and also addressed to the clerk of court.

The application was expected to be heard yesterday, but Macharaga and Chinyama agreed to have the matter postponed to March 14.

“We write to advise that on January 17, 2019 accused was issued with a warrant of arrest after he failed to appear for his trial. In terms of section 119 (1) and section 133 (a) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act an order declaring any recognisance forfeited can be made,” the letter read.

“The State, hereby, notifies the court that on March 6, 2019, it shall make an application to have an immovable property surrendered by the accused person as surety to be declared forfeited to the State, as referred to in the minute dated February 22, 2019. The State will proceed to make such an application in view of the fact that accused has clearly defaulted court and has no willingness to stand trial. The accused has no right of audience before the court of law in view of the fact that he is a fugitive.”

Kasukuwere had applied for the release of his passport to enable him to seek medical attention in South Africa.

“The State will make the application as notified unless the accused appears in court in whatever condition be it sick or good health. If the State succeeds and has the immovable property forfeited such a property may be sold by public auction or the State may deal with it any other way allowed by the law and this will be done on the shortest possible time provided by the law,” the letter read.

But Magwaliba further challenged the purported notice of the State saying the section used to file the notice was defective.

“We further notice that your notice is purportedly predicted on section 199 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act and if the reading of the same section is correct, your notice is again defective since it is predicted on the wrong law. You may want to take this opportunity to visit the relevant section,” he said.

— NewsDay

Correspondent|MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa and his Secretary-General Douglas Mwonzora are embroiled in a new battle: how many positions are up for grabs at the party’s Congress set for 24 May.

Douglas Mwonzora says that all the 16 positions are up for contest according to the party’s constitution, but the Chamisa camp says only four positions are voted, with the rest being appointed by the incoming leadership.

A constitutional amendment that gave Tsvangirai power to appoint members who make it into the standing committee is what the Chamisa camp is basing on. High-level sources this week said the MDC was now grappling with the resolution amid indications it was never co-opted into the constitution proper.

“Mwonzora is arguing all positions should be contested while Chamisa wants to maintain the status quo. The secretary-general argued that the 2014 resolution is not law, but part of rules that can be chopped and changed before congress, depending on circumstances,” a source said.

In a bid to deal with what the party claimed were “two centres of power between the president and secretary-general”, Tsvangirai, at the close of the 2014 congress, pushed for changes to the party’s governance charter centralising power in his office and stripping the then powerful secretary-general of influence.

Described at the time as the “Zanufication of the MDC”, the changes were used by Tsvangirai to elevate Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri into the presidency as his two deputies, joining Thokozani Khupe, who had been elected at congress.

Chamisa was still licking his wounds after a loss to Mwonzora in the race for the coveted post of secretary-general.

The new secretary-general and Khupe were left seething with anger, but the die had been cast. Sources said the party’s standing committee would be the next battleground to determine how the congress will be run with a draft template set to be debated.

“Today (yesterday), the standing committee will meet and debate the draft rules for the congress that will come from the national organising department. It is a template that would need to be endorsed by the national council as well as congress. It is possible that all positions could be elected,” another source said. “The most difficult decision is on how to deal with the position of vice-president. We need to deal with how many will be elected. As things stand, none among the presidency (Chamisa) vice-presidents (Morgen Komichi, Welshman Ncube and Elias Mudzuri) are elected. The national chairperson and her deputy were appointed. It’s a mess.”

Party spokesperson Jacob Mafume, while confirming that the MDC standing committee was meeting, said he would give details after the indaba.

“Yes, the standing committee will meet today. We will consider the manner in which congress will be held. I, however, can’t give details now,” he said.

Tsvangirai moved to centralise power in an effort to stem the tide of consistent break-aways by party secretary-generals. It started with Ncube in 2005 following disagreements over participation in senatorial elections before Tendai Biti broke away from Tsvangirai in the aftermath of the 2013 electoral loss.

Both Biti and Ncube have since returned to the party now under Chamisa.

THE High Court has dismissed an application for a permanent stay of prosecution filed by former Finance minister Ignatius Chombo, who is facing several cases involving corruption, fraud and criminal nuisance.

The court said his abduction by members of the Zimbabwe National Army, during Operation Restore Legacy in November 2017, was not meant to extract a confession for criminal offences against him.

Following his arrest and his subsequent appearance in court on criminal charges, Chombo petitioned the High Court last year, seeking an order to compel the National Prosecuting Authority and its boss Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi to permanently suspend his prosecution alleging violation of his constitutional rights as enshrined in the Bill of Rights.

In his earlier application, the former minister said on November 15, 2017 at midnight, his premises were raided, commando style, by AK47 assault rifle-wielding soldiers who then forced entry into his main house where they pointed a gun to his head, handcuffed, chained and blindfolded him before whisking him away.

Chombo said on November 23, 2017, he was released by his abductors, but after being dropped at home, he was immediately arrested by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), who detained him and eventually took him to court.

“I have already found that the circumstances under which the applicant (Chombo) was raided, handcuffed, blindfolded and frog-marched to a vehicle which took him to an unknown place where he was held captive for almost nine days, have not been refuted in a meaningful way. I find that indeed that mistreatment occurred as a result of which there were infringements of the applicant’s constitutional rights as alleged. The question which arises, therefore, is whether the appropriate remedy should be an order for permanent stay of prosecution,” Justice Nicholas Mathonsi said in his judgment.

The violation of Chombo’s rights by the army appeared to have been undertaken for no discernible reason at all, the judge said, adding that excessive force and violence was used to capture him leaving a trail of destruction.

“He was then held for sometime in movie-style while nothing meaningful was happening except to keep him in isolation for a lengthy period while extraneous questions were routinely put to him for nothing, but the amusement of his interrogators. He was not subjected to physical assault and neither was there an attempt to extract evidence or a confession from him in respect of the offences he is now facing. It is quite strange indeed,” Justice Mathonsi said.

“I have no choice in the matter, but to apply the principle that where the torture or ill-treatment of an accused person prior to charges being preferred against him or her has not resulted in a confession or the extraction of evidence sought to be used by the prosecution at the criminal trial, but the prosecution is relying on other evidence not obtained illegally, the accused person is not entitled to an order of permanent stay of prosecution even though he or she was ill-treated or tortured.”

-Newsday

Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa will today meet his Advisory Council for the first briefing at the State House today.

Mnangagwa appointed a 26 member Presidential Advisory Council a few weeks ago composed of experts in various fields.

Some of the key names in the council includes, Alpha Media Holdings owner, Trevor Ncube, Ecocash Chief Executive Officer, Natalie Jabangwe Morris and many others.

More details to follow…

By Own Correspondent| After twenty years of flying Zimbabwe’s flag in Europe, Luckson Chikutu popularly known as Manlukerz has finally got the recognition that has been elusive to him over the years- NAMA nomination.

Manlukerz will battle it out against Donel Mangena and Black Panther actress Danai Gurira in the special category of Artist in the Diaspora.

“It is humbling to be finally recognized home.  I want to thank Zimbabwe and Sweden journalists who have contributed more than the expected in spreading my work. And l also want to thank Zimbabweans, Swedes, other European countries and Also Africans in Europe in general for being very supportive in my work l have been sharing with them,” he said.

The NAMA nomination comes barely after the trailblazing cultural ambassador scooped the prestigious award from Al-TV network Sweden for his role in promoting African culture.

The award came at a time that the maverick singer is celebrating twenty years in Sweden.

Due to his studies in music business. Manluckerz have evolved from just being a musician to  
a Cultural Coordinator, Inter-Music Producer, Marketing Consultant, Artistic Director, Inter-Music Promoter, Inter-Artistic Advisory, Youths Coaching, Concept Development Event Management, Actor, Story Teller, Tourism and Cultural Author.

The singer who is celebrating 18 years in marriage is also the author of a cultural book called Flashback Identity.

“I managed to achieve my goals through focusing, determination, discipline and dedication. It is very important to plan in whatever you intend to do in life,” is Manluckerz’ advice to upcoming musicians.

He also reiterated the need for government to prioritize arts and culture.

Zimbabwe should put a budget for culture if the government is serious about promoting our tourism in other countries.  Culture should have a budget. I created ZIMFEBI to promote Zimbabwe culture and tourism but when I got involved in an accident, the idea fizzled with me,” he said.

 Chikutu is the man behind the annual Zimbabwe Music Festival Bira (ZIMFEB) was involved an accident that claimed two lives in 2015. He was in Zimbabwe for the festival.

Zimfeb was formed in April 2007.

Correspondent|Fuel mogul Kuda Tagwirei, who is one of the 26 members of the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC), looks all happy and content at the State House meeting this morning.

Tagwirei, who was christianed “Queen Bee” by social media influencer Acie Lumumba because of the way all fuel money virtually ends up in his pocket, is the Chief Executive Officer and Director at Sakunda Holdings Group and a businessman with vast interests in the energy sector.

The PAC is having its inaugural meeting with President Mnangagwa at the State House this morning.

Members of Presidential Advisory Council

• Busisa Moyo
  Divine Ndhlukula
  Joe Mutizwa
  Zondo Sakala
  Lewis Maxwell Musasike
  Dr Norbert Mugwagwa
  Dr Godfrey Sikipa
  Remigius Makumbe
  Simbarashe Mangwengwende
  Dr Lindiwe Sibanda
  Aenias Chuma
  Edwin Manikai
  Sam Malaba
  Professor Kuzvinetsa Nzvimbo
  Natalie Jabangwe
  Trevor Ncube
  Janah Ncube
  Dr Shingi Munyeza
  Simon Hammond
  Richard Wilde
  Kudakwashe Tagwirei
  Prof. Robson Mafot
  Mfaro Moyo

PAC members were appointed by His Excellency the President based on experience, expertise, leadership, contacts and standing in society.

They should be non-partisan and will serve at the pleasure of the President. They draw no salary or allowance from the Treasury.

By Own Correspondent| Prominent Harare lawyer and politician Fadzayi Mahere has come out guns blazing blasting “fake moralists” who are on record going to town preaching the anti sanctions mantra but are mum on the atrocities committed by the state security agents against innocent citizens.

Mahere said the fake moralists are nauseating for their silence even after the murder, torture and rape of innocent civilians by soldiers arguing that the sanctions are legal.

Said Mahere:

“To the fake moralists who preach morality to the US about extending legal sanctions but are silent when soldiers shoot unarmed civilians, rape women and torture defenceless people- take your fake morality elsewhere. Imposters are nauseating. Reform or deal.”

To the fake moralists who preach morality to the US about extending legal sanctions but are silent when soldiers shoot unarmed civilians, rape women and torture defenceless people – take your fake morality elsewhere.

Impostors are nauseating. Reform or deal.??

— Fadzayi Mahere?? (@advocatemahere) March 6, 2019

By Own Correspondent| Zimbabwe is set to be hosting at least 350 Tourists from China starting this month, the ministry of Information and Publicity has revealed.

According to the ministry, the tourists visit has been facilitated by a Chinese company Touchroad International which is working in partnership with the Zhejiang Department of Culture and Tourism.

A monthly charter flight will bring the tourists.

Said the Information ministry:

Zimbabwe is going to be receiving 350 Chinese Tourists monthly starting this March from just one Chinese company, Touchroad International. The company is working with the Zhejiang Department of Culture & Tourism. A monthly charter flight will bring the tourists @METHI_Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/eq2s8Z0k7j

— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) March 7, 2019

DISRUPTIONS to telecommunication networks will continue because operators owe millions of dollars to foreign firms for maintaining and upgrading their infrastructure due to the unavailability of forex to pay them timely, NewsDay has learnt.

The foreign firms owed the most by local telecommunication firms are Chinese telecom conglomerates Huawei Technologies Co. Limited and ZTE Corporation as well as Swedish firm, Ericsson.

Huawei, ZTE and Ericsson are owed millions of dollars for maintaining and upgrading the infrastructure of local telecoms firms. They have now suspended their services until they are either paid for services rendered or receive future payments upfront.

Delays in paying these foreign firms have led to the current telecommunication infrastructure failing to handle increased voice and data on the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data platform, leading to the network disruptions witnessed since Monday.

“I am not going to beat about the bush on these issues because it was Econet that was affected, so that is very correct that they must have had an overload on their systems and things like that. The fact that they are failing to pay, especially Ericsson. Concerning ZTE and Huawei, I think, they are negotiating with them. They really have serious problems with Ericsson…” said Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) director-general Gift Kallisto Machengete, told NewsDay yesterday.

“. . . because Ericsson would want them (Econet) to pay… They are supposed to pay Ericsson and they have got a debt which they have failed to service and now Ericsson is growing cold feet in terms of coming to assist them in the network. They (Ericsson) now want some upfront payment or some big deposit to be made, but as you know our foreign currency situation is not good, so they have not been able to get that foreign currency.”

He said Potraz had engaged Ericsson about the problem of not receiving its forex payments to encourage them to continue giving assistance despite non-payment of dues.

Econet Wireless is the largest telecommunication company in Zimbabwe which is why most of the country was affected by the network disruptions.

However, other platforms such TelOne and NetOne were also affected as they use technology from mostly Huawei who are owed money for maintenance and upgrades, according to sources.

“Not only on Econet are there issues. We have problems with TelOne on their debt and again we have been approaching the RBZ (Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe) who has been assisting in the best manner possible,” Machengete added.

“We have been doing everything to make sure the sector remains afloat . . . we know our operators are having forex problems, which are affecting the network and that we are aware. All of them (telecommunication firms) have these challenges.”

According to industry sources, having foreign currency would allow local telecommunication companies to pay licensing fees in regards to using their network which are serviced by these foreign firms.

It would also help paying for maintenance and upgrades to what are known as ‘switches’ at base stations that help in the calling process and transmission between base stations as well as paying for international internet bandwidth.

Local telecom firms Econet, NetOne, Telecel, Africom, Powertel and TelOne depend on such services with need growing over time due to the growth in internet penetration, fixed voice traffic, mobile voice traffic, mobile internet data, and international incoming internet bandwidth.

Due to this rise, telecommunication infrastructure need to be constantly maintained and upgraded to meet rising demand which requires forex.

Econet, in emailed responses to NewsDay confirmed that they were experiencing forex exchange challenges and an increase in network usage.

Compounding the situation is the recent introduction of the 2019 Monetary Policy that legalised local currency into official tender forcing telecom companies to seek a review on tariffs.

Industry sources said days after the release of the 2019 Monetary Policy, the telecoms sector wrote to Potraz requesting an upward review of tariffs.

Machengete said they were currently considering those proposals and would need at least 14 days to look into the matter.

NewsDay

CHIEF Justice Luke Malaba has thwarted a move by suspended University of Zimbabwe (UZ) vice-chancellor Levi Nyagura to directly approach the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) challenging his prosecution by a special anti-corruption unit set up by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Nyagura is facing charges of corruptly awarding a PhD to former First Lady, Grace Mugabe.

Justice Malaba deliberated on Nyagura’s application which was filed in October last year in his chambers, and yesterday made a determination upholding a decision by a Harare provincial magistrate Lazini Ncube, who had earlier dismissed the UZ boss’ bid to approach the highest court in the land.

In his application, Nyagura had cited Ncube, Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi and the anti-corruption unit’s prosecutors Tapiwa Fresh Godzi and Michael Chakandida, as respondents.

“There is discordance between what happened and the relief sought. The relief sought is based on the allegation that there was refusal by the court to refer the constitutional questions to the court. There was no refusal. There was a determination of the constitutional questions on merits,” Justice Malaba ruled in concurrence with other Constitutional Court judges, justices Tendai Uchena and Vernanda Makoni.

“The decision terminated the controversy between the parties on the question whether the authority to prosecute was lawfully given to the third and fourth respondents (Godzi and Chakandida), by giving victory to the Prosecutor-General. The applicant (Nyagura) was bound by the decision of the court and had to stand trial.”

Justice Malaba further said Nyagura invoked a wrong remedy in a bid to redress the magistrate’s court ruling, adding if he felt the ruling was wrong, he should have filed an appeal to redress the magistrate’s decision.

“A wrong judicial decision does not, however, give rise to a ground for an alleged violation of the right to equal protection of the law. No law provides protection to a litigant against the possibility of a judicial officer making a wrong decision. In the result, it is ordered as follows: the application be and is hereby dismissed, with no order as to costs,” Justice Malaba said.

In his application Nyagura had argued that according to Section 260 (1) of the Constitution a public prosecutor was supposed to be independent, impartial and not subject to the direction or control of anyone, adding anyone who assists the PG must be employed by a board of the National Prosecuting Authority.

Allegations against Nyagura are that sometime in 2011, he single-handedly accepted and approved Grace’s application to study for a PhD in Sociology without the knowledge of the Department Board and Faculty of Higher Degrees Committee.

The State alleges that Nyagura went on to appoint two professors to supervise Grace’s thesis without the board’s approval. Nyagura is also accused of usurping the powers of the UZ senate by single-handedly appointing examiners for Grace’s research in violation of the UZ Act, and Ordinance 1998/99.

— NewsDay

Correspondent|Senior government officials from South Africa arrived in the country yesterday for preparatory meetings of the third session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) amid indications that the $400 million National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) deal will be on the agenda.

The BNC, to be held next Tuesday, will be co-chaired by President Mnangagwa and his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, coming hard on the heels of a similar fixture between Zimbabwe and Botswana last week.

The two leaders, widely considered to be pro-business, are expected to take strong bilateral cooperation between the two neighbours a notch higher.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade spokesperson Mr Gideon Gapare yesterday said all was set for the BNC which is the highest bilateral framework of cooperation between the two countries.

“A team of senior officials is coming today (yesterday),” he said.

“There will be a preparatory meeting tomorrow to be attended by senior officials of both countries. Thereafter we will have a meeting of Ministers.”

Senior officials will meet today and tomorrow while a Ministerial meeting will be held on Monday.

Own Correspondent|A fire has destroyed a section of Kariba Hospital with firefighters from the Kariba Municipality and the Civil Aviation Authority now trying to contain the raging fire.

Eyewitnesses say the fire started from the Pharmacy section at around 5am this morning and spread to other sections.

The cause is yet to be ascertained.

It has spread to the X-ray section and fire fighters from Kariba Municipality and the Central Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) are trying to put out the fire and restrain it from spreading to other sections of the hospital.

This is a developing story…..

Former Police Commissioner General Dr Augustine Chihuri’s family has been hit hard by financial challenges to an extent of petitioning the High Court for permission to sell an agro-residential plot in Goromonzi to pay school fees for three minor children.

The plot measuring 3,5 hectares, was registered in the name of one of Dr Chihuri’s children, 20-year-old Miss Samantha Chihuri, but three other minor siblings have usufruct to the same property.

In terms of the law, one cannot sell a property in which minor children have personal interest without seeking permission from the High Court, which is the upper guardian of all children.

Dr Chihuri’s wife, Mrs Isabel Chihuri, this week filed a chamber application at the High Court seeking an order empowering her to sell the property to finance the children’s educational needs. The minor children are aged 16, 11 and nine.

In the application prepared by Zimbodza & Associates, Mrs Chihuri said her major Samantha wanted to finance her college fees and related needs.

The same money, according to Mrs Chihuri, will also be used to pay fees for the other three minor children.

“The three have personal rights, namely usufruct on a property belonging to and registered in the name of Samantha Chihuri, born the first of June 1999, my major daughter,” said Mrs Chihuri.

“The deed of transfer is attached hereto as Annexure D. Samantha intends to sell the property to finance her college tuition and college-related needs. It is also intended that the money from this sale will also finance the school fees and school-related needs of the minor children.”

Mrs Chihuri wants the court to appoint Harare lawyer Ms Shoorai Gutsa as curator to the three minor children and to manage and protect the interests of the minor children in the transaction.

“I have nominated Ms Shoorai Gutsa, a senior legal practitioner, notary public and conveyancer who has agreed to be a curator ad litem for the said minor children,” said Mrs Chihuri.

“She will be able to assess and ascertain what is in the best interest of the said minors prior to the sale and transfer of the property.”

Master of High Court Mr Eldard Mutasa, who was cited as the respondent in his official capacity, is yet to respond to the application.

State Media

By Own Correspondent- Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has revealed that he has no qualms congratulating anyone who emerges winner in the upcoming party’s National Elective Congress slated for May 24- 25.

Chamisa said contrary to circulating sentiments which are especially coming from Zanu Pf, the MDC is not heading for a split but the party is set to emerge stronger as it is going to democratically come up with fresh, renewed and competence leader.

Chamisa said this while addressing journalists at Morgan Tsvangirai House (Wednesday) shortly after holding the National Standing Committee meeting.

Said Chamisa:

“I will be the first one to congratulate anyone who emerges the winner in the upcoming congress…..The upcoming 5th Congress is a turning point for the MDC, we are moving to another level.

We have a platform to set a new culture, new infrastructure, new systems, new ideas, new tactics and strategies. While defining a new course for Zimbabwe!”

By Own Correspondent| Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has warned party leaders against publicly saying divisive statements to the media adding that those found on the wanting side would face the full disciplinary action by the party.

Chamisa revealed that the National Standing Committee resolved that only party spokesperson would issue statements to the media.

Said Chamisa:

“Leaders may always say certain statements but we are a party with protocol, with rules and regulations. We have had a meeting since morning, we discussed our issue, you will see, read my lips, look at my face, you will not see any such things going forward. If there are any such things where people are name calling, they would have crossed the line and there will be gnashing of teeth and they know it. All the leaders are here so it is not a threat but it is just a promise of what will happen if there is any crossing of the line.”

Norton legislator and businessman Themba Mliswa could face yet another parliamentary probe for allegedly dragging Mines and Mining Development Portfolio Committee into the Makomo Resources and Zambezi Gas coal claims dispute, The Herald Business has learnt.

Mr Mliswa is already under probe for allegedly demanding a $400 000 bribe from local businessman Mr James Ross Goddard of JRG Contracting (Pvt) Ltd in exchange for a mining contract at Hwange Colliery Company.

Zambezi Gas and Makomo — some of the country’s largest coal producers — are locked in a turf war over the control of over 11 000 hectares of coal-rich claims in Matabeleland North province.

The dispute is negatively impacting on the country’s coal haul at a time President Mnangagwa’s Zimbabwe is Open for Business mantra is showing green shoots that are certain to result in a rise in energy demand.

Sources at the Mining Affairs Board, have previously confided in the press that the dispute emanates from a mistake on Zambezi Gas’ special grant, which on its first page shows that the firm had been given 19 720 hactares but goes on to indicate that the land is 8 644ha on the second page.

However, it is understood, the map accompanying the special grant shows that Zambezi Gas’ land is actually 8 644ha as is on page two not the 19 720ha on page one.

But in new revelations unearthed by The Herald Business, Mr Mliswa is alleged to have clandestinely sought to railroad the Parliamentary portfolio committee on Mines and Mining Development into the dispute and influence a settlement favourable to Zambezi Gas.

Members of the committee who spoke to this publication on condition of anonymity, said on November 17, 2018 they set off for Hwange in a “hastily” organised trip whose purpose was to tour Hwange Colliery Company as part of Parliament’s oversight role.

Members were, however, surprised to be diverted off their official schedule allegedly at the instigation of Mr Mliswa and ended up at Zambezi Gas, ostensibly to learn how private companies were conducting their coal business.

Once at Zambezi Gas, the MPs allege that the subject changed and the company’s dispute with Makomo became topical subject of discussion.

“We were surprised when we got there that everything then became all about their dispute with Makomo and it was clear we were meant to get involved in the dispute,” said a member of the committee who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“To sweeten the deal, we were all paid $300 each, about 38 of us but they were not done just yet.

“Later on we were taken to one of the most prestigious restaurants in the resort town of Victoria Falls where we were treated to expensive food and whiskey,” said the MP who spoke to The Herald Business in the presence of three other members of the committee, all of whom concurred.

Zambezi Gas deputy MD and shareholder Mr Linos Masimura, confirmed giving the MPs $300 each but insisted it was just corporate social responsibility and not meant to solicit for any favours.

Mr Masimura also confirmed treating the MPs to “dinner” at one of Victoria Falls’ most iconic restaurants, the Boma, which he said had already been planned for Zambezi Gas staff as it was around Christmas time.

“These allegations are basically baseless because we had no issue before Parliament,” said Mr Masimura. “. . . when they came we were going to have an end of year dinner. . . so they also came for the dinner.

“At the dinner, their chairperson (Mr Mliswa) openly said ‘you know Government these days doesn’t have much money, these MPs you see are struggling financially, they haven’t been paid their allowances . . . then we made a donation to everyone who was there,” he said.

Sources in the portfolio committee said afterwards, Mr Mliswa then allegedly asked the parliamentarians to immediately make recommendations to Government to hastily facilitate the handover of the disputed claims to Zambezi Gas.

It is alleged that members of the committee, however, refused to accede to the demands resulting in a nasty confrontation between the legislators in full view of hotel staff at the MPs’ place of residence with Mr Mliswa particularly threatening to physically assault Gutu West legislator John Paradza.

Mr Mliswa could not be reached for comment yesterday.

State Media

President Nelson Chamisa’s Statement to the Press on the 6th of March 2019 – Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House

Defining a new course for Zimbabwe.
(New Direction, New Ideas)

Background:

The crisis in Zimbabwe is escalating. The effects of the legitimacy crisis continue to arrest Zimbabwe and calls for genuine dialogue seem to have fallen on deaf ears in spite of the unpalatable suffering of the working people.

There is closure of the democratic space, an obvious result of tyrannical consolidation in Zimbabwe and the continuation of a new state in which there is conflation of the party and the state. There is a continuation of the old order of economic lethargy, economic destruction, corruption and patronage.

Economic crisis

The Monetary Policy Statement presented in February by the RBZ governor has compounded problems in the Zimbabwean economy. It has escalated speculative behavior and formalized rent seeking transactions by the elite while the masses are at the receiving end of price hikes including basics like bread.

The monetary policy created the following problems:

1.It introduced a new currency through the back door without addressing the fundamentals including the relationship between exports and imports (Trade Position) and more importantly the social contract. An abused citizen rejects the authority of the state and the currency becomes an immediate casualty.

1. Illegal forfeiture of foreign currency through a retention scheme which will result in creating extra legal means of correction by exporters.
2. State sponsored rent selling platforms in which the political elites will still access united state dollars at the RBZ using the 1:1 rate stipulated in section 43 of the RBZ Act which has not been repealed, and selling it on the so called interbank platform or even the alternative black market.
3. Creation of a state-initiated inflationary environment.
4. Floating the RTGS dollar resulted in a deliberate devaluation of people’s savings in bank accounts which were not ring-fenced with no mention of compensation.

In short, the monetary policy blew an opportunity to resolve the fundamental questions. We have offered as the alternative to say in order to move forward, you need to restore trust and confidence, but in order to restore this confidence, you need to have SMART economic measures and we have offered those measures to Mr. Mnangagwa and his team, but we have seen that they are ignoring that alternative.

The people’s plight worsening

Today the price of bread went up again; basic commodities’ price hikes continue unabated and fuel shortages continue despite the fiction around fixing the price upwards.

The cost of living is increasing, earnings especially those of public servants remain stagnant. Labour unrest has characterized the first quarter of 2019; Industrial action and a stay away ensued due to the employer’s failure to address the grievances of the employees. We saw the destruction of livelihoods in the manner of Murambatsvina of 2005.

Clamp down on MDC members

At least 17 people are reported to have been killed in January of 2019 on account of the state’s heavy handedness.

Beyond these killings, there has been a systematic targeting of MDC members including senior leaders, MPs and Councilors. Leaders of the ZCTU and civic society were also targeted. There has been invasion of homes, abductions, and arbitrary arrests, mass and fast tracked trials.

The level of Human rights violation is worsening by the day. Hon Morgen Komichi, Hon Tendai Biti, Hon Charlton Hwende, Hon Amos Chibaya, Hon Happymore Chidziva, Hon Godfrey Sithole, Hon Levi Chimina, Hon Lloyd Mukapiko, Hon Settlement Chikwinya and Hon Joanna Mamombe have all been brought before the courts on trumped up charges.

Resultantly, Zimbabwe has plunged further down the democracy indices in the world. The failure to live by the minimum standards set out in different International Conventions has resulted in the further isolation of Zimbabwe by international actors. The case in point is the discussions in the European Parliament, the British Parliament and recently the position taken by the United States of America to deal with self-inflicted problems in Zimbabwe.

We have always made the point that Zimbabwe must dialogue and have a comprehensive reform program. It requires no money. The returns we get from respecting the rule of law, human rights and Constitutionalism is higher than the narrow benefit of power retention.

We make the point for key reforms in our five point plan to legitimacy.

Dialogue

To resolve the challenges arresting Zimbabwe, the MDC continues to propose dialogue anchored on the following five key areas.

a. The return to legitimacy, demilitarization and agreement on a roadmap to such a change

b. Agreement on a comprehensive reform platform and agenda

c. Agreement on resolution of the economic and humanitarian crisis

d. Resolution on the agenda of nation building, national healing and the resolution of the social contract.

e. International reengagement and ending Zimbabwe’s isolation and the integration in the international community.

To date, no dialogue has taken place. Mr Mnangagwa has not responded to the 6th of February 2019 letter written to him by the MDC about dialogue.

We have stated that the dispute is around legitimacy; therefore, it is impossible for any of the two actors to be the convener of dialogue. We have set minimum conditions for genuine dialogue that has the capacity to resolve the current impasse.

Congress Roadmap

MDC 5th Congress – Theme: Defining a new course for Zimbabwe

The Congress of 24-26 May 2019 is the fifth National Congress of the MDC. In the two decades of the party’s existence, Dr Morgan Tsvangirai, our late icon, has groomed enough leaders to steer the Party of excellence forward.

Service and sacrifice continues to define the character and nature of the MDC leadership. We brought the energy and revived the people’s party of excellence, the party is united and revitalized; we have rebooted the zeal and enthusiasm for change, igniting the hopes of many, in Zimbabwe, the African continent and beyond.

We soared above limitations, exceeded expectations and defied the odds. The people’s outstanding efforts were amazing.

Thank you Zimbabwe!

We made giant leaps. We are the leading party and a government in almost all urban areas. We are the government in 28 of the 32 of our major cities and towns. Our mayors are doing a fantastic job, save for a few who need to be assisted.

Our competitor is losing ground. We are gaining ground.

They are discredited, we are credible.

We were voted for by a mammoth 2,6 million people, if you are honest or 2.1 million if you are dishonest. Attracting members from the opposite side including some eminent ones, is no mean feat. What a great achievement!

We thank all those who believed and continue to believe in us. As you may know, a party that governs does so by destroying the base of the opposite side. We have done so well.

MDC 5th Congress – a turning point

The upcoming 5th Congress is a turning point for the MDC, we are moving to another level. We have a platform to set a new culture, new infrastructure, new systems, new ideas, new tactics and strategies. While defining a new course for Zimbabwe!

We will show the world that the MDC is a producer of democracy.

Change is our style and fashion. Change is our way of life.

This is our chance to re-energise the base, reflect a new dynamism, and set new standards as well as an opportunity to choose a full and effective people’s leadership and government.

We must come out of this congress a brand new and stronger party – a party of excellence.

We formed the MDC as a refuge to dictatorship, tyranny, violence, factionalism, unpatriotic politics, corruption and careerism in the former liberation party, Zanu PF. We can’t be what we are running away from. We can’t be what we seek to dismantle.

The path to congress is going to be characterized by experiments, anxiety and democratic adventures. It is going to be tough and choppy, but we are the biggest party in the country, we will find a lasting solution.

We need peace, tolerance, maturity, equanimity and robustness in all campaigns and our choice of quality leaders. We dare not elect lazy leaders who are only active during congresses. We must constitutionally pass the muster with MDC membership and democratic scrutiny. Therefore, we will allow all to go through the democracy mill.

Our agenda of growing the party is on course. The MDC is a broad church for all Zimbabweans from all backgrounds and shades of opinion. Being a social democratic, labour-backed party, we seek to cement and consolidate the party’s pan-African flair, locate our liberation struggle roots, nationalistic appeal, the national democratic revolution, standing on the shoulders of freedom fighters, war veterans and the liberation narrative.

Whereas we are dealing with a violent party, we must be a vibrant and vigilant party. We must show difference and excellence in all the zones of autonomy in local authorities and parliament and constituencies where we have the mandate to lead and represent the great people of Zimbabwe.

The MDC must at all times remain a people-centered party, a people’s parliament and the people must at all times have a say in shaping the position of our great party.

Therefore, when we speak of unity in the MDC, we refer to the united action of the people through the concert of a festival of ideas, as they put aside their racial, tribal, gender and class differences to map out a common national development trajectory. The people shall govern! We must not be extremists causing hatred. We must be measured in our language and tone.

What makes the MDC great is the celebration of dissent and diversity. The MDC is intact and growing bigger into a post-independence liberation force, democratization catalyst and transformation agent in Zimbabwe.

Nonetheless, we will be vigilant and guard against infiltration and violence from without. Non-members cannot manage internal affairs.

We are aware that our competition is working through the witching hours and burning the midnight oil to see the upcoming congress in disarray and to destroy the people’s party and throw into jeopardy.

The MDC will never split for it is the people’s project. The people cannot split. The people’s project will never be split by selfish motives. Individuals may from time to time elect and choose to get lost but along the way, often sooner, they will either find themselves or be found!‬

We want to grow the base. As I always say, we grow by adding, where necessary by multiplying and never by dividing or subtracting. To add is to strengthen and to subtract is to weaken!

We must remain focused on the goal. That which unites us far exceeds whatever might separate us.
Together we shine, asunder we are all dust!

Behold the New. Change that Delivers!
MDC: Defining a New Course for Zimbabwe!
God bless Zimbabwe. God bless Africa.

Adv. Nelson Chamisa
MDC President

Farai Dziva|Zanu-PF secretary for information and Publicity Simon Khaya Moyo has condemned the extension of sanctions against top government officials.

“Zimbabwe under the New Dispensation has instituted remarkable electoral reforms which created a conducive environment for free, fair and credible elections as manifested in July 2018,” said Khaya Moyo.

“The country has witnessed the upholding of human rights fundamentals and the liberalisation of the media and many other freedoms as enshrined in the National Constitution. It must be understood by the Trump Administration that there was no justification in the first place for the USA to impose the sanctions over a bilateral historical issue between Zimbabwe and Britain.

It cannot be correct for the American Government to infer that the recent harmonised elections in Zimbabwe were irregular as they were endorsed by domestic, regional and continental bodies like SADC, the AU and various other international observer missions.

The verdict by the Zimbabwe Constitutional Court on the electoral challenge by MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa, declaring President ED Mnangagwa the winner brought the matter to finality.”

By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has with immediate effect dissolved the Zanu-PF Harare and Bulawayo provincial structures.

This was revealed by the party’s secretary for information and publicity Simon Khaya while briefing journalists after a Politburo meeting held at the party’s headquarters today.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates.

Own Correspondent|Vice President Kembo Mohadi has been granted a divorce from ex-wife Tambudzani Bhudagi Mohadi (nee Muleya)’s by the High Court.

VP Mohadi approached the court back in 2017 seeking nullification of the couple’s divorce, claiming their marriage had irretrievably broken down.

The divorce battle was filled with drama and a lot of hard feelings with VP Mohadi approaching the Civil Court seeking a protection order against his ex-wife at some point.

Tambudzani once sued Mohadi’s mistress Juliet Mutavatsindi for $1,5 million for adultery damages.

Kembo is currently dating Juliet Mutavhatsindi whom he shows up with at occasions.

Correspondent|MDC Alliance president, Mr Nelson Chamisa has gagged senior officials from the party from commenting on the forthcoming congress as the opposition leader struggles to contain the simmering tension among members.

Addressing journalists today in Harare, Mr Chamisa threatened members who used social media and different platforms to denounce others ahead of congress saying there would be “gnashing of teeth for those crossed the line.”

He also skirted on giving details on his diplomatic offensive that he claimed to have embarked upon last week claiming that his opponents should not know whom “we meet.”

Correspondent|A section of residents in Zvishavane-Runde Constituency has written a letter to media houses appealing for the world to assist them in locating their Member of Parliament who has never set foot at the constituency since election results were announced.

The residents allege that the MP has neglected his duties to spearhead development in the area.

Find the letter of appeal below:

Dear Zimbabweans

This is an urgent appeal to all Zimbabweans and the world at large to help us find our member of parliament who has been missing since August 2018. The man was last seen just before the July 31 elections canvassing for support.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the Honourable Member of Zvishavane-Runde constituency must tell him that his constituency especially Murowa Ward is missing him and his supposed services.

As a result of his absence, gross negligence or mere incompetence the ward and the community is suffering since noons is listening to the community’s problems and challenges. Murowa Ward in Zvishavane District is one of the poorest and underdeveloped places in the world despite being home to one of the richest diamond mines.

The area has no roads, no potable water, no electricity, no life at all as most buildings are cracking and falling apart due to the extensive blasting by the mine. Water bodies, air and the environment, in general, are heavily polluted by this reckless and careless mine.

The mine is doing virtually nothing in terms of corporate social investment despite their employees enjoying fat salaries and fancy packages such as flying to and from work.

Maybe the guy doesn’t know that he won the elections and has a constituency to cater for or it was a total blunder on our part voting for him when the duties of an M.P! Surely, with this calibre of M.Ps Zimbabwe will never develop. No wonder the circus and childish behaviour we witness in Parliament. We really feel abandoned, neglected and uncared for!

Cry The Beloved People

Murowa Community

Most of the day on Monday a lot of Econet subscribers could not make calls, send SMS messages, check their balance and worse could not use the USSD platform to perform EcoCash transactions.

According to the Herald, Econet issued a statement last night explaining what happened. Well unless the Herald skimmed off the actual explanation, none was given really. None that makes sense anyway. They just told us what we went through:

The Herald says:

In a statement released last night, the mobile giant said the fault initially resulted in call failures in the Masvingo region only, but later escalated to a nation-wide problem following an abnormal surge in traffic, which led to instability on its key network systems.

They quote Econet thus:

The instability on our key network systems resulted in intermittent failure by customers to make calls, send SMSes (messages), browse mobile data or to use USSD for services such as EcoCash and to purchase product bundles across the network

Well, we knew that already…

The issue of foreign currency
We have been saying here the current state of affairs in the country makes it difficult for operators to maintain a consistent quality service. There isn’t any foreign currency for these guys to import replacement equipment and other services they get outside the country to keep their networks oil smooth.

Econet said the same thing to the Herald:

We are confident of our back-up systems, but access to foreign currency would certainly enhance the robustness of these systems

The fact of the matter unless the authorities do something, the quality of service is going to keep deteriorating. Unfortunately for you and I, the something to be done is to allow tariff increases so operators can compete with other businesses on the foreign currency market.

Techzim

Correspondent|War veteran from Mashonaland Central Province who went berserk late last year and savagely assaulted 116 pupils at a local primary school for alleged indiscipline has been jailed.

Solomon Samu was handed a three-year sentence by magistrate Tendai Muchena who suspended one-year and left him to serve an effective two years behind bars. It was the State’s case that Samu, who hails from Kanyemba Village under Chief Dotito in Mount Darwin, confronted the school’s deputy headmaster, Paddington Musake, in October last year demanding the “right” to beat up all the children at the school because they had “ill-discipline”.

As Samu made the bizarre demand, a fearful Musake felt powerless to stop him, as the seemingly deranged war veteran moved quickly to beat the learners, beginning with Grade Seven pupils who were about to write their final exams.

In passing judgment Muchena said the former freedom fighter had acted unlawfully in violating children’s rights hence he deserved a deterrent punishment. “The accused had the intention to harm all the children at the school and it is hard to imagine a country where an individual approaches a school from nowhere and demand the right to assault children,” Muchena said.

In mitigation, Samu through his lawyer Elaton Bonongwe pleaded for leniency saying he was old and had two school-going children who still needed to be taken care of. Samu also argued that he had been severely affected by the war and had not been treated for the trauma he suffered.

He also said he was suffering from a backache resulting from fragments of a grenade that hit him during the war. But Muchena pointed out that it was difficult to believe that nearly 40 years after the war, Samu was still suffering from the war effects that he did not know the effects of having to assault a whole school.

According to the State’s case after beating the Grade Seven pupils in the full view of their stunned teachers, Samu allegedly called on the Grade six and five learners, whereupon he meted on them the same punishment. He only stopped the beatings when Musake and the other teachers eventually gathered the courage to threaten to call police to deal with him.

Despite the incident happening in October last year, and school authorities immediately filing a formal complaint with police against the war veteran, he was only arrested last week after the intervention of parents and the Social Welfare department.

A very good afternoon to you Mr. Speaker Sir.  I felt that I should prepare a statement for this so that I do not lose my train of thought.  

Today being the 5^th March my reference is. Statement of apology to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Advocate Jacob Mudenda.  

The statement begins:

Mr Speaker, Hon. Advocate Jacob Mudenda and Hon Members of Parliament here present.  During a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee Meeting on Mines and Mining Development in the Senate Chamber on Monday 11^th February 2019, an incident erupted between Hon. Dexter Nduna and me. 

 During the debacle, I inadvertently included the name of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Advocate Jacob Mudenda in the furore, mistakenly linking him with the nefarious actions attributed to Hon. Nduna.  

The erroneous accusation was premised on misinformation emanating from Hon. Nduna who fabricated a false association with the Hon. Speaker in an attempt to shield and seek protection from the underhand dealings he was associated with to make them appear above board.

It was unfortunate that the exchange with Hon. Nduna and myself occurred at a time that I was personally labouring with extreme sentiments of dissatisfaction and frustration with the Mines Committee.  

The alleged corruption cases, politicisation of the Committee, the seeming neglect to resolve matters as raised and recommended as well as interference from those members co-opted to protect self-interest cultivated extreme feelings of dejection which unfortunately caused me to lash out. 

 I subsequently warn all my esteemed colleagues who use the names of those in higher offices to hide behind or as some form of protection to immediately desist from the practice, the name of the Speaker must not be held in disrepute. I therefore sincerely apologise to the Hon. Speaker, Advocate Jacob Mudenda for the attack on his person and credibility and regret the outburst thereof. 

Hon. Advocate Jacob Mudenda is a person that I hold in high regard and have a great sense of esteem for the dogmatic, professional and ethical manner in which he executes his duties, which affectionately earned him the nickname, “the headmaster”.  

So great is the respect and confidence I have for his professionalism and efficiency that I seconded Hon. Mudenda as Speaker of the National Assembly for the 9^th Parliament of Zimbabwe, a vote of confidence that I do not take lightly.  

I look up to Hon. Mudenda as a father figure and as a son; I bow down my head for forgiveness for my transgression.

Mr. Speaker Sir, I appeal to you to address matters brought to your attention to avoid those involved from the perception that they are untouchable or are afforded any protection by you. 

 A matter in point, as an example is the issue brought up by Hon Lynette Karenyi who spoke out against the alleged abuse of women by Hon. Members, Paradza and Zhou which to date remains pending.  

These are the very same Hon. Members who continue to cause havoc in Parliamentary Committees, as I indicated in my quarterly report.  

They are the very same Hon. Members who are yet to engage in meaningful debate in Parliament and at best are recorded in the Hansard for their heckling which leaves a lot to be desired.

The Ninth Parliament of Zimbabwe will cause a challenge for you Mr. Speaker Sir, if Hon. Members of Parliament cannot maintain the decorum and integrity of the august House.  

The important role of scrutiny and oversight cannot continue to be trivialised by those serving selfish interests, we are here to serve national interest.

However, whilst I apologise for Hon. Mudenda’s inclusion, I do not take back my words regarding the fight against corruption.  My stance against those involved remains consistent and I will ensure that I re-double my efforts to see that justice is served and that the double and triple thieves are brought to book.  

As a nation, we will struggle to implement any meaningful policies to move the country forward if we do not tackle and remove the disease of corruption from our society. 

Corruption is the cancer that will thwart any attempts at economic resuscitation from thriving, and it is with that in mind that I continue to advocate for the panacea of Zero Tolerance to Corruption.

Correspondent|FORMER President, Robert Mugabe was yesterday implicated in former Minister of ICT and Cyber Security, Supa Mandiwanzira’s case of criminal abuse of office.

There were claims that the former head of state gave the ex-minister green light to act unlawfully.

Mandiwanzira said this in an application for referral to the Constitutional Court for it to determine the duties of a public officer.

Advocate Thembinkosi Magwaliba representing Mandiwanzira told regional magistrate Elijah Makomo that the relevant provision of Section 174, which is being relied upon by the State was too broad inhibiting public officers to conduct their duties.

“The basis of the application is that the provision is too wide and all-encompassing to the fact that public officers are hindered from carrying out their normal administrative duties.

“Mandiwanzira couldn’t have conducted himself in a manner contrary to his duties as a public officer because the duties are not defined in the Act and this endows police officers to determine what the parameters of the duties are.”

Magwaliba said his client did all he did with the interests of the public in mind.

“Mandiwanzira had full authority of the president of Zimbabwe to engage Megawatt to revise the contract between NetOne and Huawei, he will give evidence of the letters he exchanged with him and minutes of meetings held between the two parties,” said Magwaliba.

In their application, they maintained that administration work is about making decisions so it’s selective and is bound to show favor or disfavor to any person hence it was important for the constitutionality to be determined in the superior court.

Magwaliba also led evidence from Mandiwanzira, who said he has written letters to the secretary to the President and cabinet requesting minutes and permission to disclose the discussions under camera.

Magistrate Makomo questioned Mandiwanzira whether he would maintain the same argument if he was told that the duties of a public officer are not numerated in Section 174 but are put together by other pieces of legislation.

He responded saying he would maintain his argument because the constitution does not specify the level of discretion to be exercised by a public officer and he thought he was doing well for the nation by involving an auditor for free.

Micheal Chakandida opposed the application and the matter was remanded to today for ruling.

Mandiwanzira is accused of criminal abuse of office after he allegedly engaged South African firm, Megawatt Company to provide services to NetOne without going to tender.

He is also accused of appointing his personal assistant, Tawanda Chinembiri to the Postal Telecommunications and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) board.

Own Correspondent|In a very alarming development for the country, which would make Zimbabwe a haven for paedophiles, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Welfare is reported to be pushing for the age of se_xual consent to be reduced to 12 years. At the moment, the legal age of consent is 16 years.

The matter was confirmed by the Assistant Clerk of Parliament Johane Gandiwa who said that the issue of reducing the age of sexual consent to 12 years was actually discussed by the Health and Child Welfare committee last week during a workshop.

Commenting on the matter, former Harare West legislator Jessie Majome said,

“I remember how we fought so hard in the 8th Parliament with Innocent Gonese and Priscilla Misihairabwi in the Committee stage of the Criminal Codification Reform Amendment Bill to raise the consent age from 14 to 18 and got 16, now it can just blow away in 2 fell swoops!”

Correspondent|Transport minister Joe Big Matiza on Tuesday dissolved the Central Mechanical and Equipment Department (CMED) board with “immediate effect.”

In a letter written to board members by Matiza, the board was dissolved after consultations between the minister and President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the dissolution was in order to “pave way for the re-organisation of the company,”

A copy of the letter which is dated March 5 2019 reads:

“Following due consultations with His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, it has been agreed that the Board of Directors for (CMED) (Pvt) Ltd be dissolved. The dissolution is with immediate effect,” reads part of the letter.

Despite, the ‘diplomatic’ wording and reasons stated in the letter of dismissal, our sources revealed that Mnangagwa was irked by reports of rampant corruption within the parastatal.

As reported last week, the CMED was probed for undervaluation and hiring of the outsourced vehicles to the top Ministry of Mines officials.

“The CID is interested in establishing why the CMED would hire cars sourced from individuals to give the directors after they had purchased official ministry vehicles.

“There is strong suspicion that these cars that were hired belong to individuals who are closely associated or related to top CMED officials. It is clear there is a case of corruption,”our source said then.

CMED allegedly hired six luxury vehicles to the Ministry of Mines executives at a cost of $24 000 per month.

Correspondent|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has described the ruling party ZANU-PF as “legendary” when it comes to infiltrating the opposition and causing confusion among MDC structures, but warned that efforts to derail the opposition movement will not work.

He added that the MDC was undisturbed by an alleged Zanu PF plot to detail the party’s forthcoming Congress through imposing some candidates favoured by the ruling party.

Chamisa told journalists in Harare today that “all these efforts to derail our Congress and aspirations of MDC members will not work.”

He made these remarks amid reports that MDC secretary general Douglas Mwonzora wants to contest the post of president currently being held by the 40-year-old founding member of the opposition party.

Chamisa warned party activists to desist from deriding his perceived rivals, saying every party member has a right to contest a post of his choice in the MDC whose first president Morgan Tsvangirai died of cancer of the colon a year ago.

The party spilt soon after Tsvangirai was buried in his rural home with then vice president Thokozani Khupe claiming that she was supposed to take over the presidential seat.

Chamisa’s handlers claimed that Tsvangirai wanted the youthful party member to succeed him.

The MDC holds its elective Congress from 24 to 26 May at a venue Chamisa said will be announced in due course.

Correspondent|An angry Gokwe teacher was reportedly arrested during weekend after confronting the Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, Professor Paul Mavima in a beer hall over poor working conditions.

Stephen Mangoma of Mateta in Gokwe South district confronted Mavima who was in a bar in Gokwe on Friday, charging that the education minister was responsible for his suffering.

“I hate you, and I hate ZANU PF because you are responsible for our suffering,” shouted Mangoma.

Sensing danger, Mavima took to his heels while the angry Mangoma allegedly chased him.

Mavima was on tour in his Gokwe South constituency, visiting various party structures and supervising some of his community projects.

Mangoma was later on tracked down by police resulting in his arrest on Saturday and charged with disorderly conduct.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure condemned Mangoma’s arrest which he described as harassment.

Mangoma was expected to appear before Gokwe Magistrate court today.

Paul Nyathi|Heavy in fighting and factional divisions within the ruling ZANU PF have forced the party’s politburo to dissolve the Harare and Bulawayo provincial structures with immediate effect.

This was revealed by the party’s secretary for information and publicity Simon Khaya-Moyo.

He was briefing journalists after a Politburo meeting held at the party’s headquarters on Wednesday.

More to follow…

Correspondent|THE MDC Alliance’s Standing Committee held a meeting at the party’s headquarters in Harare on Wednesday afternoon to strategize the road-map for the elective Congress which the party has set for 24 to 26 May.

We give you below the key points raised by party leader Advocate Nelson Chamisa during a press conference held after the Standing Committee meeting:

Zimbabwe has a leadership and legitimacy crisis and which if not resolved will continue to erode prospects of having an economic narrative that will improve the livelihoods of Zimbabweans.

We are seeing the reincarnation of yesteryear politics where there is closure of democratic space. There is corruption, patronage and poverty and the devaluation of our people’s lives and well as the widening of inequality gaps.

The interbank platform is also proving to be a problem. The floating of the RTGS dollar is quite problematic and the cash situation in the banks has not improved. We have offered as an alternative to restore confidence but with the crisis of governance we have, the problems will continue and the livelihoods will continue to be destroyed.

We have also seen a systematic targeting of strong MDC leaders, MPs and civil society in order to silence them. The level of human rights violation is worsening. At least 17 people from our records have been killed since January.

Zimbabwe has attracted isolation from the international community due to its level of intolerance. There have been invasion of homes, abductions, mass trials and fast-tracking of cases which are all a violation of rights.  We have seen our leaders such as Tendai Biti, Lloyd Mukapiko, Settlement Chikwinya, Joana Mamombe, Amos Chibaya, Levy Chiminya, Happymore Chidziva, Morgen Komichi and many others.

Zimbabwe has gone further down in terms of democracy indicators, and all this is self-inflicted by the regime of Emmerson Mnangagwa.

This is why we have emphasized dialogue. We have clearly stated that we are prepared for dialogue with Mr. Mnangagwa to discuss the issues affecting Zimbabwe. We do not know why he is afraid of having a brow-to-brow, eye-to-eye conversation of the issues affecting us.

We wrote to Mr. Mnangagwa on the 6th of February telling him we cannot be part of his type of dialogue of like-minded losers of the 2018 elections.

There is a sideshow that has been disguised as a dialogue. But we have seen that a lot of leaders are withdrawing from that sideshow of a dialogue.

On the State of the MDC

The MDC is going into the 5th Congress since its formations. The MDC is a giant that will emerge stronger from the Congress. This year we celebrate 20 years of resisting tyranny, of fighting for democracy. We have to acknowledge that in last year’s elections, our party made a good showing in the presidential and local ward elections.

We have revitalized the party. That is why you can see Mr. Biti is here, Mr. Welshman Ncube and many other leaders are here. You are aware of the outstanding performance that we made in gaining ground across the whole country. Our competitor ZANU-PF is losing ground while our party is gaining ground.

If you are honest, you will accept we got 2.6 million votes. If you are dishonest you will say we got 2.1 million votes, but all the same, we gained support including from some very prominent people from across the political divide.

The Congress will give us a chance to renew out team. I am going to be the first who will congratulate whoever emerges victorious from this Congress.

This is a chance and opportunity to have a fresh set of leaders, new structure, new ideas, new strategies… that is the thrust we are taking.

The theme of our Congress is Defining a New Course for Zimbabwe.

After the Congress, Mr. Mnangagwa must be ready for us because we are going to retool our party for the task of taking leadership and responsibility of this country in a democratic manner.

We are going to show the world that we are a democratic party; that we do not only talk democracy but we practice democracy.

As we go into Congress, tensions will rise. We must however not exchange blows. we have also resolved as leadership that we are not going to do things the ZANU-PF way where leaders are endorsed. In our party, leaders are nominated.

We want to ensure that democracy is there in our party. Mr. Chamisa is not the first or the last born leader in the MDC. Mr. Tsvangirai groomed me, but he also groomed many other leaders in the party. In fact, we have shown to ZANU-PF that by killing Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, if they thought that our movement was dead, we managed to rebuild it from the ashes.

We are MDC and we can’t do that which we are running away from: dictatorship. We will have the best Congress ever. There will be an independent body to run our Congress, and all the leaders are going to be a part to constituting that body so that there is no foul cry. We do not want to create a ZEC within the MDC.

Our agenda is to grow this party and to fish from the other parties across the political divide. We will resist the temptation to use violence to settle differences within our party. 

But we will not allow our leaders to be spokespersons of our party… we have only one spokesperson. But the leaders will be spokespersons to themselves as they campaign.

We have our own Congress road-map. The key dates will be as follows as we head to Congress:

• In March we will have the branch and the ward elections;
• In April, we shall have the district congress;
• Towards the end of April, we will have the provincial congress. This is where nominations will be done. In our party, people get nominated.
• in May, all the nominated candidates will go into caucuses for campaigns or “beauty contests”. Those nominated will address the address the membership, articulating what they will be able to do.

So there will be a full month of campaign in those caucuses. Then we will go into congress at a venue to be announced. But we will also have the women’s congress and the youth congress during that same period.

The MDC is a people’s project and cannot afford to split. There is nothing wrong with people wanting to be chosen to lead the party. That is democracy, it can be painful but that is the essence of democracy.

The most important things for us is to bring our people together and a remain formidable party.

On utterances by war veterans leader Victor Matemadanda that they prefer a mature leader in party, let me tell you that Matemadanda prefers the MDC to ZANU-PF. I know that inside his heart, Matemadanda actually prefers Chamisa. If he continues with what he is doing I will produce the v11 (euphemism for evidence) to expose him that he really supports our movement. He should not try to divide us.

There is no division in the MDC.  We are a party with protocols, rules and regulations. We will not see any name-calling going forward. If there is any crossing of the line, I promise you that there will be gnashing of teeth. We have now set the do’s and don’t’s of how we will conduct ourselves going forward.

Whatever happened in the past weeks — the name-calling and all that — it is regrettable but you shall not see any of that again going forward.