Media Statement|The MDC notes with concern the continious harrassmment of party members by the ZANUPF government.

Today more leaders have been arrested on trumped up charges of inciting violence.

Hon Settlement Chikwinya was arrested today while a fast tracked trial has been suspiciously commenced against Hon Amos Chibaya and Hon Chiminya.

This conduct is unconstitutional, every citizen has the right to due process and a fair trial including adequate time to prepare a. defence.

We have seen the past few days being dominated by cases of rushed convictions and some strange sentences following the convictions including a five year jail term for a cooked charge of violent conduct.

We urge the government to end persecution of MDC  members forthwith, all trumped up charges  must be dropped and investigations of killings must be instituted.

Then ploy to use trumped up charges as a tool to weaken the MDC will not work.

We are aware that ZANUPF through its highest leaders including Chiwenga forced the police to release Gone who had been charged for the murder of two individuals in Budiriro this should be the focus of investigations, the idea of using state institutions for partisan witch hunts paints a bad picture on Zimbabwe.

MDC Communications Department

Correspondent|A looting soldier was shot by a businessman while leading residents to loot at Ashes Supermarket in Bulawayo.

An eye witness said, “One protester who was shot in Nkulumane 12 by a businessman is said to be soldier. He was shot at Ashes Supermarket.  On the day of the looting he was wearing civilian clothing but the residents know him.”

“After being shot by the businessman an army ambulance came and collected him because he was bleeding profusely.”

The testimony by the witness cements the circulating allegation that the operation to loot shops was led by elements of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces, National Youth Service graduates and ZANU PF Youth league members.

On Thursday some ZANU PF Youth league members were hauled before the courts for invading a PUMA garage owned by former minister Webster Shamu during the violent protests.

Another eyewitness from Nketa told us that a white Isuzu pickup truck carrying men in civilian clothing was moving from Nketa 6 to 9 and Emganwini dropping off men in plain clothes who led residents in breaking down doors in shops and to loot and burn the shops.

“People who were breaking shops came with a white Isuzu bakkie and were dropped in various shops.  People only started looting when the shops were opened.” The eye witness said. “The same group went to break the shops again at eMganwinini.”

One ex-military officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “On Monday I was seated by the roadside in Chitungwiza watching the road. I saw a group of young men with almost shaven heads jogging, they were very fit. They swiftly took car tyres set them on fire and put them on the road. They then started running.

“Those boys were too fit for ordinary men. And the bravery and the resilience they had to overpower police men shocked me.

“The boys also led in the destruction of shops and safeguarded  people as they were looting in Chitungwiza. I have my own suspicions but to tell you the truth, those boys who led the residents were not ordinary boys from the ghetto. Yes ghetto boys developed courage when they saw some of the guys overpowering police even inside police stations and joined  in the operation.”

Source Byo24

By Own Correspondent| Parents withheld their children from attending school on Friday despite calls by government for schools to open since the situation had normalised.

Most parents told ZimEye that they wanted to assess the situation and make sure that the environment was now safe for their children to attend school.

This is despite that teachers turned up for duty at their respective work stations.

Said a teacher who spoke on condition of anonymity:

“Yes we were at school but the learners did not turn up and we ended up just sitting. The learners did not come to school.”

Primary and Secondary Education minister Paul Mavhima implored parents to take their children to achool starting next week Monday.

Said Mavhima:

“…..we are urging parents to take their children to school……we are calling on schools that experience any challenges to report to the district.”

By Own Correspondent| Chitungwiza residents are living in fear following continuous night raids targeting especially youths following disturbances during the #Shutdown over fuel price increases.

Citizens who spoke to ZimEye from Unit A, D, H and E in Seke narrated how the soldiers and police details have made door to door raids fishing out especially young men including teenagers.

“They will be armed and when they knock on your door, if you delay opening it, they will break it down. They are also in the habit of indiscriminately assaulting everyone but men and boys are their targets.”

Another source from Zengeza 2 told of how a form 3 boy was picked up in the dead of the night by the security personnel.

“He was assaulted before they bundled him up in a truck in the middle of the night together with several other youths. We are fearing for our sons and husbands.”

Minister of state security Owen Ncube is on record attributing the stay- away and disturbances which rocked most major cities to opposition MDC, ZCTU and NGOs including the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition.

Ncube described the acts of violence which occurred during the stayaway as “treasonous” adding that they were well coordinated attacks aimed at removing a democratically elected government.

He revealed that members of the security sector were firmly on the ground carrying out investigations aimed at bringing the pepetrators of the attacks to book.

Said Ncube:

“MDC Alliance has been responsible for inciting violence through social media and engaging in unlawful gatherings that have been held prior to and during these unrests MDC Alliance political leadership have over the past three months highlighted up acts of psyching up their members to commit acts of violence while addressing political rallies and on social media.

MDC Alliance’s democratic resistance committees DRCs and their para military wing The Vanguard have been responsible for carrying out highly organised criminal activities during these unrests.

These have been substantiated by the arrest of MDC Alliance officials such as Elvis Ruzani the councillor for Ward 32 Harare North who was part of a gang of 13 members who were arrested by the police along Harare Domboshava road while barricading the road and unwantomly stoning vehicles just to mention a few. Security forces have so far arrested more than 600 people in connection with these rioters acts. 214 of whom have already appeared in court.

The Vanguard is also responsible for the sustained efforts to break into police stations to steal firearms for use in furthering their criminal activities. The trail of destruction left by these rogue elements is a clear indication that the intention was to remove a constitutionally elected government through force. Looting of shops in most circumstances have affected ordinary persons and it is sad to note that some of these victims will never recover.”

My name is Thandekile Moyo. I come from Zimbabwe. I was born and bred in Zimbabwe.

In all my 34 years there, I have never known peace. I grew up in Matebeleland, where in the minds of my parents, older siblings and friends, memories of the 1980s Gukurahundi massacres were still fresh.R

We inherited a profound fear of soldiers. Whenever we saw or heard a military vehicle on our way from school, we would all scurry into the bushes and hide. Hundreds of children in little maroon uniforms, all living on high alert.

I went to university in 2003, when the economy was well on its way down. My cousin and I would have to smile and “chat up” motorists who gave us lifts to campus, just so we didn’t have to pay for transport. In my final years, students would go for days without eating. We lived on a prayer.

Through all this, I noticed the lavish lifestyles of Zanu-PF children and those close to power. Their lunchboxes were always filled to the brim. They were brought to school in their Mercedes Benzes, they had cellular phones and they spoke with a twang. We called them “amasalads” — those who were privileged enough to eat salad at home. Not all amasalads were Zanu-PF kids, but most were.

This taught me about inequality. As an adult, I learned that most of it was linked to corruption. And I detest it. Because I have never known peace and because I have learnt that my struggles over the years were man-made, I deplore injustice of any kind. Injustice against each other at both the personal level and the mass injustice by the powers-that-be against their populations.

Last Saturday, Emmerson Mnangagwa, president of Zimbabwe, announced yet another injustice: a 150% increase in the fuel price. To compound the insult, he insisted that the bond note — the pseudo currency introduced by the administration of former president Robert Mugabe — was valued at 1:1 with the US dollar. This is a lie that has impoverished Zimbabweans and brought the economy to its knees, allowing the politically connected to profit while devastating the savings of ordinary people.

In response to the fuel hike, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions called for a nationwide stayaway. I was in full support, and participated in the accompanying demonstrations in Bulawayo. The crowd was excited, yes, but peaceful. Imagine my horror when the riot police came with their batons and their teargas — a modus operandi repeated across the country.

The city’s high-density areas turned into a war zone. It felt like teargas was being thrown at everyone, everywhere. My friend’s eight-week-old niece is battling for her life after a canister of teargas was thrown into their home.

The government of Zimbabwe blamed the protests on opposition parties and civil society. I received a tip-off that my name was on the list of “troublesome internet activists”. A few days earlier I had appeared on Al Jazeera, commenting about the unjust fuel price hike: little did I know that this, along with my outspoken tweets, had made me an enemy of the state.

On Tuesday 15, at 8.46am, my messages stopped delivering. I could not access my Twitter. I switched my wi-fi on and off. No luck. I tried mobile data; still no luck. The government had shut down the internet. A voice inside me said: “Run!”

I have always known just how dangerous the Mnangagwa government is. But I have never entertained the idea of being afraid of them. I was so contemptuous of their disrespect for humanity, human rights and human life that I had always refused to be governed by just how dangerous they are. So when my instinct said run, I wasn’t sure how to respond.

A MAN IS LOADED INTO A CAR AFTER ALLEGEDLY BEING ASSAULTED BY SOLDIERS. (ZINYANGE AUNTONY/AFP)

I decided to take a bath and clean my room as I contemplated what to do. I slowly realised that I was preparing to leave: I was putting my house in order in preparation for an indefinite absence.

I checked whether I could get a flight anywhere. All systems at the airport were down. The only option was road travel.

Only one problem: I had no money. I had about R120. I decided to just go. I would see. I threw my laptop and a few toiletries in my handbag and went to knock on my dad’s door. What was I going to say to him?

I went to the kitchen, gulped down a few shots of gin and felt ready to face the old man. I said to him: “Look dad, the internet has been shut down. I am extremely vocal on Twitter and my instinct is telling me to go. I could be a target.”

My heart breaks as I think of how shocked he was, and how he tried to hide the shock from me. He is not on Twitter, you see.

“Do you have money?” he asked. I lied and said “yes”. He gave me everything he had in his pocket: $4 (R55). He offered to transfer money into my mobile money account, but I said: “Don’t worry Dad, I’m good.” I was afraid he’d need that money because all the shops and the banks were closed.

I couldn’t tell him where I was going. It was the only way. I called my brother to say goodbye, but didn’t reveal my plans to him. I don’t know whether they’ve told my mum yet. Part of me hopes they haven’t. It’s her 60th birthday this week; I don’t know whether she’ll be able to handle it.

So here I am, in exile and afraid. Not for myself, but for my people. Zimbabwe is imprisoned by very dangerous men.

When Mnangagwa announced the fuel hike, he was flanked by Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and Cabinet Minister Perence Shiri. All three of them have been implicated in the Gukurahundi massacre.

Are they now, under cover of the internet blackout, unleashing similar horrors? This is my fear. Pray for Zimbabwe.

Mail and Guardian

GOVERNMENT now faces a crippling civil service strike after its’ revised offer of $78 for the lowest paid worker or 20% on a sliding scale was rejected by negotiators, who want nothing less than $1 700.B

Apex council chairperson Cecilia Alexander said government increased its offer from $160 million from April to December, which was translating to a 10% pay raise for the least paid worker or $41 to $300 million for the same period, translating into 18,5% or $78 for the least paid worker.

“They came first with a message that we have been given a non-negotiable cushion allowance by the President (Emmerson Mnangagwa). We would like to appreciate that gesture although it is little compared to the crisis we are in,” Alexander told journalists soon after yesterday’s National Joint Negotiating Council meeting in Harare.

“For the negotiated salary, they brought a revised offer of $300 million, which is still far less the challenges we are facing. It can’t restore the purchasing power of our salaries to levels of October 2018. So we strongly believe that as civil servants, we want something better than this.”

She added: “Our notice for a national strike still stands unless something meaningful comes up. So it is up to government to expedite the process.”

At first government had offered its workers a “paltry” 10% pay rise, but it was rejected, prompting the Apex Council to give a 14-day notice to strike.

Alexander said unions representing government workers would meet on Monday to map the way forward, with a likelihood that a strike was inevitable.

The stalemate will likely pile more pressure on Mnangagwa’s regime, which is already seeking to reduce its wage bill and battling a worsening economic meltdown.

David Dzatsunga, a member of the Apex Council team, said the offer was “too little” considering the state of affairs.

“This regime must be serious. We are now going back to consult the Apex Council and a way forward would be reached from there. But from the look of things, the civil servants are likely to go on strike,” Dzatsunga said.

Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe leader Takavafira Zhou said government was “not being serious with its workers and we want seriousness”.

“I can tell you that on Monday, the unions are going to reject this nonsense. At least, government should be realistic by looking at the percentages it has used to increase the price of fuel. From there, we can negotiate,” Zhou said

Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association chief executive Sifiso Ndlovu said the offer would not cover the necessities required by the members.

“At the moment, one needs approximately $10 per day for transport, which translates to $200 per month. This is before we factor in lunch and other necessities. For your own information, the said offer would come into effect in April, so we are dealing with nothing; we want something meaningful,” Ndlovu said.

NewsDay

SUSPECTED protesters during this week’s three-day national stayaway were allegedly shot at from close range, with some having their eyes gouged.B

The atmosphere in the country is tense, as some of the victims are still suffering from the wounds sustained during the crisis.

“We went to visit some of the victims at Belvedere Medical Centre and Warren Park (in Harare), and what we witnessed there was human rights abuses. Some of the victims were shot and others had their eyes gouged. These are just innocent people who were taken from their homes and had not participated in the violence,” a source told NewsDay Weekender yesterday.

“We heard that some people dressed in military uniforms came to their houses and started assaulting them, and even told them to tell their leader (MDC) Nelson Chamisa that they should not complain even if they are hungry.”

The sources said the killings and assaults were a violation of section 60 of the Constitution and highlighted that people had now become prisoners of conscience.

“We visited some of the funerals in Kuwadzana, Epworth and Chitungwiza, and what we saw is some of the people there have now become prisoners of conscience. If you go to various high-density suburbs, you will see that people are crying and are now living in fear of their lives,” the source said.

“Being an MDC supporter is now a crime in this country. This is a clear violation of section 60 of the Constitution and these are human rights abuses and we can say these are international crimes against humanity. I don’t think these were military personnel because I don’t think our military will do something like that.”

In Kuwadzana, some of the residents left their homes to seek refuge in nearby mountains as their homes had now become “no-man’s land”.

Witnesses said people were dragged from their homes door-to-door and beaten up by soldiers who left some for dead.

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa’s spokesperson, Nkululeko Sibanda, on Thursday said credible reports showed that the State carefully organised Zanu PF youths to infiltrate the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions-organised mass stayaway, and looted shops for their personal benefit.

However, Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo refuted the claim, urging the MDC to approach the courts if they had the evidence.

NewsDay

DEADLY street protests which brought Zimbabwe to a standstill this week have added impetus to calls by opposition parties and civil society organisations for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to agree to dialogue, leading to a negotiated political settlement which could save the country from total collapse, the Zimbabwe Independent can report.B

This comes as organisers of the demonstrations gave Mnangagwa a 30-day ultimatum, by which he should have drafted a framework for negotiations, or face a “tsunami” of more mass protests.

The groups, which organised the total business shutdown, vowed to continue with sustained protests despite the government’s heavy-handed approach in crushing dissent.

They are demanding national dialogue that would lead to the setting up of a transitional authority, which is inclusive, to run the country and realign the constitution in preparation for an election in six months to a year.

The push for dialogue is coming at a time the security sector is divided, with some disgruntled members of the security services, particularly those in the lower ranks in the military and police, supporting the protests privately.

Mnangagwa has a formidable task to appease members of the security forces, who like most Zimbabweans are bearing the brunt of the economic hardships, and have also not been spared the austerity measures introduced by government in recent weeks, including the 2% tax on electronic transactions and 150% fuel price hike.

Mnangagwa, whose legitimacy has been challenged ever since he won last year’s presidential election by a wafer-thin 50,6% margin, is battling to set Zimbabwe’s creaking economy on the recovery path.

While the Zanu PF first secretary has previously said he does not talk to losers, the ruling party’s spokesperson, Simon Khaya Moyo, in an interview with the Independent, did not rule out the prospects for inclusive dialogue.

Moyo said Zanu PF could not rule out the possibility of talks with the opposition if a formal request for dialogue was put on the table.

“We want those people with their proposals to come and approach us if they want dialogue. I cannot respond to a proposal that we have not received because I don’t want to commit to anything. You do not invite the head of state through the media; there are channels to do that,” he said.

But as calls for dialogue between Mnangagwa and his political opponents gained momentum, contradictions emerged within the security establishment, with both the army and police denying responsibility for the death of at least 10 people during the three-day business shutdown, triggered by Mnangagwa’s recent decision to increase fuel prices.

Although the government has blamed civil society for orchestrating the strike, pro-democracy groups have hit back at Mnangagwa, saying only genuine dialogue, leading to a power-sharing agreement, would extricate the country from a multi-faceted crisis.

Pressure group #Tajamuka frontman Promise Mkwananzi — widely identified as one of the principal architects of the protests — said the country needed an urgent, all-inclusive process which will usher in a transitional mechanism.

The process — to precede a general election — should be spearheaded by the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and the African Union (AU), Mkwananzi said.

“We are putting the government on a month’s notice to address the issues we have raised or else they will face more anger from the people. This process should be underwritten by Sadc and the AU community. The priority of the process should be on implementation of the constitution and revival of the economy,” Mkwananzi said, as he distanced his grouping from messages circulating on social media suggesting that more protests will be held next week.

“After that, then we can have fresh elections because the reason why we are in this economic mess is because of flawed elections, which resulted in a legitimacy crisis for the current government,” he said.

Although Zanu PF has professed ignorance over ongoing backroom talks with the opposition, the Independent exclusively reported late last year that ex-Kenyan chief justice Willy Mutunga has been pushing to broker a political deal between Mnangagwa and Chamisa behind closed doors.

As reported by the Independent, Mutunga quietly flew into the country in December on a quest to negotiate a political transition in Zimbabwe, although details of the meetings remain sketchy.

Political analysts believe dialogue, modelled around the 2008-2009 global political agreement which ushered in a Government of National Unity, was the only way to extricate the country from the current quagmire.

MDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume said this week’s protests had exposed Mnangagwa’s government. He said the opposition is still open to dialogue.

“The economy and the people have passed a vote of no confidence on Mnangagwa and his government because they got into power illegitimately and there is an illegitimacy crisis that has not been solved. In terms of dialogue, we have said it before that we are open for dialogue and we can be part of the dialogue process to restore Zimbabwe,” Mafume said.

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda called on Sadc and the AU to immediately intervene in the current political impasse. “Sadc must intervene and investigate these serious circumstances in which crimes against humanity were committed. Mnangagwa and Chiwenga are adversely affecting the image of the region and bring Sadc into disrepute over and over,” Sibanda said.

Political analysts said only national dialogue can take the nation forward.

“The citizens’ protests are a clear indicator that things are not working and political actors must swallow their pride and go to the dialogue table and chart a new inclusive way forward for Zimbabwe. The senseless violence by state security agents and military trivialises human life and does nothing to help resolve the economic challenges,” political analyst Maxwell Saungweme said.

Another political analyst Piers Pigou weighed in, saying dialogue should not be exclusively between MDC and Zanu PF, but inclusive of other political actors. “He (Mnangagwa) needs to talk to a range of actors, including but not exclusively to the opposition. It seems unlikely an exclusive political arrangement will be adequate,” Pigou said.

Rhodes University political science lecturer Mike Mavura dismissed the likelihood of political dialogue. “Mnangagwa is a politician not a statesman, so we can forget any idea of him reaching out to the opposition. A statesman sees the bigger picture and acts in the best interests of the country not just his own or his political party’s narrow interests,” he said.

“If ED (Mnangagwa) was a statesman, his narrow election victory would have morally and strategically compelled him to include in his government some ministers from the opposition so that those over two million opposition voters have a say and are in direct dialogue with him but, alas, the man is more goon than visionary,” Mavura added.

The protests also exposed the contradictions and divisions within the country’s security services as both police and army shifted blame and denied responsibility for the killings.

Although it was initially a police operation, the deployment of soldiers later on Monday appeared to suggest a breakdown in the chain of command synonymous with the violent crackdown which took place on August 1 last year.

Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) spokesperson Overson Mugwisi said the military was not involved in violently crushing the protests as it was exclusively a police operation.

“This is a police operation, talk to the police spokesperson. Did you see the army shooting people? I don’t know about that,” Mugwisi said.

But police spokesperson Charity Charamba also denied responsibility for the killings.

“People were shot? I don’t know of anyone who was shot,” she said before abruptly terminating the phone call.

Efforts to get a comment from Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri were fruitless as she was said to be attending a series of meetings throughout the week.

Her deputy, Victor Matemadanda, washed his hands of the thorny issue.

“I am a deputy minister, I don’t sit in cabinet. I don’t have an idea who ordered the shooting. Don’t make me meddle in issues that are beyond me. You know very well who gives orders,” Matemadanda said.

Outspoken war veterans leader Chris Mutsvangwa came close to confirming the security sector divisions, telling journalists in Harare yesterday that there was a high possibility that some soldiers may have been involved in the protests.

“The way the demonstrations were organised, the nature of deployment and tactics implemented all point to a well-trained army in force which openly belonged to the opposition MDC Alliance which is trying to get to power through the backdoor. Of particular interest is their tactic to remove action from the CBD (Central Harare) and decentralise to ward level and use innocent civilians as human shields which is a military strategy,” Mutsvangwa said, blaming the MDC for the violence.

“Veterans of the liberation struggle will ensure that we have strengthened our strongholds because the MDC has shown how violent they can be,” he said.

In his trademark war-like language, Mutsvangwa also called on government to fire its workers involved in the protests.

“The opposition’s political actions have been reflected in some of our civil servants. Government must therefore ensure that there is a complete overhaul of our civil service, especially removing those that seem to act in a manner that leaves government vulnerable to unnecessary embarrassment by enemies of the state,” he said.

Independent

BARELY a year after joining giants Anderlecht, Warriors captain Knowledge Musona has been loaned out to relegation-threatened Sporting Lokeren in the Belgian First Division A League until the end of the season.

Musona (28) joined Anderlecht in May last year from KV Oostende, where he found the net 41 times in 141 games, but struggled for form at his new club where he netted in just once in 10 games.

Sporting Lokeren confirmed signing the Warriors’ gunman on loan.

He is an Anderlecht player until 2022.

“Sporting Lokeren can make use of the services of Zimbabwean Knowledge Musona, who until the middle of 2022 is owned by RSC Anderlecht. Sporting Lokeren rents the player until the end of the season. His loan to Sporting Lokeren means a win-win situation for all parties. Sporting Lokeren hopes to win with him, mainly on his offensive strength. His favourite position is left winger, but he can also be used as a right winger and as a shadow striker. Sporting Lokeren has made a heavy effort to attract this player,” Sporting Lokren said on their official website.

Musona started training with the club yesterday and they are hoping to field him in their next league game away to AS Eupen tomorrow.

“Sporting Lokeren is now going to do everything to get him to play on Saturday. In addition to Jakub Reznicek, Musona is the second attacking reinforcement for Sporting Lokeren in three days. Tomorrow morning (yesterday), Musona trains for the first time with the Lokeren,” the club said.

Sporting Lokeren anchor the Belgian Division One A League log-standings with 14 points from 21 games, with only three wins, five draws and 13 defeats.

On December 27, they lost their last game 1-0 to Club Brugge which is home to another Zimbabwean, Warriors midfielder Marvelous Nakamba.

Musona had been reduced to a bit part player at Anderlecht, having failed to replicate the blistering form he enjoyed during his stay at KV Ostende.

He struggled to nail down a first team jersey under former boss Vanhaezebrouck who was sacked earlier this month, and he was hoping to have his fortunes changing under new coach Fred Rutten.

But it appears Rutten is also not convinced by the Warriors star, who he has decided to ship him out so that he gets game time elsewhere.

Earlier reports had linked Musona with a move back to KV Oostende, but it seems Lokeren tabled a better offer for the Smiling Assassin.Z

So frustrated was Musona with lack of playing opportunities at his parent club that he turned to popular televangelist TB Joshua a fortnight ago, seeking divine intervention over his faltering career, blamed on a nagging knee injury.

Musona’s latest move could be good news to Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambga, who wants his man to get the much-needed game time at club level ahead of Zimbabwe’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon)’s decisive qualifier against Congo Brazzaville in March.

He has been the team’s talisman in the campaign, where the Warriors require at least a point in the home match in Harare to book a ticket to the Afcon finals set for Egypt in June.

NewsDay

ZANU PF youth leaders were allegedly behind acts of violence and arson, including the burning of a Zupco bus in Harare on Monday during countrywide protests against fuel price increases, court papers showed.

Benson Bhobho, Zanu PF youth league chairperson for ward 40 in Whitecliff, was on Thursday charged with public violence together with members of his executive, Charles Bengeza, Shylock Chihuri, Emmanuel Chari, Cassim Muzhingi, Noleen and Rumbidzai Dulana after their arrest in connection with the burning of the Zupco bus that was heading to Harare.

According to court papers, Bhobho (35) teamed up with his executive and other accomplices, who are still at large, around mid-morning on Monday, and proceeded to Whitehouse shopping centre along the Harare-Bulawayo Highway, where they barricaded the highway with boulders, burning tyres and throwing missiles at motorists.

“Pursuant to their plan, the accused stopped a Zupco bus which was proceeding to Harare and ordered the bus crew and all passengers to disembark.

Emmanuel Chari drove the bus (off) the road and parked it about 40 metres (away), where he and his colleagues set it on fire,” the court papers read.

This came as the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) on Monday called for a nationwide stayaway to push government to reverse recent fuel price hikes as well as deal with the deepening economic crisis.

But the stayaway turned violent, with government accusing the opposition of orchestrating the mayhem, which resulted in about eight civilian deaths, the death of a police officer and numerous injuries, including the destruction of public assets.

Court papers, however, indicate that the Zanu PF youth leadership, led the mob that burnt the Zupco bus along the Bulawayo-Harare Highway and also chased away workers at a shop owned by Chegutu East legislator Webster Shamu (Zanu PF).

“The accused looted various groceries from the shop and set ablaze a Mitsubishi pick-up truck which was parked at the service station, leaving it to burn to ashes,” the papers stated.

Police recovered some of the alleged stolen items from the Zanu PF youth leaders, among them Mazoe cordials, fire extinguishers and ropes.G

The accused last night appeared before Harare magistrate, Elijah Makomo for trial, where they denied the charges.

The State was represented by four prosecutors, including Michael Reza, George Manokore and Charles Muchemwa.

ZCTU, meanwhile, has distanced itself from the violence which erupted around the country.

Acting President Constantino Chiwenga on Monday warned the hooligans, saying the law would take its course against those who destroyed State property.

NewsDay

FORMER Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko and his son, Siqokoqela, have exited Choppies Supermarkets after offering to be bought out of the company to end a protracted ownership wrangle.

The Mphokos’ lawyer, Professor Welshman Ncube last night confirmed to state media that his clients were no longer shareholders of Botswana based Nanavac Investment, trading as Choppies Supermarkets Zimbabwe.

Prof Ncube said he has since released a joint statement with Choppies Enterprise lawyer Mr Munyaradzi Nzarayapenga notifying the public about the latest development.

“We have been instructed by our clients Choppies Enterprise, Phelekezela Mphoko and Siqokoqela Mphoko to advise the public and all staff of Nanavac Investments trading as Choppies Zimbabwe that on 9 January 2019 the shareholders and directors amicably resolved and settled all issues, matters, cases and disputes between and among themselves so that there are no longer any outstanding between our respective clients, who further advise that the Mphokos have disinvested from Choppies Zimbabwe and have no further interests in the company and its business,” reads the statement.

“Our respective clients wish each other well in their present and future endeavours.”

In an interview, Prof Ncube said his clients would be paid for 51 percent shareholding, but could not state the amounts of money involved.

At the height of their legal battles, Choppies Enterprises Mr Ramachandran Ottapathu alleged that that the Mphoko family owned only seven percent shareholding.

He said the other 44 percent was given to them to fulfil the indigenisation laws of the country. However, Prof Ncube insisted that his clients held 51 percent of the shares.

The fight became messy when Mphoko’s son Siqokoqela and his wife Nomagugu were dragged to court on charges of interfering with the operations of Choppies Distribution Centre and Choppies Enterprises. This followed accusations that they swindled the businesses of a combined $80 000.

Siqokoqela, who was shareholder in the retail business and a non-executive director, is accused of abusing his power to “loot” $50 000 in cash realised from sales at different supermarkets and replacing it with transfers. His wife, Nomagugu is accused of allegedly bulldozing various Choppies outlets in Bulawayo and demanding cash.

She allegedly ordered 15 Choppies Supermarket managers in Bulawayo to unlawfully dispense more than $30 000 cash from their POS machines after threatening them with either deportation or dismissal.

She is facing 49 counts of extortion. The matter is still pending before the courts and both of them are out of $200 bail each.

– State Media

AL he Caf Champions League resumed on Friday with Esperance overpowering Zimbabwean champions FC Platinum 2-0 in Tunis, Al Ahly salvage a draw at SaouraArticle continues below

A brace by Taha Yassine Khenissi ensured a 2-0 victory for Esperance over visitors FC Platinum, and saw the Tunisians collect their first full set of maximum points in Group B.

Khenissi scored a goal in either half to hand defending champions Esperance the three points against the Zimbabwean champions.

After drawing 1-1 with Horoya in their first match away, Esperance recovered to notch a maiden win in this group.

• While the Zimbabweans offered little attack, Esperance opened the scoring 24 minutes into the game with Khenissi beating the visitors’ goalkeeper Petros Mhari.Article continues belo

The first half ended with both sides barely producing clear-cut chances.

But after the restart with the hosts dominating possession, Khenissi doubled Esperance’s advantage in the 65th minute.

Cameroonian midfielder Franck Kom provided a headed pass to Khenissi to finish home with his head and seal the victory for the Tunisians.

With other Group B contestants Orlando Pirates thumping Horoya 3-0 in Soweto on Friday, the South Africans now top the group, followed by Esperance while FC Platinum are in third position.

Meanwhile, riots characterised the clash between Ismaily and Club Africain which ended with the Tunisian visitors winning 2-1 on Friday before the match was abandoned.

It was a second straight defeat for Ismaily who lost their opening match 2-0 away at TP Mazembe last weekend.

But Friday’s match was full of drama as Ismaily fans were angered by Cameroonian referee Neant Alioum whom to them dished out what appeared to be controversial calls.

After Namibia forward Benshon Shilongo had thrust Ismaily in front just eight minutes into the game, the Egyptians appeared to be on course for a win.

But two converted penalties by Ghazi Ayadi in the 40th and 45th minute unsettled the hosts’ fans whose protests caused brief stoppages to the match.

As for the second penalty, the referee first pointed for a freekick just outside the box before changing his mind.

This infuriated Ismaily fans who later on went berserk this time baying for the head of the referee whom they felt was sabotaging their team.

The situation got far worse in the dying stages of the match when they hurled objects onto the pitch, targeting Alioum’s assistants which led to a lengthy stoppage and subsequently the calling off of the match.

It would however now be interesting to see how Caf will react to the conduct of Ismaily fans which could lead to the team’s expulsion from the competition.

Eslewhere, a late headed goal by Karim Nedved salvaged a 1-1 draw for Al Ahly against Algerian side JS Saoura.

The Algerian hosts had moved ahead through Yahia Cherif’s goal on the hour mark and looked almost to claim three points against the record eight-time African champions.

But with five minutes to go, Nedved rose high to connect with his head a cross from Mohamed Hany and save the Egyptians from their first group defeat.

The draw was some sort of recovery by Saoura who opened their group campaign with a 3-0 defeat away at Simba, while Al Ahly remain unbeaten having overcame AS Vita 2-0 in their opening game.

Attention: The African Union Chairperson, H.E Paul Kagame

CC: All AU Heads of State and Government

16 January 2019

REF: URGENT INTERVENTION ON THE FAST DETERIORATING HUMANITARIAN AND HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN ZIMBABWE

Preamble

We, as Civil Society Organisations from Zimbabwe under the banner of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition(CiZC) are encouraged by the AU High Level Consultation meeting of Heads of States and Governments on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to find a lasting solution to the post-election developments.

As your Excellences are discussing the DRC situation, we exhort you to take time to reflect on the fast deteriorating humanitarian and human rights situation in Zimbabwe following the call for a peaceful national stay-away from the 14^th-16^th of January 2019 in response to the social and economic deterioration.

Recalling that on the 30 October 2018, Zimbabwe Civil Society organisations under the leadership of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition met with the Chairperson of Southern African Development Community (SADC), His ExcellencyHage Geingob at State House in Windhoek, Namibia and brought to his attention that:

a)    The political tension and economic meltdown, if left unresolved has a potential to cause regional, political and security instability;

b)    The unwarranted presence of the military in all spheres of the state, including public spaces and a glaring interference on the day to day duties of other authorities since the military intervention in 2017 was a threat to national stability;

c)    An inclusive national conversation with all players led by SADC on Zimbabwe’s future was needed;

d)    SADC must impress on Zimbabwe the imperative to return to civilian -military relations, to full compliance in modern state craft where the military is subordinate to state authority and does not interfere with civilian political processes;

e)    SADC community together with global players must institute discussions on Zimbabwe to address the deteriorating political and economic situation.

Post this meeting the situation has since deteriorated in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe state’s response to the national stay-away has been disproportionate marked by clampdown on fundamental rights and freedoms.  It is our considered view that the country might be sliding into a state of emergency. As of 16 January 2019, we are aware that of the following

·      Blackout on access to information through the suspension of internet services and restricted telephone communication across Zimbabwe, from Tuesday 15 January to date.

·      Zimbabweans conduct their daily financial transactions on mobile platforms due to the chronic cash shortages and these online payment platforms have been disrupted.

·      The unconstitutional deployment of the military forces in the country has resulted in use of live ammunition, wanton assaults, unlawful entering and breaking into people’s homes reminiscent of the extra judicial killings of 1^st of August 2018.

·      Reports of arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions and abductions of unarmed civilians and civil society leaders, including children below the age of 16 years.

·      Multiple threats and intimidation by government officials against trade unions, civil society leaders and ordinary Zimbabweans are continuing unabated.

As a result of these developments we are reliably informed that:

·      8 individuals have been killed during the violent crackdown

·      Hundreds of innocent civilians have sustained different injuries consistent with gunshot wounds and are failing to access health care facilities.

·      More than 150 people arrested and have not been charged nor brought before a competent court of law

·      The right to freedom of movement has been restricted affecting the ability of ordinary Zimbabweans to sustain their livelihoods.

This might result in regional instability as Zimbabweans seek food, shelter and refugee in neighbouring countries.

We therefore call on the African Union to place Zimbabwe on the agenda of the consultation meeting on 17 January 2019 and deliberate on the situation to:

·      Act decisively by urgently and adequately intervening in the Zimbabwe situation;

·      Calling for withdrawal of the unconstitutional deployment of the military from conducting policing duties;

·      Call for the immediate restoration of Internet service provision across Zimbabwe; 

·      Restore civil liberties of people.

Thank You,

Rashid Mahiya

Attention: President of the European Commission

Via European Union Embassy

His Excellency

Mr Jean-Claude Juncker

C/O His Excellency

Mr Timo Olkkonen

Head of Delegation

European Union

Harare

Zimbabwe

CC: Embassy of Switzerland

17 January 2019

Your Excellency

RE: CESSATION OF VIOLATIONS AS PRESIDENT EMMERSON MNANGAGWA’S ENTRY INTO THE EU FOR WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM

We, Civil Society Organisations in Zimbabwe, under the banner of Crisis Coalition write to request that you demand that President Emmerson Mnangagwa immediately cease the ongoing human rights violations and restore the rule of law in Zimbabwe as preconditions for his delegation’s entry into the European Union (EU) territory next week. We believe our request is in line with the values, law and policies of the European Union and the broader international community.

The bottom line Mr President is that Mr Mnangagwa’s administration through its own actions has become “hostis humanis generis” inclined to use murder of unarmed civilians as a tool to retain power.

At the time of his departure for eventual entry into the EU, President Mnangagwa, with his usual indifference to human suffering, announced unpopular increases on the price of fuel to which citizens across Zimbabwe responded by spontaneous lawful demonstrations. In a bid to silence the masses, state security forces aided by Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) paramilitary youths dressed in police and army uniforms are engaged in ongoing, twenty-four hours a day attacks on the townships across the country. These attacks are characterized by indiscriminate fatal shootings and other methods of torture including credible reports of rape. 

You are also aware that the Mnangagwa administration has switched off internet access for most of the country in a bid to cover up the abuses. It is ironic Mr President, that Mr Mnangagwa wants his voice to be heard internationally while he is actively preventing the Zimbabwean people from telling the world of their experiences at his hands.

We believe that receiving President Mnangagwa in Switzerland at a time he is leading continued and ongoing gross, mass violations of human rights of the Zimbabwean citizens emboldens him in his murderous enterprise. It ignores the suffering of the Zimbabwean people and undermines your position as one of the world’s key voices on international law and human rights.

You will understand the difficulty that the opposition and civic leaders have in openly speaking out given the level of state sanctioned intimidation and credible threats to their persons and families.

 We trust that you will use your good offices to engage our ideas.

#Our Zimbabwe
From the Crisis In Zimbabwe Coalition

By Don Chigumba| I am writing this piece to request Zimbabweans to pray for Crisis Coalition leader Rashid Mahiya and his mother.

Rashid Mahiya’s mother was picked by the soldiers (Friday) when they failed to locate her son (Rashid) at her home in Harare. We should all blow the whistle and pray for her safety during this hour of her physical/psychological torcher.

This regime is brutal how can they arrest a mother because of her son’s democratic activism?

We should not allow such kind of politics to take place in Zimbabwe. This is a clear demonstration that ZANU PF is a ruthless regime, punishing individuals because of the sins of their family members should be condemned. We need clean politics in our country.

We are all hiding because we know that the regime is after us. Rashid Mahiya is our hero and I urge him to be strong wherever he is.

Please join me in condemning the army and ZANU PF, they can kill, injure and torcher people but they won’t destroy our resolve.

There is no rule of law in Zimbabwe now and this persecution of citizens should stop. SADC and AU should intervene.

By Own Correspondent| Zimbabwe and the Republic of Belarus have signed 8 memoranda of understanding in different spheres of development to promote economic ties between the two countries.

Of the 8 MOUs signed by the two countries in Minsk on Thursday, five of them are focusing on education with the Belarus Institute for Vocational Education, the Belarus National Technical University; and for science and technology development with the Belarus State Committee on Science and Technology and with the Belarusian State University

The others are in the areas of agriculture, mining and machinery.

Addressing the ministers from both countries who witnessed the signing at the Independence Palace in Minsk President Alexander Lukashenko said Belarus is ready and willing to extend all the support that Zimbabwe requires to move forward, adding that implementation of the projects should start this year, urging the business sector to take part in the project.-StateMedia

By Paul Nyathi|A Harare magistrate’s court says there is reasonable suspicion that pastor Evan Mawarire accused of subversion amid nationwide protests committed an offence and must gave trial.

Through his lawyers, Mawarire had sought discharge of the matter but the magistrate turned down the request and has set another hearing for Jan. 31.

Mawarire must remain in detention while awaiting trial, and his lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa says she will apply for bail on Monday.

Mawarire is accused of inciting civil disobedience via social media as Zimbabweans protested a dramatic fuel price increase imposed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Sunday last week.

He is one of more than 600 people arrested this week in a sometimes violent crackdown which has seen the government order for an internet services shut off.

According to Mtetwa the that facts presented by the prosecution do not disclose an offence at all arguing that his client must be set free.

Paul Nyathi|A collection of Zimbabwe human rights groups says at least 12 people have been killed, at least 78 have been shot and more than 240 have faced “assault, torture, inhumane and degrading treatment” in a crackdown on protests that began on Monday over a dramatic rise in fuel prices.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum in a statement also says 466 people have been arbitrarily arrested or detained in what it calls “massive” violations.

The statement says children as young as 9 have been reportedly tortured as security forces break into private homes.

It calls it “regrettable” that Zimbabwe’s government is blaming civil society leaders for some of the country’s worst unrest in years.

The U.N. human rights office has also denounced excessive use of force by Zimbabwe’s security forces against protesters opposed to the dramatic fuel price increases and austerity measures.

Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters Friday in Geneva: “It’s very difficult to manage a situation like this, but the bottom line is that the use of live ammunition by security forces was used, excessive violence was used.”

She notes the burning of buildings and reports of looting. She says it is unclear whether “opportunists,” like hungry people searching for food, or “demonstrators” were behind it.

Shamdasani calls on all sides to refrain from violence.

At the same time scores of Zimbabweans injured during the government crackdown on protesters are streaming into hospitals in Harare.

Reports have been made by doctors of people with broken legs and other injuries. A nurse in Harare confirmed attending to a man with a broken spine.

Albert Taurai told news media The Associated Press that he had ventured out to look for bread when plainclothes officers wearing masks beat him up until he broke his spine.

Keith Frymore a security guard told the AP that a group of uniformed soldiers attacked him while at work.

As reports of the violent crackdown on citizens spread, the Zimbabwean government forced a “total internet shutdown” for much of Thursday and Friday in a move critics claim was meant to block information on the brutality being sent around.

By Own Correspondent|A Harare magistrate Francis Mapfumo has dismissed a bail application by 59 suspected hooligans who were arrested in Epworth on allegations of public violence.

Two of the accused persons are minors and one has been released into the custody of his parents while the second one was released into the custody of the Department of Social Welfare.

Another regional magistrate Lucy Mungaru dismissed another application for refusal of further remand by Pastor Evan Mawarire.

Four other suspects were freed by Harare magistrate Obedience Matare following allegations of over detention by the police.

According to a report by the state owned broadcaster ZBC, stakeholders in the justice delivery have shown commitment to bring justice to the suspected hooligans that destroyed property in the acts of public violence that rocked the nation a few days ago.

All cases of violence are also presided over by regional magistrates.

The investigations and prosecuting authorities are ready for trial another indication that thorough investigations were conducted to ensure the cases are dealt with expeditiously.

More than five courts are presiding over the violence cases while other cases are being postponed to accommodate trial of the suspected perpetrators of hooliganism that destroyed property in and around Harare.

The social media, while it played a role in the incitement of violence, it also helped in the identification of some of the perpetrators.

The arrest of the man who was captured with a looted ox-drawn plough in Chitungwiza is testimony to that effect.

The arrest of Pastor Mawarire was as a result of the video he posted on social platforms inciting people to continue with the illegal actions.

The recordings and gadgets used are being used as evidence.

The largest group of the accused who are on trial at the Rotten Row Magistrates’ Court remain the 61 accused persons who were arrested in Epworth, 13 were arrested in Hatcliffe, 10 in Mabvuku while 8 were arrested for crimes committed at White House shopping centre that resulted in the burning of a Zupco bus, a vehicle and looting of groceries.-StateMedia

By Paul Nyathi|The government has once again ordered internet service providers to connect the internet but with strict instruction not to activate social media platforms.

According to a message from Econet wireless, government ordered the partial connection of internet as from 15:50hrs on Friday until further notice.

Government has been continually ordering for the connection and disconnection of the internet resulting in massive crippling of the functions of the economy.

By Own Correspondent| St Faith’s High of Rusape continued its strong tradition of academic excellence after 41 of its Advanced level students who sat for the November 2018 ZimSec A level examinations scored 15 points or better.

The results, the highest ever examination outcome are the best qualitative results in the country.

St Faith’s was in 2017 ranked the best performer nationwide with 33 15 pointers and this year the outcome was even superb and represents its best-ever performance in history.

The quality of passes in Manicaland surged drastically as 207 candidates attained 15 points or better when compared to 169 and 122 in November 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The 2018 stream was the first to write exams under the new curriculum and the summative assessment serves as a barometer to tell teachers, parents and government whether or not the content was being mastered by the students, while doubling as a quality control to judge school performance.

Provincial education director Edward Shumba attributed the shift, which includes significant increases in students excelling in sciences to savvy students aiming to secure places by following the list of subjects promoted by leading universities.

Government and business applauds candidates taking — science, technology, engineering and maths — and the increase in A grades was caused by savvy students competing for places at selective university courses and a change in teaching strategies at some schools.

“These are the first results of the new curriculum, and they are incredible given the fact that there was an assortment of challenges along the way. We salute St Faith’s High once again for raising the Manicaland flag very high,” said Shumba.

He warned poor performing schools arguing that exceptional results demand exceptional circumstances and teachers as an important catalyst for improvement should continually ask themselves ‘how can we do this better’.

“There are two aspects to this — one, the student capabilities, and to those schools that continue to fare badly I want to say it’s unacceptable to be the last because you cannot have bad students all the times. Second, it’s about resources — material and human resources.

We will take an audit of how best we can interpret the new syllabus correctly, because you can teach, but teach astray for as long as the interpretation is not in sync with the expectations. On material resources, are the text books there; are the schools not relying on old textbooks that do not answer to the new demands of the new curriculum. We need to clean the entire boardroom to move ahead progressively,” said Shumba.

St Faith’s High was closely followed by Knowstics, which had 30 students with 15 points. Knowstics was the second best in 2017 with 20.

St Dominic’s High again, was the only day to gate crash into the top three club — often a preserve of well-resourced boarding schools — with 20 students who scored 15 points.

St David’s Bonda Girls High was fourth with 14 students, while Kriste Mambo and St Augustine’s were tied at number five with 12 candidates apiece. Hartzell High was seventh with 11 candidates followed by Nyanga High (Marist Brothers) and Ellis Gladhill that had eight 15 pointers apiece.
Nyazura High was ninth with six 15 pointers followed by Marange High which had five. Emmanuel High was 10th with four 15 pointers followed by Mt Selinda High with three.

Vengere High, Mutambara High, Rusitu High, Mutare Boys High, Dangamvura High and Regina Coeli were tied at number 12 with two 15 pointers apiece while 11 other schools had one candidate each with 15 points.

St Faith’s High headmaster Moses Mukoyi described the 2018 A-Level results as a “very special send off” to retirement.
He retires next month after being at the helm of the school for the past 26 years.

“Absolutely fantastic, this great school rides on an institutionalised success momentum that is remarkably consistent. We have evolved into a brand thanks to the wonderful staff, students and parents. It is a very special send off, richer than all the gold in the world…will eternally cherish being part of this incredible achievement,” said Mukoyi.

What is particularly significant about St Faith’s High is the high achievement of students in the demanding, hard and facilitating subjects such as maths, further maths and other sciences that universities favour much.

However, the participation gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students in high schools remains unacceptably wide, and something needs to be done to address it.
Boarding schools like Mavhudzi High, Biriiri, St Benedict, Lydia Chimonyo, St Columbus, Chibuwe High, Chikore High, Mutare Girls High, St Killians, Makumbe High, Karirwi High and Hande High, among others, despite being well resourced, were among the worst performing schools.

Most days schools in Manicaland are also in this category and their poor performance has been blamed on the presence of poor teachers, indiscipline among students and lack of material resources. The 2018 pass rate stood at 81,9 percent, and slightly below the 82,6 percent recorded in November 2017 where 46 478 sat for the exams compared to 49 494 in 2017.

However, 45 570 candidates wrote two or more subjects with 38 050 obtaining Grade E or better. Geography had the lowest pass rate of 54.71 percent while other subjects recorded over 75 percent. Of the candidates who sat for the examination, 21 457 were males, 21 186 of them wrote at least two subjects and 17 643 passed with two or more subjects, translating to 82.2 percent pass rate.- Manica Post

By Own Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has revealed that he spends over 90 percent of his time serving those who elected him into office.

In an interview with ZBC soon after his meeting with the Russian leader Vladmir Putin at the Kremlin on Tuesday, Mnangagwa said as head of state, he allocated 90 to 95 percent of his time to national issues.

Said Mnangagwa:

“I was deployed by my party to this position, …… as well as head of State of government…….to me, it is a priority which i must allocate my time.

I think that it is necessary at this stage that I allocate 90 to 95 percent of my time to national issues because it’s a challenge….We need to refocus. We need to use our own resources again to bring about the change to improve the standard of life for our people using our own resources.”

By Own Correspondent|In a statement issued Thursday, government announced the new kombi fares.

According to a report by the national broadcaster, ZBC the new fares regulated commuter omnibus operators who had unjustifiably hiked fares disadvantaging commuters.

The government said the following fares will apply:

• Less than 10km: $1
• 11km – 20km: $2
• 21 km and above: $3

However, government did not reveal whether the fares were agreed to by the commuter omnibus operators whom it met in Harare yesterday.

Government did not reveal how it will ensure that kombis adhere to the stipulated fares as kombis are owned by many different individuals and pricing is usually determined by the kombi crew depending on various factors currently outside government’s control.

Kombis are privately owned minibuses used for commuting in Zimbabwe as the governments owned public transport company, ZUPCO, has no capacity to provide the services nationally.

Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana said:

Government has noted with concern a creeping profiteering streak by commuter omnibus operators, who are taking advantage of the disturbances in the past few days to overcharge commuters itching to go about their day-to-day activities, despite the rebate in excise duty for fuel extended to them by Government being in place.”

We wish to extend our sincere and deepest condolences to the bereaving family members who lost their beloved ones during the recent social unrest which were of a violent nature leading to the destruction of property and loss of life and amounted to treason.

We condemn in the strongest terms the amount of violence which has been witnessed in some cities and towns in the country. The government attributes all these unlawful acts to the MDC Alliance, their partners and funders, ZCTU, some NGOs and individuals.

Government therefore places full responsibility for compensation for victims of violence, destruction of property, injury, loss of lives on the MDC Alliance and all its associates.

MDC Alliance has been responsible for inciting violence through social media and engaging in unlawful gatherings that have been held prior to and during these unrests. MDC Alliance political leadership have over the past three months highlighted up act of psyching up their members to commit acts of violence while addressing political rallies and on social media.

MDC Alliance’s democratic resistance committees (DRCs) and their para- military wing, The Vanguard have been responsible for carrying out highly organised criminal activities during these unrests. These have been substantiated by the arrest of MDC Alliance officials such as Elvis Ruzani the councillor for Ward 32 Harare North who was part of a gang of 13 members who were arrested by the police along Harare Domboshava road while barricading the road and unwantomly stoning vehicles just to mention a few.

Security forces have so far arrested more than 600 people in connection with these rioters acts, 214 of whom have already appeared in court.

The Vanguard is also responsible for the sustained efforts to break into police stations to steal firearms for use in furthering their criminal activities. The trail of destruction left by these rogue elements is a clear indication that the intention was to remove a constitutionally elected government through force.

Looting of shops in most circumstances have affected ordinary persons and it is sad to note that some of these victims will never recover. Government also highlights that these demonstrations were conducted without notifying the police as stipulated by the law under the Public Order Security Act Chapter 11.

Government wishes to advise all those who were affected that Zimbabwean law allows them to seek redress from the perpetrators and organisers. We therefore urge all those whose property was destroyed and goods looted to quantify the damage incurred and report to the nearest police stations. This could serve a lesson to all those who are bent on causing chaos and mayhem in the country that your actions will not go unpunished. You are liable to pay compensation to the affected people.

We also take this opportunity to commend our Zimbabwe Defence Forces and security services for standing firm and restoring order in the extra ordinary circumstances. Our security agents are on the ground monitoring the situation to ensure that those who want to engage in their normal business do so without hindrance.

We are also appealing to public service providers to render their services to the people of Zimbabwe and to public transport operators to resume carrying passengers, to schools to open and generally for the public to engage in their activities freely.

We wish to warn all those who are threatening other people that they risk being arrested. We are also appealing to members of the public to report all unlawful activities to the police.

Meanwhile it has come to government’s attention that there is fake news being peddled by subversivee elements to the effect that armed forces are being paid US$500 . These are falsehoods. Government position is that it will not pay salaries in foreign currency.

We wish to thank all Zimbabweans who have remained peaceful despite provocation by unruly elements hence our appeal for calmness in the country.

By Own Correspondent| Following a ministerial directive, Econet has issued a statement revealing that internet access has been restored.

The network provider however indicated that “specified social media platforms” remain blocked.

Said Econet in a statement:

“Dear valued customer
At 15:55 on 18/01/:2019, we got a further instruction under the ministerial directive to open access to the generality of Internet services except for specified social media applications.”