By- Controversial preacher Passion Java said he was not bothered by a petition trying to get him deported from the United States.

Through his spokesperson Boss Lashan, Java, said there was very little on the case to worry him.

Godfrey Kurauone, a political activist, has been leading the campaign with an online petition.

This is a petty issue that we would not want to dwell on. I would rather not comment about it,” said
Businessman Wicknell Chivayo was also reported to have signed the petition.
However, statements on social media, which have been widely distributed, appear to suggest Chivayo has distanced himself from the plot.
“The US will never deport a millionaire because random people signed a petition, I am a strong Zanu PF supporter and I side with all ED loyalists,” Chivayo is said to have clarified.

The petition, which Kurauone raised, has received mixed reactions on social media.

“The State Department of the United States, through its Secretary of State, has the power to begin the process of revoking Mr. Passion Java’s permanent resident status,” reads part of the petition.

• H Metro

By- Britain said it made no apology for deporting foreign criminals, including Zimbabweans and made sure that those it deported did not need protection and were not at risk on their return.

Responding to a question in the House of Commons on whether the United Kingdom had assessed the potential of suspending deportation of Zimbabweans in view of the violence against political opposition supporters, junior Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Tom Pursglove said Britain was removing criminals who were abusing its hospitality by committing crimes.

A number of Zimbabweans were deported last week but the only one, Joram Nechironga, made headlines after he was removed from the bus heading to Heathrow Airport after his lawyers said he would be persecuted if he returned to Zimbabwe.
Nechironga left Zimbabwe in 2001 and joined the British army and served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Q &A:
Patrick Grady Scottish National Party, Glasgow North: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of suspending the deportation flight to Zimbabwe scheduled for 2 March 2022 in the context of violence against political opposition supporters in that country in recent days.
Tom Pursglove Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Ministry of Justice and Home Office): We make no apology for seeking to remove those with no right to remain in the UK and foreign criminals. That is why we regularly operate charter flights to different countries – to remove foreign criminals who abuse our hospitality by committing crimes here, and those who have no right to be in a country, but refuse to leave voluntarily.
Individuals are only returned to their country of origin where claims have been unsuccessful, and the Home Office and, where applicable, the Courts deem it is safe to do so, with a safe route of return. By definition, those persons do not need protection and are not at risk on return.
We are monitoring the situation there, working with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Our general assessment of risk for political opponents to the government remains set out in our published country policy and information note of September 2021.
The Insider

The Citizens Coalition for Change has claimed that its council candidate for Highfield West was Tuesday forcibly taken by Zanu youths.
The party said Maxwell Dutuma was assaulted by “Zanu PF thugs with another of our youth members.”

In a statement,CCC said: ALERT MAX DUTUMA, CCC candidate for Ward 26 (Highfield West) Max Dutuma has been forcibly taken by Zanu PF youths. His car has been hijacked by them. He was in Gazaland at the time they took him against his will.

Instead of the perpetrators being arrested, he was detained at Machipisa Police Station. #StopPoliticalViolence

By-The Zimbabwe National Army has sentenced three of its members to each 15 years imprisonment after they were convicted of armed robbery, theft and unlawful entry.

The trio, Lance Corporal Ndlovu Fortune and Privates Manyanga Ratiel and Masase Kainos who were all serving with 4 Infantry Brigade in Masvingo, committed armed robbery, unlawful entry and theft cases in and around Masvingo between January and July 2021.

The three pleaded guilty to the charges at the General Court Marshal sitting in Bulawayo last week.

In a statement yesterday, ZNA director Public Relations Colonel Alphios Makotore said the organisation will not be deter from bringing rogue elements to book.

“As the military justice and deterrent sentences against rogue elements of the force continue to be dispensed, Lance Corporal Ndlovu Fortune and privates Manyanga Ratiel and Masase Kainos were on 5 March 2022, sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Court Martial,” reads part of the statement.
“The Zimbabwe National Army has warned that any of its members caught on the wrong side of the law will face the full wrath of the law.”

He said Ndlovu was reduced in rank to private before all three were discharged from the ZNA with ignomity.
Early this year, the ZNA again sentenced Corporal Dzimbanhete Tatenda and Trooper Munesi Wilfred to 40 years after they pleaded guilty to the charges of armed robbery which they committed on November 15, 2021 at Surrey Farm near Marondera.

-Herald

Tinashe Sambiri|The Citizens’ Coalition For Change government will not remove top cops and military personnel from office, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

Addressing thousands of CCC supporters at Mkoba Stadium on Sunday, President Chamisa said his government will trim the number of government ministries for efficiency.

“We will not have governors, our government will ensure that governance is put to the people, we can’t have everything being done in Harare, we want to make sure Gweru is our administrative capital, Harare our commercial capital and Bulawayo our industrial hub.

Government is not an industry, it is not supposed to be a space where you come for cars, money and jobs for the boys — no. Our government will be lean, 12 to 13 ministers only and no deputies,” said President Chamisa.

“Those in government who fear that they will lose their jobs, don’t worry, fear not because we are not after removing the head, but we want to change the haircut, we are after the politicians and not government workers.

I know that the security forces are scared to lose their jobs in the event that CCC becomes government. But they should not be scared. It is corrupt Zanu PF leaders who we want to remove and arrest in the new government,” he added.

“This time I assure you, there will be no rigging, I now have eyes in Zec, I am being briefed about their every move and even if they want to rig, we will know in advance and act to avert it.”

Mnangagwa at Kenya's State House with Uhuru Kenyatta, says "my brother and friend, thank you for the warmest of welcomes.

"Kenya and Zimbabwe stand side by side. We are working towards a prosperous and bountiful Africa! ??" pic.twitter.com/aFbL6bqI0V

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 9, 2022

By A Correspondent- Political analyst Eldred Masunungure has said the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has never been fair in executing its duties and responsibilities.

His remarks come as ZEC has strongly castigated opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa over his claims the electoral body was plotting to rig the upcoming Parliamentary and municipal by-elections in favour of Zanu PF.

Masunungure, a Political Science lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) said the electoral body has a history of being partisan. 

NewZimbabwe.com quotes him as saying:

Believe it or not, but if one can go and trace the history it is clear that Zec has never been fair in doing its work.  Zec should be above all political parties and not be controlled by a certain political party. It is up to Zec to ensure that it is not perpetually accused of pushing a certain political party’s agenda.

Chamisa’s rigging claims:

• Chamisa told his supporters at a campaign rally in Gweru on Sunday that his party had devised strategies to counter ZEC’s plot to rig the elections in favour of Zanu PF.
• Chamisa also claimed that his party had planted informers in the ZEC secretariat who will help expose vote-rigging plans.

ZEC Denies the allegations:

• ZEC has often denied the allegations that it is partisan and plots to rig the upcoming elections as claimed by Chamisa.
• ZEC spokesperson Joyce Kazembe said they have heard several times that the CCC has people working within ZEC, “and we cannot dispute that because we don’t have the evidence.”
• Kazembe said ZEC would not be threatened by CCC in any way and will continue doing our work as per the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
• ZEC denied the allegations of rigging but admitted that the voters’ roll which has been leaked to activists’ group Team Pachedu was a ZEC draft document. ZEC claimed that the document had been tampered with to discredit the country’s electoral management system.

Historical perspective:

• ZEC is accused of having connived with the ruling ZANU PF to manipulate election results.
• ZEC withheld election results for five weeks in 2008 in a plebiscite that SADC and the AU emphatically rejected as not reflective of the will of the people of Zimbabwe.
• There were anomalies in the 2018 election results, including that of Dexter Nduna whom ZEC claimed won the Chegutu Parliamentary seat. ZEC later admitted that it made an error, Nduna is still an MP.

#ZERA Notice: March 2022 Fuel Price
@mazeti1@official_MOEPD@InfoMinZW@HeraldZimbabwe@newswireZW@ZBCNewsonline@BusinessTimesZW@ChronicleZim@ManicaPostZim@DailyNewsZim@powerfmzimbabwe
@ZTNnews@capitalkfm@ZiFMNews@HevoiNews@Bulawayo24News@263Chat #ZERAFuelPrice pic.twitter.com/g7pVVqfu51

— ZERA (@zeraenergy) March 9, 2022

8 March 2023

CCC Masvingo Youth Change Champions recognize Women’s Day

Ngaapinde Hake Mukomana

The Citizens Coalition for Change Youth Champions for Masvingo Province would like recognize and respect the Women s Day commemorations. It is even in our culture that women or our mothers deserve much respect and honour. Thus any disrespectful ness may lead one into mental madness known as “kutanda botso”. I know wonder why we have such sayings as kusina mai hakuendwi. It is the love , care ,patience and endurance in a woman that makes us all to live a happy life.

Turning to the Zimbabwean sunk economy, its very pity that women suffer most from this double bedded burden. Women strive to fend for the families as well as do the day to day household chores also not forgetting the maternal birth role they play. Therefore politicians must wake up from their deep slumber if not ignorance to empower women and fully address the economic situation to lessen women burden. ZANU pf has failed this and only CCC bears our hope.

As youth we also suffer such hardships as unemployment and also sidelined from financial opportunities, we therefore side in women’s corner to uplift each other. Let the girl child,women pastors,women political leaders, feminists and entire mothers of this world be appreciated and continue to be supported and in cooperated in leadership and developmental avenues.

Thumps up Mai Kore our VP, Thabitha Khumalo our Chairperson ,Women’s Assembly Chairlady Hon Mugidho and all other women leaders ,your efforts will forever be cherished and hope the fruits of the struggle will be ripe in 2023 as we enter Cannan with our President Champion in Chief Advocate Nelson Chamisa.

Timoth Muswere
CCC Masvingo Youth Champions Spokesperson

By A Correspondent- The Zanu-PF leadership in Mashonaland East province has blocked the planned eviction of scores of families from Mlanje Estates which is at the centre of an ownership wrangle between Godfrey Gonese and former farm workers.

Mlanje Estates, also known as Lowveld Leather, is home to hundreds of families, mainly former workers of Eagle Tanning.

Eagle Tanning produces leather products and suppliers boots to both the Zimbabwe Republic Police and Zimbabwe National Army.

The farm wrangle started after the return of Gonese who claims to be the owner of the estate.

Gonese had ordered the families to leave the farm and demanded rentals from teachers occupying houses at both Eagle Tanning primary and secondary schools. He is also reportedly demanding rentals from workers who use company houses.

The victims had to appeal for assistance from the Zanu-PF leadership after people reportedly sent by Gonese slashed their maize crop in a bid to force them out.

At the weekend, a high-powered delegation led by provincial chairperson Daniel Garwe descended on the farm and told victims to stay put.

Addressing scores of people at Eagle Tanning Primary School, Garwe said the party would look into how Gonese got the estate.

We are here to tell you that you are not going anywhere. Your leaders told us that you are being harassed, having your maize fields slashed as well as teachers made to pay rentals. This must stop immediately. This farm is your home and no one will chase you from here.

“The school belongs to the government and no teacher should pay rent. We are going to look into this issue thoroughly and scrutinise how Gonese got to own the land,” Garwe, who is also National Housing and Social Amenities minister, said.

Efforts to get a comment from Gonese were fruitless yesterday as he was not picking calls or responding to messages sent to him.

The meeting was, however, attended by Gonese’s two children and workers.

Eagle Tanning primary and secondary schools were established in 1979 by Belmont Leather to cater for employees’ children as well as those from nearby communities.

The schools were handed over to the government in 1981 through the Marondera Rural District Council.

The farm and factory were taken over by indigenous businesspeople in 1987, who leased the shoe-making factory to an Italian investor.

Garwe was accompanied by Zanu-PF provincial secretary for security Lawrence Katsiru, provincial secretary for business liaison Godwin Tavaziva, provincial youth league boss Isaac Tasikani and war veterans, among others.

Zanu-PF is also eyeing to retain the seat in the area in the March 26 by-elections. The seat fell vacant following the death of Patrick Chidhakwa (Zanu-PF)

For Immediate Release

Press Statement

8 March 2022

The FORUS party joins Zimbabwe and the rest of the world in commemorating International Women’s Day.

The day, celebrated on the 8^th of March, under the theme “Gender Equality Today For A Sustainable Tomorrow” aims at appreciating women and their social, economic, cultural and political contribution to the global developmental agenda including averting the climate crisis.

The FORUS party acknowledges that there is a vital link between gender, social equity and climate change, and that without gender equality today, a sustainable future, an equal future, remains out of reach.

We recognise that women and girls bear the burden of climate impacts and that the climate change challenges cements and amplifies existing gender inequalities.

The climate crisis has adverse negative impacts on women and girls’ lives and their livelihoods thus it is important to advance gender equality in all spheres and ensure a safe environment for all.

On this International Women’s Day, we believe that women should be supported socially, economically and politically since they are also essential to leading and driving change in climate adaption, mitigation and solutions.

Our party values women and their contribution to society and we envision a gender equal Zimbabwe that is free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination.

We believe that it is possible to attain a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive where women are valued and celebrated.

This year’s commemorations are also special as we celebrate and appreciate the role of women and girls and their contributions to ending the COVID-19 pandemic.

We appreciate their leadership roles, ideas, innovations and activism that are changing our world for the better.

As FORUS, we will continue to lobby for political, social and economic reforms towards rebuilding a nation that offers equal opportunities to women and girls.

The lobbying shall also include aligning national legislation with the Constitution and replacing highly contentious Maintenance of Peace and Security Act (MOPA) to Constitutional provisions and aligning security powers with constitutional guarantees of fundamental freedoms that are recognised regionally and internationally.

Together we can forge women’s equality by making a difference through action that ensures that the future for girls and women is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.

Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.

Statement Issued By: Manyara Irene Muyenziwa (FORUS PRESIDENT)

By A Correspondent- The Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) is in the process of changing the driver’s license metal disc to a plastic disc by end of June this year.

The development was announced by the ministry of transport via Twitter.

“CVR is in the process of moving from the old metal disc to a new plastic disc.The old metal disc technology and equipment is now absolute, reads the tweet.

“The proposed new disc is compliant with the COMESA, EAC and SADC Tripartite region.

We urge our valued citizens to bear with us in our transition from the old to the new SADC compliant driver’s license disc. This process is expected to be completed by end of June 2022.

Meanwhile, accessing a metal disc is still a problem at CVR as those who passed their test in 2018 are yet to get their metal driver’s license discs.

The department is currently in the process of producing discs for learners who passed their tests in August 2018.

Most of the raw materials, which include metal photo plates, a special dye, a fixer and a developer, are all purchased in the United States.

The old manual machine that is used in the production process can only produce 48 driver’s licence discs at one go and frequently breaks down.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) yesterday hit back at opposition Citizens Coalition for Change leader Nelson Chamisa, saying its officials would not lose sleep over his “empty threats” meant to discredit the electoral management body.

Zec spokesperson Joyce Kazembe told NewsDay that Zec had endured worst threats than the vote-rigging allegations made by Chamisa.

“As Zec, we have had more serious threats than what the CCC leader Chamisa has been saying over and over,” Kazembe said.

“We have heard several times that the CCC have people now working within Zec, and we cannot dispute that because we don’t have the evidence. But Zec would not be threatened by CCC in any way. We will continue doing our work as per the Constitution of Zimbabwe.”

Chamisa told his supporters at a campaign rally in Gweru on Sunday that his party had devised strategies to counter Zec’s plot to rig the elections in favour of Zanu-PF.

Chamisa also claimed that his party had planted informers in the Zec secretariat who will help expose vote-rigging plans.

But Kazembe denied the allegations of rigging, but admitted that the voters’ roll which has been leaked to activists’ group Team Pachedu was a Zec draft document. She, however, claimed that the document had been tampered with to discredit the country’s electoral management system.

The activists’ group has  poked holes on the roll and exposed several irregularities, including the illegal transfer of more than 170 000 voters from their wards, among other anomalies.

“The leaked voters’ roll was just a draft and not the final one because people were still registering and we have not yet released the actual voters roll at the moment. The citizens should wait for the final voters’ roll that will be published by Zec,” Kazembe said.

After the leaked voters’ roll, there were reports that Zec then fired members of staff at its information technology department.

CCC deputy spokesperson Gift Ostallos Siziba said Zec should correct all the glitches that electoral watchdogs like Team Pachedu have highlighted.

“It’s a clear indication that Zec manipulated the voters’ roll, but Zec is not a partisan organisation and it must never be controlled by Zanu-PF. We expect Zec to correct the anomalies within the voters roll. As the government-in-waiting, we have new strategies to expose Zec and more people are yet to be fired,” Siziba said.

Political analyst Eldred Masunungure said: “Believe it or not, but if one can go and trace the history it is clear that Zec has never been fair in doing its work.  Zec should be above all political parties and not be controlled by a certain political party. It is up to Zec to ensure that it is not perpetually accused of pushing a certain political party’s agenda.”-newsday

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe in the recent past recorded a surge in the number of COVID-19 admissions due to relaxed preventive measures.

During a post-Cabinet media briefing, Information and Publicity Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, also stated that although there were reported COVID-19 cases in schools, they were not severe. Said the Senator:

During the week under review, the number of people in need of hospitalisation for Covid-19 increased and the bed occupancy rate increased from 2% last week to 3,2% this week.https://zero.pindula.co.zw/market/featured/?limit=4

A total of 81 new admissions were recorded during the week compared to 51 which occurred last week. No patient was admitted to the intensive care unit.

By A Correspondent- Police Commissioner-General, Godwin Matanga, is facing a 90-day jail term for contempt of court after being sued by property developer, Eddies Pfugari Properties (Pfugari), for failing to provide police details to escort the deputy sheriff to evict thousands of people who illegally occupied the company’s land in Whitecliff, Harare.

Matanga is being sued together with officer in charge at Dzivarasekwa Police Station Judith Tinarwo, who is listed as the first respondent.

The occupants illegally settled on land grabbed from Pfugari and are staring in the face of an eviction after President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government failed to compensate the company as earlier agreed.

Pfugari obtained an eviction order at the High Court a few years ago, but the government, through the local government ministry, prevented its implementation after committing to paying for the land.

After government reneged on the payment, the company was left with no option but seek the services of the sheriff of the High Court to implement the eviction.

Pfugari now wants the High Court to grant another order declaring Matanga and his subordinate to be in contempt of court.

They also want the court to ask them to provide the sheriff with sufficient manpower and equipment to enable peace to be maintained while the sheriff implements an earlier eviction order by the same court.

The company’s lawyers, Scanlen & Holderness, argued in the application that the police did not act in accordance with that High Court order despite several written requests.

The lawyers said this amounts to a will disregard of the court order by Matanga and Tinarwo.

Assistance was supposed to be rendered within ten days of judgment.

“Despite several written requests from the sheriff and the applicant for compliance with the court order, the first and second respondents deliberately withheld the assistance in wilful disregard of the court and ignored the letters from the sheriff and the applicant,” the court documents read.

“The applicant is frustrated by the delays in evicting the illegal occupiers. It continues to suffer financial prejudice as it is being deprived of its property,” the lawyers said.

“The applicant has no other remedy if the respondents maintain their refusal to carry out their constitutional duties but to comply with a specific order of this honourable court.”

“The applicant prays for an order declaring that the first and second respondent to comply with an order of this honourable court. Applicant also seeks an order committing the respondents to prison for a period of 90 days if they fail to provide the required assistance to the sheriff within ten days of the order being granted,” the lawyers said.

However, Matanga and Tinarwo have since filed their own answering affidavits denying any wilful violation of the court order.

“We have never been in wilful disregard of the order of the court as we were waiting for the head of sheriff services to revert back to us for the execution of the order since we had approached them twice on different occasions when they indicated that their office was not yet ready to execute the order as it wanted to issue a new notice of eviction to new occupants who have not been on site before,” the affidavit, seen by NewZimbabwe.com Tuesday, reads.

They also accused the company of making the application out of malice saying: “We reiterate that we are ready to assist the sheriff upon invitation and not through an contempt of court order.”

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s court-martial has sentenced three soldiers to 15 years in prison each for armed robbery, theft and unlawful entry.

In a statement, Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Alphios Makotore identified the trio as Lance Corporal Ndlovu Fortune and privates Manyanga Ratiel and Masase Kainos. We present the statement below:

GENERAL COURT-MARTIAL SENTENCES THREE SOLDIERS TO 15 EACH FOR ARMED ROBBERY, THEFT AND UNLAWFUL ENTRY

As the military justice and deterrent sentences against rogue elements of the force continue to be dispensed, Lance Corporal Ndlovu Fortune and privates Manyanga Ratiel and Masase Kainos were on 05 March 2022 sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Court Martial.

They were convicted of armed robbery, unlawful entry and theft after a fully contested trial before the General Court Martial seating in Bulawayo last week. They had all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The trio, who were all serving with 4 Infantry Brigade in Masvingo, committed armed robbery, unlawful entry and theft cases in and around Masvingo between January and July 2021. Ndlovu was reduced in rank to private before all three were discharged from the Zimbabwe National Army with ignominy, and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each for the offences. The Zimbabwe National Army has warned that any of its members caught on the wrong side of the law will face the full wrath of the law.

By A Correspondent- A bold Shurugwi woman was last week arrested for challenging her husband’s suspension from work.

The teacher, Jefta Chida was suspended for protesting at poor living conditions.

Zanu PF also accuses Chida of campaigning for President Nelson Chamisa’s Citizens’ Coalition For Change.

“I’m in Shurugwi in the Games area kwandanzwa kuti a Geography teacher at Games school was suspended from work being accused of participating in the teachers’ strike .

The name of the teacher is Mr Jefter Chida.

Chida is also accused of holding CCC meetings at the school at night.

After the suspension, Mr Chida’s wife, Maria Mapfumo (48) confronted ZANU PF chairperson Bernard Dangi ndokumutaurira kuti imi vanhu vezanu naPresident wenyu muri mhondi munoda kutouraya murume wangu.Maria was arrested and spent a night in cells.

She was released after paying a fine of $3000 rtgs.Sithabile Zungula presided over the case last week,” a senior CCC member said on Tuesday.

9 MARCH 2015 is when Itai Dzamara was abducted. It’s now 7 years since he was abducted and has never been seen or accounted for.We hold the state accountable and demand answers.Itai was killed for demanding freedom.Our thoughts are with the Dzamara family.We the Citizens! pic.twitter.com/Dgu4AlM203

— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) March 9, 2022

The highly controversial Marriages Bill that protects men who have live-in-girlfriends was yesterday finally passed by the National Assembly following amendments made to the proposed law by Senate last month.

After the approval of the amendments by Senate last month, the Bill had to be returned to the National Assembly for it to consider the changes before it was sent to Emerson Mnangagwa for his assent.

The Bill was initially passed in the National Assembly in 2020 but was held up in Senate after traditional leaders objected to a clause that said that payment or non-payment of a bride price could not be regarded as a barrier in solemnising marriage between two consenting adults if they satisfied other requirements of the law.

But traditional leaders, led by Chiefs Council president Fortune Charumbira, argued that payment of bride price was a hallmark of marriage in customary unions.

There had been differences between the Government and traditional leaders on a clause related to lobola payment in customary unions and the powers of chiefs as marriage officers.

The new amendments allow marriage officers, who include traditional leaders solemnising customary unions in their own areas to ask parties to a marriage whether or not lobola has been paid.

The amendments also provide that a marriage officer in a customary union cannot solemnise unions where couples had stayed together for less than five years.

Under unregistered customary law unions, the amendments make it clear that a marriage officer to a proposed customary union can include questions about lobola among those required for establishing the identity and ages of the couple.

In these solemnisations of unregistered customary unions, the couples have to present an affidavit jointly sworn to by them to the effect that they have been living together as husband and wife for at least five years or more, and that they are not related to each other within any prohibited degree of kinship that is recognised by their community as an impediment to marriage between them.

There also have to be affidavits by two witnesses (of whom one witness must be a relative of the bridegroom and the other a relative of the bride) corroborating the fact that the proposed marriage partners have been living together as man and wife for five years or more and that they are not related to each other within the prescribed degree of kinship.

The period of five years referred to in this section shall not include any period during which either of the parties was below the age of eighteen years at the time that they purportedly began to live together as man and wife.

In 2020 Cabinet withdrew a clause in the Bill that provides for “civil partnership,” saying such a union was alien and not consistent with the country’s cultural and Christian values.

The new marriage law courted controversy, with various interpretations of it and questions as to whether it would not undermine the family unit and traditional marriage institution.

It was also construed that the new law would empower “small houses”, a colloquial term for extra-marital or unrecognised unions.

Commenting on the implications of the Clause, the late Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo said Cabinet resolved that it should not be seen as if it was condoning illegal activities.

“People who decide to have a commercial contractual arrangement which will be determined other than the laws of contract will be judged along those lines. I do not think it should be brought into the Marriages Act. Secondly Cabinet in its wisdom resolved that we must remain principled and in line so that we will not necessarily encourage illegal activities to take place by appearing as if we are legislating them,” said Minister Moyo.

He said the removal of the Clause would not affect rural communities where couples had lived together as husband and wife for several years without having their marriage registered.

The then Attorney General Prince Machaya said when two people decide to live together outside the law and expectation of society they should not expect protection from authorities because they did not accrue additional rights such as legitimately married persons.

He said it was only people who were legally married whose status at law should change and could enforce against each other upon dissolution of such union.

“There is nothing that the authorities or the State can do to protect them from what I can term the deliberateness of their own actions, they are aware of what they are doing and what those type of relationships are viewed by society, so people should not cry foul that they are not being protected,” said Adv Machaya.

He said the clause was being misunderstood and misinterpreted to create the impression that the law was recognising civil unions.

“It is not a recognised marriage, it was merely out of consideration of fairness that when these people move apart the one who is more economically empowered should not use that power to the detriment of another part, that was the sole purpose of referring it as a civil partnership,” said Adv Machaya, back then. – State Media/Additional Reporting

By- Zanu PF’s Mashonaland East provincial executive has suspended party official and UMAA Group of Colleges owner Cleopas Kundiona for failing to avail himself during party programmes.

Kundiona lost the ZANU PF primary elections to Ignatius Mateveke for the Marondera Central constituency which became vacant after the MDC-T recalled Caston Matewu (MDC Alliance‎)‎.

Despite losing the primary poll to his rival, Kundiona was still expected to help campaign for him and fund his campaign.

In a letter dated 4 March 2022, ZANU PF provincial vice-chairperson Kudzai Majuru said:

You were seen in the constituency moving and campaigning for the MDC candidates and you failed to avail yourself for the party programmes without real cause.

More: New Zimbabwe

By- Gokwe man is suspected to have murdered his wife before he committed suicide by drinking a pesticide.

Daniel Makuseni (42) of Katazo Village under Chief Simchembo in Gokwe reportedly killed his wife Ellen Gowo (39), whom he stayed with in Gokwe over yet to be known reasons.

Midlands Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed that the couple had a long-standing dispute.

“The two stayed together as husband and wife in Gokwe and reportedly had a long-standing dispute. On 2 March around 1PM, the two left the home to go and search for network and they never returned,” said Inspector Mahoko.

This prompted the family and the community to launch a search for the two.

“On 3 March, Makuseni was found by his brother Isaiah whilst he was lying by the roadside with froth coming out of his mouth and a bottle of pesticide beside him,” said Inspector Mahoko.

He was rushed to Vumba Clinic where he was treated and referred to Gokwe Hospital for further management.

On 4 March, the body of Gowo was found in a bushy area by a passer-by and was taken to Gokwe Hospital for a postmortem.

The same day, Makuseni consumed another bottle of pesticide and died instantly.

Police reminded the public of the need to solve disputes amicably.

“We continue to urge the members of the public to find amicable ways of solving disputes. We also urge the public to always seek the intervention of a third part in cases of disputes to avoid unnecessary loss of life,” said Inspector Mahoko. Chronicle

By- Zanu PF’s Mashonaland East provincial executive has suspended party official and UMAA Group of Colleges owner Cleopas Kundiona for failing to avail himself during party programmes.

Kundiona lost the ZANU PF primary elections to Ignatius Mateveke for the Marondera Central constituency which became vacant after the MDC-T recalled Caston Matewu (MDC Alliance‎)‎.

Despite losing the primary poll to his rival, Kundiona was still expected to help campaign for him and fund his campaign.

In a letter dated 4 March 2022, ZANU PF provincial vice-chairperson Kudzai Majuru said:

You were seen in the constituency moving and campaigning for the MDC candidates and you failed to avail yourself for the party programmes without real cause.

More: New Zimbabwe

Tinashe Sambiri| President Nelson Chamisa has described women as engines of social change.

Women make a difference in nations and communities, according to President Chamisa.

“Today is Intl Women’s Day (IWD), themed “gender equality today,for a sustainable tomorow”.

We salute the women everywhere making a difference in nations & communities.

Women are the engines of social change & economic development.

Happy Women’s Day to brave women across the globe,” the CCC leader wrote on Twitter.

By A Correspondent- Suspected ZANU PF activists on Saturday night set on fire Bindura ward 18 councillor Oswell Shambare’s house.

Shambare had hosted an opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) meeting at his home earlier that day.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum suggested that Shambare was being punished for hosting a party meeting at his homestead. The Forum said:

Suspected Zanu PF supporters on Saturday night torched Bindura ward 18 councillor Shambare’s house. Shambare had hosted a CCC youth meeting during the day.

CCC welfare secretary Maureen Kademaunga on Monday confirmed the incident to NewsDay and said she was on her way to Bindura to ascertain what really transpired.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was yet to receive a report from Bindura.

Cases of politically-motivated violence are on the rise across the country ahead of the 26 March by-elections.

Recently, CCC member Mboneni Ncube was stabbed to death by suspected ZANU PF activists at a rally at Mkoba 4 Shopping Centre in Kwekwe.-newsday

By- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim national chairperson Thabitha Khumalo has blocked MDC-T factional leader Thokozani Khupefrom joining the Nelson Chamisa led political outfit.

Khumalo said Khupe should apologise for destroying the MDC Alliance if she wants to work with CCC.

Khumalo told New Zimbabwe on Monday that she will never forgive Khupe for initiating her recall from parliament when the latter was interim MDC-T president. 

Khumalo, who has been forced to take a back seat on the party’s activities due to ill health, said:

Apologise and we forgive you, but we will not forget. I have not forgotten what she did to me and my other comrades.

My personal view is that we are in this mess today because of Khupe. If she was sincere that if we are united, we can remove ZANU PF, then what was the essence of those recalls? Why did she replace us with her own friends?

With medical aid, you apply now and pay the fees but it only functions after three months, so what is special about Khupe who just comes from nowhere and enjoys the fruits of others. We will not allow that.

Khumalo was recalled from National Assembly alongside Prosper Mutseyami, Chalton Hwende and Lilian Timveous when Khupe was acting MDC-T president following a controversial Supreme Court ruling in March 2020.

Khupe was eventually expelled from the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T, and Timveous has since joined ZANU PF while Hwende and Mutseyami have remained loyal to Chamisa, who now leads CCC.

More: New Zimbabwe

By- POlice in Bulawayo raided 35 illegal gold miners arrested them before recovering guns and ammunition.

The raid happened at Happy Valley Mine on Monday.

“On 07/03/22, Police in Bulawayo arrested 35 illegal gold miners and recovered an Utas pistol with 20 rounds of ammunition, a Rossi revolver calibre .38SPL with 7 rounds, a Shotgun with 3 rounds, a 202 rifle with a magazine of 15 rounds, a compressor, 100m hose pipe, 2 shovels, wheelbarrows 2 manual pull system and a rubber bucket at Happy valley Mine,” posted the police,” police posted on their Twitter account.

By- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed Nelson Mutsonziwa as Acting Prosecutor General.

Mutsonziwa takes over from Kumbirai Hodzi who resigned recently due to ill health. Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda, said in a statement:
His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde E.D. Mnangagwa has, in terms of Section 340 of the Constitution, appointed Mr Nelson Mutsonziwa as Acting Prosecutor-General following the resignation of former Prosecutor General, Mr Kumbirai Hodzi.
The appointment is with immediate effect.

Reports suggest Hodzi was forced to resign by officials from the Office of President and Cabinet (OPC) and senior officials from the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for alleged incompetence and corruption.

Hodzi had been under pressure since December last year when a dossier, accusing him of corruption and incompetence, was submitted to the OPC and Justice ministry.

By- South Africans under the Dudula Movement and some foreign nationals in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, on Monday threatened to shut down shops demanding that foreigners should leave.

They insisted that their call for foreigners to leave had nothing to do with xenophobia, but rather an attempt to reclaim the economy of locals.

Some vendors packed their goods preparing to leave Pan African Mall peacefully, but some foreign nationals were armed with stones and sticks ready to defend themselves.

Some shops were forced to shut their doors as protesters accused them of contributing to unemployment by hiring foreigners instead of locals.

The South African Police Services (SAPS) deployed police officers to the scene to separate the two groups to prevent further violence.

More: SABC News

By- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim national chairperson Thabitha Khumalo has blocked MDC-T factional leader Thokozani Khupefrom joining the Nelson Chamisa led political outfit.

Khumalo said Khupe should apologise for destroying the MDC Alliance if she wants to work with CCC.

Khumalo told New Zimbabwe on Monday that she will never forgive Khupe for initiating her recall from parliament when the latter was interim MDC-T president. 

Khumalo, who has been forced to take a back seat on the party’s activities due to ill health, said:

Apologise and we forgive you, but we will not forget. I have not forgotten what she did to me and my other comrades.

My personal view is that we are in this mess today because of Khupe. If she was sincere that if we are united, we can remove ZANU PF, then what was the essence of those recalls? Why did she replace us with her own friends?

With medical aid, you apply now and pay the fees but it only functions after three months, so what is special about Khupe who just comes from nowhere and enjoys the fruits of others. We will not allow that.

Khumalo was recalled from National Assembly alongside Prosper Mutseyami, Chalton Hwende and Lilian Timveous when Khupe was acting MDC-T president following a controversial Supreme Court ruling in March 2020.

Khupe was eventually expelled from the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T, and Timveous has since joined ZANU PF while Hwende and Mutseyami have remained loyal to Chamisa, who now leads CCC.

More: New Zimbabwe

By-Suspected Zanu PF activists on Saturday night set on fire Bindura ward 18 councillor Oswell Shambare’s house.

Shambare had hosted an opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) meeting at his home earlier that day.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum suggested that Shambare was being punished for hosting a party meeting at his homestead. The Forum said:

Suspected Zanu PF supporters on Saturday night torched Bindura ward 18 councillor Shambare’s house. Shambare had hosted a CCC youth meeting during the day.

CCC welfare secretary Maureen Kademaunga on Monday confirmed the incident to NewsDay and said she was on her way to Bindura to ascertain what really transpired.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was yet to receive a report from Bindura.

Cases of politically-motivated violence are on the rise across the country ahead of the 26 March by-elections.

Recently, CCC member Mboneni Ncube was stabbed to death by suspected Zanu PF activists at a rally at Mkoba 4 Shopping Centre in Kwekwe.

More: NewsDay

By-Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Ezra Chadzamira, who lost the Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chairmanship, has resurfaced.

Chadzamira has resurfaced after two months of denouncing the opposition politicians.

Chadzamira addressed a Zanu PF campaign rally in Masvingo City’s Runyararo West in Ward 3 where he rapped opposition-run councils on Monday.

By- Chief Justice Luke Malaba, has appointed Eighteen judges of the High Court to constitute the Electoral Court that will operate from March 1 to August 30 this year.

According to the Electoral Act, the Electoral Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear appeals, applications and petitions in terms of the Electoral Act; to review any decision of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission or anyone else made under the Act; and shall have the power to give such judgments, orders and directions in those matters as might be given by the High Court.

But the Electoral Court cannot try any criminal case.
“Judgments, orders and directions of the Electoral Court shall be enforceable in the same way as judgments, orders and directions of the High Court.”

Under the Electoral Act, the Chief Justice consults the Judicial Service Commission and the Judge President of the High Court and then appoints at least two judges of the High Court to be Judges of the Electoral Court for such a period as the Chief Justice specifies.
The Electoral Court’s jurisdiction may be exercised by a judge of the Electoral Court sitting alone or with one or more assessors.
So Chief Justice Malaba has after making these consultations appointed the following judges of the High Court to be judges of the Electoral Court Division of the High Court: Judge President Justice Maria Zimba-Dube, Justice Garainesu Mawadze, Justice Martin Makonese, Justice David Mangota, Justice Amy Tsanga, Justice Esther Muremba, Justice Moses Foroma, Justice Jester Helena Charewa, Justice Phildah Muzofa, Justice Isaac Muzenda, Justice Benjamin Chikowero, Justice Pisirai Kwenda, Justice Christopher Dube-Banda, Justice Sunsley Zisengwe, Justice Munamato Mutevedzi, Justice Never Katiyo, Justice Elijah Makomo and Justice Lucie-Anne Chipo Munewari.
In January, President Mnangagwa proclaimed March 26 as the date for by-elections to fill vacant National Assembly constituency seats and council wards as required by the Constitution.

Normally by-elections are held soon after the seat falls vacant, but proclamation of dates were postponed early last year when the first Covid-19 infections were found in Zimbabwe.
However, health authorities and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission now believe they can safely manage the assembly of voters at polling stations.
-Herald

Tinashe Sambiri| President Nelson Chamisa has described women as engines of social change.

Women make a difference in nations and communities, according to President Chamisa.

“Today is Intl Women’s Day (IWD), themed “gender equality today,for a sustainable tomorow”.

We salute the women everywhere making a difference in nations & communities.

Women are the engines of social change & economic development.

Happy Women’s Day to brave women across the globe,” the CCC leader wrote on Twitter.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) has notified its customers that it will not be able to provide enough buses this evening because of fuel challenges.

In a public notice, ZUPCO said people should not panic over the development as it is working to procure fuel for its fleet. Read the notice:

The Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO), wishes to advise the commuting public that, there will be transport challenges this evening. This has resulted from delays in fuel deliveries at ZUPCO.

However, the commuting public should not panic as illustrious efforts are underway to ensure that the challenge is resolved.

We remain committed and will continue to serve the nation with safe, reliable and affordable travel.

We regret and apologize to all our valued customers for any inconvenience caused.

Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

Award-winning Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono who was arrested in for obstructing justice and contempt of court, after being accused of breaching his bail conditions by tweeting about the court outcome of a gold smuggling scandal involving Henrietta Rushwaya despite a ban on him posting on Twitter, has had his bail reporting conditions removed by the Harare High Court.

Posting on Twitter Chin’ono said, “The High Court has removed my bail reporting conditions, but it refused to release my title deeds for my home. I am on remand for exposing corruption involving the President’s niece Henrietta Rushwaya who was caught trying to smuggle 6kgs of gold to Dubai. The idea is to FIX me!

“The Gold was worth US$370,000. 2500 Zimbabwean women are dying every year giving birth. Zimbabwe’s biggest hospital only has one working maternity theater built in 1977. A theater costs US$37,000. Henrietta’s Gold could have built 10 maternity theaters at Gomo.”

By A Correspondent- A 78 year old Bindura man  collapsed and died after offloading his baggage at a shop in Bindura yesterday. 

Arumando Mujiiwa of house  number  48 Home industry Bindura died after arriving with his load at Ndodahondo buildings bindura.

Mashonaland Central police spokespersons Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed the case. 

Allegations  are that the now deceased had been hired to carry baggage by Georgina Gwizo (40) and after offloading it he died on the spot.

A Covid-19 test was carried out on him and it came out negative. His body is being kept at Bindura  hospital. 

Police urged people to seek medical attention when ever they feel unwell.

International Women’s Day 2022 : “Break The Bias: Realizing Women’s Rights”

By Mambokadzi Linda wekwaMasarira

8 March 2022

International Women’s Day is a day set aside every year on the 8th of March to celebrate women’s achievements in all spheres of life. This year’s theme is a clarion call to all women to ensure that they play a participatory role in advocating for gender equality and ensuring the protection of women’s rights.

There is nothing for women without women and every woman’s hands should be on the deck to ensure that all women worldwide are treated as equals. International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. On the 8th of March women all over the world celebrate the International Women’s Day. IWD has been celebrated for over a century now yet many people think of it purely as a feminist cause. Its roots, however, are found in the labour movement, wherein it was first organised in 1911 by the early 20th century Marxist from Germany Clara Zetkin.

Zetkin was born in 1857 in Wiederau, where she trained as a teacher and was associated with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) one of the two major political parties in Germany. She participated in both in the labour movement and women’s movement.

It is said that in the 1880s, anti-socialist laws were enforced by German leader Otto von Bismarck and Zetkin went into a ‘self-imposed exile’ in Switzerland and France. She wrote and distributed literature that was forbidden back then, and also met with leading socialists.

Zetkin also played a significant role in the formation of the Socialist International. When she returned to Germany, she became the editor of Die Gleichheit (‘Equality’) SPD’s newspaper for women from 1892 to 1917. In the SPD, Zetkin was closely associated with the far-left thinker and revolutionary Rosa Luxemburg.

In 1910 — three years after she became a co-founder of the International Socialist Women’s Congress — Zetkin proposed at a conference that Women’s Day be celebrated in every country on February 28. A conference comprising 100 women from 17 countries with unions, socialist parties, working women’s clubs and female legislators unanimously approving the suggestion, and Women’s Day was observed for the first time in the year 1911. In 1913, the date was changed to March 8, and it continues to be celebrated every year.

As we celebrate IWD this year under the campaign theme #BreakTheBias, we need to be sincere as Zimbabwean women to unite for a cause. What is our cause? Out cause is to achieve a gender equal world.

A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.

It is sad that women in Zimbabwe have become the patriarchal gatekeepers and catalysts of bias towards fellow women. In Zimbabwe women continue to be marginalized by structural deformities in our cultural, social, religious and political stereotypes.

Women are still viewed as second class citizens which has stifled full realization of women’s rights on our country. Contrary to the assertion that we are making improvements in terms of gender equality in public elected offices, 2018 general elections showed a steep decline of women elected into public office compared to 2013 elections.

The decline in women participation in electoral processes continue to decline as only 15% of the duly nominated candidates for the 26 March By elections are women. We are still struggling to attain gender diversity at the workplace and we need to push for gender equality to become a reality.

Gender diversity produces real benefits. Several studies have shown that a gender-diverse workplace is good for financial returns, employee engagement, innovation and reducing turn over.

We can only achieve gender parity when women start taking an active role in pushing for constitutionalism and protection of all gender related statutes. Women in Zimbabwe continue to suffer from historical marginalization and structural inequalities that exist in the political, social and economic spheres.

Historically, the colonizers made sure that women stayed in the rural areas whilst the men were in towns or mines working and that strengthened the patriarchal system and gender inequalities prescribed by cultural, religious and traditional norms.

The structural deformities in our society have subjected women to societal discrimination whenever they want to participate in politics or challenge anyone masculine in particular in the political arena. In our culture, a proper Zimbabwean woman is expected to be married, submissive, dependant, enduring and hard working.

The moment a woman becomes aggressive, independent, ambitious, financially independent and empowered, a lot of tags are attached on her. Most women who have tried to venture into politics have suffered from negative stereotyping, name calling and had their images tarnished by men in politics who feel intimidated by powerful women.

The first question any woman seeking to run for public office in Zimbabwe faces is, “Is she married?” As if marriage is a qualification for leadership. In religious spheres, men continue to dominate whilst women are expected to submit to church leadership, obey every instruction and are expected to be passive and to serve the church.

Biblical verses have often been used as religious barriers to discourage women from plating active roles in politics. Women are accused of defying the natural order in religious teachings. Very few churches have managed to break the barrier of stereotyping women and have embraced women leadership in the church.

Women also face patriarchal barriers to enter into mainstream politics. In rural areas young girls are married off at a very tender age due to poverty or religious beliefs which automatically disenfranchises them of their right to education and freedom of conscience. Inadequate financial resources to run an election campaign is a major challenge most women.

Access to information is also a big challenge as well to grassroot organic women participation in politics as those in rural areas hardly have access to newspapers or radios. About 37% of women in Zimbabwe have no access to media. Young women living in rural areas are further marginalized because of lack of access to information. Greater family responsibilities poses as a big challenge for women to dedicate themselves to political careers.

Women spend more time doing unpaid social work. The formal male dominated economy has shrunk leaving a lot of women vulnerable to poverty pushing most women into the informal sector for survival.

Government has not done enough to ensure that there are policies in place which benefit the informal sector and communal sector were most women are located. Fiscal and monetary policies being implemented by the government of Zimbabwe continue to neglect the masses and as long as they fail to have pro-poor and inclusive strategies to deal with economic empowerment of women, feminization of poverty will be further entrenched. Women in the rural areas have remained economically disenfranchised.

Most of them survive on subsistence farming, they have no viable markets and hardly handle any money. Instead of nurturing grassroot and organic leadership for local governance political participation, the rich, well connected and perennial bootlickers always find themselves winning primaries and running as councillors in areas they don’t stay.

It is important to start empowering grassroot women to stand for themselves and occupy local governance public offices as they are the ones who know what they go through and the solutions thereof.

Having more women in local governance will help in tackling major issues that affect women from poor service delivery, under equipped clinics and council schools including accessibility to clinics in rural areas.

The burden of poverty has a heavier weight on a woman and it’s high time women start amplifying their own struggle so that they occupy governance positions at every level. Gender based barriers inhibit women from accessing socioeconomic resources. Access to information is limited in regards to economic opportunities especially to women living in rural areas.

Political violence is the major inhibitor of women participation in politics. Women living with disability had shown keenness to run for public office in 2018 but later withdrew their intentions because of the harassment and polarization.

People living with disability should be given preferential treatment and financial support when they aspire to lead and make a difference in the communities. Disability doesn’t mean inability and they deserve our support as individuals, political parties and government policies which are inclusive and supportive of their governance aspirations and empowerment.

Young women have raised various opinions on why they shy away from political participation in a number of platforms I have attended. Issues raised include sexual harassment in political parties, were they fail to ascend in the structures if they haven’t provided sexual favours, being elbowed out by the older women in the parties, patronage and lack of internal democracy in political parties rank and file.

Tenets of good governance are not being applied in Zimbabwe whether at political party level or national governance. Young women are not confident of the leadership in Zimbabwe, they feel marginalized by political leaders who are preoccupied with getting power at all cost or maintaining power without addressing the problems they face in tertiary institutions, political and economic challenges.

In student unions young women always have the vice president seat reserved for them and the secretary for gender which clearly shows how patriarchy is deeply entrenched. We are going to be working with young female students to empower them to run for those powerful positions and to lead at every level in our society.

It is important for all political parties to have a gender sensitive youth agenda. Instead of being apathetic, I urge young women to actively engage in politics and governance at all levels to influence the change they desire. The strong man syndrome is very evident in our political culture in Zimbabwe.

It is much harder for women to emerge as political leaders in our political terrain which is personality based and not value system based. We need a new culture of doing politics which is inclusive and political structures which will ensure recognition and realization of women’s right to participate fully and equally in politics. United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 5 is articulate on the importance of gender equality and inclusion of women.

The Constitution of Zimbabwe states that there should be equality of men and women at all levels of society. I have been told plenty of times that advocacy for gender equality is a feminist agenda, which is a false narrative. Gender equality is a constitutional provision which should be adhered to by every Zimbabwean.

Women in Zimbabwe constitute 54% yet their matters of importance are not taken seriously at national and local governance levels which is indeed worrisome. Men always argue that there aren’t enough qualified women yet most public office positions are taken by mediocre men.

Women’s priorities are different from men’s priorities that is why it is important to ensure that the constitution is adhered to so that women bring in their values and concepts into politics. Inclusion of women is key to ensure gender parity and diversity as the country is not made up entirely of men.

It is only folly to expect men to make decisions on behalf of women who are more than half of the population. Women’s issues are human rights issues and can only be dealt with by women or men who understand the quagmire women in Zimbabwe are facing. Government has failed to influence change in social, religious and cultural attitudes.

Women continue to suffer from discrimination yet we have a law in section 56 of the constitution which prohibits discrimination. It is imperative for the gender commission to put a recommendation to the Parliament to enact strict penalties on any individual, political party or institution that violates section 17, 56, 80 and 104 of the constitution of Zimbabwe.

The legislators should ensure that election related legislation does not indirectly disadvantage women and to consider legislation for political parties to adopt democratic procedures in compliance with the constitutional provisions in regard to equality.

Media should provide gender sensitive coverage of elections, avoiding negative stereotypes and it should also present positive images of women as leaders. Civic society organizations should support women willing to run for public office and provide capacity building and advocate for improved media coverage of women’s issues and women candidates.

All political parties should ensure that women and young women are fully represented in all party structures and policy committees. The academic curriculum needs an extensive review to incorporate gender mainstreaming, the harmful effects of discrimination against women and to deal with issues of defined gender roles which continue to suppress women in our society.

Charity begins at home, we can only change some of these gender perceptions if we start socializing our children in a gender balanced way. If we teach our children equality and to respect each other as equal human beings it will manifest into the next generation. No one is more Zimbabwean than the other.

We can only build a better Zimbabwe by appreciating each other in our diversity and imparting knowledge to the grassroots.

In conclusion its time that women from all walks of life, political parties and churches converge and start addressing issues of gender equality, discrimination, abuse, sexual harassment and women empowerment.

The ministry of women affairs should also consider allocating land to women so that they can generate their own income. Time and again we hear that Zimbabwe is not producing, how does it produce when women are being denied land and its still being allocated on partisan lines.

Every Zimbabwean has a right to land and women in Zimbabwe are hard workers and can do wonders with the vast hectares of land lying idle. The state has an obligation to champion social policies that free women from any form of injustice.

I envision a just Zimbabwe where women as individuals and communities enjoy their freedoms and rights through a thriving constitutional democracy. We all have an obligation to #BreakTheBias.

I am very committed to ensure that gender equality becomes a reality in Zimbabwe. It is time for women to unite in their diversity and emancipate themselves from the clutches of inequality, injustice and violence.

Together we can attain a womens revolution. Happy womens day to all the lovely women in Zimbabwe.

#Womandla Linda Tsungirirai Masarira

LEAD President

By A Correspondent- The Zanu PF Mashonaland East provincial executive has suspended party official and educationist Cleopas Kundiona over a litany of allegations.

Kundiona was elected provincial deputy secretary for legal affairs last year.

In a letter dated March 4, Zanu PF provincial vice-chairperson Kudzai Majuru said Kundiona would remain suspended and barred from conducting party activities until he has been cleared.

“Whereas on March 4, 2022, the Mashonaland East provincial executive decided to invoke article 10 of section 74(1) of the 2014 amended Zanu PF constitution against your conduct. By way of this prohibition order you are thus barred from visiting party offices for the purpose of attending and or carrying out any activities for, and on behalf of the party.

“You are also prohibited from holding any party position or attending any party meeting until the finalisation of a disciplinary hearing pencilled for March 25, 2022,” the letter read.

Kundiona, who is the owner of UMAA Group of Colleges, lost the Zanu PF primary elections to Ignatius Mateveke for the Marondera Central constituency.

According to the letter, Kundiona is accused of boycotting campaigns organised by Mateveke.

“You were seen in the constituency moving and campaigning for the MDC candidates and you failed to avail yourself for the party programmes without real cause,” the letter added.

Zanu PF has also ordered Kundiona to return the party vehicle that was given to him in 2018.

Kundiona’s suspension is likely to split votes in the March 26 by-elections after his followers threatened a protest vote.

Efforts to get a comment from Kundiona were fruitless yesterday.-newsday

By A Correspondent- The trial date for former Cabinet minister Ignatius Chombo, who is facing a criminal abuse of office charge, was yesterday deferred to April 7 as he had another matter at the Constitutional Court.

Chombo was represented by Tungamirai Muganhiri when he appeared before Harare magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti-Guwuriro.

Allegations are that between October 1, 2005 and January 12, 2006, Chombo misrepresented to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe that he wanted  to buy farm mechanisation equipment and he was granted a loan but used the money to buy two Toyota Hilux Vigo vehicles.

Other allegations were that between September 2, 2006 and March 25, 2008, while he was Local Government minister, Chombo unlawfully, corruptly acquired a City of Harare property, namely subdivision 61 Helensvale, Harare, with full knowledge that the local authority had applied for change of use from a public place to space for cluster houses and registered it under Harvest-Net Enterprises (Pvt) Limited, a company which he owned.

Chombo allegedly showed favour to Harvest-Net Enterprises and disfavour to City of Harare.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has further exposed its inefficiency after it accepted MDC Alliance candidate Gideon Mangena’s nomination papers for Nkulumane constituency in Bulawayo, but disqualified him from voting.

In a letter dated March 2, Zec notified Mangena that he would not vote, but would remain a candidate in the March 26 by-elections.

Please be advised that our records indicate that you are disqualified to vote in the forthcoming by-election to be held on March 26, 2022 for Nkulumane constituency,” the Zec letter read.

Mangena transferred to Nkulumane constituency on January 17 when the voters’ roll had closed on January 8, meaning that he is not a registered voter in Nkulumane.

“In terms of section 26A of the Electoral Act, the voters’ roll of the National Assembly concerned closed on January 8, 2022, but our records indicate that your transfer was effected on January 17, 2022. This, therefore, means that your transfer was effected after the voters’ roll was closed and renders you ineligible to vote in the election,” Zec said.

Election Resource Centre chairperson Trust Maanda said Mangena could not be a candidate in Nkulumane constituency since he was not a registered voter.

You can’t be a candidate in a constituency in which you are note registered, but you can be registered where you are not resident. It, therefore, means that his nomination was wrong and improper and, therefore, he can’t be a candidate in that constituency.

“On acceptance of nominations, Zec has to satisfy itself that the person applying to be a candidate must be a registered voter in the particular ward or constituency which he is a registered voter,” Maanda said.

Zec could not immediately give an explanation on the issue, with the commission spokesperson Joyce Kazembe said: 

“I have not seen that communication and can’t just comment on it, I have to talk to the secretariat and get the full facts.  Please call me tomorrow (today) at 9am,” Kazembe said.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Local Government deputy minister Marian Chombo has told Parliament that Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) buses could be hired by anyone, including political parties for their functions.

Chombo made the remarks in the National Assembly last Wednesday after she was grilled by MDC Alliance MP Anele Ndebele (Magwegwe) over the alleged commandeering of Zupco buses by Zanu PF to carry party supporters to its campaign rallies.

Zupco is a monopoly when it comes to provision of urban transport, which is clear that it cannot meet demand for commuters within the urban areas, but it goes on to hire out its limited buses to political parties so that they are able to ferry their supporters to political rallies across the country. Can the minister kindly spell out government’s policy position in respect of Zupco because commuters in urban areas are left stranded,” Ndebele said.

Last month, more than 50 Zupco buses were seen parked at a Zanu PF rally in Marondera which was addressed by Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, at a time commuters in Harare were without public transport.

“Zupco is a parastatal and we provide transport services. We do not choose which political party to hire out to, and our first and foremost important customer is the commuter and that is when we can hire out our buses,” Chombo said.

“It is not correct to say that we hire out our buses to certain political parties — that is not correct. Anyone can come and hire Zupco buses. First and foremost, before we agree to hire out that bus, we first examine if there is adequate transport for commuters. If there is any area that is disadvantaged, it is regrettable but we hire out transport to any functions. So it is really not that we hire out to specific political parties.”

Chombo said commuters left stranded after Zupco buses have been hired out should approach her offices.

“Nobody reported that we have some commuters that were stranded after the buses were hired,” she said.-newsday

By A Correspondent- The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has revealed the reserve money supply as of 25 February 2022. The central bank said in a statement:

Reserve money went up by ZW$957.06 million to ZW$27.21 billion during the week ending 25th February 2022, compared to the previous week’s position of ZW$26.25 billion.

The increase in reserve money largely reflected an increase of ZW$707.10 million in required reserves.

Currency issued and banks’ liquidity (RTGS balances) at the Reserve Bank also rose by ZW$123.59 million and ZW$63.37 million, respectively.

By A Correspondent- Citizens Coalition For Change leader President Nelson Chamisa has bemoaned the lack of development in Matabeleland region.

The Zanu PF regime has neglected Bulawayo and Matabeleland region for years, according to President Chamisa.

He addressed more than 35 thousands CCC supporters at White City Stadium in Bulawayo at a campaign rally on Saturday.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1007821870152472&id=100044323395268

By A Correspondent- Former radio and TV presenter Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa is expecting her first baby with a sperm donor.

In a post on Instagram, the 33-year-old daughter of the former Health Minister David Parirenyatwa revealed that she took the unconventional route to have a baby after she discovered that she have fibroids and that she was getting older. She wrote:

I’ve wanted to be a mother since I was 21. My heart has been on some adventures between now and then. It has buried enough tears and I’m unable to trust easily, love freely or kiss any more frogs.

Like most of us, I’ve loved and lost and above all, I’ve learned. Last year, I convinced myself that while I wait for Mr Right, my body is not getting any younger, so why not start my journey to motherhood, even if it meant unconventionally?

… In all this, I discovered that I have fibroids, many of them. So this triggered me into action.

What if I keep waiting for the fairytale, what if I fail to have children, like ever? Fast forward past all the prayers, consultations and advice, I fell pregnant.

While she said she respects women who are in their 30s and believe they are still young, Ruvheneko said she had reached her “threshold”. She said:

Perhaps, but I worry that in our narratives as 21st century women, as feminists, as gender equity advocates, we are getting a little lost along the way.

I respect the 30 somethings who are convinced that we’re still young and that we’ve time.

Personally, I’ve reached my threshold. With my fibroids, genetics and personal goals, I’m ready to be called mum.

It was reported in April 2021 that Ruvheneko was divorcing her husband of seven years, Tendai Basil Mafara.

Ruvheneko filed for divorce through the High Court stating that she has not been living with Mafara since 2016.

She told the court that she and her estranged husband have lost love for each other and there were no prospects of reconciliation.

By A Correspondent- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim national chairperson Thabitha Khumalo says she will not allow Thokozani Khupe to join the party unless she apologises for her role in destroying the MDC Alliance.

Khumalo told a local publication on Monday that she will never forgive Khupe for initiating her recall from parliament when the latter was interim MDC-T president. 

Khumalo, who has been forced to take a back seat on the party’s activities due to ill health, said:

Apologise and we forgive you, but we will not forget. I have not forgotten what she did to me and my other comrades.

My personal view is that we are in this mess today because of Khupe. If she was sincere that if we are united, we can remove ZANU PF, then what was the essence of those recalls? Why did she replace us with her own friends?

With medical aid, you apply now and pay the fees but it only functions after three months, so what is special about Khupe who just comes from nowhere and enjoys the fruits of others. We will not allow that.

Khumalo was recalled from National Assembly alongside Prosper Mutseyami, Chalton Hwende and Lilian Timveous when Khupe was acting MDC-T president following a controversial Supreme Court ruling in March 2020.

Khupe was eventually expelled from the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T, Timveous has since joined ZANU PF while Hwende and Mutseyami have remained loyal to Chamisa, who now leads CCC.

By- President Emmerson Mnangagwa, through Chief Justice Luke Malaba, has appointed Eighteen judges of the High Court to constitute the Electoral Court that will operate from March 1 to August 30 this year.

According to the Electoral Act, the Electoral Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear appeals, applications and petitions in terms of the Electoral Act; to review any decision of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission or anyone else made under the Act; and shall have the power to give such judgments, orders and directions in those matters as might be given by the High Court. But the Electoral Court cannot try any criminal case.
“Judgments, orders and directions of the Electoral Court shall be enforceable in the same way as judgments, orders and directions of the High Court.”

Under the Electoral Act, the Chief Justice consults the Judicial Service Commission and the Judge President of the High Court and then appoints at least two judges of the High Court to be Judges of the Electoral Court for such a period as the Chief Justice specifies.
The Electoral Court’s jurisdiction may be exercised by a judge of the Electoral Court sitting alone or with one or more assessors.
So Chief Justice Malaba has after making these consultations appointed the following judges of the High Court to be judges of the Electoral Court Division of the High Court: Judge President Justice Maria Zimba-Dube, Justice Garainesu Mawadze, Justice Martin Makonese, Justice David Mangota, Justice Amy Tsanga, Justice Esther Muremba, Justice Moses Foroma, Justice Jester Helena Charewa, Justice Phildah Muzofa, Justice Isaac Muzenda, Justice Benjamin Chikowero, Justice Pisirai Kwenda, Justice Christopher Dube-Banda, Justice Sunsley Zisengwe, Justice Munamato Mutevedzi, Justice Never Katiyo, Justice Elijah Makomo and Justice Lucie-Anne Chipo Munewari.
In January, President Mnangagwa proclaimed March 26 as the date for by-elections to fill vacant National Assembly constituency seats and council wards as required by the Constitution.

Normally by-elections are held soon after the seat falls vacant, but proclamation of dates were postponed early last year when the first Covid-19 infections were found in Zimbabwe.
However, health authorities and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission now believe they can safely manage the assembly of voters at polling stations.
-Herald

By A Correspondent- Beverages manufacturer, Schweppes Zimbabwe, says 85 per cent of sales on the domestic market are being conducted in local currency while 15 per cent are done in foreign currency.

Schweppes Zimbabwe chief executive, Charles Msipa, said the company requires US$1.5 million to US$2 million every month to import key raw materials. Said Msipa:

We continue to sell most of our products in Zimbabwe dollars. Most of our major retail customers sell in Zimbabwe dollars and also pay in local currency.

ot Schweppes’ policy to demand payment exclusively in US dollars.

He said they export some of their products such as Mazoe Orange Crush, to regional countries that include South Africa, Zambia and Botswana, where they get some of their forex.

Meanwhile, Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CRZ) president Denford Mutashu claimed some retailers were entering into agreements with manufacturers for payments in forex.

Under the agreements, buyers (retailers) will pay significantly less when they pay using US dollars than they would pay when using Zimbabwe dollars. Said Mutashu:

The practice is rampant and is informed by the requirement to source foreign currency by corporates internally without having to increase traffic to the auction market.

Quite a number of companies have resorted to that and you may also have realised that a number of products are no longer available due to the limited availability of foreign currency.-statemedia

This is part of the latest report by the SIVIO Institute Citizens’ Perceptions and Expectations Report (CPE) to determine the levels of citizen satisfaction with the performance of the Government of Zimbabwe. This extract covers employment status and sectors of employment.

Out of the 1 319 respondents, 861 respondents making up 65% of the sample were employed and the remaining 458 respondents, making up 35% of the sample, were unemployed

We ran a cross-tabulation of Gender and Employment sector in SPSS and the data shows that among the 65% who are employed out of the overall sample, 71% of male respondents are employed and 60% of women are employed.

These percentages show a gendered dimension to the employment patterns in the country.

Across the sample, the Civil service had the most respondents: (16%) who identified it as the best match for their sector of employment, this was followed by Vending 13%), Other (12%), Retail (11%), Manufacturing and NGOs (9%).

On the bottom end, Stationary shop owner made up 1% of the sample, Tourism as well as Beads and weave making constituted 2% of the sample, and Cross border trading and Canteen Shop Owner services were respectively identified by 4% of the sample.

When looked at in conjunction with the figures for Hairdresser (7%) and Flea market/bale shop (8%), the findings point to the high levels of informal sector employment in Zimbabwe.

Respondents were asked to indicate their monthly income bracket based on their earnings from the previous three months and the majority (29%) earned between US$0-$50, while 24% fell in the US$101-$200 and US$201-$500 salary bracket.

Of the overall sample, 15% reported earning between US$51-$100 while 7% earned between US$501-$1000. Only 2% of the sample earned more than $1000.

We also ran a cross-tabulation for Gender and Income and according to the results, women (17%) dominate in the lowest income bracket of US$0-$50 with fewer men (11%) earning in this bracket.

Men and women are at par (12%) in the US$101-$200 bracket and in the More than $1000 (1% for women and men respectively).

Men (13%) are slightly more than women (13%) in the US$201-$500 bracket. There is little difference between women (3%) and men (4%) in the US$501-$1000 income bracket.

By-Unnamed government officials have reportedly ordered teachers in public schools not to wear anything yellow in colour during working hours.

Yellow is the colour adopted by the newly formed opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party led by Nelson Chamisa.

According to Progressive Teachers Association of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) officials, the directive not to wear anything yellow was communicated to teachers verbally.

Even schoolchildren have not been spared with reports suggesting that schools with yellow uniforms have been directed to abandon them and pick different colours. PTUZ National Coordinator, Harison Mudzuri, said:

It is shocking that the govt of Zimbabwe has ordered teachers NOT to wear anything yellow.

Schools with yellow uniforms have been directed to change them.

No explanation was given for these verbal directives.

PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou told Pindula News that some of their members have confirmed receiving the directive but as a union, they haven’t received anything concrete from education authorities. He said:

The decree is a nullity. It is not possible for a school to change the colour of its uniform considering that schools adopted the colour first before the formation of CCC.

Whoever made the decree may try to discourage schools from choosing the colour but that cannot be done for schools already using yellow since laws cannot be applied retrospectively.

A message has been circulating on social media platforms claiming the decree for teachers not to wear anything yellow was made during a recent meeting of school heads in Marondera, though it is not clear who gave the instruction.

By-Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has apologised for double candidacy in Bulawayo.

CCC mistakenly fielded two candidates for Bulawayo ward 26 council by-elections.

One of the spiring candidates for Bulawayo’s ward 26, Norman Hlabano, is refusing to step aside to allow Mpumelelo Moyo to be the party’s sole candidate in the 26 March by-elections.

Hlabano and Moyo both successfully filed their papers at the Nomination Court in February but some party officials have endorsed the latter as the sole candidate.

Hlabano was the councillor before he was recalled by the MDC-T together with seven other Bulawayo councillors in September 2020.

On Saturday, during the CCC rally at White City Stadium in Bulawayo, Hlabano was blocked from addressing party supporters when CCC leader Nelson Chamisa took the opportunity to officially unveil all party candidates.

Chamisa apologised for the double candidacy mistake and promised that it would not happen again.

However, speaking to CITE, Hlabano vowed not to step aside arguing that he has to finish his term. He said:

There is no stepping aside. How can I step aside before I complete my term?

The decision comes from the people and not certain individuals.

CCC had similar incidents of double candidacy in Ward 9 in Bulawayo and Ward 4 in Masvingo.

One of the candidates in Ward 9 stepped aside but the situation is still to be resolved in Masvingo and in Ward 26 in Bulawayo.

Observers say fielding double candidates could affect CCC’s prospects of winning the two council seats.

More: CITE

By-Unnamed government officials have reportedly ordered teachers in public schools not to wear anything yellow in colour during working hours.

Yellow is the colour adopted by the newly formed opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party led by Nelson Chamisa.

According to Progressive Teachers Association of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) officials, the directive not to wear anything yellow was communicated to teachers verbally.

Even schoolchildren have not been spared with reports suggesting that schools with yellow uniforms have been directed to abandon them and pick different colours. PTUZ National Coordinator, Harison Mudzuri, said:

It is shocking that the govt of Zimbabwe has ordered teachers NOT to wear anything yellow.

Schools with yellow uniforms have been directed to change them.

No explanation was given for these verbal directives.

PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou told Pindula News that some of their members have confirmed receiving the directive but as a union, they haven’t received anything concrete from education authorities. He said:

The decree is a nullity. It is not possible for a school to change the colour of its uniform considering that schools adopted the colour first before the formation of CCC.

Whoever made the decree may try to discourage schools from choosing the colour but that cannot be done for schools already using yellow since laws cannot be applied retrospectively.

A message has been circulating on social media platforms claiming the decree for teachers not to wear anything yellow was made during a recent meeting of school heads in Marondera, though it is not clear who gave the instruction.

By- On Monday, violent clashes broke out between South Africans under the Dudula Movement and some foreign nationals in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg.

The South Africans were demanding that foreign nationals leave the area.

They insisted that their call for foreigners to leave had nothing to do with xenophobia, but rather an attempt to reclaim the economy of locals.

Some vendors packed their goods preparing to leave Pan African Mall peacefully, but some foreign nationals were armed with stones and sticks ready to defend themselves.

Some shops were forced to shut their doors as protesters accused them of contributing to unemployment by hiring foreigners instead of locals.

The South African Police Services (SAPS) deployed police officers to the scene to separate the two groups to prevent further violence.

More: SABC News