By a Correspondent- MDC-Alliance President Nelson Chamisa has concluded his Manicaland provincial meet the people tour.
Chamisa invaded Manicaland early this week.
During the tour, Chamisa missed death by a whisker after suspected Zanu PF supporters fired a live bullet on his car.
He was also blocked by Zanu PF supporters in Nyanga where he wanted to meet with his supporters.
Announcing the end of the opposition leader’s Manicaland tour on his Twitter handle Friday, the party’s deputy spokesperson, Ostallos Siziba said MDC-Alliance will defeat Zanu PF in 2023.
Posted Siziba:
Manicaland! Thank you for embracing the democratic movement. Fellow countrymen President
By a Correspondent- MDC-Alliance President Nelson Chamisa thanked the people of Manicaland for attending his meet the people meetings in their numbers.
Chamisa invaded Manicaland early this week and concluded our Friday.
During the tour, Chamisa missed death by a whisker after suspected Zanu PF supporters fired a live bullet on his car.
He was also blocked by Zanu PF supporters in Nyanga where he wanted to meet with his supporters.
Announcing the end of the opposition leader’s Manicaland tour on his Twitter handles Friday, the party’s deputy spokesperson, Ostallos Siziba said Chamisa was grateful to the people of Manicaland.
Posted Siziba:
Manicaland! Thank you for embracing the democratic movement. Fellow countrymen President
Former Warriors striker Tendai Ndoro is currently in Zimbabwe and training with Northern Region Division One side Simba Bhora.
Soccer24 reported yesterday that the former Orlando Pirates striker was not feeling well and recuperating in the town of Shamva.
It has emerged that he is training with Simba, who are based in the mining town, though its still not clear if the purpose of him doing so is to get or contract or regain fitness.
The lanky striker is related to the club’s owner, Simba Ndoro.
Ndoro was last active in club football when he was on the ranks of Highlands Park in South Africa, before his contract was terminated in May 2020.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Patson Daka scored four goals as Leicester City beat Spartak Moscow 4-3 in the Europa League.
The Zambian first hit the target on the stroke of halftime to start the comeback after the Foxes had gone two goals behind earlier in the first half.
He came back and netted his second in the 48th minute before completing his hat-trick six minutes later.
Daka got his fourth in the 78th minute to take City ahead in the match.
The goals come days after the striker opened his scoring account at the EPL club last weekend. He joined Leicester City in the pre-season from RB Salzburg.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners launched the first ever global strategy to defeat meningitis – a debilitating disease that kills hundreds of thousands of people each year.
By 2030, the goals are to eliminate epidemics of bacterial meningitis – the most deadly form of the disease – and to reduce deaths by 70% and halve the number of cases. The organizations estimate that in total, the strategy could save more than 200,000 lives annually and significantly reduce disability caused by the disease.
This strategy, the Global Roadmap to Defeat Meningitis by 2030, was launched by a broad coalition of partners involved in meningitis prevention and control at a virtual event, hosted by WHO in Geneva. Its focus is on preventing infections and improving care and diagnosis for those affected.
“Wherever it occurs, meningitis can be deadly and debilitating; it strikes quickly, has serious health, economic and social consequences, and causes devastating outbreaks,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “It is time to tackle meningitis globally once and for all –by urgently expanding access to existing tools like vaccines, spearheading new research and innovation to prevent, detecting and treating the various causes of the disease, and improving rehabilitation for those affected.”
Meningitis is a dangerous inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, predominantly caused by infection with bacteria and viruses.
Meningitis that is caused by bacterial infection tends to be the most serious – leading to around 250,000 deaths a year – and can cause fast-spreading epidemics. It kills 1 in 10 of those infected – mostly children and young people – and leaves 1 in 5 with long-lasting disability, such as seizures, hearing and vision loss, neurological damage, and cognitive impairment.
Over the last ten years, meningitis epidemics have occurred in all regions of the world, though most commonly in the ‘Meningitis Belt,’ which spans 26 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa. These epidemics are unpredictable, can severely disrupt health systems, and create poverty – generating catastrophic expenditures for households and communities.
“More than half a billion Africans are at risk of seasonal meningitis outbreaks but the disease has been off the radar for too long,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
“This shift away from firefighting outbreaks to strategic response can’t come soon enough. This roadmap will help protect the health and lives of hundreds of thousands of families who every year fear this disease.”
Several vaccines protect against meningitis, including meningococcal, Haemophilus influenzae type b and pneumococcal vaccines. However, not all communities have access to these lifesaving vaccines, and many countries are yet to introduce them into their national programmes.
While research is underway to develop vaccines for other causes of meningitis, such as Group B Strep bacteria, there remains an urgent need for innovation, funding and research to develop more meningitis-preventive vaccines. Efforts are also needed to strengthen early diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for all those who need it after contracting the disease.
“This roadmap is the embodiment of the ambition of people and families affected around the world who have called for its creation.
It’s their experience and passion that has driven a whole community of interest to get this far,” said Vinny Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Meningitis Research Foundation and the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO), an international membership organization of patient advocacy groups for meningitis. “We celebrate together the common goal of defeating meningitis and will be led by their inspiration to make it happen.”
The new Roadmap details the following priorities for meningitis response and prevention:
Achievement of high immunization coverage, development of new affordable vaccines, and improved prevention strategies and outbreak response; Speedy diagnosis and optimal treatment for patients; Good data to guide prevention and control efforts; Care and support for those affected, focusing on early recognition and improved access to care and support for after-effects, and Advocacy and engagement, to ensure high awareness of meningitis, accountability for national plans, and affirmation of the right to prevention, care and after-care services. WHO and partners are providing support to countries to implement the Roadmap, including through the development of regional and national frameworks that will help countries achieve its ambitious goals.
Partner quotes
“The Global Roadmap to Defeat Meningitis demonstrates what can be accomplished when a global need is met with global action,” said Nikolaj Gilbert, President and CEO of PATH. “Progress against meningitis has lagged for too long; by working together, we can overcome the disease that has cost so many lives in countries around the world. PATH is proud to have been a part of the roadmap’s development and is committed to advancing affordable and equitable vaccine solutions to defeat meningitis.”
“We must be united in our efforts to end all preventable childhood diseases, including bacterial meningitis,” said Dr. Aboubacar Kampo, Director of Health Programmes at UNICEF. “UNICEF has been supporting governments for decades, facilitating the delivery of life-saving meningitis vaccines. Still, far too many children are succumbing to this and other preventable diseases – and the situation is only worsening as a result of the pandemic.
We need to act decisively to strengthen primary health care and get routine immunization back on track, before more children face adverse health outcomes – or loss of life – inflicted by meningitis and other preventable infectious diseases.”
“Although the main burden of meningitis is in poor countries, acute bacterial meningitis is a global problem with no country being spared its devastating impact,” said Professor Sir Brian Greenwood, Professor of Clinical Tropical Medicine at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and co-chair of the Task Force supporting the implementation of the roadmap. “Thus, containing this serious group of infections needs a global response. This is what the roadmap sets out to achieve, bringing together – under the umbrella of WHO – health professionals from across the world to bring this condition under control by 2030.”
“The Meningitis Roadmap provides a clear blueprint for defeating this devastating disease,” said Professor Robert Heyderman, Head of the Research Department of Infection at University College London. “Crucially it identifies the gaps in our knowledge and the tools required. To achieve the Road Map’s ambitious goals, a team approach will bring together countries, global policymakers, civil society, funders, researchers, public health specialists, healthcare workers and industry to generate and implement innovative new strategies.
MASVINGO – Riot Police had to be called in at Mashoko Mission High School on Thursday morning after students demonstrated and destroyed property including the head, Trynos Mbwirire’s vehicle.
They destroyed windowpanes at the classrooms and uprooted carrots from Mbwirire’s garden.
Masvingo Acting Provincial Education Director (PED) Shylatte Mhike confirmed the disturbances but said she was yet to get full briefing.
The students are angry after the school allegedly failed to supply them with electricity for the past seven days because there is no diesel for the generator.
The students also complained that there has been no running water in the school for several weeks.
The students have also not had tea for sometime, said sources Staff turnover is high and the head is rarely in the school and the allegations are that he will be attending political meetings.
The demonstrations started off at the classrooms at around 9am and only stopped after the intervention of riot Police subsided at lunch time.
Masvingo Police spokesperson Kudakwashe Dhewa said he was not aware of the matter.
Efforts to get a comment from Mbwirire were futile as his mobile phone was switched off.
“The school has been without electricity for the past six days. We have a backup generator but the administration is saying that there is no fuel whereas O and A level students are writing their ZIMSEC examinations soon.
“The school has also been running without tap water for several weeks because there is no fuel to draw water from a nearby dam and from Mashoko Mission Hospital borehole,” said a parent.
Another parent alleged that the School Development Committee (SDC) chairperson Nyahunda is the one who supplies vegetables to the school.
Nyahunda’s mobile phone could not be reached for a comment.- Masvingo Mirror
Tinashe Sambiri|Despite relentless efforts by the Zanu PF regime to block President Nelson Chamisa’s programmes, the MDC Alliance leader is simply unstoppable.
On Thursday he addressed community leaders and women’s groups in Makoni area, Manicaland.
Zanu PF agents are desperate to block his community engagement programme.
MDC Alliance posted on Twitter:
The People’s President, Adv @nelsonchamisa was well-received in Makoni where he met community leaders, women’s groups and citizens.
He shared our message of hope to the people.
Under an MDCA Govt, we will ensure freedom, jobs & opportunities for all.
The People’s President, Adv @nelsonchamisa was well-received in Makoni where he met community leaders, women’s groups & citizens. He shared our message of hope to the people. Under an MDCA Govt, we will ensure freedom, jobs & opportunity for all. #CitizensConvergenceForChangepic.twitter.com/F1ZfeFBkmh
— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) October 21, 2021
Tinashe Sambiri|Despite relentless efforts by the Zanu PF regime to block President Nelson Chamisa’s programmes, the MDC Alliance leader is simply unstoppable.
On Thursday he addressed community leaders and women’s groups in Makoni area, Manicaland.
Zanu PF agents are desperate to block his community engagement programme.
MDC Alliance posted on Twitter:
The People’s President, Adv @nelsonchamisa was well-received in Makoni where he met community leaders, women’s groups and citizens.
He shared our message of hope to the people.
Under an MDCA Govt, we will ensure freedom, jobs & opportunities for all.
The People’s President, Adv @nelsonchamisa was well-received in Makoni where he met community leaders, women’s groups & citizens. He shared our message of hope to the people. Under an MDCA Govt, we will ensure freedom, jobs & opportunity for all. #CitizensConvergenceForChangepic.twitter.com/F1ZfeFBkmh
— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) October 21, 2021
By A Correspondent- A lion is suspected to have devoured a Gache Gache woman who has been missing since last Friday after only half her body was found.
The woman left Gache Gache village for the Mudzimu Irrigation Scheme about 12 kilometres away. She reportedly left the irrigation scheme for the village on Friday last week intending to return on the same day.
Gache Gache Ward 8 Councillor Kudzanayi Makanyaire confirmed the incident which has left the community shocked.
“Information at hand is that the woman visited the village on Friday and left later that day to return to the Mudzimu Irrigation Scheme,” said Cllr Makanyaire.
“When she left, she had a torch and was riding a bicycle. However, she did not reach the village as expected by her husband.”
The husband then phoned the village enquiring about his wife only to be told that she had left for the irrigation scheme. A search ensued on both sides.
She was only found yesterday with the lower torso devoured about 600 metres from the irrigation scheme. The matter has been reported to Kariba police who were expected to attend the scene.
“We phoned the police and we were told that we should not move the body until they arrive to carry out investigations from Kariba,” said a villager.
This is Sandile Mabuza; a student of KaSchiele High School who was been shot and killed by trigger happy police in the country on Wednesday; 22 October 2021. Rest In Power young lion ? #EswatiniProtests#Eswatinipic.twitter.com/GAU2xzEtWe
— Economic Freedom Fighters of Swaziland (@EFFSwazi) October 22, 2021
By A Correspondent- A Transport Officer with Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) reportedly committed suicide after he was involved in an accident with a company car.
Jaspa Mutambirwa, took his own life whilst in his Hatfield house on Monday afternoon for reasons not known.
It is reported that he had an accident over the weekend with the company car which was not authorised.
He was in the company of his friend who is admitted at a local hospital.
The accident case has since been reported at Hatfield Police Station under CR 71 /10/21 for accident.
He had an accident with a Zupco Bus near Glow Service Station at Chan’s Shops along Chiremba Road.
His wife confirmed the death but with less details.
“I am really surprised, greatly shocked and the man was free and open to me.
“I am in panic mode right now, I don’t know what caused this suicide,” she said.
Efforts to get comments from the Zimsec Public Relations department boss, Nicky Dhlamini, were fruitless as her mobile number was not answered.
While her superiors in the Transport department were also not picking their phones.
A workmate said:
“The reasons for his suicide are not clear and but on a sad note he had an accident with company car.
“It is reported that the background of the story is that he had a pending case of another accident which was marred with controversy as he had given it to someone who then gave it to someone.
“In the process he reported that the car had been stolen and it is also suspected that the car hit a pedestrian while it was not in his possession.
“Circumstances are that the said person had no authority to drive the car,” he said the source.
Added the source:
“It is also believed those circumstances could have contributed to his death.
“Although such are reported to have caused his death, he had some marital problems but pressure is another force we believed resulted in him committing suicide,” said the source.
“On the day of accident, he had his close friend and workmate who is currently admitted at a local hospital.
“They work together.”
Another source said:
“His wife atumwa kuendesa zvazvichidiwa nepolice pertaining the accident and when she returned abva awana murume azvisungira,” said the source.
His workmate and friend Joseph Senior Bebhe could not comment on the matter further.
“I am in hospital baba had an accident,” he said.-HMetro
A 12-year-old boy from Chinotimba Township in Victoria Falls is set for stardom after a video of him singing at a funeral went viral on Tiktok resulting in one South African musician inviting him for a collaboration.
Andrea Sibanda, a Grade 7 pupil at Chinotimba Primary School performed a very emotional song called Endleleni at a funeral and the video found its way to short-form video platform, Tiktok where the original post gained more than 1,5 million views within a short period of time.
A South African artist Aubrey Ngwane recently recorded a rendition of the song and has already gained more than 2 million views on the short-form video platform.
However, fans of the song on the platform have been demanding to have the young Andria included in the song.
The Andleleni song is set to be recorded in the coming weeks, with plans to release it together with an official video by mid November 2021.
Zimbabwean born and SA-based artist manager and record label owner, Tendai Joe took it upon himself to search for Andria, after he reportedly learnt that the boy is from Zimbabwe.
“I could not help repeating the song over and over and when I saw people arguing that the boy must be either Zulu or Ndebele, I took it upon myself to search for him. The first person I approached was a friend, Plot Mhako, a well-known Zimbabwean blogger and entertainment plug. He made it possible for me to connect with the family.”
Tendai Joe says he had to first seek permission to work with Andrea Sibanda from his parents who stay in Chinotimba Township (Victoria Falls), since he is a minor.
Both Andrea’s father and mother gave blessings to Joe assisting Andria to record, release and distribute the song.
“We are looking at this song by Andrea as one of the potential top summer songs in South Africa. Many people relate to it and we will use our infrastructure and networks to ensure the projects gets the exposure it deserves, including radio and TV airplay,” added Joe.
Andria is the second born in a family of four children, with an older sister who is 18 and two siblings aged seven and five months respectively.
“We are excited that someone has noticed our son’s talent and reached out to us. We think this is a blessing from God and we will pray so that everything goes well,” Ntando Sibanda (Andrea ’s father)
“This is a good thing, we thank God. My child has a singing talent, we thank Mr Joe for reaching out and trying to help him. We hope everything goes well,” Sanelisiwe Ncube (Andrea’s mother)
Andria’s single will be recorded and released under JBross Entertainment, with 100% proceeds from all activities related to the project going towards Andrea’s upkeep, education and future interests.
Tinashe Sambiri|Namibia’s Popular Democratic Movement has described the assassination attempt on President Chamisa as unacceptable in the era of modern day politics.
President Chamisa escaped assassination attempts in Chiredzi and Mutare.
Zanu PF is desperate to disrupt President Chamisa’s community engagement programme.
By A Correspondent- A Waterfalls man who was masquerading as a soldier yesterday appeared in court to answer to impersonation and theft of trust property charges.
Lloyd Chinembiri, 30, was not asked to plead when he appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi, who remanded him in custody to today to make his bail application.
The court heard that Chinembiri hatched a plan to steal the complainant’s phone, which had US$100 in the pouch.
Chinembiri, who was known as a municipal officer, asked the complainant to use his phone, disappeared with it and later failed to hand it over upon request.
On the second count, the State is alleging that Chinembiri boarded a motor vehicle with the complainant on the way to Mbudzi roundabout.
The complainant managed to identify Chinembiri and when they disembarked, he enforced a citizen arrest.
Chinembiri then produced a Zimbabwe National Army identification card claiming that he was a soldier stationed at the Tongogara Barracks.
However, investigations revealed that Chinembiri was not a soldier leading to his arrest.
By A Correspondent| MDC-T President Douglas Mwonzora has today met the United Nations Special Rapporteur Professor Alena Douhan.
This is despite the government releasing a schedule for Douhan constituted of government officials only.
The opposition and civil society have also raised concern over the schedule which they said will only give her a one sided story.
Posting on Facebook, MDC-T said;
‘Today, President Douglas Mwonzora and his team met the United Nations Special Rapporteur Prof Alena Douhan and her team. The MDC-T gave its detailed input into the effects of sanctions on ordinary Zimbabweans.”
Mwonzora and DouhanMwonzora and Komichi during the meeting
By A Correspondent- The MDC Alliance says it does not trust that the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) will be objective in investigating the alleged attacks against party leader Nelson Chamisa by suspected ZANU PF activists in Masvingo and Manicaland provinces recently.
This comes after ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said MDC Alliance vice-president Lynette Karenyi-Kore filed a violence report on Tuesday night, but the party was no longer cooperating with the law enforcement agents deployed to investigate the claims. Said Nyathi:
They refused to allow the Zimbabwe Republic Police to record witness statements from occupants of the alleged damaged vehicles, from the convoy and aides.
They also refused to go for indications at the scene or allow the vehicles involved to be examined by forensic scientists or ballistic experts who are currently in Mutare since October 21.
But MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said police were not objective in their dealings with the party since the political violence started. She said:
There is a confidence gap that makes it hard for us to trust that they will carry out their duties constitutionally.
The onus is on the police to demonstrate that they are objective. They have a history of prejudging these matters and turning on the victims.
We saw what they did with the MDC trio (Joanah Mamombe, Cecelia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova) and several other victims of political violence and torture. We know their modus operandi.
She accused police of taking orders from ZANU PF “thugs” at roadblocks, shielding the perpetrators of violence.
By A Correspondent- Police suspects foul play after an eight-year old boy went missing in Mkoba in Gweru and his body was found nak_ed in a disused council swimming pool in the same area.
Tafara Nyoni went missing on Friday last week soon after coming back home from school and the matter was reported at Mkoba Police Station at around 6 pm. The boy was only found at around 8 am on Sunday by Edmore Mudamburi, a council guard at the swimming pool.
Gweru residents have blamed Police for delaying their searches for missing persons as one reason why abducted people are found dead. Tafara was found with scars on his left side and without clothes, a factor that raises suspicion of foul play.
Recently, Agness Mbakada, a Great Zimbabwe University student’s body was found dumped in Nyamafufu Dam in Mvuma after she went missing in Gweru six days earlier
Midlands Police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident and said that investigations were underway.
“We think that the boy was murdered and his body thrown into the swimming pool”, said Henry Shava of Mkoba 6. The pool is fenced but the gate is always open, said residents.
Gweru City Council spokesperson Vimbai Chingwaramusee referred all questions to the Police.
Postmortem results are showing that the boy died due to massive blood clots and nose bleeding.
“We urge our Police officers to act swiftly in search of missing persons especially children,” said Shava.
Another resident Mavis Gumbo called upon Gweru City Council to improve security at non-functional swimming pools to avoid incidences of drowning.
There has been an increase in murder cases in the Midlands and Police are calling for spiritual intervention.
The opposition MDC Alliance has urged the police to act constitutionally following the recent orgy of violence targeted at its party leader Nelson Chamisa who is currently on a countrywide tour to meet party structures.
In a statement, the party spokesperson Fadzai Mahere said the police have an obligation to preserve the internal security of Zimbabwe as well as maintanance of law and order.
Mahere also expressed concern over the police claims that they were not cooperating with police investigations into the attempted assassination of Chamisa.
“In light of this constitutional imperative, the MDC Alliance is concerned with the political posturing by the Police service and the unfounded allegation that members of the MDC Alliance are not cooperating with police investigations into the attempted assassination of President Nelson Chamisa and political violence that took place on Monday 18 October 2021,” said Mahere.
“We wish to place on record the fact that a police report was made by our members led by Vice President Karenyi-Kore in the company of our Organizing Secretary Hon Chibaya our deputy Secretary General Hon Chimhini and Hon Mutseya.
“The report was recorded under RRB4124513. It was made in the presence of our lawyers,” added Mahere.
She expressed shock at remarks by Police Spokesperson Paul Nyathi that he was not aware that a report had been made saying his allegations were untrue.
The Harare City Council has approved the use of a digital mobile application in a bid to enhance service delivery reporting and monitoring for improved service provision in the City.
The initiative is a product of the City of Harare in partnership with the Combined Harare Residents Association.
The mobile application known as TauraHarare will allow Harare residents to report on issues of service delivery around their communities via WhatsApp, Sms and Facebook Messenger and automatically get responses instantly.
On the other hand, the application has provisions for residents to view their monthly statements, pay bills, report problems of service delivery and to view Covid 19 updates in Harare.
The objective of the mobile application is to improve responsiveness of the local authority, rates payment and improve communication between the local authority and residents.
Adoption of the TauraHarare mobile application comes at a time when the Government of Zimbabwe is encouraging the use of digital platforms in addressing service delivery issues and citizen engagement.
CHRA and City of Harare will embark on a public awareness drive to urge residents of Harare to download and make use of this Application, which has the potential to significantly address the communication challenges currently ensuing between residents and Council.
The Association will also seek partnership with like-minded CSOs to popularize the mobile application within their constituencies.
By A Correspondent- Amos Kariyati, an MDC T member has said his party is currently leaderless revealing that President Douglas Mwonzora is not the legitimate leader.
Kariyati speaks after MDC T youths led by legislator Yvonne Musarurwa stormed a press conference set to be addressed by Kudzanai Mashumba at the Media Centre in Harare Thursday and beat him up.
Mashumba had indicated that he wanted to expose Mwonzora’s looting of party funds.
At least 600 families in Dinde village, Hwange district, Matabeleland North Province, face imminent eviction from their ancestral homes to pave the way for a Chinese mining company.
The company, Baifer Investments, is currently exploring for coal in the Dinde areas.
Villagers said their relatives’ graves and sacred shrines were being destroyed, without being consulted.
This emerged at a rural women’s roundtable meeting held in Bulawayo on Monday this week.
The meeting was organised by the Matabeleland Institute For Human Rights (MIHR).
Thembelihle Dlamini, a villager in Dinde and a committee member of the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe said there was panic in Dinde Village as eviction was imminent.
“The company did not even consult us that they have intentions of coming to operate at our place. The company is now digging our graves. They should have asked for permission from us, probably we would have performed rituals on these cemeteries,” Dlamini said.
She said the Dinde village is living in fear as they stare eviction.
“We have built schools, clinics and as women we have our businesses that we have established there.
“As I am talking now, about 600 families or even more are affected. Recently, precious stones were discovered in about four villages in Hwange.
“All those communities will be evicted,” Dlamini said as she appealed to the government to save the community from eviction.
“We also have our river called Nyanduwe and there is gas that is emitted from their working place. It might affect our water and this would make us sick. We are faced with danger as we are prone to contract diseases in the area.”
Dinde is home to thousands of Nambyas and Tongas with a majority of the Tonga who first settled in the then named Whange district up to Victoria Falls.
They were resettled in Dinde after their relocation from Sinamatela area in the 1920s to pave way for the Hwange National Park.
MIHR coordinator Khumbulani Maphosa said the government must formulate a human rights based framework to prevent development induced evictions.
He said human rights constitutional bodies should be involved first whenever there is an eviction.
“Then they do the impact assessment. We trust these commissions better than these consultants hired by the companies because they are paid by the company. These commissions we trust because they are for us,” Maphosa said.
The Residents Coalition for Electoral Reforms a coalition of Residents Associations advocating for electoral and local governance reforms in Zimbabwe denounces the escalation of politically motivated violence in the country.
We condemn acts of political violence in the form of clampdown on the opposition that have been witnessed in areas that include Masvingo and Manicaland as well acts of intra-party violence being reported from different parts of the country.
The high level of political intolerance which has resulted in intra-party and interparty violence escalating ahead of the by-elections and the 2023 general elections is disturbing and unacceptable. We call for immediate intervention before the situation gets out of hand.
Politically motivated violence ahead of a general election has the potential to create another disputed election which will further plunge the nation into a serious political and economic crisis as witnessed in past elections.
Furthermore, a political environment characterized by violence is a deterrent for vulnerable groups such as women, youths, the elderly and people with disabilities to participate in electoral processes including standing for public offices in the upcoming elections.
We bemoan the lack of capacity among politicians and state institutions to embrace the principles of tolerance, democracy and constitutionalism.
Political intolerance has no place in a democracy.
We affirm that the supreme law of the land and in particular, Section 67(1) and (2) gives every citizen the right to form, to join and to participate in the activities of a political party or organisation of their choice, campaign freely and peacefully for a political party. Accordingly, all political parties should respect this constitutional principle.
We reiterate that criminalising diversity of political opinion and affiliation and labelling of fellow countrymen as enemies based on differences in political convictions is unconstitutional and counters development as it will further divide an already polarised citizenry.
While the constitution of Zimbabwe calls on traditional leaders to be apolitical and not to act in a partisan manner, the involvement of some traditional leaders in the matrix of politically motivated violence is worrying.
Traditional leaders must stay away from partisan politics and desist from perpetrating violence.
We call upon the security sector, the police in particular, to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens as enshrined in the Constitution.
Allowing hundreds of citizens to demonstrate while other groups and parties are not given the same privilege exposes the police and gives room for perceptions among citizens that the police force is furthering political interests and acting in a partisan manner which is against the dictates of the constitution.
We commend the action by leaders of special interest groups and associations who have demonstrated leadership by adding their voice in condemning political violence and media houses that have been exposing political violence without misinforming the public.
We therefore recommend the following;
1. Adherence to constitutionalism by political parties, police, pubic office holders and traditional leadership.
2. The police must investigate and arrest all perpetrators of the recent political violence that took place in Masvingo and Manicaland without fear or favour and without furthering the interests of politicians and their political parties.
3. We urge traditional leaders to desist from partisanship and serve the people rather than political parties.
4. Political leaders must act responsibly and desist from hate speech which is aimed at fuelling politically motivated violence and ultimately divide an already fragmented citizenry.
5. Parliament must expedite the Independent Complaints Law that will provide ways for reporting, receiving and investigating complaints from members of the public on various issues including misconduct of security forces and for remedying any harm caused by such misconduct.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition implores the ruling party; Zanu PF to desist from acts of violence against the opposition.
Today, October 20, 2021 Zanu PF youths clad in the party’s regalia tried to block opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa’s convoy in Nyanga, Manicaland province.
We are concerned over reports of an assassination attempt on the MDC Alliance leader in Manicaland on October 19, 2021.
Reports indicate that armed Zanu PF youths intercepted the opposition leader’s convoy and fired gunshots at his vehicle.
The incident follows another attack against the opposition leader by alleged Zanu PF activists in Masvingo Province on October 11, 2021.
On the same day (October 11, 2021), Chamisa and his team were teargased by riot police while they were holding a private meeting in Masvingo town.
The continued clampdown on the opposition goes against the ideals of a democratic society.
Of major concern is the fact that the state media and state security institutions are aiding the clampdown on the opposition and this has raised fears of yet another bloody election in 2023.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition implores state security institutions to desist from partisan politics.
In our capacity as an umbrella body of civil society organisations operating in Zimbabwe, we implore law enforcement agents to investigate the incidences of violence and bring perpetrators to book.
Allowing Zanu PF activists to operate above the law can only serve to further shrink the democratic space and fuel rights violations against opposition supporters.
By A Correspondent| Opposition Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume has announced that he is under investigation from the police over his Ecocash line which they allege moved US$1400 over three years for black market purposes.
Ngarivhume did not shed much detail on how he got to know about his alleged crime and whether the police have opened a docket against him.
“The CID has come alive. They are investigating me for an ecocash line they say moved 1400 USD over 3 years possibly for black market purposes,” said Ngarivhume.
He has previously had a brush with the police after he organised protests against corruption last year under the banner of 31st July Movement.
Ngarivhume was later arrested and is currently in court charged with Inciting public violence.
Fishing business in Binga is reportedly on the decline due to exorbitant fees for permits, as well as a drop in the fish population in the Zambezi River.
Reports reveal that the shortage of fish was caused by over-fishing on the Zambian side.
Binga is well-known for its thriving fishing business with a number of enterprising locals establishing flourishing businesses.
Fishing advocacy consultant Peter Musanka told Southern Eye that fishing business was declining in Binga.
“Kapenta (small fish) and grill net fishing is dwindling. Currently people are fishing in prohibited areas in order to get something because they are not getting anything,” Musanka said.
“This is being caused by over-fishing. You realise that Zambezi River is shared by two countries; Zambia and Zimbabwe, and on the Zambian side they do not follow regulations like what we do here.”
Musanka said fishing permits in Zambia were much cheaper than in Zimbabwe.
Fishing permits are mandatory for commercial fishermen, and they are renewable every year.
The licences are issued by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) to prevent over-fishing and aid conservation.
They cost US$1 200 yearly, and fishermen have to spend thousands of dollars constructing fishing rigs that meet government standards.
There is also a limited number of permits handed out each year, and this disproportionately benefits wealthy fishermen from the cities at the expense of communities.
Those caught fishing without a licence are fined $2 000 and risk having their boats impounded.
“Kapenta fishermen usually break the law to fish on the river mouth.
They go into shallow areas, which are prohibited as they are breeding areas for fish.
“Even if heavy penalties are imposed on them, this does not stop them from doing so. Every month several boats are apprehended,” Musanka said.
“This is a sign that kapenta fishing and grill netting is no longer viable in Zimbabwe.”
He said fishermen were also facing marketing challenges.
“We do not have a local market; people have to travel to sell fish to areas like Bulawayo, Hwange and Harare. They also face challenges such as power cuts, especially for grill natters.
“After catching fish, they are supposed to refrigerate them so that they keep fresh.
“We also do not have designated shops where people can sell their fish and buy fishing equipment in Binga.”
ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said he could not immediately comment on the issue as he was not feeling well.
Fishing has been a source of livelihood for the Binga community for generations. Despite this resource, the district has remained under-developed, with inaccessible roads, poor connectivity and inadequate infrastructure.
Former Information and Communication Technology minister Supa Mandiwanzira yesterday accused ex-NetOne chief executive officer Reward Kangai of maliciously attempting to drag him into the parastatal’s US$4 million corruption scandal, for which he had already been cleared by the courts.
This was after Kangai wrote to Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi on September 28, 2021 imploring him to expedite prosecution of NetOne’s million-dollar corruption scandal, which implicated Mandiwanzira, who was, however, acquitted of the charges by the High Court.
Kangai was the State witness in the matter in which Mandiwanzira was being accused of interfering in the operations of NetOne by allegedly corruptly handpicking a Chinese company, Megawatt Energy, to investigate another Chinese firm, Huawei. Megawatt was set to be paid US$4 million.
The charges were, however, quashed by the then High Court judge Justice Nicholas Mathonsi following an application for review by Mandiwanzira.
In his letter to Hodzi, Kangai claimed that he was still being victimised by unnamed individuals involved in the scandal, adding that there was interference with the course of justice in handling the matter which he reported to authorities in 2016.
He said he was fired from his post as NetOne chief executive and was, instead, arrested for corruption after having exposed the US$4 million scandal.
But through his lawyer Fungai Chimwamurombe, Mandiwanzira distanced himself from Kangai’s dismissal, saying the latter was implicated in a forensic audit report which exposed mismanagement at the parastatal, resulting in the termination of his contract.
“Mr Kangai was terminated as chief executive officer of NetOne by the nonrenewal of his contract after 15 years at the helm of the State-owned enterprise. His termination followed a damning forensic audit report by PricewaterhouseCoopers which unearthed extensive corruption and mismanagement at NetOne and directly implicated Mr Kangai,” Chimwamurombe said.
He said although Kangai had lobbied for the arrest of prosecutor Admore Nyazamba, charges against him were later withdrawn by Hodzi after he discovered that they were malicious and baseless.
Police yesterday said the MDC Alliance was not co-operating with law enforcement agents to facilitate a probe into the opposition’s claims of violence against its leader.
The party claimed on Tuesday that leader Nelson Chamisa’s convoy was intercepted by suspected Zanu PF supporters who allegedly shot the rear window of his car in a suspected assassination attempt.
The alleged incident happened as Chamisa was headed for Mutare after experiencing similar attacks in Masvingo.
Police said MDC Alliance vice-president Lynette Karenyi-Kore filed a violence report on Tuesday night, but the party was no longer co-operating with the law enforcement agents deployed to investigate the claims.
“They refused to allow the Zimbabwe Republic Police to record witness statements from occupants of the alleged damaged vehicles, from the convoy and aides,” police said in a statement.
“They also refused to go for indications at the scene or allow the vehicles involved to be examined by forensic scientists or ballistic experts who are currently in Mutare since October 21.”
But MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said police were not objective in their dealings with the party since the political violence started.
“There is a confidence gap that makes it hard for us to trust that they will carry out their duties constitutionally,” Mahere said.
“The onus is on the police to demonstrate that they are objective. They have a history of prejudging these matters and turning on the victims. We saw what they did with the MDC trio (Joanah Mamombe, Cecelia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova) and several other victims of political violence and torture. We know their modus operandi.”
She accused police of taking orders from Zanu PF “thugs” at roadblocks, shielding the perpetrators of violence.
By A Correspondent- The Kingdom of Eswatini’s Deputy Prime Minister, Themba Masuku, has denied media reports that police have been using live ammunition on the pro-democracy protesters.
In an exclusive interview with SABC News, Masuku said the police are deployed to the streets to protect properties in the kingdom.
He said:
There is no truth in all of it. There are police shooting people in the street. What happened yesterday was that; we had that march which was supposed to have been peaceful, which had been authorised to take place, but it could not take place because as a country, we run its affairs through intelligence.
We had received intelligence that then compelled the government to cancel the march. I want to emphasise that the people marching in this country are supported by the constitution and other pieces of legislation that exist in the country.
Earlier on Thursday, South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, confirmed the appointment of former Minister Jeff Radebe and Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Candith Mashego-Dlamini as Special Envoys to Eswatini.
The deployment comes as violence and allegations of human rights violations continue in the midst of pro-democracy protests.
Ramaphosa made the appointment in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) Organ on Defence, Politics and Security.
The special envoys are expected to be received by King Mswati III.
The Presidency statement says the envoys will seek to engage other stakeholders as may be deemed feasible.
Reports suggest that Eswatini security forces used live ammunition to break up a pro-democracy protest by nurses, shooting at least 30 of them on Wednesday.
The latest protests in Eswatini have run for more than two weeks, spearheaded by students, civil servants, and transport workers.-sabc
By A Correspondent- A teacher at Courtney Selous Primary School in Greendale, Harare, appeared before a magistrate on Wednesday to answer to ill-treatment of children charges after she reportedly assaulted a six-year-old pupil using a cooking stick.
Virginia Nevanji (48), was not asked to plead when she appeared before Harare magistrate Tafadzwa Miti who released her on free bail and ordered her to return to court on 25 November.
The trial couldn’t commence because there was an outstanding probation officer’s report required during the trial.
Nevanji was ordered not to interfere with State witnesses.
Allegations are that on 13 October, at around 10 AM, the complainant was in a Shona lesson but did not realise that his teacher had moved to the English lesson of the day so he continued writing his Shona exercise.
Nevanji saw the complainant writing Shona and went to his desk and started assaulting him with a cooking stick several times on his back.
The matter came to light the next morning when the complainant’s mother was bathing him and she saw some bruises on the complainant’s back.
The mother asked the boy what had happened and he told her what had transpired and they made a police report.
The complainant was medically examined and a medical affidavit will be produced during trial.
In a related development, Talent Chingwaru (39), a teacher at Harare Einstein Tuition Centre, was ordered to perform 630 hours of unpaid work at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals after he assaulted a Lower Sixth student.
Chingwaru was initially jailed for 36 months but 18 months were set aside for five years on condition of good behaviour.
The remaining months were commuted to 630 hours of community service.
ZIMBABWE Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) joins the rest of the continent to commemorate Africa Human Rights Day.
The theme for 2021 is “Africa Human Rights 40 years after adoption of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.” The theme presents an opportunity for people from all walks of life around the African Union including Zimbabwe, to reflect on how far the member states and the people of Africa have implemented and upheld the values, fundamental rights and freedoms provided in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Zimbabwe like most other member states of the African Union is a state party to the African Charter. The African Charter also established the African Commission which has a three-pronged mandate of protection of human and peoples’ rights, promotion of human and peoples’ rights and the interpretation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Over the years, the African Commission has received periodic reports from member states updating on progress made towards implementing the African Charter and any challenges that the states are encountering.
To this end, the Zimbabwean government has also submitted several reports to the African Commission, with the most recent having been submitted in 2019 highlighting the progress that the country has made in implementing the provisions of the African Charter.
Although the African Charter encourages member states to take necessary measures to ensure the implementation of the human and peoples’ rights espoused in the African Charter, there has been limited political will to fulfil these obligations.
Despite the voluntary commitments that the Zimbabwean government has made under the African Charter, ZLHR remains concerned that violations of human and peoples’ rights in Zimbabwe continue unabated. The Bill of Rights provisions in the 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe, domesticates some of the fundamental rights and freedoms in the African Charter. However, violations of civil rights, political rights, social, economic and cultural rights continue to be well documented.
As Zimbabwe joins the rest of the continent on this Africa Human Rights Day, ZLHR is alarmed by recent incidents of politically motivated violence experienced by the opposition political party Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC-A) members during their community citizens’ conversation interface. Also disturbing are the reported attempts on the MDC-A party leader’s life – Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
On this Africa Human Rights Day, ZLHR urges government to; • Implement all outstanding recommendations that have been made by the African Commission in its concluding observations following submission of the previous state reports.
• Implement recommendations made by the African Commission in Resolution 443 on the human rights situation in the Republic of Zimbabwe.
• Ratify the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the establishment of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
• Uphold political and civil rights without discrimination and arrest and prosecute perpetrators of political violence.
By A Correspondent-A Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) senior prison officer stationed at Shurugwi has been arrested after she poured hot cooking oil on her husband for coming home late.
Memory Madziwa (39) who is a Chief Correctional Officer and currently the second in charge at Shurugwi Female Prison also hit her husband on the head with the pot that was carrying the oil.
According to a police report, Madziwa went on to beat her husband with clenched fists but Mr Henemiah Mutonhori managed to escape the violent attack and found refuge at Shurugwi police station.
He then filed a domestic violence report under RRB number 493342, Shurugwi.
“The incident occurred on Tuesday night and police who attended to the scene took Madziwa to the police station but due to her position at the prison, she was released and will be appearing in court by way of summons,” said a police source close to the investigations.
By A Correspondent- A secret love affair between a tenant and a married man was exposed after a child stumbled on the lovebirds’ nud_e pictures and informed her mother leading to the breakdown of the marriage.
Ellen Phiri (32) has been married to Chenjerai Samu (43) and they have children together.
Ellen is a hairdresser while the alleged marriage wrecker, Sukoluhle Sibanda, who is well known as Langa was her major client.
The two got so close and Ellen offered her a place to rent at her home in Matshobane suburb when she left in 2019 to stay in South Africa. She left their children in Matshobane.
While she was in South Africa, her husband Chenjerai Samu (43) fell in love with Langa.
The source said: “Chenjerai would visit to see the children.
“During that time, the two developed a r0mance after which they fell in love and they would book at a city lodge where they would engage in se_x. After certain se_x sessions they would capture nud_es.”
The insider went on to say, Chenjerai revealed that he would have se_x with Langa so as to hurt Ellen.
“It seems Chenjerai was avenging because he once disclosed to Ellen’s relative that he was sleeping with Langa so as to hurt her because he discovered that she once cheated on him,” said the source.
During one of her routine visits, their child stumbled on Chenjerai and Langa’s nudes on his phone and told her mother.
“The child informed her mother leading to the exposure of the secret love affair,” said the source.
Ellen said after the expose, Chenjerai apologised.
“He apologised profusely but I told him that we have to engage our parents so as to solve this matter but he has not bothered to meet my parents and how can I forgive him because this matter is beyond me and it now involves my family,” she said.
Ellen added: “After that I phoned Langa complaining why she was wrecking my marriage. She insulted me.”
In a bid to hurt her and embarrass her, Langa reportedly took Ellen’s image and captioned it with nud_e pictures and messages pointing out how much she charges for se_x.
The message read: “Welcome to Ellen, for blow job R150, R600 night without protection, anal se_x R50, night R1000 and night without protection R1000.”
Alongside the image she put nud_es showing a woman’s private parts and butt0cks and another image where a hand holds a man 0rgan.
She fingered Langa and said she wanted to sue her.
“It’s Langa who captioned my picture with those messages and put nud_e images. I want to sue her for defaming my character,” she said.
Contacted for a comment Langa said: “Who told you that? And why can’t you ask those people who told you.”
When this reporter pressed on she said: “Kulendoda yenja (Is there a woman who falls in love with a dog)”.
Before he terminated the call Chenjerai said: “I have no comment. And why are you concerned about it.”
By A Correspondent- Former MDC Mayors have intensified their fight against MDC-Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa and released a statement backing the ruling Zanu PF’s anti-sanctions choir.
Below is the Former Mayors Association Of Zimbabwe ‘s complete statement issued on Friday:
Former Mayors Association of Zimbabwe, deputy chairman, Peter Chandafira Matambo.
Whether targeted or severally imposed, sanctions are a crude, cruel way of enslavement by sadistic, bullish nations over vulnerable nations. They bring untold suffering and misery to the masses of a country. They are brought in through politically linked perceptions by simply using the politically weak and power-hungry political party leadership with the sole intention of causing regime change to the affected countries and at the same time weakening their economies.
If you target the father with certain restrictions, the whole family will suffer as the head of the family won’t be able to provide for the mother and children adequately. For a country, it’s much worse as the whole nation is forced to carry the burden of a black sheep in all businesses. So calling for the imposition of sanctions against one’s own country is un-African and primitive. Human rights abuses should have a platform to deal with them, such as regional or continental bodies.
As former mayors of rural centres, towns and cities, we were able to see the havoc brought in by these so-called “targeted sanctions”. Simple tasks of offering quality service delivery to the people were severely affected, and deadly diseases as cholera became permanent visitors in our midst.
Rather engagement with errant governments should be encouraged. Suppose one associates with targeted people or institutions; they are painted with the same brush, meaning trade is restricted to those individuals; investment flies away in fear of reprisals from countries of their origin. It’s a waste of time, as the intended purpose is thrown into the backburner. Really Sanctions foment hate, and if you take a deep look into them, they have a racist inclination.
Opposition finds a lot of sympathy from these westerners; hence we all hear them say “tinozvidira Jecha, meaning we will pour sand on the food and you won’t be able to eat it or ” tamba tamba hako chidembo, muswe ndakabata” literally meaning you won’t achieve anything for as long we can call for sanctions.
Democracy is sacrosanct and also calls to hear from all sides, not from one side, that stage manages abductions assassinations as ways to get sympathy from visiting UN envoys, so as to go begging for more sanctions against your own government in foolish hopes of weakening the ruling party in feeble hope of winning elections.
So actually calling for sanctions against your own country to get power is not only childish; it’s criminal and treasonous as the whole country is held at ransom and the most affected are the most vulnerable citizens. Sitting at a round table offers a good chance of finding each other as well as solutions to challenges facing our beloved country no matter the composition of people coming together.
Issued by Former Mayors Association of Zimbabwe, deputy chairman, Peter Chandafira Matambo.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police have recovered ammunition in Zvishavane and arrested a handful of suspects.
In a statement Thursday ZRP said they arrested Sizwesenkosi Hlongwane (42), Isheunesu Gumbo (27), Bruce Ephraim Makara, (29) and Don Tanaka Masukume (29) on 20th October 2021 for unlawful possession of the firearms.
ZRP posted:
Police in Zvishavane received a tip-off to the effect that there were some suspected criminals at a local car sale.
A team of police officers acted upon the information and discovered that the suspects had driven off in a Toyota Wish motor vehicle towards Bulawayo along Masvingo – Mbalabala Road. The suspects were then arrested at a police roadblock along the same road.
Following the arrest of the suspects a Taurus pistol with an empty magazine, a Star pistol with an empty magazine, an AK rifle bayonet and 3mm pistol rounds were recovered from the suspects.
Investigations revealed that Sizwesenkosi Hlongwane has two pending cases of armed robbery, which occurred in Khezi, Maphisa and Zvishavane.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing for information that may assist in the investigation of a murder and robbery case which occurred on 21st October 2021 at around 0030 hours, at Molife Village, Chief Chinamhora.
On the said date, the victim (28) and his wife were asleep in their bedroom when five suspects came to the house and demanded the couple to open the door alleging that they were police officers.
The suspects who were armed with iron bars, machetes and an unknown firearm suspected to be an AK 47 rifle, went on to fire shots on the floor of the house through the window.
The four suspects gained entry into the house through the window after removing burglar bars.
Whilst in the house, the suspects attacked the couple with iron bars demanding cash before they were given US$2 800 by the victim’s wife.
One of the suspects fired two shots on the victim’s back as the suspects escaped through the window. The victim died on the spot.
By Farai D Hove | The government last night announced it has deployed investigators to Nashville High School where a COVID outbreak was recently reported on ZimEye, amid a massive cover up by school authorities.
COVID-19 Reaction Teams have been dispatched to the school this Thursday evening, the state media reported.
Kids lying on the ground suffering from suspected COVID-19
A detailed report is to be released once investigations are through, the state report concluded. – More to follow….
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa has admitted that he was losing control of the party, which is in turmoil as ambitious cadres violently jostled for positions during internal elections over the past months.
Addressing an extraordinary session of the Zanu PF politburo, Mnangagwa threatened to descend heavily on party members who he accused of violating the party’s constitution. He said:
The party has no room for divisive elements who want positions at the expense of the party’s discipline, unity, love and harmony and development. It is alien for our party members to fight for posts; violence of any kind whether physical or verbal has no place in ZANU PF or in our country. … Those who wantonly violate and desecrate our party constitution’s peaceful culture and values must be dealt with decisively without fear or favour.
This comes after ZANU PF district elections turned violent in Harare and Manicaland provinces, with Mnangagwa forced to postpone provincial elections indefinitely last month as fights for positions turned nasty. Mnangagwa pleaded for unity and harmony in the ruling party ahead of the 2023 elections where he is expected to seek re-election for a second and final 5-year term. During his address, Mnangagwa also accused the West of trying to effect regime change through the imposition of sanctions, adding that they had been stopped by young people. Acting party political commissar Patrick Chinamasa told a post-politburo briefing that the party will deploy senior members to provinces and districts to iron out differences among members. -NewsDay
By A Correspondent- Pupils at Mashoko Mission High School Bikita District, Masvingo Province, went berserk on Thursday morning and destroyed property, including the head, Trynos Mbwirire’s vehicle, prompting the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to deploy the Riot Unit to the school.
According to The Mirror, the irate pupils destroyed windowpanes at the classrooms and uprooted carrots from Mbwirire’s garden.
Masvingo Acting Provincial Education Director (PED) Shylatte Mhike confirmed the disturbances but said she was yet to get a full briefing.
The pupils had several grievances, among them the school’s failure to supply electricity for the past seven days and the unavailability of running water for several weeks.
Furthermore, staff turnover is said to be high and the head is rarely at the school amid allegations that he will be attending political meetings.
The demonstrations started off at the classrooms at around 9 AM and only stopped after the intervention of riot police around lunchtime.
Masvingo police spokesperson Kudakwashe Dhewa said he was not aware of the matter while efforts by The Mirror to get a comment from Mbwirire were futile as his mobile phone was switched off.
A parent who spoke to The Mirror said the unavailability of running water and electricity at the school was of concern. The parent said:
The school has been without electricity for the past six days. We have a backup generator but the administration is saying that there is no fuel whereas O and A level students are writing their ZIMSEC examinations soon.
The school has also been running without tap water for several weeks because there is no fuel to draw water from a nearby dam and from the Mashoko Mission Hospital borehole.
By A Correspondent- The Douglas Mwonzora led MDC has accused the faction led by Nelson Chamisa of causing the Thursday violence at a press conference in Harare.
Mwonzora’s party activists led by their youth leader Yvonne Musarurwa shoved Thokozani Khupe’s former bodyguard Kudzanai Mashumba and disrupted the presser.
Mashumba, at the press conference, intended to expose what he alleged was mismanagement of funds by Mwonzora.
On his Twitter handle Thursday, Mwonzora party spokesperson Witness Dube said Chamisa had sent Mashumba to lie against MDC-T.
Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has finally spoken on the attempts by the Zanu PF regime to assassinate him.
President Chamisa has survived two assassination attempts in Chiredzi and Mutare as the regime desperately seeks to disrupt his community engagement meetings.
He wrote on his official Facebook page:
THEY NEARLY TOOK ME OUT..He wants me killed and dead.
They want blood and more blood.They missed by seconds because Our #Godisinit.Violence & assassinations won’t solve complex national challenges.
I’m Nyanga today meeting the community.Change must happen.The citizens are clear!
I’m in rural Manicaland ..The JOY & HOPE is palpable ! HOPE is all I see. HOPE is what we represent. HOPE is what we bring! A NEW GREAT ZIMBABWE in our lifetime. Winning Zimbabwe for Change!
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance is targeting a landslide victory for President Nelson Chamisa in Kwekwe Central Constituency.
Though Kwekwe is regarded as Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s home ground, the Zanu PF leader has lost dismally in the area in previous elections.
See the MDC Alliance Namibia statement below:
Honourable Judith Tobaiwa hails Mdc Alliance Namibia for exhibiting solidarity with Kwekwe Central Constituency.
21 October 2021
Kwekwe Central Constituency leadership represented by the able Honourable Judith Tobaiwa expressed great honour and appreciation to Mdc Alliance Namibia after receiving a beautiful soccer kit with party logo and colours. On top of the football jerseys, the vibrant district under the chairmanship of Elisha Chambara added 50 t-shirts towards the #OneMillionCampaign targeted at virgin voters in 2023.
According to Honourable Judith Tobaiwa, RedStars is a team comprising of 18-22 years old youths recruited and registered to vote for socio-economic transformation in 2023 choosing none other than the political mountain President Advocate Nelson Chamisa. The team is being used as a voter registration tool and also an effective recruitment and mobilisation avenue. Mdc Alliance Namibia feels energised to continue supporting organic and pragmatic approach to the national democratic revolution. It is quite sweet to hear that for one to qualify in the the team in Chiundura, one has to be a registered voter or to be a recognised member of the youth assembly.
Furthermore, a local league has been established and the change team is doing very well in increasing the number of youths itching to join the freedom train. Social democrats in Kwekwe Central Constituency gyrated hysterically in uncontrollable gusto upon realising that the donated kit was a marketing tool on its own because of the party brand, logo,name and colours. The leadership acknowledged the huge influence the kit has on voter registration drive. It is clear that solidarity with our constituencies back home is significant in re-energising the revolutionary base.
It is against this comradely background that Honourable Judith Tobaiwa said,”I want to thank Mdc Alliance Namibia Chapter or family for the revolutionary contribution towards building a strong party in Kwekwe Central. We say thank you for your solidarity, welldone”. The active district went on to adopt Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe as a twin for 2023 harmonised elections. As democratic fighters,we believe that solidarity is a core value in Social Democracy hence the need to walk the talk. We urge all stakeholders in Mdc Alliance external assemblies to twin rural constituencies towards 2023 where we target 6 million voters for change ready to defend the vote.
In a nutshell, voter registration drive is our concern across the breadths and lengths of Zimbabwe. We need to offer moral, material and financial support to the national democratic revolution so that we can win Zimbabwe for complete change. It is everyone’s revolutionary obligation to embrace participatory democracy. Mdc Alliance Namibia District eulogises the interface by President Advocate Nelson Chamisa in marginalised rural communities in Zimbabwe.The decision to go rural was a dream, now our president is walking the word despite Zanupf shenanigans manifesting in futile assassination attempts on the people’s President. What inspires us is that the leadership is not backtracking or wavering, thank you President for dodging bullets for your people who are languishing in abject poverty.
HARARE – A hastily-arranged special session of the Zanu PF central committee that catapulted Emmerson Mnangagwa to the party presidency in 2017, ousting Robert Mugabe, was unlawful, a Zanu PF supporter has sensationally charged in a court filing.
Sybeth Musengezi, a card-carrying member for 20 years, wants the High Court to declare the resolutions of that central committee meeting “null and void”, and for a special congress to be ordered within three months to “regularise the top leadership positions in the party.”
Musengezi argues that Mnangagwa, who had been sacked as vice president, was thrust as leader by an unlawful central committee meeting convened by unknown people including Patrick Chinamsa and Obert Mpofu, in violation of the party’s constitution.
He accused the parties of taking advantage of the unfolding military coup, dubbed ‘Operation Restore Legacy’ to topple the late former President Robert Mugabe from power.
“The implementation of the strategy to topple Mugabe from the position of president and first secretary of Zanu PF commenced with unknown individuals convening a purported special session of the Central Committee of Zanu PF at the party’s headquarters on Sunday, November 19, 2017,” Musengezi said.
The meeting resolved that the top leadership of the party was incapacitated to execute their duties in terms of the constitution, and Mpofu was elected to preside over the proceedings as he was the most senior member of the party present.
Musengezi said the resolution document betrays the unconstitutionality and unlawfulness of the purported special session of the Central Committee not least because the Zanu PF constitution says only the first secretary (president), second secretary or the chairperson can preside over a central committee meeting.
Musengezi said the meeting was not convened by the then secretary for administration, Ignatius Chombo, and Mugabe was not incapacitated at all to preside over a lawfully convened session of the central committee in terms of the party constitution.
“He (Mugabe) was at all material times seized with the internal affairs of the party in his engagement with the commanders of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces as evidenced by the subject of his televised speech on the evening of November 19, 2017, at the end of which he bid the whole country a good night with the famed Asante Sana remark,” he said.
A day later, Mugabe was evidently not incapacitated because he managed to cap hundreds of university students at the Zimbabwe Open University graduation ceremony, says Musengezi.
He said Phelekezela Mphoko, then the vice president and Zanu PF second secretary, also was not incapacitated.
“If anything, the ZDF justified its intervention in the internal affairs of the party on the basis of protecting Mugabe from criminals around him. This, therefore, means that the president and first secretary of the party were fully protected and available to convene and preside over the lawfully convened session of the central committee,” Musengezi argues.
“The conclusion is therefore inescapable that the alleged incapacitation of the top leadership of the party to preside over a lawfully convened session of the central committee was a figment of the imagination of these members bent on violating the clear provisions of the constitution of Zanu PF in the furtherance of their preconceived strategy to unlawfully topple Mugabe and to foist on the party Mnangagwa in absentia as the president and first secretary.”
He said it was illegal for Chinamasa to purport to usurp and discharge the functions of the secretary for administration.
“From the narrative above, it becomes clear that the purported special session of the central committee was unconstitutional and therefore illegal. It follows, therefore, that all the purported resolutions passed at the impugned meeting are also unlawful and invalid.”
Musengezi also told the High Court that the central committee does not have the power to reinstate a member who was expelled from the party, without that member following due process under the party constitution.
He said it was therefore illegal for the committee to purport to reinstate expelled members as well as Mnangagwa in absentia to the position from which he had been lawfully dismissed.
“It was scandalous and it gives credence to the inference that it was all part of a preconceived strategy to further the achievement of the well-documented ambitions of Mnangagwa of toppling and succeeding Mugabe both as president and first secretary of the party and as president and the head of state of the country,” he argues.
He said as a direct result of the unconstitutional and unlawful special session of the central committee, Mnangagwa was purportedly elected in absentia to the position of president and first secretary of Zanu PF and to the position of acting president and head of state of the country.
He said the conduct of those who convened the meeting robbed Zimbabweans of freely choosing their president.
Musengezi said Mnangagwa was “handpicked by not more than 201 party members gathered outside the provision of Zanu PF constitution.”
Zanu PF, he argued, is supposed to hold its elective congress every five years but Mnangagwa has failed to do so, two years after it became due.
He petitioned the court to grant a declaratory order and consequential relief that the events of November 19, 2017, be declared null and void.
He begged the court to order the party to go back to November 19, 2017, and direct Mphoko as the lawful vice president and second secretary to take necessary steps in terms of the party constitution to convene the special congress to regularise leadership within three months of granting of the order.
Musengezi has cited Zanu PF as the first respondent in the matter, while Mnangagwa is second, secretary for administration Obert Mpofu (third), acting political commissar Patrick Chinamasa (4th), former vice president Phelekezela Mphoko (fifth) and former secretary for administration Ignatious Chombo as the sixth respondent.
Musengezi wants respondents who oppose the application to pay costs of the suit.
HARARE – A hastily-arranged special session of the Zanu PF central committee that catapulted Emmerson Mnangagwa to the party presidency in 2017, ousting Robert Mugabe, was unlawful, a Zanu PF supporter has sensationally charged in a court filing.
Sybeth Musengezi, a card-carrying member for 20 years, wants the High Court to declare the resolutions of that central committee meeting “null and void”, and for a special congress to be ordered within three months to “regularise the top leadership positions in the party.”
Musengezi argues that Mnangagwa, who had been sacked as vice president, was thrust as leader by an unlawful central committee meeting convened by unknown people including Patrick Chinamsa and Obert Mpofu, in violation of the party’s constitution.
He accused the parties of taking advantage of the unfolding military coup, dubbed ‘Operation Restore Legacy’ to topple the late former President Robert Mugabe from power.
“The implementation of the strategy to topple Mugabe from the position of president and first secretary of Zanu PF commenced with unknown individuals convening a purported special session of the Central Committee of Zanu PF at the party’s headquarters on Sunday, November 19, 2017,” Musengezi said.
The meeting resolved that the top leadership of the party was incapacitated to execute their duties in terms of the constitution, and Mpofu was elected to preside over the proceedings as he was the most senior member of the party present.
Musengezi said the resolution document betrays the unconstitutionality and unlawfulness of the purported special session of the Central Committee not least because the Zanu PF constitution says only the first secretary (president), second secretary or the chairperson can preside over a central committee meeting.
Musengezi said the meeting was not convened by the then secretary for administration, Ignatius Chombo, and Mugabe was not incapacitated at all to preside over a lawfully convened session of the central committee in terms of the party constitution.
“He (Mugabe) was at all material times seized with the internal affairs of the party in his engagement with the commanders of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces as evidenced by the subject of his televised speech on the evening of November 19, 2017, at the end of which he bid the whole country a good night with the famed Asante Sana remark,” he said.
A day later, Mugabe was evidently not incapacitated because he managed to cap hundreds of university students at the Zimbabwe Open University graduation ceremony, says Musengezi.
He said Phelekezela Mphoko, then the vice president and Zanu PF second secretary, also was not incapacitated.
“If anything, the ZDF justified its intervention in the internal affairs of the party on the basis of protecting Mugabe from criminals around him. This, therefore, means that the president and first secretary of the party were fully protected and available to convene and preside over the lawfully convened session of the central committee,” Musengezi argues.
“The conclusion is therefore inescapable that the alleged incapacitation of the top leadership of the party to preside over a lawfully convened session of the central committee was a figment of the imagination of these members bent on violating the clear provisions of the constitution of Zanu PF in the furtherance of their preconceived strategy to unlawfully topple Mugabe and to foist on the party Mnangagwa in absentia as the president and first secretary.”
He said it was illegal for Chinamasa to purport to usurp and discharge the functions of the secretary for administration.
“From the narrative above, it becomes clear that the purported special session of the central committee was unconstitutional and therefore illegal. It follows, therefore, that all the purported resolutions passed at the impugned meeting are also unlawful and invalid.”
Musengezi also told the High Court that the central committee does not have the power to reinstate a member who was expelled from the party, without that member following due process under the party constitution.
He said it was therefore illegal for the committee to purport to reinstate expelled members as well as Mnangagwa in absentia to the position from which he had been lawfully dismissed.
“It was scandalous and it gives credence to the inference that it was all part of a preconceived strategy to further the achievement of the well-documented ambitions of Mnangagwa of toppling and succeeding Mugabe both as president and first secretary of the party and as president and the head of state of the country,” he argues.
He said as a direct result of the unconstitutional and unlawful special session of the central committee, Mnangagwa was purportedly elected in absentia to the position of president and first secretary of Zanu PF and to the position of acting president and head of state of the country.
He said the conduct of those who convened the meeting robbed Zimbabweans of freely choosing their president.
Musengezi said Mnangagwa was “handpicked by not more than 201 party members gathered outside the provision of Zanu PF constitution.”
Zanu PF, he argued, is supposed to hold its elective congress every five years but Mnangagwa has failed to do so, two years after it became due.
He petitioned the court to grant a declaratory order and consequential relief that the events of November 19, 2017, be declared null and void.
He begged the court to order the party to go back to November 19, 2017, and direct Mphoko as the lawful vice president and second secretary to take necessary steps in terms of the party constitution to convene the special congress to regularise leadership within three months of granting of the order.
Musengezi has cited Zanu PF as the first respondent in the matter, while Mnangagwa is second, secretary for administration Obert Mpofu (third), acting political commissar Patrick Chinamasa (4th), former vice president Phelekezela Mphoko (fifth) and former secretary for administration Ignatious Chombo as the sixth respondent.
Musengezi wants respondents who oppose the application to pay costs of the suit.
The COVID-19 pandemic has reversed years of global progress in tackling tuberculosis and for the first time in over a decade, TB deaths have increased, according to the World Health Organization’s 2021 Global TB report.
In 2020, more people died from TB, with far fewer people being diagnosed and treated or provided with TB preventive treatment compared with 2019, and overall spending on essential TB services falling.
The first challenge is disruption in access to TB services and a reduction in resources. In many countries, human, financial and other resources have been reallocated from tackling TB to the COVID-19 response, limiting the availability of essential services.
The second is that people have struggled to seek care in the context of lockdowns.
“This report confirms our fears that the disruption of essential health services due to the pandemic could start to unravel years of progress against tuberculosis,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This is alarming news that must serve as a global wake-up call to the urgent need for investments and innovation to close the gaps in diagnosis, treatment and care for the millions of people affected by this ancient but preventable and treatable disease.”
TB services are among many others disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but the impact on TB has been particularly severe.
For example, approximately, 1.5 million people died from TB in 2020 (including 214 000 among HIV positive people).
The increase in the number of TB deaths occurred mainly in the 30 countries with the highest burden of TB[1]. WHO modelling projections suggest the number of people developing TB and dying from the disease could be much higher in 2021 and 2022.
Challenges with providing and accessing essential TB services have meant that many people with TB were not diagnosed in 2020. The number of people newly diagnosed with TB and those reported to national governments fell from 7.1 million in 2019 to 5.8 million in 2020.
WHO estimates that some 4.1 million people currently suffer from TB but have not been diagnosed with the disease or have not officially reported to national authorities. This figure is up from 2.9 million in 2019.
The countries that contributed most to the global reduction in TB notifications between 2019 and 2020 were India (41%), Indonesia (14%), the Philippines (12%) and China (8%). These and 12 other countries accounted for 93% of the total global drop in notifications.
There was also a reduction in provision of TB preventive treatment. Some 2.8 million people accessed this in 2020, a 21% reduction since 2019. In addition, the number of people treated for drug-resistant TB fell by 15%, from 177 000 in 2019 to 150 000 in 2020, equivalent to only about 1 in 3 of those in need.
Global investment for TB falls Funding in the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) that account for 98% of reported TB cases remains a challenge. Of the total funding available in 2020, 81% came from domestic sources, with the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa) accounting for 65% of total domestic funding.
The largest bilateral donor is the Government of the United States of America. The biggest international donor is the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The report notes a fall in global spending on TB diagnostic, treatment and prevention services, from US$ 5.8 billion to US$ 5.3 billion, which is less than half of the global target for fully funding the TB response of US$ 13 billion annually by 2022.
Meanwhile, although there is progress in the development of new TB diagnostics, drugs and vaccines, this is constrained by the overall level of R&D investment, which at US$ 0.9 billion in 2019 falls far short of the global target of US$ 2 billion per year.
Global TB targets off track Reversals in progress mean that the global TB targets are off track and appear increasingly out of reach, however there are some successes. Globally, the reduction in the number of TB deaths between 2015 and 2020 was only 9.2% – about one quarter of the way to the 2020 milestone of 35%.
Globally, the number of people falling ill with TB each year (relative to population) dropped 11% from 2015 to 2020, just over half-way to the 2020 milestone of 20%.
However, the WHO European Region exceeded the 2020 milestone, with a reduction of 25%. This was mostly driven by the decline in the Russian Federation, where incidence fell by 6% per year between 2010 to 2020. The WHO African Region came close to reaching the milestone, with a reduction of 19%, which reflects impressive reductions of 4–10% per year in South Africa and several other countries in southern Africa, following a peak in the HIV epidemic and the expansion of TB and HIV prevention and care.
“We have just one year left to reach the historic 2022 TB targets committed by Heads of State at the first UN High Level Meeting on TB. The report provides important information and a strong reminder to countries to urgently fast-track their TB responses and save lives,” said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Global TB Programme. “This will be crucial as preparations begin for the 2nd UN High Level Meeting on TB mandated for 2023.”
The report calls on countries to put in place urgent measures to restore access to essential TB services. It further calls for a doubling of investments in TB research and innovation as well as concerted action across the health sector and others to address the social, environmental and economic determinants of TB and its consequences.
The new report features data on disease trends and the response to the epidemic from 197 countries and areas, including 182 of the 194 World Health Organization (WHO) Member States.
A woman was raped last Wednesday night on a train near Philadelphia while fellow passengers were watching.
Authorities said some passengers may have even taken pictures and videos while it happened.
Officers reviewed surveillance footage from a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) train that shows a man boarding shortly after a woman and sitting next to her.
The footage shows the man talking to her, then “gradually” got aggressive, eventually ripping her clothes off and assaulting her.
Upper Darby Township Police Department Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt said “He sat next to her for a conversation. . . . And then he just completely overpowered the woman and forcibly raped her.”
Andrew Busch, a SEPTA spokesman said the assault took about eight minutes – but onlookers did not help the woman. Busch said:
If somebody who witnessed this had called 911, it’s possible that we would have been able to intervene even sooner. Because this had apparently started before the employee who was on board noticed what was going on.
Court records say the suspect, Fiston Ngoy, 35, has been charged with several crimes, including rape and aggravated indecent assault.
He is being held at the Delaware County jail on $180 000 bail. Once Ngoy was arrested, the woman – who has not been publicly identified – was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Bernhardt, the Upper Darby superintendent, Saturday said that the most “appalling” part of the event was the lack of empathy displayed by the other individuals riding the train.
Investigators are going over the surveillance footage, and police received reports of riders recording video or taking pictures while the rape took place. He said:
“I’m just speechless… I don’t know where we are in society that people can’t help other people out in a time of need.”- IOL
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said that the opposition MDC Alliance was refusing to cooperate with investigations following allegations that its leader Nelson Chamisa had survived an assassination attempt in Mutare on Tuesday.
ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the police received a report of the allegations from the MDC Alliance vice president Lynette Karenyi.
Nyathi told The Herald that a team of detectives has been dispatched to Manicaland to investigate the matter but said the MDC Alliance was not complying with investigations.
He said police had requested the MDC Alliance officials to also bring the vehicles involved in the allegations for forensic examination but they have also not been cooperating. Said Nyathi:
A report was made late at night by Lynette Karenyi and when the police requested to attend the scene, they refused.
Police then requested to have statements of the occupants of the vehicles be recorded and they refused again.
A team from the Ballistics and Forensic Unit in Mutare also wanted to attend the scene but they refused again to show them the scene or area where the incident had occurred.
… Police is ready to conduct investigations and a team of investigators has been dispatched to Mutare to conduct investigations and we want to urge them to cooperate with investigations.
Police want to attend the scene to gather evidence and if possible for any suspect involved in such allegations to be picked up.
Chamisa’s convoy was on Tuesday intercepted by heavily armed ZANU PF youth, who allegedly fired gunshots, hitting a rear window on the opposition leader’s vehicle on the outskirts of Mutare.
On Wednesday, he was blocked again by some ZANU PF youths and security details at Troutbeck turn-off in Nyanga when he was on his way to Ruwangwe.
Chamisa was also attacked in Masvingo last week by a group of ruling party supporters who were waving placards, accusing him of inviting sanctions on the country.
By A Correspondent- Pupils at Mashoko Mission High School Bikita District, Masvingo Province, went berserk on Thursday morning and destroyed property, including the head, Trynos Mbwirire’s vehicle, prompting the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to deploy the Riot Unit to the school.
According to The Mirror, the irate pupils destroyed windowpanes at the classrooms and uprooted carrots from Mbwirire’s garden.
Masvingo Acting Provincial Education Director (PED) Shylatte Mhike confirmed the disturbances but said she was yet to get a full briefing.
The pupils had several grievances, among them the school’s failure to supply electricity for the past seven days and the unavailability of running water for several weeks.
Furthermore, staff turnover is said to be high and the head is rarely at the school amid allegations that he will be attending political meetings.
The demonstrations started off at the classrooms at around 9 AM and only stopped after the intervention of riot police around lunchtime.
Masvingo police spokesperson Kudakwashe Dhewa said he was not aware of the matter while efforts by The Mirror to get a comment from Mbwirire were futile as his mobile phone was switched off.
A parent who spoke to The Mirror said the unavailability of running water and electricity at the school was of concern. The parent said:
The school has been without electricity for the past six days. We have a backup generator but the administration is saying that there is no fuel whereas O and A level students are writing their ZIMSEC examinations soon.
The school has also been running without tap water for several weeks because there is no fuel to draw water from a nearby dam and from the Mashoko Mission Hospital borehole.
By A Correspondent- MDC-T founding member Kudzanai Mashumba was on Thursday pushed and shoved by his erstwhile colleagues, among them Yvonne Musarurwa, while addressing his press conference.
Mashumba, had called for a press conference at the media centre in the capital to expose the party’s President Douglas Mwonzora.
Mashumba had called for a press conference at the media centre to expose Mwonzora’s alleged abuse of office, violence perpetrated against former acting party president Thokozani Khupe at the extraordinary congress in December last year, and the party’s failure to hold an ordinary congress as per its constitution.
By A Correspondent- Political activists aligned to the MDC-T President Douglas Mwonzora’s faction have beaten up one of the party’s founding members Kudzanai Mashumba at a press conference.
Mashumba, Thursday, had called for a press conference at the media centre in the capital to address what he said were issues affecting the party.
He said he had four critical issues the party needed to address.
The issues included Mwonzora’s alleged abuse of office, violence perpetrated against former acting party president Thokozani Khupe at the extraordinary congress in December last year, and the party’s failure to hold an ordinary congress as per its constitution.
By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC-Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has won the hearts of the Manicaland people.
Chamisa toured the province on a meet the people campaign.
Posting on his Twitter account, Chamisa said Manicaland had shown that it needed change. He posted: I’m in rural Manicaland ..The JOY & HOPE is palpable ! HOPE is all I see. HOPE is what we represent. HOPE is what we bring! A NEW GREAT ZIMBABWE in our lifetime. Winning Zimbabwe for Change
I’m in rural Manicaland ..The JOY & HOPE is palpable ! HOPE is all I see. HOPE is what we represent. HOPE is what we bring! A NEW GREAT ZIMBABWE in our lifetime. Winning Zimbabwe for Change! pic.twitter.com/E6IX9G1IHk
Was this a coincidence or there was something seriously going on inside the young lad's mind when he saw Emmerson Mnangagwa's coming towards him to lift him up?
Was this a coincidence or there was something seriously going on inside the young lad’s mind when he saw Emmerson Mnangagwa’s coming towards him to lift him up?
– Tender cancelled, restarted and then Kazembe wins.
– Kirsty Coventry’s Perm Sec says tender-details are confidential.
– Winner’s company phones not working 2 months later.
By Simba Chikanza |Will the National Sports Stadium be finally renovated years after the infrastructure was condemned?
Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe has under suspicious circumstances won the USD2,5 million tender to renovate the National Sports Stadium following a sudden stripping of the first winner, the Securico company.
This investigation also shows evidence that the tender has nothing to do with renovations that have remained outstanding for more than 5 years; the million dollar project, is all to do with the installation of cosmetic electronic devices, on top of the delapidated infrastructure.
Kazembe Kazembe
Kazembe Kazembe’s company, Leabridge Technologies has won the tender despite not possessing a history of running a project of the size.
Other companies which submitted tenders are: Safeguard, Securico, Suvkin Enterprise, Slow Grand Engineering, Radio Solutions, Sports Health Centre, Sonic Signals, AC Controls, and Setworth.
Kazembe had at first teamed up with Securico, but somewhat upon noticing that Securico had submitted separately and won, the tender win was cancelled and re-advertised.
Tender cancelled, restarted and then Kazembe wins
The tender back in October 2020, was restarted after Kazembe had lost and Securico had won. The mistake of cancelling the tender which had won, was not publicised as required by law.
The amount of the tender submission by Kazembe Kazembe, is different from the one announced by the board, which raises questions how the board would print out a higher figure.
Tender submissions
Leabridge’s tender was to the tune of 2,318,935.12, and yet it got awarded one at
2,577,334.01. So what happened to the lumpsum USD258,398.88?
The competing companies with a known capacity to run the installations, are Safeguard, Securico, and Radio Solutions.
The tender win was unceremoniously announced 2 months later, meaning the bidders won’t be able to appeal.
The perm sec for Youth, Sport And Culture Dr Thokozile Chitepo announced saying:
“The Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation acknowledges receipt of your tender bidding document for tender DOM 003/2021. The Ministry finalised adjudication process and PRAZ has concurred with the Ministry’s recommendation.
“As such, the Ministry writes this communication informing you that tender DOM003/2021 being tender for the supply, delivery, installation arid commissioning of Automated Turnstiles System Electronic Ticketing System, Venue Operation Control. Biometric Access Control and CCTV for Zimbabwe National Sports Stadium nas been awarded to Leabridge Investments (Pvt) Ltd T/A Leabridge Technologies of 26 Harvey Brown Milton Park, Harare at a tender value of two million five hundred seventy-seven thousand three hundred thirty•four and one cent (USD2 577 334.01).”
The letter written by Dr Thokozile Chitepo
Minister Kazembe Kazembe was contacted for a comment and he replied asking, ” which tender? Which tender?” before his phone was swiftly put down.
Kirsty Coventry’s Perm Sec says tender-details are confidential
Contacted for a comment on Tuesday, Kirsty Coventry’s Secretary, Dr Chitepo said she should be contacted a few hours later. She was sent the documents showing the serious discrepancy and was still to comment during the first days of drafting this article.
Meanwhile, contacted again later in the day, the perm sec, Dr Chitepo told ZimEye, “what I want you to know is that there’s absolutely no way that I can disclose this, the proceedings of the tender; and in any case I’m not involved in that and even if I was, there’s no way I could disclose that to anybody, those are confidential and I just will not be able to disclose anything about that process unfortunately.”
Tenders are by law public records which must be both publicised and published.
‘I thought that tenders are public, and according to the law they are supposed to be publicised?,’ she was asked.
To this, Dr Chitepo replied saying “no, no, no, no, no, they are not public, they are public to the extent that there’s in the case of public (sic-not clear) but the internal proceedings are not disclosable, I might as well just have an open shelf and everybody, you know, in any case I am personally not involved in that process anyway,” she said.
She added saying,
“I am just saying to you I’m an administrator in the process, so I definitely, it would be a conflict for me to be involved in that.”
This reporter pressed her on still saying, ‘the reason why I had to ask you is because you’re on the document you signed the document and it cites that your office was also involved, your office, and the board so you equally they’re not only are you named personally but your office so would not be an interest, to probe how the the figures do not match in the end that Leabridge which is connected to a minister by the way it’s owned also owned by a minister, Kazembe Kazembe, and it gets a tender win at a higher figure than the one that actually submitted at the beginning?’
To this, Chitepo said “well, I am sorry I’m not going to be able to disclose anything to you and if you want to you can try to pursue this, in other ways but …”
Praz says communication with authority has to be in writing
Meanwhile, the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, was contacted by ZimEye, and an official responsible, only named via phone as ‘Tino’ demanded questions to be sent in writing.
She told our reporter,
“Mr Chikanza, unfortunately all communication with the authority has to be in writing, could you kindly put your request in writing so that we can respond accordingly,” she said.
She was pressed on the fact that the case in public interest, and she reiterated saying, “yes Mr Chikanza I understand what you are saying but could you kindly put it in writing.”
This reporter insisted asking, why she demands an email be sent over something she can clearly see is a theft of nearly USD200,000.
She swiftly put the phone down afterwards.
Minister Kazembe Kazembe was contacted for a comment and he replied asking, ” which tender? Which tender?” before his phone was swiftly put down.
Meanwhile, contacted again later in the day, the perm sec, Dr Chitepo told ZimEye, “what I want you to know is that there’s absolutely no way that I can disclose this, the proceedings of the tender; and in any case I’m not involved in that and even if I was, there’s no way I could disclose that to anybody, those are confidential and I just will not be able to disclose anything about that process unfortunately.”
Tenders are by law public records which must be both publicised and published.
‘I thought that tenders are public, and according to the law they are supposed to be publicised.’
To this, Dr Chitepo replied saying “no, no, no, no, no, they are not public, they are public to the extent that there’s in the case of public (sic-not clear) but the internal proceedings are not disclosable, I might as well just have an open shelf and everybody, you know… in any case, I am personally not involved in that process anyway,” she said.
She added saying,
“I am just saying to you I’m an administrator in the process, so I definitely…it would be a conflict for me to be involved in that.”
Thus reporter pressed her on still saying, ‘the reason why I had to ask you is because you are on the document; you signed the document and it cites that your office was also involved; your office, as well as the board so not only are you named personally but your office as well, so would it not be an interest, to probe how the figures do not match in the end that Leabridge which is owned also by a minister, Kazembe Kazembe, and it now gets a tender win at a higher figure than the one actually submitted at the beginning?’
To this, Chitepo said “well I am sorry I’m not going to be able to disclose anything to you and if you want to you can try to pursue this, in other ways but …”
Meanwhile, the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, was contacted by ZimEye, and an official responsible, only named during the phonecall as ‘Tino’ demanded questions be sent in writing.
She told this reporter, “Mr Chikanza, unfortunately all communication with the authority has to be in writing, could you kindly put your request in writing so that we can respond accordingly,” she said.
She was pressed on the fact that the case in public interest, and she reiterated saying, “yes Mr Chikanza I understand what you are saying but could you kindly put it in writing.”
To this, Chikanza insisted asking, why she demands an email be sent over something she can clearly see is the theft of over USD200,000.
She swiftly put the phone down afterwards.
Winner’s company phones not working.
Meanwhile, the same company that has won the USD 2,5 million tender, was still difficult to reach via phone, with none of its phones being accessible. None of the ground numbers were working and their cellphone unreachable.
By A Correspondent- MDC-Alliance President this week entertained Chipinge masses after escaping an assassination attempt by Zanu PF.
In Chipinge.. Greeted warmly by the young and old at Musirizwi .Citizens are ready to WIN Zimbabwe for change. Excellent Citizens conversations and Community Interfaces. Change is coming
In Chipinge.. Greeted warmly by the young and old at Musirizwi .Citizens are ready to WIN Zimbabwe for change. Excellent Citizens conversations and Community Interfaces. Change is coming! pic.twitter.com/DTuuXJf9Ak
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said that the opposition MDC Alliance was refusing to cooperate with investigations following allegations that its leader Nelson Chamisa had survived an assassination attempt in Mutare on Tuesday.
ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the police received a report of the allegations from the MDC Alliance vice president Lynette Karenyi.
Nyathi told The Herald that a team of detectives has been dispatched to Manicaland to investigate the matter but said the MDC Alliance was not complying with investigations.
He said police had requested the MDC Alliance officials to also bring the vehicles involved in the allegations for forensic examination but they have also not been cooperating. Said Nyathi:
A report was made late at night by Lynette Karenyi and when the police requested to attend the scene, they refused.
Police then requested to have statements of the occupants of the vehicles be recorded and they refused again.
A team from the Ballistics and Forensic Unit in Mutare also wanted to attend the scene but they refused again to show them the scene or area where the incident had occurred.
… Police is ready to conduct investigations and a team of investigators has been dispatched to Mutare to conduct investigations and we want to urge them to cooperate with investigations.
Police want to attend the scene to gather evidence and if possible for any suspect involved in such allegations to be picked up.
Chamisa’s convoy was on Tuesday intercepted by heavily armed ZANU PF youth, who allegedly fired gunshots, hitting a rear window on the opposition leader’s vehicle on the outskirts of Mutare.
On Wednesday, he was blocked again by some ZANU PF youths and security details at Troutbeck turn-off in Nyanga when he was on his way to Ruwangwe.
Chamisa was also attacked in Masvingo last week by a group of ruling party supporters who were waving placards, accusing him of inviting sanctions on the country.
By A Correspondent- MDC-Alliance President made a memorable appearance in Chipinge on Tuesday.
The youthful opposition leader raised the spirits of the villagers by singing and dancing before his address.
Charismatic Chamisa was jovial despite having escaped an assassination attempt by Zanu Pf the same day. He posted on his Twitter account after the address: In Chipinge.. Greeted warmly by the young and old at Musirizwi .Citizens are ready to WIN Zimbabwe for change. Excellent Citizens conversations and Community Interfaces. Change is coming
In Chipinge.. Greeted warmly by the young and old at Musirizwi .Citizens are ready to WIN Zimbabwe for change. Excellent Citizens conversations and Community Interfaces. Change is coming! pic.twitter.com/DTuuXJf9Ak
The Warriors have suffered a massive drop on the latest FIFA World Rankings released on Thursday.
The national team was in action during the October window, playing in back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against Ghana. The side performed miserably, losing both legs, 3-1 away and 1-0 in Harare.
The results have now seen them dropping five places down to number 118 on the global table and one spot to number 29 on the African ranking.
Meanwhile, Senegal remains the highest-ranked team in Africa, while Belgium retained the top spot in the world.
World Top 10: 1. Belgium, 2. Brazil, 3. France, 4. Italy, 5. England, 6. Argentina, 7. Spain, 8. Portugal, 9. Mexico, 10. Denmark.
Memory Text:
‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength’ ” (Deuteronomy 6:5, NKJV
Introduction
In the Jewish religion, one of the most important prayers is taken from Deuteronomy 6. It is known as “the Shema,” based on the first Hebrew word of the prayer, from the root, shama’, which means “to listen,” or even “to obey”—a word that appears again and again, not just in Deuteronomy but all through the Old Testament. The first line of the Shema reads like this:Shema Yisrael Adonai Elohenu Adonai echad.It means: “ ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!’ ”
Deut. 6:4, NKJV). Many times when Jews pray it, they cover their eyes, the idea being to let nothing distract them from thinking about God. This first line of the Shema is deemed an affirmation of the monotheistic nature of Adonai Elohenu, “the Lord our God,” and Israel’s loyalty to Him alone and to no other “god.” In fact, it also could be read as “the Lord is our God.”
SABBATH: One of the daily Jewish prayers, “Shema”, is a confession of their faith in God. This influential prayer is taken from Deuteronomy 6 & means “to listen or obey”. The first line points to the believe in only one true God (Deut. 6:4). In reciting “Shema”, the Jews cover their eyes to focus on only God. “Shema” is an equivalent of the Lord’s prayer. Before Israelites entry into Canaan, Moses recited the prayer to them.
SUNDAY: The love of God was the blueprint to possess the Promised Land, Moses recounted. This love comes with obedience. Israel was to obey (Deut. 6:1, 2, 4, 5). In God’s love, they’d not only enter Canaan, they’d also thrive in it. This love is not built on words but established in deeds. It stems from the soul & heart. Our love for God should triumph over our love for anything. God wants “your” (heart) love.
MONDAY: A substitute for the love of God is the fear of God. This fear does not mean to be afraid of God but reverencing Him (His power, authority, & justice). Moses added that Israel was to fear God by solely depending on Him (Deut. 10:12). As fallen beings condemned to death, we need a Supreme Being. Because God saved us from sin, we ought to fear Him. So was Israel saved from slavery (Eph. 2:1-10, Deut. 5:15).
TUESDAY: “God is love” is inscribed on every miracle God wrought on behalf of Israel. God’s love for their fathers was also made manifest in the lives of the Israelites (Deut. 4:37; 7:7, 8, 13; 10:15; 23:5; 33:3). God first loved them when they felt unloved & hopeless (1 John 4:19). Out of love, He designed a plan of salvation even before the world was formed (Eph. 1:4, DA, p. 22). Love led Christ to the cross (Phil. 2:8).
WEDNESDAY: We’re never saved in a crowd. We’re never saved by a national or family faith. We’re saved individually. Everyone ought to be a Christian for him/herself. The “free will” given to the Israelites meant that each of them had to make a choice to love God by obeying Him (see Deut. 5:10, 7:9, 10:12, 13, 11:1, 19:9, 1 John 5:3, John 14:15). Love for God means obeying His law (e.g. Sabbath), but not in legalism.
THURSDAY: The Bible is a unified book. Both the OT & NT testifies of God’s goodness & love. Separating the OT from the NT will rob the NT of its meaning. Prophecies in the OT is the basis for the NT. Christ therefore repeatedly quoted the OT. When asked by a scribe about the first law of all, Christ summed up the whole law as love for God & man (Mark 12:28-30; Deut. 6:4). It is our “present truth” (Rev. 14:12).
FRIDAY: “The cross of Christ will be the science & the song of the redeemed through all eternity.” It will never be forgotten that the Creator of the universe & the darling of heaven died for humanity. “He humbled Himself to uplift fallen man.” The woes of our sins broke the heart of our Savior & crushed out His life on the cross. Christ laid aside His glory to die to save us. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.
—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 651, 652.
Keywords
DA- The Desire of Ages
OT- Old Testament
NT- New Testament
Scribe- In Jewish tradition, there were 613 laws (Mark 12:28-30).
Captions
SUNDAY- To Love God
MONDAY- To Fear God
TUESDAY- He First Loved Us
WEDNESDAY- “If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments”
THURSDAY- The First Commandment
Discussion Questions
? Read the Ellen G. White statement above. What does it say that should help us understand why our love for God should be the greatest love that we have? Think about what it means that God, the One who “upheld the unnumbered worlds through the vast realms of space” was the One who went to the cross for us. Why should this truth be at the foundation of our relationship with God?
? Dwell more on the idea of loving and fearing God at the same time. How do we do both, and why should we do both?
? It’s one thing to love God when things are going well in our lives. What about when things aren’t going well, when tragedy strikes? Why, during such times, is loving God even more important than when things are going well?
? Go over the final question in Thursday’s study. What are the various approaches that you could take in explaining to someone who isn’t a believer about what it means to love God? How can we human beings love someone whom we’ve never physically seen? Why does it not matter that we have never seen Him, at least in person?
The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has given the green light to ZIFA for at least 2000 vaccinated fans to be allowed in stadiums across the country for the remainder of the Chibuku Super Cup.
Due to the effects of Covid-19, top-flight football has been played behind closed doors but the sports regulatory body has approved the return of fans, as the nation continues to embrace the vaccination drive.
“SRC has approved ZIFA to allow 2000 vaccinated fans for Chibuku Super Cup matches,” announced ZIFA on their Twitter handle.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
The COVID-19 pandemic has reversed years of global progress in tackling tuberculosis and for the first time in over a decade, TB deaths have increased, according to the World Health Organization’s 2021 Global TB report.
In 2020, more people died from TB, with far fewer people being diagnosed and treated or provided with TB preventive treatment compared with 2019, and overall spending on essential TB services falling.
The first challenge is disruption in access to TB services and a reduction in resources. In many countries, human, financial and other resources have been reallocated from tackling TB to the COVID-19 response, limiting the availability of essential services.
The second is that people have struggled to seek care in the context of lockdowns.
“This report confirms our fears that the disruption of essential health services due to the pandemic could start to unravel years of progress against tuberculosis,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This is alarming news that must serve as a global wake-up call to the urgent need for investments and innovation to close the gaps in diagnosis, treatment and care for the millions of people affected by this ancient but preventable and treatable disease.”
TB services are among many others disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but the impact on TB has been particularly severe.
For example, approximately, 1.5 million people died from TB in 2020 (including 214 000 among HIV positive people).
The increase in the number of TB deaths occurred mainly in the 30 countries with the highest burden of TB[1]. WHO modelling projections suggest the number of people developing TB and dying from the disease could be much higher in 2021 and 2022.
Challenges with providing and accessing essential TB services have meant that many people with TB were not diagnosed in 2020. The number of people newly diagnosed with TB and those reported to national governments fell from 7.1 million in 2019 to 5.8 million in 2020.
WHO estimates that some 4.1 million people currently suffer from TB but have not been diagnosed with the disease or have not officially reported to national authorities. This figure is up from 2.9 million in 2019.
The countries that contributed most to the global reduction in TB notifications between 2019 and 2020 were India (41%), Indonesia (14%), the Philippines (12%) and China (8%). These and 12 other countries accounted for 93% of the total global drop in notifications.
There was also a reduction in provision of TB preventive treatment. Some 2.8 million people accessed this in 2020, a 21% reduction since 2019. In addition, the number of people treated for drug-resistant TB fell by 15%, from 177 000 in 2019 to 150 000 in 2020, equivalent to only about 1 in 3 of those in need.
Global investment for TB falls Funding in the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) that account for 98% of reported TB cases remains a challenge. Of the total funding available in 2020, 81% came from domestic sources, with the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa) accounting for 65% of total domestic funding.
The largest bilateral donor is the Government of the United States of America. The biggest international donor is the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The report notes a fall in global spending on TB diagnostic, treatment and prevention services, from US$ 5.8 billion to US$ 5.3 billion, which is less than half of the global target for fully funding the TB response of US$ 13 billion annually by 2022.
Meanwhile, although there is progress in the development of new TB diagnostics, drugs and vaccines, this is constrained by the overall level of R&D investment, which at US$ 0.9 billion in 2019 falls far short of the global target of US$ 2 billion per year.
Global TB targets off track Reversals in progress mean that the global TB targets are off track and appear increasingly out of reach, however there are some successes. Globally, the reduction in the number of TB deaths between 2015 and 2020 was only 9.2% – about one quarter of the way to the 2020 milestone of 35%.
Globally, the number of people falling ill with TB each year (relative to population) dropped 11% from 2015 to 2020, just over half-way to the 2020 milestone of 20%.
However, the WHO European Region exceeded the 2020 milestone, with a reduction of 25%. This was mostly driven by the decline in the Russian Federation, where incidence fell by 6% per year between 2010 to 2020. The WHO African Region came close to reaching the milestone, with a reduction of 19%, which reflects impressive reductions of 4–10% per year in South Africa and several other countries in southern Africa, following a peak in the HIV epidemic and the expansion of TB and HIV prevention and care.
“We have just one year left to reach the historic 2022 TB targets committed by Heads of State at the first UN High Level Meeting on TB. The report provides important information and a strong reminder to countries to urgently fast-track their TB responses and save lives,” said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Global TB Programme. “This will be crucial as preparations begin for the 2nd UN High Level Meeting on TB mandated for 2023.”
The report calls on countries to put in place urgent measures to restore access to essential TB services. It further calls for a doubling of investments in TB research and innovation as well as concerted action across the health sector and others to address the social, environmental and economic determinants of TB and its consequences.
The new report features data on disease trends and the response to the epidemic from 197 countries and areas, including 182 of the 194 World Health Organization (WHO) Member States.
Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has finally spoken on the attempts by the Zanu PF regime to assassinate him.
President Chamisa has survived two assassination attempts in Chiredzi and Mutare as the regime desperately seeks to disrupt his community engagement meetings.
He wrote on his official Facebook page:
THEY NEARLY TOOK ME OUT..He wants me killed and dead.
They want blood and more blood.They missed by seconds because Our #Godisinit.Violence & assassinations won’t solve complex national challenges.
I’m Nyanga today meeting the community.Change must happen.The citizens are clear!
I’m in rural Manicaland ..The JOY & HOPE is palpable ! HOPE is all I see. HOPE is what we represent. HOPE is what we bring! A NEW GREAT ZIMBABWE in our lifetime. Winning Zimbabwe for Change!
Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has finally spoken on the attempts by the Zanu PF regime to assassinate him.
President Chamisa has survived two assassination attempts in Chiredzi and Mutare as the regime desperately seeks to disrupt his community engagement meetings.
He wrote on his official Facebook page:
THEY NEARLY TOOK ME OUT..He wants me killed and dead.
They want blood and more blood.They missed by seconds because Our #Godisinit.Violence & assassinations won’t solve complex national challenges.
I’m Nyanga today meeting the community.Change must happen.The citizens are clear!
I’m in rural Manicaland ..The JOY & HOPE is palpable ! HOPE is all I see. HOPE is what we represent. HOPE is what we bring! A NEW GREAT ZIMBABWE in our lifetime. Winning Zimbabwe for Change!
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance is targeting a landslide victory for President Nelson Chamisa in Kwekwe Central Constituency.
Though Kwekwe is regarded as Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s home ground, the Zanu PF leader has lost dismally in the area in previous elections.
See the MDC Alliance Namibia statement below:
Honourable Judith Tobaiwa hails Mdc Alliance Namibia for exhibiting solidarity with Kwekwe Central Constituency.
21 October 2021
Kwekwe Central Constituency leadership represented by the able Honourable Judith Tobaiwa expressed great honour and appreciation to Mdc Alliance Namibia after receiving a beautiful soccer kit with party logo and colours. On top of the football jerseys, the vibrant district under the chairmanship of Elisha Chambara added 50 t-shirts towards the #OneMillionCampaign targeted at virgin voters in 2023.
According to Honourable Judith Tobaiwa, RedStars is a team comprising of 18-22 years old youths recruited and registered to vote for socio-economic transformation in 2023 choosing none other than the political mountain President Advocate Nelson Chamisa. The team is being used as a voter registration tool and also an effective recruitment and mobilisation avenue. Mdc Alliance Namibia feels energised to continue supporting organic and pragmatic approach to the national democratic revolution. It is quite sweet to hear that for one to qualify in the the team in Chiundura, one has to be a registered voter or to be a recognised member of the youth assembly.
Furthermore, a local league has been established and the change team is doing very well in increasing the number of youths itching to join the freedom train. Social democrats in Kwekwe Central Constituency gyrated hysterically in uncontrollable gusto upon realising that the donated kit was a marketing tool on its own because of the party brand, logo,name and colours. The leadership acknowledged the huge influence the kit has on voter registration drive. It is clear that solidarity with our constituencies back home is significant in re-energising the revolutionary base.
It is against this comradely background that Honourable Judith Tobaiwa said,”I want to thank Mdc Alliance Namibia Chapter or family for the revolutionary contribution towards building a strong party in Kwekwe Central. We say thank you for your solidarity, welldone”. The active district went on to adopt Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe as a twin for 2023 harmonised elections. As democratic fighters,we believe that solidarity is a core value in Social Democracy hence the need to walk the talk. We urge all stakeholders in Mdc Alliance external assemblies to twin rural constituencies towards 2023 where we target 6 million voters for change ready to defend the vote.
In a nutshell, voter registration drive is our concern across the breadths and lengths of Zimbabwe. We need to offer moral, material and financial support to the national democratic revolution so that we can win Zimbabwe for complete change. It is everyone’s revolutionary obligation to embrace participatory democracy. Mdc Alliance Namibia District eulogises the interface by President Advocate Nelson Chamisa in marginalised rural communities in Zimbabwe.The decision to go rural was a dream, now our president is walking the word despite Zanupf shenanigans manifesting in futile assassination attempts on the people’s President. What inspires us is that the leadership is not backtracking or wavering, thank you President for dodging bullets for your people who are languishing in abject poverty.
HARARE – A hastily-arranged special session of the Zanu PF central committee that catapulted Emmerson Mnangagwa to the party presidency in 2017, ousting Robert Mugabe, was unlawful, a Zanu PF supporter has sensationally charged in a court filing.
Sybeth Musengezi, a card-carrying member for 20 years, wants the High Court to declare the resolutions of that central committee meeting “null and void”, and for a special congress to be ordered within three months to “regularise the top leadership positions in the party.”
Musengezi argues that Mnangagwa, who had been sacked as vice president, was thrust as leader by an unlawful central committee meeting convened by unknown people including Patrick Chinamsa and Obert Mpofu, in violation of the party’s constitution.
He accused the parties of taking advantage of the unfolding military coup, dubbed ‘Operation Restore Legacy’ to topple the late former President Robert Mugabe from power.
“The implementation of the strategy to topple Mugabe from the position of president and first secretary of Zanu PF commenced with unknown individuals convening a purported special session of the Central Committee of Zanu PF at the party’s headquarters on Sunday, November 19, 2017,” Musengezi said.
The meeting resolved that the top leadership of the party was incapacitated to execute their duties in terms of the constitution, and Mpofu was elected to preside over the proceedings as he was the most senior member of the party present.
Musengezi said the resolution document betrays the unconstitutionality and unlawfulness of the purported special session of the Central Committee not least because the Zanu PF constitution says only the first secretary (president), second secretary or the chairperson can preside over a central committee meeting.
Musengezi said the meeting was not convened by the then secretary for administration, Ignatius Chombo, and Mugabe was not incapacitated at all to preside over a lawfully convened session of the central committee in terms of the party constitution.
“He (Mugabe) was at all material times seized with the internal affairs of the party in his engagement with the commanders of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces as evidenced by the subject of his televised speech on the evening of November 19, 2017, at the end of which he bid the whole country a good night with the famed Asante Sana remark,” he said.
A day later, Mugabe was evidently not incapacitated because he managed to cap hundreds of university students at the Zimbabwe Open University graduation ceremony, says Musengezi.
He said Phelekezela Mphoko, then the vice president and Zanu PF second secretary, also was not incapacitated.
“If anything, the ZDF justified its intervention in the internal affairs of the party on the basis of protecting Mugabe from criminals around him. This, therefore, means that the president and first secretary of the party were fully protected and available to convene and preside over the lawfully convened session of the central committee,” Musengezi argues.
“The conclusion is therefore inescapable that the alleged incapacitation of the top leadership of the party to preside over a lawfully convened session of the central committee was a figment of the imagination of these members bent on violating the clear provisions of the constitution of Zanu PF in the furtherance of their preconceived strategy to unlawfully topple Mugabe and to foist on the party Mnangagwa in absentia as the president and first secretary.”
He said it was illegal for Chinamasa to purport to usurp and discharge the functions of the secretary for administration.
“From the narrative above, it becomes clear that the purported special session of the central committee was unconstitutional and therefore illegal. It follows, therefore, that all the purported resolutions passed at the impugned meeting are also unlawful and invalid.”
Musengezi also told the High Court that the central committee does not have the power to reinstate a member who was expelled from the party, without that member following due process under the party constitution.
He said it was therefore illegal for the committee to purport to reinstate expelled members as well as Mnangagwa in absentia to the position from which he had been lawfully dismissed.
“It was scandalous and it gives credence to the inference that it was all part of a preconceived strategy to further the achievement of the well-documented ambitions of Mnangagwa of toppling and succeeding Mugabe both as president and first secretary of the party and as president and the head of state of the country,” he argues.
He said as a direct result of the unconstitutional and unlawful special session of the central committee, Mnangagwa was purportedly elected in absentia to the position of president and first secretary of Zanu PF and to the position of acting president and head of state of the country.
He said the conduct of those who convened the meeting robbed Zimbabweans of freely choosing their president.
Musengezi said Mnangagwa was “handpicked by not more than 201 party members gathered outside the provision of Zanu PF constitution.”
Zanu PF, he argued, is supposed to hold its elective congress every five years but Mnangagwa has failed to do so, two years after it became due.
He petitioned the court to grant a declaratory order and consequential relief that the events of November 19, 2017, be declared null and void.
He begged the court to order the party to go back to November 19, 2017, and direct Mphoko as the lawful vice president and second secretary to take necessary steps in terms of the party constitution to convene the special congress to regularise leadership within three months of granting of the order.
Musengezi has cited Zanu PF as the first respondent in the matter, while Mnangagwa is second, secretary for administration Obert Mpofu (third), acting political commissar Patrick Chinamasa (4th), former vice president Phelekezela Mphoko (fifth) and former secretary for administration Ignatious Chombo as the sixth respondent.
Musengezi wants respondents who oppose the application to pay costs of the suit.
MASVINGO – A man from Rujeko C in Masvingo allegedly bedded his 22-year-old girlfriend who is doing Chemical Engineering at Masvingo Poly in the presence of his wife of three years.
The incident happened on Tuesday last week and it has forced Fadzai Chikanga to move out of her matrimonial home and go back to her relatives in Runyararo West, The Mirror has confirmed.Desire Manombe (26), a security guard is now staying with pregnant Rutendo Chaziva after the departure of Chikanga.
Manombe told The Mirror in a telephone interview that he no longer loved his wife hence his actions. Fadzai Chikanga also confirmed the story but Rutendo refused to speak to the Press.Chikanga said it all started on Wednesday morning last week when her husband who was coming from night shift brought along Rutendo and introduced her as his new wife. She said her husband is trained in karate. After the introductions the two got into bed in the one room that Manombe rents in the populous suburb. Shattered by what the two were about to do, Chikanga went next door and sought the intervention of neighbours.
‘It shocked me when they got into my bed. I rushed to tell neighbours who came and persuaded them to stop what they were doing. The neighbours even told Rutendo that it was taboo for her to sleep on another woman’s bed but they went back into bed as soon as the neighbours left.
“They made love and it pained me so much. I was chocked with pain. I spent the night together with Rutendo after my husband had gone to work. I would not touch Rutendo because Manombe is trained in karate and he would have killed me if I did that. “I consulted my relatives the next day and they told me to pack my bags and leave,” said Chikanga.
By A Correspondent| Senior Assistant Commissioner Wiklef Makamache allegedly bought cars in the name of police and clandestinely changed the vehicles to his personal use, an impeccable source has said.
Makamache was director of finance in the police force.
The three trucks were bought from scania and changed to Titus Moyo’s Tenco Investment.
Moyo is Makamache’s cousin.
He allegedly later changed the ownership into Moses Mudavanhu and they are currently operating under Westrans Logistics.
Contacted for comment Makamache denied ever involved with Titus Moyo nor the companies.
“I am not aware of what you are talking about. I don’t know any person by the name Titus Moyo nor the company that is involved,” he said.
However, low ranking officers said the police boss has become one of the wealthiest police officers in the country owning multiple houses in leafy suburb of Harare in which all the rentals are collected by Moses Mudavanhu.
The police chef who was recently transferred from Manicaland to Mashonaland Central Province after violence that erupted in Bindura involving Zanu PF supporters
By A Correspondent | Violence broke out between MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora and his party’s parliamentary head, Thokozani Khupe on Thursday afternoon. This was when Khupe’s personal bodyguard was brutally assaulted at an anti-Douglas Mwonzora press conference held at the Media Centre in Harare.
Khupe is the MDC-T leader of the house in parliament in a scuffle-up arrangement with party leader Douglas Mwonzora.
There was chaos when Mwonzora aide, Yvonne Musarurwa stormed the meeting room and began shouting that Kudzanai Mashumba must be assaulted. Mashumba ended up speeding out of the building and straight onto the back of a moving truck to escape a hoarde of youths who marched in to start the violence.
Musarurwa loudly announced that Khupe’s Chief of Staff, Mashumba is not an MDC T member, meaning an all out slap in the face against Khupe. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
By A Correspondent- More than 280 workers at the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) have been redeployed to other departments that are understaffed within the parastatal as the ongoing restructuring exercise continues.
A total of 762 employees will be affected by the restructuring programme at NRZ and management have assured the workers that no job losses will be triggered by the ongoing exercise.
NRZ acting public relations manager Martin Banda confirmed the development, saying the aim of the restructuring exercise is to improve service delivery.
Banda said:
The aim is to bring improvement in the quality of service delivery through optimisation of the organisation operational activities, cost-based rationalisation and profitability enhancement.
Out of about 4 500 employees, we have got 762 workers mainly affected by the restructuring exercise.
And from those 762, we have got 288 who have already been deployed into other areas within the organisation.
Bearing in mind that on a monthly basis, we have got natural attrition of almost 30 people leaving service due to age, medical reasons and some who opt to leave the railways.
So, at the end of the day, we are talking about some adverts which are going to be advertised for about 200 people and these are non-officers and staff.
NRZ acting general manager, Respina Zinyanduko, said the restructuring programme was not a witchhunt thus no one will be retrenched.
She said:
The restructuring exercise is not a witchhunt and we have assured our workers that no one will be made redundant.
What is happening is that some people have already been redeployed within NRZ to departments that are understaffed.
Where we have got excess staff, such workers will be registered under the general manager’s pool and will remain there until redeployed by management.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwean Exemption Permit Holders Association, which speaks for about 250 000 Zimbabweans based in South Africa, has asked for permanent residencies.
The association on Wednesday pleaded with the Gauteng High Court for the Zimbabwean nationals’ permanent residencies on Wednesday before the expiration of the permits in November 2021.
It also asked for South African ID documents based on permanent residency in the neighbouring country and in terms of the Immigration Act as well as the Identification Act. The court statement read in part:
… knowing that the holders of the permit have known no other home besides South Africa for more than 10 years.
It is further submitted that the holders of Zimbabwean Exemption Permits have a legitimate expectation for the renewal of their current permit, and for permanent residence, without any further conditions, and the right to apply for citizenship in the Republic of South Africa.
Meanwhile, Advocate Simba Chitando, a Zimbabwean national, said the neighbouring country’s immigrants have delivered consistent value towards South Africa’s wealth. He said:
The problem faced by many hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans in SA is that they have been here for 10 years or longer under a variety of different permits, and it is generally conceded that they make a huge contribution to the SA economy, yet these permits do not allow them to enjoy the benefits that come with permanent residences, such as full access to banking facilities, or the right to accumulate pension savings.
We argue that it is past time to grant permanent residence to those Zimbabweans who have been living and working in SA in a kind of no-man’s land.
We believe it is reasonable to expect to be granted permanent residence when the ZEPs expire, which they do in November 2021.
By Leo Igwe- The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) urges Kenyan authorities to take comprehensive measures to end witch persecution in the country.
AfAW is making this appeal following the brutal murder of alleged witches in the country. Graphic images of scenes where local mobs attacked and butchered suspected witches in Kenya’s Kisii region have been circulating on social media.
There has been an international outrage over the occurrence of this instance of witch bloodletting in Kenya in this 21st century.
So shocking and heart-wrenching was a particular scene where, an elderly woman, suspected of witchcraft was desperately pleading innocent.
She stretched her hands toward a young man who charged with a machete, begging for her life. But this woman was eventually hacked to death by this person said to be the grandson.
Local media sources said that three other persons including two elderly women and a man were among those lynched by the mob.
A media source has noted that the case of a 17-year old student, who was unable to speak, is linked to this horrific murder. This student was subjected to a ritual, and in the process, confessed that these four elderly persons bewitched him.
Angry mobs went and dragged the suspected witches out of their homes, killed them, and burnt their bodies.
These savage attacks and killings took place in a public square, where people gathered, watched, photographed, and videoed with cell phones.
The lynching happened in a region that has community leaders, police stations, and other local state authorities. Unfortunately, no state agency intervened. No police officer tried to stop the lynch mob.
No community leader tried to save the lives of the victims. There was no public resistance of this revulsive and atrocious act.
Kisii is one of the regions that are notorious for witch persecution in Kenya. So this incident did not come as a surprise to the government and the people.
AfAW calls on the Kenyan government to carry out a thorough investigation of these savage killings. Government should penalize all who through their actions or inactions, aided and abetted the perpetration of this crime.
There have been reports that some of the suspects have been arrested. While this is a welcome development, the government should go beyond prosecuting suspected killers. It should ensure a diligent trial and punishment of all implicated at various levels in this horrific incident.
In addition to penalizing the perpetrators, the government should sanction local police commanders, village and council heads, leaders of the affected communities, and municipal authorities.
This witch hunting incident is an indictment on the collective conscience of Kenyans. Kenya should launch a national public education and awareness campaign to reorient the minds of the public and reason the people out of these harmful superstitions and irrational beliefs.
This instance of witch bloodletting is a stark demonstration of moral failure. Kenya should take legal and administrative measures to ensure that savage attacks and violence linked to witchcraft beliefs never happen again.
By A Correspondent- Tanzania’s third-largest political party has slammed Zanu PF for attacking MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa. The ACT Wazalendo has also urged President Mnangagwa and his government to respect democratic laws and principles.
We present ACT Wazalendo’s statement below:
ATTACKS AGAINST PRESIDENT OF THE MDC ALLIANCE OF ZIMBABWE MR. NELSON CHAMISA IS AN ATTACK AGAINST DEMOCRACY WHICH ACT WAZALENDO STRONGLY CONDEMNS
ACT Wazalendo is saddened by the attacks on the President of Zimbabwe’s Opposition MDC Alliance Ndg. Nelson Chamisa. Ndg. Chamisa has survived at least two attacks with clear indications of attempted murder within seven days.
The most recent attack took place yesterday, October 19. 2021 at 11 pm Zimbabwe time, when Chamisa was on his way to visit the people when his convoy was shot. Some of the shots were fired at the car he was riding in. which clearly indicates that the attackers were deliberately trying to harm him.
The Police and gangs of the ruling ZANU PF party have been accused of participating in the attack. We are sorry that no accountable action has been taken by the government against such acts.
ACT Wazalendo strongly condemns attacks against Mr Chamisa and his MDC Alliance party. Attacks against him and his Party are attacks on Democracy within Zimbabwe and within SADC and Africa. It is an attack and sabotage against democrats anywhere in the world. Those acts should not be condoned.
We call on ZANU PF and its government to respect democratic laws and principles. Run civilized politics. Run the politics of argument and not the politics of piracy. Misuse of state apparatus to undermine the legitimate activities of the opposition parties and instill fear in the people especially the opposition supporters is a tactic that is only used by parties that have failed to legitimize themselves with arguments instead they are using force to stay in power. Africa should not continue with that tradition. We urge the authorities to stop bringing violence and political crisis into Zimbabwe. Let the Zimbabweans decide the fate of their country, and let them decide on what kind of leaders and party they see fit to lead them.
Our hope is that attacks against Mr. Chamisa and the MDC Alliance will be stopped immediately. We send solidarity message to our colleagues in MDC Alliance party and its members and encourage them to stay the course.
Moreover, ACT Wazalendo calls upon Tanzania’s ministry of Foreign Affairs to communicate to Zimbabwe authorities about these sad concerns and demand that Zimbabwe adhere to SADC Protocol on Democracy.
Issued by:
Bonifasla A. Mapunda Deputy Head of Foreign Affairs Department, ACT Wazalendo October 20, 2021
By A Correspondent | MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe’s personal bodyguard has been brutally assaulted at an anti-Douglas Mwonzora press conference held at the Media Centre in Harare.
Khupe is the MDC-T leader of the house in parliament in a scuffle-up arrangement with party leader Douglas Mwonzora.
There was chaos when Mwonzora aide, Yvonne Musarurwa stormed the meeting room and began shouting that Kudzanai Mashumba must be assaulted. Mashumba ended up speeding out of the building and straight onto the back of a moving truck to escape a hoarde of youths who marched in to start the violence. Below were some pics from the incident
Violence broke out at a press conference called by Kudzanai Mashumba who is a disgruntled member of the MDC-T party led by Douglas Mwonzora.
Mashumba wanted to expose what he termed embezzlement of party funds by Mwonzora.
The press conference did not last longer than 10 minutes as party thugs led by Harare parliamentarian Yvonne Musarurwa stormed the venue and disrupted the proceedings.
The thugs shoved and pushed him outside before he sought refuge in a building along Jason Moyo street.
He was later whisked away by a pick-up truck that came to rescue him from Musarurwa and her thugs.
Kudzanai Mashumba jumped into this pick-up truck and was whisked awayKudzanai Mashumba in grey suit leaving one of the buildings where he had sought refuge
Mashumba had called for a press conference to expose Mwonzora’s abuse of funds.
By A Correspondent- A 46 year old man was killed by an elephant while coming from church in Save, Parks and Wildlife Management public relations manager Tinashe Farawo has revealed.
This brings to 6 the total number of people killed by wild animals this week alone.
Farawo said:
“A 46 year old man from Save was unfortunately killed by an elephant whilest coming from church with other congregants. Other congregants managed to escape from the raging bull. They were traveling in a scotch cart. @Zimparks @ZBCNewsonline.
This week alone at least 6 people were killed by wild animals in separate incidences across the country. 4 were killed by elephants & 2 by crocs.
By A Correspondent- Manicaland provincial Zanu PF youths have denied attacking MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa in Mutare Tuesday afternoon adding that the alleged assassination attempt was a ploy stage-managed in order to taint Emmerson Mnangagwa’s image.
Addressing journalists at a press conference at Zanu PF Manicaland offices, Wednesday the District Coordinating Committee (DCC) secretary for youth affairs, Danmore Mambondiyani said Chamisa’s assassination attempt was stage-managed by own party stalwarts in a bid to raise funds for their leader’s armoured vehicle.
Chamisa survived an assassination attempt in Mutare as he travelled from Chipinge district where he is meeting traditional leaders and the electorate.
Said Mambondiyani:
“One can see the claims of attacks and gunshots by the MDC Alliance are merely a continuation of a failed Black Operations strategy aimed at smearing the integrity of the government and the people of Zimbabwe.
“The President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) and his government are seized with expanding the power grid, dam capacities, improving roads infrastructure across the country, as well as creating an environment that is conducive for business and job creation.”
“Chamisa wants to tarnish the name of our nation and our hardworking youths in all districts despite that he is enjoying roads recently surfaced by President Mnangagwa. Probably he may be seeking support for fundraising a vehicle which he is longing for.
“He is trying to hobnob with sponsors so that he will continue enjoying the newly surfaced roads across the country.
Mambondiyani is one of the suspects identified to be behind the plot to assassinate Chamisa Tuesday.
By A Correspondent- Comedian Carl Joshua Ncube yesterday morning dropped a bombshell on his fans when he posted on Facebook, his decision to separate with his wife of close to 10 years, Nelsy Ncube.
This announcement that surprised and left many disheartened was made days after the couple celebrated their ninth anniversary.
In his post, Carl who has been unwell and battling with sugar diabetes for a while now said due to depression and deteriorating health, he has not been getting along with Nelsy. As such, he said he has asked for a divorce.
“This week, I asked my wife for a divorce. We have not been getting along for a while added to the fact that I am also going through depression and my health has been steadily deteriorating.
“After many discussions, we have decided to go on separation while I seek professional help for my depression so that after this process, we can have a chance to deal with our marriage through counselling,” posted Carl on his Facebook page.
He went on to ask for privacy as he deals with this matter.
“. . . as such, we are just kindly requesting some time to deal with some huge issues privately if you can allow us that.
Thank you.”
Being the joker that he is, Chronicle Showbiz got in touch with the comedian to seek clarity. He indeed confirmed that the post was his doing and that all that was written was true and not a joke.
Following the announcement, friends and family of the couple have been sharing words of encouragement. From the comments, it was clear that people were disheartened and hoped for the power couple to get back together.
Comedian Q Dube Siziba commented: “Thoughts go out to you both.”
Showing that many were of the opinion that Carl was joking around, one fan, Andy Patea commented: “I thought Carl is at it again with his jokes.
I am praying for you guys, I have grown to admire you both, your love and union and it feels like you are divorcing me too. May the dear Lord restore that which has been broken and may he heal your spirit . . . sending both of you hugs and kisses.”
“I started reading your post and thought it was one of those viral messages to see who reads to the end and then I got to the end and realised it wasn’t. I pray for restoration in your marriage. I pray that the spirit of depression may be removed from your life and you may have peace and serenity,” commented another.
Anyone who follows Carl Joshua on social media would know how deeply he loves his wife. The two have been inspirational to many as their relationship goals were unmatched.
“I don’t know you personally, but I follow you and Nelsy on Facebook. You were my ideal couple. My prayer is that God restores your marriage. Really saddened by the divorce,” commented Constance Muchoni.
The fact that this post was made days after the couple celebrated their anniversary troubled many although they said they were relieved that all hope is not lost.
“I’m glad you haven’t closed the door yet and there is a chance of reconciliation when you find your own healing. Thoughts and prayers with you,” commented one.
On the issue of Carl admitting that he is depressed, his fans commended him for acknowledging it and seeking help.
We hear that ZANUPF and Mwonzora have instructed Zimra to attach and seize all vehicles belonging to recalled MDCA MPs despite the fact that these matters are before the courts. The aim is to curtail Chamisa's programs. They attribute the success of his programs to these cars!!
The opposition MDC Alliance has announced that its party leader Nelson Chamisa’s car has been impounded by the police at a roadblock after Rusape.
The party said the police also threatened to arrest the people in the vehicle.
BREAKING ‼️
President @nelsonchamisa’s convoy car (Toyota Fortuner) has been impounded with threats of arrest against those in the vehicle. This happened just after the Rusape road block. Details to follow.
The development comes after President Chamisa held his rural areas engagement tours where Zanu Pf thugs attempted to assassinate him.
Said the MDC Alliance:
“The people’s President, Adv @nelsonchamisa met community leaders, stakeholders & women’s groups in Nyanga North. He shared the movement’s agenda which seeks to champion the cause of the people and secure 6 million votes so we form the next Govt & win Zim… “
Watch the people’s president thanking the electorate for their support:
During his Manicaland Meet The People tour, the people’s President Adv @nelsonchamisa has thanked citizens for heeding the call to converge for change. We are overwhelmed by the mass support for the transformation agenda in villages & towns wherever we go. #Ngaapindepic.twitter.com/4RO5RYVs6N
— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) October 21, 2021
However, Manicaland provincial Zanu PF youths have denied attacking MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa in Mutare Tuesday afternoon adding that the alleged assassination attempt was a ploy stage-managed in order to taint Emmerson Mnangagwa’s image.
Addressing journalists at a press conference at Zanu PF Manicaland offices, Wednesday the District Coordinating Committee (DCC) secretary for youth affairs, Danmore Mambondiyani said Chamisa’s assassination attempt was stage-managed by own party stalwarts in a bid to raise funds for their leader’s armoured vehicle.
Chamisa survived an assassination attempt in Mutare as he travelled from Chipinge district where he is meeting traditional leaders and the electorate.
Said Mambondiyani:
“One can see the claims of attacks and gunshots by the MDC Alliance are merely a continuation of a failed Black Operations strategy aimed at smearing the integrity of the government and the people of Zimbabwe.
“The President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) and his government are seized with expanding the power grid, dam capacities, improving roads infrastructure across the country, as well as creating an environment that is conducive for business and job creation.”
“Chamisa wants to tarnish the name of our nation and our hardworking youths in all districts despite that he is enjoying roads recently surfaced by President Mnangagwa. Probably he may be seeking support for fundraising a vehicle which he is longing for.
“He is trying to hobnob with sponsors so that he will continue enjoying the newly surfaced roads across the country.
Mambondiyani is one of the suspects identified to be behind the plot to assassinate Chamisa Tuesday.
By A Correspondent- Government is inching closer to fully relocating Matabeleland North civil servants to Lupane as construction of the Lupane Government Complex is now 88 percent complete with all works expected to be completed before year-end.
A Chronicle news crew was in Lupane yesterday and witnessed construction workers busy at work.
The construction of the Lupane Government Complex had been dragging for years but since the coming in of the Second Republic, neglected infrastructural development projects are being revived.
President Mnangagwa has been championing the devolution agenda and in due course people in Matabeleland North who have been travelling to Bulawayo for some critical services, will no longer be doing so.
On Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa revealed during a post Cabinet media briefing that the complex was now 88 percent complete.
Yesterday, Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo said it was critical for the Government in the province to move to its capital in Lupane.
“‘I’ve been lobbying for the completion of the Government Complex. It does not augur well to be running Matabeleland North from another province. We want to service the people from within their locality hence it is an important step to know that the complex will be completed by year end. This will cut distances that are travelled by our communities, some of them who travel all the way from Binga and Nkayi to get Government services in Bulawayo,” said Minister Moyo.
He said changes will also enable effective monitoring of Government projects as implementers will be on the ground.
Minister Moyo said infrastructural development projects being undertaken in the province will transform communities.
Local governance expert and political scientist Mr Teddy Ncube said the infrastructure development projects being undertaken by Government are in sync with the devolution mantra.
“This targeted completion of the Government Complex in Lupane is part of an extensive infrastructural development programme being pursued by Government precisely in Matabeleland North. We have witnessed quite a lot of progress in the province and I’m of the view that Matabeleland North is on a fast path of development,” said Mr Ncube.
“It (commitment to complete construction works) is part of a broader governance agenda and I would love to situate it within the devolution agenda. Because the Government has been talking a lot about devolution and these are the steps that we can point to as to whether the Government is committed towards devolution.”
He said it was inappropriate for people in Matabeleland North to travel to Bulawayo to access services.
Mr Ncube said scaling up construction works also proves that there is political will by the Government which is also abiding by the country’s supreme law.
“It was inappropriate to have Matabeleland North affairs being handled in Bulawayo. In the same way it was considered to be inappropriate to have Bulawayo affairs to be handled from Harare or Mutare affairs to be handled from Harare,” said Mr Ncube.
“The commitment towards completion of the Government Complex in Lupane is a reflection of the political and financial will on the part of Government, the New Dispensation on the issue of good governance because devolution emanates from Chapter 14 of the country’s constitution. Hence, Government is obliged to ensure that devolution is implemented.”
He said people in Matabeleland North will be able to bring Government to account on issues as all administrative offices will be closer to them.
Nkayi South legislator Stars Mathe welcomed the development saying communities from Matabeleland North were being shortchanged when they were being compelled to travel to Bulawayo for services.
She said even civil servants deployed to Matabeleland North need to operate from the province to fully understand and appreciate what is obtaining in the region.
“The communities from Matabeleland North have a right to have their designated offices operating from within their locality. This will enable them to access public services with much ease as opposed to traveling to another province such as Bulawayo to seek for services. Also, Government employees should be easily accessible and they need to be resident in the province where members of the public can have access to them,” she said.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- The late former Vice-President Joshua Nkomo’s son, Sibangilizwe, has lost in nominations for Zapu presidency in Harare province after initially being announced as winner in nominations that were later nullified.
Sibangilizwe had garnered the highest votes in the first round, but lost to Strike Mkandla, who got 69 votes against his single vote in a re-run conducted at the weekend.
He, however, leads overally after winning nominations in nine other provinces.
Zapu spokesperson Iphithule Maphosa confirmed that Mkandla got 69 votes, Sibangilizwe one, and Bernard Magugu two.
This was after Sibangilizwe had been announced as having garnered the highest nominations, with 79 votes, followed by Mark Mbaiwa with two, Magugu one, while Mkandla and Sithembiso Mpofu allegedly failed to secure nominations.
“These are the correct results as presided by the national council of elections representative, and they show that Magugu got two votes, Sibangilizwe one, and Mkandla got 69. Harare leadership stood its ground and the results were then overturned,” Maphosa said.
Zapu is set to hold its elective congress on October 29 and 30 in Bulawayo.
Sibangalizwe will compete for the party presidency with Mbaiwa, Magugu, Mkandla and Mpofu.
The post was left vacant after the death of Dumiso Dabengwa in May 2019.
Isaac Mabuka, who is not contesting, is acting Zapu leader.-newsday
Good afternoon ZimTwitter. My name is Taurai Tsungu. I am a self-taught ballistics expert. Based on physics, I am here to show you what happened when President @nelsonchamisa's car got shot yesterday. Kune vari kuvhunza angle, that's what happened. Any further questions? pic.twitter.com/hQEdAjdvZk
By A Correspondent- Comedian Carl Joshua Ncube yesterday morning dropped a bombshell on his fans when he posted on Facebook, his decision to separate with his wife of close to 10 years, Nelsy Ncube.
This announcement that surprised and left many disheartened was made days after the couple celebrated their ninth anniversary.
In his post, Carl who has been unwell and battling with sugar diabetes for a while now said due to depression and deteriorating health, he has not been getting along with Nelsy. As such, he said he has asked for a divorce.
“This week, I asked my wife for a divorce. We have not been getting along for a while added to the fact that I am also going through depression and my health has been steadily deteriorating.
“After many discussions, we have decided to go on separation while I seek professional help for my depression so that after this process, we can have a chance to deal with our marriage through counselling,” posted Carl on his Facebook page.
He went on to ask for privacy as he deals with this matter.
“. . . as such, we are just kindly requesting some time to deal with some huge issues privately if you can allow us that.
Thank you.”
Being the joker that he is, Chronicle Showbiz got in touch with the comedian to seek clarity. He indeed confirmed that the post was his doing and that all that was written was true and not a joke.
Following the announcement, friends and family of the couple have been sharing words of encouragement. From the comments, it was clear that people were disheartened and hoped for the power couple to get back together.
Comedian Q Dube Siziba commented: “Thoughts go out to you both.”
Showing that many were of the opinion that Carl was joking around, one fan, Andy Patea commented: “I thought Carl is at it again with his jokes.
I am praying for you guys, I have grown to admire you both, your love and union and it feels like you are divorcing me too. May the dear Lord restore that which has been broken and may he heal your spirit . . . sending both of you hugs and kisses.”
“I started reading your post and thought it was one of those viral messages to see who reads to the end and then I got to the end and realised it wasn’t. I pray for restoration in your marriage. I pray that the spirit of depression may be removed from your life and you may have peace and serenity,” commented another.
Anyone who follows Carl Joshua on social media would know how deeply he loves his wife. The two have been inspirational to many as their relationship goals were unmatched.
“I don’t know you personally, but I follow you and Nelsy on Facebook. You were my ideal couple. My prayer is that God restores your marriage. Really saddened by the divorce,” commented Constance Muchoni.
The fact that this post was made days after the couple celebrated their anniversary troubled many although they said they were relieved that all hope is not lost.
“I’m glad you haven’t closed the door yet and there is a chance of reconciliation when you find your own healing. Thoughts and prayers with you,” commented one.
On the issue of Carl admitting that he is depressed, his fans commended him for acknowledging it and seeking help.-statemedia
By A Correspondent | The persecution of award winning journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono appears to be a concerted effort by the authorities to intimidate and harass him in retaliation for his public advocacy, the American Bar Association has said while calling on the government of Zimbabwe to stop persecuting him.
The ABA Center for Human Rights, which mobilizes lawyers to help threatened advocates, protect vulnerable communities, and hold govts accountable under law, released a 29 page document stating in part that:
Hopewell Chin’ono attending court earlier in the year – file pic
His three arrests and the charges against him—effectively for peacefully expressing his opinions, including supporting a peaceful demonstration and exposing corruption, raising concern over the independence of the judiciary and prosecution, and reportedly raising public concern over police brutality—all appear to be politically motivated and in violation of his rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly, and to participate in public affairs.
In addition, the numerous due process violations in his case—including the failure of the police to inform him of the reasons for his first arrest, to
promptly inform him of the charges against him, and to ensure his right to legal representation of his choice immediately after arrest and during
his first case; and the repeated initial denials of bail pending trial resulting in a collective 84 days in prison, often in a maximum security
prison despite his status as an accused person— all point to a deliberate misuse of the criminal
justice system to harass Mr. Chin’ono under a veneer of legality. Further, his placement in pre-trial detention, in disregard of WHO recommendations on places of detention during the COVID-19 pandemic, unnecessarily exposed
him to potential infection, thus infringing on his right to health.
All of these factors indicate that his arrests and detentions were arbitrary. While the Center has focused on Mr. Chin’ono’s case in particular, other human rights defenders and activists have also been subjected to similar intimidation, harassment, and suppression of their freedom of
expression through abuse of the criminal justice system. This report raises concern that the persecution and prosecutions of Mr. Chin’ono,
as well as that of other HRDs and activists, has had a chilling effect on Zimbabwean’s right to exercise their constitutional rights and to engage with their government on matters of concern.
In view of this analysis, the government of Zimbabwe and all its arms, including the police, prosecution, legislature, and judiciary, must respect freedom of expression, association, assembly, and the right to participate in public
affairs in the country, and:
• Immediately and unconditionally drop all the criminal charges against Mr. Chin’ono. His continued persecution and prosecution,
is a violation of his right to freedom of expression and to participate in matters of public interest.
• Ensure that Mr. Chin’ono is not threatened for exercising his right to freedom of expression, especially for commenting on issues of corruption in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Republic Police must independently and thoroughly investigate the allegations of threats issued against Mr. Chin’ono for reporting on matters of corruption.
• Refrain from using the judicial apparatus to harass and intimidate journalists, HRDs, and others, ensuring all arrested and detained persons have their due process rights respected and protected.
Appropriate systems and structures to
ensure the independence of the judiciary must be put in place to guarantee, among other things, the right to bail in deserving cases, especially at the lower courts, and expeditious resolution of politically
motivated cases.
• Ensure that all individuals under Zimbabwe’s jurisdiction are afforded the right to freedom of expression, association, and assembly, as well as the right to participate in public affairs without retaliation, including through peaceful protests and posts on social media. State
and non-state actors must refrain from the harassment and intimidation of individuals and institutions for exercising their rights, as well as refrain from arresting and charging journalists and others simply for
the peaceful expression of their opinions online and offline.
• Ensure that the legislature repeals or revises all legislation, including false information laws, such as section 31(a)(iii) of the Criminal
Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which are inconsistent with regional and international standards and unjustifiably restrict freedom of expression. In addition, the executive
must respect and promote progressive
decisions of the courts that are in tandem with regional and international standards, such as the Chimakure case.
• Put in place freedom of expression policies and promotional campaigns to make it clear that the authorities are committed to respecting and protecting the right of all to express their opinions, especially given the extent and gravity of the violations of the
right to freedom of expression in recent times.
The report further calls on the authorities to respect fair trial rights and ensure the protection
of the right to health by:
• Limiting the deprivation of liberty, including pretrial detention, particularly of political prisoners, and enhancing efforts to resort to non-custodial measures during this
pandemic as a measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
By A Correspondent- The South African government has blamed Zimbabwe for the delays being experienced by truck drivers at the Beitbridge Border Post which are negatively impacting the movement of goods across the region.
Truck drivers are spending up to 10 days at the Beitbridge border post as toll company Zimborders, which has been awarded a contract by the Zimbabwean government to upgrade the border post, began collecting toll fees.
South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said the Zimbabwean government is not playing ball.
He said Zimbabwe’s decision to “charge people US$200 and demanding the money in cash” has complicated matters, adding:
And when you are doing renovations you make no space for parking, when you know that Beitbridge is not only a passage to Zimbabwe, it’s a passage to the whole continent.
We have been discussing the issue of automation forever. The newly renovated buildings have opened 75% of the place, which is new. But that newly renovated place is not automated.
So it doesn’t matter how many trucks you process in SA, they can only take a particular number. At some stage, they could only take 10 trucks per hour. That is quite terrible for us.
We have a team based there permanently, which is meeting [Zimbabwean] officials every single day. And every time they meet, they say, ‘We are waiting for an answer from Harare’.
Meanwhile, Road Freight Association CEO Gavin Kelly said on Wednesday that truck queues on the Zimbabwean side have been dealt with.
He said:
The situation already changed in the past 24 hours. The queues from Zimbabwe are gone. We are trying to eradicate the SA-side queue today [Wednesday].
The opposition MDC Alliance has announced that its party leader Nelson Chamisa’s car has been impounded by the police at a roadblock after Rusape.
The party said the police also threatened to arrest the people in the vehicle.
BREAKING ‼️
President @nelsonchamisa’s convoy car (Toyota Fortuner) has been impounded with threats of arrest against those in the vehicle. This happened just after the Rusape road block. Details to follow.
By A Correspondent- A man from the United Kingdom was splattered with raw sewage, while he was in his garden. According to the unlucky man, the raw sewage which splattered him and his garden, fell from the sky after being dumped by a passing plane.
The rather unusual incident occured sometime in July in the town of Windsor, southeast England. The town is only eight miles from Heathrow, one of the world’s busiest airports.
The unfortunate incident was relayed by local councillor Karen Davies during a virtual council meeting.
According to Newsweek:
,“Local councillor Karen Davies told the aviation forum of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead that she had been ‘horrified’ to hear of the incident and was looking into it, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
“‘I know a number of incidents happen every year with frozen sewage from planes, but this wasn’t frozen and his whole garden was splattered in a very unpleasant way,’ Davies said.”
“He was out in the garden at the time, so a really horrible, horrible experience,” she added.
“Davies said the man’s “whole garden, and garden umbrellas, and him” were all “covered.”
Ms Davies said the resident had decided not to pursue an insurance claim as it would increase his premium “for the sake of a couple of garden umbrellas” that were also hit by the waste.
The name of the airline has not been shared, but the BBC reported that Ms Davies said the airline was “based a very long way away from here”.
The resident contacted the airline, which denied its plane was in the area, but then later acknowledged the incident after the man was able to identify the aircraft via a flight-tracking app.
Another councillor Geoff Paxton, who has worked at airports for 40 years, called the incident “very rare” and one he had not seen in a long time. He said:
“We used to have problems with blue ice on arrivals but that was because those toilets used to leak.”
Blue ice, in the context of aviation, is frozen sewage material that has leaked mid-flight from commercial aircraft lavatory waste systems. It is a mixture of human biowaste and liquid disinfectant that freezes at high altitudes. The name comes from the blue colour of the disinfectant. Airlines are not allowed to dump their waste tanks in mid-flight, and pilots have no mechanism by which to do so; however, leaks sometimes do occur from a plane’s septic tank.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday admitted that his party was in shambles and threatened to descend heavily on party members locked in bloody power struggles.
Addressing an extraordinary session of the Zanu-PF politburo, Mnangagwa said unruly members violating the party constitution would be dealt with.
Mnangagwa, who said those divisions had no place in Zanu-PF, pleaded for unity and harmony in the ruling party ahead of the 2023 elections where he will seek re-election.
“The party has no room for divisive elements who want positions at the expense of the party’s discipline, unity, love and harmony and development,” he said.
“It is alien for our party members to fight for posts; violence of any kind whether physical or verbal has no place in Zanu-PF or in our country.”
Zanu-PF has been rocked by violent power struggles during its internal party elections over the past months. The fights, which erupted in Mutare and other districts, portends a deeply divided Zanu-PF limping towards the 2023 elections.
Mnangagwa was last month forced to postpone provincial elections indefinitely as fights for positions turned nasty.
The party’s district elections also turned violent in Harare and Manicaland provinces, while haggling has forced delays in some provinces.
In Mutare, protests against provincial chairperson Mike Madiro ended badly, with some party youth led by Danmore Mambondiyani bashed by the provincial leader’s backers. In Harare, a fight between Godwin Gomwe and Godwills Masimirembwa ended in court.
In Mashonaland Central, a nasty fight between incumbent chairperson Kazembe Kazembe and businessman Tafadzwa Musarara has triggered friction and an exchange of words in party WhatsApp groups.
“Those who wantonly violate and desecrate our party constitution’s peaceful culture and values must be dealt with decisively without fear or favour,” Mnangagwa said.
He added that Zanu-PF must now unleash its machinery towards mobilising voters to register, since it was now all systems go ahead for the elections.
“It is now all systems go towards harmonised elections, the electorate must be mobilised to vote and appreciate the scope of the polling station-based exercise,” Mnangagwa said.
Facing a crumbling economy, unhappy civil service and a hungry ordinary voter, Mnangagwa brandished the Western sanctions card, telling politburo members that the restrictions were the reason behind human rights abuses, poverty and lack of development in the country.
He accused the West of trying to effect regime change, adding that they had been stopped by alert young people.
“Young people continue to resist these sanctions and other manoeuvres as tools of regime change. This is more critical as our detractors continue to exhibit their nefarious modus operandi with regards marring our national image. Moreso, as we approach the 2023 harmonised elections,” Mnangagwa said.
Acting party political commissar Patrick Chinamasa also confirmed the infighting, promising to deploy senior party members to provinces and districts to iron out differences among members.
“We are promising to deploy politburo members to provinces to address them and the DCC’s to receive any complains about the restructuring excises and take any solutions that are needed where possible,” Chinamasa told a post-politburo briefing.
Zanu-PF acting spokesperson Mike Bimha said the ruling party had received defectors from the MDC Alliance and the National Patriotic Front (NPF) in Kwekwe.
“Zanu-PF received 200 members who defected from MDC and the NPF, all of whom have defected to the party in Kwekwe alone. Their message has been the same that they are coming back home. The politburo directed all party structures to embrace and welcome our returning comrades with both hands and also help them to settle and contribute towards the party,” Bimha said.-newsday
The development comes after President Chamisa held his rural areas engagement tours where Zanu Pf thugs attempted to assassinate him.
Said the MDC Alliance:
“The people’s President, Adv @nelsonchamisa met community leaders, stakeholders & women’s groups in Nyanga North. He shared the movement’s agenda which seeks to champion the cause of the people and secure 6 million votes so we form the next Govt & win Zim… “
Watch the people’s president thanking the electorate for their support:
During his Manicaland Meet The People tour, the people’s President Adv @nelsonchamisa has thanked citizens for heeding the call to converge for change. We are overwhelmed by the mass support for the transformation agenda in villages & towns wherever we go. #Ngaapindepic.twitter.com/4RO5RYVs6N
— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) October 21, 2021
However, Manicaland provincial Zanu PF youths have denied attacking MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa in Mutare Tuesday afternoon adding that the alleged assassination attempt was a ploy stage-managed in order to taint Emmerson Mnangagwa’s image.
Addressing journalists at a press conference at Zanu PF Manicaland offices, Wednesday the District Coordinating Committee (DCC) secretary for youth affairs, Danmore Mambondiyani said Chamisa’s assassination attempt was stage-managed by own party stalwarts in a bid to raise funds for their leader’s armoured vehicle.
Chamisa survived an assassination attempt in Mutare as he travelled from Chipinge district where he is meeting traditional leaders and the electorate.
Said Mambondiyani:
“One can see the claims of attacks and gunshots by the MDC Alliance are merely a continuation of a failed Black Operations strategy aimed at smearing the integrity of the government and the people of Zimbabwe.
“The President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) and his government are seized with expanding the power grid, dam capacities, improving roads infrastructure across the country, as well as creating an environment that is conducive for business and job creation.”
“Chamisa wants to tarnish the name of our nation and our hardworking youths in all districts despite that he is enjoying roads recently surfaced by President Mnangagwa. Probably he may be seeking support for fundraising a vehicle which he is longing for.
“He is trying to hobnob with sponsors so that he will continue enjoying the newly surfaced roads across the country.
Mambondiyani is one of the suspects identified to be behind the plot to assassinate Chamisa Tuesday.
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwean authorities shut down a popular black-market currency-tracking platform, the latest action to try and stop an accelerating decline in its currency.
The central bank ordered marketwatch.co.zw and other sites that publish parallel-market currency rate to shut down, Governor John Mangudya said in a phone interview on Tuesday.
The website has been used by residents and businesses to guide their purchases of foreign exchange on the streets of the capital, Harare, which they are forced to resort to when weekly central bank auctions don’t provide enough to meet demand.
Zimbabwe follows Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy, in blaming online platforms for fueling the collapse of their currencies.
Nigerian authorities last month targeted abokiFX, a platform that tracks the unofficial naira exchange rate, after central bank Governor Godwin Emefiele accused the company of manipulating the exchange rate. abokiFX denies any wrongdoing.
“It’s cybercrime,” Mangudya said. “How is the rate determined on the computer? It’s based on nothing but hot air.”
Marketwatch.co.zw was unavailable on Wednesday morning, with a notice saying: “Sorry, this website is no longer in service.”
The Zimbabwean dollar weakened 3.2% on Tuesday to 93 per dollar — the biggest decline in 14 months. It’s plunged to about 175 per dollar on the parallel market in recent weeks.
Instability in the foreign-exchange market is being driven by an unrelenting growth in money supply, increasing imports and long delays in settlement at the central bank’s weekly currency auction, the Chamber of Zimbabwe Industries said last week.
To halt the currency’s decline, authorities have taken steps including arresting black-market traders and launching a probe into a currency abuse claim against Simbisa Brands, the nation’s largest fast-food giant.
Businesses that peg their prices using unofficial market rates have been threatened with having their operating licenses revoked.-Bloomberg
The development comes after President Chamisa held his rural areas engagement tours where Zanu Pf thugs attempted to assassinate him.
Said the MDC Alliance:
“The people’s President, Adv @nelsonchamisa met community leaders, stakeholders & women’s groups in Nyanga North. He shared the movement’s agenda which seeks to champion the cause of the people and secure 6 million votes so we form the next Govt & win Zim… “
Watch the people’s president thanking the electorate for their support:
During his Manicaland Meet The People tour, the people’s President Adv @nelsonchamisa has thanked citizens for heeding the call to converge for change. We are overwhelmed by the mass support for the transformation agenda in villages & towns wherever we go. #Ngaapindepic.twitter.com/4RO5RYVs6N
— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) October 21, 2021
However, Manicaland provincial Zanu PF youths have denied attacking MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa in Mutare Tuesday afternoon adding that the alleged assassination attempt was a ploy stage-managed in order to taint Emmerson Mnangagwa’s image.
Addressing journalists at a press conference at Zanu PF Manicaland offices, Wednesday the District Coordinating Committee (DCC) secretary for youth affairs, Danmore Mambondiyani said Chamisa’s assassination attempt was stage-managed by own party stalwarts in a bid to raise funds for their leader’s armoured vehicle.
Chamisa survived an assassination attempt in Mutare as he travelled from Chipinge district where he is meeting traditional leaders and the electorate.
Said Mambondiyani:
“One can see the claims of attacks and gunshots by the MDC Alliance are merely a continuation of a failed Black Operations strategy aimed at smearing the integrity of the government and the people of Zimbabwe.
“The President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) and his government are seized with expanding the power grid, dam capacities, improving roads infrastructure across the country, as well as creating an environment that is conducive for business and job creation.”
“Chamisa wants to tarnish the name of our nation and our hardworking youths in all districts despite that he is enjoying roads recently surfaced by President Mnangagwa. Probably he may be seeking support for fundraising a vehicle which he is longing for.
“He is trying to hobnob with sponsors so that he will continue enjoying the newly surfaced roads across the country.
Mambondiyani is one of the suspects identified to be behind the plot to assassinate Chamisa Tuesday.
By A Correspondent- Manicaland provincial Zanu PF youths have denied attacking MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa in Mutare Tuesday afternoon adding that the alleged assassination attempt was a ploy stage-managed in order to taint Emmerson Mnangagwa’s image.
Addressing journalists at a press conference at Zanu PF Manicaland offices, Wednesday the District Coordinating Committee (DCC) secretary for youth affairs, Danmore Mambondiyani said Chamisa’s assassination attempt was stage-managed by own party stalwarts in a bid to raise funds for their leader’s armoured vehicle.
Chamisa survived an assassination attempt in Mutare as he travelled from Chipinge district where he is meeting traditional leaders and the electorate.
Said Mambondiyani:
“One can see the claims of attacks and gunshots by the MDC Alliance are merely a continuation of a failed Black Operations strategy aimed at smearing the integrity of the government and the people of Zimbabwe.
“The President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) and his government are seized with expanding the power grid, dam capacities, improving roads infrastructure across the country, as well as creating an environment that is conducive for business and job creation.”
“Chamisa wants to tarnish the name of our nation and our hardworking youths in all districts despite that he is enjoying roads recently surfaced by President Mnangagwa. Probably he may be seeking support for fundraising a vehicle which he is longing for.
“He is trying to hobnob with sponsors so that he will continue enjoying the newly surfaced roads across the country.
Mambondiyani is one of the suspects identified to be behind the plot to assassinate Chamisa Tuesday.
By A Correspondent- A man from Rujeko C in Masvingo allegedly bedded his 22-year-old girlfriend who is doing Chemical Engineering at Masvingo Poly in the presence of his wife of three years.
The incident happened on Tuesday last week and it has forced Fadzai Chikanga to move out of her matrimonial home and go back to her relatives in Runyararo West, The Mirror has confirmed.
Desire Manombe (26), a security guard is now staying with preg_nant Rutendo Chaziva after the departure of Chikanga.
Manombe told The Mirror in a telephone interview that he no longer loved his wife hence his actions. Fadzai Chikanga also confirmed the story but Rutendo refused to speak to the Press.
Chikanga said it all started on Wednesday morning last week when her husband who was coming from night shift brought along Rutendo and introduced her as his new wife. She said her husband is trained in karate.
After the introductions the two got into bed in the one room that Manombe rents in the populous suburb. Shattered by what the two were about to do, Chikanga went next door and sought the intervention of neighbours.
‘It shocked me when they got into my bed. I rushed to tell neighbours who came and persuaded them to stop what they were doing. The neighbours even told Rutendo that it was taboo for her to sleep on another woman’s bed but they went back into bed as soon as the neighbours left.
“They made love and it pained me so much. I was chocked with pain. I spent the night together with Rutendo after my husband had gone to work. I would not touch Rutendo because Manombe is trained in karate and he would have killed me if I did that.
“I consulted my relatives the next day and they told me to pack my bags and leave,” said Chikanga.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday admitted that his party was in shambles and threatened to descend heavily on party members locked in bloody power struggles.
Addressing an extraordinary session of the Zanu-PF politburo, Mnangagwa said unruly members violating the party constitution would be dealt with.
Mnangagwa, who said those divisions had no place in Zanu-PF, pleaded for unity and harmony in the ruling party ahead of the 2023 elections where he will seek re-election.
“The party has no room for divisive elements who want positions at the expense of the party’s discipline, unity, love and harmony and development,” he said.
“It is alien for our party members to fight for posts; violence of any kind whether physical or verbal has no place in Zanu-PF or in our country.”
Zanu-PF has been rocked by violent power struggles during its internal party elections over the past months. The fights, which erupted in Mutare and other districts, portends a deeply divided Zanu-PF limping towards the 2023 elections.
Mnangagwa was last month forced to postpone provincial elections indefinitely as fights for positions turned nasty.
The party’s district elections also turned violent in Harare and Manicaland provinces, while haggling has forced delays in some provinces.
In Mutare, protests against provincial chairperson Mike Madiro ended badly, with some party youth led by Danmore Mambondiyani bashed by the provincial leader’s backers. In Harare, a fight between Godwin Gomwe and Godwills Masimirembwa ended in court.
In Mashonaland Central, a nasty fight between incumbent chairperson Kazembe Kazembe and businessman Tafadzwa Musarara has triggered friction and an exchange of words in party WhatsApp groups.
“Those who wantonly violate and desecrate our party constitution’s peaceful culture and values must be dealt with decisively without fear or favour,” Mnangagwa said.
He added that Zanu-PF must now unleash its machinery towards mobilising voters to register, since it was now all systems go ahead for the elections.
“It is now all systems go towards harmonised elections, the electorate must be mobilised to vote and appreciate the scope of the polling station-based exercise,” Mnangagwa said.
Facing a crumbling economy, unhappy civil service and a hungry ordinary voter, Mnangagwa brandished the Western sanctions card, telling politburo members that the restrictions were the reason behind human rights abuses, poverty and lack of development in the country.
He accused the West of trying to effect regime change, adding that they had been stopped by alert young people.
“Young people continue to resist these sanctions and other manoeuvres as tools of regime change. This is more critical as our detractors continue to exhibit their nefarious modus operandi with regards marring our national image. Moreso, as we approach the 2023 harmonised elections,” Mnangagwa said.
Acting party political commissar Patrick Chinamasa also confirmed the infighting, promising to deploy senior party members to provinces and districts to iron out differences among members.
“We are promising to deploy politburo members to provinces to address them and the DCC’s to receive any complains about the restructuring excises and take any solutions that are needed where possible,” Chinamasa told a post-politburo briefing.
Zanu-PF acting spokesperson Mike Bimha said the ruling party had received defectors from the MDC Alliance and the National Patriotic Front (NPF) in Kwekwe.
“Zanu-PF received 200 members who defected from MDC and the NPF, all of whom have defected to the party in Kwekwe alone. Their message has been the same that they are coming back home. The politburo directed all party structures to embrace and welcome our returning comrades with both hands and also help them to settle and contribute towards the party,” Bimha said.
