News

[7/1, 06:12] +263 77 348 0144: *ED IS FIGHTING CORRUPTION, SAYS SB MOYO*

_Mkoma-Jola.com_

Monday, 29 June 2020

*The-Chronicle.news*

President Mnangagwa, at the coming in of the new dispensation, pledged to fight corruption and true to his word, the Government will stop at nothing in arresting graft and dealing with economic saboteurs, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Addressing villagers and Zanu-PF supporters at Mpesi business centre in Mberengwa West yesterday, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo said the new dispensation has for the first time in the history of the country been open and transparent about dealing with corruption. “Many measures have been put in place to fight corruption and the people are now free to talk about it. Officials are being arrested and before that was taboo. Now we’re talking about it, it means it’s being solved.

“This is President Mnangagwa’s election pledge card, he pledged to fulfil the fight against corruption by 2023. He asked to be measured with regards to fighting corruption by the people ahead of 2023 elections, it’s his pledge card and he is serious about fighting this scourge that is eroding the economic fibre,” said Dr Moyo.

“Outsiders are now saying corruption barometer is higher. Yes, we are fighting the scourge and people are freely talking about it.”

Dr Moyo said it was unfortunate that some Zimbabweans had volunteered to tarnish the image of their country.

“And normally when we are going towards regional or international meetings, we are accused of human rights abuses. For example, why would the Government abduct Dr Peter Magombeyi, a junior doctor for that matter? What has he done? What does he have? About 4 000 health workers were engaged by Government recently to assist in the fight against the spread of Covid-19. Some haven’t received their first salary and are already striking. Why allow to be used by other people? You are an essential service and it affects the lives of ordinary people,” Dr Moyo said.

He called on Zimbabweans to be vigilant and be aware of the works of the country’s detractors.

Dr Moyo said the new dispensation recognises human rights and will never abduct women as claimed by the opposition and some countries pushing a regime change agenda.

“There are three other women from the opposition who said they were abducted. Abducted by who and why? Tapiwa Mashakada after fighting in the opposition revealed that Dr Magombeyi was never abducted. All these stories are aimed at tarnishing our image.

“They want to portray the country as violators of children and women rights which is not true. We are a law-abiding nation and we follow and recognise people’s human rights. We care for the people at all times because we must be together in all situations. We are a pro-people Government,” he said.

Dr Moyo also called on ambassadors accredited to Zimbabwe not to get involved in matters which don’t concern them. “Even with other ambassadors, don’t take sides, stay in your lane, you have your own troubles back in your countries and we haven’t poked our nose into your internal affairs. Ambassadors please stay in your lane and don’t be involved in our internal issues. Don’t be in the cross-fire,” he said.

Addressing the same meeting, Zanu-PF Midlands Provincial chairperson Engineer Daniel Mackenzie Ncube said Government is going to assist the people of Mberengwa District with food aid and other socio-economic development programmes.

He said President Mnangagwa’s Government is involved in a lot of development programmes to improve the people’s quality of life.

“The presence of our guest of honour Dr SB Moyo is a clear indication of how the new dispensation values its people and is working on an array of programmes to improve your livelihoods.

“As Mberengwa District, you did well in the last election and we expect you to lead by example and improve in terms of voter numbers. Now you have about 17 000 registered voters for Mberengwa West. We need that figure to be increased to more than 23 000. We want to bury the opposition come 2023,” he said. Chronicle

http://www.newsdzezimbabwe.co.uk/2020/06/ed-is-fighting-corruption-says-sb-moyo.html?m=1

[7/1, 06:15] +263 77 348 0144: *President congratulates Malawi’s new leader*

_Mkoma-Jola.com_

Monday, 29 June 2020

*The-Herald.news*

Herald Reporter President Mnangagwa has hailed the people of Malawi for overcoming the twin challenges of Covid-19 and voting without observers in a historic election rerun that saw opposition leader Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera defeating incumbent Prof Peter Mutharika.

The President, who is also the Sadc chairperson for the Organ of Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation pledged to work with Dr Chakwera — the 6th President of Malawi — to strengthen global peace and cooperation.

“Your Excellency and dear brother, may I take this opportunity to commend the people of Malawi for showing great maturity and patience in exercising their democratic right  against twin odds of Covid-19 global pandemic, as well as voting in the absence of international observers. Your country has indeed demonstrated that great things can be achieved when people have a common purpose,” said the President.

Malawi went to the polls last week after the country’s constitutional court in February annulled results of last year’s elections after unearthing several irregularities.

Amid tensions between supporters of Dr Chakwera and Prof Mutharika, Malawi — a former British colony — went to the elections but without observers as is the norm due to hamstrings caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The President pledged to ensure that the two countries will continue to enjoy bilateral relations.

“Let me assure you of my Government’s commitment to further strengthen and broaden the excellent bilateral relations that exist between our two countries. I look forward to working with you at the regional, continental and international levels to promote international peace, security and development.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Zimbabwe and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to convey to you our warmest congratulations on your election to the high office of President of the Republic of Malawi — ample testimony to the trust and confidence that the people of Malawi have in your capacity to lead your great country to a more prosperous future,” he said.

https://www.herald.co.zw/president-congratulates-malawis-new-leader/

Dr Chakwera polled 58 percent against Prof Mutharika’s 40 percent.

Speaking in his capacity as the chairperson of the Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, President Mnangagwa urged the candidates who took part in the  23rd elections to accept the results.

“SADC urges the candidates who took part in the re-run presidential election in the Republic of Malawi and their supporters to accept the official results of the election as announced by the Malawi Electoral Commission, and to observe the national electoral and constitutional processes should they have grievances regarding the electoral process,” he said.

A former Pentecostal preacher and theology lecturer, Dr Chakwera, 67, was sworn-in yesterday in the country’s capital city of Lilongwe.

In his acceptance speech Dr Chakwera promised to serve the people regardless of their political persuasions.

At the swearing in Dr Chakwera said: “I do solemnly swear that I will well and truly perform the functions of the high office of President, of the Republic of Malawi, and that I will preserve and defend the constitution, and that I will do right to all manner of the people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will, so help me God.

“The time is up for us to stop dreaming. With your help, we’ll restore your faith by being a government that stands for the needs of Malawians.

“I know there are many of you who didn’t vote me and the prospect of my presidency gives you fear; I want you to know that my administration will strive to give equal opportunities for all of us together.

“I pledge to run Malawi as that is the path to ‘Tsogolo labwino’, meaning better future,” he said.

Meanwhile, outgoing President Mutharika on Saturday asked the country to “move on peacefully” and respect the poll outcome.

Zimbabwe and Malawi, along with Zambia were once part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, a colonial federation that consisted of the three southern African countries between 1953 and 1963.

[7/1, 06:15] +263 77 348 0144: *Ecocash yoramba ichingoshanda sezvayaingosiita asi ve Merchants voremerwa; Two days ago panic buying yokubudisa mari mu ecocash yakapinza vanhu busy*

_Mkoma-Jola.com_

Monday, 29 June 2020

*The-Herald.news*

Africa Moyo Deputy News Editor Economic analysts say the clarification by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) on how mobile money transactions will proceed was welcome as it dispelled fears that the whole system was closed down, disrupting the economy.

The RBZ on Saturday said the public was assured that genuine individual transactions would be processed normally, that is those by holders of ordinary lines, while merchant lines would become one way, allowing incoming transactions.

Merchants would then have to move their money to their bank accounts to then make almost all payments from the bank accounts rather than from their mobile wallets.

The agent lines were all suspended.

Agribank chief economist Mr Joseph Mverecha told The Herald yesterday that the clarification by the RBZ shows that Zimbabwe had not slapped a blanket ban on mobile money platforms such as OneMoney, MyCash, Telecash and EcoCash.

“The modification of the measures by the RBZ is important in that individuals and even small businesses and micro enterprises can transact on the EcoCash platform.”

Another economist and a member of the RBZ’s Monetary Policy Committee, Mr Eddie Cross, said the intention was not to close down the whole system, but to “curb abuses of the system by money traders and dealers”.

He said curtailing the operations of mobile money platforms was one of the measures supported by the MPC, which had been dealing with this matter in the past four months.

Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce chief executive Mr Takunda Mugaga said the RBZ move was “commendable, but not a solution going forward”.

He called for the strengthening of policies to ensure problems associated with the decimation of the currency does not recur, but said for now, holders of “small mobile balances and the rural economy which is dependent on mobile money for survival” will get a reprieve.

“The mobile (money) platforms are proverbially a form of money in this country especially given the shortage of hard cash in the economy which is only at most three percent of the total money supply.

“The measures by RBZ must focus more on regulatory strengthening than disciplinary approach, especially given the dominance of one player in the market or the oligopolistic nature of the market, the risk to a common man is high of mobile platform is to be shut like what happened few days ago.

“What is just needed is strengthening of the know-your-customer principle,” said Mr Mugaga.

Another analyst, Mr Persistence Gwanyanya, said the RBZ intervention was necessary to clear confusion in the market and minimise the damage that any disruption of mobile transactions, which currently dominate the transaction space, was going to cause.

“Remember, over 95 percent of transactions today are conducted through the mobile money-based platforms and any disruption of these platforms has serious ramifications to the economy, more so, during this marketing period for farming produce mainly tobacco, cotton and grains,” said Mr Gwanyanya.

He said it was crucial for issues between mobile money platforms and regulators be resolved quickly to minimise damage in the market mainly currency instability, at a time when the RBZ has established a foreign currency auction system.

Going forward, Mr Cross said the foreign currency system, which kicked off last Tuesday, was critical in dealing with the local currency’s loss of purchasing power.

“We have made a start with the auction of currency by the Reserve Bank on a weekly basis. This needs to be supported by a range of measures which are all under consideration.

https://www.herald.co.zw/mobile-money-changes-will-curb-trader-abuse/

[7/1, 06:15] +263 77 348 0144: *Hunger hits Zanu-PF stronghold*

_Mkoma-Jola.com_

Monday, 29 June 2020

_*Newziana📰Jola.news*_

Hungry Buhera villagers are emptying their cattle pens as they are being forced to exchange their cattle for grain.This was said by several Zanu-PF councillors who spoke to The Mirror in interviews.

Villagers keep cattle for drought power, milk and to sell so that they get school fees for the children and hardly do they dispose off their herds to buy food.

Cattle are also a crucial status symbol for villagers and a form of a bank but where drawings are not made to buy food.

The food crisis has been worsened by the fact that World Vision has come to the end of its lean season food relief assistance which closes at the end of harvests in April. However, there are no harvests to talk about in Buhera this year because of a crippling drought that affected the 2019/20 crop.

Ward 30 Councillor Calphas Muchabaya said villagers have resorted to barter trade. They give their cattle to villagers from Chipinge in exchange for grain as rainfall levels are better in the eastern border district.

"People are starving. Rainfall was poor and villagers are surviving on barter trade; exchanging cattle for grain with people from Chipinge," said Muchabaya.

The closure of the lean season assistance leaves 69 000 beneficiaries supported by World Vision without food.

There is another 28 600 vulnerable who get food assistance from Government through the Department of Social Welfare who are also in a precarious position.World Vision Communications Team Leader Shamiso Matambanadzo said that her organisation is working towards raising funds from donors to alleviate the growing problem. She however, said that raising funds is made difficult by the Covid19 pandemic which has brought the World to a standstill.

"We work with funding that come from outside and with the Covid19 situation funding has dropped because most of our donors are currently not working. We however, keep on working, we keep on pushing," said Matambanadzo.

She said that World Vision had also extended the lean period by two months from April to July 2020 so that normal support can continue.

Ward 33 Councillor Successful Nkomo reiterated the dire situation in the district.

Ward 16 Councillor Timothy Matsenhura said that although the most vulnerable families are receiving food assistance from Government, the number of vulnerable families is increasing due to poor harvests and people flocking from urban areas to rural areas fleeing Covid-19.

"Ward 16 villagers last received food assistance from World Vision in April, some vulnerable families are still getting the 1 495 bags from social welfare but almost everyone is now vulnerable following poor harvests in the district.

"The number of vulnerable villagers is increasing as people are fleeing Covid-19 from urban to rural areas," said Matsenhura.

Social Welfare is expected to review upwards the number of its beneficiaries after the 2020 Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZIMVAC) report which is normally done every May.

https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-188157.html

[7/1, 06:16] +263 77 348 0144: *Khupe in congress U-Turn*

_Mkoma-Jola.com_

Monday, 29 June 2020

_*Newziana📰Jola.news*_

INTERIM MDC president Thokozani Khupe has made a dramatic extra-ordinary congress U-turn after she rolled back the new dates she had set for the Indaba to the original July 31 date.This comes as MDC-T deputy spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni announced last week that the party's court-directed extra-ordinary congress which was originally slated for next month (where a substantive new party boss was to be chosen) had been postponed to between September 4 and 6 this year. This was on account of the leadership's desire to ensure public safety as well as the limitations brought about by the coronavirus national lockdown which disallows gatherings of more than 50 people.

But yesterday, Phugeni told the Daily News on Sunday that the party's lawyers were consulting to establish if there is no potential to violate the Supreme Court ruling directing that the congress be held three months after the ruling was handed down on March 31; with a view to changing the dates.

"Our lawyers had an understanding that when the Chief Justice handed the judgment that directed us to hold an extraordinary congress in three months; he had given us a six-week extension. The lawyers are now engaging the Chief Justice to get clarity on the matter and we are going to inform the nation if there are any changes when we get feedback from the authorities," Phugeni said.

When the announcement to postpone the dates was made, MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora insisted that it would not be a violation of the March Supreme Court ruling.

"When the ruling was handed down, the Chief Justice (Luke Malaba) made a blanket extension of time limits by six weeks."The three months deadline was due to expire on July 31, but there is a six-week period we were given which means that the extra-ordinary congress will have to be held on or before the 15th of September. We are, therefore, working on any date between now and then," Mwonzora told the Daily News on Sunday. "We are expecting the Covid-19 figures to go down as we approach summer, but we are going to be working on the advice of ministry of Health officials.

"There are a number of other options which include finding ways to reduce the numbers which will attend congress at the material time. One of the other possibilities is to decentralise the congress or to seek an extension in the courts. That of course is not an option we would like."

But MDC-T lawyer Lovemore Madhuku told the Daily News on Sunday yesterday that Malaba had not given the party the green light to push the congress dates.

"It will be wrong for them to say the Chief Justice gave them the green light to push dates forward. What they are trying to do is to take advantage of the directive he gave to suspend court activities except for urgent cases when the Covid-19 lockdown started on March 31. The directive had nothing to do with their congress so it is their own interpretation to say if some activities were prevented from happening, we also could argue that we were bound by that directive which expired on the 11th of May. However, that is subject to a different interpretation as well. Someone could argue otherwise," Madhuku said.

https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-188150.html

[7/1, 06:18] +263 77 348 0144: *Is Khupe an MDC or Zanu-PF creation?*

_Mkoma-Jola.com_

Monday, 29 June 2020

_*Newziana📰Jola.news*_

Zimbabwe is at crossroads, the economy is in decline, deprivation continues, with ordinary citizens yearning for reprieve from the challenges to do with daily survival. Grace KwinjeThis is the time that the main opposition in Zimbabwe should be at its best, offering leadership, strategies and solutions to the multifaceted crisis, however, it is hamstrung by political bickering and personality clashes.

A pattern that continues to repeat itself, each time Zimbabweans are in desperate need of opposition leadership, an internal implosion occurs at the top, which throws the party into a state of confusion, compromising its ability to deliver change to its supporters and Zimbabweans at large.

That moment in history when the sheroes and heroes of our struggle should be rising and making a mark in the country's unfolding politics, is being lost to an internecine warfare among factions of the main opposition party the MDC, as we knew it in 1999, now fighting from different corners and fractions.

A warfare Zanu-PF according to character is taking full advantage of, one which I believe could have been avoided or at least mitigated, one which exposes some of the inherent weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the opposition which it needs to insulate itself against, if it is to survive the long haul to 2023.

The first concern is to do with moral leadership, what lessons can the MDC learn from the ‘struggles within the struggle' during the war of liberation as documented by the late Masipula Sithole?

Sithole does not rule out the possibility of conflict in political organisations, however, he argues that what matters is how the leadership responds and handles the conflict.

Consequently, many begin to link internal party democratic processes or credentials as a reflection of the nature of politics an individual party will advance in national politics, charity they say begins at home. Humility, tolerance, forgiveness and political savvy in dealing with both internal and external challenges.

Tapping into institutional memory, in assessing the current state of the opposition, one senses a lack of ideological purity or clarity, that has often compromised its ability to assume power, as key leaders have often been found wanting in integrity and honesty, to advance the party's agenda forward.

Horrible contradictions exist, baffling for instance is that in just two years the same leaders who endorsed the coup against the late former President Robert Mugabe, were soon in bed with him and are now working with his close allies.

Evident in the internal contradictions that are exposed each time the party splits, it is totally disconcerting for instance, given the risks involved, that in 2020 we should be convinced Thokozani Khupe, a former deputy Prime Minister seconded by the party to the GNU in 2013 and Tsvangirai's deputy for several years has been working in collusion with Zanu-PF.

Furthermore, to expose deceit, those who know the party's history from the time the late Getrude Mtombeni was alive, that the Khupe of today is no different to the one the same leaders have shielded, worked with, promoted even in the midst of protestations from her own constituency. What has changed?

Again necessitating my question is Khupe an MDC or Zanu-PF creation?

Rules have often been and continue to be flouted for political expediency creating political animals that are larger than the party.

No lessons are ever learnt.

Costly expediency, lets see for instance after the sudden appointment of Advocate Fadzai Mahere as party spokesperson, should a fallout ensue, that the same appointing authorities will soon be falling over each other convincing us from mountain tops, that she was never an MDC cadre anyway, pointing out her Zanu-PF roots.

There is a method to this madness.

https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-opinion-sc-columnist-byo-188155.html

Had Khupe played ball and agreed to endorse the leadership of Advocate Nelson Chamisa after Morgan Tsvangirai's death would we have ever known that she is a ‘double agent' planted in the opposition leadership for all these past years?

Why wait for a fall out to expose agents?

The party fails to extricate itself from historical internal contradictions that militate against unity of purpose and cohesion in response to its main enemy Zanu-PF.

Stuck in old populist self defeating arguments, as it fails to see the forest for the trees.A more pragmatic leader's preoccupation would be on how to weaken and stop Khupe a former ally and Cde from being a useful tool, an instrument and weapon of attack for Zanu-PF?

It is demonstrably clear that populist arguments become irrelevant, if not futile, Khupe might never win an election or be loved by Zimbabweans, she remains a useful weapon in the hands of Zanu-PF, slowing down the work of the MDC. Just like others before her did.

Elevating individuals to demi Gods, daily massaging their egos is part of the crisis we are faced with.

I contend in this article that a lot of the self inflicting pain, wounding and bleeding the party is going through could have been avoided, offering an opportunity for reflection and introspection in the opposition ranks on what could have been done, must be done differently, to avoid a recurrence of the same crisis.

Further arguing that none of those involved in the fighting that is traumatising Zimbabweans and faithful party supporters are innocent and should take equal responsibility, for the mess the party finds itself in. This way the party can redeem itself, if it is to survive and contain other opposition from emerging with the potential to pull rug from under its feet.

Gas-lighting, attacking and emotional blackmailing those who differ in perspective or opinion is pointless at this time, two years after the 2018 Presidential elections and three years to the next one. Time waits for no man.

At times you need to step back to move forward, in order to understand the current political political dynamics playing themselves out, fostering a healthy discourse that will help the opposition move forward.

Khupe is a product of MDC politics, through and through, there is nothing she is doing today, that has not been done before each time individual politicians have been cornered in the internal power struggles.

Furthermore, her takeover of Harvest House today is no different to the coup against Mrs Lucia Matibenga in Khupe's Fast Climbers Restaurant in Bulawayo, in 2007.

That takeover was meant to neutralise the powerful Women's Assembly led by Matibenga. In response to Matibenga's firing I wrote this article for Pambazuka news, https://www.pambazuka.org/governance/dismantling-patriarchy-mdc .

Matibenga appealed in the courts of law and lost with MDC Secretary General, Tendai Biti, taking to the media gleefully expressing that they had been vindicated in firing her. The same courts that today are empowering Khupe in her arguments to do with constitutionalism taking over elected Mps and party asserts.

Mai Mati fought a silent painful battle at the time, perhaps her reason to never return to the party.

Consequently, a historical assessment of the MDC's ability to deal with leadership differences of opinion or strategy, its ability to foster a culture of integrity, cohesion, and internal party democracy, with structures and processes that allow for dispute settlement, is once again under scrutiny.

Integrity means Mps do not accept diplomatic passports from President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose legitimacy they do not accept.

Consequently, there is a certain deception that needs to be exposed, the history of the party over the past two decades retold, so that a broader audience is able to place the ongoing bickering within its proper context, and advise MDC leaders properly and stop the bleeding.

Khupe is the villain in the unfolding story, joining other villains before her, the late Gibson Sibanda and Professor Welshman Ncube (2005 split over participation in the senate, forming MDC Green), Tendai Biti and Job Sikhala split after 2013 election loss, went on to form MDC Renewal.

All these leaders are on record of being associated with the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), go back into the files, you will read with certainty allegations that Ncube was rewarded with a farm for causing the first split, he is now the Vice President of the same party – who is fooling who?

Leaders can't surround themselves with yes men and women it is a time for reflection, Zimbabweans have suffered enough.

Grace Kwinjeh is a journalist and and women's rights advocate.

[7/1, 06:18] +263 77 348 0144: *One single but crucial battle can win a war!!!!!*

Hitler thought he was winning the war until Japan attacked Pearl Harbour. As a consequence Nagasaki & Hiroshima were bombed by the Allies. German & her friends lost World War 2.

*The* *war* *for* *democracy* *in* *Zimbabwe*

Khupe & team won the SC case

Khupe won other court cases

Khupe won the Parliament battle

Khupe won the HH battle

*But*

There is one crucial battle remaining that can change the complexion of this war:

_the_ _battle_ _to_ _win_ _the_ _hearts_ _of_ _the_ __povo__ , _the_ _suffering_ _masses_ , _the_ _electorate_ _who_ _wish_ _for_ _a_ _better_ _change_

Whoever wins this battle wins the war.

THE VERDICT IS YOURS

[7/1, 06:18] +263 77 348 0144: NEW MALAWI PRESIDENT GETS TOUGH, 1st DAY IN OFFICE:

----------------------------------------------------

+ FORMER PRESIDENT MUTHARIKA LOSES IMMUNITY

+ POLICE INSPECTOR GENERAL FIRED

+ MALAWI REVENUE AUTHORITY BOSS FIRED

Less than 24 hours after swearing "So Help Me God", Malawi's new President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera has stripped former President, Peter Mutharika of his immunity to face prosecution.

And to ensure the former brutal regime comes to account for their wanton corruption and dictatorial regime acts, H.E. Dr Chakwera's first Presidential appointee is Police Inspector General, Dr George Kainja (see picture), firing Duncan Mwapasa.

Immunity has been removed from the former President to face prosecution. Peter Mutharika did not dissolve his Cabinet when he was told to do so few days before presidential Election as per Malawian Constitution.

Secretary to Government has also been booted out.

All former Cabinet Ministers during DPP era have been advised to surrender all ministerial properties including Vehicles they were using by today, Monday 29th June, 2020 by 11AM at Capital Hill.

And Dr Chawera has immediately fired Duncan Mwapasa as Acting Police Inspector Gener and in his place, appointed Dr George Kainja as police IG.

According to the new ruling party's manifesto, accountability and following up prosecution of all looters and plunders is a priority agenda item to bring Malawi to order and sanity and fight corruption.

Meanwhile, there will be a massive shake up today at Malawi Revenue Authority by the Vice President, Dr Chilima in an effort to fight Corruption in high places. And to bring to book all lawbreakers.

More details to follow today.