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Thousands in need of food aid in Gutu

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Kennedy Murwira     
Councillors in Gutu are appealing to central government to start the distributing food aid in the district saying thousands of people are faced with acute food shortages and need assistance as a matter of urgency.
Ward 19 councillor, Cleophas Muzindi, told TellZim News in an interview last week that more than 1 000 households in his ward were faced with starvation and urged government to intervene by cutting all bureaucratic red tape and provide food to the people.
“We received erratic rains this season and the crops have since wilted. People are starving and over 1 000 households in my ward are in dire need of food. It is not fiction when we say people are starving, it’s happening, and I want to appeal to government to distribute the food as soon as possible if we are to avoid losing lives,” said Muzindi.
The few crops which had germinated in many areas had all withered due to moisture stress.
Cllr Muzindi said he has since forwarded the names of the families that need urgent assistance to the office of the district administrator.
Newly elected Mpandawana Town Board Chairman and Ward 37 councillor, Gabriel Mapepa, also added his voice saying close to 1050 households in his ward had registered for food aid from the government.
A few farmers in the Eastdale farming area, parts of Serima and some parts in the newly resettled areas near Chatsworth which boast of wetlands have not got any meaningful harvests this year.  The majority of the subsistence farmers in the district are reeling from the effects of the prolonged dry spell caused by the El Nino phenomenon which has seen most parts of Southern Africa suffering from drought.
Both Gutu Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer, Alexander Mutembwa and the District Administrator, Roy Hove, were not available for comment when TellZim News visited their offices and could not be contacted before going to print.

Prof Magwa – the Wiseman who transforms RCU

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Prof Magwa – the Wiseman who transforms RCU
Passmore Kuzipa
His name is Wiseman Magwa and, indeed, he is a wise man – full of wisdom and vision.
When his parents named him Wiseman probably they were just interested in the name itself, with no idea that he would surely become a genius – a Professor one day!
Prof Wiseman Magwa

But alas, Prof Magwa has defied all odds and fulfilled his parents’ dream of him being a wise man.
He is now a Full Professor and, more interestingly, the founding Vice-Chancellor of one of the most promising upcoming private universities – the Reformed Church University (RCU). That is the power of a name!
Prof Magwa has since transformed RCU over the past four years to become the most sough-after university in the country, if not in the southern region of Africa, in as far as Special Needs Education is concerned.
Prof Magwa said RCU aims to become the world class centre of excellence in special education in the next few years.
“Our vision is to be a relevant world-class centre of excellence in special needs education, research and community service embedded in Christian values. We exist to provide equal opportunities for holistic and quality education and research aimed at producing innovative and morally upright graduates,” said Prof Magwa.
For starters, Prof Magwa was appointed the founding vice-chancellor of RCU in 2011 and since then he has done a tremendous job that has seen the university evolving into a fully-fledged one.
Prof Wiseman Magwa

RCU started enrolling in 2012 with just 70 students on Block Release programmes and offering only four degree programmes – Bachelor of Education Honours Degree in Special Needs Education; Bachelor of Education Honours Degree in Early Childhood Development; Bachelor in Theology Honours Degree; and Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Human Resources, Industrial and Labour Relations Management.
In October 2013, the Zimbabwe Council of Higher Education (ZIMCHE) accredited three new degree programmes in the Faculty of Commerce – Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Public Administration, Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Marketing and Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Business Management.
“We were overwhelmed by the response from students who wanted to undertake Public Administration and as a result we opened a learning and research centre in Harare. We are ready to open campuses anywhere where there is demand for our services.
“Work has also started at our main campus at a farm along the Masvingo-Bulawayo highway. We have agreed upon ten key strategic priority areas namely; academic growth, infrastructure development, resource mobilisation, technology equipment support services, stakeholder satisfaction, human capital development, research and development, business development, corporate governance and community engagement,” Prof Magwa said.
“We started with 70 students in 2012 and we now have around 650, of which 130 are conventional and 520 are on block release programmes. We however, want to reiterate that we are not in a hurry to relocate from Morgenster Mission to our main site and that we are not here for competition but to serve a different niche, that is, special needs education,” he emphasised.
RCU is set to hold its inaugural graduation ceremony this Friday February 26, 2016.
With hordes of novels, academic and research books he published on his table, one would certainly expect to meet a veteran educationist as one enters Prof Magwa’s office.
Prof Magwa has so far published 24 books which are being used as reference books in schools, colleges and universities. Among his popular novels are Mafaro, Atsunzunya Rega Atsikwe, Njuzu and Jemedza, just to mention a few.
Prof Magwa also published Shona grammar books (dudziramutauro) for both O’ and A’ Level.
He is now a Full Professor with a Doctoral degree in Language Education from the University of South Africa. Prof Magwa started his career as a High School teacher before joining Gweru Teachers College in 1988 as a lecturer. He rose through the ranks and was appointed Senior Lecturer in 1990 and Principal Lecturer in 1994.
When the college evolved into a University, Magwa was appointed lecturer at the newly established Midlands State University (MSU) in 2000 and was later promoted to become Senior Lecturer in 2003.
He was further promoted to the grade of Associate Professor in 2004 and obtained a PhD in Language Education at UNISA in 2008.  A year later, in 2009, Professor Magwa was appointed Full Professor and Faculty Dean at the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) to pursue a career in Open and Distance Learning. 
After serving for only two years as Faculty Dean, Prof Magwa was appointed Acting Vice Chancellor of the newly established RCU in 2011 and promoted to become the 1st Vice Chancellor of the same University in November 2012. 
Prof Magwa has written extensively in the area of language, literature, education and philosophy. He has also published over 100 academic articles on various aspects of language, literature, grammar, education and philosophy. Prof Magwa was the chief language consultant and advisor in the making of the new constitution of Zimbabwe (2011-2012), regional coordinator in the CASAS Language Harmonisation of Indigenous Languages in Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe project (2008-2012).
Prof Magwa is a recipient of several international awards for his academic achievements. In June 2013 he was awarded the World Education Congress Global Trophy for outstanding contribution to education which he personally received in Mumbai, India.

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Councillors in near fistfight in chambers over Mugabe bash

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Councillors in near fistfight in chambers over Mugabe bash
Upenyu Chaota
There was furore in the council chambers when two councillors nearly exchanged blows following a heated argument on whether council should or not donate towards the President Robert Mugabe birthday bash, during a Finance and General Purposes committee meeting held last Thursday.
Councillor Godfrey Kurauone
Councillor Lovemore Mufamba
On the 19th of January 2015, the then Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chairperson Ezra Chadzamira wrote a letter to the city council asking for donations towards the 21st February Movement celebrations to be held at the Great Zimbabwe Monuments grounds on the 27th February 2016.
The members of the council’s Finance and General Purposes committee convened to deliberate on the matter. It is during the deliberations that Ward 4 councillor Godfrey Kurauone and Ward 10’s Lovemore Mufamba almost exchanged blows as the former vehemently rejected the latter’s proposal to donate towards the Mugabe birthday bash which is slated for Great Zimbabwe Monuments this Saturday.
Kurauone argued that council cannot sponsor political party activities saying Mugabe’s bash was not a government event but a Zanu-PF gathering.
Kurauone confirmed the development and hastened to say there is no bad blood between him and Mufamba.
“We just wanted to adhere to the council’s protocol. The 21st February Movement celebrations are a Zanu-PF event and as such the council cannot be seen funding the event. The council is only obliged, if need be, to fund national events,” said Kurauone.
“Councillor Mufamba got aggressive since he wanted his motion to sail through but there is no love lost between the two of us,” Kurauone added.
Finance committee chairperson councillor Babylon Beta also confirmed the fracas and said business came to a halt as the two councillors threatened to tear each other apart.
“Members felt that the 21st February Movement celebrations are not a state event and as a result council cannot make any donation towards the function. This did not go down well with some members who felt betrayed since they argued that the bash was a state function and it led to some commotion,” said Beta.
TellZim News established that Mufamba had proposed a $500 cash donation. District councils are said to have pledged $300 each for Mugabe birthday celebrations.
Councillor Mufamba could not be reached for an immediate comment as his mobile kept going unanswered up to the time of going to press.
In related circumstances, in December last year the Masvingo councillors refused to donate towards the Zanu-PF conference in Victoria Falls after Minister of State for Provincial Affairs had written to the council seeking donations.

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Zaka RDC accountant nabbed over $3 bribe

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Zaka RDC accountant nabbed over $3 bribe
TellZim Reporter
An accountant with Zaka Rural District Council (RDC) John Makese was last week arrested for allegedly receiving a $3 bribe from a vendor at an open market held at Jerera Growth Point recently.

 Makese was arrested by Zaka Central Investigations Department (CID) after a tip-off from disgruntled vendors who accused him of demanding bribes every month when they have the open market day at the growth point.
Zaka RDC chief executive officer David Majaura confirmed receiving reports about Makese’s arrest but declined to give further details saying the matter is still under investigations.
Eyewitnesses said Makese approached one of the vendors at the market under the watchful eye of the CIDs and demanded $5 operating fee. The vendor however, had no $5 and instead, produced $3 dollars which Makese allegedly collected and left without issuing a receipt.
 Police details then confronted him later and asked him why he had not issued a receipt to the vendor who gave him $3. Makese was immediately arrested.
Sources said Zaka RDC loses a lot of revenue during these open markets as many vendors evade paying the $5 tax by bribing the tax collectors.
Jerera open market is held every 17th day of the month and vendors from as far as Harare, Bulawayo and Beitbridge troop to Jerera to sell their products, goods and services. Makese was expected to appear in court this week.

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War Vets vow to embarrass Mugabe

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War Vets vow to embarrass Mugabe

War Vets vow to embarrass Mugabe
TellZim Reporter
TellZim Reporter
 Liberation war veterans in Masvingo are plotting to embarrass President Robert Mugabe at his birthday celebrations slated for this weekend at Great Zimbabwe monuments, TellZim News has been informed.
President Robert Mugabe
War Veterans who spoke to this publication said they were not happy with last week’s skirmishes which saw their counterparts in Harare being beaten up and tear-gassed by the police. Speaking to TellZim News at Chiefs’ Hall on Thursday last week, angry war veterans who were forced to abort the Harare trip said Mugabe was taking them for a ride.
“You see, we wanted to go and meet our patron President Mugabe but we were forced to cancel the trip. We are very angry today (Thursday) and we demand an explanation from Mugabe. Everything seems like drama to us…we can’t believe what is happening in this country, something has completely gone wrong,” said an irked war veteran.
The war veterans were, however, immediately driven away by anti-riot police.
Meanwhile, TellZim News has been reliably informed that war veterans in Masvingo are planning to confront President Mugabe at the weekend bash — where they are expected to come in large numbers so that they wave placards with their concerns.
“They are planning to embarrass the President. They will have placards with the message that he should stop abusing war veterans forthwith. If they manage, they will come in large numbers so that they demonstrate in Masvingo town on Saturday 27 February,” said a source privy to the on-goings.
Self-styled war veteran Black Jesus born Francis Zimuto who has been on record attacking the First Lady Grace Mugabe chose to be diplomatic saying he was not prepared to continue talking about last week’s skirmishes but he was quick to hint that had it not been President Mugabe’s emergency address, the country was going to be in war by now.
Black Jesus said he saw signs of war since January and he was getting worried by the day since the tension within Zanu-PF continued to mount.
“I saw signs of was in this country . . . what happened in 1947 was repeating again in 2016. In fact, whenever you see drought, you must be very careful, emotions will be very high and it is easy to start a war. We were very close to a war situation, thank God it did not happen . . . when war veterans get angry, they can do anything,” said Black Jesus.
However, Black Jesus said he was content with what Mugabe said.
“President Mugabe said we should shut up and we have to follow the directive,” he added.
Turning to the birthday bash, Black Jesus said it is difficult to rule out chaos.
“I cannot say there will be no chaos. People might fight over food or they can come and steal food or other things, we cannot rule out chaos . . . it will obviously happen but I take it as normal,” said Black Jesus.
Another war veteran, Western Ezra, said emotions were running high among the war veterans community. “I cannot comment, I am at a funeral but I can only tell you that people were highly pained by what happened last week and emotions were running high among us until President Mugabe addressed us.
“If you see the whole President apologising, then you must know that things were terribly bad . . . mind you that was the first time for President Mugabe to say sorry since 1980,” said Ezra.
Masvingo war veterans chairperson Tendeukai Chinooneka neither denied nor accepted that they were planning something against the President but instead referred all questions to his boss Victor Matemadanda, who could not be reached for a comment by the time of going to print. “I don’t speak to the press. If you want to know anything about war veterans you talk to Matemadanda,” said Chinooneka.
But sources insisted war veterans were not happy and busy plotting to get President Mugabe’s attention when he comes to Masvingo.
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Mugabe’s 4-3 formation magic

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Mugabe’s 4-3 formation magic
Zezurus ……………..(3) 3
Karangas…………….(0) 0

Passmore Kuzipa

The rule of the beautiful game of football is very clear – at least a team of six players, though the full squad should have 11, can still play. Coaches use various formations including the popular 4-4-2, 3-5-2 and  4-5-1 formations.
But President Robert Mugabe is a different mentor altogether because with just seven players he has been winning matches against a full squad employing his favourite 4-3 formation.
President Robert Mugabe

The February 12, 2016, outburst by Mugabe’s wife Grace and his deputy, Phelekhezela Mphoko, that the Karangas will never ever rule this country and that the Zezurus were unconquerable, however, exposed Mugabe’s formation which he has used to remain at the helm of Zanu-PF and Zimbabwe for the past 36 years.
Mugabe’s 4-3 formation goes like this; when he became the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe in 1980 the country had only five provinces – Masvingo, Manicaland, Matebeleland, Midlands and Mashonaland. And this means in terms of the national cake each province was entitled to 20 per cent share.
Mugabe, as tactful as he always is, came up with a plan to manipulate three other provinces, save for Mashonaland and Matebeleland, so that he would remain in power and the Zezurus be as unconquerable as they are today.
Firstly, he forced the Unity Accord between Zanu and PF Zapu and one post of the two vice-presidents was reserved for the Ndebeles – policy of appeasement. Furthermore, the Matebeleland was given the green light to divide itself into three distinctive provinces – Matebeleland North, Bulawayo and Matebeleland South. Thus the three (3) upfront players for his formation and the other four (4) players came from Mashonaland which he also divided into four; that is, Mash East, Mash Central, Mash West and Harare.
The four provinces from Mashonaland all have Zezurus and certainly they always rally behind Mugabe. And the other three from Matebeleland would; because they have a Vice-President post reserved for them already, would rally behind Mugabe, thus completing his 4-3 magic rule.
Mugabe’s formation however, has a negative impact on the other three provinces – Masvingo, Midlands and Manicaland. Firstly the national cake is no longer shared equitably; rather Mashonaland is now getting 40 percent (10 per cent per each province) and Matebeleland is getting 30 per cent (10 per each province) while the trio of Masvingo, Midlands and Manicaland have their share reduced from the 20 per cent soon after independence to 10 per cent.
Politically, any politician in Zanu PF either from Masvingo, Manicaland or Midlands who harbours presidential ambitions will never win the battle because of this 4-3 formation in which Mugabe will have at least four provinces from Mashonaland before he even campaigned, and would need at least two from Matebeleland to seal his victory. Literally, Mugabe does not need the Karangas from Masvingo, Midlands or Manyikas from Manicaland because, with or without them, victory is certain thanks to his 4-3 combination of the Zezurus and the Ndebeles.
A local political analyst, Dr Takavafira Zhou, took to social media this week castigating Mugabe for side-lining the Karangas and promoting tribalism through his wife Grace and Mphoko.
“The 12 February 2016 rally in Chiweshe not only saw Grace Mugabe, Pelekhezela Mphoko, Jonathan Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere and Patrick Zhuwao, strategically positioning themselves for the post-Mugabe era but also witnessed reckless utterances by Mphoko to the effect that no Karanga would become President of Zimbabwe, while Grace and company danced to the tribalistic jingle of the ‘Zezuru as unconquerable’. It became clear, that the President’s wife has become not only disgraceful but also a loose cannon, acidic to national security and unity in diversity,” Dr Zhou said.
“Is it not surprising that a country that had five provinces (Manicaland, Masvingo, Midlands, Mashonaland and Matabeleland) was conveniently divided to benefit the so called unconquerable Zezurus? Is it not surprising that a polishing diamonds industry could not be built in Manicaland where diamonds are mined but in the land of the unconquerables? Is it not worrisome that a new parliament could not be built in the second city Bulawayo, or Gweru, Masvingo and Mutare but is built in the land of the unconquerables?” He questioned.
The general people however, have appealed to President Mugabe that if he can no longer rein his wife, it is better to resign, rather than risk his demise from Zanu PF ‘grace to grass’ with monotonous regularity.
It’s now clear, even vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa might have interests in taking over from President Mugabe, the message from Mphoko and the Zezurus was very loud and clear – that the Karangas will never rule this country. We might need him as a Karanga to take over the reins, but Cde Ngwena as Mnangagwa is popularly known, the hot seat is for the unconquerable Zezurus lest you reverse Mugabe’s 4-3 magic formation.
Mr President, may you share the national cake equally – let us revert to the five provinces system so that each province would get at least 20 per cent of the national cake.

 

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People First stealing our people, says Biti

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People First stealing our people, says Biti
Moses Ziyambi

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leadership of Tendai Biti has come out guns blazing against the Zimbabwe People First led by Joice Mujuru for recruiting members from within the ranks of his party, saying (ZPF) was no different from ZANU PF.
Tendai Biti

Biti was reacting to reports that in places like Zaka and Gutu, People’s First members were using dirty tactics like force and deception to lure PDP members into attending their party functions.
Some senior members of the PDP Masvingo executive have deserted the party and have closed ranks with the People First leadership in the province.
At a meeting with PDP members in Masvingo recently, Biti said a genuine opposition party must build from scratch rather than snatching members from other opposition parties.
“Taking members of other parties cannot build a party. You have to begin from the grassroots and present yourself to the electorate and tell them what you have to offer,” said Biti.
He said if People First is not persecuted by government, it will show they are not genuine opposition.
“Only if they are persecuted the way we have been persecuted will we know they are genuinely opposed to ZANU PF. Let them be denied the right to gather, let them also be beaten, abducted and arrested,” said Biti.
He echoed his Deputy Secretary General Tongai Matutu and National Chairperson Lucia Matibenga’s comments that the PDP will not partner with politicians with dubious history of violence.
“The big tent is not about helping one person to state house. We like a coalition of like-minded people who share the same principles with us,” said Biti.
Matutu and Matibenga had singled out former ZANU PF Bikita West MP and now one of the major proponents of the People First, Claudious Makova as an example of bad people to avoid.
“How do you expect us to work with Makova when we bear scars of a bloody campaign of violence he masterminded in Bikita West after our MP Mutongi died? Do we honestly believe these people have reformed simply because they have recently been ejected from the same system they so dearly served for that long,” queried Matibenga.
Makova has reportedly been sending emissaries to court PDP members in the province to join forces with his fledgling People First party. Senior members who have deserted the PDP for the People first include the vocal Jeffreyson Chitando, Heya Shoko, Dr William Zivenge and Ernest Mudavanhu among others.

500 stands up for grabs at Junction Farm

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500 stands up for grabs at Junction Farm
TellZim Reporter
Over 500 medium density residential stands are up for grabs at the Remainder of Junction Farm, Stellenbosch managing director Kudakwashe Musungwa Zvinavashe has said.
Kudakwashe Musungwa Zvinavashe

Junction Farm, which is located directly opposite Stop Over along the Masvingo-Great Zimbabwe road, recently got the nod from the relevant authorities to start developing the area.
Zvinavashe confirmed the development and said they expect to commence developing roads and servicing the stands as early as next month.
“We are now in the final stages and we expect to complete the paperwork by end of this month. We expect to start constructing the roads, laying sewer and water pipes in March and complete the work before year end. We also have stands for offices, churches, commercial operations, schools and clinics. Those who want to buy the stands should visit our offices and register their interest at Stellenbosch Investments who are the administrators of the Remainder of the Junction Farm,” said Zvinavashe.
The stand sizes range between 800 and 4 000 square metres. Stellenbosch Investments’ application to Masvingo City to develop Junction Farm into residential stands was approved by council late last year.
“Everything is above board; we got approval from council and now we are finalizing paperwork with the physical planning department. We expect developers to start work by March 1, 2016, and those who want to buy any of the stands should register their interest at our offices at number 9 Hellet Street, Masvingo,” Zvinavashe said.

Zaka RDC engineer fails 2015 O’ Level exams

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Zaka RDC engineer fails 2015 O’ Level exams
Tanyaradzwa Tizora
Zaka Rural District Council (ZRDC) Engineer Abel Chivasa’s dream of attaining 5 O’ Levels has hit a snag as he failed to pass the examinations which he wrote in November last year.
Abel Chivasa

Well-placed sources said Eng. Chivasa sat six O’ Level subjects at Chimbwembwe Secondary School in Zaka but he only managed to pass Commerce and Geography with a C grade.
Among the subjects that he failed were those related to his field which include Mathematics and Integrated Science.
When this reporter contacted Chivasa, he could not be drawn into commenting as he immediately switched off his phone before saying any word.
Chivasa who has been Zaka’s engineer for a very long time had people’s eyebrows raised when he was seen taking  O’ Level examinations last year as people were wondering how he had qualified for the top technical job without five O’ Level passes.

Disrupt Mugabe bash – Tsvangirai

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Disrupt Mugabe bash – Tsvangirai
… cautions Grace, Mujuru
Memory Rasa
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) leader Morgan Tsvanguirai urged his party supporters in Masvingo during his marathon rallies across Masvingo province, to disrupt President Robert Mugabe birthday bash which is slated for the Great Zimbabwe Monuments next week.
Morgan Tsvangira

Addressing party supporters at Dewure Business centre in Gutu and Mashava, Tsvangirai said MDC-T supporters should disrupt the $800 000 lavish Mugabe birthday before he declared war on Zanu PF over unfair distribution of food in rural areas, amid reports that opposition supporters were denied access to the food aid.
“Let us go there dressed in our party regalia and disrupt the bash if they chase you away from the bash. Disrupt the bash if they do not want you to be part of the celebrations because our people are being forced to contribute money for the bash. Attend and eat that food but if they try to chase you, spoil the food with soil before you leave,” said Tsvangirai.
“You should also not allow Zanu PF to deny you access to the food distributed by government. The food is being sourced by government and all the people should benefit. Be aggressive and fight until you get the food or else disrupt the distribution. We cannot continue to watch Zanu PF abusing government inputs and food aid,” Tsvangirai added.
The MDC-T leader also cautioned the ‘foul mouthed’ Grace Mugabe for her utterances and warned her to stop forthwith masquerading as Mugabe heir apparent.
“I heard Grace saying that she will push Mugabe in a wheelbarrow to the State house and that she is better positioned to replace Mugabe – we will never allow that to happen. She will never ever rule this country. The problem with Zanu PF is that we do not know who is the leader at the moment and as a result the party is in tatters,” Tsvangirai said.
“I also laughed when (Joice) Mujuru spoke of the coalition; I’m not even thinking about it. We are preparing for 2018 elections and  Mujuru should forget about the coalition at the moment, maybe, after the electoral reforms,” Tsvangirai added.

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