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‘Elections not free and fair’

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‘Elections not free and fair’

Pastor Cover Mugwadhi

…people with disabilities condemn upcoming poll
Tiyani Hahlani
People with disabilities in Masvingo have already dismissed the July 30 elections as not free and fair, saying the government’s failure to print a Braille ballot paper made the poll discriminatory.
Speaking during a Tell Zimbabwe-organised public dialogue meeting held at Charles Austin Theatre for candidates with special needs on July 24, outspoken disability activist, Pastor Cover Mugwadhi said they will condemn the poll results regardless of who wins.
“We have already ruled the elections not free and fair. Even if our own candidates win, that lack of freeness and fairness will still remain. Look at how government, for example, obstinately refused to print Braille ballot papers for the visually-handicapped voters. That is grossly unfair because it perpetuates our dependence on others while in the ballot booth,” said Mugwadhi, who is partially blind himself.
He condemned the High Court’s recent decision to reserve judgement in a case by which blind barrister, Abraham Mateta had sought for an order compelling the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to print ballots in Braille.
“The courts reserved judgement as a delaying tactic knowing fully well that the elections were fast approaching. That means visually-impaired voters will depend on the honesty of those who accompany them into the ballot booth to implement their choices.
“We strongly doubt that ZEC even knows the number of people with disabilities per every polling station and the nature of disabilities they have. How can such an election be fair?“
“Right now there are claims that the ballot paper that will be used is chemically designed to migrate the ink to a certain candidate as a way of rigging. Such a scenario is not possible with a Braille ballot because the mark would be imprinted there in a way that is not at all easy, if not possible, to change,” said Mugwadhi.
He said the disability lobby had prepared a letter that will be delivered to the Southern Development Community (Sadc) and the African Union (AU) with regards to the conduct of the elections.top news

Zanu PF, MDC aspiring Cllrs converge on generational consensus

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Zanu PF, MDC aspiring Cllrs converge on generational consensus
Sengerai Manyanga

Clayton Shereni
Two aspiring Masvingo Urban councillors from two rival political parties yesterday agreed that there was need for young people to play a bigger role in leadership of the country.
At a public dialogue meeting organised by Tell Zimbabwe at Charles Austin Theatre on Monday, July 23, Zanu PF’s Ward 10’s Sengerai Manyanga and MDC Alliance’s Collen Maboke of Ward 2 seemed to converge on the popular view that it is now time for the youth to lead.
In his presentation, the youthful Manyanga exuded confidence, saying he had already won the election because his main opponent, Margaret Chakabuda, posed no significant competition as she was old enough to be his grandmother, therefore, should be given time to rest.
“Considering the work I have done for the people of Ward 10 with that of my contender Mbuya Chakabuda – whom I know is around the same age with my grandmother – I think I am the best candidate; she should do farming. I know Mbuya Chakabuda will vote for me in this election,” said Manyanga.
He went on to highlight his achievements in the ward; such work as installing unlimited free Wi-Fi at Zimuto Camp which he said will be available for the next six months.
He also promised to work for improved access to public transport services in such places as Clipsham, Morningside all places beyond Shakashe River to the east of the city.
“There is less public transport there than anywhere else and people there walk long distances. We need an affordable secondary school between Eastvale and Morningside and we also need a business centre in Morningside,” said Manyanga.
On his part Maboke said he was happy that there were people in Zanu PF who understood the logic of leadership renewal through the mainstreaming of the youth into decision making.
“I am also a youth, and I am energetic. I have the capability and I am contesting against Sekuru Kubiku who uses a walking stick. I understand he is of the same age group with my father. It is good that Manyanga and I agree that young people should lead,” said Maboke.
Many people regard Matthew Kubiku of Zanu PF as Maboke’s main competitor in Ward 2.
The generational consensus mantra is being championed mainly by the MDC Alliance as a way of selling their presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa (40) as a better leader than Zanu PF’s Emmerson Mnangagwa (75).politics

Masvingo North’s independent candidate Mudzikisi fishes in Marapira pond

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Masvingo North’s independent candidate Mudzikisi fishes in Marapira pond

Mudzikisi says his people will vote for Mnangagwa

Upenyu Chaota

The July 30 harmonised polls have broken records in many facets and for the first time there is an unprecedented number of independent candidates who were disgruntled by the way the Zanu PF and MDC-T primaries were conducted.
Both Zanu PF and MDC-T have threatened their former members who filed for nomination as independent candidates with expulsions and have refused to be associated with such members.
The independent candidates have however remained steadfast in their quest but still refuse to cut umbilical codes with their mother parties.
Masvingo North’s independent candidate, Pascal Mudzikisi is mobilising people to vote for President Emmerson Mnangagwa as their presidential candidate.
Mudzikisi, a businessman and chattered accountant, was not given a chance to contest during the chaotic Zanu PF primary elections with claims suggesting that his CV was thrown out by his bitter rival and Zanu PF’s Masvingo North candidate Davison Marapira.
Mudzikisi claims that Marapira engineered his premature exclusion from the Zanu PF primaries and he decided to file as an independent candidate.
Addressing his rally at Maraire Shopping Centre in Zimuto, Mudzikisi narrated how he has been cheated and elbowed out of the race and claimed that Zanu PF has once again been hijacked by novices.
“I am not an independent by choice but because you the people pushed me. Your support for me has been overwhelming and I did not want to disappoint you.
“There are people who are privatising Zanu PF and elbowing out genuine members because of their greed and we say no to that. We will fight for what is rightfully ours and we will win.
“Yes I am an independent but that does not matter because I still believe in my President Mnangagwa. He is our candidate and we are going to vote for him,” said Mudzikisi amid wild cheers from hundreds of his supporters wearing Zanu PF regalia.
Mudzikisi said it is time that the people of Masvingo North voted for one of their own to see meaningful development not what has been done over the past years by Marapira.
“Marapira is not our own. He is from Zaka and we want to send him packing. He is so arrogant and is impossible to talk to. He is too smart and thinks of himself as more superior than the people who voted him into office.
“Masvingo North will never be a colony of Zaka. I joined this party long back when it was still Zanu so these novices who think they have the power to personalise the party will get burnt,” said Mudzikisi.
He claimed that Marapira was sending spies to his rallies and intimidating people from coming but that would not deter him.
There was a black Ford Ranger parked at Mudzikisi rally which was said to have been send by Marapira to on a reconnaissance mission.
“He sends his people to intimidate us but gone are the days. This is the new dispensation and we will not be intimidated.
“We are going to run vibrant projects and our people are going to be empowered,” said Mudzikisi.
Marapira, however, rubbished Mudzikisi claims saying he is a bitter man waiting for a rude awakening come July 30.
“I did not throw Mudzikisi’s CV out. I don’t have a reason to do that because to me he is a nonentity and far from offering a real challenge.
“He is seeing ghosts of me wherever he goes and that is called fear. The people of Masvingo North are not stupid and will not be sold a dummy. People want tangible development and not someone who just talks and cannot walk the talk. I will not insult him and the people will speak come July 30. My work on the ground will speak for me.
“I have no reason to spy on him and I don’t even know the car he wants to give to me. My cars are orange so he has to point fingers elsewhere. I believe in peaceful campaigns and no one will be forced to do what they do not like,” said Marapira.
A total of eight candidates are running for the Masvingo North seat but the real contest seems to be between Zanu PF’s Marapira, MDC Alliance’s Progress Masocha and Mudzikisi.politics

MDC Alliance dumps Ngarivhume in Bikita East

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Jacob Ngarivhume

TellZim Reporter

BIKITA – MDC Alliance presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa was in the district on Sunday July 16, where he is said to have endorsed the candidature of Boniface Mudzingwa for the Bikita East parliamentary seat at the expense of one of the alliance principals and Transform Zimbabwe (TZ) leader, Jacob Ngarivhume.
MDC Alliance Masvingo provincial chairperson, James Gumbi confirmed the developments, saying Chamisa declared ‘the preferred’ candidate during the visit.
“Yes it’s true. The president was here yesterday (Sunday) to find out the preferences of the people on the ground and he declared Mudzingwa as candidate,” said Gumbi.
Asked if everybody was OK with the decision given the dissent from the TZ quarters, Gumbi said Chamisa’s decision was final and anybody who chose to go against it would pay the political price.
“They would be lucky to get even 50 votes if they choose to go against the decision. It’s all about what the voters want. In Masvingo South, president Chamisa declared Justin Makota as the candidate,” said Gumbi.
TZ officials, however, dismissed claims that Chamisa had declared Mudzingwa as candidate for Bikita East, claiming Ngarivhume was still in the race.
“Our leader, Mr. Jacob Ngarivhume is still the alliance’s rightful parliamentary candidate for Bikita East and we are on the ground campaigning for him. Chamisa did not endorse Mudzingwa,” said TZ youth provincial youth leader, Clayson Chimbidzikai.
He acknowledged, however, that all was not well for the alliance in the constituency, saying the matter ought to be resolved urgently.
“There are serious disagreements there because of people who do not want to accept an orderly way of doing things. There are also similar problems in Masvingo South but we maintain Mr. Justin Makota is the rightful MDC Alliance candidate there. Our president is currently in Bikita but we expect him to travel to Harare for an audience with other principals,” said Chimbidzikai.
In Masvingo South, Lovemore Matongo of MDC-T Chamisa faction successfully filed to contest for the seat which had, from the very beginning, been allocated to TZ which in turn fielded Makota as the candidate.politics

Maglass residents lament dirty, dysfunctional toilets

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The dirty public toilets in Maglass

Darlington Kanyongo

ZVISHAVANE – Many residents in the old suburb of Maglass are living in constant fear of a serious disease outbreak as they are being forced to do without functional public toilets. 
For the past two years, Maglass residents of section P, Q and R have been using a public toilet which is not fully functioning.
Human waste dripping out of the septic tanks flowing all over, making the situation unbearable.
One resident said reports about the dire situation were constantly made but authorities seemed reluctant to act.
“Reports are made to the Shabani Mine Property and Amenities department but Patrick Muguti and his people have never attempted to come and assess the situation,” said one of the resident.
Another resident also said children were the most vulnerable to a possible disease outbreak as they do not know how to take precautionary measures when they play outside.
“Ever since I moved in here two years ago, nothing has changed yet we are living with sewer at our door steps. They should come and address the situation before we begin to die of cholera and typhoid,” said the female resident.
Efforts to get a comment from Muguti of Shabani Mini Properties and Amenities where in vain as his phone was not reachable.
Zvishavane is one of the towns with the worst service delivery records in the country.local

Mwenezi RDC chairperson, Masukume dies

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Mwenezi RDC chairperson, Masukume dies

The late Cllr Samuel Masukume

Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – The Mwenezi Rural District Council (RDC) has robbed of its dedicated servant after its chairperson, Cllr Samuel Masukume died on Wednesday morning following a short illness.
Describing Masukume as a committed servant, Mwenezi RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Albert Chivanga confirmed the sad news, saying Masukume’s death was a big loss to the whole district.
“We are saddened by our chairperson’s death. Our hearts are with the Masukume family and relatives as we mourn the passing of our dedicated colleague. It’s a great loss that affects many people beyond the council.
“Though we are not certain what the doctors will say about the cause of his death, I saw him on Tuesday before he was admitted at hospital. He was complaining of chest pains and that his blood pressure (BP) was very high,” said Chivanga.
He said Masukume was first admitted at Neshuro District Hospital on Tuesday before being referred to Masvingo Provincial Hospital where he died in the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 18.
Masukume was Zanu PF Ward 10 councillor and was also the Mwenezi Development Training Centre (MDTC) director.
Burial arrangements were still processed by the time of writing.local

Notorious Gutu doctor appears in court drunk, insults magistrate

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Notorious Gutu doctor appears in court drunk, insults magistrate

Henry Mushuku


Precila Takabvirakare

MPANDAWANA – A Gutu Rural Hospital medical doctor, Henry Mushuku last week appeared in the Gutu Magistrate’s Court drunk and insulted magistrate Victor Mahamadi saying he was not fit to hear his case.
Mushuku (31), who resides in Gutu Suburbs, had been brought to court in connection with failing to appear in the same court on charges of negligent driving and driving without a valid driver’s licence.
The case was supposed to have been heard on April 09 but Mushuku failed to appear in court on that day and was fined US$20.
The case then moved to April 24 but he again failed to show up, and a warrant of arrest was issued against him by magistrate Edwin Marecha, who has since been transferred to Harare.
Mushuku was only arrested at Makaki beer hall on July 13.
When asked by Mahamadi why he had failed to come to court, he began shouting at him, saying was not the right magistrate to judge him.
“You cannot deal with my case. How can you deal with the matter that was started by someone else? This judiciary is questionable. Remember, Mugabe was removed from power because of his incompetence, the same can happen to you. My case cannot be done by a drunkard like you,” said Mushuku.
Magistrate Mahamadi then ordered that Mushuku be taken back to the cells where he spent the whole of last weekend.
On Monday, July 16, Mushuku was brought back to court where he was fined US$300 for the driving without a valid driver’s licence charge and US$150 for the second charge of negligent driving.
He, however, explained himself out of the offense of failing to appear in court on April 24.
The State’s facts, as presented by Millicent Azangwe, were that on March 14 this year, at around 00:15 hrs Mushuku was driving a Mazda vehicle past the Gutu District Administrator (DA)’s offices.
He failed to control the vehicle and hit the rear right wheels of a truck that was coming from the opposite direction, causing damage to the vehicle and injuring Admire George, a passenger in the vehicle.
A report was then made to the police, leading to Mushuku’s arrest who was found to have been driving with a learner’s license (provisional) without supervision.
Mushuku has become notorious for many misdemeanours including performing a Caesarean Section on Locardia Mbinda while drunk last year; botching the operation, leading to the death of the woman.local

Married Zanu PF Zaka activists caught pants down

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Married Zanu PF Zaka activists caught pants down

Willard Ringe Ringe and Violet Machokoto

Brighton Chiseva

ZAKA – Two married Zanu PF members from Chiororo village who are in the campaigning team for aspiring Zaka Central MP Davison Svuure are the talk of Jerera after they were allegedly caught pants down in one of the growth point’s suburbs last week.
Willard Ringe Ringe allegedly caught in the act with Violet Machokoto after Machokoto’s nephew was tipped off by an informant.
The two were shamed and beaten before being locked up in a house so that they ‘could go on doing what they were caught doing’. A video clip of the embarrassing incident was widely shared on WhatsApp.
Sources said Ringe Ringe is Ward 18 Councillor Daniel Mativenga’s campaigning manager while Machokoto, who is a village health worker and a St Joseph High School Development Committee (SDC) member, is also Svuure’s contact person in the ward.
It is said the two often met in Jerera at Machokoto’s brother in-law’s place where she would pretend to be cleaning.
“The two used to meet at the same place with Machokoto claiming to be cleaning the house of her brother in-law because he doesn’t stay there,” said the source.
The matter was heard at Mapanje village head’s traditional court where Ringe Ringe was ordered to pay a beast to Machokoto’s husband and a goat to the village head.
When contacted for comment, Svuure said he only heard of the incident through rumours, adding the two were just his contact persons in the ward not his campaigning managers as some people purported.
Another source said the two started their adulterous relationship a long time back and would often make appointments to see each other while lying that they were going for party meetings.local

‘ED wants security for Tongaat Hulett’

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‘ED wants security for Tongaat Hulett’
President Emmerson Mnangagwa

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Zimbabwe Sugar Milling Industry Workers Union (ZSMIWU) secretary general, Rtd Major Faster Gono has pointed out that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is against the seizure of land from Tongaat Hulett, saying the case of the 4000 hectares that was confiscated from the company was punishment for the abuse that employees of the sugar company suffered.
Addressing Zanu PF supporters in Mufakose, Triangle to drum up support for Zanu PF’s Chiredzi West aspiring legislator Farai Musikavanhu last weekend, Gono said Mnangagwa wanted the security of both the worker and the company.
“In February this year, I met President Mnangagwa at his farm to discuss the land grab here in Chiredzi. He asked me why I wanted the 4000 hectares to be returned to Tongaat when we were complaining that the company was ill-treating workers. It was hard for me to answer to that question,” said Gono.
He criticised the leadership of Tongaat Hulett managing director Sydney Mutsambiwa, saying he could have done better to save the company’s land from being seized.
“If Mutsambiwa had a good relationship with workers, not even a small piece of the land could have been taken from his company. Cde Mnangagwa is for business and hates ill-treatment of workers,” said Gono.
“Havaimbozogona kushaya pekutsunya napo Mutsambiwa iye akadzipa vana vavo (His conduct gave people a good excuse to take the land as revenge),” Gono said.
He also defended Musikavanhu from accusations that he is advocating for the seizure of more land from the company, saying just like the President, Musikavanhu was against job losses and will not do anything which threatens the job security of workers.
“It’s a lie that Musikavanhu is advocating for land seizures. I will quit as secretary general of ZSMIWU if that happens. It’s just a smear campaign from rivals who want to divide us,” said Gono.politics

Why I will vote for Chamisa

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Why I will vote for Chamisa

Kkkkkk some people should be employed in the business of selling secondhand clothes instead of being leaders. Yes, vanofanira kutengesa mabhero chaiwo; Mapombi is very sure many of my avid readers would agree with this.
Can you imagine vari zvavo pedu paChitima market apo or at Mbare musika vachideedzera; ‘Tine maT-shirt…kune maT-shirt..t..t….tichakupai maT-shirt…kune maT-shirt..t..t..t. Kkkkkkk he will be a good market of second hand clothes I am sure kutovati tungamirai nyika kutokanganisa chaiko.
Anyway, July 30 is next week – we shall see. Mapombi once told you that clueless leaders should be allowed to rest, let alone old people – ko vakandodya zvavo mudyandigere vakarega vadiki vakatonga zvakaipei?
Kkkkkk but Kedha ndomahwani; Mapombi heard he has since realized that spaghetti roads are possible in Zimbabwe. I heard he encouraged Harare City council to construct spaghetti roads; of course he used words like vakaivo migwagwa inopindana-pindana. Kkkkkk this is what Chamisa referred as spaghetti roads ka nhai Kedha ko wava kurasika papi mukahwani room.
Mapombi is happy that at least our leaders are now buying into Chamisa’s ideas though they prefer to use different terminology – they call them modern world class roads and fast trains while Chamisa call them spaghetti roads and bullet trains kkkkkkk it’s just a matter of semantics maCdes but ndozvairehwa nemufana uyu muchiti hazviitike.
Now that Zanu is agreeing with Chamisa’s vision then Mapombi will certainly vote for the young man because muzivi wezhira yeparuware ndiye mufambi wayo. It is Chamisa who has the vision so he is the best man to implement it.  Giving Zanu PF a good policy document is a waste of time because they will never implement it – we all know what happened to ZimAsset yakangosvika pakuraswa pasina chabuda and now they have this blueprint isina zita iyi inongosvikazve pakuraswa.
They are good at sweet-talking but implementation dhololo. Mapombi is surprised by the rate at which ED forgets things; I wonder is age fast catching up with him? At 76 the man hardly remember things now; hanzi election musi wa31 December; 4+10 = 40 kkkkk haa izvi ndazvikonewa ini zvangu mwana wekwaChirimudombo. I think someone was a bad learner or should I say a slow learner because how can one, who has been with uncle Bob for decades, failed to master what Mugabe was doing? At 94, Uncle Bob gives you issues as they are and he hardly forgets crucial things.
Mapombi is always a gentleman ende handivanzi ini; gwendo gwuno ngwena inotiza mudziva chete. Namai kudai ndotokupikirai. If Chamisa fails to win, I bet I will not eat maputi for the next five years – hamundioni futi ndichidya maputi, which is my staple food, andinokanga everyday aya.
As long as the elections are free and fair; Chamisa will win this next week election. I heard junta is already intimidating people in Mwenezi tiri kuzvinzwa zvese. What I know is that ED will never win a free, fair and credible elections. Ndopika naBlessing Chebundo kudai!
But Chamisa must be careful; I don’t really think the issue is on the ballot paper. Zanu has intelligent people; they might send high profile guys from the security to give false information to Chamisa so that they divert his attention on the real issues.
What I know is Zanu PF hardly repeats the same tactic it used in the previous election – in 2008 they used violence but things were totally different in 2013 where they are alleged to have used Nikuv. In 2013, MDC-T put a lot of emphasis on need for a non-violent election and they were given that but vakarohwa nezveusiku on july 31, 2013. Even up to today, many of them can hardly explain kuti vakadyiwa sei.
And my worry now is that they put more emphasis on the ballot paper but I think Zanu is using a totally different tactic this time around – pamwe kungofungawo hangu kwangu semunhu anoonekwa nevazhinji senge mupengo asi chati homu chareva varume. Many people think that I am mad because they see me dressed in rags but what they do not know is that I am like this because of Zanu PF.
My father was a successful businessman but in 2008 all his money disappeared kubank and in 2009 he died of BP ini ndokusara ndava nherera. Can you imagine ndaitovawo musikana mhenya yaitotemwa dzinobudawo ropa but iyezvino ndasakadzwa nemaSquatter because mari yababa vangu yakadyiwa nehurumende yeZanu PF.
I become so emotional when I think about it; I’m surviving on rotten bananas and maputi every day. I sold all the cattle that was left by my dad so that I could go to university with the hope that I would one day get proper. Now ndangova graduate rinorara mukaimba kemapaper. Chamisa is my last hope; kana zvarambisisa hazvo I pray for an inclusive government.
Anyway, it’s almost lunch time let me go ndindokanga hangu maputi angu for lunch. But before I go, let me remind those in the same situation with me kuti ziva munhu akakupa nhamo yaunayo wena and vote wisely on July 30. Kkkkkkk I heard someone achiti we are in this mess because of sanctions hahahaha mutikwanire manzwaka?
I am certain that Chamisa has two votes already – my vote and that of Mphoko kkkkkk kana muchida huyai tiite bheji-bheji Mphoko haambovhotere Zanu PF chero zvodii kkkkkk. Mboko imboko!mapombi

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