ED charms delegates at AU summit

President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa (pictured) has delivered a charming address to the delegates at the 30th session of the African Union summit in Addis Ababa Ethiopia Sunday.

         

Emmerson Mnangagwa

Mnangagwa says Zimbabweans are seeing a glimpse of hope despite the new government has only taken few days in office.

The president also reiterated that the power transfer in Zimbabwe was peaceful and assured the continental body that his predecessor Robert Gabriel Mugabe is safe.

“May I inform this orgast chamber that your brother, former president Robert Mugabe is well, safe, secure and it’s my duty leading the current administration to preserve his legacy as the founding father of our Republic,” he said as a thunderous round of applause follows.

“The transition as you are all aware, was very peaceful and we are happy that as a nation we faced challenges, and as a nation we resolved those challenges and we have received support from my senior colleagues in the SADC and the continent,” he added.

Mnangagwa sought political authentication of his administration within the Southern African region and the World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland and the AU summit provided just handed him opportunities to market himself on the global and continental political arenas.

Tsvangirai on the verge of recovery: reports

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) leader Morgan Tsvangirai is on the verge of recovery as he is now able to shave and bath according to reports.

Morgan Tsvangirai

By Charles Lotara

@chaleyofficial

Tsvangirai publicly announced in 2016 that he was diagnosed with cancer of colon and since then his health drastically deteriorated.

There was a national outrage after a picture of the former prime minister portraying him in absolutely bad condition went viral when president Emmerson Mnangagwa paid a visit to the main opposition leader earlier this year.

However, Bulawayo24 reports that the Tsvangirai is now able to shave and bath himself, a sign that his health condition is improving.

Speaking to NewZimbabwe.com, Tsvangirai’s Manashe Tsvangirai who attended the prayer event held for his brother at the MDC-T headquarters in the capital Harare Friday thanked the people of Zimbabwe for the support they are giving to his brother.

“As the Tsvangirai family, we are grateful for the support we are getting from the people of Zimbabwe from all walks of life during this difficult time. We appreciate this positive gesture shown to my brother who is not feeling well.”

“You all know that it is difficult to cope up with an illness in the family but, we are not losing hope because when I visited my brother in South Africa, I noticed a great change as I spent a week in that country.

“From my own observation, there is a great improvement considering that he can make a shave, bath himself, eat well and walk around. You are aware the drugs he is taking are too strong and have side effects that can make him lose strength and at times he can feel nausea, but, doctors have assured us that he will be well,” he added.

Masuku forced to abandon funeral address

The Minister of State for Bulawayo Province Angelina Masuku was earlier Sunday drowned by boos and forced to abandon her address at the funeral service of Rev Reuben Mabhena.

Angelina Masuku – Minister of State for Masvingo Province

Masuku who was appointed to her current position after the takeover of the government by Emmerson Mnangagwa through a military coup was accused of sanitizing the sensitive issue of gukurahundi.

By Charles Lotara

@chaleyofficial

President Mnangagwa denied issuing apology to the victims of the horrific occurrence during the World Economic Forum session in Davos Switzerland earlier January this year.

The president told a mixture of audience that his government will investigate what really led to the alleged massacre of about 20,000 innocent civilians.

Masuku invoked the painful memory of the mourners and received a rude awakening when she tried to defend the government of the day during her address to audience who are still bitter and demanding compensation over the alleged murder.

“Coolest monkey in the jungle;” H&M pays the price

Despite offering an equivocal apology, the South Africa-based clothing-retail company Hennes & Mauritz popularly known as H&M have seen their shop in Sandton destroyed and vandalized by a group of protesters from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) over what they deemed a racist advert of a model black boy wearing hoodie with the inscription “coolest monkey in the jungle.” (Watch video below).

By Charles Lotara

@chaleyofficial

The opposition party which is flooded by young and ideologically vibrant youths took to their official twitter feed and deemed the destruction as “peaceful and orderly” as no property was either stolen or looted.

What is left out in the entire public narrative on #EFFprotest against H&M anti-black racism is that Not Even A Single Item was Stolen or Looted by EFF Ground Forces. How much more peaceful and orderly can a protest be? #Asijiki

— EFF (@EFFSouthAfrica) January 14, 2018

H&M, a Swedish multinational clothing-retail company known for its fast-fashion clothing for men, women, teenagers and children did not only witness fierce threats from local celebrities but also lost partnerships with a number of them.

Meanwhile, Terry Mango, the mother of the model black boy labeled H&M critics crying wolf,’ and told them to ‘get over it’, a remark which was merely a pie in the air to the maroon boys.

Watch the video below

Mnangagwa urges peace as Zimbabwe nears elections

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has on Sunday said, the citizens should desist from violent conduct but rather embrace peace and harmony regardless of political differences as the country draws closer to this year’s general elections.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa

By Charles Lotara

@chaleyofficial

The President’s remark came a day after meeting traditional leaders where he reportedly sought to get views from different communities as well as briefing the traditional leaders on the vision and expectations of his administration.

When we go to the elections you should not fight.When people support their parties it’s their choice.We should work for the people and not be selfish.There should be justice and national reconciliation because we cannot progress when communities are in conflict.God bless Zimbabwe

— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) January 14, 2018

Mnangagwa paid a surprise visit to his fierce party rival and MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai earlier this year, a move which sparked mixed emotion from the citizens with some saying, the meeting was to negotiate for the upcoming presidential elections to be postponed and held after three years.

Contrary to the above assumption, Mr. President hopefully took to his official twitter account which he opened less than a week ago and said, “When we go to the elections, you should not fight.”

Mnangagwa unlike his predecessor says, he encourages diversity in political opinions and it is a choice for one to support another party.

“When people support their parties, it’s their choice. We should work for the people and not be selfish. There should be justice and national reconciliation because we cannot progress when communities are in conflict,” he tweeted.

There has been a glimpse of economic recovery ever since Mnangagwa took over in November last year after the forceful resignation of Robert Mugabe who ruled the country of 37 years.

‘We’re willing to work with Zim… but it should have its own currency,’ says US

HARARE (ZIMBABWE) – United States President Donald Trump’s administration has reportedly said that it is committed to work with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government, adding however, that Zimbabwe should “stop relying on the US dollar and instead introduce its own currency”.

Donald Yamamoto

According to The Independent, the US Acting Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Don Yamamoto said: “Today it (Zimbabwe) imports food; its financial institutions are not in great shape. They have to go into the US dollar. That’s good and bad; I mean, it stabilises, but it’s bad because Zimbabwe should have control of its own finances. It shouldn’t be dependent on United States or outside. And those are some of the reforms that we recognise need to be done immediately in short-term and also long-term.”

Yamamoto said this last week in Washington DC during a press briefing on the US strategic priorities.

He said that the US was ready to work with Zimbabwe on economic and political reforms so as to help put the country in the right direction.

This came as president Mnangagwa remained under US sanctions for his activities as Robert Mugabe’s deputy and enforcer.

Mnangagwa, who was sworn in on November 24, was sanctioned in response to what the US called acts “to undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic processes or institutions” and “acts of violence and other human rights abuses against political opponents”.

Mnangagwa was accused of leading a violent crackdown on opponents in the 2008 presidential election.

He has, however, vowed a “new, unfolding democracy” in Zimbabwe after Mugabe’s resignation under military and ruling party pressure.

Read more on News24

Zimbabwe’s Mugabe Gets Comfortable Retirement

The retirement perks for Zimbabwe’s former President Robert Mugabe include some two-dozen permanent staff, three new cars every five years and​a newly built eight-bedroom residence or its equivalent in cash, according to a notice issued by the country’s new leader.

President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa

Mr. Mugabe was forced to end his turn as the world’s oldest head of state last month after 37 years in power that pushed his country to the brink of financial collapse, but saw his family gain vast personal wealth.

On Thursday, as Constantino Chiwenga, the military commander who led the intervention to oust him, was sworn in as vice president, the price tag for his resignation became public.

His successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has made sure that Mr. Mugabe and his wife Grace won’t suffer. The 93-year-old will be attended to by at least 25 staff—including a minimum of six security guards, two private secretaries, two cooks and two people in charge of cleaning his laundry, according to the notice,​which sets out the retirement benefits for presidents​and was ​published in Zimbabwe’s government gazette.

He will also have access to a Mercedes Benz S500 or an equivalent luxury sedan, a four-wheel-drive station wagon and a pick-up truck—which have to be replaced every five years—and a fully furnished office.

Mr. Mugabe, who already owns several properties including his luxurious “Blue Roof” mansion on the outskirts of Harare, is entitled to “a reasonably sized house with five bedrooms, a guest wing with three bedrooms, a study, a swimming pool, two guard rooms and two garages.” Should he decide not to have the government build a new residence, he can demand the equivalent in cash.

The government will pay for up to four first-class private international trips a year for Mr. Mugabe and his wife.

The couple, who haven’t made any public comments since ​Mr. Mugabe stepped down on Nov. 21, are currently in Singapore, where the former president regularly receives medical treatment. The state will continue to pay for his medical care as well as his phone, water and electricity charges.

The former president already receives a monthly pension that is equal to the president’s salary, said George Charamba, Mr. Mnangagwa’s spokesman, who declined to give details on how much that salary was. Mr. Charamba denied reports last month that Mr. Mugabe had received a “golden handshake” of as much as $10 million for agreeing to step down.

“We’re not in the business of buying people out of office,” he said.

Chivi disaster leaves over 40 families homeless

By Charles Lotara

@chaleyofficial    

CHIVI (ZIMBABWE)- The devastating hailstorm in Chivi district has reportedly left over 40 families homeless, amid fears the figure could rise.

Hail is a form of solid precipitation. It is distinct from ice pellets, though the two are often confused. It consists of balls or irregular lumps of ice, each of which is called a hailstone.

Masvingo Provincial Administrator Fungai Mbetsa confirmed the report and said the province is engaging humanitarian organizations such as the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society to help out families which were victimized by the disaster.

“We got the report last week, and I can confirm that 40 families have been affected. We are looking forward to assist them as quick as we can. We are going to provide them with shelter and food,” said Fugai.

The most affected areas of the district were Wards 18 and 16 but Fungai says after doing assessment of the disaster, more areas and families could be affected.

“Initially it was reported that 40 families were affected. However, when assessment was carried out the number was more than that. The hailstorm affected majorly Wards 18 and 16 but there is possibility that more areas could be affected,” he said.

Meanwhile, report received by Masvingo Provincial Spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula indicates that Rukasi, Matondo, Zimani, Maoneke and Tumba villages under headman Chipindu were the most affected.

The powerful hailstorm which started on 25^th November 2017 at 2315 hours to 0245 hours 26^th November, 2017 uprooted trees, swept away 41 households, and left three people injured.

Runotida Marisa, a female adult aged 68 was admitted to the hospital with a swollen head while Edward Manyanga and Miedzo Machidha (age not provided) had bruises over their bodies but the report says the two were treated and discharged.

When contacted for comment, the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society said they were yet to confirm the incidence before referring the rest of the questions to their main office.

Chivi district was also one of the affected areas when Cyclone Dineo hit Masvingo Province earlier this year where several homesteads were marooned and destroyed by floods after the bursting of Shashe River

Calls to tackle young sex workers’ menace grow

…as prostitution sucks in more teenagers

By Charles Lotara

@chaleyofficial

MASVINGO (ZIMBABWE)- The National Aids Council (NAC) says it is appalled by recently development which shows a vast number of young people indulging into a commercial sex business and calls for joint community efforts to rescue the teenagers from the menace.

Official Logo of the National Aids Council – Zimbabwe

In an interview with Evos Makoni, the National Aids Council Provincial Manager for Masvingo, the number of young sex workers is on the rise and what still remain mind-cracking are the reasons motivating them to get into the health-threatening business.

Makoni says NAC does not condone sex workers especially those from 24 years of age and below adding that for it to be successful, relevant Ministries and Departments, including the media fraternity should be engaged to create awareness.

Ministry of Youths, Ministry of Gender and Ministry of Education and the Police Department are called upon to join hands and mitigate the rampant spread of teenage prostitution.

“We have to find mitigation to it; we can only achieve this if we engage relevant departments and ministries. Prostitution against young people is an injustice, if we can eradicate or take it out completely we would have a sustainable community.” He said.

“It is at the dawn when scantily-dressed sex workers, most of them young women, lean on the perimeter fence of a popular nightspot at Mupandawana Growth Point in Gutu,” he added

Chivi Turnoff and Zerera were also roped in as districts where commercial sex workers sit on wooden benches in front of the dimly-light bar awaiting clients while some roam around the bars, hoping to entice an imbiber.

Makoni said “Occasionally, a man comes up, negotiates with one of the sex workers, and the two stroll off to the nearby maize field.”

Analysis done by NAC so far shows Gutu leading the trail with 40 young commercial workers roaming the streets, Zerera accommodating 17 as 16 more are spotted at Chivi Turnoff in Chivi District. Complete statistics expected after the full analysis as the team from the National Aids Council is obtaining the results.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Provincial Education Director for Masvingo Andrew Chikwange says, schools are doing their best in offering sex education.

“The schools are doing their best as far as sex education is concerned. The problem is, not all schools are boarding and this makes it difficult to know what the young ones do when they are out of the school,” he said before referring additional questions to the Provincial Education Director who was not available for comments.

Masvingo Sports Club readies for life after debts

By Charles Lotara

@chaleyofficial

MASVINGO (ZIMBABWE)- The interim leadership of Masvingo Sports Club had reportedly trimmed staff members from 23 to 12 and came up with a payment plan to amortise arrears for Value Added Tax, and National Social Security Authority as the club readies for a debts free institution.

Masvingo Golf Course

This came a few weeks after Masvingo City Council uplifted the water arrears which have ballooned to approximately $170,000, an amount the club struggled to clear since the dollarization era.

Erroc Edwards, who headed the delegation from the club in a meeting held on 29^th November, 2017 explained that, the elected Sports Committee for Masvingo Sports Club stepped down in 2015 after accumulating in excess $170,000 in arrears for Municipal Bills.

 Edwards revealed that, a subcommittee consisting of former Presidents of the club on a voluntary basis to save it from total collapse adding that, there was need for City fathers to appreciate that to attain a City Status it was a prerequisite to have a Sports Club and Cathedral and as such there was need to preserve the institution.

The Club reportedly operating as a non-profit-making organization and in the event of failure to viably operate same, it would be handed over back to the Council as the custodian of public property.

The Council Minutes of the meeting held last month say, the main club required some renovations and Council could consider providing its labour for the works  as part of its contribution with kitchen and hall being sublet and membership recruitment drive to increase the revenue base ongoing.

Edwards however, dismissed the request made by the previous Club Committee to sell the Club Manager’s house to raise income stating that, the Interim Committee was not for this idea of selling the house and that it should be retained in anticipation of good times.

Town Clerk Adolf Gusha noted that, there was a standing Council Resolution on the membership of Councillors and Senior Management to the Sports Club but after their presentation, the Interim Committee was excused.

It was proposed and agreed that Council writes off the debt owed by the Sports Club to enable them start on a fresh page.

The debate ensued with the Committee highlighting that there is need for the Club to embark on a membership recruitment drive to increase its revenue base and utilise current sporting facilities.