Soccer24 on 6 Sep, 2020

Zimbabwe Football Association )(ZIFA) president Felton Kamambo has ruled out the possibility of friendly games for the senior men’s national soccer team before the AFCON qualifiers against Algeria slated for November.

The Warriors take on the Desert Foxes in a Group H double header in November, after a lengthy break from football due to the Covid-19 crisis and head coach Zdravko Logarušić, who has not taken charge of any competitive game since his appointment in January because of the global pandemic, was hoping that the country’s football governing body organizes friendlies before that so that he could get to know the arsenal at disposal better but Kamambo admitted that might not be possible.

“I doubt if the Warriors will play any friendlies ahead of the November qualifiers considering the situation and also the window period is very near in September,” Kamambo said according to The Standard. 

“I don’t think we will be able to arrange any friendly matches for the Warriors, but we will have to make sure that we are at our best in every department,” he added.

*ANC Delegation Expected In Zimbabwe Tuesday*
A 10-member delegation from South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) is expected in the country on Tuesday to meet its ZANU PF counterparts as part of the revolutionary parties’ efforts to strengthen mutual cooperation and appraise each other of developments on either side of the Limpopo.

ZANU PF director for Information and Publicity Tafadzwa Mugwadi confirmed the visit.

“I can confirm that the delegation will arrive on Tuesday. I am not sure of the full names of the team, but obviously it is going to include the top brass of the ANC. I understand that ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule will lead the team.”

ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe acknowledged receipt of inquiries from The Sunday Mail, but had not responded by yesterday.

The latest engagement comes as the two liberation movements are being targeted for attacks by forces bent on ousting them from power.

Last week, ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa came under a vicious attack at the National Executive Committee (NEC) — the party’s highest decision-making body — where he was told by some members to resign.  *Zimbabwe  Mail*

George Makoni, a human rights activist, lodged a High Court application, accusing the government of usurping the role of the Zimbabwe Mass Media Trust (ZMMT) by appointing the Zimpapers board and interfering in the appointment of senior editorial staff.

The ZMMT was established by government in 1981 to oversee the operations of news organisations owned by the state and act as a buffer to prevent interference by the state.
Makoni said the government has been illegally interfering in Zimpapers operations by sidelining ZMMT. *The Standard*

*Twitter Temporarily Restricts Ministry Of Health’s Twitter Account*
Twitter has temporarily restricted the Ministry Of Health and Child Care Ministry’s twitter handle.  Twitter usually restricts, suspends or ban users if they violate any of the app’s rules. The Health Ministry early this year lost another account after Twitter permanently suspended the ministry’s account.

The temporary restrictions mean the Health Ministry cannot post updates like the COVID-19 update till the restriction is lifted neither can they comment, like nor retweet anything.

The information ministry also lost their account after Twitter permanently suspended it due to violations, while recently the Information Ministry Permanent Ministry Nick Mangwana’s account was also temporarily restricted. *Pindula*

The exams are set to begin on the 1st of December. Advanced Level exams will also be written in the same month, while exams for Ordinary Level candidates are expected to spill into January 2021.
About 1,2 million learners will be sitting for their exams this year.

Preparations have already begun following an announcement of the schools reopening date by the government.

Schools are set to reopen on September 28 for Zimsec exam classes only.

Cambridge classes will reopen on September 14, with exams beginning on October 1.

Speaking to The Sunday Mail Zimsec board chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje said after the timetables have been drafted, there would be extensive consultations with various stakeholders, after which they will be shared with the candidates. *ZBC News*

September 6, 2020

Paul Nyathi

Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi has dispelled social media rumours that the two suspects in the Chivhu incident on Saturday have been arrested.

Speaking to ZimEye in an interview, Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said pictures of two men with one in handcuffs that have been doing rounds on social media are not at all related to the Chivhu incident.

Police have indicated that they are hot on the heals pursuing the matter and official information will be provided as and when it becomes available.

02 September 2020

Image: Twitter/Hopewell Chin’ono The detention of Ngarivhume and Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono (pictured) – and arrest of dozens of activists has led to accusations that the government is persecuting the opposition, a charge the authorities deny.

Zimbabwe’s High Court granted bail on Wednesday to an opposition politician detained after calling for anti-government protests in July over corruption and the worst economic crisis in more than a decade.

Jacob Ngarivhume was arrested along with journalist Hopewell Chin’ono on July 20, on charges of inciting violence. Ngarivhume had called for the protests on July 31 and Chin’ono wrote about the call.

Both men had been denied bail three times, but on Wednesday High Court judge Siyabona Musithu said the politician would be released from detention at a maximum security prison after paying 50,000 Zimbabwe dollars ($600).

The judge said a lower court had erred in denying Ngarivhume bail. Another judge will rule on whether to free Chin’ono later on Wednesday.

As part of bail conditions, Ngarivhume, who leads a small opposition party, Transform Zimbabwe, was barred from posting on Twitter until his case is finalised, must surrender his passport to the court and report to the police three times a week.

Prevented from protesting by restrictions the government says are needed to stop the spread of Covid-19, activists have used a Twitter hashtag #ZimbabweanLivesMatter to criticise President Emmerson Mnangagwa and encourage global pressure on his government.

When Chin’ono made a routine court appearance on Tuesday, he looked visibly frail and told reporters that he was unwell and doctors had taken a sample to test for Covid-19.

The detention of Ngarivhume and Chin’ono and arrest of dozens of activists has led to accusations that the government is persecuting the opposition, a charge the authorities deny.

The opposition has disputed Mnangagwa’s 2018 election, which took place after he replaced ruler Robert Mugabe in a coup, promising a break with Mugabe’s authoritarian style. 

2 September 2020

HEADLINES

Lawyers Stage Demo At High Court

Teachers Tear Into Government

Mnangagwa, War Vets Cross Swords Over Land Compensation

Tough Times For Money Changers

Minister Files For Divorce

Govt Warns Private Schools Against Hiking Fees Without Approval

‘Voters Ready To Reject Khupe MPs’

Kalangas Cancel Annual Jamboree

Kamambo Thwarts Coup Threats: Inside Report

STORIES IN DETAIL;

Lawyers Stage Demo At High Court
Lawyers from different law firms staged a mini demonstration in Harare soon after Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume was granted bail at the High Court, Wednesday.

Their main objective was to highlight their concerns about how President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government was abusing the Constitution and not respecting the rule of law.

A placard styled “Respect our Constitution, Zimbabweans Lives matter” was placed outside the High Court plastered with documents highlighting sections 49 to 76 of the Constitution.

They took turns to place white flowers before the placard laying them like a wreath.

The demonstration comes in the wake of various complaints by human rights lawyers against the State which appears to be implementing justice in a politically motivated manner.

Various opposition and activism proponents are incarcerated and being denied bail, which is a Constitutional right. Nhau/Indaba

Teachers Tear Into Government
TEACHERS have let rip at the government over the imminent re-opening of exam classes this month, terming the development as ill thought and careless.

Raymond Majongwe, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary general, said he was apprehensive as the government had not convinced the teachers that it can test all the students returning to class for Covid-19 virus.

“There is a problem. We are very scared as most kids will be moving from several places within the country coming to schools and we are worried because government is not yet ready to test the students nor the teachers,” he said.

“We are even more worried as some schools do not have running water and proper ablushment facilities are very few and some are in bad shape,” added the PTUZ secretary.

Government announced this Monday that exam classes with resume mid and month end for Cambridge and Zimsec respectively, with the State vowing that all relevant stakeholders were consulted.

However, Majongwe hit back insisting that teachers were not consulted and government decision was arbitrary.

“As far as we can say we have tried all in our powers and government does not want to listen and if you consider what is happening on the ground public hospitals are in dire conditions and doctors and nurse are on strike, so when we have problems were will we turn to,” he said.

“We want to believe that government knows it and all wisdom resides in the cabinet but they now hold virtual meetings sitting far away from each other and putting on masks, and yet they want us to mingle in big numbers at schools. This is scary to say the least but what can we do when we are dealing with stubborn people.”

Sifiso Ndlovu, Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) chief executive, implored the government to ensure the safety of teachers and students.
“Now that a decision and an announcement has been made albeit under stampeded consultations the government has a duty to provide good, safe and healthy conditions for learners and teachers, and this should be the utter most priority, said Ndlovu.

Turning to the preparedness of the learners Majongwe said the time frame to learn and cover the whole syllabuses is insufficient.

“We are dealing with people not worried about standards. If you look at it closely most students stopped going to school around March and the so called e-lessons are bogus because they never took place. Most families do not afford a bungle of green vegetables and how does government expect the students to access data bundles which are overpriced. So there was no learning which ever happened and we are worried and we are doing a disservice to our own standards,” he said.

Ndlovu and Majongwe urged government to review teachers’ remuneration arguing that the current salary is hardly sufficient to survive. Nhau/Indaba

Mnangagwa, War Vets Cross Swords Over Land Compensation
WAR veterans have written to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government demanding that he shelves his US$3,5 billion compensation pact with white former commercial farmers, describing the move as highly discriminatory, degrading and akin to selling out the liberation struggle.

Mnangagwa last month signed the global compensation agreement with white former farmers displaced during the country’s 2000 land reform programme.

Under the deal, government pledged to cough out US$3,5 billion compensation for infrastructural developments on the seized farms.

The deal followed the commitment by government to return seized farms to black farmers as well as farms protected under Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreements (BIPPAs).

The latest agreement, announced in a joint statement by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube and newly-appointed Lands minister Anxious Masuka on Monday, has, however, triggered varying reactions with some viewing it as a reversal of the land reform programme.

But the little-known War Veterans Pressure Group wrote to Mnangagwa through their lawyers, Kanoti and Partners, ordering the Lands ministry to issue a public statement withdrawing the compensation offer. NewsDay

Tough Times For Money Changers
MONEY changers in the country are finding the going tough following the ban on mobile money agent lines and the introduction of daily transaction limits.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) recently banned mobile money agent lines as well and set $5 000 as the cap for daily transactions for individuals.

The central bank also introduced a policy that limits mobile wallet users to only one account per individual. Agent lines were being used across the country to cash-in and cash-out as well as for sales transactions. The RBZ suspected that some of the lines were being used to fuel the black market causing a spike in foreign currency rates.

Following the recent daily and monthly limits pronouncement by the central bank, foreign currency dealers had resorted to multiple accounts to sustain their operations. 

“Since the lockdown began in March our job has become difficult as authorities are closing all avenues for us. Now this latest ban on agent lines and the cap in daily mobile transactions has totally frustrated our business,” said one money changer in Bulawayo. News dzeZimbabwe

Minister files for divorce
JUSTICE, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has filed for divorce saying the relationship with his wife has irretrievably broken down with no prospects of restoration.
Minister Ziyambi has for the past seven years, been estranged from his wife Florence Ziyambi, nee Mhizha, a lawyer and former deputy Prosecutor-General.
In his claim filed at the High Court, Minister Ziyambi is asking for a decree of divorce saying the couple have not lived together as husband and wife since sometime in 2014. The Herald

Govt Warns Private Schools Against Hiking Fees Without Approval
The government has warned Private schools against hiking school fees without getting approval from parents and the ministry of primary and secondary education, the Chronicle reports.

The matter came to light as the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education director of communications and advocacy, Mr Taungana Ndoro, laid down the procedure for hiking fees and said:

There is a procedure that schools follow for approval of new fees structures by the Ministry and these are done on a case by case base. That procedure normally involves parents and the school before being submitted to the Ministry. once submitted the Ministry gives its response and you can obtain that response from the schools. Parents and schools are involved in the adjustment. Ministry considers an agreed position between parents and the school. Chronicle

‘Voters Ready To Reject Khupe MPs’
OPPOSITION MDC Alliance secretary-general Chalton Hwende yesterday claimed that opposition supporters in different parts of the country were already mobilising to reject MPs nominated by the MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe to replace 15 recalled MDC Alliance proportional representation MPs.

This comes as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) last week notified in terms of section 39 (6) of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) that the MDC-T led by Khupe had nominated people to fill in the party list of proportional representation MPs from the MDC Alliance who were recalled from the National Assembly and Senate.

About 22 MDC Alliance MPs were recalled by the MDC-T from Parliament after the Supreme Court adjudged that Khupe was the legitimate interim leader of the MDC-T.

Since the court ruling, Khupe has recalled MPs affiliated to the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa and even taken over the MDC headquarters.

Hwende described Zec’s move to allow Khupe to replace MDC Alliance MPs with her party members as a continuation of subversion of the people’s will.

“It is the same as what happened in 2018 when a man that lost Presidential elections was sworn in as President. What is happening now is that Zanu-PF is using Zec is stealing seats from MDC Alliance and giving them to the MDC-T,” Hwende said. NewsDay

Kalangas Cancel Annual Jamboree
KALANGAS have cancelled this year’s annual jamboree citing the novel Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent government lockdown regulations.
Divine Dube, Kalanga Language and Cultural Development Association (KLCDA) publicity head said in a statement released yesterday that the celebration penciled for October has been annulled to ensure the safety of musicians and citizens.

“Given the country’s current Corona virus regulations and with the safety of the festival attendees, musicians, volunteers and members in mind, the festival committee has resolved to cancel this year,” said Dube.

But he remained upbeat that the next year’s event will be a success.

“While KLCDA shares your disappointment in the annulment the association plans to use the hiatus to plan an even bigger and better festival in 2021, should the Covid-19 pandemic recede,” Dube said.

The Luswingo Kalanga Cultural festival is held annually to promote and celebrate Kalanga language and culture through art, music and dance kin addition to other activities. It is held at Luswingo heritage site, a former Kalanga settlement in Bulilima district.
Kalanga is one of the 16 official languages recognized by the country’s constitution. It is mostly spoken in Matabeleland South. Nhau/Indaba

Kamambo thwarts coup threats: Inside report
SENSING impending danger from rumoured dissension within the ZIFA assembly, association president Felton Kamambo led a three men team around the country to reassure the electorate under the guise of discussing Covid-19 disbursements, which had already been allocated.

In tow was Phillemon Machana, the man responsible for the ZIFA purse recently credited with US$1.8 million and Brighton Malandule the referees committee chairperson.

The first of the hurriedly organised interface rallies was held in Harare on the afternoon of the 13th while two brief ones were held on the 14th in Gweru and Bulawayo.

The final one took place in Mutare, a region allegedly in unison with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in demanding payment in United States dollars.

As expected, the regional leadership, together with some from the provinces, area zones and women’s football, vehemently disparaged PSL for demanding US dollars while the Zimbabwean dollar is legal tender.

Machana took time to explain why it was beneficial for beneficiaries to accept local currency pay outs. Zim Morning Post

BAIL hearing for jailed MDC Alliance vice chair, Job Sikhala continued Tuesday with the firebrand politician taking to the witness’s stand before a Harare magistrate to deny both being violent and fugitive from justice

Sikhala is facing charges of inciting the public to commit violence.

Said the opposition legislator in court, “The struggle for social justice has never been fought on the plane of violence and the State should not invite me to a territory which I’m not part of.”

Sikhala told court he was a good bail candidate insisting he was once granted bail on subversion charges and never defaulted.
The lawmaker said he never defaulted bail in any of the past 64 cases that have been brought against him by the state.

Contrary to police allegations that he was arrested while hiding in a ceiling, Sikhala said he “was arrested in my bedroom with my wife”.

“Anyone who believes that I was in the ceiling considering my (physical) stature needs psychiatric attention,” said the burly politician.

Police said Sikhala was difficult to arrest and only came out of the ceiling after they threatened to throw tear gas into his hideout.

He denied ever hearing of a police press statement suggesting he was being sought adding that he was seeing the document for the first time in court.

Sikhala also supported his bail application saying he had no pending matter before any court in Zimbabwe.

“I’m not a flight risk and have never absconded even more serious matters such as treason or subversion,” he said.

The Zengeza legislator told court he had no reason to flee trial if granted his freedom because he had 11 children – the oldest being 20 and youngest 1 year 3 months old – all depending on him.

Top human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa also supported his application saying he was once arrested for treason but never gave the police any difficulties.

Meanwhile, Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume will know his fate Wednesday when the High Court delivers ruling on his bail appeal. 

Evening News

1 September 2020

HEADLINES

Zimbabwe Dollar Gains Slightly After Latest Auction

Zimplasts Revenue Increased 38%

Victoria Falls Stock Exchange Licenced

Bulawayo Water Supplies Interrupted By Power Surge – Council

Politically, Mnangagwa Has Failed To Bring All Stakeholders Together

Beitbridge Blockade Flops

MDC Alliance Youths Plan To Waylay SA Envoys On ‘Second Coming’

Popular Musician Demands To Meet Mnangagwa Over Deteriorating Economy

Biti Criticises Government’s Reversal Of Land Reform

World Has Lost Patience With Zimbabwe’s ‘Crocodile’

Sikhala Claims He Is Being Victimised Over Coup Rumours

ZRP ropes in Interpol

Google -Facebook Ditch Plans To Dock Giant Data Cable

Highlanders Coaches Go Two Months Without Pay

SA Coach Claims Khama Billiat Is An ‘Age Cheat’

Mr T blasts Zifa Over Constitution Inconsistency, Fifa Forward Funds Abuse

STORIES IN DETAIL;

Zimbabwe dollar gains slightly after latest auction
The Zimbabwe dollar made its first gain since the auction system began, moving up 0.67 points after the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe of auction.

The highest bid in the main auction was 87.5 while the lowest was 76. 76 was also the lowest accepted. USD15.04 million in bids was accepted
The highest bid the SME auction had a highest bid of 86 and a lowest of 76.5. 76.5 as also the lowest bid accepted. USD976k was in bids was accepted.

As such, the Zimbabwe dollar now trades at 83.32 down from 83.99 last week. 3-mob.com

Zimplasts Revenue Increased 38%
ZIMBABWE’S biggest platinum miner Zimplats said Monday its operations were not affected by the Covid-19 pandemic as it posted a 38 percent increase in revenue to US$868 912 for the full year ending June 30. Total production of 6E (six elements) consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, gold, ruthenium and iridium also rose marginally from 579 591 ounces in 2019 to 580 178 ounces in the full year to June 2020. “The Covid-19 mitigation measures implemented have so far been successful as the Group did not record any positive cases among its employees and contractors during the year,” Zimplats said. Financial Gazette

Victoria Falls Stock Exchange licenced
THE Victoria Falls Stock Exchange Limited (VFEX) has been issued with a licence by the regulatory authorities to operate a securities exchange and the bourse is finalising modalities to start trading soon.

VFEX is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) and it would be denominated in foreign currency and targets foreign investors as well as global capital markets especially the mining industry.

In a statement, ZSE chief executive officer Mr Justin Bgoni said the market would be updated on the exact date when VFEX will go live. Chronicle

Bulawayo Water Supplies Interrupted By Power Surge – Council
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has announced that there will be no water supplies to all areas in the city with effect from today due to a power surge at Fernhill Booster Station.

In a statement on Tuesday, BCC Town Clerk Christopher Dube said the power surge has affected water delivery to Tuli Reservoir and Criterion Water Works. The statement read:

The City of Bulawayo would like to advise the public of water supply interruptions to all the areas across the City with effect from Tuesday the 1st of September 2020 due to a power surge at Fernhill Booster Station that has affected clear water and raw water delivery to Tuli Reservoir and Criterion Water Works respectively. Pindula

Politically, Mnangagwa Has Failed To Bring All Stakeholders Together
IT IS critical that President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF urgently lead efforts to address the country’s decades-long political crisis if the government is to have any chance of mitigating the economic pain of long-suffering Zimbabweans, analysts say.

Speaking to the Daily News yesterday, they said without national dialogue, as well as comprehensive political and economic reforms, it would be difficult to galvanise both the nation and the international community to achieve a better life for all Zimbabweans.

The analysts’ views come as Mnangagwa and the government are facing growing pressure from disillusioned citizens, the majority of whom have had a tough time over the past two decades – which has triggered restlessness among many ordinary people.

It also comes as Mnangagwa has just completed two years in office, following his disputed victory in the July 2018 presidential election which was later upheld by the Constitutional Court.

The analysts who spoke to the Daily News yesterday said the unfortunate reality was that notwithstanding the court’s ruling, Mnangagwa’s two years in office had been overshadowed by deep political polarisation in the country. Daily News

Beitbridge blockade flops
A bid to block commercial traffic from entering or leaving Zimbabwe via Beitbridge Border Post failed dismally yesterday after the organisers of the planned demo never managed to get support.

There was a hype in South Africa in the last two weeks with several pressure groups claiming to be representing “Zimbabweans”, threating to bring business to a standstill.

It is understood that the said demonstration and blockade was plan B for those who failed to organise a similar project last month. Sources in South Africa yesterday said the streets were clean with authorities there enforcing lockdown protocols.

Nobody showed up at selected pick-up points in Johannesburg where people were supposed to be bused on Sunday evening to Beitbridge.

“We went about business at the border without any crowd trouble. It is business as usual and the police are busy on the ground enforcing level 2 lockdown regulations,” said a border official.

On the Zimbabwean border, it was also business as usual with no untoward incidents recorded. Another border official said commercial trucks were moving uninterrupted on both sides of the border.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told The Herald last night that: “Zimbabwe and the border remained peaceful throughout the day. We encourage people to live by the laws of the land and peacefully.” The Herald

MDC Alliance Youths Plan To Waylay SA Envoys On ‘Second Coming’
THE impending second visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s envoys to Zimbabwe has already generated political tensions in the country.

Some opposition MDC Alliance party youths are now said to be itching for confrontation, with reports saying they are readying themselves to meet the emissaries upon touching down at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.

The opposition youths are also plotting to hold flash demonstrations throughout the stay of the SA envoys in a bid to spotlight their grievances.

Sources have, however, told Zim Morning Post that Zanu PF youths are plotting a counter demonstration to MDC Alliance youths’ protests.

The date of arrival of the South African envoys to Zimbabwe is yet to be announced but according to this publication’s sources, the demonstrations by MDC Alliance youths are meant to draw regional and global attention to Zimbabwe’s decades old sociopolitical problems.

The last time the South African envoys visited Zimbabwe from Ramaphosa was on August 10 with State noting that the “calmness” in the country at the time of the visit a sign that there was no crisis. Zim Morning Post

Popular Musician Demands To Meet Mnangagwa Over Deteriorating Economy
Outspoken musician cum politician Hosiah Chipanga has said
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is surrounded by crooks and liars who are cowardly misleading him, a result that has worsened the country’s social and economic situation.

In an interview with Zim Morning Post on Monday, Chipanga said he was distraught after failing to meet Mnangagwa to personally deliver his grievances over economic decline.

Chipanga warned Mnangagwa might face the same predicament that saw former Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe resigning following unrelenting pressure.

Mugabe resigned following a military-assisted takeover in November 2017 bringing to an end 37 years of rule. Zim Morning Post

Biti Criticises Government’s Reversal Of Land Reform
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is facing increasing criticism for its decision to take land from some resettled black families and give it back to white former commercial farmers.

MDC Alliance vice president, Tendai Biti, who was Finance Minister between 2009 and 2013, said the government’s pledge to compensate the white former farmers under the signed Global Compensation Deed is not only unconstitutional but a huge betrayal of the liberation struggle.

Biti believes that taking away land from indigenous people who have been resettled for two decades may result in conflict and instability. Pindula

World Has Lost Patience With Zimbabwe’s ‘Crocodile’
A year ago this week, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa strained credulity when he declared in a Bloomberg TV interview, “We have rejoined the family of nations.”

The international community was already losing patience with his inability to deliver economic reforms, and Zimbabweans were complaining of a steady erosion of the political freedoms that had come with the 2017 military-led ouster of the dictator Robert Mugabe.

Indeed, in some respects the new president, who revelled in the nom de guerre “the Crocodile,” was proving worse than his former boss.

The flickering hopes for a new Zimbabwe have now been extinguished. Mnangagwa, cracking down on dissent at home and waving off criticism from abroad, is practically indistinguishable from Mugabe. And the “family of nations” is letting its dissatisfaction be known.

In an unusually blunt joint statement last week, the governments of the U.S., Britain and five other European nations, said Mnangagwa’s administration was using the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to restrict citizens’ freedoms. It was neglecting corruption and failing to prosecute those responsible for human-rights violations. “The Zimbabwean people have the right to engage in dialogue to build a better future for their country,” the statement said. “But the necessary discussions have so far been hindered by unhelpful rhetoric and blame assigned to several groups.” Bloomberg

Sikhala Claims He Is Being Victimised Over Coup Rumours
Through his lawyer Jeremiah Bamu, Sikhala said he even confronted Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi in Parliament for allegedly spreading the coup rumours.

Sikhala is fighting for his release on bail.
Yesterday, the matter opened with his legal team cross examining the investigating officer, Victor Mukohwa, who insisted Sikhala is not a proper candidate for bail.

Sikhala argued that he was never on the run as alleged by the police, arguing he even provided his location in the video which is being relied on by the police.

His team has also lined-up lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa as a defence witness as she is mentioned by Sikhala in one of the videos as his point person.

Another of his lawyers, Eric Matinenga further claimed that the offence he was facing was not serious as he once faced a more serious one in Masvingo, which attracts 20 years imprisonment, but was given bail and even acquitted.

At the time he was charged for subversion after he allegedly remarked that he would overthrow the president, but was acquitted, with the court saying the remarks did not constitute an offence. Daily News

ZRP ropes in Interpol
POLICE have roped in the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) and their counterparts in South Africa and Botswana to assist in locating four armed robbers who escaped arrest following a major raid in Beitbridge last week.

A gang of eight most wanted suspected armed robbers, including the notorious Musa Taj Abdul (46) and a police officer who was harbouring them, were arrested in the major raid in Beitbridge on August 24.

Warrants of arrest for Taj Abdul dated back to 1999 while his accomplices had warrants outstanding from 2018 and 2019. Two of the four suspects who escaped the Beitbridge raid, Abednigo Dhlamini and Elias Mpofu, alias Jabulani or Obasanjo, are believed to have crossed into South Africa.

The other two Brian Murape and Carlington Marasha are suspected to be still in Zimbabwe. Sources close to the investigations yesterday confirmed that they were working with Interpol and their counterparts to assist in locating these outstanding suspects. The Herald

Google -Facebook Ditch Plans To Dock Giant Data Cable
PLANS for an underwater data cable between Los Angeles and Hong Kong have been dropped after the US government expressed fears that China could steal data from it. Facebook, Google and Amazon are among the US tech firms involved in the Pacific Light Cable Network project. New plans submitted to the US communication authority mention links with the Philippines and Taiwan only. The 12 800 km (8 000 miles) long cable has already been laid. However it needs permission from the US Federal Communications Commission in order to operate.
The project was first announced in 2016. Financial Gazette

Highlanders Coaches Go Two Months Without Pay
Highlanders’ coaches said they have not received their salaries for the past two months and are afraid of speaking out for fear of victimisation.

The club has three coaches, Bekithemba ‘Super’ Ndlovu, Mandla ‘Lulu’ Mpofu and Julius Ndlovu (goalkeepers) on its payroll.

One of the coaches, who asked not to be named, told the Chronicle that they have not been informed when their salaries will be paid. He said:We have gone for two months without getting paid. As I speak, we don’t even know when our salaries are coming.

The environment is very hostile to anyone who complains. You get accused of so many things that you are not even aware of, just like our colleagues in the juniors who were accused of being influenced by this other social club every time they raised welfare issues. It’s just unfortunate.

Highlanders have been facing severe financial challenges after the principal sponsor, telecoms company NetOne pulled out its sponsorship a few months ago, saying it was channelling its resources towards fighting the novel coronavirus. Chronicle

SA Coach Claims Khama Billiat Is An ‘Age Cheat’
Outspoken South African coach Mlungisi ‘Professor’ Ngubane has suggested that Warriors winger Khama Billiat’s poor form at Kaizer Chiefs might be as a result of age cheating.
Ngubane argued that if Billiat was really 29 years of age (he turned 30 on August 19)), he wouldn’t be playing as poorly as he is doing. Said Ngubane: Billiat is playing like a player who came here having reduced his age. Now he’s trying but it’s no longer happening. Maybe he is not even 29. He can’t play like this. Earning so much money and you play like that? The heart and the mind want to do it but the body refuses.

Chiefs lost their clear advantage in the title race after losing 1-0 to Bidvest Wits on Sunday afternoon and have now failed to win their last four Absa Premiership games with the season drawing to a close. Kickoff

Mr T blasts Zifa Over Constitution Inconsistency, Fifa Forward Funds Abuse
FORMER Zifa vice-president and experienced football administrator Tendai Madzorera has blasted the Zifa executive committee for what he said was blatant disregard of Fifa and its own statutes.

He also said inconsistencies in application of the Zifa constitution clearly violated good corporate governance, following the reinstatement of Zifa Bulawayo Metropolitan Province chairperson Francis Ntutha citing delays in bringing him before its judiciary body.
Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela stated that the association’s statutes clearly stipulate that anyone charged with violation should be quickly brought before their judiciary processes and this was not done in Ntutha’s case, hence the national executive committee’s decision to reinstate him. Chronicle