Politics
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Turkish Preference in Eastern Mediterranean is Diplomacy without Preconditions
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu The Mediterranean has always been the cradle of civilization as well as a basin of constant cultural and economic interaction. In this geography, our past, present, and future are inextricably intertwined. Turkey and Greece have always had only two choices: lock horns in a way that hurts both of us…
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Jacob Ngarivhume granted $50 000 bail
Jacob Ngarivhume, the leader of opposition party Transform Zimbabwe who is facing charges of inciting people to overthrow the government through constitutional means has been granted bail. Ngarivhume has spent 45 days in prison as his previous bids on getting bail were unsuccessful. Justice Tawanda Chitapi read the judgment today on behalf of Justice Siyabona…
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War Veterans Welfare Pressure Group condemns plans to compensate white farmers
By Nevson Mpofu War veterans are set to be on a collision course with the government’s decision to compensate former white farmers. The War Veterans Welfare Pressure Group said it is against the idea of compensating white farmers yet the former liberation war fighters in the third month without receiving their salaries. Speaking in Harare…
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NGO coalition calls for an end to forced disappearances in Africa
As the world celebrates the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances today (30 August), an NGO coalition is calling on African States to end this practice immediately, hold perpetrators to account, search for the disappeared and provide reparations to the victims and their families. The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (Sudan),…
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Betty Kaseke soldiers on with community development despite damaging rumours
The philanthropy in the “Iron Lady” as Betty Kaseke has come to be known because of her ability to conquer criticism and character assassination has refused to die as she focuses on community development through the Betty Kaseke Foundation. Carrying the poise of a beauty queen that she is, Betty Kaseke yesterday through her foundation,…
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ZHRC on Protection of Human Rights Defenders
ZHRC Statement on Protection of the Rights of Human Rights Defenders in Zimbabwe 1. Introduction Section 232 (b) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 20 Act, 2013 provides that the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) is one of the five Independent Commissions Supporting Democracy. The common objectives of Independent Commissions are provided for in section…
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Inclusive and holistic approach needed to address the national crisis
By National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) is concerned that our country continues to experience protracted national crisis. This crisis is characterized by continued intolerance, polarization, corruption, disregard for the rule of law, contravention of the constitution and marginalisation of vulnerable groups and communities, among other factors. NANGO notes…
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ZESN implores ZEC to consult stakeholders
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) reiterates its position that there is a need for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to widely engage with electoral stakeholders on electoral issues. The call comes against the backdrop of the recent gazette of 15 vacancies that arose in the National Assembly and the Senate. The Network notes that…
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Zim Court imposes sanctions on Chin’ono, gags media from covering prison ordeal
By Kumbirai Mafunda Harare Magistrate Ngoni Nduna on Wednesday 12 August 2020 barred media practitioners and the public from covering and following proceedings in a Zimbabwean courtroom in the matter in which freelance journalist Hopewell Chin’ono will testify on the state of conditions at Chikurubi Maximum Prison.Magistrate Nduna ruled that the evidence that Chin’ono will…
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ZCTU statement on the commemoration of Heroes’ and Defence Forces’ Days
By Japhet Moyo, ZCTU Secretary-General Once again, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) joins the rest of Zimbabweans in commemorating the national Heroes and Defence Forces Day. Heroes Day is a day to remember both our fallen and living heroes and heroines who extricated this country from minority colonial rule. The Defence Forces Day…
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ZLHR concerned about the treatment of Chin’ono and Ngarivhume in prison
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has expressed concern about the treatment of freelance journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume, the leader of Transform Zimbabwe political party, who are currently detained at Chikurubi Maximum Prison. On Saturday 8 August 2020, ZLHR lawyers Roselyn Hanzi, Beatrice Mtetwa, and Moses Nkomo visited their clients, Chin’ono and…
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ZANU (PF) members divided on means of resolving Zimbabwean challenges
On one hand, ZANU PF spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa has said the party takes exception to the utterances that have been attributed to Ace Magashule, the Secretary-General of the ANC where he appears hoodwinked by those seeking to destabilize Zimbabwe through peddling social media falsehoods while another section has written to regional revolutionary parties calling for…
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President Mnangagwa warns ‘rogue’ Zimbabweans
By Anyway Yotamu President Emmerson Mnangagwa has burst out against what he called “rogue Zimbabweans acting in league with foreign detractors” who are sabotaging him in running the country. In a surprise, early morning address to the nation at State House Tuesday morning Mnangagwa spoke angrily inferring to the viral #Zimbabewanlivesmatter which is shaking the world’s…
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Human rights situation worsens in Bulawayo
By Habakkuk Trust Concerns have been raised over the fast deteriorating human rights situation in Bulawayo that has culminated in abductions and torture of citizens. Bulawayo has since become an epicenter of arrests and abductions of political and civic activists alleged to be linked to demonstrations that were scheduled for the 31st of July. Security…
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The COVID-19 Lockdown and the Right to Protest
By Veritas Trade unions, political groupings and civil society organisations have called on the public to take to the streets on the 31st July to protest against economic mismanagement and public corruption. Some of the calls for protests have been couched in intemperate language, and so have threats by members of the Government and ruling…
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The Masvingo Tower gives residents a constant reminder of the curfew
By Nimrod Ushe The Curfew Tower is a national monument located at the corner of Robert Mugabe Street and Leopold Takawira Street in the Masvingo metropolitan. The structure is a tall, small square building that was erected by the British South Africa Company (BSAC ) in the 1890s, when Fort Victoria (Masvingo) was established. …
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Chin’ono and Ngarivhume not arrested for exposing corruption: Government
The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa has said Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume were not arrested for exposing corruption but for using their social media accounts to incite Zimbabweans to violently overthrow the Government. “Even though Hopewell Chin’ono writes about corruption he is not unique in this regard. All the Newspapers…
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Chin’ono and Ngarivhume appear in Court, protest against ill-treatment during detention
By Kumbirai Mafunda Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and opposition Transform Zimbabwe party leader Jacob Ngarivhume on Wednesday 22 July 2020 appeared before judicial officers at Harare Magistrates Court answering to charges of inciting people to overthrow President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government through unconstitutional means. Chin’ono appeared before Magistrate Ngoni Nduna answering to charges of incitement to…
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Chin’ono, Ngarivhume arrested over anti-government protests
By Kumbirai Mafunda Zimbabwean police on Monday 20 July 2020 arrested journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and opposition Transform Zimbabwe party leader Jacob Ngarivhume for allegedly inciting people to revolt against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration during some planned anti-government protests called for at the end of the month. Chin’ono was arrested by some armed Zimbabwe Republic Police…
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Turkey pledges to promote democracy and fight terrorism
His Excellency, Mr. Hakan Kivanc, the Ambassador of Turkey to Zimbabwe has reiterated his country’s commitment to fighting terrorism and promoting democracy worldwide. The Ambassador made the remarks on the occasion of the 15 July Feto Coup Attempt Briefing Meeting today Wednesday 15 July 2020 at the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Harare. “For us,…
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Could it be that they’re former child soldiers?
By Sandra Kudenga Zimbabwe’s problems with honouring citizens’ civil and political rights may just be down to its being ruled by former child soldiers who were never rehabilitated. And current political horrors – killings, abductions, tortures, sexual abuse, intimidation and the use of brute force or the threat of it to achieve political goals is…
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MDC-T back to its founding principles: Khupe
By Anyway Yotamu MDC-T has moved to take back the party to its founding principles as outlined in its founding constitution after holding its first standing committee meeting in Harare. In her first address at Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House formerly Harvest House, MDC-T leader Dr. Thokozani Khupe said she is on course to returning the…
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Setting the tone for National Convergence in Zimbabwe
By Dr. Tapiwa Mashakada Zimbabwean Opposition must unite and become more effective in order to influence national affairs and shape the direction of nation-building. Zanu PF alone cannot lead Zimbabwe and transform it into a democratic and prosperous country. Forty years of Zanu rule bears testimony to this fact of incapacity and cluelessness. Opposition Ruling…
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Drama as police press more charges against abductees
By Kumbirai Mafunda Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) members on Thursday 11 June 2020 pressed a cocktail of charges including faking abduction and disappearance against three opposition MDC-Alliance party youth leaders, who are victims of abduction and torture after they re-arrested them on Wednesday 10 June 2020. ZRP members charged Harare West legislator Hon. Joana Mamombe…
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I can’t breathe, says Africa
By Million Belay (Ph.D.), General Coordinator for Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa Ever since I saw the video of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on the 25th May, killed by a policeman who knelt on his neck for NINE MINUTES, while he was calling for his dead mother and for mercy, I have been…
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The US urges Zimbabwe to end state-sponsored violence
By Own Correspondent The United States ambassador to Zimbabwe on Monday told the Zimbabwe government to “end state-sponsored violence,” apparently unbowed after being summoned by the foreign ministry in the wake of comments by a top U.S. official who described the southern African country as an “adversary”. Robert O’Brien, a top U.S. security adviser to…
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Union with Africa is more essential than ever
By Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu – Turkish Foreign Minister I wholeheartedly congratulate the Africa Day of all our African friends. The unprecedented conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic all over the world render the solidarity symbolized by Africa Day even more significant this year. The progress achieved in recent years by Africa in many fields and our…
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PAP to commemorate Africa Day with Civil Society and Diaspora
The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) will commemorate Africa Day on Monday, 25 May by hosting virtual engagements with Civil Society Organizations and Africans in the diaspora. Held under the overarching African Union theme of 2020 “Silencing the Guns: Creating conducive conditions for Africa’s Development,” the fora are expected to define the role of the both the Civil Society…
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Lockdown locks ZAPU’s Dabengwa commemorations
By Thabani Dube Efforts to commemorate the life of the late national hero, Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU), and ZIPRA’s military intelligence supremo, Dumiso Dabengwa have hit a brick wall as coronavirus induced lockdown continues indefinitely, Spiked Online Media has it. Responding to questions, Future Msebele Zulu, the ZAPU Deputy Secretary for International Relations said…
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Great American fumble in Africa
By Raymond Chamba The vulturous and vampire grip of China on Africa did not come without active American assistance. Yes, suucessive American administrations have woefully missed the trade imperative and went on to major in minors by concentrating on warm fuzzy stuff and optics. Who eats that. It is US taxpayers money that was misused…
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How COVID19 has exposed limitations of colonial food systems in Africa
By Charles Dhewa The majority of developing countries are still to tear themselves away from the colonial set up where major food markets were located in cities or towns in order to provide food for low income people working in formal industries. Under that arrangement food had to travel from rural areas most of which…
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Zimbabwe After Forty Years: Defining The Decade Towards 2030
By Veritas Forty years ago just after midnight on 17th April, the Union Jack was lowered for the last time and the Zimbabwean flag was raised to represent a new era in the city of Salisbury which became Harare. The fall of one flag and the rise of another symbolised the sunset of Rhodesia and…
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Independence Day: ZCTU demands minimum wage, mobilises for action
By Japhet Moyo (ZCTU Secretary-General) Today, 18 April 2020, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) joins the rest of Zimbabweans in celebrating the country’s 40th Independence anniversary. We recognise and appreciate the significance of this great day to all Zimbabweans and in particular, the role played by freedom fighters and the masses to liberate…
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Zimbabwe at 40: Promised Land Remains a Distant Possibility
By Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition on Independence Day Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) joins the people of Zimbabwe, within or without her borders in commemorating the 40th anniversary (18 April 2020) of Zimbabwe’s independence. On this important national day; we pay tribute to the sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who sacrificed their lives for the…
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Need for a different political culture in Zimbabwe: Green Paper
By Rev Dr. Kenneth Mtata I am writing this as a GREEN PAPER to provoke debate. If you are allergic to debate, do not proceed beyond this point! Zimbabwe has been stuck in binary political conditioning where citizens are forced to think only in terms of black and white, good and bad, in or out.…
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Constitutional Court nullifies President’s executive powers on appointment of Judges
By Kumbirai Mafunda The Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe on Tuesday 31 March 2020 delivered a landmark ruling wherein it declared as unconstitutional the legality of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.1) Act. The Act sought to amend Section 180 of the Constitution by giving the President sole powers to appoint the Chief Justice, his deputy…
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Zimbabwe welcomes the call by UN for removal of sanctions
By Anyway Yotamu The government has welcomed the statements by the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet calling for the rolling back of international sanctions against countries around the world as an essential part of the global effort to contain COVID-19. The two leaders encouraged the waiving…
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Zimbabwe Citizens Forum ready to assist USA in tackling coronavirus
By Anyway Yotamu Zimbabwe Citizens Forum National coordinator Cde Taurai Kandishaya said his organisation stands ready to help the American government with their coronavirus plea which was announced by US President Donald Trump to the world for help in form of protective clothes for health workers due to shortage of supply in the United States…
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Jedidiah Trust, Gertrude Mandizvidza welcome Presidential Pardon for convicted female prisoners
Norton-based Jedidiahh Trust and their partner, philanthropist, and educationist Gertrude Mandizvidza, have welcomed the fact that President Emmerson Mnangagwa has pardoned all female convicts, juveniles under the age of 18 years, inmates sentenced to life in imprisonment and prisoners aged 70 years and above. Jedidiah Trust, founded by Lovemore Chikwanda, focuses on providing education, psycho-social…
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Government working on implementing an efficient and effective justice delivery system
By Lovemore Chazingwa Issues to do with efficient and effective justice delivery system can be strengthened in the wake of a policy dialogue convened for policymakers within the ambit of the Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS), convened at Kadoma Hotel and Conference Center, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs…
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Should The President stop making jokes?
By Nick Mangwana There is a question that is being discussed among President Mnangagwa’s legion of ardent supporters and loyalists; should the President abandon humour as a device for engaging his audience? Not everyone agrees with this sentiment. The opposite group feels those that subscribe to this thinking are yielding to the whims of an…
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False start for Biti’s appeal hearing against conviction and sentencing over 2018 elections
By Kumbirai Mafunda The hearing and determination of an appeal filed by Harare East constituency legislator Hon. Tendai Biti got off to a false start on Monday 9 March 2020 after the High Court postponed the matter to Monday 11 May 2020. High Court Judges Felistus Chatukuta and Pisirayi Kwenda postponed the hearing of Hon.…
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Government majoring on misplaced priorities: FreeZim Congress
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Joseph Makamba Busha, the President of FreeZim Congress Party has thrown a tantrum on government for neglecting pressing needs of the populace in preference to programmes that do not change people’s lives positively. Speaking to journalists in Harare today, Makamba singled out government’s prioritisation of a new Parliament building and possibly a new city…
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Egyptian Ambassador bids farewell to President Mnangagwa.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has met with the out-going Egyptian ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mohammed Fahmy in Harare. Fahmy paid a courtesy call on the president to bid him farewell as his tour of duty is coming to an end after serving his country in Harare for three years tour of duty. The two discussed and reflected…
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We need not hand over war to next generations, AU advises PAP
African Union Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council, H.E. Crisantos Obama Ondo advised Pan-African Parliamentarians to commit to ending the war on the continent to avoid passing current conflicts on to the next generations. He said this in a keynote address on the African Union 2020 theme, ‘Silencing the Guns: Creating a Conducive Environment for Development,’ during the…