IT is said a cat has nine lifes because of its ability to land on its feet no matter how hard it falls. This may be a myth, but the same can apply to humans, especially politicians.

The world of politics is rife with ups and downs, setbacks — from lapses in judgement to serious misdemeanours — but there are examples of candidates and office-holders who survive them. In this case it applies to one Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga.

Once again, Misihairabwi-Mushonga has found her way into Parliament as a MDC-T proportional representative for Bulawayo, under the quota system that reserves 60 seats for women in the National Assembly.

She and Mildred Reason Dube are the only two candidates from MDC-T that made it into parliament following the July 30 elections.

This development will no doubt surprise her detractors who thought her political career had finally ended after a full-out with the Welshman Ncube le
But no matter what some may think of her, Misihairabwi-Mushonga has had a fascinating political career and from the look of things, will continue to make headlines.

During the government of national unity discussions in 2009 and the constitution-making process consultations, the MDC led by Welshman Ncube was the only party that deployed a woman and she was one of the chief negotiators.

In 2013, Misihairabwi-Mushonga survived MDC’s dismal electoral performance and by a stroke of luck was one of the party’s five candidates, who made it to Parliament.

She was the MDC proportional representative for Umzingwane in Matabeleland South. Her appointment was no easy feat though. She faced resistance from fellow party members and even some of the constituents did not want her as their representative.

As a senior member of the MDC, Misihairabwi-Mushonga served as the party’s secretary-general, but after a fallout with Ncube, she was reduced to an ordinary card-carrying member.

This year, she was dropped by the MDC and excluded from the list of candidates representing the party in the MDC Alliance.

Despite the fact that no formal communication was made by the MDC about the decision to drop her, Misihairabwi-Mushonga insisted she was not bitter.

However, she did step out from the party and said her goodbyes, thanking the MDC for nurturing her politics.

“For all the differences I may have had with some people in the party, this is one party that allowed me as a person to grow in many areas of what has become my political experience,” Misihairabwi-Mushonga said at the time.

After that, she became close to MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe, who was a victim of sexism and violence emanating from senior members in the main opposition party.

Misihairabwi-Mushonga said she could not relax when another woman was under attack so she had to support Khupe.

She ultimately became Khupe’s chief election agent in the former Makokoba MP’s bid to become the first female Zimbabwean president.

The outspoken legislator does have a knack for courting controversy.

In 2014, Misihairabwi-Mushonga once rubbished politicians in Matabeleland, referring to them as “useless condoms” who had sold out the region.

In 2015, she took a baby to Parliament, carried sanitary wear and used second-hand panties to express her points on issues affecting women.

She was once ejected from Parliament when she crossed the floor apparently to beat up fellow legislator, Justice Mayor Wadyajena.

Misihairabwi-Mushonga has also said that children should not be given their father’s surnames, arguing there was nowhere where it was written that one had to assume the man’s name.

In the same year, Misihairabwi-Mushonga publicly disclosed she was suffering from clinical depression and panic disorder.

“It is not a dark secret. It is true that I was diagnosed with clinical depression and panic disorder for which I am under medication,” she said at the time.

“This is common in people who have gone through trauma. I went through trauma. I went through many things, including that whole process of inheritance battles when my husband died.”

She has continuously urged women to deny their partners sex ahead of elections so that they go to vote.

In the run-up to the elections, she told women not to put on panties while casting their votes.

The Standard

Tendai Biti has accused Zimbabwean soldiers of sexually abusing MDC Alliance election agents during the July 30 harmonised elections, with some agents in Mutoko telling him such abuse was “rampant” there.

Biti appeared emotional while announcing the cases during a court hearing on Friday.

Zambian immigration authorities rejected a request for asylum by Biti — whose People’s Democratic Party had formed an election alliance with opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) — after he fled post-election violence and certain arrest in Zimbabwe.

He was deported back to Zimbabwe where he was taken into police custody.

Biti was charged with political violence and falsely and unlawfully announcing results of the election.

State prosecutors did not oppose bail, which was set at $5 000.

If found guilty Biti faces up to 10 years in jail, a cash fine or both.

During a narration of his persecution ordeal which forced him to seek political asylum in neighbouring Zambia, Biti alleged authorities were hell-bent on persecuting him for challenging President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s flawed election win. He said MDC Alliance agents suffered despicable abuse at the hands of the “junta.”

He said it was hard to imagine the outrage that election agents working for the MDC Alliance felt after being sexually abused.

He said the MDC Alliance was doing everything it possibly can to assist the victims, to bring accountability and justice and hopefully to prevent any such cases from recurring in future elections.

He said several election agents from Buhera to Mutoko accused troops of sexual abuse and called for an investigation into the accusations.

Biti told the court that a female representative in Buhera had reported how she was raped and threatened after refusing to sign another V11 form and how most of their male election agents would be sodomised, specifically in Mutoko.

“I felt that the regime which had had just seven months in office had escalated the abuses. There was massive onslaught on our election agents,” Biti said.

“In Buhera, a woman was raped after refusing to sign another V11 form. We were also getting reports of onslaughts on our people being sodomised and raped across the country specifically in Mutoko, but nothing has been done by law enforcement agents in those respects.”

Questions sent to army spokesperson Overson Mugwisi were not responded to at the time of going to Press.

But the military spokesperson clarified at a press conference ahead of elections that they will only assist the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) with logistics during elections.

“Our role in the elections is mainly to support the ZRP in their role of maintenance of the law and order in the country before, during and after the harmonised elections. We also remain ready to assist Zec with transport where necessary. Beyond that, the ZDF remains ready to defend our country’s territorial integrity and interests,” he said.

He had earlier said the ZDF had no direct role in the elections.

“We are disturbed by false reports alleging that the ZDF is going to be used by Zanu PF to rig the vote,” he said.

“I want to raise concern over some individuals who mischievously and deliberately portray the execution of our mandate as participating in political campaigns.

“Falsehoods that have been reported include allegations of ZDF deployments in rural areas to intimidate villagers so that they support a certain political party’s chances of winning in the 2018 harmonised elections.

“We urge people who are not sure or doubt the genuine role being played by the ZDF in this election to feel free to check with us and clear their suspicions. If some serving members are participating in the on-going political campaigns, they will be doing so illegally and not as a result of an instruction from their commanders.

“Those with information on such misconduct should provide us with full details of such individuals to enable appropriate disciplinary action to be taken against them. They can also report the suspicious characters to the nearest police station,” he said.

Biti said police officers that handled complaints coming from the opposition elections agents but did not take any action and the matters were never investigated.

Biti condemned the conduct of the military for opening fire on unarmed civilians in a demonstration that rocked Harare on August 1 and defended his comments on the election results.

“Our fears were a repeat of the 2008 experience. I have been a rights lawyer and activist since 1999 and over the years, arrested on countless occasions. My house has been bombed twice but this time the levels of attack were unprecedented.

“What shocked me were reports that soldiers had opened fire on unarmed civilians and seven people died and more than 40 injured,” he said.

“After visiting some of the victims with Advocate Chamisa, we heard horrific stories, stories of men having their privates split by bullets,” he said.

Security forces used disproportionate force to clamp down on post-election protests in Harare on August 1, 2018. Soldiers and riot police were implicated in the deaths of at least six people and serious injuries to dozens more.

Hundreds of soldiers and riot police were deployed across the city, as residents awaited the result of the July 30 national elections.

Scores of soldiers patrolled on foot, indiscriminately beating anyone in sight as two helicopters in military camouflage colours flew several times over the MDC headquarters.

The police confirmed the death of at least six people, though there are fears that the death toll could be higher.

“The heavy-handed response to Zimbabwe’s post-election protests, including firing live ammunition, suggests that the security forces are as abusive as ever,” said Dewa Mavhinga, Southern Africa director at Human Rights Watch

“Prompt, credible investigations are needed so that those responsible can be held to account and future violence is avoided.”

DailyNews

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Mr Chamisa last Friday filed his election petition at the Constitutional Court challenging President Mnangagwa’s victory in the July 30 harmonised elections.

Zanu-PF will this morning file opposing papers against the election petition. In an interview with The Herald yesterday, Zanu-PF secretary for Legal Affairs Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana queried the wisdom of claiming that the election results were wrong without requesting a recount as provided for by law.

Official results from ZEC indicate that President Mnangagwa won the elections with 50,8 percent of the votes cast, beating Mr Chamisa who got 44,3 percent.

In his appeal, Mr Chamisa claims to have won the majority of votes and that the results announced were manipulated.

He, however, did not demand a recount in any offending polling station within 48 hours of the final announcement on August 3, as he was entitled too, in order to prove that the results were wrong.

Section 67 A (1) of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) that deals with Recounting of Votes states that: “(1) Within forty-eight hours after a constituency elections officer has declared a candidate to be duly elected in terms of Section 66 (1), any political party or candidate that contested the election in the ward or constituency concerned may request the Commission to conduct a recount of votes in one or more of the polling stations in the ward or constituency.

“A request for a recount made in terms of subsection (1) shall:

a) be in writing, signed by an appropriate representative of the political party or candidate making their request; and

b)state specifically the number of votes believed to have been miscounted and, if possible, how the miscount may have occurred, and

c) state how the results of the election have been affected by the alleged miscount.”

Mangwana said if the MDC-Alliance was serious about having been robbed of an electoral victory, they would have made use of relevant legal provisions at their disposal.

“They did not make use of that provision. If they felt that the votes were not properly counted, they had the option to request a recount. They cannot prove before the court that the results were wrong as they do not have the correct results,” he said.

Mangwana told ZBC News yesterday that a 12-member legal team was ready for the responses to litigation by Mr Chamisa, with the opposing papers bearing testimony of the party’s commitment to safeguard the interest of the electorate.

“Indeed we shall be filing our opposing papers tomorrow (today) by 10am and we are ready for whatever they are arguing as we are really committed to the case,” he said.

In his much-hyped application, Mr Chamisa is challenging among other things the announcement process. He claims that the results are not credible simply because ZEC chair Justice Pricillah Chigumba delegated the announcement of provincial presidential results to fellow commissioners.

“By our law, results of a presidential election must be announced by the chairperson. In casu, the chairperson delegated, in her presence, the task to all the commissioners. This was in breach of mandatory statutory provisions. No explanation exists for this breach,” his lawyers wrote.

Other irregularities cited by Mr Chamisa’s lawyers include the announcement of results on a provincial basis instead of per constituency.

“In terms of the law, the results of a presidential election must be announced on a constituency by constituency basis. The results that are being challenged were for reasons that have not been stated and which are alien to law announced on a province by province basis,” the application reads.

As a result of the so-called breaches, Mr Chamisa is asking the Constitutional Court to declare him the winner of the presidential elections or alternatively to order a fresh poll.

Mabeleland South died after a mining tunnel at a river bank collapsed on him.
Ndumiso Nkala (24) of Plot 10, Mayfair area died in Insiza River near Lancaster Bridge.

When the river bank tunnel collapsed on the now deceased, he was in the company of a friend Dumezweni Ndlovu (35) of Plot 1, Mayfair.

Ndlovu survived as he went out of the tunnel to collect a torch he had left in his bag outside, some minutes before the tunnel collapsed last week.
Matabeleland South Provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident.

“I can confirm the sudden death of a miner who died when sand on a river bank collapsed on him. His father and other villagers retrieved him but he was already dead,” he said.
Chief Insp Ndebele urged members of the public to desist from mining in unsecured shafts.
“In the past we have held campaigns to sensitise miners on the need to ensure their mining operations are safe but accidents continue. Uncertified tunnels or shafts are not advisable to mine on. We urge miners to ensure their mines are inspected regularly,” he said.

A source said Ndlovu had gone out of the tunnel to collect a torch that he had left in his bag when the incident occurred.

“Ndlovu got out of the tunnel to collect a torch from his bag and upon his return, he discovered that the tunnel had collapsed trapping Nkala. Ndlovu rushed back to the village to advise elders.
“He returned with Nkala’s father, Mr Aleck Nkala, among other villagers who retrieved the already lifeless body,” said a source that preferred anonymity.

The matter was reported to the police who attended the scene and no foul play was suspected.- state media

By A Correspondent| National Vendors Of Zimbabwe leader, Sten Zvorwadza says MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa is lying that the 2018 elections were rigged.

Zvorwadza also alleges that Chamisa is attempting to stage “a violent, criminal and disruptive action that they then called a peaceful protest.”

Writes Zvorwadza on ZimEye, Monday morning:

“Nelson Chamisa and his cabal premeditated a strategy to discredit the Zimbabwe’s free, fair and credible 2018 elections by staging a violent, criminal and disruptive action that they then called a peaceful protest.

“Informal Economy Workers will continue to suffer if Nelson Chamisa and his cabal persist to partner with foreign countries failing to appreciate a milestone of great hope on our land beholding our future.

“It is a lie to say that the just ended elections were not credible. I personally witnessed ZANU PF and MDC Alliance members posing for photographs at various locations during campaigns.

“That was a sign of great peace in our dear country Zimbabwe. Nelson Chamisa and his retrogressive cabal must not be allowed to derail our future for their personal egos. We are counting down, our bright future is near… let’s all unite as Zimbabweans to rebuild our country and let’s wait for 2023 elections… 2018 elections akapera zvakanaka… Some won and some lost…”

From today, Monday, ZimEye begins a series of programs exploring a post Mnangagwa Zimbabwe. WATCH VIDEO BELOW –

Mnangagwa Stepping Down He Will Be Honoured

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) August 12, 2018

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By Own Correspondent| A Zimbabwean youth has pledged to name his first child after MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa claiming that even if the child is a girl, he would honour his pledge.

Said Tapiwa Demo on twitter:

Nelson Chamisa Akaita President I'm naming my 1st child after him, even if it's a girl

— Big Homie Taps (@tapiwaDEMO) August 10, 2018

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Pressure has eased on embattled businessman Wicknell Chivayo after High Court bail-judge Benjamin Chikowero observed that the state’s case “was weak”.

This followed a $5 million fraud charge against the Intratrek Zimbabwe (Intratrek) founder and related to his 100 megawatt Gwanda solar power project with the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC).

In granting Chivayo a $2 000 bail, Chikowero was certainly convinced by the accused’s lawyers – advocate Lewis Uriri and Wilson Manase – that the lower court had conceded “there was no misrepresentation because Intratrek had been freely awarded a tender by the State Procurement Board and subsequently signed a contract with ZPC”.

Even, though, the rotund businessman had been denied freedom by magistrate Elisha Singano on the basis that he was a flight risk, the defence team also vigorously pursued or advanced the viewpoint that “the essential elements of fraud and money laundering were non-existent as the source of the money was known”.

Uriri, it is said, argued that the Intratrek deal “was purely a business transaction based on contractual provisions and obligations”, and ZPC “could seek remedy and enforce the matter through civil proceedings”.

Crucially, the presumption of innocence must apply and work in Chivayo’s favour.

And as part of his bail conditions, the 39 year-old businessman was ordered to report twice weekly to the Criminal Investigations Department’s frauds squad and surrender title deeds to his Borrowdale house.

DailyNews

By Paul Nyathi|Government has appointed a three-member commission to preside over the affairs of Harare City Council before the swearing in of a new council. The caretaker commission was appointed in terms of section 80 of the Urban Councils Act.

The commission is chaired by Bella Manyakara. The other two members are Shingai Mutumbwa and one C Kampila.

“The commission will preside over Harare on an interim basis until the new council is sworn in. The commission will not make any far reaching decisions on behalf of council without consulting Government and shall not engage in land/ stands allocations,” Harare City Council said in a notice.

The exiled Prof Jonathan Moyo has indicated he is soon dropping a bombshel expose’ that shows that ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has tampered with judicial independence.

Wrote Moyo: “B.S.There’s no separation of powers PR they are selling here. It’s a disaster. Wait until you read a scandalous confidential opinion given to Mnangagwa by Lewis Uriri & which, because #godisinit, has found its way into the public domain. They have tied themselves up in knots!”

Below was his tweet:

B.S.There's no separation of powers PR they are selling here. It's a disaster. Wait until you read a scandalous confidential opinion given to Mnangagwa by Lewis Uriri & which, because #godisinit, has found its way into the public domain. They have tied themselves up in knots! https://t.co/PeqsIxlqgU

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) August 13, 2018

Terrence Mawawa

The country’s state run companies owe ZIMRA over $491 million in
unpaid taxes.

At a time the country’ s economy is virtually grounded, state run companies have continued to default on the payment of tax, it has emerged.

The revenue authority disclosed the shocking deficit  in its 2017 annual report.

“It is a black hole and for government
this highlights their dilemma, how do
we stop the public sector from bleeding government in this way?

Parastatals are using

resources, which would otherwise be
for key social services and health, I
mean that is nearly double the health
budget for the country,” Eddie Cross told a weekly publication.

Terrence Mawawa

Prominent clergyman and perceived government backer, Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi has said people should not die for politics.

Bishop Mutendi, a declared government sympathiser and ally of Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa told a state run daily paper it was unfortunate and sad to note that people had lost their lives because of politics.

He made the remarks on the sidelines of the ZCC Defe Dopota Holy Land 42nd commemoration of the passing on of church founder Reverend Samuel Mutendi in Gokwe
North yesterday.

He said the current political situation over the July 30 harmonised elections outcome was only
delaying socio-economic growth.

“Yes, people died for this country
(during the liberation struggle) and it’s different from dying for a seat in
Parliament. That’s not a hero’s death.

As they say the politics is a dirty
game, let the politicians do their dirty
work. The Constitution is there, why
quarrel? Quarrelling delays progress,” said Mutendi.

Terrence Mawawa

Zanu PF Politburo member Sydney Sekeramayi was literally roasted on twitter after attacking MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa.

Sekeramayi yesterday castigated Chamisa for rejecting Emmerson Mnangagwa’ s victory in the July 30 plebiscite.

Below are responses from angry Zimbabweans: Patric Muchengi:
People are starving iwe uchidira upfu mumusoro … yomunhu.

I respected you until I saw this video clip, musoro wakazara mvura Sekuru, sure sorry henyu but musoro wenyu
wadhanganyika sekuru.

Bunda Stand: Chamisa must understand that there is a winner and
a loser in an election contest. If he doesn’t start correcting his mistakes now, same story will happen in 2023.

Mucha Maku: Izvozvi zidhara irori ritoriwo muqueue yekuita
president…

Lawrence Muziya: What do you expect honestly from a man who thinks that diesel oozes from a rock…ndidzo shasha dzeku
n’anga ka idzi.

James:
There is a difference between rigging and people’s choice.

Tay Nemara: To think we grew up respecting and being governed
by such people.He is right Mnangagwa must not change results
after losing forcing other candidates to go to court. Why does Zanu force itself on people?

EnCik Tedd Prince Mpd
Chihota: Politician for 70years as a minister not even a borehole kwaSamuriwo.

Innocent Nkomo:

Sekeramayi go and sleep wavenehope.

By Farai D Hove| President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday blamed the massacre of civilians in Harare (on the 2nd August) on MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa.

Mnangagwa was speaking at the national heroes acre while commemorating the Heroes Day.

Said Mnangagwa: “We however condemn the MDC Alliance inspired violence, post our free and fair elections, which resulted in the death of innocent citizens.

“May their souls in eternal peace. I have instructed a commission of enquiry to investigate the matter.

“It is now time to put the election period behind us and embrace the future…” WATCH THE LIVE VIDEO BELOW :
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Terrence Mawawa

Zanu PF Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has said there are no miracles in elections.

Chiwenga urged the MDC Alliance to accept the controversial results of the June 30 polls.

The MDC Alliance last week filed papers at the Constitutional Court challenging the results of the controversial plebiscite.

Chiwenga told Chronicle the MDC Alliance should accept the presidential election results.

Chiwenga also accused the MDC Alliance of attempting to cause
instability in the country.

“On the issue of elections, I think you
have heard even His Excellency
President Mnangagwa saying that
elections are over and we want to go
ahead with development.

If you go into a race, you must know that there are two things you are going to meet, either you win or you lose. You can go into a race knowing that you are going to lose because in an election there are no miracles.

Don’t expect miracles and
luck. In a game of politics, it is the
message you are giving to the
electorate that matters. Does that
message convince the electorate?
What is it that you have done which
you can say to the electorate vote me
for the next five years?

Zimbabweans must rise to the occasion. We must negate anything that brings instability and problems into our country. Let us be
peaceful and hard-working and
convince ourselves in our minds that
no one will come and build this
country, but ourselves,” said Chiwenga.

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Ali Phiri, a Form One pupil at Batanayi High School in Redcliff, was snatched from the jaws of the daring crocodiles by community members, but it was too late as he was already dead.
Ali’s three friends escaped with minor injuries.

The disturbing incident took place on Sunday afternoon. Family spokesperson, Mr Munyaradzi Munikwa who is also newly elected ward 2 councillor confirmed Ali’s tragic death.

“He was swimming in Kwekwe River together with his three friends. We then saw the other two boys coming in a huff informing us about the reptiles having attacked Ali,” narrated Mr Munikwa.
“We had no option but to jump into the water to rescue the hapless boy from the crocodiles which were by now drawing the body into the water.”
The family was still at pains, he said, to learn of the tragic death of the boy who had a promising career in football.

“As a family we are still trying to come to terms with the incident. We are still shocked because Ali died a painful death which was not at all expected,” he said.

About six crocodiles are said to have been spotted in the river and to date they are said to have claimed more than six lives.

“We are calling upon the Parks and Wildlife Department to intervene and do something about these crocodiles before they claim more lives,” Mr Munikwa said.

Burial arrangements were still to be announced . Midlands Provincial Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mkwende said she was yet to receive a report on the matter.-state media