By Dorrothy Moyo| Thokozani Khupe’s deputy, Obert Gutu has said ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa is moving on and those opposing him are still dreaming.

When they wake up, they will find that Zimbabwe is now on another level, he said. FULL TWEET:

ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa is guilty of murder, Bishop Ancelimo Magaya has said.

Writing directly to Mnangagwa, Bishop Magaya said “on 1 August 2018… It was clear from eye witnesses that your soldiers were under orders to kill. Under the law – and protocol in Zimbabwe – it is only you that could have ordered the soldiers to kill innocent and unarmed civilians. ”

BELOW WAS THE FULL TEXT

Dear President Mnangagwa,

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

All of us in Zimbabwe and elsewhere are desperately sad at the gunning down of innocent and unarmed civilians in the streets of Harare by your soldiers on 1 August 2018. It was clear from eye witnesses that your soldiers were under orders to kill. Under the law – and protocol in Zimbabwe – it is only you that could have ordered the soldiers to kill innocent and unarmed civilians. Under command responsibility it is you that has to be considered jointly responsible for these murders. We understand that you profess to be a follower of Christ Jesus. Under Gods law, there has been the murder of innocent people at your hands.

We were so hoping that there was going to be a change, and that you would have heralded this change and gone down in history as being the agent of change for a just and righteous and Godly leadership.

I believe God is calling on you to do all that you can to publicly repent before God of these murders; and do all that you can to repair what you have done before the hurting loved ones of the murdered and before the people of Zimbabwe. The bible says ‘Thus says the Lord God: you have gone too far O princes of Israel [6] Put away violence and oppression, and execute justice and righteousness. Cease your evictions of my people, declares the Lord God. [ Ezekiel 45 vs9], “The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man” [Psalm 5 vs 6].
I also want to appeal to your conscience to repent before God for having taken part in the massacres in Matabeleland during mid 80s, maiming’s, tortures, abductions and killings that have become a part of a government that you have been part of for the past 38 years. On the basis of the prophetic mandate endued on the church, i warn that God’s judgement is imminent if you will not repent. Also, be reminded of the word of God which says that he will punish the children because of the sins of their fathers down to the third and fourth generations (Exodus 20 verse 5b). I pray that your children will come to the knowledge of the Lord so that they escape from the curse associated with your sins.

Sincerely in his service
Bishop Ancelimo Magaya
Director Zimbabwe Divine Destiny

DIVISIONS have reportedly rocked President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa’s legal team after it emerged that some of his lead lawyers gave him a wrong interpretation of the operations of the law regarding MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa’s Constitutional Court (ConCourt) presidential election challenge.

Highly-placed sources in the legal fraternity told independent run Newsday newspaper on Tuesday that Mnangagwa had pencilled his inauguration on August 12, following advice from one of his lead counsels and was now seeking to argue before the courts that Chamisa’s petition was filed out of time.

“These arguments are embarrassing to the legal team, clear misreading of the law and misinformation being given to the President as advice is now frustrating other members of the team,” the source said.

The discrepancies were highlighted in a 17-page document prepared for Mnangagwa by Lewis Uriri, titled Ex Parte: Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, in which he urged his client to disregard findings by the instructing lawyers.

“Whether my instructing attorneys are correct in their interpretation that in view of rule 3 of the ConCourt Rules (2016), the last day of filing of a petition challenges, my consultant’s election as President of the Republic of Zimbabwe is the 16th August 2018,” Uriri wrote.

He added: “Whether my instructing attorneys are correct in their view that no election petition is filed, inauguration day would be Monday the 20th August 2018.
“My opinion and advice: A petition challenging my consultant’s election as President of the Republic of Zimbabwe has the effect of delaying his inauguration up until the 25th of August 2018. He must, in any event, be sworn in no later than the 26th of August 2018”.

The memo showed that the initial advice was that Mnangagwa’s inauguration could only take place on August 20 and the technicality issue being raised by Zanu PF legal affairs secretary Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana that the court papers were filed out of time was reportedly based on Uriri’s interpretation.

Uriri told Mnangagwa that his inauguration date was supposed to be August 12, while Chamisa’s deadline for filing the challenge was August 10, instead of August 16.

“The time for any challenge to my consultant’s election as the President of Zimbabwe lapses at midnight on 10 August 2018. Inauguration day, in the event that no petition is filed, is Sunday the 12th of August 2018,” Uriri said in his advisory note to Mnangagwa.

His legal opinion, which informed the decision by the Zanu PF legal team to present itself at the Constitutional Court on Monday, a public holiday, was that section 93 of the Constitution did not relate to week days.

“Section 93 of the Constitution does not relate to seven week days, it relates to seven days. If the intention was to exclude Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, the legislature would have said so by using appropriate language. The simple reference to seven days is a reference to calendar days and includes weekends and public holidays,” Uriri said.

Contacted for comment on his advisory note yesterday, Uriri said he was not at liberty to discuss his client’s confidential matters with the Press.

“I note you have attached what purports to be an opinion allegedly given by me to Messrs Mutumbwa, Mugabe and Partners. I neither confirm nor deny that the said lawyers sought my opinion. My relationship with my clients is strictly privileged. I do not and will not discuss their affairs with unauthorised third parties, and certainly not with the Press,” he said.

But law lecturer Valentine Mutatu said if the interpretation by Uriri and Mangwana was correct, they should have filed their responses by August 13.

“If Mangwana and company are correct in their counting of days, if the application was served on Friday the 10th, then the last day of filing opposing papers was the 13th, but that cannot be because the courts, which don’t count the weekends and holidays, are closed. The court can, therefore, not count a day in which it is not possible for you to file papers,” Mutatu said.

Chamisa filed his court application on August 10 and managed to serve Mnangagwa and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) on the same day, according to his chief election agent Jameson Timba.

A lawyer, who refused to be named for professional reasons, said Mnangagwa risked being misled by his legal team.

“It’s clear that the President is being misled by his legal team. He needs to replace them, especially (his point persons). If you look at the history of some of them, besides the case where they are a litigant, you won’t find any case they argued and won that’s worth nothing. The one time they attempted to go to the ConCourt recently ended in a disaster. They misfired procedure,” the lawyer said.

Mangwana approached the ConCourt in case 02/14 representing Boas Mapuva and Zishe Chizani, which case was dismissed on a technicality in judgment CCZ 6/2015.

The court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza, admonished Mangwana for failing to follow proper procedure by bringing the matter in an improper manner.

Newsday

Churches in Zimbabwe should continue praying for President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was chosen by God to lead the people of Zimbabwe. This was said by leader of the Apostolic Faith Church of Portland Oregon in Southern Africa, Reverend Richard Sibanda during a crusaders camp meeting in Bulawayo.

Rev Sibanda said Christians were not supposed to question God’s choice of a leader, but pray for Him to help their leader.

“Our duty is not to question God’s will,” he said. “Let us pray for our President Emmerson Mnangagwa so that the Lord can open his eyes and help him through the way. We know he is going through a tough time and as Christians, our duty is to support him with prayer.”

Rev Sibanda said President Mnangagwa was chosen by God and no man could fight God, adding that all the battles that President Mnangagwa was going through were minor before God.

“In the Bible we have so many examples of people who wanted to fight the men of God, but they fell by the wayside the moment God intervened,” he said. “President Mnangagwa was chosen by God to steer the Zimbabwean ship forward, let us support God’s will with prayer.”

Rev Sibanda said only Zimbabweans could determine their future through prayer.

“What Zimbabwe needs is prayer and nothing else,” he said. “We can try all we can but nothing beats prayer. No matter what challenges we face, let us unite as a country and pray and things will work out for the good.”

The call comes at a time when opposition leader Mr Nelson Chamisa has filed a court application challenging the results of the Presidential election, which Mnangagwa was declared to have won with 50,8 percent of the total votes against Chamisa’s 44,3 percent.

The MDC-Alliance leader alleges that the elections were rigged and the application has temporarily stalled President Mnangagwa’s inauguration.

State media

The late former Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Thokozile Mathuthu’s burial is set for Sunday at the National Heroes Acre.

According to a provisional programme availed to the media, the body of the late Mathuthu is expected to arrive at the Colliery Stadium from the capital on Thursday, then to her Hwange house in Mpumalanga Township of Hwange where it will lie in state ahead of a church service and body viewing scheduled for Bulawayo on Friday.

The body will then be flown back to Harare ahead of its burial on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Matabeleland North Province has welcomed the national heroine status accorded to the late former Minister of State as a befitting honour for her immense contribution to the province and entire country during the war of liberation and after independence.

Speaking at the Defence Forces Day celebrations at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane today, Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Ambassador Cain Mathema said the province feels honoured by the conferment of the national heroine status to the late Mathuthu and pledged the province’s commitment in ensuring that her dreams about the community will be achieved.

“Our former governor our former deputy minister, member of the Central Committee is no more. She has been declared a national heroine by His Excellency. We are together with the Mathuthu family and will forever be with family because she is one of the heroines of the liberation struggle,” he said.

Other government officials and senior Zanu PF party members said the country has been robbed of a patriotic, hardworking and unwavering cadre who spearheaded several developmental projects in the province.

Mathuthu died on Monday the 13th of August, after a long battle with cancer.

She was 61.

Zbc

Zanu PF Marondera Central losing parliamentary candidate Cleopas Kundiona yesterday stunned residents and motorists as he went around mounting fresh campaign banners for President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa along the Harare-Mutare Road, saying they should remain visible long after the July 30 polls.

The educationist-cum-politician moved around town with some youths and erected canvas banners inscribed ED Pfee and #EDHasMyVote along the highway and on the way to Rudhaka Stadium where people gathered for the Defence Forces Day commemorations.

Kundiona, who lost to opposition MDC Alliance’s Caston Matewo, said he would continue marketing Mnangagwa even after the polls.

“This is about the Heroes Day holidays, ED (Mnangagwa) is the leader, and he is the President. The ED Pfee juggernaut is not going to stop, it is here to stay, it is moving,” he said.

Kundiona and Zanu PF’s Goromonzi South candidate Petronella Kagonye, were the only ruling party candidates who lost the election in Mashonaland East province, where the party won 23 constituencies.

NewsDay

Zimbabwean former president Robert Mugabe’s late wife Sally and his sister Sabina’s graves were reportedly “abandoned” after “no single relative appeared to have turned up to visit them” on Monday during the country’s Heroes Day celebrations.

The two graves used to be the “centre of attraction” during the annual National Heroes’ Day commemorations presided over by the now ousted leader.

Thousands of Zimbabweans gathered at the country’s national shrine the Heroes Acre in Harare on Monday, as they celebrated the men and women who fought for the liberation of Zimbabwe, SABC reported.

The all-important day for the southern African country was the first not to be presided over by Mugabe, and took place after Zimbabwe’s historic 2018 elections.

The former ruler’s absence at the event was visibly seen, as the grave of his late wife Sally – who died in 1992 – was among the deserted ones.

In previous years, Sally and Sabina’s graves were at the centre of the country’s Heroes Day commemoration as the Mugabes would take time to visit and lay huge bouquets of flowers while his aides cheered.

It remained unclear whether the Mugabes would chose a different day to honour their loved ones as the former leader had made it clear that he was unhappy with the country’s new leadership.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa was the main speaker at this year’s commemorations.

Mnangagwa called on the country to move on from its disputed election, despite his victory being challenged in court over alleged fraud and his inauguration delayed.

“It’s now time to put the election period behind us and embrace the future,” the president-elect said.

“The task facing us today is a great one,” he added.

News24

Advocate-Uriri-Mnangagwa-Inauguration-Legal-Advice

MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa reneged on his earlier pledge to attend all State functions, and chose to stay away from both the Heroes’ Day and Defence Forces Day commemorations in the past two days, saying he was “mourning” alleged theft of his election victory.

Chamisa, who took over from Tsvangirai, announced that they would be attending State functions, a complete shift of policy from his predecessor, the now late Morgan Tsvangirai who accused Zanu PF of conflating State events to Zanu PF functions.

Chamisa went on to attend the Independence Day celebrations at the National Sports Stadium in April this year and also encouraged his supporters countrywide to also attend national events. However, after the July 30 harmonised elections, Chamisa boycotted the Heroes’ Day and the Defence Forces Day celebrations.

Chamisa’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda said the current situation, emanating from the disputed elections, had made them shelve their policy for now.

“We are in the middle of a disputed election and, as such, the things we can do are conditioned by that, our context. When conditions allow, the president will maintain his decision. We are monitoring the environment and it doesn’t allow for that,” he said.

NewsDay

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority on Tuesday shot dead a crocodile that had become a threat to human life in Redcliff.

The crocodile attacked and killed a 14-year old boy who was swimming in Kwekwe River in the company of three of his friends on Sunday.

Ali Phiri’s body was retrieved from the crocodile’s mouth with missing body parts following the attack while his three friends escaped with minor injuries.

After the crocodile was shot, rangers slit it open to retrieve body parts for burial.

Ali, a Form One pupil, was buried at Torwood cemetery on Tuesday.

Parks and Wildlife spokesperson, Mr Tinashe Farawo, said the crocodile had to be put down as it had become a danger to people’s lives.

“Our rangers managed to kill the crocodile as it had become a threat to human life in the area. It was now classified under the problem animals hence we assigned our Bulawayo office to take care of the problematic croc,” he said.

Mr Farawo said it was unfortunate that a life was lost and warned people to stay away from water bodies.

“We are saddened by the loss of life. We are however, working on a schedule to educate people to stay away from water bodies,” he said.

Mr Farawo said the above normal rains received in the last rainy season had resulted in many water bodies being infested with reptiles.

“So our main message is that we urge the public to stay away from water bodies as most of them are infested by crocodiles due to heavy rains received in the previous rainy season,” he said.

Mr Farawo said his office had intensified outreach programmes meant to educate the public on the dangers of playing around water bodies.

Meanwhile, Mr Farawo tweeted that last year, 21 people were killed by crocodiles.

“Of the 34, 21 people were mauled by crocodiles, two by lions and those cases were recorded in Chiredzi. There were also cases of people gored by buffaloes to death while some were trampled by elephants,” he said.

Mr Farawo said they received 393 human-wildlife conflicts reports throughout the country.

“Of the 393 reports, we managed to attend to 300 cases and we had to put down about 88 animals – these include elephants and lions. We classify this as problem animal control,” he said. – state media

Terrence Mawawa

Controvesial Zanu PF Secretary for Youth Affairs Pupurai Togarepi has said his party will take MDC-Alliance leaders Nelson Chamisa and Tendai Biti to court for calling for the imposition of sanctions on Harare.

“The people of Zimbabwe voted in a very peaceful and free environment and fortunately for us, they voted for President Mnangagwa and our
MPs got more than two thirds majority,”Togarepi told The Herald.

“However, we now understand there are court applications from people who before the elections stated that they would not accept any other results except them winning. In our view, these people are trying to hold the people of Zimbabwe at ransom
and we feel that they are just wasting time.”

“What is worrying us and dismaying us as well is the renewed sanctions against the people of Zimbabwe after Mr Chamisa and Mr Tendai Biti
went to the United States prior to this election and asked for sanctions to be imposed on the people of
Zimbabwe,” said Togarepi.

Terrence Mawawa

MDC sources have reported that veteran party activist Fidelis Mhashu has died.

Below is a statement that has the been written by a senior party official:

Former Headmaster and MDC MP Mr Fidelis Mhashu is nomore.

Mr Mhashu served as the MDC MP for Zengeza Constituency.He was a powerful opposition figure who refused to be suppressed by the Mugabe led ZANU PF regime together with the late veteran leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

Mr Mhashu was once beaten up by Elliot Manyika at the town centre after ZANU lost dismally.Mr Manyika used a pistol to shove Mr Mhashu and threatened to kill him but that did not deter the man from representing the masses and airing his voice against a ZANU PF failed leadership.We say May His Soul Rest In Peace,Aluta Continua,the Struggle Continues…Famba zvakanaka Muchinja Ane rudo.

By Paul Nyathi|In spite of army commander General Valerio Sibanda’s spirited defence of the uniformed forces after six people were killed inn Harare two weeks ago, the international community and even the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) have blamed the ZDF for its heavy-handedness in dealing with civilians.

In a damning report issued last week, ZHRC chairperson Elasto Mugwadi said the use of live ammunition and excessive use of force on civilians was uncalled for.

Mugwadi said while the commission does not in any way support violence, hooliganism or vandalism by any protester, constitutionally there were better ways of managing protests without infringing on the rights of citizens, especially the right to life which must be jealously guarded by all State institutions and at all times.

“ZHRC urges that the army only be deployed where necessary for law and order and in strict compliance with the relevant legal provisions and internationally accepted standards, including restrictions on the use of live ammunition against protesters.

“To us it is very much criminal. It is a criminal act to kill someone,” said Mugwadi.

“While there are investigations, there was a violation of peoples’ rights — the right to life.

“That is the fundamental right, the right of all rights. We will on our own part investigate and try to find out why this happened the way it did,” he added.

President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa has since made an undertaking to establish an independent commission to get to the bottom of the matter.

The pre-voting period had been characterised by peaceful campaigns and a camaraderie spirit.

But this was immediately sullied by the deadly clashes between opposition supporters and security agents.

ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa’s trademark scarf became an instrument of death after a 29-year-old Chinhoyi man used it to hang himself following a domestic dispute.

Mathingson Gandawa, who was a staunch Zanu PF supporter, allegedly hanged himself at his home in White City suburb after a domestic dispute with his wife over allegations of extra-marital affairs.

The scarf, which has been popularised by Mnangagwa, was first worn by the First President of Zimbabwe the late Canaan Banana and former President Robert Mugabe.

However, while the two former Presidents used to wear the scarf at weekends during soccer matches, Mnangagwa has taken the scarf to business conferences, including the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland in January this year.

NewsDay

MDC-Alliance principal Tendai Biti was lawfully arrested in Zimbabwe last week following his deportation by Zambian authorities, the court heard yesterday.

Biti, who is facing charges of inciting violence and contravening the Electoral Act, is challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear his matter arguing that he was abducted by Zimbabwean authorities.

Through his lawyers — Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, Messrs Alec Muchadehama, Harrison Nkomo and Gift Mtisi— Biti wants the court to determine whether his appearance in court was proper given the circumstances of his case.

Biti, who was denied asylum by the Zambian government after he tried to seek refuge in that country, also wants the court to determine whether the police complied with the law after he argued that he was unlawfully arrested in Zambia by unidentified Zimbabwean men.

The investigating officer in the matter Chief Superintendent Jealous Nyabasa yesterday took to the witness stand and gave his evidence-in-chief led by prosecutor Mr Michael Reza.

He chronicled events that led to Biti’s arrest adding that he lawfully arrested Biti on Zimbabwean soil dismissing his claims that he was arrested on the Zambian side.

The investigating officer said when Biti was denied asylum by the Zambian government, he was then handed over to the Zimbabwean immigration officials who in turn surrendered him to the police.

“Your Worship I arrested the accused person at Chirundu border post on August 9 after he was handed over by officials from Zimbabwean Immigration offices. They had a deportation order and handover a certificate from Zambian authorities,” he said.

“The accused is a Zimbabwean citizen who was lawfully arrested in Zimbabwe at Chirundu border post and lawfully brought to court within the stipulated time frame. Therefore, given the circumstances he is properly before the court.”

Chief Supt Nyabasa said Biti was on an outstanding warrant of arrest and he knew that he was wanted by the police but chose not to surrender himself.

After he was asked by the prosecutor what Biti was supposed to do after receiving a message that the police was looking for him, Chief Supt Nyabasa in response said he was supposed to report to his nearest police station.

“Biti did not heed police’s call instead he chose to send his lawyers to CID Law and Order to check if he was really wanted. They made an undertaking that they were going to bring him but never did,” he said.

In his evidence-in-chief last week, Biti said: “When Charity Charamba (Senior Assistant Commissioner) told journalists that they were looking for me, my lawyer Alec Muchadehama went to CID law and order intending to advise them that I was to surrender myself on that day at 2pm.

“The police officers he met there said they were not aware that he was wanted and he was told to leave his business card so they would contact him if they wanted me.”

However, Chief Supt Nyabasa dismissed his claims and told the court that Biti actually sent three different lawyers on separate occasions who all made an undertaking to accompany their client to the police but never fulfilled their promises.

Biti is alleged to have unlawfully declared opposition party leader Mr Nelson Chamisa as the winner in the Presidential elections thereby violating Section 66A (1) of the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13, which prohibits the unofficial or false declaration of election results.

Commenting on the charge, Chief Supt Nyabasa said In terms of the country’s electoral laws, only the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is empowered to declare the winner of an election.

Magistrate Mr Francis Mapfumo rolled over the matter to today for continuation when the defence is expected to cross-examine Chief Supt Nyabasa.

Herald

Outgoing MDC-T Bulawayo South National Assembly member Mr Eddie Cross has resigned from the opposition party and quit politics.

He said his resignation had nothing to do with the ongoing political situation in the country.

“I am a retired Member of Parliament and I decided to take a break from politics. This decision has nothing to do with what is happening politically, instead I took the break so that I can take care of my wife who is not feeling well,” he said.

Mr Cross started his political career in 1965, as the general-secretary of the Centre Party, which opposed the Rhodesian minority rule led by Ian Smith.

He joined the Movement for Democratic Change in 1999 and was made secretary for economics in 2000.

Mr Cross served as the MP for Bulawayo South from 2008 to 2018. In February 2009, the late MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai designated Mr Cross for the position of Minister of State Enterprises and Parastatals as part of the inclusive Government, but he did not take up the post.

Mr Cross has been at loggerheads with the MDC-Alliance for predicting a resounding victory for President Mnangagwa in the July 30 elections. He also declared the harmonised elections as free, fair and credible, saying they were the most democratic since independence in 1980. He also called MDC-Alliance presidential candidate Mr Nelson Chamisa a political novice who needed more time to mature before dreaming of the high office.

A former top advisor to Tsvangirai, Cross was recently quoted as saying Chamisa was wasting time by challenging presidential election results as they were a true reflection of the people’s will.

This led to the MDC-Alliance leadership demanding his immediate expulsion from the party for “disregarding” party decisions and “undermining” it.

State media

Preparations for the 61st edition of the Matabeleland South Agricultural Show are at an advanced stage amid revelations that exhibitors have occupied all available stands.

Over 80 exhibitors are expected to participate at this year’s event.

Briefing the media this Wednesday, President of the Matabeleland South Agricultural Show Mr George Chipengo said while the number of exhibitors has continued to grow over the years, the organisation is excited about the participation of stock exchange listed companies at this year’s show.

Mr Chipengo said this is a show of confidence in the exhibition.

“Stands uptake is now at 100 percent but there is still more space for exhibitors who wish to pitch up tents. The response is really overwhelming, all districts in the province have confirmed their attendance. Traditional exhibitors are coming, there are also new exhibitors that we are really excited about,” said Mr Chipengo.

Unlike last year where an outbreak of foot and mouth disease contributed to a low turnout in the livestock section, the situation will be different this time around as more communal and commercial farmers have expressed interest in showcasing their quality breeds.

“Animals this time are not being restricted unlike last year where we were saying all livestock are for direct slaughter. But now farmers can exhibit and take their animals back as long as they are coming from green zones,” said Mr Zondai.

The agriculture show which will run under the theme: ‘Sustainable Development through Agriculture’ will be officially opened by the Acting Managing Director of PPC Zimbabwe Mr Marvelous Sibanda on Saturday.

Zbc

The Minister of International Cooperation and Relations of the Republic of South Africa, Hon Dr. Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and Outgoing Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers on 13 August 2018 handed over the Chairpersonship of the SADC Council of Ministers to Hon Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Cooperation and Relations of the Republic of Namibia.

The handover took place at the opening of the meeting of the SADC Council of Ministers, ahead of the 38th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government to take place on 17-18, August 2018 at Safari Conference Centre, Windhoek, Namibia.

In her remarks, the Outgoing Council Chairperson, Hon Dr Sisulu congratulated Hon. Nandi-Ndaitwah for assuming the Chairpersonship and pledged her unwavering support as a demonstration of the collective commitment to the ideals and values of SADC.

Hon. Dr Sisulu said, under the leadership of South Africa, SADC maintained its focus on industrial development, promotion of regional value chains and value addition. On this note, Hon Dr Sisulu said the 37th Summit theme “Partnering with the Private Sector in Developing Industry and Regional Value Chains”, was chosen with the full realisation that SADC goals can only be attained with strong and meaningful partnerships with the private sector, which is part of the engine for sustainable economic growth.

Hon. Dr Sisulu noted that, while SADC has achieved a lot in pursuit of the 37th Summit theme, there is more work to be done. “We need to prioritise trade facilitation bottlenecks such as inadequate infrastructure and customs procedures, as well as weak logistics systems, which raise trade costs and hinder the ease of doing business,” said Hon. Dr Sisulu, adding that transport costs and transit delays in Southern Africa are reported to be particularly higher than in most other regions, and have a potential to reverse the gains in regional industrial development.

On her part, Hon. Nandi-Ndaitwah paid tribute to the outgoing Council Chairperson for the commendable work she has done during her tenure, saying that she will rely on the support and cooperation of the Outgoing Chair to ensure that SADC meets the expectations of its citizens.

On the theme of the 38th SADC Summit; Promoting Infrastructure Development and Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development, Hon. Nandi-Ndaitwah said the theme was carefully chosen to draw attention to infrastructure and youth empowerment.

“It is a hard reality that we cannot industrialise the region or Africa unless we invest in infrastructure development. In order to ensure sustainable Industrialisation and development, we need to invest in our youth through education, skill training and motivate them to be innovative and entrepreneurs,” said the Council Chairperson.

Hon. Nandi-Ndaitwah cited the words of H.E Dr Sam Nujoma, Founding President of Namibia that, “The youth are the strength of this nation. They are our future leaders. They bring unique perspectives that we need to take into account when we plan our future destiny”. She said these words arein line with the SADC Declaration on Youth Development and Empowerment signed in 2014.

Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary of SADC, Her Excellency Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax welcomed the Incoming Chairperson of SADC Council of Ministers, Hon. Nandi-Ndaitwah and assured Hon. Nandi-Ndaitwah of the Executive Secretary’s unwavering commitment and support in her efforts to steer the region to greater heights.

H.E. Dr Tax expressed optimism that, under the leadership of Hon. Nandi-Ndaitwah, SADC is set for yet another successful year, building on the successes made under the Chairpersonship of Hon. Dr Lindiwe Sisulu.

The Executive Secretary highlighted the progress that SADC has made towards deepening regional integration and development, particularly in promoting the SADC Industrialization Agenda. She cited the on-going work to operationalize the Regional Development Fund as a sustainable means of mobilizing resources for regional programmes.

She informed the Ministers that the Secretariat reached an agreement with the African Development Bank to support SADC in a number of areas including in the identification and categorization of priority bankable projects as contained in the SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (RIDMP); operationalization of the SADC Regional Development Fund; development of SADC economic corridors aimed at supporting infrastructure projects to facilitate Regional Value Chains; development of insurance to mitigate and address the impacts of climate change related risk; and the development of a Regional Strategy for Drug Abuse and cybercrime.

The SADC Council of Ministers oversees the functioning and development of SADC and ensures that policies are properly implemented. Itconsists of Ministers from each Member State, usually from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economic Planning, or Finance. It meets twice a year.

-AP

CIVIL society groups under the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition are piling pressure on Sadc to put the country on the agenda of its upcoming meeting following the disputed July 30 elections and post elections violence which has far claimed at least seven lives.

The groups will be meeting at the 38th Sadc People’s Summit in Namibia that comes before this weekend’s 38th Sadc summit which will be attended by the heads of State and government in the regional bloc.

Soldiers on August 1 shot dead at least seven people during a protest in Harare against the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, while the situation in rural areas has also deteriorated with opposition supporters reportedly being harassed and forced into hiding.

In its position paper to be tabled at the People’s summit, CiZC said a rescue package must be drawn as soon as possible to deal with the situation.

“The Sadc community together with other global players must institute discussions on the situation in Zimbabwe and develop a political and economic rescue package that is predicated on democratic progress,” read the document.

“We urge the regional community to continue standing and fighting in the corner of Zimbabwe and its people rather than political elites.”

The civic organisation said Zimbabwe must return to full compliance with modern statecraft where the military is subordinate to civilian authority and desist from interfering in political issues as it did in November 2017 and the post-election period.

“The military immediately returns and stays in the barracks through leaving communities and roads where it is present,” added the organisation.

The groups added that Zimbabwe must uphold the rights of citizens and international visitors in all respects including through upholding media freedoms, civil and political liberties.

“Sadc and the international community must continue to condemn the illegal infractions against people’s rights in Zimbabwe, including holding as sacrosanct citizens’ rights to life and protection by the State, as well as discouraging impairments of rights of the media and ordinary Zimbabweans.

“Sadc and the international community must call for and support dialogue between political actors as well as an inclusive conversation on Zimbabwe’s future.”

At their meeting before the heads of State, the civil society groups are expected to agree on a position to pile pressure on regional leaders to act on Zimbabwe.

NewsDay

ZIMBABWE’S ongoing political crisis — occasioned by the disputed July 30 presidential poll — is damaging the local economy’s revival prospects, as investors adopt a wait-and-see approach before taking firm positions on the country.

This comes as President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on Zimbabweans to move on and analysts say potential investors were adopting a cautious approach towards Harare in the aftermath of deadly violence, which rocked the country two weeks ago.

Economist Eddie Cross said the country’s stuttering economy was set to remain subdued until a resolution of the country’s political crisis.

“Businesses never like uncertainty and until the position of the president is resolved, we will see reduced business activity across all sectors,” he warned.

Chris Mugaga, the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce chief executive, concurred saying the political impasse was “not good” for the country.

“It may prove detrimental to the country’s investment prospects and this would just be ironic given that they (politicians) also say they want investment for the country,” he said.

Another economist, John Robertson, said it was imperative that Harare resolved its political disputes quickly, as investors were getting weary of the on-going uncertainty.

“Investors expected that the ‘open for business’ mantra would happen immediately after the elections, but this has not happened. “We have seen soldiers killing civilians and an opposition that is determined to drag this thing out (political stalemate) for as long as they can,” he said, adding that “this is spooking investors”. “Over the seven months that Mnangagwa fought for legitimacy and recognition from the outside world, we saw renewed interest in Zimbabwe as an investment destination, but now this confusion is definitely putting investors off,” Robertson said.

Sifelani Jabangwe, the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) president, also said that the country’s continuing problems and misery were likely to affect both investor confidence and sentiment locally and internationally.

“We could have a bit of a challenge because investors and business would have wanted a smoother electoral process.

“All the things that happened were part of the electoral process, but this needs to be communicated properly to investors,” he said.

United Refineries Limited chief executive Busisa Moyo — also a former CZI boss — said all was not lost depending on what happens from now onwards.

“I believe investors are still keen on Zimbabwe as they need an alternative to South Africa in the region. I don’t think the MDC Alliance’s court case itself is a big issue … from what we are hearing investors are more interested in how the country handles the process from this point onwards,” he said.

“Institutions like the judiciary are key and are seen as an indicator or pointer on the prospects of accessing sound commercial legal redress by investors once they bring their funds into Zimbabwe,” Moyo said.

“In addition to that, our ability to maintain calm, peace, order and restraint as a nation will also be critical as the spotlight is still on Zimbabwe for all intents and purposes,” he added.

Meanwhile, European Union ambassador to Zimbabwe Philippe Van Damme has said Harare’s political environment must change for the country to realise its investment potential.

“Economic and political governance has to improve (for Zimbabwe) to take full advantage of these privileged trading conditions,” he said on his Twitter account.

Following the violence which rocked Zimbabwe on August 1, the South African-based investment mobilisation organisation — Zim Business Forum Link — called on its members to halt investments to the country in the short to medium.

“We do suspend all investment deals currently underway destined for Zimbabwe till further notice. We are not processing any business plans or packages for Zimbabwe,” it said.

And in another telling sign of tough times ahead for Zimbabwe, the Financial Times of London said last week that multinational companies, which had planned fact-finding missions to Harare after the elections, were postponing them.

“It has come to nought as fears rise over basic stability, especially the seemingly out of control security forces,” the respected publication said.

“Ever since soldiers fired at demonstrators claiming the July 30 poll was rigged … Mnangagwa has moved further away from reopening Zimbabwe to the world … The crackdown has exposed the fundamental flaw in any plan by Mr Mnangagwa’s ruling Zanu-PF to reopen the country to investors,” it added.

Zimbabwe desperately needs both foreign direct investment and foreign exchange.

This comes as America has dealt a major blow to the country’s economic recovery prospects after recently enacting the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Amendment.

The law, which was initially crafted to punish ousted former president Robert Mugabe’s rogue regime, has set out stringent new parameters to be taken by the Zimbabwean government before the normalisation of relations with Washington.

Fingaz