Said the Afrobarometer: The bad and good news comes in almost daily.

Increasingly authoritarian regimes clamp down on dissent in Tanzania and Zambia, and Togo’s Gnassingbe dynasty teeters as its opponents are bloodied in the streets. But democratic elections carried the day in the Gambia, where strongman Yahya Jammeh was forced to cede power without a shot being fired — and in Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf respected term limits and passed the torch.

Meanwhile, in Uganda, Afro-beat pop star Bobi Wine has become a symbol for popular resistance and could threaten Yoweri Museveni’s three-decade rule.

In Ethiopia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appears to be leading change with breathtaking speed, while Zimbabweans still wait — and demonstrate — for the democracy they were promised after Robert Mugabe was forced to step down.

What’s going on with democracy in Africa?

The research network Afrobarometer finds some answers in its latest analysis, based on face-to-face interviews with more than 45,000 Africans in 34 countries.

The wide-ranging interviews, conducted with nationally representative samples between late 2016 and late 2018, covered more than two dozen questions on democracy, elections and political freedoms.

Most Africans still say they want democracy. Fewer are getting the democracy they want. And even fewer insist enough on improving their democracies that they’re likely to help their nations guard against authoritarian backsliding.

Let’s look more closely at the numbers. A strong majority of Africans — fully 68 percent — think democracy is the best system of government.

Even larger majorities object to various forms of authoritarianism: 78 percent oppose presidential dictatorships, 74 percent oppose one-party rule and 72 percent object to military rule.

About four out of 10 Africans, or 42 percent, “demand democracy,” meaning they hold all four of these pro-democratic views at the same time.

These committed democrats are most likely to be found among urban residents, men, and people who have middle-class jobs, a university education, a strong interest in politics, and a habit of reading newspapers and using the Internet.

By Own Correspondent- Gospel supremo Mechanic Manyeruke has collaborated with his son Guspy Warrior for the first time.

The song, titled Shungu Dzangu, is expected to hit the market soon.

In an interview, Baba Manyeruke said the song is the first project with his Zim dancehall son.

“It’s my first ever collaboration with Guspy and he is the one who came up with the idea that we should have a collaboration.

“I did not turn down his proposal because we both attract people in our genres and I took it as a chance for me to educate the young generation.

“People have been asking us to do a duet so we are giving them a song which they have been waiting for years,” he said.

He added:

“Another reason why I did not turn the offer down is that he goes to church and it’s very easy to relate with him.

“I am putting my voice on Wednesday and Guspy has already put his.

“The song is simply titled Shungu Dzangu and it’s a must-listen.”

Baba Manyeruke also hinted on another collaboration with Guspy Warrior where he will be remembering Cyclone Idai Victims.

“We are yet to do another collaboration where we will be remembering Cyclone Idai victims.

“There are many people who have lost their lives and it brings sorrow whenever I think about it.”

The Makanaka Jesu singer stated that he wants to record a family album where his two sons Guspy and Alexander will be featuring.

“I have nine children and only two have followed my footsteps.

“Guspy has chosen the Zim dancehall genre and Alexander chose gospel.

“We will soon record a family album which will strengthen hearts of believers in these trying times.”-H.Metro

By A Correspondent- There was drama in Tynwald South after some residents temporarily evacuated their homes when an angry mob stormed the neighbourhood, demanding justice for their deceased relative who was murdered after being caught in a botched housebreaking attempt.

As part of the ritual, the group chanted songs and danced for more than 30 minutes before they carried the deceased to his final resting place.

Sachikumbi’s friend Wiseman Chaboka, furnished the publication with information on the events that led to Sachikumbi’s death.

Sachikumbi is reported to have broken into three houses stealing cellphones and television sets but was unfortunate when he barged into the fourth house. Upon his entry, he bumped into a woman who was on her way to the toilet.

”He took a out a knife and tried to scare away the woman, but she screamed until the husband woke up and a fight broke out. That’s when he was caught.

”He was thoroughly beaten from around 3am until 7am when the police came and took his body,” he said.

Sachikumbi’s wife Loina January said that it was unjust for her husband to meet his end in such a manner.

”Yes, I know he was a thief. But how can they kill him like that? ”They tied his hands with wire and started beating him up with stones and bricks. They then took a bolt cutter and started squeezing his private parts, while cutting his hair and sprinkling ashes all over his face,” she said.-H-Metro

By Patrick Guramatunhu- The country is in serious trouble with unemployment a nauseating 90%; basic services such sheath and education all but collapse; facing fuel, cash and medicine shortages; 19-hour power cuts; 5.7 million people needed food aid; etc.

Instead of those in power coming up with solutions to the many teething problems they are wasting time in their own macabre sabre-rattling contest!

“We are a committed leadership that will give Zanu PF headaches and [Amos] Chibaya was not lying or joking about the war and fight we are going to take to the doorsteps of Emmerson Mnangagwa.

We are going to overthrow him before 2023 that is not a joke,” said Job Sikhala, MDC Vice Chairperson at a Rally in Bikita.

“When a person says they want to overthrow a constitutionally-elected President, they are committing an offence and they are threatening a coup, this will not be allowed in this

country. We love our peace and it will be protected,” came the reply from the Zanu PF Youth League leader, Lewis Matutu.

The irony is that Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF regime are NOT constitutionally elected because last year’s elections were NOT free and fair as MDC leaders have readily admitted.

ZEC failed to produce something as basic as a verified voters’ roll, for Pete’s sake! It is MDC who have given Zanu PF the modicum of legitimacy by participating in the flawed and illegal elections. Even with all the evidence that Zanu PF had indeed rigged the elections, MDC has nonetheless remain ambivalent in their condemnation of the elections.

“Legitimacy is an issue – last year’s elections were illegal, and not free and fair. All reasonable observers concede that,” commented David Coltart, MDC Treasurer General.

MDC has been calling for political dialogue to resolve the legitimacy issue. The party is demand a power sharing transition authority (TA) in which Nelson Chamisa and a few other MDC members are to be given cabinet positions complete with the ministerial limo, generous salary, etc.

MDC claim the TA will revive the economy and implement the reforms to stop Zanu PF rigged future elections. All nonsense, of course! MDC failed to get even one reform implemented in the 2008 GNU when the party had the majority in cabinet and parliament and the backing of SADC leaders. It is hard to see how the party can achieve anything in this TA when Zanu PF hold all the trump cards.

MDC leaders are selling-out the cause for free, fair and credible elections as the only basis for political legitimacy for selfish person gain.

It is laughable that MDC sold-out to give the illegitimate Zanu PF regime legitimacy is now talking of using violence to force the latter to share the spoils of power. Whilst Zanu PF, for its part, blatantly rigged the elections and will now use brute force to retain its corrupt and tyrannical rule.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s economic meltdown is getting worse and worse and the nation is being pushed deeper and deeper into this hell-on-earth we find ourselves in.

The only way out is for this illegitimate Zanu PF regime to step down so we can appoint an interim administration or transition authority, call it what you wish, composed of individuals who can be trusted to implemented the democratic reforms and thus end the curse of rigged elections.

The opportunity to pressure Zanu PF to step down is there; most of the international community accept that Zanu PF rigged last year’s elections and the regime is therefore is illegal. The fly in the ointment is MDC who want to sell legitimacy and will even drag the nation into violent street protests to push their selfish demands.

Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) rangers on Saturday discovered seven carcasses of elephants that were in an advanced state of decomposition.

It is suspected that the elephants may have been poisoned with cyanide. A ZBC News report claimed that the elephants could have succumbed to anthrax as they were found with their tusks intact.

The incident was confirmed by Zimparks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo. He said: It is true that some elephants were found dead and a team is already on the ground taking samples as we are yet to ascertain the cause of death.

All I can say for now is that all departments that make up the anti-poaching unit are on the ground as investigations are being done. SEVEN elephants were found dead in Hwange National Park on Saturday in a suspected case of cyanide poisoning.

Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) rangers conducting routine patrols found elephant carcasses in the Mukona area of the game park. The Chronicle was told that the carcasses were in an advanced state of decomposition raising fears of cyanide poisoning.

Zimparks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident and said investigations were underway. “It is true that some elephants were found dead and a team is already on the ground taking samples as we are yet to ascertain the cause of death.

All I can say for now is that all departments that make up the anti-poaching unit are on the ground as investigations are being done,” said Mr Farawo. He could not confirm if the jumbos still had their tusks and said finer details would be availed in due course after investigations are concluded.

Hundreds of elephants have died at Hwange National Park since 2013 due to cyanide poisoning. In some cases, rangers have recovered oranges laced with cyanide placed strategically on trees where they can be eaten by elephants.

In January last year, rangers discovered several sites laced with cyanide at Sinanga in Hwange National Park. Cyanide, which is mainly used in the mining industry, is dangerous to humans, animals and the environment.

During a recent Africa Union-United Nations Wildlife Economy Summit held in Victoria Falls, President Mnangagwa said Government is working on a number of measures aimed at fighting poaching which is rampant in the country.

The measures, he said, include introducing new technology such as use of drones for patrols. During the conference, African nations were challenged to ensure that communities living near game parks are included in wildlife management so as to reduce human-wildlife conflict and poaching.

ZIMBABWE Republic Police (ZRP officers on Tuesday detained and charged Hon. Job Sikhala, one of the top leaders of the opposition MDC party, with plotting to overthrow President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.

ZRP officers charged Hon. Sikhala, the MDC National Vice-Chairperson with subverting constitutional government as defined in section 22(2)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

The law enforcement agents alleged that Hon. Sikhala, who was represented by Obey Shava and Jeremiah Bamu of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) advocated for the overthrowing of government through unconstitutional means during his address to some MDC party supporters at a political rally held on Saturday 6 July 2019 at Mandadzaka Primary School in Bikita in Masvingo province.

Hon. Sikhala, who is the MDC legislator for Zengeza West constituency, is expected to appear at Harare Magistrates Court on Wednesday 10 July 2019.

Hon. Sikhala becomes the latest person since January 2019 to be targeted for allegedly plotting to overthrow President Mnangagwa’s government after Zimbabwean authorities arrested and charged 20 people including opposition legislators, trade unionists and human rights activists with subverting constitutional government following anti-government protests held early this year.

Some of the activists, who were arrested in May, were accused of attending and participating in a meeting held in Maldives with the intention to engage in civil disobedience.

Meanwhile, three human rights campaigners namely Rashid Mahiya, the chairperson of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, This Generation Church leader Pastor Evan Mawarire and Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions President Peter Mutasa, who are all charged with subverting constitutional government, appeared before Harare Magistrate Barbra Mateko, where their trials could not commence.

Pastor Mawarire, Mahiya and Mutasa, who are represented by Alec Muchadehama and Tonderai Bhatasara of ZLHR, were remanded out of custody to 20 August 2019.

ZLHR

Jane Mlambo| St Luke’s Hospital’s Family and Child Health Clinic in Lupane was gutted by fire early this morning. The most unfortunate thing is that the hospital buildings are not insured.

View pictures below

By A Correspondent- Rural school teachers in Insiza district, Matabeleland South province, have called for a strike over the government’s failure to address their concerns.

The teachers, who are under the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), held a meeting on July 7 where they agreed to go on job action.

Minutes of the meeting by the teachers read:

As a district, we call upon the national executive of Artuz to urgently call for a job action, demanding a living wage… Members were also encouraged to discuss challenges we are facing with other teachers so that we open their eyes to the realities, then we mobilise them for the fight for a living wage.

ARTUZ president, Obert Masaraure confirmed the meeting held in Insiza and said that the union is now going to other districts and if they also call for a strike, then it will be organised.

Teachers are demanding a minimum monthly salary of $4 000. However, the government on Tuesday offered to award civil servants a $97 salary increment.

By Own Correspondent- A 59-year-old woman who once worked as a housemaid for Information Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, has been sentenced to 3 years in jail.

Tracy Manase from Chizemo village, under Chief Mutambara, appeared before Mutare magistrate Nortilda Muchineripi where she pleaded guilty to stealing US$25 000 from Mutsvangwa.

The magistrate, however, suspended 12 months of the sentence on condition that she restitute US$15 000.

Another 12 months were suspended on condition she will not commit a similar offence in the next five years.

In her mitigation, Manase told the court that she was paid ZWL$120 monthly. She then pleaded with the court to be allowed to contact her relatives so that she could raise the money.

She said:

I was being given ZWL$120 as my salary. I am asking for forgiveness my Lord, l want to call my sons and relatives so that they can pay back the money.

The US$25 000 belonged to Joyce Mukono (49) from Zimre Park in Harare who is sister to Minister Mutsvangwa.

She had given the money to the Cabinet Minister for safe-keeping before Manase stole it and resigned from her domestic work.

Manase returned to her village where she was arrested by the police after she had blown most of the money.-Newsday

The list was posted on social media by an anonymous figure who pleaded with the Zanu-PF youth league to announce more names of corrupt individuals to the media.

The names of the alleged corrupt individuals include heavy weights in Zanu Pf and others who are in the private sector.

Below is the list of the alleged corrupt heavy weights:

LIST OF MORE CORRUPT PEOPLE OF ZIMBABWE as @ June 2019

Kembo Mohadi- Corruption

Phillip Chiyangwa– Land Baron

Dexter Nduna–ZINARA/ Mash West Prov Money/ King pin of Illegal Miners/

Vengai Musengi/ Corrupt/ Illegal Mine dealings/ Murderer abusing Zanu PF name

Mayor Wadyejena— Corrupt

July Moyo — Land Baron

Monica & Chris Mutsvangwa- Money Laundering/Land Baron

Ozias Bvute– NSSA funds thru Metbank

Mike Chimombe – Land Baron

Enoch & Idah Kamushinda–NSSA funds thru Metbank/Illegal Forex dealings/ Fake Bond Note Printing/Fake USD

Shingi Munyeza–NSSA funds externalisation/Govt Swimming pool tenders from Mupfumira

Voster Mashevedzanwa – Chinhoyi NSSA stands/Chinhoyi council stands fraud

Billy Rautenbach– Cartel leader

Nicholas van Hoogstraten–Cartel leader

Kuda Tagwirei– Fuel /Cartel Leader

Charles Mutisi – Corruption/Land Baron/NSAA

Winston Chitando–Hwange Corruption

Jennifer Mhlanga –Corruption on Council stands in Chinhoyi. Selling them to the public. Selling farms in Makonde District.

PLEASE CIRCULATE UNTIL IT GETS TO ZANU PF YOUTH LEAGUE. OUR TRUE HEROES

Jane Mlambo| Minister of Finance Professor Mthuli Ncube has hinted that the price of fuel will go up to a figure equivalent to 1 United States dollar, ZimEye can reveal.

Mthuli made the remarks in an interview with Alpha Media Holdings owner Trevor Ncube this morning.

Currently, fuel is being sold at $5,36 for petrol and $5.07 for diesel which translates to around USD0.50 cents and if it is to be matched with 1USD, the new price will range between ZWL$10 to ZWL$12.

Farai Dziva|MDC Youth Assembly Secretary General Gift Ostallos Siziba has been summoned by the CID Law and Order Section at Harare Central Police Station.

“MDC Youth Assembly Secretary General Gift Ostallos Siziba has been summoned by CID Law and Order at Harare Central Police Station today,” the MDC has said.

“Free Ostallos Siziba, the ED regime is in panic mode instead of fixing the economy they are busy harrasing innocent citizens.Abasha ED regime Abasha,” said Gilbert Mutubuki an MDC youth assembly member.

More details to follow…

Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi is in South Africa to finalise a power import deal with Eskom as the Government moves to reduce power shortages.

Minister Chasi’s trip to South Africa follows discussions between President Mnangagwa and his South African counterpart President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Niger from July 4 to 8.

Critically, the discussions came after Government paid US$10 million to Eskom, as part of efforts to address its obligations for imported power.

Minister Chasi is also expected to visit Mozambique on a similar mission.

President Mnangagwa met President Felipe Nyusi of Mozambique during the US-Africa Summit recently and discussed possibilities of increasing power imports to Zimbabwe, which is facing acute electricity challenges due to low water levels at Kariba Hydro Power Station, and aging equipment at Hwange Thermal Power Station.

Rolling power outages have seen most parts of the country going without electricity for over 12 hours.

Addressing a Press conference on the 24th Cabinet Meeting Decision Matrix yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Minister Chasi was expected to meet his counterpart Gwede Mantashe during his visit.

“Cabinet received the weekly brief on the Energy and Power Supply Situation by the Acting Minister of Energy and Power Development, Joel Biggie Matiza,” she said.

“Cabinet noted that, following meetings between His Excellency President Mnangagwa and his South African and Mozambican counterparts, the two Heads of State had expressed their countries’ firm commitment to assist Zimbabwe to overcome its current energy and power supply challenges.

“As a consequence of this encouraging development, the Minister of Energy and Power Development is currently in South Africa, and is soon to head to Mozambique for detailed discussions with his counterparts on possible increased power imports for Zimbabwe. The nation will be advised on the outcome of the discussions in due course.”

In his briefings to the media after meeting President Ramaphosa in Niamey, Niger, President Mnangagwa said they had discussed various issues.

“With President Ramaphosa we met and we were sharing challenges we are facing and, in particular energy shortages.

“We exchanged views on how we can deal with that issue. Of course, our Zesa owes Eskom quite a lot of money and they have been able to pay US$10 million last week to reduce that debt.

“This enables them to have discussions and I think our Minister of Energy will go to South Africa next week to discuss some new arrangements,” said President Mnangagwa.

Last week, Government paid US$10 million to reduce the debt owed by Zesa to South Africa’s Eskom.

Zesa owes Eskom about US$35 million.

Speaking after his meeting with Mozambique President Nyusi, President Mnangagwa said they had agreed that Maputo will supply more electricity to Zimbabwe.

The two countries’ ministers of Energy are expected meet to meet and seal the deal.

“My minister will go to Mozambique. I discussed with the President of Mozambique, Nyusi (my brother) and they are ready for us to discuss the issue so that they can also increase the supply of energy from Cahora Bassa to Zimbabwe on terms which are comfortable to us,” he said.

Zimbabwe owes South Africa’s Eskom and Mozambique’s HCB about US$74 million, resulted in the two utilities reducing electricity imports into the country.

Minister Mutsvangwa also said Cabinet was briefed on the fuel situation.

“On fuel, Cabinet was briefed that urgent steps are now being taken to roll out the fuel tracking technology throughout the country,” she said.

The tracking system is meant to reduce leakages that have worsened the shortages being experienced in the country.

All Africa

Zimbabwe’s government on Tuesday offered its workers 180 million Zimbabwe dollars ($21 million) additional pay for the July to December period, which unions rejected as inadequate in the face of soaring inflation, a public sector union official said.

The amount, to be shared by 309,000 civil servants, would see each worker receiving only an additional $11.28 a month, Thomas Muzondo, the deputy chairman of public sector union Apex Council told Reuters after a meeting with government negotiators.

Workers have rejected the offer which they have described as an insult on them by the government.

CRANBORNE Boys High School staged a demonstration earlier today against the school head Mr Dennis Masenga who is being accused of mismanagement and misappropriation of funds at the school.

Mr Masenga is also accused of allegedly forcing students to secure their own stationery for examination purposes, turning the students’ bathrooms into a fowl run for his personal use and victimising students and teachers at the school.

The Cranborne Boys High School students also raised concern on school’s failure to participate at national sporting events and failure to maintain sporting facilities such as the rugby field which is an eye sore. The dysfunctional toilets are a health time bomb as burst sewer systems are left unattended.

The students have threatened to continue with the demonstrations until their concerns are addressed