Takanayi Mureyi chickens out of elections on MDC ticket

By Reason Dube in Masvingo MDC -T Masvingo urban candidate for the National Assembly, Takanayi Mureyi has  chickened out  from contesting  as the party’s candidate in the forthcoming harmonised elections scheduled  for  July 30. Mureyi’s candidature was hotly disputed by supporters of former MP Tongai Matutu and  Zanu (PF)’s Benjamin Mazarire over allegation of being…

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Final review of the voters’ roll inspection in Zimbabwe

By Farai Chirimumimba Introduction The national voters’ roll inspection began in earnest on 19 May and ended yon 29 May with stakeholders having urged eligible voters to register and verify their details. Over 20, 000 election officials were reportedly deployed to some 10,807 inspection centres to register new voters and to allow already registered voters…

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Local Government Elections Must Be held Separately

By Dumisani O. Nkomo It’s election year again and as usual the usual suspects are out there promising everything to everyone, everywhere they go. Pertinently below the rubble, of harmonized elections lies a very important plebiscite, local government elections. I would like to strongly argue that like in the past local government or council elections…

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TMPC urges churches and traditional practitioners to register

By Gideon Madzikatidze The Traditional Medicines Practices Council (TMPC) chairman, Mr Friday Chisanyu has appealed to and urged African governments to promote and preserve universal utilisation of African Traditional Knowledge Systems for absolute realisation of development in vast cultures that the continent is endowed with.   In commemorating Africa Day, TMPC urged traditional and faith…

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An independent eye on voters’ roll inspection in Zimbabwe: A preliminary report

By Farai Chirimumimba As part of ensuring free, fair and credible general elections in July/August, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) commenced the voters roll inspection on 19 May, an exercise expected to end on 29 May. The process is one of the most importance within an electoral cycle that l have been closely following developments in…

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Calls for people in the Diaspora to vote intensify

The Zimbabwe Diaspora for Democracy Inc. has called for Zimbabweans to unite and fight the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to accommodate the Diaspora vote. In a statement, Charles Mutama, the Executive Director Zimbabwe of Diaspora for Democracy Inc. said a toxic political environment emerges in the event that the opposition suspects the ruling ZANU PF…

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PAP/FAO alliance to end hunger in Africa

The Pan African Parliament (PAP) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations partnership is working tirelessly to address food security and nutrition challenges on the continent. During the ongoing sixth ordinary session of the fourth parliament in Midrand, South Africa, various stakeholders, including Members of the Pan-African Parliamentary Alliance for Food…

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Mliswa vows to focus on development despite Mutsvangwa’s politicking

Norton Legislator Temba Mliswa has vowed to continue spearheading developmental programs in his constituency shunning petty politicking as his ZANU PF rival Chris Mutsvangwa has resorted to doing. Mutsvangwa recently donated various foodstuffs such as maize-meal and meat for various constituencies in Norton with people gathering to cook and eat in Jinx Town and Sandringham…

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A coalition government is a threat to Zimbabwe’s economic recovery

By Harry Ruka Mazhindu Based on experience, a coalition government cannot provide the required stability for the development of the country because of the bickering on service delivery issues such as sanitation, water and electricity in relation to complex national policy issues. The coalition government formed by ZANU-PF led by former president Robert Mugabe and…

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Why we ought to keep peace pre and post harmonised elections

By Harry Ruka Mazhindu There is no doubt that our diversity of ethnicity makes us uniquely special; an amalgam of over 20 tribes (when we break-up the Shona group), beautiful topography and Zimbabwe’s legendary good naturalness mixed with drive and energy makes Zimbabwe a paradise of sorts. Deeper, the fissures along partisan politics that open…

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ZGC calls for gender sensitive election reporting

By Joyce Mukucha and Patricia Mashiri The Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) appealed to the media to be gender-sensitive when reporting during the country’s forthcoming elections. Magaret Mukahanana- Sangarwe, the Chairperson of ZGC said it was important to engage with members of the media in order to enhance that there was balanced reporting in as much…

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Zimbabwe urged to revise colonial-era health law to ensure adolescent girls’ rights

Zimbabwe’s colonial-era public health laws must be revised to guarantee the human rights, and the dignity and equality of everyone, including adolescent girls who bear the brunt of existing discrimination, Amnesty International said ahead of the parliamentary debate on the Public Health Act Amendment Bill. The organisation warned that Article 35 of the Bill, as…

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Ensure our security during elections -Masvingo journalists

Masvingo-based journalists have called on police to ensure total security of the media ahead of the forthcoming watershed plebiscite expected between July and August. Journalists from different media houses who gathered at Masvingo Civic Centre’s Press Club for belated World Press Freedom Day on Saturday said they were building confidence on the new dispensation led…

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BAZ issues 3 broadcasting licences to Kwese

The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) has issued Econet Media Zimbabwe with broadcasting licences in the three categories of Content Distribution, Web Casting and Video on Demand (VoD).   Announcing the award of the licences this week, the Head of Kwese TV in Zimbabwe, Mrs Dorothy Zimuto, said Kwese was excited at the development and…

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Zim nurses withdraw court challenge of purported dismissal

By ZLHR Information Department ZIMBABWE Nurses Association has withdrawn its application challenging the termination of employment contracts for some striking nurses employed at state-run hospitals. In a notice of withdrawal filed with the Registrar of the High Court on Thursday 26 April 2018, Zimbabwe Nurses Association said the organisation no longer intends to proceed with…

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United States Department of State funds project to combat trafficking in persons

By Byron Mutingwende   The United States (US) Department of State is funding a project to complement the government of Zimbabwe in the fight against human trafficking.   Speaking at the launch, Melusi Matshiya, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage said in line with international best practices, the government…

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High Court hears Zim nurses challenge of purported dismissal

By Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights Information Department HIGH Court Judge Justice Amy Tsanga will on Thursday 26 April 2018 preside over the hearing and determination of an urgent chamber application filed by Zimbabwe Nurses Association seeking an order to restrain and interdict the Health Services Board (HSB), Health and Child Care Minister Hon. David…

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Chief Charumbira seeks to transform PAP upon assuming institution’s presidency

By Byron Mutingwende   Chief Fortune Zephaniah Charumbira seeks to assume the presidency of the Pan Africa Parliament (PAP) so that he would transform that institution to uplift the lives of people on the continent.   “Africa remains poor in terms of development. It is notorious for the high levels of unemployment and poverty. The…

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Prophet Jengeta leads pastors on Parliament solidarity prayer tour

By Byron Mutingwende   Prophet Ephias Jengeta, the Founder of Family Worship Tabernacle International led pastors under the banner of the Joshua Caleb Network and the Tehillar Christian Network on a solidarity prayer tour of Parliament on 20 April 2018.   With more than 50 church leaders, the Parliament solidarity prayer tour constituted church leaders…

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DFID, stakeholders organise summit on disability in Harare

By Byron Mutingwende   The British Embassy and its Department for International Development (DFID) in Zimbabwe and other stakeholders held a summit in Harare to put disability issues on the map and foster inclusivity.   The summit in Harare was a precursor to the Global Disability Summit to be held in London in the United…

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Analysis of people living with disability and the current electoral process

By Mokhumi Valela   The crucial 2018 harmonised elections are upon us as the nation of Zimbabwe. As different stakeholders prepare for this decisive process for our country, one wonders what its temperament will be. Questions that come to the fore are whether this plebiscite will match the principles of our supreme law of being peaceful,…

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What is hindering youth participation in electoral issues?

By Kiamuhetsi Sibanda Since independence our county has gone through seven electoral cycles. These electoral cycles have been associated with young people being used for campaigns and the dirty work for the politicians, genocides, violence and abductions. This has resulted in most young people absconding anything to do with the electoral processes, breeding a generation…

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EU stands ready to accelerate support to Zimbabwe during its transition process

Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, is visiting Zimbabwe, where he is meeting President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as well as visiting EU funded projects. New EU-funded programmes worth €23 million will be launched to improve people’s access to health services and enhance their livelihoods. This visit takes place ahead of the elections in Zimbabwe…

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Former journalist and academic takes Goche head-on

Nicholas Goche, Zanu pf’s incumbent Member of the House of Assembly for Shamva North faces a tough race in the ruling party’s upcoming primary elections.   The race for the Shamva North constituency has attracted three other candidates: former journalist and academic, Stanley Karombo, school drop out Zex Pamacheche and Oscar Gorerino, a gold panner….

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Stakeholders urged to create employment opportunities

By Byron Mutingwende   Stakeholders have been urged to engage in employment creation for improved standards of living of the citizenry.   Petronella Kagonye, the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare made the remarks at the dialogue on employment creation held in Harare on 4 April 2018. The minister alluded to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call…

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Swedish MPs tour Tariro Clinic and Youth Centre in Hopley

By Byron Mutingwende   A delegation from the Swedish Parliament toured the Tariro Clinic and Youth Centre in Hopley to assess the impact of interventions by their government in the promotion of development in Zimbabwe.   Speaking on the sidelines of the tour, Aleksander Gabelic, the President of the United Nations Association of Sweden said…

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The African Continental Free Trade Area: Moving African integration further forward

by Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki   Twenty years ago, I hoped for an Africa that would draw closer and forge forward boldly, despite a bag of mixed fortunes. Rwanda had just been blighted by genocide; the ubiquitous coup d’état still reared its ugly head in West Africa; although a tentative calm prevailed in Central Africa,…

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ZTA shuts down unlicensed operators

By Joyce Mukucha and Patricia Mashiri The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) is in the process of shutting down all unlicensed and lapsed tourist facilities following one of the 100 day-initiatives by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Prisca Mupfumira. The ultimatum was given by the then minister on the tourism stakeholder meeting on the…

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ZEC answers fundamental questions about the elections

The Commissioner of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Joyce Kazembe, answered important questions about elections in an interview with Radio Zimbabwe Presenter, Sifelani Chikwape recently. Spiked Online Media reproduces part of the interview excerpts below: 1.What is the purpose of the voter registration certificate or slip issued to a registrant?   Answer The voter registration certificate…

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AGA, ACDEG promote advancement of democracy, development

By Byron Mutingwende   ActionAid Zimbabwe has said it is of paramount importance to capacitate journalists and other key stakeholders on the African Governance Architecture (AGA) and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG).   For that reason, ActionAid Zimbabwe (AAZ) is implementing a 3-year project on African Governance Architecture (AGA) focusing on…

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Harare Indaba showcasing Zimbabwe’s vast mineral wealth

Monday the 26th of March 2018 was the official opening of the inaugural Harare Indaba held at the Johannesburg Country Club in Auckland Park, Johannesburg under the banner “Zimbabwe is Open for Mining”meant to showcase the country’s vast mineral wealth. The initial event was staged in Johannesburg to compliment the already scheduled Cross-Border Services Indaba…

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ZPHCA, Government celebrates International Day for PWDs

The Zimbabwe Parents of Handicapped Children Association (ZPHCA) together with other organisations presented their queries to the Government during the belated celebrations of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities. As the promulgation of the Disabled Persons Act (Chapter 17; 01) of 1992 attests to Government’s commitment to promote the capabilities and advance the capacities…

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NBSZ in another saga, another level: Externaliser or not?

By Farai Chirimumimba I am trying to find the politest word to describe the alleged externalisation of US$ 112,817 by National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) through payment of goods that may never have been delivered in Zimbabwe. Let us just say it is “distressing”. However, l understand that a cowardly NBSZ current debacle may…

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ZESA causes the arrest of top Union official over collective job action

The Zimbabwe electricity Supply Authority (ZESA)’s anti-trade union crusade continues after they caused the arrest of the Secretary-General of the National Energy Workers’ Union (NEWUZ) for taking part in a collective job action. On 13 March 2018, the Secretary General of NEWUZ, Mr. Thomas Masvingwe, was asked to report to Harare Central Police Station Law…

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Murowa Diamond positively impacting local communities

By Byron Mutingwende   It is often said mining companies do more harm to the communities they operate in than any good but this is not the case for Murowa Diamond which operates in Zvishavane in the Midlands Province.   Located in the Mazvihwa area, some 70km from the mining town of Zvishavane, Murowa Diamond…

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Time for Zimbabwe to hold first presidential debates

Imagine President Emmerson Mnangagwa squaring off with other presidential candidates such as MDC Alliance hopeful Advocate Nelson Chamisa, National People’s Party (NPP) Dr Joice Mujuru and Alliance for People’s Agenda (APA) candidate Dr Nkosana Moyo. Zimbabwe has never had a live presidential debate but that may change ahead of the ensuing harmonised elections in July/August….

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Zimbabwe, South Africa aim to empower PWDs

The Governments of Zimbabwe and South Africa are committed to ensuring efficient service delivery for people with disabilities (PWDs). For this reason, the South African Deputy Minister for Social Development, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu visited the country to discuss with the minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Petronella Kagonye. The bilateral visit was to guarantee comprehensive expansion…

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ZPC illegally awarded Wicknell Chivayo solar project tender

The Procurement Regulatory Authority Chairperson Vimbai Nyemba has said the awarding of the tender to Intratrek clearly shows the process was not done in a legal manner considering the time taken for the deal to be concluded. Nyemba made the remarks when the State Procurement Board appeared before the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament…

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Divergent views among church leaders over joining Parliament

By Byron Mutingwende   Church leaders in Zimbabwe had a meeting with President Mnangagwa where they expressed their willingness to be represented in Parliament but there are mixed views concerning that request.   Speaking at the church interface meeting with President Mnangagwa, Bishop Clement Chisango of the Ebenezer Holy Church who represented the Council of…

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