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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Signs of Hope Trust remembers women with disabilities

By Joyce Mukucha Signs of Hope Trust a Zimbabwe held a meeting with persons with disabilities to teach them on the importance of participating in the electoral processes. Speaking during the occasion to celebrate women with disabilities held on the 9th of March 2018 in Harare, Samantha Sibanda, the founder of Signs of Hope said…

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IOM briefs Pan African Legislators on migration

Chairperson of the PAP Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration, Hon Dr. Tapiwa Mashakada says there is need for enhanced regional cooperation to tackle the issue of migration. An estimated 34 million people in Africa are migrants and Libya currently plays host to 621 706 of this figure. Of the 621 706 migrants in Libya, 575 569…

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ZWPC launches Women’s Manifesto

By Patricia Mashiri and Joyce Mukucha The Zimbabwe Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (ZWPC) has launched a 50/50 Advocacy Campaign and Manifesto which seeks to spell out their situation and build on the earlier progress made towards gender equality. The manifesto calls for recognition of women’s demands and government’s accountability in advancing gender equality in line with…

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Miners indiscriminately destroying the environment

By Byron Mutingwende   The Marange Development Trust has bemoaned the indiscriminate destruction of the environment by miners in the diamond area of Manicaland.   “Before the discovery of diamond, families used to depend on crop cultivation, breeding goats, cattle and chickens, selling wild fruit, charcoal and gardening. However with mining, there is widespread water…

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More women, little change in SA Cabinet: Gender Links

By GenderLinks While President Cyril Ramaphosa’s new cabinet has taken South Africa to within a whisper of gender parity at the executive level it has failed to inspire a new vision for gender equality, according to an analysis conducted by Gender Links. In his own changes that involved 30 ministers and six deputy ministers (see…

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PAP seeks increase of parliamentary ownership of international arms control instruments

The Pan-African Parliament,  in collaboration with the Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons will host the regional seminar “Connecting the dots: Supporting 2030 Agenda, the Arms Trade Treaty and the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms implementation through increased parliamentary engagement and action in international processes” on March 2-3 2018 at the PAP Headquarters…

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PAP holds March Committee Sittings

The March Sitting of the Permanent Committees of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) will take place in Midrand, from the 2nd to the 09th at the PAP precincts located at 19 Richards Drive, Gallagher Estate. At least 200 Legislators representing various African countries are expected to convene and work on this agenda under the theme “Winning the Fight…

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We need free sanitary wear for women and girls: Misihairambwi

By Byron Mutingwende   Women and girls need free sanitary wear so as to improve their sexual reproductive and health rights (SRHR), Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Women and Youths has said.   Misihairambwi made the call during the #Happy Flow Campaign Zimbabwe that seeks to tackle seven points meant…

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Stakeholders critique Civil Aviation (Amendment) Bill

By Byron Mutingwende   Stakeholders at a public hearing held by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructure at the New Ambassador Hotel in Harare on 13 February 2018 said the Civil Aviation Bill needed amendments on many areas.   In his contribution, Nkosilathi Sibanda, the Chairman of the Commercial and General Aviation Association…

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WCoZ seeks to make NPRC capacitated to protect women survivors of abuse

By Joyce Mukucha In a way of empowering women and protecting their rights, the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) is developing programmes aimed at ensuring that women who are subjected to persecution, torture and other forms of abuse receive rehabilitative treatment and support. As proposed in the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission Act (NPRC) that…

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Bloggers to be honoured with awards

The Tribe of Influencers will honour the most popular bloggers in the country. Voting for the Zimbabwean Blog Awards commenced on the 1st of February 2018 and will close on the 21st of February. Voting is open to anyone and everyone, local and abroad. The public can vote as many times as they want and…

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Mudenda appeals for Zimbabwe-US re-engagement

By Byron Mutingwende   The Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Jacob Mudenda has made a passionate appeal to the African Union (AU) Ambassador to the United States of America to facilitate re-engagement between Harare and Washington. Mudenda registered the request during a courtesy call by members of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) at the…

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NBSZ EGM adjourned as members questioned the credibility of the board

By Farai Chirimumimba Members of the National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) forced the adjournment of an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting (EGM) called for last Friday saying that they needed time to consult and come up with an informed decision after the board failed to provide answers to several questions raised from the floor. The agenda for…

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PAP President hails Zimbabwe’s peaceful transition

By Byron Mutingwende   The President of the Pan African Parliament (PAP), Honourable Roger Nkodo Dang has hailed Zimbabwe’s peaceful transition and described it as the first of its kind and most peaceful on the continent.   Dang made the remarks at a briefing with the media at a local Hotel in Harare upon arrival…

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GMB providing shoddy services to farmers in time

By Patricia Mashiri The Zimbabwe Grain Marketing Board (GMB) is failing to deliver services to farmers throughout the country. This is evidenced by the late delivery of inputs from the Presidential Scheme that were supposed to have been delivered to the farmers countrywide. The inputs comprise of 10kg maize seed, 50kg Compound D fertilizer, 50…

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Attaining energy sector vision impeded by challenges

By Byron Mutingwende   The noble undertaking of working towards the vision of achieving universal access to sustainable energy in Zimbabwe is being impeded by a plethora of challenges that require urgent attention.   This appeared at a meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy held in the Senate Chamber with the minister…

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Chitando lays out mining sector revival plans

By Byron Mutingwende   Winston Chitando, the technocrat that President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed as minister of mines and mining development has laid out a revival plan for the sector.   Chitando revealed that during the deliberations on oral evidence from his sector, boards and parastatatals on the ministry’s plans and programmes to address the urgent…

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Hon Betty Nhambu-Kaseke: MP with a difference

By Byron Mutingwende Honourable Betty Nhambu-Kaseke, the Member of the House of Assembly for Kuwadzana was catapulted into Parliament on a ruling party Zanu (PF) ticket in 2015 following by-elections in the constituency but has brought considerable development in the short space of time she has been in charge of the area. Spiked Online Media…

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