North-East Nigeria: A decade of conflict takes heavy toll on the population, many people now suffering from mental illness

Effects of a decade long conflict in Borno State begin to show as some of 1,8 million displaced people now suffer from mental illnesses. The effects of a decade long conflict in Northeast Nigeria between the military and armed groups, are beginning to show as some of the 1,8 million displaced people, are now suffering…

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Dilemmas of a girl child in rural Zimbabwe: Young souls enduring emotional trauma in early marriages

By Joyce Mukucha Without the active participation of women and incorporation of women’s perspectives at all levels, the Beijing Platform for Action 1995 states that the goal of equality, expansion and peace cannot be achieved. It is tear jerking that a girl child residing in rural Zimbabwe continues to endure male chauvinism in addition to…

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Non-Legislative Business in the National Assembly in June

By Veritas Our recent Bill Watch bulletins have concentrated on either Parliamentary progress on Bills [Bill Watches Nos 29, 30, 31] or SI 142’s unexpected reintroduction of the Zimbabwe dollar [ZWL] as the sole legal tender in the country on 24th June [Bill Watches Nos. 32 and 33].  This bulletin sketches non-legislative business in the National…

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ZESN condemns suspected vote-buying ahead of the Lupane East by-election

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has voiced concern over the purported request by the ZANU PF Political Commissariat for medicine supplies at local clinics as assistance in respect of the Lupane East by-election campaign scheduled for 3 August 2019. In a statement ZESN said whilst it acknowledges the right for political parties to solicit…

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MDC orders status quo, pending due process and investigations in Bulawayo

The MDC has said it noted with serious concern the developments within Bulawayo City Council where the Town Clerk has been suspended. Party Spokesperson, Daniel Molokele said his party believes in Constitutionalism, due process, the rule of law and zero tolerance to corruption. “The party leadership has directed that the status quo ante be upheld, in…

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Media should drive progressive socio-economic and democratic agenda in the country: Parajuli

By Byron Mutingwende The media plays an important role in defining common denominator in promoting national interest and setting progressive socio-economic and democratic agenda in the country, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Zimbabwe has said. “The role of media, including the newsprint, electronic and online/digital entities, cannot be over-emphasised in national development, which involves advancement…

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ZPP bemoans discrimination in food distribution

The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has bemoaned discrimination prevalent in the distribution of food assistance as the inputs and food aid are channelled through local and traditional structures. ZPP said it has over the years documented numerous cases of destitute and marginalised citizens of Zimbabwe being unlawfully denied social welfare assistance, solely on the basis…

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AU Summit: President Adesina to lead AfDB’s delegation, AfCFTA talks to top summit agenda

The Bank will also participate in the meetings of the 37th NEPAD Heads of state and Government Orientation Committee African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) President Akinwumi Adesina will next week lead a delegation of top Bank officials to the extraordinary summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Niger’s capital,…

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Joshua Nkomo’s legacy lives on as Bualawayo City hosts “Umdala Wethu Dance”

By Farai Chirimumimba The late Vice-President Dr. Joshua Nkoma is being remembered, as July 1st 2019, marks 20 years since the popular national liberation hero died at a local hospital aged 82 .His death shocked the country and triggered a flood of grief. Joshua Nkomo’s family have created a foundation in his owner and on…

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Zimbabwe still hasn’t adopted UN Convention Against Torture: Why the delay?

By Veritas Introduction 26th June was  the International Day in Support of Torture Victims Yet another 26th June has come and gone without Zimbabwe having adopted the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment [CAT].   Previous Government undertakings and assurances given to the UN Human Rights Committee and…

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Youths Amplify Fight for Government’s Attention

Founding President of Youth Voice Mass Movement and the Young People’s Program Zimbabwe Youth Association, Tinashe Nyagunzu has said youths remain unperturbed in their efforts to be engaged in the governance of affairs and fight against anything that is hindering the country’s progress. Addressing a press briefing, Nyagunzu lamented the lack of peace of mind…

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Pan-African Parliament joins global parliamentary consultations on topical issues

26th annual Inter-parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy begins its work in Tbilisi The Pan-African African Parliament (PAP) is among international Parliamentary organisations invited to take part in the 26th Inter-parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (I.A.O) currently underway in Tbilisi, Georgia. The Assembly is being held from 19 to 23 June 2019 under the theme: “The contribution of…

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Commissions of Inquiry in Zimbabwe – no action no gain, a waste of resources

By Farai Chirimumimba It has become clear that power is vested with the people. Therefore let the people and not resource sucking commissions of inquiry take responsibility. The Zimbabwe propensity to rely on commissions of inquiry that sadly never resolve crises, redress gross mismanagement and punish wrongdoers is no longer sustainable as it never worked….

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ZESN Lupane East National Assembly By-election Nomination Court Update

On 14 June 2019, ZESN observed the Nomination Court proceedings for the Lupane East National Assembly by-election scheduled to be held on 3 August 2019. The seat fell vacant following the death of Sithembile Gumbo of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), who was the Member of Parliament (MP) on 5 April 2018. Veritas…

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Religious Organisations Condemn Mass Demonstrations and Protests

By Tatenda Mujeyi Religious organisations convened a prayer meeting at Mabvuku Salvation Army Church yesterday and condemned the calls by some opposition parties to stage mass demonstrations and protests. The prayer which was coordinated by Women Intercessors Network (WIN) under the theme ‘Prayer for peace’ was attended by other religious groups including Destiny for Africa…

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World Refugee Day commemoration at the Pan-African Parliament

The Department of Home Affairs of the Republic of South Africa, the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency will commemorate the World Refugee Day at the Pan-African Parliament (Midrand) on 20 June. In line with the African Union 2019 theme “Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally…

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Credible, inclusive and comprehensive national dialogue critical to Zimbabwe’s international re-engagement agenda: ZCC

By Byron Mutingwende   A credible, inclusive and comprehensive national dialogue is important for the country’s international re-engagement agenda, the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has said.   Dr Solomon Muqayi, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe speaking at the Second National Economic Dialogue series under the topic “Zimbabwe’s International Re-engagement Agenda: A…

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ZESN Launches Compendium of Election Observers’ Recommendations

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) launched its Compendium of Election Observers’ Recommendations yesterday in Harare. The launch was attended by a Commissioner from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), Commissioner Leticia Joyce Kazembe, two senior staff members from the Commission; ZESN network members, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) representatives; and members of the media fraternity. In…

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School teacher persecuted for slating education minister and ZANU (PF)

By Kumbirai Mafunda A Zimbabwean school teacher has been hauled to appear before a disciplinary hearing to answer to misconduct charges after he was accused of denouncing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ruling ZANU PF party and criticising one of his allies for causing untold suffering among citizens. Stephen Mangoma, a teacher at Mateta (Rujeko) High School…

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High Court sets free remaining CSO leaders charged with subverting constitutional government

By Kumbirai Mafunda Two civil society leaders who were arrested last month and charged with subverting constitutional government have been set free after High Court Judge Justice Amy Tsanga granted them $1 000 RTGS bail and imposed some stringent reporting conditions for them. The two CSO leaders Beauty Rita Nyampinga aged 61 years and Stabile…

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ZESN Preliminary Statement on the Kadoma Central Ward 2 local authority by-election

Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) observed Kadoma Central Ward 2 local authority by-election held 8 June 2019. This is part of its comprehensive efforts to observe all elections and electoral processes in Zimbabwe. In this by-election, ZESN deployed 5 polling station based observers, a ward collation centre observer and a  mobile team which was assessing…

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Human rights campaigners get bail with stringent conditions

By Kumbirai Mafunda High Court Judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi on Friday 7 June 2019 set free four human rights campaigners, who had spent more than two weeks in prison after they were arrested last month and charged with subverting a constitutional government. The four human rights defenders namely George Makoni, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Gamuchirai Mukura and…

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Terrence Masendeke family compels authorities to conduct post-mortem to ascertain his death cause

By Kumbirai Mafunda High Court Judge Justice Nicholas Mathonsi will on Thursday 06 June 2019 hear an urgent chamber application filed by the family of a Mutare man seeking an order to compel Zimbabwean authorities to conduct a post-mortem examination on the body of their deceased relative who was shot dead by a former police…

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ZESN holds workshop on electoral reforms petition

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) is holding an Electoral Reforms Petition workshop to review the legal framework governing elections in light of the petition submitted to Parliament by ZESN on the 3rd December 2018. The workshop is attended by the Speaker of Parliament, Honourable Advocate Jacob Mudenda and Members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on…

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Gender Links gives a thumbs up to new SA Cabinet

Gender Links (GL) has welcomed the 50/50 cabinet and change in women’s minister announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa last week, but says he missed the opportunity to appoint a woman deputy President and restructure the women’s ministry. Announcing his long-awaited cabinet following the 8 May elections, President Ramaphosa proudly announced that South Africa has achieved…

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Zim Court acquits Biti’s aides for “border jumping”

By Kumbirai Mafunda Karoi Magistrate Sam Chitumwa on Friday 31 May 2019 acquitted three aides of human rights lawyer and opposition political party leader Hon. Tendai Biti, who had been on trial for allegedly violating the country’s immigration laws. Biti’s lawyer Nqobizitha Mahole Mlilo and two of the opposition legislator’s aides Clever Rambanepasi, and Tawanda…

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Human rights campaigners endure more jail time awaiting freedom bid verdict

By Kumbirai Mafunda Four human rights defenders (HRDs) who were arrested for allegedly plotting to overthrow President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government will endure more jail time after a High Court Judge deferred delivery of his ruling on their bail application to next week. The four HRDs namely George Makoni, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Gamuchirai Mukura and Frank Nyasha…

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NANGO irked by continued shrinkage of civic space

The National Association of Non Governmental Organisations (NANGO) has noted with great concern the continued arrests of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) officials and sternly condemned efforts to inhibit operations of civil society by Government.   The association argued that the shrinking of civic space is exacerbating by day and this is against the expectations of…

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