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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ZESN reiterates calls for an all-inclusive national dialogue

By ZESN Information The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) notes efforts by political parties that participated in the 30 July 2018 harmonised elections to engage in dialogue. The network also notes that some political parties which participated in the harmonised elections are not participating in the political dialogue raising  issues around the legitimacy of the dialogue,…

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Legislators sue Minister, ZRP over Parliament fracas

By ZLHR Information Department Three opposition political party legislators have slapped government with a lawsuit demanding more than $20 000 as compensation for violation of their fundamental rights when some law enforcement agents assaulted them in Parliament in November 2018. The three opposition MDC party legislators namely Hon. Lynette Karenyi (Proportional Representation), Hon. Thabitha Khumalo…

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Zimbabwean political terrain impacted by social media

By Talkmore Thulani Gandiwa Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook have transformed the way political figures interact with their constituencies. Fifteen years ago, campaigns were drastically different. Reflect back to Robert Mugabe Vs Morgan Tsvangirai election of 2002. There was hardly social media. Facebook was to be launched two years after these elections, and when it came…

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African Union Elections Observer Team visits PAP

The African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) to South Africa  visited the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) on the eve of South Africa’s General Elections 2019. The Team was received by the President of PAP, the Rt. Hon. Roger Nkodo DANG, the First Vice President, Hon. Stephen MASELE and other Bureau Members. Headed by former Tanzanian President, Hon. Jakaya Kikwete, the team…

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Hon James Chidakwa: one of the jewels of Zimbabwean youths

By Elvis Dzvene Some Zimbabwean youths are jewels to the nation, the likes of James Chidakwa, Happymore Chidziva, Keith Charumbira, Clifford Hlatywayo, Costa Machingauta and the late Chikadaya among others. They served well under the Presidency of the late Dr Richard Morgan Tsvangirai and transitioned well to the anointed presidency of Adv. Nelson Chamisa. They…

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NAYO appalled by shrinking civic space

The National Association of Youth Organisations (NAYO) has said it is perturbed by the continued crackdown on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs); Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Journalists,  activists and human rights defenders; most of whom are youth.  “The crackdown has seen unlawful suspension of NGOs as in the case of COTRAD in Masvingo; targeting of NGO leaders…

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IMF SMP – an abortive entry point for full support of the regime

By Jacob Mafume (MDC Spokesperson) The proposed International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Monitored Program is an entry point for full support of the regime and it ignores the factors arresting the Zimbabwean economy. Zimbabwe has had a stolen election; it was disputed by most players including the biggest political party, the MDC.  More importantly, the…

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Biti’s lawyer, aides plead not guilty to border jumping charges

A lawyer and some aides for tormented opposition party leader and human rights lawyer Tendai Biti on Wednesday 10 April 2019 pleaded not guilty to charges of violating the country’s immigration laws when their trial commenced before Karoi Provincial Magistrate Sam Chitumwa. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human rights (ZLHR) reported that Hon. Biti’s lawyer Nqobizitha…

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Gloomy outlook for March: Zimbabwe Peace Project

By Zimbabwe Peace Project It never rains but pours Introduction Zimbabwe faced one of its greatest tragedies in the month of March. Following several forecasts of an approaching cyclone that was reported likely to affect Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, on 15 March Zimbabwe woke to a shockwave of devastation as Cyclone Idai engulfed parts of…

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Houlin Zhao, secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

U.N. Telecoms Chief Houlin Zhao Says Huawei Allegations Driven by Politics Not Evidence

U.S. security concerns about 5G mobile networks built by Chinese telecoms giant Huawei appear to be driven by politics and trade rather than any evidence, the head of the U.N. internet and telecoms agency said on Friday. Houlin Zhao, secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), told reporters in Geneva that security of 5G networks…

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EU encourages reforms and re-engagement in Zimbabwe

EU encourages reforms and re-engagement in Zimbabwe

The European Union’s Managing Director for Africa, Mr Koen Vervaeke, has encouraged Zimbabwe to continue on the path of reform and engagement in order to enhance not only relations between Brussels and Harare, but also the livelihoods of Zimbabweans. Speaking after an intense working visit in Zimbabwe’s capital over the weekend, Mr Vervaeke said: “Based…

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ZESN Preliminary Statement on the Cowdray Park Ward 28 local authority by-election

ZESN Preliminary Statement on the Cowdray Park Ward 28 local authority by-election

As part of its comprehensive efforts to observe the local authority by-election in Ward 28 of Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) deployed 37 polling station based observers and a ward collation centre observer. In addition, ZESN had two mobile teams assessing the political environment outside the polling stations. Observation Methodology The…

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PAP to lobby for ratification of legal instruments: AU Commissioner

PAP to lobby for ratification of legal instruments: AU Commissioner

The African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security has appealed to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Legislators to encourage member states to sign, ratify and domesticate the instruments presented by the African Union. Commissioner Smail Chergui addressed the Permanent Committees of the fifth Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament that took place in Midrand, South Africa. Putting emphasis on the…

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Zimbabwe has no sound leadership: Joseph Busha

Zimbabwe has no sound leadership: Joseph Busha

By Tendai Guvamombe Free Zim Congress political party leader Joseph Makamba Busha has said Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s government has failed dismally to act diligently and proffer solutions to myriad challenges due to leadership inadequacy. Addressing members of the media on 20 March 2019 in the Harare, Free Zim Congress leader took time to reflect on…

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