Tag: Zimbabwe

Polls: Life goes on in Zimbabwe as Mnangagwa, ruling party triumph

Post author By Kings UBA
Post date August 28, 2023

Life goes on

The ongoing tension between Zimbabwe’s two main political parties isn’t reflected on the ground at all.

In fact around the centre of the capital city, Harare, people are going about their business as if an election never happened. Many people here don’t believe elections can change their lives.

Harare is an opposition stronghold where the main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) swept close to 90% of the seats.

Some believe that the CCC should accept the overall results that has kept Zanu-PF’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa in power, and focus instead on preparation for the next general election in 2028. Others feel the party should put pressure on the international community to act on reports of vote-rigging.

One Harare resident told the BBC that although she was not expecting a different result, she was now thinking about migrating because for fear of what this disputed win would mean for the economy.

Another woman said she would want to leave Zimbabwe but that she had nowhere to go, and was grateful for her job as cleaner, however menial, because it allows her to feed her family.

Her sentiments echo the resignation that is so apparent. Even as the police say they are prepared to put down any form of protest, few ordinary people here have the appetite for it.

In 2018, ordinary people were killed on these streets when the military opened fire on the protestors angry about the delay in releasing results.

meanwhile the UN Secretary General António Guterres has expressed concern over the arrest of Zimbabwe election observers amid “reports of voter intimidation, threats of violence, harassment and coercion”.

He has called on political leaders and their supporters to reject all forms of violence and respect human rights and the rule of law.

“The secretary general calls on political actors to peacefully settle any disputes through established legal and institutional channels, and urges the competent authorities to resolve any disputes in a fair, expeditious, and transparent manner,” a statement from his spokesperson said.

The electoral commission announced President Emmerson Mnangagwa to have won with 52.6% of the vote.

But the opposition also claimed to have won, saying there was widespread vote-rigging, and observers said the vote fell short of democratic standards.

Last week more than 40 poll monitors were arrested as they were trying to compile their own vote count to compare with the official tally.

The arrests have been condemned by rights groups.

Tags election Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe

Law Politics

Zimbabwe high court disqualifies 12 opposition candidates

Post author By Kings UBA
Post date July 27, 2023

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mganagagwa

A high court has disqualified 12 members of Zimbabwe’s main opposition party from contesting August parliamentary elections.

The judge ruled that the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) membership applications were submitted after the cut-off time of 16:00 on 21 June – the day when nomination courts sat to receive applications.

It means that the ruling Zanu-PF party candidates will be elected unopposed in three seats in the country’s second-largest city, Bulawayo, previously an opposition stronghold.

An obscure opposition party, the Elected Early Democrats (EED) challenged the 12 candidates nominations, arguing that the electoral body had illegally accepted their papers.

A chaotic registration process on 21 June saw scores of mainly opposition candidates’ applications rejected because of payment system challenges.

United Zimbabwe Alliance’s Elisabeth Valerio successfully challenged the rejection of her papers, and will be the only woman on the presidential ballot.

CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere says the 12 will challenge the high court ruling.

Zimbabweans will vote on 23 August to elect councillors, members of parliament, and a president.

Tags Zimbabwe

Culture Health Latest News

Zimbabwe’s health minister arraigned for stealing $20m COVID-19 Relief Fund

Post author By Kings UBA
Post date June 20, 2020

Zimbabwe’s health minister arraigned for stealing $20m COVID-19 Relief Fund

Zimbabwe’s health minister arraigned for stealing $20m COVID-19 Fund

Zimbabwe’s Health Minister, Obadiah Moyo, was arrested on Friday after the government came under pressure from the opposition and on social media over a scandal surrounding the procurement of coronavirus tests and equipment.

He faces corruption charges related to a $20m (£16m) contract awarded to a Hungary-registered firm, allegedly without going through proper processes.

The government has not commented.

My Moyo is the second minister in Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cabinet to face corruption charges.

He arrived in court in a state-issued luxury car accompanied by aides, the BBC’s Harare correspondent Shingai Nyoka says.

During the hearing, he was charged with several counts of criminal abuse of office and ordered to surrender his passport. He is expected to appear in court again by the end of July.

According to local media, prosecutors had initially opposed Moyo’s release but later agreed that he be granted bail.

The deal with two-month old firm Drax Consult is alleged to have been completed without the legal consent of Zimbabwe’s procurement registration authority.

The opposition has also expressed concern about a $2m payment to Drax Consult. The payment was flagged as suspicious by Hungarian authorities in March.

Last week businessman Delish Nguwaya, who is believed to be Drax’s representative in Zimbabwe, was arrested in connection with the case.

It is rare for cabinet ministers to be arrested here. A government spokesperson described this arrest as a reflection of government’s commitment to fighting corruption, adding that no one is immune from prosecution.

But it is too early to celebrate victory.

Tags Zimbabwe

Health Latest News

Though Free, Zimbabwe Declares Coronavirus National Disaster

Post author By Kings UBA
Post date March 18, 2020

Zimbabwe President Mnangagwa has declared the Coronavirus a national disaster and also postponed Independence Day celebrations.

Though Free, Zimbabwe Declares Coronavirus National Disaster

Although Southern African country, Zimbabwe does not have a single case of Coronavirus yet, President Emmerson Mnangagwa taken measures to prevent spread of the deadly in the country.

Zimbabwe President, Mnangagwa has declared the Coronavirus a national disaster and also postponed Independence Day celebrations.

The country’s Independence Day celebrations was scheduled for 18 April. Zimbabwe has also banned all public gatherings of more than 100 people.

The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) that was to take place in the south-western city of Bulawayo from 21 – 25 April has also been postponed.

The ban will affect church gatherings, weddings and sporting events for 60 days.

The president told a press briefing at his office in the capital, Harare, there will be no travel ban, but discouraged travellers from countries that have confirmed coronavirus cases from visiting Zimbabwe.

He also advised Zimbabweans against travel abroad until the pandemic is under control.

Deadly coronavirus is sweeping across the world and Africa is not exception. At least 27 African states have so far been affected by the virus. Liberia, Somalia and Tanzania are the latest African countries to report cases.

In total, nearly 350 people have been diagnosed with the virus across Africa. Seven people have died while 42 have recovered, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. Most of the cases involve people arriving from Europe and North America.

A number of African countries have imposed travel restriction on countries most affected by the virus like China, Italy, Nigeria in West Africa is one of African countries whose doors are still open.

African states that have announced measures to curb the spread of the virus include South Africa, Kenya. South Africa announced the closure of nearly half – 35 out of 72 – of South Africa’s land border crossings from Monday, along with two of its eight sea ports; banning foreign nationals from eight countries – including the UK and US – from entering South Africa from Wednesday; advising people to avoid domestic travel; shutting all schools with immediate effect until the end of the Easter holidays; banning all public gatherings of more than 100 with immediate effect. This would affect the biggest annual event in South Africa – an Easter religious service attended by several million followers of the Zion Christian Church at its headquarters in northern Limpopo province.

in Ethiopia, the closure of all schools and a ban on all public gatherings and sporting activities. In Ghana – a ban on all public gatherings and travel from countries with more than 200 cases of coronavirus. As a result, all football matches in the country have been suspended. In Tunisia – the closure of all borders and the suspension of prayers in mosques. In Algeria – a ban on all travel to and from Europe. In Mozambique – a ban on all gatherings of more than 300 people. In Morocco and Djibouti – the suspension of all international flights

But Nigeria has insisted it would not be banning any legitimate traveller from entering the country.

The minister of state for health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, said on Monday in Abuja that Nigeria still has no plans on restricting any country’s nationals from entering the country.

Instead, the country would be intensifying screening on passengers from eight countries – China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, Germany, Japan, France, and Spain.

Mr Mamora, while giving the national update on the status of the disease in the country, said these eight countries have been highlighted as countries with high risk of widespread community transmission and screening would be intensified on passengers from these countries.

The U.S. and UK, despite having high ongoing transmission and cases, are not part of the countries earmarked for intensive passengers screening.

As at the time of reporting, the U.S. ranks eighth on the table of countries with the highest number of confirmed cases with 3,802 confirmed cases while the UK ranks 10th with 1,391 confirmed cases following Switzerland.

“We continue to monitor returning travellers that fit our case definition and improve our surveillance, detection and risk communication,” he said.

“We have carried out a review of our case definition after the disease was declared pandemic and added three countries to the existing list of five high risk countries with widespread community transmission.”

Tags Zimbabwe

Africa

US extends Zimbabwe sanctions for 12 months

Post author By Kings UBA
Post date March 5, 2019

US extends Zimbabwe sanctions for 12 months

US extends Zimbabwe sanctions for 12 months

The United States President Donald Trump has blamed Zimbabwean President, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government for failing to implement the “political and economic overhaul required to rebuild its reputation”. The US president also said on Monday that Zimbabwe’s 2018 election wasn’t “fully free and fair”.

US, UK and EU sanctions on Zimbabwe target individuals, as well as banning trade in weapons and direct government assistance for non-humanitarian programmes.

The existing US sanctions on Zimbabwe in place since 2003 have been extended for a further 12 months.

President Donald Trump says the southern African nation poses an “unusual and extraordinary” threat to US foreign policy.

The decision will come as a blow to the Zimbabwean administration.

The BBC’s Andrew Harding says it is trying to dig its way out of an economic hole caused by years of reckless spending, corruption, policy uncertainty and sluggish exports.

Last month, there were violent protests in Zimbabwe after a steep increase in fuel protests.

President of neighbouring South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, has recently called on the international community to lift the sanctions.

Tags Zimbabwe

Finance Latest News

Zimbabwe says no plans to introduce new currency

Post author By Kings UBA
Post date February 12, 2019

Zimbabwe currency

Zimbabwe says no plans to introduce new currency

Zimbabwe reserve bank and the country’s information ministry have been forced to deny rumours that a new national currency is being introduced.

“This has no base in fact or reality,” the information ministry said in a tweet, adding, “this needs to be dismissed with the contempt it deserves.”

“The country shall continue to use the multi-currency system,” the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe confirmed.

Bond notes, which can only be traded in Zimbabwe, were introduced in 2016. They were brought in because of a shortage of US dollars and South African rand – the main currencies in daily use after rampant inflation killed off the old Zimbabwean dollar in 2009.

But inflation means that bond notes are losing their value – and many people prefer to US dollars or EcoCash, a mobile phone payment system. (BBC)

Tags Zimbabwe

Extreme Sport Latest News

Zimbabwe crowned Rugby Sevens African champions

Post author By Kings UBA
Post date October 17, 2018

Zimbabwe emerged as the victors from the Rugby Sevens 2018 Africa Championship

Zimbabwe crowned Rugby Sevens African champions

At the end of a fiercely contested competition between the top twelve African teams, Zimbabwe emerged as the victors from the Rugby Sevens 2018 Africa Championship, qualifying for three major international events and confirming their chances of Olympic qualification

Uganda had great hopes of retaining the title of African Champions for the third year in a row and Kenya had the clear intention of winning back the title, but they were caught unawares by Zimbabwe’s performance in the final, who beat the hot favourites, Kenya, 17 to 5.

The loyalty of the Zimbabwean fans, who were bitterly disappointed by their team’s qualification offensive for the World Cup Fifteens during the Rugby Africa Gold Cup (Zimbabwe finished 5th out of 6 teams), was rewarded by their national selection in the Sevens.

The Zimbabwean coach, Gilbert Nyamutsamba, had this to say: “I’m very proud of our players. This is a really special group full of rising stars in Zimbabwean rugby. With limited resources, these players, driven by national pride, gave their all. I have huge respect and affection for this team.”

Back in Harare, the team will quickly throw themselves back into training to prepare for the competitions in which they are now invited to play, the 2018/2019 World Series tournaments in Dubai on November 29^th and December 1^stand in Cape Town on December 8^th and 9^th. These high-level international tournaments will serve as excellent practice for the 2019/2020 World Series qualifier which takes place every year in Hong Kong in April. On this crucial date, the men from Harare will be joined by the Ugandans who finished third in the tournament, and by the Kenyans who already qualified for the World Series.

In 2019, the African Olympic qualifications will be the major challenge of the rugby season for all teams. At the end of the 2018 season, Guédel N’Diaye, Rugby Africa’s competitions director, said: “With the qualifiers for the 2019 World Cup, this season has been particularly full and dramatic for Rugby Africa. The focus, of course, has been on the Rugby Africa Gold Cup and its fifteen intensely competitive matches. We have enjoyed wonderful rugby from very professional teams and in particular, we have seen improvements in quality at all levels on the field by the players, by the coaches and by the match officials. Next year, Rugby Africa plans to continue to progress at the same pace with a focus on the men’s and women’s Sevens with an eye on Olympic qualifications.”

At the meeting of the Executive Committee in Sousse, Tunisia, the representatives from Rugby Africa came together to analyze the progress made in 2018, to decide on the priorities for 2019, and to identify strategies to meet the ongoing challenges of competitions, female participation, grassroots development and training of coaches. The president of Rugby Africa, Abdelaziz Bougja, outlined his thoughts: “The competitions and events calendar for 2019 will be revealed before the end of the year. We are considering new formats, better adapted to the reality of our continent but which will also encourage our teams to achieve better performances. I would like to thank our partners, Kwesé Sports and the African Press Organization who participated in these discussions and who support us in this process. The Africa Men’s Sevens tournament has just concluded on a high note in Tunisia. Every year, the Tunisian federation organises high quality events that are a source of pride for African rugby and they are to be congratulated. “

The next meetings organised in 2018 are the final of the Rugby Africa Silver Cup on the 20^th of October in Mufulira, Zambia, between the Zambians and the Algerians, and of course the international playoff tournament for the Fifteens World Cup from the 11^th to the 23^rdof November at Delort stadium in Marseille, France, where Kenya will fight for its last chance to qualify against Germany, Hong Kong and Canada.

The ranking at the end of the Africa Men’s Sevens 2018 tournament is as follows:

Ranking
1	Zimbabwe: African Champions
2	Kenya
3	Uganda
4	Madagascar
5	Zambia
6	Tunisia
7	Senegal
8	Morocco
9	Namibia
10	Ghana
11	Botswana
12	Mauritius

About Rugby Africa:

Created in 1986, Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com), previously the African Confederation of Rugby (Confédération Africaine de Rugby – CAR), is one of the six regional associations composing World Rugby (www.WorldRugby.org), the international organisation responsible for the governing of Rugby Union and Rugby Sevens. Rugby Africa unites all of the African countries which play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women’s rugby. Rugby Africa organises the Rugby Africa Gold Cup, the qualifying competition for the Rugby World Cup 2019, and Africa 7, a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games 2020. Rugby Africa has 38 members, including 22 membres and associated members of World Rugby, 10 members and associated members of Rugby Africa and 16 new countries collaborating with Rugby Africa.

Tags Zimbabwe

Politics

Zimbabwe: Court upholds President Mnangagwa’s election

Post author By Kings UBA
Post date August 24, 2018

President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa

Zimbabwe: Court upholds President Mnangagwa’s election

Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Court on Friday said President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s win in last month’s polls was authentic.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance had gone to court to challenge the election, saying the vote was marred by “mammoth theft and fraud”, but this was rejected by the court.

But delivering the verdict on today, Chief Justice Luke Malaba called allegations of tampering “bold and unsubstantiated”.

Chief Justice Malaba said he had ruled against the opposition’s petition because it lacked “specificity” and failed to meet “the requisite standard of proof”.

“The best evidence would have been the contents of the ballot boxes themselves,” he said.

Zimbabwe: Facebook user, Shoko, arrested over ‘abusing’ President

Post author By Kings UBA
Post date August 23, 2018

Munyaradzi Alexio Shoko is known for criticising the Mnangagwa government

Zimbabwe: Facebook user, Shoko, arrested over ‘abusing’ President

Government on Zimbabwe has arrested Munyaradzi Shoko, over his post on his Facebook wall, saying that President Mnangagwa is associated with evil and wrongdoing.

Zimbabwe: No inauguration for Mnangagwa until court determines poll challenge

Post author By Kings UBA
Post date August 14, 2018

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa (R) sits with his Deputy Constantino Chiwenga during a Heroes’ Day event to commemorate the lives of those who died in the southern African country’s 1970s war against white minority rule, in Harare, Aug. 13, 2018.

Zimbabwe: No inauguration for Mnangagwa until court determines poll challenge

There is cold comfort in Zimbabwe, sort of ‘hanging over the cliff’ as the country awaits the verdict of the constitutional court over a legal challenge to last month’s presidential election.