Login to BlackFacts.com using your favorite Social Media Login. Click the appropriate button below and you will be redirected to your Social Media Website for confirmation and then back to Blackfacts.com once successful.
Enter the email address and password you used to join BlackFacts.com. If you cannot remember your login information, click the “Forgot Password” link to reset your password.
THE Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance is today expected to seal the fate of a senior party official, Tendai Masotsha, accused of conniving with State security agents in the abduction of a Bulawayo-based journalism student ahead of the July 31 anti-corruption protests. By NQOBANI NDLOVU Masotsha was suspended as Bulawayo MDC Alliance women assembly’s chairperson after she was linked to the alleged abduction of Tawanda Muchehiwa, a journalism student. Muchehiwa, who is the nephew of ZimLive editor Mduduzi Mathuthu, was allegedly abducted in the city centre and held in captivity for three days, where he was severely tortured by armed men and later dumped at the family home after being linked to the planned protests. The MDC Alliance had initially promised to publicise the outcome of its internal investigations within 48 hours, but party secretary-general Chalton Hwende told Southern Eye that the report was only submitted to the party leadership this week for debate at the national council (NC) meeting today. “Investigations by the Bulawayo province have been completed. The province submitted their reports this week. Obviously, because of the nature of the allegations, the investigations took longer than expected, but we are glad that the investigations are complete,” Hwende said. “The report will be submitted to the NC and the report will be tabled there. The reason behind that is she is a senior member, and it is only that body that can discuss that matter and take appropriate action. “We understand people are anxious, but it is also necessary for us to afford Masotsha an opportunity to present her side of the story, and be properly treated in terms of the party constitution.” In his account, Muchehiwa said he received a call from Masotsha on July 30, the day he was abducted, asking for his assistance to distribute flyers to be used in the foiled July 31 protests. Muchehiwa said this led to his abduction as he believes it was a set-up, a charge Masotsha has denied. She claims the allegations were concocted to fight her along factional lines. Masotsha added that she was also kidnapped on the same day as Muchehiwa and later dumped close to her home the following day. In January, the MDC Alliance Bulawayo province suspended one of its councillors Donald Mabutho accusing him of spying against the party. lFollow Nqobani on Twitter @NqobaniNdlovu
\t On Friday, internet and international calls were cut off across the West African nation in anticipation of the election results, according to locals and international observers in the capital, Conakry.
\t This was the third time that Conde matched-up against Diallo. Before the election, observers raised concerns that an electoral dispute could reignite ethnic tensions between Guinea's largest ethnic groups.
The latest split of the opposition into two distinct factions, namely the MDC-T fronted by Thokozani Khupe and MDC-Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa, was catalysed by a recent Supreme Court ruling which declared Khupe the legitimate leader of the MDC-T.
On the eve of the disputed 2018 elections, Chamisa, in a move described by some as rare feat of political ingenuity, but which seems to be backfiring now, had amalgamated various opposition parties including the MDC-T into the MDC Alliance with him at the helm of a formidable challenge against Mnangagwa.
Apart from Chamisa's legitimacy coming under sharp scrutiny, the raging divisions in the MDC (in its various squabbling formations) robs the opposition some of its leading and gifted minds while it gives Mnangagwa's regime ample time to paper over its economic mismanagement and galvanise support ahead of the 2023 elections.
Amid the internal squabbles choking the MDC, Zanu PF has swiftly moved in to stoke the raging flames of division, while distracting the opposition from effectively challenging the ruling party over its failure to tackle widespread corruption, foster constitutional governance and institute sweeping reforms seen as key towards extricating Zimbabwe from a debilitating crisis.
Yet some analysts see a silver lining in the threats by Chamisa's legislators to pull out of Parliament as the magic wand that will compel Mnangagwa to broker a national dialogue, which will usher in a transitional mechanism that will coordinate fresh elections.
The hosts talk with the founder of the Me Too movement about the next phase of the organization's work against sexual violence and abuse.
MDC Alliance legislators yesterday snubbed a meeting called by MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe, with less than 20 turning up at the Harvest House.
After recalling 13 MPs, Khupe is trying to impose her authority on the legislators, most who still regard her rival Nelson Chamisa as their legitimate leader.
However, sources within the opposition party said under 20, out of 103, attended.
The MDC-T claims that under the Alliance, it sponsored a total of 103 legislators who should now be under the direct control of Khupe.
But MDC Alliance presidential secretary Jameson Timba said the MPs snubbed Khupe.
BY Veneranda Langa/Moses Matenga
THE Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance yesterday lifted its temporary withdrawal from Parliament, allowing its MPs to troop back to the House yesterday led by party vice-president Lynette Karenyi (Proportional Representation MP) and deputy chairperson Job Sikhala (Zengeza West MP).
The party, however, said failure by Parliament to respect the wishes of the millions of people who voted them into power in the 2018 harmonised elections; the MPs would totally withdraw in protest.
Party deputy spokesperson Clifford Hlatywayo confirmed the national council resolution after their meeting, saying no other party had the right to recall their MPs and Parliament should respect that.
“Our MPs are back in Parliament as per national council resolution that they should go back and work for the people in the wake of this crisis,” Hlatywayo said.
Meanwhile, Norton MP Temba Mliswa (Independent) roasted Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi over issues of people — mainly from the opposition — that are arrested, but with no successful prosecutions, which might imply that the justice system was targeting certain individuals.
The numbers are especially concerning to Black communities who have suffered disproportionately during the pandemic due to systemic racism affecting health outcomes on all levels.
IMPALA Car Rental, whose vehicle was used in the alleged abduction of Tawanda Muchehiwa, nephew of senior journalist and ZimLive editor Mdudusi Mathuthu, has said it played no role in the crime and has so far been fully co-operating with law enforcement agents. By Andrew Kunambura Addressing a Press conference at the company’s premises in Harare for the first time since the alleged abduction in July, Impala’s lawyer Jivas Mudimu said the company was a law-abiding citizen. Muchehiwa was allegedly abducted and tortured ahead of the foiled July 31 protests in Bulawayo before being dumped close to his home a few days later. Mudimu said so far, the company had co-operated in police investigations and had since surrendered documents related to the vehicle in question to the investigators. “We are ready to assist the law enforcement agents in any way we can. In fact, the CEO of the company, Thompson Dondo went to Braeside Police Station as soon as the incident happened to try and understand what sort of help we could give, but he was told that he was neither a complainant nor an accused person and, therefore, police would look for him when they found it necessary,” Mudimu said. “Indeed, police officers from the Law and Order Section later visited our premises and collected the file containing all the information on the vehicle in question and they even gave us a notice of seizure to that effect. Later on, the deputy sheriff came and requested for the same file and we duly informed them that it had been seized by police.” He said it was true that the vehicle which was used had been hired from the company, but there was no tracking system on it since it had been leased to the company by an individual. “We can, indeed, confirm that the vehicle which was seen in the CCTV is ours. It is a third-party vehicle, so we did not have a tracking system on it. “The issue is that we have no power to dictate what use a client make of the car, but, of course, we do not condone their use in criminal activities and that is why we are co-operating fully with police to ensure that Muchehiwa gets justice,” he said. He added: “We have nothing to hide. Those who know us will tell you what we do. They will tell you that we are a good company.” Last week, a Press conference by Zimbabwe National Students Union ended prematurely after its president Takudzwa Ngadziore and a number of journalists were attacked by unknown assailants close to the car rental company.
THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) has reportedly refused to restore water supplies to Binga Rural District Council until the local authority has paid at least $300 000 of its $1,5 million debt. BY PRAISEMORE SITHOLE Zinwa cut off water supplies to Binga in September, forcing residents and business operators to turn to boreholes and other unsafe water sources. Binga Residents Association vice-chairperson Samson Sibanda said Zinwa recently met council officials and indicated that it would restore water supplies after the local authority has paid at least $300 000 towards settling the bill. “We met and agreed on the way forward for water to be reopened. Council is the one that owes Zinwa money and not the residents. For water to be reopened Zinwa said they require at least $300 000 from the council,” Sibanda said. “Residents of Masoja area who are affected by the water cut started to protest and demonstrate saying they had been paying council and the issue has to be resolved immediately.” Binga district development co-ordinator Farai Marinyame confirmed that stakeholders met on Wednesday to try to resolve the crisis. “I was not on the ground, but there was a meeting between Zinwa, residents and the council to solve the ongoing water crisis. For now there is still no water as council is still negotiating with Zinwa so that they take that project,” Marinyame said. “The main problem is that residents are not paying up.” Binga RDC chief executive officer Joshua Muzamba said he was still out of Binga. “I am still out of Binga, just look for those on the ground who can give you information,” he said. Zinwa spokesperson Marjorie Munyonga, who previously pleaded with residents to pay up, yesterday said she was out of office and was yet to be briefed on the latest developments.
