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Source: Zesn worried over turned away voters | Newsday (News)

BY BLESSED MHLANGA

INDEPENDENT elections watchdog, the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (Zesn) has urged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to step up voter education campaigns in view of the high number of voters who were turned away in the three council by-elections conducted over the weekend.

Zesn, which deployed observers in Chitungwiza, Matobo North and Beitbridge, said there was a significant number of voters who were turned away, raising the need for massive voter education ahead of each election cycle.

“Zesn noted a significant number of turned away voters at polling stations for various reasons, including turning up at the wrong polling stations, not being registered to vote in the ward and having improper identification,” the Zesn report read.

In Chitungwiza, which was won by the MDC Alliance’s Yotam Chagwada, who polled 1 059 against Zanu PF’s Mercy Guvamombe’s 993, a total of 54 voters turned up at wrong polling stations.

“Voters, who turned up at wrong polling stations, were redirected to their appropriate stations. For instance, in Chitungwiza at St Aidain’s AA polling station, 54 voters had been redirected to other polling stations, at Seke 3 BB 86 people had been redirected to other polling stations and five turned away,” the report read.

Zimbabwe moved its voting from ward-based voting to polling station voting meaning that voters can now only vote at a specific polling station where their name is on the voters‘ roll.

Without giving the overall figures, Zesn noted that the situation was similar in Matobo North ward 25, which was won by Zanu PF’s Sibonginkosi Dube, who polled 483 against MDC Alliance’s, Elkanah Sibanda, who polled 121 votes.

“There is need for continuous civic and voter education in between elections by Zec and civil society organisations in order to reduce numbers of turned away voters. Zec should devise mechanisms of clearly marking out polling stations to reduce the number of redirected voters,” Zesn said.

There were no incidences of violence in all three council by-elections, with Zesn saying that there were general claims of violence, save for one near explosive encounter in Chitungwiza.

“Zesn observed that the political environment on election day was largely calm. However, an incident was reported at Unit M Crèche in Chitungwiza where it was alleged that supporters of Zanu PF and MDC Alliance argued over suspicions of vote-buying close to the polling station. The situation was diffused by the riot police before any violent clashes transpired,” the statement read.

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GWERU City Council workers have given their employer a notice to demonstrate at Town House to force the local authority to implement a High Court order to reverse a 2014 salary cut directed by then Local Government minister, Saviour Kasukuwere. Kasukuwere ordered a salary cut of up to 58% for council workers in October 2014, but the workers successfully challenged the order at the High Court,

MIDLANDS provincial magistrate, Charity Maphosa yesterday dismissed an application by MDC national organising secretary, Amos Chibaya to have his passport released by the court so that he travels abroad on parliamentary business. The Mkoba legislator’s passport is being held at the courts as part of his bail conditions in a case where he is accused of subverting a constitutionally-elected

Source: Gweru to slash crops | Newsday (News)

BY STEPHEN CHADENGA

GWERU City Council has warned residents cultivating on undesignated land that the local authority would slash their crops as their activities were damaging the drainage systems.

Town clerk Elizabeth Gwatipedza said residents interested in farming should approach the council so they are allocated land on designated sites.

She said people farming on illegal points were also destroying pegs at council’s residential and commercial stands.

“The City of Gweru has observed that its drainage infrastructure is suffering damage and poor functionality due to unlawful farming activities by residents,” Gwatipedza said last week.

“In addition, some farming activities in pegged areas are resulting in the destruction of pegs placed in new council housing and industrial development sites.”

She said the council was facing difficulties in locating stands for buyers as a result of illegal farming activities.

In 2017, the municipal police confiscated tools, fertiliser and seed from residents farming on undesignated points.

During the same year, excess run-off water from poor maintenance of the drainage system resulted in houses in most high-density suburbs flooding, with some residents losing property.

Excess storm water has also led to burst sewage pipes in the past.

The post Gweru to slash crops appeared first on NewsDay Zimbabwe.

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Following recent unrest in Zimbabwe, Nelson Chamisa, leader of the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party, spoke to FRANCE 24. He rejected claims by President Emmerson Mnangagwa that the MDC had attempted "regime change" with foreign backing by organising mass protests in January. Chamisa went on to say he was willing to take […]