Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: Long fuel queues resurface – NewsDay Zimbabwe February 27, 2019

By Farai Matiashe

Fuel queues have resurfaced in Harare with commuter operators taking advantage of the situation to hike fares, while Zupco buses are fast disappearing in many suburbs of Harare, leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

Most filling stations in Harare were closed and displayed “no diesel” signs, while long and winding queues formed at the few with the commodity.

A survey conducted by NewsDay yesterday showed that commuters to suburbs such as Epworth, Waterfalls, Kambuzuma and Kuwadzana were stranded because there were few kombis to ferry them.

Kombis were taking advantage of the stranded passengers to hike fares from $1 to up to $2.

Some passengers were opting for lorries which were charging them cheaper fares, while others spent many hours waiting for the Zupco buses.

Ruby Samupindi from Kambuzuma said she was charged $1,50 to town.

“I had budgeted $1 for transport, but now things have changed. I am wondering how I will get to the month end,” Samupindi said.

Another commuter from Epworth, Johnson Mutore, said commuting had become expensive.

“These commuter omnibus operators just charge us whatever fare they feel like at any given time. From Mbare to Epworth it is now $2 from $1,” he said.

A kombi driver, who preferred to speak on condition of anonymity, said unavailability of fuel was forcing them to hike fares.

“Fuel shortages have worsened the situation. We have no choice, but to hike fares as the $1 we were charging was no longer sustainable. Most kombi operators are getting fuel on the black market whose prices are quite high,” he said.

He said most kombis were spending a lot of time in queues, while a number had grounded due to fuel shortages.

Passengers’ Association of Zimbabwe president, Tafadzwa Goliati said commuter operators should stick to fares they agreed with government.

“We have discussed with our other associations in Harare and they are saying prices have not yet officially been increased,” Goliati said, adding that operators were taking
advantage of unavailability of diesel to hike fares.

“There are shortages of fuel. Kombi operators after spending hours in queues just decide to hike fares. Also even if they discover that there are a number of passengers at a bus stop they just hike fares in a bid to cover up the time they would have spent in a queue.”

But Energy and Power Development minister Joram Gumbo insisted that fuel was available despite the long queues for diesel at the few service stations with the commodity.

“Diesel is there, the queues that you are seeing are a clear sign that there is fuel. Motorists cannot just queue where there is nothing,” he said.

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Source: ED out of touch: Chamisa | Newsday (News)

BY BLESSED MHLANGA

OPPOSITION MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has, in a no-holds-barred interview with international media, accused his political nemesis President Emmerson Mnangagwa of being out of touch with reality and misleading the world about the state of the country.

Chamisa on Monday told French broadcaster, France 24, that unless there is sincere, honest political dialogue between the two parties, the country’s crisis would take long to end.

“Clearly, what Mr Mnangagwa is saying is an indication of how out of touch with the reality of what is happening in the country, he has chosen to institutionalise deceiving the world, deceiving the people and deceiving himself,” Chamisa said.

This came after Mnangagwa recently told the same news agency that Chamisa, with backing of some foreign agencies, triggered last month’s countrywide protests as part of their regime change agenda.

But Chamisa dismissed the allegations.

“Those are accusations by misplaced appreciation of the facts in Zimbabwe. We are very clear, we do not subscribe to violence,” he said.

The MDC leader said the crisis in Zimbabwe was caused by poor leadership, theft of elections and increase of fuel prices by over 150%.

“The clarity, when we have looked at this issue, is that the problem in Zimbabwe, which we have seen, is occasioned by the deficits and omissions by government, particularly the price hikes of fuel by 150%, which was instituted by Mr Mnangagwa, is what then triggered action by citizens in a non-violent manner. Of course, we had incidents of violence, which we condemned, which we do not subscribe to,” Chamisa said.

The government has in the past few weeks arrested over 1 000 suspects, among them MDC legislators and civil society leaders in connection with last month’s skirmishes. Chamisa said he was shocked that Mnangagwa’s government was after the MDC when even the State-linked Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission had produced a report condemning government’s heavy handedness in quelling the unrest.

“Why Mr Mnangagwa chooses to look at the MDC and picks on the MDC baffles the mind. We are not working with any foreign power. We are not working with any international organisation. If anything, the struggle for change in Zimbabwe, the struggle of freedom and democracy is underwritten by the people of Zimbabwe without the support of anyone, but of course, we welcome the solidarity of the international community and the people of the world who feel that the people of Zimbabwe need total freedom and total change,” he said.

Turning to the socio-economic problems, which the MDC has said are underpinned by the contestation around the July 30 2018 general elections, Chamisa called on Mnangagwa to stop blaming him and instead solve the crisis.

“Great leaders are supposed to solve problems not explain problems. Mr Mnangagwa is explaining the problems, he is not solving the problems. This is why we have said come to
your senses, come to the party and let us reason together and let us resolve the problem affecting Zimbabwe, instead of finger-pointing,” he said.

The opposition leader also demanded an investigation into the extrajudicial killings of 17 people last month to ensure that those who pulled the trigger are brought to book.

Mnangagwa has since demanded evidence, including names of the 17 people killed during the violent protests accusing instead, non-governmental organisations and the MDC of stage-managing the deaths, torture and allegations of rape against the police and army.

Chamisa said Mnangagwa had unwittingly let the cat out of the bag when, in Mwenezi, he publicly acknowledged that he had unleased the military on the people and demanded that he takes responsibility for the killings and violence against unarmed civilians.

“If he is claiming to be in charge of the affairs of the State, he must also account for the affairs, developments and actions of the State. We have 17 people whose names are known, if there is a genuine desire to get to the bottom of this matter, let there be an investigation. That investigation has not be called for … to hold the people to account, including himself, because what happened was extra constitutional, it’s not allowed – the taking away of life, even if people turn violent, there are ways of dealing with violent people,” he said.

Chamisa noted that even former President Robert Mugabe, who himself was accused of severe repression during his time in power, has strongly criticised Mnangagwa’s crackdown. The opposition leader called Mugabe’s remarks “confirmation” that the current president had “crossed the line”.

Chamisa said he was ready “anytime” for “a credible and genuine” dialogue with Mnangagwa, but insisted that it should be done through international mediation, citing South
Africa, the inter-governmental Sadc or the African Union as “ideal” go-betweens.

This comes as State media yesterday reported that Zimbabwe had, alongside Kenya, Liberia and Rwanda, been considered as “largest improvers” on the continent in the last 10 years despite a worsening social and political fabric in the country.

On Saturday last week, Mnangagwa vowed to track down human rights doctors and lawyers, who treated the injured and represented them in courts respectively.

The post ED out of touch: Chamisa appeared first on NewsDay Zimbabwe.

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Source: Scramble for Zanu PF Byo chair | Daily News

BULAWAYO  – Bulawayo province has been hit by another round of divisions over who should lead the metropolis following the death of Callistus Ndlovu last week.

Ndlovu collapsed and died at the age of 83 in South Africa, where he was being treated for pancreatic cancer. He was buried at the National Heroes Acre in Harare on Saturday.

Provincial Affairs minister Judith Ncube is among those tipped for the post.

Other names being bandied around include that of Industry deputy minister and Bulawayo South legislator Raji Modi and former war veterans’ leader Jabulani Sibanda.

Dark horses for the positions include Elifas Mashaba, who is the provincial administrator; Caleb Sengu, a committee member and Mlungisi Moyo, treasurer.

Before Ndlovu was laid to rest, ambitious party officials in the second city had already started gunning for the position.

This irked the party’s secretary for administration Obert Mpofu, who immediately called fellow party members to order.

While addressing Ndlovu’s funeral service at the City Hall in Bulawayo last Friday, Mpofu threatened to expose those who were behind the surreptitious campaigns.

“In fact there are a lot of issues that need to be resolved in this province and the national party leadership has assigned me to come here and look into these issues and I promise you we’ll fix the problems,” Mpofu told the mourners.

“You find people buying party members, telling lies about others and creating confusion in the party just because they want a position. Let’s not concentrate on the wrong things.”

On Saturday, Mpofu led a delegation comprising senior party officials to restructure the province and come up “with strategies to address the political challenges affecting the province”.

According to Zanu PF insiders, the knee-jerk response from the ruling party’s leadership showed that the death of Ndlovu left the province divided.

Not many people elected to the provincial chair in Bulawayo have lasted a full term owing to factionalism and infighting.

There is talk in Zanu PF that the campaign for the Bulawayo chairman actually started ahead of the party’s annual congress held in Esigodini late last year.

“For those who attended the annual party conference in Esigodini will testify that there are known members who were campaigning for the provincial chair post when Ndlovu was bedridden, so we know who Mpofu referred to when he recently warned some party members against jostling when the body was still to be buried,” said a party insider.

Contacted for comment, Mpofu referred questions to party spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo who preferred to play his cards close to his chest saying he was not aware of any jostling for positions in the city.

“I have not been briefed of this jostling. But we have a constitution, people must read the constitution, that’s the one we follow as a party, we cannot be guided by instincts,” Moyo told the Daily News.

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Source: Mwonzora guns for Chamisa | Daily News

HARARE – The die has been cast in the MDC ahead of its elective congress as the party’s ambitious secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora has expressed his desire to challenge party leader Nelson Chamisa in a contest that could make or break his political career.

Mwonzora has previously been keeping his cards close to his chest.

But in an interview with the Daily News yesterday, he declared that he has rights including that of contesting the sitting leader since he is a “full member of the MDC”.

“I will be giving you a statement regarding what I will be standing for; there are key processes that must happen first and these include the nomination process. Within the MDC set-up, people are nominated by the structures, I want to emphasise (that) I am a full member with full rights including the right to contest any position,” said Mwonzora.

The former MDC spokesperson has previously been accused by Chamisa’s legion of supporters of harbouring presidential ambitions.

But unlike other MDC officials who chose to side with Chamisa for fear or reprisals, Mwonzora has soldiered on — suffering in some instances humiliating boos, jeers and sneers from some who regard him as the opposition party’s Judas Iscariot who is turning against the hugely popular Chamisa.

The soft-spoken politician, who is a lawyer by profession, said before he could pronounce himself on the matter there are conditions precedent.

“There are processes that have to be followed. We must have branch congresses, then ward, district, provincial congresses and after that the provincial assemblies will do nominations. It is at that time that we will know if we have been nominated,” said Mwonzora.

Already, the incumbent Chamisa has received endorsements from several party structures including provincial wings, with the youth league going as far as declaring war on anyone who would dare challenge the youthful opposition leader.

Several party heavyweights have also thrown their weight behind Chamisa with those who are seen as potential challengers likely to face a hostile reception in the run-up to the congress and at the elective indaba itself.

Mwonzora told the Daily News that he is aware of a smear campaign targeting him but that will not deter him to contest any position “because the opposition now requires someone with the right temperament and who understands democracy”.

“We are also aware of the smear campaigns that are going on but that is expected considering that we are now going to the congress,” said Mwonzora.

Chamisa’s close allies are sabre-rattling, keen on fending off potential rivals to the 41-year-old politician who amassed more than two million votes during last year’s presidential elections.

Last Sunday, Chamisa told MDC supporters at a rally in Gweru that he was not having sleepless nights over prospects of him being challenged at congress.

“We are a mature party; the character is that we are a democratic party. Tsvangirai left us this party, so our things will be done quietly, all positions are going to be nominated, they are open and up for contestations from the presidency,” Chamisa said.

The MDC leader said he is ready to step aside and allow someone to take over should he lose his position at congress.

“We are all allowed to contest for this position because I came to finish the term of our leader but I said the term has come to an end and I am removing the jacket and giving it to congress. If you still feel that I should continue leading the party, I am still ready but if you think my time is up and someone should take over, let it be because that is the democratic way of working,” he said.

There are also rumblings within the MDC that there could be a third hand sponsoring some of the candidates so as to remove Chamisa who has thus far failed to accept the results of last year’s presidential elections. In 2014, Chamisa faced off with Mwonzora who was the then spokesperson but lost in the battle to become secretary-general.

Mwonzora scored an unexpected crushing victory over Chamisa in a shock result — which saw him getting 2 464 votes against his rival’s 1 756.

This left Chamisa as an ordinary card carrying member until he was appointed by the party’s founding father Morgan Tsvangirai (now late) to the MDC national executive as secretary for policy and research.

Mwonzora’s 2014 victory came amid reports that Chamisa had had a row with Tsvangirai during the nomination process where he apparently accused his mentor of meddling in the Manicaland party provincial elections.

The elections saw Tsvangirai personally taking part in the nomination process there, where Mwonzora — who until then had not got any nominations for the post – got a ringing endorsement from the region.

The results completely flew in the face of the nomination tally that had Chamisa garnering 11 out of 12 provinces.

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Source: Dog-eat-dog affair ensues in MDC ahead of congress | Daily News

HARARE – Jostling for positions has intensified in the MDC ahead of its elective congress in May.

Party bigwigs are likely to take each other head-on at the congress as they battle for supremacy in the 19-year-old opposition outfit.

It’s already a dog-eat-dog affair in the MDC with those aspiring to contest for positions openly canvassing for support within party structures.

At the top, party leader Nelson Chamisa is likely to be challenged by either one of his deputies Elias Mudzuri and secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, or both.

Another battle of titanic proportions is in the offing for the position of deputy president. The MDC has three deputy presidents.

While Welshman Ncube’s position appears to be safe as he has support from all the Matabeleland provinces, the same cannot be said of the other two deputy presidents — Morgen Komichi and Mudzuri. Komichi might have to battle it out with deputy national chairperson Tendai Biti and secretary for elections Murisi Zwizwai.

Also in the mix for the three positions are women’s assembly boss Lynnet Karenyi-Kore, Lillian Timveos, treasurer-general Theresa Makone and former Labour minister Paurina Mpariwa.

Zwizwai said he was not in a position to comment as nominations have not been done by the provincial executives.

“We all await the process to begin so that we can be able to tell where the people want to deploy us. It is not up to me to decide where I want to be,” Zwizwai said.

Karenyi-Kore said: “I am what I am not because I canvassed but because I was deployed by the people”.

“The real fight is on the VPs where several candidates have shown interest but Biti having stood by Chamisa during the campaign period has better chances although Zwizwai is also in there with a shout,” a source said, adding that the likes of Mpariwa, Makone and Karenyi-Kore are pinning their hopes on the possible introduction of the women’s quota in the presidium.

For the position of national chairperson, the insiders say, incumbent Thabitha Khumalo could retain her position without a challenge as no one has so far shown interest. She is likely be deputised by Manicaland provincial chairperson David Chimhini who has reportedly shown interest in the position.

Another battle of monumental proportions is looming for the position of secretary-general where deputy treasurer -general Charlton Hwende, Bekithemba Mpofu and Sesel Zvidzai will likely battle it out. On the other hand Masvingo provincial chairperson, former Economic planning minister Tapiwa Mashakada, and Gift Banda will contest the position of treasurer-general. Epworth Member of Parliament Etherege Kureva is reportedly eyeing the position of deputy treasurer-general.

MDC organising secretary Amos Chibaya faces stiff challenge from youth leader Happymore Chidziva while the late Morgan Tsvangirai’s former spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka, current party spokesperson Jacob Mafume and Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala are eyeing the information portfolio.

Contacted for a comment over his ambitions going into the congress, Chibaya said “it is for the people to decide but I am happy with my current position”.

On his part, Sikhala said the appetite for positions has destroyed a number of politicians’ careers.

“I will be comfortable to work in any position the people will give me even in the branch,” Sikhala said.

He added that the position one holds in the party is not the one that determines capacity but results.

“It’s like people running to a big law firm hoping that the name of the law firm will establish oneself but I am doing well at my small law firm so I can do good with whatever position,” he said.

Another intriguing fight will be in the youth assembly where Lovemore Chinoputsa, the current secretary-general, will square off with Obey Sithole.

The jostling is not only pronounced in the party’s top echelons but in the provinces and structures below as well.

In Harare for example, sitting provincial chairperson, Eric Murai, is facing a serious challenge from Glen Norah MP Wellington Chikombo.

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