Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

In the heart of Zimbabwe’s rural landscape, a silent but devastating crisis has been unfolding for years, culminating in a dramatic nationwide crackdown. The National Council of Chiefs has recently demanded an urgent and massive intervention against what it terms “illegal sabhuku deals” – a clandestine market where communal land, traditionally held in trust for […]

The post Operation Restore Sabhuku: The Secret Land Deals That Triggered a Nationwide Crackdown first appeared on My Zimbabwe News.

Source: 2 die in Kwekwe mineshaft collapse –Newsday Zimbabwe

GWERU, Jul 8 (NewsDay Live) – Two artisanal miners were buried alive Tuesday evening following a shaft collapse at Vigilant Gold Mine in Kwekwe.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident, which occurred in Kwekwe, and said three of the miners, however, managed to escape alive.

 

 

The deceased have been identified as Busani Nyathi and Proud Maphosa, while the identities of the survivors have not been revealed.

“We confirm receipt of a report of a mine accident which claimed the lives of two miners while three others managed to escape,” Mahoko said.

“He said the two were working underground with three others, and when they reached a depth of about 200 metres, a block of soil collapsed from the roof of the shaft, covering the miners.”

He said police retrieved the bodies and took them to Kwekwe Hospital mortuary.

“We remind all persons who do mining business to follow all safety guidelines provided under the Mines and Minerals Act, Chapter 21:05,” he said.

At least 70 people have died in mining accidents recorded between January and May this year, most of them in unregistered mines.

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Source: SA opposition politicians wade into Zim constitutional row -Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Jul 8 (NewsDay Live)-South African opposition political parties have criticised President Emmerson Mnangagwa for rushing to sign the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 into law just to extend his tenure instead of addressing pressing issues affecting the ordinary citizenry.

The criticism comes amid renewed tensions in South Africa, where xenophobic attacks have targeted foreign nationals, including thousands of Zimbabweans who migrated there in search of economic opportunities after fleeing hardships back home.

Mnangagwa on Tuesday signed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 into law, completing the legislative process for one of Zimbabwe’s most contentious law.

The new law extends the terms of office for the President, Parliament and local authorities from five to seven years and changes the method of electing future Presidents.

The legislation was fiercely opposed by opposition parties, constitutional lawyers and civil society organisations, which argued that it weakens the 2013 Constitution and sought to block it through the courts. The government has, however, defended the amendments, saying they are intended to strengthen governance and improve institutional efficiency.

In a statement, South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters, led by Julius Malema, said Zimbabwe’s leadership should be focusing on addressing the country’s deepening socio-economic challenges instead of pursuing constitutional changes that prolong its tenure.

“President Emmerson Mnangagwa has failed to confront the profound economic hardship, unemployment, collapsing public services and widespread poverty confronting the people of Zimbabwe. Millions of Zimbabweans continue to leave their homeland in search of opportunities across the African continent and beyond because their own government has failed to create conditions for a dignified life,” the party said.

“Instead of dedicating the full attention of the state to resolving these crises, the government has prioritised constitutional amendments that extend its stay in office.

“This is uncalled for. The extension of a presidential mandate through constitutional amendment, rather than through the freely expressed will of the people at the ballot box, represents a deeply disappointing development. It creates the perception that constitutional instruments are being manipulated to entrench political power instead of strengthening democratic accountability.”

The EFF warned that Zimbabwe’s political and economic instability has regional consequences, particularly for South Africa, which has for years received large numbers of Zimbabwean migrants seeking employment and better living conditions.

Another South African opposition politician, Mmusi Maimane, also condemned the constitutional changes, saying they undermined democracy and constitutionalism in Zimbabwe.

“We condemn unequivocally the decision taken by Emerson. As South Africa we cannot sit back and watch the eroding of democracy and constitutionalism in Zim,” Maimane said.

The remarks add to growing international criticism following the enactment of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, with opponents arguing that the changes weaken constitutional safeguards and consolidate executive power, while the Zimbabwean government insists the reforms are necessary to improve governance.

The post SA opposition politicians wade into Zim constitutional row  appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: SA opposition politicians wade into Zim constitutional row -Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Jul 8 (NewsDay Live)-South African opposition political parties have criticised President Emmerson Mnangagwa for rushing to sign the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 into law just to extend his tenure instead of addressing pressing issues affecting the ordinary citizenry.

The criticism comes amid renewed tensions in South Africa, where xenophobic attacks have targeted foreign nationals, including thousands of Zimbabweans who migrated there in search of economic opportunities after fleeing hardships back home.

Mnangagwa on Tuesday signed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 into law, completing the legislative process for one of Zimbabwe’s most contentious law.

The new law extends the terms of office for the President, Parliament and local authorities from five to seven years and changes the method of electing future Presidents.

The legislation was fiercely opposed by opposition parties, constitutional lawyers and civil society organisations, which argued that it weakens the 2013 Constitution and sought to block it through the courts. The government has, however, defended the amendments, saying they are intended to strengthen governance and improve institutional efficiency.

In a statement, South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters, led by Julius Malema, said Zimbabwe’s leadership should be focusing on addressing the country’s deepening socio-economic challenges instead of pursuing constitutional changes that prolong its tenure.

“President Emmerson Mnangagwa has failed to confront the profound economic hardship, unemployment, collapsing public services and widespread poverty confronting the people of Zimbabwe. Millions of Zimbabweans continue to leave their homeland in search of opportunities across the African continent and beyond because their own government has failed to create conditions for a dignified life,” the party said.

“Instead of dedicating the full attention of the state to resolving these crises, the government has prioritised constitutional amendments that extend its stay in office.

“This is uncalled for. The extension of a presidential mandate through constitutional amendment, rather than through the freely expressed will of the people at the ballot box, represents a deeply disappointing development. It creates the perception that constitutional instruments are being manipulated to entrench political power instead of strengthening democratic accountability.”

The EFF warned that Zimbabwe’s political and economic instability has regional consequences, particularly for South Africa, which has for years received large numbers of Zimbabwean migrants seeking employment and better living conditions.

Another South African opposition politician, Mmusi Maimane, also condemned the constitutional changes, saying they undermined democracy and constitutionalism in Zimbabwe.

“We condemn unequivocally the decision taken by Emerson. As South Africa we cannot sit back and watch the eroding of democracy and constitutionalism in Zim,” Maimane said.

The remarks add to growing international criticism following the enactment of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, with opponents arguing that the changes weaken constitutional safeguards and consolidate executive power, while the Zimbabwean government insists the reforms are necessary to improve governance.

The post SA opposition politicians wade into Zim constitutional row  appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: National Tree Ambassador pledges to set up 2 drug rehabilitation centres in Bulawayo –Newsday Zimbabwe

BULAWAYO, Jul 8 (NewsDay Live) – National Tree Ambassador Never Bonde has pledged to set up two drug rehabilitation centres on land donated to him by the Bulawayo City Council and businessman Herbert Mtize.

Speaking at Mtize’s 72nd birthday party, Bonde disclosed that council offered him land in Cowdray Park to plant trees and set up a drug rehabilitation centre.

He added that Mtize had also offered him land for a similar project.

“My relationship with Mtize has been that he has been in constant touch with my Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife so that he can partner us in tree planting to fight drug and substance abuse,’’ Bonde said.

“We applied for land at BCC to establish a rehabilitation centre. We have now been offered the place in Cowdray park. Mtize has offered to assist with the construction and the installationof a borehole.”

“Mtize has also offered us with four hectares on his farm near Bulawayo to plant trees such as grapes and peaches and also build a drug rehabilitation centre.

“We want them (inmates) to grow these trees and generate income. We need indigenous trees as well. We want to plant more trees to preserve our environment,’’ he added.

Mtize confirmed that he has offered part of his farm to establish a drug rehabilitation centre.

“Those involved in drug abuse must be offered an opportunity to embark on income-generating projects and become productive,’’Mtize said.

Bulawayo Metropolitan Affairs minister Judith Ncube said drug and substance abuse has become a national crisis, hence the need for collaboration to fight the scourge.

“If we do not put our heads together we will end up losing our future leaders including the business people. Mtize’s vision is broad, it needs partnering ,’’ Ncube said.

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