Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: ‘Aug 23 polls already tainted’ –Newsday Zimbabwe

Musa Kika, who is the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum executive director, expressed concern over biased policing and unequal treatment of political parties by the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

The August 23 harmonised elections have already been tainted because conditions for free and fair polls do not exist, legal expert Musa Kika has said.

Kika, who is the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum executive director, expressed concern over biased policing and unequal treatment of political parties by the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

Speaking during an Election Resource Centre-initiated Press conference on the Openness of the Electoral Environment before the 2023 Harmonised Elections, Kika said: “The 2023 harmonised elections have already been tainted before polling. The elections have been characterised by higher levels of closed space, tilted playing field, and disbarment and exclusion of opponents.

“This has primarily been enabled by manipulation of the law and of State institutions which facilitate for free, fair and credible elections, among them the police, the electoral management body, the Judiciary and State media.

“Best efforts must go towards exploring ways to ensure that the will of the people finds expression under the current conditions, as opposed to seeking to change the conditions first.”

Kika said constitutional commissions had been playing less active roles during elections.

“The perennial challenges of Chapter 12 institutions (commissions), which include funding deficits, capacity deficits and deliberate undermining, render these institutions virtually non-determinant and almost inconsequential in any election, 2023 is no different,” he added.

Source: Man up for printing fake certificates -Newsday Zimbabwe

ZIMBABWE Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) officers have arrested a Harare man for allegedly printing fake marriage, Ordinary and Advanced Level certificates and army identification cards, among other documents.

Philip Chaposha of Mufakose has since appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with fraud and forgery.

He appeared before magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa last week and was remanded in custody to August 16 for bail application.

Allegations are that on July 13 this year, Zacc received a tip-off that Chaposha was selling fake driver’s licences, Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Ordinary and Advanced level certificates, vehicle registration books and marriage certificates.

Reacting to the tip-off, Zacc used one of its investigation officers to contact Chaposha seeking a driver’s licence urgently.

Chaposha allegedly told the investigation officer that he needed US$200 to provide the licence and instructed her to deposit US$50 through a money transfer agency.

He said he would also need US$150 on delivering the document. The State alleges that on August 8, Chaposha was arrested in Granitesite, Harare, while trying to access the balance.

He was apprehended while in possession of various fake documents. Chaposha then led investigators to Mbare, where he was printing the fake documents.

The investigators recovered a computer which was used to print the fake documents.

Source: Man up for printing fake certificates -Newsday Zimbabwe

ZIMBABWE Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) officers have arrested a Harare man for allegedly printing fake marriage, Ordinary and Advanced Level certificates and army identification cards, among other documents.

Philip Chaposha of Mufakose has since appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with fraud and forgery.

He appeared before magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa last week and was remanded in custody to August 16 for bail application.

Allegations are that on July 13 this year, Zacc received a tip-off that Chaposha was selling fake driver’s licences, Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Ordinary and Advanced level certificates, vehicle registration books and marriage certificates.

Reacting to the tip-off, Zacc used one of its investigation officers to contact Chaposha seeking a driver’s licence urgently.

Chaposha allegedly told the investigation officer that he needed US$200 to provide the licence and instructed her to deposit US$50 through a money transfer agency.

He said he would also need US$150 on delivering the document. The State alleges that on August 8, Chaposha was arrested in Granitesite, Harare, while trying to access the balance.

He was apprehended while in possession of various fake documents. Chaposha then led investigators to Mbare, where he was printing the fake documents.

The investigators recovered a computer which was used to print the fake documents.

 ZIMBABWE Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) officers have arrested a Harare man for allegedly printing fake marriage, Ordinary and Advanced Level certificates and army identification cards, among other documents. Philip Chaposha of Mufakose has since appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with fraud and forgery. He appeared before magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa last week and was

Source: Chaos as police disrupt Chamisa rally -Newsday Zimbabwe

POLICE randomly fired tear smoke into people’s houses as they dispersed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporters who were attending party leader Nelson Chamisa’s star rally at Mamutse Ground in Masvingo yesterday.

Top police bosses initially tried to stop Chamisa from addressing the rally, but were stopped in their tracks by his security personnel and supporters who blocked the five officers from accessing the podium as the opposition leader addressed the crowd.

After being blocked, the police retreated only to come back armed with tear smoke canisters, truncheons and aggressive dogs, but found the CCC supporters unrelenting as they stood their ground to allow Chamisa to finish his address.

The contention was that Chamisa’s rally was supposed to end at 4pm, but it had extended by an hour after the CCC leader arrived late from another rally in Chiredzi.

In his address, Chamisa appealed to the police to exercise restraint and not be dragged into partisan politics; and playing god in the country’s electoral processes.

“I understand that the police are trying to stop this rally from continuing on account of time,” he said.

“I know it’s not your fault. You are receiving instructions, but let me say an outgoing government should never be more powerful than an incoming government, so police please remain professional and not be used for politics.”

Chamisa promised that his government would promote professional conduct of the police and pay their salaries in United States dollars once elected and end their misery at the hands of Zanu PF.

“When we get into power, the first thing we are going to do is pay everyone in US dollars, including the police. We are going to establish a professional police service and allow you to do your work without interference. This government will end your suffering,” he said.

Chamisa’s words did not calm the police bosses, who had been humiliated after they were blocked from walking onto the stage to stop the rally.

They advanced with their juniors in front and threatened journalists filming them with arrest and assault.

The CCC supporters did not budge, until their leader left as the police launched teargas into the crowds and nearby houses.

It was not immediately clear if the police made any arrests, following the standoff which also saw supporters throwing missiles at the police in retaliation.

Supporters had endured a nine-hour wait for Chamisa after arriving at the venue at 9am, only to be addressed just for 30 minutes after 5pm.

Chamisa’s speeches normally last more than an hour and are rounded off with the introduction of candidates and prayers, but he had to forgo formalities as the police advanced.