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A statue for the late former President Robert Mugabe will be erected at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe (RGM) International Airport in Harare.
As reported by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200024121/mugabe-statue-set-for-airport">NewsDay</a>, the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe has invited tenders from interested fine artists to bid and produce a life-size statue of the late former Head of State. A Government Gazette General Notice 310 of 2024 reads:
<blockquote>
National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe is pleased to invite expressions of interest from fine artists to produce a life-size statue of the late former President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, RG Mugabe to be installed at the RG Mugabe International Airport.
</blockquote>
Mugabe was forced to resign in 2017, under pressure from the military and public protests.
He passed away on 06 September 2019, in Singapore at the age of 95, and was laid to rest in the courtyard of his home in the rural village of Kutama, Zvimba, Mashonaland West, where he was born.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Robert Mugabe Statue Set To Be Erected At RGMI Airport

The family of late former president Robert Mugabe held a private ceremony on Saturday to posthumously celebrate his birthday in Zvimba, reported <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/mugabe-family-holds-private-centennial-celebration-for-late-president/">NewZimbabwe.com.</a>
Mugabe was born on 21 February 2024 and would have turned 100 years old this year.
His former spokesperson and relative, Jealous Mawarire, confirmed that the celebrations were held at Kutama Village in Zvimba, where Mugabe was born. Wrote Mawarire on X:
<blockquote>
Attending President Mugabe’s posthumous centenary birthday celebrations today, 24th February 2024, in Kutama, Zimbabwe, Mashonaland West Province.
</blockquote>
Notable among attendees was Mugabe’s long-time close security aide, Wonder Nyakurima.
Mugabe died on 06 September 2019, aged 95 in Singapore where he had been receiving treatment.
He had been forced to resign following a military coup code-named Operation Restore Legacy. The operation started on 13 November 2017 and ended on 18 December 2017.
Mugabe was buried at his rural home after he had reportedly instructed his family not to allow the Government to bury his remains at the National Heroes Acre.
In May 2022, the High Court ruled in favour of Mugabe’s children who were challenging the exhumation of their father’s remains for re-burial at the National Heroes Acre.
Bona, Tinotenda and Bellarmine were challenging the exhumation of Mugabe’s remains and confiscation of their livestock as ordered by Chief Zvimba, Stanley Mhondoro.
In the judgment, Justices Amy Tsanga and Fatima Maxwell ruled against Chinhoyi magistrate Ruth Moyo who had ruled that Mugabe’s children had no right to appeal against a judgment handed by the traditional court against their mother, Grace.
This came after the village head Tinos Manongovere, filed a complaint before Chief Zvimba in 2021 arguing that Mugabe was “improperly” buried in a courtyard.
Chief Zvimba sanctioned the exhumation of the late veteran leader and reburial at the National Heroes Acre in Harare and also fined Grace, Mugabe’s widow for contempt of court and incorrectly burying her husband.
The matter was referred to the Magistrate Court where Chinhoyi magistrate Ruth Moyo allowed the exhumation to be conducted saying Mugabe’s children had no locus standi (right) to appeal against their father’s reburial.
Mugabe’s children then appealed the ruling against the magistrate and also challenged the chief’s decision at the traditional court.
They argued that no one except them has the authority over their father’s grave, warning that anyone who would tamper with it would be committing a criminal offence as outlined in the Burial Act.
According to the said section, anyone who wilfully destroys or causes to be done any damage, defacement or disfigurement to any monument, vault, tombstone or grave whether within or without a cemetery shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level five or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or both.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mugabe Family Holds Private Centennial Celebration For Late Former President

According to Sengezo Tshabangu, politicians from Harare and or Mashonaland do not entertain the idea of a united Matabeleland as they view it as a security threat. He claims to have seen this in the ruling ZANU PF and experienced this under the leadership of Morgan Tsvangirai, the late founding leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). He told Zenzele Ndebele during an interview:
<blockquote>
There is nobody from that end who wants a united Matabeleland. A united Matabeleland is a security threat. A united Matabeleland gives them sleepless nights. A united Matabeleland is a threat to the establishment itself. It is now being transmitted to the opposition politics. I don’t think President Emmerson Mnangagwa would want a united Matabeleland. Morgan Tsvangirai was never at one given time at ease with a united Matabeleland so is Nelson Chamisa, he is scared of a united Matabeleland.
</blockquote>
This neglect of Matabeleland provinces by political elites is not a new issue. It is often alleged that these regions are only considered during election periods. Political analysts often say the ruling party, ZANU PF, is particularly fearful of a united Matabeleland due to the historical event known as Gukurahundi. This violent period occurred after independence when former President Robert Mugabe deployed the 5th Brigade to suppress alleged dissidents in Matabeleland and Midlands. Thousands of people were killed, and the wounds from this tragedy remain unhealed.
Tensions between Mashonaland and Matabeleland can be traced back to the pre-colonial era when Ndebele Kings raided Mashonaland for resources. Some believe that the Shona-speaking political elites still harbour concerns about a united Matabeleland due to this historical context. There are fears that a united Matabeleland could lead to secession and potentially result in civil wars similar to those experienced after independence.
Sengezo Tshabangu’s remarks come as Zimbabwe commemorates Unity Day on 22 December. Unity Day marks the signing of the Unity Accord in 1987, which ended the civil war between ZANU-PF led by Robert Mugabe and the Joshua Nkomo-led PF-ZAPU. However, concerns persist regarding the economic neglect of Matabeleland, particularly in Bulawayo, which used to be the country’s industrial hub. This economic disparity raises questions about the true unity and development opportunities for all regions in Zimbabwe.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

A United Matabeleland Is Seen As A Security Threat - Tshabangu

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Fredrick Shava, has said that Zimbabwe is likely to be accepted back into the Commonwealth at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa, scheduled for October next year.
Zimbabwe had previously withdrawn from the Commonwealth in 2003 under the leadership of the late former President Robert Mugabe. This decision was made in protest after the Commonwealth imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2002 due to a disorderly and violent land reform program.
Following the removal of President Mugabe in 2017, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government applied to rejoin the Commonwealth on May 15, 2018. Commonwealth has so far rejected Zimbabwe’s application to rejoin the organisation citing continued human rights violations.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/theindependent/amp/local-news/article/200020944/us-angry-over-ccc-election-defeat-minister">NewsDay</a> on the sidelines of the handover ceremony of a training institute for diplomats, Shava said:
<blockquote>
Those ones, they will always be ranting whenever they feel that their allies are losing ground. We have not done anything to the opposition except to present ourselves and them to the people and when the Americans look at the loss of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) in terms of elections then they think that somebody is playing tricks.
No one is playing tricks. It is just that the people have a preference for Zanu PF and they have been voting for Zanu PF in this regard. So that cry that they want to punish people who are preventing ‘democracy’, their democracy to take place is their own cry. It is not our cry.
We have been engaging with certain countries in the Commonwealth. We had a lot of meetings with the Commonwealth secretariat and their last visit sometime this year.
We are hoping in the course of early 2024 or mid-2024 we should get an answer. Rwanda indicated to us that Zimbabwe may be accepted back to the Commonwealth before the next CHOGM.
</blockquote>
The Commonwealth is a group of 54 countries that used to be ruled by Britain. It was formed in 1931 to bring together equal and independent nations. It focuses on things like democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The Commonwealth helps countries work together, develop their economies, and improve their societies. Members can share ideas, learn from each other, and help each other with things like education and healthcare. They can also take part in events like the Commonwealth Games, which celebrate sports and culture. The Commonwealth helps countries face global problems like climate change, poverty, and conflicts by working together. It gives smaller nations a chance to be heard on the world stage.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Zimbabwe Likely To Be Accepted Back Into Commonwealth - Minister Shava

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Walter_Mzembi/">Walter Mzembi</a>, the former Tourism Minister of Zimbabwe, has claimed that ZANU PF members were in agreement about the need to remove Zimbabwean former President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Robert_Mugabe/">Robert Mugabe</a>, but differed on the timing of his removal based on their individual and factional interests. 
According to Mzembi, party members were divided on the timing of Mugabe’s removal, as different factions and individuals sought to benefit from the situation. Mzembi made these comments on social media, emphasising that there were behind-the-scenes developments within ZANU PF that the public was not aware of. Responding to a ZANU PF member on X, Mzembi said:
<blockquote>
Munoti ndimi makatanga nekuda kubvisa (You think you were the first to plot to remove Robert) Mugabe here, there was far much more happening inside than from outside, but interestingly it was a battle of timing and the conspirators. The team in office now was protecting him, they wanted to remove him themselves when it would benefit them only.
</blockquote>
Political analysts have long argued that Zimbabwe’s founding leader, Robert Mugabe, intentionally fostered factionalism within his party, ZANU PF, by delaying the announcement of a successor. By doing so, he created a power struggle among party members who believed that aligning themselves with him would increase their chances of assuming power upon his retirement.
One notable manifestation of factionalism was the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Tsholotsho_Declaration/">Tsholotsho Declaration</a> in 2004. This secret meeting was allegedly organised by a faction loyal to <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Emmerson_Mnangagwa/">Emmerson Mnangagwa</a>, with the objective of elevating him to the vice presidency ahead of <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Joice_Mujuru/">Joice Mujuru</a>, following the passing of <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Simon_Muzenda/">Simon Muzenda</a>. Although Mnangagwa had the support of six out of ten provinces, Mugabe amended the party’s constitution to ensure that one of the vice presidents had to be a woman. This move resulted in Mujuru being appointed as vice president instead.
In 2008, a new faction led by <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Simba_Makoni/">Simba Makoni</a> emerged within ZANU PF, but his close supporters were afraid to openly back him as President Mugabe strengthened his control over the party and country. Consequently, Makoni decided to run as an independent candidate in the March 2008 Presidential elections representing his own political party called Mavambo/Kusile-Dawn. He managed to secure 8% of the total votes cast. 
Factional battles within ZANU PF intensified over time. The Gamatox faction, allegedly led by then Vice President Joice Mujuru, emerged as a major contender. However, in 2014, several members of the faction, including Mujuru, were expelled from the party. This allowed Mnangagwa’s faction, then known as Team Zvipfukuto, to regain power. When Mujuru was fired, Mnangagwa was appointed as Vice President.
Subsequently, the G40 faction, composed of younger members, sought to challenge Mnangagwa’s influence and gain favour with Mugabe. Eventually, Mugabe fired Mnangagwa whose faction had rebranded to Team Lacoste, accusing him of plotting against him. This led to <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/November_2017_Military_Coup/">Operation Restore Legacy</a>, a military intervention that resulted in Mugabe’s resignation and the dismantling of the G40 faction. Members of the G40 faction fled the country, fearing retaliation from Mnangagwa’s government.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Mzembi: ZANU PF Members Agreed On Need To Remove Mugabe, Differed On Timing

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Freeman_Chari/">Freeman Chari</a> has caused controversy on social media by sharing excerpts from the late former ZANU PF leader <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Ndabaningi_Sithole/">Ndabaningi Sithole</a>‘s book, which explains why ZAPU split into ZANU and ZAPU during the colonial era. Some believe the post is about Nelson Chamisa. Sithole’s book highlights several factors that led to the deposition of the late former Vice President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Joshua_Nkomo/">Joshua Nkomo</a>, including Nkomo’s fear of jail and his alleged evasion of necessary decisions. It also mentions contradictions within ZAPU and Nkomo’s habit of concealing the truth from his Central Executive members. Read the excerpts:
<blockquote>
1. Mr. Nkomo is very much afraid of going to jail and this fear of jail causes him to evade taking the necessary decisions which any leader in his position is expected to take. The white settlers have exploited this fact to full advantage. Because of this fear, Mr. Nkomo has deserted the people at the time when they most needed bold leadership that does not count the cost.
a) When ZAPU was banned on September 20th, 1962, Mr. Nkomo was then in Lusaka. Much against the advice of UNIP and his supporters Mr. Nkomo fled to Dar-es-Salaam leaving as it were, his sheep to be scattered by the wolf. Mr. Nkomo publicly stated that he did not want to ‘rot in jail.’ Meanwhile, hundreds of his supporters went to jail.
b) When he was finally forced to go back to Southern Rhodesia and face detention, after ten days of chopping and changing, the psychological moment had been missed, and his supporters’ confidence in him was greatly shaken and under-mined, and since then the people have been saying: ‘how can we get our independence with such a cowardly leader?’ While in detention, Mr. Nkomo’s fears were also clearly demonstrated. He arranged for a private plane to take all the members of the Central Executive secretly out of restriction but they refused to jump their restriction.
</blockquote>
Nkomo, on the other hand, wrote in his book that the divisions were tribal in nature, citing instances of incitement against him based on his Ndebele ethnicity. He said:
<blockquote>
Joseph Msika, then deputy treasurer of Zapu, had an even more disturbing experience. He saw one of our colleagues, Washington Malianga, nervously hiding away a printed document. Joseph asked to see it, Washington refused, so Joseph snatched it away and read it. He found it was a circular openly urging Zapu to bring the ‘majority tribes’ to the leadership of the party, and to get rid of `Zimundebere’, which is a derogatory term in the Shona language for ‘the old Ndebele man’. That meant me: the attack was a straight incitement to tribal feeling against me. Joseph gave the wretched document back to Malianga, who tore it up and pretended it had never existed.
</blockquote>
Freeman Chari’s post ignited a range of responses, including speculation that it indirectly referred to <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Nelson_Chamisa/">Nelson Chamisa</a>, the leader of the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Citizens%27_Coalition_for_Change/">Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).</a> Chamisa has faced criticism for not confronting the ruling ZANU PF party more boldly.
Some observed that while yesteryear liberation leaders were only afraid of jail, present-day opposition leaders can be poisoned in jail. Some commentators questioned the notion that a leader must go to prison to prove their worth as previous leaders’ imprisonment did not result in the removal of ZANU PF from power.
Some CCC supporters expressed the belief that if Chamisa displayed the bravery of figures like <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Job_Sikhala/">Job Sikhala</a> or <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Tendai_Biti/">Tendai Biti</a>, ZANU PF could have been overthrown in 2018. Others cautioned against being aggressive, as ZANU PF may use confrontation or violence as an excuse for brutality. They advocated fighting against ZANU PF outside of prison, citing the alleged poisoning and slow death of former Prime Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Morgan_Tsvangirai/">Morgan Tsvangirai</a> as an example. They argued that going to prison is not a guaranteed solution for removing ZANU PF from power and could pose risks to Chamisa’s life.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Freeman Chari's Post Sparks Controversy As Chamisa Is Compared To Joshua Nkomo On "Fear"

An investigation by South African unit Amabhungane has uncovered potential money laundering involving the late President Robert Mugabe’s son, Bellarmine Chatunga, just before Mugabe’s ousting in a coup. The investigation revealed a series of illegal Hawala payments made to Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe through an unnamed individual connected to Ewan Macmillan of the Gold Mafia exposé.
Hawala payments are illegal methods used to settle bills across borders to evade regulations and surveillance, <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/south-african-investigation-reveals-mugabes-son-chatunga-received-r10-million-on-eve-of-2017-coup/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> reported. This method was previously exposed in the Gold Mafia investigation, in which Macmillan played a significant role, as reported by Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit. Read the report:
<blockquote>
Other tantalising entries in the Caydees books include a “BC Mugabe”, reflecting the initials of Robert Mugabe’s youngest son Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe.
Thirteen payments totalling just shy of R10-million were made to this individual during the tumultuous lead-up to the ouster of the elder Mugabe from power in November 2017.
At the time there were outraged news reports of Bellarmine’s extravagant lifestyle in Johannesburg.
</blockquote>
Amabhungane is expected to release a more detailed report on how the Mugabes shipped hard currency to South Africa. Mugabe’s other children, Bona and Robert Jr, have also faced legal issues. Bona was revealed to have acquired extensive land holdings, including farms, during a contentious divorce. Robert Jr has been involved in violent incidents, allegedly overlooked due to his association with the ruling party ZANU PF.
It is alleged that in November 2017 when Robert Mugabe was removed from power by the military and his former allies, including current President Emmerson Mnangagwa, two transactions worth R1 million were processed. Before that, in October, there were five batches of R1 million transactions and two batches of R500,000 transactions. The first R500,000 transaction took place in September.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Investigation In South Africa Indicates Chatunga Mugabe Received R10 Million On Coup Eve

Former First Lady <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Grace_Mugabe/">Grace Mugabe</a>, the widow of Zimbabwe’s late founding leader, Robert Mugabe, was in attendance at President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s inauguration ceremony held at the National Sports Stadium in Harare on Monday. The presence of Grace Mugabe, accompanied by her daughter Bona and Robert Mugabe Junior, was met with cheers from the crowd, indicating that the former First Family still holds a measure of public support.
Considering the circumstances surrounding her husband’s departure from the political scene, where he was “forced” to resign following the military’s intervention and the dismissal of Mnangagwa as Vice President, it was uncertain whether Grace would attend the event. Bona had previously attended Mnangagwa’s initial inauguration, while Robert had been seen at various ZANU PF rallies.
When Grace approached the podium and embraced Mnangagwa, the stadium erupted with noise, creating an impression of reconciliation and potentially signalling her endorsement of Mnangagwa as the leader of the nation in Southern Africa.
Former Vice Presidents <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Phelekezela_Mphoko/">Phelekezela Mphoko</a> (considered a member of the G40 cabal) and <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Joice_Mujuru/">Joice Mujuru</a>, along with losing presidential candidates <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Lovemore_Madhuku/">Lovemore Madhuku</a>, Gwinyai Henry Muzorewa, and Harry Peter Wilson, were present at the event.
According to <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Pedzisai_Ruhanya/">Pedzisai Ruhanya</a>, a Zimbabwean academic, journalist, and political commentator, the return of former G40 members to ZANU PF after Mugabe’s ousting reveals the political dynamics within post-ED ZANU PF. Ruhanya who is also the director of the <a class="new" href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/index.php?title=Zimbabwe_Democracy_Institute&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1" title="Zimbabwe Democracy Institute (page does not exist)">Zimbabwe Democracy Institute</a> (ZDI), said:
<blockquote>
The trooping back to ZANU PF of former G40 members after the coup against Mugabe as seen at the inauguration of President Mnangagwa and some’s appearances in media spaces controlled by the government indicate post-ED ZANU PF political dynamics.
</blockquote>
Some speculate that Grace Mugabe attended the event due to concerns that any misstep could lead to investigations into her family’s “ill-gotten” wealth. Additionally, there is an ongoing divorce case involving her daughter Bona and Simba Chikore, therefore, Mnangagwa could possibly influence the outcome. Joyce Mujuru’s attendance is seen as a move to protect her interests, as she became vulnerable after her husband’s mysterious death. Some say Phelekezela Mphoko’s presence may be an attempt to influence his son’s rape case, as Siqokoqela was convicted and sentenced for raping his 12-year-old niece but is currently out on bail pending an appeal.
Mnangagwa took oath of office in front of <a class="text__text__1FZLe text__inherit-color__3208F text__inherit-font__1Y8w3 text__inherit-size__1DZJi link__underline_default__2prE_" data-testid="Link" href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Luke_Malaba/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Chief Justice Luke Malaba</a> who in 2018 declared Mnangagwa as the winner following a constitutional court challenge. He said:
<blockquote>
I stand as a president of all. I offer you individually and collectively, unity.
</blockquote>
A number of African leaders, such as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mozambique leader Phillipe Nyusi, and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, attended the swearing-in ceremony. However, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema decided not to attend.
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Nelson_Chamisa/">Nelson Chamisa</a>, the leader of the opposition Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) party, called for a fresh vote, claiming the election was “flawed.” However, his party did not legally challenge the results, allowing Mnangagwa’s inauguration. Mnangagwa urged the opposition to seek redress in court, asserting the validity of the vote and cautioning against spreading chaos, with a warning of crackdowns.
According to the preliminary report by the SADC observer mission, the election failed to meet both regional and international standards. Additionally, the EU observer mission described the polls as taking place in a “climate of fear.” The government faced criticism for arresting more than 40 activists from civic society organizations and allegations of widespread voter intimidation in rural areas. While the voting process itself was peaceful, significant delays in the distribution of ballot papers marred the polling, leading to accusations of voter suppression by the opposition.
After years of isolation, Zimbabwe, under Mnangagwa’s leadership, has aimed to rebuild relationships with Western partners. However, his second term begins amidst ongoing economic difficulties, including an 80% devaluation of the Zim dollar this year and frozen international funding. Without foreign assistance, Zimbabwe’s economic struggles are likely to persist, leaving millions uncertain about their future.
<h3 data-testid="paragraph-14"><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Grace Mugabe And Some G40 Members Attend President Mnangagwa's Inauguration

Maximilian Lion, a Zimbabwean blogger, asserts that if Vice President Constantino Chiwenga orchestrated the removal of Zimbabwe’s late founding leader, Robert Mugabe, from power in 2017, then he must strategise a reversal and restore power to the people in line with the liberation war struggle’s objectives.
Lion’s comments follow the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/08/14/doctor-testified-marry-revealed-mnangagwas-alleged-2018-assassination-attempt-on-vp-chiwenga/">testimony of South African medical doctor Willi Leo Sieling</a>, who claimed that Mary Mubaiwa, the former wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, confided in him about President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s alleged attempt to assassinate his deputy in 2018.
According to Lion, Chiwenga may have been betrayed, and therefore, he should not feel obligated to protect individuals who benefited from Mugabe’s demise. <a href="https://twitter.com/maximilianlion/status/1690951879239323648">He said on Twitter:</a>
<blockquote>
A proposal for General V.P Chiwenga in light of the evidence adduced during a trial in which a Doctor said under oath that there was a plan to assassinate him when he was in hospital. 
The evidence implies that some of the beneficiaries of the 2017 coup were dishonest players. Had the coup failed, most of the people who made the 2017 – 2023 cabinet would have faced treason trials under Mugabe and a meeting with their maker. 
The chief beneficiary of the coup only appeared on the scene when the heavy lifting had been done. 
The evidence submitted in court infers that there was a great betrayal and deception among the coup players. While others courageously accepted the risk that came with the coup of potentially losing their lives, others saw it as a means to an end while there was no risk to their lives because they were in hiding. 
Whether you supported the coup or not, one can’t help but see a pattern of deception which goes back decades. It is disgusting in all the circumstances. The more one thinks about this, the more one sees a potential avenue for the betrayed to redeem himself in the eyes of the country. 
What General V.P Chiwenga could do is acknowledge that he took a great risk for a mission which made life worse for the country and its people. But he can do something about it. He can correct this situation by putting the country back in the position it was before the 2017 coup. 
He can go further and do even better by ensuring that power goes back to the people in alignment with the objectives of the liberation war struggle. He can establish a genuine republic with accountability and separation of powers. 
How is he going to do this is the question many people will be asking? The answer is, only he knows. He knows the challenges that stand in his way. We can only speculate as to the risk but he knows precisely the obstacles before him. 
If he masterminded what happened in 2017, he can strategise a reversal of the process. This is more than a duty to the country, the people who are suffering and all the lives that were sacrificed during the liberation war. A reversal of the coup of 2017 could be a launch pad for Zimbabwe’s transformation. 
If he can pull this off, the event could prove to be the biggest in Zimbabwe’s history. If he were to do this, he could go down as the most influential Zimbabwean to ever live. His legacy in the history books will be guaranteed for the next 1000 years and beyond. Zimbabweans would be willing to forgive the drama of 2017 for returning to order. 
</blockquote>
He added that the proposal is driven by the realisation of Zimbabwe’s immense challenges and another five years of the same would be disastrous. He said the country has reached a critical point with wasted potential. Other countries with fewer resources have achieved better organization adding that people deserve a functional country, accountable government, and ethical leadership. He is sceptical that elections will bring change as the process is biased. He says the upcoming elections won’t be fair, leaving Zimbabwe in a difficult situation. The country lacks a democratic model for solutions. He says General V.P. Chiwenga understands the power dynamics. 
Unsubstantiated reports suggest an agreement between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga, wherein the former would vacate his position to allow his deputy to assume the presidency upon the conclusion of his final term. This potential scenario adds complexity to the situation. The question arises whether Chiwenga will demonstrate selflessness and relinquish the opportunity to become president, granting power to a civilian. If Mnangagwa emerges victorious in the presidential election on August 23, he will remain president until at least 2028. Previously, he ambiguously stated he will still be around by 2030, leaving the intention behind his remark unclear, whether it was a joke or a serious declaration. 
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VP Chiwenga Urged To Reverse Mugabe's Removal And Restore Power To The People

The Commonwealth has selected Ambassador Amina Chawahir Mohamed, former Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Education and Foreign Affairs, to lead a 15-member observer mission for the August 23 elections in Zimbabwe. This is the second time that the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) will be monitoring the country’s polls since Zimbabwe withdrew from the 56-member bloc in December 2003.
Commonwealth secretary-general Patricia Scotland confirmed that they accepted the invitation from Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to observe the elections. Scotland said:
<blockquote>
Our engagement in Zimbabwe’s electoral process signifies our dedication to transparent, inclusive, and credible elections.
… we aim to promote transparency, reinforce democracy and the rule of law, and safeguard the right of the Zimbabwean people to participate in their nation’s democratic journey.
Reflecting the diverse expertise and experience of Commonwealth member countries, the COG consists of 15 eminent individuals from various backgrounds, including politicians, diplomats, and experts in law, human rights, gender equality, and election administration.
The observers will assess the conduct of the process as a whole and, where appropriate, make recommendations for the strengthening of the electoral system in Zimbabwe.
Prior to deployment across Zimbabwe, the group will have briefings with the electoral authorities, political parties, law enforcement agencies, the diplomatic community, the media and civil society groups representing women, youth and people with disabilities.
</blockquote>
The COG will arrive in Zimbabwe on Wednesday and later submit a comprehensive report with observations and recommendations to the Commonwealth secretary-general, evaluating the electoral process and suggesting areas for improvement.
Following his assumption of power in 2017, President Emmerson Mnangagwa sought readmission to the Commonwealth in 2018 as part of his efforts to establish greater international credibility. Zimbabwe’s desire to rejoin the Commonwealth aligns with the Mnangagwa administration’s objective of re-engaging with the global community after approximately two decades of isolation.
In order to proceed with the readmission process, the southern African nation was advised to implement various reforms aimed at strengthening democratic practices, with electoral reforms being particularly emphasised. Zimbabwe’s initial suspension from the Commonwealth occurred in March 2002, prompted by the condemnation of former President Robert Mugabe for election rigging and the persecution of political opponents. Subsequently, in 2003, Mugabe withdrew Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth, characterizing the organization as an “Anglo-Saxon unholy alliance.”
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A 15-Member Commonwealth Observer Mission Deployed For Zimbabwe's August 23 Elections

Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti has said President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime is even more detrimental to political freedoms than that of former leader Robert Mugabe. Biti’s comments come after the tragic murder of Tinashe Edson Chitsunge, a member of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), by supporters of the ruling ZANU PF party in Glen Norah on August 4, 2023.
Biti, who is currently an MP for the CCC, claimed that his party has faced significant restrictions in conducting its election campaign. He stated that since January 2023, 63 of their rallies have been banned, and they have been unable to hold any meetings or rallies this year. Even attempts to hold meetings in private residences have resulted in arrests. While some level of mobilization is possible in urban areas, rural areas present significant challenges. Reflecting on the political situation in Zimbabwe, Biti said:
<blockquote>
At least 63 of our rallies have been banned from January 2023 to now. We have not been able to hold any single rally or meeting this year. Even those who have attempted to hold meetings in their houses have been arrested. In urban areas we can mobilise to some extent but in rural areas we cannot.
 We lived during Mugabe’s time, and we thought it was bad, but I think I owe him an apology. This regime is worse.
</blockquote>
Under Mnangagwa’s rule, concerns regarding political repression and corruption have persisted. Mnangagwa, who was once a close associate of Mugabe, has been accused of violating the law and undermining independent institutions to maintain his hold on power.
According to the CCC deputy spokesperson, Ostallos Siziba, the opposition party is currently unable to hold meetings in urban areas or rural areas due to restrictions imposed by the ruling ZANU-PF party. He said ZANU-PF has declared rural areas as off-limits for the opposition. Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa had intended to campaign in rural areas to gain support from ZANU-PF strongholds. the party has a rally at Sakubva, Mutare this Sunday.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Biti Says Mnangagwa's Regime Is Worse Than Mugabe's

The hearing of Saviour Kasukuwere’s application for direct access to the Constitutional Court, challenging his disqualification from the presidential race in Zimbabwe’s 2023 elections, has been set for August 8, 2023. Justice Paddington Garwe made the decision after a case management meeting on Thursday, August 3, 2023.
Kasukuwere’s lawyer, Jaqueline Sande, announced that submissions and arguments are due by August 5, 2023. She said:
<blockquote>
President @Hon_Kasukuwere ’s application for direct access to the constitutional court shall be heard on an urgent basis on Tuesday the 8th of August 2023 at 9:30 All submissions and heads of arguments to be filed by the 5th of August 2023 The fight for democracy is still on!
</blockquote>
Kasukuwere, a former Local Government minister in Robert Mugabe’s government, approached the Constitutional Court in Harare after being disqualified from the race. The Supreme Court had upheld an earlier High Court ruling that Kasukuwere is no longer a registered voter, having been out of the country for at least 18 consecutive months.
Kasukuwere, a former ally of former First Lady Grace Mugabe and allegedly one of the G-40 kingpins, was forced out of Zimbabwe by the November 2017 coup that removed Mugabe from power. His disqualification was triggered by a challenge to his nomination as a candidate by ZANU PF activist Lovedale Mangwana.
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Kasukuwere's Hearing On Disqualification From Presidential Race Set For August 8, 2023

Former Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Arthur Mutambara, has expressed regret about the failure of the opposition to push for political and electoral reforms during the Government of National Unity (GNU). Speaking in an interview with Alpha Media Holdings Chairman, Trevor Ncube, Mutambara highlighted the importance of carrying out political and electoral reforms during the GNU and lamented that they failed to deliver on this agenda. Mutambara said:
<blockquote>
Some serious regrets. A key part of the agenda of the GNU was carrying out political reforms, electoral reforms. Zero out of 100. We failed to deliver political reforms we failed to deliver electoral reforms. That’s why the terrain is still problematic, because of our failure. We were very keen on delivering on the economy, the constitution, that we didn’t think about the post-GNU. What are we going to do post-GNU? We were so naive to the extent that we spent a lot of time doing good work on the economy, good work, constitution was another product we did okay but we failed to plan for the post-GNU in the sense that ZANU PF was working for us to be offloaded in 2013 and then continue on their own. So that post-GNU lack of planning was a failure and the issue of political reforms was a failure.
</blockquote>
Asked why the GNU government failed to implement political reforms, Mutambara said:
<blockquote>
A coalition government is never the best way to run a country. It was a team of rivals and there has to be agreement on many things and ZANU PF was not interested in political reforms. Well, we didn’t try hard enough, but also it was a difficult exercise because it was a team of rivals where agreement was required for the implementation of those political reforms, but failure nontheless.
</blockquote>
Mutambara also highlighted some of the successes of the GNU which include stabilising the economy following a 2008 hyperinflation. 
The Government of National Unity (GNU) in Zimbabwe was a coalition government formed in 2009 between three political parties: ZANU-PF, MDC-T, and MDC-M. The GNU was formed following the disputed 2008 elections and aimed to address Zimbabwe’s political and economic challenges. The GNU had three principals, one from each of the three political parties in the coalition government. They were: Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe and the leader of the ruling party ZANU-PF; Morgan Tsvangirai, Prime Minister of Zimbabwe and the leader of the opposition party MDC-T, and Arthur Mutambara, Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe and the leader of the MDC-M, a breakaway faction of the MDC-T.
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Mutambara Regrets Opposition's Failure To Push For Political Reforms During GNU

Zimbabwe’s former Deputy Prime Minister, Arthur Mutambara, has said President Emmerson Mnangagwa has less than 10% of the late former President Robert Mugabe. He says that’s the reason why he missed an opportunity to unite Zimbabwe and re-engage with the international community after the removal of Mugabe in 2017.
In an interview with Trevor Ncube, Chairman of Alpha Media Holdings, Mutambara noted that there was significant goodwill towards Zimbabwe, particularly from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and a capable leader should have capitalised on this momentum.
Mutambara further opined that Mnangagwa lacked the competence to lead Zimbabwe and could have done better in promoting the country’s interests. He also criticised Mnangagwa’s tribalism, stating that he was worse than Mugabe in this regard.
Asked if he was surprised that Mnangagwa didn’t see the opportunity to unite Zimbabwe post-Mugabe, Mutambara said:
<blockquote>
With hindsight, I’m not surprised because the ability is very limited there, the competence is very minimal there. He is not a very able man. In fact, in many fronts… The idea was if Mnangagwa was clever, if Emmerson Mnangagwa was clever, if he had 10% of Mugabe’s intelligence, he’d have used that moment of the Coup to do a team Zimbabwe approach. Not so much for Zimbabwe, for himself. But he was blind, deaf and dumb and missed the moment because Mugabe won 57 out of 80. He could have gone alone without Nkomo without Smith and set up his own government but he realised that it was a Zimbabwean moment, it was so much goodwill in the world. So what do I do? I reach out to ZANU and Nkomo, I reach out to Smith and I put together a team Zimbabwe. 
</blockquote>
Asked why he thought Mnangagwa could not emulate his long-time boss, Mutambara said:
<blockquote>
Because he is not clever.
</blockquote>
Arthur Mutambara also criticised Robert Mugabe for not stepping down from his position of power at the appropriate time and stated that this was an unwise decision. According to Mutambara, Mugabe should have left at the turn of the millennium and chosen a successor who he could have groomed to ensure the protection of his legacy. Mutambara’s view on the intelligence of Mugabe and Mnangagwa contradicts the popular view that both leaders are shrewd, strategic, and tactical thinkers.
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Mnangagwa Has Less Than 10% Of Mugabe's Intelligence: Prof Mutambara

Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has claimed that ZANU PF MPs are dissatisfied with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule and have vowed to campaign against him in the upcoming elections. Speaking to his supporters recently, Chamisa alleged that Mnangagwa is not wanted in ZANU PF, and his MPs have told him that they will do a ‘bhora musango.’ Chamisa further claimed that Mnangagwa’s rule has benefited his family and that he is rewarding non-party members. He said:
<blockquote>
This is no longer a party-aligned issue. In fact, it is Mnangagwa who is not wanted in Zanu PF. His MPs tell me that they will do a ‘bhora musango’. I said yes I’m bhora musango. They say his rule has benefitted his family. They say he is now rewarding some who are not from the party. That is why he has structures such as FAZ because he does not believe in us.
</blockquote>
“Bhora Musango” is a Shona phrase that means “kick the ball into the bushes.” It was a term used to describe a strategy used by some ZANU PF members during the 2008 elections to protest against the party’s chosen candidates by deliberately spoiling their ballot papers. The strategy was widely believed to have been used against Robert Mugabe during the 2008 elections, mainly by people in Mt Darwin who voted for Joyce Mujuru but did not vote for Mugabe. The strategy involved deliberately spoiling ballot papers as a form of protest against Mugabe and the ruling ZANU PF party. 
Chamisa’s statements followed reports of fears of factionalism in the ruling party sparked by former commissar Saviour Kasukuwere. Kasukuwere, a kingpin of the G40 faction, announced his ambitions to run for the presidency, challenging his erstwhile colleague Mnangagwa. However, his ambitions suffered a blow after the Supreme Court upheld a High Court ruling barring him from contesting. Kasukuwere has since approached the Constitutional Court over the matter.
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Chamisa Alleges ZANU PF MPs Oppose Mnangagwa, Plan Bhora Musango

President Emmerson Mnangagwa missed the chance to unite a divided Zimbabwe and steer the country towards a new trajectory after the military-assisted coup that toppled long-time ruler Robert Mugabe in 2017, according to former deputy prime minister Arthur Mutambara.
Mutambara believes that Mnangagwa failed to use the moment of the coup to adopt a team Zimbabwe approach that would have united the country’s political factions. Instead, he continued with polarising politics, copying the handbook of Mugabe’s rule, according to opposition parties, Mutambara added.
Mutambara argues that there was an opportunity for change, but it was squandered by a lack of intelligence and strategic thinking. He insists that a different leader in 2017 could have created an opportunity to delink with the past and create a Zimbabwean moment, rather than a Zanu PF moment. He told Alpha Media Holdings chairman, Trevor Ncube:
<blockquote>
A clever Mnangagwa who is strategic would have told Chinamasa to shut up. When I proposed this it was not much for Zimbabwe but for Mnangagwa’s own legacy.
There was an opportunity for change. There was so much goodwill in the country in Zimbabwe. So much goodwill in SADC and the continent and globally. The goodwill was squandered by a lack of intelligence, by lack of strategic thinking.
A different leader in 2017 could have created an opportunity of delinking with the past. I am very clear that there was an opportunity because it was a Zimbabwean moment not Zanu PF moment. There was a lack of leadership.
</blockquote>
The opposition in Zimbabwe supported the removal of Robert Mugabe from power in 2017, as they saw it as an opportunity to end his long-standing rule and bring about political change in the country. The opposition played a significant role in the protests and demonstrations that took place in the lead-up to Mugabe’s ouster, calling for his resignation and urging the military to intervene. 
ZANU-PF officials, however, claimed that the removal of Robert Mugabe from power was an internal party matter aimed at addressing internal divisions and preventing opposition forces from taking power. They argued that Mugabe’s promotion of his wife as his successor and economic mismanagement necessitated his removal to restore stability and ensure continuity within the party. 
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Mutambara Says Mnangagwa Missed An Opportunity To Unite Zimbabwe After Mugabe's Removal

The hopes of a new chapter in Zimbabwe following the ouster of the late former president Robert Mugabe in 2017 have not been realised, <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/as-zimbabwes-elections-approach-u-s-sanctions-take-center-stage/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> reports. Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mugabe’s successor, promised sweeping political, economic and social reforms but instead, his regime has become increasingly repressive, curtailing dissent and cracking down on political opponents, according to observers.
As Zimbabwe heads for its August 23 general election, activists and others say Mnangagwa’s regime is increasingly cracking down on critics. They say repression has continued in the face of targeted U.S. sanctions against senior members of the regime, sparking a debate over their effectiveness. U.S. president Joe Biden said in a March message to the U.S. Congress:
<blockquote>
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has not made the necessary political and economic reforms that would warrant terminating the existing targeted sanctions program. Throughout last year, government security services routinely intimidated and violently repressed citizens, including members of opposition political parties, union members and journalists.
</blockquote>
Civil society groups and the opposition are doubtful the election will be free and fair. Several opposition activists, journalists and human rights activists have been arrested over the last year, including Job Sikhala, a Parliament member and senior official with the CCC.
Meanwhile, the ZANU-PF-dominated Parliament passed two bills aimed at restricting dissenting voices and nongovernmental organisations perceived to be anti-government. The Patriotic Bill imposes penalties on citizens for meeting foreigners to discuss sanctions or foreign intervention in Zimbabwe. Government corruption remains a problem in Zimbabwe, with the country ranking 157 out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index.
The current sanctions are holdovers from the reign of Mugabe, who came to power in 1980. In 2003, after a disputed presidential election in Zimbabwe, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions against Zimbabwean “individuals and entities in connection with undermining democracy, human rights abuses and public corruption” during and after the land reform programme. The U.S. argues that Zimbabwe’s economy collapsed due to poor governance, corruption and economic mismanagement, not sanctions. While some argue the sanctions are helping to keep officials in check, reducing human rights violations and corruption, others are concerned Mnangagwa has used them as a convenient scapegoat for the country’s persistent economic woes.
While the removal of former President Robert Mugabe was one of the outcomes of <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">Operation Restore Legacy</a>, it was not the stated objective of the operation. The operation was primarily aimed at addressing issues such as political and <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">economic instability</a>, corruption, and factionalism within the <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">ruling party</a>, ZANU-PF, in order to restore the ethos and values of the liberation struggle. The military and its supporters viewed Mugabe and some of his close associates as hindrances to this goal and believed that their removal from power was necessary to achieve it.
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Govt Critics Say Zimbabwe's Post-Mugabe Hopes Unfulfilled After His Ouster In 2017

Zimbabwean presidential candidate, Saviour Kasukuwere, has appealed to Southern African Development Community (SADC) member countries to ensure that next month’s elections are free and fair.
Kasukuwere believes that regime change is necessary to improve Zimbabwe’s fortunes. He accuses the current administration, led by incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, of governing with an iron fist. Kasukuwere claims that Mnangagwa was behind the high court’s decision preventing him from contesting the upcoming national elections.
Kasukuwere has challenged the decision in the supreme court and is determined to continue his campaign, emphasizing that Zimbabwe’s stability is crucial to the SADC region’s economic prosperity. Briefing the media on Friday, Kasukuwere, a former Cabinet Minister said:
<blockquote>
If Zimbabwe conducts her elections in a good and peaceful manner, we will attend to our economy, allow our citizens to come back and play their part in the development of our nation.
</blockquote>
Kasukuwere, who has been living in South Africa since 2017 when the late former president Robert Mugabe was ousted from power, said he is confident that he will emerge victorious after the 23 August elections, which some have said could be riddled with vote-rigging by those supporting incumbent President Mnangagwa.
SADC has in the past been criticised for not taking a strong stance against Zimbabwe’s authoritarian ruling party ZANU PF, and for ignoring human rights abuses and electoral fraud. During the disputed 2008 presidential elections, SADC was accused of being biased towards ZANU PF and for not doing enough to ensure a fair vote. Similarly, in 2013, SADC was criticised for endorsing Zimbabwe’s general elections despite widespread reports of vote rigging and other irregularities.
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Kasukuwere Appeals To SADC To Ensure Free And Fair Elections In Zimbabwe

The Government is set to erect statues in honour of late former president Robert Mugabe and the late former vice president Joshua Nkomo in Harare.
Nkomo already has another statue erected in his honour in Bulawayo city centre.
On Tuesday, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Cabinet adopted the report on nominations for 2023 honours and awards presented by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, as Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Honours and Awards.
She said the committee recommended that Mugabe and Nkomo be further recognised for their liberation war efforts by erecting statues in their honour. Said Mutsvangwa:
<blockquote>
The nation is further advised that in recognition of the roles played by Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe and Dr. Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, who selflessly dedicated their lives to the liberation of Zimbabwe, Cabinet approved the erection of statues in Harare.
The Statue of Cde. R.G. Mugabe will be erected at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, while the second Dr. J.M.N. Nkomo statue will be erected at the trumpet interchange at the intersection of Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo and Glenara Roads.
</blockquote>
Mugabe was deposed by the military in November 2017 and died in a Singapore hospital on 06 September 2019.
His family refused to allow the Government to bury his remains at the National Heroes Acre.
Mugabe was buried in his rural village of Kutama in Zvimba three weeks after he died in Singapore.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Cabinet Approves Erection Of Mugabe, Nkomo Statues In Harare

ZANU PF activist, Lovedale Mangwana, has threatened to approach the courts seeking to bar Saviour Kasukuwere from contesting the presidential election. Mangwana claims that Kasukuwere is not a registered voter and is therefore in violation of the constitution.
Lovedale Mangwana plans to submit an application that cites Saviour Kasukuwere and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) as respondents. Mangwana claims that Kasukuwere’s nomination for the presidential election is invalid because he is not a registered voter. Mangwana quotes the Electoral Act which states that if a voter has not lived in a constituency for a continuous period of 18 months, their name cannot be retained on the voters’ roll for that constituency. He said:
<blockquote>
I submit that the decision to accept the first respondent’s nomination paper is in breach of section 91(1)(d) of the Constitution and invalid.
I was convinced that this circumstance meant that he is no longer a registered voter for any constituency in the republic and consequently, he does not qualify for candidacy for election to the office of President.
</blockquote>
Saviour Kasukuwere has been in self-imposed exile in South Africa since 2017. He skipped the country when the late former President, Robert Mugabe, was ousted from power.
He registered to contest in the presidential election as an independent presidential candidate. Kasukuwere’s spokesperson and chief election agent, Jacqueline Sande, has confirmed that the legal team is preparing a response and will fight the case in court. Sande has expressed confidence that Kasukuwere will succeed in his bid to contest the presidential election, stating that there is no sustainable case to prevent him from running. Sande told NewsDay:
<blockquote>
The legal team is seized with the matter. They have seen the draft application which has not yet been issued and served, to us. We have prepared a response and once we are formally served, we shall fight it in the courts. We are confident that we will succeed.
We believe that there is no sustainable case which can prevent Kasukuwere from contesting for the highest post in the land. Come August 23, he will emerge as the president of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
That being said, nothing will deter Kasukuwere from running as presidential candidate come August 23.
I would like to urge all Zimbabweans to rally behind him and bring change to our country. This is what democracy is all about. Where one leader has failed, s/he has to give the baton to someone else to develop or stir the ship.
</blockquote>
Kasukuwere, a former Minister of Local Government, is one of 10 presidential candidates who will be competing against President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the upcoming election.
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ZANU PF Activist Moves To Bar Kasukuwere From Contesting In The Presidential Election

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Caesar_Zvayi/">Caesar Zvayi</a>, a former Editor of The Herald, has said it would have been more meaningful if Zimbabwe’s renowned international musician, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Thomas_Mapfumo/">Thomas Mukanya Mapfumo</a> had held his last show in Mbare, Harare, where he began his career. Mapfumo who now resides in the United States, held one of his final performances in Leicester in the United Kingdom on June 24, 2023. In tweets that were seen by Pindula News, Zvayi said Mapfumo’s music would have a stronger impact on Zimbabweans living in the country. He said:
<blockquote>
I understand Thomas Mapfumo’s swansong was on June 24 in the UK before a largely Caucasian audience. There are two things wrong with his decision to retire in Albion. Firstly, he cut his music teeth in Mbare, wouldn’t Stodart Hall or Rufaro have been better statements?
Secondly his genre Chimurenga does it connect more with Mr Brown or VaChigwenhere? I grew up on his music, as did many others here in Zim. I do not buy stories of his alleged persecution here that saw him fail to bury even his ride or die, Lancelot. Horomba yarasika iyi!
</blockquote>
According to attendees at the Leicester show in the UK, Dr Thomas Mapfumo appeared frail and elderly. He required assistance to reach the stage and a chair was provided for him to sit. One of the attendees said this was not the energetic Mapfumo who typically performs on stage. The show was attended by over 300 people, and Mapfumo reportedly pocketed approximately 12,000 pounds from gate takings.
Mapfumo revealed in May this year that he will be retiring from stage performances after holding his farewell show on June 24th in the UK. His over 50-year-long career has been marked by his no-holds-barred criticism of the colonial Rhodesia government and later, ZANU PF.
In a video circulating online, Mapfumo stated that he personally organised the show in England using his own finances to thank his fans for their support. He also clarified that he will not be performing at another show that features Winky D and Jah Prayzah, stating that he failed to agree with the organisers and the two artists.
Mapfumo, who has been an ardent critic of the ZANU PF government, was forced out of the country by former President Robert Mugabe and has continued to criticise the incumbent, Emmerson Mnangagwa, for his poor human rights record and maladministration. Mapfumo last performed in Zimbabwe in April 2018 at a show called the ‘Homecoming Bira.’
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Thomas Mapfumo Must Have Held His Last Gig In Mbare Where He Started - Zvayi

Simbarashe Mutsahuni Chikore, the son-in-law of the late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, is allegedly facing serious legal consequences following the reports that he committed bigamy by marrying his wife Bona Nyepudzai Ouma while his marriage to Margaret Jeanine Brooks in the United States was still in effect.
Chikore had married Brooks in St. Louis County, Missouri, US, on 9 October 2000, and subsequently married Bona on 31 March 2014. However, Chikore only obtained a formal dissolution of his marriage to Brooks on 23 April 2014 – one month and 23 days after marrying Bona. It appears that Chikore only sought to formally dissolve his previous marriage after marrying Bona in order to conceal his actions.
It is important to note that bigamy is a criminal offense in Zimbabwe, which renders Chikore’s civil marriage to Bona invalid. As a result, his claims to property in their estate may also be deemed invalid.
These reports have emerged in the context of an <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/03/07/breaking-bona-mugabe-divorces-simba/">ongoing legal dispute</a>, following Bona Nyapudzai Ouma Mugabe’s <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/03/07/bona-mugabe-files-for-divorce-from-simba-chikore/">filing for divorce</a> from her husband Simbarashe Mutsahuni Chikore, after nine years of marriage. The couple married in 2014 at Mugabe’s Blue Roof mansion in Borrowdale, Harare, in a ceremony attended by African heads of state and government and other high-level dignitaries. They lived in a house donated by Mugabe himself, along Quorn Avenue in Mount Pleasant, Harare.
Bona filed for divorce under HC 1521/2023, citing the loss of love and affection between the couple and the fact that they have been living apart for over nine months. She is seeking full custody of their three children, with Chikore being granted access to them every alternating weekend. Bona has also requested that Chikore pay maintenance for the children in the amount of USD2,700 per child per month until they attain majority status or become self-sustaining, whichever occurs first. The couple jointly and severally acquired various movable and immovable properties during the marriage. Bona is 32 years old while Chikore is 46.
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Chikore Faces Legal Consequences For Allegedly Committing Bigamy With Bona Mugabe

Former deputy prime minister, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Arthur_Mutambara/">Arthur Mutambara</a>, has stated that <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Ndabaningi_Sithole/">Ndabaningi Sithole</a>‘s heroism cannot be by ZANU PF’s endorsement. Mutambara believes that heroism is earned and not conferred, and ZANU PF is not qualified to make or unmake Sithole’s status.
Specifically, he argues that President Emmerson Mnangagwa, given his limited involvement in the liberation struggle, is not qualified to speak on Sithole’s heroic contributions. Mutambara said:
<blockquote>
On Ndabaningi Sithole’s National Hero Status 
To Zimbabweans, Sithole was always a hero, with or without the endorsement of ZANU-PF and its leaders. Heroism is earned and not conferred. ZANU-PF is not qualified to make or unmake Sithole’s Hero status. More specifically, Emmerson Mnangagwa (given his limited, frivolous and undecorated involvement in the liberation struggle) is not qualified to speak on Ndabaningi Sithole’s heroic contributions to the liberation of Zimbabwe. He is unworthy to untie Ndabaningi’s shoes. Throughout his life in independent Zimbabwe, Sithole suffered persecution and harassment at the hands of ZANU-PF and its government. His key tormentors were Robert Mugabe and Emmerson Mnangagwa. Sithole died while going through a treason trial. Hence the fraudulent charade and vote-buying gimmick at Freedom Farm today must be condemned with the contempt that they deserve. Ndabaningi Sithole is a National Hero with or without ZANU-PF endorsement.
</blockquote>
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government officially conferred national hero’s status on late pioneering nationalist Ndabaningi Sithole in Chipinge on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Freedom Farm in Mt. Selinda, Chipinge District. 
Sithole, who was a founding ZANU party leader and a cleric, was denied hero status by the late ex-President Robert Mugabe. Despite years of persecution by Mugabe, Sithole was regarded as an unsung hero of the country’s liberation from colonial rule.
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Mutambara: Sithole's Heroism Not Determined By ZANU PF Endorsement.

The outspoken lawmaker for Norton, Temba Mliswa, has been accused of contributing to the death of a former senior Central Intelligence Organization (CIO) member, Andrew Chitungo. Mliswa, who was present at Chitungo’s burial on Wednesday, posted a message on Twitter expressing his grief and condolences. However, some of Mliswa’s followers accused him of causing Chitungo’s death by leaking recorded conversations that put Chitungo’s life in danger.
One user accused Mliswa of literally killing Chitungo, while another expressed astonishment at Mliswa’s tweet. Wrote Dr Glen Meda:
<blockquote>
You sold him out Chief. Why were you recording your conversations with him and why did you leak those conversations knowing you were putting his life in grave danger. You literally killed him. Now you are shedding croco tears!
</blockquote>
Chitungo reportedly died on Friday at West End Hospital after being admitted with breathing problems and energy loss. He was removed from President Mnangagwa’s close security team last year after a recorded call with Mliswa and former Energy Minister Fortune Chasi was leaked in which he called Mnangagwa corrupt. 
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/06/06/senior-central-intelligence-organisation-officer-dies/">Andrew Chitungo passed away on Friday last week</a> at West End Hospital after being admitted with breathing problems and energy loss.
He had worked under former President Robert Mugabe, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, and later President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Chitungo was removed from Mnangagwa’s close security team last year after a leaked recorded call with independent Norton MP Temba Mliswa and former Energy Minister Fortune Chasi.
He was also involved in running a security company and had startup business interests in Harare. Chitungo’s family, relatives, and friends described him as a “man of the people”, a “family man”, and a “reliable professional” who was good-natured, calm, and amicable.
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Norton MP Temba Mliswa Accused Of Contributing To Former CIO Member's Death

Former Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Arthur_Mutambara/">Arthur Mutambara</a>, has claimed that top ZANU PF officials now hold the title deeds to farms they seized from white farmers during the land reform programme. Speaking at the launch of his book, “Ideas and Solutions: In Search of the Elusive Zimbabwean Dream,” Mutambara alleged that the late former President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Robert_Mugabe/">Robert Mugabe</a> lacked faith in the land reform programme and believed it would be challenged by future generations. Mutambara also claimed that Mugabe’s lieutenants acquired title deeds to their farms to protect themselves from future reclamation. He said:
<blockquote>
In my book, I also reveal some interesting information. Mugabe did not have faith in the land reform programme. He said to me: ‘Mutambara, this land reform programme will be challenged by future generations.’
Fifty years from now, they will be sitting and saying those guys in the year 2000 parcelled the land among themselves. We were not there, let’s reverse this thing’. Now, if Mugabe was of that mindset, you know what he did, he does not have a 99-year lease, he bought these farms and he had title deeds.
</blockquote>
According to Mutambara, the officials purchased the farms from displaced white farmers, who were first driven away before being approached six months later to sell their farms at a fraction of their initial price. Mutambara claimed that the officials were able to pay for the farms by “burning money” during former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Gideon_Gono/">Gideon Gono</a>‘s tenure. 
He also bemoaned the closing of democratic space in the country ahead of elections.
During the book launch, Citizen Coalition for Change deputy spokesperson <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Gift_Ostallos_Siziba/">Gift Siziba</a> commented that Arthur Mutambara’s new book presented solutions to address the leadership issue in Zimbabwe. Siziba stated that the book reminded young people that Zimbabwe is not short of ideas, but lacks effective leadership to improve the lives of ordinary people.
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Mutambara Alleges ZANU PF Officials Acquired Title Deeds For Seized White-owned Farms

Former Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, at the launch of his book “Ideas and Solutions,” stated that the divorce case of Robert Mugabe’s daughter, Bona, revealed how the ruling elite had looted Zimbabwe, leading to its economic collapse. 
Mutambara highlighted that Bona owned numerous properties, including 21 farms, and questioned how many farms Robert Mugabe, his two sons, the Vice-President, and other ministers owned. He said: 
<blockquote>
If Bona Mugabe has 21 farms, how about her father? You should ask yourself how many farms does the late President Robert Mugabe and his other two sons have?
How many do you think the Vice-President and other ministers have?
</blockquote>
Court records showed that Bona and her estranged husband, Simba Chikore, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/05/03/simba-chikore-and-bona-mugabe-own-21-farms/">owned vast swathes of land</a>, an $8 million mansion in Dubai, and a fleet of luxury cars. 
Zimbabwe’s “one-man one-farm” policy
The “one-man one-farm” policy in Zimbabwe is a <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">land reform program</a> that seeks to ensure that each farmer owns only one farm to address the issue of land ownership inequality. The policy was implemented in response to the concentration of land ownership in the hands of a few individuals, mostly <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">white commercial farmers</a>, during colonial and post-independence periods. Under this policy, the government has been redistributing land from those with multiple farms to <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">landless peasants</a> and small-scale farmers, with the aim of promoting equitable distribution of land resources.
There have been reports of violations of the “one-man one-farm” policy, particularly during the tenure of former President Robert Mugabe. Some individuals, including members of Mugabe’s inner circle, were found to have acquired multiple farms, while others were evicted from their land without due process. These actions were criticised for undermining the goal of the land reform program to promote equitable distribution of land resources and redress past injustices. The current government has also been accused of selectively enforcing the policy and allowing some individuals to hold multiple farms.
Effects of multiple-farm ownership
Reports indicate that some farms acquired during Zimbabwe’s <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">land reform program</a> remain underutilised due to a lack of resources and skills among beneficiaries. This has resulted in reduced agricultural productivity and food shortages despite Zimbabwe’s potential as a major agricultural producer. 
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Mutambara Says Bona Mugabe's Divorce Shows Ruling Elite Looted Zimbabwe

South African opposition Patriotic Alliance party secretary Kenny Kunene said that the reaction of some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to raids conducted by the local authority in Johannesburg buildings made him understand why the late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe banned some civil society organisations in his country.
During his two-day stint as Johannesburg’s acting mayor, when he stood in for mayor Kabelo Gwamanda who was out of the city, Kunene conducted raids on hijacked buildings in the Joburg CBD.
Several NGOs and human rights organisations condemned the raids, describing them as illegal.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2023-05-21-i-now-understand-why-mugabe-banned-ngos-says-kenny-kunene/">TimesLive</a>, Kunene vowed to continue with them as he attempts to “clean up the city”. He said:
<blockquote>
We are presenting it officially to the mayoral committee, it needs to be a priority of the government of local unity.
We can’t complain about revenue loss yet we have over 1 700 buildings that have been taken over by criminal syndicates who collect money from our people.
</blockquote>
Kunene castigated “NGOs masquerading as political parties” and challenged them to declare their political interests. He said:
<blockquote>
If they want to govern they must go and contest elections like we did. NGOs must not get involved in the work of the government. It is none of their business.
We have a crisis of buildings being hijacked in this country, our townships and suburbs are infested with illegal foreigners and drug dealers who are not South African.
When we fulfill our mandate and act as the representative of our constituency who has been voted into government, they want to question us.
</blockquote>
Kunene, who is the transport MMC, vowed he would not allow NGOs to “misuse” the country’s laws. He said:
<blockquote>
I understand why Robert Mugabe banned all NGOs in Zimbabwe, and only allowed NGOs led by Zimbabweans that seek to help Zimbabweans to exist.
</blockquote>
He accused the alleged criminals of illegal electricity and water connections as well as drug dealing.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

I Now Understand Why Robert Mugabe Banned NGOs - Joburg Mayor

Simba Chikore has told the courts that he is willing to cover his children’s healthcare, education, clothing and food if the divorce with Bona Mugabe goes through. The duo got married in terms of Zimbabwean laws in March 2014. Bona, the daughter of the late former President Robert Mugabe, filed for divorce last month saying their relationship had been irretrievably broken. Simba believes the marriage can still be salvaged but if the divorce goes through, he wants joint custody of the children. In his court papers, Simba said:
<blockquote>
 WHEREFORE Plaintiff prays that in the event of decree for divorce being granted that it be granted with the following ancillary relief:
Plaintiff and Defendant are and hereby granted joint custody of the minor children, and in exercising the joint custody, Defendant shall have children during school days while Plaintiff has children during all weekends and holidays or vice-versa.
In the alternative, the Plaintiff is and hereby granted access during weekends and holidays as follows:
For weekends Plaintiff shall have children every weekend starting from 08:00 hours Saturday and returning children Sunday at 18:00 hours to Defendant.
For school holidays, Plaintiff shall have children from the closing date to the end of the third week of the holidays.
For the minor child Mireya Minana Chikore Born 25.” November 2021, until she is of creche-going age, Plaintiff shall see her every weekend and holiday during the daytime and return her to the mother on or before 18:00
The Plaintiff is and hereby ordered to maintain the children as follows: 
Plaintiff shall pay for the children’s medical aid in full.
Plaintiff shall pay for children’s school fees in full.
Plaintiff shall meet all clothing requirements for the children.
Plaintiff shall meet all food requirements for the children.
</blockquote>
Simba also requested equal sharing of property acquired or received through donations and or inheritance, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/05/03/full-list-properties-simba-chikore-is-demanding-from-bona-mugabe/">properties worth millions</a> of dollars. He underlined that he doesn’t want any of Bona Mugabe’s property. 
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Simba Asks To Cover Children's Healthcare, Education, Clothing, Food Post Bona Mugabe Divorce

The DA, an opposition party in South Africa, warned that if the ruling ANC and the Economic Freedom Fighters form a coalition government (ANC-EFF), the country will suffer worse than Zimbabwe did during <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Robert_Mugabe">Robert Mugabe</a>‘s presidency. John Steenhuisen, the DA’s re-elected leader, pledged to prevent such a coalition from happening.
He said that 2024 would be the DA’s “moonshot election” to take a giant leap forward and achieve the monumental goal of leading the national government. He used the term “moonshot” to refer to a hard but necessary task, similar to the original mission to take humans to the moon. Steenhuisen says he has stabilized the party and returned it to “winning ways.”
John Steenhuisen sees the realistic prospect of the ANC being below 50% in next year’s election as an opportunity to reshape South African politics. He said the biggest threat to the country was the possibility of the ANC and the EFF forming an alliance. He said:
<blockquote>
Given the fact that the ANC now officially co-governs with the EFF in parts of Gauteng, we need to start taking the threat of these parties ganging up to destroy our country in 2024 very, very seriously. 
I want to be unequivocal about the DA’s view on this: the day that an ANC-EFF government takes over will be doomsday for South Africa. An EFF doomsday will make the collapse of Zimbabwe look like a dress rehearsal, and will leave all South Africans destitute — black, coloured, white and Indian.
</blockquote>
John Steenhuisen warned that an ANC-EFF alliance would lead to disastrous consequences, including expropriating property without compensation, abolishing private property rights, nationalisation, and ethnic conflict.
His plan:
To prevent this, he plans to form an opposition coalition with like-minded parties and civic organizations, excluding those tied to the ANC. He said this “moonshot pact” aims to coordinate efforts to defeat the ANC and the EFF and end infighting among opposition parties. The pact will enable different organizations to retain their own identities while working together towards a common goal.
The new opposition coalition aims to achieve a 51% voter result in the 2024 elections, and a convention of political leaders will be held to discuss the way forward. Steenhuisen sees this as the most important mission for any opposition leader in South Africa.
Challenges he’s facing:
However, he still needs to address the issue of race within the DA. Out of the eleven victorious party leaders, only three are black, while the other eight are white. The elected leaders include Helen Zille as federal council chair, Ivan Meyer as federal chairperson, and Dion George as federal finance chairperson. Additionally, Solly Malasti, JP Smith, and Anton Bredell were elected as deputy federal chairpersons. The three deputy chairpersons of the federal council are Ashor Sarupen, Annelie Lotriet, and Thomas Walters.
How was Zimbabwe under Mugabe:
During Robert Mugabe’s presidency, Zimbabwe’s economy suffered severely. The government implemented policies that led to hyperinflation, which reached a peak of 79.6 billion per cent in November 2008, making the Zimbabwean dollar virtually worthless. Unemployment rates were high, and there were widespread shortages of basic goods, including food, fuel, and electricity. Mugabe’s government also expropriated farms owned by white farmers, which contributed to the country’s economic decline as agricultural production plummeted. As a result, many Zimbabweans left the country in search of better opportunities, leading to a brain drain that further weakened the economy.
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ANC-EFF Coalition Will Make South Africa Worse Than Zimbabwe During Mugabe's Presidency  - DA

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Tendai_Biti">Tendai Biti,</a> the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Member of Parliament for Harare East legislator has said Zimbabwe is losing over US$2 billion in illicit financial flows.
Biti, a former Minister of Finance and Economic Development, urged the government of Zimbabwe to consider enacting laws to deal with illicit financial flows which he said are bleeding the southern African nation.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Biti said he was concerned about the issue of illicit financial flows in Zimbabwe. <a href="https://openparly.com/govt-urged-to-deal-with-illicit-financial-flows-as-al-jazeera-readies-corruption-documentary/">Open Parly</a> quotes him as saying:
<blockquote>
We are losing over US$2 billion annually in illicit financial flows.
What we are losing in terms of illicit financial flows is actually more than what we are getting in terms of diaspora remittances US$1 billion, what we are getting in terms of foreign aid or overseas development assistance and what we are getting in terms of foreign investment which is around $200 million.
The major culprits are the mining houses – organisations such as the ZimPlats of this world, the Unkies of this world who are guilty of transfer pricing, thin capitalization, under-invoicing and over-invoicing.
It (mining sector) is accounting for $6/$7 billion a year, yet billions are getting out of our country. We have got 65 minerals, but they are not benefiting our country. Most of the mining model in Zimbabwe is extractive. You come in, you loot and you get out leaving total destruction, unemployment and so forth.
Look at the status of Mhangura in Mashonaland West Province, it is a ghost town.  Go to Renco in Masvingo, the road there looks like a road that was built in 1492 but they have been getting gold from our country. 
So I urge that the Minister of Finance and Minister of Industry and Commerce should come up with legislation that deals with illicit financial flows from this country.
We are losing a billion USD from tobacco smuggling, a billion USD from gold smuggling on its own and we are now losing possibly $2 billion on lithium alone.  Lithium yavakungo pwititika muZimbabwe.
As I am talking to you right now, the price of lithium is US$80 000 a tonne. That is the new black gold, and we have nothing to show for it. Our people are suffering; 79% of our people are living in extreme poverty, 95% are unemployed, yet on paper, we are a very rich country.
</blockquote>
His remarks come as Al Jazeera is set to release <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/al-jazeera-investigations-on-zimbabwe-broadcast-postponed-due-to-technical-issues/">a documentary -The Gold Mafia: Laundry Service</a> – on Thursday 23 March 2023 which is allegedly an expose on illicit activities happening in Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
Illicit financial flows are said to be happening in the mining and agriculture sectors which are the key pillars of the economy. 
Former President, the late <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Robert_Mugabe">Robert Mugabe</a> at one time claimed that the country had lost about US$15 billion due to illicit deals in the diamond mining sector.
Small Miners Federation president Henrietta Rushwaya was caught at the airport trying to smuggle about 6kgs of purified gold. There have been several others too who have been caught.
Meanwhile, Parliament recently concluded consultations on the Mines and Minerals Bill which is before Parliament and will be getting into Second Reading soon. The Bill is anticipated to bring order in the mining sector, as well as try to plug loopholes for illicit financial flows. 
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Zimbabwe Losing Over US$2 Billion Annually In Illicit Financial Flows - Biti

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