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Injustice in Zimbabwe
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- Written by: Basil Kamombe
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Zimbabwe has turned into a full blown banana republic because of one man holding the country hostage with his authoritarianism as if he is even above the constitution himself. Mnangagwa has done worse in a short period of time he has ruled Zimbabwe, from seeing the tanks rolling in the streets of Harare for the first time on August 2018.
On the 30th of May 2024 he appeared at an event in Chikomba where he openly acknowledged a slogan that he will be ruling in 2030. What does the constitution say? According to section 91(2) of the constitution: “A person is disqualified for election as President or appointment as Vice-President if he or she has already held office as President for two terms, whether continuous or not, and for the purpose of this subsection three or more years is deemed to be a full term.”
By 2028 the President would have served his two terms so he will not be eligible to stand as President or Vice President. However, we are likely to see the President going further his term but as the Zimbabweans in the Diaspora we have organised to seek the international intervention through petitioning relevant organisations to stop the constitutional injustice.
I was part of the organising team in the UK that wants to see reversals and changing of the worst laws created by Mnangagwa, We held a successful demonstration, handing over the petition to PM at 10 Downing Street on the 30th of May 2024. Joining myself in organising was John Burke of ZHRO, supporting the 5 other petitioners; Ronald Mutumbi, Michelle Nokuthaba Mpofu, Greatman Makipa, Diana Machingauta, Christian Tendai Mapfumo. Also joining were other Zimbabwean Activists who want this abuse of law, human rights, and violence to stop in Zimbabwe. These were included Xoliso Sithole, Vengai Mutsawu, Evelyn Chigaro; Dickson Chikwizo; Mashama P Mause; Jane Mundangedfupse; Xoliso Sithole; Tryness Ncube; Sibangani Sibanda; Kelvin Mhlanga; Pelly Ziramba; Josephine Jenje; Chido Shamu; Xolisani Masuku and Johnson Bhila
What happens next? Petitioning other foreign offices in the UK, and the new PM or the government after July 4th 2024, holding protests the same time the SADC Summit is taking place in Harare in August as we are concerned on the ‘deaf ear’ which SADC has turned to solve the crisis in Zimbabwe. Or perhaps, we could say the whole SADC was bribed by Mnangagwa as we have heard allegations that the ANC party in South Africa was given a token of $3 million for the elections.
If Mnangagwa extends his term until 2030 it is likely he will go beyond that and his two terms has been disastrous with creating a parliamentary ‘crime scene’, introducing the Patriotic Act which is already law and soon to sign the PVO Bill just to suppress Human Rights Activists and Citizens.
Will Mnangagwa succeed in amending the Constitution? It is evident he will, but however if he succeeds in amending the constitution the amendment will not apply to Mnangagwa. Section 328(7) was designed to make it difficult for Presidents to extend their terms of office:
“Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an amendment to a term-limit provision.[Note: section 91(2) is a term-limit provision] the effect of which is to extend the length of time that a person may hold or occupy any public office, does not apply in relation to any person who held or occupied that office, at any time before the amendment.”
We have seen the PVO hearings, violence took place, no one was allowed to object as the Zanu-PF youths were brought in, to ‘support’ this bill. Myself and ZHRO have written abount the PVO Bill and its implication for opponents of the Zimbabwe regime {Zanu PF - effectively now a "One Party State"} See below for links to previous information;
Constitutional Injustice
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- Written by: Basil Kamombe, Moses Mbano and John Burke
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UPDATE: Demo and Petition confirmed by Diplomatic Police Unit for 14:00 on Thursday 30th May 2024.
**This will be subject to the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, calling for a General Election NOW CONFIRMED for 4th July 2024, and thus drastically increasing the 'activity' around 10 Downing Street including a "media circus" of reporters and photographers in the next week or so. Therefore we have also alerted the Zimbabwe Desk at the FCDO to receive the Petition as well.
AS ZIMBABWEANS BASED ACTIVISTS IN THE UK PLAN FOR A DEMONSTRATION IN LONDON, UK.
The Zimbabwean President must not sign the new law proposed; which is the PVO Private Voluntary Organisation Amendment Bill. #STOPPVOBILL
Responding to the PVO hearings which took place last week in Zimbabwe, Basil Kamombe a UK based Activist has condemned the violence which likely shows that a number of people present were bussed-in by Zanu-PF ‘elites’ and politicians. Cases of violence were recorded during the hearings.
“This bill is disastrous and especially a time where the Zimbabwean government is just passing laws that are shrinking the democratic space in Zimbabwe.”
How would something that likely benefit the country, but have a group of people singing
“Asingade ngaabude muZimbabwe” meaning if you don’t, want leave Zimbabwe or slogans like “tengesa uone mashura” (sellout and see what happens) it is the language of Zanu-PF and the language of violence to instil fear to those against the Bill,”
We managed to track down other Activists who have joined hands to organise a number of demonstrations in London including petitions for the international community to see the injustice of the constitution taking place in Zimbabwe. Greatman Makipa shared his concern on the impact of the PVO Bill on how it will be made difficult for Human Rights Organisations to be registered in Zimbabwe, ZHRO also expressed their concern as the support coming through for development fund in Zimbabwe is close to a billion dollars and Zimbabwe will likely lose all that funding because of this absurd law if it is passed, these organisations have been helping the lives of many Zimbabweans since the government does no little help to its own citizens.
Ronald Mutumbi also made his comment on how about 4 members of the CCC were arrested in Masvingo for disrupting PVO Bill hearings of which the Zanu-PF youth militia, who are the real culprits, are walking scot free. It is evident that the Bill itself is a ‘criminal’ bill to the Citizens who are already suffering in the hands of the regime. As part of the demonstration we have Human Rights Activists who will be joining in who shared their concern over the ongoing constitution injustice in Zimbabwe.
Like Michelle Nokuthaba Mpofu, Diana Machingauta, Tendai Christian Mapfumo, Xoliso Sithole, Simbarashe Jingo, who are based in the UK who are fearlessly speaking out against the regime which is endangering their lives. We also saw Job Sikhala was threatened last week with Zanu-PF government to charge him with the Patriotic Act after speaking at the Human Rights Summit in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Ghost of Zimbabwean Gold
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- Written by: John C Burke
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What is ZiG? According to the new 'clown' {oops, Governor} of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe [RBZ] it, {Zimbabwe Gold - and other Reserves(?) in "support"} has been shoe-horned into Zimbabwe to replace the previous failed currency and currencies "initiatives". The Previous iteration was launched in an equally exciting fanfare at a claimed exchange rate of 1Zim$ to 1 USD, yes One-to-One! On the black market recently, it was trading around 40-45,000 Zim$ to 1USD and in supermarkets at 25,000:1. So an utter failure with the added {bonus} for Zanu PF looters/plunders/thieves that it has stolen the USD wealth of the Nation in exchange for literally worthless 'paper'.
Whilst Bloomberg has reported "success" and commentaries welcomed it {??? how}
Others have cried "Scam" or worse; see below
5th April 2024: Steve Hanke on Twitter/X: ""ZIM's latest financial gamble: ANOTHER "currency" backed by gold tokens, scheduled to be launched late this week. The tokens aren't convertible into gold or gold coins. It looks like another ZIM financial scam. Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Gov. John Mushayavanhu = CLUELESS, CROOK, OR BOTH?""
9th April 2024: Steve Hanke on Twitter/X: ""Zimbabwe has introduced a new currency – the ZiG – the 6th in TEN YEARS. The ZiG is supposed to be backed by gold. BUT WHERE’S THE GOLD? Where there’s a ZiG, there’s a ZAG.""
10th April 2024: Dr Walter Mzembi {Ex Zimbabwe Minister} on Twitter/X: ""ZiG exemptions for some sectors are an indictment . Its a cousin currency of the Bond , RTGS as long as it can't buy fuel . Secondly the decision to exempt fuel sector reeks of conflict of interest, where the elite want to save their businesses from collapse but are prepared out of their own decisions to see everything else in Commerce collapse.
Why did you launch this currency then if you didn't have your act together?""
9th April 2024: ZBC News Online {Regime captured News Channel} on Twitter/X: ""ZiG currency will not be weakened by any form of manipulation," says RBZ governor, as illegal forex traders "spend days basking in the sun...""
9th April 2024: ZHRO on Twitter/X in Reply to @ZBCNewsonline: ""On the contrary ZiG is itself “manipulation”, based on empty promises, empty vaults & empty minds. From an illegal regime with a proven history of looting! Of looting Gold, Zimbabwe Gold!
Cholera Crisis
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- Written by: Chido Shamu
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Source: Chido Shamu
The cholera crisis in Harare, Zimbabwe, has escalated to alarming levels, posing a severe threat to public health. The Ministry of Health and Child Care’s latest statistics reveal a disturbing trend, with cumulative suspected cholera cases soaring to 1,744 as of November 26th, a significant jump from the 1,259 cases reported just a week earlier. This rapid increase signals a growing public health emergency in Harare, demanding immediate and effective response.
Harare at the Epicenter
Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital, stands at the center of this crisis, with a staggering 705 cumulative cases. The situation has reached a critical point, necessitating urgent measures to curb the spread of this deadly disease. However, the impact of cholera extends beyond Harare, with areas like Chitungwiza also facing the brunt of the outbreak, recording 163 cases in just a week. This widespread nature of the crisis underscores its severity and the need for a comprehensive approach to combat it.
Sewerage Nightmare Exacerbates the Situation
A key factor contributing to the outbreak is the deplorable state of sanitation in several residential areas {see Zexit Article 10th October and Updated 17th Novemeber 2023}. Investigations by The NewsHawks reveal a grim picture in locales such as Kuwadzana 1 and 4 and Chitungwiza, where unattended sewer bursts are a common and hazardous occurrence. Moreover, the Harare Residents Trust (HRT) has raised concerns over the conduct of council workers, who reportedly demand extra fees from households for addressing these sewer bursts, adding to the residents’ woes. This neglect leads to the contamination of water sources, directly contributing to the surge in cholera cases.
The HRT urges the City of Harare to prioritize the replacement of old and faulty water and sewerage systems, especially in the hardest-hit areas. This measure is vital to improve water availability and reduce the incidence of sewerage issues. Currently, the city loses about 60% of its treated water due to leakages in the distribution network, a situation that exacerbates the water scarcity crisis.
Water Scarcity: A Catalyst for the Outbreak
The cholera outbreak is not only a consequence of poor sanitation but is also fueled by a critical shortage of clean water. This situation is prevalent in both urban and rural settings. The Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) highlights the vital role of water scarcity in the resurgence of cholera. Many communities, including Harare, have been suffering from inadequate water supply for prolonged periods, making them vulnerable to water-borne diseases like cholera. Itai Rusike, the executive director of CWGH, notes that since the devastating cholera outbreak of 2008-2009, the sanitary and living conditions in Harare have deteriorated, with unreliable and often unsafe water supplies becoming the norm.
Rusike calls for a prompt and comprehensive response from the public health sector and the Ministry of Health and Child Care. He emphasizes the need for not just an emergency response to cholera but also long-term public health measures to revive the faltering health system, particularly primary healthcare services.
A Call for Immediate Action
The cholera crisis in Harare represents a rapidly unfolding public health disaster that requires immediate and concerted action. The combination of rising cholera cases, inadequate sanitation, and water scarcity creates a perilous situation, potentially leading to a full-blown epidemic. The government, local authorities, and stakeholders must collaborate urgently to tackle these critical issues. The situation demands rapid intervention to prevent further loss of life and to ensure the well-being of the Zimbabwean population, especially the residents of Harare. Prompt action is not just necessary; it is a moral imperative for the safeguarding of human lives.
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