Karoi residents urged to be united

By Chenai Maramba

KAROI- Karoi residents have been urged to unite and push service providers to be accountable.

Speaking during stakeholders meeting between local residents’ associations, labour representatives and informal traders last week, Harare Residents Trust (HRT) director Precious Shumba said that residents can do better if they are united and speak with one voice.

‘Be united as you fight for your rights in better service delivery. The challenges you are going through can only have solutions from you,’ he said.

However, Shumba warned that there are some individuals who purport to be leaders yet they want to take such projects as personal money-spinning ventures.

Be honest- Shumba

‘It is a welcome idea to have well-respected organisations that stand for residents rights on service delivery but be cautious on some individuals that are dubious and are criminals who want to pocket money. Those who want to represent residents must be honest, acting transparently in everything they do on behalf of residents. As you go along, some will show their true colours due to lack of commitment on residents’ affairs which is a calling,’ said Shumba.

He urged residents to work with all stakeholders including council, Zimbabwe National Water Authority, Zimbabwe Electricity Power Distribution Company among others so that they are accountable to residents.

‘Of course, we need to pay rates but does it justify service provided to us all? Councillors are elected on political jackets but once in office they represent everyone so they must not divide residents, they must be accountable to us all,’ he added.

Godwin Gutsa, a human rights defender and theatre manager urged council to pin homeowners to pay rates as this has seen council failing to get a financial boost to enhance service delivery.

‘Council is owed several million yet tenants are updated and we hope homeowners will be incorporated in such meetings so that they understand it better,’ said Gutsa.

Forged force

Karoi Residents and Ratepayers Association chairperson Freckie Kuchekwa called local residents to step up calls for a ‘forged force’ to confront council.

‘We have several issues to be addressed but since we are divided, the council is taking advantage of this and manipulating us. We are concerned that Zinwa has failed to give better water services to residents yet water is a basic human right to everyone,’ said Kuchekwa.

Shumba also warned that there is a need to take time and understand how council functions.

‘We hope those who are here are focused on how our councils work. It is your right to attend full council meetings to be abreast with what is going on in council business,’ said Shumba.

The meeting was facilitated by Progressive Karoi Residents (PKR) in its thrust to help in communication between residents’ representatives, stakeholders among them labour, youths, informal sector among others.

PKR coordinated the meeting and in a statement said they are geared to work with those that want to see Karoi grow through better communication.

‘As PKR we are open to working closely with organisations and individuals who want to see Karoi making better strides in developing our town. We have seen communication gaps between residents, stakeholders and other players, and we will act to help each other. No one has a monopoly of ideas, that is why we have engaged other stakeholders and Harare Residents Trust to help us formulate a better approach in our first meeting within two months after the group was formed. We are open for progressive ideas, implement what is good for us as Karoi residents. We hope all partners will be as accommodative as we are in helping each other. We must be focused,’ said the statement

PKR has members within Karoi town, other towns as well as abroad.

Additional reporting, editing by Nhau Mangirazi

(Mangirazi is a multimedia investigative award-winning journalist in the environment, mining, health, child rights, HIV and AIDS, Municipal, Arts, Sports and Entertainment among others. He is an international journalist. Mangirazi is a citizen journalist media trainer)

Chenai Maramba is a Hurunwe based human rights defender, healthcare and social activist.  

Feud over Marange young mother’s death

By Nhau Mangirazi

A feud erupted between two families following death of a 14-year old girl who passed on 25 February 2019.

The body of Sofia Mudimu of Marange sect was forced out of Chivhu hospital mortuary on Thurdsay following her death due to suspected birth complications, it has been heard.

According to close relatives the deceased, Sofia was staying with her husband Samuel Taguta of Marange in Mutare.

However, her family members claim Sofia was married off when she was 13 years old last year.

Family sources revealed that her funeral wake was held at remote area of Sadza Maware in Wedza district about 130 kilometres out of Harare.

‘She was the fourth wife in the polygamous affair and she was pregnant from the marriage of last year. Sofia developed complications when she was due to give birth at home and they could not let her go to clinic or hospital resulting in her death,’ said one of our sources, a family member.

However, it is alleged there were differences over her burial with some family members insisting on post mortem while her husband wanted her buried in Bocha, Mutare.

‘After her death our family could not agree to have her buried with foetus in her womb. The husband had offered to pay a beast to the traditional leaders as per customary norm meaning they wanted to bury both the mother and the foetus which is unheard of traditionally. It was then that the matter was reported to police for a post-mortem and remove the foetus,’ said one of our sources.

Family members revealed that they had buried her in Wedza on Friday.

‘We have been called by Chivhu police to carry the body after it spent several days. We are collecting her body today after post mortem was done at Parerenyatwa,’ said one of the family members declining to be named.

But the husband Taguta gave a different version that his late wife was 19 years old and it is other family members who are creating confusion.

‘Ndakaomerwa baba handizivi kuti mudzimai wangu anovigwa rinhi (Am at loss of words as in laws have demanded for post mortem before burial).

The late Sofia wh passed on in Chivhu amid pregnancy

In a telephone interview, Taguta revealed that his late wife developed some problems while in Mutare.

‘My father offered transport to ferry her to Chivhu. She was being attacked by goblins but they are claiming that she had challenges in giving birth. Their arguments that she developed birth complications is false as she was five months pregnant. Am deeply hurt mukoma,’ he added.

Taguta claimed his late wife was 19 years old.

‘The stand-off is due to the fact some of our in-laws are not Marange church members. They have taken over everything from my father in-law Rogers Mudimu. My father paid $1055 as part of lobola to have my wife buried in our rural village in Bocha but they have refused insisting that a post mortem be carried out first. He even offered two cars so that the burial is done at our rural home after paying lobola but there is a stand-off. We are unsure when post mortem will be done as it was due to be carried on 26 February,’ he added.

He added that their family is in Mutare while their in-laws are in Wedza.

‘We were called on several times to Chivhu police station and had statements recorded. We will wait to hear from them,’ he added.

Police sources revealed that a post mortem has been carried.

‘Of course, the post mortem was carried but police needed to verify her age though there is no birth certificate. We want her mother to confirm these details but hospital want the body removed as it has overstayed,’ said our source.

Marange sect has been under fire for fuelling child marriages but First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa is fighting against the vice..

NAC props cervical cancer screening in Hurungwe

By Chenai Maramba

HURUNGWE– Hurungwe district had an overdrive for cervical cancer awareness and screening in outlying rural communities last week.

The program run from Monday to Friday after National Aids Council (NAC) partnered with Ministry of Health within the district.

Outreach programs targeting women in far-reaching areas such as Bakwa, Mauya, Kasimure and Magunje were conducted.

Hurungwe District Aids Coordinator Rumbi Manatsa said the program was meant for awareness and cervical cancer screening among rural women.

Manatsa told The Weekly Mirror targeting 1000 women during the week.

‘We targeted 250 women per centre where 50 women were screened per day,’ said Manatsa.

She added that they used drama and traditional dance for information dissemination.

‘Information is power and when it is spiced with entertainment it helps. We were working closely with nurses for cancer screening through Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and Camera, or VIAC’ she explained.

Better Healthcare for Africa, a secular, non-political, charitable organization that works to improve healthcare in Africa on reducing suffering from cancer, improving maternal health and helping hospitals meet critical needs explains Viac as ‘practical and effective cervical cancer screening and cancer education for healthcare professionals and communities.’.

Cervical cancer usually targets women aged between 30-50 years old and if detected early, the cells can be eliminated before they become cancerous.

‘The cells are usually removed using a method called chemotherapy,’ according Better Healthcare Africa website.

Manatsa added that they are working closely with traditional leaders including Chief Abel Mbasera Chundu among others.

National Aids Funds- Manatsa

She explained that programs are sponsored under National Aids Trust Fund.

‘We engaged Ministry of Health, Centre for Sexual Health, HIV and AIDS Zimbabwe, (CeSHHAR Zimbabwe among other stakeholders,’ added Manatsa.

NAC moves hailed

Centre for Community Development Initiative Zimbabwe (CCDIZ) recommended NAC move to assist women in rural areas through free cancer screening.

In a statement, CCDIZ said women are worst affected by socio- economic and health challenges.

‘Generally, women are excluded from developmental aid on health matters,’ said CCDIZ statement.

It added, ‘NAC’s move is a welcome development. It is a challenge to other Civic Society Organisations to complement these efforts for women benefit,’

Manatsa concluded that cancer campaign brings combination of HIV prevention approach.

‘This is an integration of activities including Sexual Transmission Infection, STIs screening among other health related issues affecting women,’ said Manatsa.

Zimbabwe government battling with economic crisis has extended begging bowl to international community.

Additional reporting, editing by Nhau Mangirazi

Additional reporting, editing, photos by Nhau Mangirazi.

(Mangirazi is a multimedia investigative award-winning journalist in environment, mining, health, child rights, HIV and AIDS, Municipal, Arts, Sports and Entertainment among other. He is an international journalist.

Mangirazi is a citizen journalists media trainer.

**Chenai Maramba is a Hurunwe based human rights defender, healthcare and social activist.  

Economist Chundu launches Maths Award in Hurungwe

By Nhau Mangirazi

MAGUNJE– Renowned economist and University of Zimbabwe lecturer, academic, writer, preacher and former banker Moses Chundu launched a Maths Award at Magunje High Secondary school on Friday to motivate young talent here.

Chundu said he was nurtured at the school where he was the guest of honour during Prize Giving and Speech day.

Economist Moses Chundu in Magunje at the Launch of Maths Award…Photo By Nhau Mangirazi

The event was spearheaded by Magunje Old Students Association after almost four years in limbo due to financial resources and other challenges.

Chundu said he was humbled to be honoured at the occasion and it was imperative for him and others to give back to the community.

‘We started off from here learning under a tree and sitting on bricks but managed to prosper academically. We need to help the same community that raised us. Our new world is being driven by Mathematics, Science and Technology. As Chundu Family Trust we are launching Maths Award that will honour talented children to get sponsorship from Form One to highest level of education for those who are talented. We must motivate them as they will be selected on merit. As a family trust, we will sustain the award for the future even, if am not around. The world is fast moving than what we believe in. We need to prepare for the future generations. Magunje High Secondary school nurtured me and others who have made it in their own rights locally, regionally and internationally. Our humble beginnings started off from at once looked like a neglected school soon after independence but we are here making our names. The sky must never be the limit if you are determined, disciplined, humbled, God fearing, respectful of teachers and elders,’ said Chundu.

He, however bemoaned ‘indiscipline’ among learners protected by the country laws.

‘Our teachers no longer have powers to discipline children on basis of so-called child rights. I call upon policymakers to revise such laws as they have spoiled our new generation. I am challenging the system to change the laws as it is retrogressive than progressive for the nation. Our Government must come to reality that these laws are affecting our communities, and nation at large,’ he added.

Magunje Old Students Association president Moffat Makuvatsine said they want to revive the yesteryear glamour at the school by assisting with resources.

‘We call upon parents to play their role in paying school fees on time and move on with time. As former students we want to be part of a success story. We can only achieve this through commitment to upgrade school standards,’ he said.

The school was established in 1984 at Maumbe before it was moved near the growth point three years later.

Magunje Old Students members in Hurungwe…Photo By Nhau Mangirazi

Another former student Chris Musona recalled that they once had lessons at District Development Fund camp garage.

‘We had former freedom fighters who were incorporated into schools then and it was hard but we remained focused to achieve our goals. I call upon students here to take a leaf from us as we are making better strides in life,’ said Musona.

Former Magunje student Chris Musona..Photo By Nhau Mangirazi

With a winner economist Moses Chundu and wife during Magunje High School Awards…Photo By Nhau Mangirazi

 

The school has depleted furniture and buildings that need a facelift and has lost its glory under former headmaster one Shambare who left his legacy of discipline at Charles Clark, and Chinhoyi’s Nemakonde among others according to former students.

There are 487 pupils at the school that has Form One to Form Six.

Abel Matsika elected Karoi town chairman

By Nhau Mangirazi

KAROI– Incoming Karoi town council chairman Abel Matsika was ‘over confident’ that he prepared his acceptance speech before being elected into office on Tuesday.

He won after both Zanu PF and MDC-Alliance party candidates voted on political lines during elections that were conducted by Hurungwe district administrator Peacemaker Muzenda.

Incoming Karoi council chairman Abel Matsika in green gown flanked by Cllr Travolta Matekenya on the right and his deputy Stewart Jena on the right

The 45 year old Matsika got six votes ahead of Kudakwashe Chigumo of MDC Alliance’s four.

The votes are according to two main political party members in council.

A holder of a diploma in education, he has a Bachelor of Science Honors in Psychology. Post graduate diploma in Classroom Text Discourse from University of Zimbabwe as well as Diploma in Human Resource Management.

Matsika will be deputized by long serving member Stewart Jena who had been earmarked by the party according to investigations last month.

Jena also got six votes against MDC-Alliance Lavender Chiwaya.

In his acceptance speech Matsika agreed that a lot is expected from new team hence need for ‘team-work’.

He said, ‘I call upon everyone of us to work as a team. The task we have at hand is insurmountable, very instant results on traffic disorderliness in town, instant results on vendors relocation, and also transfer of water from Zimbabwe national Authority, (Zinwa) to town council.’

Matsika also promised to address council workers welfare as they have gone for several years without salaries due cash crunch affecting the national economy.

He looks forward to revival of Chikangwe bus terminus, one of the town white elephants affecting revenue base.

‘We have a strategic plan that even if evaluated, council has not managed a 30 percent mark. It is the fulfillment of that plan that will determine our success and achievements of our goals as investment target for municipal status,’ he said.

Matsika also called on policymakers and management to work closely to develop livelihoods of citizens as devolution is likely to be a reality nationally.

‘Our management must work closely with us so that we all achieve our goals,’ said the chairman.

Matsika challenged residents and ratepayers to pay up rates due to council to prop up development.

‘We value your support and assure you that we are going to bring distinctive  development to our town. We will engage you for valuable inputs. We need to take ownership of our success story. We must be all be accountable to each other,’ he  concluded.

However, Muzenda warned elected officials to avoid division among society.

‘As elected public officers be accommodative to everyone regardless of political affiliation, race and creed. Be open to criticism that brings development to our town,’ she said.

Several Government officials, business community including transporters, vendors and residents association, church leaders and political party members attended the colorful occasion.

 

Chiyangwa accused of duping youths

Zifa boss Phillip Chiyangwa

Own Correspondent

ZVIMBA– Some soccer loving youths around Zvimba South have accused Zifa president and aspiring candidate Phillip Chiyangwa for duping them by not paying their winning dues recently.

The soccer tournament was held at Sutton Mine.

Eight teams from ten wards within the constituency that cover parts of Zvimba, Great Dyke and surrounding farms participated during the tournament.

‘We played all knock out games that saw Ward 32 and Ward 22 in the finals. Since it was knock-out we settled for a draw after the finals. We went for penalty shoot-out but Chiyangwa assured both teams that he will pay us $200.00 each,’ said one of the disgruntled players at Sutton mine last week.

He added that besides making assurances that he will pay teams representatives, Chiyangwa has failed to honour his promise as of yet.

‘Our captain Clarence Togara made follow ups but Chiyangwa made several promises that he will transfer it via eco-cash and never did. He even assured that he will give it as cash but up to now he has not honoured his promise,’ added some youths.

Togara claimed he is now living in fear after some youths linked to Chiyangwa threatened him for pestering the aspiring candidate.

‘It is true that we were never paid cash after the soccer tournament that Mr Chiyangwa had graced. I am no longer in Zvimba as I fear for my life and security,’ claimed Togara in a telephone interview.

Several youths claimed that Chiyangwa duped them over the soccer tournament payment.

‘We only benefited after teams got uniforms and one match ball during the tournament. We do not know what happened from other teams that went for finals,’ added another player from Ward 21 Tendai Mudanga.

Chiyangwa came under fire for alleged rigging in Zanu PF primary elections that has exposed deep divisions in chaotic primaries.

Chiyangwa has since blocked this writer from communicating with him after the alleged rigging that he claimed he is not accountable to journalists but the Zvimba electorate.

End

Tongas’ neglected Siakobvu hospital

Siakobvu Hospital Photo By Nhau Mangirazi

By Nhau Mangirazi

SIAKOBVU– Forty three year old Julius Mandipa struggles in pain as he nurses a broken arm wrapped in a worn out old blanket.

There is no joy at sight when he visits Siakobvu Hospital where nurses cannot help either because there is no X-ray machine.

Like many villagers here frustration grips him as he has to endure a 210 kilometre journey to Karoi district but there is no ambulance at the hospital.

Like many facing cash crunch, he endures the next day long trip.

After that he connected another 80 kilometre journey west of Karoi to Chidamoyo mission hospital where services are much better than any other public hospitals throughout the country facing health delivery crisis.

This is the sad reality that villagers here are enduring for decades without reprieve in Kariba rural aptly called Nyaminyami.

It has nine health centres, four council clinics and five government clinics all referring to Siakobvu hospital but ironically remains in the same category as any other rural clinic.

As a member of villagers under Chief Mola, Mandipa believes they have been neglected by the Government.

‘We have never been recognised as equal members of a free and liberated Zimbabwe. Some of our forefathers bore the brunt of armed struggle when liberators crossed into Zambia through some parts of this area,’ he says, his dejected face selling out his frustration.

Mandipa is not alone paying the price of irresponsible authorities as some expecting mothers are not spared either.

Part of Siakobvu Hospiital…Photos By Nhau Mangirazi

‘At times we referred them early to Karoi as we feared of child deaths. It was a challenge,’ said one of our sources who once worked at the hospital.

Historically, some of villagers’ forefathers were forcibly driven out of Zambezi basement in late 1950s to pave way for Kariba dam construction as the power base for hydroelectricity benefiting Zimbabwe and Zambia.

These nations share benefits of the project initially funded by the World Bank.

Human-animal conflict

Traditional leaders including Chiefs Mola, Msampakaruma, Negande and Nebiri with thousands of their subjects were left in the animal infested Zambezi valley where animal and human conflicts have been order of the day since then.

For villagers here, it was a blessing when donors complimented Government efforts to build few primary schools dotted around the vast remote areas.

It seemed to be in order for recognising education as a basic human right.

The idea of building Siakobvu clinic in 1981 was a dream of fulfilling health as another human right by Government here.

In 1997, the clinic was upgraded to be fully fledged district hospital covering the rural wards.

Ghost hospital

But this dream is falling villagers as it remains a ghost hospital operating as a clinic ever since then.

It has never had a medical doctor since inception affecting its operations due unreliable electricity and bad road network among other challenges.

“We suffer from blackouts and takes time to be restored within this area,’ said a source declining to be named.

Further investigations revealed that Siakobvu is connected to Gokwe within Midlands and it makes another administrative challenge for reconnection.

‘It is true that Siakobvu is connected to Gokwe and Kwekwe main lines besides drawing electricity from the other side of the valley in Kariba urban,’ said a source within the sector declining to be named for professional reasons.

“Generally, some people will go to either Karoi or Chidamoyo which is over 300 kilometres. Even in Kariba town transport is expensive,’ added our sources.

Part of Siakobvu Hospital that remains neglected in Kariba rural

Outgoing Kariba Member of Parliament Isaac Mackenzie has lobbied for deployment of doctors in the rural outskirts without success.

‘As much as I have tried to lobby for doctors here, the challenge is that many prefer to work near towns. This has put off prospective doctors. Without basic equipment for the health facility my efforts have failed to change the status quo’ said Mackenzie.

For many villagers here, the recent strike by doctors never meant anything but the subsequent firing and re-engagement of nurses will have physiological effects having been in company for over three decades

Of Sadc quiet diplomacy and Zim crisis

By Nhau Mangirazi
HARARE- It is nearly nine years after majority of Zimbabweans were denied their democratic space after opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai had defeated former president Robert Mugabe in watershed elections in 2002.

The controversial elections left many within Southern Africa disappointed and the international world could not do anything.

By then Zanu PF ruling party was caught in sixes and sevens.

Tsvangirai had to turn to Southern Africa Development Community, Sadc to help pacify challenges faced then.

A rerun was effected after results took over three months to come through.

Mugabe was declared winner and he got support regionally and internationally.

For peace loving Zimbabweans, democracy eluded them and no one seemed to care. Former South African President Thabo Mbeki embarked on quiet diplomacy that resulted in Government of National Unity IN 2009.

All hope was not lost as top army officials had belief that Mugabe would hand over power to a potential successor but all was not to be.

His wife Grace was ‘drunk with power’ that she elbowed out former Vice President Joice Mujuru in 2014 through deceit lies and deception among party supporters then.

Early this year she continued her somersaults against potential Mugabe successor Emmerson Mngagwagwa.

All hope was never to be lost after Zimbabwe Defence Forces seized power, putting Mugabe under house arrest.

The suspected coup was a game plan that even international community could not term it that way.

Business went on as usual and there was spirited efforts by majority that Mugabe must leave office.

It was a people’s power against him and a click of his followers

Sadc heads of State met to discuss Zimbabwe crisis that they had neglected to solve earlier on.

Below we publish comments made on Botswana newspaper about Sadc and Zimbabwe crisis.

PeshyWashe Nyangove
I am a Zimbabwean who witnessed first hand how Sadc is always ready to sacrifice ordinary citizens to protect the political elite in power. Countless times Sadc endorsed rigged elections in Zimbabwe as free and fair to protect Mugabe. Sadc through Thabo Mbeki said they was no crisis in Zimbabwe to protect Mugabe. The only President I have respect for in the region is Ian Khama he has been consistent with his views on Mugabe, he has stuck to his principles even if that meant he would be a lone voice among his counterparts. We Zimbabweans we are happy Sadc acted slowly this time and Mugabe resigned before Zuma and Co landed in Harare. Thousands of Sadc citizens are being butchered in DRC yet this Sadc is just there doing nothing. In my opinion Sadc is useless I pity whoever funds it.

Lebohang Tes Ngwako
SADC is toothless dog. Only Botswana is an active member on preserving stability in the region. I long gave up on SADC 2008 when Morgan Tsvangirai was beaten and shamboked day and night while Sadc stood shut regarding the whole political instability there. Only Khama that time questioned the whole Zim Mess. Even prior to their 2008 and the last elections Khama has been critical of Mugabe’s rule up until he resigned.

Telmore Muzanenhamo
In Sadc only president Khama is and Botswana best other members are thiefs happy when people struggling Zimbabwe does not need any organisation to solve our problems for how long? Sadc failed us

Jack Jay-Dee Kgarathi In Zimbabwe situation nope.toothless dog.zimbabwe has been in this disheartening situation,an eyesore to many but SADC never asked him to constitutionally stepdown.SKI was the one who was brave enough to tell RGM to step down but it wasnt enough.he couldnt do it singlehandedly.he needed other SADC heads of states to make that happen.

Tee Mafokate While we could speak of how SADC has failed, let what was actually done by the people of Zimbabwe not be dulled. In fact, all played out so well without a shed of blood. The bigger question would be for international and regional bodies like SADC to know when to intervene and when to let the people of a country handle their business. There was no need for alarms in my view. Well done Zimbos.

Munkondya Thomson Musango The problem is that most heads of nations around SADC are not democratic at all. We all know this but we just keep quiet probably for fear of victimization. I would like to thank our president here in Botswana for voicing out on Zimbabwe mismanagement from a long time up to now. SADC will remain a white elephant until we have presidents who respect the rule of law.

Oscar Ncube SADC is not ours ordinary people but for presidents to protect themselves see how long they protected our former president Mr Mugabe

Coss Chimombe Zuma had to cancel his intended trip to Zimbabwe where he was supposed to ‘mediate’ (whatever that means at SADC) because everything was resolved before he could be of any value .That alone speaks volumes about SADC.

Ike Mants Zuma is just like Mugabe and since the Zimbabwean military has read his mind or tactics, they(zims) were not going to allow the intervention of SADC. That’s why some members of SADC were reluctant on the issue as they expected them (Zims) to solve everything themselves. Only Zuma was for the intervention and not only to save his friend but to prepare for his safety if what happened to Mugabe can befall him (Zuma)

I was in touch with Generals- Zim President elect

By Nhau Mangirazi
HARARE- The Zimbabwe drama after world oldest leader Robert Mugabe ‘resigned’ continues to unfold after President elect Emmerson Mngagwagwa confessed that he was in touch with the Army who seized power two weeks ago.

In his first public appearance few hours after he came back from South Africa in a self imposed exile, he told his Zanu PF supporters that he was in constant touch with the army.

‘I was in touch with the Generals who were briefing me about every move here at home while I was in South Africa. I met several Sadc heads of State including South Africa Jacob Zuma and the international community supported our move. Let us all work together to create jobs jobs and more jobs in the country,’ he said late on Wednesday in the capital Harare.

His speech was broadcast live on State radio stations.

Although Southern Africa Development Community, Sadc on Monday, former President Mugabe tendered his resignation after his party fired him as it worked towards impeachment.

Zimbabwe Editors Forum national coordinator Njabulo Ncube said Mngagwa survival and ascendency in the Zanu PF succession conundrum,

‘He has confirmed what we have known all along, that it was not self correction by Zanu PF but a coup;’ said Ncube.

‘Is to all intents and purposes, courtesy of the machinations of the Generals and military yet citizens are showering praises, elevating him as cult leader’ added Ncube.

He said the opposing has failed to defeat Mugabe but let us be wary of creating another version of Mugabe who had no qualms having his face displayed on anything.

‘Finally, as Zimbabweans we should stop this thing of going to airports to welcome political leaders, especially presidents. Just as during Mugabe’s octopus-grip on power, it appears there are people employed to the new leader. This nuisance must stop;’ said Ncube.

However, Malawi based Collins Mtika senior Investigative journalist at Centre for Investigative Journalism Malawi, CIJM said moves by Sadc to intervene in Zimbabwe crisis was not welcome.

‘SADC is a big boys’ club and has always acted reactively to issues. I think in needs to reflect about its relevance in this time and age. The will of the people transcends the will of monolithic organizations like SADC. It has outlived its usefulness’

A human rights advocate Jack Zaba said, ‘Of course, Mngagwagwa and Army General Constataine Chiwenga had their game plan and goals, and they prevailed. They supplanted Mugabe for their own benefit, indeed not for the opposition. While there was a shared goal in removing Mugabe from power, the after action plan happens in the realm of a ruling Zanu PF party which only changed its leader and nothing of its character. So folks focus on mobilizing people to register as voters and insist on achievable electoral reforms ahead of 2018 elections.’ said Zaba.

He added that there is need to strategize on how to democratically defeat the new Zanu PF at next year’s polls.

On inclusivity he added, ‘Drop those dreams of being in government at the behest of the military and outside a people’s mandate’

Ncube said ‘You do not need to be a rocket scientist to know that it was a coup albeit bloodless and a first in the world where generals smile to the person they have disposed. It was well planned and calculated to hoodwink the African Union and Southern African Development Community Sadc’

Rashweat Mukundu another political and human rights advocate called on the army to return to barracks.

‘The military must go back to the barracks and be separated against politics. Zimbabwe must now focus on public service on deteriorating socio and economic challenges’ said Mukundu.

Mngagwagwa due to be sworn in as President on Friday failed to articulate inclusive of opposition that catapulted their plan for Mugabe exit that saw thousands marching against him last week.

What is Robert Mugabe’s legacy?

Reporting from Zimbabwe, Nhau Mangirazi examines the legacy of nearly four decades of Mugabe rule 21 November 2017

Robert Mugabe has stepped down as President of Zimbabwe today after 37 years in power.

The announcement came during a parliamentary session to impeach him, after he had initially refused to step down – notwithstanding being detained the army.

‘This is a second independence from our own oppressor. The man with iron fist is gone,’ said kombi driver Rodwell Mangava.

In Karoi, a town 204 kilometers northwest of Harare and within Mugabe’s home province, people said they welcomed his resignation. ‘It was long overdue. He must go and rest,’ said 45 year old vegetable vendor Charity Danga.

Fear and loyalty kept him in power

His own party, Zanu-PF, resolved to fire him at the weekend and impeachment proceedings had started.

His wife Grace has been banned from party politics for life, along with others linked to the Generation 40 faction behind the expulsion of ex-vice president Emerson Mngagwagwa.

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After winning independence from the British in 1980, liberation leader Robert Mugabe ruled the country for seven years as Executive Prime Minister. For the next three decades he held the post of Executive President – but these years became increasingly tainted by failure and corruption.

Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, a human rights lawyer and African Union Goodwill Ambassador, says now it’s critical to ensure that the political negotiations go beyond discourse on power and party interests, and maintain a clear focus on the social and economic wellbeing of ordinary Zimbabweans.

Fear and violence

According to the many thousands of Zimbabwean citizens who have taken to the streets in the past few days, Mugabe made elections a ‘ritual meant to legitimize him and his Zanu-PF party’.

George Makoni, vice chair of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, says Mugabe used various violent and patronage tactics to ensure he maintained his position as head of state. Fear and loyalty kept him in power.

Major hospitals lack adequate medicines, while Mugabe and his family travel to Singapore for treatment

He manipulated critical institutions constitutionally supposed to be independent, including ‘courts, security forces and traditional leaders among others’, says Makoni.

‘Furthermore, the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) played to his tune – he is the one who appointed all its officials,’ he adds. ‘ZEC ensured that elections were rigged in his favour. The 2008 elections denied opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai ascendency to power, despite his having overwhelmingly won the election.’

Achievements…

Gumbonzvanda, a human rights lawyer and African Union Goodwill Ambassador, says Mugabe advanced women’s and children’s rights in Zimbabwe.

She says: ‘No one will deny the achievements the country made in the first 10 years of his rule. A raft of laws addressed the personal rights of women, including the Legal Age of Majority Act and the maintenance and inheritance laws.

‘The major focus on health and education brought major benefits to girls’ school enrolment, reduction of maternal deaths and treatment of HIV/Aids. On the policy front, President Mugabe can pride himself that the country signed almost every law.’

And gains lost

However, she says, most gains were lost or eroded in the last 10 years, as a deep political, economic and financial crisis gripped the Southern African nation.

Mugabe has presided over a nation in which 90 per cent of the population is now unemployed.

‘The impact of loss of jobs and income affected women and girls most,’ says Gumbonzvanda. ‘The evidence is clear from just the scale of domestic and gender based violence, rates of teenage pregnancy and child marriage.’

Another contentious issue has been the massive land grabs Mugabe ordered in in the 1980s, and then in 2000.

With the help of liberation war veterans, Mugabe made aggressive land grabs from former white farmers, as part of a land reform programme that he said would rectify colonial imbalances.

Instead, several thousands of farmers were evicted from farms in the Mazowe area within Mashonaland Central province, east of Harare.

Muzzling the media

Njabulo Ncube, national coordinator of Zimbabwe National Editors Forum, accuses Mugabe of muzzling the media by passing harsh and repressive media laws which have seen the harassment, arrest and assault of journalists.

‘Under his watch, newspapers were closed and have yet to recover; journalists remain jobless and some have died in poverty,’ he says.

‘He is going down in the history of Zimbabwe as a media hangman.’

Ailing health sector

Although Zimbabwe has one of the highest levels of education in Africa, Mugabe stands accused of failing to deliver decent health services: major hospitals lack adequate medicines.

Meanwhile, Mugabe and his family travel to Singapore for treatment.

While most rural women have to walk 30 miles to access local health facilities, Mugabe’s daughter Bona gave birth in Singapore.

Itai Rusike, executive director of the Community Working Group on Health, says that Zimbabwe had made tremendous gains in reducing HIV/AIDS related deaths over the years through multi-sectoral efforts.

‘[But] if the current situation is not addressed urgently, the country will end up losing gains recorded over the past years,’ he adds.

What is most disturbing is that the shortages of anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) come at a time when the World Health Organisation (WHO) is warning of a drug resistant HIV strain emerging in developing countries. Interruption of drug treatment has been blamed for increases in this new strain.

‘There is evidence of failing access to drugs in recent years, most sharply in clinics that form the frontline of the healthcare system with the community,’ Rusike says.

As the international media focus on the world’s oldest leader, Mugabe may be more.remembered as the man who won much for his country – and lost more.