The Financial Gazette

By Clemence Manyukwe

4 July 2013

AS the chapter closed on the Seventh Parliament last week, it was clear that there were heroes and villains among Members of Parliament representing the people from across the political divide.

Sworn in on August 25, 2008 before its June 29 dissolution, expectations were that the Legislative Assembly would be hostile to President Robert Mugabe’s rule as it started its tenure when the nation was heavily polarised by a sham presidential run-off poll. At the time of its commencement, ZANU-PF had lost its legislative majority to both formations of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) for the first time since independence in 1980.

The signing of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) on September 15 — two months after the resumption of Parliament — saved the day for President Mugabe as it cleared the way for some form of collaboration between the governing parties through the consummation of the inclusive government in February 2009.

But as MPs performed their representative and oversight role, some left impressive and lasting footprints on Zimbabwe’s political terrain while the performance of others was a disservice to their constituencies and country.

Among the heroes  of the Seventh Parliament was obviously the late chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy Edward Chindori-Chininga who blew the whistle on the rot in the mining sector and how funds that should have been used to improve the quality of life of ordinary people were being stolen, especially in the diamond mining industry.

Following his death, Parliament released a statement which in part said:
“The late Hon Chindori-Chininga’s guidance and wisdom, incisive contributions, attention to detail, analytical skills and above all candidness will solely be missed in both the House of Assembly and the Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy.”

Three MDC-T MPs also qualify to have their names on the hall of fame for legislators for devoting their time and talents in crafting Private Members’ Bills even though the powers-that-be blocked them.

MDC-T chief whip, Innocent Gonese (Mutare Central) proposed the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) Amendment Bill while Settlement Chikwinya (Mbizo) proposed a Media Freedom and Transparency Bill.

Tangwara Matimba (Buhera Central) also came up with the Urban Councils Amendment Bill in a failed bid to curtail powers granted to the principal minister.

Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa also deserves special mention for doing away with an entrenched culture within ZANU-PF of bunking Parliament’s Question and Answer sessions whenever issues that unsettle them are tabled.

Education Minister, David Coltart, the Senator for Khumalo in Bulawayo also did outstanding work to resuscitate the education sector that had crumbled before the formation of the inclusive government in February 2009.

His marshalling of donors saw the printing of millions of school textbooks for children. Coltart also brought some changes to the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council, one of the most notorious State firms cited for the loss of credibility in the country’s national examinations.

Kudos also goes to Coltart’s party colleague, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga as the only female GPA negotiator, proving to the world that women can also do it.

Finance Minister Tendai Biti completes the list of bureaucrats who brought a breath of fresh air to Parliament as he sponsored the highest number of Bills and had some rejected such as the Diamond Control Revenue Bill of 2011.

If all the Ministers had worked hard to revise some of the country’s archaic and repressive laws, the cry by Zimbabweans for greater liberties could have long been extinguished.

Co-Home Affairs Minister Theresa Makone of the MDC-T missed a golden opportunity to rein in on the police for some of their transgressions.

While in Parliament, Makone defended the police with so much vigour; overshadowing even her ZANU-PF co-Minister Ke-mbo Mohadi in praise-singing.

Among Makone’s infamous actions was her defence of the smashing of windscreens of public transport vehicles by police, a practice condemned by human rights lawyers.

It remains ironic that when she was busy defending the police, members of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) were meeting the top brass of the force to remind them of the need to observe human rights and work on a possible revision of their curriculum.

Still in Parliament, Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa was among the legislative assembly’s villains as he chose to sit on the wrong side of history by blocking a number of reforms that were meant to give people greater freedoms.

Even though ZANU-PF lawmakers praised and passed the POSA Amendment Bill in the House of Assembly, the Minister blocked it in the Senate, while a Referendum Amendment Bill suffered stillbirth when he opposed the granting of Zimbabweans abroad the right to vote.

His Electoral Amendment Bill remains a piecemeal legislation as he also rejected calls to sideline the Registrar General’s Office from all electoral matters with a view to ceding the responsibility to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

Only two weeks ago, ZHRC expressed misgivings over some aspects of the ZHR Bill after Chinamasa shot down a number of proposals during debate.

In the same league with Chinamasa is Webster Shamu, the Minister of Media, Information and Publicity who branded the need for media reforms in a country with only one television station as illegal.

Shamu and Chinamasa became victims of a political disease suffered by so many who wield power in Africa – failure to grasp that oppressive laws sometimes come back to haunt their authors and that in the fullness of time, the will of the people always prevails.

Youth Minister Saviour Kasukuwere also occupies the Parliamentary villain bench after the majority of his regulations to do with the youth and indigenisation were deemed to be unconstitutional by the Parliamentary Legal Committee.

Sitting with him on the bench is Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo. Instead of coming to the rescue of residents who are not getting value for their money from mostly MDC-T-ed municipalities where corruption is rampant, Chombo made a number of questionable decisions that exacerbated the situation.

 For example, when the MDC-T fired 23 Chitungwiza councillors on grounds of milking the municipality, he refused to relieve them of their duties, only to do so much later in a classic case of shutting the stable door when the horse has already bolted.

The Comptroller and Auditor General also recommended that an investigation be conducted on obscene allowances Chombo’s appointed commissions were receiving.

Mines Minister Obert Mpofu, his deputy Gift Chimanikire and the latter’s predecessor Murisi Zwizwai remain all time villains for failing to ensure that diamond revenues are used for the greater good of Zimbabwe. They also failed to rein in some of the diamond mining firms in Chiadzwa operating like modern day imperialists, displaying gross insensitivity towards the people of Manicaland.

One such firm is Anjin which wants to take over Meikles Park to build a hotel despite the fact that the place has so much sentimental value to the people of Manicaland in as much as Tiananmen Square is to the Chinese or Madison Square is to the Americans.

The Chronicle

4 July 2013

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Nketa Constituency
Eliphas Mashaba                   ZANU-PF
Phelela Masuku                      MDC-T
Charles Mpofu                         MDC
Joel Dube                                  AKE
Skhumbuzo Bongani Dube   ZAPU –FP
Clark Mpofu                             ZAPU

Nkulumane
David Ndlovu                           ZANU –PF
Thamsanqa Mahlangu         MDC-T
Matshobana Ncube                MDC
Memorial Dube                       ZAPU
Nkosana Mathe                      MKD
Rhoda Ncube                           FZC
Hapiness Mthetwa                ZANU NDONGA

Pelandaba –Mpopoma
Joseph Tshuma                           ZANU-PF
Bekithemba Nyathi                     MDC-T
Duduzile Dube                              MDC
James Katso                                  FZC
Samuel Sandla Khumalo           INDIVIDUAL
Vusumuzi Joseph Mabhikwa   INDIVIDUAL
Strike Mkandla                             ZAPU
Thamsanqa Jealous Ndlovu     INDIVIDUAL
Chad Sakala                                  ZAPU- FP
Ephraim Thamsanqa Zhou       AKE

Bulawayo East
Kelvin Muzidziwa                    ZANU -PF
Thabitha Khumalo                  MDC-T
David Coltart                             MDC
Tinashe Kambarami                INDIVIDUAL
Kelvin Kasesera                        ZIM PATRIOTIC MOVEMENT
Norman Kaviza                        MKD
Stanley Moyo                             INDIVIDUAL
Muhlwa Roger                          ZAPU
Tapson Tivarere                       UMD

Bulawayo Central
Mlungisi Moyo                           ZANU-PF
Dorcas Sibanda                          MDC-T
Sibongile Maphosa                   MDC
Maidza Chapwanya                  MKD
Linda Dube                                  AKE
Angirayi Selwin Kwembeya    UNITED MOVEMENT FOR ONE CAUSE
Clemency Sibanda                     ZAPU

News Day

By News Day Reporter

2 July 2013

PARENTS and the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) have accused schools of using entrance tests as a fundraising platform through interviewing unreasonably more students than can be accommodated.

Schools around the country were charging between $20 and $200 for pupils to go through Form One and Grade One selection processes.

PTUZ Secretary-General Raymond Majongwe said it was fraudulent that schools were interviewing a lot more pupils than necessary.

“It is purely unfortunate that processes have taken this particular route. It’s unfortunate that schools have now taken to acting in this manner,” Majongwe said.

“You can have 50 places and yet 300 children will sit for the entrance exam. This is the inherent weakness of having so many centres of power.  This money ultimately is never accounted for and it’s unfair on the parents.”

Parents said the move was unfair as most children normally sat for more than one entrance exam before they secured a place.

“Schools are taking entrance fees as a fundraising activity because you find that some schools invite more than double the number of pupils required for the available places,” Primrose Guta, a parent, said.

“Where does this money go? It is very unfair because you go to a number of schools before you get accepted so you can imagine how much parents have to pay before securing a place.”

Other parents said where possible, there should be measures put in place to curb such behaviour at schools so that parents were not exposed to daylight robbery.

Education minister David Coltart said schools should desist from fleecing parents by charging exorbitant entrance test fees for prospective pupils.

“We are not against entrance fees per se, but schools must never use this as a fundraising activity. If a school has entrance tests it can’t have thousands of people sitting for 60 places. That will be unfair to parents,” Coltart said.

“The charge must be reasonable and it must be in line with the actual costs of running those entrance tests.”

He said schools could not unilaterally increase entrance fees without the consent of parents.

“Schools are not entitled to unilaterally increase entrance fees. They have to bring these issues to the parent body and they will deliberate on whether there is need to raise the fees,” he said.

“If schools are unilaterally raising fees parents can take this up with the school’s parent-teacher body or take it up with the district body.”

News Day 

News Day Reporter 

2 July 2013

LOCAL coaches were back in class last week for the Caf B Licence – an intensive programme that lasted one week instead of the usual 14 days.

Knowledge is power, so they say, and local coaches, who have been content with level this and level that type of courses, must aim bigger and empower themselves as far as football education is concerned.

At least 16 coaches attended the course which involved practical, theory, oral presentations and laws of the game.

The Caf instructor Bhekisisa Mkhonta from Swaziland was impressed with the locals and we hope every participant will get the 60% mark to get their certificates.

Zifa has stated that unlicensed coaches will not be allowed to sit on any technical bench in Zimbabwe and we have seen Premiership clubs Black Rhinos and Tripple B being affected by that move, meaning somebody still does not recognise the importance of these courses.

Going forward, we would like to see even some of those coaching outside the country  — like two-time Botswana-based title winning coach Madinda Ndlovu, Rodwell Dhlakama, Paul Moyo, Barry Daka and Max Malume Moyo also taking part.

We are equally impressed with the young crop of coaches, who included Mkhuphali Masuku, Philani Mabhena, Nesbert Saruchera, Dumaza Dube and Tonderayi Ndiraya being part of the class at Conway College last week.

Now, Zifa must even go further to schools under the Nash and Naph banner and advise those coaches to further their level of education at grassroots level.

We hope Zifa and everybody concerned, especially technical director Nelson Matongorere, who will monitor the coaches’ progress, will take these courses seriously.

The next level after this and more importantly after two years of practice will be the Caf A Licence — the highest on the continent.

And still with Zifa, the national team will be leaving for Zambia next week for the Cosafa Castle Cup finals where they kick off their campaign in the quarter-final stage against Malawi. At least we don’t foresee any problems here as the sponsors will take care of the transport and accommodation for the teams.

After this, the national team will travel to Mauritius for the first leg of the African Nations Championships (Chan) and if they sail through there will be further trips to either Botswana or Zambia, who are also playing in the qualifying rounds.

These games will be played in late July and August, meaning there is ample time to put together logistics in place and avoid a repeat of the Guinea nightmare. There is nothing new in these fixtures; they were prepared a long time ago and their re-adjustment has simply given Zifa even more time.

Excuses will not be tolerated this time around and with the Confederations Cup finally over, Zifa president Cuthbert Dube will be back in the country to make sure that things move in the same direction, rather than leaving everything to the secretariat and the Zimbabwe Football Trust.

While Sports minister David Coltart might lend an ear to Zifa, chances are the ministry’s coffers are empty as far as football is concerned. This then leaves the corporate world — if they still have an interest — to assist Zifa.

Chronicle

By Temba Dube and Pamela Shumba

2 July 2013

A TOTAL of 70 candidates from 13 political parties, together with some running as independents have entered the National Assembly race in Bulawayo while 126 will battle it out in the council elections in the city’s  29 wards. According to results released by the Nomination Court in the early hours of Saturday, only Zanu-PF, MDC-T and the MDC fielded candidates in all the city’s 12 constituencies.

The result also show that one more disgruntled MDC-T member chose to contest as an independent, bringing to five the number of aspiring MPs that have severed ties  with the party.

A tight contest is expected in Makokoba where Zanu-PF’s Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube will lock horns with  controversially elected Mr Gorden Moyo of MDC-T and  Ms Thabile Ndlovu of the Professor Welshman Ncube led MDC.

Mr Thomeki Dube of Alliance Khumbula Ekhaya (AKE), Mr Zenzo Lot Masuku of Zapu, Ms Patricia Ncube of Free Zimbabwe Congress and Mr Peter Harry Wilson of Mavambo Kusile Dawn (MKD) complete the list of seven candidates vying for the constituency.

An epic battle is also looming in Bulawayo East as Cde Kelvin Muzidziwa of Zanu-PF will contest against  Mr  David Coltart from MDC, Ms Thabitha Khumalo of MDC-T, Mr Tinashe Kambarami a former youth district chairperson in  MDC-T who chose to run as an  independent, Mr Kelvin Kasosera of Zimbabwe Patriotic Movement, Mr Norman Kaviza of MKD, Mr Stanley Moyo an independent, former Highlanders chairman Mr Roger Muhlwa of Zapu and Mr Tapson Tivarere of United Movement for Democracy (UMD).

In Nkulumane, Zanu-PF will be fielding Cde David Ndlovu who will take on Mr Thamsanqa Mahlangu of MDC-T, city lawyer Mr Matshobana Ncube of MDC, Memorial Dube of Zapu, Mr Nkosana Ong Mathe from MKD, Ms Rhoda Ncube of Free Zimbabwe Congress and Zanu Ndonga’s Happiness  Mthethwa.

With 10 candidates, the Pelandaba-Mpopoma constituency has the highest number of aspiring MPs.

Cde Joseph Tshuma of Zanu-PF is competing with  independent candidates and MDC-T “rebel” Mr Samuel Sandla Khumalo, who was the MP for the area in the last parliament, Mr Joseph Vusumuzi Mabhikwa and Mr Jealous Thamsanqa Ndlovu, Mr Bekithemba Nyathi of the MDC-T, MDC’s Ms Duduzile Dube, Mr James Katso of Free Zimbabwe Aliance, Mr Strike Mnkandla of Zapu, Mr Chad Sakala of Zapu-FP and Ephraim Thamsanqa Zhou of AKE.

In Bulawayo Central, the electorate will choose among Zanu-PF’s Cde Mlungisi Moyo, Ms Dorcas Staff Sibanda of MDC-T, Ms Sibongile Maphosa from MDC, Maidza Chapwanya of MKD, Ms Linda Dube of AKE, and Angirayi Selwin Kwembeya of United Movement for One Cause.

Bulawayo South will see Cde Bafana Andy Dube of Zanu-PF battling against MDC’s Ms Esnath Bulayani, MDC-T’s Eddie Graham Cross, Mr Joseph Gumbo of MKD, Mr Fidelis Gwebu of Zapu, Mr Gift House of Zimbabwe Patriotic Movement and Mr Brian Merekera of Zapu-FP.

In Pumula, Cde Godfrey Malaba Ncube of Zanu –PF, Mr Albert Mhlanga of the MDC-T, Ms Loyiswa Ncube of  MDC, an independent candidate Mr Zacheous Peresu, Mr Zakhele Mpofu of AKE, Zapu’s Mr Samuel Ngozo, Mr Emmanuel Gwaenda of Free Zimbabwe Congress and Mr Sambulelwe Tshabangu of People’s Democratic Union, will each be trying to convince the electorate to vote them into office.

For Nketa, businessman Cde Eliphasi Mashaba of Zanu-PF is battling it out with  Mr Phelela Masuku of MDC-T, Alderman Mr Charles Mpofu of MDC, Mr Joel Dube of AKE, Mr Sikhumbuzo Bongani Dube of Zapu-FP and Mr Clark Mpofu of Zapu.

In Luveve, Cde Nicholas Mhlanga of Zanu-PF will compete against Mr Reggie Moyo of MDC-T, Mr Israel Mabaleka of MDC, AKE’s Clifton Ncube and MDC-T “renegade”, Mr Kidwell Mujuru who will be contesting as an independent.

In Magwegwe, Cde Grace Dube of Zanu-PF, city lawyer Mr Sindiso Shepherd Mazibisa of MDC, Mr Anele Ndebele of MDC-T and Mr Felix Magalela Mafa, who broke away from the MDC-T, will be fighting for the seat.

In Emakhandeni, Cde Judith Mkwanda Ncube of Zanu-PF, Mr Prince Dube who left MDC-T to run as an independent, MDC-T’s Mr Dingilizwe Tshuma, MDC’s Ms Christabel Sibutha, Mr Mqondisi Moyo from AKE, and Mr Petros Sibanda of Zapu will battle it out.

In Lobengula, Zanu-PF’s Cde Christopher Dube, Dr Samuel Sipepa Nkomo of MDC-T, Mr Nhlanhla Bahlangene Dube of MDC, Ms Neria Guvamombe of Zanu Ndonga, Mr Valentine Gwaenda of Free Zimbabwe Congress, Mr Witness Jiyane of AKE and Albert Mathe Ndimande are vying for the constituency.

For the council elections, Zanu-PF, MDC-T and MDC will be represented in all the wards, while Zapu, Alliance Khumbula Ekhaya (AKE), Mavambo Kusile Dawn (MKD) and Zanu Ndonga will be represented in some of the wards.

Two MDC-T candidates filed their papers as independent candidates after they lost in the party’s primary elections which they said were unfair and unprocedural.

Ms Thembeni Khoza filed as an independent candidate to contest in Ward 12, where she will battle it out with Cde Maidei Mpala of Zanu-PF, Ms Lilian Mlilo of MDC-T and Mr Christopher Ntini from Zapu.

Mr Phinias Ndlovu also decided to go it alone in Ward 14 and will lock horns with Zanu-PF’s Cde Mervis Nkomo, Mr McDonald Chunga of MDC-T and Mr Rojasi Nyoni of MDC.

In Ward 1, Zanu-PF will be represented by Cde Bertha Moyo, who will contest with Mr Mandla Ncube of MDC, Mr Mbuso Siso of MDC and Mr Canaan Mpofu of Zapu, while in Ward 2 Cde Barbra Gatsi of Zanu-PF will be competing for the seat with Ms Sithabile Mataka of MDC-T, Mr Lucky Fengu of MDC and Ngelethu Sibanda of Zapu.

Ward 3 will see Cde Emmanuael Kanjoma of Zanu-PF battling it out with Mr  Martin Moyo of MDC-T, Mr Oscar Ncube of MDC, Ms Nomalanga Dabengwa of Zapu and Mr Mthulisi Moyo, who filed as an independent candidate.

In Ward 4 Zanu-PF will be represented by Cde Charles Masunda, who will contest against Mr Silas Chigora of MDC-T, Mr Paul Malaba of MDC and Ms Vivian Ncube of Zapu while Ward 5 will see Cde Molina Dube of Zanu-PF, Mr Gift Banda of MDC-T and Ms Nozipho Sibanda of MDC competing for the ward.

Cde Sheila Ante will represent Zanu-PF in Ward 6, where Ms Tabitha Ngwenya of MDC-T, Ms Elizabeth Fischer of MDC, Ms Bridget Richardson of Zapu and Tendai Chiomadzi of MKD will also be vying for the same seat.

Ward 7 will see Cde Sally Siziba of Zanu-PF, Mr James Sithole of MDC-T, Sidingani Dube of MDC and Sibuzani Tshabalala of Zapu battling it out to represent the ward, while in Ward 8 Cde Jairos Maropa of Zanu-PF, Ms Shilla Musonda of MDC-T, Ms Gerly Matsika of MDC, Mr Geoffrey Mpofu of Zapu and Siyatsengi Phiri of AKE will compete to be councillors in the ward.

In Ward 9 Cde Ebbie Dube of Zanu-PF, Mr Charles Moyo  of MDC-T, Mr Samuel Ndlovu of MDC and Ms Sibongile Ncube of Zapu will battle it out for the seat and Ward 10 will see Cde Elliot Moyo of Zanu-PF, Ms Gladys Masuku of MDC-T, Mr Nqobani Ncube of MDC and Mr Harry Zondo of Zapu competing for the votes.

In Ward 11 Zanu-PF will be represented by Cde Rejoice Sibanda, MDC-T will be represented by Mr Pilate Moyo, MDC by Mr Nduna Dladla while Zapu will be represented by Mr Richard Dube.

In Ward 13 voters will choose their councillor from Cde   Taison Mpofu of Zanu-PF, Mr Lot Siziba of MDC-T, Mr Freddy Ngulube of MDC and Ms Sithembile Ndlovu of Zapu, while in Ward 15 Zanu-PF will be represented by Cde Lucky Moyo,  MDC-T by Tamani Moyo, MDC by Mr Rojasi Nyoni and Zanu Ndonga by Mr Ignatius Kazenga.

In Ward 16 Cde Ntandoyenkosi Mlilo will represent Zanu-PF, where he will be battling it out with Mr Nephat Sibanda of MDC-T, Ms Stella Ndlovu of MDC, Mr Peter Mabhena of Zapu and Mr Christopher Mathe, who filed his papers as an independent candidate.

Cde Ottilia Pasipanopdya will represent Zanu-PF in Ward 17 and she will be competing for the seat with Mr Ephraim Ncube of MDC-T, Mr Nqobizitha Moyo of MDC and Mr Patrick Ndlovu of Zapu while Ward 18 will see competition from Cde Sindisani Mpofu of Zanu-PF, Ms Concilia Mlalazi of MDC-T, Mr Oscar Dube of MDC, Mr Gibson Sikhosana of Zapu, Mr Joseph Pasipamire of Zanu Ndonga and Sabelo Nkomo of CTD.

In Ward 19 voters will choose their councillor from Cde Theresa Moyo of Zanu-PF, Mr Clyton Zana of MDC-T, Mr Kenneth Ncube of MDC and Mr Alexio Mahlangu of Zapu, while voters in Ward 20 will choose their councillor from Cde Dennis Sibanda of Zanu-PF, Mr Eanerst Rafomoyo of MDC-T, Ms Sheilla Senda of  MDC and Mr Naison Dube of Zapu.

In Ward 21 Cde Dinah Ncube of Zanu-PF will lock horns with Mr Rueben Matengu of MDC-T, Mr Jethro Mthombeni of MDC and Ms Liba Ndiweni of Zapu while in Ward 22 Cde Yona Mpofu of Zanu-PF, Mr Rodney Donavan of MDC-T, Ms Siphiwe Ndlovu of MDC and Ms Enitha Mlilo of Zapu will battle it out for the seat.

Cde Sikhululekile Ngwenya will represent Zanu-PF in Ward 23 and she will be contesting with Mr Thobani Ncube of MDC-T, Mr Ngwalo Nyathi of MDC, Bekezela Mhlophe of Zapu and Mr David Mothi who filed his papers as an independent candidate.

Voters in Ward 24 will be choosing their councillor from  Cde Keiza Mdlongwa of Zanu-PF, Mr Gideon Mangena of MDC-T, Wingle Moyo of MDC and Mr Victor Nhliziyo of Zapu, while in Ward 25 Cde Alice Mlilo of

Zanu-PF, Mr Mzama Dube of MDC-T, Mr Joseph Ndlovu of MDC and Mr Jonathan Ndlovu of Zapu will battle it out for the seat.

In Ward 26 Artin Sauramba will contest as an independent candidate while Zanu-PF will be represented by Cde Lungisani Sibanda, MDC-T by Mr Norman Hlabani, MDC by Mr Ignatius Mpofu, Zapu by Mr Danisa Moyo and AKE by Ms Sibongile Moyo.

In Ward 27 Cde Kalfinos Charumbira of Zanu-PF, Ms Siboniso Khumalo of MDC-T, Mr Edwin Ndlovu of MDC and Mr Peter Ncube of Zapu will battle it out for the seat.

Voters in Ward 28 will choose their councillor from Cde   Nqgabutho Nkomo of Zanu-PF, Mr Collet Ndhlovu of MDC-T, Ms Mejury Bungu of MDC, Mr Enock Dube of Zapu and independent candidate Mbuso Mathuthu.

In Ward 29 Cde Gezephi Ncube of Zanu-PF will battle it out with Ms Monicah Lubimbi of MDC-T, Mr Kelboy Mabandla of MDC and Musa Gumbi of Zapu.

The Standard

By Musa Dube

30 June 2013

POLITICIANS must stop ordering the closure of schools and forcing pupils to attend political rallies ahead of this year’s harmonised elections.

The Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart last week said abuse of teachers and pupils by politicians ahead of major elections was rampant, particularly in the country’s rural areas.

They are usually threatened with violence or death if they fail to attend the political campaigns.

Coltart said the move was tantamount to child abuse.

“Schools should be politically neutral places and children should not be drawn into partisan political activities,” he said.

The Education minister said politicians must stop disturbing school children from carrying out their academic work.

“I would strongly condemn the action where schools are taken to political gatherings,” said Coltart. “Parties should leave them [pupils] to learn.”

During the violent 2008 elections, Zanu PF allegedly forced the closure of schools to make sure that pupils and their teachers attend the party’s meetings. This was against the will of the pupils or their parents.

Some schools, especially in rural areas, were turned into Zanu PF “bases”, where all those who did not support the party or President Robert Mugabe were tortured.

In 2008, some teachers fled their schools and sought refuge in urban areas fearing for their lives.

MDC-T claims that at least 200 of its supporters were killed by Zanu PF youth militia and secret security agents in the past elections as they tried to secure a victory for Mugabe.

Coltart also condemned situations where political campaigns are conducted under the guise of sports tournaments.

“Schools should be used for educational purposes only and not partisan political activities,” he said.

The country is set to hold harmonised elections next month and political parties have already started campaigning.

Mugabe had unilaterally proclaimed July 31 this year as the date for the elections but was advised by Sadc to apply at the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) so that the polls can be extended by at least two weeks.

Last week, the ConCourt postponed the hearing of the case indefinitely.

Major political parties in the country — including MDC-T and MDC — had also ganged-up against the proclaimed date and called on the elections not to be held until some electoral reforms were in effect.

Bulawayo24 News

By Lulu Brenda Harris

30 June 2013

INCUMBENT Bulawayo East legislator MDC-T’s Thabitha Khumalo is set to lock horns with MDC’s David Coltart for the House of Assembly seat in the forthcoming elections as the MDCs’ battle to control Bulawayo intensifies.

The two candidates, both identified as drawcards and strong candidates for their respective political parties, will battle it out come voting day.

Coltart, an MDC Senator and lawyer by profession, was first elected to represent the Bulawayo South House of Assembly constituency in June 2000 and was re-elected in March 2005.

In March 2008 he was elected as a senator to represent the Khumalo Senatorial constituency in Bulawayo.

Senator Coltart was sworn in as Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture in February 2009 where he resuscitated the ailing education sector.

Ms Khumalo is one of the outspoken female politicians and in 2011 stoked controversy when she called for the legalisation of prostitution.

In 2012, she also drew the ire of her party when she boldly challenged deputy Prime Minister, Ms Thokozani Khupe for the MDC-T’s vice-presidency during its congress.

This led to her demotion and her ouster came at a time when the MDC-T was battling to mend its tattered image in Bulawayo amid huge defections by its supporters to Professor Welshman Ncube’s MDC.

In an interview with Sunday News, Ms Khumalo admitted the Bulawayo East race would be fiery.

“The heat is there. But I am an action person. I will give it my best shot definitely,” she said.

Sen Coltart also confessed the polls would be “tough” as he would be standing against an active MP.

“She has been active in her activities with Jomic. I look forward to a good debate but I will certainly do my best. There’s a lot of work to do. The MDC-T won by 1 000 votes in the last elections. I hope to rope in that 1 000 deficit,” he said.

Ms Khumalo said it was sad that although the country has done well to achieve a 50/50 gender ratio it was not the same at political party level.

“On that woman front, I can garner more support but it is a farce because there are few women taking up political seats or making political decisions. I would have preferred a situation where MDC would have fielded a woman candidate in the constituency but then again we will see. I will give him what I am made of,” she said.

Coltart said although he was aware of the power behind a female vote, he too had worked fairly hard for women’s issues.

“Women are likely to be sympathetic towards another female candidate, I hope women in my constituency know I too have worked hard for women’s issues,” he said.

STATEMENT REGARDING DUAL CITIZENSHIP AND THE RIGHT OF ZIMBABWEAN CITIZENS BY BIRTH TO REGISTER AND VOTE

In terms of sections 36 and 43 of the new Zimbabwean Constitution ALL Zimbabweans born in Zimbabwe who have at least one parent who was either a Zimbabwe citizen at the time of their birth or one parent who is/was a citizen of any SADC country (and the person claiming citizenship must be currently resident) are entitled to citizenship AS OF RIGHT.

As soon as the new Constitution was published, Mr Mutumwa Mawere, a Zimbabwean by birth who subsequently acquired South African citizenship, approached the Registrar-General to have his Zimbabwean citizenship recognised in accordance with the new constitutional provisions. The Registrar-General informed Mr Mawere that he was not entitled to dual citizenship under the new Constitution, and that he had to renounce his foreign citizenship in order to acquire Zimbabwean identification documents. Mr Mawere lodged an urgent application at the Constitutional Court requesting that his entitlement to dual citizenship be confirmed and asking that, to protect his right to vote in the upcoming elections, the current “special and intensive” voter registration exercise be postponed pending the court’s decision. Immediately after hearing the case on 26th June, the Constitutional Court granted an order confirming his dual citizenship and making the following declaration: “ … the refusal or failure to issue the applicant with a national identity document upon application on May 27, 2013, was unlawful and in contravention of section 36(1) and applicant’s right to vote enshrined in section 67(3)(a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The [Registrar-General] is interdicted from demanding the applicant to first renounce his foreign-acquired citizenship before he can be issued with a national identity document”. The court’s reasons for judgment will be handed down later.

Th effect of this judgement is that all those born in Zimbabwe (and who comply with the above mentioned conditions) who have foreign passports cannot be denied the right to a Zimbabwean passport, the right to register and the right to vote. You do not have to surrender any foreign passport you have or renounce any foreign citizenship you have – you are a Zimbabwean citizen and have the RIGHT TO DUAL CITIZENSHIP.

I have received numerous complaints from constituents stating that the Registrar General’s staff are ignoring the judgment and demanding that holders of foreign passports surrender them before being able to change their IDs from “alien” to citizen – and then of course to be registered.

If this has happened to you or anyone else please do not give up and encourage others not to give up. Please let me know the details and we will try what we can to argue on your behalf.

I have no doubt that this is a deliberate and desperate measure by the RG’s office to deny thousands of Zimbabweans the right to vote because they know that all those citizens who have been regarded as “aliens” and treated with such contempt by Zanu PF during the last decade will not vote for Zanu PF.

I appreciate that this policy is designed to frustrate and deter citizens – so that they simply give up and cannot vote. Please do not give up – please be determined to get your citizenship back, to register and then to vote these people out of office.

Edmund Burke said “all it takes for evil to succeed is for good people to do nothing.” Please don’t allow that to happen. The future of our country is too important for us just to give up in the face of people who want to frustrate us and deny us fundamental rights. It is going to take patience, dogged determination, endurance and time to do this but it is critical that everyone tries. You only have until the 9th of July 2013 to get registered so please make time to stand up for your future, the future of your children and the future of Zimbabwe – this week.

Senator David Coltart.
Secretary for Legal Affairs
MDC

30 June 2013