HARARE – The forthcoming by-elections in 14 constituencies countrywide have proved the expedient benevolence of politicians whose conscience seems to jolt and remember the electorate when they need their votes, judging by the empty promises they have been retailing since the campaign started. Some of the largesse showered on the electorate serves to prove one…
HARARE – In a surprising turn of events, a panic-stricken Zanu PF, apparently acting through Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has twice dispatched emissaries to outspoken former Hurungwe West legislator Temba Mliswa in a bid to persuade the maverick politician to withdraw his candidature for the seat ahead of the June 10 by-election. Mliswa — who…
HARARE – The chief prison officer at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison has flatly refuted claims that they denied inmates accused of masterminding food riots at the institution access to toiletries. Blessing Chiduke, 25, Luckmore Matambanadzo, 39, Luck Mhungu, 38, Taurai Dodzo, 47, Thomas Chacha, 37, Thulani Chizema, 32, Jacob Sibanda, 28, and Elijah Vhumbunu, 38,…
BULAWAYO – Former Finance minister Tendai Biti has accused President Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zanu PF of crimes against humanity in its three decades-plus rule. Biti, who was the guest of honour here on Monday at the on-going Africa Day roundtable organised by Bulawayo Agenda, said Zanu PF had a case to answer. “Zanu PF must…
MASVINGO – Legislators from the local government parliamentary portfolio committee have joined residents here in resisting the installation of prepaid water meters, arguing privatisation of water was inhuman. Speaking during an advocacy and lobby workshop organised by Masvingo Residents and Rate Payers Association (Murra) last weekend, the lawmakers said they were in agreement with the…
HARARE – The Book Café is on the verge of solving a three-year financial crisis that was threatening its survival, Tomas Brickhill, the managing director of the legendary live music venue has said. Tomas, who took over the running of the award-winning arts venue following the death of his father Paul Brickhill in October last…
HARARE – I was part of the estimated 2 000 people who attended the launch of Jah Prayzah’s latest album Jerusarema at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) on Friday night. The launch of the Uzumba-born musician’s fifth album was scheduled to kick off at 6pm but we had to endure a three-hour delay reportedly…
LONDON – Speaking to the BBC last week, information minister Jonathan Moyo sought to paint an unproblematic picture after President Robert Mugabe has departed the political scene. Power has a soporific effect that blinds us to the future. Societies that later plunged into conflict had rulers who refused to see or never saw circumstances changing….
HARARE – Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko’s attempt to exonerate the current ruling regime of the Gukurahundi genocide is a classical act of engaging in hopeless propaganda. It is in fact a tragic effort to absolve the perpetrator, blame the victims, and erase the ethical meaning of this history. Mphoko is attempting to serve the agenda…
NAIROBI – Kenyan police have been involved in a fierce gun battle with militant Islamists in north-eastern Garissa County, leaving one officer wounded, a government spokesman has told the BBC. The al-Shabab militants had ambushed the police near Yumbis town in Garissa County, Mwenda Njoka added. He dismissed as propaganda al-Shabab’s claim that at least…
