BY BAYANDA NKATHA

Former Victoria Falls mayor Somvelo Dlamini has joined Zanu-PF alongside over 500 other opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members in Binga and Hwange.

Zanu-PF National Political Commissar Munyaradzi Machacha welcomed the returnees, including:

– Former legislator Patrick Nene Sibanda
– Former Binga Rural District chairman Munkombwe Dube
– Incumbent Mbizha Ward councillor Namo Chuma, who won the 2023 elections on an independent ticket
– Former councillors [names not specified]

Dlamini, who was sentenced to 36 months in prison last year for fraud, vowed to bring more people to join the party. “I am not coming here for positions but to build our country and defend the gains of the liberation struggle. My coming here is not a threat to anyone,” he said.

Zanu-PF’s Kumusha/Home/Ekhaya programme, led by Blessing Chebundo, aims to welcome returning members from the opposition. The new members were welcomed in Milonga on Saturday and Sonkaba on Sunday.

Dlamini contested for the Hwange West parliamentary seat as an independent candidate last year but was defeated by Vusumuzi Moyo of CCC.

This was after his defection as one of the strong supporters of Douglas Mwonzora’s faction after a fallout with Nelson Chamisa.

BY STAFF REPORTER

The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) has reported that a group of 19 members and community volunteers were arrested by the police riot team while participating in a peaceful clean-up activity in Mzilikazi this morning.

According to the MRP Information Department, the arrest was “unjust and unwarranted” and they demand the immediate release of their members and volunteers.

“Nineteen (19) MRP members and community volunteers who were participating in a peaceful clean-up activity from Noczim Matshobane to eMatshipsini in Mzilikazi have been arrested by the ZRP Riot team,” MRP said.

“The group was taken away a short while ago and are currently being held at ZRP Entumbane.”

“We condemn this action by the ZRP and urge all MRP members and community leaders to remain calm and peaceful,” said the department. “We will be engaging with relevant authorities to demand justice.”

The MRP Information Department has promised to provide regular updates on the situation as more information becomes available.

“We will provide further instructions and guidance as necessary,” they said. “Please stay tuned for further updates.”

The arrest has sparked outrage and concern among the community, with many calling for the release of the MRP members and volunteers.

Meanwhile the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association has announced on X that, “Unidentified men have just scalled the walls of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition offices (Harare). They disembarked from a white Toyota Hilux GD6.”

For the past two months, Zimbabwe has seen several activists and opposition party members being arrested, amid concerns over the violations of human rights.

NB: This is a developing, and more information  from the police will be provided as it becomes available.

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

It was a lively debate in the Parliament of Zimbabwe as MPs discussed the motion tabled by Discent Bajila on promoting indigenous languages in schools.

“I stood up to support the motion…the issue of our indigenous languages is very important,” said Spencer Tshuma.

“We were colonised by the whites and that is why we love the English language…we were lost as a nation and it should be rectified in the shortest possible time so that we can develop as a country.”

Another MP added, “We used to pray in our local languages. We would use our local languages to talk to our ancestors who would then take our prayers to God…why is it that such things are changing on a daily basis?”

They emphasized the need for children to learn in their local languages, saying “it will be easy for them to learn and it will also be easy for the teacher to teach them.”

Sithabisiwe Moyo for Bubi/Umguza expressed her happiness about the motion.

“I am really happy about this motion which pertains to the discussion of having children being taught in their native languages so that they grow up articulating and appreciating their mother language.”

Elizabeth Masuku, also from Bubi/Umguza supported the motion, stating “this motion is not merely a nod to cultural preservation, it is a profound step towards fostering inclusivity, enhancing comprehension and fortifying our national identity.”

Others also noted that trying to speak in a foreign language may lead to a breakdown of communication.

Finally, Taurai Dexter Malinganiso emphasized the need for action.

“We therefore require a deliberate action, deliberate policy with which to preserve our languages, promote the same in a manner that salvages our identity from this marauding quest by the erstwhile colonisers to actually down our heritage.”

Biatah Nyamupinga, who had spoken earlier, was also in agreement with the motion, highlighting the importance of understanding local languages in healthcare, particularly in discussing diseases like cervical cancer.

Recommendations from the debate included:

– Including indigenous languages in the school curriculum from an early age

– Providing funding and resources for the development of teaching materials in local languages

– Encouraging the use of local languages in schools, especially for subjects like Biology, Science, and Maths

– Supporting cultural programs that promote local languages and heritage

– Developing technology to facilitate communication in local languages.