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Mwonnzora suspends Khupe as MDC-T feud gets ugly

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

MDC-T on Thursday said it has suspended its deputy president Thokozani Khupe and her top ally Khaliphani Phugeni as the tussle for the control of the fringe opposition party intensifies.

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The Douglas Mwonzora led outfit announced Khupe’s suspension that was allegedly made on January 12 in a brief press statement.

Elsewhere, the party’s spokesperson Witness Dube told an online publication that Phugeni, a senator who was only appointed last year to replace an MDC Alliance legislator that was recalled by Mwonzora, had also been suspended.

The announcements followed an invitation to journalists by Khupe’s team to a press conference that she will reportedly address in Bulawayo on Friday.

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“The suspension was with immediate effect, pending investigations into the various allegations levelled against her,” MDC-T said in the statement signed by Dube.

“Investigations are being conducted by a team led by the party’s arbiter General and the suspension is in line with the party constitution.

“This is a result of certain issues that arose. Once the said issues are investigated and fully resolved the party will communicate such.”

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The former Makokoba MP’s lawyer Nqobani Sithole told another online publication that the suspension was “null ad void.”

Sithole argued that Mwonzora had expelled himself from the MDC-T after he wrote a letter to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission saying he was leader of the MDC Alliance.

In December last year, Khupe took Mwonzora to the High Court seeking to block alleged attempts to recall her from Parliament.

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The former deputy prime argued in court papers that MDC-T’s standing committee had passed a resolution in November 2021 to recall her and other officials from Parliament and local government positions.

Khupe and Mwonzora, who reuinited in 2020 after a controversial Supreme Court ruling that nullified Nelson Chamisa’s succession of the late Morgan Tsvangirai as leader of the original MDC, were behind the mass recall of MDC Alliance legislators and councillors.

The duo, however, fell out spectacularly after the party held its controversial extraoridnary congress in December 2021.

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Khupe accused Mwonzora of rigging the elections that landed him the top post.

The party says it will hold its elective congress in March.

Since emerging as the party leader Mwonzora has expressed an interest to work with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his ruling Zanu PF party.

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He has met Mnangagwa twice at State House.

His critics accuse him of hobnobbing with the ruling party for selfish reasons.

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National

Cyclone Chido moves away from Zimbabwe

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

According to the latest updates from the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC), Tropical Cyclone Chido has made landfall in Mozambique, approximately 35-40km south of Pemba, in Cabo Delgado Province.

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The intense tropical cyclone brought heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds of up to 220km/h, causing widespread destruction in Mozambique. The system is expected to continue tracking west-southwest towards Malawi, steadily dissipating.

Zimbabwe, which was initially predicted to be in the cyclone’s path, has been spared the worst of the storm.

However, neighboring countries, including Malawi, are expected to experience heavy rainfall and strong winds over the next 72 hours.

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The SHOC has issued a multi-hazard impact-based classification, warning of expected impacts, including strong gusts, heavy rainfall, and rough seas, in Mozambique, Malawi, and other parts of the region.

Member states have been urged to closely monitor official weather updates, intensify public awareness campaigns, and preposition relief supplies to enable a swift response to the cyclone’s impact.

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Senate passes death penalty abolition bill

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

The Zimbabwe Senate has passed the Death Penalty Abolition Bill, paving the way for the country to join the growing list of nations that have abolished capital punishment.

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The bill, which has already been approved by the National Assembly, will now be sent to the President for assent and subsequent publication in the Gazette as an Act.

The country has 62 convicted prisoners facing the death penalty.

Veritas has congratulated the Senators, Members of the National Assembly, the President, and the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for their role in facilitating the bill’s passage through Parliament.

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Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who is also the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, defended the bill in the Senate, citing studies that show the death penalty has failed to deter crime.

He emphasized that the actual number of murders remained the same despite the death penalty’s existence, questioning its effectiveness as a deterrent.

Ziyambi also highlighted the bill’s potential to address the root causes of crime, which he believes the death penalty does not tackle. He pointed out the bias of the death penalty against poverty-stricken people, stating that history shows the majority of those executed are from disadvantaged backgrounds.

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Zimbabwe has been on a de facto moratorium on executions for about 17 years, with the last execution conducted in 2005.

 

 

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Cyclone Chido bears down on Zimbabwe, government issues warning

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

A powerful tropical cyclone named Chido is moving menacingly towards Zimbabwe, prompting the government to issue a warning and advise residents to take necessary precautions.

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According to the Meteorological Services Department (MSD), Cyclone Chido has intensified into an intense tropical cyclone and is likely to affect Zimbabwe on December 17.

The storm is expected to bring heavy rains, thunderstorms, and strong winds to several provinces, including Manicaland, Masvingo, Mashonaland East and West, Harare Metropolitan, and parts of Midlands and Mashonaland West.

The MSD has warned of heavy rainfall exceeding 70mm in 24 hours in some areas, which could lead to floods, rockfalls, and mudflows.

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Residents have been advised to plan evacuation mechanisms, avoid open spaces, secure their homes from damaging winds, and stay informed through authentic updates from the MSD and the Department of Civil Protection (DCP).

The government has assured citizens that it is taking necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of the cyclone. The DCP is on high alert, and emergency services are ready to respond to any situations that may arise.

As Cyclone Chido bears down on Zimbabwe, residents are advised to remain calm but vigilant. The government’s warning and advisory come as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety and minimize damage.

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Stay tuned for further updates on Cyclone Chido and its impact on Zimbabwe.

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